blessings

This past week has definitely been one that hit me full in the face. We've all had times like these so I know you'll understand what I'm talking about. Monday morning I had something awful confirmed that deeply effects my business through no fault of my own, I would love to share the details but I just can't at this time.

Within the same day my boyfriend got told to go to A&E immediately to get an infection he'd had for a couple of weeks treated. He was and is fine but the man you love getting unexpectedly put in hospital for a few days is a bit of a shock to say the least. Between getting my ducks in a row to protect my business and worrying about Scott there hasn't been a whole lot of work happening this week. I can't tell you how frustrating this is as I have been on such a creative roll of late.

But anyway I called this post blessing because I still have many to count; Scott being home safely and mostly in good spirits about his new badass neck scar. Having an amazing circle of friends to turn to for support, advise and contacts. Discovering the culinary wonder that is beetroot on wholemeal toast with camembert (picture above). Any meal that easy and tasty has to be a blessing, right? Somehow keeping on top of the 100 days project (picture also above) I now have 2 full sheets. Finally, getting back into my work and seeing my new line come together. I still have a bit to do but it feels more like a mole hill than a mountain at the moment. I'm pretty glad to put this week behind me and hope to share more positive posts in the weeks to come.

100 days...

I have just embarked on the 100 days project, you can read about it here. Basically you choose a creative processes and do it once everyday for 100 days. I am taken it as an opportunely to add some structure to my structureless life. But more importantly it's giving me a reason to 'practice' doing hand lettering.

My project is pretty straight forward I will hand write the word 'PRACTICE' in an illustrated font. My first go -above- is pretty crappy but I have 99 more goes to get it right. (Note the awful kerning/spacing at the end of the word, I'll be working on that tomorrow)

I'm documenting my work on Tumblr and also daily on Instagram user name dearcolleen... no surprise there.

hey cookie

No posts for weeks then two in as many days... no jokes about buses. Anyway this is a quickly just because I made these cookie the other day and they were devine.

The lovely Sophie a friend from Wellington recommended this recipe for Salted Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (I won't bother repeating it here just click on the link). Sophie runs a great blog, please do check it out, her OE will make you green with envy. Anyway it's the best thing I've baken in ages and so easy, there for utterly blog worthy. I cook a lot and never post recipe so you know it must be good. I believe Sophie made them with the much talked about Whittaker's peanut butter chocolate, I used their peanut slab. I'm sure both addictions add some magic.

in the zone

Ok sorry about the awful title but it does sum up why yet again I have been AWOL. I recently made a board of all the concepts in my notebooks that I felt would make good designs, it's a rather grand total of 35, I'm not going to get them all done over the next few weeks but I am keen to whittle the todo list down.

Since opening the shop I have introduced new work as and when they're done, the odd piece here the odd piece there. However for this release I wanted to work more like a fashion designer might and create a line of designs on a theme, which will be launch together. This hasn't been an easy way to work, particularly financially but hopefully it's been worth it as I'm really pleased with how things are coming together. The new line is definitely a progression but hopefully without losing the elements that make it feel like mine. As always, I'm writing most of the copy as well as drawing, designing and working out production. I'm 7 designs down and I'm aiming for a finished line of 12 pieces. At this point I'm pretty mentally shattered but my hands are serving me well and seem to be drawing faster and with more accurately each day. Above a preview of a tee design in progress from scribbled idea to artworked design. Thanks to a couple of cool folks on social media for pointing me in the direction of this version of the old quote. I'm aiming for a release date of early May.

Well I'm publicly announcing deadlines I've also made a pact, of sorts with some fellow designer types on twitter to get my rebrand and website sorted (kind of) by the 4 May. I'm very thankful for Amy Potter and Liora of Toodles Noodle for being part of this plan because it might actually get me to stick to a deadline for once.