Monday 4 March 2024

Harnessing the Hues of Autumn: A Vision Board for Surface Pattern Inspiration

 


Vision board created for week two of the Surface Pattern Design course: Immersion. 

My initial aim was to create a Spring themed vision board, but, I feel it has ended with a more autumnal vibe. with: dried Cosmos and Lisianthus blooms; poppy & honesty seeds and the papery moult from a silver birch tree; citrus slices and the browned leaves from a Red Baron grass plant. 

The mosaic Blue Tit is one of my mini mosaics. These tiny, but fierce birds make me smile and visit the garden every day. They have decided that the fat-cake hanging from the ornamental cherry tree is THEIRS alone and not for other birds! 😄 

I love the sea and am interested in marine life, so. I’ve also added shells and a decorative fish tin lid. 🐚

As I want to design my first collection around the theme of Spring, I’ll need to create another vision board - as they say practice makes perfect!


Alison Day Designs


Saturday 24 February 2024

Immersion: Diving into the World of Surface Pattern Design




My collection of dried, pressed flowers and leaves, grown last summer and picked from my garden or collected en route somewhere are a great source for sketching. I’ve even created floral sheets for inspiration.





Below is first attempt pattern: Fuchsia Frolic - using a favourite plant that I grow each year in my garden for inspiration. This was created after taking part in free a 5-day pattern challenge, generously offered by Bonnie Christine.


Although I’ve used Adobe Illustrator before for publications, it was a learning curve on what else Illustrator can be used for. The pattern still needs a little tweaking, but was a lot of fun to make - I love a challenge!



The prospect of what learning surface pattern design could add to a my business long term, in terms of creativity and passive income is exciting. So, I’ve signed up for Immersion, an 8-week course (offered by Bonnie), to add this skill to my repertoire. The stunning course book and goodies have already arrived in time for the start on Monday !


Alison Day Designs 🌸


Saturday 6 January 2024

The Ivy, Oxford: Falling Far Short of the Grandeur (& Price Tag)

 



Having planned to to spend the festive season abroad, visiting my son in the Netherlands, I suggested to my sister that we have pre Christmas celebration dinner together. The Ivy in Oxford was on my list of restaurants to try, so after we had both taken a look at the menu, I booked a table.


Founded in 1917, the original Ivy restaurant was in the West End and was popular with both celebrities and theatre-goers. Since then, The Ivy Collection has grown to a chain across the UK and Ireland.


Researching the menu online, it looked promising and offered a variety of choices. As an artist, I was also intrigued by the sumptuous interior photos. Both my sister and I were excited by the prospect of our festive meal.


Arriving earlier than our booking, we sat at the bar and ordered cocktails while waiting for our table. In the interim, I enjoyed the interior decor and botanical illustration reprints on the walls.





The cocktails came. I had ordered The Lost Paloma, tequila based with lime and grapefruit soda and my sister a Foxhound, brandy based with cranberry and lime juice. The barman introduced my cocktail as he presented it to me, in a manner befitting a cocktail. However, in the interval between serving the first and second cocktail, like the gust of an incoming storm, the barman's attitude changed and with a face like thunder, he literally hurled the second cocktail in my sister’s direction, without an introduction. We were astonished at the change, although I had observed his manager admonishing him during the making of our order. 

Back to the cocktails, both were pinkish, tasted almost identical and were watery. The usual cocktail promise, of flavour infusion coupled with expert mixology, was totally absent!


Our table ready, we moved from the bar, disappointing cocktails in hand, to a table for two, close to a serving station. This proved to be too close, because shortly after sitting down I was unceremoniously elbowed in the head by a member of the serving staff.


The ambient lighting of the restaurant was too dark and the fact that I had forgotten my reading glasses, meant I was unable to read the tiny font of the menu. We requested candles, which our table was lacking and although pretty they didn’t improve the twilight. To read the menu, I used the torch on my mobileas did the rest of my fellow diners.





First we ordered wine and water from our waitress. Opting for something new, we chose a Greek wine: Assyrtiko White Ash (Santorini, Greece) and Elra, a still water.

I’ve never experienced such a fiasco, surrounding a bottle of wine. As the waiter, who spoke little English, opened the wine, we asked if the wine could be chilled in the ice bucket, which at the time was situated behind my sister’s chair. No reaction. He labelled the bottle with our table number, hid the bottle out of reach at the service station and disappeared. 


In anticipation, we drank the water, but the wine didn’t return. Eventually, we managed to catch the attention of our waitress, who said the wine was coming. When it finally reappeared, after about 10 minutes, it was dumped unceremoniously in the ice bucket - without ice.



The request to pour our own wine, so as not to be hurried through an £80.00 bottle of what turned out to be a poorly chilled and uninteresting Greek wine, was met with surprise and the various attempts to fill our glasses were quickly nipped in the bud. Requests for the ice bucket to be filled with ice, to cool the tasteless, now warm wine, caused confusion. It took several requests before ice was finally brought by the manager, with apologies for the delay.


Making the staff aware of our dietary requirements - my sister is Vegan and I have an allergy to gluten went smoothly, but greatly reduced our menu choices. My bugbear was that a lot of food items had been cooked in the same oil as food containing gluten. Chips as a side had to ruled out for this reason and additionally because they had been (unnecessarily) coated in an ingredient containing gluten, to make them more crispy. My sister’s choices were reduced dramatically as well, to salads and the cliché go to option of sweet potato curry, favoured by many a restaurant.


Onward and upward, the food arrived…



My starter, a lobster and prawn cocktail was served in a bowl held by a striking crab holder and was delicious. This was followed by duck curry, kept warm by a tea-light lamp, rice and green beans with almonds. It was tasty, but not particularly special. Not being in the mood for the sweet potato curry, my sister opted for a salad starter and salad main, which were so-so and uninspiring.


A trip to the ladies loos, was the most fun I had all evening. On the way, the walls are covered with pictures and replicas of exotic botanical prints at every turn. The toilets are a fantasy in pink in a variety of shades and tones. The loo is pink and the floor tiles a pale pink. Climbing roses and beautifully detailed birds adorn golden walls, with statuesque Greek gods posing in between.



Not wanting to be subjected to another course, we opted for the simplicity of an after dinner digestive. A Sambuca for me and a 6-year old Calvados Camut, for my sister. To avoid further artistic license, I stipulated that my Sambuca be flaming and have one coffee bean in it. This arrived as ordered.



We requested the bill, which came to an interesting: £239.29 (including a 12.5% service charge !!). 


In summary, the over all experience of The Ivy, Oxford can only be described as having a patchwork service of: initially helpful, embarrassingly servile, not always there when needed and total incompetence, à la Fawlty Towers. Added to this, the food and drink is average. Needless to say, there won’t be a second visit.






Re-awaken your inner creative in 2024 and grab my FREE download: The Ultimate Kickstart

Thursday 7 December 2023

The Next Stop Is . . .





Waking up in the dark to go to work isn't my, or I should imagine anyone else's, preferred start to the day. But, once on a bus, I'm resigned to the current 9-5 work segment of my day.

Chauffeur driven, I'm left with my thoughts, the Internet and podcasts. It's December and I'm bundled up in a duvet coat. I share the commute with a variety of travellers at close quarters. Unavoidably, it’s the season of coughs and sniffles, which I hope will serve to strengthen my immune system, rather than make me ill.

 




As the blue-black of night relents, revealing a damp, pale, blue-grey dawn, filled with seemingly motionless trees and shrubbery, another day begins.

Arriving in the city, shop doorways bear the evidence of late night feasts. The revellers have long since gone, leaving behind makeshift cardboard carpets, takeaway packaging and lone bottles.




The Christmas Market stalls connected by twinkly string lights and conical Christmas  trees promise a variety of delights come opening time: cheeses from home and abroad; wooden animals and figures made from teak roots; cashmere and woolly hats alongside original handmade silver jewellery; mulled wine and churros to nibble while pondering a potter’s plates.




Not wanting to be late, I stride by. Later, on my return journey, I'll pass by the stalls in the dark once more, but this time they’ll be busy and the street will be filled with people, the air with music and the Christmas lights will be twinkling.

Homeward bound, rain puddles have become lakes and I queue for the bus
wash, rinse, repeat.





Re-awaken your inner creative and grab my FREE download: The Ultimate Kickstart



Saturday 18 November 2023

Unlock the inner artist: Creativity for a busy schedule


Have your creative passions faded into the background, in the daily hustle and grind of work and family responsibilities that demand constant attention? 


Does the spark that once ignited your artistic spirit seem like a distant memory, buried beneath the weight of endless to-do lists and urgent commitments?


Is your inner artist searching for an outlet for creative expression?


For those seeking to rekindle their creative spark, the world of hands-on, creative, digital courses offers a gateway to unlocking artistic potential, while fitting into a busy schedule. Courses that provide a supportive and nurturing environment, where new skills and art forms can be explored.


The beauty of these courses lies in their flexibility; whether you're a complete beginner venturing into the realm of art, or a seasoned artist seeking to refine your skills. There's a course tailored to your expertise and available free time. Online learning platforms offer a treasure trove of options, allowing you to access courses from the comfort of your own home during those precious moments of downtime.


With a vast array of creative disciplines to delve into, the possibilities are endless. From the intricate art of paper quilling, to the mesmerising world of digital animation. Embrace the tranquility of painting, the meditative rhythm of knitting, or the power of storytelling through photography or filmmaking.


Engaging in creative activities has been shown to enhance cognitive function, boost problem-solving abilities and reduce stress levels. A therapeutic outlet for emotional expression, allowing you to process and navigate the complexities of life through art.


Moreover, joining online creative courses provides an opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded individuals. This sense of belonging can be particularly enriching and offers a supportive network and space to express one’s authentic self.


As you embark on your journey, remember that creativity is not about achieving perfection or conforming to a specific standard. It's about embracing the process, the joy of exploration, and the freedom to express yourself without judgment. Embrace the imperfections, the unexpected twists and turns, and allow yourself to be guided by your creative spirit.


So, with this in mind, why not start by dedicating a few hours each week, for some me time? Explore a new art form, take an online course, or simply pick up a paintbrush and let your imagination run wild. You'll be amazed at the transformative power that this can bring into your life and remind you of the boundless potential that lies within.


Re-awaken your inner creative - grab my FREE download: The Ultimate Kickstart 🌸


Alison Day Designs


Sunday 5 November 2023

The Ultimate Creative Kickstart - in 5 Bite-sized Steps

 




Do you find yourself staring at a blank page in your sketchbook, or the computer screen hoping that something will spill out?


Ever found it difficult to set aside some me time for your creativity?


Or, are you feeling just downright uninspired? 


Let me show you how to re-energise your mood, give yourself space to breathe and (re)awaken the inner artist, with a bite-sized - 5-step inspiration and Creative Kickstart.



🌸 Re-awaken your inner creative - grab my FREE download: The Ultimate Kickstart


Alison Day Designs