Rosy Lady

Spooky

Yesterday was a misty/foggy day here.  It made for some interesting, spooky images:

 

This is Hadleigh Castle.  These castle ruins are not far from where we live.  It is on a hill with a stunning view to the Thames Estuary with Kent on the other side.

I don't believe in ghosts but have a vivid imagination and the combination of foggy days and old castles can make me think up a few ghosts from the past.

Hadleigh Castle was built in the 1230's during the reign of King Henry III.  The mountain biking competition in the 2012 Summer Olympics will be held here.

Something else that I find spooky is a deserted boat or ship on misty waters..

Happy Halloween!

xx

Feeling the fear and designing anyway

I have entered the tigerprint competition for a contemporary handbag notebook with this simple, yet elegant design:

The design was all completed in Photoshop but I have finally given in and bought Adobe Illustrator so, we are officially on 'beans on toast' until the next pay day.  I am quite excited as I now feel like I have all the tools that I need to complete my portfolio so, I will be spending a lot of time to learn Illustrator and to get these designs out of my head and onto the computer.  

I have also been reading the book 'Feel the fear and do it anyway', which is a self-help book recommended by my Hubby and so far, I am really enjoying it.  Whenever something really stands out to me, I have been writing it in big letters on coloured paper, which is stuck all over my studio. Something that has really made sense to me is "People who refuse to take risks live with a feeling of dread that is far more severe than what they would feel if they took the risks necessary to make them less helpless - only they don't know it!"  If you have followed my blog for a little while you will know how my day job has emotionally affected me and filled me with dread and fear.  It sounds easy to say 'just quit' but it is not that easy when the job pays quite well.  I have come to realize that this was the only thing holding me to a job that I hate and that this was not the life I wanted.  I know that I am a very resourceful, hard-working person who can make a success of most things.  I don't say this to sound arrogant but to say that I believe if you have enough passion and self-belief that you can do anything you set your mind to.  If I can make a success of a job that I hate, surely I could make a success of something that I absolutely love?!  

I have set myself specific, measurable and achievable goals with deadlines to ensure that I learn Illustrator, finish my portfolio and start my freelance career, which will involve giving up my day job.  I don't just want to talk about it anymore, it is time to take some action so, please excuse me if I make myself scarce but I will continue to pop in with progress or to think things through.  

xx

Found: one head

Sorry about my absence.

Kinda felt like I needed to find my head or gather my thoughts again.  I have done a lot of re-evaluating, goal-setting, decision-making and focussing.  I am a very philosophical person and sometimes need to do that, I hate the idea of just floating along because that feels like life is passing me by. 

I have designed some sewing projects that I am very excited to share with you so, watch this space.  I have also finished proof-reading Hubby's first novel.  It is so good and I am so proud of him, I hope he can get it published!

Anyway, nice to be back.  How have you been?

xx

Happy weekend

Good morning everybody!  

Just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a good weekend, I know that I have certainly looked forward to it this week.

Hubby has finally finished his book and so, I will be proof reading this weekend.  Apart from that, I am still working my way around Illustrator, getting more comfortable with it and definitely feel convinced that it has the features that I have missed in Photoshop.  They work really well together though for textile design so, that's where my pennies will be going this month.  I also want to work on some sewing projects and I think that's where my to-do list has to end.

By the way, don't let these photos deceive you.  They were taken during Summer this year.  Looking outside my window this morning, we have clouds, rain and gale force winds, which doesn't make for a good photo and today, I'm in the mood for some colour.

Hope you have a good weekend.

xx

Thank you

I wanted to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who has voted for me in the Spoonflower fabric design competition.  I am thrilled to tell you that my design is through to the final round.  I would really appreciate it if you would vote again.  Voting will be a bit quicker now because we are down to one page of designs (mine is number 6) and you have one vote.  I think my first blog give-away would be in order, if my design wins.

xx