Bike culture

Bikes that have been stamped with a very personal statement are not only cheerful in a friendly way, but also more practical, because they are easy to identify and less likely to be stolen.

Hand painted furniture

Doesn't this make you want to get out your brushes and start painting some basic pine furniture?

I've been traveling around Italy and soaking up the artistry. My delightful hotel in Florence was still filled (though the main reception rooms were re-done ultra modern) with the original handpainted furniture, reflecting the beauty discovered at every turn.

The bubble - a swimsuit cover up you can sew

My first sewing machine was a Singer, and I am a graduate of a Singer Sewing class, so when I read on craftzine that Singer is offering an online swimsuit coverup competition, I decided - to sew something up, something whimsical, loose and breezy, and named it "the bubble."Here it is, worn over leggings but also perfect with jeans or naturally a swim suit. If you want to make one, the measurements are simple and super oversized - cut a big tube - shoulder to shoulder it will measure 25" wide x 28" shoulder to the top of the 5 1/2 bottom band. It's all made from knitted fabric - dots, bubbles and lime green - with the bottom band doubled over for extra stretch, and finished with a zigzag finish around the neck and cuffs. The neck is a big wide scoop opening 15" with a 6" front neck drop. Hope that it inspires you to enter the contest - the more the merrier.

Pinwheels of colors on etsy

http://www.etsy.com/color.php

Which is your favorite color?

Amelia's magazine and Shelter fundrasier

When I first saw Amelia’s magazine back in May 2006, with her smiling childhood photo on the cover, I was in awe. I loved it for the magical and witty illustrations and her uninhibited and freely roaming expression about fashion, style, music and concern about the environment and the future. It was more book-like than magazine, very personal and open, and rich in content and creativity. Unfortunately the hard copy has folded, but she continues to have a strong following and online presence through her blog (here I am.)

When I read her call for submissions in aid of Shelter, the UK charity for the homeless I had to send in a submission. I am thrilled that I made the first cut, from which she will choose 52 illustrations, all on the theme - the TWO OF HEARTS, and create a quilt. Her quilt, along with artwork by other artists and designers (including Stella Vine, Basso and Brooke and Rachel Whiteread) will be exhibitied this summer in the UK, and auctioned to raise money for the charity.

My drawing reflects my thoughts about being homeless and the enormous strain that poverty puts on a family and relationships. Hoping that a safe and secure home will help mend a broken home, I drew a heart, formed from many pieces and patched up, re-gaining it's power with a busy family in toe, named- Shelter for a Broken Heart. It's sad, it's happy, it's about life.

You can see all the intriguing and imaginative drawings on Facebook. Doesn’t it make you want to design your own deck of cards…?

A free July screensaver

(click here to download this month's drawing and use it as a screen saver,

or to print it out - it's free!

It's July, it's sunny and the weekends seem to stretch longer. It's time to enjoy a carefree barefoot dance on the beach ... dressed with a cut, cropped striped t and denim short shorts layered under a stretchy flowered mini. The drawing is rather silly, youngish and spirited this month. That's just what happened. I hope it inspires you to express yourself.