An end to my unplanned blogiday - homespunblissblog is back

I knew it had been a while since I last posted on my blog but until right now, I did not realise just how long. Funny how time gets away. Normally I would say I don't know where it went but for once I know exactly where I have been since May 5. That was the day I stepped into a new, challenging job at work. I posted with obvious intentions to continue regardless of the work challenges ahead of me but looking at that date now, I apparently succumbed and abandoned all routine. Here's the tale of how I got off, and then back on my path.


The first month I worked at least 40 hours each week while I found my feet, mastered the ropes and met the deadlines I had inherited. Looking back I have ticked many many things off my work to do list. Which is good, feels good.  Gradually the long hours have subsided, the routine is slowly coming back and I can look up again. And realise what I have neglected.

I have bought lunch almost every day over the past week so I need to fill up the freezer and start packing home cooked food again. Especially healthy snacks as I have been far too indulgent. Hard work does give one an appetite for breaks and snacks.

I have mostly kept up on cooking dinners but have been shopping every other day. Meed to get back to planing ahead.

I did get to go away to Hobart for a lovely, romantic, relaxing weekend. That was a couple of weeks ago and I think I've only just caught up on the laundry.

And we have done a lot of de-cluttering. Over Easter we ripped up the carpet in two bedrooms and the hallway and replaced it with a floating timber floor. This required completely stripping out both rooms and living amidst boxes and stuff for weeks on end. Howard did a great job of laying the floor so I didn't want to shove all the same stuff back in those rooms. My sewing room, aka spare bedroom, has new furniture and looks fabulous.  Last week we hired a big skip, got rid of the old carpet, and old stuff from in the house and under the house. Ah it feels good to have cleaned up so much, de-cluttered and re-organised.

So really, now that I chronicle it I have not been idle in my time at home, I have just re-prioritised for a while.  Now that I have achieved so much, I'm back to share my journey to homespunbliss.

2013: a review of homespunblissblog

As the New Year arrives I have been thinking about what I achieved in 2013 and what I wish for 2014. I have chosen a few highlights of the last year to share with you. Just click on the photos to link through to the original posts. Thanks for following this year. In 2014 I am going to focus more tightly on my goals for this blog which are simple enough: if I can make wins on the sustainability front, so you can you. I hope to remove some mystique and inspire.

I read a great quote today:
New Year "is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one." 
Happy New Year.
 I'm still enjoying my new potting shed and bench.

 The Robertson open gardens featured many inspiring vegetable gardens and sheds.

 Companion gardening mixes flowers, herbs and vegetables into a colourful and productive garden.

  Soap making is one of my great passions. This year I shared my knowledge with a group on a Saturday morning.

 I love cooking great hearty vegetarian food. This canneloni recipe has been popular.

 New to raising chickens, I sadly lost one of my small flock this year. The trials and tribulations of raising chickens has been a strong theme.

 My garden and other interests suffered last Summer as I studied, but hey I graduated and my garden has recovered. I learnt a lot about my priorities and loves!

How to leave comments on homespunblissblog

I value comments left by readers as a blog is in its very essence an attempt to establish a community. Through comments on blog posts we can initiate a conversation. Ages ago I turned off security to make it easier for you to comment.

Sadly today I have had to turn the security back on as I am being inundated with spam comments. And some of it is very bizarre! I will attempt to go through all my posts and delete them lest they spoil the experience of my blog for you.

Never fear you can still comment. Anonymous comments are available for people without Google profiles. It would be great if you could leave a name in your message however.

To leave a comment follow these steps.
1. Under the blog post click on the word comments.
2. Type your message in the comment box that pops up. You might need to scroll up or down to see it.
3. Choose profile type from the Comment as list.
4. Click on Preview or Publish.

If you chose anonymous you will be asked to complete a word verification that looks something like this.






Type the letters and numbers you see and click submit. Your comment will publish.

Apologies for the inconvenience and thanks for your support.

2012 is going to be a wonderful year

It is getting late in January and I haven't completed my list of goals.
I am supressing panic. Its fine I'm just warming up.
I thought this was going to be easy when I was holidays from work but I have a new theory.
Real time, real life feels suspended sometimes when you take time out.

I mean let's face it that's what we want when we take time out.
Get off the clock. Let go of the daily grind.
So it's only now that I am returned to work and routine that I feel ready to face the new year.
Ironic isn't it?
'cos now I have less time, less thinking space.
Ah well, it will happen. In fact, it is starting.
All sorts of creative ideas are bubbling, I just need to give them space and a little time to perculate.

• I am going to go with some image changes on my blog.
• I am going to promote my blog more by getting word out that we have a conversation happening here and a journey to pursue.
• I am nearing 100 posts so another give away is in order.
• I am going to offer more tutorials.
• I love lists but am moving 10 things to another day so I can participate in a 'live life greener' segment on a blog I love.
• I am going to put my DarlingBridget bags and ournals into more shops, more online opportunities.
• And I am going to launch my art to wear as a separate line - perhaps DB art to wear but you can have a say on the label.

Hmm and I'm going to conquer the work/life balance!

Wow and I am only just getting started. Hope you keep on the journey with me.

Love having you to along! Happy 2012. Please share your goals, I'd love to hear.

A turn in the road

Happy New Year to one and all. 2012 is the Year of the dragon symbolising success and happiness, the year of reading and the year of the farmer.

As always in January my thoughts turn to goals and wishes for the year ahead. Whilst I am still working on defining the details my main goals are to find balance between the heavy demands of my job and my desire to create, to grow and achieve homespunbliss.

A quote referred to on a friend's Facebook page may become a mantra for me, even though I never would have thought I'd be inspired by Will Rogers. But surprises can enliven your soul and give you the spark to keep on.

‎'Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.'
Will Rogers

I took this photo this morning and it seems appropriate although at the time it just looked like a lovely shot. Synchronicity at work perhaps.

So I hope to see you along the road.

Kris Kringle handmade fun

Merry Christmas everyone. I wish everyone good cheer, good health and all their wishes to come true in 2012.

I am spending Christmas with family. This requires some travel, and three of my four furr kids have to stay in a kennel. I have dropped them off already so my house seems empty. I will spend some of my break regrouping, thinking about goals for 2012 and deciding what direction to take my DarlingBridget business in.  I have packed my camera and my sketchbook, very important. You never know what inspiration I may find along the way. When I return there will be many gardening jobs to do, a chook house to build and populate, cooking and creative stuff.

Thanks for being part of my journey and I hope to have you along in 2012.

And here's a Christmassey post for the day before Christmas Eve. Peace and joy to all.

 I entered the Haby Goddess's Kris Kringle this year as a bit of fun. I received this lovely Christmas stocking in the mail from Laura in South Australia. It was beautifully packaged and came with a card and well wishes.

Isn't it darling. Thanks Laura for your lovely homemade gift and thanks to the Haby Goddess for organising it.

This is the gift I sent off - mini Christmas bunting.

Link here to see some of the other gifts that were shared.

Interview with a professional artist: Marcelo Baez

I have a special new post today. An interview with a friend of mine who is a successful professional artist. I hope interviews will become a regular feature on my blog as I find inspiration and motivation from people who are living their dreams.

Marcelo Baez, photo by Rachael Baez. See more of Rachael's polaroid's on http://www.polanoid.net/(username rachaelb) 

Marcelo, how would you describe your job?

Awesome!! Seriously I would describe myself as an illustrative designer/creative problem solver! Which I guess encompasses graphic design and illustration for a variety of applications.

Have you always worked freelance?

No, I worked full-time for a major metropolitan newspaper/magazine for about 13 years, mainly as a graphic designer and occasional illustrator.

I started on the advertising side working with creative services which helped sales teams sell to advertisers around Australia. A few years later I "jumped the fence" to editorial and became a magazine designer.

Did you create comic books when you commuted to Sydney for work?

Yes...In my 13 years, I spent a good part of my 3 hr commute sitting on the train sketching and writing...It became a great practice too, like free life drawing classes! It made the train commute very enjoyable...sometimes...

How did you find the time and have the energy to work on your own projects?

Well, I had the 3hrs a day sitting on my butt looking out the window (which is nice..) so the time was there, and on a moving train there is very little distractions. It actually became very easy for me to concentrate (once I got over people looking at me working on my sketch book) ...headphones with my music... I was actually very productive...

How many hours a day do you work? 

Now I work 7 to 10 hrs a day depending on workflow...but I think commuting to Sydney I used to work 12 to 14hrs days.

Have the techniques you use to juggle commissions and your comic books changed since you work from home?

I've started teaching myself to sketch in Photoshop which has really sped up my production for comics and across the board, I've also been learning 3D model building. Using these new tools have not only been fun but have helped my speed in a BIG way! 

Any advice for other people trying to fit their creative passions in around their day jobs?

This may sound corny but, minimum one solid hour a day, everyday, will make a big difference. Turn it into a habit and you will grow. If you are passionate about what you do, you will make the time and enjoy it too! 

Here is a little quote that I keep above my drawing desk:

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"

Since talking to Marcelo I am being more disciplined about doing a little every day. It makes me feel good because I am taking active steps towards my goals.

Link here to Marcelo's blog, Marcelo Draws to see his art work and find out more about his comics and zine fairs.  You can also check for regular updates through my blog roll on the right of this page.

Thanks Marcelo

Bloglist changes

Tonight I have updated my list of blogs. I have deleted some that no longer hit the spot for me and added some new discoveries. I hope you enjoy them.
If you are reading my blog and chat about similar topics please let me know so I can check out what you are saying!
cheers

Why blog?

Considering today I have made by first blog post since July last year this seems a very pertinent question. Its still basically New Year so all questions about life, work and happiness are pertinent.

Firstly I didn't deliberately stop posting. In August and September work was very crazy so I had to shelve all other creative pursuits. Depressing though it was to let work take over one does need to preserve one's sanity and there isn't always enough energy for everything we want to do.

Mid September we headed to Europe for a month long holiday which was simply divine. A week in Paris, a week in Cote d'Azur, a few days in Cortina in the Dolomites in Northern Italy and then a week in Venice. I would have loved to blog whilst I was away but we didn't take a laptop and I found internet cafes too scarce.

Then I came back and life seemed crazy again. But its January so time to regroup and reconsider all priorities.

Yes I want to keep blogging. Probably no one will ever read any of it or view my photos. But it is a way to keep sight of what is important to me. If I have nothing to blog about then I am not being authentic, not being me. I love sewing, embroidering, learning to watercolour, gardening, cooking and seeking a way to jump off the workforce merry-go-round and spend more time for me. So if I keep chipping away at my goals I will have plenty of homespunbliss topics to share.

So my blog will be my personal barometer and keep me to my goals. If you want to come along for the ride, please jump aboard. I'll be happy to chat to you.

Here's to a fabulous, creative 2011.

My pink give away heart finds a new home in Oxford

One of the winners of my hearts give away, Debby, has received her heart and posted about it.  The great news is she loved my little heart and was kind enough to post some encouragement about my DarlingBridget business. Thanks Debby!
Read her post here.  You might like to stay a while and read some of her other posts on Cooking up a storm in a tea cup.