Tigerprint Male Pattern Competition...

I recently entered the Tigerprint competition for Male Pattern, although I was unsuccessful I still really enjoyed coming up with some more 'masculine' pattern ideas. I had based my research for the patterns on my dad and his love of music. I kind of worked my way through the ages of music media, from records to cassette to ipod! I think the cassette design with the unravelled tape is my favourite...that was always frustrating when your brand new tape had been chewed up and you had to carefully wind it all back in, digital files are so much tidier!

new birthday cards (+1)...

Another design to add to the two I posted yesterday. Well I thought not everyone is a cake and presents person, some prefer a cocktail or two, I know I do! But then I do love cake...and presents...good thing it's my birthday this weekend!

new birthday cards...

Happy new week to everyone! I have started this week with a goal of working though the many doodles and design sketches I have stashed away in various notepads and developing some into actual designs! These are the ones I have done today, do you like them? I am pleased because sometimes I like the little sketches much more than the finished piece, something about the quality of a little doodle adds to the cuteness, I don't know...
Anyway hope you all have a lovely week and please check back again as I'm hoping to get a few more designs done soon! Plus a few pictures of some lovely things I've acquired over the weekend...goodies galore!

Etsy...bee things

Now I can't for the life of my remember where I discovered bee things, but I was having a wander around my bookmarks and discovered it right at the bottom of one enormous list (really must organise better!) Their website and accompanying blog are both lovely to have a browse around, but their Etsy shop is just full of wonderful quirky limited edition prints, as well as paper printed lunch bags (if I was at school now I would love to have had my lunch in these!) and a range of beautiful iPhone wallpapers. I am rather in love with the 'pygmy cactus owl, night' print (second from top) with his worried little expression he is so cute! I urge you to pop by and not be tempted!

helping a friend...

So last week and part of the weekend I have been helping one of my good friends move apartments, it is amazing how much stuff can accumulate in one small space! So there was lots of to-ing and fro-ing, a little heavy lifting and plenty of tea! By yesterday afternoon the new place was starting to take shape, my friend had decided to inject a little red into her living room colour palette and before moving had bought some lovely items from Next home. Whilst browsing the website this morning I found a few other gems, I particularly love the 'tea for two...' print and the quirky trio of vases.

My friend had bought a couple of the poppy print cushions, which are lovely and although you can't quite see in the photo they have an embroidered and beaded centre, plus the back is a lovely grey linen fabric for a bit of a contrast. Some other bits she had purchased (but I couldn't find on the web) were some lovely chunky red mugs in a plain and hand painted stripe, and a trio of vases (different to the ones I found.) So by the end of the day it was all coming together and looking very homey!

littletree (re)discovers...Uncommonly Beautiful

Back in September I went to Tent London, which is a showcase for up and coming or unusual design talent, it was located just off of Spitalfields market, so afterwards we had to make a quick stop to browse the many lovely stalls. I bought this necklace from one and have worn it over and over, but I couldn't remember the name of the stall! Then having a little clearout the other day I found the business card! I was so happy I popped straight over to the Uncommonly Beautiful website to see what was new and I just had to share it with you! All of the accessories are made from recycled bits of unloved jewellery, beads, buttons and these lovely wood blocks with patterns printed on. Here are a few of the new designs I am currently craving from their online shop... particularly loving the printed woven leather necklace and laser cut wooden brooch. What's your favourite?

littletree loves...Hope and Greenwood

I was in London on Monday to see Shrek the musical at the Theatre Royal and what did I spy just across the street? A Hope and Greenwood store! As they say on their packaging they are 'purveyors of splendid confectionery' which I love, so I popped in to stock up on goodies before the show. The picture at the top is the now empty bag that was at one point full of flying saucers, my absolute fave! I didn't have my camera with me unfortunately because the interior of the store was so super cute, but luckily I managed to find a few images of a store over on the Hope and Greenwood blog. In my own mind I always think of them being my own personal sweet shop as I am a Greenwood after all, but weirder still is we used to have a dog called Hope! Spooky huh? If your in London I urge you to visit one and if you don't leave with a bag of yummy treats you have more self control than me!

littletree discovers...pyrex dish and ercol style chairs

Another couple of bargains I have picked up in the last few weeks, the little pyrex dish was a carboot find only yesterday for a whole 50p so I just had to have it! I love the pattern and unusual colours, plus it's the perfect size for snacks, all I need now is some peanut m&m's...

 

Now for the bargain of the century! I was scouting my local charity shops a few weeks ago and just sitting in the doorway of one I spied this lovely ercol style chair, on closer inspection of the price label I saw it was just £7 for a pair! Looking around I saw the other chair and although they were in need of a little tlc I just had to have them! Ercol has really come back in fashion here in the uk and I would love some of the new designs if I had the funds...so for the time being these similar style chairs are just the ticket to curb my ercol cravings! It took a fair few days and a lot of sandpaper but they have really come up a treat and there was just a little space in my room for one chair to fit so I can admire it everyday!

Etsy...Priss Designs

I haven't done a post about my Etsy finds recently but I thought this lovely shop was definitely worth a mention! There are so many lovely and really affordable prints at Priss Designs so I have picked a few favourites to share with you. Of course I like the grey and yellow birdie print but I'm loving the teal trees with red birds print for my bedroom as its all the right colours! Well my birthday is coming up...hint hint!

littletree loves...old things and new things

New Things...1. Jme at Home spice jars/rack. 2. JosephJoseph Chop to Pot & Colander - TkMaxx. 3. Summer Fruit print by Lucie Sheridan at A Little Bit of Art. 4. Box of Notelets & Stickers by Mara-mi at Roobee - TkMaxx.

Old Things...1. Royal Doulton plate (pattern is Spindrift) - 50p charity shop. 2. Awesomely retro candle holder - £1 carboot sale. 3. Funky little serving bowl (looks strawberry shaped from the top) - £1 carboot sale. 4. American glass Cocktail shaker (with recipes on the back!) - £3 carboot sale. 5. Pifco table fan (with original matching burgundy wire and Empire Made plug, which makes me think its pretty old!) - £5 carboot sale.

In case you couldn't tell I finally have my new camera (it's all red and shiny!) so I have been documenting all of the lovely bits and pieces I have found since I've been away! A few particular favourites are the Jme spice jars which were a surprise from my nan at easter, she had bought them but then decided she didn't have room and did I want them? So of course having no kitchen of my own I have used it to store all my pins, paperclips and mini clamps so they are all organised and in reach on my desk! The lovely notelet set I discovered at TkMaxx, as well as the JosephJoseph bits, if you have never ventured into a TkMaxx I urge you to do so! I'm not too fussed about the clothes but the accessories and homewares are amazing and there are bargains to be had down every aisle! It is a task not to come out laden down with goodies! And finally my little Pifco fan, seeing as I only bought it last week it is my new love! It was very sad looking, dirty and rusty, but I have given it a little love and a lot of scrubbing and now it's as good as new! Phew! A big post, but I hope you have enjoyed it and maybe encouraged you to get out there and explore new places whether it's your local car boot or TkMaxx! x