Fun with Macro....

Im not normally one for photos of flowers, but I was experiementing with the macro on my camera, so forgive me! I have to say though, I must have taken a million pictures of the orange flowers against the bright blue sky, as I was so taken by the colour combination. As I was dropping off to sleep one night, I had a vision of a paiting pop into my head which was blue and orange in colour on a white background. These are colours that i don't normally work with, and initially I could not work out where the vision had come from..... then I saw the flowers again the next day, and knew straight away.......

Watch this space for the painting when I have completed it!

I love camping because.......

Its fantastic hanging out with friends, drinking wine from plastic cups, being in the wilderness and having no agenda other than to relax and have fun. I love being able to get up and dive straight into having a cup of tea in my PJ's and in the fresh air. I love the feeling of contentment and relaxation that quickly takes over. I love being reminded that I AM an outdoors kind of girl.....
















I love not having to worry remotely about what I look like. I love putting my hair in plaits and a headband, and then not worrying for the rest of the day if it is out of place! I love that everything is stripped back to basics..... all you have to worry about is sleeping, eating and drinking lots of red wine!
















I love cooking on an open fire. I also love sitting around late into the night by the light of the fire chatting and putting the world to rights.
















I love being in the outdoors, especially if its by the sea, which is my favourite place to be in the world. I love being able to paddle my feet in the sea, and revel in the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand and water between my toes.





















I especially love swimming in the sea.......
















And staying on a beech theme....... I love barbeques on an empty beach whilst watching the sun go down.....






















Thanks to Kirty and Dom for introducing us to Shell Island and for providing such excellent company! We had the best holiday, and hope this is not the end of the suummer camping experiences....

Journal Wrecking

Just got this through the post. Im excited about using it, and, predictably, the perfectionist in me is procrastinating about doing so!

Reflections on what a difference a (half a) year makes

I was thinking while I was driving to the in-laws (did I mention I passed my driving test!!) of the phrase "what a difference a year makes", but for me, its all turned around in less than that.

At the beginning of the year, I was just in the process of leaving the hated job in the psychiatric unit which left me demoralised and depressed, and I had no idea where my life was going. And I have so turned it around! In the space of just over 6 months, I have gone from the awfulness of signing on, into a fab new job as a speech therapy assistant, which I absolutley LOVE!!! Im now a driver,(which at one point it felt like I would NEVER achieve!) I am in a more creative place with my artwork than I have ever been, I have my first solo art show looming, and the future feels shiny and glittery! The place I am in at the moment is lightyears away from the place I was in at the beginning of the year. To top it all off, I am lucky enough to be still at the studio in my voluntary artist role, and life couldn't be better! Im excited about all the energy I will be able to throw into other projects now that the driving is sorted!

Did I also mention that my husband is absolutely the GREATEST MAN ALIVE?!?

I've PASSED!!!!

Its a momentous day for me......Today is the day I have been able to tear up my 'L' plates (well, metaphorically of course!) as I have finally passed my driving test!! I feel overjoyed, thrilled and just so DAMNED PLEASED!! Now the real driving starts..... and it will be taking place in my new baby!!! Her name is Ruby, and she is BEEEE-OOO-TEEEE-FUL!!!

The finished commission

Edd and Beckys commission is finished!

God, I LOVE this woman