Do What You Love

A feast for the eyes and stomach… More Paris posts here: Parisian markets / Paris story / Les papeteries / Parisian cafes / Paris details / Window shopping in Paris I was in Paris researching The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design – join us for the next course starting in April!

Stole away from my desk for a little trip to Paris a week ago, visiting my first ever trade show and trying out my new camera. It was just what I needed, even though it was for ‘work’. I also had the most wonderful crazy serdipitous happening occur, but more about that another day. Allread more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from Britt Berg and Stephanie Levy *** Britt Berg   Every day I pinch myself, wondering: How did I get so lucky? Have I really been able to find a career that I am passionate about? I am so thankful that every day I get to do what I love.read more >>

Following on from part 1 and part 2 of our pattern showcase, here is another fantastic selection of surface pattern design work from our highly talented Module 2 students from The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design. We really encourage individuality throughout the course so it’s great to see such a fresh and diverse selection.  Enjoy! Beautiful ‘Japaneseread more >>

Organic ‘Seed heads’ from Phyllida Coroneo We have been so impressed by the talent and enthusiasm of our students in The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design! Here is part two of our spotlight on students’ work  just a small selection of the hundreds of beautiful patterns that have been created so far onread more >>

Striking ‘Berry Floral’ from Abigail Sims We are on week 4 of of module 2 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design already – can you believe it!? Rachael and I have been blown away by the positivity, enthusiasm and dedication shown from our talented surface pattern e-course students – not to mention the sheer talent!  We asked the students toread more >>

Today’s Do What You Love interview is with Andrew Ooi, a Canadian ’free folding artist’ who creates exquisite works from paper. I am slightly jealous of Andrew as he has exhibited at the ‘World Washi Summit’ which sounds like my idea of heaven! I delighted to be able to introduce his work to you, and getread more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from Pauline Leger and Janet Forrest *** Pauline Leger We all have our own definition of success. To me, success is waking up in the morning and feeling energized and inspired to face the day. I’ve known people with full bank accounts and empty hearts, so I learned at aread more >>

Making notes with the help of Pia Jane Bijkerk’s lovely book ‘Paris: Made by Hand’ So excited to be heading off to Paris tomorrow with Rachael Taylor for my first ever design trade show. Love Paris. Cannot wait! Any recommendations gladly received (especially of the papery or wine-related variety!)

*** I started sharing other people’s stories of doing what they love one whole year ago today! Since then we have had 50 postings with nearly 100 people from all over the world sharing their stories of courage and hope, chasing their dreams and making choices which allow them to do what they love, forread more >>

Kusmi Teas found in Montreal Lately I have been noticing patterns everywhere (probably something to do with this!) They particularly jump out at me on product packaging for things like cosmetics, or kitchen items. The more you look the more you see. I am completely in love with the containers that hold Kusmi and Lov teas.read more >>

  I’ll admit it, I am a little bit exhausted these days. Believe me I am not complaining – I chose this path and I am so grateful that I am truly doing what I love. I am just making a note to myself that I need to take it a little easier in the coming months, andread more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from Wendy Brightbill and Jess Webb *** Wendy Brightbill To me, doing what I love means doing something that I am so passionate about that I just can’t help doing it. It’s what I would do every single day of my life even if I didn’t get paid a singleread more >>

  It’s so quiet… the snowflakes fell for hours yesterday, hushing the world and making everything sparkle

So I couldn’t resist any longer. I just bought myself an iPad and I cannot wait to explore all the possibilities it offers. I really want to explore ways to enhance e-course content, and I am dreaming of a Do What You Love app (can you imagine??) If you have one please share your favouriteread more >>

  UPDATE (Feb 3): This course has now SOLD OUT! Registration is open for the June course if you want to secure your place early! Back in September I spent four fantastic days in Portland, Oregon staying with Flora Bowley and filming all the video content for Bloom True: the e-course, Flora’s first online courseread more >>

Last weekend I met up with seven lovely women in Manchester. We started on coffee then moved onto cocktails. We sat talking for about five hours, discussing everything from the state of public education to the state of our love lives. And the slightly odd thing was I had only met one of them beforeread more >>