Happy Birthday to Me

Well it's my Blogging Birthday. I've been on blogger for a whole year and a lot has happened in that time.
I started blogging as a way to document my creative endeavours while I was ill last year. It has been a year of ups and downs, uncertainty and hope, redundancy and new jobs.
I will begin a new full time job in September and I have no Idea how I will keep this thing going while working full time (suggestions please). One thing I'm certain of - i have to keep creating, although I think you might see more of my art work in the latter part of this year.
I may not post quite as regularly as I do now, but as they say - you can't do everything!

Encouraging Christian Growth

Last weekend I attended a local Christian Conference all Encouraging Christian Growth. It's a great weekend where Christians from lots of local Churches get together to worship, chat, catch up and share what God is doing in their lives.

Worship was led by Adam Carmichael (from Christian band THE STEELS) and musicians form the area. The speaker was Jeff Lucas, who is well known in the UK although he is a pastor in a church in Colorado these days. He's a gifted and humorous speaker, who has the ability to make you laugh and get across the point with clarity. He was speaking on Running the Race. Get hold of some of his books, they are easy to read with a clear message.

In addition to the worship and speaker, there are a selection of seminars. This year I was asked to provide an alternative seminar (read workshop) and delivered an introduction to printmaking. It was short and sweet and we had loads of fun!

I also attended a Pilates session on the Sunday. It was great and I'll be looking out for a local class to try. Have any of you tried Pilates - what do you think of it?

`interview

Hi All,
I've had a very busy weekend, which I'll try to tell you about later. For now pop over to Handmade Harbour and find out a bit more about me in the interview I did for Wendy.

Wednesday Wisdom

Sometimes it's too easy to lose focus on what is really important in life.

A Discovery

paper craft header from Abakhan

I was browsing the UK based fabric suppliers the other day when I came across Abakhan.
Based in the North West of the UK, they have a few stores and a great website. I spent several house just browsing online and looking at their vast range of of supplies, courses, tutorials and news.
I've signed up for their newsletter and earmarked some fabric that I want to buy - did I say they are very very reasonable!

So UK followers - go have a look!

Happy Friday

Today was Happy Friday.
Once every 4-6 weeks a group of our friends get together and spend a couple of hours catching up. We also share food and drink. It has become a time to chatter, try new foods and the latest batch of home brew.

John and I made individual lemon meringue pies, we made an Italian meringue for the topping. It was surprisingly easy if rather messy (should've used a bigger bowl). We also made roasted tomato and goats cheese tartlets.

John and Martin cracked open a mini keg of their summer ale. It's tasting pretty good.

After dropping friends off on the way home we turned up the music (Pendulum) and wound the windows down. We are just so classy!!!!

Sewing by hand

I've started the dress today. In order to ensure I don't get greasy marks on the fabric I removed the covers from the dining table and worked directly onto the smooth table top.
I moisturised my hands well to stop the delicate fabric snagging on my dry skin.
I made sure I used only my sharpest pins and needles and began.

I cut out the fabric and then hand basted the two layers together. I also thread traced the seams. I only completed the very outer layers and still have the inner foundations to thread trace and mark.

I found it really relaxing and surprisingly enjoyable. I guess I knew it was going to take some time so relaxed into it.