Top Drawer London

Yesterday I visited Top Drawer London. As a recent graduate I haven't had the chance to attend many trade shows so it was a great experience to not only meet other designers but also talk to business about how they source their designs too.

There was so much lovely stuff to see, some real food for thought about how I would like my career to progress and the competition in the industry, as well as some truly inspirational designers and products.

It was also great to meet Rachael Taylor and see the Charity Doodle wall progressing, looks like it's going to be fantastic! You can read more about the Charity Doodle here and donate here! Judging by how it was looking at the end of Day 1, it's going to look amazing when it's finished!

Didn't take many pictures during the day but below are a few phone pictures of the exhibition!

All images copyright Rosie Simons

Passion4Pattern Bloghop

Today I'm taking part in the wonderful Passion4Pattern bloghop!

If you've arrived here as part of the hop, welcome! If you haven't come as part of the bloghop and would like to see more you can jump to the start of the hop here.

A massive thanks goes to Tina Devins for the previous stop.

I have an exciting new collection that I've been working on to share today, inspired by my recent trip to Canada. I'm currently taking part in The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design e-course and have been given some fantastic assignments to work on, so lots of new stuff happening here at the moment!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2012

If you're interested then please feel free to explore my blog further and my website rosiesimons.co.uk
I am currently available for freelance work, commissions and licensing. If you have a query please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Now, for the last but certainly not least stop on the hop, I introduce to you Diane Rooney, enjoy! And thanks again for visiting!

Brighten a grey friday

Sorry I've been so quiet, it's been so busy here! But I have some really exciting posts to come in the next few days, don't forget Passion4Pattern bloghop on Sunday!

Today I thought I'd share a photo from the Hunter blog, which put a smile on my face on this grey drizzly friday.. Being a country girl I LOVE Hunter wellies, I'd have every colour if I could!

I love the colour palette created by the selection of boots and the way they match the patterns on the dresses! Talk about colour and pattern overload.. YUM!

I was inspired by the photo so created colour swatches to show the great colour palette in this image.. Now I just have to decide what to make with this lovely colour palette! A welly pattern perhaps?

Image source: Hunter blog

Passion4Pattern Bloghop

On Sunday I will be taking part in the second Passion4Pattern Bloghop.

If you don't know how a bloghop works, it's basically a chain of blogs. You start from one advertised blog and then each blog along a chain links you to the next blog, so you can read through lots of lovely blogs!

The starting blog for this Sunday's bloghop is http://clairesmillie.wordpress.com/ and all the blogs will post at 8am Sunday (UK time) so if you visit the link above or come back here, you will able to browse lots lovely work from very talented and hard working designers!

It's very busy here right now, Module 3 of ABSPD (SO many great briefs), freelance work and trying to spread the word of my work and manufacture products for sale along with working on designs to present for sale and licensing. PHEW.

So much exciting stuff to come but until then here's a little sneak peek of something I've been working on!

Images copyright Rosie Simons 2012

New Paperchase collection

If you're a regular reader of this blog then you'll know I'm a Paperchase fanatic. I find it so exciting when a new collection comes out and my dream has always been to design a collection sold in Paperchase..

I was browsing the website and noticed this interesting new collection.. the 'block press' collection.

I normally find myself drawn to the bright, fun and generally floral patterns in Paperchase, but this one is different and I love it! The pattern is designed to look like it has been block printed (maybe the original pattern was, who knows!) but the I love the outcome!

The use of textured papers and fabric help enhance the great texture of the print, the mix of colours and hand drawn style are fantastic and the texture of the print, as if it was a fresh block print, is so exciting! (yes, print nerd here!)

You can check out the range online here or in Paperchase stores, I bet it looks even better in person!

All images copyright Paperchase

The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design e-course

I'm so happy to announce I've joined the amazing e-course 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design' for Module 3!

Surface pattern design has always been my DREAM, and there had been many people raving about how amazing the course had been and the opportunities it had presented them with so I decided to join Module 3 to learn the business side to add to the creative side I already have!

PLUS this course gives me the chance to learn from one of my surface design IDOLS Rachael Taylor!

So far it has been fantastic (it's only the end of week 1), many interesting posts, useful information, fun briefs and great opportunities! It's also been amazing to connect with so many likeminded people, be part of a community and network with other creatives.

I will post some of the things I've been up to soon, I also hope to share some of the amazing work my classmates have been creating too! It's amazing being in the company of so many talented people!!

If you haven't seen it already you should check out the amazing magazine 'MOYO' made by the ABSPD course creators Beth Nicholls and Rachael Taylor, dedicated to surface pattern design, featuring fantastic designs, inspiration, trends and expert advice! It is a must read!

All images copyright 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design'

I'm back!

I'm back from a super fantastic holiday!

Getting back to routine and beating the jet lag has been hard but it's great taking inspiration from my trip to create new designs! Updates with what I've been up to and new designs coming soon!

Below are a few snapshots from my trip.. there are thousands so choosing just a few was hard!

All images copyright Rosie Simons 2012