Lately I’ve been trying to put more routines in place. I tend to get quite stressed if I have a lot on and don’t know where to start. My trusty diary helps so much but still I find myself craving more of a routine during the day.

I let things slip in like “Oh I must do the laundry” or “Oh I need to pop out and get such and such” you know. Then before I know it my to do list has gone from 4 big things to do to a load of things to try to fit in in one day and it just can’t be done!And then of course there are those unexpected disruptions of the not so good kind that crop up from time to time – lately a lot! Like my laptop battery ac blowing up…

So I’m thinking I need to stay focused and have a routine in place so I don’t fall behind on the important things.

What do you think about routines and how do you use them in your day to day life, including your work/business?

xxx

Summer has definitely arrived here in the UK, it’s been very hot the last couple of weeks. I enjoy getting out a little and sitting under the parasol for short breaks or for dinner but the rest of the time I like to be indoors trying to keep cool.

This has given me the perfect opportunity to do a shop update over at Etsy and share with you some old favs made into prints and some new originals and prints too.

I’ve decided to have a break from ebay for a little while so you can find all my art over at Etsy for the time being.

Enjoy the sunshine and don’t forget your sunscreen

xxx

Show #1 Art talk and we discuss the wonderful art and blog of Paulette Insall.
Show #2 Art talk and we discuss the lovely Kelly Rae’s blog and art.
Show #3 Mixed Media art talk.
Show #4 Mixed Media art, biz tips and projects.
Show #5 Mixed Media chat and interview with Tascha from Time with Tascha.
Show #6 Mixed Media chat and interview with Suzi Blu.

*Note to the winner: Please email me your email address so I can send your class invite.

Thanks so much everyone

xxx

On Friday I decided it was time for some gardening. I always find planting so therapeutic and satisfying, unlike weeding lol

We were given some tomato plants a few weeks back and I finally got around to getting some compost to fill this huge pot we have, that originally housed a Hebe but that died along with the many other things I have attempted to grow in there. I’d had it out the front by the door but nothing seems to like it much there. So I figured I’d bring it out to the back and use it for my tomatoes. So after some satisfying emptying, filling with compost, planting, adding in canes to make a wigwam and lovely watering…  ta da!

They smell great, so I am very excited to taste the first fruits from these. I’ve placed the pot just outside the back door, perfect for grabbing a few tomatoes when cooking!

That wasn’t all I was planting! I planted some home grown sweet peas again this year in the planter hubby made me but they got a bit sunburnt. Luckily, I had some more, so after moving them onto the patio, I decided to add a few more in. Again a lovely water and then….

Very excited about these, I got a new variety this year so will have different colours to last year.

Oh and do you remember the Cosmos I grew last year also? Well this year they are coming up again and I’ve sown some more directly to the soil in a totally different colour variety so in late summer our front garden should look really pretty. Will definitely take pics to show you.

The back garden is slowly coming along, we have ordered a skip for Friday so we can clear a lot of the hardcore and sub soil making way for the top soil and turf yay, very excited! Soon our garden will be the oasis I’ve dreamed of for so many years…

xxx

To celebrate I’m giving away 1 place on my Mixed Media Basics class to a lucky reader. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment below saying how long you have been reading my blog for.

The winner will be picked by me and Ellie on Friday 25 June 2pm BST. Sorry everyone I forgot to draw the winner because of a crazy week we are having (good crazy!) So I’m extending the contest till next Wednesday 30th June, so you still have time to enter, if you haven’t already! Winner will be draw at 2pm BST.

Good Luck!

Thank you so much for reading my blog and sharing this journey.

xxx

What do you ‘Hope’ for?

I’ve always loved the 1950’s fashions and beauty, there is just something about the simple, beautiful dresses and the big hair.

This painting was so much fun to do, I love how her eyes came out and how the skin looks. She looks like she is dreaming of something, her eyes focused on something in the distance.

I wonder what she is ‘Hoping’ for?

xxx

Registration is now open and full details can be found here:

Mixed Media Basics Online Class

I’m am so excited about this class, I can’t wait for you to join me.

xxx

Don’t forget to send me your thoughts about online classes via email or leave a comment below.

xxx

My dear friend Sherry recently sent me some old bingo cards. At first I didn’t know what I would make with them..but then..BINGO I thought ‘let’s try painting on them’. So I sanded the front gently and then got to painting and look what came about!

‘Love Thy Neighbour’, isn’t it cute!! I am so pleased with this little treasure.

The bingo cards are really sturdy so you can display them just as they are on a mantel or shelf, or you can frame them.

This little one and others to come are now available on ebay.

xxx