Meet Kate.
Welcome to our brand new Meet the Designer feature here at the pad.
This month’s spotlight shines on the doodly queen herself, Mrs. Kate Hadfield.
Sit us down at your desk, what’s it look like? What kind of equipment do you use?
Typically, it looks rather messy! At the moment there’s a pile of the kids’ drawings, homework and reading books, about 50 watercolour pencils, a big tin of coloured pencils, a set of pastels and a stack of sketchbooks, approx 70 billion to-do lists, my trusty notebook, a cup of tea and a diet coke. Somewhere under that lot there’s also a keyboard and mouse (I use a desktop PC) and my lovely scanner. I have a daylight lamp too as I do most of my design work at night when the kids are in bed.
What inspires you?
Colours. I love colour, especially fun or unusual combinations. Art materials are inspiring too, just starting off with a blank sheet of paper and some new goodies always gets me going! Even if I don’t have a clue what I am going to draw, just doodling and scribbling away usually gives me lots of ideas.
Which is your favorite kit?
My favourite is usually the kit I have just finished working on, but I do have a special soft spot for the collab I made with Kim Jensen: Srsly Stoked. We have been friends for a while but we got to know each other much better while working on this kit together.
What is your designing soundtrack?
I listen to all sorts of stuff while designing: radio, music, podcasts and online tv programs but recently I have become obsessed with audiobooks, I love to listen to them while I work! I find that I don’t have much “me” time to just sit and read these days so I love the fact that I can listen to a book and design at the same time.
How did you get started designing?
It all started as a bit of an accident! I’ve always loved drawing and I’ve enjoyed all sorts of arts and crafts over the years. I was scrapping one day and wanted a particular type of element to finish my page, after a quick search around the digi stores I couldn’t find what I wanted and thought I’d try making it myself! I played around and made another couple of pieces and popped them on my blog. Then came the fateful email from Amy Martin asking me if I would like to come and sell at TLP! And that was that, one minute I was trying out some ideas and the next I was a selling my wares, it all happened very quickly. That was 4 years ago now.
What is one of your best selling kits?
My think one of all time best selling is the Scruffy and Stripey alphabet.
You have just won a fabulous wardrobe from any designer you choose, who would that be?
Hhhmmm. Is there a designer who makes long length jeans, long t-shirts and sweatshirts?! You might be able to tell already (!!) but I’m not really into designer fashion. I like comfy clothes that keep me warm, fit me properly (I’m 5’10”) and that work for walking my dog, playing with the kids, doing the school run and sitting at my desk for hours on end. A designer who has a mean range of fluffy lined slippers and walking boots would be good too. My life is pretty simple, and my dress sense is too!
If you could travel back in time, what would you tell yourself 10 years ago?
Oh good question! I’d tell myself to save more. I’d tell myself that the man I just met most definitely is The One. I’d tell myself that the next ten years wouldn’t be easy but that we’d get through and that at the end of it I’ll be happier than I have ever been.
Name something you couldn’t live without.
I am sure that sounds really shallow but the first thing that popped into my head was Diet Coke! Or Pepsi Max(I don’t mind which!) I have given up almost all my other “bad for me” treats, but I can’t seem to beat my Diet Coke craving!
Tea for two at Harrods in London. Who’s your guest?
The Queen. I’d love to have a cuppa and a chat with her, Harrods seems like a good place for that! I’d even change out of my jeans.
In the movie version of your life, who will play you?
Good grief, that would be a seriously dull film, ha ha! An old friend used to say that I reminded him of Julia Roberts – he clearly needs his eyes testing. Maybe Julia Roberts with Ron Weasley’s accent.
To see loads of other doodly goodies, be sure to check out Kate’s store.
