Friday night and it's hot hot hot!!

after a day which was ridculously, gloriously, madly hot, the scent of warm greenery and grass and flowers...roses, honeysuckle, mock orange...drifts in through the open window as dusk gathers and I sit to try and write a little post to say hello world... 

my beautiful white roses have flowered beautifully despite, or perhaps because of, the incredible heat...everytime I go past I bury my nose in their soft petals and breathe in summer...I make sure I stop to smell the roses!

it has been a busy week with all sorts going on, daughter mine and husband of patience hanging on in there for the end of term...an unexpected trip for me to the dentist(a 4 hour round trip...yes I know it's barmy but he's a brilliant dentist and usually I stay over with my Dad)

my zumba class today full of amazing dancing women, all body rolling and samba-ing despite the heat

and lots of making as I prepare for ArtFest in Kendal next weekend....if you take a look here and scroll down the page you'll see some of the talented contemporary art and craft exhibitors. It is sooo close now I can almost touch it, the most exiting thing I have done this year...sharing a stall with my friend and fellow textile artist Sarah. We have worked closely together, encouraging each other and planning endlessly...we have both come a  long way...

and I have to say, being my own boss when the weather is this good has many advantages...eg a leisurely lunch outside...a siesta...and working into the cooler evening to make up for when it was just too hot to think earlier in the day...

and now it's getting late..I've just been outside for one last stroll...the big round shiney moon is out and it is cooling down..tempting me to just stay out all night...

but I must away to bed and sleep...night night! xx

time to wake up to Spring...

...and seek out some colour...after winter drabs it's so fabulous to see bright colours.... grey days are banished as the sun comes out...

loving daffodils inside and out...and a delicious new Country Homes magazine just happened to come my way...so I  can indulge my visual desires...for loveliness and inspiration...and how well it looks with my handmade gift from my dear friend Jaqueline...just the right shades...apparently it's a pan holder...so useful but far too lovely to use...so I hang it in the kitchen for all to admire...

and here's how to do Spring 1939 style...I think we can all use some of the lifestyle tips here...all calm elegance (where's all the 'stuff'??)...strange to think it comes from just before the start of WW2...perhaps wearing long gowns and draping oneself on a sofa may come back...something to which one may aspire...

 

 

don't you just adore this cute spring ensemble..not sure yellow is my colour...but I could do the pouty lips...and such temtingly naughty red painted nails...

 

...and then something for the man in your life...or is this a pattern so you can knit such a man?? not that I need to as I have husband of patience standing by to attend to my every whim...tra la (he just doesn't realise...)

 

I have been down to my studio, to feel my fabrics and test out what I can do....ooh it does feel so nice to be in there...I so need to get making and sewing and stitching and...

 have you come across &made...Andrea Lord was awarded best new maker at Contemporary Craft Fair 2011 not surprisingly...here's my gorgeous funky pincushion handmade by her ...I love it!

 

such yummy soft fabrics, threads, pins, buttons, scissors...just awaiting my touch to transform them into something even more lovely...

small delicious notebooks are always so enticing to a girl...in which to write secret thoughts...or keep little momentoes of the passing days...or perhaps a stash of cupcake recipes to tempt and delight...

and talking of cupcakes and baking...after daughter mine baked scrummy chocolate cookies and mmmmelting moments last week she filled her delicious tins with deliciousness...aren't they adorable designs...

love and inspiration is all around..you just have to open your eyes, open your mind, stop a while...

hope you have a wonderful weekend...this early morning sunshine is full of hope...go outside...smell the freshness of spring...listen to the birds...maybe plant some seeds...enjoy!

Friday night and I'm loving....

 

this fantastic mug...an inspired and inspiring birthday pressie - thanks Jane... it's fab!

that 2 days being back at work has been good this week, after all the Christmassyness  it's soo nice to be back to 'normal'

that it's time to take down the decorations and lovingly wrap them and pack them back in boxes...tuck them up till next year

that husband mine has been at home today...so nice to think that the cats can stay in and tea is made to come home to...in theory...

that our local hairdresser from down the village has popped in...result 2 happy haircuts in no time at all...

that I was brave and went to a printer this morning to ask for prices for printing leaflets and business cards...who'd have thought it?! this time last year I had no idea what wonderful changes the year held for me...new job...new (warm) studio...new teaching workshops..new collaborating with fellow artists and friends which makes doing it all so much less scary....new arty way of being and doing... my life slowly moving in the right direction, suuported by husband mine, daughter and our many friends...

that my passion and talent for making and creating will be shared with others...and will earn me a living

that my love, knowledge and enthusiasm for contemporary art and craft is being utilised in a job...wow!

that for the first time in my life I am earning money doing what I love and believe I have an expertise in...

that I've been asked to go and talk to a local Springboard  group about what I do and how I got here...ooer mrs! the idea is to inspire other women...I say follow your heart...and dream dreams and be open to oppportunity...and see what happens! Everything is possible...thank you Universe!