Creating from Scratch

You get what you need

I seem to be having a string of bad health luck of late. First last week's migraine then this morning I slipped getting into the shower and - crash - I fell and hit my head smack on the toilet.

Nothing finer then being sprawled on the bathroom floor (sans clothes, of course) screaming at 6:30 a.m. Joy joy. I now have a lump the size and shape of a golf ball and a horribly wrenched neck.

So today is all about taking it easy. The perfect time to finish up my project for this week's Midweek Make Break.

The theme?

Stillness. Couldn't be more perfect.

Happy Friday, everyone. Hope you find some peace and quiet in your day.

The simple things

I started off a very promising week by receiving an unexpected and ultimately not very welcome gift: my first ever migraine headache.

Three lost days and nights later, I've returned - and, compared with that private suffering, which was absolutely unlike anything I've ever experienced before, life seems rosy and fantastic. My vision is again clear, my thoughts unfogged, the tingling in my extremities receded, and most important, the sledgehammer-like pounding inside and outside of my skull has lovingly silenced. In fact, every symptom vanished, simultaneously, at precisely 8:03 p.m. on Thursday.

Poof. Just like that. A bit surreal, really.

Today, post migraine, I feel like I've had 100 massages, slept in late, witnessed the blooming of every flower in the world at once, and had the most extravagant box of organic, Fairtrade, 70% cocoa solids chocolate delivered to me on a platter. All at the same time.

Another bright spot? This lovely little box of goodies in the photo, above, arrived today from Lisa. How sweet she is! (Actually, there were more bits in the package, but I've already used them!).

Life is good. Sometimes things need to get really, really bad so you can remember just how good.

I've got the bug

Nothing like seeing your child wearing something you've made. (Had to snap this when R. was already at nursery due to light issues, but you get the idea. I made it on Sunday afternoon, and she wore it last night with some stripey tights and loved it.) This was my third sewing project and I have to say that I'm hooked! Next step, something for myself?

Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

Support the little guys

Just ordered a copy. Wheee!

One down. . .

Held my first workshop last night, this one for the lovely ladies of the N1WI. Great feedback, and many wonderful emails this morning. So inspiring!

I have also identified several potential designers to help create my visual identity and am meeting with the first one on Monday. This is very exciting as I'm keen to move forward (already have press interest and lots of women asking about upcoming evening and weekend workshops in London...go go go!). If you'd like to be added to the mailing list, shoot me an email (see left). Onward and upward.

Hope everyone's enjoying their week.

Life lessons

Phew. My absence from this space gives a gentle indication of what my life has been like lately. Too many deadlines, building something beyond my day job, being a Mom and wife. Quite simply, not enough of me to go around.

But in my time away from here, some bright spots:

+ My day-long sewing class last Thursday. Although the dreary, airless, windowless space in the labryinth depths of John Lewis was far from ideal, I got some of the technical know-how out of the way (hurrah!) and became inspired to finally make a dress for my daughter WIP, above.

Very simple. Very pink. (What can I say about the latter point - she's four and she's a girl. Attempting to steer 4 year-old girls away from pink is often, quite frankly, an exercise in futility. Best to give in occasionally.)

+ Meeting Amelia, fellow perfectionist/novice sewer at said class. Lots in common and am looking forward to hanging out again soon.

+ The wonderful input I received from the survey I sent to subscribers of my e-newsletter, the Midweek Make Break. (If you want to know more about the newsletter, look over to the right). Great feedback that will be put to use tomorrow as I work on the next issue. You guys are wonderful - so very wonderful.

+ Leon for lunch. When will they open in my neighborhood? London needs more healthy, wonderful, ethical, organic "fast food" places.

+ Finally watching Little Miss Sunshine. And watching Barton Fink for probably the eight millionth time. I simply love the Coen Brothers' work. Isn't it about time we had a new movie from them?

+ Winning something! I am the soon-to-be recipient of a wonderful gift from Paper and String. I am smiling ear-to-ear.

+ And as always, some great ideas out there:

- Baby books that keep adults laughing, too. From the fab McSweeney's folks, by way of Swissmiss.

- Gorgeous little boxes for tiny slices of cake or other goodies, made by twelve22.

- Sunlit windows when you have none. Thanks, BB-Blog.

- A reminder of just how wonderful Joseph Campbell was ... and continues to be. I heart Molly Chicken for posting the YouTube link.

Are you following your bliss, as Mr. Campbell suggests? I'm trying to do exactly that. Boy, does it sometime make for a crazy, busy week - but overall, it feels good.