New Keys to Joy...

Keep Finding New Keys to Joy

Well, I'm back, as promised, with an update (and sooo many thanks to the people who got in touch saying that this is a good thing, in one way or another).

And as you'll see, the new art that's emerged during the break (and is still emerging) is very, very different to the old. But now I'm used to the bright shock of it, am loving it, which is a great start.

Where this will all go, I really don't know at the  moment. (Though I did have a peek at how it looks on a few things, and specially enjoyed it on this greeting card).

Keep Finding New Keys to Joy Greeting Card

But more than anything, it's lovely to be back in the land of colour and joy. And even lovelier that you're there with me.

Next step is to let this new style tell me where it wants to go. I'll update you as soon as I know myself.

Thanks so much for being here.

More soon.

___________________________


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Drink in These Colours-And Their Story...

Hello there

Now, I do realise that the design in today's post might very much either be to your taste, or not.

But as it's the middle of January, even if a  bright pink crochet effect pattern isn't your thing, I thought you might at least enjoy drinking in the colours...

1970s-Inspired Bright Pink
Crochet-Effect Boho Pattern

And if, on the other hand, it's made you go. "That would be perfect for my 1970's-inspired [insert your project details here]," then you're in luck.

It's available at Spoonflower on fabric, wallpaper and other goodies (and indeed as an entrant in the "Craft Maximalism," themed contest on there at the moment). 

Every design has its day

Here's a fun fact about this design. The actual motifs in this pattern have been on my hard drive for several years. But I could never see a use for them until that contest (and a big swing in the world towards bright colours) came about.

I guess the comforting moral of that story, if there is is one, is that every dog (or design, in this case) really does have its day.

Thanks so much for being here, and have a great week.

More soon.

___________________________

New Line and Wash Illustration: Bird of Paradise Flower

Bird of Paradise Flower Illustration
(You can  download and share this, but please keep
 the attribution on the image. Many thanks!)

Hello there, and I hope any holidays you've had/are still having have been exactly how you needed them to be.

Ours were not at all as we'd planned, as not long after I'd scheduled the previous post, we learnt that my father-in-law, Mike had died. He was a good soul, whose quiet, calm presence, dry sense of humour and endless patience will be much missed.

But...

But having said that, he was also, until his last years at least, a good and enthusiastic photographer and card designer himself. So Mike, with huge thanks to all your support of my artistic (and other!) efforts, and appreciation of the details that make a difference...this image is dedicated to you, with lots of love.

And yes, it's a bright image, because even though Mike himself was on the quieter side, he never missed a chance to appreciate (and often photograph) colour in nature. Some of my best memories of him involve going round various gardens, and us  noticing, talking about and photographing plants, including the exotic ones at Kew Gardens.

This flower also feels like a symbol of hope for the future, which is what I'm sure he'd want us all to have.

 Please bear with me over the next few weeks, as blog postings may have different timings and frequency until the end of January.

And if you're new to the blog-welcome-and I promise that 99% of my posts are much more uplifting than this one.

On that note, let's all make it a Happy New Year, no matter what.

More soon.

___________________________

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