Thursday 12 February 2015

I'm afraid i have been completely neglecting this blog as i've been working on 'Amandine Rose Designs', my own company for freelance work and my online Etsy shop. Have a look at my new blog here, i'll be posting all the same things i would have on here, along with some craft tutorials and new illustrations.

Wish me luck with my new adventure! 


Tuesday 6 January 2015

Monogram

The Alphabet of Monograms, by Henry Lillie is a beautiful little book showing monogram designs. Published by Day & son of London in 1865, the leather cover has a very ornate gold stamping which sets the precedent for the rest of the book. Over 26 pages it shows examples of extremely detailed one, two and three colour monograms, it's aim to show customers and hand engravers what design was possible.
 
 








Thursday 20 November 2014

Midori Traveler's Notebooks

There are so many notebooks on my bookshelf that are too precious and rigid to use, this notebook however looks incredible from the beginning and never intends to stay neat. It is meant to be loved and to be filled with as much memorabilia as possible as it allows you to add more individual notebooks inside when necessary. It even lets you add a pocket with a zipper so you can keep random small tickets from your travels. Such a great idea!









Tuesday 14 October 2014

Poppies at Tower Bridge

We finally saw the mass of red ceramic poppies surrounding Tower Bridge, an amazing sight that covers the 16 acre moat. When the instalment is finished on November 11th 2014 there will be 888,246 poppies, one for each British fatality in the first world war. 

The poppies are being created by Paul Cummins who regularly creates 3D artwork focusing on nature. He was inspired by a diary entry of an English soldier from Derbyshire who later died in Flanders. The young soldiers were encouraged to keep a will and a last letter to their families in case of tragedy, but one line inspired Cummins to create a tribute to the fallen heroes - 'The blood-swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread'.  

Thousands of poppies are still in full production now at Cummins' ceramic workshop in Derbyshire, eagerly awaited by another host of volunteers. When the instalment finishes on November 11th, they will then be sold for £25 each, planning to raise an estimated £15 million for service charities.

----

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915
 
 
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
 
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
 
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


 
 





 



 

Thursday 25 September 2014

Emily Fruit Crisps

Such beautiful packaging! 

Designed by Big Fish, the same company to create the packaging for yeo valley and Dorset cereals, it certainly creates an impact. 





Wednesday 17 September 2014

To kill a mockingbird

I've recently found a wonderful new print studio and had some more mockingbirds printed. Lots being sent to America at the moment! Purchase yours here..

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/108164456/to-kill-a-mockingbird-harper-lee?show_panel=true