Manchester part 2

Here are some more snaps of our visit to Manchester. We loved it there, so vibrant and inspiring. I haven't been for twenty odd years and it's changed so much. We loved buzzing about on the trams which was so easy and cheap. We had a fab time in Salford too and visited Media City (saw my beloved 6 music studios - yey), The Lowery and Old Trafford (for my son). I'm on a mission now to take my kids to all the major cities in the UK, they don't know yet but if I promise them meals out and ice creams they might just entertain the plan.

Manchester

We had a fab. time in Manchester last week. We went "up north" to see my 10 year old sons painting exhibited in The Whitworth Art Gallery. He entered The Little Painting Challenge and was one of only 10 highly commended out of 27000  entries. What he drew had nothing to do with me, it was his choice to draw a war scene?!? The judges must have liked it though : ) The winners and highly commended were all in frames in a separate area, then in another gallery there were 1000 of the best entries overall hung on washing lines. Here are few of the other postcards that caught my eye but my sons drawing is best whatever any judges says...

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In New York next week?

If so pop along and say hi to Cinnamon Joe at Blueprint : )

Want to win some Rain or Shine? fabric?

All you have to do to win a fat quarter of all eight fabrics in the range Rain or Shine? (designed by moi) is go to my Facebook page here, like, comment and share.  I'll draw a name out of the hat on 25th May. This is a worldwide competition. The fabrics are beautifully printed by Dashwood Studio on lovely soft cotton and can be used for many different projects. Good luck...
PS: If you don't win you can now buy this range in John Lewis

Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader

We are learning this song at choir at the moment. Such a fun, happy song to sing : )

Some boysey card designs...

You can buy the range here.

Spells and magic...

You can buy my latest wizardy designs for "Kids Stuff" here

Springtime sunshine and yellow, yellow, yellow...

I used to HATE yellow. I would NEVER use it in my design work by choice and I certainly wouldn't wear it. This year I have been draw to it, may-be it's the spring sunshine or because I am jumping on the trend bandwagon but either way I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. So cheerful and such a happy colour. Are you embracing yellow or a shade of?

Happy Easter everyone...

Pat Albeck

Daisy Chain Pat Albeck for John Lewis

Copyright Pat Albeck

Copyright Pat Albeck

Anyone else hear Pat Albeck on Desert Island Discs this morning?  She has been creating designs since 1950 and more recently you will have seen her design Daisy Chain recoloured, rescaled and reintroduced in John Lewis to celebrate their 150th anniversary. It graced tablecloths, curtains, bed linen and more, and remained on sale in their shops for over 20 years. You may have also seen Pat's work in National Trust shops on packaging, tea towels and other accessories. What an inspirational woman and still designing at 85! You can listen again to the program here.