About Drawn By Monica
I am a textile designer and illustrator. I create handcrafted screen-printed textiles, digital art prints, and greetings cards from my original artwork. I make every effort to use eco friendly materials in my offerings.
Drawn By Monica Description
I am an illustrator and textile designer based in the beautiful, rugged, windswept Shetland Isles, which is a constant source of inspiration, using sketches and photographs, gathered from my bike excursions.
2009 I embarked on a degree in contemporary textiles. Since graduating with a distinction in 2012, I have developed a business, which specialises in digital surface design for textiles, greeting cards, postcards, prints and notebooks.
In my practice I make every effort to use paper and card stock that have eco friendly credentials. To ensure that my offerings maintain their handcrafted aesthetic, I print them myself using a graphic arts professional printer on FSC-certified card stock, which has been sustainably produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Reviews
Adding to my stylised flower portfolio. Made to order, blocks of warm colours in alternative sequences express a cheerful and sunny atmosphere to your home. #scandinavianstyle #folk art#screenprint #flower design#applique design#mydesigns#linen cushion cover# handcrafted #handcraftedwithlove #colourful #buy something different#soft furnishings #love flowers#textile design#withlove❤️
Stylised flowers give my design a Scandinavian look. #scandinavianstyle #soft furnishing#linen cushion#folk art#screen-print#applique design#my design#digital art#colourful#original art#handcraftedwithlove #buy something different#interior design#appliqué cushion cover#withlove❤️
A lot of activity here today, with the filming of the BBC drama series ‘Shetland’
I could do with the lighting that has been erected in the garden next door to help me with my creative endeavours. As I often describe my abode as ‘living in a cave!! ‘
Of course I could take this as an opportunity to add the scene to my ‘ Shetland Drama’ postcard range.
... However I am not sure that this authentic location would especially admired!
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New Shetland postcard. Illustration of my favourite croft house, with its own boat slipway# Shetland#illustration#postcard#justacard #graphicdesign#writeamessagetoyourfriends #boat#crofthouse#digitalartist#myesign#by thesea#colourful#handcraftedwithlove#dig italprint#LovefromShetland#promoteshetla nd#stylisedart#
Sometimes I feel guilty that I do not give more time to reading. Yes, I read articles on line, but sadly find that my reading of traditional media is somewhat lacking.
When I was a young I used to devote hours to the pleasure of reading. Now I find myself taking bite size sessions to that lost love.
I have probably mentioned in a past posting I tend to read at bedtime. The drawback of this routine is that I only mange to read a few pages before I find myself reading the sam...e line over and over again, before sleep claims me. Anyway I was delighted recently to finish a book that really engaged me. Not a long book, but certainly a very interesting and informative read.
Longitude’ by Dava Sobel, is a really absorbing read. The author describes beautifully the epic struggle of 18th Century genius, John Harrison’s mission to build a precise timepiece that would transform the ability of seafarers to navigate the oceans safely.
If you like history I certainly recommend this every accessible book, which describes the characters involved beautifully, plus the scientific solutions this conundrum.
I am now keen to read her other historical and scientific offerings.
https://goo.gl/V46ELg
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Updating a one of screen-print designs to a folk art cushion cover #folkart#mydesign#illustration#colourfull #digitalart#scandinaviandesign #scandinavianstyle#cushioncover#styliseda rt#appliquedesign#screenprintart#softfur nishings#fishdesign #withlove❤️
Dear Facebook friends you may wonder how I am getting on with the running. I have been making progress through the summer, and can now run confidently for half an hour. I feel much fitter, and the middle age spare tyre has gone. Indeed the ‘insatiable’ cake consuming, my weakness, is now mostly under control, hurrah!
However, earlier in the week I had an unfortunate accident, tripping over the kerb while running, ending up bouncing my face off the pavement. Why people p...ay for lip fillers, I have no idea. The pain from my lips swelling was intense, with the subsequent scab not a pretty sight.
Indeed the comments from curious people seemed to think that I was suffering from a cold sore, which didn't help my self-confidence. It is a good job that I don’t rely on my looks!
I must acknowledge the two kind people who stopped to ask if I was ok. I certainly have had my faith restored in the youth of today, with a young man who was most concerned, having witnessed my calamity.
What about the response from my beloved sons on my return to the homestead with blood pouring from my face? Number two son wiggled my nose and stated that it was not broken, and that he had seen much worse. Well I suppose he would, having participated in full-contact medieval combat events.
Bruised and battered, I have returned to running, though paying more attention to those pesky kerbs!
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Grey, yellow and white colour combination conveys mid-century interior design colours. A design era, which always inspires. Twelve colours to choose from to compliment own colour scheme. https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DrawnbyMonic aUK. #folk art#handcraftedwithlove #applique cushions#linen cushions#handcrafted original #folk art#folk art designs#buy something different #etsyshop#soft furnishings #interior design#withlove❤️
Have been quiet with the blog lately due to making more of these charming linen zipper pouches.
New addition, the cute vegan washable paper flower or heart zipper pull.
Perfect sized pouch for keeping small items safe, especially when travelling.
... I use mine for jewellery, device chargers, sewing notions, memory sticks, and art materials.
My beloved niece uses hers for carrying her small crochet projects to work.
You can also follow me on Pinterest! 'Drawn by Monica'
https://goo.gl/FVTHWb
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With returning to normal work routine tomorrow it has been a busy day of creative activity. It has been lovely to return to artistic endeavours after a lengthy period of computer work.
Transferring printed artwork to linen fronts, screen-printing the lining material, sewing in the interfacing and my labels. Followed by preparing the zipper tabs ready for construction. Sunny yellow and bold red are the order of the day.
Creating my favourite folk art appliqué designed linen cover. A romantic gift, which I have named ‘You Have My Heart’ https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DrawnbyMonic aUK. #appliquecushion #buysomethingdifferent #linen cushion#romantic gift#folk art designs#Scandinavian designs#handcraftedwithlove #wedding present#love hearts#Boho decor #handcrafted#original design#etsyshop #withlove❤️
Grand announcement. I have finally opened my Etsy.com shop for my textiles.
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DrawnbyMonicaUK
It has taken me three weeks at least, tied to the laptop for me to get to this point.... Part of the dilemma was, I kept vacillating between opening an Etsy shop, or creating my own website. Eventually committing to trying Etsy again, after closing my last undertaking in 2014.
There is so much to take on-board in regards to having chance of being found amongst the millions of sellers worldwide. To this end I have watched countless ‘UTube’ vlogger’s on the best practice in achieving sales.
I must admit I felt overwhelmed with the advice on how to use the SEO effectively, create perfect titles, descriptions and key words. I have tried to match their advise to my products. Fingers crossed that this research time has been beneficial and that I am inundated with buyers!
Foolishly, I thought that the tools that they recommend to optimise your listings would be available free of charge once my shop was open.
Oh no folks, to actually access any useful help you have to upgrade with a fee. Hence I am now off to research the best Etsy optimising applications to edit and perfect my listings.
Only Cushion covers at present, but more of a textile range will be added once I feel confident that I have done all I can for the present.
It will be great to return to my creative self, with screen- printing and sewing, being at the top of my agenda.
Anyway dear Facebook followers please take a look, and let me know what you think of the new online presence. Don’t forget to like and share to set me on my way to selling success!! Thank you.
https://goo.gl/JmbSoC
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A most exceptional day, who would imagine that the photos that I shot today were taken in Shetland? The sea particularly looked glorious with coloured tones from blue, turquoise through to green. It is no wonder that Shetland designers are so inspired by the environment, whether they are textile designers, ceramists or artists. Shetland is captivating.
Friday has become ‘play day’, electing to take the day off from business matters and ride out to The Bonhoga Gallery to view ‘Shetland Made3’
It’s a while since I have had the opportunity to go out on my e bike. Having concentrated on my running this year, hence the cycling has been neglected. However my running endurance has improved, hurrah. I will never return to the days of running a high mileage, but running for about thirty minutes around the town is quite enough...
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A fun day spent creating birthday gifts for a dear sister#screenprinting #handcraftedwithlove #handcrafted#folk art#teatowels #hearts#birthday presents#zipper pouch #Shetlanddialect#matryoshkadolls#sistersf orever#hearts# shetland knitting notebook# sewingaddict#passionate about screen printing#withlove❤️
Capturing this delightful scene from my recent travels, I couldn’t resist utilising the photo to create a new Shetland greetings card. I was so engrossed in my artistic endeavours, time just flew by. When suddenly a loud knocking at the door interrupted my drawing. It is fairly standard for me to be still in my pj’s at lunchtime on a Sunday, then changing for running or riding my bike, once I had finished a specific task, but not as long as today!
Thinking it was an emerg...ency I answered the door, still in my PJS, rather embarrassing when it was three in the afternoon!! It was Mr fixer scouting locations for the ‘Shetland’ drama asking if he could take some internal photos of my abode.
Not only had I the embarrassment of still being in my Pjs but also, the homestead looking a ‘tip’ having planned to tackle the domestic chores on the completion of the artwork. Oh well, I am sure that my ‘cave’ will be of no interest to the powers that decided on these matters.
The best thing was Mr fixer has promised to provide a list, with accompanying photos of locations that have been used so far in this popular BBC drama. A result, despite my awkwardness. Thank you Mr Fixer x
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