My Etsy shop window

Thursday 30 October 2008

Saturday 25 October 2008

Gladioli


Gladioli
Originally uploaded by JaneHostler

To me, these Gladioli ended up looking more beautiful when they were dead

Thursday 23 October 2008

holly - Etsy shop

I bought these vinyl wall art decals a few weeks ago from Holly's shop on Etsy. I couldn't wait to get them up on Oli's walls. I think they look fantastic and I'm itching to get some more. They've got an addictive quality - it might be something to do with having never been allowed to put stickers on anything as a child. This is legal and looks wicked!

There's the set of 3 Small Bird Wall Decals, the Large Wood Owl Wall Decal and the Large Rocket Ship Wall Decal.






Tuesday 14 October 2008

Back at it

This is the first thing I've made in ages. Since Oliver was born in fact.
Somewhat inspired by Laura Baxter, it's for a good friend and incorporates her two small daughter's initials.
I thought once they were old enough she could give them each their initial to wear, and she would be left to wear the 'twig' that represents the two of them.

Jane Gallagher
Jane GallagherIt's given me some ideas for new designs too.

Sunday 12 October 2008

the big itch

I'm getting a real itch now to get back to creating.
Oli is now 12 weeks old and is in a great routine that means I could potentially have some time to put in to being crafty again.

I got a real urge to start drawing too which is bizarre as I can't draw and it's never really been my medium. I also keep finding myself arriving at blogs written by such creative and insirational people that it's making me drool with the endless possibilites of how I could be spending my time.

Wednesday 8 October 2008

Monday 6 October 2008

isak posters

There is still some empty wall space in Oliver's room so I've got my eye out for some stylish child friendly art to go up there.

These posters from isak.co.uk fit the bill perfectly...

isak: 1-20 bird counting poster
isak: 1-10 counting poster trees
isak: abc alphabet poster trees

Friday 3 October 2008

All new shiney Bristol

The centre of Bristol is now an entirely new thing to behold. And if you like to shop in chain stores then it will no doubt make you quiver with excitement - there are over 120 new shops.

In short, Bristol was heavily bombed during the war and 60 years later Cabot Circus was built...

Cabots CircusWe even have a Harvey Nicks which seems to be revered as a shopping temple unique from all other shopping temples and I'm not entirely sure why yet. The ironic thing though is that it's sat right where there used to be a pound shop.

Harvey NicholsWe also have an Apple store now which is a worrying prospect for our future financial situation

Apple store

Thursday 2 October 2008

What to do

This morning I went to look at a possible nursery for Oli to join when I go back to work.

I can't actually believe how quickly that's come around.
When I was pregnant and looking towards my maternity leave, it felt like I was going to be away from work for ever. But now the months are starting to speed by and I need to make some decisions.

I'd initially planned to be away from work until Oli was at least 6 months old and then it would be down to how poor we were as to when I would return. Now the little chap is here though, I understand why people find it so hard to leave such a small person in the care of strangers (essentially).
I'll only really be happy leaving Oli when he's more of his own person and not so dependent. I hate picturing him just lying there with no stimulation or being ignored. I know that that's a worse case scenario and not likely to happen but still.

There are so many things to consider right now. Like whether to even return to my job or to take the opportunity to build up my personal creative empire. To be honest though, a potential £600 monthly childcare bill kind of dictates that I go back to a paying job!

I do still enjoy my job. And love that the first thing I do in the morning is open Photoshop. And I get paid for being creative.
And as much as I love to romatically picture myself in a studio space (oh to live like Camilla Engman), and spending my days with similar beings, I just don't think it's feasible. I'm not convinced it's the best time to become a starving artist. Then again you only live once! Oh I don't know.

hmmm.