Elena Deshmukh

happy birthday

2012-02-24T17:19:00.000Z

merci

2012-02-16T18:53:00.000Z

I enjoyed personalising your Valentine's Day cards at Liberty on Monday. Your heartfelt messages were truly romantic.

Thank you to all at Liberty who helped make the day possible.

To Julie for inspiring the event and Paul for my beautiful display. I had a painted writing bureau and washing line to peg the cards to dry!

To the team in the Stationery Room and most of all Bryony, for kindly assisting me on the day.

Thank you also for my beautiful bouquet of flowers from Wild at Heart, Sailor appreciated them too!

hearts and flowers

2012-02-12T13:59:00.000Z

I've been making embroidered silk flowers to decorate paper hearts for the Valentine's Day event tomorrow at Liberty.

A little gift for you to share with a loved one.

send your love

2012-02-10T09:25:00.001Z

I'll be in the Stationery Room as a guest of Liberty, Monday 13th February for a Valentine's Day event.

Send your love with one of my designs and I'll gift wrap your handmade card with grosgrain ribbon and a personalised paper heart.

I'll also address your envelope and write your personal message in pen and ink.

A little token of love for you to give. I hope to see you there!

pom-pom

2012-02-06T15:38:00.001Z

A souvenir from Paris, tender little cakes or "mini-financiers" from artisan baker Eric Kayser

top drawer spring

2012-01-18T20:19:00.000Z

Many thanks to all who visited my stand at top drawer .

Laundry in a rainy shower!

The washing line is from my baby girl card; raindrops from thinking of you design and flowers from new Mother's Day cards. My name embroidered on linen is pinned in the middle.

stitch

2012-01-12T23:25:00.001Z

I've been making lots of handmade cards and getting my stand ready for top drawer .

I embroidered my name onto linen today...

I like the texture and handmade nature of free-machine embroidery. I simply traced the letters onto the fabric and filled it in with thread. My name in stitch!

save the date

2012-01-11T20:39:00.001Z

I've been making handmade invitations to top drawer spring 15th-17th September at Earls Court.

If you're visiting the show, I'll have new designs to show you on stand B5. I hope to meet you!

2012-01-04T21:36:00.000Z

A few of my handmade cards.

2011-12-25T00:01:00.013Z

Frosted flowers and berries.

Merry Christmas!

portrait of a lady

2011-10-27T19:43:00.000+01:00

Sian Keegan makes these irresistable pet portraits to commission using recycled and vintage fabrics.

Above is Skip a wire-haired Fox Terrier

Cigar a Jack Russell

Penny the Airedale

Dotty and Zucker

and Frank... I would love a handmade portrait of little Sailor!

silver and gold

2011-09-29T21:42:00.000+01:00

Goldsmiths Fair sparkled last night with work by talented designer-makers. Held at historic Goldsmiths Hall, the fair is an opportunity to purchase jewellery, sculptural silver and commission new work.

The Chrysanthemum Brooch above is by Kayo Saito

I was intrigued by this silver inkwell with pools of text by Jonathan Mathew Boyd

and enjoyed the story-telling in one-off pieces by Barbara Christie

Gerlinde Huth displayed her textural and sculptural jewellery

and the sculptures by Carol Mather were so intricate and expressive. I'm fond of this tired little salt-carrier!

The show is on until October 9th with new exhibitors in week two.

grow your own

2011-09-16T08:16:00.001+01:00

A trug of home-grown beans, greens and courgettes. A gift from my sister, lovingly grown, simply cooked and tasted delicious!

hello

2011-09-14T21:03:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to all who visited my stand at the trade show Top Drawer Autumn.

It was a pleasure to see you again, hear your news and meet new customers too.

I'm pleased you appreciated my new designs and I look forward to making your cards!

glaucous blue

2011-09-09T08:27:00.002+01:00

Wooden crates displaying air plants at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show last year.

Glaucous blue in colour, they're unusual in texture and form. Here they perch on a raku-fired lidded container handmade by ceramicist Kate Schuricht.

...and also displayed as "an underwater landscape" in a glass jar. Flowers bring them to life, the pink anemones are from my mother's garden.

top drawer autumn/winter

2011-09-05T08:48:00.002+01:00

My next trade event is Top Drawer Autumn/Winter, Olympia, London. I've been working into the twilight hours preparing to show new designs for Christmas, Love and Everyday.

I send as many handwritten invitations as possible, this year "T'is the Season for Giving" and I'm sending rather early Christmas cards...

stockholm

2011-09-02T14:02:00.001+01:00

A dear friend sent me this parcel of joy recently. A packaging souvenir from Stockholm in colours that brightened up my day...

and egg-white soap for a rosy glow!

feast

2011-08-29T16:59:00.006+01:00

We had a family get together recently, my sister made this plate of kedgeree with home-grown beans and pullet eggs...

and the most delicious home-made plum and almond cake to follow!

jardin

2011-08-26T13:52:00.016+01:00

Kaori and Gerlinde gave me this beautiful hand-tied posy today.

All the more memorable as the anemones, sedum and bronze coloured dahlias were lovingly grown and cut from their own gardens.

spot the dog

2011-08-22T14:48:00.005+01:00

I've been making quite a few handmade cards... and poor little Sailor has been marooned in a sea of cardboard boxes!

bellocq

2011-06-12T16:13:00.000+01:00

These painterly photographs from Bellocq Tea Atelier are so evocative and beautiful.

I'm looking forward to experiencing a cup of their hand-crafted blended tea.

yellow

2011-05-28T21:37:00.000+01:00

Islands of vibrant Californian poppies in a local front garden. I walk past this joyful splash of yellow most days and love the daring colour combination...

souvenir

2011-05-16T20:42:00.000+01:00

My sister gave me this delicious souvenir from Lisbon today, a box of Pasteis de Belem. Soft vanilla-scented custard held by ribbons of crisp pastry with a sachet of powdered sugar.

I've missed this daily treat since I moved my studio from South London where there is a large Portugese community. Since then I've been searching for the perfect recipe. My homemade vanilla custard is passable (brightened with a little lemon zest) but the pastry has to be authentic, whether homemade/good quality puff or even filo it's no match for the real thing!

She also gave me this beautifully wrapped parcel of tinned sardines!

kempton

2011-05-10T19:55:00.038+01:00

I bought an old ladder and beautifully textured coral at Kempton Park today.

The sunny weather brought out the crowds and it was lovely to spend the day with creative friends.

Gerlinde, a generous and talented jeweller and Kaori, an inspiring ceramicist with an eye for detail.

I also bought this glass pickle jar which is as big as Sailor!

manon

2011-05-09T18:20:00.025+01:00

The curtain went down tonight on a dramatic performance of the ballet Manon, at The Royal Opera House.

The choreography was breathtaking and defied belief. Tamara Rojo seemed to dance effortlessly partnered by Carlos Acosta. The stage and costume design set the uneasy atmosphere of the story. Dark, tarnished or tattered in an earthy to scarlet colour palette. The principal dancers wore flourishes of intense colour and embellishment.

festival

2011-05-06T19:17:00.005+01:00

Bunting at The Southbank Centre which is celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Festival of Britain.

I took an evening stroll along The Thames to see Miro at Tate Modern.

bluebells

2011-05-01T23:59:00.000+01:00

A mist of bluebells brings an ethereal quality to one of my favourite places.

It's bluebell season and the local woods are awash with a spectrum of colour. Soft lavender hues, cobalt blues through to deepest purples.

Walking under the canopy of trees, we took a meandering path through the heady scent of bluebells.

We spotted a lone deer...

and Sailor enjoyed her beautiful surroundings.

egg

2011-04-23T16:42:00.000+01:00

It's Easter weekend and I've been making gifts of personalised eggs.

The eggshells were first dip-dyed in food colouring and then decorated with painted initials. Happy Easter!

beauty

2011-04-17T01:05:00.000+01:00

I visited "The Cult of Beauty" at the V&A today which features this painting by Leighton. The Aesthetic Movement influenced many areas of design including interiors, architecture, fashion and the decorative arts.

Alongside paintings, the exhibition draws together prints, jewellery, ceramics, textiles and furniture. Many of the interiors are in a colour palette of sludgy greens, punctuated by intense peacock and china blue.

I liked the detailed etchings by Whistler, architectural drawings by Godwin and beautifully painted fan that is "autographed" by different artists.

Upstairs is "Picturing Plants" an exhibition of different styles and techniques used in botannical illustration.

"Linden" by Henry Bradbury, 1854 was made by pressing the plant between soft sheets of copper and steel producing an embossed nature print.

spring

2011-04-09T16:41:00.005+01:00

Spring is in the air! Sailor and I walked through a confetti-shower of cherry blossom today to visit my local florist.

The shop was overflowing with the prettiest of early blooms and fragrant foliage.

I liked this soft textural selection of ranunculus, cow parsley, eucalyptus and scented broom.

pick me up

2011-03-19T01:28:00.000Z

The Embankment Galleries at Somerset House is currently home to Pick Me Up, a contemporary graphic art fair.

The diverse showcase of international artists/illustrators includes Victo Ngai and assembled images by Polly Becker

There are prints for sale, illustrator Anthony Burrill in residence, live music and creative workshops.

Alongside the fair is Joy of Living a charity project that raises money for Maggie's Cancer Care Centres.

Leading designers have submitted original artwork on a simple sheet of A4 graph paper. The result is a diverse collection of illustrations, cut-outs, collages and 3d paper engineering.

All the designs are sold anonymously to encourage buyers to purchase the artwork they truly desire.

butter

2011-03-15T14:40:00.002Z

I found a pair of butter pats in my local antique shop today, perfect for making homemade butter.

Traditionally butter would be churned by hand, water wheel or even using a dog! I used a recipe from Jamie Oliver to simply over-beat double cream in a mixer until you're left with butter in a pool of buttermilk. Squeeze any extra moisture from the butter and pat into shape.

Lovely on sourdough toast with apricot jam.

birds eye

2011-03-09T22:30:00.001Z

Last night was the opening gala for birds eye view film festival at BFI Southbank. I really look forward to this annual event. It's an inspiring evening that celebrates and supports the creative talent of women filmakers. This year, the guest speaker was Zoe Wanamaker followed by a selection of short films made by international directors.

"Little Children, Big Words" directed by Lisa James Larsson was sensitively filmed and the most memorable short of the evening.

In complete contrast I loved the animation and humour of "Tord and Tord" directed by Niki Lindroth von Bahr

ardingly

2011-03-02T18:19:00.000Z

It was a bright day at Ardingly Antiques & Collectors Fair. I loved the colours in Chris Holmes' display of decorative interiors.

Sailor made lots of new friends and I enjoyed spending the day with Ellen from Anzu.

flavour

2011-03-02T00:01:00.018Z

I finally purchased a copy of "The Flavour Thesaurus" by Niki Segnit. It's a little book of inspiration, beautifully written, designed and bound.

The flavours are divided into themes including "Woodland", "Green and Grassy" or "Bramble and Hedge". Many of the flavour pairings are classic combinations like fish/anise or ginger/rhubarb, then there are surprising combinations too. It's a good read and her flavour descriptions are so precise, you can taste them!

little plates

2011-02-26T21:21:00.002Z

A dish of clams, one of many delicious plates at barrafina

There's limited seating and queues wrap around the bar. The "chipirones", "gambas al ajillo" and "pimientos de padron" are worth the wait.

wrapped

2011-02-19T14:41:00.002Z

The best gifts are thoughtfully selected and a joy to unwrap. My mother gave me this souvenir from Paris. Layers of paper, crisp tissue and beautiful ribbon. Inside, an aromatic packet of earl grey and a glossy tea caddy from Mariage Freres.

This little package from a kind friend made me smile. Scattered with ladybirds and " a rose tinted spectacle" from Peyton and Byrne

amour

2011-02-14T00:01:00.056Z

Happy Valentine's Day to you.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make Friday's Valentine's Day event at Liberty memorable. It was lovely to meet you all.

My little writing desk was adorned with vintage boxes displaying Valentine's cards, a pretty posy by Wild at Heart and delicious chocolates by Prestat.

The number of visitors was overwhelming! Thank you for patiently waiting for cards to be personalised and perfumed ink to dry.

I was delighted to discover your messages were thoughtful, poetic and celebrated love. Also that many of you send my Valentine's Day cards to family and friends too.

Thank you x

porcelain

2011-02-07T20:45:00.000Z

These slip-cast porcelain vessels by Natasha Daintry are exquisite.

I love her sense of colour, poetic vision and perfection to detail.

love liberty

2011-02-02T10:50:00.000Z

I’m delighted to be in-store at Liberty in their new Stationery Room, 11th February for a special Valentine’s Day event. I hope to meet you and personalise my handmade cards to make your Valentine's Day memorable.

Select one of my Valentine's Day cards and you will receive a handmade heart, it's a token of love for you to give. On your heart, I'll write the name of your loved one and secure it to your card with grosgrain ribbon.

Your paper heart is decorated by hand with flowers, embroidery and silk. Every heart is individual and you may give the heart of your choice.

I'll write your personal message and address your envelope using pen and ink in my own handwritten style. Send your message as a secret admirer or simply say I love you.

If you're visiting the store between 12 - 3pm I hope to meet you!

string

2011-01-28T18:20:00.000Z

I've been sending my handmade card orders from top drawer. Lots of brown paper packages tied up with string.

taste

2011-01-26T09:06:00.062Z

A midweek pick-me-up. A glass of tiramisu on a cocoa-dusted plate from Beatrice Peltre at la tartine gourmande.

Her food photography is often styled with colour/pattern. I love this image for the sense of taste she inspires. I've scooped spoonfuls of dense tiramisu with bitter-sweet cocoa and left the empty glass!

paint

2011-01-22T08:49:00.001Z

An artist's palette stained with a spectrum of vibrant colour. An artist's studio appears in the most unlikely of places. This one is at anthropologie on Regent Street.

I love their creative display of homeware. Paint-dipped brushes rest in jam-jars on tables covered with spills. These nestle between towers of beautifully coloured china, glass and linens. As joyful as the swirls of colour on a palette.

top drawer spring

2011-01-21T22:03:00.000Z

"Looking forward to Spring" was the message of my show top drawer, London. Sailor with a perfumed posy of scented hyacinths and blossom.

Designs for Spring include jewelled birds, pretty florals, Valentine's and new Easter handmade card designs.

Sugared almonds wrapped in layers of coloured tissue. A little handmade gift to thank everyone who visited my stand!

spring

2011-01-04T18:53:00.027Z

Happy New Year!

I've returned to the studio, making handmade invitations to top drawer spring. The trade show is 16th-18th January at Earls Court and I'll be showing new Easter designs with powdered birds & pastel eggs.

I send as many personalised handwritten invitations as possible. On this grey January day, the sugared pink envelopes are a promise of brighter days ahead...

message for you

2010-12-25T21:12:00.004Z

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
I hope you share it with family & friends.

tradition

2010-12-20T21:16:00.005Z

A sweet slice of Panforte from Corsini with a cup of earl grey tea is my perfect Christmas pick-me-up.

My family traditions include spiced Panforte at Christmas, Pandoro dusted with vanilla-sugar for New Year and dove-shaped Colomba for Easter. I've enjoyed these cakes as part of the festive celebrations and believed they held a traditional and historical significance. As discussed on radio 4's Food Programme today, they may simply be a modern marketing dream!

vintage crimson

2010-12-19T19:05:00.009Z

This beautifully photographed bouquet as seen at saipua reminds me of a faded embroidered tapestry. I love the colour palette and it's soft and unstructured selection of flowers.

uptown girl

2010-12-11T20:52:00.003Z

Sailor prefers rambling woodland walks to city life. Looking for a new adventure, she took a trip to Belgravia today. A beautiful winter's day, she dressed for warmth in a new handmade coat.

Elizabeth Street is home to the delicious bakery of poilane and many other pretty boutiques. Sailor made a dash for mungo and maud where she was kindly welcomed with dog biscuits.

Next stop Pimlico Farmers Market in Orange Square where Sailor discovered delightful scents, tasty treats and the company of new friends!

top drawer autumn

2010-09-21T21:45:00.004+01:00

Thank you to everyone who visited my stand at top drawer autumn and met my dog Sailor. She's a friendly little terrier and the inspiration of my new illustrations. It was lovely to see you all again and a pleasure to meet new people too.