Exciting News

Well this is exciting! I have set up my own Brand. It's still very much in its early days, but everyone has to start somewhere. My new venture is called 'The Blue Martin Studio'. It is a design portfolio for textiles and stationery and hopefully I will be adding new collections each season.


I needed to do this for myself, I wanted to build a portfolio of my own and have a web presence, although I am still in my full time job as a creative designer for a design company, I wanted to branch out and start something up for myself. It's going very slow at the moment as it is early days. I am trying to put as much spare time as I have into it which means evenings and weekends!!! (no social life for me anymore!...but it will be worth it!)


If you would like to support and see what my new, exciting and very scary next step is all about, then please check out my website here.


I'd be really interested to know your thoughts so please feel free to leave comments either below or on my website. Thanks guys!!

Christmas is coming - BHS

One thing that I love about BHS this year is the styling of their photographs on their website for the festive season. They're lovely. Below are a few things that I spotted in BHS.

Of course the essentials first...

1.6 Platinum Luxury Christmas Crackers* 2.12 Kids Family Christmas Crackers 3.Floral Christmas Wrapping paper 4.Scottie Dog Cut Out Christmas Cards 5.Festive Tag Christmas Cards 6.Large Standing Penguin 7.Small Natural Penguin 8.Lit Ceramic Toy Shop

9.Winter Warmer Gift set 10.Mickey Mouse Ears Money Box 11.Lion Pixel Bricks 12.Floral Design A5 Notebook 13.Make Your Own Gloves

14.Novelty Reindeer Beanie 15.SuperMan Mug 16.Wind up Grannies

Items marked with a '*' were designed by myself for Swantex and are copyrighted to Swan Mill Paper co. and BHS.

Please note that this post is not endorsed or sponsored by BHS, It is purely my own suggestions and thoughts.

Christmas Is Coming - HobbyCraft

I popped into Hobbycraft this week too and found some lovely little things to make for christmas! Have a look on their website or pop in store if you are looking for something a little different or a nice little crafty project for someone as they have a lot to offer. 

1.Chalkboard Tags 2.Fun Kraft Gift Wrap* 3.Wooden Christmas Stamps 4.Kids Gift Wrap* 5.Happy Christmas Tissue Paper* 6.Large Felt Penguin Bag 7.Giant Santa Sack 8.Nordic Deer Fabric Reel 9.Traditional Kraft Gift Wrap*

10.Kirstie Allsopp Fabric Notebook Kit 11.Santa/Reindeer Cracker Kits* 12.Dempsey Designs Japanese Dolls 13.Wheres Wally Jigsaw 14.Get Crafty MYO fabric bunting 15.Kirstie Allsopp Needle Felting Kit

Items marked with a '*' were designed by myself for Swantex and are copyrighted to Swan Mill Paper co. and HobbyCraft.

Please note that this post is not endorsed or sponsored by HobbyCraft, It is purely my own suggestions and thoughts.

Christmas Is Coming - Matalan

Christmas time is approaching fast, so I wanted to post a few things that I've been finding in the stores. We've had a great new Matalan store built for us here in Cardiff and it's lovely! So this is where I'm going to start...

1. Tartan and Stag Christmas Cards 2. No Peeking Rosettes Tags 3. Characters Gift Bag 4. Heart and Star cards 5. Chalkboard Gift Bag 6. Teddy Bear Gift Bag 7. Chalkboard Style Gift Wrap 8. Luxury Gift Tags* 9. North Pole Gift Bag*

10. Kids Novelty Christmas Crackers 11. Craft Tins 12. Alphabet Letter Mug 13. Santa Hand Painted Cookie Jar 14. Lilybell Bakery Jam Jar Kit 15. Wooden Stamps Tin 16. Lilybell Bakery Kitchen Timer 17. Kids Novelty LED Church Candle 18. Christmas Pudding Hand Painted Tea Pot

Items marked with a '*' were designed by myself for Swantex and are copyrighted to Swan Mill Paper co. and Matalan.

Please note that this post is not endorsed or sponsored by Matalan, It is purely my own suggestions and thoughts.