Stamp Series: India

Keeping this post short and sweet this week with another addition to my Stamp Series. There are probably a lot of iconic images that could sum up India, but to me it has to be the Indian elephant or Asian elephant as otherwise called. Such amazing creatures (and also a challenge to draw)!

An important cultural icon in India, elephants are said to be one of nine jewels ('navratnas') that surfaced in Indian mythology and therefore must be protected, preserved and treasured.

Stamp Series: Orlando

Ever since my first visit to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida at the age of 7, I have been absolutely fascinated by the place. No matter how old I get and no matter how many times I am fortunate enough to visit, this place truly is where dreams are made. It's possibly the one place on Earth I know that you can just let go and bring out that inner child of yours!

With Disney World being the epitome of Orlando to me, I couldn't not do a stamp that incorporated the true magic of the place with the night time parade having its grand finale over Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Malika Favre: On the Draw

I wasn't aware of Malika Favre until I saw her illustrations for the online booking company for spas and salons in the health, beauty and wellness industry, Wahanda. A massive national campaign that kicked off a few months ago, these illustrations were seen on billboards around the country.

What stood out to me the most about Malika's work was the bold colours and strong lines used in her illustrations. She has a distinctive style which makes me love her work even more. 

Time and time again when I see work at this standard, I always reiterate to myself that less most certainly is more. Malika has mastered the bold, curvy silhouettes with saturated colours and I absolutely adore her ON THE DRAW series of her time in Fuerteventura.

Stamp Series: Cairo

Writing this post in advance, there's a huge possibility that I will be sad that tomorrow is our last day in Egypt. For the last couple of months, there has been a lot of disruption in Cairo and I a hoping that whilst we are there, we are able to visit the pyramids. (If not, totally going to Luxor instead.)

I hope you're all having a wonderful week and keep an eye out for some travel snaps in the next week or so – I'm sure I'll have more than enough to share with you!

Day Out: Madame Tussauds

I've wanted to go to Madame Tussauds for so long that when Dan and I stopped the night in London before our trip to Bruges, I knew that we just had to make the time to go. With our hotel being within half an hour walk of the attraction and after finding ourselves a 2 for 1 voucher, there was really no excuse not to go.

We were in there for a good 2 hours and I actually really enjoyed myself. It's not often you get to have a day out like this so apologies for the photo-heavy post!

Stamp Series: Egypt

The last couple of days I've been busy packing my suitcase ready for mine and Dan's holiday to Egypt. We leave tomorrow and I'm about 90% excited and 10% anxious. I've heard many horror stories of people who have been ill whilst they've been there and although I'm armed with a bag full of medicine, I'm still a bit wary about it (and will no doubt also spend the holiday being super careful to avoid any mishaps). There's also been some trouble in Cairo the last few months so we're both still unsure as to whether we'll even be able to see the Pyramids – I'll be totally bummed if we can't!

I've had a fascination with ancient Egyptian culture ever since the first The Mummy film came out and at one point even had my own hieroglyphics stamp set courtesy of my parents. My fingers are crossed until we get there in the hope we can see a bit of Egyptian history but for now, I'm in my last panic of making sure I've got everything packed.

Also, look out for next week's stamp in the Stamp Series!

Day Out: Kingsbury Water Park

There's nothing I love more about the seasons changing than being able to get outdoors (without the need for twenty layers of clothes) and somewhere locally that I like to go to is Kingsbury Water Park. With 15 lakes set in 600 acres of country park, I'm really fortunate to live within 10 minutes of the place and although it still doesn't beat the coastline, on a warm, sunny day it's pretty spectacular.

Armed with half a loaf of stale bread and some hot cross buns (birds deserve treats too), we headed straight to the main lake beyond the Lake View playground and started making some feathery friends. It's great to be able to get up so close and personal with the wildlife but you definitely have to keep your eyes peeled for the pesky geese – I'm convinced they can smell bread a mile off!

This Summer I want to make the most of places like Kingsbury Water Park, places that are local and either don't cost a thing or just a small fee for parking. We have such a beautiful country filled with so much history and it would be a shame to waste the Summer away spending it indoors when we could be exploring.

I have a list of places that I'd like to take Dan to once the weather gets even better, so you may just be seeing a few more of these posts later on in the year!