Easing my way into the weekend

Right now I am sitting here drinking tea and writing lots of notes in my notebook. Ideas for new projects, ideas for Jim's businesses and anything else that comes to mind. I have lots of exciting times ahead and I need to start making a few plans.

Good morning and I hope it's a lovely weekend for you all.

Helen xx

And so the journey begins....

In two weeks I have lost 5 lbs.....4 lbs in the first week and a solitary 1 lb this week. I had hoped for two pounds this week but hey as long as I am losing then that is all that matters. I am pleased and already my clothes feel a little less tight.

This weekend I need to do some painting....I say need to as my soul is crying out for some creative time. I have opened my sketchbook again and started doodling as even if I can just do this it helps. In the meantime I will continue to cook healthy meals, stay positive and feel extremely grateful for everything and everyone I have in my life.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Helen xx

Alicia Padrón

I love watching other artists paint. No matter the subject or if I am familiar with the techniques, I still find it so wonderful to watch a fellow artist put paint to paper/canvas/wood/or whichever medium they choose. It is also incredibly inspiring and I am grateful to those that have the time and the technology to share their process.

I have recently stumbled across Alicia Padrón and I loved her little teddy bear illustration above. You can find her website here and her blog here.

Enjoy!

Helen xx

Much love

Thank you so much yesterday for all your encouraging comments regarding my weight loss. Your support is so valuable and thank you for sharing your stories too. Blogland is full of amazing and inspiring people.

So far I am staying on track and yesterday I turned down a Pain au Chocolat (which I adore) and a Krispy Kreme donut/doughnut. They were doing the rounds at work and there was enough for everyone to have one of each, but I declined. And whilst everyone else felt a bit stuffed at the end of the day, I felt fine and didn't even feel like I had missed out.

I know some weeks it won't be easy but the long term goal will be well worth it.

Thanks again all you wonderful people and have a brilliant, healthy and happy day!

Helen xx

ps....I didn't fall off the wagon with this cake, it was taken a while ago and if I remember rightly, it tasted lovely too! (my colleagues mum made it!)

Time for a change....

A younger, slimmer me!

I’m going through a bit of a change personally right now. I am dead happy with who I am and my life as a whole, although I do wish to change some aspects to it but that will be another post for another time. But generally, all is great. However, it’s my health that I need to address and how I feel about myself. I am overweight. And this does not make me happy, give me any sort of confidence in public situations and therefore I don’t feel good about myself. I don’t shy away from going out but when I do I am just really self conscious that I am not looking my best. I have been slimmer and healthier in the past and have to get back there again.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which can be painful at times and I know that being overweight isn’t helping the situation. I have some clothes in my wardrobe which I love but cannot fit into which is frustrating. And it ends up a vicious circle, I am not happy with my weight so I comfort eat, and the more I comfort eat the more weight I put on. Some of you may know where I am coming from.

So last week I did something about it. I signed up to Weight Watchers online and have started my healthy eating plan. I have my wedding this year and want to feel good about myself in my wedding dress. To be able to look back at the photo’s and not hate the roundness of my face, or the chubby arms and let’s not talk about the derriere!

I also want to make myself some dresses this year so I have another incentive – to make myself a dress like this one once I have slimmed down. Maybe take myself off to an evening dressmaking class and learn the right way of doing it.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve reached 40, but I am yearning for a new look. A change in hairstyle, whether it’s the colour or cut, change my wardrobe by buying some classic pieces and ones that I feel great in. And above all to feel healthy and fit. It can be done and I am lucky to have the support of my lovely Jim as he is also on a health and fitness quest (and is doing really well too!).

I know I am not the only person in the world to feel like this and I wanted to share this with you as this blog is not just about my art, but about me too.

Wish me luck!

Here's Pip and it's also my 200th Post!!!

Everything has gone array lately. I guess life it like that at times. My creative time has been zilch and I need to do something about it and quick. Now that the dreaded 31st January tax deadline is over I can breathe a bit – both at the day job and at home.

I have been de-cluttering and it feels good. I’ve still got lots to do as I really want to lead a simplified life. It’s true that the minute you give something to charity or throw it away, you find you need it, but seriously, if you’ve not used something in a year (even two) then do you really need it? And I’m talking clothes, shoes, bags, books, and just stuff. I keep asking myself why I am keeping things?

Anyway, before Christmas I shared some sketches I had done of a cat, which were based on my departed Pippa. Well here is the finished sketch...the one I liked the most. I wonder what journeys behold her in the future

Have a fab day, wherever you are and whatever you do.

Helen xx

It's been a while....

Hello!!! I'm still here! It's been a shamefully (is that a word?) long time since I blogged. Christmas Eve to be exact. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New year (a distant memory now especially as next week we are in February)! Since Christmas I have been getting over tonsillitis, renovating the cottage (The Never Ending Story as I now call it), spending time with friends and family, commuting into London for the day job which still completely tires me out and de-cluttering my life. A very busy time indeed.

The cottage is coming along nicely and I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even if one job that appears to be easy ends up being a right pain and takes longer than you think and tests the patience of my lovely Jim. It'll be worth it when it's done.

We have year end at work which means lots of figures for me and a busy time, not forgetting Jim and my own tax return to do. All of this hasn't left me much time to be creative.

However did you see the picture above of all the lovely books I received for Christmas (and one afterwards). Wow. I love crafts and I love books, so to get books on crafting and baking is pure heaven. I've had a good old read already and have lots of ideas and projects earmarked for the future. Once 31st Jan has passed I can get to it!

Most of the books were from my wonderful Jim, as was this gorgeous necklace he bought me which is made of real poppies in resin. Handmade and perfect. I am very fortunate to have him in my life.

Well I hope to get back in to the blogging world again. I've been reading others but just haven't had the time to comment or post anything. But I hope to show you soon projects I am working on.

Have a great week and I'll post my final drawing of Pip soon.

Helen xx