Hello, Everyone.

This month Kate Smith Designs is celebrating 5 Years of being Freelance. In Celebration I have found the courage to Update my Logo-I hope you like it? Please visit my website there is a new Butterfly flying about too!

Kate Smith Designs NEW LOGO

I just wanted to wish everyone Good luck and  best wishes to anyone who is starting school or a new school year this week! Have Fun !

Minty & Monty Calendar September School Days

The Sun has been shining at last and this is first yellow Poppy which has appeared in my garden

Yellow Poppy in my Garden 2

The last couple of months have been really hectic at Kate Smith Designs HQ. I’ve signed a personalised

Monty & Monty book for the first time, which was exciting and I’ve not stopped drawing and creating for the last Month. So happy times all round.

Happy Easter! Wishing you all a “Tweet” filled Weekend!

Easter Chicken illustration

It’s certainly been ‘Raining Cats & Dogs’ in Derbyshire today!

Raining Cats & Dogs Pattern

Monsal Trail Code of Conduct Poster

Last year I received a commission from the  Peak District National Park Authority. They asked me to do 8x black & white illustrations for  the Monsal Trail Code of Conduct I have just noticed today that it is on their website . It has been put together as a Posters, Leaflets and signposts along the Trail. the plan is to visit this year to have a look at the sign posts and to get some exercise too.

Spring Tulips Pattern

Fairy Pattern Gift Wrap

Since Before Christmas I have really enjoyed having fun exploring  Pattern with an e course called ‘The art and Business of surface Pattern design’ taught by Rachael Taylor & Beth Nicholls. I have already completed Module 1 & 2 and for my Birthday Present I’m asking for Money towards Module 3. It’s really given me the opportunity to develop my style with the help and encouragement from new online new virtual friends. I would really like to see my designs on  Gift wrap,  stationery and  Wallpaper for Children’s Rooms. I as I’m designing a lot of Greeting Cards at the moment I’m able to add a new fresh dimension to my illustrations and designs.

Here’s just a little taste of what I have been up to. I would really appreciate your comments and feedback on my Pattern Designs Please?

The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design

Minty & Monty January 2012

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

From Minty & Monty The Treehouse Twins & Kate Smith Designs! xxx

HaPPy ChriStMas & A GrEaT 2012!

Best Wishes

From

Kate Smith Designs

Kate Smith Designs_Christmas Snowman Card 2011

It has been exciting times for Minty & Monty, as they visited the Brand Licensing Europe 2011.

It was nice to see old friends and meet some new clients who I spent some time talking to them about a secret project I’m working on at the moment.

Minty & Monty & Kate Smith

I heard on the radio yesterday that it’s National Cup Cake week, that inspired me to draw…Here’s a Cup Cake to celebrate. I wonder if I manage to eat a cupcake by the end of the Week? http://www.nationalcupcakeweek.co.uk/

cup cake

jelly fish doodle dairy

Jelly Fish sand Scribble

On my annual holiday to Devon, I was sitting on the beach and there was thousands of tiny jelly fish, this inspired me to draw- This is just one of the many pages of jelly fish out of my doodle dairy -I had a very jolly doodle that day!

I noticed yesterday that the Snowdrops have just started to appear in the Garden. A lovely sign that spring is around the corner.

February has gone by like a flash for me.

On Saturday I was at a Creative Networking event called ‘Creative Garden” I met some new and familiar faces. It was well worth the visit as I got the opportunity to catch up with some old friends and make new contacts to help develop my business.

I helped with a Board Games workshop at the Quad which was great fun, it’s such a pleasure to help children and adults be creative…they have such lovely , imaginative and original ideas. It was great just to help to draw out Game boards with a pencil and a ruler. I can say that I was a little rusty as I take using illustrator And Indesign software for granted these days!

Futuristic Racing Game

Princess Game

Treasure Island Game

Shooting Star Game

Stand on one leg

With regards to my freelance illustration work. I’m very busy and I’m enjoying designing  a friends wedding invitations!

The Sun has definitely had his hat on today, he has made the  winter morning frost sparkle!

Happy Sunshine

I have lots to smile about this January, I’ve managed to meet up with  lots of dear friends, who I’ve not seen for along time. I’m planning a Arts for Health drawing project at the Quad in Derby which will be a number of workshops , I’m really excited about it. Arts for Health is an area I’ve always wished to get involved with, so there’s another ticked box on my wish list!

Just before Christmas I have started to create some more secret friends which I’m enjoying, I’m in the 2nd phase of development…. but I’m afraid I can’t say any more than that at the moment.

I have updated Minty & Monty’s Logo, see what you think, comments gratefully received.

Minty & Monty New Tree Logo Colour

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Christmas Tree E card