Gail's thoughts & doodles

digital downloads for crafters ...

2011-12-09T13:07:00.001Z

Hello all, sorry I've not posted on here for a whole year ... not sure if anyone actually still looks at this blog ...

I've launched a new side to my design business - initially designing digital downloads for crafters and then moving into invitations and wedding stationery etc ... this will all be under the Chocolate Mouse brand ...

For now the digital designs for crafters are available from:

merrry christmas & happy new year

2010-12-21T15:17:00.003Z

I'd like to wish all my blog readers a ...

This is what my printed Christmas cards looked like, so I thought I'd share the artwork here with everyone.

christmas ... already?

2010-12-20T11:23:00.001Z

Well I don't know about the rest of you, but personally I can't believe it's come around to Christmas again ... already!

new email newsletter sign up

2010-11-08T16:57:00.003Z

I've just added a new page to the blog with a form to enable you to sign up for forthcoming newsletters - just go to the email newsletters tab and complete the form ;-)

If there's anything in particular you'd like me to include on my blog and in the newsletters please let me know.

Thanks x

advertising in UK Handmade ...

2010-09-02T13:40:00.004+01:00

I recently placed an ad in the Autumn issue of UK Handmade, click link to view the publication online.

This is my ad ...

etsy graphic shop coming soon ...

2010-09-02T13:35:00.003+01:00

I'm currently working on some 'ready-made' graphic packages which I will sell through my etsy shop.

These will include banner and avatar sets, some completely 'ready-made' and some more customisable. Watch this space ...

cardium design business cards

2010-08-17T17:15:00.004+01:00

I've had my Cardium Design business cards a while now and thought it would good to share them here ...

I'm pleased with how they turned out. What do you think?

introducing Cardium Design ...

2010-08-03T10:41:00.007+01:00

I have been working for a while now on a launch of my Graphic Design business ... I had been working simply as Gail Bennett up until now but didn't feel happy with this so decided to do a re-branding exercise ... hence the birth of Cardium Design ...

Along with this will come a change of focus for my blog ...

snow, snow and more snow ...

2010-01-08T13:21:00.006Z

Over Christmas and the New Year we were in Yorkshire and there was snow on the ground for most of the time we were there ...

Here's some photos from our break ...

Then, unusually when we got back we've had snow here in Plymouth and the surrounding areas too ...

These last photos were taken from a moving bus, which explains why some are a little blurry! ;-)

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T15:47:00.000Z

A few days late I know, but before any more time flies by I'd like to make a point of wishing anyone who should drop by a Happy New Year! May 2010 be a good year for all!

I bore you all with a list of New Year's resolutions, except to say I plan to blog a little more ... and to be more healthy, happy and creative ...

Christmas cards, holly & garlands ...

2009-12-18T11:54:00.008Z

Hello all, yes I'm still around despite the lack of blog posts this year. I just wanted to share with you all a few Christmassey things .... so I got the camera out and took some photos of some of the things that have been happening around here recently ...

On Mondays I go to a botanical painting class, and as it's that time of the year we've been painting holly berries and leaves - here's my attempt:

After painting class this last Monday we set off on a little trip to Cotehele House in Cornwall for lunch, a stroll around the grounds ...

and to see the 60ft garland ...

made up of over thirty thousand flowers grown on the estate.

I've also made my Christmas cards with glittery sparkly snowflakes with a coat of shimmering embossing powder. These were an experiment as I've not use these techniques before. Some of you will receive a card in the post, but for those who don't here's what they look like ... although I don't think the photos do them justice ;-)

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for a great 2010!

recent designs ...

2009-06-30T11:10:00.004+01:00

Recently a lot of my time has been spent working on designing various elements for a hotel in Salcombe - the South Sands Hotel - which is due to open this summer. So far I've designed the logo, stationery items and advertising, plus the website ... a few other bits including menus and newsletter templates are in progress. Here's a screen shot of the opening page of the website ....

The full site can be seen at www.southsandshotel.co.uk

Like what you see? Contact me if you are looking for a designer to work on a project for you ...

star fish, sea urchins, camellias and lots more ...

2009-04-03T12:01:00.008+01:00

The past week or so seems to've been no stop for me, some interesting trips, but a lot of mundane tasks too. I thought I'd better drop in and update my blog before people begin to think I've vanished and what better way than to share some images from my recent trips out and about ...

Last weekend we made a trip to Dawlish Warren and spent a good hour or so beachcombing and looking for creatures in the rock pools ...

I came across a group of 4 starfish, all the same type, but different sizes and with them was a little sea urchin too ...

We collected lots of shells and when we got home we sorted them out and took some photos, these are some of my favourites, so colourful ...

On Monday I went across to Cornwall for the morning, we went across on the Cremyll foot ferry to Mt Edgcumbe Country Park. The main reason for my trip was to see the camellias in the National Camellia Collection which is 'housed' at Mt Edgcumbe. I had a lovely morning, so peaceful and relaxing and was joined on my walk be the little fellow below ...

Here are some of the many camellias I photographed ...

There were also fields of daffodils like this one of pale yellow flowers, so springlike ...

And when I got to the end of my walk I saw these three sleeping peacefully next to the fountain outside the Orangery cafe where I stopped for a coffee before catching the ferry back to Plymouth ...

Happy St David's Day

2009-03-01T10:47:00.002Z

I'd like to wish all my fellow Welsh people a Happy St David's Day ... may you all have a lovely day - no matter where you might be ...

Some daffs from my garden looking very spring like ;-)

snow and hares ...

2009-02-18T14:35:00.001Z

Just got back from a relaxing week away in Yorkshire. It was a great break, we didn't do too much, we had a fair bit of snow so it was warmer to stay close to the cottage. Here are a few photos to give you an idea of our week ...

time for a change ...

2009-02-06T09:26:00.002Z

I decided it was once again time for a change to the look of my blog so I've changed the template, more chages to come soon ...

Bloggers unite: CPSIA Blog-in

2009-01-28T16:39:00.003Z

"As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Thanks to Kitschy Coo for the above text (used with permission) ... I hope this helps!

UPDATE:
Well all the blogging about the CPSIA seems to have made a difference. It would appear that the proposed changes due February 10th this year are to be held off until 2010 to give further time to look at the proposals.

Full details here.

hello 2009!

2009-01-05T15:34:00.004Z

Well today sees me back home from a lovely Christmas/New Year break in lovely Yorkshire ... as usual I didn't want to come back and it was all made worse with the icy roads and the fact that we got stuck in a traffic jam on the M5, which was closed for most of yesterday due to a fuel spillage, and had to go on a long detour ...

Now I'm trying to get back into the swing of things ... and sorting through piles of spam ... back soon with some photos.

Happy New Year to all - may 2009 be a good one!!

wishing all a merry Christmas and a creative new year!

2008-12-19T16:02:00.005Z

I'm taking a couple of weeks away from blog land, so I just wanted to take this opportunity of wishing all who should happen upon my blog a merry Christmas and a happy, creative and fulfilling new year!

... Season's Greetings from me & my needle felted friends ...

'Custard'

'B'Elli'

See you all in 2009!

An Evening with Ari Berk, Brian Froud and Alan Lee

2008-12-18T10:36:00.003Z

Yesterday evening we went to a public lecture arranged by Plymouth University called: The Creative Influence of Dartmoor: An Evening with Ari Berk, Brian Froud and Alan Lee ...

Image courtesy of Plymouth University

Now anyone who knows me will know how much I admire Alan Lee and his illustration work. I have met him in the past, on 2 separate occasions, once when I visited him at his home on Dartmoor to do an interview and later at a book signing. I have several of Brian's books too and some signed copies, I admire his illustration work but have never met him. So as soon as I heard about this event I had to get my seat booked.

It was a lovely, relaxed and rather informal evening. Rather like a conversation between the 3 men, Ari Berk, Brian Froud and Alan Lee, who are friends and share a love of Dartmoor. It was interesting to see how the 3 men have been influenced by the magic of Dartmoor, all in different ways.

I found it a truly inspiring evening and hope to take that inspiration with me through my Christmas break and well into the New Year ...

Here are a few of my own photos of Dartmoor taken when we visited Wistman's Wood in 2006 ... I think we're due another visit soon ... ;-)

work in progress ...

2008-11-26T15:29:00.004Z

This is one of my needle felted creatures in progress ... I tend to have several on the go at one time and switch between them.

More needle felted 'thingy' s to come soon ...

and now for something completely different ...

2008-11-18T09:21:00.005Z

One of my recent creations ...

the post has arrived ...

2008-11-04T13:17:00.003Z

And Long Tall Sally has a good look at herself and some old friends in print ;-)

Thankyou Gretel for a lovely calendar - read more about them on Gretel's blog.

If you want one of these calendars - they're available here ...

life beyond 40 ....

2008-10-29T12:08:00.013Z

While we was away a week or so ago I 'celebrated' my 40th birthday, and with that there have been quite a few changes in my life ...

The biggest change is that I have been made redundant from my day job, so I am now totally and completely a freelancer - my own boss. Mixed feelings, but I know in the long run, no matter what happens I will come out the other end stronger and hopefully more creatively fulfilled.

Anyway - here is a collection of images from our break in Yorkshire.

On my birthday we went on the 'Eye on the Bay' - a big wheel on Bridlington's seafront - I am scared of heights so I found it a little (to put it mildly) scary ...

In the garden of the cottage we rent in Yorkshire we often see various wild animals - this time it was stoats - not a great pic - but you get the idea - they were running around like maniacs ...

Bempton cliffs seen from Speeton beach - one of the most beautiful views in the world (imho) ...

We had a trip on the North York Moors Railway as a pre birthday treat, we went from Pickering to Grosmont, where we stopped for a little picnic on the hill overlooking Grosmont, then we travelled back. It was a lovely day out ...

... a view near Grosmont ...

We also visited Sewerby Hall and Gardens, where there is a small zoo and other animals in large paddocks. I saw this sweet scene in one of the paddocks ...

and this little wallaby too ...

back from break ...

2008-10-23T09:26:00.001+01:00

Just wanted to add a post to say we're back from our break, have been for a few days now, but I haven't got as far as downloading my photos or thinking of what to put into a full blog post. We had a lovely time which included my birthday on the 18th, so I came back a year older ;-)

Things are a bit muddeled at the moment, but hopefully they'll get straightened out soon, so hang in there I'll get a nice post with piccies sorted soon ...

getting away from it all ...

2008-10-11T09:17:00.001+01:00

After all that's been happening here over the past few weeks (it's a long story) we've decided to take a break, so I will be away from my blog for a bit, but hopefully I'll return with lots of new things and positivity ...

introducing ...

2008-10-09T13:42:00.005+01:00

I decided to make the most of the sunshine at lunchtime today to take some photos of some of my needle felted creations - to introduce them to the world ....

When I get things sorted out these creations will be for sale online. In the meantime ... if anyone is interested in adopting one of them before then, please just drop me an email. I will also take custom orders, so if there's anything you fancy please email me to discuss ...

one of my last bus journey's home from Kingsbridge ...

2008-10-07T16:31:00.009+01:00

These photos were taken from the bus, so they aren't super quality, but they do give an impression ...

a view looking towards Dartmoor near Modbury

a colourful sunset over Plymouth

newly organised office

2008-10-06T10:45:00.003+01:00

We spent a large proportion of the weekend doing a blitz in the house to create a work area for me. It looks lovely, but alas it sits there and I sit here in what's left of our old office in Kingsbridge. The working at home has been delayed ... hopefully only until tomorrow ;-)

a big change is on the horizon ...

2008-10-03T12:38:00.002+01:00

There is a big change on the horizon in my life and I'm full of mixed feelings about it, some positive and some negative ...

From Monday I will be working from home (still employed, but home based - not office based). In most ways it's good - quite a change for me as in order to get to work at the moment I have to travel for 3 hours (yes some people in Devon do commute). Working at home will give me those 3 hours of my life back, and of course I'll save money - no bus fares and all those extras I end up spending when I'm away from home.

But then again I'm a bit concerned about being remote and isolated from the office team ... thank goodness for the Internet.

Watch this space and I'll let you all know how things go with this life change ... ;-)

Still here ...

2008-06-30T12:40:00.003+01:00

Just wanted to post a quick update to let any one who pops by know that I am still around.

Things are fairly busy on the freelance design front, so that is keeping me very busy during most weekends and some evenings.

I've also started exploring needle felting in the little spare time that I have. Initially I thought I might be able to do some needle felting on my long daily commute (by bus), but after experiencing how sharp the needles are I've decided that's not a good idea.

Anyway - I'm still here and I'll be back soon with photos of my needle felted creations ... I will be offering them for sale on Etsy, so I guess I will have to unveil them soon ;)

hares galore

2008-04-13T18:15:00.003+01:00

Don't ask why - because I don't think you'd get a sensible answer - but I have developed a sort of fascination with hares ...

When we were on holiday in Yorkshire in March we saw a few, but never close enough to photograph. I did take this one photograph, but the hare was so far away ...

Since then I've been sketching and doodeling hares ...

a walk on the beach

2008-04-13T17:36:00.004+01:00

Yesterday we drove to Dawlish Warren, a lovely seaside village on the South Devon coast. The main reason for the trip was for me to judge pets at a hamster show put on by the Southern Hamster Club. In the end there were several judges for the pets so I only had to judge the rabbit class, it was a pretty quick job really as there were only 3 rabbits taking part. I had a good time, and it was a chance to catch up with some people who I don't see very often.

While we were there we went for a walk along one of the beaches to look for shells - here are some pictures from our walk ...

welcome Long Tall Sally

2008-04-13T17:30:00.007+01:00

This week we had someone new come to stay with us - introducing Long Tall Sally ...

She was made by the very talented Gretel, visit her blog Middle of Nowhere or visit her etsy shop - Red Flannel Elephant Designs.

Gretel - Thank you so much for making Sally, she is much loved here with us and I promise she will be well looked after. Thanks too for the lovely cards you sent with Sally X

hibernating?

2008-04-05T13:18:00.003+01:00

Well, I guess that's one way to look at the fact that I haven't posted anything for a while, but to tell the truth ... I've been really busy with my day job and the few bits of freelancing I've been doing and I haven't really had much chance to think beyond that.

I shan't make any promises about regular blogging as everyone can see from my archive of posts that I've made such promises before and not kept to them - but how about 'I'll have a go'? ;)

happy Monday

2008-01-28T21:44:00.000Z

I usually find Mondays rather difficult - but today has been a rather good one - fingers crossed the rest of the week will follow in a simular vain ;)

there's a bit of spring in the air

2008-01-26T13:34:00.000Z

I've just been for a quick walk up the hill to the post office, to pick up a parcel, and there was a real feeling of spring in the air.

I discovered some snowdrops in the garden and then some daffodils in bud alongside the path where I went for a walk. The birds were singing and although there's still a chill in the air there is also the feeling of things coming in to bud ... new beginnings ;)

thank goodness it's Friday

2008-01-25T23:12:00.000Z

I'm so glad the working week is over - it's been a long and intense one - and I think next week will be the same. I hope to be able to post a link soon so all can see what's been using up all my time and energy in my 'day job'!

It's nice to have a weekend and 2 days with no real restrictions (other than housework that is ;) ) ... hopefully I'll get some time with my sketchbook ... and some images to share ...

doggy doodles

2008-01-24T21:33:00.000Z

Here are some 'doodles' I've been doing recently. There's just something about the shape of a greyhound that appeals to me ...

Yes, those are coffee cup marks, I was using some paper that was on my desk that I had been using to stand my coffee mug on - it gave me an interesting background to start working on ;)

dead / sleeping blogs

2008-01-21T22:38:00.000Z

It strikes me that a lot of people start up blogs with all the good intentions in the world, but then life takes over and the blog fizzles out ... mmmm ... sound familiar? Well that's what happened to my blog last year. It's difficult to find what to say in a blog and what direction to take it in. I have decided though that blogging can have some value for me, so I plan to give it another go ...

Good start so far, 2 post in 2 days!

Expression in Calligraphy

2008-01-20T12:30:00.000Z

Yesterday I went along to the monthly Saturday meeting of Plymouth Calligraphers (a group of local calligraphers), the theme of the meeting was 'Expressive Calligraphy', it took the form of a discussion and a show of historical slides in preparation for a weekend workshop coming up later in the year, all presented by a very talented calligrapher - Celia Lister.

Calligraphy is seen by many as a craft with the strict rules of letterforms within a particular hand being the overall 'idea' behind it all. But when you have mastered the basic letterforms of the various hands (italic, uncial,round hand, foundational, ... etc.) and the rules that usually apply to them, you can take things further and add you own 'mark' and create your own calligraphic language - crossing the border between craft and art.

I think this is the same with many 'artistic' persuits, you need to learn the basic craft first (ie. how to draw, paint, sculpt ... etc.) before adding your own expression and personality ... taking things on to that other level.

Once I've attended the workshop later in the year I will post some images of my results and add a little more of my thoughts on the subject.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-01-02T09:01:00.001Z

I'll start with an apology to all for such sporadic blogging in 2007 and then move on to the hope and plans for better and more regular blogging in 2008 (at least that's the plan!).

I'd like to wish anyone who should stumble across this blog a successful and creative 2008!

beautiful song

2007-09-18T20:34:00.000+01:00

I've had this song on my mind all day - I think it's lovely ...

(Sorry I can't find the 'real' video)

just a quick hello

2007-08-21T21:28:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to say hello - yes I am still around - I just seem to be so distracted by "stuff" at the moment and each time I actually sit down to blog I end up just wondering what to put down ... so I decided to just say hello for now ;)

NEW SHOES!!

2007-07-25T14:25:00.000+01:00

Last week I ordered myself some new shoes online from Cloggs.co.uk, they arrived yesterday and I am so pleased with my new shoes I had to share ...

I'll add a pic later...

They are DrMartens and they are fab! ;)

UK floods

2007-07-25T09:15:00.000+01:00

Luckily we have been spared this time around and have been flood free. But I know there are lots of people out there who haven't been so lucky. I hope everyone gets through it ...

seven years and counting

2007-07-25T09:12:00.000+01:00

Saturday just gone was a celebration for my boyfriend Rob and I as it was our "seven year anniversary" of being together. We had a quiet day and then went out for a meal to one of our favourite restaurants - The Morley Arms - nothing posh or anything, but good food and great company ;)

Here's to the next seven years ;)

my favourite song at the moment ...

2007-07-16T22:24:00.000+01:00

Joss Stone - Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now
A great summer song ;)

feeling a little better

2007-07-16T10:33:00.000+01:00

After a restful weekend I am starting to feel a little better - not yet 100%, but loads better than I felt on Thursday and Friday last week ... now I need to start catching up on all I've not done over the weekend.

Wishing everyone a good week! ;)

Remember this?

2007-07-13T19:02:00.000+01:00

I found this episode of Bagpuss on YouTube today and it brought back some memories ...

I'm still around

2007-07-13T09:28:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to say that I'm still around and although my blog has been resting - it's not dead!

I'm at home from work today - I've come down with some sort of fluey thing and really didn't feel up to work ... I'll be back with a proper post soon - promise ;)

colours & textures ...

2007-03-11T18:29:00.000Z

I went shopping yesterday for some crafty bits and pieces - here's a snapshot of some of the things I picked up ...

It was all about colour and texture - some of this yarn is well on it's way to becoming a little creature - hopefully to be added to my etsy.com shop ...

hearts & chocolates ...

2007-03-11T18:19:00.000Z

Yesterday a lovely parcel arrived - full of valentine's themed goodies - thanks to a very generous fairy ... thanks Connie ;) (I love all the little bits and bobs - you really put in some thought with all the themed goodies - I'm really looking forward to trying the chocolates - they look devine - thanks so much!)

Here's some pics of the parcel contents:

a quick hello!

2007-03-09T21:20:00.000Z

Just a quick hello - I've got a hectic weekend ahead of me - loads to do ... I really want to sit down and spend some time posting on here, but there just always seems to be something else screaming for my attention.

I'm doing some "crafty" type things at the moment, my first project involves some fuzzy wool and a pair of knitting needles, which I will be progressing to the next stage this evening. Then I've got all sorts planned ... felting ... needle felting ... knitting ... sewing ... all sorts ...

More will be revealed soon and hopefully I will be able to launch my etsy.com shop with a few items in a couple of weeks or so ... I'll keep you posted!

does anyone actually read my blog anymore?
wouldn't blame anyone if they gave up popping by as I've been so bad at posting ... ;)

a long and lonely week ...

2007-02-23T22:43:00.000Z

My boyfriend has been away for the week, so for me it's been a bit lonely here at home. I'm amazed how much I've missed him and how much I'm looking forward to him getting home tomorrow :) :)

I know it was over a week ago ...

2007-02-22T21:26:00.000Z

Some Valentine's Day inspired paintings - done by ME! I really enjoyed myself with these ... ;)

my delightful paintbox ...

2007-02-22T21:23:00.000Z

I was playing with my camera and took some photos that I thought I'd share .... my paintbox - packed with watercolours - including my very special Daniel Smith ones .... they are so lovely! ;)

sosf catch up ...

2007-02-09T23:46:00.000Z

Thank you very much to Julie my SOSF swop partner late last year - finally here's the pictures of the lovely parcel ...

site launch ...

2007-02-09T23:34:00.000Z

I've just finished the design and build of a small website for a villa in Cyprus, it's now online - Villa Margarita - take a look ... I'm pretty pleased with it myself!

Next job - my own portfolio web site! ;)

ebay treasures ...

2007-02-09T23:23:00.000Z

I won some really special items on ebay recently, some original Arthur Rackham prints (he's one of my illustration heros) and a pair of original scraper board drawings by John Tennent, I haven't been able to find out much about him, but his work is amazing - judge for yourself ...

Now I need to find the ideal spot to hang the pair.

no snow ...

2007-02-09T23:19:00.000Z

It's typical, you listen to the forecasts and gear yourself up for snow and then .... none comes :(

... we've had cold and wet ... but NO SNOW! I guess it's a bit silly, but I watch on the news and the internet, seeing the white out everywhere else and I get what can only be described as "snow envy" ...

Hope everyone who has snow is enjoying it ;)

new look ...

2007-02-03T21:34:00.000Z

Following on from the last post I've decided to change a few things - step one - a new template ...

More steps to follow ...

February has arrived ...

2007-02-03T21:12:00.000Z

Well, so much for the new year's resolution of keeping my blog up to date ... where does all the time go, I just seem to be so busy, and when I'm not busy there's the question of what to put on my blog ...

The reason I started this blog was to keep track of my progress as an illustrator, well so far not much progress on that front, and my blog seems to have become more of a record of time passing in my life with the odd mildly momentous ocassion, than anything.

I think I need to re-evaluated this blogging thing and make some decisions about where this and my "illustration career" are going.

I'll be back with some answers, I hope, but in the meantime, if anyone does pop by and read this, I'm still around and still ticking and feel free to leave comments I do come by and check if anyone else has visited and left a message.

has spring sprung?

2007-01-19T21:48:00.000Z

I don't think so ...

... but someone should tell my snowdrops that!

Yes, this was taken yesterday - snowdrops in flower on the 18th of January! There's a few others doing their best to get their heads up, but this one was first!

Happy New Year

2007-01-02T13:20:00.000Z

Happy New Year everyone ... welcome to 2007!

I'm feeling under the weather at the moment (dam cold thingy), so please bear with me and this short post.

I plan to concentrate on my blog a little more this year, so watch this space ... ;)

Ho hum ...

2006-12-12T12:51:00.000Z

Once again it's an apology for lack of posts - busy, busy, busy ...

Anyway, I just wanted to post a few pics of my Christmas cards - so here they are

Not sure what everyone thinks - but I'm really pleased with the results ...

christmas is coming ...

2006-11-28T13:29:00.000Z

Sorry for the lack in posts recently - things in my 9to6 are pretty hectic at the moment - we've got a lot to get through here before Christmas.

On a positive personal front - I painted up my Christmas cards over the weekend, I've got one small bit to do on one (a bit of a shadow to lift it up off the white background a bit), then it's scanning and to the printers. I'm really pleased with how they are looking, I just hope that all the watercolour subtlety shows in the final printed cards. I hope to have some done for the weekend.

I'll post some photos when I can.

I've finally taken the plunge and bought a computer - I should have it delivered and all set-up before Christmas ... I can't wait, it will mean I will be able to do so much more online. I might even get my web site finished off and out there with a big push!

At the moment I'm in one of those "planning" and "list making" moods ... there's so much to do before Christmas ... where has the time gone ...?

back again

2006-11-14T13:40:00.000Z

Well, we're back in Plymouth again after a fabulous week away.

It was an eventful week with Rob (my boyfriend) becoming an Uncle to little baby Harry who was born (3 weeks and a day early) on the 7th of November weighing a little over 5 pounds. We went to see the new family on Saturday and everyone was well ... Harry is absolutely adorable.

Now I seem to hear an incessant ticking somewhere in the back of my mind ...

here's one of the seal pics ...

2006-11-03T13:16:00.000Z

I will be away from the Internet for a week - off to Yorkshire again - so I thought I'd leave with this pic...

frosty cold ...

2006-11-02T17:13:00.000Z

Today has been really frosty cold here. I guess it's not been all that cold with the sunshine, but there was even a frost this morning, quite heavy in places, it looked like a fine dusting of snow in some of the fields ... does this mean winter has arrived?

last flutter ...

2006-11-01T15:25:00.000Z

During my usual lunchtime stroll I was suprised to see a butterfly fluttering about - not what you'd expect on the 1st of November - even if it is a lovely sunny day.

I did a little bit of sketching while I was out (seagulls), nothing to write home about or to bother posting, but it's a little more than I've done for a while ...

I doodle all the time, working through ideas and thoughts, but this was observational sketching and it felt good! It suprised me how much better I felt in myself afterwards - calmer somehow - if that makes sense. I guess I should sketch more often ....

learning Flash ...

2006-10-30T13:50:00.000Z

I really need to bite the bullet and get on with learning to use Flash - I don't really want to (I seem to have this mental block ... I hear the word Flash and switch right off ;) ), but it seems to have become a requirement in my present job ...

Anyone out there got any hints or tips, or a link to an online tutorial ... ??

music & faeries ....

2006-10-26T14:04:00.000+01:00

For my Birthday I got several things including some chocolates, Corinne Bailey Rae's (she's amazing!) album on CD and a book about painting faeries from Rob. I also bought another book on Amazon as a present from my parents.

Those books have led me to a few interesting artists' web sites ... for example Linda Ravenscroft's Mystic Garden and Amy Brown.

It's always interesting to see work by different artists and areas of their work that inspires me.

I discovered another artist/illustrator Yoshitaka Amano, some of his work has a real feel of Arthur Rackham about it. I'd never seen or heard of him before and it was such a pleasant suprise to come across his work. Visit his site for a look ...»

happy birthday to me ...

2006-10-18T09:43:00.000+01:00

Not a lot of people know this but today is my Birthday .... so Happy Birthday to ME!! ;)

so much can happen in a week

2006-10-16T17:32:00.000+01:00

There's so much to catch up on with everyone's blogs and the forum I regularly visit - it will take me an age to catch up ... I was only gone a week ...

I'm back!

2006-10-16T14:09:00.000+01:00

Back in Devon and back to the usual ... more's the pity :(

We had a lovely break in Yorkshire. We stayed for 7 nights in a static caravan at Primrose Valley on the East Coast, it was absolutely lovely.

All in all even the weather was also pretty good, we even had a couple of very sunny days, which is a suprise for mid October.

We visited some of our usual haunts, but also added some new ones ... amongst them were Hornsea Mere where we went to see the migrant geese etc (we saw a Hooper Swan - I've never seen one before - he was lovely!), and we discovered somewhere where we can see wild seals, there were some young ones there - what an amazing experience! I feel so privileged to be able to see wild animals ;)

I have some photos of the seals but haven't downloaded them yet - I must remember to post some here ...

not long now ...

2006-10-05T16:18:00.000+01:00

Yeah - today is the last day of work for me before my holiday - it's only a week away in Yorkshire - but I just can't wait! Sometimes I get to a point where I just NEED to get away from the hum drum everyday things that make up my life at the moment ...

I've been doing a bit of planning and making notes about where I want to go with my creativity. I've got several projects planned and am starting to put them into action in the background - I'm actually feeling excited and positive about things which is such a change from how I've been feeling lately!

still bob, bob, bobbing along ...

2006-10-03T17:19:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to say - "Yeah, I'm still here - still alive - still bob, bob, bobbing along ..."

A quick catch up too ...

3 days and 30 minutes of work (9to6) to go before we have a well earned break in Yorkshire ... as you can see I'm counting the days ... As usual I plan to do some creative "things" while away from the usual pressures of life, hopefully I'll manage to keep to it this time! ;)

I can't believe it's already October the 3rd - this year has whizzed by - and with it so many of my good intentions and plans ... I think I need the time away to re-gather my thoughts and re-assess my goals and plans to move forward ...

On a different note - I also need to get the bits and pieces together for my S.O.S.F. parcel ... I'm hoping to "find" some things when we're away - I've got loads of ideas!

wistman's wood

2006-08-31T14:51:00.000+01:00

On Sunday we went up onto Dartmoor and walked the 2 miles from Two Bridges to Wistman's Wood, an ancient oak woodland - it was a magical place, one I want to visit again. Here's some pics from our walk there and the woods themselves ...

fishy pics

2006-08-31T14:48:00.000+01:00

Here are some initial idea sketches from last weekend ...

Sorry the quality isn't that good, I tried for some "arty" type photos, but they'd be better scanned, oh well.

I want to see how they work with colour now, I'll post the results when I've done those.

on a more positive note ...

2006-08-25T13:01:00.000+01:00

I've some ideas underway for my Chritmas cards - I'm really please with them at this stage, so I hope to get the time over the weekend to get the paints out and do some colour roughs. I won't post those seen as they are my Christmas cards, but I will try and work up some of the other ideas I've been working on and post those ... ;)

I'm also waiting on a delivery of some bits I bought on ebay, if those arrive I could be busy doing something else too ... I'll post some pics if the stuff arrives, all all should become clearer.

it could be worse ...

2006-08-25T12:53:00.000+01:00

Sorry, I just had to get this off my chest some where ... I've been having some hassles recently and the final straw came this morning when I was told that our central heating / hot water boiler has been condemed! It will be replaced late next week - so a week without hot water! A nightmare for me ... I've just got to console myself with the thought that it could be worse ...

the fairies have been ...

2006-08-22T11:38:00.000+01:00

When I got home from work on Friday, after a stressful week, I was greeted with the sight of a suprise parcel. As soon as I saw the stamps from Cyprus I knew from whence it came ...

I was so excited ao I opened it very quickly, to reveal ...

... some delicious edible treats (nougat pie, almonds in honey ...), sparkling trinkets, with glass beads and rose quartz, Greek coffee, herbs and a beautiful card with even more beautiful words inside ...

Thank you to the very kind fairy (you know who you are), it was such a touching package ;) XX

quote of the day

2006-08-15T12:00:00.000+01:00

Haven't posted much of worth lately, mostly as I don't seem to have much to say, so I thought I'd post a quote ... here goes ...

"So you see, imagination needs moodling - long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering." - Brenda Ueland

That's what I'm doing - "moodling". Hopefully I'll find something interesting to share soon ... ;)

a new blog - S.O.S.F.

2006-08-10T10:33:00.000+01:00

Take a look at a new blog - S.O.S.F. ... there's an invitation if you'd like to join in ...

Have a go - I've got a feeling this could be fun ...

time flies

2006-08-01T17:23:00.000+01:00

Wow, I can hardly believe that it August already. 2006 seems to have gone by so quickly. I must get my skates on and get moving with some of my personal projects ... I think I need to start making lists again ...

another friday afternoon

2006-07-28T15:30:00.000+01:00

Well, time is really whizzing by - it's Friday again ...

I've spent some time trying to jazz up my blog - see the custom header - it took me ages to get it code in properly. It's not 100%, but it's better than what was there 2 days ago!

Have a good weekend everyone! ;)

hot ... hot ... hot ...

2006-07-26T15:16:00.000+01:00

Phew it's hot here in Devon, and in most parts of the UK by the sound of it ... it's very uncomfortable sitting in an office all day (except for the half hour at lunchtime when I manage to "escape")!

I've taken to going for a little walk at lunchtime, just around the block from the office is an allotment area and across the road a field of corn (I'm guessing there) which leads off into the distance and the rural surroundings.

It's just so peaceful to stop and look out over the fields, with the corn rippling in the breeze and the swallows diving over it, almost like a golden seascape ...

still here, still alive ...

2006-07-22T10:42:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to say that I'm still around - not fallen off the face of the earth or anything - although it does feel like it at times ... It's been really hectic in my 9to6 recently - no time for anything other than the project at hand!

Yesterday was a celebration in my personal life as my boyfriend and I marked 6 years of being together - does time fly or what!

I'm hoping to squeeze in some time next week to beef up my blog ...

Oh, and congratualations to my friend Rachel who I've just had an eamil from telling me that she's just passed her teacher training course! Well done and good luck Rachel!

I'll be back soon - promise ;)

soooo busy ...

2006-06-20T13:23:00.000+01:00

Sorry about the lack of posts recently - I've been very busy in my 9to6 and therefore haven't had much time for my "own stuff" ... Also I've had a bit of a cold - that hasn't helped! Feeling a little better now - but still not 100% ..

On Saturday I went to the Plymouth Calligraphers' monthly meeting where we did some marbling on paper (something I've never done before) ... I was amazed with the results ... I must try and get some on here, but I'm not sure how they will come across as some of my favourites were very subtle. I had great fun - it was like being back at school ;)

Light into Colour - Turner in the South West

2006-06-05T17:18:00.000+01:00

On Saturday we went to see an amazing exhibition of paintings by JMW Turner at the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. It was really good to see such beautiful paintings as well as some of this great artist's sketch books. The exhibition was organised by Tate St Ives.

The gallery was empty so we had plenty of time to wander around and look at all the pieces. I have to repeat myself - it was amazing. The title of the exhibition says it all - Light into Colour. Well worth a visit if you are in the Plymouth area ... It's FREE too!

other blogs ...

2006-05-25T13:44:00.000+01:00

I've just spent about 15 minutes looking around at other artists' and illustrators' blogs, and it's amazing what's out there ... everyone seems to be at this blogging lark. It's also making me think that things here in the land of my blog are a little bland, so I'm going to try and come up with some ways to spice it up a little ... any ideas anyone?? ;)

some sketches ...

2006-05-19T16:23:00.000+01:00

Just a couple of sketches and doodles I've done over the past couple of days ...

... I doodle when I'm waiting for things to process on the computer ...
Have a good weekend everyone! ;)

introducing Callum James Bennett

2006-05-16T13:39:00.000+01:00

Here's one of his first photos ...

welcome to the world ...

2006-05-16T13:20:00.000+01:00

Yesterday my brother and his wife in South Africa had a little baby boy - Callum James Bennett - born 8.12am, 3.380kg, 49cm. Congratulations Carl & Liesl and welcome to the world Callum ;)
- A Proud Auntie Gail ;)

I'm still here ...

2006-05-15T13:46:00.000+01:00

I've been a little quiet recently - my 9to6 is keeping me very busy - just a quick catch up ... the garden is going well (and looking pretty good if you ask me!) - except for the slugs, snails and greenfly who seem intent on wrecking havoc! I'm sketching as much as I can and the web site is formulated in my mind, but not quite on screen yet ;) I'll get there - I promise!

how does my garden grow ...

2006-05-05T12:04:00.000+01:00

Last night when I got home I checked on the seeds I'd planted in pots in the garden I was pleased to see that some of all the different types have started to surface - from the corn field mix to the giant sunflowers ... it's sad I know, but I find it exciting to see the little plants poking through the soil ... fingers crossed they'll all grow and grow ... ;)

fishy tales ...

2006-05-04T10:21:00.000+01:00

Just something I did the other evening, playing with colour ...

under the sea

2006-05-02T14:12:00.000+01:00

my first attempt for "illustration friday" - not my usual style, but I thought I'd post it ...

the weekend

2006-04-28T16:27:00.000+01:00

It's been a long and fairly eventful week for me, but now I can relax for the weekend and concentrate on some portfolio work and web site building for freelance illustration. I've got loads of ideas it's just a case of getting them from my head onto paper and screen.

I'm also inspired by the Illustration Friday topic ... so I might give that a go ... "under the sea" ... I feel a visit to the National Marine Aquarium coming on ...

Have a lovely weekend all ...