How to Grow Your Creative Life and the *Winner* of the Giveaway!!!

I've got two fabulous things to share with you today:  My new creativity e-book and the winner of my giveaway draw!!

Last year I decided to write a book.  It was in response to some of the emails that I received from people who had signed up to the Being Creative Project and who were starting to create again for the first time because of the philosophy of the group (you can find out more about the group by clicking the tab at the top of the page).

These emails came from many different people across the globe and they told stories of how years had passed by without them doing what it was they loved; they told of fear taking over and overwhelming the whole process, they told of missed opportunities and of not being good enough.  They told of there not being enough time, of lives being too busy.  As I read all these mails, I knew that I wanted to create a guidebook to show people how they could be more creative, to teach them how to build their creative confidence, to give them the tools to navigate the negative feelings and difficult bits that make us put our things away and give up.


I wanted this book to teach people how to discover their own creative style, how to design their very own creative workspace, how to sell their creations online.  I wanted it to inspire people of all ages and abilities...

And that's how Bloom was born.
 

Bloom is full of colourful pages and lovely things to download inlcuding worksheets with questions designed to bring clarity and focus.  It also comes with a free Bonus Book which features contributions from four of my favourite creative entrepreneurs:  

Leonie Dawson from Goddess Guidebook

Leonie is a writer, retreat leader, artist and Mama and she lives in tropical paradise in Australia with her family.  From there she creates e-courses, meditations, books and magic which she shares on her colourful and inspirational website which is updated regularly with brilliant blog posts.  Leonie has guest hosted on some top websites including Tiny Buddha and ProBlogger as well as being featured in three of Sark's books including Glad No Matter What.  Leonie is an effervescent goddess who is an absolute glowing light of a soul.


Andrea Schroeder from Creative Magic Academy 

Andrea is an amazing, big hearted, glorious woman who infuses people with courage, magic and glitter.  She shares her creative wisdom from her website Creative Magic Academy, where she devotes her time to encouraging and inspiring others with her deeply nourishing blog posts, her kits and courses.  Learn how to art journal, learn how to map your way to your dream life, drench yourself with possibility!


Emelisa Mudle from Heart Art 

I adore Em, she is a radiant, vibrant woman who just keeps on giving from that big smiling heart of hers.  Based in Australia, Emelisa hosts live workshops and classes internationally, and inspirational online creativity courses.  She also sells wonderfully colourful and uplifting art from her online shop.  Emelisa has a deep rooted passion for helping people overcome their fears to live a truly creative life. 
 

Louise Gale, artist and life coach.

Louise is amazing.  A British woman living in America, she quit her corporate job to live the fully authentic and creative lifestyle she dreamed of.  As a fully trained Core Energy Life Coach, Louise offers private coaching sessions and online courses alongside kits, meditations and workbooks which are guaranteed to flood your life with positivity and help you live your own authentic and creatively inspired life.



It's a bit of a dream come true for me to finally publish and launch this e-book and it is available for you to purchase for just £4.95 here (or you can click the tab at the top of the page). 

And now...

...onto the subject of my Giveaway Draw which I launched last week.  Remember I asked you to share your favourite children's book with me to enter, giving you a chance to win a signed copy of my print 'Home'.

Well I have a winner for you...

...oh the excitement!  There were so many of you who took part, almost 140!!!

But don't let me hold you in suspense any longer; the winner of my draw is...

...Helen!

If you would like to email me your address details please Helen, i'll get your print out in the post for you!

Thank you so much to everyone who took part, it was really nostalgic reading through all those comments and recalling some of those children's stories that I'd forgotten about.  It seems Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree was a popular one with you, one of my faves too as it happens!  

Anyway, I'd best get cracking and publish this post; there's a sunny garden and a cup of chai waiting for me!

See you again soon, 
Much love
J x x x

Annnnnd.....The Winner Is...

Hello!

Thank you very much to all of you who took part in my Christmas Card giveaway. I was really overwhelmed by your response, and would like to say thanks for taking the time to write such lovely things - and for helping me reach my FB target of 1000 in super quick time, I didn't expect that at all!!


Anyway, without further delay - onto the important bit!  Using the online Random Number Generator, I am pleased to tell you that the winner of the giveaway is....

...number 66, which is Made By Lolly!!!  If you would like to get in touch with your address details, which you can do by filling in the Contact Form here, I will be able to send you your prize which is a special set of five of my newest Christmas Cards; 'Christmas Kiss' - each card is hand titled and signed, and they are all wrapped in some brightly festive red paper ribbon and finished off with a tag (as you can see on the photograph at the top of the post)!

There's also another Special Little Something which will be included in the package of the edible variety.  I do so hope you will be pleased with your prize!

I wish I could have sent all of you some goodies, I really do - but thanks again to all who took part!  I'll be back again a bit later this week, with some hooky updates! 


Sending heaps of love, Julia x x x




** ps: for those of you who have spotted that there were 82 comments, and only 81 entered in the RNG, one of the comments had been deleted so wasn't counted. x

Giveaway Time!!

            

'Christmas Kiss'

Hello to you!

I know, I know...it's only October but I couldn't wait to share my newly completed Christmas Card design with you all.  Please feel free to leave now if you can't bear All Things Christmas this early (I totally understand)...or prepare to hang about and read on if you'd like to hear about a little giveaway I'm proposing!!

I thought it would be fun to celebrate getting 1000 likers on my Facebook Page - and I'm almost there, currently at 960 as I write this.  It never ceases to amaze me that people are both curious and supportive about what I do, and I thought it would be a nice gesture to have a little giveaway to say Thank You for that.

  

One of the reasons I'm hosting the giveaway here is that it also gives me an opportunity to thank all of you lovely souls who come via my blog to visit and keep in touch with me.  It's wonderful that you take the time to read and leave your comments, and if you're a silent visitor who reads and leaves quietly, I value you just as much as the ones who comment.  I want to say 'Thank You' because through FB and Blogging I have got to know some great people.  I know that online friendships are a bit Woo-Woo to some, but the fact I may not have met you in 'real life' doesn't matter ~ your presence on the internet is a fabulous thing and my life is brighter because of it.  

So how to take part!  

All you have to do is hop over to FB (find the link in the right side bar there) and 'Like' my art page - the quicker the number goes up, the quicker we'll have a winner!  Feel free to share about my giveaway on your blogs and FB pages too, as the more who take part the merrier.  TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DRAW (that's the super important bit) you need to leave me a comment below this post!

So what's in the giveaway?

Right, well that's the special bit.  As yet unreleased (I'm currently working on building my Sparkly Christmas Emporium for you), I will be gifting a pack of my brand new Christmas Cards 'Christmas Kiss' to the winner (as shown above), along with a secret treat that I know you will enjoy.

The cards are all created by hand here in my little riverside house.  They're printed using fine, light-fast inks onto archival matte art card, which is in turn mounted onto a white greetings card.  Each card will be hand titled and signed, and the pack wrapped in a cheerful red raffia ribbon with a tag.  It's a lovely gift to win and I hope you'll join in the fun and take part.

Sending you oodles of gratitude and love ~ good luck!

Julia x x x  

The Winner Is...

Hello Everyone!

My goodness - Before I announce the winner of my Gorgeous Christmassy Giveaway, I just want to say how wonderful all of your responses were - I was blown away by how many of you shared your Christmas moments here, and I enjoyed reading each and every one of them.

I noticed that the majority of us love lots of similar things about this time of year ~ twinkling tree lights, gathering with family and friends, remembering those no longer with us, carols and church services, and one that touched me especially was the comment from Nicole who had premature twins that were not expected to survive...they will be having their very first Christmas this year!  Stories like that bring home what it's all about, so thank you to each and every one of you for making this giveaway so very special.

Anyway...without any further rambling ~ I've just had a little visit to the Random Number Generator and typed in 106 - yes, 106 of you dropped in to take part - pressed the button...and the number that popped out was...

Number 4

Rachael, from Made With Love, you are my winner (big happy smiles!)

Will you drop me a line to tell me which print you would like ~ remember, you can choose from any of the ones on my Fine Art Prints page up to the value of £14.00.  I do hope you see something that you like!

For the rest of you who entered, thank you so much!

This week has seen the arrival of heaps of snow, the heaviest of which fell last night.  I reckon we have about 30cm or so, not to mention the knee high drifts!!  Needless to say, the Small One hasn't been to her school up the village - two reasons:  we couldn't make it, and she has a nasty chest infection complete with barking cough.  To keep her busy, we got to work doing Important Letter Writing...

We're working on the Good Girl part, as apparently nasty coughs create a new level of crabbiness not encountered before!!  

For some reason (it's probably to do with the snow and all your seasonal comments), Christmas spirit is creeping in quicker than usual.  At the weekend, we drove out to Castleton to show the Little One the Christmas trees.  It was bitterly cold, but you couldn't help be inspired by the beauty of Mam Tor covered with a gauze of fine snow, and the bright cheery lights of the trees.  We have visited this village since we were children, and it's a lovely thing to be able to share it with my own wee one...

...just starting to turn on the lights...

...the Three Roofs cafe, and Peveril Castle up on the hill...I love the silhouettes of those skeletal trees against the white sky, and the welcome twinkle of the warm white lights.

Just before I go, I want to tell you about a little offer I have especially for my Facebook Likers and my Blog Followers/Subscribers...you can choose a personalised, hand stamped message for free, when you purchase one of my A5 individual, signed Christmas cards.  Up to 30 letters, any wording you like!!  The stamp is a vintage typewriter style which I think looks lovely - I hope you agree!

You can click here to find out more.

I'm currently busy putting packs of cards together to mail out, so not much time to paint right now. However, I'm delighted at the responses I've had to them - these will continue to be available to order until the 15th December (for UK customers) and for overseas, today is the last date for orders (so I can meet my international post date of the 6th which should get them to you in plenty of time).

Well - if you're still reading, thank you!  Thank you also for stopping by, your visit here is very much appreciated.  I do hope you will drop by and say 'Hello' again soon, it's always a pleasure to see you here!

Sending huge scoops of love your way,

Keep warm

Julia x x x

The Gorgeous Christmassy Giveaway!

Helloooooooooooooo!

I'm beside myself with excitement!! The magic number has been reached, which means the fun can begin ~ my Christmas Giveaway (hurrah!!) to celebrate 300 Followers (thank you very much for everyone who has and does), and because I haven't had one in such a ding dang long time!

OOh, and also, because they're heaps of fun, and I just love doing them :D

Being on the brink of December, I felt it was only right to have a Christmassy themed giveaway, which is why there are two of my brand new A5 Christmas cards for you, which are hand titled and signed by me...

'Father Christmas'

'Santa's Gift'

...aaaaaaaaaaaand...specially hand stamped inside with a festive greeting:

You may also have spotted in the top picture, a little decorative fabric heart ~ this is a little hand crafted creation I have made using a very pretty fabric, and will be sure to brighten up a little corner of your home.  It's finished with a nice vintage button (from my Nan's very own tin that's been handed down the generations) and a nice rustic twine bow and hanging string.

You probably also spotted a little packet of something rather delectable, which to me is one of the tastes of Christmas, and wouldn't be Christmas without them ~ yes!! Lindor truffle balls!!!  I kid you not!

So what do you think?  Would you like to take part?  OOh heck, silly me - almost forgot...there's one more thing...

...I'm going to let you choose a mounted print too!

I've shown a picture of Daffodils and Bunting here, but the winner will be able to choose their favourite from the selection of prints on my website to the value of £14.00.  

Ooooh this is so very exciting!!!  I love the chance to be able to send a little goodness out into the world, big happy smiles all round!

So - lets get down to business!! :D

How do you enter the giveaway?  Just leave me a comment on this post, telling me what makes Christmas special for you.

And that's it - I'm looking forward to your sharings and I will draw the winner one week from today...hmmm, that will make it Wednesday 1st December!! Perfect!!

Anyone is welcome to enter, anywhere in the world - so without further ado, let the fun begin!!!!!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! :D

Sending humongous scoops of love out to you today

Julia x x x

'Thank You' and a Giveaway Announcement

Hello!

I'm hurrying in to write this post, and I'm afraid it is a rather short, but hopefully sweet one.

First of all, huge thank you's to everyone who has bobbed by to see our little felty Christmas tree decoration, your comments have really made me smile, and have meant such alot to me this week.

Ah yes...this last week has been a rather tiring one.  The Little Egg's cold got worse and she stayed home from her nursery sessions all week.  This meant I didn't get out much and didn't get much done...and by the weekend I was also feeling a bit out of sorts, but banished any nasty cold virus away with lots of steaming hot ginger tea (she says, crossing her fingers!).

Still...it's not left much time for blog posting, or creating. 

 Aside from a juicy box of stock that I am filling and sending to a lovely shop 

called Abercorn & Co.  Do check out their website, it is chock full of the most gorgeous things!!  The box above is a picture of some of the stuff I'm sending out to them, and I'm over the moon that they asked me!  I'm hoping to have it all wrapped up and ready to go by Friday as I've been plagued by late stock deliveries and things like that, little hold ups that we just have to grin and bear!  Apologies for the terrible photo, the light here is dreadful at the moment, mostly because our weather is looking like this:

The trees are wearing their winter outfits already and make for skeletal silhouettes against dreary, grey washed out skies.  It's also terribly cold.  Which brings me to something cheery and nice to share.

I'm going to host a Christmas Giveaway!

But...

(and its just a little but)

I am going to be bold and ask if we can reach 300 Followers first, and when that magic number appears, that's when I will announce it!  I can promise you a Giveaway of lovely Christmassy goodness, a special little something, my way of saying 'Thank You' for visiting, following, reading and commenting - as it means alot, it really does.

Becoming a Follower also gives me the excuse to visit you and your blog - I very often randomly dip into my Followers list and end up somewhere completely new and very lovely, so please feel very welcome to add your name to the heap!

Righty-ho!! It's Little Egg's bathtime so I'm off!!

Have a lovely evening, all being well I'll be posting again soon with cheery Giveaway news!!!

Much love

Julia x x x

The Sunny Spring Giveaway!! (and some other bits and bobs)

Hello Dear Souls!

We've been to the seaside! My goodness, it seems an awful long time since I walked on the sands and inhaled the delicious tangy scent of a salt breeze, but on Sunday we took ourselves off to the east coast of Lincolnshire and enjoyed a bracing walk on the beach - although it was bitterly cold there the sky was a radiant cobalt blue and seemed to go on forever...I love Big Skies and a sense of space like that!
The sun shone all day long however, and it was a day for discovering once again, how pretty dried seaweed can be, collections of fragile, tiny shells on the shoreline and admiring the simple beauty of sunlight on tide rippled sand.

Little Person, needless to say, enjoyed it immensley and there was much sand pie making and pitstops for games of football.


Thoroughly refreshed and reinvigorated after our bracing day out, we returned home. And the homeland is much cheerier now that there is a promise of spring on the horizon. Ah yes, the days are definately getting longer, and the other evening we had a glowing sunset as we travelled over the 'tops' to go and fetch our daughter from Nanny Mum's house. (the 'tops' are a local name for the hills that rise up between the valleys here).

The view through the farmers field there, is over Bradfield and out to the Strines Moor- beyond that you can just about make out Winn Hill in the Peak District (teeny tiny pointy bit on the horizon).
I love the old marker stones you get around our way too that serve as road signs. This one in the top right picture is showing the way to Brighthomlee, with a helpful etching of a finger in the stone to point you in the right direction!

So, Spring is absolutely and most definately in the air...and there is also something else in the air too - yes, Im sure you who visit me often enough will know by now that Im having a little giveaway! And....today is the day I can finally share the scrumptious goodies that will be on their way to one lucky soul!


The Sunny Spring Giveaway!!

This giveaway is a little celebration of the impending arrival of Spring, and also my birthday which coincides beautifully with this occasion! If you would like to enter, all you need to do is leave me a comment in the 'post a comment' section at the end of this post. That's it. It's that easy. On March the 21st, which is the Spring Equinox, I shall draw a name from the hat and post the winner's name the following day (I'd post it on the 21st but it's my birthday so Im hoping to be whisked off somewhere marvellous and nowhere near a computer!! ;-)


So, without anymore waffling, here is what you can win!

One signed, limited edition print of Moon Fishing, presented in a white mount
ready for framing.

A crocheted daffodil corsage, made by yours truly - looks quite splendidly spring like and colourful on a coat or jacket - or bag come to that!

A bag of the most delicious praline eggs - well, Easter is but a hop away and it wouldn't feel right not to include a little chocolatey goodness for you!

Four of my art print cards, of the designs shown

aaaannnnnnnd...last but not least, a lavender heart, made from pretty Erin McMorris Park Slope 'circles and stems' fabric, filled with generous spoon-fulls of garden harvested lavender, and finished with a shell, and vintage pink button.


And there we have it my friends! All that remains is for you to leave me your comments - meanwhile, Im off to finish a certain painting that I started last week - thank you for all your excellent suggestions about that, I really was in a bit of a pickle with what that dear blackbird could have come to find, but Im now happy to tell you that, inspired by Surfer Rosa's idea Im going to be adding a little cotton reel or ribbon to the scene!

I'll be back again as usual next week (if not before)!

Til' then - love to you,
J x

Simple Things

Hello there! Is the sun shining on you today? From the 1st of March, Yorkshire turned a new leaf weather wise - well, this little corner of the county seemed to anyhow - and we have been basking in sun filled days with high, white cotton wool clouds scudding gently across an impossibly blue sky. Ahhh, we are hoping this is a taste of what is to come, and isn't the sun warm already? Just around lunchtime today as I stood in the back garden, it was just warm enough to feel upon the skin which filled me with a huge sense of optimism I can tell you!

Little things are what keep me afloat - like this jam jar of buttery yellow daffodils. I stopped at the lovely little florist/gift shop 'Hacketts' in nearby Penistone earlier this week and was rewarded with 3 generous bunches for just a couple of pounds. They have filled two jam jars in an abundant manner and are showing off all over the dining table and kitchen windowsill! But aren't they glorious?

Another flowery thing to fill me with delight this week, was the sudden opening of these darling irises, which never cease to astonish me each year that they appear. I love their colours, the blue is quite stunning and such a gift after all that gloomy weather! We have been teased for several weeks by their juicy green buds that didn't seem to do anything, until one day I happened to glance out of the window and 'voila!' there they were!!

And in our kitchen, on our sunny windowsill, the seeds our Little Daughter planted just a few weeks ago are growing in their propagator home at an alarming rate!

These are her dwarf peas, their neighbours, minature cucumbers (La Diva from Sarah Raven should you be curious or tempted to sow your own) are competing height wise, as are the munchkin pumpkins...and we still have seeds to sow!! Where are we going to put them? ( I do wonder out loud, and frequently as it goes), as we have nothing resembling a greenhouse and it is but early March - but I think in a couple of weeks time, these green babies will be taking over the kitchen so I need to get my thinking hat on, regarding a halfway house type of spot for them to go to when they outgrow their current abode!


But all will be resolved, I don't doubt it - most likely over a cup of tea and a nice bit of cake. Oh yes, we've been at it again. Baking. This time: Chocolate brownies crammed full of walnuts and pecans...

It is getting to the point where the Little Baker is demanding we make something every day, which is all well and good but Im running out of tins and slowly getting fatter. Im also out of butter until I visit the next village to do a spot of shopping and so to placate her we had a very messy finger painting session yesterday, instead.

And, Ive been doing a bit of painting myself! I finally found some time to make a start upon my next piece after a rather busy time of it doing lots of other things. Ive been heartily inspired by spring flowers of late and felt I must paint a picture which included a cheery jug of daffs - yet I also had a whim to do a bit of a coastal scene too...doodles and sketches followed and Ive set to work...would you like a peek? Its a work in progress with far to go as yet...but I don't mind showing you how its looking...! Would you like to see it?


Oh, alright then, here you go!

Ive not got a name for the painting yet, but for some reason it had to have a blackbird in it. As I progress, the blackbird will look as if he's spotted something tasty to eat - at the moment Im pondering what that might be! So, for now it just looks as if he's come to have a nosey at the rather nice pebbles doesn't it?! Im quite happy with it so far - any ideas of what treat the blackbird might be finding on the windowsill would be appreciated, so let me know your thoughts!


Well! Another week has passed - (doesn't the time go fast these days), and I want to let you know that next week, I will be officially announcing my Spring Giveaway! The reason behind all this, is that it is my own birthday on the first day of spring (21st March), and to celebrate I wanted to do a little givaway to coincide with my spring birthday celebrations! Hurrah!!
Im planning some lovely treats for you, so do make sure you stop by next week to find out more!


That's all Im saying for now, Im going to do a little bit more work on my painting before I have to go and collect the child - toddlers and acrylic paints don't go very well together you see :)

So I hope you have a delicious weekend, oh - and thank you to everyone who is stopping by to leave such nice comments - I want you to know that I read each one and really appreciate the time you take to pop in and read. Im endeavouring to visit all of your blogs in turn, and look forward to catching up with you soon!

Till next week...sending you a nice cup of chai tea, your favourite song, a spring walk and drifts of snowdrops to smile at!

Much love
Julia x

Happy, Sweet Days...

It's been a busy day in our little house. Well, for me at least as Ive been drawing for the most of it! New ideas are presenting themselves for paintings left, right and centre. Oh yes, Im having rather a time of it with old Mr Inspiration of late!! Ive also found myself waking up in the wee small hours, only for an idea to burst forth and bring me into the land of Wide Awake - at 4am this is not a good thing, and although it's exciting to have so many ideas to play with, I would be happier with a good nights sleep under my belt and the strike of inspiration at about 10am instead - preferably with a nice cup of tea.

But I don't suppose us creative types can pick and choose. Inspiration visits at random and I am always grateful for it, as it usually leads to something good.

As well as all this sketchy doodly activity, Ive also been busy with line drawings as you can see from my first picture today.
I have thoroughly enjoyed doing them. Here's a couple more for you to see.

Now what could this one be about...? Bedtime story? Homework in PJ's? Saturday morning comics? I'll leave it up to your imagination!

This one could be called 'A blustery afternoon' I think...


So, art wise, things are progressing. Things are also progressing quite nicely with the RR which has become a bit of a late night habit for me, something to settle down with last thing before bed. I don't think this picture does it great justice, we are suffering at the mercy of gloomy days here in Yorkshire and so the lighting is not so good for photographs. But you can get an idea of how its going I think!

Now, Im sure it's not just me, but cold weather and dreary days bring out the baker in me. We have been very busy of late, me and the Tiny Chef, creating all manner of scrumptious delights from Blondies and Brownies to Cupcakes and Sponges. And I have to say when Im not wielding a sketch book, or crochet hook, my mind is very fixed on deciding what treat to make next. And its not going to be much of a problem because yesterday our nice postie brought me this from the wonderful land of Amazon.

Oh people...for those of you who do not have this on your shelf, but who like to indulge now and then in these decadent little mouthfuls, then this is one to get. With things like Coconut Cupcakes with Pink Vanilla Buttercream and Caramel Cupcakes, Im rather overcome to say the least and it wont be long before these are given a whirl in our kitchen. Of course, I'll have to run it by the Tiny Chef first, see which ones she likes the look of best!

For now though, we are munching our way through generous slices of orange cake, the scent of the oranges in the kitchen when we were zesting and juicing was just like being in Seville! Oranges and lemons always remind me of warm sunny climes and are always happy little fruits in my mind. Is it usual to think of fruit in that way? Probably not. But thats me all over - ever so slightly bonkers!


Well, its about that time where I say 'Im off' and it usually entails a nice cup of tea and a bit of something sweet and naughty. But not today, having indulged in two slices of the orange cake already Im keeping away from the cake tin and instead Im going to announce that in the next week or two, I will be doing a little giveaway.

Yes.

And its going to be a nice one. Im telling you now, so that you can spread the word - more the merrier with these things methinks, so do pop back now and then as it will definately be happening sooooon!


I hope you have weekends full of sunshine and surprises - they're the best kind aren't they?! I'll be visiting your blogs as soon as Ive space for another slice of cake! So, thank you for stopping by today, it's lovely that you did!

Love Julia x

Delicious Giveaway Time!

I seem to have taken a little break from Blogland, but I have a good reason, Ive been away on a little trip, and Ive also been very busy.

Some time ago, I wrote here about some new card sets that Id been working on, I am now very excited to be able to offer one of these lovely little boxes as my very first giveaway! Yes, thats right, I thought it was about time I showed my appreciation to all you lovely people who stop by and take the time to read my ramblings, so if you would like to be in with a chance to win this set, which comprises 5 art print cards of the designs shown above, just leave me a comment on this post and I will pull the winning name next week! Hurrah!! Simple!!

Anyway, onto other things - a few months ago I was very lucky to find some smashing polka dot fabric in the sale at Laura Ashley. I promptly purchased a couple of metres with the idea to make a blind for our recently decorated kitchen....well, you know me, always something more interesting to be doing!! Ha!! That pretty material has been languishing in a bag in a cupboard for too long but luckily while I was away, I bought a very nice magazine that had a very nice and very useful thrifty home project booklet with it and my attention was caught on the page that showed me how easy it was to make a blind, with just material and ribbon. I came home and got stuck in, pinning and measuring in between watching another classic Auf Weidersehen Pet and the following day while little one napped, I sewed.

And then I put it up.

Its my first 'big' thing that Ive made on my sewing machine, and I have to say in a rather bashful way, Im mighty proud of it, I think it finishes the kitchen off just grand!

So, last weekend we escaped to sunny Wales to visit family, we stayed in Cardiff but spent most of our time at the beach, the weather was glorious, it was just sandpies, paddling in the sea, peeping into rockpools, pub meals and cold pear cider...and a big comfy hotel bed with a big lovely hotel breakfast the following morning...ahhh, refreshing - to a point. We had a very excited little girl in the room with us dont forget, and she didn't go to sleep til 10:30pm despite our best efforts to introduce a bit of quiet time and story telling. No, it was far more exciting bouncing on the big bed and looking out the window over the lake at the heron eating a fish on the bank side. Happy days though!! :)

This is the view over Rest Bay, Porthcawl - we were waiting for the tide to go out, but the surfers seemed to be enjoying the swell!

Today I started a new painting, needless to say it was inspired by my time at the beach and my other favourite subject - food!! I will post pics as it progresses.
Anyway, don't forget my little giveaway - these cards are really nicely made (if I do say so myself!) and packaged in a pretty little box, all the designs are printed onto good quality archival matte paper and I think would suit most occasions! Good luck to all of you!!

(Go on, you know you want them ;)

See you all soon, have a happy weekend, hope you don't get too wet - Ive heard the forcast is a little damp in most parts, sounds like a good time to plan a little reading, crochet and napping....

Love Julia xxx