Fountains Abbey - Birdwatching for Beginners!

So a bit of a geeky post this time!

Since seeing a Black-headed Gull last year at Easedale Tarn, I have been hooked on looking and learning about birds. I joined The National Trust, bought a pocket guide to birds and went on my merry way. I saw that Fountains Abbey were holding a Birdwatching for Beginners talk and walk last weekend and knew this would be the perfect opportunity to further my new found interest.

Male and Female Tufted Ducks (front) Little Grebes (back)

The talk literally went back to basics; how to use binoculars, what pocket book to carry (apparently illustrated books are the best - whey!) and a look at birds you WILL see in your garden. We were then taken on a walk through the ruins of the Abbey and down by the river. Here are some of the pictures I took :)

Grey Wagtail - I didn't even know this bird existed!

Jackdaws

 

 The really good thing about going on a tour is that the guides know exactly where to look! I saw Tufted Ducks and Grey Wagtails. I didn't even know these birds existed. Now I know where to find them.

I cannot wait to go back to Fountains Abbey and spend time exploring myself! Who knows what else there is to find?! :)

Rockalily Lipstick.

I've experimented with all kinds of colours and makes of lipsticks but they always bleed off my lips and so I gave up and stuck to lip glosses. That was until I heard of ReeReeRockette's business, Rockalily Make Up.

I now own three of these lipsticks. They are bright, bold and they stay on my lips! And when I say stay, they can generally last all evening.

I bought Rockette Red because I wanted a bright red that complimented my pale skin and blonde hair. It takes a lot of confidence to wear it but once you do, you can't help but smile!

I bought Pompadour Pink after spending an afternoon in a shop with some very pretty ladies and having never felt so unglamorous in my life! I decided I needed to make more of an effort on my own appearance. I decided to buy a pink that would grab attention and make me feel glamorous!

In the same week that I bough Pompadour Pink, the much sought after Limited Edition colours came back into stock. I'd had my eye on Vintage Vixen as it is a 'dusky rose pink' Needless to say, I did buy it and because it is a soft and feminine colour, it is fast becoming my favourite colour!

The packaging is very pretty. The smell of each lipstick is divine. They keep your lips moisturised. The service is AMAZING! - You can't get better than next day delivery. You really do get what you pay for.


I highly recommend that you check out http://www.rockalily.com/ to find about the lovely ReeRee and Rockalily.


Because Life Is Too Short Not To Wear Lipstick! X

Creative Review Monographs.

I had a really good clear out and came across a stack full of Monographs from Creative Review magazine. I no longer require them. It's a shame to thrown them out, so I have decided to give them away. All I'm charging is 60p for postage per book. Just ping me an email if your interested to nicola_haigh[at]hotmail.co.uk

These are the titles:

• Phil Carter - Art Books (March 2008)
• Mitch Greenblatt - Watchismo (April 2008)
• Derek See - Derek's Daily 45's (May 2008)
• WIWP Presents - Now Showing (July 2008)
• Michael Lebovitz - Do Not Disturb (November 2008)
• Satoshi Minakawa - Customized (January 2009)
• Paul Belford - Bollywood Posters (February 2009)
• Aporva Baxi - Game and Watch (May 2009)
• Dominic Mallin - Mohammad Ali Memorabilia (July 2009)
• Taxi Series - Alex and Cocco (August 2009)
• Jordi Duro & Mery Cuesta - Found Book Covers ( Oct 2009)
• The B-Line - Ollie Kay (November 2009)
• Matchboxes From the Subcontinent - Matt Lee (December 2009)
• Less and More: The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams (January 2010)
• Typographic Posters - Phillipe Apeloig (February 2010)
• 1980: A Year in Design and Advertising (March 2010)
• Ghostsigns - The History of Advertising Trust (April 2010)

Time For Myself.

So let's scrap the previous post where I said I knew what I wanted and was on the way to acheiving it. I'M NOT.

Okay, now that's out in the open I can sign a breathe of relief.

As you may have seen, I started Nicola E this year; a shop that I want to sell home-wares and apparel. Everything was going too fast and not the way I wanted it to go. I'm rushing on designs, I'm not working in the style I want, I don't have everything set up like planned. Ultimately, I'm not happy.

I miss drawing for the love drawing.

For the rest of this month I am going to solely focus on myself. What I want. I'm going to start my Jenson Button painting, I am going to illustrate more shoes in chalk pastel, I am going to build myself a website, I am going to go out and visit more galleries and see my friends more. I will still be selling things from my shop, but only the same way as my illustrator friends do.

When the time comes to restart my little home-wares shop, I will build it up properly. Y'know with a proper identity, website, a better idea of what I want to make and sell.

I thank you all that have been so supportive while I've set this up. This isn't the end, just a mere blip in my plans.

Today's plan involves a spot of Photoshop work, some bird watching, a Lush face mask and some Lemon Curd tart making. If I'm lucky enough my parcel from Amazon will arrive - The Lady and The Tramp and Breakfast at Tiffany's DVD's. What more does a girl need?

See you sooooon! X

Illustration Rally: Valentine's Day.

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day, but I do love the association of birds with love and happiness and I do love a good rally. So here's what I came up with for Illustration Rally's Valentine's theme :)

Check out Illustration Rally's current rally here :) http://illustrationrally.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-rally-no23.html

Happy Weekend X

F1 Driver Series - #1 MARK WEBBER.

If you've been following me on Twitter, you will have seen that at the end of the 2011 F1 season I decided to draw the F1 drivers, starting with the winner of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

After a manic Christmas, I finally found the time to get drawing. So, here it is, my drawing of Red Bull driver, Mark Webber.

The next driver in this series is going to be Jenson Button.

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The Doodle Swap Project #11 - Hybrid Animals.

Here are my seven hybrid animal cards.

I made a list of my seven favourite birds from my little bird book and matched them up with seven random animals. I had so much fun creating these little creatures and they've given me some inspiration for my Christmas cards this year!

I was sent the addresses of seven other doodlers to send these to. These are the ones I received in return.

Rosa Valentino

Patience Ward

Courtney Ballauer

Emily Armstrong

Amanda Scheid

Amanda Scheid

To see more of the Hybrid Animals and past doodles, visit The Doodle Swap Project Flickr group.

Find out more about The Doodle Swap Project and how to get involved in the next swap on their blog and on facebook.


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The Collage Swap Project!

Sara Barnes of BrwnPaperBag started up a swap of collage scraps and because I love collaging I thought I'd give it a go.

I was partnered with Max-O-Matic and we sent each other the paper scraps that we work with.

I got quite a shock when I received mine as they were black and white photos of Royalty, Politicians and Religious people along with Spanish writing. As a none Spanish speaker and someone who works with A LOT of colour - this was quite a challenge! One that I really enjoyed!

Here is a link to Sara's blog mention of my collages :) http://www.brwnpaperbag.com/2011/11/24/thanksgiving-and-the-collage-scrap-exchange/

Lady Umbrella OLE!

I always love the designs from the Lady Umbrella duo. With their designs, fun illustrations are always on the menu! So I was very excited to see the news designs and tee styles too.

This is the tee shirt I bought last time:

I am a big fan of the slouchy style at the moment because they are so easy to wear and incredibly versatile too! Mixed with everyone's favourite signature lady, what more could I ask for??!

To get your hands on your very own shirt and to check out the new jeans range and the lovely accessories, get yourself to www.ladyumbrella.com and you can follow them on twitter @ladyumbrellaltd

OLE X

Michael Van Der Ham at London Fashion Week

Here are my two illustrations from Michael Van Der Ham's London Fashion Week collection for Amelia's Magazine.

You can read Georgia Takacs' review here London Fashion Week S/S 2012 Catwalk Review: Michael Van Der Ham 


Enjoy! :)


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London Fashion Week Illustrations.

So London Fashion Week came and conquered and yet again excited all us fashion illustrators with a fantastic array of colours, textures and designs.

I was sent some amazing images of John Rocha's collection by Georgia Takacs (@heyprettydivine) and Fashion Shenzhen/ Deng Hao by June Chanpoomidole (@Junesees) for their Amelia's Magazine articles.

First up, the John Rocha collection. I loved the simple colour palette, the weird wire headdresses, the massive shoes and most of all illustrating my favourite pieces.

I really wish I'd been at this particular show. Check out Georgia's review of the show at London Fashion Week S/S 2012 Catwalk Review: John Rocha


Then there were the gorgeous patterns of Fashion Shenzhen and Deng Hao.

The see June's reviews go to London Fashion Week S/S 2012 Catwalk Review: Fashion Shenzhen Deng Hao and London Fashion Week S/S 2012 Exhibition Review: Fashion Shenzhen.

Thank you girls, I had so much fun illustrating these images. :) 

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