Something to view...Trends from the Heimtex show

The Eccentric Trend

Hello, the absent blogger is back.... and apologising again for lack of posts.....

While I am preparing for what could be an exciting year.... and while I am working on new projects, I thought that I would post the trend info from the Heimtex Fair in Germany this January.

I generally do not take trend reports too seriously and do not adhere to them particularly even if I always find them interesting, but what I found quite interesting about this one is the four key moods seem to apply quite a lot to how my mood and inspiration is at the moment...... enjoy the video and the pics.

The Historian Trend

The Inventor Trend

The Geologist Trend

Where have I been?.. and what is happening in 2013 ? part one

Recent ad for the Mural side of my business.

Hello All, I have been away from any blog post for so long. It has actually been almost 3 months since I have posted anything new and I wanted to do a little update before we go into the new year.

2012 has been quite an unusual and at times, a stressful year.  However I do believe that 2012 and all that has happened and all that I have been working on has certainly provided the foundations for 2013.

Lots to talk about and perhaps too much to put into one blog post..... so it may be better to do short little updates to avoid boring everyone.

First is the development of the Mural side, which after completing the huge "Wisteria Wonderland" I decided to promote this side of my business as you will see from my recent ad which will be in the Gold Directory. I have started building up a portfolio of ideas in miniature form to illustrate all the different ideas that I have for Murals which are quite different in style and content........ I shall post a selection of these soon.
A recent  interior commission for the new year is quite exciting........ something to post as and when I complete the project............I hope you are interested and if so watch this space....

John Lewis, Cheadle... What a great Fabric display!

While I was down at my sisters we went to the huge John Lewis in Cheadle. I never miss an opportunity to browse through the fabrics and the innovative display really caught my eye and actually reminded me of the quirky advertisements that Osborne and Little are famous for. Great use of the space available and for the creative mind inspires lots of other ideas.

Colours for today, Flame red, sky blue and touches of aged lime and orange

All of the colours of the day

 After yesterdays walk in the gorgeous sunshine I thought that I would share a few of the photos that I took.  The key colours  were reds, oranges, lime, aged greens with grey and the bright blue of the sky....... stunning colour palette to use for new designs or paintings I thought. to see more pics, check out my flickr ....... also why not check out the paint colours if you feel inspired to re create the look on you wall......

Designers Guild Sky Blue

Designers Guild Cypress 

Farrow and Ball Ciara yellow

Farrow and Ball Charlotte's Locks

Farrow and ball Folly Green

Designers Guild Poppy

Farrow and Ball Blazer

Burnt coral red, gold... my favourite seasonal colours

Sky blue, silvery green and hot red

Red, gray and cloud blue

Stunning red against the washed out grass and clear blue

Sunday morning at Castlefields, Manchester

One of the barges turning around... a very slow process

Last weekend Brad and I were in Manchester and how lucky we were as the weather was sunny and hot , especially on the Saturday when we met my sister and had lunch then we later sat in Exchange Square  catching the last of the rays with a glass of Pinot. Lots of crowds in the square watching the last of the Paralympics on the large screen... the atmosphere was great.

On the Sunday morning we decided to have a walk around Castlefield which I had not seen since the regeneration. New apartments mixed with old warehouses, mills and the barge activity on the canal.  This area where Roman Manchester began and there are a few sites which have been reconstructed to illustrate this. It is also where the Rochdale canal meets the Bridgewater canal and close to Granada TV studios (saw a few of the Corrie actors having a quiet coffee) and the fabulous M.O.S.I (Museum of Science and Industry, which we visited later in the day..... will post those pics soon.

Swing bridge and renovated old mill

Old and new... Beetham tower in complete contrast to the canal and Victorian building

Old railway still in use by the tramway system, notice the gothic design and Castlelike turrets  built by the Victorians.

Brief history near the Roman remains

Quiet bar which is bustling in the evening

Apartments, mill, barge and canal.... really pleasant an quiet this Sunday morning

These Geese looked huge... I was used to seeing Ducks

One of the more pretty barges

Playing with a new ad design

It really is such a long time since I have posted anything on the blog. I have had quite a few projects on the go and a few of them I am not able to share, however today I have been playing around with images of my mural for an advert..... its not quite right yet but I think that I have the basic idea sorted. At the weekend I was in Manchester and I did take some great pics which I intend to show on a new blog post.