The robots... a family gift

Completing a finished product…

This is where I have to reign in my creative side because I visualise the sketch in an array of “backgrounds”. I usually start work on all of them and end up getting nothing finished. At this point I have to see which are my favourites and complete them so that I have an item to put up for sale, otherwise my drawings would just be filling up my room with no-one to enjoy them; what a pity that would be. (Also around this time I start to get more ideas and start a new project, I usually have about 3 on the go at a time)

For the robots I really liked the idea of a mechanical inspired border. I also thought a patterned background would help to lift the drawings from the page. When I put the designs together it was very busy to say the least so I split it into two different background designs for you to choose from. I think it’s nice for the parents to have some choice within the artwork to make it an extra special gift for their little one :)

 

Next… Making a family….

 

Every family is different with our own unique make up, So with this in mind the designs can be modified to make up your family print. And what better way than to add on your family pet too. Why not take a look at our lovely family robots and see which of your family members they represent :)

Enjoy Christina x

Robots Robots Robots Robots Robots Robots Robots
Robots
from A$69.00

Get ready to roll out, with these family robot designs. You can choose the robots to suit your individual family and pick your favourite background. Available in a range of sizes and printed onto paper or canvas. 

A proof will be emailed for checking before going to print.

Available with border and personalised options free of charge. Just ask on checkout :)

 

The Robots are online

My design process….

“How do you come up with your ideas?” Is a question I regularly get asked… So I thought I’d write a little piece about my newest collection… The Robots!!!

First comes a theme, I am influenced by so much around me that my inspiration can arise from anywhere…. a design on a dinner plate, a conversation, a walk in nature. My Robot ideas came from the designs that I love on my boys T-Shirts. This along with their endless supply of toys around my house and not forgetting my love of cartoon robots growing up in the 80’s!

These are my first sketches of robot ideas…

Next colouring….

Once I have my sketches planned, I then visualise in my head how I would like them to appear. If I want bold designs I will start working in acrylic or I will scan the sketch and develop it in illustrator and photoshop. As I wanted my robots to be softer in appearance I decided on colour pencils. The robot collection is aimed for the younger audience and I think they appreciate the softer tones and colours; especially in the bedroom.

Next blog completing a finished product….

Robots Robots Robots Robots Robots Robots Robots
Robots
from A$69.00

Get ready to roll out, with these family robot designs. You can choose the robots to suit your individual family and pick your favourite background. Available in a range of sizes and printed onto paper or canvas. 

A proof will be emailed for checking before going to print.

Available with border and personalised options free of charge. Just ask on checkout :)

 

Overrun with Pine?

If you’re being overrun with pine furniture why not try a transformation? To match my niece’s newly themed butterfly bedroom decor we decided to redesign her bedside cabinets. So, off to the DIY store we went again, and gathered paint, wallpaper, stickers and varnish… We also managed to grab a beanbag and fabric in the sale, (warning- those places are dangerous, stick to a list)

And so we begin..

Step 1: Preparation

First you need to remove any existing varnish or stain, luckily I borrowed my dad’s electric sander so this process was not too bad, however it will get very dusty so do it outside and mask up! Sanding by hand is fine too, and isn’t as bad as it might seem at first, just make sure you have the correct glass paper for the job or you’ll need an excess of elbow grease, 80-120 grit should be fine.

Step 2: Decorating

We decided to dismantle this cabinet because we were adding a different design to each edge so it would make it easier in the long run, however if you're using one colour it’s not really necessary. Using a brush or a roller add 2 thin coats of paint rather than 1 thick coat, leave the paint to dry between coats in a ventilated area. For the patterned sides we used wall paper but I’m sure if you printed onto thick paper this would work effectively too. We watered down some PVA glue (about 50-50) and applied a thin layer to the edge of the wood. After cutting the paper to size with a slight overhang we carefully placed it on top and rubbed it down to hold it in place. 

DON”T PANIC IF STREAKY LUMPS APPEAR- just leave them they should dry out.

We left it to dry overnight upside-down with sandbags on top so that it could dry evenly but any weight will do like books or bags of flour.

In the morning we removed the weights and left it open to the air to dry evenly and thoroughly. The lumps should disappear as the glue dries.

To remove the excess edge of wall paper carefully run a craft knife blade along the edge you want to trim, this should leave you with a nice straight edge.

Top tips:

* Pre-cut all paper before you begin gluing, (make sure you allow some excess to cut away later)

* Before using PVA or water based paints dip the brush or roller in water and squeeze out any excess. This will keep the paint at the end of your brush and it wont get sucked up to the handle.

* When you have temporarily finished wrap your brush or roller in cling film (saran wrap). This will keep the tool damp ready to pick up and use again in a few hours or the next day. 

Step 4: Varnishing

As it’s a bedside cabinet the top surface will get a lot of use so we decided to add a layer of varnish to protect it form tea stains etc.. For this we used a Poly urethane varnish. We applied 3 coats allowing it to dry between each layer. This will take a lot longer to dry compared to the paint, best to leave it overnight in a ventilated area. 

Top Tips:

* Before using varnish dip the brush in white spirit and squeeze out any excess. This will keep the varnish at the end of your brush and it wont get sucked up to the handle.

*When you have temporarily finished wrap your brush in cling film (saran wrap). This will keep the tool damp ready to pick up and use again the next day.

* If the surface is slightly rough to touch, between coats give a light sanding with 800-1000 grit glass paper. This will leave your surface silky smooth.

Once your cabinet is dry it is finished!!! Hurrah! Unless of course you disassembled it in which case you will need to screw it all back together hopefully in all the right places. If the wall paper has covered the holes you need just poke through with a screw driver or large nail to get your hole back.

Now, stand back and enjoy your handy work.    Time for a Cuppa! :)

Monster Invite

Download your own Monster invite here. Print in the ease of your home and print the required amount you need, no need to be limited to a set amount. The invite is A5 in size and comes with a free "Thank you" leaflet.

New bedroom ideas

A move in house has given my niece a brand new bedroom to call her own. What a great thing for a 12 year old girl, I have been helping help think of ways to decorate her room and make it feel like a relaxing place to end the day after a long day at school. We started with a look on Pinterest to get some ideas and then headed off to the local shops to gather paint, stickers, wall paper and lots of art and craft pieces to make our masterpieces. 

 

The first project has been a series of 3 canvas’. I encouraged her to choose a decorative wall paper and then we bought all of the odds and ends to match the colour scheme from the print. We have made all 3 canvas’ to work as one piece of art, so they will be displayed together. I’m really happy with how they turned out, Starting with the pattern first helped me to understand what look she was after and hopefully we’ve achieved that…. Next step… bedside cabinets ;)

 

Enjoy Christina x