And Now for Something Happy, Fun, and Completely Different...

Update on July 19th 2023 

I'm re-writing this post, to offer you this design in a way that (from feedback) seems to be more popular and workable for people.

If you never read the original post, then, in a nutshell, it was a result of my having done more digital art journaling of late, such as this:

Click here to see this on journals,
magnets and more...

This is available on Redbubble at the moment, and perhaps on other sites soon.

Sorry for any confusion caused!

More soon.
___________________________

Like this post? Tap or click here to subscribe to BoundingSquirrel

Happy Solstice Roses

Happy Solstice Roses

Hello there.

Hope life is treating you well. The site revamp continues, but as it's almost finished, thought it was high time was back in touch with you.

Not least because, Solstice illustrations have a bit of a tradition around here, and still wanted you to have one, even though this is more of a sketch than I'd have liked (in ArtRage6, just to ring the changes). You're welcome to share it if you wish, though can't vouch for its size and therefore printability.

The bigger news...

The bigger news is that the site should now be easier to use, especially on mobiles, and...

My art now has its own store on Pixels.Com. Please do have a browse and see what you think about how easy it might be for you to use.

And with that, will continue the re-vamp, but wish you a happy rest-of-the-week. (There'll be more when the revamp is fully complete).

___________________________

Like this post? Tap or click here to subscribe to BoundingSquirrel

A Happy Beach Hut Design...

Hello there, and hope you've been having a good week.

Whether or not you're actually beside the seaside as you're reading this, today's post is all about these pretty summer beach huts, and the lovely things that are now carrying this design.

The inspiration for this design was actually British seaside beach huts. But am sure the beach vibe can travel just as far as it needs to and to beaches and lakeshores everywhere.

It turns out that although I came up with idea as a set of three downloadable craft sheets...

The design (and the pattern that came from it) loves to be on lots of fun beachy items too...

Whether you want to use it at the beach, on a tote or drawstring bag, or blanket...

Beach-Hut Patterned Tote Bag

Beach Hut Patterned Drawstring Bag

Happy Beach Hut Throw Blanket

Or just put a bit of beachy vibe into your life every day, whether in a really watery way (like this shower curtain)...

Happy Beach Hut Shower Curtain

Or a completely different one... This look suits everything it seems, from a desk mat to a mug...

Happy Beach Huts Desk Mat

Happy Beach Huts Mug

Whatever your preference, thanks for reading down this far, and may some seaside happiness be with you, one way or another.

More soon.

___________________________

Like this post? Tap or click here to subscribe to BoundingSquirrel

Sketchy Roses Pattern Collections to Mix and Match

The "Sketchy Roses" printable papers
Collection

[Update on Jan 29th 2026: There's a new and re-imagined version of this collection for wallpaper, fabric and home decor. Tap or click for details here.]

Hello there, and hope this finds you well and thriving.

Today, am so happy to be able to present my new, Sketchy Roses collection to you. 

 It's a coordinated collection of my designs for your projects, in a light and fun style that nods to tradition, but is sketchily light enough to feel fun and happy too. Each design can also be used in either direction. The collection is available on printable papers, and home décor/gift items too.

Explore the home decor collection here...

The story behind the collection:

The collection (in all  its forms) was inspired by the beautiful rose gardens we're lucky enough to have around these parts. (Thanks to The Computer Man who took these pics on a stroll we had.)

And, just like the different, multi-coloured roses in a flowerbed, these papers and fabrics are designed to be mixed and matched together in your projects too.

Finally, if you love the designs, but aren't feeling crafty, I've also popped a "mix and matchable," selection of gift and decor items onto Redbubble. You can see the whole collection here.

Here's how just some of  those gift items mix and match together as cushions and pillows, and on a mixture of items.

See more of the collection on Redbubble...

More than anything, please have fun, and may anything and everything in this collection spark joy and delight for you, your friends and family, and the world at large.

More soon.

(N.B. post edited on 23rd June 2025)

Free Inspiring Quote Image and Ecard: You Can Do This...

Let's face it, life continues to be various kinds of weird for a lot of people at the moment. Which (maybe) is why this illustration popped into my head. This woman *is* managing to balance her strange and heavy load at the moment. Maybe the message, "You Can Do This..." that goes with it *is* all she needs.

If you know someone who would appreciate this, it's fine to tap, click or right-click (according to your device) on the image on the left and send it to them. Please leave the web address and signature on it, though.

Also...

Also, if you'd rather send them something more physical (or have some encouragement yourself), I have greeting cards, magnets, badges and more that carry the same message, available on Redbubble.

(You can see what some of them look like in the images below).

Buy on a tote bag here

Buy as a sticker here

Buy on a greeting card here

And whatever you do or don't do, remember that you too can do whatever is in front of you. And that, better yet, you have the power to let other people know that they can, too.

Hope this helps anyone who needs it. More soon!

New: Blue and White Patchwork Pattern

Blue and White Patchwork Pattern Fabric

by BoundingSquirrel

I've been working on getting a good patchwork or quilted effect in a pattern for a while.

 

 And finally, here it is, crisp, clean, and just in time for summer...

If you're feeling like doing sewing and crafts, the fabric is here.But if you prefer things to be beautifully made already (and printed on demand, without waste), then this pattern also looks lovely on lots of gifts and decor over at Redbubble.

For example, it looks great on cushions and pillows...

You can also find this patchwork-effect dress over there...

And there are gorgeous smaller items too...

Have fun with these-and more soon.

A Surprise, An Honour, and Something to Showcase...

Isn't it amazing, when, out of the blue, you get an unexpected, positive message from someone that changes your whole perspective?

I had that experience this week, when the talented Kristen Bellotti got in touch.

Photo: Kristen Bellotti

She's using my Red Dragonfly design to make beautiful infinity scarves, for sale in her Etsy shop, KBellottiDesigns, here. (The photos in this post are also some of those in the her shop-thank you Kristen for permission to use them).

As soon as I looked at them,  I was more than happy to showcase Kristen's luxurious and versatile scarves.

 

Photo: Kristen Bellotti

Photo: Kristen Bellotti

 Sadness, too...

But there was something else in the message. Something so poignant and sad that actually, I can only feel honored that she wanted to use my design on these scarves.

40%  from each sale of these scarves ($12) is going to benefit the Evan T. Mandeville DIPG Research Fund. Like many of us, I hadn't heard of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma  before. But it turns out that this is a type of childhood cancer, which tragically killed a young boy, Evan Mandeville, when he was only 11 years old. And as a result, Evan's parents and their friends, (including Kristen) are raising funds for research into the condition, in the hope that children's lives can be saved in the future.

You can find out much more about the project at: http://www.evanscrew.org.

The way in which Evan's family and friends have taken a great tragedy and given it, and Evan, a positive legacy, is humbling and heart-warming at the same time.

So now it's over to you...

So if you've taken a shine to Kristen's scarves and want to help a good cause, do get along to Kristen's shop (there are other designs being sold to support the cause too-you don't have to like red dragonflies!).

As I type, there would still be time to buy one of these as a Christmas gift (though please check dates with Kristen if you need your scarf shipped outside the USA). And in any event, these are items that look lovely and would be well-received -or a great treat for yourself- at any time of year.

Photo: Kristen Bellotti

Finally,  if you know someone who might be interested in Kristen's scarves and/or Evan's story, please do share this post with them.

Many thanks and more soon.

New: "Mistletoe Mischief for a Whimsical Christmas...

Click here to get some " Mistletoe Mischief "

It's the time of year...for a *new* Christmas design. "Mistletoe Mischief," features cheeky mistletoe berry faces, winking and smiling each other amongst mistletoe sprigs, holly berries and love hearts.

It's Christmassy, subtle *and* fun. And it includes, not just gift items like Iphone 7 cases and cushions/throw pillows, but pouches to put them in so cute that they're like a gift too. There's even a matching greeting card.

It's a busy time of year. Enough said. Go and find everything here...and enjoy!

P.S. Update: This design is now also available on giftwrap and fabric, here.