Building a life, building a home

Recently I noticed that the way I felt about our home became the most important thing I can think of. I guess it's mainly because I live far from my family and therefore it's even more important for me to build a home.

My living room was really bothering me. There was a dark glass tv unit that was gathering dust like it got payed for it. I knew it for long time that I was going to change it one day. Not only the dust, but I didn't like the way it looked either. Too dark for my eyes, nothing like cosy. It had to go.

I decided about this in the summer, but it all depended on my luck to find the perfect one in any of the local charity shops. I have been religiously dropping in those shops every now and then, I mean almost daily, just in case some new furniture arrived, without any luck.

There was a day when I was really supposed to clean above mentioned glass tv unit, but I felt like it was easier to move all the furnitures around, do some table switches between me and my daughter and after giving her my smaller work table I got hold of her 2 small tables. I needed one of them for my printer, which was originally on the table I gave her, and I used the other one for the tv. It looked ridiculous. I haven't even made a photo of that arrangement. But it made me feel so amazingly good! :)

After these changes I was sure that my dream tv stand was waiting for me in one of those shops. One week later there it was. I was not even surprised. But extremely happy. :) I already had the paint that I planned to use, so between some crocheting I started to work on the cosy tv stand project.

Now that it's all done and got a new place in the living room standing really proudly, I can say that the main problem here is solved and I finally feel happy being in this room. It feels like home. Can't wait to decorate it for Christmas :)

Something for myself and about finding my power again

As an artist I'm constantly working on some new design, art or simply sketching up ideas about future projects. During these years since I started my business I noticed that I hardly make anything for myself.

Recently I had an idea to crochet a granny square blanket just for me. I have no intention of selling it (strange feeling), and even though I can crochet I never ever made any sort of garment with this technique. And it's very likely that after this huge project will be done I'll not crochet for at least 20 years. ;)

But the feeling it gives me right now it's difficult to express. My living room needed some happy colours and I can't believe it's been in front of me daily and I only just realized that this is the change I was looking for. My Instagram feed is full of pretty crochet projects and I love looking at them so much. I'm the happiest person in the world right now, because I will soon have a beautiful blanket.

During this project I discovered something about myself. I kind of knew this before but seems like I forgot. It's that I really am able to do ANYTHING!

And here I'm not talking about my multi-talented self that starts all sorts of projects and enjoys them without limits, then can't decide which one to continue with. Which is very disturbing at times, but also satisfying as I never get bored. ;)

BUT, I'm talking about my abilities to create the life I desire, to make my dreams come true. I now feel it again that it is possible and I am determined to make it happen.

I'm not sure where I lost it. But I'm so glad I found it again.

Do you believe in your dream creating abilities? If your answer is "not yet", try to think of a project you would love to do but feels very scary to start. (I never thought I'd finish a granny blanket ever) And be determined to show it for yourself that you can do it! It will help you believe in yourself! Do let me know how you are getting on, I would love to hear about your success. :)

Enough silence

I had another long blog silence and it's really difficult to start again, but by now I missed my blog very much so here I am, hopefully here to stay this time.

I have big plans for my blog and finally the tiny pieces started to come together and make some sense, so the intention I had for this blog when I started it (and stopped my design blog at the same time) hopefully will finally happen.

There were some difficult times for me recently when I was confused about everything around me. It is very hard to write about things like this. Especially that most of the problems stem from lack of money. There we are again. I have been stuck with these money issues for long time and seems like nothing gets solved until they are gone. I really hope they will be gone for good very very soon.

I'm grateful to have an amazing daughter who does wonderfully at school (already in year 1). I'm grateful for being able to do what I love. But there must be more to life than school runs and time spent at home. There are so many things I would like to improve in our life but I can't. Money is a big issue.

I have a strong vision about our little home too. I would like to change a lot of things, and I'm mostly thinking second hand furniture, as I would like to paint them. But I can't do any of these changes just yet.

I would like to make my daughter's life special, but can't afford ballet lessons what she would really like. And it's really scary how fast time goes, she is 5 and a half already. It all makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong, and don't really know how to get it right.

I have been through a long thinking phase recently and this is what I found:

I HAVE ENOUGH

At least this is what I am going to focus on. Even if it isn't completely true at the moment. And the money must follow. Problems will be gone. Beautiful changes will happen. I will feel relieved.

It would be possible to make all the money I would need to get rid of all my debt in a minute, if I sold all the products on my website or Etsy shop. But as an artist I have to create. All the time. I can't live without making something. As you can imagine I shouldn't really spend any money on supplies. Believe me, I don't. I have loads of things at home. And my recent efforts are in creating with what I have. I may come up with some different things and I enjoy it quite a lot. It's great to make something I don't usually make. And I can only hope that you all will like them too. Now I only need to sell some of them (or all for that matter)

Recently I made some really cute stud earrings:

See more here

And the newest experiments are these pretty christmas tree ornaments:

I'm making these for an upcoming Christmas fayre, but if you are interested feel free to contact me. They are made of patterned papers and their front and back (same pattern) were sewn together for added texture. On their front there is a sentiment with an aged look. Pure shabby chic.

It felt really good to write this post. I'm looking forward to being around here more from now on. 

Global Talent Search

Sorry about the long silence I had here in my blog. I have been pretty busy the last couple of weeks and the lovely summery heat didn't make it easy to sit at the computer either. Which might be not a bad thing, I think sometimes we need a little time off the computer... it's not that easy though, few weeks ago I couldn't have imagined not to turn on the laptop for days!

While I was doing the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design Ecourse with Rachael Taylor back in May I heard about a very exciting competition. It's organised by Lilla Rogers, the best art agent in the world and I immediately knew that I was going to take part.

On 1st July all participants received the email with the brief and we had 3 weeks to complete and submit our entries. Though the subject was nothing like I usually do, interestingly the ideas started to flow into my mind straight away. The first day I wrote down all the important details I had to keep in mind and also my ideas that I wanted to include in my artwork. Next day I made a sketch that actually looks kind of the same as the end result, which means I made it the way I wanted it to look like. I'm very happy with it.

The brief was to design a journal cover with the theme: playground.

Here it is:

Now we have to wait until 1st August to find out if we are in the next round. I have very big hopes I'm there. Please send me a few prayers or cross your fingers for me, it would mean so much to me to be there! Thank you!

Learning who we are

5 years ago, when my daughter was born I learnt that I could be stronger than I ever imagined. Ever since then I feel some magic power in me, simply because she is around me. 

Yesterday we went on a kids program and again something magical happened. I used to be very shy when I was young. (I'm still shy when Efe is at school, lol) But when she is there with me I feel like we could change the world together. There was a concert for the kids and all the local kids went close to the stage to catch some present. She got upset, because she wanted a present too. So we went there too, I picked her up so that she can see and nobody steps on her. And when the singer started to throw the presents a ball fell on our hands. So that was it, we got a blue ball with white dots. I was so happy, I was never good at catching balls, lol. And she started crying. Not this is what she wanted. This freaked me out a bit, but seeing the local kids pushy behavior I didn't bother, I thought we gonna go for another present. And when the singer mentioned puzzle game I told her to rise her hand. Obviously she picked us (she was watching us for awhile), even when those pushy local kids started to run towards the stage, she told them off and kept on pointing at us. So up we went. And I didn't feel the slightest shyness in me anymore. I knew she wouldn't have gone to the stage on her own, but normally I would feel the same. But this way that we were there for each other it was totally different. 

We were against 2 boys to complete a puzzle while Csepregi Eva was singing a song. And guess what. We won. (even with my right arm that I hardly felt at that stage, because I have been dancing there for some time with Efe in my arms.) We got loads of presents, so finally she was happy.

Do you feel any kind of magic power in you since you had kids? What have you done by their influence that you would never do otherwise? Please tell us your story in the comments below, I would love to hear!

 All photos by my mum

 And the winners are...

 We are back again to dance

Csepregi Eva saying goodbye. She was gorgeous, I was so glad to meet her!

My favourite photo app - A Beautiful Mess

photo from A Beautiful Mess

When I heard Elsie and Emma from A Beautiful Mess created a photo app I instantly knew that I was gonna love it! When the app came out I downloaded it immediately and started to discover all the fun features. This is the best photo editing app I found so far. 

The filters are beautiful and there are some fun borders and doodles, some ready made words and you can write your own message too. I'm sure there are similar apps out there, but this is really my cup of tea. I love the way I can customize my photos and the changes really make them pop!

I love taking photos of my daughter, but it's very rare that I have a good photo of myself, because I really don't like the way I look in photos. Why I'm very grateful for this app is that the filters and cute little changes make me feel like I look better in the photos. Finally! 

What are your favourite apps?

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The newest originals

Finally the latest originals are available on my website. It took me quite long to get this done with all this beautiful sunshine we have been getting these days. We spent loads of time in the park. We were loving it! : ) I guess I'm a bit over excited, but here in the UK this is a big thing to have more days so so lovely in a row. And it's already gone. Hello, cold wind.

I love the photos of these little originals, they turned out so bright. I'm thinking to redo all my photos again on my website now. I wish I had the time though.

Here they are:

The last photo shows the side as well, so that you can imagine it better. I love these little paintings. Recently I painted on bigger canvases before I came back to these 5x7" ones, and realized that I enjoy these the most. They are the perfect size for some reason. And whenever I paint on these small canvases in 90% the painting comes out pretty straight away. I love that when the inspiration comes, no thinking required, my hand is moving and voila, I'm ready with a new little art. I love that the girls come out always a bit different but I feel like my style is recognizable. 

I also love sending these little messages to you all. It means so much to me creating these little paintings. I just hope you all love them as much as I do. : )

I feel a bit disheartened today. I made the brave step this morning, sent an inquiry for a pretty little shop where I wanted to sell my matted prints and the lady replied me in minutes that my work was not right for them. That shop is the kind of shop I would like to have. The style of their products, all those pretty colours... I really wanted to be part of that shop. The next one on my list was not this close to my heart. So right now I'm not sure whether to write them or not.

I would be so glad to talk to my customers. I would love to know what you all think of my work. What do you like in my art? Is there anything you don't like? Please give me some feedback. : )

Thank you!

I believe in myself

I believe that the Universe always arranges situations for us which we need in that moment. It happens to teach us something, or to open our eyes to notice something, or simply to help us to learn a bit about our self. 

Last week I ran into a hungarian lady in the middle of town and we had a short chat. We never met before, so it was quite interesting the way she suddenly started to talk about me like she knew exactly what kind of person I was. I needed to meet her that day. She came to help me.

I don't think I ever said that it was easy to be an artist. Because it wasn't. I believe I try my very best to create beautiful artwork and try what I can to promote it. But as she opened my eyes I am not doing all I could about promoting, because I don't talk about my art constantly whereever I go.

This week I had a situation on the bus where I was feeling exactly this. I never have conversations in the street or on a bus with strangers. And this time a lady beside me seemed like she was interested. She asked me if I was going to work, but instead of giving her my business card I said I had an appointment and stopped talking. I didn't want to tell her about my appointment, but felt uncomfortable mentioning that I actually work from home, because I am an artist. I played the situation in my head a couple of times, but then I did nothing. I wish I was more brave. I wish I was better at promoting myself. I wish I believed in myself more.

That day, the nice hungarian lady advised me to make a painting just for myself, with the title "I believe in myself" Well, today I did it, and it looks so beautiful that I actually do believe in myself, so next week I will try to go a step further and do something brave.

Here is this pretty little lady, who believes in herself:

I believe in myself 5x7" print

I listed it on my website, because I thought I was not the only one who needed a little reminder to believe in myself. 

In case anyone wanted to give some support to help me believe in myself more, feel free to visit my website or Etsy shop and order that little something you have been thinking about since, it would make such a difference! Thank you!

New paintings

I think I finally recovered from the spring holidays. I found the most beautiful patterned papers for my paintings in a shop I'd never look for them and started to use them right away. Next day I had to get some new canvases, that's how inspired I feel.

The first print is already listed on my website, will have to list it on Etsy as well. The original will only be available on my website though.

I already loved it at this stage:

And here is the ready artwork:

Let your kindness shine like the sun 5x7" print

And here is the second ready artwork:

You are here to let miracles happen 5x7" print

I can't believe I almost forgot how much happiness it gives me when I paint. Today this 2 paintings were the only thing I did. I haven't done any cleaning what I planned for today (oops), but it's really rare that whatever I do on the canvas looks good, so I thought it would be better not to stop. 

There is still some more in progress, can't wait to continue with those.

Next week I'll have an exciting new venture, more on this later.

I wish you all a lovely weekend!

What I have been up to...

After a little blog-silence here I am to tell you what I have been up to recently. Go and get a cuppa, it may be a long one...

The spring holidays made me think a lot. I felt upset a lot of the times that I couldn't take my daughter to some interesting place, because I don't have a car and we only went out a couple of times when our friends took us out (we are lucky girls), but it would be so nice to just go down, sit in the car and go. I would like to be free. I have been planning to learn how to drive for years now, but there was always some reason (mostly financial) that I couldn't start. Now I'm not going to let it go. I will start it no matter what. I have got the theory dvd from my little sister, so that's a good starting point, then I will magically get some money for the driving as well... I so want to do this for my little girl. I feel horrible sometimes when I'm taking her to school in the rain, or dragging her shopping and all those kind of things... Please send me some positive energy to be able to start it, I would so appreciate it!

My living room colour scheme make-over went on really well in the holidays. I did some surprisingly good changes and I think they look awesome. Let me show you some examples:

This was a jar (spaghetti bolognese from the polish shop, yes, I'm not kidding), I painted the inside with acrylic paint mixed with a little water, without using any brush, just moving the paint-water mixture in the inside of the jar, then removed the excess. Once dried I decorated it a little lace and that's it, a pretty new vase. Made some more of this, will need to get some more flowers : )

This clock was once lime green, and after a little nail polish, it looks like new and matches my new colour scheme a lot better : )

I love this photo of us, but hated the golden frame it was in until I changed it : ) Don't forget to take off the photo in case you do this project! I first applied a thick layer of white gesso to cover all the gold and to create a nice tooth for the acrylic paint. I intentionally left some of the white show, I think it looks a lot better this way, than if I created a solid red colour. And we got a new frame!

Then there was an other thing that made me pretty nervous these days. My daughter had baptism today and I was stressing over the cake quite a bit. I have to admit that I only made one cake before that was covered with icing. (before I always made chocolate covered ones) And my friends say it was quite good, I was very worried about this one. What if the icing gets wrinkles or tears, what if I can't write on it properly, what if the flowers turn out ugly... loads of scary things for an amateur. Have a look at the preparation:

I made 80 little flowers, used 75 at the end, so it was quite a good guess. : )

Got this kit to help me form the letters. I slightly pressed each word into the cake, then used the icing bag with a tiny hole on the end to write... with very shaky hand... Note to self: next time practice it more before you write wriggly letters on the cake! : )

I thought icing was my enemy, but we are getting closer now, next time I'm only going to worry about the letters, the icing actually went pretty well.

This is the result : ) What do you think? (I do take constructive criticism, it was only my second iced cake, I know I need to practice this a lot more and I would be very happy to learn)

And here is my pretty girl, she was so happy to dress up like this, and that I let her hair down. She is a real girl : )  I realized this in the spring holiday too (I told you I was thinking a lot), that whatever I do it's because I want to make her happy. I started my business because of her, I want to drive because of her, I got baptized because of her (I never mentioned that here, but now you know) and I want my business to get successful, because I want to show her that you can achieve your dreams if you really work hard. She is my best supporter and the best daughter I could have wished for. Ok, I'm getting sentimental now, better stop it here : )

Now that the cake making is not in the way anymore, next week I'll have a lot of work to do. Have some almost ready paintings to finish and some serious projects in the works, I hope not to disappear for this long again. See you soon! : )