Spotted in the garden

A lovely white butterfly on a hot summer's day.
(But have just been informed that this is a cabbage moth and a pest! Oh well. Thanks Mum).

Sketching the garden

As the rain pours down outside....

I'm having a little break from designing the Hiccups range at the moment, and am working on a design inspired by an assortment of flowers and weeds collected from the farm (before the storms hit). It's nice to have a change of subject every now and then!

New Liberty prints inspired by children's book illustrators

I have pretty much fallen in love with every design in the latest collection of Liberty Art Fabrics! The Spring Summer 2011 collection sees the Liberty Design team collaborating with some of the best known children's picture book illustrators in the business. The talented names behind the new fabric designs include Quentin Blake, Lauren Child, Jane Ray and Emma Chichester Clark. 

Lola Weisselberg by Quentin Blake and the Liberty textile designers, displays all of the design qualities of a classic Liberty print, and was inspired by old seed packets and embroidered samplers.

Charlie's Paisley by Quentin Blake was inspired by the collection of hand-painted paisleys in the Liberty Archives.

Pep, a happy design inspired by Lauren Child features a stylised cherry blossom with a sprinkling of 'Charlie and Lola' style.

The very beautiful Kasia print takes its inspiration from Jane Ray's re-telling of the traditional fairy tale of 'Snow White and Red Rose'. 

Delfie by Lauren Child is based on the much loved 'Mirabelle' print, designed by Gillian Farr in 1962.

Helena's Party, another design inspired by Lauren Child, is a re-working of a Liberty lace work archive design from the 1930's. I think this would make a lovely summer skirt....

Plum Dog by Emma Chichester Clark is a whimsical print inspired by Emma's dog 'Plum'.

Tuesday Trees features a forest of Tana Lawn prints from the Liberty archives and a touch of Lauren Child's collage technique.

This lovely collection of designs (this is just a small selection) are now available for purchase from the Liberty of London website. I have already put my order in with the Linen House design studio manager Sue, who is travelling over to Europe at the minute to attend the Heimtex trade fair. I look forward to seeing these textile lovelies in person!

Sunshine colours, happy spaces

Here are a few bright and breezy decorating ideas for children's bedrooms from the pages of Marie Claire Idees magazine. 

Camille Soulayrol, Elodie Piveteau

Dominique Turbé

Camille Soulayrol, Caroline Diaz

Dominique Turbé, Christian Martin

Camille Soulayrol, Caroline Diaz

Dominique Turbé

Dominique Turbé, Lise Meunier

Christl Exelmans

 Camille Soulayrol, Lise Meunier

Camille Soulayrol, Corinne Crasbercu

 Réka Magyar

My favourite colour combination - turquoise with a hint of red!

Dominique Turbé

Peace and love and patchwork

Cheery colours, vintage textiles and an embroidered bird - I couldn't resist posting this lovely image from the UK Country Homes & Interiors magazine!

Happy 2011!

Here are a few wildflowers (and one brightly coloured little fellow) I spotted around the farm at Christmas time - courtesy of all of this rain we have received here in Victoria....

Best wishes for a wonderful, creative and fun-filled 2011!