Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?

Before I blog about anything else, and just in case people think I may have died, I thought I play catch up and let everyone know where I have been and more important what I have been up to and who with.
Well after professing to never have another man ever again enter my life....one did....one so special and suited to me he was hard to refuse. Just shows you how wrong you can be sometimes....especially when you least expect it. And I am happy to say.... he feels just the same and we spend as much time together as we can.....So almost everything below has been done either with him or as a result of being with him.

Steve's also an artist, so he feeds me on an inspirational level as well as a creative level, both mentally and spiritually. Oh yes, and he's got his own blog, so go and take a look, say hi and follow him at Steve Smiths Art

Finally we got the garden finished and it more than I could have wished for. I have 3 gardens, but the back one is an awkward shape and I wanted a peace garden....so almost a year to the day after I started it....it's finally finished. Just a Japanese Acer to buy when I find the right one......

We have made a couple of trips down to the South West to see his family, for birthdays and special occasions.....

We went to a long standing friends 30th Wedding Anniversary. Good friends of mine and my late husbands, and they got a Peruvian Pan Pipe Group called Apu to play. Great fun because it's about 20 years since we last saw them play.

Then we've been to the 60's weekend in Pickering (Great fun!) And wonderfully the whole town seems to come out and support it

Ah yes, and then there have been the exhibitions. Steve enters exhibitions on a constant basis, he's much better at marketing himself than I am, and he sells more too ;o)

Then we spent a day at Yorkshire Sculpture Park.... where I had the chance to sit on the knee of the Bronze Cast naked man.....I covered his bits for dignity!

We could have spend a weekend here, we both love Henry Moore, and we both left full of inspiration and ideas. It's so lovely being able to talk shop with someone who understands.

I did however have to stop him using this one as a slide......VERY TACTILE!

And of course there have been the commissions.... A guest book....

A concertina Card......

And I've made a couple of books, codex bound. One for me with plain pages in for quotations.....

And a plain covered one for Steve, hoping he will paint the front himself. It's a mixture of plain pages for note making and watercolour pages for little paintings. Both are about 6" square

And I've been planning for my first Wedding Fair to be held locally in September.

We that just about covers it. Except I'm sure I will have forgotten something. Regular readers of My Facebook will know there has been a lot more going on and when time is so precious it's far easier to post on there than write reams and reams on my Blog.

So, thats it for the time being. We're having a lot of fun, we're both loved up and things just couldn't be better. Hopefully, those who are not on Facebook will have a brief overview of the last 6 weeks and at least you know that I'm still breathing.

Bright Lammas Blessings to my Pagan Friends. Autumn Equinox will be upon us before we know it ;o)

Oh yes..... and did I mention that my kitchen has been transformed and on Wednesday I get a new bathroom and shower......

Calling All Letter-Lovers NEW BLOG!

Well, I've been busy, sorting out a new Blog, designed for Letter-Lovers of all kinds. It will feature Calligraphers, Lettering Artists, Sign Writers and Makers, Graphic Artists, Font Designers, Typographers, Stone Carvers, Glass Etchers.....In fact it will appeal to ALL who have a passion and love of Letters.

I will also use it as a useful resource for UK Calligraphers and Lettering Artists to promote groups and exhibitions, and hope you will link to this blog and let's get Lettering (and particularly Hand Lettering) back on the map.

Come over and have a look:

Just click on this link here

Don't forget to Follow and/or Subscribe

Spinning, Twirling and Dizzy Spells

Well I seem to be on some sort of roundabout at the moment, spinning and twirling and making myself dizzy.....Fellow creatives will know this feeling....and when the energy is flowing madly you just have to run with it.
This dizziness doesn't happen forever, we have spells of being blocked, stuck and downright unmotivated.... perhaps its all a question of balance. The Yin Yang, Fast, slow, active, calm, hot, cold, angry, calm..... for without one we certainly can't appreciate the other. People who say they are well 'Balanced' make me cringe.... I see them as emotionally dead people, who have no feelings at all. Without hate we cannot experience love.....or if we do it's on a sliding scale of how deep.

Since Beltane (Feb 2nd) the created juices have been flowing, yes of course I've had my down days and one of these was just last week. I had some certificates to do and my eyes were particularly bad, so much so I feared the worse and thought I had had fresh bleeds... I almost gave up my business for good! But I have now decided that if work comes to me of this kind again, I will find a calligrapher to job it out to for commission or turn it down....either way, it's not worth the low self worth I felt when having to acknowledge my lack of sight.
Thankful (because I don't know where I would be without him!) the love of my life (we'll call him Pan shall we?) came to my rescue and talked some sense into me. A big hug and a swift kick up the asse always works with the Pixie.

Pan is also an artist and so fully understands the ups and downs of living a creative life. Sometimes you win, sometimes you loose, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. What we need to do is never stop experimenting, growing and loosing sight of why we do what we do....We do it for the Love of it. It's something inside us, it's not something we can stop or ask to go away. I have created since I was a child and I believe that Creators have one thing in common, we are all child spirits.
We know and recognise our strengths and weaknesses.... and it's no big deal. At the end of the day, we feel passion, a passion that comes from deep within and one that cannot be explained or experienced by non-creators.

I do know a lot of Creatives and we all chat about the fact that there's so much creativity around at the moment. To me I believe you are either a creator or a destroyer. Asleep or awake, a giver or a taker....Giving is a creative act, taking is destructive. Peace against War. Do something for the love of it, not for the money it will bring. For if you love it, the money will follow. If you are on the wrong track, be open and awake and your path will surely be shown to you.

So, at the moment I'm twirling..... ideas are flowing.... my business is going to change pretty radically over the next few months and the fantastic thing is, I have the most wonderful man right there beside me, supporting me every step of the way. Now there's something I've never had before!

First I have to plan for a Wedding Fair to be held in September, then we are looking towards Art Shows and a Joint Exhibition. Interest has been shown in my new ideas and ventures, which I will keep under wraps for the time being. But getting out and about (at last) networking and meeting, and being among fellow artists and creatives lately has certainly being motivating.

So excuse me while my postings are a little on the irregular side... It's just I'm Spinning, Twirling and having Dizzy Spells.....With Pan .... Looks like the Pixies in lurrrrve ;o)

Magic in Glastonbury - The Dream Coat

If Glastonbury does nothing else, it makes people smile....lots! Perhaps their ability not to take life too seriously helps. There's a more relaxed attitude to life and that probably what draws me there the most. People have time, no rushing, no deadlines, no panic.....flowing, gentle energy and lots of love and kindness going on. Regular readers of my blog will know my affinity with positive, motivational and inspirational quotations....and it's pretty much a coincidence that on our last day we met Nicola, a beautiful Pixie Spirit with her Dream Coat of many colours....well actually I never met her.....Steve picked her up first, telling me that he had met a girl in the Cafe that wanted to swap one of her dreams for his....Hmmmm....helped along by the fact that she was beautiful I expect ;o)

My first reaction was...Oh yes and what medication is she on....but then she glided out with her coat of many colours and I called her over....And no she was not on medication, nor did she want paying.....and the story of her coat brought smiles all round.

So, the idea is that each pocket holds someones dream.... And you are asked to put your dream in any pocket of your choice, but first you have to take one out......

Here's what we picked........The picture should enlarge if you click on it.....

Nicola intended to walk from Glastonbury to Pilton where the festival was being held. So if you see her on your travels, stop her and swap a Dream or Two.

Interestingly while we were chatting we found we both have a lot of similar ideas regarding the increase in Creativity that is around at the moment, we both want to teach Creativity Classes and while her idea is a Dream Coat, I want to do a similar thing with Words For Peace in the UK....An exhibition made up from donated Art, hung in a collection and exhibited in perhaps more than one venue.....At the moment, it's just an idea....gestating away and seeing how I can make my dream a reality.

What Dream would you add to the pocket???

Do you still dare to dream????

A Royal Visit

I live pretty close to Catterick, a well known Army Base in north Yorkshire. Often I get work to do which among other things involves the inscriptions and pages in their Visitors book. This time it was for Princess Alexandra and the time before that Her Royal Highness, The Queen.

Sadly, the book has been started in and continues to be written in Gothic...not my favourite or best hand these day and definitely one that is seldom used due to it's unreadability factor.

Roll on the new book, where I will insist it is written in Italic.

In these circumstances and unfortunately, the Calligrapher or Scribe get very little or know recognition, which, looking at these letters is probably a blessing.

Hand Made Seating Plan with Calligraphy for Weddings

Very often I get asked to do a seating plan as the grand finale to a Wedding Order. This is a last minute thing as many of the guests literally leave it till just a few days before the Wedding to confirm or cancel. It really is the last thing on the Wedding Stationery List.

This Wedding Theme was very simple and Deep Rose Red and Ivory was the only request made.

However, I felt and with consultation with the Bride that the Seating Plan would benefit from a few strategically placed Butterflies would complete the look. I left it until the arrival of the Bride before a final decision was made. The header in beautiful, matching calligraphy makes this Seating Plan ideal as a lasting reminder of a very special day.

The wings stand proud of the board itself, giving the illusion that they are taking flight. I think you'll agree that they were the finishing touches the Seating Plan needed.

You can see other seating plan ideas at my Wedding Website: North Yorkshire Weddings

or for further information or consultation Tel: 01609 776 866

Email: inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk

Personalised Baby Birth Certificates

It's been a long time...I mean a real long time....but all I seem to have been doing for the last year is Baby Boy Certificates. Now at last a welcome relief....

a baby girl was born.......

I mean I was starting to worry that they had put something in the water round her, although even the mail order certificates were for boys too!

This one is for Alisia Marshall

Born 18th April 2010

8Lb 6 oz

These prints are personalised with the baby's name, date of birth and weight and finished with hand painted decorated squares.

Size: A3 - 29.7cm x 42cm
All available by mail order, price is £10 including P&P
and comes delivered in a board backed envelope
or £15.00 if you would like a mount adding
which makes the print fit into a standard sized, easily available frame.


I accept Paypal or Cheques
Email me at: inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk
For further details

If you have a new born child to celebrate this makes a unique and personal gift.

What's Been Going On...

Well.....lots and lots and lots and lots actually....and as most followers and readers of my blog are also friends with me on Face Book....I won't re-hash the more personal news here. However, first off, new direction and with the rethinking of my business and the need to actually not only pay my bills but also at some point in my life make a living out of it, I've started with the repainting of the Gallery...

Many paint swatches and much dilemma as well as being terrified of picking a neutral, neutral that would go with just about anything....All the shelves were painted too, so at last I feel like the whole place comes together.....much like my old place in Darlington.

The pale shelves set off the Concertina Books wonderfully.
And are just as suited to the Paler pieces of work....

As they are to the brighter pieces.....

All in all, I'm happy with the result. I have taken down old, worn out and jaded pieces of my work that no longer reflect my work now and the services available. Now, in between working I need to rehash the store room, which was originally a store room come office. I feel creatively stifled sometimes and I need to reopen my space. A good weekend and a skip seems like a good idea lol. More blogging and more photos will follow, until then, keep your Creative Spirits flowing,

Meanwhile if you want to follow me on FaceBook CLICK HERE

Brightest Blessings,

Sue xxx

Life.... and how to live it!

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave

with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive

and well-preserved body,

but rather to skid in sideways -

Chardonnay in one hand -

chocolate in the other -

body thoroughly used up,

totally worn out and screaming

"WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

I'm back....

Well what a journey…and finally The Creative Spirit is back. Back in that warm, fuzzy, comforting space that seems like a home from home.

I did try…so hard to amalgamate The Creative Spirit into my business blog and make them one and the same, but the minute I saw the ‘Inspired by Script’ banner I was filled with dread. Although my beliefs about my spiritual path, my philosophy on life, the positive thinking, self awareness, self improvement and all things connected to nature and spirit form a large part of my business, I seemed to clam up when writing on that blog under the ‘business’ brand. Somehow business head me and the crazy, fun loving but sometimes serious Pixie just didn’t mix…. No matter how hard I tried.

And the friends, the many friends and support system of fellow Warrior Women and Goddesses were missed beyond belief. The times when out lives and synchronicity, no matter where we lived and what our lifestyles were, went by without acknowledgement, because following without a blogroll became impossible.

So, now I (or the many aspects of me….which I should call WE) are back…. And It feels good. I found wordpress almost an impossible blog to use and although I'll still use it for my website, this blog and my Inspired by Script Blog will stay with blogger. PHEW!
I'm always preaching to people to be true to yourself...in the other space I felt I wasn't and that goes so much against the grain I felt I was being hidden and dishonest. And for the main part, loosing the contacts and keeping up with the friends (some of which I have known for over 15 years) was like a mini grieving process, and I've done enough grieving for one lifetime ;o)


Business is business and pleasure is pleasure and I’m back to enjoy the ride in my usual, honest blogger way, back in my world and I love it!….So.....Hello Friends and Hell World! I'm giving you all a great big Pixie wave.
With love and brightest blessings,
Sue xxx
Aka - Granny Weatherwax now!

Shoot For The Moon - Les Brown - Birthday Card

After designing and making THIS CARD I've decided to use the design as a template for further cards. This week I've made a blue card as a belated card for a good friend of mine.

The inside reads: Shoot for the Moon,

Even if you miss,

you will land among the stars

The quotation by Les Brown is a particular favourite of mine and is suitable for any occasion.

Then it's my Dad's birthday on th

e 30th and his favourite colour is red



 

These cards can be made to order, just email me at inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk  for further details.

NEW - Baby Birth Announcement Cards

After a few days on monitoring, mainly because my daughter-in-laws blood pressure was high and the baby’s heart kept going dangerously low, baby Daisy Simpson decided to make her grand entrance almost 5 weeks early. It was not only a shock to us but also the doctors and midwife monitoring Sarahs progress as  she had just checked on her and had to be shouted back. Chaos reigned and she was whisked off to the labour ward almost giving birth in the corridor!  Baby Daisy  was born last Tuesday weighing 5lb 4oz and has been in the Special Care Baby Unit since then. All seems to be well….her first picture shows her black eyes caused by the doctor wielding his set of forceps. Daisy has a habit of pulling in ropes. First in the womb, causing the heart stoppages (apparently it’s common!) and now constantly pulling her feeding tube out and removing the plaster too…now she looks like a red Indian with striped either side of her cheeks



Sadly, nowadays, so many family members live a fair distance away and our families are no exception. After designing the new Wedding Cards with the fold over flap, I thought it would be a good idea to also offer these in my shop, so families far and wide could at least meet the new arrival. The design is simple but effective and ordering is made easy. Send us the details of the parents, the name, weight, date and time of birth and a .jpg picture attachment to email….we’ll do the rest. Then is all you need do is peel off the cover of the self adhesive double sided tape, stick down, address, add a stamp and send through the post. A card and an envelope all in one. Sent with a book of stamps, this would make a fuss free gift that will be appreciated by new busy mums and dads. They are already for sale in the shop CLICK HERE TO BUY



And this is my beautiful Granddaughter now…. A few days on and looking more like she’s ready for the world. Still a sleepy head and despite prodding and poking from Grandma refuses to walk up… the picture was taken by her dad… Grandma can’t wait to tell her about Grandmas Magic Tepee and all the adventures we are going to have!

Special Mothers Day Card

A Mothers Day Card. A 3-fold card with a formal italic cover, complimented with a more contemporary inside. Pink gouache for the lettering. The overall size is 445mm x 105mm, so it fits into a standard C6 envelope. Simple, pretty and just right for mothers day.

Bespoke, Hand Made Birthday Card with Calligraphy

Getting commissioned for special occasions cards is one of the most pleasurable of items we can do as calligraphers. This particular card has been made using white Dr. Martins Bleedproof white on Navy Blue cover paper. Dr. Martins is particularly good for it opaque qualities especially on dark colours. I much prefer this to using white gouache.



The above picture shows the front of the card....sadly the photos don't do the colours justice and it really is the most gorgeous Navy Blue. Other colours are available including Red, Green, Yellow, Tan....and others.



The above picture shows the 3-fold card in its entirety. The inside italic lettering sets the card of wonderfully.

North Yorkshire Calligraphers - Exhibition at Preston Park, Museum

As president of North Yorkshire Calligraphers I'm always pleased when I'm kept up to date with the groups achievements by way of their newsletter. This morning wa not exception and I see once again they have an exhibition.



The exhibition is called:

MAKING OUR MARK

The exhibition runs from the 1st April - 30th April 2010

At the Preston Park Museum, Eaglecliffe.

And will be held alongside a permanent exhibition

'Made In Stockton' Go along and see it if you can! It's bound to be a huge success.

Hand Made Wedding Stationery - New Designs

Well as I said in my last post, I’ve been busy working on a new collection on Wedding Stationery. This new Baroque Style Invitation is designed to be both the Invitation and the envelope.

Folded into 3, the top third folds down to form the flap on the back and the address can be written on the front. 



Above is a close up of the detailed border and the design is also continued on the flap.



Both the filigree design work and the Bride and Grooms name can be Colour Co-Co-ordinated to match the theme of the Wedding. A more complete range including Order of Service, Place Cards, Evening Invitations, Menus and Thank You Cards will ba available in the shop section very soon.

Inspired by Script - In the Top Blogs for Calligraphy!

YAY! Just a ruthless attempt at some self promotion here, The-Creative-Spirit, now Inspired by Script is ranked 17th of the top Calligraphy Networked Blogs! http://www.blogstorm.co.uk/top-10-worst-websites/

And once I get the hang of Blogging in this new programme and have a little less commission work... I'll be posting more frequently too.

Lots of interesting things to report. Waiting for Spring to come along and the weather to warm up. My first Grandchild's arrival in April.... or sooner if my predictive dreams are working right. Oh yes, this is going to be one busy year!

Just wanted to pop in, tell everyone I'm still breathing and share my good news with you all.

Well done Kelly, Cari and Bill for being the top 3!

Hand Made Wedding Stationery & Calligraphy Service

It’s that time of the year again, when Christmas is over and the New Year has begun and Brides start planning their Weddings. Almost always, the Invitations are first on their list.

My first Wedding Order has been completed and safely delivered to the awaiting bride.



TThis Invitation is a simple design, clearly understated and printed in soft Grey on a hammered background.

Above is the Wedding Invitation and below is the Evening Invitation



You can see more about previous Wedding Commissions, including Cards, Albums and Seating Plans by clicking on the link to Weddings on the left or BY CLICKING HERE

To order Wedding Stationery or discuss your requirements please ring us on 01609 776 866 or 07816 537 275 Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm or alternatively email me at: inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk  

You can see many more examples of our Wedding Stationery on our sister site North Yorkshire Weddings

Say No To Peace - Framed Original Calligraphy

Anyone with an ounce of compassion in their bodies cannot fail to be disturbed and uncomfortable with the suffering of children right now. The war in Iraq, Afghanistan and now the Earthquake in Haiti. Children are innocent and should not be subjected to the terrible attocities that seem to befall them right now. Often forced to grow up before their time and have to fight for survival.



These thoughts  have played heavily on my mind and I remembered a piece of work I did some years ago…It touched me then as it does now. I still feel the same about the world and how ‘Change’ is nessesary.

The piece itself is 3D. The Dark letters on the Light background are hidden by Light Letters on a Dark background and imprissoned by thin gold threads, somehow representing the fragile strands that make Peace not a thing to be ‘Wished For’ but something that could be so easily remedied if we all stand together.

Say no to peace,

If what they mean by peace

Is the quiet misery of hunger,

The frozen stillness of fear,

The silence of broken spirits

The unborn hopes of the repressed,

 Tell them that peace
Is the shouting of children
The thunder of dancing feet,
And the babble of tongues set free
And a fathers voice singing 

Materials: Cotton Rag, Fabriano 5, Gouache and Gold Thread

Sorry this item is not for sale, but commisions are welcome.

 

Are You Following Your Bliss?

Most artists, writers and creative people share a common bond. A high proportion of creators people are spiritual and connect to something higher or outside of themselves. Some choose to call it deity, some call it their inner soul, others their sprit. Whatever or however you call it, is of no importance, natural creatives ‘know; and share that connection. I’ve pondered over this for a long time and tried to put my finger on how best to describe that ‘inner intuition’ to others. I’ve made a great many contacts, teachers, gurus and co-workers who have put their own slant on it. I’ve found that most of us, meditate, have a close connection with nature and a deep understanding of our ‘selves’ the inner aspects of our personalities that makes us both connect while staying truly unique and individual human beings.

As everyone who is a follower and reader of my blog will be aware, I follow the Turning of the Wheel, the celebration of the ever changing cycles and as the wheel turns so do we, not in a circle as you may think, but in a spiral. And with each turn we have learnt more, developed more and evolved more. Each year comes and goes and hopefully with reflection we can see not only where we have been, but where we are going.

I intend to write a series of articles to help other ‘Natural Creatives’ on their journey and avoid the pitfalls that I have undertaken during my 10 years in business. Feel free to comment, add to or ask questions.. I’ll answer them if I can and find out if I can’t. I’ll recommend books and sites that have been so helpful to me over the past few months. Lets share the journey together. Hopefully I’ll set up a forum sometime soon and we can all get together and network.

Although I celebrate the turning of the Wheel, I find this endless snow and cold tests my faith to the limits and is wearing a bit thin! But the advantage of that is I’ve been able to read more, learn more and understand more the rises and falls of being a Creative Entrepreneur and I’ve made a great many contacts along the way, who happily show and share their techniques and teachings with me and with their permission I in turn will share them with you. I will pull together all many of the beliefs that hold us back from making money from the thing we love to do most. My inspiration will be taken from the many books I have read over the years, from Self Awareness, Positive Thinking, Self Improvement, along with Marketing and Networking ideas and goals.

This is about following your bliss, being true to yourself and daring to dance the dream. Anyone up for this?

Being Authentic

"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity." Keshavan Nair

Identity is an elusive concept. We feel we must define ourselves using a relatively small selection of roles and conscious character traits, even if none accurately represents our notion of “self.” The confusion surrounding our true natures is further compounded by the fact that society regularly asks us to suppress so much of our emotional, intellectual, and spiritual vibrancy. Yet we are, in truth, beings of light—pure energy inhabiting physical bodies, striving for enlightenment while living earthly lives. Our true selves exist whether we acknowledge them or not, often buried under fears and learned behaviour. When we recognize our power, our luminosity, and our divinity, we cannot help but live authentic lives of appreciation, potential, fulfilment, and grace.

At birth and throughout your childhood, your thoughts and feelings were more than likely expressions of your true self. Though you may have learned quickly that to speak and act in a certain fashion would win others’ approval, you understood innately that you were no ordinary being. There are many ways you can recapture the authenticity you once articulated so freely. Meditation can liberate you from the bonds of those earthly customs that compel you to downplay your uniqueness. Also, communing with nature can remind you of the special role you were meant to play in this lifetime. In order to realize your purpose, you must embrace your true self by letting your light shine forth, no matter the consequences.

Rediscovering who you are apart from your roles and traits takes time and also courage. If, like many, you have denied your authenticity for a long while, you may find it difficult to separate your true identity from the identity you have created to cope with the world around you. Once you do find this authentic self, however, you will be overcome by a wonderful sense of wholeness as you reconcile your spiritual aspect and your physical aspect, as well as your inner- and outer-world personas. As you gradually adjust to this developing unity, your role as a being of light will reveal itself to you, and you will discover that you have a marvellous destiny to fulfil.

Have the courage to be yourself. Leave behind the fear that you will be judged, you may be, but those who love you, will love you for 'Who you really are, not who you portray yourself to be'.

Affirmation: I step forward, into the light calm and confident in 'who' I am.

I look in the mirror and like what I see!

Grow Your Own Veg!

It’s so much easier in many ways to receive and share information on face Book. Quite often I get links to items I plan to share on my blog, but then feel like I will combine them as part of a post…. Then forget all about it. So, if you have a Face Book account, come and join me and a lot more other ‘like minded folk’ and if you haven’t go and create one.

I saw this and just had to share. I heard about a scheme to take over unused land over a year and a half ago and I must admit I thought the idea was a bit….errrrmmm… unlikely. I mean, no one gives you land and lets you use it for free right? And ironically a plot of land to grow enough food to feed a family is quite simply mad. The area/person ratio…. BUT communally (and my views on communal living are that this is the only way forward for the future – as a collective I mean) yes communally this is doable. I have a group of friend who do this and have done for the past 2 years. Those who can dig, dig… those who can plant, plant… those who can weed, weed….etc. The older one of the group is virtually unable to do much at all, so he has the job of looking after the kids (I did say ‘kiddy entertainer then but it sounded NOT QUITE RIGHT!).

Anyway….for Eco Warriors, who give a toss what they are eating, where it comes from and how it is grown…take a look at this:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/04/grow-your-own-unused-land-2030  I think you will find it interesting!

Art Video

I saw this and just HAd to share it...It's B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L!

Ahhhh the joy of things to come!

I know it seems like my blogging has been a little bit more than hit and moss at the moment…but I AM working hard behind the scenes, trying to master the art of Wordpress as opposed to that wonderful friendly place Blogspot.

The quotation: “Change is inevitable, struggle is an option” holds no comfort at present and if anyone tried to say this to me I would probably strangle them at the moment J

I have added things, taken them away, moved things and deleted them…almost without knowing why, if and how it happened. My poor long suffering business advisor rings me at night and in his own time to try and sort it out. When I had to email him today to tell him I had somehow deleted (or misplaced) the WHOLE list of shop Categories that took me forever to list…his reply was What the $%&”£*& have you done!  I meekly whimpered… and the Warrior woman sprung to life and I told him that Wordpress could send me over the edge… Why do people laugh when I tell them I’m loosing the will to live? Does no one take me seriously any more?

OK… My hair is purple, my socks are stripy and don’t match, I blow bubbles, order LED Poi (despite almost making myself brain dead with the ones I already have!) I wear bright clothes and twirly skirts, dance when I am alone….dance in public sometimes! And today even demonstrated Yoga in the snow… I was helping someone with a bad back, right? I didn’t do it for laughs….why can’t people take me seriously.

My friends are constantly asked if I’ve lost the plot…the smile (or is it a smirk) and reassure me I’m sane….but would I know? That is the question. People are so kind J

Tonight I fell on the ice, got up, fell again, got up…. And stayed up, with nothing more than a crushed box of cat biscuits. Far from being the graceful ice skater and Dancing on Ice…to be fair I felt a bit of a prat….but sadly I laughed… no that’s not true… the comment should be HAPPILY I laughed!

All this fooling aside… I have blogs to share, wisdom to write and inspiration to give….all in the pipeline. Thankfully my followers from The Creative Spirit are now being redirected… and in time I WILL find out how to put in my Blog Roll and add you once again… I miss you guys….Wordpress is so sterile compared to Blogger, but I need to change for the sake of my business.

I am however Adam Ant that the blog will continue to be an eclectic mixture of fun, wild spirits and seriousness and be the Honest Blog on which I based my award.

By the way, I see Haley at Iridescent Dark has been awarded the Honest Blogger… well done sweetie you so deserve it! And your maturity and Wise Woman ways are far in advance of your age! Brightest Blessings, to you xxx

To be honest... it's been hard leaving Blogger behind, even though all my posts were transferred over to Wordpress, there's a sense of mourning and a feeling like I've left and old comfortable blanket behind.... as with the sun, the warmth and light returns....it's just hard at the moment when I see my business name up there on the banner instead of the Pixie Spirited - Creative Spirit one... 'One feels one has to be far more formal and serious, and behave in a more Professional manner somewhat;.... Hmmmm not really me is it? You can change your clothes and dress how you want....but your soul speaks from the inside... you true authentic self.

And added later: There are things missing! Like where's the bl@@dy spellcheck? And how do I make my text larger? And how can I change the Font to Ariel instead of that awful (should be banned!) Times new Roman??? So many questions, so little time....rambling now to will press the Publish button!... oh yes AFTER I have selected the 25.000 options that I do and don't want to have on this post... ARRRGGHHH wheres the bridge I'm gonna throw myself off!

Just for Today

As many of us are going back to work today, I give you this quote that came from my friend Teri this morning... thanks hun xxx
Whatever you want in life, start today.
Not tomorrow - today. Let it be a small beginning - a tiny beginning.
Your happiness depends on starting today - every day.

Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Lilies are FATAL to cats!

I have just recieved a message and warning from a freind and couldn't believe it... till I read the following Lillies are FATAL to cats!  I ask that if you are a cat owner, you read the link. There is a lot of information on google if you care to research it.

In the hour of Advirsity, Be not without hope,

In the hour of adversity,

Be not without hope,

For crystal rain falls

From dark clouds

I Know I’m not the only one who will breath a huge sigh of relief at seeing the back end of 2009. There’s always a sense of relief and a strange fearful optimism that comes with ever New Year.  Oddly I can never reflect on the old year until I have entered the new. I lost many people last year, mostly people who were too young to die and more than one would think of as being a reasonable quantity in anyone’s book, but a friend put it in perspective when she said, ‘Well you shouldn’t know so many people’, and I suppose proportionally I lost no more than the average man. Ironically, each passing caused me to reflect on the vast amount of friendships I have formed both here and abroad through firstly my Calligraphy and Lettering Art and secondly my Spiritual beliefs. Almost all the connections and friendships made are from one or the other of these parts of me that I feel so hard to separate from the ‘Me’ within, the ‘Self’. When you hold your spiritual practices close to your heart it often challenging to ‘Believe’ that whatever happens, all is working out for the higher good.

Looking inward for a time helps us re-evaluate our goals and dreams. It gives us time to shake off that which is no longer working and reach for that which we truly desire. It’s when things seem at their very worst that we grow the most…. Often in leaps and bounds and looking at what there is to be grateful for can help us push away the negativity that can cripple even the strongest person.

Non of us can go through life without being battered around and punched in the gut now and again, for if we suffer no pain, we don’t know the joy of love. If we do not suffer loss, we don’t recognise and appreciate the gains. All in all, what we need to do during the bad times is hold on tight for the ride and reach out for that glimmer of light in the far distance and watch it grow ever so slowly larger,. Eventually the darkness fades and the light returns anew.

Lets make this year, a year of creativity. One where we fill the world with colour. Make art, make love, make new friends. Loose the fear of your art not being ‘good enough’, the act of creating is enough in itself. Create for the sheer pleasure of making something. Learn a new hobby, walk more in nature, play more and connect with your inner child. Build sandcastles on the beach, blow bubbles in the air, sing, dance and laugh more, loose that fear and above all else, fight adulthood at all costs!

I hope you have made your ‘Wish List’ for the year ahead. Fellow friends and bloggers, leave a comment and link if you publish your list. For those without a blog…. Is it not time to create one?

Bright Blessings,

Sue xxx

Denis Brown New Video

Denis Brown New Video.... well worth a watch!

http://quillskill.com/xmas/2009/go.htm

At last we seem to have sorted out the comments section to the blog.....phew relief!

Anything new is always a challenge, and especially so at this time of the year. I've also added a new header for your questions and answers, eventually I hope to convert this to a message board/forum, which will give greater interaction with my friends, other creatives and my clients....one big happy family!  And in the meantime if you want to join me on FaceBook, I've added my link in the side bar. It's all go, go, go!

Enjoy the video!

Hand Made Greeting Cards added to website

The GREETING CARDS section has been added to my shop!

Yule is fast a coming....What Is Love?

The studio has been busy. Building and designing the new website is a task unto itself. So many decisions to make and the overall look and end result have to be decided upon before you even start. There’s still a lot to add in the shop section and each item listed and categorised correctly to avoid confusion. It’s a steep learning curve.

I have made and finished my Yule Cards…….

 

But the snow has fallen thick and fast; making walking on the icy paths treacherous and nigh on impossible, so whether they will actually reach the post box is another matter.

 

Here is one of a number of canvas commissions I undertook…..

 

The background is Acrylic Paint textured with cling film and the writing is done simply but effectively with silver pen. There is some multi coloured iridescent power on the top for added impact, this is subtle and only shows when it catches the light in a certain way. …ok back to the Website building.