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!

FABRIC!

I am so excited! My fabric designs from Spoonflower have arrived. I can't tell you how good it is to see your own design on fabric...a dream come true! Thank you Spoonflower! They look amazing. Now all I have to do is get on that sewing machine...ahem. So, it's gunna be a busy couple weeks; next Thursday will be the very first Cinnamon Toast @ Home party (the actual launch party). Can't wait. Live music (from me bro Christopher Ryman & friend Amy Coonagh), plus cinnamon toast and mulled wine shall be served, games & a prize draw. I hope everyone will have fun and enjoy browsing through the designs as much as I enjoyed designing them. The following week I head back to the homeland and host two further parties in Wales & England. It's all go from here on. I have also set up a shop on Etsy too, so I will be uploading the goods very soon. LOVE IT. Have a good day everyone! x

Design Montage

I realise I have neglected Cinnamon Toast blogging of late, apologies! But it has been for a very good reason, I have been working on some new designs and planning! At the end of September / beginning of October Cinnamon Toast will officially launch. With a new website showcasing designs and offering handmade items for sale, this has been a rather busy but exciting time. I thought I would put together a montage of some of the designs I have been working on and what you can expect to see...hope you like! Have a good day now x

More floral designs

Well, it's certainly been a while since my last post. Lots going on, moving home and changing life completely in a new direction...! All change again. So here are a couple designs I've been working on. These are from original watercolours I had painted and just reworked them through photoshop. Nice stationery; wedding invites, greeting card, wrapping paper...the list is endless...! Would love to hear your thoughts...x

Squiffy Apple

This was just a simple messing around moment - freehand tool in Photoshop (not as easy as one might imagine on a laptop using your finger and in need of a steady hand!). I quite liked it, and it looks quite quirky as a pattern on Spoonflower! Oh yes, Spoonflower, this amazing website I discovered where you can upload your images and it creates the pattern repeats for you (options given) and prints the pattern on to fabric. It was a dream come true when I received my first lot of designs on fabric through the post - so beautifully packaged as well. My designs had made it on to fabric!! Amazing. Such an easy website to follow as well. A recommendation to all budding designers out there who want to see and touch their designs on fabric. Watch out family and friends at Christmas time - you know what you'll be getting...