Time flies...

Wow, it's been a while since I have posted anything up here! Been a busy few months to say the least.

Just to say quickly and will blog again soon, I have a new website called www.cinnamontoastdesigns.com - hosts a portfolio of my artwork and designs. Hope you like. Some changes need to be done...but I am pleased with it all the same! Hope you like it too.

Opportunities...

Gosh, major neglect for the old blog! Apologies for that!

Well doors are starting to open in terms of freelancing opportunities, which has been so deeply encouraging. Two companies have been in contact asking to work alongside them (one of which have offices in NY & London), which is amazing. I had been sending work off for the past year and more and would either not hear anything back seeming like my work was going into some kinda 'void' or then receiving a response but only to be greeted by a 'no', I felt rather dejected. Well, the last few months things have proved to be a very different story. Firstly I have signed up with a licensing agency, who this past week were exhibiting at the Surtex Show in NYC and next week will be at the Progressive Greetings Show in London (here's hoping something will come from either one or both). Secondly, two companies who I had applied for freelance work actually got back to me with a positive response! Hoorah! So, at the moment I am trying to work on some designs for these two companies, which is very exciting and a real dream; especially with the one company who want me to work on designs to do with fashion fabric print and homeware. Wow! Good opportunities to say the least. In the meantime, here are some pics of some pieces of work I had worked on for a commission and another design for a baby grow...hope you like...Have a good day now x

Weddings...

Well, the last couple months have been occupied with weddings, engagements and 60th Birthday surprises! All for which my creative juices have been overflowing! I have uploaded some pics from the engagement shoot. It was so so cold that day, but the couple were great and so patient! It helped we stopped for a cuppa and cake in between shoots to warm ourselves up - got us ready to brace the cold for the next round. All in all the pics turned out well, and the couple were pleased (which is the most important thing). An image was then chosen to be used as part of the wedding invite. It was a single card with the image on front and the invite wording on the back, this was overlaid with parchment paper with the printed verse, then tied together with jute string. See pics.

Along side of this wedding I was working on another, which is the Save the Date design. I will eventually upload the images of the 60th Birthday surprise gifts as soon as I get them off me phone! I designed and made a table runner, serviettes, cushion cover and two cards. Was so good to be challenged with such varied projects all at once...let's hope more will come from them all.

If you would like to see more images of the engagement shoot, go to the Cinnamon Toast fan page... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cinnamon-Toast/126571144053471

Runner Up!

Well, I received some lovely news on Friday. One of the designs I had entered for the Tigerprint Contemporary Florals Competition was chosen as a runner up! Such great news, and a great start to the new year. Congrats to the winner and the other runners up as well. Their work is fab. Well done.

Here's what the judges had to say about my design...'This design has a softer floral and less contemporary feel than perhaps some of the other entries. However it makes a lovely range of designs which demonstrate Elizabeth's great style which is commercially viable to Marks & Spencer.'

Thank you Tigerprint! Go check out the winning design and runners up...http://tigerprint.typepad.com/tigerprint/2011/01/contemporary-floral-results.html

Hope ya having a good day! x

Tigerprint - Contemporary Florals Competition

Woweee, two posts in one day! I am on a roll! I entered the latest Tigerprint competition - Contemporary Florals - though my computer decided to crash on me (obviously not use to working so hard, especially after the Christmas break) just as I was about to email. I hope they were still able to accept the entries after deadline time...But if not, it was fun to get back into again. So, here they are...what do you think? x

Happy New Year

My goodness, it has been 2 months since I last made a post! Gosh. Well, it has been with good reason that I have neglected the blogging. I have been literally attached to my sewing machine for the last 2 months (with exception of the Christmas break) sewing up orders from the '@home' parties. The Cinnamon Toast@ Home parties went well back in the UK, orders were taken from each of the parties and the feedback has been really encouraging. Thank you to all the hosts, once again, for opening up your home to family and friends. I am so grateful for the opportunity to get my work seen and out there.

So, having completed the orders in good time to be sent ready for Christmas, the parcels were sadly delayed (and some still are) with the snow. As beautiful as it is, it caused a great deal of mayhem. I just now pray that the remaining parcels get to their destination safely and securely. Though, sadly too late for Christmas. Well, it's lasted that little bit longer I suppose!

I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year. 2010 has been a year I shan't forget, an extra special year! I started the New Year in a country I love and headed off to live in a city I had always dreamt about living in, NYC! Then I come back to the UK to only leave again and live in another great city, Dublin! With the support and encouragement of friends and family, I end the year living out another dream...designing and making textiles for the home and accessories out of my very own fabric - who'd a thought it! It's not been easy to say the least, and at times I got incredibly frustrated, but perseverance prevailed and at the same time was reminded to be 'thankful' of all that has happened and will continue to happen. So, as we start the new season and year 2011, it's time to dream big! And I encourage you to dream big too. A friend once wrote me this quote when I was studying for exams, and it has always stuck with me...'you are never given a dream without the power to make it come true'. So go and live out your dream! Happy 2011 x

And a final thank you to all who read this and for your lovely messages of support, my family who have been an amazing support - their belief in me and encouragement and to the friends who believe, support and encourage (you know who you are)! Thank You! XXX

Thought you may like to see some pics of the items I had been working on and designing!

Brrm brrm and PANTS!

Well, I have completed Tour #1 of 'Cinnamon Toast @ Home' and the orders have been great! Should keep me very busy for the next few weeks, then it will be time for Tour #2 (five parties in one week). I have learnt not to have expectations, even in the 3 I have already done. Each one has been so different; audience, sales and response. But it is all very much a learning curve right now - especially acknowledging the areas I love and those I don't love as much! Enjoying this experience though.

Not long til Christmas! I love this time of year, the lead up to Christmas and the shop windows brightly decorated with beautiful decorations, twinkling lights and colours. However, I've taken a break from Christmas and created a few new designs. I have printed the mopeds onto baby grows and the pants onto drawstring bags to make pants bags! But they would also be nice on a card too. Hope you like.