Happy Harebells...And (Sort-Of) Christmas in July...

"Happy Harebells" sketch...

Hello there, and I hope you are thriving in your corner of the world.

This week's art and designs are such a mixed bag, that, like football (soccer!) they are a game of two halves.

First came this sketch of harebell flowers, that then made its way onto a really dear friend's birthday card. (I think she might actually be a newsletter reader too, so this comes with even more good wishes. And speaking directly to that person for just a second, no, I won't put this on anything for sale until you've had loads of time to enjoy it, and maybe not even then. Thank you for being you. ;-)).

Then there is/was... the "Christmas in July" situation...

And just like that, here we are again. The point in the year that astounds any sane person. Namely, that July is the traditional time in which artists and designers are supposed to prepare designs so that they are available/algorithm noted etc, in time for Christmas or pre-Christmas purchases.

And yes, I'm aware that it's the very last day of July, as am typing this.

In truth, I just couldn't face even trying to get festive in the midst of summer weather (and ooh, you know, the state of the world, etc).

But then some little robins and berries just made their way into some art the other week. And what do you know? That snowy robin led to an entire collection of designs.

I hasten to add, they are still very much a "work in progress".

But if you'd like a quick peek at the collection in its rough form, here's a photo.

Thanks to Jim for this pic, who came into our bedroom
when I was trying to get this into a photo, and took it for me.

So please watch this space, a little later in the year. (Update on September 10th 2025- the printable papers are for sale here, and the full collection on fabrics and wallpaper at Spoonflower here).

And with that, I'll leave you to your day (and huge thanks for reading down this far).

The next instalment might not be for a couple of weeks or so, as there is a huge amount still to do, not only for this collection, but also on items that'll be fun for you much sooner.

But there will be...

More soon.
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Here's Some Pink Cosmo Goodness...

Pink Cosmo Sketch: Inktense Paints and Sakura pen
on Artway Indigo paper

Hello there

In the midst of everything else of much greater importance in the world, if you want to relax, take a breath, and look at something pretty for a moment, there at least, I might be able to help.

The picture you see above is a sketch, based on pink cosmo flowers at Capel Manor (yes, from our trip the other week, and captured in a new, handmade-paper-and-as-far-as-I-know-vegan Artway Indigo journal/sketchbook, to which I treated myself last week. 

(And yes, if you fancy one too, that is an affiliate link, so I'd get paid a small commission if you purchased through it. But it's fine if you don't, are curious, and just want to have a look :-) ).

Good news for crafters

Which all, in a roundabout way, adds up to some good news if you're one of my readers who enjoys a downloadable craft sheet. I've started making them again. So go here if you're looking for some colourful pink cosmo crafting goodness, where you'll find a sheet that'll help you get the look of all that original paper and watercolour more instantly. 

If you keep to the card as designed (don't feel you have to!) it'll give you a result something like this:

Tap or click here to see  and buy this
as a card sheet at Craftsuprint...

Either way,  hope it gives you, or a crafter you know,  lots of fun and joy to work with.

And that just about wraps things up for the week. Be safe, well and happy. And thanks so much for being here, and for reading down this far.

More soon

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Well, You Can't Win 'Em All...

Days 5-16 of World Watercolour Month

Hello there

Am just popping in ever so quickly here, to say hello. Hope all's going well with you.

It's been a heck of a week...Lots and lots of admin (most of it not my own) and...(much more to my taste)...an *amazing* new computer (about which much more in a later post).

So keeping up with World Watercolour Month has been a bit of a challenge of late. I post the picture more as proof than with being delighted. But, as the title says...You can't win 'em all ;-) . And it's important that I be honest, and share some of the flops along with everything else.

But, in getting back to the scrumptious new PC...So much more to say, and so many amazing creative opportunities. I'm one lucky bunny, thanks to the Computer Man.

Which means there will be...

More soon
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A Poppy Thank You, And Changes Afoot...

"Thank You" Poppy Planter Sketch

Hello there

Hope all is well, safe and happy with you. It is here-but have been so busy, that this thank you (originally created as thanks for some lovely birthday gifts)  has been just about the only new design I can share with you.

But it is also meant as a thanks to you, both for being here, and in advance, for your patience.

Basically, the time has come to move to a better platform for newsletters (so that you don't have to be bothered by any pesky adverts for who-knows-what, for one thing. Many apologies if you've already been affected by this. Please know that change is coming).

However, to get this right, it's going  to take some research, adjustments, and thought. So please bear with me whilst I work this one out.

In the meantime, thanks again for being here. Please feel free to share the image above too, if you find it useful, and have people you'd like to thank (especially online, as I've sized it more for that here...). Note, am hoping that the new solution will make such sharing waaay easier :-).

Take care, and more soon-including some summery tales...

P.S. Update on 13th September 2025: A variation of this image (minus the text) is now available as a print and on all sorts of goodies here.

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Tiny, Whimsical Sketches for World Watercolour Month 2025

Sketches for the start of "World 
Watercolour Month 2025"
in pen and Derwent Inktense
watercolours.

Hello there

Hope all's well and thriving in your corner of the world. And speaking of "world", it now being July (How? Already?!) it's World Watercolour Month, 2025.

What is "World Watercolour Month?

The idea behind World Watercolour Month is that it's a low-pressure challenge, involving optional daily prompts (usually meaning that people need to draw something random, and interestingly-outside-normal-comfort-zones).

This year, I decided at least to start off with the prompts, but to ease the pressure on myself in what is nearly-always a hyper-busy month in this house, by doing tiny two inch square sketches, and batching my uploads somewhat. This also has the happy result that innocent onlookers  don't get deluged with disparate images day after day.

But if you'd like to know more about World Watercolour Month,  as well as seeing *lots* more art from some great people, all the details are here.

That's all from here for now-and thank you, as ever, for reading down this far.

More soon.
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