Stripped bare….and ready to start again.  That's how it feels with our little garden.  The fun bit will now start..i.e.thinking of climbers, and pot plants etc.  We would like to get an evergreen climber to go on the left fence, which is south facing.  It needs to be pretty tough and ideally could be planted in a large pot. Any ideas?  I've already had to fish a dog out of one of the plant pots - so on the whole things have to be dog-proof!!  As you can see,  the art shed is still standing and will soon be put to good use!

I love this space in Bill's restaurant in Chichester.  Internal spaces affect me a lot - I'm always aware of my environment, as I'm sure a lot of people are.  This morning we've been discussing our new garden and how to place things......have you ever watched George Clarke's 'Amazing Spaces' on TV?  Well worth a viewing...incredible what people do....

This ancient church in Chichester is now used as an art gallery.  Yesterday's exhibition of paintings and textiles was really good - there are so many clever people around.....

I've been asked to do a short workshop on making books/art journals.  I'm trying to think of a zippy title........any ideas?  I think I'll focus on the "quickness" (I'm sure there's no such word, but you know what I mean!!).  In other words I should like to convey the idea that it is possible to get going, and add to making a book in snatched moments. I know I get quite paralysed by actually starting.  If I decide to work in a ready made journal - I never start at the beginning.  I just randomly select a page and start to splash.  Then I don't have to worry about being too organised!  My books are always completed over a long period of time - so going back to my workshop idea, I guess the important bit is to actually start!

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Spent a happy hour yesterday painting pots in our friend's new studio called Art-ful!  Really enjoyable and good value....thinking Christmas presents....! Another thing - I think I can truly say that our renovations and creation of a new home are now virtually complete (apart from some finishing touches)>  Eureka!!  At last I can start to concentrate on getting the art shed fully functioning...and immerse myself in normal life.  It has all been energising and great fun but I'm now ready to move on. 2014 promises to be an exciting year with sone amazing work and creative opportunities on the horizon.  As a result of this I probably won't make any effort to try and sell on line as it takes me all my time to build up enough stock for all the ongoing events.  Another Monday is here - so I'm now off for my swim!  Have a good day x

Looking through my photo library I chose these two......such beautiful flowers, and the promise of Spring - even though it's a long way off, I still like to think about it!!

I found this great little, french style, market in Brighton yesterday. If the sun had been shining it would definitely have felt like being on the Continent!  I just love the shapes and colours of the gourds - I always feel something artistic coming on when I see them........talking of gourds - we had a really cool lit up pumpkin in the front garden last night , and although I don't really like all the halloween stuff, it was great fun giving hoardes of local children sweets - and seeing all their fancy dress costumes...I suppose it all keeps me young (hopefully!)