This, that and the other

It has been some time ... again. I'm a little out of synch, a little out of rhythm, a little behind. The boys returned to school last tuesday as did my hubby and so after much summer haze and fun times, we are all a little rusty at the old routine! On day 3 of school, I was called to pick up my Zach early after a bumped head and two grazed elbows in the playground. I was pretty glad that I had gone rummaging for books for him and had found two in a charity shop earlier in the day. I'm very grateful that a good book always goes down well with this kid. One ice cream, a chorizo sandwich, plantain chips and a freddo frog later he was beginning to feel better!

My days have not quite been my own as I have been toing and froing with morning sessions whilst settling Elliott into 'proper school'! Included here are a couple of pictures of some random stickering in our neighbourhood, Elliott spotted them and was greatly amused! They brought forth some deep belly giggles! In between my toing and froing I have been sneaking in some card making, I'm trying to build up some stock. A few nights ago in a desperate attempt to end the day having made 'something', I managed to print 10 cards ready for collaging just before bed. This morning I was able to churn out quite a few too, I'm getting better at using those twenty or thirty minute gaps in the day. David Sellers, my bookworks tutor from my uni days would be proud of the editions I'm knocking out!

So, tomorrow is THE day. My little one starts full days at school and you know ... perhaps I want to shed a tear, maybe two. In private of course, I would be very disappointed in myself if a tear, yet alone more escaped whilst in public. I thought these emotions would bypass me as I made my regular affirmations of 'it's time', 'I feel fine', 'I'm excited'! Suddenly though I am aware that things are out of my control, change is here, I am no longer waiting for it to take position. It is here. Sigh ... exhale ... deep breath ... smile! Repeat.

It's all part of the journey ...

My non-functional desk

Last week I was feeling really fed up that my desk 'work space' had become a dumping ground, see picture above. It is a by product of trying to squeeze in making bits and bobs into unrealistic time slots and hence when I have to clear away or leave things to dry or gather my itty bitty stamps and various papers. When my time is up, I finally have to surrender and just fling all of that stuff onto my desk - the only safe place for it to go away from little hands and away from spaces that have another function ie our dinner table. 

The desk in its state pictured above was not inspiring me to work as I knew I needed to have a sort out before even getting down to work, probably leaving me an hour maximum to be creative! So, the desk remained like this for another couple of days until a dear friend of mine sent me a message reminding me that she had commissioned a piece of work from me that she needed in a couple of days for a gift. She generously gave me the option to have more time to work on a piece but suddenly my heart began pounding with excitement at the challenge of a deadline. I love a deadline! I love it in as much as it motivates me to get the job done, no hesitation, no excuses. I am in a constant state of forgetting and then remembering that this is how I thrive, I thrive with a deadline in place. It is a useful thing to know about myself, so why do I forget this? 

Anyway, knowing that my dear friend would be coming over at lunch time on friday, on thursday night last week I packed the kids off to bed and set to work. The photograph below was taken at 23.51 hours just as I was calling it a night, hence the poor light. I was tired but so happy to be ending my day having made something new plus the process was so effortless and enjoyable, sometimes doing is so much better than thinking. It also really helps to have beautiful people in your life who place value on what you do and what you make, I am forever grateful for these gifts.

This is what things looked like at 23.51

Mixed -Media on A3 size canvas

No regrets? I'll tell you later ...

Today is a very unusual day? Why? Because today I have decided to try and get Elliott to fit in around me rather than the other way round. I desperately need to try and pull my five pieces of work together and time is running out and with the long, looong holidays ... not much work has been done. Panic is setting in and now it's time for something more decisive and drastic. I'm starting to cut and paste the work I've done so far. This may seem brave but far more brave is the act of denying Elliott playgroup! It's only 9.45am and we only got back from the school run thirty minutes ago and he has already played on his bike in the garden, read some books, done some puzzles and tried to help 'tick mummy work back again' (he's not convinced by the cutting up of my work and would like to help stick it back together). 'I watch somfink', not yet mate we've got hours to go! I'm already sensing that I'm going to cave, playgroup here we come, who was I kidding!!!!

Working after dark

I am very happy to say that my 'me' time balance is greatly improving ... I am producing more art work even with small children around. As much as I can, I now designate my evenings to creative production whilst during the day I try and prepare blog posts(in between being 'mummy' of course)even if, like right now, I have to bribe my children with watching a film - Elliott is currently watching Dr Seuss' Horton hear a who!

Typically though something's gotta give and this week I have definitely neglected to feed myself the necessary nourishing three square meals. The rest of the family I have dutifully looked after but that extra 'me' time has meant living on diet coke, hula hoops and toast!!!!(it has felt deliciously irresponsible and vaguely nostalgic plus who can cook when you've got oil stick all over your hands)

So, next week when half-term is over it's back to the kitchen and to cooking three healthy meals a day in between school drop off and pick up, playgroup, chores and time with my boys and hubby .... prepare yourselves for angsty Katy next week brandishing a very long creative TO DO LIST!

play room to artist's studio post bedtime

printing from hand-made stencils

detail of Susie Sue - work in progress

hand printed pigeon stencil - addition to previous work