Mandala

Over a year ago I started a sketchbook for drawing circular patterns.
I have a bit of a sketchbook obsession, always have, that's one of the reasons I taught myself bookbinding. When I was a student I was constantly buying new sketchbooks, each one a different shape, size and colour.
With nearly every sketchbook I start working in I get bored and rarely fill them before starting a new one. So the other day I came across this little square book with lots of mandala style designs in. I'm thinking they could be developed into fab card designs. What do you think?

Back again

Sorry......again.  I know, I keep disappearing from here but it doesn't mean I've forgotten about Bee Designs.  I tend to spend most of my time on Facebook so if you want to keep up to date with what i'm doing you can follow me here.
I have been busy since I was last on here, honest.  Making and photographing and here's a few things to prove it.

Japanese inspired

 I've always had a love for Japanese art, design and style and these new pieces are inspired by just that.  The daisies are a design I produced some time ago but I've developed it into these pieces of art and added machine stitching and washi tape.

In the mix

Sorting sequins out has inspired me to make this treasury from some of my recent favourites over at Etsy, a combination of colour and tones.

Fruit love notes

How sweet are these little fruit stickers found over at the twig and thistle store on Etsy.  With Valentines day not too far away, I have started to think of designs and ideas for new goodies with romance in mind.  With everywhere covered in red and pink hearts I'm trying to think of something that little bit different.
What do you like to see at valentines day?

Midnight Dreams

I always seem to have so many ideas going round in my head that often nothing becomes of them because I'm overwhelmed.  Earlier this week I spent a night trying to sleep but instead had thoughts and ideas running wild in my brain.  When I'm feeling like this I find myself browsing the internet and reading my favourite blogs or just creating a treasury to try and put these ideas into some sort of order.  This evening, after completing a commission I was working on, I made this new treasury.  Not only does it help with my creative overload but it's also named in honour of my sleepless night and it features some beautiful items found over at Etsy.

Grey Days Inspiration

A dull, grey day has left me feeling very miserable indeed. Do you ever have one of those days where you want to be creative but aren't able to motivate yourself to actually do anything? Well that's me today. So after spending several hours sitting looking grumpy I decided to make a couple of treasuries over at Etsy, I feel better about having not achieved anything practical and look at it as inspiration, in the same way you make mood boards. Take a closer look here and here.

November Nights

I haven't made a treasury for a while, I think mainly because my computer was being a pain and not working properly. So now I've had it fixed I thought i'd have a play around with some of my Etsy favourites.

I think now I should go and finish off any final bits ready for tomorrows fair at Rawlins College, Quorn and stop this playing about.

Sunshine dreaming

A weekend of music, fun and camping has left me dreaming of pretty things and sunshine. Here are some of the things inspiring me today.

Peace and serenity

This weekend i've been drawn towards these gentle images over at Etsy, they have such a peaceful and romantic feel to them don't you think?

What's been inspiring you lately?

leather and wood

What a week it's been. No work, just lots of time spent with friends and family, eating, drinking and enjoying the sunshine. It was also nice to be able to spend time making without a deadline hanging over my head.
I've just spent the last half an hour looking at lovely leather and wooden goodies on Etsy and making a treasury from my finds.

Sunshine and darkness

What a lovely week. Beautiful weather and to top it all off, no work for eleven days.
Yesterday we went cycling along Brampton Valley Way, an old railway track running from Market Harborough to Northampton. Great ride except for the two very long and very dark tunnels, it made me realise just how claustrophobic i still am, but i made it there and back.
Today i've spent the day with my wonderful family, eating, laughing and enjoying the the sunshine.
Tomorrow i need to focus on poor, neglected Bee Designs.

A touch of love

Another beautiful weekend has come to an end. Have you been doing lots and enjoying the sunshine?
I've spent most of my time indoors being creative, or at least trying to be. I'm in the process of helping my friend with wedding invitations, trying to get the shops organised and myself ready for upcoming fairs. A week off work next week will hopefully give me the chance to get everything sorted along with spending time with friends and family and generally enjoying myself.
I have managed, eventually, to create a pretty treasury and thought i'd share a few of the items with you here. Click on the image to go and see it in full. I seem to be having loads of problems with Etsy lately, either the page wont load or I can't see any of the images. I've checked all my computer settings and everything seems fine. Does anyone else have the same problems?

Pretty pinks

I was rummaging around in the fridge the other day when I came across these, somewhat mouldy little beetroots...oops. I couldn't resist taking a shot as the colours were just beautiful. Little pink bits that look as if they are stuck onto the purple beets. Isn't it great to find something pretty in nature that should really be, well, ugly.

Lovely Saturday

Today has been a lovely Saturday spent with friends and family. Hockey match followed by lunch at the 'Cow and Plough' and then off to the botanical gardens with my wonderful sister and nephew.

Pretty in pink

I love this time of year.

The sun has finally started to peep out, filling the day with a warm glow, this instantly makes me feel so much happier. The other thing about this time of year that I love is everything is starting to come to life. The first flowers of the year, the leaves on the trees beginning to bud but my favourite of all, the blossom. It has such a romantic feel to it, don't you think? Apparently the Japanese Cherry blossom or Sakura, symbolises love and affection amongst other things.

I've put together this collection of spring inspired Etsy goodies from a recent treasury, click here to see the entire treasury and all the items.

Last few.....I promise

I couldn't resist showing you just a few more gorgeous images from the House Doctor catalogue. How pretty are those kitchen shelves and i'm loving the storage idea for the vintage ribbon spools.

A little bit more

I promised a little bit more from House Doctor and here it is.

I hope you've had a good weekend so far, done anything exciting?

Doctor who?

I've been drooling over the 2011 House Doctor catalogue this morning. Have you seen it? They have some gorgeous things for the home and the images of their items are just beautiful. I'll share some of those with you another day but for now, these are few of the things that I would be very hapy to own.

The witching hour

I've just spent the last few hours searching the internet for inspiration. Having been dissapointed and not found what I was looking for I decided to make a treasury, this is always inspiring and fun.