Another sneak preview of an illustration I am working on:

Busy, busy, busy- I think there should be 10 days in a week and not just 7!

Anyway, being busy is good- it means you are learning and developing and not just sitting on your arse watching neighbours (although it would be nice to do that every now and then!).

The house is coming along well- this week Matthew and I have been concentrating on finishing the floorboards...well, actually, Matthew has done most of the work- he was the one who had to sand down all the black tar that was left over from years ago when they used to lay carpets- smelly, sticky stuff! This is what they looked like before:

And this is them now:

We are going to do the same in the bedroom this week- oh joy!

On the art front- I have managed to get two of my prints on canvas framed and stretched as a present for someone. I'm really pleased with how they have come out:

I'm working on a new picture for my exhibition although I am not too sure where it is going as yet! :-)

Today I have been working in the garden-My very helpful freind Kat came over with her fork and spade and we turned over the vegetable patch ready for next Spring.

Before:

And half- way through digging (model Kat!):


We have pretty much finished all of it-but for now we have covered it in an old carpet to keep out the weeds:

The soil here was excellent because of the years of compost it's obviouvly been fed. I really enjoyed myself being in the garden...it's quite theraputic and satisfying to see how much work you can get done. I can't wait to get started on the rest of it.
Oh, and here are my fabulous wellies:

A sneak preview of a brochure I am working on for Art Garden Studios:

Hello,

I haven't been doing much drawing this week but just a lot of thinking and organising. I feel there are a lot of changes going on at the moment- which is good, but it always feels as though something is moving and changing in my head and I have to constantly try and work out what to expect and what is going on. I enjoy this feeling although it also brings on thoughts of panic and that old friend of mine self-doubt rears his ugly head. I'm trying to stay positive and excited not worried and doubtful.

I have a lot to look forward to and work towards at the moment. My Mum and I are holding an exhibition at The Forum, Norwich in July. We have 16 display stands each for 6 days and have a lot of work to produce. It's going to be great publicity as they apparently receive 50,000 visitors there every week and it's a very creative environment. Also, my Mum's business is really starting to take off and I am going to be quite involved and have a huge responsibility with the prints and sales side of it all. It's great as I feel so passionate about what she does and the work she produces but I am also nervous I might f**k it up along the way. It feels a bit like being at the top of a rollercoaster ride and you know the big drop is going to make your tummy squeal but the adrenalin makes it all worthwhile and you want to feed off the same experience again and again.

On the plus side- we finally have radiators in our house- hurrah!

Holly :-)

My house...

my garden from the back of the house...


and the veggie patch at the side of the house- which I am now worried about- I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START!... We may turn the shed into a bar! :-)


and sketches of Matthew painting the living room....

The exhaust fell off our van today- that was embarrasing and we have only had it for one day! Plus, I lost a sale at work that was worth nearly £5000! rubbish...

Anyway, I've a bit of a breakthrough with my painting. Not exactly on the 'being pleased with what I have done' side of things but more the fact that I actually sat down for 7 hours solid on one picture and didin't get disheartened by it once- not even when I messed it up a bit! :-)

I think I've fallen in love-