Accidental Vix

After a lovely day at Heart and Craft in Headingley yesterday and one I consider to be a success for many reasons, not just sales, left me in a happy mood when leaving yesterday. So, I thought I’d share some happy faces on my first batch of tooth fairy pillows ready to wing their way to Just Makers at Harrogate soon. There are also a few available in my Etsy shop, with more coming soon but let me know if there is a particular one you have your eye on! I have actually grown quite attached to them all, and they each have names (maybe I should spend more time sewing and less time naming) so when I sold a few yesterday it was like letting a pet go to a new home. Do you have a fave smile?

Xx

If you read my blog you’ve probably heard this before, but for those who haven’t – I’ve had major surgery on my hip 3 times in the last 5 years so walking has been difficult at the best of times, nevermind with my crutches so the other day may not seem like a challenge to most but believe me getting out of the house and walking the mile in Ilkley (without crutches!) was quite a long way with said hip! I’m not shy of challenges though so once I’d actually got there I decided to head to a local, independent cafe called Avanti as I think I should follow my own mantra of supporting local and independent businesses. This wasn’t the next challenge as trust me watching the world go by and drinking coffee comes quite easily! The challenge was getting my sketchbook project out and a) sketching in public and b) sketching a subject matter that is not in my comfort zone – people!! However, it all paid off as the owner came over to have a chat after he’d seen my sketch and said he was potentially interested in putting some of my artwork up, which was a great confidence boost and also a reward for staying true to my support of small businesses when it would have been easier to disappear into the wifi crowd at Caffe Nero. I have also been back and done a couple more sketches for my Fill Me With… Sketchbook Project.

Xx

I just have to share how difficult life can be

As I wish this disease wasn’t still with me…

Oh, diabetes you are a disease I despise,

Every day lately I need to dry my eyes.

All I ask for is a break,

Every minute of every day you take over until I next wake

Please, please stop taking over my life,

I want time with my husband to be a loving wife.

The highs, the lows, the ups and downs,

It feels like a cruel joke, without the clowns

My food I weigh, and carbohydrates I count

But my sugars are a rollercoaster, no matter what the amount.

The insulin fights with this body of mine,

A disease I battle with all the time…

One good day would be a start,

To have normal blood sugars, and a change of heart.

The injections alone are enough,

But the emotions combined are making me feel rough…

Please, please, please stop making this tough!

Xx

Do you ever have days where you just feel rubbish, isolated and cut off from the rest of the world? Well I’m having a few of those days, and part of me knows the reason why but then part of me doesn’t understand how it has escalated into an all consuming problem. So, how do you start to battle with it and get yourself back to normality? I’ve decided the only thing to do is hatch a creative plan of action! Here are my 3 creative things to do this week, in the hope that if I make them public I will be motivated to fulfil them and distract myself from the trials and tribulations of life:

1. Finish my table cloths for my craft fairs, I already have a table cloth but it’s looking a bit tired and needs a bit of brightening up and accidentalvix-ifying! Apart from getting to play and sew with pretty fabrics this will prepare me for the Handpicked Hall dates I have signed up for in Skipton. It opens on 8th March and my first day will be Saturday 9th March and then the first Saturday of the month thereafter, it would be lovely to see you there if you are local or visiting the area
2. Make some more stock for all these sales I’m hoping to have! Ok, that is a bit of a broad topic so today’s stock list is to finish my half made bibs, and hats that I have plenty of bunny ears for
3. Something creative for me, with no specific purpose other than to look good in my studio and make me smile on rainy days (this will be the difficult one but it’s on my list now so no choice but to succeed)

Right, off to put some music on and get the sewing machine out – wish me luck, and I will post pictures of this week’s achievements by Sunday. Have a great week and please share your to-do-lists below. Xx

This is just a quick post to say a massive congratulations to my fab friends El and Paul. All I can say is it’s about time Mr Jaquin!! I am so happy and excited for one of my best friends, and can’t wait to hear all about the wedding plans (I’ve got a strong suspicion it will be anything but conventional.) I’m having withdrawal symptoms after all the handmade preps for my own last year, and if I’m not invited then I’ve just invited myself.

Xx

As you will probably know I was recently asked to collaborate with Rob Jelinski, as part of A book called forever digital after party. Not only was it great having the opportunity to work with Rob across the Atlantic but I also feel like I have made a new friend. Apart from thanking Rob for letting me be part of the digital party, and allowing me to push my limits further with a live broadcast from my sewing machine at 3.30am, I would also like to say thank you for including me in his top 25 sketchbook project read list and finally for these exciting goodies which arrived through the post before we went away! Thanks Rob…

Xx

Anyone following my blog this time last year will know about the 50m of bunting that I made for my wedding, so when I thought about bunting for my party this weekend 28m seemed like nothing! Oh, how I was wrong – it’s taken me 2.5 days to do 3/4 of it. I think I underestimated how much recovering from surgery takes out of you and how much slower I am, especially with the lack of concentration. I could stop with what I’ve done but now I’ve set my goal I am determined to reach it. Above are the first 3 runs and I’ve  started 1/3 of the fourth and final length but then I have to sew all the triangles to the bias binding, I may be here a while…

Xx

I have to admit that I often challenge myself to my limits but I think I have even surpassed my own expectations this time! That being said, how could I say no to collaborating with the fab Rob Jelinski? The excitement is building as Saturday approaches but so are the nerves as I plan to do a live broadcast at 3.30am UK time to share a collaborative project with Rob and his digital after party for A Book Called Forever. I can’t reveal too much, but to quote Rob… ‘This global broadcast will stream LIVE from Nashville, London, and Montana featuring the musical talent of Blake Stratton and Shayla coupled with the creative whimsy of Vicky Morse. The venue will be hosted by two of Jersey’s finest- Rob Jelinski and Efrain Mercado.’ You’ll have to wait until Saturday 31 March 2012 to find out more but I am honoured to be associated with some very talented artists – Blake Stratton, Shayla and especially Rob, who I ‘met’ through the sketchbook project.

Xx

You have no idea how excited we are to see the fab and artistic yet natural photos from the very talented Lance James Photography. So much so that I just had to share the link to our wedding photo preview with you. Apart from being a great reminder of the most amazing day of our lives it’s also fantastic to see some professional shots of all the effort that has gone into the handmade and creative elements of the big day, including the fab paper hearts by B at Zygotegifts and many fascinators including my own from Imogen’s Imagination. I did feel a little lost without my own camera to capture mine and other people’s creative input. I don’t want to give too much away as I will be blogging about each handmade element as the weeks go on but here is a taster of what is to come.

Xx

As anybody who follows my blog will know I like a challenge, especially a creative one. So, when I saw the Rubyshoes Rocks Great British Bunt Off how could I resist? I have to confess I have known about this for a few weeks but with the wedding and honeymoon didn’t think I would have time, but what was I saying about challenges? The temptation is too much and today I succumbed, I’m in, and the bunting has started!

This is my effort and all 4 metres were done in a couple of hours after work, and if I can do it then you certainly can. The deadline is this Sunday at the Look Mum No Hands Summer Fete, which may sound too soon but it’s the school holidays for many, perfect for keeping little ones entertained, and if you don’t have children make the most of  your time to be creative. If the bunting making isn’t calling to you then why not just join the fun on Sunday, and I might see you there. If not then I strongly recommend you make the most of Rubyshoes Rocks talent and buy some.

Go on, I dare you!

Xx