My business website has just gone LIVE!!! :D

I am currently on the Enterprise Programme with the Prince's Trust to launch my accessories and surface pattern design studio. As part of launching my business I have designed and launched my business website today. Visit it here; www.gillianleesbooteek.co.uk

My accessory collections include the Summer Fruits collection - beautiful braided, stitched and quilted headbands and pins for kids.

There is also a special Weddings collection! This developed from my own wedding. Fabric/alternative bouquets can be ordered for the bride and her girls - designed to compliment your wedding dress, your wedding theme or colours. Buttonholes for the groom and his men can also be designed to incorporate your theme or colours - or something different and quirky if you prefer!

A homewares collection in cushions to coasters, placemats and mugs in my own designs is also available for purchase through bespo.co.uk www.bespo.co.uk/gillianleesbooteek/

In January I enrolled onto the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design (ABSPD) the e-course featuring Rachael Taylor and in June I completed Module 1. Ever since I can remember I have always had a love for drawing and bold vibrant colour.  I studied Art and Design up to Foundation level and went on to study my degree in Textile Crafts at the University of Huddersfield. Through studying the ABSPD course I hope to license my designs for stationery, fabric or products.

The Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search Competition

I have submitted my design for the Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search. We had to design a journal as if Paperchase were our client and we were given the theme of 'Playground' and immediately I thought of all the funs things I enjoyed playing in my childhood such as hopscotch, swings and slide! I really like Paperchase and the use of bold and vibrant colours in their products. It was really exciting getting to work on my first professional surface design brief. I have seen so many amazing designs and it is wonderful how everyone interprets the same theme so differently! The judges are really going to have a difficult job ahead of them to choose the top 50.

This is my interpretation of the 'Playground' theme: