Extracts From My Creative Journal

New Beginnings

2011-05-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone - hope you are all well, it's been many months since I updated this blog and many exciting things have been happening :-) Firstly I am 33 weeks pregnant! I am VERY excited about being pregnant and keeping everything crossed for a healthy and safe labour, birth and baby.

Secondly my creative writing has gone a step further, I want to keep things under wraps for now, but the next year will all be about developing my creative projects and continuing to build on family life. I have therefore started a new blog called 'Well Woman~Well Wishes' to document my journey as a Mum the 2nd time around and the development of creative projects that will hopefully lead me to success, freedom and financial independence in the future. Hope you enjoy,

Love Em xxx

Inspired :-)

2010-08-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

I am LOVING creative writing.
I have been testing out my writing on the little people I see.... and the responses have been great.

Even my Hubby has been getting inspired too!

My Sunday Secret

2010-08-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

I've signed myself up with a fantastic creative writing tutor.
I have completed my first assignment and actually written something from start to finish with a beginning, middle and an end!
It is only 500 words. But it's a start.
I am VERY excited!!
I can't wait to be able to share the full productivity of my secret when my plan comes together. Even if it is ten years away or more... my dream is becoming a reality :-)

Hello! I'm Back :-)

2010-08-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone. I'm back in blogging land!

It's been a tricky month due to illness in the family but I am extremely pleased to say that things are looking up and I can only keep faith that every day things are getting better.
I got a lovely card off my friend Bridget who thought something might be going on and sent me a cute home made bookmark featuring beach huts and this gorgeous bracelet that she made for me. (Thanks B, I can't tell you how big a smile this put on my face!) (You can see / purchase Bridget's creations here!)

Despite everything being a bit hectic I have still been chipping away at doing some creative things and have made a big farm mural for M to decorate in our kitchen with all his favourite farm animals and tractors etc. I am also keeping going (albeit slowly) with my creative writing and tomorrow am meeting up with a creative writing tutor who I hope will be able to provide me with online support / tutoring / mentorship.
Watch this space :-)

Hello There

2010-07-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hello There, to anyone who regularly reads this blog.
I'm going to have a blogging break for around a month due to personal reasons.
I look forward to catching up with all my blog friends soon.
Keep watching this space :-)

My Sunday Secret.... Late Update

2010-06-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

I didn't get chance to provide an update re my work towards writing last week, but here it is better late than never. I managed to:

*Start a 'Hesper the Cat' story blog for my nieces (not by any means master piece writing ... but inspiring, motivating and a lovely audience to write for!)

* I wrote a short story.

*Inspired by reading Elle Est's blog (see my followers) and her journey through 'the artists way' I took myself on an artists date and bought a little gift to myself (pictured) to remind me every day to follow my dreams.

Life can be very challenging at times, my key is to keep things simple and enjoy the simple pleasures.

Yum Yum

2010-06-20T05:05:00.000-07:00

Glad we don't have to eat what M would cook us for dinner!

It's started!!!

2010-06-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my last post I've been working on some stories for M when he gets a bit bigger. I'm not quite ready to share these stories yet, but it did get me thinking... I have written a few stories for my little niece Immy who is a cat lover like me.

I have therefore started a special cat story blog called:

Hesper the Colourful Cat
I aim to share stories, pictures and poems of cats with my little niece via this blog, and anyone else who will enjoy them.
I'll try to post something every week so that she has a catch up to look forward to. Any ideas for this new blog are most welcome! :-)

My Sunday Secret... Trials, tribulations and distractions!

2010-06-13T05:01:00.000-07:00

Third blog post in and things are creeping along!
I'm working on some stories for M when he is older and I managed to grab some time in the park while he was sleeping and got a second story down on paper (Hoorah)!! I now just need to find the time to type it up and edit it. I have sent a couple of childrens stories to my little neice Immy, it's made me think about setting up a wordpress blog where I could upload stories regularly for her.... watch this space!
I've also been making lists of things I need to do:
1. Sort out my printer
2. Get my scanner back (I lent it to a friend, I have now got it back but I need to link it to my laptop so I can upload story illustrations).
3. Make some creative space in my life!!!!

On Thursday I was going to spend the evening writing but got invited to go rock climbing with my friend. The rock climbing won out and I loved every minute of it... there just isn't enough hours in the day!!

The Eater Upper!

2010-06-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

Check out one of the coolest presents that M got for his 2nd birthday.

My friend made this after seeing something similar on the Internet - a cardboard box painted and made into a big face, complete with eight home made bean bags for the box to gobble up. It has kept him entertained for hours. I particularly like that he takes the bean bags out at the end of the day and parks all his trucks inside. It's also particularly good for climbing in!!

My sister Woo!

2010-06-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

My sister Eloise has started a blog, but in true blogging style she was dissatisfied with her first attempts (hence why my last post link doesn't work) at blogging and re-invented her blog within the first day of making it! She has even managed to start following her own blog!! It all takes me back to my first days of blogging and the hours I spent working it all out!!
I am REALLY excited as Eloise is a fine artist, scrap booker, creative mum, surfer and I love her to bits so I can't wait for her to get some pictures uploaded and share her world.
She has settled on THIS blog now!! It includes a lot of stuff about her daughters pre-school nursery garden at the moment (which she does on a voluntary basis) as she is hoping to create a blog about it in the near future to mark their progress and show the developments.
It's lovely having my sisters in blogging world and hearing what she is up to - I love the on line community bringing everyone together :-)

P.s

2010-06-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

My other sister Eloise has started a blog! HOORAH!!!
You can find it here!

My Sunday Secret... and Congratulations to Us!

2010-06-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

Having posted my secret last week, I have learnt the following things about myself:
I'm starved of pure creative time!
I'm a people person.
I'm a very lucky person.

It's been very hard to cram in some writing time, but I did manage it and have done around 500 words. It's a start! I cram in creativity to every aspect of my life from making the dinner to signing a card I love to exercise my creativity but I don't have a lot of time for pure creative focus writing or crafting. I also realise I bounce of other people, just writing the blog has inspired me after both my sisters got in touch to offer encouragement and even my little niece wanted me to write another story for her. (Thanks everyone :-)

This experience has made me realise that although it's an extra pressure on a busy life - it's really important to me. I also hope that one day my creativity will grow into something amazing that will feed a really positive work / life balance.

Congrats to us!

It was also our little boys second birthday this week. We are so lucky. Here is my creativity unleashed on his birthday cake, oh and our thriving miniature garden!

My Sunday Secret

2010-05-30T02:39:00.001-07:00

I absolutely LOVE post secret.

If I were to send in my secret it would be this:

I crave to be a successful writer.

One day I will achieve my dream.

(except this makes it no longer a secret!)

Morgan and I had a go at some collaborative art illustrating my secret - the end result was quite fun:

I've wanted to be a writer ever since I was a little girl. I wrote my first poem aged seven and distinctly remember the sheer bliss at getting the words down on the paper.
All my grand scheming and master plans involve ways to be able to write - i.e. giving up my job, finding more time, completing a creative writing degree etc..... However I realise these are all excuses - and now my secret is public I am going to use it to achieve my dream.
From now on every Sunday I am going to post a blog piece about my Sunday Secret - and how I am doing in achieving my dream.

If you want to play along with My Sunday Secret and share your own secret dream you can link below:

Green Stuff!

2010-05-28T13:58:00.001-07:00

Ranting about neighbours over. Creativity in the garden (yard) taking place!!

These were taken in a bit of a hurry - but basically we've got peas and herbs growing on top of the rabbit hutch (to stop her eating them) and on the balcony. The other pots contain lavender and a standard plant.

2010-05-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

There is a really awful woman that lives behind my house. Lets revise that ... there is a woman that lives behind my house who speaks to her whole family in a really awful way.
One of the intriguing aspects of living in a terraced house is being in such close quarters with neighbours. For instance, I was sitting out in our courtyard this evening trying, funnily enough, to read an article in the guardian on mindfulness and one pointed attention, when all that grabbed my attention was 'awful woman's' ranting voice debating something with her other half. If I'm truly honest I have to mention at this point that there is something also tantalising about listening to the awful woman's rantings, it's the same guilty pleasure of the occasional episode of eastenders - getting caught up in somebody else's drama and reminding myself that my life is actually pretty good.

One thing that astounds me in all this, is that I only learnt to make my life good via falling into working in the mental health field by default. It suddenly dawned on me that I have a choice in the language I use, the behaviour I carry out and the actions I take. I'm not saying I get this right all the time, but sometimes it is astounding how little insight people have into how they are acting. Take the awful neighbour - who very rudely commands her children non stop and then expects them to talk to her with respect. Talk about getting back what you give out!
I've been interested in mindfulness and one pointed attention for quite a while. My Dad once said to me that the secret of happiness is to enjoy all the simple things in life - such as doing the washing up, watching a bird in the garden etc. Part of this is keeping the mind focused in the present and not letting it wander on to a different channel of useless wanting and comparing or getting stuck in the past.

I have also found the philosopher Eknath Easwaran really inspiring at times, although I do find it hard to let go of my inner pangs telling me I NEED chocolate, wine etc etc!!!!!!
For anyone interested in this you can read the article on mindfulness by AJ Jacobs here and visit Eknath Easwaran's website here, I find the thought for the day good (don't be put off by the religious content - he draws from lessons from religion from around the world - but isn't necessarily advocating religion - if that makes sense :-).

Blogging Lull

2010-05-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

I've been asking myself why I haven't been finding time to blog lately, then I realised that the last few weekends we've been gadding about all over the place visiting people and tourist attractions. I was trying to make a slide show of our gadding but can't get the programme to work. So here's a list of everywhere we've been if anyone up North is looking for some fun days out :-)

I also got Jane Eyre out of the library and LOVED it!! I've never read any of the classics before but I think it might set a trend for me this year, I couldn't put it down :-)

An update...

2010-04-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

Been a quiet couple of weeks with sickness bug last weekend :-( What is it with children that we now get everything going! (Mind you the fact that all adults in this household work in hospitals probably doesn't help!)
Lots of thoughts bubbling away. I am forming a Master Plan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will reveal all soon (ish).
All very exciting!!

Being Real!

2010-04-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever played the camera game 'Elvis Face, Bunny Face, Scary Face' - well this is my bunny face!!
Had a great weekend celebrating my friends birthday, we had a girls day out shopping in Harrogate on Saturday while the hubbys and kids all met up in the park and had great fun. Then we came home put the kids to bed and got the girls back out on the town for an evening meal and much malarking around while the boys did the baby sitting. Yay!
I love having a laugh and feeling totally at ease and happy in my own skin. When I was younger I used to worry about being too thin, having a big nose, no boobs.. blah blah blah. Wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same.
I think the media have a lot to answer for making us all feel we should be a 'perfect' model image. I'm very happy to say I am not and I love acting the clown and have no qualms about sharing silly photo's and just being happy being me. When I think about the people I most admire and find attractive - it's who they are and how they are that makes the difference, confidence can carry people a long way :-)
If anyone else feels the same way I'd love to hear your thoughts.
(Oh yes and that is a home knit - I think it was a debbie bliss pattern, I made it some years ago!)

Creative people out there.. follow this link:

2010-04-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in creativity and learning should watch this.
If only my school could have taught me maths via a narrative version! I had one really inspirational maths teacher who got me through because he made it relaxed and fun - but the rest were down right scary! :-) I wonder how many people would thrive in education if there was a bit more flexibility to the approach of learning, and more recognition of skills other than academia? Hmmmm, interesting!

Patterns...

2010-04-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

By Morgan age 1 year and 10 months:

By Mummy age 30 years and 5 months:

KERRRRR....SPLOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-02T12:20:00.001-07:00

In a most fantastic chain of multi tasking events yesterday I managed to drop my mobile phone quite spectacularly into a sink full of water! Yes, it was a big KER...SPLOSH, and now my nice shiny phone is quite defunct :-( It does still accept calls but I can't dial out or retrieve numbers / texts as I have killed it's touch screen function.

It's not as bad as the last time I killed a phone when I literally drove over it by accident, that really was bad! (Bridget I have located your numbers from your website so I will be in touch this weekend re catching up next week).

Other than that I actually got my self into gear got the sewing machine out this week. I made a quite random sausage dog draft excluder from Cal's old trousers that he ripped cycling, and a crazy jumper monkey from a jumper that he bought on a whim from a charity shop that was too skinny when he tried it on. Thought these creations might make some of you out there smile.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the simple things..

2010-03-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's good to remind ourselves of the simple pleasures in life.
Two things I have enjoyed this weekend:

1. My little boy chasing a feather blowing around in the wind and his delight at playing 'peekaboo' round and round a wooden sculpture with his Daddy during a day out yesterday.

2. Standing in the shower this morning, looking up to the skylight in the bathroom and watching clouds race across the sky.

A night off...

2010-03-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I have to remind myself to STOP!!

When I am not at work I look after my friends little girl one day a week (in exchange for her looking after M one day a week.) The rest of the time is spent playing, splashing in puddles, cooking, cleaning etc. By the end of each day when M is tucked up nicely in bed I get the jobs done - put the laundry on, clean up the kitchen, tidy the lounge of toys etc, sometimes cook tea for the next day if we are going out to work and collecting M from the childminders late.

After that I think 'great I'll do some creative stuff' and then end up spending the next hour sitting staring randomly looking at other people's blogs or surfing the net meaning to get round to stuff before falling in to bed frustrated that I have not motivated myself further than dreams.

Tonight I've decided not to kid myself!

I am officially having the night off. After writing this post I am going to drink much tea, eat much cake and watch much crap TV!!! Doesn't happen often - but what bliss when it does!!! Although I wouldn't change anything for all the world :-)

Top Drawer

2010-03-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Playing along with 'My place and yours' at Helloowl this weeks theme is: Top Drawer.
Having scouted around our house I found all ours are incredibly boring. It did however bring a sudden memory back of my Grandma's house.

When we were kids and outgrew the bunk beds at Grandma's house we got promoted to sleep in the 'blue guest room' named so because of the crazy blue, huge flowered, 1970's wall paper. One end of the room was fitted with wardrobes with mirrored doors that were crammed with Gran's many dresses / fur coats / etc and all kinds of other stuff like shoes / handbags etc. There was a double bed in the centre of the room and white dressing room furniture including two bedside cabinets. The room was total 1970's shabby chick chintz complete with cream sheepskin rugs.

The top drawers of both bedside cabinets were crammed (and I really mean crammed) with plastic costume jewellery necklaces - 1980's style I guess. My sister and I thought this was the best find ever and would spend hours dressing up in Gran's jewellery, counting all the mirrors / necklaces and applying vintage bright pink lipstick! She was a fantastic hoarder of all chintzy tat, but that's why we loved her :-) Needless to say we always went home sporting a new gaudy necklace and thinking we looked the absolute 'bees knees' wearing them!

It's the little things ... again...

2010-03-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

OK, so another cute thing to share.

Today Morgan and I cleaned out Bramble's rabbit hutch together. I asked my hubby to throw me some old newspapers over to line the hutch with. They landed on the decking a couple of meters away so I asked Morgan to 'fetch the papers for Brambley'.
Bramble at the time was out of the hutch happily munching a carrot in an old plant container.

Morgan toddled over with the newspapers and ever so carefully opened and laid out the papers ready for Bramble to read! How cute! :-)

P.s (Bridget, I notice you updated your profile! I think you will have to start a blog soon! Love Em XX)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

FIRST KISS! (Ok thats two little words, ha ha)

A taste of things to come....

2010-03-16T06:12:00.000-07:00

Great news: Morgan is on the mend (Hoorah!) and Something very exciting has been happening! Morgan and I have been getting inspired at the local park! I have a plan! Watch this space :-)

Some little clues from the pages of my journal:

Pink!

2010-03-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

I'm LOVING that my on line friend Stripeymonkey is blogging again. Today she has been playing along with the theme PINK from Helloowl. So I thought I'd play too.

The theme PINK made me immediately think of my Indian Interiors book I ordered recently and then I remembered that I once bought a beautiful handwoven, Indian, raspberry pink shawl. I'm glad I've dug it out I'll have to wear it some more!

It's the Little Things that make us smile the most.

2010-03-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

So - I've been enjoying the sunshine over the last week and have been getting out as much as possible to push Morgan out in the pram and enjoy some fresh air.

The other day when we got home it started to pour down after a sunny morning and I had to dash out to the yard to grab my washing off the line. I told Morgan to stay put at the french windows as I didn't want him getting cold outside, what with his chest infection and everything. He was not too happy about this arrangement but was forced to stay put due to the lack of shoes and was appeased by being passed the clean washing to put in the bag.
A minute later I heard a little voice say:

"It's alright Mummy Morgan coming" I turned around to see him wearing his Daddy's size 8 leather work shoes and trying to step over the door threshold to come and help me!
Bless him :-)

Creating Space

2010-03-09T02:29:00.000-08:00

Since my last post I've been trying to create some important spaces in my life.

1. Space with my family.

2. Creative space for me to work in.

3. Head space.

I feel so much more refreshed for doing this. Cal and I spent some quality time at the coast last weekend, only slightly marred by Morgan becoming very unwell on Sunday with a chest infection. I've had to stay off work so far this week to look after him and am hoping he will get much better soon, although the on call doc said it could take 4 - 8 weeks to clear!

So as part of my grand plan I've tidied up the little desk in our bedroom and created a little work space for myself. I've also re-hashed my plans and am taking each day as it comes in my ongoing process of simplifying life. I feel like I can breathe again.

Although I hate Morgan being unwell it is lovely being at home with him. I definitely want to try and find a way to be a stay at home Mum, but use my creative skills to earn some cash in the future. I have a few things up my sleeve - but it may take a while to accomplish... watch this space is all I'm going to say right now!

I've added a couple of pics of my desk space and my first entry in a new journal - not writing - buttons stitched in. Lovely! Ummmmmmmmm! XXX

Time for a Change :-)

2010-03-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm over my grump now.
I don't know what it is about 'in laws' visiting (because mine are really very nice and spent all weekend building shelves for us) but it seems to be a common problem that generally quite nice people turn into mardy arses and revert to teenage style behaviour when around immediate family members for any longer than a day (and even that is pushing it). Thats partly why we went away for christmas.

So I'm feeling like a) I possibly need to grow up! and b) I need some positive new changes in my life and that maybe the general grumpiness is due to a general down in the dumps feeling that I unfortunately took out on my immediate family.

I'm starting with the background to my blog - hence the lack of boring brown and a nice white background to show off vibrant splashes of colour! I'm also going to add a few more honest comments about general life on my blog - I think it's good to share being human and its been quite refreshing to just say what I feel!

Cheer me up :-)

2010-02-28T15:10:00.001-08:00

I've been in a grump the last few days. I'm not entirely sure why .... maybe due to visitors staying and the constant feelings of being torn between being a mum and working. I hate leaving my little boy every Monday morning.

I'm a funny creature, I am intensely social, yet I also crave my own space. When we have visitors for more than a few days (no matter who they are) I start to feel hemmed in. Funny though as holidays with friends have not felt that way, maybe its something about my home being invaded. I think I feel everything I do is under scrutiny. I'm sure though that no one probably gives a toss what I'm doing!!!

I'm not being entirely honest about all this. I think its when family visit - because the boundaries are different to friends.

Any how - I've just treated myself to this book: Indian Interiors published by Taschen. I saw it a long time ago and wished I bought it. So hopefully this yummy celebration of colour and creativity will put a smile back on my grumpy face!

Fiddle Faddling

2010-02-18T14:34:00.000-08:00

MY COMPUTER IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For some reason it won't up load photos without adding whacking great big lines across them - I can't seem to sort it out and its really annoying.

Anyway I have been having a lovely few evenings fiddling about with creative stuff.

I've been decorating envelopes - inspired by this book.

And I've also been fiddling on with wire and buttons making these little hearts to hang up and to give to friends. It's nice to do random stuff sometimes. I decided to leave the rubbish photos on so at least you get the gist but apologies for the poor quality.

All Artists Should Read This:

2010-02-10T02:15:00.000-08:00

How to Feel Miserable as an Artist - by Keri Smith and 10 ways to infuse your work with your personality.
I absolutely adore Keri's blog and work. I think all artists should take heed of the above advice and stick a copy on their wall or in their sketch book.
I'm ill at the mo - I went and caught chicken pox of my little boy and currently look like a great big pin cushion. I could give somebody an epic game of dot to dot though!

I read the book 'March' while recuperating. It's really good. I love it when a novel inspires me to take an interest in history. March is set in America during the civil war around 1861 and follows the journey of the father of 'little women' who has gone to war. I would highly recommend it to others - I got through it in two days and it was a great distraction from itching! :-)

Sister Joy!

2010-02-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

Got my sis Eloise staying at the mo -had to post the above photo as she arrived in a lovely new top and I realised I had exactly the same one in different fabric! We also have matching glasses at the moment - talk about synchronicity! I got my hubby to take this photo and then we all had a good laugh as we realised with the 1960'style prints we look like something out of a dodgy 1960's textile mag . It's lovely to have her here. We've been sharing knitting joy as she has recentley taken it up and is loving it! She made this fab beret (pictured below) and I made her the button brooch to match.

I've also been meaning to upload this photo of these fantastic sock elephants that Eloise made for me, Cal and Morgan. Aren't they fab! If anyone out there wants a go at making sock animals the patterns came from this book.

P.s I'm having real difficulty uploading pictures at the moment - they keep coming out with lines all over them - if anyone knows how to fix it I'd be really grateful to know! :-)

Gadding Around ...

2010-02-01T14:09:00.000-08:00

So much for simplifying life! We've been gadding around visiting relatives in Scotland and pushing the pram around in dreary weather! It has however been sunny in York for the last few days which has been a nice change, although it's still very cold.
I'm still determined to be a successful home-maker despite the work life balance being a little out of control due to a big project we have on at work at the mo. To recreate the balance I've been trying to do nice family meals and we also managed to watch 101 Dalmatians on Sunday as a family. Morgan was very sweet although he got quite upset when the 'baddies' were after Sergeant Tibbs the cat and we had to make him watch it all to make sure he knew that Sergeant Tibbs was alright!

Introducing more of my family...

2010-01-23T03:53:00.000-08:00

My sister Molly and I update our blogs to keep in touch. I love seeing the pictures from her around the world travels and also knowing that she can keep up to date with Morgan growing up.

I am now thrilled to introduce you all to my step mum's blog 'Diary of a Life of Leisure' which she has just started writing and is using to keep us all updated with her very humorous and witty thoughts on every day events.

I am also chuffed to bits that my Dad is reading the blogs, I have a feeling he is going to become quite a feature on both of our blogs from now on. Love you Dad :-)

P.s The biscuits featured in the blog post two below were made for Molly's birthday on the 16th of Jan. I dutifully posted them on Thursday but they didn't arrive until Monday. Unfortunatley Molly was out at work and didn't manage to collect them until today! We had quite a giggle over it - but luckily they were still edible - a little hard but still tasty. So Molly has had belated birthday bisuits for breakfast today.

Hello Mon Papa!

2010-01-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of my hero!! Hooray to my Dad who has taught me to appreciate and enjoy the simple things in life such as reclining on a sun lounger in the back yard. (Dad brought his own over to accompany me in relaxing during the latter stages of my pregnancy when I could do little more than recline!)
I heard Dad has been perusing my blog and expect he will be bemused by most of my drivel but I thought this might make him smile.
Love Emz xxx

New Years Resolutions - Becoming a Home Maker

2010-01-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

My new years resolutions were to:
Keep Life Simple!
To prioritise home life.

I'm enjoying being a Mum so much that I've decided to try to slow down the pace of life as much as possible and not try to cram too many things in. I've come to accept that some of the things I thought I wanted to do just don't fit with a family lifestyle and I don't want to compromise on the quality time I have at home.
I've therefore put some of my more ambitious plans on hold and am trying to focus on all the things I normally consider an after thought - such as cooking / cleaning / ironing etc!

I'm actually finding it really rewarding having things a bit more organised at home and knowing that I'm utilising my time with Morgan. I'd love to be a stay at home Mum but it's just not possible at the moment - so I'm making each day as great as I can and throwing my creative energy into cooking and making our home a loving and cosy environment.

I've realised Simplicity is Key - if we can enjoy the simple things in life I think we've got it cracked! I've been spending so much time dashing around trying to squeeze everything in that I haven't actually been enjoying things as much because it's all felt too pressurised!
Roll on the good life and lots more home made biscuits!

Christmas in Fanore Ireland.

2009-12-29T14:19:00.000-08:00

Just arrived home from a beautiful week in Southern Ireland with the Quentins. We stayed in a holiday cottage at Fanore that over looked the sweeping bay. The cottage had a great big open fire place and wooden floors. It was incredibly cold outside over the first few days and even the beach and rock pools were frozen. Despite the ice we managed to get the boys playing on the beach most days and followed this with long lazy evenings in front of the fire.... ummmmmhhhhhhhhhh :-)

A dedication to my friend BRIDGET! Who never fails to Inspire, enthuse and motivate me!

2009-12-04T12:25:00.000-08:00

This blog post is dedicated to Bridget, one of my bestest, most creative and lovely friends who requested that I start my blog again - which was really nice :-) And to Stripey Monkey - who I met on line blogging and who is also very inspirational. B represents why I keep my blog - to keep in touch with my creative friends who are spread all over - and Stripey Monkey represents all the new and exciting people I have met through blogging - I've had a big break over the summer / autumn so I thought I would share what I have been up to in my new house!

We've been so busy - going back to work and juggling child care, trying to keep in touch with family - it has been crazy over the last few months, but it is my new years resolution to make creativity and family / friends my absolute priority for 2010.

Here's the exciting things I have been doing:

1. Getting Cal to paint our new front door azure blue.
2. Having a Mediterranean style courtyard built (then spent the summer projecting studio gibley animations onto the back wall and sitting out the back drinking wine - great way to meet the neighbours!!)

3. Having creative soirees with my friend Charlie :-) Making these lanterns was a particularly funny evening - B, I'll have to tell you all about it when we next catch up.

4. Teaching Morgan to drive a car during weekend away in Southend at the Quentins.

5. Taking photo's of the sky from our new house. As were near the racecourse we also get loads of hot air balloons going right over the top of the house - so close that we can wave to the people in the basket!
6. Reading Frida Khalo's autobiography after watching the film 'Frida'. I LOVE this woman - I want to start painting in vibrant colours and wearing ginormous beads!

5. Attending a wedding in a tee pee.

6. Wearing silly hats (an absolute must!)

7. Enjoying our quirky new home.

8. Thinking I should be doing more of this.

9. Drinking tea from the travelling tea box that arrived courtesy of ravelry.

It feels really good to have had a blogging night and catching up with what everyone else has been up to as well. :-) I also look forward to reading everyone elses recent news XXX

For those of you who love buttons....

2009-09-01T14:55:00.001-07:00

Ever thought about collecting bottle caps too?
Check out this artist Grange Art totally fab and the same appeal as buttons! I've got a jar full of tin bottle caps but I think I'll start on the plastic ones too!! :-)

I'm Back!!!

2009-07-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks, we've had an eventful month. We moved house, had Morgan's first birthday and took a holiday in the lakes. All in all its been very busy and it took a month to get back on line at home (REALLY ANNOYING!) However things are gradually now getting sorted and I'm back in the blogging world... HOORAY!

Here's a few pics of the little one, oh and a nice beach pic from the holiday to keep the family up to date: (House photos to follow soon)

Sadly - No / Treasure

2009-05-26T12:54:00.001-07:00

Ok so here is my first post for the Monday Project.

June's theme is 'Sadly-No' I decided to post what automatically popped into my mind - which was the amount of times I have to say 'No' to my cheeky little monkey who turns one very soon. And it is very sad saying no to some of his explorations as he has such a wonderful and curious nature, at present he is very keen to:

Eat cat food
Post all manner of things into the DVD player.
Torture the cats.
Turn the tv, dvd, digi box, stereo on and off, on and off, on and off.....
Learn about gravity by dropping all manner of things off the side of the high chair and bombing the cats with his food bowl when they come to investigate.
Open the kitchen cupboards and empty everything out and then generally post it into the washing machine... now I understand why I keep finding Tupperware in my wash pile!
Eat fluff, mud, cat fur, grass, rabbit food, fish food, mobile phones, generally anything he can get his mits on.
Hide the remote controls - today I found a bouncy ball in the remote control holder - and am still searching for the controls - I found them posted into my sewing machine case the other day.
Unpack the boxes packed for moving
Unpack my make up bag
Scramble my necklaces
Pull Daddy's ears when in the back pack

The list goes on. The photos are of him 1. stealing my make up brush from my wash kit and 2. having just been lifted down from climbing the stair case at Granny's looking a little sad because I told him no :-( I loved capturing the pictures for this post and it gave me lots of time to monkey around with him.

Treasure
The second half of this post is in response to the Monday Project treasure theme. It made me realise how much I have my very own little stash of treasure. Here are a few select pieces:

1. Bird box - bought when I was ten it contains a precious stone I found washed up on a beach in Turkey a year later.
2. Muscle shell - collected from the beach at Staithes where I grew up. Beach combing is one of my favourite hobbies.
3. Catholic rosary pouch. I bought this at a car boot antique stall. I'm not religious but I love the way this has been lovingly hand stitched and cherished. I added two of my favourite buttons to the empty pocket.
4. Silver cat pill box. My granny bought me this when I was a little girl. I've kept a tiny key, that I found in the house we moved into when I was seven, inside it for years, and of course a tiny shell button.
I've got loads of bits of treasure like these - I like to have them all around me when I do creative stuff they make me feel inspired. I loved the treasure box in the film Amelie, she is very much a girl after my own heart :-)

Discoveries

2009-05-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

I've recently stumbled across the following blogs wish jar and the monday project.
I recommend a perusal of both! Keri on wish jar also recommended imaginechildhood which is pretty cool too :-)

The Lost Tribes of New York City on Vimeo

2009-05-14T12:05:00.001-07:00

The Lost Tribes of New York City from Carolyn London on Vimeo.

This is great fun - just stumbled across it :-)

My first etsy purchase.. so exciting!!!!

2009-05-10T13:57:00.001-07:00

key bottle 2, originally uploaded by stripeymonkey.

Thank you to the Lovely Linda of Stripeymonkey I am now the proud owner of this fab necklace. I just had to buy it after seeing the cool vintage button and key.... I LOVE IT!! Linda packaged it so cutely as well - complete with little box and ribbon, and she also sent me these gorgeous stitch markers complete with my initials engraved on, also wrapped really sweetly. Its so lovely to have surprises! Thanks Linda :-) You are a star! (P.s Hope you don't mind me using your photo - I've been trying to take a good one - but realised your pics show it off much better!)

Teeny Weeny Otto and Daddy Otto

2009-05-07T15:32:00.001-07:00

Teeny Weeny Otto and Daddy Otto, originally uploaded by Emz :-).

Hooray! Teeny Weeny Otto bear is finished and I fully enjoyed making him. I just need to make a Mummy bear too and then we'll have a bear family living at our house!

All in the balance!

2009-04-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Not getting much creative stuff getting done at present :-(

Going back to work, preparing nice meals (which OK is a little creative) and trying to buy our new house seems to be eating up my time! And yes ... we are buying the quirky house... its fab and we couldn't stop thinking about it, it's funny how sometimes something grabs you that is totally different to what you thought you wanted - but totally amazing in so many ways - bit like when I met my hubby ...! Ha Ha!

Anyway aside from exciting house moving there has been far too much sensible and orderly behaviour around here since going back to work. I therefore declare a war on the mundane and vow to make some creative time!!

In the mean time we have managed some lovely weekend picnicking again... here's what we got up to on Saturday:

And here's what we caught Otty doing when we came back from the park:

Saturday Pootling!

2009-04-18T13:09:00.001-07:00

We had a joyous day out today car booting and picnicking in the park ! I love walking through York so I added a few picks of my favourite sights along the way. I love quirky buildings and doorways.

Here are some of the cool things we saw at the car boot::Here are some of the cool things I bought! ::

This collectors ash tray is going to be a saucer for my cat Otty! We often joke that he goes off to the 'Pussy Cat Swingers Bar' on an evening and smokes kitty cigars and dines on fine mice! It seemed appropriate that it advertises 'Players' cigarettes! I don't think the antiques dealer would be too happy if she knew I bargained her down so I could make it a cat dish!

I found these quirky stamps on a very cool vintage stall. The stamp on the far right is very very fine in detail - I've never seen anything like it before- it stamps well too - I think it might be one that has been used for a detail in a book. It pictures a building - possibly St Paul's cathedral.

I couldn't possibly come home without at least one set of buttons!This is one of my favourite buildings in York. I love the sand blasted red bricks and the blue windows. I have no idea how or why my computer has decided to underline the last three sentences and no idea how to undo it so please ignore!

Somebody had such a lovely day that he didn't want to go to bed! oh and a quick knitting up date ... have been so busy with returning to work :-(, buying new a new house and trying to stay on top of my current one that knitting has been very slow, but Teeny Weeny Otto bear is coming along - here he is so far (please excuse the rubbish photos the light is rubbish in our house on an evening) ::

Pootle!

2009-04-14T12:13:00.001-07:00

What a great word Pootle is!! In response to Linda's question - and for anyone else who hasn't heard this used - its a mooch, or a gander or a walk around town generally dawdling and window shopping and stopping to browse and drink coffee in cafes!! That's what it means to me anyway! :-)

A quick update :-)

2009-04-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

Its all been so busy here! We are in the process of buying the quirky house, I've returned to work three days a week and I'm busy trying to keep aside time for my creative projects, button collecting and in particular keeping up with friends on and off line.

My lovely friend Linda (stripeymonkey) passed this lovely blog award to me recently and I was really chuffed -especially as Linda has become a fab online friend and our friendship is what this award is all about. I do believe people - friends / family are everything in life. I could be in the most beautiful place in the world but it would mean nothing to me if I didn't have someone to share it with.

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY--nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. The kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!"

So I want to send this award to my lovely sis Molly (extractsfrommysketchbook) who doesn't get as much time to blog as she would like because of her hectic career but when she does she uses it as a magical little way of showing me the things she can see when she is away from home and keeping in touch. Although we live at opposite ends of the country it helps us stay connected. I was lucky enough to have her live in my city for a year and it was great, I will always treasure those times, crazy little shopping trips, Sunday dinners, pootles, cups of tea and shared creativity - now that's what life is all about and blogging is helping us keep that up in a different form :-)

SURPRISES! AND DILEMMAS!!

2009-03-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

What a fab time I've been having.

First of all I got the most gorgeous package from Linda (Stripeymonkey) which contained a beautifully wrapped box and these fab buttons!

Oh the button joy!!! My smile must have been a mile wide! (Thanks Linda - a little something will be on its way to you soon). So with it being such a glorious day today Morgan and I had a jolly jaunt down to the park to go in the swings and take photos of the buttons as I've been waiting for a nice day to get some good snaps.

Now - onto dilemmas - were house hunting at the mo. We just got the right offer on our house and the one we had an offer on fell through. So were back to the drawing board. We were hell bent on getting a house with garden - but I've seen this fab double fronted end terrace that is VERY quirky and totally rustic and gorgeous... but you guessed it ... no garden. It has got a yard - but not a very big one, but you could make it nice and it has got the race course and the best park in York near by. What should we do??????????????????????????

My concern is that a garden may be the only bit of unsupervised freedom our little one gets in a city... but then it could be a stop gap house ... it is amazing.... any thoughts would be very much appreciated! I didn't have a garden growing up but I had the run of a village and a beach... we don't know what to do!

A Good Yarn for Friday the 13th HA HA HA!!!

2009-03-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

You will never guess what happened to me today....

Remember this photo...

How cute Morgan and Otty appeared... well for the last three days there has been an odd smell in the house. This has been somewhat problematic as we are trying to sell the house and have been having lots of house viewings. At first I was convinced it was coming from the front room fire place (near where I park the pram) so I called in a builder to look at the fire - thinking we might have a damp problem. Then I was convinced it was coming from under the kitchen sink (interestingly I had just brought the pram into the kitchen from the yard). Then I was convinced it was the lounge curtains - you guessed it - right where the pram was parked.... and it really was a BAD smell!!!

Calum eventually realised it was the pram and we both thought the back wheels smelt rank!!! I wondered what on earth I had driven it through as there was nothing to show on the wheels. Any how I dutifully took the pram outside, scrubbed the wheels with bleach (it smelt like dead rotting fish) and put the pram in the car boot, all in time for another house viewing. As I was lifting the pram into the car my nose told me .. 'this pram still honks!' but my head said ' no no you have scrubbed it clean, fabreeze will sort any lingering smell out!!!'.

This morning the pram came back into the porch ready for Morgan and I to go to our group. The smell lingered on - I was about to put Morgan in the pram when I noticed my hat and gloves sitting in the bottom of the pram and thought I would put my hat on as it would go nicely with my outfit.

I got half way across the living room .. when the rotting fish smell hit me!!!

"Ahhhh!!!" I cried and ripped the hat off my head realising it smelt DISGUSTING!!!!!! Oh no, I thought, whatever I ran the pram wheels through must have splashed up onto the shopping net and made that smell too. I went over to the pram and started removing the general detritus from the bottom of the pram (till reciepts, gloves, shopping bags etc) and horror of horrors right at the bottom curled up into a little flat ball I found....

A DEAD MOUSE!!!! URRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!! YACH, YACH, YACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I had just put the dead mouse hat on my head.... DOUBLE URGGGGHHHHH, YACH YACH YACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suddenly everything made sense - Morgans little friend had brought him a present. No wonder Otty has been chasing the pram wheels and driving me nuts every time I have been rocking Morgan to sleep. With no time to spare, a grumpy baby and the clock ticking I had to remove the shopping bag, put the mouse in the outside bin and get to my group. Although the hat wasn't touching the mouse directly I feel violated!!! I can't wait till my hubby gets home so I can jump in the shower!!!!

If any one has similar stories I would love to hear them, it has certainly given my family a good giggle today :-)

Buttons for Linda

2009-03-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

Re: Stripeymonkey's latest post!! I got so excited by buttons (only button lovers will understand this) I decided to blog some old photos of my button canvas straight away to show Linda. It's so nice meeting other button lovers... !!!
The photos are a bit rubbish - but I'll take some better ones soon. (The vintage carved 1920's or 30's buttons are on the top left). I also included some random junk shop finds and things picked up (such as the bullet) from Ravensbruck beach in Scotland where my in laws live.

Surprises

2009-03-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

Aren't surprises brilliant!! Look what arrived in the post from my lovely friend Bridget. Now I have a big smile on my face every time I sit down for a cup of tea or a snack (which is quite often :-)

Clever Granny!! :-)

2009-03-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

Mum popped in today with a new mermaid outfit that she has handmade for my niece Immy.
I was very impressed - so much so that I had to post some pictures ...

The front - notice the mermaid tail hanging from the bottom.

The back and a bead detail on the front.

The front top with beautiful silk panel.

Lots of lovely layers of fabric in the skirt.

Cute matching headband with buttons and shells stitched on.

I get the feeling Ims is going to have a great 3rd birthday!

Babies are cute, cats are silly!!!

2009-02-28T11:05:00.001-08:00

OK so I thought my cat Otty couldn't get any sillier and then I went up to the bedroom the other day to find his back legs and tail sticking out from under the blanket on the end of our bed!!! He was completely on his back starfished and fast asleep!! I think he was in seventh heaven as he isn't normally allowed in the bedroom but had got in when I left the door open for a house viewing as we are trying to sell at the mo. Had to share the pic as he made me laugh so much.

Isn't being a Mummy great!

2009-02-24T05:36:00.001-08:00

First trip to the swings... I'm loving being a Mummy!!

Completed Otto and Otto's jumper pattern.

2009-02-13T11:55:00.000-08:00

Here is Otto bear finally finished - complete with improvised jumper!

For anyone who might be interested here is how I made the jumper - this is pretty rough but I'm sure you can improvise your own :-) The buttons are vintage tiny doll shell buttons bought in a junk shop.

How to make Otto bear jumper:

Using 4mm knitting needles and yarn of choice (I used Rowan Cotton Jeans) cast on 24 stitches.
Knit thirteen rows in stocking stitch stitch.
On Fourteenth row (right side) knit 3 then cast off around 8 stitches - knit to end of row.
Place all stitches on holder.
On reverse side about 3/4 of an inch below cast off detail pick up 8 stitches. Knit in stocking stitch until the inside of pocket reaches the cast off edges.
Place all stitches (including that of inside of pocket back on needles) so that you can then purl all the way across in place of the cast off pocket stitches to create the pocket lining.
Continue knitting until about 20 rows then cast off 1 stitch at each end of next 2 right side rows to create shaping for sleeves.
Measure jumper against your Otto bear until desired height (mine was about 4 inches). Cast off neck stitches. (I cast off about 10 stitches in the middle first then knit a few more rows at each side of neck to create shoulders.
Repeat for back excluding pocket detail.

Sleeves:

Using 4mm needles and matching yarn. Cast on about 23 stitches knit in stocking stitch until work measures just under 3 inches. Cast off.

To make up:

With right sides facing seam back and front of jumper to arm hole shaping.
Seam inside of pocket edges to wrong side of jumper.
Seam sleeves into arm holes and then seam sleeve edges.
Add button detail to left shoulder of jumper.

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!!

2009-02-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

Morgan and I had great fun making presents for Dada's birthday! Cal requested I make him an Otto bear many many months ago so I finally got round to it and got it just about finished for his birthday, all except the sleeves for Otto's jumper. Meanwhile Morgan had great fun getting messy to help me decorate a plate for his Daddy and very kindly sat and played with a rattle in a highchair while I added the writing around the rim. I had the idea (as I'm sick of breaking plates on our kitchen floor which is tiled) that I would collect random selections of plates for all the family, mainly from the Emma Bridgewater collection as I love them! That way if any plate is accidentally smashed it won't matter and I won't have to buy a whole new set I can simply choose another great design, or the same one. So Cal's is the first plate for our new plate family- although we did have a moment of thinking - what will we do if this one breaks - which put visions in my head of Morgan sending him a new plate with hands on when he's about twenty three!!!!! I don't believe in saving things for best I think they should be used and enjoyed, creating happy memories. I'm after the Emma Bridgewater love heart design for my plate and mug although I think I'll have to wait a while as funds are VERY tight being on maternity leave!

Otto bear in progress!

2009-02-04T14:32:00.001-08:00

Otto bear in progress!, originally uploaded by Emz :-).

I'm making Otto bear by Ysolda for Cal's birthday! Only three days to go and one and a half arms to knit, two ears and eyes and nose to graft on.... never mind the little jumper I was going to add to him!
Not sure if its going to get completed on time, but I certainly like the way this quirky little bear is coming together :-)

It's Snowing!!!!

2009-02-02T12:26:00.001-08:00

Snow in York, originally uploaded by Emz :-).

What a fab day - with loads of lovely snow! ;-)

The Flying Button Box!

2009-01-16T14:47:00.000-08:00

I heart ravelry! I joined a 'button addicts' group on ravelry... as I LOVE BUTTONS!!!
I then discovered that someone was organising a 'flying button box' which basically means that a button box gets sent all over the world - when it arrives you take out what you want and re-stock with buttons from your collection, then send it on to the next person. It was all very exciting for someone who loves buttons .. here are the piccies!
Morgan enjoyed exploring / unwrapping the box as much as me!
These are the buttons that I took out, and the following picture is of the buttons I put in.

I then sent the box on to the USA! I put some cool shell buttons in, as well as some vintage stock and some cute ceramic turtles.

Finished my Funky Mitts

2009-01-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

Another knitting project completed! Love this wool -random knit - the mitts don't match - but I quite like that! See more details on ravelry my user name is Emz ;-)

How cool is this!!!

2009-01-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

I saw a clip of this graffiti animation on channel 4's Rude Tube last night. The whole thing is totally amazing - love the sound that goes with it too. Love it, love it, love it!

I also saw this - I so wish we had done this for our first dance!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-01-04T13:11:00.000-08:00

Some Happy New Year pics to make you smile :-) Here is Mr Otty in Morgan's hat! Otty has taken a real shining to Morgan and wants to be around him ALL the time!!! Much to Morgans utter delight.

I realised today that I have hardly any pictures of me and Morgan together as I'm always the one snapping them so I got my cousins to take a few snaps of us together. This is my favourite.
(Moll - I've sussed sizing pictures for the blogs!!! Can't believe it has taken me so long - and its so easy!!! Hope you are having a great time snow boarding - and can't wait to catch up when you get home xx)

Random junk shop find

2008-12-17T07:43:00.000-08:00

Found these fab table mats in the salvo army charity shop today for £3. They are massive, I totally love the colour - but have no idea where I am going to put them!! I thought they would be lovely on a garden table.... when we get a bigger house with a garden!

Another Chick !

2008-12-13T14:27:00.001-08:00

Have given up knitting my jumper and turned back to egg cosies and smaller projects! I've got a gorgeous pair of fingerless mitts on the go - photos later.

On the advice of a friend I've stopped using metal needles and have found that wooden knitting needles don't set off my thumb tendons - weird, but OK as I prefer to knit with them any way :-)

'Mo'vember Results!

2008-12-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed my 'Mo'vember' badge at the side of the blog. I got this after sponsoring my brother in law Jan (pictured first on the left) to grow a moustache during November in aid of prostate cancer research. As you can see he and his work colleagues made a mighty effort and look like extras from the Dukes of Hazzard!! I am particularly impressed with Jan's handle bar moustache - good effort!!!!

Button Bracelets

2008-11-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

Been making these fun bracelets recently, I'm thinking of selling them at craft fairs in the new year. I've also been knitting again, although its still very slow - I continue to have achy days with my wrist, will upload some piccys when it gets more exciting!

Scampston Gardens Oct 2008

2008-11-08T05:23:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox postcard

Wordless Wednesday - Cute ;-)

2008-11-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

I'm reading.....

2008-10-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

Ah the joy of parent hood!!! I've got less money but such a good quality of life! I'm shopping locally so saving cash and managing to visit the library tonnes more instead of ordering books off the Internet. The best part of maternity leave is having the time to do creative stuff and to read books - as well as of course cuddling the gorgeous baby Morgan!

I've been working my way through the 'Richard and Judy' featured books. I don't even bother to read the backs in the library I just grab any with the Richard and Judy sticker. It's great as I'm reading stuff that I would never have chosen and really enjoying it.

Here's a few of the latest:

I'm currently reading 'Addition' by Toni Jordan. It's about a woman with OCD type counting tendencies. It's a funky chick lit read and I'm really enjoying it. It does bring home how much we all have OCD traits in smaller forms, but also for me how un-numerical I am!! Maybe this is why it's taken me seven years of owning a house to figure out a cleaning routine instead of having to have full weekend tidy ups!! So much easier if you do it as you go along! Although I don't want to end up like the main character of this book, a little bit of chaos is good for you!!

I've also recently finished:

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. (Not sure if this was on the Richard and Judy bookclub list or not.)

WOW!!! This book is amazing. Set in Afghanistan it tells the story of two boys before during and after the Taliban regime. I was really blown away by this book, it is really sad in parts, but worth reading. I feel I understand so much more of Afghanistan and it's history. I also really feel for the people who were caught up in this terrible time. I think everyone should read this book.

The Rose of Sebastopol:

This is a 'Richard and Judy' reccomended read. It's set in the period of the Crimean war. It tells the story of Rosa and her cousin Mariella. One is head strong and determined to follow her heart, the other gentile and 'safe' but ends up discovering herself through a series of events that mean she winds up on the front line of the war. I really enjoyed this too, although it was one of those books that made me want more, it was extremely well written and I was so involved in the story of all the characters I was really gutted when it ended!

Trip to Cornwall Oct 2008.

2008-10-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Hello! Have just returned from a fantastic visit to see my sister and her family in Cornwall. She recently introduced me to scrap booking and 'smilebox' so thought it would be fun to show some of the photo's of our trip in a smile box scrap book. Trebah gardens was my favourite day out, I especially liked the hidden beach at the bottom of the gardens.

York in Flood... and other things.

2008-09-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

As I'm still taking it fairly easy on the knitting front I've been out and about pushing the pram finding other creative outlets recently. I often walk along by the river, however it wasn't so easy a couple of weeks ago when we came on to the path to find the water creeping over it.... As the water was so high we took the pram across Clifton Bridge and walked along the opposite side of the river instead. The water was so high it was level with the edge of the path making it feel like you could just glide across it.
A few days later the water was about five foot over the paths in some places....Glad to say it's gone down now, but you can't help thinking that where you are standing was under water last week! It's a funny feeling :-) Keeping on with knitting a cardigan from the eco wool book, however chose a simpler cardi than the cable one which has been scrapped - due to not wanting to put the old thumb tendons under too much stress. I'm still trying to work out how to attach progress bars on the side of my blog - courtesy of ravelry.

Yay I'm Knitting Again!!

2008-09-05T15:06:00.001-07:00

I could bear it no longer!!!!

After finding a little pattern on ravelry, I just had to make this little chicken egg cosy!! And the good news... no pain in my thumb!! HOORAY!!

A belated wordless wednesday!

2008-09-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

I heart Knitting :-)

2008-08-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

Don't you hate it when you can't knit!!

I've got a condition called DeQuervain's Syndrome at the moment which was triggered by pregnancy. It's been three months now since I picked up my needles, I've managed one sneaky little square to gauge needle size and that flared things up for two days! On a positive note the physio says I'm making good progress and that in another six weeks I should be knitting again.

So in the mean time I've been getting my fix by joining Ravelry (you can find me as 'Emz') and also visiting my friends who knit to oggle their latest projects.

I also visited Edinburgh last week and went to K1 (work place of Ysolda Teague). It was really cool to see the place in person and I treated myself to a ball of St Magnus DK in aqua. I also bought some cute little ceramic turtle buttons. Not sure what I'm going to do with either of these yet... counting the days till I can knit again!

Granny's Allotment!

2008-07-21T04:07:00.001-07:00

Still not doing any knitting because of the carpal tunnel problem which is taking it's time to heal up :-( So instead I've been focusing on getting out and about and catching up with the relatives. Had a fab time back at my Mum's on the north east coast a weekend or two ago and caught up with my brother and his family - including his new baby boy who arrived two days before Morgan.

Mum has got a massive allotment which I don't know how she manages to take care of, anyway here are some snaps and a piccy of a scrap book page I made from them. Enjoy :-)

Being a Yummy Mummy!!!

2008-07-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness - when I look back at how big my bump was the day I gave birth I can't believe it was me!! It's amazing how quick it has disappeared (or maybe I am lucky??). Here is a picture of me and my brother in law the week before Morgan arrived - Jan stuck a football up his jumper to take the mickey! It's so nice now that I can get back into some of my old clothes - it's amazing what you forget you have and it's been great fun re-discovering all my old favourites!

Knitting is not happening at the moment due to a problem with carpal tunnel in my wrist :-(

It's quite frustrating and I have been very tempted to do some small baby knits as they wouldn't be so heavy to hold but I am trying to be good.

I'm so enjoying being a new Mum especially the cute times such as bath time. The cats have also been really funny lately Otty thinks Pippin is a blanket and keeps sitting on top of her!

A new arrival xxx

2008-06-09T23:59:00.001-07:00

Meet baby Morgan our new arrival. The Bump is no longer!

His name means: Bright Sea and New Beginning.

Morgan arrived at home on the 06/06/08 weighing eight pounds, nine and a half ounces. We are over joyed. He's pictured here sleeping under the little blanket that I knitted for him in baby bamboo wool (this wool is excellent for a summer blanket as it is cool, but very heavy so helps baby feel snug and secure without over heating).

He's a really content little baby and has fed and slept without any difficulty. I feel so lucky to have such a beautiful baby boy.

Creative Update.

2008-06-03T07:52:00.001-07:00

I've been spending my free time completing lots of creative, inspiring activity over the last week or two.

I finished reading a fantastic book called 'Half of a Yellow Sun' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The book tells the story of a set of different peoples experiences of the Nigeria - Biafra war in 1960. This book is extremely well written and captivating I highly recommend it. It also really makes you think about the many conflicts we hear about across the world but very rarely act to help. I hope I will think more about any way that I can help in the future.

Cal and I have also been 'nesting' on a major scale which has involved clearing many cupboards and filing all the paper work that has been sitting in a big heap for many months! My cousin Pen came over and we got our sewing machines out and did two days of solid sewing! I made two big cushion covers for the settee, finally lined and finished the 'Rowan bag' I started making earlier this year and lined it with silk from the silk route and I then also made some coasters for the settee from some more silk samples that I had left over. Pen made a great big cushion cover and a bag for herself and hemmed a dress that she made a while ago. During that major burst of sewing activity I even managed to squeeze in time to complete a water colour painting of Bramble while waiting for Pen to come over one morning.

We were pretty pleased with the results as you can see!

The cabled yoke cardigan has been put on hold for a short time as my wrist tendon has been aching, I think due to over stretching it lifting a pan and stretchy ligaments due to 'The Bump' being ready to arrive at any time! I don't want it to flare up for the baby arriving, that's why I've had a rest and had the time to finish my book (I didn't mention all the creative stuff I've been doing to the midwife!) and I'm now going to move on to an Ian McEwan novel that my Mum bought for me.

A new discovery.

2008-05-27T04:50:00.001-07:00

Ok - so just surfing the web and stumbled across a link to this blog: Post Secret
It's very cool - and inspirational. I had to include the link as the latest secret made me laugh so much. It reads:
I love my family ... but I always ignore their phone calls!

I think we all have times when the phone just needs switching off - for a bit of chill time ;-)

A stream of visitors!

2008-05-27T03:45:00.001-07:00

Getting closer and closer to our 'due date' now, and as a result we have had a stream of visitors to see the 'bump' before it arrives. It's been quite good really as everyday I've been occupied and have had something to look forward to. I also picked up the rest of the wool to finish my cardigan and have now started knitting the front panel. I'm just wondering when this baby will arrive but also trying to take each day as a holiday and enjoy the time I have to relax and unwind so that I'll be ready and refreshed for motherhood!

A Bump Update!

2008-05-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

37 weeks pregnant now and here I am modelling a t.shirt bought for me by my work colleagues and given to me on my leaving do last Friday! I think it's great fun! I was also really pleased as there are not many clothes I can easily get into now. I'm loving maternity leave and all the afternoon naps!! It's a nice change from 9 - 5 work, I guess I've gone into holiday mode. I' making the most of it as everyone keeps telling me I won't get this rest ever again!!!!!

It's a cat's life!!!

2008-05-11T01:48:00.000-07:00

Being quite heavily pregnant now (36 weeks) I'm quite restricted in what I can do. So I've been spending quite a lot of my free time lounging around in the yard with the cats and the rabbit enjoying the early bout of sunshine that England is experiencing.

I've finished the back of the cabled yoke cardi I'm knitting and I'm now waiting to order the rest of the wool to start on the rest of it as they only had three balls in last time I visited the shop in town.

We also had our first barbecue of the year with my cousing Rosy last weekend which was quite fun.

Mum popped over yesterday with completed baby knits ready for our new arrival - it's all so exciting. I've just about finished work now - just got two mornings to go in next week, and I'm so relieved about that. On Friday my feet and ankles were starting to swell up after a day sitting at the computer. For anyone out there who's pregnant and debating when to finish work I would recommend 32 weeks as the limit!! I've got a feeling my baby will arrive early - but maybe that's just because I feel so big already that I can't imagine another five weeks with the bump at this size ... or bigger!!! I guess baby will arrive when good and ready!

Funny Quote

2008-04-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

"Dogs have owners, cats have staff"

Day out to Scarborough

2008-04-27T00:28:00.001-07:00

Cal and I decided to take a trip to Scarborough yesterday. The weather was warm and bright and we thought it would be fun to catch the train, rather than drive a) for the scenery, b) as it's greener and c) because driving when you are 34 weeks pregnant is not fun!!
What a fantastic day we had - walking on the beach, browsing round the junk shops in the basement of the town hall and we also discovered a great little cafe tucked away behind the market hall called cafe heart. The best days are the ones when you get up and do something spontaneous with no expectations. I loved every minute of it!
We also had fun with a new camera taking arty shots of flowers and sand and graffiti (see below).
There was so much more I would have liked to have seen such as the children's fairy tale illustration exhibition at the Scarborough Art Gallery, and I would loved to have caught a play at the Stephen Joseph Theatre - but there are plenty more days.... something to look forward to another time!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-04-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

Inspiring Quote of the day:

2008-04-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

'Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul.

Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.'

Ralph Vaull Starr

Feeling sorry for myself...

2008-04-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hi there. Today I feel a bit sorry for myself as I have been off work with a sore throat and cold.

It's not too bad but I didn't want it to get any worse so thought I had better take a break. The last thing I need is to be ill in my last couple of months of pregnancy.

On a positive note I have got going on the cabled yoke cardigan which so far is knitting up nicely.I've also gone a bit mad for bears for our little one!

Although I finished one bear already I discovered a gorgeous bear pattern on Ysolda's site for a bear called Otto - the pattern comes in two sizes and is just too cute! So when I finish my cardi I may make some Otto bears too!

Just for fun I thought I would also post this picture of our cats who have also been very cute lately and have been snuggling up on the radiator bed together. Enjoy!

My Art Work

2008-04-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

I started going to life drawing classes before Christmas and have been thinking it would be fun to share some of my art work on my blog. So here it is!! The second picture included here was really fun to do. In order to 'loosen us up' we had to stand in front of the easel so that we couldn't see the board and keep drawing the life model over and over again without looking. As you can see the results show real fluidity and movement and give you a sense of the life model in a more abstract form.
I also enjoyed the work we did looking at positive and negative spaces and using collage to build into these areas in a picture - it was a great forum to learn how to develop my skills.

It was great to be in a creative space with professional assistance - and also to have the creative freedom to explore using different media. I'm currently really tempted to buy some big canvases and just get painting - maybe I will do this when I start my maternity leave from work - if I get the time! I have added my favourite artist from the Open Studios weekend to my list of inspirational artists and writers in the margin of this blog. His name is Rory Motion - I would definitely recommend having a look at his work I particularly like the titles of his art work!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-04-09T14:12:00.001-07:00

Inspiring Quote

2008-04-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

He who knows others is wise;
he who knows himself is enlightened.
Lao-Tzu

Spring Flowers / Open Studios

2008-04-06T01:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my hubby and I visited the local artists studio's in our city as part of an 'Open House' weekend for artists to exhibit their work.
It was really inspiring we met some great people whom I have added a link list below. The weather was really changeable.

One minute it was bright warm sunshine with blue skies - the next minute a hail storm and rain.
In between the cold spells my hubby captured these beautiful images of a blossom tree in full bloom. Enjoy!

Petra Bradley Prints

Simon Palmour Photography

Harriet McKenzie - Drawing and Moving Image

A Bumpy Photo!

2008-04-02T10:40:00.001-07:00

Here I am all bumpy - an update on my shape for my sister Molly!

I've finished knitting my little bear - who actually turned out quite large!! Since taking the photo I've added more stranded tassels to his scarf. My hubby said he should be called Mr Bloated Bear! I put a little bell inside him so that he can act as a rattle for our baby. Our cat Otty was not very helpful while I've been making this - constantly chasing the knitting needles or lying across the pattern book (as pictured).

I've now started knitting a cabled yoke cardigan from the sirdar wool eco book (book 336).

I've only done the back edge so far - am a bit worried as I haven't bothered checking the tension - but I'm going to go ahead any way and see what happens!!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-03-25T13:53:00.000-07:00