Fun Run

Visit www.cchfunrun.org.nz to enter!

Pattern Observer- Geometric

Finding inspiration for new pattern designs for footwear can sometimes be very over whelming. There are some limitations in detail and colours available but there is also so much possibility. One of my go to websites for inspiration, Pattern Observer  has pages of beautiful on trend patterns from notable and up and coming designers. I could scroll through this website for hours!

I am loving simple geometric patterns at the moment and these translate really well onto footwear!

Rarotonga

I have just returned back to chilly Christchurch after 5 days in Rarotonga.
We arrived Tuesday morning at 2 am where we were picked up from the airport and taken to The Cooks Oasis Villas where we spent our first night. We spent the remaining 4.5 nights at Manea Beach Villas overlooking the amazing Muri Beach.
Although we were in Rarotonga for a short break we managed to pack in quite a few activities.
Some things I would recommend include:

• Hiring a scooter and travelling around the island 
• Snorkeling at Fruits of Raro
• Stand up paddle boarding on Muri Beach
• Eating delicious pastries at LBV in Muri Beach  
• Visiting the Saturday market for breakfast
• Climbing to The Needle rock-beware very steep but amazing views!
• Island night cultural show at Highland Paradise

If I ever return to Rarotonga (I hope I do) I have herd that a trip to Aitutaki is a must

Pastel

I have been wanting to do something creative outside of work for a while now so I thought I would give handmade cards a go!
I have always loved the art of paper cutting and find it so relaxing to sit down with a piece of paper and a scalpel craft knife.
I thought I would incorporate this with a bit of hand drawn typography and some lovely patterned paper for a simplistic clean look. 
This is what I have come up with and they are now for sale on Etsy!
My shop is called Pastel, after my obsession of pastel colours in design and you can visit it on www.etsy.com/shop/passtel 

There is only a small amount of stock in the store at the moment but I will continue to add more designs :)

Donut

Its about time Christchurch got it's own wee Donut shop. I came across The Donut Boutique a few days ago and although I haven't had the chance to stop by yet I had a look at their Facebook page TheDonutBoutique 

and have decided I must pay a visit this Saturday! Yum! 

So today's illustration is of course a Donut... or is it Doughnut? I'm not sure?

Mmm Mexican!

This Mexican chilli with tortilla chips and avocado is my new all time favourite recipe, I have made it twice now and it is just delicious! 
The recipe we used is from Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals but we altered it a wee bit to suit us!

This recipe is really healthy and full of flavour!

For the chilli and rice

½ fresh red chilli
1 red onion
1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
1-2 garlic cloves
1 big bunch fresh coriander
olive oil
2 mixed-colour peppers
1 x 400 g tin of chickpeas
1 x 400 g tin of black beans
700 g tinned tomatoes
1x 250 g pack of cooked mixed long grain & wild rice



For the Avocado/Guacamole

2 ripe avocados
3 heaped tablespoons fat-free
natural yoghurt
2 limes
Handful of coriander

Put the chillies, peeled and halved red onion, paprika and cumin seeds into the processor, squash in the unpeeled garlic through a garlic crusher, then add the coriander stalks (reserving the leaves) and 2 tablespoons of oil, and whiz until fine. 

Tip into the pan, then add the deseeded and roughly chopped peppers, drained chickpeas and black beans, a pinch of salt and pepper and the tinned tomatoes, stir well and put the lid on.

Fold the tortillas in half, slice into 0.5cm strips, sprinkle on to a baking tray and pop in the oven until golden and crisp.

Put most of the coriander leaves, a pinch of salt and pepper, half a peeled avocado, the yoghurt and the juice from 2 limes into a jug and whiz with a stick blender until silky

Check and adjust the seasoning of the chilli, leave the lid off 

Remove the tortillas from the oven into a bowl

Make a well in the middle of the chilli and tip in the rice, then pop the lid on for the last few minutes to warm the rice through 

serve the chilli with the toasted tortilla strips and the Guacamole sauce mmmm super yum!

Day 2... and 3

Soooo..

I forgot to post yesterday.. not a good start but today here is two designs to make up for it!

The type was a doodle I drew up when thinking about designing my Mum and her partner Mike's wedding invitations. Its completely hand drawn and a little over the top but I thought it looked quite nice!

The second is a design i drew up for Urban Angel (a sub label of Pumpkin Patch for older girls)

a cute wee design to go on a tote bag :)

An illustration a day...

A wee project I am working on to get my illustration skills up!

I will start with just a week and see how it goes.

Today I hand drew an Aztec print and coloured it in illustrator, i really like creating this style of illustration at the moment.