Mood lifting experiments: Part 1

Hello! 

I woke up with the same flat mood I've had for a few days and wanted to experiment with ways to lift it, and me, out of the funk.

Today's test was to go for a walk around our village, really looking at everything around, above and below me - thankfully I took my phone!

Thirty eight photos later, I came home with a spring in my step, a smile on my face, and that delicious fresh air smell in my hair.

It goes to show, that often it really is the simple things that make all the difference - sometimes we just have to prove it to ourselves.

Have a lovely week x

Hitting those goals

Morning!

It was very cloudy early doors, but the sun was trying valiantly to break through the cloud cover...

shine you beauty!

I feel a little like this morning's sun at the moment - fighting through the clouds (my doubts, blues, uncertainty) by setting myself goals to aim for - simple, small and completely achievable goals, to get me on track to where I want to be.

the smaller heart - just needs a little tidy up, and then it will be ready for it's close up!

Last week, the goal was to make a start on some larger, hand drawn pieces...and to get them finished! Not just the creating of them, but the whole shebang - drawing, sealing, photographing, listing and promoting.

the beginning stages

 It seems a simple thing to do, but in all honestly, my task completion rate is pretty poor at the moment. I NEED to see a couple of products right through to the 'make them available to buy' stage.

I'm continuing with this same goal this week, and have one heart wall hanging nearly complete, and another well on it's way...

adding the details - choosing what to draw where - the best bit! 

The plan is, that by posting my intentions here, I have an even stronger reason to follow this through to fruition, and hit that goal!

▸▹▸ for a smaller version of my Doillie design, take a look in my shop

Do you have trouble hitting your goals, or setting them and then keeping the desire to complete them?

cheers for now,

Sarah

♡

Sunny Days and Recent Makes

Morning, and it's another sunny one here, in North Yorkshire...and what a treat it is too.

I woke up, opened the blinds, and immediately felt my mood and my spirits soar!

It's been good to get out and about these last few days, even if it's just heading to appointments or the supermarket in my little motor - roof down, sun shining, shades on.

My creativity has climbed out of it's recent slump, and I've been hard at work on a few hand painted and hand drawn pieces.

Progress is slow, especially on the drawn ones as they take some time to complete, but it is good and the process is a very happy one.

→ Pen in hand, audiobook on, in the zone!

Do you find your mood suddenly lifting when the days are bright and the skies are blue? Does it have an impact on your creative mojo? I'd love to know!

Sarah
♡

blobs and shapes, and a little uncertainty...

adding detail and still a little unsure...

then the stalks and leaves go on and suddenly it all comes together...phew!

blouse and pumps weather for the first time this year - yay!

blue + green + white = faves 

beginnings

Meet Dolly, my fabulous girl mug from Icklebabe on Etsy...she has sisters you know?!

Things I learned in Scotland

Things I learned whilst we were in Scotland:

1. the three of us can be in a room or a car, pretty much 24/7, and get along just dandily! Not bad at all for our part-time little trio ♡

2. I love being outdoors - my chest feels open, I breathe more deeply, my head clears, I feel hopeful and excited. I feel joy.

3. I love a good walk/stomp/hike - it is invigorating for the body as well as the soul.

4. I love exploring - on foot, or in a car. My favourite grey Sunday activity is to sit in the car whilst Paul drives...exploring around where we live, tunes on, eyes ever looking out at the passing scenery.

5. variety really is the spice of life. Give me somewhere to walk around or drive around, over a week by a pool, any day!

6. being outside awakens my creativity - I see patterns, colour and inspiration EVERYWHERE.


























7. I don't need to be trapped indoors by my anxiety - I went out, for seven days, slept in 5 different beds and not only survived, but had one of my favourite holidays to date. Go me!

8. faced with wide open spaces, I feel ALIVE.

9. the ocean...oh the ocean!

We did a mini tour of Western Scotland's highlands and islands, taking in Bute, Inveraray, Oban, Mull, Iona, Fort William, Glen Nevis, the Nevis Gorge and Steall Waterfall, and finishing in Drymen.

Sarah
x

Daily(ish) Drawing

Hello!

Here are a few photos of recent daily(ish) drawings, that have been posted to my Instagram feed - I say (ish) because daily really isn't happening.

Life got in the way before the Easter holidays, and since then I've got out of the habit of sofa doodling on an evening...just way too tired..and my mojo is still on it's jollies I think!

I'll get going again once other jobs are out of the way, and there's a little more time in my head and life.

I do miss it, as I enjoyed the constant and consistent creativity, so I will be working hard to get back into the rhythm of daily drawing.

Spot the button themed drawings? They were fun! I may go back to this at some point, and create some mini original art on the same theme.

☞ To see all my daily(ish) drawings in one place, simply search under the #dbd2016dailydrawing hashtag, on Instagram.

Have you taken on a challenge for 2016, creative or otherwise? Are you managing to stick to it, or do find that there are times where you simply have to roll with it, and take a break?

Cheers for now
Sarah
x

Clearance sale

Hello, and how are you this soggy (well it is here in our corner of Yorkshire) Friday evening?

I wanted to let you know, that there are bargains a plenty to be had on my, second, Instagram account @DitsyBirdOutlet, as I'm having a stock clearance of my fabric and felt makes.

Think brooches, purses, rings, coasters and the like. All featuring a variety of creative methods such as: beading; hand embroidery; machine embroidery; appliqué; and a spot of hand painted fabric here and there. There are also shrink plastic items, and a whole load of craft destash items.

Pop on over and have a looksee - they are perfect for stocking up on birthday gifts for the year; or a great way to buy handmade party bag treats; or even, dare I say it, a chance to get some stocking fillers for this year’s festive season, for a steal!

I quite fancy sharing some of the methods I have used in my past crafty endeavours...anybody up for a few tips and 'how to's'?

I will be adding more books and makes to the Instagram account soon, but I shall leave you with some pretty pictures for now!

vintage threads

week 40 issue of Selvedge

fab book full of cute projects to make

Good ole Cath, and a bit of sewing

do you remember buying a 99 from the ice-cream van?

ahh celebrate the big three oh in a traditional tattoo style

a sweet little frosted cupcake...hand beaded don't you know

One of my Doodle Blossom flower designs

a super sweet (!) little felt brooch

another Doodle Blossom brooch in the softest felt

oh hello tiny little bird brooch!

I love the zing of the colours in this machine embroidered & beaded leaf brooch

there's nothing so delightfully British, as a pot of tea - all beaded by hand too!

zesty little beaded, butterfly brooch - such a summery little thing

go green with this beauty

celebrate your 2nd birthday with stripes and zing!

a very cute little 8th birthday brooch...for the understated type

oh how I love this - the mustard felt, the loopy loop of the embroidery *swoon*

one of my all time favourite, machine embroidered designs...and colourway!

Cheerio for now
x