eeeeek! its an update!!!!

In the funny way of trying to keep this blog alive despite the slow crawl speed of the dial- up internet at my parents- and the lack of my favourites list, I have had to do a bit of search for my favourite blogs, which is slightly weird, like along the lines of not remembering phone numbers because they are stored in your cellphone.

I have been doing some work on an illustration in freehand the last day or so- it is being traced from a drawing that I did late last year (2005 that is) and has been lingering around just asking to be a bit dressed up and put into my portfolio. I even have a spot for it- right at the very end, saying 'goodbye'- is that even a good thing to put in a portfolio, because generally, when you present your portfolio at an interview you would want to be called back. Either way it has been something that I have been meaning to do for a while, and if I'm motivated enough, I will post it (also difficult because of parental computers...).

I named this blog 'auntie' because I have been an auntie since I was six- in my sister's family there is only one name for me- Auntie! I have 2 nephews and 2 nieces- within the broad age ranges of 16 to 2. So being an auntie is a really nice side of my life. I was given a lovely book called 'The Complete Book of Aunts' by Rupert Christiansen as a Christmas present from my workmate. I particlulary liked the chapter on eccentric and exotic aunts. I think that a good dash of eccentricity is kind of important if you want to be any kind of mad aunt...

Happy Birthday Georgie!

My niece Georgie is 2 today (the youngest one of them all). And the only one (as far as I know) to ask for an encore of the 'Happy Birthday' song from my mother....

A week of holiday has done me good, I feel less tiiiired, and a good amount of sunny Napier does you no harm. I have brought a mad mad 60s gold lurex dress from an antiques shop and have spotted a charming (is there a better word) cat brooch (broach??????).
I have also developed a slightly unhealthy obsession with an embroidery (also for a niece of mine) that has been a side project for the last few years. I started it when I was a student- I was in a flat where, somewhat bizarely, for a while, all the girls were into embroidery. I took it up as it was good and inexpensive way to fill up time. Now that I have spent a bit of quality time on it, after a yearlong hiatus- completing the smiling cat (non- Cheshire) and working on the clouds- I suspect that this will be a summer side project- after all, when you get started on a creative project of any description it can very quickly snowball into something bigger. If I am more motivated I will post a picture of the NeverEnding Embroidery...

long time. no write. holiday soon.

I have one week to last before holiday, I'm off to Napier, Art Deco Capital of the world - where the parents live. Its a loverly relaxing seaside town. Very exciting. My life has been mad busy so I havent been able to post anything (after all this effort to get this thing going!)
In my holiday I hope to....
1. Relax. Remove signs of stress (scary dark eye circles) from my face.
2. Learn how to smock.
3. Spend some quality time with my family (cat included.)
and perhaps do a painting.

to act on a thought

ok. so I have been somewhat inspired by the arty and crafty and design-y blogs floating about that I have decided to create one of my own. I hope it will keep me motivated to actually go through with my small list of side projects....