knitting so far

Knitting has become a very enjoyable pastime and also a useful one. I'm glad i've kept with it as it's something i've always known how to do but i've never really finished anything. Thankfully though i managed to finish my first project which was to knit a big cosy scarf.  I kept seeing scarves in shops over the winter season but being a bit fussy i could never find the exact colour i wanted. One of the brilliant things about knitting is that there really is an endless range of colours to choose from out there so you can pretty much find the exact shade your after. I found the perfect shade and finished the scarf which is pictured here. It's very cosy I'm now working on another scarf for my mum's birthday and then my next challenge is to make a hat or even just anything else that's not a scarf! I've managed to start knitting quite quickly now and my mum's scarf is looking to be finished in a day which is quite an achievement for me.  In other news i've managed to set my sewing machine up and i have my bunting ready to sew but i'm having a few teething problems with the machine so will have to get my head around that before i can complete that project. Onwards and upwards!

reflection

I guess now is a good time to reflect seeing as it's almost the end of the year. I can't really help but reflect at the moment as it really has been quite a busy twelve months. An awful lot has happened since this time last year and sometimes it's hard to believe it's all managed to squeeze itself into what feels like not very much time at all.  As you may or may not have noticed, my website is currently offline while i tweak and transform it into something else which at present i've not quite settled fully on yet but i'm getting there.  I've been exploring other avenues to pass my time and i'm currently teaching myself to knit properly. I've been able to do simple knitting in the past but i'm slowly exploring different wool, a variety of needle sizes and i'm seeking out simple patterns to start me on the road to making actual items that could be worn or used. As well as that i have purchased a small sewing machine and was kindly given a beautiful sewing box by my sister for Christmas. Having a small home of my own has inspired me to make things for it. My collection of trinkets and ornaments is slowly growing and my old photographs are on display making it feel very homely. I'm finding it quite refreshing trying out new craft related projects. As you may have noticed i haven't posted many new drawings lately. This year has been an exhausting one and i think i underestimated the extent of which i needed to give myself a break. I have also come to realise that for a while i was, like others probably do, producing work to be seen, to be added to websites here, there and everywhere. The pressure of needing to post new work, update everything and keep on top of producing work led me to lose sight of why i draw. I feel that nowadays so many people that love to draw get caught in a whirlwind of trends and a need for acceptance from peers. Social networking and the internet although helpful at times can sometimes suck the life out of the original reason for producing such work and that is purely for the love of doing so. In the meantime i'm going to continue to work at my own pace and explore more knitting, sewing and whatever else i happen to stumble upon. If i happen to produce something i'm truly pleased with, then that'll be the time for sharing. 

I gladly let go of 2011 and look to 2012 for happiness and contentment. Best of wishes to you all for the new year.

Otto has a new home

It's been really hard coming to terms with having to give Otto and the kitten away a few weeks ago. Things have been odd and it's felt like something is missing which I know is Otto. I feel like a friend has gone away and I keep having to remind myself they are never coming back. Yes situations change in life and we have to get on with things but sometimes it really feels very unfair. Thankfully though my little man has found a new home with a loving family who own other ragdolls so he'll be very happy fitting in and having the right company which he deserves. Gunter who sadly doesn't have that name anymore also has found a new home. I hope Otto gets to keep his name.  I don't want him to disappear completely forever. He was a caring friend and i'll always love and miss him. 

postal goodies

I've received some wonderful gifts in the post lately from some lovely friends of mine. The first above is my prize from the lovely Jules Young for winning her competition to design her next tattoo. Amongst all these lovely pieces is my name sewn and framed which I thought was a lovely personal gift to give so thank you very much Jules! 

I adore my friend Robert Sae-Heng's work so to receive a lovely bundle in the post including original pieces made my day. He is a darling, thank you Rob!

Last but not least is the lovely Harriet Gray's postal gift of postcards, stickers and her intricate business cards which really cheered me up when they arrived just after I had to give up my two kitties so thank you very much Harriet.

Please do check out their work.

fred bailey

This is Fred Bailey and he got me drawing again. I'm not sure who he is but he's the first drawing i've finished and been happy enough to post in a long time. Drawing can't happen when there's too much going on in your head and my gosh has there been a hell of a lot going on in mine over the past few months through no fault of my own. Thankfully i've finally settled into my flat and getting into a bit of a routine has meant drawing is returning. For a while now lots of images have been swirling about in my head but i've been unable to get them down on paper. A lot of these images have been people like Fred here so as a sort of little challenge to myself i'm going to try to post a face everyday for a little while. 

It's good to be back.

goodbye

Some sad news i'm afraid. After waiting for such a long time to get my cat Otto back after my break up, along with my new kitten Gunter, i've sadly had to give them back to the breeder who has taken them back with open arms and a great deal of understanding and will look after them so well.  Living alone, it has been overhwhelming trying to give the right care and attention for the kitties as i work long hours and i'm therefore leaving them for most of the day. Having just Otto was out of the question too as he would become so lonely on his own throughout the day and all in all it wasn't fair on them, especially with them being fully indoor cats. I didn't feel i had enough time in my day to give them the attention they deserved and although i love them dearly it's just not fair on them. It is of course a strange feeling after waiting on them for so long.  It was the light at the end of a tunnel in a year that has been very difficult but i now have to pick myself back up yet again and at least know my beautiful boys are safe and loved elsewhere. Otto had brought me great joy, such a beautiful character and he helped me thtrough some tough times.It breaks my heart to see him go but i'll always remember him. So many events this year have stopped me from finding the time and the energy to draw but i shall be throwing myself headfirst into it now as it's my main prioroty now and my life.

Goodbye my boys xx

home sweet home

My lack of blogging lately has been because I've been settling into a new life, new surroundings and a new happy time that i'm embracing wholeheartedly. Have you ever lived somewhere that you can truly say feels like home? This feels like my home and I couldn't be happier here. I get feelings about places and I fell in love with this flat instantly.  It has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and one which I feel like I've always known a strange way. I believe all places have a personality and sou and this flat's is beautiful.  If it was a human, it would tell stories by the fireplace, bake cakes on Sundays and tell you to remember your scarf on cold Autumn days. I love it and I think it loves me back. My trusty desk is all set up again and my collected photographs are all unpacked and on display. I've set a few more out now that I have room along my fireplace and on my pinboard.  I plan to get many more framed and make sure they are displayed and remembered well.  My bedroom has become a little haven of warmth and comfort and I quite like the little colour scheme it's sort of formed on its own, especially when the sun comes through the curtains. Now all that's left to fully settle me into my new home is the return of my little kitty Otto (although apparently he's grown a lot) and also my new boy Günter, another Ragdoll kitten. I get them on Sunday the 4th of September and I really can't wait. I feel like I've been separated from my child and I guarantee there will be tears when I see him again. Photos will quite certainly follow. Of the cats, not my tears.