[ . . Wonderful Wednesday . . ] Relaxing times

Oops late again, but hey it's Christmas and no one really knows what day it is anyway! Surely that's one of it's highlights.






We have had a great Christmas and holiday time. Spending time with family and friends, playing with presents, and most importantly relaxing.

The one thing I haven't done this 'between Christmas and New Year' period is plan for the year ahead. I usually really enjoy that time of year where you can put behind everything you want from the previous year and focus on the next. I love the excitement and optimism that a New Year brings.

I guess this year is different. I did a fair bit of planning back in November when I finished work, and let's be honest, I kind of know that a lot of 2011 will be taken up with welcoming Baby B into the world and working out everything that will come with!

So this year it's about focusing on the excitement and optimism that a New Baby brings...and maybe just a couple of things on 'my' 2011 list.

Happy New Year to you all!

x

[ . . Wonderful Wednesday . . ] Christmas 2010

Well, I finally feel like it is Christmas.

The Christmas tree and decorations went up on Sunday, although quite a few less than normal. We were also supposed to be getting a smaller tree but when it came to it we couldn't go any smaller than 5ft! We did figure that next Christmas is likely to be very Christmassy with it being the babies first Christmas and all.

So, I have finished work for Christmas (and the foreseeable future) as has the Mr and I have enjoyed my first mince pie at home today.

It really is Christmas.

Enjoy x

It's Christmas!

Finally we have the tree up and it really feels like it is Christmas after a hectic weekend of seeing family and friends.

x

[ . . Wonderful Wednesday . . ] oops a bit late!

So I missed this week's Wednesday post, but for good reason.

It was my Mum's birthday so we went to a local spa for a day of relaxation and pampering. It was lovely and just what me and bump needed.

The last week has been very busy (again!) but we succeeded in our trip to Ikea and the Christmas shopping is very nearly finished. Yesterday I actually managed to get my crafty groove back on and make (yes shock horror - make!) a Christmas present for my friend. I nipped out to try and buy something in the morning from a local gift shop but just kept thinking 'I could make that'. So, I did. Well I have tried anyway. I wonder whether she will actually like it or just be polite? I will post photos of it after Christmas just in case she has a sneaky peek here.

The one thing I haven't yet done is explored pinterest. I am really struggling as I normally go on the internet using my iPhone and rarely my computer so I just haven't had the opportunity. Maybe it can be a Christmas job :) Oh, I wonder if it works on iPad's? I might treat myself to one after Christmas.

In the meantime I might just stick to the books and go downstairs and finish the one I am reading with a nice cup of tea. It was with this in mind that I selected the image below from Suzie Q on Flickr. I found it by doing a random search (I think for 'relaxing Christmas') and bizarrely, and often seems to be the case with me, we seem to have a fair bit in common! Although the other side of the world she has not long reached the third trimester of pregnancy, and a quick look through her photos reveals a keen interest in photography, art and design.

I do love the Internet!


 Keeping Christmas Real Simple, originally uploaded by suzie•q.

[ . . Wonderful Wednesday . . ] winter wonderland

Following on from last week's posts I have been a busy bee.

I've had a good week enjoying seeing friends, getting some jobs at home out of the way and actually doing some paid work. All in all a good week! To be honest I am not sure where I used to find the time to go to work nine-to-five, five days a week?

In Leicestershire, we seem to have missed the worst of the snow and ice but I have felt very fortunate not to be having to travel very far in the freakish weather. I drove 30 miles to Nottinghamshire yesterday and it was like driving through a winter wonderland. It looked like a film crew had been in front of me painstakingly painting every tree and bush with white crystal powder.

So, the week ahead seems to be as full as the last with some more work, a visit to the midwife, possibly ikea, and to try and find the time to explore pinterest and finish my Christmas shopping. The former of the two, you will see I have yet to do!

Take care in this weather!

Very quick illustration by me!

An evening of inspiration

Well, last night I had an evening to myself and with nothing on TV I decided to spend it sat upstairs in the 'new' spare room looking online at various craft and design websites and blogs.

There was a time (probably about five years ago) when I would do this quite a lot but I weaned myself off it as time was just disappearing into the internet vortex! But one evening, that can't harm anyone surely..?

These days I tend to be directed to websites through Twitter and this was no exception. I had read that the latest issue of UK Handmade had been released. I have never really looked at a copy, as I am usually browsing the internet on my iphone but I was pleasantly surprised.

It is full of interviews, reviews and tutorials and has introduced me to some new names.

The first thing to grab my attention was the Scandinavian Cosmetics Pouch on page 14 which on first glance looks like a great tutorial and perfect timing for last minute Christmas gifts. Also, unlike many tutorials you see it would be easily adapted to make a pencil case or larger bag.

The next thing to catch my eye was the illustrated interview with artist Bryn Hughes on page 42. I have wanted to have the confidence to sketch for a long time (even enrolling on a water colour class earlier this year) but, as is typical with me, one thing led to another and I never kept it up. Anyway, Bryn's sketches are completely my style and are what I would aspire too. The speed that seems to be captured in them, their immediacy and the colours are all perfect.

And, as an evening session on the internet dictates, visiting Bryn's blog led me to discover yet another one - Urban Sketchers. Described as a "nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the artistic, storytelling and educational value of location drawing, promoting its practice and connecting people around the world who draw on location where they live and travel. We aim to show the world, one drawing at a time." Gorgeous! 

A quick scroll here, click there, and I was led to their Flickr Group and the piece below stuck out for me. It is by user 'Charkie_44' who I think in real life is Jack Noel?? You can see the full version here.



I think all this looking at sketches has encouraged me to get my Creative License book by Danny Gregory out again.

We'll see...

[ . . Wonderful Wednesday . . ] everything happens for a reason

Today is wonderful for a number of reasons.

First of all it is December the first and that for me means it really is nearly Christmas. I tend not to have many Christmas related activities until it is officially December, no decorations, no mince pies. So it can all now begin.

Second, today marks the first day of the next phase in my life. I am officially unemployed after taking voluntary redundancy in November. This was not a easy decision, after four years of giving your life to an employer walking away was not easy. But, it could not have come at a better time for me. So, after a couple of weeks out of the building, a number of mixed emotions and missing some really good friends, I finally feel I am becoming the new 'Lucy'.

Thirdly, I am now also in my third trimester of pregnancy (well depending on which definition you read!) which means it is the home stretch. There have been many times over the past six months that we never thought we would get here but it feels very good to be here, and having a very active little baby kicking me every now and again to remind me what is important.

Finally, I hope this post will be the first of many [ . . Wonderful Wednesday . . ] posts in the coming weeks as I share with you what is wonderful and also strive to remind myself.

So I leave you with the following, please stick around to read my musings. I can't promise to be interesting but I will certainly try.

Design by me, quote anon