Maddie's invite

I’ve had so much fun this week making the party invite in photoshop. Lovely Jim helped me with some of the technical stuff I wasn’t too sure on and then came up with some great ideas to make it a really special invitation. It was fun working together with him on it especially as it made a really nice change to be creative using a pc and not a paintbrush.

I’ve been so tired too as going back to work after some time off over Christmas is taking it’s toll. But I will not let this stop me from being creative in the evenings and weekends....just need to make sure I plan things right and look after myself too so that I don’t burn out (ooh am I really living and learning from my past mistakes)!

Now the invite is done I will look at finishing the Esher painting I started some time ago, then there is just one more to complete in my series. And I already have a new painting project bubbling away which I will share once I work out the details. All exciting stuff!

Anyhoo, here’s the invite and if anyone would like one designed for them, just drop me a line.

Have fun and be creative x

Ps, I've changed some details to protect the innocent ;o)

52 weeks, 52 photos

I've decided to take up another photography challenge which I feel more confident in completing. A picture a week for 52 weeks!

Last year I did the 365 photo project, but being ill for over a month kind of put paid to wanting to take a photo every day, and so I didn't finish it. I tried hard to not let it get me down, as I had managed to take a picture every day for ten and a half months before disaster struck! On the positive side I learnt heaps about photography, my camera and my subjects, so all was not lost. Plus the people in group I joined on Flickr were amazing, very inspirational and really friendly.

I also want to encourage myself to be creative every week in addition to taking a picture, so I have decided to give myself a theme of creativity for the entire project. Which means that every picture has to be of something creative, either what I am working on (which I aim to be working on something every week) or what someone else is working on or has worked on.

So without further ado, my week one picture is the mock up of my children's party invitation which I have worked on this week. I do realise that this picture has already been posted, so I have jazzed it up bit in Lightroom. The finished invite has been approved by the client (almost 5 year olds know what they like) and I will share that with you soon.

Have a great weekend and let the creativity flow x

It's Charlie & Lola time!

This week I need to complete a 5 year old girl’s pyjama party invite which may sound easy, but I am toying between painting it or using photoshop to create one. Painting it is fine as I have created a prototype and it works really well, (and the little girl is pleased with it) but I am worried how well it will look when scanned. The photoshop one will work better when printed but I will need to learn a few photoshop techniques from my lovely Jim in order to create it....and I don’t really have the time for that! Hmnnn decisions.....

The little girl in question is my best friend’s daughter and she is adorable so I really want to make her something she is chuffed with.

I will post an update when it’s finished but in the meantime, here’s a glimpse at the ideas so far.

Have a great day x

New year wishes...

Well we are a few days into 2011 and I have been thinking about last year and what I aspire for this year. And no matter where 2011 takes me, I know that I am very fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends.

Things I have learnt in 2010

It is ok to say no
Live in the moment and enjoy it
Sometimes you have to realise that it’s their shit not yours (and believe me, this has been a massive learning curve for me)
Gratitude is a humbling thing
Being creative is at my core and I will embrace it
Love, tolerance and compassion for others

To do this year

Learn to use resin on paintings
Fall in love with my sewing machine again
Keep in touch with friends
Follow my dream to be creative
Be healthy
Take an online painting class
Learn pottery
Embrace and celebrate my 40th
Be more creative
Open an etsy shop
Take my art to another level

I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.....and let the love flow :o)

Happy New Year and here's to amazing things in 2011

I was just thinking today how funny life turns out.

Here I am, five months away from being 40, and finally with the man I want to be with for the rest of my life. And it started me thinking about how you think life will turn out when you are in your early twenties or younger. The hopes you have and the things you insist you will never do, especially in a relationship……then one day you look back and realise that things just didn’t work out as you had thought. And then you realise that you’re reaching that age where life begins and you are grateful that they didn’t work out that way….as you wouldn’t be here now.

Here’s to an exciting new year to us all :o)

A time for those we love

I hope you had a wonderful time this Christmas and spent it with the people you love. To me, that is the most important thing about this time of year....not the presents or the food, but being with those you love….and for that I am grateful.

I dedicate this post to a special lady called Kathleen, who sadly passed away on Christmas Eve. Too young to leave this world and such a special, loving person.

You will be greatly missed.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I wish you all health, happiness and love.....and an amazing 2011.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and here's to an exciting New Year!

Much love.

Helen x