Surtex Prep Update

I've been super busy lately planning and preparing for Surtex so I thought I'd do a little update of where I'm at!

Don't forget, I'll be in Booth #250!

Surtex has turned me into a list and spreadsheet crazy woman! I'm keeping myself organised and on target with goals, lists and spreadsheets.

I've booked my booth, made many many spreadsheets, budgets, quotes and more! I've got a list of friends booths and designers I would like to visit, lists and lists of things I need to do and get, business cards, banners, postcards, and of course loads and loads of work!

A few things that are really helping me through:

- Khristian A. Howell eBooks and Trade Show Checklist
- Todoist · An online task management and to-do list app. This allows you to add tasks, within different projects, with due dates and creates a productivity graph as you tick items off!
- iDoneThis · Great software for recording what you've done each day, so you can see what you've achieved so far not just what you've got left to go!
- Surtex Webinars from Elizabeth Olwen and Tara Reed
- The Surtex show manual and adding all the important dates to my Todoist Calendar
- Lots and lots of organisation
- Targets!

Hope to be back soon with more to share!

My brain has too many tabs open

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it summed up my current state..

Not just my brain, but my browser too! I've been very busy planning and creating new designs for Surtex.

I'll be back soon with an update of my progress!

Image source: A pair of pears

I'm going to SURTEX!!

So.. I told you had some exciting news and here it is! I'm going to be exhibiting at Surtex this May in NYC!

It's always been a dream to exhibit at Surtex and I am super excited! There's lots to plan and lots of work to be done but I've never been so excited to work hard! I'll be in Booth 250 so if you're coming to Surtex please pop in and say hello and view work or contact me via my website if you'd like to book an appointment beforehand!

Things might be a bit quieter than normal around here in the next few months while I work on lots of exciting news designs to show but I will keep you updated with my progress and some new work along the way!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2014

Feature Friday - Rachel Gresham

Today our featured designer is Rachel Gresham.

I discovered Rachel's work a few weeks back and love her use of colour and fun shapes. Her patterns and illustrations always put a smile on my face! Rachel was recently featured on Surface Pattern blog Print & Pattern, and is exhibiting at Surtex for the first time this May.

To find out more about Rachel visit her website, Etsy store, Society6 store or follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

Images copyright Rachel Gresham 2013

Feature Friday - Elizabeth Olwen

Today our featured Friday designer is Elizabeth Olwen.

I took Module 3 of ABSPD with Elizabeth, I just adore her folksy florals and wonderful use of colour!

Elizabeth Olwen is a Toronto-based surface designer. Inspired by pastoral beauty, nature in its most playful forms, folklore, and romance, Elizabeth's work is driven by the desire to leave something beautiful behind with every step she takes.

Her obsession with patterns began as a child when she would become mesmerized by the orange floral drapes in her mother's kitchen. Surrounded by bold, unapologetic prints, patterns were something that she could lose herself in; a window to faraway places. Through the years, the love of patterns remained, and inspired her to start making her own.

Elizabeth loves old wallpapers and vintage fabrics, cannot be forced to choose a favourite colour, and is hopelessly devoted to travel.

As well as gorgeous flora and fauna designs, Elizabeth also creates fabulous geometrics like these below..

Elizabeth has been busy lately and some of her designs are now available as wallpapers through wallpapered.com

She also recently revealed her 'in bloom' collection is now available as a set of teNeues notecards!

This girl is gonna go far with her beautiful designs! Elizabeth is exhibiting at Surtex this May in Booth 752, so if you're heading to Surtex don't forget to go and check out her wonderful designs and meet the lovely girl herself!!

To find out more visit her website, follow her on twitter or like her on Facebook!

All images copyright Elizabeth Olwen 2013