Ellen studied design at the Glasgow School of Art in a golden era when there were shiny new computers at one end of the hall and still an original letter press studio at the other. She went on to work in the UK as a graphic designer, illustrator and art director, working with clients such as BBC Scotland, Scottish Ballet, Channel 4, Playhouse Disney and Lupus films. In 2010, along with her husband Harry Olden, she launched Happythought, a craft website, full of inspiring ideas, tutorials and fun printable projects. At Happythought the emphasis is on producing craft templates that as well as being lovely to look at, are easy to make, with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of fun.