Stamp Series: Pisa


I have gone with a more minimalist design with this week's stamp of The Leaning Tower of Pisa in the Tuscan city of Pisa itself. Within the next year, I would like to make another visit to Italy. As one of my favourite countries, there's always so much to see and do.

Pisa would be an ideal place to go for a long weekend city break or if I was ever in Tuscany again, I would make sure that the Tower of Pisa is top of my excursion list! Cue obligatory 'look at me holding up The Leaning Tower with my own bare hands' photo.

17 | 52: My Signature Style


The prompt for week 17 of the #52handlettered project is my signature style. I've chosen not to go down a fashion style route with this prompt as I wouldn't have a clue what my 'signature style' would be in that sense. I like clothes I like and dress for how I'm feeling so I decided to go a little bit obscure with this one and turn it round to mean my signature style with my work.

From an early age, I've always shown a major interest in drawing and even when I went for interviews to get in to my chosen university, I was questioned by one of the tutors as to whether I should really look at an illustration course. Although it was my first passion, graphic design is something I wanted to learn more about and explore that avenue.

In a way, my passion for illustration is quite prominent in my graphic design work (which you can see in my portfolio) so I guess if I had to describe my signature style, it would be illustrative. I like the combination of the two and how they can be intertwined in my work.

I've combined this week's prompt with some illustrations I did for a children's story colouring book as part of my degree show at university and I just had to try something a little different with the lettering on this one. I love the contrast between the bronze foil and the monotone illustrations. This is by far my favourite in the project and I'm looking forward to seeing what the prompts for May will be.

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Mixtape No. 2


It's official, Summer in England is on it's way and with temperatures hitting mid-20s and evenings getting lighter, I've been listening to more music that's been getting me in the mood for those long Summer days being able to enjoy the outdoors. Here's a list of the top tunes for me that I've been loving lately.

01. “Break the Rules” — Charli XCX
02. “Congregation” — Foo Fighters
03. “Love Spreads” — The Stone Roses
04. “Waves (Robin Schulz Radio Edit)” — Mr Probz
05. “More Than a Feeling” — Boston 
06. “Wake Me Up” — Avicii
07. “Miami” — Will Smith
08. Something New” — Axwell ^ Ingrosso
09. “The Boys of Summer” — The Ataris
10. “All That She Wants” — Ace of Base
11. “Kiss Me” — Sixpence None the Richer
12. “What's My Age Again?” — blink-182
13. “Everlong” — Foo Fighters
14. “Ooh La La” — Faces
15. “Lola's Theme” — The Shapeshifters
16. “Love Shack” — 
The B-52's
17. “Mushaboom” — Feist
18. “Could You Be Loved” — Bob Marley & The Wailers

Stamp Series: Chichén Itzá


Lately I have been looking a bit further a field for inspiration for my Stamp Series and after opening up the conversation with Dan about a holiday to Mexico in the not too distant future, I stumbled across the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá. Such a beautiful-looking place steeped in history, I'm keen to add this place to my bucket list (and also I totally fell in love with Athena's photograph of the place).

In 2007, Chichén Itzá was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World alongside the likes of the Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, and as seen in last week's stamp, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. 

Have you been to Chichén Itzá before? If so, are there any more places in that area of Mexico worth a visit?

16 | 52: Something I Noticed Today


For this week's prompt I wanted to experiment more with the composition and do something a little more different from the last two weeks. I wanted to focus more on bringing my love of graphic design together with the handwritten element of the project.

This prompt isn't just something I've noticed today, but something I've been noticing a lot lately. It's definitely a great way of keeping me focused on the #52handlettered project, my Stamp Series and my long-term goals. (And I also love how this one has turned out!)

So whatever it is that you're doing in life, keep at it, you can achieve great things!

Chow Down: Bodega, Birmingham


It's not often Dan and I go out out but when we do we always make sure we book ourselves into one of the restaurants we've been dying to try for a while or somewhere we know we'll be guaranteed great food, great service and a great atmosphere. So last Saturday we celebrated date night with dinner at Bodega before heading to the New Alexandra Theatre to see Derren Brown's new show, Miracle.

Bodega is somewhere I've been wanting to try ever since it opened a few years ago however with it being in the city centre and somewhere that's always jam-packed (a good sign but a place you should really book), I have only before been there for drinks downstairs in the bar area.

Not being new to South American street food, I knew exactly what I wanted to try. After being warned by the waiter that the large nachos we had ordered to share as a starter were in fact more of a main meal for two, we opted for a small plate of chicken chipotle nachos. And boy, were they good.

For main, we both had the burritos (I had pulled beef with medium heat and Dan had chilli as hot as it comes) served with a side salad and sweet potato fries. Unfortunately the spice from the burritos was way too much and kind of ruined the overall course for both of us. Although it did help that I had ordered one of their delicious Mojitos to help cool my burning mouth.

As with most meals I have I always make sure there's room for pudding, especially when there are Churros on the menu. We shared the dessert so we wouldn't be falling asleep throughout the show that evening and it was the perfect end to the meal.

Hands down I'd say that Bodega does the best Mojitos I've ever had, as well as one of the most delicious plate of nachos (hard to find sometimes) and the sweet potato fries were amazing! Sadly for us the only thing to have ruined the main meal was the heat of the dish as even the medium was just too much to handle.

Stamp Series: Rio de Janeiro


The next design in my Stamp Series takes us over to Brazil and to Christ the Redeemer, an Art Deco statue in the city of Rio de Janeiro. This famous landmark was constructed in nine years, from 1922 to 1931, and was listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

You can see more in my Stamp Series by searching #clrkllystampseries on Instagram or following the link to my portfolio here.

15 | 52: I Love the Smell of


For me, nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread so I had to choose this as my words for week 15 of the #52handlettered project. I have always been a huge lover of bread, freshly baked, hot straight out of the oven with a large dollop of butter. It's one of life's simple pleasures and although I've been trying to cut down on the amount I eat for the last year, I just can't resist the smell.

I quite like the dry brush effect on this piece and would like to try using a dryer brush in one of the other prompts for the project. Also I'm really pleased with how the 'B' came out! One thing that didn't really work for this piece is the lack of counter for the 'e' making it quite hard to read the letter. Other than that, I really like this piece and think it works well with the photo. 

I'm really enjoying this project so far and can't wait to get cracking on the next two prompts for April, something I noticed today and my signature style.


Love, Limzy.


Mixing watercolour illustrations with flowers and petals, Lim Zhi Wei of Love, Limzy. has a unique and delicate style to her work which exudes natural beauty. Lim's work mainly focuses on fashion and the natural world, bringing each illustration to life with the use of carefully selected flowers.

You can see more of Lim's work over on her blog.

Chow Down: in Bruges


Being one of the biggest foodies I know, Bruges was somewhat of a haven for me from the off and a place I knew would satisfy my tastebuds. Belgium being known for their fine food and drink, it was a destination I was very much looking forward to visiting and one I couldn't wait to get stuck in to!

Upon arrival in Markt Square (still with our suitcases in tow) we wasted no time and headed straight for the first food van we saw – strategically parked in front of the Belfort – and ordered ourselves a truly Belgian snack of fries with a huge dollop of mayonnaise. Such a simple dish, but perfectly cooked and a great filler for two hungry travellers. 

Along with their infamous dish of fries and mayonnaise, I wanted to try an authentic Belgian Waffle (chocolate sauce and lots of strawberries, yes please), copious amounts of hot chocolate, chocolate in general and to see for myself how good their beer really is (it's delicious and I don't even like beer).


Bruges Beer Museum
Breidelstraat 3, in between Markt Square and Burg Square

Whether you're a lover of beer or not, Bruges Beer Museum is the ultimate experience. From getting to learn about the history of the drink itself with the help of an interactive guide to the choice of an inclusive beer tasting session at the end, the museum is a great addition to your trip and ideal for an early afternoon tipple (although bear in mind that some beers in Bruges are as strong as 11.3%)!

We opted for the beer tasting session with our tour and as we arrived in to the bar, we were handed our 3 tokens along with a menu of what was on offer. The lady behind the bar was really helpful in explaining the differences between the beers and even suggested we try the limited edition beer they had on tap, Arthur's Legacy, that of which only 1,000 litres had been made.

The 3 beers I went for were Arthur's Legacy (4/5), Rodenbach Rosso (5/5) and Palm Hop Select (1/5). Also be sure to try their local beers, especially Brugse Zot, as this is the only beer that is brewed in Bruges itself.


Ribs 'n Beer
Ezelstraat 50, a 5–10 minute walk from Markt Square

A couple of weeks before we were due to leave for Bruges, Dan and I spent a good couple of evenings trawling TripAdvisor looking for where we should book to have dinner. There were several that we looked at but Ribs 'n Beer was the one place we knew immediately we wanted to book and after reading the reviews, we knew we weren't going to be disappointed.

We were greeted as soon as we walked through the door by a lovely waiter who seated us upstairs, much to Dan's pleasure as we were sat right underneath a TV showing that night's football match. The restaurant had a great atmosphere and was lit by spotlights and candles, playing a great mixture of soul, blues and rock through the speakers but not so loud you couldn't hear each other.

Although there was a lot of choice on the menu, we decided to skip the mains and tackle their all you can eat ribs for €18. It seemed more of a challenge than an offer so we ordered straight away with our drinks, Dan opting to start with the spicy barbecue marinade and I opted for their special chocolate and beer marinade – a must try.

The ribs were the best I have ever tasted and just fell straight off the bone. I think by the fact we managed three and a half racks of ribs between us goes to show how much we enjoyed the meal and if my stomach wasn't screaming for me to stop, I'd have probably have just carried on eating!

If you're after a reasonably-priced delicious meal, with great staff, atmosphere to suit and an enjoyable evening in Bruges then I would advice you head to Ribs 'n Beer. I can't say enough about how good it was, but if you are thinking about it, be sure to book a table so you don't miss out.


Park Restaurant
Minderbroedersstraat 1, a 5–10 minute walk from Burg Square 

For our last night in Bruges, we booked ourselves a table at the restaurant rated #1 on TripAdvisor. With the option to have a 4-course menu for €40 we thought it was an absolute steal and a dining opportunity we didn't want to miss out on.

Set just on the edge of the park (hence the name), the interior of Park is absolutely stunning and it just screams fine dining. Even with the set menu, there was plenty of choice on the menu and there was the option to have a wine paired with each of your courses.

A lovely meal with attentive staff, I can see why it is so popular with not only the tourists but with the locals too. It is another place that you are better off booking before you go. Due to it's popularity, even on a weekday evening the restaurant was fully booked.


14 | 52: Foreign Words


At the beginning of the year, I saw that Miranti of Pen + Peplum was starting her own weekly project #52handlettered. Being a huge fan of not only Miranti's blog, but her work and style, I knew I wanted to get involved with this project using the prompts she puts up at the beginning of each month. Sadly, we're already 14 weeks in to the project and I'm only now just finding the time to take part.

After making the promise to myself at the beginning of the year to do more and share more, I feel that it's about time I start this hand lettering project and see if I can master a skill I've been keen to do more of for the last several months. I'm so inspired by the work of Miranti, as well as the likes of Jasmine and Molly. I've only briefly before done some hand lettering but would love to be able to get to a point where I'm really happy with my own style and can start incorporating that in to client projects. 

The prompt for week 14 is 'foreign words' and as a lover of the French language, I was keen to find a phrase that inspired and fits in with the current time. Maintenant ou jamais is a phrase that does just that, meaning now or never in English. Being at a point in my life since 2011 where I feel back to my 'normal, healthy' self, I really want to push myself to work hard and to improve my standard of work.

Just like the promise I made myself at the beginning of the year to do more and do better, I'm hoping to continue with the #52handlettered project throughout the rest of the year. As well as my Stamp Series, I'm sure this is going to keep me busy and on my feet. Are there any weekly projects you're currently doing or taking part in?

Stamp Series: Brussels


After our trip to Bruges last week, I was feeling a little inspired by Belgium. Dan and I had an all too brief stop in Brussels as we departed and boarded the Eurostar. Although all we really saw was the inside of the train station and a few restaurants just outside the entrance, I do know that one of their most famous attractions is the Atomium and if we had more time, it would have been nice to have seen it in the flesh.

You can see more in my Stamp Series by searching #clrkllystampseries on Instagram or following the link to my portfolio here.

Practise Makes Perfect


I've been spending this long Easter bank holiday weekend practising my new years resolution to draw more, draw better. I dusted down my graphics tablet and have been trying to get the hand of using it. I've been designing with the use of a trackpad and a mouse for several years now so to pick up a pen, it's going to take some time to get used to it. In order to push myself as a designer I need to get out of my comfort zone and widen my skill set, as well as opening myself up to a new style and technique when it comes to drawing on the tablet.

Above was from a practise session on Friday, using the tablet and playing with a couple of new fonts. I'm pleased with the outcome but I do find it tricky to get the pen to react to how I want at times. Hopefully over time it will get a little easier to use but for now, I'm just going to keep trying.

If you've got any tips for designing with a graphics tablet or know of any useful tutorials, leave me a comment below!

In Bruges


Bruges has been on mine and Dan's bucket list for about two years and after missing out on a weekend break there last year, we knew that we would make the effort in 2015 to go. And it was well worth waiting for.

Two weekends ago, we got in the mood by watching In Bruges and searching the internet for sights and sees not to be missed. Although the only thing we had booked were our meals out in the evenings, we managed to cram in pretty much everything we wanted to do and places I wasn't even sure we'd have time to see.

After a five and a half hour journey to Bruges from London on the Eurostar and local train services, we quickly marched ourselves from the train station to our accommodation for the next two nights, Hotel Dukes' Palace. The former residence of the Burgundian aristocracy, our hotel lived up to it's 5* rating and tucked away in a quiet corner of Bruges just a few minutes walk from the Markt, it was the ideal location to start exploring the city.


The first thing on our sightseeing list was to climb the Belfort (Belfry) in the Markt Square. Rising 83 metres from the ground, the Belfry of Bruges can be seen for miles and just as equally once you're at the top, you get such a fantastic view of the city and beyond. It isn't a climb for the feint-hearted as it takes a whopping 366 steps to reach the top, but it's a great attraction to take away the guilt of eating an authentic Belgian waffle afterwards!

With an easy-to-navigate city and being given a detailed map of all the main attractions and landmarks, Dan and I did all of our sightseeing on foot. However there is the option for transport with either a half an hour boat ride along the canals, a horse-drawn carriage ride from the Markt Square or the choice to hop on a City Tour bus. The furthest we travelled out was to the windmills, which were about a 25-30 minute walk from the Markt and despite being super windy, it was a lovely walk.


As a city break, Bruges is the perfect place for just a two-night stay or long weekend. It was enough time to see all of the major attractions, try all of the local delicacies and even have time for a lie-in!

If you are thinking of going, make sure you go for an evening walk around the main squares once it has gone dark. All of the churches and city buildings are lit up, giving the place a lovely atmosphere and the chance to see the city at it's best when there are no crowds. Oh, and also remember to take a good pair of shoes or walking boots with you. I tried a pair of heels and they just weren't made for cobbled streets!


The Camera Collection


Vector illustrations are up there as one of my favourite styles of illustration. No matter the technique of the individual, there's always something so clean and simple in the outcome. Bill Brown's The Camera Collection is no exception.

Released under a Creative Commons Attribution licence, Bill illustrated 100 different models of pixelated cameras from Polaroid and DSLR to Lomography and disposable. The intention was to allow anyone to "reuse, alter or edit the images in whatever they saw fit" and that's exactly what Brazilian Motion Graphics Artist, Antonio Vicentini did.

Using Bill's illustrations, Antonio told the evolution of cameras for a one minute video which you can view here. What was the first camera you ever used?