In the Last Week

In the last week, I bought a bunch of Proteas.
Made some sketches of the Proteas I bought.
And made some cut out paper Protea flower cards.
And delivered a little bunch of new cards to Urban Cow Studio.

A Mouse in the House!

We have a new mouse in the house! Not the furry variety but a sleek shiny plastic one. It's funny how sometimes the smallest things on your desk like a new pen or pencil or eraser can inspire you to feel like working. I love my new yellow mouse!

Flowers on the Desk

I have pushed aside my little black and white drawing I have been working on to have some fun with the coloured pencils! I think my vision is going a bit blurry looking at fine black lines late at night so it might be time to swap back to colour for a while!

Blossom

 

I have just flipped the calendar over to March. We are technically in Autumn now so I guess it is ironic to share this Spring image at this time. I have been working on a little series of Spring blossom illustrations that I started in the Spring last year when I was admiring the little blossom tree in our back garden. Spring is always a season filled with warmth, colour and hope. I love the idea of colour emerging out of the greyness of Winter and I also like to use the image as a metaphor to remind us that even in the difficult times and during the coldest months, we can be comforted by the knowledge that Spring always comes.

It also reminds me of all the wonderful Springs I experienced in Japan where the cherry blossoms are magnificent. For those in the Northern hemisphere, not long to go now - flowers will soon be blooming.

 

Ballet Pink

There is something so soft, delicate, pretty and inspiring about ballet pink. Our youngest little one has just started ballet classes a few weeks ago and I had much joy buying pink leotards, skirts, tights and tiny ballet slippers. It is no secret that if I have a chance to live again on this earth, I would love to come back as a dancer! I am loving this pink and enjoying this time.

His Shoes

2013

Well, he is finally sound asleep after numerous nervous questions. His bag is packed, his shirt ironed (yes, it was a rare occasion for the iron to make an appearance in our house), his oversized shorts carefully tucked and sewn at the sides by his nanna so they wont fall down when he runs. And his shoes - his shoes sit shiny and new waiting by the front door waiting to be worn for the first time tomorrow.

I will shed my tears now beacause tomorrow I wont have time. Tomorrow, I will be busy packing lunches, tying shoes laces and lining up little ones for the obligatory first-day-of-school photos. We will drop him off with smiles and reassuring hugs as he begins his school adventure. I know he is ready for school and I am ready for him to go too so I am not sad about him going to school - just more sentimental when I think back on the last 5 years and all the time we have shared and how he has grown. Apart from a handful of odd days and of course kindergarten last year, I have been with him every day since he was born and of course every mother has their days but really he is pure joy. Recently, during the holidays, he randomly calls out to me and says, "Mamma, I love you". And I keep wondering how much longer I will hear these words before his vocabulary is filled with other words and phrases and teachers' and friends' names.

Having a baby, is like being given the best gif t ever. You take care of it and love it and keep it all to yourself until one day you have to share it with the rest of the world and let other people help to grow and shape it.

And so when I look at his shoes, I keep seeing how much he is growing and remembering how lucky we are to have spent those first years with him. As our life now is about to be bounded by set terms, early starts and school holidays for the next 14 or so years, I hope the journey for him is a brillant one.

2012

On the Desk

 

 

Another week is zipping by but I took a couple of snaps earlier in the week of what is on my desk right now. I did start the year with a tidy work space, but it didn't last long. I hope this is a sign that something new will be finished soon. Okay, heads down, back to work.

 

Prints in Situ

 

I have just been sorting some photos into folders when I came across this image that I intended to share last year. Often when I sell a print or piece of jewellery, I like to imagine where it is going and how it will be used or framed or worn. So it is especially lovely when someone takes the time to send me photos of them wearing the piece or how they have arranged their prints.
This image was sent to me last year from a lovely customer in Japan (who is actually an old friend of my husbands) He was decorating his apartment and chose these three prints from me which he framed himself. I love the simplicity of the photo just showing us a little of the curtain and his bicycle. All credit goes to him for the photography and is used here with his permission.

Holidays and New Year

 

Happy New Year! Holidays are always such a blurr once they are finished and it is hard to remember how two weeks were filled up so quickly. Apart from the usual Christmas and New Year festivities and gatherings, we spent most of our time at home together as a family which was nice for a change.
I had some time to finish some books I started last Christmas, watch a couple of DVDs (which had been ordered throughout the year but remained unopened) and generally spend some time lounging around which is usually unthought of.

There was of course lots of eating and indulgent breakfasts with my regular coffee sitting next to pieces of fruit cake, contreau laced apricot balls or chocolate croissants; sometimes it was all three! It is lucky that Christmas is only once a year! I also spent some time cleaning out the garage and going through boxes of things that havent been touched since me moved house in March last year. I decided that it was time to take out those old tea cups that belonged to my Grandmother and use them when I have a chance. Life is too short to keep things wrapped up in tissue paper. I also found my reproduction Clarice Cliff plate which I bought while on a tour in England. One of my New Years resolutions is to get these things out so I can look at them and also frame a bunch of prints that are hidden away. I have also been contemplating if the piece of Liberty fabric I bought almost four years ago, is the perfect piece of fabric to re-upholster an old chair that belonged to my great-Nanny. I have been thinking about whether I would prefer a more modern piece of fabric as I am sure this one will never match anything in this house but when I put it on the chair for the first time, I think it is a good match. Something else to put on the list of things to do this year!

The long sunny days have been great for evening swims, evening bike rides (or walks for me as the kids learn to ride their new bikes) and Summer foods with lots of yummy fruit and salads. I dont feel quite ready to tackle the new year yet but I know it is already whizzing past me and it is time to put my skates on. I have much to do in 2013 and i hope to share that with you here.....