Sap Rising…

It’s been a lovely day; I ventured outside and got my hands in the soil for the first time this year. The Curlews came back on the first of March and yesterday I saw my first lamb, so although it’s not warm it does feel like spring. The toads in the pond ( old butler’s sink) were certainly feeling full of the joys,so I expect there’ll be spawn next time I look.

I’m busy doing more designs for New Leaf; happy that I sold another piece in L.A. and finally got paid for the others that sold in November. When I sold a design through college (to “Calao”at Indigo ) it took over 6 months to get the cheque, so it seems important not to rely on a fast cash flow ( well it always flows fast in the wrong direction doesn’t it!).

Today I’ve also put a few more things in my Etsy shop. The cover of this book includes part of a drawing I did ages ago and some “Illustrator” butterflies that I made using Tom’s instructions! It also features buttons from the charity shop…who rang me and said I could have the whole tin after all.

The moon is big and I have lots to do so I’ll say goodbye for now.

“If Birds Sing Through Life Then Why Can’t We?”

Good news… I finally got paid today for the work I sold at Indigo in February!

Bad news… The cheque will only half cover the cost of a new wheel and random piece of plastic for the car after I hit a rock in the road last week. Sheep had knocked a bit of the wall down and it was impossible to avoid on a blind corner, oh dear.

This week I’ve been spending quite a lot of time ( but not enough) doing these paper designs which I’m taking over to the agent tomorrow.I’m going to spend some time at the studio watching how they do things and probably being told I’ve been wasting my time with the painting I’ve done this week! I can’t help feeling that since my strong point is embroidery and loose, expressive drawing, I’m not really showing my work at its best…

I do quite like the one with the orange flowers though, I’ve added one stitched flower and it would look nice as a large design on a child’s T-shirt perhaps.The birds on the left look a bit better now they have some legs on.

Other good news this week does NOT include the inevitable rain which just won’t stop and which has made the water from the taps turn the colour of John Smith’s Best Bitter. I did get an e-mail from “Trend Bible” who have asked for images to go in their publication which forecasts fashion trends for future seasons. They liked the red and white bear dress, which is also my favorite.So I sent a good quality image via the old dial -up set up and after 29 minutes realized I had sent it to myself!

Right, Its time to play Illustrator and drink a little more coffee.The scene below is my kitchen table looking like a hive of industry.Its cold though, I need something to light the fire. Its JULY!

Tuesday morning.

Did you see the moon last night? It was really lovely, buttery yellow, hanging in the oak tree. Anyway, I’ve come down from the mountain to have another go at putting some pictures on here. This week I’ve been working on the designs for my portfolio which has to be handed in on Monday. No need to panic then.