still 39!

The run up to my big 4 0 has been pretty wonderful. Here's a brief run down!

A trip to MADE in London and purchasing this beautiful pot by Vicky Lindo, I love it so much, a massive thank you to m & d for buying it for me for my birthday. Meeting up with the very talented Mrs McArdell aka Janet Bell, as inspiring and beautiful as ever.

A delicious autumnal meal at the old folks, tasty cooking, bubbles, wine, port and of course wonderful company. Then a day out with my sis. We hit the shops, tried on every pair of black suede heels in Chichester and lunched out in style at Amelie & friends. I felt glamorous and special and a huge thanks to the v glamorous and v special Sarah.

The rest of the week has been filled with walks, playing with friends, football in the park, day of the dead crafts at the OB, hair cuts, hair styles, movies, games and we're off to a spooky disco this evening.

Last night I found time for a bit of drawing, inspired by my new book, listening to the folk show.

And in other news...

I've made a few business cards

Bought some new oil pastels...

Am thoroughly enjoying The Goldfinch...

Oh, and I treated myself to my own pumpkin!

Tomorrow is the big day, see you in my forties!!

i'll be brief

I've been trying to get some better photographs of my recent work. Sadly I now have no time to think of anything to write! So I'll be brief otherwise I won't get any lunch before the school run, and there's some bread rolls in the kitchen with my name on them!

Starting to get some stock together for the Curiosity Christmas Bazaar at the Observer Building

And these are nearly ready to go in their frames, just need to get the saw and sand paper out!

That's it, I'm off!

thoughts

A few of my thoughts this week:

Posh colouring books are wonderful (The Secret Garden, coloured by Eli)

Good denim is worth spending money on (Judy Dewsbury dungarees & Toast jeans).

Fat free yoghurt is disgusting, always buy full fat and just eat less.

Things always look better en mass (fabric bangles and the growing peg doll choir!).

on the craft front

Finished a commission for number 53,

almost finished a pair of slippers for a jeweller,

and started some peg doll for the school winter fair!

Also been working on more houses. I've started a nighttime one and a christmas street, a friend suggested that my boxes would make a good keepsake christmas decoration which I very much like the idea of.

in praise of tomatoes

Most happy dinners in our house seem to involve tomato sauce. Tinned toms, onion, garlic, herbs, brown sugar and seasoning...

add courgettes for (almost) ratatouille...

puree and add a little spice for pasta sauce....

spread on dough for pizzas. Also added to chicken curry and spag bol, thank you tomato sauce.

bits

Back to school, with the added weight of the eldest starting secondary school and the youngest starting primary, has been emotional. I am still not really sure of how I'm feeling, maybe just a little lost I suppose. I've had a week of doing small household chores, a bit of art, a bit of work, a bit of yoga and a bit of walking, it's been a bitty week. I went for a walk this morning, in the woods, in the late summer sunshine and everything felt pretty great. I will keep doing a bit of this and a bit of that and I will enjoy every moment assured that soon things will settle.

finished!

The final pieces, finished on time for the weekend at The Beacon, open studios....

Thanks to everyone who came along this weekend. We will be open again Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th 1-5pm.