A bumpy ride!

Oh my, things have gotten seriously busy around here. Sorry for the radio silence!  If you are waiting for an order thank you for your patience, I am currently taking on my first two members of team Nicola Rowlands, something I should have done a month or so ago.  I'm really happy about the two ladies and looking forward to working together, it just means this week has been slightly all over the place and I can't quite keep up with emails.

We're getting there, just hold tight!

Catch up

It's Wednesday and I'm finally back in my studio after a makeshift setup for a couple of weeks while we had some work done and our plug sockets were out of action.

I've also been on my travels here and there: Penarth, High Wycombe, Cork and Sheffield have all been visited recently.  I'm looking forward to some time settling into my new-old studio (it's had a little makeover and some new furniture) and enjoying a bit of the sunshine we've been lucky enough to receive this week.  Maybe I'll be lacing up my running shoes in the near future as well.  I'm so excited!

Speaking of running, have you seen the latest We Do Run Run posts?  I love meeting new people and finding out they are into running! Above are some portraits I did over Christmas of nice people I got to meet through the internet.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Running and gangsters and cake

Hello! It's Tuesday.  Yesterday's errands and drawing and making vegetarian chilli didn't really count as exercise so in the spirit of Janathon I did some crunches and thigh work (while the Simpsons was on the tv...) last night.  It was a 'rest day' on my marathon training plan and as I had done 9 miles on Sunday with run club I felt I owed my legs a day off.  But hey my 100 crunches must count for something.  Especially since my taco kitty tote bag was featured in the 'treat yo self' etsy newseletter (ayyy!!!) on Sunday and I was feeling in the spirit.

Today I spent the morning packing up orders and listening to UhhYeahDude.

Did you see my illustration for issue 105 (December 2012) of Whitelines Magazine?  This is it:

These cats sold out over Christmas.  This week calls for some sewing and stuffing (and maybe some cake.)

Run club again tonight.  My legs are ready.

Appreciating disc-blasting technology

So here's what I've been learning/reading/making/watching/listening/eating/drinking/wishing:

Spent a whole day with my brother and sister, my parents, cousins and my aunts and uncles, a large dog, some cows, giant Jenga, a moderate amount of rain and a lot of cake.  Lucky me for having a pretty nice family. Funny how it takes a nerf gun and a game of tetherball to make you realise things like this.

I'm reading Extremely loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer - I'm halfway through it on my kindle and still not completely sold.  Might not be up there on my Goodreads list but it's alright.  Looking forward to starting a handful of other books that are on my shelf.  Anyone have good book recommendations? I will add them to my list! 

I did a 10k run in May and totally made these lemon date bars from Tracy Shutterbean's website as a pre-run munch.  They were delicious and maybe even partially responsible for my (personal best) finishing time of 53 minutes! I'm running the British 10k on July 8th and if you'd like to sponsor me I'm raising money for AKU, a lesser known charity setup by a friend of a friend.

We went to see Moonrise Kingdom the other week.  It was wonderful and funny and just so clever.  I suggest you go and see it. 

I'm listening to TriSwim coach podcasts - and I don't care what you say!  Been training for a one mile open water swim which takes place next weekend so it's good to hear some tips and motivation in my ears while I'm working.  You can still sponsor my swim and even sign up yourself if you fancy!

Totally addicted to coco pops and just discovered Chipotle Tabasco sauce.  I'm not sure these two things should ever be combined but they will most definitely be appearing in my life in excessive amounts until I no doubt overdo it.

Minimum of two black coffees before 11am or things can get nasty.  Brew Dog Punk IPA has had me loosey goosey a few times this month - good stuff but strong.  I've also been really getting my drink on with my water intake.  I deserve a sticker or something.

I need a helmet.  I wish I would hurry up and decide on one.

Other things of interest:
I totally got interviewed by etsy for their "Quit your day job" series.  You can read the post on the etsy blog.
I designed some cards for a lady to send after a close family member of hers died.  I chose a Johnny Cash quote and some thistles and had them printed on some nice textured matt card.
I've become mildly addicted (I'm pretty sure this is entirely normal) to Pinterest and relatively obsessed with the idea of buying a new (different to the one I already have) bike.

I'll leave you now, as I have some delicious pulled pork rolls to eat.

Good things

A list of things that are good:

1. I don't even mind if winter hangs around cuz I've got my orange winter coat.

2. Not sure what sort of black magic goes into this stuff, but daaaaamn.

3.  Read these books.

4. Caine's Arcade

5.  Eggs. I need protein and protein needs me!!!

Hello, are you new?

I got some cool new additions for my studio.  Two white cats, a clock that looks like a digestive biscuit, an Anglepoise lamp, and a Bodum teapot.  Ummm awesome christmas gifts! I love all of them and they totally make my day happier.