Happy World Stationery Day!

Hi everyone. It’s World Stationery Day! As a child I loved notebooks, matching pencils, little cute erasers. In the 1980s I had adorable ‘Bobby & Kate’ stationery from Tokyo, awesome rainbow & unicorn goodies too.

‘Butterfly Lines’ Stationery Set by Dreaming on a Star

As an adult I visited Tokyo and it’s a magical, wonderland of cute & quirkiness & stationery heaven. Today I never thought I’d be designing my own stationery! It’s a dream come true! So little did I know back then that I was researching for my future job!

‘Easter Bunnies’ A5 Notebook by Dreaming on a Star

If you have been following my design career, you may recognise the above bunny print. I designed it a few years ago but I am very fond of it and turned it into a notebook.
It’s professionally printed by a third-party printing company and is printed on both sides in brilliant full colour with a smooth finish. I was so delighted to get these professionally printed and I designed the little matching cards that can be used as bookmarks!

‘Carousel Horses’ A5 Notebook by Dreaming on a Star

This pattern is also a few years old. I entered a design competition and came up with a Carousel Horse theme. Have a look here at how I came up with the idea. I made a repeating pattern of the design and always liked the magical quality of it. People seem to like it too as it’s a best-seller for me.

If you would like to see more of Dreaming on a Star’s stationery Click Here. I hope you enjoy World Stationery Day and have lots of pretty things to write on! ♡

Happy Christmas from Dreaming on a Star!

Hello everyone! December was an exceptionally busy one for Dreaming on a Star with 11 Christmas Markets!

But I managed to find some time to create an Advent doodle a day and here is the result. I challenged myself by using a limited palette and my influences were modern Scandi. I hope you like it!

Advent Calendar by Dreaming on a Star – Christmas 2016

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas full of love and joy and the best of well wishes for a fantastic New Year!

Let’s bring more smiles and happiness into 2017. May all your dreams come true…♡

In Love with the Sea

Hi everyone. I came across this beautiful Jules Verne quote only a few weeks ago and had to make my own version of it.
It really captures the powerful & spiritual hold the sea has over us. It’s hard to believe this quote is almost 150 years old. But it’s so relevant today to have a connection to nature in an increasingly disconnected world.

“The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides. The sea is only the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence. It is nothing but love and emotion; it is the Living Infinite.”

Jules Verne. Print by Dreaming on a Star

Read more…

NEW Dreaming on a Star Etsy Print Shop!

Hi everyone. Dreaming on a Star has a new Etsy Print Shop! I opened this shop last month and have been slowly adding items to it. I am delighted to say I have made 3 sales so far. This shop is a labour of love for me. I put my heart and soul into every piece I design for it.

Dreaming on a Star’s Etsy Print Shop

So far there are super cute magnets, pretty mirrors, quirky badges, inspirational wall art and lovely greeting cards. I plan on adding professionally printed notebooks soon.

Sea Fever – John Masefield – Art Print by Dreaming on a Star

Lovely Pocket Mirrors by Dreaming on a Star

I hope you like my Etsy Print Shop. Keep checking back as I will be adding lots of new items in the future!

EDIT – Dreaming on a Star also has her own Online Shop – Click here ♡

The Creative Life – Listen to your Spirit!

Hi everyone! The last few months, I’ve been feeling disillusioned creatively and today I think I’ve made a breakthrough.

Listen to your Spirit – Words by Fleetwood Mac, Design by Dreaming on a Star by Tina Devins 2016

I got up at 7.30am on my day off to finish this illustration. I know in my heart and soul this is what I want to do. You can have the wildest dreams but life can be harsh and put you in your place.

A creative life is a bittersweet life – the highs are ecstatic but the lows are deep and dark. I’ve wanted to give up so many times but something keeps calling me back.

To borrow another’s words, ‘I’d rather fail at something I love than succeed at something I hate.’

Listen to your spirit – what is it telling you?

This post is dedicated to other creatives – I feel your pain but I share your joy! ♡

(The illustration was inspired by Fleetwood Mac and the boundless sea & sky and is available for sale in my Etsy Print shop. Thank you ♡)

Greetings Cards

Hi everyone, I have been busy designing new Greeting Cards for all occasions – Birthday, New Baby, Wedding, Love, Thank You & Christmas.

Greeting Cards by Dreaming on a Star 2015

I really enjoyed making these. I love designing typography and drawing quirky doodles. Read more…

Lifestyle Photos of Personalised Pictures

Hi everyone. I’ve been busy getting lifestyle pictures taken of my work. I think the white provides a beautiful, pure canvas for my Personalised Pictures.

New Baby Personalised Picture by Dreaming on a Star

It’s been a joy to get these done. It shows off my work in an uncluttered, zen-like way. Read more…

Illustrating Words

Hi everyone. Dreaming on a Star has been illustrating lots of words! Song lyrics, lines from poems, phrases, etc. I’m a big fan of song lyrics and poetry. My favourite subject in school was English, so I’ve always had a love for the written word. And I adore typography, so it’s something I enjoy doing.

Illustration by Dreaming on a Star, 2015. Words by Emily Dickinson

Song lyrics are a personal thing. For me, a particular line/phrase seems to burst out of a song and into my brain. I become obsessed with it. The words themselves are musical even without the melody. That’s how I see poetry – like song lyrics without melody, or maybe it should be the other way around – Song lyrics are poetry set to music!

Anyway, the above illustration is a quote from poet Emily Dickinson – “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” The concept of Hope is such a beautiful thing, especially if you’re going through a difficult time. The metaphor of the bird captures these aspirational qualities perfectly. That’s why I drew the word ‘Hope’ in a joyful way and gave it precedence on the page. (Just for fun I gave the birdie a name – Jeremiah Flaphinch!)

Illustration by Dreaming on a Star, 2015. Words by Van Morrison

The above illustration happened after spending time in the sea and overdosing on Van Morrison! This is a line that jumped out at me from the song “Into the Mystic” – ‘Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly!’ How it captures the freedom and healing qualities of nature!

I love doodling and somehow these abstract doodles seemed to take on more familiar things – the white doodles look like exotic fishes and the top purple doodle looks like a surfboard! Maybe my subconscious mind is actually less abstract than I think!

Illustration by Dreaming on a Star, 2014. Words by The Beatles

I am a big fan of The Beatles and I own most of their back catalogue, but it’s funny how you might miss things. Although when it comes to song lyrics, I think particular lines might resonate with you more depending on your  circumstances or it could be you weren’t paying attention.

Anyway I was watching the TV show Mad Men, when ‘Tomorrow Never Knows‘ played at the closing credits. For such an iconic song, I’m surprised I missed this amazing line – ‘Listen to the Colour of Your Dreams’.  I love how it captures the trippy experience where your senses get mixed up! Also since my business is called Dreaming on a Star, I love anything related to dreams!
Thank you for reading ♡

Dreaming on a Star’s New Baby Announcements!

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven’t posted in a long time. I’ve been busy at the markets. I’ve also been busy making Personalised Baby Announcements.

Baby Announcement for a Girl by Dreaming on a Star

It’s so wonderful to celebrate the arrival of a beautiful baby with a gift that can last forever. These Baby Announcements are popular with new parents, grandparents and as gifts for New Babies and Christenings.

Small Baby Announcements by Dreaming on a Star

The Baby Announcement prints come in two sizes – 8.5 x 10.5 inch and 5 x 7 inch and come framed in a beautiful, heavy, white frame.

Baby Announcement for a Boy by Dreaming on a Star

I plan on adding new designs and also more personalised prints for Weddings and other Occasions. Watch this space!

If you would like to order a Personalised Baby Announcement, Click here to go to Dreaming on a Star’s Online Shop ♡

Dreaming on a Star at the Markets!

Hi everyone. Dreaming on a Star has been at the markets!

So far I’ve done four markets – three at Strandhill People’s Market and one at the Sligo Flea Market in the Model Art Gallery.

I love interacting with customers. Hearing someone compliment your work or making someone smile is a special thing.  I love making that connection – it’s both a joy and a privilege.

Dreaming on a Star at Strandhill People’s Market

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