just to say....

I have two new blogs which I'd love for you to check out :0)

www.thebuttonandthebean.blogspot.com

and

www.ottolinedetriste.blogspot.com

xxxx

In which Erica took control of hers and her family's destiny.....

In which Erica decided to take charge of hers and her family's destiny...

sketch de jour...

And PINK SHED is launched!

and today, I took my first orders! Yay!

The veg patch weeding ballet

Self promo time...

I'm in the middle of a massive mailshot campaign to magazines, publishers and advertising agencies. Anyone know of any good advertising agencies that might like my work??? Any help welcome!
Anyway, here's todays 'sketch de jour' of me writing out my envelopes, and yes, I did actually use a dip pen and ink, (but minus the feather and the monicle ;0) x

a late night coffee dash...

Sketch de jour

Lately, I've been doing a little sketch everyday.
Here's a bit of a bumber crop dating back the last week or so :0)

Old cars at Silverstone

Coton Manor Gardens

In a beautiful corner of Northamptonshire, set on a gentley sloping hill, lies Coton Manor. It's a privately owned house, but is open during the summer months for the public, (the peasants), to enjoy it's stunning gardens and boasts one of the best bluebell woods left in England. I've lost my camera, so we had to make do with my phone camera. These photos don't really do the place justice, so when I find my camera, I plan to revisit!

Three ging on thirty

Saturday morning in the Tomlin Household. We had a lovely birthday party for Sienna at Grandma's, then I slammed my finger in the car door and am now the proud owner of an unusable, purple, blue and swollen ring finger. Thank goodness it was my left hand! It's got me thinking about some sort of insurance for my right hand, I'd be stuffed work wise without it....
So, anybody want thier nails, (and the surrounding finger area) painted? Sienna's taking bookings now :0) xxx

Back to Black, (or should that be pink)

I turned 36 today! I've been poorly since September last year, but am on the mend and forging ahead with my plans.
Lots of exciting things have happened career wise since my last post, despite being struck down with a shocking virus.
Watch this space for the 'new' news....

Erica xxx

oh, there we go...

A New Beginning

Well, apologies for being away for so long! So much has happened! For the lovely, lovely girls who posted on my silly story, I must just say that it was just that...a silly story. Nick and I were sat infront of the fire, and I said - "give me a thread for a story". And he said, - "imagine if you had a duff filter for your roll up, imagine what would happen in the factory...". I must just point out that I don't smoke, but I used to, when I was younger....
So, I made up a silly start to a story....I may finish it...or at least continue it....

Anyway, below is my new view. I've moved into an office space. I've, very reluctantly moved OUT of my pink shed. There was no room for me to work in the house anymore...any way, it's late, so I must retire....much to tell xxxx

Hello again...

I've been a little distracted of late, and not been blogging...obvs.
Hoping to get back into it soon :0)
Erica
x

Balancing Beatrice of Bordeaux

in the shop!

Spring fresh

From this...



to this...



Now the long hard winter is eventually over, I decided to move back down the shed. The kitchen table was becoming a little impractical, and I missed having all my little inspirational images and photos pinned up around me. I'm a very 'nesty' sort of girl, and like my creative space to be 'just so', or I'm not 100% happy. Sienna loves to play in the garden while I'm working, and when it's time for her naps, I just come up to the house and do some hoovering or ironing. It's all working out rather well! Sienna doesn't seem to care about the weather, so long as she's well wrapped up and waterproofed, I don't think the outdoor life will do her any harm!

Turning many corners

What do you you do when faced with not just a cross roads, but a multi level spagetti junction? Whilst lighting the fire tonight with some wood and twigs kindly donated by my lovely neighbour, I felt happy, really happy. The smell of the wood, and the sound of the fire catching and cracking sent me into a complete daze.

Living ones life is probably something that's on all of our minds. Life is so short, we all know that. So, whilst listening to the fire and my music, (quietly so as not to disturb 'the other neighbours while their dogs bark'), I wonder what to do. Neither Nick nor I want to be poor again, we've done that. It was awful, and to think it's romantic and love will conquer all is just a pile of rubbish. Only an idiot would believe that. I think you have to go through the threat of losing your house, your belongings, everything just because you can't pay your bills to realise that life chained to a mortgage and relying on loved ones to help out is just the lowest point ever.

So, what to do? What I'm basically yacking on about is the move to France. We wouldn't have a mortgage, but we would be significantly worse off money wise. Sienna is a concern. Actually, I don't even know why I'm saying that! Here, where she can't play in the back yard, or a huge expanse of land for her to build a tree house, a swing, see lizards, buzzards, deer...outstanding schooling.

So, going back to the spagetti junction analogy. I've got alot to give, creatively. I have many ideas about earning money to support my children's book illustration. That will always be my number one, number one, number one passion. It's just in me...but a few more strings to my bow wouldn't go amiss.


So, I'm back down the shed tomorrow. A repaint, a space just for me...again :0)

Lotsa of love,

Erica
xxx

These oxfords were built for walking....or not.

I must just share my funny day. On the way back from dropping Munch off at Grandma's , my car exploded. Luckily, Dave the farmer was passing along the same country road. As his landrover was full of other farmers, he couldn't offer me a lift. I gave him my shopping, (I'd popped to the shops), and he kindly dropped it back to my house later on. I had decided, today, to channel the 1940's fashion wise. Ditsy print blouse, puffy sleeved green cardy, A-line skirt and oxford shoes laced up with ribbon, black wooly tights. I walked the half mile back to the village, sending passing drivers into a confused state. Why is there a woman from the 40's walking along this road...am I in a time warp? Am I seeing a ghost? I like being the 'arty' one from the village. I get to wear what I like! Ha! xxx