What's on your 'to do' list today?

Another drab day and if I sit here any longer I shall just fuse to the chair - so - best get on, got a tick list as long as my arm again.

What are you gently procrastinating over? Go on, tell me, then I won't feel so bad that I am actively avoiding eye contact with said list!!

Speak soon - lots to do xxxxx

Hello November

And breathe.

There is a soft grey mist lingering around, dank damp trees with limp rusty leaves. The rain droplets twinkle slightly - almost like small fairy lights - as they hang beneath slick wet branches.

Hallowe'en been and gone with a flurry of bats and pumpkins and the usual delightful wee monsters and beasties at the door with a chorus of treat or treeeeeeeeeeeeeat! Interestingly a couple of older girls asked what it actually meant - so I explained and was delighted that they burst into (albeit a rather tuneless) song so I paid them off with sweets as quickly as possible!

It was good too, to see more (although still in the minority) home made costumes and more variety - less 'scream' masks and a lot more empowering girl power dressing (Frieda Kahlo, female astronauts and Ninja girls) and less sparkly princess. As ever the watchful parents quietly following at a respectful distance mouthing thank yous or prompting their small festive charges to say the same. It is always a good humoured evening and we unfortunately ran out of sweets (after over 60 little visitors) and had to switch off the lights.

As ever, the fortnight long build up to Guy Fawkes and bonfire night has had the inevitable fireworks most evenings. We have a couple more days until the 5th November so I suspect evenings will still be subjected to bangs, explosions and whizzes. One cat quietly vanishes into the airing cupboard, the other trots around growling anxiously until we can ground her with a warm and cozy blanket and soothing words, the dog melts into her bed, pressing herself flat as possible until you produce a toy or a treat and then it is all forgotten and she instantly recovers (not sure what goes on in that fuzzy little head of hers).

Monday - today is still a day of catch up and recuperation. Over the weekend I was at a two day art and craft fair with a number of arty friends, met and made new ones there too, however it was a most disappointing event.  Virtually no visitors. There had been no advertising apart from word of mouth and four small A4 posters put up on the road the Friday before we set up.
On occasion it was so quiet that the only folk in the building were the stall holders and the rather uncomfortably squirming organiser...............

One or two artists had particularly firm words with her and one even packed up early and said that this was to be his final event - he'd had enough and this one was the final straw - oops.

On the positive side, I have made some good connections and received a number of commissions - so I have stuff to get on with (future proofing is as good if not better than flash sales - however it is those sales that give you the buzz). Mark it down to experience and move on.

 As ever everyone's interpretation to last month's list of words blew me away - I am always pleasantly pleased to see how one word can give so many stories and photos - thank you all for joining in :)

November's words will be the last for 2019, we'll rest the challenge for December - there is enough to do during that month any way and then we'll resume the scavenger hunt in January.
SO - November's words .....

Seasonal view

oops

seashore

card

stripe/d

My own choice

We'll share and show our photos and stories on Friday the 29th November.

Until then!

October's link up party page

Welcome to the link up party - just follow the instructions and add your post. Don't forget to pop back and see who else has joined in - have a lovely weekend x


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October - glad to see the back of you

I am sitting quietly in the lounge, there is a list as long as my arm to try and complete today (but probably it will by the end of the week realistically speaking) and a studio waiting for me - I have another art fair Saturday and Sunday and I should really be making new stock as most of mine was sold last weekend.

But - I have a rather pressing issue ... this month's scavenger hunt ! So with a coffee to hand, a sleepy dog on my feet and a list of words to complete I must get on!

The words were inspired by last month's weather - which continued all through October too unfortunately.

Umbrella

Himself and Moss, he insisted on taking us (well - me mostly, Moss is usually first in line) despite the weather. I had so much to do (leading up to the art event) but he was right. I did feel better afterwards.

Wet

Same walk, same dog - she was so wet.........


Puddles

... and this is why!


Overflowing

The ground was thundering and I (as did Moss) hated crossing the bridge over this 'boiling cauldron' of water. Himself revelled in it.


Splash

No words are needed for this - but for clarity refer to - umbrella, wet and puddles....

It has been this kinda month................ 

My life was completely eaten with TAM's art trail weekend, this year was the most complicated, with the most venues and more artists we have had before. What really got to us - was how needy and demanding people are. How their own problems and issues seemed to negate any one else's feelings or requirements. How adults turned into wining children when their art wasn't being purchased, when the rain did not stop, when the venue was cold.  Their demands for instant attention and action even when we were busy ourselves. Even late at night. 

Any way - this week as been one of reflection, tidying up, folding away, paying of bills, returning of table covers, finding and returning lost property...... and undisturbed sleep. 

Today, after a few chores, I will be painting again - I've missed it, my creativity had to take a back seat for most of October and now - this is MY creative time (besides I need a table load of arty things for Saturday so I best get on!!)

Until next time - it is good to be back xxx

Umbrella

Wet

Puddles

Overflowing

Splash

My own Choice

Morning October, you wet and wild thing you!

Thank you everyone for joining in with September's words - a lovely mix of photos and stories, thank you for sharing :)

Words for October? Well, inspired by the weather over the last few days I thought I would ask friends for the first word that came to their minds - and these are the results!

Umbrella

Wet

Puddles

Overflowing

Splash

My own Choice

We will reconvene end of the month Thursday 31st October 

to show and share our stories and photos.

I will be even more quiet on the blogging front leading up to TAM19, as it is proving to be the busiest yet. We are barely running to keep up, but with the help of a newly drafted in unflappable and reliable friend, we already have noticed the difference.

Please don't worry about the 'radio silence' - no need to email and check 'if I am alright' because I am :D my energies are elsewhere and loving it! And if you really really feel the need to see what I am up to you can find me here and here!

Until we next meet - have a lovely month and hopefully the weather near you is a little kinder than it has been here :)

September's link up party

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September's photos and words

Before I begin my post - I want to thank you for you kind words for my last post, I have found it hard to say out loud what I have been through over the last three years and calling myself a survivor proves to me that I have got through the worst and can now look forward rather than dwell on the past.     #mentalhealthawareness

September has flown by - I don't feel to have actually had much contact with the month. Oh I've walked, been out and about, baked and painted but it all feels to have been at a breakneck speed and suddenly, now as I type this, September has turned her back and is leaving after four weeks of changeable weather, damp, dry, cold, warm - any idea I had of shunning thoughts of autumn and impending winter by keeping busy seemed to have worked. The downside - the days just evaporated in double quick time.

Cozy
A quick cellphone snap - one small cat feeling cold, snuggled under my crochet, where she stayed 'under sufferance' most of the evening. She did not approve of me moving the wip around as I worked.

Changing Foliage
Like me, it seems that the trees are only now reluctantly accepting the end of summer, as round here the leaves are just beginning to turn. Youngest goes to uni this weekend and there has been a fair bit of organising, packing, buying checking and rechecking details. Although his lack of presence will leave a rather large languorous long legged space in our home - the time is right for him to take the next step and he is so looking forward to it - he deserves it.

Scarf
Like most of this month's photos - this one is from the archives, Pan sporting a natty cat-kerchief. I haven't lifted the knitting pins for a couple of years now but I have fallen back in with the crochet crowd and wonder why I abandoned it in the first place? I completed my first full sized blanket for a while, in shades of blues and greys and immediately picked up more stash wool and started another.

Baking
Once upon a time, I would regularly photo my baking - these days, it tends to get eaten before I have had time, so you are now seeing yet another archived picture. We'd spent a glorious ten days up on Skye, a beautiful rain drenched, midgie infested, sea held, mountainous island with some rather interesting (tourist attracting) shops and bakeries. We rather liked the Skye Bakery and worked our way through several versions of their 'lunch loaves'. When we returned for a while I made them at home specifically for the boys to take when out walking.  I really should make them again.

Cobweb

Outside our lounge window is a rather handsome web and grumpy spider - perfect.

My own choice
Rolling mist creeping through the fields above our house, slipping around the sheep and up and over the walls. Eerily beautiful.

A survivor

Another week seems to have slipped by and I have barely stopped. Last weekend I looked at the diary and - yes, I did have things written down so - no, I knew I did not have a free week...... but I did hope/plan/long for some time in the studio - so far - half an hour on Wednesday.......

So my planned #30daysart has consisted of evening scribbles on my lap and I am behind somewhat - never mind.

On a rather happy dance moment - I have completed by crochet seaside stashbusting blankie and now suffer a 'serious case' of 'downtime stress syndrome' and yes it really exists although I use it in jest coz I have nothing on the crochet hook at the moment. 

On a walking note, Himself and I, and whichever son was loitering around, have clocked up some miles recently and I have reached the 720mile mark in my #walk1000miles challenge. We have seen some beautifully wistful moon rises, fiery spectacular sunsets and even found several warm and sunny corners to get out of the nippy breeze for a brew.

Last Tuesday I had the privilege of being a small part of a meadow restoration project being run by the National Trust. We spent a happy (but hard working) day planting native wildflower plug plants into a 70 year old unimproved meadow and it was wonderful. My knee may or may not be a little stiff but considering what it could be like, I am happy :)

Back on the art theme - there has been a steady stream of art commissions and sales happening and I am delighted that some are returning customers and others have come via recommendations - did I mention I rather like the day job?

With apologies if this is a bit of a list of things done/achieved/or not as the case may be - but to me - this is good, I am getting through autumn by being busy and happy and that, for me - is unusual and rather pleasant. It is also the third September since I walked out of a job that was slowly destroying me and I am finally coming out the other side feeling not invincible but feeling like I am a survivor and that feels good.

Any hoo - posting this today as I know that although today is another busy day - tomorrow has the potential to go all over the place ! have a lovely weekend xxxxxxxxxxxx

11.09.2009

Ten years of blogging ... huuda thunk it?

This week has been good

Well, the first six days of September have just flown by. And, to the best of my ability (and weather permitting!) I have practised 'Operation Survive Autumn'.

Plenty of art happening - funnily enough (not complaining) I seem to have had a burst of creativity - I think it is related to my determination not to be bogged down by the turning of the seasons.

Walking too has been good - last night alone was a brilliant evening walk. Just Himself, myself, the dog and the fading light. The skies were heartbreakingly - staggeringly beautiful. Purple and gold, grey and petrol blue clouds clumped along the horizon and the setting sun - a flaming tangerine orb slipping behind the hills.
This amazing view was topped by a swish of the last swallows - I can't believe they are still around especially as the weather has been less than kind. A heron, with a slow flap, passed over head -  a portend of good things. A skein of geese and the wisp and whirl of a hunting barn owl. We watched as the ghost white figure flitted over the rough fields and then - as it was definitely getting dark - bats.

We've stood at the back door and listened to the tawny owls hoothooing and wootwooing in the trees behind us - they seem very vocal this year, may be that is normal and I have missed this autumnal sound due to hunkering down and hiding in the house.

Baking too has been quite prominent, scones and fruit cake featuring as has crochet and meeting up with friends and family.

We are also gearing up to TAM19 - and as ever we are just running flat out to keep up but it is such exciting stuff and with so many artists involved this year - there is no time for the autumn-blues.

Here is to the first week not only boshed but celebrated - hope you have celebrated too :)

Autumn

Autumn, you are here. 

And instead of feeling sombre, I shall rejoice your arrival. I shall think differently (or at least try to).

So - today I challenge myself to a month long celebration of autumn - 

I shall draw, I shall create, I shall bake.

I will walk and will breathe, I will crochet and I will garden. 

Each day I shall do something that embraces the changes in the season, 

the taste of the air and the colour in the trees.

I will listen for owls, watch stars in the darkening sky, 

listen to the rain on the roof, 

appreciate the colour of the autumnal evening skies, 

I am going to practice self-care.

I started yesterday with baking a fruit cake, filling the house with a rich warm and comforting scent. Himself and I walked late evening, after a day of heavy showers - and witnessed the sun sink behind the rain-heavy clouds which had swirled around us for most of the week. The air was fresh and damp and after being cooped up inside most of the day - glorious. 

I am part of a fairly irregular 'sketch a day' group on facebook, however for September I will be sketching daily while I drink my early morning coffee.

Barn doors, Bleak Bank Farm and door handle detail

Today, the second day of September, I have planned : 

art - lots of slate and canvas prepping, 

lighting of incense, listening to music 

and because today seems dull and overcast - fairy lights.

Later with Moss, on our walk, 

I will quietly forage seed heads and dried grasses 

and make an autumnal wreath for the door.

I hope I have inspired you to celebrate autumn and to practice self-care.

Thank you everyone who joined in with last month's scavenger photo hunt. Welcome to Joanne of Joanne's craft and adventures, thank you for joining in for the first time :)

September's words will be on a theme - autumn of course!

Cosy, Changing Foliage, Scarf, Cobweb, baking, my own choice.

Have fun, keep inspired and speak soon xxx