Accidental Vix

Well I started my new Paperblanks sketchbook this week, and to be honest I felt a lot of pressure to get the first couple of pages filled with ‘good sketches’, otherwise I would have convinced myself it was only my combination of pen and sketchbook that allowed me to freely draw some of my fave sketches in my old one over the last year. So, I decided it had to start with something completely different and out of my comfort zone or I would be comparing it to my other sketchbook and I don’t need any hurdles at the moment. Therefore I started with some flowers as I want to design a gardening themed pattern for the Tigerprint competition I’m working on. Page number one was not so bad, so I then turned to some illustrations that were more fashion themed, and although not my best I soon realised that I was beginning to get used to the company of my new sketchbook (Tiffany) and was actually quite at ease with it as I now have a couple of ‘study’ pages rather than finished designs.

All was going well until we got back from Harlow Carr yesterday and I was trying to sketch some ideas for my latest pattern in a style different to my usual one, and all went wrong – I had lost the ability to sketch!! So, I walked away, took the evening off and came back to it this morning, but things got worse… my sketches were worse than last night, and no matter how much I tried I couldn’t get my pen to do what I wanted! Panic, what has happened?? Is it because I’m feeling ill, a lack of sleep? Is it a mental block? Am I overwhelmed with inspiration? Was Harlow Carr a mistake because I am now comparing myself to the depth of talent there? Is it just a bad day? Am I trying too hard to find a ‘style’ when I already have one? Or have I really lost the ability to sketch? Now, I’m not claiming I am or ever will be the best illustrator but I need to believe that I can draw to a certain level, and that level has just plummeted severely! I’m not a trained illustrator, I have an interior design degree – am I just too out of my depth? What to do now? I can’t see the wood for the trees. Does anyone else get like this? I imagine how frustrated my hubby would feel if he suddenly thought he couldn’t DJ, but I can’t imagine that ever happening!

Time to walk away, get out of the house and come back later or tomorrow with an open mind to try again – wish me luck! Any suggestions of what I could try to get my confidence back would be greatly welcomed.

Xx

It’s never a good sign to be woken up by too much coughing, especially as my hubby has been ill all week. I’m not good at being ill, and am a terrible patient so there was only one thing for it, time to get out of the house. I decided to drag poor Dan to RHS Harlow Carr, near Harrogate, for some sights of spring. To be honest, the fresh air was just an excuse to pop by and see the Just Makers Craft Shop, which is there for 5 weeks, (I will be sharing some of the creators and makers over the next few weeks) conveniently near the Betty’s cafe at the bottom of the gardens. I am also working on another pattern design for the latest TigerPrint Female Surface Pattern competition (two down, three to go) and gardens are today’s inspiration.

Time to do some sketching now, have a great weekend.

Xx

What a lovely day to get the inspiration going… after a long walk (well long hobble for me) to a local cafe and back, even if the pace got slower as I neared home, I decided to make the most of today’s sunshine and sit in the garden. With me I took some felt, thread and needles and started sewing away – before I knew it I had sewn quite a few flowers in prep for a bridal bouquet.However, I wouldn’t recommend yellow if you don’t want to attract the bees. Watch this space and you will hopefully see the final thing over the next week or so.

Have a great weekend.

Xx

To all the fab mums out there… Happy Mother’s Day! Although we’re in London at the moment and my mum back in Yorkshire it’s never too far away to tell her how fab she is. As is a tradition now, I had to make my mum something that is personal to her and that is a new challenge for me. This year it was a cushion cover, with a book and flowers on one side as my mum is absolutely addicted to reading, and a wine bottle and glasses on the other side as she likes a glass or two… this one’s for you mum – Love you!

Xx

As you probably know I’ve been having a rough time for the last few months but as spring approaches it’s time to get myself motivated and put a spring in my step. It only takes a small thing to give myself hope and inspiration at the moment, so when we found ourselves at the garden centre at the weekend it took a few daffodils and spring flowers to cheer me up… time for something new! It was a reminder that although times are tough at the moment there are still positives that we have to remember, and one of them is that we have a garden for the first time. Ok, it’s just an area of pebbles, but I decided to pot some herbs and window boxes to brighten the place up, even though I have never attempted anything garden related in my life – let’s see how long they last. What have you done that’s new lately?

Xx

There’s nothing like a change in the weather to make things seem better, and in my case muster up some inspiration and motivation. My bones are in need of some vit D and my body could definitely do with some fresh air so it’s good that it looks like spring is on it’s way and I am able to sit in the garden with my thoughts, and often my sketchbook for company. I now just need to decide what plants/pots to get to brighten it up a bit – any suggestions are welcome!

Xx

As I’m having a blue day today I couldn’t help browsing Luulla’s fab shops to cheer me up so here are some more of my faves from the supplies category as my mind wonders off to a happy creative place:

Ayarina - Ninja turtle buttons (I’m always up for customising clothes, and these would be perfect on my hubby’s coat – whether he would agree is another matter)

Kitties Closet – Stitched wool felt flowers (I wouldn’t change anything about our handmade wedding but these flowers would have saved me hours of cutting, worth considering if planning your own handmade flowers)

Sweetest Charms – Gingerbread Cabochon (These are so cute, and I don’t know what it is about gingerbread men but they always make me smile)

Better go and create now so I don’t spend more money on supplies until I’ve used at least some of my existing stash!

xx

I love a good wedding… but one thing’s for sure it takes a lot of preparation to make a good wedding! I’m hoping that our wedding will be one of those fab events with lots of planning in little time, a bit of luck and a bucket full of creativity to help us on our way.  My fiance doesn’t know what’s hit him, I’ve gone into work mode and feel like a project manager 24/7 now. I have to admit the creative bits are my fave, although I seem to be managing to give everything an artistic twist at the moment because I’ve promised I won’t take on any major creative projects until I am a married lady. The first major bit of wedding creativity can now be revealed as everyone should have received their save the date cards and invites already

In addition here’s a sneaky peek of what’s to come… watch this space as more handmade wedding bits are revealed. I’d also like to say a big thank you to all who have helped me with my flower so far, we’re over half way now!!

Xx