tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41773164144244240692024-02-21T03:55:55.419+00:00do what you lovewandering the world, dreaming, adventuring, laughing and slowly becoming an artistBeth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-13538851062142642732011-02-15T00:13:00.000+00:002011-02-15T00:13:00.650+00:00*shared stories* new series launches today (and my blog has moved!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbqt7YYm3_qf1YiKdUtEXSa65VjCnGijMmWKCCb8Ezh7-SiZNXvMqKyUn2eFgz5k03m_MES-SAfYYBqdD1xZeKk-4B3mUkHZzsc19knBSHg2F6VPf_37mT5OPokBaf1HwyMb7W4a9w-qY/s1600/DWYL-shared-stories-button-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbqt7YYm3_qf1YiKdUtEXSa65VjCnGijMmWKCCb8Ezh7-SiZNXvMqKyUn2eFgz5k03m_MES-SAfYYBqdD1xZeKk-4B3mUkHZzsc19knBSHg2F6VPf_37mT5OPokBaf1HwyMb7W4a9w-qY/s1600/DWYL-shared-stories-button-150x150.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is Valentine's Day and I can't think of a better way to celebrate all the love in the world than launching *Shared Stories*, a new series of guest posts which shares the stories of people determined to do what they love. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some stories talk of triumph, others despair. They all involve bravery, belief, courage and hope. They are real stories about real people chasing their dreams, and making choices and sacrifices which allow them to do what they love, for life. Every Monday this will become a space for sharing those stories. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It takes courage to share, and I hope you will read them, relate to them, and be inspired by them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The stories shared here are our shared stories. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<em>Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams..."</em> WB Yeats</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sharing their stories today are Clare Mulvany and Cara Tilson. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clare is author of 'One Wild Life: A journey to discover people who change our world' , which she wrote after a year travelling the globe seeking out extraordinary people. She now lives in Ireland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">UK-based Cara is artistic, and creative, but (in her words) 'too busy doing nothing to do what she loves'. It sounds like this is the year that all that will change... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hop over to my </span><a href="http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/blog/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new blog</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to </span><a href="http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/blog/2011/02/14/shared-stories-1-clare-mulvany/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">read their stories</span></a><br />
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</div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-12947160530910854862011-02-09T14:41:00.000+00:002011-02-09T14:41:30.807+00:00The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is back (***and I have moved to a new blog!***)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthVbVdwDWAwrcipCXYpfnE0DidpDySZcbOdO4DI1RiEGcdC2WJByhBJ04hyphenhyphen69ASR_E5qp6mLfJcfkarGfsGzL_A0Da7GsSFU7RGCViL7v6q7LI9BE5YwGs1uHPsGHpHrTT6QRbRdx7LWo/s1600/GBSPS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthVbVdwDWAwrcipCXYpfnE0DidpDySZcbOdO4DI1RiEGcdC2WJByhBJ04hyphenhyphen69ASR_E5qp6mLfJcfkarGfsGzL_A0Da7GsSFU7RGCViL7v6q7LI9BE5YwGs1uHPsGHpHrTT6QRbRdx7LWo/s400/GBSPS3.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><a href="http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/blog/2011/02/09/with-love-its-back-the-great-big-stitched-postcard-swap-3/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is back for the third time! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come over and </span><a href="http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/blog/2011/02/09/with-love-its-back-the-great-big-stitched-postcard-swap-3/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">join in</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, give yourself a little fun creative project to do, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and look forward to receiving some creative love in the mail from somewhere else in the world!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way, my blog has now moved. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come and visit the new site Do What You Love here</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-32294024852797314852011-01-20T19:24:00.000+00:002011-01-20T19:24:35.331+00:00I have moved!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6vFWz7LOpq2XXAOTuHKQ3FncAX6zYVJaZeGZ90DSPnqv2NjPZxyWeR-td4ZRgn9VC5ZKFsai3nRNE5zCszRC3suiO7Wj7e8G_hPnCZOM9HVAQ6dbHNSaHffymgaY4Pk5jw6rE7s6dZJ3/s1600/where+is+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6vFWz7LOpq2XXAOTuHKQ3FncAX6zYVJaZeGZ90DSPnqv2NjPZxyWeR-td4ZRgn9VC5ZKFsai3nRNE5zCszRC3suiO7Wj7e8G_hPnCZOM9HVAQ6dbHNSaHffymgaY4Pk5jw6rE7s6dZJ3/s400/where+is+home.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have moved... Please come and find me at my new place, </span><a href="http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do What You Love</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24RtDUxYdhF9-eRhNKUTOAUXj7sSd-tIkoi-pH8UN6rsWMbcTp8xIsb1Nq3kqUMOgUFZrnijqeAE_IUt_7uoz-ocatw2sQ0LL9onBzSBg-5g0qerY-GVpyAumNiESNWhS-DZ6f1f1Ddrg/s1600/static_badge_retreat_pink_420x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24RtDUxYdhF9-eRhNKUTOAUXj7sSd-tIkoi-pH8UN6rsWMbcTp8xIsb1Nq3kqUMOgUFZrnijqeAE_IUt_7uoz-ocatw2sQ0LL9onBzSBg-5g0qerY-GVpyAumNiESNWhS-DZ6f1f1Ddrg/s320/static_badge_retreat_pink_420x150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/retreat/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See here for more info about the Do What You Love art retreat</span></a></div></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-2980490757574638632011-01-10T13:00:00.000+00:002011-01-10T13:00:13.546+00:00I am moving! New blog and website launched - come with me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuYngwCw1K3oXSLUiC5iyMPeOpo2Ot-DRTYwCJwirSbXKNQOhkV3YhA8WtSjl35wXzrKEjwp7QYSeyr2ImIUILPxHRATseWWZ_i-OyL_IS9_jwZdexMTV8tpJS2OqjCUGXV7NUihL1fZN/s1600/thank+you+enjoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuYngwCw1K3oXSLUiC5iyMPeOpo2Ot-DRTYwCJwirSbXKNQOhkV3YhA8WtSjl35wXzrKEjwp7QYSeyr2ImIUILPxHRATseWWZ_i-OyL_IS9_jwZdexMTV8tpJS2OqjCUGXV7NUihL1fZN/s400/thank+you+enjoy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(in the window of a New York cafe)</em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After nearly a year blogging here, I am excited to announce that I have a new home! I have just launched my new website, </span><a href="http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do What You Love,</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and will be blogging from there from now on. Please come and join me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just like when you pack up and move house, it is with mixed feeling that I leave this warm safe space behind, with its happy memories and many lessons. But as I close this door, I open a new one - it is time for a fresh start to coincide with the launch of the <a href="http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/retreat">Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreats</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Registration is now open for the first retreat! (I can't believe I actually wrote that! After much planning and preparation we are actually ready!) So excited to be able to invite you to join us at the retreat, which will take place in a stunning countryside venue in Yorkshire, England in May. <a href="http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/retreat">More about this very special event (and the early bird discount) here.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for sharing this space with me over the past year - I am so grateful for all your thoughts, comments, and creative love. Please do <a href="http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/">come and join me at my new home</a> - I'd love to know what you think of it. Let's carry on the journey from there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beth</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-73762864956188043882011-01-07T15:00:00.001+00:002011-01-07T15:00:02.919+00:00Bring it on!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6E7zCtk37uHp99ZHAZ6X7CIOVvYte3NDvn2O7oS232YAPnxDj6mIrV203a3VyMsBfmeNMh6m_t6yaYqnx4hiSQivpMjEBTPhWGJ_VP7AdrURYnsDkw04cvHWmOWcIJUslQiGhMUoXa41x/s1600/sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6E7zCtk37uHp99ZHAZ6X7CIOVvYte3NDvn2O7oS232YAPnxDj6mIrV203a3VyMsBfmeNMh6m_t6yaYqnx4hiSQivpMjEBTPhWGJ_VP7AdrURYnsDkw04cvHWmOWcIJUslQiGhMUoXa41x/s400/sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2011 came a little early for me, and it showed in my </span><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-will-you-make-of-2011.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">first post of the year</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I was expecting it, but not quite yet. Like when your dinner guests turn up while you're still tidying up and peeling the potatoes, finding you with wet hair and no make up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a rollercoaster 2010 I had soaked deeply into the goodness of the festive bubble and slowed right down... So I was taken a little by surprise when it was suddenly January. I hadn't captured my big vision on paper, unjumbled my ideas, worked through my planning, cleared out or organised. But now I have. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I am ready. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dreaming is done. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plans are laid. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fire is stoked. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2011? Bring it on!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't you just love new beginnings (when you're ready for them)?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">***</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way, I have been busy working with some talented folks on a shiny new website for the Do What You Love retreat, and my blog will be moving there shortly. So excited to share this with you – stay tuned for the new address – I hope you’ll join me there very soon</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-71522495352762411052011-01-06T13:35:00.001+00:002011-01-06T13:37:26.638+00:00What's your colour for 2011?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the <a href="http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=19295&ca=10">Pantone Colour Institute</a>, the 'official' colour for 2011 will be Honeysuckle to "<em>lift our spirits. (It) is a captivating, stimulating color, that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues</em>".</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyuv-bnvGxcFy-ergjdNlXVf6ybJ_yoGf2IbuWvlXRXQ6bFOzlYDOG-N-p5wuMv80XAtCh8EEC1EjRiMlmUlmIzlEJYWbSF92pNj-tLoEs4_6KdciqIc4GqUKBZepOGQH-ZW7U5XPMX4o/s1600/pantone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyuv-bnvGxcFy-ergjdNlXVf6ybJ_yoGf2IbuWvlXRXQ6bFOzlYDOG-N-p5wuMv80XAtCh8EEC1EjRiMlmUlmIzlEJYWbSF92pNj-tLoEs4_6KdciqIc4GqUKBZepOGQH-ZW7U5XPMX4o/s400/pantone.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this colour. It is full of energy, and is a great contrast with black and white. I am going to create something using it this month. Look out for 'honeysuckle' on the high street and in homes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you think? Do you like it? What's your colour for 2011?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way, I have been busy working with some talented folks on a shiny new website for the Do What You Love retreat, and my blog will be moving there shortly. So excited to share this with you – stay tuned for the new address – I hope you’ll join me there very soon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">***</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-84961772231403695802011-01-05T01:51:00.004+00:002011-01-05T08:56:54.866+00:00What will you make of 2011?<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iyFGnVu9AQD99nL_T0wVdq65kNzJUjEjV4_u16VzIEDd6bSpraghFCkOydjtNAa5qDYZ4d7Ra1gi3X9EC2tEqb06Rb_Oth646x2LgQYut6MLWNqp5t7hQH8HiOc29FMU_l2vV3lQ0nzQ/s1600/office1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iyFGnVu9AQD99nL_T0wVdq65kNzJUjEjV4_u16VzIEDd6bSpraghFCkOydjtNAa5qDYZ4d7Ra1gi3X9EC2tEqb06Rb_Oth646x2LgQYut6MLWNqp5t7hQH8HiOc29FMU_l2vV3lQ0nzQ/s400/office1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s nearly 2am and I can’t sleep. Rain is pounding on the skylight and the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of camomile tea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This isn’t how I planned to start my first post of 2011, but there is so much swirling round in my head it is hard to think straight. Ideas, plans, and a buzz of excitement about the possibilities. But also the shadowy doubts (are my dreams just too big?), endless to-do lists and looming deadlines (Already? It’s only January 5th!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Running your own business tends to do that to you. I wrote on Facebook earlier today that I love not having a real job, in the 9-5 sense of the word. And I really do. But when it’s not 9-5, in your head it can end up being 24/7.</span><br />
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I have spent the past few days hidden away working on my plans to make 2011 a big year (of course those dreams aren't too big!). It’s going to be a long and winding road but I just know the view from the top will be amazing, if I can just make it there (and enjoy each step along the way).<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How about you? What kind of a year do you want 2011 to be? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How are you going to make sure it turns out that way?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you a very special year filled with adventure and discovery! </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way, I have been busy working with some talented folks on a shiny new website for the </span><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/finally-announcing-my-new-business.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do What You Love retreat</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and my blog will be moving there shortly. So excited to share this with you – stay tuned for the new address – I hope you’ll join me there very soon</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-73515726611245371492010-12-31T15:46:00.002+00:002011-01-05T21:34:42.878+00:00That was the year that was...<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPAOePl1plPToQ5I4d56CERaIBAm2Sr7ghW6ggPF_a9qAxLT4VD40N1iAcU1PxJDMdussb2Mls6mNZIkwu6DSK4ZnDki1sUg1FRFCSwCiZpQNI1ZynfM74qG-DYSwjJGfojvunAFEpbvI/s400/2010.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2010 was the year...</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I started a blog and discovered this incredible online creative community</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- We moved into our new home</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I started a new business venture</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also travelled to three continents and got serendipitously stuck in Paris (yippee!). It has been a happy year, with a rollercoaster of emotions in places, but mostly filled with adventure, fun, and new friendships. Here is my year in blog posts, featuring the most 'significant' from each month.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">***</div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>JANUARY </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">- I started the year sat on a sand dune in the Sahara Desert with my man</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByYpJGHZFeghJrEMRiAlQpbuTMId6TdWLKd01pif2XkQTtONJjmcXJ3GLdh8KhE8BOrwWuYJIfLk01NiQCbpgWMiMXD_BXUrbdy9Suloaq5R7e2yy1U7SyU0Ihx1GjMeUW0L0kXWfwmwZ/s1600/sahara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByYpJGHZFeghJrEMRiAlQpbuTMId6TdWLKd01pif2XkQTtONJjmcXJ3GLdh8KhE8BOrwWuYJIfLk01NiQCbpgWMiMXD_BXUrbdy9Suloaq5R7e2yy1U7SyU0Ihx1GjMeUW0L0kXWfwmwZ/s400/sahara.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I didn't even know what a blog wa</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">s (must have been walking around with my eyes shut, and just think what I was missing!). 127 blog posts later I am still loving it...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>FEBRUARY</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I went to California for an art retreat, was inspired to start a blog and discovered a whole new world, to which I felt like I had belonged all along</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/02/tribal-gathering.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Tribal Gathering'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Tuesday 27 February</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd30moTaxwtNX-wYwawdRTgB-0hHmEBuBVq08Z2QYwsFW1qKB9iLPxCoS2UnUMOnUgj65Z0i_I7vwv6YtREzi4BqlOwEmMhyphenhyphen5T5cy-m3XVnD3xcyJS9v8CEs-n1TIIWL5jDUSn9Nko3sri/s1600/February2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd30moTaxwtNX-wYwawdRTgB-0hHmEBuBVq08Z2QYwsFW1qKB9iLPxCoS2UnUMOnUgj65Z0i_I7vwv6YtREzi4BqlOwEmMhyphenhyphen5T5cy-m3XVnD3xcyJS9v8CEs-n1TIIWL5jDUSn9Nko3sri/s400/February2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>MARCH</strong> - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a 'wow' Mondo Beyondo dreaming moment</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/03/did-that-just-happen.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did that just happen?</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Monday 15 March</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_twwBIL1Fsn4whDeO-L_tpBrUosyHWQAMw_7vNV5hjInVkjuicFhEN8TC7erGY3gnmxmombhgmajMWYD7VddJ4l2Byk4V_SfvuBdsH4jFf1wqPrLMSRI424UFD5H0y_PdmCaMfQ1twkx/s1600/_6041022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_twwBIL1Fsn4whDeO-L_tpBrUosyHWQAMw_7vNV5hjInVkjuicFhEN8TC7erGY3gnmxmombhgmajMWYD7VddJ4l2Byk4V_SfvuBdsH4jFf1wqPrLMSRI424UFD5H0y_PdmCaMfQ1twkx/s400/_6041022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>APRIL </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I had a wonderful piece of bad luck when the ash cloud from an erupting Icelandic volcano stranded me in Geneva, giving me little choice but to hop on a train to Paris for an impromptu long weekend </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/04/most-wonderful-piece-of-bad-luck.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'The most wonderful piece of bad luck'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Friday 16 April</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSdHBpqYT-ajkpwE3qQhOUoUoAZHxZzVXprtZcaXJJMV2kQDv2UrSVtqBXsp5VxdcjQ-RumV_XIHcph9iu4d7MWcFv9jSr4AvF-ZL6PRsBFbY87aYQZ_tScoRQuwmAeSaQhQ9cLb1_TcE/s1600/April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSdHBpqYT-ajkpwE3qQhOUoUoAZHxZzVXprtZcaXJJMV2kQDv2UrSVtqBXsp5VxdcjQ-RumV_XIHcph9iu4d7MWcFv9jSr4AvF-ZL6PRsBFbY87aYQZ_tScoRQuwmAeSaQhQ9cLb1_TcE/s400/April.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>MAY</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- My 33rd birthday gave me a great opportunity to look back over the many big changes of the past few years, and look forward to a new chapter in my life</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/05/looking-back-looking-forward-looking.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Looking back, looking forward, looking inward, looking outward'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Wednesday 5 May</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FMwgwD7WspWUA192wHYOlhySJhyphenhyphenBprh4-dHRzQXurADTgePB7TbKERn7Y15tGXTMQcNhNU50lCnVA6SJ7fqYmjcYhF0b4Wc4a2fpJx8TsFRKTzFZeecl4vPC5e2rvfMxjHXJN1DxwteF/s1600/May+Francois+dElbee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FMwgwD7WspWUA192wHYOlhySJhyphenhyphenBprh4-dHRzQXurADTgePB7TbKERn7Y15tGXTMQcNhNU50lCnVA6SJ7fqYmjcYhF0b4Wc4a2fpJx8TsFRKTzFZeecl4vPC5e2rvfMxjHXJN1DxwteF/s400/May+Francois+dElbee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>image: Francois d'Elbee (taken in Zambia)</em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... and posted the first Do What You Love interview, which was followed by a further 15 over the course of the year, with people like writer Danielle LaPorte and artist Claudine Hellmuth. More to come next year! </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/05/time-is-now.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'The Time is Now: Do What You Love interview with Christina Sbarro'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Sunday 9 May</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_NWQcNA2mTz5-JjK6MFIlktZ541YJcfGgxZuSHe1hdiL2i80r35eD0L6IeaL8hvdV5aywW-l65RunXa4hdkMpFU1UvnoliLWm4GqSIbyyozz_41lUowKsW-o72FE_Kcdg75iOQx3qWNs/s1600/May2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_NWQcNA2mTz5-JjK6MFIlktZ541YJcfGgxZuSHe1hdiL2i80r35eD0L6IeaL8hvdV5aywW-l65RunXa4hdkMpFU1UvnoliLWm4GqSIbyyozz_41lUowKsW-o72FE_Kcdg75iOQx3qWNs/s1600/May2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>JUNE </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- My man and I spent three dreamy weeks island hopping round Greece</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/06/barefoot-in-greece.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Barefoot in Greece'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Saturday 19 June</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdffLHioUI7m7m-K7V1WwnU7xoKWawuyv1d-75DDu9_7ijlANybeg1mDAxjOAt0yrhZ3KIVnplSj_LAq58nLE0vBj9F_7gBs-LTl4J1P8uQJog3Gmdl1YEwhSRmV4DfnEaXS6tyBL0iFxa/s1600/June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdffLHioUI7m7m-K7V1WwnU7xoKWawuyv1d-75DDu9_7ijlANybeg1mDAxjOAt0yrhZ3KIVnplSj_LAq58nLE0vBj9F_7gBs-LTl4J1P8uQJog3Gmdl1YEwhSRmV4DfnEaXS6tyBL0iFxa/s400/June.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>JULY </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- All the wishing worked and we moved into our new home</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/07/we-got-our-dreamy-little-new-home.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'We got our dreamy little new home</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!' posted Thursday 22 July</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF8NG6o5GrfwfrorgYCmFswXyxk2rest8Y5r1-WWpJoSzhtc6W4CoN2JEtHblVZvxMHOnmsb4quU7l6QrZipGmoZ8RZ0Qs_XdFRmSS8tYsamasLi4fFTs7-3ZVMHmoYVcVGmsk12rydIc/s1600/July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF8NG6o5GrfwfrorgYCmFswXyxk2rest8Y5r1-WWpJoSzhtc6W4CoN2JEtHblVZvxMHOnmsb4quU7l6QrZipGmoZ8RZ0Qs_XdFRmSS8tYsamasLi4fFTs7-3ZVMHmoYVcVGmsk12rydIc/s400/July.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>AUGUST</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I celebrated my six month blogiversary!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/08/learning-to-paint-jesse-reno-style-6.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Learning to paint Jesse Reno style + 6 month blogiversary'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Tuesday 24 August</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnSiUpg4m0FENI697vrMtCOlwZ57Ck1pUZnlpjGuKac19GAGQ2JoqwXYWXfbKzR-C9VBVrRk0-PYiUXbPZb88jr9nWUBrg5zt_TqgkJZ82WS_eQIC1hPAmB5XShzu6MU9n3dPD9fNb7nf/s1600/August2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnSiUpg4m0FENI697vrMtCOlwZ57Ck1pUZnlpjGuKac19GAGQ2JoqwXYWXfbKzR-C9VBVrRk0-PYiUXbPZb88jr9nWUBrg5zt_TqgkJZ82WS_eQIC1hPAmB5XShzu6MU9n3dPD9fNb7nf/s400/August2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>SEPTEMBER </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I was lucky to be chosen as one of Britain's most exciting young entrepreneurs, and secured a place on a ground breaking business mentoring scheme run by a leading national magazine, pairing me with entrepreneur extraordinaire Kanya King, founder of the Mobo awards</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/09/exciting-creative-business-news.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Exciting creative business news'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Friday 3 September</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeiL7UzaXoZta7T6B8yC31NbyjlWcAbt1qk7dRVE_wmCbs8MToof-nQDIEiLtEMHWSWe3i5Qdm_rpW9BPRG6Uhd-Bj-ydzbZphxJG97mqfkBNvIIT_yACIqyte3mLSdeypih8GV0Ibd79/s1600/September+1+Mobo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeiL7UzaXoZta7T6B8yC31NbyjlWcAbt1qk7dRVE_wmCbs8MToof-nQDIEiLtEMHWSWe3i5Qdm_rpW9BPRG6Uhd-Bj-ydzbZphxJG97mqfkBNvIIT_yACIqyte3mLSdeypih8GV0Ibd79/s400/September+1+Mobo.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Kanya King (image courtesy of Mobo)</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... I went back to the US for another art retreat - bliss</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/09/reflections-on-squam-i-dreamed-dream.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Reflections on Squam - I dreamed a dream'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Friday 24 September</span> </div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej-k9wDnbMLHEk-Qi87UWvgMlK1xiLzkmfvSLrLgR6mg4wa-uynAY-m7F6_0x6yfCy22kQAtlxxtjDHCO0PWMFdOrMDh-gAXb01SXUD-E0VTs8rXmznbZv21i7Tg8mQlaYQaGUcoaaTd3/s1600/lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej-k9wDnbMLHEk-Qi87UWvgMlK1xiLzkmfvSLrLgR6mg4wa-uynAY-m7F6_0x6yfCy22kQAtlxxtjDHCO0PWMFdOrMDh-gAXb01SXUD-E0VTs8rXmznbZv21i7Tg8mQlaYQaGUcoaaTd3/s400/lake.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... and I was published on mega-design blog design*sponge</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://...%20i%20was%20published%20on%20mega-design%20blog%20design*sponge/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Stop press! Published on design*sponge (eek!)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">' posted Wednesday 29 September</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsK_fXeE7mLTiKpcvdxhqD7klGFs8ThuV5inN78HT2rYZ28ckxZ8RVunbwhc9fed8RwufAzfMq4lhGYTjoAWnfc2APCMTPsaejYStm4g7xDham2syfTuJXCqU0CFzF1IsisLuWH2fsftD/s1600/September2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsK_fXeE7mLTiKpcvdxhqD7klGFs8ThuV5inN78HT2rYZ28ckxZ8RVunbwhc9fed8RwufAzfMq4lhGYTjoAWnfc2APCMTPsaejYStm4g7xDham2syfTuJXCqU0CFzF1IsisLuWH2fsftD/s320/September2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>OCTOBER </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I launched the second Great Big Stitched Postcard swap, which attracted 85 women from 13 countries on 5 continents, and forged many new connections across the creative world</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/10/back-by-popular-demand-great-big.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Back by popular demand - the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap 2'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">p</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">osted Tuesday October 19</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jC3dpYcY6JkiNQI1mILvSZ-fFJqQlqLHYqTswfcL8cPNEKS_nWKL3FgKniOb1bwyXYpk8yxeP54uqSWS6sz4E80ajaxG5DWI-vT4dshDY0Nk3CTGHufbnytEnLElETw-VCvZSR8k85tW/s1600/October.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jC3dpYcY6JkiNQI1mILvSZ-fFJqQlqLHYqTswfcL8cPNEKS_nWKL3FgKniOb1bwyXYpk8yxeP54uqSWS6sz4E80ajaxG5DWI-vT4dshDY0Nk3CTGHufbnytEnLElETw-VCvZSR8k85tW/s320/October.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>NOVEMBER </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I launched my new business venture, running art and creative enterprise retreats in the stunning English countryside</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/finally-announcing-my-new-business.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Finally, announcing my new business venture'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Monday November 25</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv-B7qNxvSn7ciGQmMYR_iNHvxz904qHRSGvLxIPAL9x1qdoUZeMrx3ilhVZvShiME3rZLcF9icAD2ALOxfzJp8pdl_Fzkz2Tz-M4ghNDoEf8d0Y9qyZetQFmWXB_VIqTyS5okeuf0xc1/s1600/November.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv-B7qNxvSn7ciGQmMYR_iNHvxz904qHRSGvLxIPAL9x1qdoUZeMrx3ilhVZvShiME3rZLcF9icAD2ALOxfzJp8pdl_Fzkz2Tz-M4ghNDoEf8d0Y9qyZetQFmWXB_VIqTyS5okeuf0xc1/s400/November.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>DECEMBER </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I met Prince William (what a charmer). Incidentally I also met David Beckham again that day, mmm...!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/12/day-i-met-future-king-of-england.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'The day I met the future King of England'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Moday 6 December</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Snq4N5_Vwhb3vnFfEJH62Zd8jNN48PLw1nRg1W-V_q8XEYnaARKN5SfBORap5oWPdiJSSZHVROGeio2rsBhtl4xQ0N6t_bmORx9aA1NWeijiAKMwNmQKGGOihL9tBaYL1k0D3YQRNgvF/s1600/December+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Snq4N5_Vwhb3vnFfEJH62Zd8jNN48PLw1nRg1W-V_q8XEYnaARKN5SfBORap5oWPdiJSSZHVROGeio2rsBhtl4xQ0N6t_bmORx9aA1NWeijiAKMwNmQKGGOihL9tBaYL1k0D3YQRNgvF/s1600/December+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... and I indulged in all the delights of Christmas preparations, and have loved every festive minute</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/12/countdown-to-christmas-5-throwing.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Countdown to Christmas#5: Throwing a Christmas dinner party'</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> posted Friday 17 December</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="303" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zdCmrDhEyZZg-t0LzFXeRJTDv-3cFyPV2nfcVGlWOVM-y0mR4iuZNzQuN-X-xpupR0x-whm07NILbO8uyqBkvFiOTGEyPtNJIhpBdyj0LT-DhuP8zbwRLTcwuBVCDg-QCh80DiRnY8FF/s400/December.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for sharing this road with me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How was your 2010? Are you looking forward to 2011? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't wait, it is going to be a big year! See you there!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-40907320261973391772010-12-24T09:52:00.000+00:002010-12-24T09:52:13.482+00:00It's Christmas Eve!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8M_br0zMjp-yhKvPOnl2VgAMsYDqJvb0eHxq5xw7ukUS5DFoBsOyGBKxQP0ermGljNocq5yBlnSE9_ZWYrQnQmMbHNByH8kpMZfiX5-6d3KNCosR-1Fkw49xxGlLg36JxH8apQFjYBCn/s1600/berries_wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8M_br0zMjp-yhKvPOnl2VgAMsYDqJvb0eHxq5xw7ukUS5DFoBsOyGBKxQP0ermGljNocq5yBlnSE9_ZWYrQnQmMbHNByH8kpMZfiX5-6d3KNCosR-1Fkw49xxGlLg36JxH8apQFjYBCn/s400/berries_wide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas is nearly upon us, when anticipation and preparation gives way to celebration! I love Christmas Eve - there is snow on the ground and magic in the air. I am spending it at my parents' house, with young nephew and niece as the perfect little Christmas helpers. Today will go something like this...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- wrapping up warm to go last minute shopping for new christmas cake decorations (the old santa has last year's icing stuck on his boot, and the collection of little green fir trees we have used since I was a child has dwindled to just two trees - we need a few more tree friends to make a snowy forest)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- cake decorating with the help of some little people</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- watching 'Miracle on 34th Street'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- taking my parents' dog for a walk in the frosty park</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- posting the neighbours' christmas cards</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- gathering round a huge tree for a candlelit children's carol service</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- cooking up hot mince pies and mulled wine</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- putting out some sherry for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- reading 'The Night Before Christmas' to the little ones before they fall asleep 'with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- putting out all the presents under our tree</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- trying to get to sleep, which is as hard now as it was when I was five...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas to you all!</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-88146811789832920592010-12-22T13:00:00.000+00:002010-12-22T13:00:02.921+00:00Do What You Love interview: Rachael Taylor<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZM9SjL5WJUG4m5dmk3FB6tTPjI4WATu0kn38NnUjKKeoCTJlF-ZSGD6ocR38QTY3WDnyKiFx-kZIsTekkP3qZQFY010rUjRf0ba5Xt8SN42bN-vZuPAwXrer8WDtaQ7_-ivLCL75ovuH/s1600/Rachael-Taylor-Profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZM9SjL5WJUG4m5dmk3FB6tTPjI4WATu0kn38NnUjKKeoCTJlF-ZSGD6ocR38QTY3WDnyKiFx-kZIsTekkP3qZQFY010rUjRf0ba5Xt8SN42bN-vZuPAwXrer8WDtaQ7_-ivLCL75ovuH/s320/Rachael-Taylor-Profile.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Voted ‘Happiest Person in Britain’, this really is a girl doing what she loves. <a href="http://www.rachaeltaylordesigns.co.uk/">Rachael Taylor’s</a> bright and fun designs caught my eye some time ago, and I bought an original piece of her work for my studio. As a surface pattern designer and illustrator, Rachel has clients all over the world, and next year she will be bringing out her <a href="http://www.teneues.com/shop-uk/stationery.html">own line of stationery with US-based Teneues publishing. </a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCU04KI-LFMld1_tKpBosBEmiJ-O7yDox2A9jRZCJJgARNSuHjOv7EO4Kg93wLWgeHEts7FxUIOkt9-JI9mUCPJ-FOcq5UoyNo1QL4ETY7QA5H3q581mrEZpe58D0VwJOtoCIJ-ncKNsf7/s1600/Me-Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCU04KI-LFMld1_tKpBosBEmiJ-O7yDox2A9jRZCJJgARNSuHjOv7EO4Kg93wLWgeHEts7FxUIOkt9-JI9mUCPJ-FOcq5UoyNo1QL4ETY7QA5H3q581mrEZpe58D0VwJOtoCIJ-ncKNsf7/s320/Me-Portrait.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rachel graduated in 2005 with a BA (Hons) in Textile in Fashion Design. After working in industry for three years, she set up her own design studio in 2008. Now specialising in surface pattern design and illustration, Rachel works as a freelance designer for clients like <a href="http://www.whsmith.co.uk/">WH Smith</a>, <a href="http://www.target.com/">Target</a> and <a href="http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/index">Graham and Brown</a>, and runs her own design label, <a href="http://www.rachaeltaylordesigns.co.uk/">Rachael Taylor Designs</a>. Rachel’s international collaborations include a signature collection with <a href="http://www.seascapelamps.com/">Seascape Lamps USA</a>. I talked to Rachel about loosening up, setting up on her own and getting known.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk0DUJa3Nljp-bHzWzKy0Vr_7dUEA2ujbw7-L_uHVJnaia1-9V-AtxxEQALU58yDaBZazNEP097FV3AePtu3b4nZ5XLKEbjINsd75okPyx-8gkHAz3-vY2Y3JUXMG0NEntJ1GNXSNip2i/s1600/Quirky-Icons-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk0DUJa3Nljp-bHzWzKy0Vr_7dUEA2ujbw7-L_uHVJnaia1-9V-AtxxEQALU58yDaBZazNEP097FV3AePtu3b4nZ5XLKEbjINsd75okPyx-8gkHAz3-vY2Y3JUXMG0NEntJ1GNXSNip2i/s320/Quirky-Icons-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1. For those new to ‘surface pattern design’ can you explain what it involves?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Working as a surface designer is great fun and never dull. Surface pattern covers so many areas and products in the market, so my work is very varied and every day is a new challenge. I've designed for magazine covers, greeting cards, packaging, fashion and homewares, so it keeps me on my toes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I'm working for a client on a freelance commission I tend to work from a direct brief but if I'm designing for my own label, I try not to have a plan. I just let my designs and ideas flow naturally. I also create surface designs and illustration that I license out to companies. They tend to use them exactly as they are but sometimes I re-colour them to tie in with their collections.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2. How would you describe your signature style and how did it come about?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd say my signature style is free, quirky & spontaneous. It normally involves elements of freehand drawing, bright accent colours, textures and layering. Sometimes </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I combine all of these things together. I think it stems from my student days. I studied Textile and Fashion design at Leeds but our tutors were really keen on mark-making, drawing, painting and working more freely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My portfolio was more fine art based rather than your typical design portfolio. It took me ages to loosen up my work, then in my final year whilst creating my screen printed collection something just clicked and it all fell into place. That's when I started to really have fun with it and take risks. I'm never afraid to experiment as quite often my mistakes turn out to be my best pieces.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGkw39wIou8QhtrXX76EUZZR_AIupT9m5pR0XgdqzNyQjqAcCa8NGEkB1Nwvhv3JrcfUsZblnhKe2NOiVr6G7V2qTtM_Ro1Z3G4QKZJn0Uvj8V4Te7QHkmw7d6tMe3MuB6SL8eEJ19T2E/s1600/Fun-Floral-Web-Version.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGkw39wIou8QhtrXX76EUZZR_AIupT9m5pR0XgdqzNyQjqAcCa8NGEkB1Nwvhv3JrcfUsZblnhKe2NOiVr6G7V2qTtM_Ro1Z3G4QKZJn0Uvj8V4Te7QHkmw7d6tMe3MuB6SL8eEJ19T2E/s1600/Fun-Floral-Web-Version.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)</span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>3. You have had great su</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>ccess getting your work out across the country and internationally. Can you talk us through the steps of getting one of your designs into a shop as a product?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think a few factors helped in getting my own label out. I work as a freelance designer for other companies in the UK, USA & Europe so I think that raised my profile and people were aware of my style already. Being featured in books and magazines and on blogs really helped too, as people became more aware of me. When I first started my own line (launched in Sept 2009) I just started very small. I opened a <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/rachaeltaylordesigns">notonthehighstreet store</a>, and planned to just planned to sell online. Then when I started to see there was interest in it. I decided to approach a few local shops and it just went from there really. I rang up the <a href="http://www.bctf.co.uk/">British Craft Trade Fair</a> about exhibiting at their 2011 show and they said someone had pulled out the 2010 show. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was just one week to go before the show so they offered me discounted space. It was a crazy idea and at first I said no, as I thought I couldn't pull it off. But then something clicked and I just thought “I'm going to take the risk and go for it”. It paid off - this really got me out there and now I have number of stockists in the UK.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>4. What made you take the leap from</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> working for someone else to setting up your own design studio?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just decided it would be nice to have a few small things that I could call my own and put my name to. Then from I decided to have a signature range that I'd license out with my name on as a brand. It's really nice having the freelance and my own stuff - I feel very lucky that I have the best of both worlds. It can be crazy, non-stop juggling sometimes, but that's what I love. I wouldn't have it any other way!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>5. What were the biggest challenges you had to overcome in setting it up?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've found it hard managing the admin side of things - there are just never enough hours in the day. I've had to become quite business-minded so that's been a learning curve too! I find it hard that some days the business things eat away into my creative time. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had a fair few time delays with product development too, which has been a bit stressful. More recently I had a designer blatantly copy my work too, so that was an awful situation to deal with.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-Rpfa8zV-c71aaGNIz3SSUSSpgIcKQ1giRRg3ksc0GrrUdEkIOfjIe0HivTEQwv-OdcD5ma77LKfkU7Pz3sTJDissqp-oCCNBvOWtZlwDyCDkwBMnv6AP-DnsDl21oe_ltwel4LeXMTu/s1600/50%2527s_Floral-lamp-web_35%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-Rpfa8zV-c71aaGNIz3SSUSSpgIcKQ1giRRg3ksc0GrrUdEkIOfjIe0HivTEQwv-OdcD5ma77LKfkU7Pz3sTJDissqp-oCCNBvOWtZlwDyCDkwBMnv6AP-DnsDl21oe_ltwel4LeXMTu/s320/50%2527s_Floral-lamp-web_35%2525.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></em><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>6. What do you wish you had known when you were starting out?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish there was a guide to prepare you for setbacks you may have, every day I learn something new! I never knew I'd have to become so business savvy that would have scared me off!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>7. How much of a role does technology play in your business? (in terms of actually creating your designs, managing your business, promoting yourself etc</strong>)</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Technology plays a huge part. I create my designs on my mac using a graphic tablet. I still use traditional methods but everything has to be developed on the computer in the end. I use twitter, my blog, my website, facebook to promote my work on the internet. It really does work – I have had a fair few overseas clients find me via twitter!</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>8. What makes you ‘the happiest person in Britain’?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was a bit bizarre receiving that title,but wonderful too! I feel very honoured. I'm just a regular girl who rambles on a bit. I think I'm quite an upbeat and positive person. My tweets (on Twitter) come across that way. I'm just so grateful that people have received my work really well, so I think that shows as it makes me really enjoy what I do even more. Little things keep me happy like my family, great friends, my lovely dog, music… I love music! My work is really influenced by it as pieces are created depending what mood I'm in. My work keeps me happy, I'm extremely passionate about what I do.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>9. Where will you take your business next?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm hoping to continue expanding my own line and develop further homewares products. I also want to continue freelancing as I think it keeps my work fresh and I love working with new products and challenges. I've also started receiving regular bookings in schools and colleges for workshops and talks. I want to continue with that too as I really love doing it.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see Rachel’s lovely designs on her <a href="http://www.rachaeltaylordesigns.co.uk/">website</a> and <a href="http://rachaeltaylordesigns.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, or connect with her on <a href="http://twitter.com/rachtdesign">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/rachaeltaylordesigns/167179349298">Facebook</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cLntP4zhIKLGRV-Xy_bqm3Q44NEnRhaDO1S0AMJot1xV8o5YaMQW33a_TiGv5O-jQcWdx2L1zQ4j1F-TxdDmkMnTYjM5apwrjF1Vv2LG7a_6RX6EEgpzX-v4pOo_RoXZvF3YOojDLOHl/s1600/big+interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cLntP4zhIKLGRV-Xy_bqm3Q44NEnRhaDO1S0AMJot1xV8o5YaMQW33a_TiGv5O-jQcWdx2L1zQ4j1F-TxdDmkMnTYjM5apwrjF1Vv2LG7a_6RX6EEgpzX-v4pOo_RoXZvF3YOojDLOHl/s1600/big+interview.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/do-what-you-love-interviews.html">See here for more interviews with inspiring people doing what they love</a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEF-YoW01nX7iQLnUzLAagIXeZRhoiUN54MLh5rk_0B7Gk-t_Iom2f-gSjgVI0P3dOx_uJHX6eL6zk23LZsQPQL_EEmV6ccGO2HW8PUVgnEuWGDqEfPRikQc5XsItWNUyBJmFw_qi8XoI/s1600/Textured-Honesty-web-ver_35%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEF-YoW01nX7iQLnUzLAagIXeZRhoiUN54MLh5rk_0B7Gk-t_Iom2f-gSjgVI0P3dOx_uJHX6eL6zk23LZsQPQL_EEmV6ccGO2HW8PUVgnEuWGDqEfPRikQc5XsItWNUyBJmFw_qi8XoI/s320/Textured-Honesty-web-ver_35%2525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-9106913926670257212010-12-21T09:00:00.000+00:002010-12-21T09:00:00.195+00:00What would happen if...?<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This quirky little slide show won best creative/offbeat presentation in the </span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/contest/worlds-best-presentation-contest-2010"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">World's Best Presentation contest 2010</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - it is all about a very powerful little question...</span><br />
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<div id="__ss_5704878" style="width: 425px;"><strong style="display: block; margin: 12px 0px 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/betsystreeter/the-best-question-in-the-world" title="The Best Question in the World">The Best Question in the World</a></strong><object height="355" id="__sse5704878" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=bestquestion-101108105008-phpapp02&stripped_title=the-best-question-in-the-world&userName=betsystreeter" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed name="__sse5704878" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=bestquestion-101108105008-phpapp02&stripped_title=the-best-question-in-the-world&userName=betsystreeter" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/betsystreeter">Betsy Streeter</a>.</div></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you asked yourself this question lately?</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-22480180995079219942010-12-17T23:24:00.001+00:002010-12-17T23:32:10.799+00:00Countdown to Christmas #5: Throwing a Christmas dinner party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The house was filled with merry laughter, chinking glasses, and christmas songs from bygone days. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNMcpFe1pSCCjgZkcBHImt-vvoNJOisyTG38CW-QxtxjoZVuQF6AF3TLPqnZq_1i5ivqil3b3P5fPwGEEGn8vIGR1XGCm61uxcM8Z4vjq3xZUmOkV4Ko2mTH_6GVN18opg9G_kkX0ViBf/s1600/fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNMcpFe1pSCCjgZkcBHImt-vvoNJOisyTG38CW-QxtxjoZVuQF6AF3TLPqnZq_1i5ivqil3b3P5fPwGEEGn8vIGR1XGCm61uxcM8Z4vjq3xZUmOkV4Ko2mTH_6GVN18opg9G_kkX0ViBf/s400/fireplace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We were dressed up all sparkly and festive*</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpnn7R0mE9AJoW42t2eKDB_w4bYfELNoEuSb624-qwxgmwRGX89YCeR4W6FgkOgnQuZMBsUMPuQULTuNrBfd61G6pM-ZM-QWPz_Q_1ZBQ_QZwMPdkYAaOsd1CnmlBR1hk4-vdkZgaa4MN/s1600/sparkly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpnn7R0mE9AJoW42t2eKDB_w4bYfELNoEuSb624-qwxgmwRGX89YCeR4W6FgkOgnQuZMBsUMPuQULTuNrBfd61G6pM-ZM-QWPz_Q_1ZBQ_QZwMPdkYAaOsd1CnmlBR1hk4-vdkZgaa4MN/s400/sparkly.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We dined by candlelight in my studio, transformed into a winter wonderland of silver and white.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouu-ohJrmNcIbEoQTl0Q3IUIeN8TRvvlcAWvZFDdd8sh7Mf-wtQ-iixCQ3STvNGqcb5RfC032WOO8lCKrGXZQ7rfgSockU4cV9QDBKx48JJR8kk2RiRuVT729_JV_Boz1DRB-kQJtL_Te/s1600/table2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouu-ohJrmNcIbEoQTl0Q3IUIeN8TRvvlcAWvZFDdd8sh7Mf-wtQ-iixCQ3STvNGqcb5RfC032WOO8lCKrGXZQ7rfgSockU4cV9QDBKx48JJR8kk2RiRuVT729_JV_Boz1DRB-kQJtL_Te/s400/table2.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We feasted on a roast, sweet mince pies, handmade truffles and pints of steaming mulled wine. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oINcg-Uym7wcMpmw3MLb-McSi5HZn4qldD0HENGFURrluCakomeHnt4S5_VlJkV7YkiAv4eiyG6A465Ag6iSGhfvddIzPcSNx9mhOoKv9TiOeL5RQWgpa6hKWkPNtJWRMNmUSbi8kQOr/s1600/cracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oINcg-Uym7wcMpmw3MLb-McSi5HZn4qldD0HENGFURrluCakomeHnt4S5_VlJkV7YkiAv4eiyG6A465Ag6iSGhfvddIzPcSNx9mhOoKv9TiOeL5RQWgpa6hKWkPNtJWRMNmUSbi8kQOr/s400/cracker.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We shared stories and secret santa presents by the open fire.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxAjGAhnLcZ1qNW6WEOi-3O4KB3T7OPGy_V5na_6_esu9JhrfTVSDpmL9inZIp1va6M-6P7VEG4kDpa8sRtDGH2wi5bvkPoHg3ozUhXsd25wBN7tgTDfYqa4MtxZP9okIpk4sO19Dk0S6/s1600/nameplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxAjGAhnLcZ1qNW6WEOi-3O4KB3T7OPGy_V5na_6_esu9JhrfTVSDpmL9inZIp1va6M-6P7VEG4kDpa8sRtDGH2wi5bvkPoHg3ozUhXsd25wBN7tgTDfYqa4MtxZP9okIpk4sO19Dk0S6/s400/nameplace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's nothing quite as cosy as a Christmas dinner party with friends and festive fun on a cold winter's night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO373vsJz69tPIy7ZLXnzm2lK8R9cIuY9nvOnqtpYstiZ_hSCyjxkMCdFFMp48kMvTKSFyUSMcRhK73atGqdxTGMzBnpVQ88bwnoVX3kAi2I2eYfuP4T1te6TWkQTjAop2uAQgK0jh3XEI/s1600/lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO373vsJz69tPIy7ZLXnzm2lK8R9cIuY9nvOnqtpYstiZ_hSCyjxkMCdFFMp48kMvTKSFyUSMcRhK73atGqdxTGMzBnpVQ88bwnoVX3kAi2I2eYfuP4T1te6TWkQTjAop2uAQgK0jh3XEI/s400/lantern.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How are you keeping warm this winter?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YIRz4TU2Ksgqd0dUBiZXBnZdY_lI6OUpnM-vBBLy7Z_m9D7Ip_qVh7o-qzECWyoVayzF3_NeeLB-9gR1mNxEHZZ4SyKsqqMFJdfP1dSMd68cSYu5nOJm5T_o1RinwwTZ2eKFWN_VuNVB/s1600/candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YIRz4TU2Ksgqd0dUBiZXBnZdY_lI6OUpnM-vBBLy7Z_m9D7Ip_qVh7o-qzECWyoVayzF3_NeeLB-9gR1mNxEHZZ4SyKsqqMFJdfP1dSMd68cSYu5nOJm5T_o1RinwwTZ2eKFWN_VuNVB/s400/candle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">*see, I'm working on <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/10/self-portrait-bravery.html">self-portrait bravery</a>!</span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X6xvUf6d9LcDM0EX3qj8OzHK-P1UNK5sH0QJnC4xNFcGn5lAu9AytU_Q_BJoSuPMsuhqKPRIFfic0Czuntoe5ixdYMBCV4n8mq0psRsJH61XxSdOg2kSHlEEvsylKCoASfo5VEpEF5IQ/s1600/berries_wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X6xvUf6d9LcDM0EX3qj8OzHK-P1UNK5sH0QJnC4xNFcGn5lAu9AytU_Q_BJoSuPMsuhqKPRIFfic0Czuntoe5ixdYMBCV4n8mq0psRsJH61XxSdOg2kSHlEEvsylKCoASfo5VEpEF5IQ/s400/berries_wide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more Christmassy fun see other <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/countdown-to-christmas.html">'Countdown to Christmas' posts</a></span></div></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-48808354998581551152010-12-16T12:03:00.002+00:002010-12-16T17:39:42.578+00:00Do What You Love interview: Mark McGuinness<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Rain falls with twilight –</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>the city’s fingers drumming</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on our umbrella</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rain haiku by poet and creative coach </span><a href="http://www.markmcguinness.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mark McGuinness</span></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlS9As_6YrH-rEdW6_23il3JHFXanoVKQE8fGgG4osOngyOCG_jEgKdPF4WuxrggH2ZPpnJ8Tk-vfzYEr7goUUka-J5nfjNDSLdklRhBxnD-TdQSQvU-JprAXrTWisGlQe0lkTkgjARW9/s1600/markportrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlS9As_6YrH-rEdW6_23il3JHFXanoVKQE8fGgG4osOngyOCG_jEgKdPF4WuxrggH2ZPpnJ8Tk-vfzYEr7goUUka-J5nfjNDSLdklRhBxnD-TdQSQvU-JprAXrTWisGlQe0lkTkgjARW9/s320/markportrait.jpg" width="315" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Image courtesy of Mark McGuinness)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Do What You Love interview features Mark McGuinness, a poet, </span><a href="http://lateralaction.com/coaching/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">creative coach and trainer</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and creative entrepreneur. He has been coaching artists and creatives since 1996, when he noticed a high proportion of them turning up in his psychotherapy consulting room. He has also consulted for organisations including the BBC, Channel 4, Arts and Business, the Institute for Practitioners in Advertising (UK) and many creative agencies and studios. Since 2006 he has been blogging about creativity and business at </span><a href="http://www.wishfulthinking.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishful Thinking</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. In 2008 he launched </span><a href="http://www.lateralaction.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lateral Action</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with Brian Clark and Tony Clark, developing the site as a resource for creative entrepreneurs - first a blog and later the </span><a href="http://lateralaction.com/entrepreneur-course"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lateral Action Entrepreneur Roadmap</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. . Mark's latest course is the </span><a href="http://lateralaction.com/pathfinder"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creative Pathfinder</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, a free 25-week guide to success as a creative professional. I caught up with Mark to find out what gems he could share from his many years of working with creatives (and find out a bit about poetry too).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- Can you remember the first time you referred to yourself as a poet? What made you do that for the first time?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't remember, to be honest. Robert Graves said 'poet' is a courtesy title - there are very few real poets, the ones with the genuine magic in their words. On the other hand, the original meaning of the word 'poet' is simply 'maker', so maybe it's just the equivalent of the modern 'creative'. </span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- Do you see life differently as a poet? </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow that's a big question. I think that what we call poetry is something inherent in life, which we can all see, if we look carefully, or sometimes it catches us off-guard and we can't help seeing it. Poets make a habit of looking out for it, and trying to capture it in words, but every true artist is after the same thing. And having spent a little time with Buddhist monks, I think they are on the lookout for the same thing, they're just not so worried about capturing it!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- You are also a coach for people in the creative industries. Why is coaching important for artists?</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coaching allows me to work one-to-one with creatives, so I can take account of their individual - often idiosyncratic - talent. There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to creativity - what works for one person won't work for another, and sometimes the hardest part is recognising where your own inspiration is leading you. I often hear from clients that one of the biggest benefits they get from coaching is simply validation of who they are and how they do things, as they sometimes go through life feeling like a square peg in a round hole.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- How did Lateral Action come about and what kind of impact has it had?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It came about through discussions between </span><a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/its-all-my-fault/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brian Clark</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://successfromthenest.com/about/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony Clark</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and me. Towards the end of 2007 I released an ebook titled </span><a href="http://www.wishfulthinking.co.uk/2007/12/03/time-management-for-creative-people-free-e-book/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time Management for Creative People</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - little did I know Brian and Tony were thinking about launching a site about creativity and productivity, so when I sent it to them, they said it was 'bang on target' and the conversation went from there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In terms of the impact... well I'm maybe not the one to judge, but we've had a terrific response, both to the blog, the </span><a href="http://lateralaction.com/entrepreneur-course/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entrepreneur Roadmap</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and now the </span><a href="http://lateralaction.com/pathfinder/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creative Pathfinder</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Every week I hear from people who tell me it has helped them in their creative work, their career, or their business, so it feels like I'm making some difference, but there's always plenty more to do...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- What question are you asked most often by your consulting clients, and how do you respond?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't really narrow it down to one question. Maybe four:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. How can I find a way to do my real creative work, in the midst of interruptions (from the outside) and distractions (from the inside)?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. How can I get others to notice my work (and buy it)?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. How can I deal with person X, who's in my working life and not at all easy to work with?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. How can I motivate myself to keep going, in spite of rejections, criticisms, disappointments and the rest of it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I generally respond by doing a lot of listening and asking questions - first to clarify the situation, and then to unlock their own ideas about how they could approach the situation differently. Sometimes I'll also 'put in' some ideas and advice around specialist topics, e.g. productivity systems, stress management techniques, internet marketing strategies. Either way, the idea is to get clients to be able to learn new approaches for themselves, that they can put into practice in future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- What is the best thing about working with creatives?</strong>Partly it's inspiring to be around interesting, creative people doing amazing work. And partly because I'm a creative myself, so I feel an affinity with them. It's a tribal thing. :-)</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- When you get stuck in your own creative endeavours nowadays, do you deal with yourself as you would a client, or do you turn to others for support?</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I can get myself unstuck, having seen most of the usual pitfalls in myself and others over the years. I don't necessarily deal with myself as I would a client, but hopefully there's an occasional flicker of self-awareness that comes into play! And sometimes I work with a coach, or a teacher who knows a lot more than me about what I'm trying to do. </span><a href="http://www.mimikhalvati.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mimi Khalvati</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> at </span><a href="http://www.poetryschool.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Poetry School</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is a particular source of inspiration.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- What is the next big dream for your business?</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm really excited about several new products I have in the pipeline that will be released over the next year or so. Plus I'd like to travel more, so I'm working to move as much of my business online as possible. E.g. I'm doing more and more e-learning and coaching via Skype, as well as live workshops and face-to-face sessions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can find Mark on his </span><a href="http://www.wishfulthinking.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishful Thinking blog</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, on his </span><a href="http://www.markmcguinness.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">poetry blog</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, or for bite-sized inspiration you can follow him on </span><a href="http://twitter.com/markmcguinness"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twitter </span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrCi9zmmVqCGOfHV924U8n-qwPhyphenhyphen4almgPCyvSISTZqvCUpZHugtMKSOTNBk7OgFJJy4Fw2EpK4IzElx8tFWY1eid4FidGBeO0jMW4Qf_deksnbyY8To4dLmfEETF2udYZi1-k81xcY8A/s1600/big+interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrCi9zmmVqCGOfHV924U8n-qwPhyphenhyphen4almgPCyvSISTZqvCUpZHugtMKSOTNBk7OgFJJy4Fw2EpK4IzElx8tFWY1eid4FidGBeO0jMW4Qf_deksnbyY8To4dLmfEETF2udYZi1-k81xcY8A/s1600/big+interview.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/do-what-you-love-interviews.html">See here for more interviews with inspiring people doing what they love</a></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhgkLjpmwnH1A39t9qxO5TFvY5IoostW-K0sYpSYf_H-BtYFVA8tAokKMACmzNBKcCoiYCdy0q6-9nWHPEqYXWZIIz6CxQowdk0w-hwP1vH4_fL8TQzHc3SyGQITNgHZXkJMhQoN6r9M3/s1600/static+badge_retreat_tan_120x120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhgkLjpmwnH1A39t9qxO5TFvY5IoostW-K0sYpSYf_H-BtYFVA8tAokKMACmzNBKcCoiYCdy0q6-9nWHPEqYXWZIIz6CxQowdk0w-hwP1vH4_fL8TQzHc3SyGQITNgHZXkJMhQoN6r9M3/s1600/static+badge_retreat_tan_120x120.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you an artist wanting to make more money from your talent? Are you a budding creative entrepreneur? Have you heard about the <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/finally-announcing-my-new-business.html">Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat</a>, to be held in a stunning countryside venue in England next May? Sign up for the newsletter (on the right) to be the first to hear when registration opens!</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-67516532558011531252010-12-14T14:13:00.000+00:002010-12-14T14:13:40.306+00:00To tweet or not to tweet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqxwhisMeOyKlU-Dyp6600tTTLMy38WEyAEUratzey0kZRTrv2qCmLcptPwCZRxBi8mjU_BROcJdVev74zZTG6sDWhwNJkNcuGHPm521XxX7St_dMdpNCXhNGjNyfi8yruF_gDR0f1L-b/s1600/tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqxwhisMeOyKlU-Dyp6600tTTLMy38WEyAEUratzey0kZRTrv2qCmLcptPwCZRxBi8mjU_BROcJdVev74zZTG6sDWhwNJkNcuGHPm521XxX7St_dMdpNCXhNGjNyfi8yruF_gDR0f1L-b/s400/tweet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So tell me, is it worth it? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is Twitter all it is cracked up to be? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I decide whether or not to open myself up to yet another social media channel, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd love to hear your thoughts. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you on Twitter? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you like about it? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any advice for a newbie?</span></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-39807962279825871762010-12-14T11:34:00.000+00:002010-12-14T11:34:56.078+00:00Big Dreams, Small Wonders<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although it can be hard to find time amongst all the holiday preparations, December is a great month for looking back, to create the time and space to spend January looking forward. It is so easy for time to fly past without acknowledging both the big things and little things that have happened along the way, so this month I am taking time to reflect on the 2010 journey. More of that to follow soon...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4EPOBsYg5l_IYwEVfJZ0G9oRDU_Xgs5MGhJR-GSXQq6zKPhoMieJO0BGrgvFEMnp-Gh6B02JnQZznBFd3NLxTWWoo93SAryqg1GvCRMxPeWLMQgbyaZNy18iFecwDfm9d9uklukuh2hyphenhyphen/s1600/bdsw+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4EPOBsYg5l_IYwEVfJZ0G9oRDU_Xgs5MGhJR-GSXQq6zKPhoMieJO0BGrgvFEMnp-Gh6B02JnQZznBFd3NLxTWWoo93SAryqg1GvCRMxPeWLMQgbyaZNy18iFecwDfm9d9uklukuh2hyphenhyphen/s320/bdsw+button.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In terms of looking forward, I have treated myself to spending some time in January dreaming, planning and setting an action plan to make the most of the exciting year ahead in 2011. I have signed up for Louise Gale's shiny new e-course, <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=107183&c=ib&aff=146255">'Big Dreams, Small Wonders'</a>, to help me do this. Won't you join me?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Find out more on the <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=107183&c=ib&aff=146255">Big Dreams Small Wonders website here</a>, or in this <a href="http://lepetitstudio-woolf.blogspot.com/2010/12/featured-interview-with-louise-gale.html">great interview with Louise, by the ever-inspiring Danielle Fraser</a>.</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-41229115496028944862010-12-13T17:28:00.002+00:002010-12-13T17:30:32.728+00:00Countdown to Christmas #4: Christmas cake - how do you make yours?<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grandma always used to make our Christmas pudding and cake. I could never understand why she would make it so far in advance (the Christmas before!) and how it didn't go mouldy. She said "good things are worth waiting for" and she was so right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I lived in Japan I remember being so shocked that people at sponge cake decorated with strawberries on Christmas Day. I have no idea where that tradition came from!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I made a very special Christmas cake to celebrate a very special Christmas - one when a close friend's dad just got the all clear from cancer. The best present anyone could hope for. So I made the cake, and I have sent it off to Cornwall to be iced by his two little granddaughters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a lovely old recipe, best made about six weeks in advance, but if you make it now and feed it brandy each day it should still be delicious come Christmas day. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">***</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpFv8y8iZpDpg6hKEwRv-kIzEDF9IThiV87dzyKTZF814bhisgo-Dx2dusOmY3SjyneJmD6qdtENrLvKCdSBl8nnchBJ4n4U5W8xK4wMxh2MtvRgPtxsZkONXwzuM6NDOSAQcCq2SHq_u/s1600/cake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpFv8y8iZpDpg6hKEwRv-kIzEDF9IThiV87dzyKTZF814bhisgo-Dx2dusOmY3SjyneJmD6qdtENrLvKCdSBl8nnchBJ4n4U5W8xK4wMxh2MtvRgPtxsZkONXwzuM6NDOSAQcCq2SHq_u/s400/cake2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">200g each of raisins & currants</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">50g glace cherries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">200g chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">150g butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">100g dark brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">zest of half a lemon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">150g plain flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">quarter teaspoon each of ground cloves & ground ginger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">sprinkle of nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">200ml of brandy (or maybe more if you are anything like me...)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Advance preparation</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Put all the dried fruit in a saucepan with the brandy, bring it to the boil and then take it off the heat. Cover it and leave it overnight to soak up all the lovely brandy goodness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Take your eggs and butter out of the fridge so they warm to room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Prepare your tin (see below)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk5B8itqkBiwlT8bVhbpWYe0EFJAhwpxC1ym7hcStaFW6Mqq7HjeOHbcxhdnpLVHNzCGHvNhpLaWAmdYWoPQmQDTWgpx_B9A_G-32wLBQDvBjIKZkJ7UeB1eoiLCnSulxKfksHVo9dZca/s1600/cake1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk5B8itqkBiwlT8bVhbpWYe0EFJAhwpxC1ym7hcStaFW6Mqq7HjeOHbcxhdnpLVHNzCGHvNhpLaWAmdYWoPQmQDTWgpx_B9A_G-32wLBQDvBjIKZkJ7UeB1eoiLCnSulxKfksHVo9dZca/s400/cake1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>How to make your delicious cake</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Put some nice Christmas music on in the background and pour yourself a large sherry!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Preheat your oven to 150 degrees C / gas mark 2 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Cream the butter and sugar, then mix in the lemon zest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) Add the eggs and beat well</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) Sift the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger, then add to the mixture, alternating with adding the soaked fruit (which should smell amazing by now)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) Add the chopped nuts and fold in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7) Put into prepared tin (see below) and bake at 150 degrees C (gas mark 2) for around 2 hours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">8) Once the cake is cooked, wrap it in foil straight away (still in its tin) to keep the top of the cake soft as it cools</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">9) Once it is cooled, remove it from the tin and wrap it in a double layer of greaseproof paper and a double layer of foil. This version of Christmas cake will easily keep for up to six weeks in an airtight container, if you store it in a cool dry place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">10) Every couple of days add a bit more brandy to the cake and by Christmas day it will be moist and delicious!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6XeruzKsbGFglIxoRy735c4Am45RJVqz9xrapTMII6J7YCsKh1NIanP0UxFNbxz9rfCR-BjoNjaieWF78zwaUbh5OWpv77Qcy9Gv1BZxTjLK5_mbwzkA9NRkuUYmNtOLq0va2oXia3A7/s1600/cake3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6XeruzKsbGFglIxoRy735c4Am45RJVqz9xrapTMII6J7YCsKh1NIanP0UxFNbxz9rfCR-BjoNjaieWF78zwaUbh5OWpv77Qcy9Gv1BZxTjLK5_mbwzkA9NRkuUYmNtOLq0va2oXia3A7/s400/cake3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>How to prepare your tin</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prepare your tin by cutting out two circles of greaseproof paper the same size as the base of your tin, and two long rectangles that are slightly longer than the circumference of your tin, and 12cm wider than the height of the tin. Fold each of the rectangles in along one length, about 2cm from the edge, and then snip small triangles out of the folded section (as if you are making a frill). Hold the two rectangles together (to make a double layer) and use them to line the tin, with the frill side at the bottom of the tin. The triangles you cut out should allow the frill to sit on the bottom of the tin. The circles then go on top of the frill to line the base, and your cake mixture will sit on top of this. The lining should be sticking out about 10cm above the rim of the cake tin. (See photo above).</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQGx9MnjNXxUNwAqB_mbN_xz27Xui5ivwglxKXO4_VctuRDCtpHdZkU5uSmxRcqKB65TgkPZgVa4hqdC-kA5GLmkrLe2Hir-YTBzdayOuMaxmeaDOHer9mSQHen038vIXmt8Gvm51QYwK/s1600/cake5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQGx9MnjNXxUNwAqB_mbN_xz27Xui5ivwglxKXO4_VctuRDCtpHdZkU5uSmxRcqKB65TgkPZgVa4hqdC-kA5GLmkrLe2Hir-YTBzdayOuMaxmeaDOHer9mSQHen038vIXmt8Gvm51QYwK/s400/cake5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All ready to send off to be iced by my young friends... </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Icing your cake</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to ice your own, first spread a layer of apricot jam over the whole cake, cover it in marzipan, then royal icing and whatever decorations you fancy. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hen tuck in!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What's in your christmas cake this year?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">***</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecGO3nojzpk5zTWmvsJ5SRI1yt0iJjgaGZSDPUs9o3GdSNMuxrB9BWf3FOXxJKBuKVTBIm1DIDP_yY1oIdo6HhNm8r7w0GeBZ1Gm6fOWn6a9xxSuO8plKTRXv7Zv2D6co6ukHTXs1VEPI/s1600/berries_wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecGO3nojzpk5zTWmvsJ5SRI1yt0iJjgaGZSDPUs9o3GdSNMuxrB9BWf3FOXxJKBuKVTBIm1DIDP_yY1oIdo6HhNm8r7w0GeBZ1Gm6fOWn6a9xxSuO8plKTRXv7Zv2D6co6ukHTXs1VEPI/s400/berries_wide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">More Christmas goodness <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/countdown-to-christmas.html">here</a> in the <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/countdown-to-christmas.html">Countdown to Christmas</a></span></div><br />
</div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-6462925643788533462010-12-10T11:42:00.001+00:002010-12-10T11:50:29.807+00:00Do What You Love interview: Abigail Borg<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multi award winning young surface pattern designer and illustrator <a href="http://www.abigailborg.co.uk/">Abigail Borg</a> is riding high, having just been awarded 'Best British Pattern Design 2010' by <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decoration</a> at <a href="http://www.thebritishdesignawards.com/">The British Design Awards</a>. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHRA-WJ_0cyuVmtwxT-YxkLhEKPFYLxt5nkw3GHiGxNazqCxic7jRBErhnYV6-N9jJu8uRg6DuySIgqMCHgs0Zj-jxp2GiNzp5XrfqEHcLvy_tYTBZaTWFiJkOLmn9EHtivvePeQQ70gb/s1600/abigail+borg9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHRA-WJ_0cyuVmtwxT-YxkLhEKPFYLxt5nkw3GHiGxNazqCxic7jRBErhnYV6-N9jJu8uRg6DuySIgqMCHgs0Zj-jxp2GiNzp5XrfqEHcLvy_tYTBZaTWFiJkOLmn9EHtivvePeQQ70gb/s320/abigail+borg9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)</em></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just two years since winning New Designer of the Year 2008 award for her collection of hand-drawn and digitally-printed wallpapers, Abigail’s wallpapers, cushions and fabrics are now stocked in <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/">Liberty of London</a> and in stores across the world. She also has freelance illustration clients like <a href="http://www.lauraashley.com/">Laura Ashley Home</a>. I talked to Abigail about her phenomenal success, and how she is managing her rapidly growing creative business.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QgMHHY3b-YyEOu6t2S4nxbV4v_5O1yS1WwjyYEZs0_XcgbXV9Ba7stM7UOFdsApqsk-T-7AEmLg_usOkCRUMFbEbBeyO0wgkYQOwAY0po8C98GuzLObwQ48tgyV92REwX81iHAWLHaMS/s1600/abigail+mosaic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QgMHHY3b-YyEOu6t2S4nxbV4v_5O1yS1WwjyYEZs0_XcgbXV9Ba7stM7UOFdsApqsk-T-7AEmLg_usOkCRUMFbEbBeyO0wgkYQOwAY0po8C98GuzLObwQ48tgyV92REwX81iHAWLHaMS/s400/abigail+mosaic.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(images courtesy of Abigail Borg)</span></em></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Ever since you graduated from Leeds College of Art your feet haven’t touched the ground – what has been the most exciting thing about your journey so far? </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think just being able to do what you want to do, and feeling happy with that is the most exciting thing. No restrictions, trends to adhere to, colour palette to work with. If what I design looks nice and people who I show like it, I'll go ahead with it. This formula has worked for me so far, so I'm happy to carry on working like that. I am also very excited to move into a brand new studio in the New Year – it's in an old Victorian hall, surrounded by woods in the Worcestershire countryside. I went for a viewing the other day and there was a deer, squirrels and a pheasant in the courtyard! That totally won me over.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>When did you first realise that surface pattern design was your thing?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From an early age I was always drawing and painting for friends, of course then it was just something to do to get out of doing maths and biology homework. As I got older I decided I wanted to go to University so took a surface pattern degree. For the first year and a half I didn't know what I was doing and felt uncomfortable, until we had a brief set by Graham & Brown to design a collection of wallpapers. I think this was the turning point for me, and I knew from then on I wanted to design for the interiors market. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>How would you describe your personal style?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like classic looking things with lots of colour and pattern to them - that goes for in the home and clothes. I especially like mid-century design, as well as late Victorian – there was no compromise in colour or density, and the designers really went for it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySh4tOu5WyLc9DQQmaoUIB7KpwS6gn4JgPibDWOuY_2SIfwHSmOKjqdwDrPGQuSiCj69ERioEIeILTYtUB2bFg0N3txLpBP5e9XZ-YR6coeXMwr7WYcB9uO_mh7Gre-VOxq_1On_cwKoa/s1600/abigail+borg8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySh4tOu5WyLc9DQQmaoUIB7KpwS6gn4JgPibDWOuY_2SIfwHSmOKjqdwDrPGQuSiCj69ERioEIeILTYtUB2bFg0N3txLpBP5e9XZ-YR6coeXMwr7WYcB9uO_mh7Gre-VOxq_1On_cwKoa/s400/abigail+borg8.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)</em></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="left"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Did it take long for your particular design style to develop? Was that evolution organic or did you specifically try to design with certain inspiration in mind?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've always loved flowers, nature, anything organic. We were encouraged to set away from florals during University, as everybody designed with them and we were told to develop our own individual styles. I've always loved vintage and Arts & Crafts design, so on designing my final collection decided to delve deeper into the workings of archival designs. This was when I decided to hand draw all of my work, and concentrate mostly, but not exclusively, on florals. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>You set up in business on your own this year, just 18 months out of college. Can you tell us a bit about the learning curve you faced to get where you are now?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been on a massive ongoing learning curve since graduating. This has mostly being the business side of things, marketing, sales… All the things you weren’t told very much about at Art School. I was really lucky to be involved in the New Designers exhibition on graduating, as I think it opened a lot of doors for me. As for Liberty and Laura Ashley, they both got in contact with me – who knows where they saw my work! I think a major part of learning is being nice to people and listening to what people have to say. You may not like or agree with some things, but if you try and take something from everyone you meet on your way this can only be a good thing.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IH15uHtQhyRR2u4Ee65eWR-BakM7HlWih7aWnr-zAjtmMEd5e91Nh3ukD9bjKLgaXSKmGoUp2v22eejIJe6kIgXCPcan14iEWE2VolhRP5I2YHRoLCGSk1hm5ZSpfeitD7LmAkYnaC8w/s1600/abigail_borg_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IH15uHtQhyRR2u4Ee65eWR-BakM7HlWih7aWnr-zAjtmMEd5e91Nh3ukD9bjKLgaXSKmGoUp2v22eejIJe6kIgXCPcan14iEWE2VolhRP5I2YHRoLCGSk1hm5ZSpfeitD7LmAkYnaC8w/s1600/abigail_borg_11.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Abigail's wallpaper sells for £295 for a 10m roll </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)</em></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What do you wish you had known when you first started your business? </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That you shouldn't take what everyone says as gospel, and that you don't have to be in London to be a designer. I think I put some pressure on myself in thinking this to begin with, but when I was working there for four months I didn't feel at anymore of an advantage, just paying twice as much for the privilege. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What is the ratio of time you spend designing vs marketing and managing your business?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I definitely do not spend as much time designing as I would like, I'd say probably 30% on an average day. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FTRr9xHnnoTpJ-imCkMRbXW1nB_HxYWda4IbJt781aCnT5mhTeexMNLYmjqbqqeGgF05UIopOcWFZlTmdbYmsfWf0x_Dgz9cAFH9hg0jFBhRToH26saGrMd8IMTm2GI-1QsJuk0hyaM6/s1600/abigail+borg+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FTRr9xHnnoTpJ-imCkMRbXW1nB_HxYWda4IbJt781aCnT5mhTeexMNLYmjqbqqeGgF05UIopOcWFZlTmdbYmsfWf0x_Dgz9cAFH9hg0jFBhRToH26saGrMd8IMTm2GI-1QsJuk0hyaM6/s320/abigail+borg+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)</span></em></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>And what about your life outside the business? What else do you</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> like to do?</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like visiting friends around the country as well as friends at home I've known since I was in first school, also cooking, going to gigs, car boot rummaging, going for walks in big gardens in the summer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What is the big dream for the business in the next five years? </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I said I will be moving into my new studio in the New Year, so I would like to be based here with a small team of people around me taking care of the business side of things leaving me more time to do what I love. I would also dream of having a shop front somewhere, selling my homewares which I would also like to expand. Finally I'd love to do some more big commission work, maybe designing a range of 'Abigail Borg' patterns for a big design house.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see more of Abigail’s gorgeous work <a href="http://www.abigailborg.co.uk/">on her website</a>, along with her first foray into letterpress card design with this Christmas card:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDdMIGsC-0uPeI1O7WLbaXWhPBsh4oYQkzPM3NSHK9Wkb7V2-ld2LbDEEeJv8ENQMpV15r0ul0cAhDjuprYU7BC0zz_DVoMo6OkiNhLCOaywf82oIIcgpInG4W5aCw-RkZiQZxzxM9H9v/s1600/abigail+borg+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDdMIGsC-0uPeI1O7WLbaXWhPBsh4oYQkzPM3NSHK9Wkb7V2-ld2LbDEEeJv8ENQMpV15r0ul0cAhDjuprYU7BC0zz_DVoMo6OkiNhLCOaywf82oIIcgpInG4W5aCw-RkZiQZxzxM9H9v/s400/abigail+borg+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)</em></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">***</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnkIEsR7MeXTXIgrL8MmzIoYyp8ODkM0ScLf-AarGq4hZLaLs9Dhyh_i4f0fl3_XLlmE-3wHW36S4yZ_Dni9F9xE82g8r2zbz_KtAFb23HDZqWNwfAOgjST_SQ35VGeY0EArW14lGQpqx/s1600/big+interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnkIEsR7MeXTXIgrL8MmzIoYyp8ODkM0ScLf-AarGq4hZLaLs9Dhyh_i4f0fl3_XLlmE-3wHW36S4yZ_Dni9F9xE82g8r2zbz_KtAFb23HDZqWNwfAOgjST_SQ35VGeY0EArW14lGQpqx/s1600/big+interview.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/do-what-you-love-interviews.html">See here for more inspiring interviews</a> with people doing what they love - like<a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/10/do-what-you-love-interview-claudine.html"> illustrator Claudine Hellmuth</a> and <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/05/lighting-your-entrepreneurial-fire.html">writer Danielle LaPorte</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-76779528910231246302010-12-08T16:29:00.002+00:002011-01-05T01:32:30.409+00:00Award-winning mixed media artist Priscilla Jones to teach 3D sculpture at the Do What You Love Retreat<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am delighted to announce the third of our teachers for the <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/retreat.html">Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat</a>, to be held in Yorkshire, England in May. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Award-winning mixed media artist <a href="http://www.priscillajones.co.uk/">Priscilla Jones</a> will teach <em>'Structure and Surface: Creating 3D sculptures using wax, wire, fabric, paper and found materials'</em>.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjarg1kYqNxYCcqX7oyUdWa3cd0iNdKe3ALot-TsW85Whl6z68Pgm2FC4j8ToS8zso5HF5THjuu9gA1CNihvIcqQmg0SaSTq3zfOm-Z58lOC_dEzfFLmwXcbDOUxIptDV3I99HgLHoPRV/s1600/6.Teapot+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjarg1kYqNxYCcqX7oyUdWa3cd0iNdKe3ALot-TsW85Whl6z68Pgm2FC4j8ToS8zso5HF5THjuu9gA1CNihvIcqQmg0SaSTq3zfOm-Z58lOC_dEzfFLmwXcbDOUxIptDV3I99HgLHoPRV/s400/6.Teapot+300dpi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)</em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a rare opportunity to take a three day 3D sculpture workshop with Priscilla. Her work is exquisite, and has been exhibited and exported all over the world. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSgKFWplfWn0dFBItXd_1P-WLAnVsLnzCIYKX-P9YDwow7XBMdIx4DDlOKppMNzBDSnjFEMPNyw4msTvqZ6EKZm83FnbtrXaGGwVGCWWcIKZJ_0WCZ5ES5hXWOGZT1PxutG40Ju0e8-2b/s1600/3.Cup%252CSaucer+%2526+Spoon+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSgKFWplfWn0dFBItXd_1P-WLAnVsLnzCIYKX-P9YDwow7XBMdIx4DDlOKppMNzBDSnjFEMPNyw4msTvqZ6EKZm83FnbtrXaGGwVGCWWcIKZJ_0WCZ5ES5hXWOGZT1PxutG40Ju0e8-2b/s400/3.Cup%252CSaucer+%2526+Spoon+300dpi.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dive in to a world of experimentation as you learn how to construct a gorgeous sculpture using wax, wire, fabric, paper and found materials. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first day will be spent drawing and experimenting with mark making to create stunning images that can be applied to your sculpture. The next day, using lightweight wire you will create a structure in a style and scale of your own choice, learning how to form and shape contours that can easily be manipulated with your fingers. There is no need for soldering or fusing in this process so you can relax and enjoy creating at you own pace. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTHeDX3ToD0DO6PjlsM-bSvoyjBX4cOXNyHb0d2BdOjA39PRXpP0SJi9hw7_Qogkk9wKKvzvPAFtxDQX1vn_EvbYEA-CFlsTufUAHLZFA6v8Pz4rl54ervTzm9PcD-TSHgnwGvsn5xNsV/s1600/Milk+Jugs+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTHeDX3ToD0DO6PjlsM-bSvoyjBX4cOXNyHb0d2BdOjA39PRXpP0SJi9hw7_Qogkk9wKKvzvPAFtxDQX1vn_EvbYEA-CFlsTufUAHLZFA6v8Pz4rl54ervTzm9PcD-TSHgnwGvsn5xNsV/s400/Milk+Jugs+300dpi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)</em></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the last day, you will be able to refine and re-manipulate elements of your sculpture before exploring its surfaces. You will experiment with the images you created on day one and apply them to your fabulous shapes. You can also add found materials and experiment with waxing fabrics and paper to complete your final piece.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBx-5_wkIPHP0BLylrC6AxN5letUI2cYJp-M3qjEfC7_r26xPbWh9v_WZqs6ufDQu7osTsjpm1JR9DwU9cCg0qV_7vLZ4rrsyx4aJbBtHh0J-uaH9j109gP88Hg_R6GZTH_ZKYE3K_kWz/s1600/Sugar+Bowl+%2526+Spoon+2006+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBx-5_wkIPHP0BLylrC6AxN5letUI2cYJp-M3qjEfC7_r26xPbWh9v_WZqs6ufDQu7osTsjpm1JR9DwU9cCg0qV_7vLZ4rrsyx4aJbBtHh0J-uaH9j109gP88Hg_R6GZTH_ZKYE3K_kWz/s400/Sugar+Bowl+%2526+Spoon+2006+300dpi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)</em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em> </em></span> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This will be a hands-on experimental workshop. No experience is necessary. Come prepared to have fun, and take home something very special!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqn3feumF5U2hiYy4gzNaYwhXuhB7ybsTT2Tgp3yhe_h_i1fjqX08oaJWsRJH3zWlf2K8cUDnRcTR_LMrq8pf7iv0o6zF1Zyk1taI7WG9jviLoSpujwxdbYIIz7uU7ePNza5wx7wjJHP9/s1600/Priscilla+Pre-view2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqn3feumF5U2hiYy4gzNaYwhXuhB7ybsTT2Tgp3yhe_h_i1fjqX08oaJWsRJH3zWlf2K8cUDnRcTR_LMrq8pf7iv0o6zF1Zyk1taI7WG9jviLoSpujwxdbYIIz7uU7ePNza5wx7wjJHP9/s320/Priscilla+Pre-view2.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)</span></em></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">During the retreat, Priscilla will also share her experience of working as a professional artist, and discuss how she has grown her creative business - including <a href="http://www.theedgegallery.co.uk/">establishing and running a successful art gallery</a> and selling her work internationally.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZle-wPdjIpn-4svTecAKYGaSgrfS3GPdXLBv4cvvDkvDUIBeirUMlI-Zb_G7SX1nRrnB8X3Cr8C0X787dD1qZWHq1JKP4gp9ZN6sRMtY70kX8_kWzNuwQi0g3bxNob4m1qMEQkx3W5pi/s1600/static+badge_retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZle-wPdjIpn-4svTecAKYGaSgrfS3GPdXLBv4cvvDkvDUIBeirUMlI-Zb_G7SX1nRrnB8X3Cr8C0X787dD1qZWHq1JKP4gp9ZN6sRMtY70kX8_kWzNuwQi0g3bxNob4m1qMEQkx3W5pi/s1600/static+badge_retreat.jpg" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More information will be available on the Do What You Love retreat website to be launched in early January. This retreat will be cosy and intimate – small enough for everyone to get to know everyone - so places are strictly limited. Registration will formally launch with the new site in early January, but if you want to be the first to know about it (and get in on the early bird discount), sign up for the new Do What You Love newsletter up on the right hand side of this post. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/flora-bowley-to-teach-at-do-what-you.html">American painter Flora Bowley</a> and <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/12/internationally-renowned-book-artist.html">British book artist Rachel Hazell</a> will also be teaching at the retreat! <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/12/internationally-renowned-book-artist.html">See here for more info</a>.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-64229269477048449782010-12-07T18:41:00.002+00:002010-12-08T11:41:56.739+00:00It's all in the details<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend I went to a beautiful simple winter wedding in a <a href="http://www.butleypriory.co.uk/">stunning old priory</a> down in the south of England. I thought I'd share some of the lovely details with you...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0856FwouZ7lDzKBHEmTO1nHcgutx4VtP7vtGr9dSNvA3zufoxxWspTmxFygErgCM4mBkHlMm69oW89XLO1iwpdaXwqUCOfYL1mOl07dNtRJ-Wc16i-M9B7UqvolLLUYOc0buTe_CrhkW/s1600/wedding1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0856FwouZ7lDzKBHEmTO1nHcgutx4VtP7vtGr9dSNvA3zufoxxWspTmxFygErgCM4mBkHlMm69oW89XLO1iwpdaXwqUCOfYL1mOl07dNtRJ-Wc16i-M9B7UqvolLLUYOc0buTe_CrhkW/s400/wedding1.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are there any lovely touches you particularly remember from your own wedding or one you have been to?</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-85869391885367432822010-12-06T16:54:00.003+00:002010-12-09T15:52:55.102+00:00The day I met the future King of England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week I had the privilege of meeting newly-engaged Prince William, the future King of England. Wow, what a lovely guy he is. I have never been a huge fan of the monarchy, but meeting him changed that. I got the feeling he understands what real life is like, and all about. I just know he will make a great King. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't resist but ask him about how he proposed to Kate Middleton. He blushed and said he was so nervous beforehand - in case she said no! In case she said no?? She is going to be a princess! Of course she wouldn't say no!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I'd quite like to be a princess. How about you?</span>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-60743721165224518862010-12-05T19:00:00.000+00:002010-12-05T19:00:00.187+00:00Do What You Love interview: Russell Crook<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favourite parts of Christmas shopping in London is staring at the mesmorising window displays in places like Liberty's of London, Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols. I have often thought it would be a wonderful job to create those window displays, digging deep into the imagination to come up with something more magical, more sparkly and more inspiring than the Christmas before. So I thought I would ask a professional window dresser (or 'visual merchandiser' as they are called in the trade), to share some insight into this life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Do What You Love interview is with <a href="http://www.freelancewindowdresser.co.uk/">Russell Crook</a>, a freelance visual merchandiser whose client list includes Liberty's, Nicole Farhi, L'Oreal, Disney and British retail giants BHS and George at Asda. Russell is from my home town of Southampton, but now lives in the arty town of Brighton on the south coast of England.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>How did you get into this profession? </strong></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I left school I took a job as a steward on a round-the-world cruise ship. My first voyage was from Southampton to New York! Although I loved seeing the world I have always been artistic it got to the point where I had had enough of waiting on people. I just thought "what do you really want to do?" and came up with dressing windows. The first step was to move to London, so I got a job at The Ritz Hotel, then the Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge and always admired Harvey Nichols' windows as I walked passed them everyday. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Serendipitously, just as I was wondering how to break into the industry, I </span>met someone at a party who was working at Liberty's of London. He said "Hey, we are looking for someone that we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can train up. Come in and see Paul Muller for an interview." Paul Muller was the god of display at the time and his background was at Selfridges. So I went, got the job and haven't looked back since. I was also offered work experience (without pay) over Christmas at Harvey Nicks. Mary Portas (who now presents prime time TV show Mary Queen of Shops) was there at the time as display manager, so that would have been another way in, but I got the full time role at Liberty and dived straight in.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I was at Liberty's back in the 1980s I took a day release course at St Martin's studying retail visualisation. I was extremely lucky as I could take Liberty merchandise to do my displays - all the other students were so envious of me as all the props at the college were so old and tatty but my displays looked amazing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_zVipAgDEbAzoGtdKY5hzYUb2cFR_3gtOwv2aULBghFQYuPaGdjlDb5BrVt52Z9c4o77YKwn1FO_aq9MneXQ_vhjfOAtUzWK1nCY6STdZPwuwWYJMHg0DG6OtHbsiOGLIyrki_QshZrc/s1600/liberty+regent+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_zVipAgDEbAzoGtdKY5hzYUb2cFR_3gtOwv2aULBghFQYuPaGdjlDb5BrVt52Z9c4o77YKwn1FO_aq9MneXQ_vhjfOAtUzWK1nCY6STdZPwuwWYJMHg0DG6OtHbsiOGLIyrki_QshZrc/s400/liberty+regent+street.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(image courtesy of Russell Crook, window of Liberty's of London)</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Window dressing for Liberty's sounds like a dreamy job, especially at Christmas when you get to use your wild imagination on the windows. What is the reality of the job like? </strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Yes it was a dreamy job, but it was also very physical and hard work. Christmas was the worst as the team would work eight weeks without a day off to set the Christmas windows and the whole interior. Every department on every floor had to have a touch of Christmas.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best bits were choosing the themes and then doing the actual dressing. Pulling it together it would take a whole day just to set one window. There would be endless tweaks and then the rest of the run of windows would follow that format before being professionally photographed </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once a year around the 5th Dec a few of us would go on a buying trip to New York where they host an amazing retail show ... it was a very exciting time with lots of showroom parties. All the big name retailer display reps would be out there so we would all network and catch up. We also used to go around all the big name stores in New York to get inspiration <em>(note from Beth: sounds like my kind of business trip!)</em></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do you go about planning a window to make it original and eye-catching? How do you choose what to display from the thousands of products in store?</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You start with the Marketing Department's promotional calendar for the year along with your allocated budget for the year, which you split into chunks. Then it's all down to using your imagination, utilising old props and looking at product samples. Sometimes you have sponsorship money to promote a certain brand. Sometimes you literally do rough scribbles of ideas on the back of a napkin when inspiration comes, and you have team meetings to brainstorm.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More often than not you set up some things in advance - the main colours and the props, lighting ideas and make up and hair on the mannequins - and then you play with the composition and lighting on the day of installation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Which window are you proudest of and why?</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The window I did in the flagship BHS Oxford Street store - I won an award for it. I also had one of my Nicole Farhi windows used as a front cover in a book called 'Store windows that sell" - I couldn't believe it when I saw it for the first time for sale at an exhibition in New York.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDbBpYrgfhKZ26U3lXqklmOFbdEiNduqNq5Lh-vDJLXoqAXTPO2biG2g-2EsmsWBXhMFz1zgMfbfYJDrcn3Kq1rZG_-9WAFaxagUnGMdVTKFWuaL5EknSarG0JEoISmrUVGz4EFZscBvo/s1600/store%257Ewindows%257Ethat%257Esell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDbBpYrgfhKZ26U3lXqklmOFbdEiNduqNq5Lh-vDJLXoqAXTPO2biG2g-2EsmsWBXhMFz1zgMfbfYJDrcn3Kq1rZG_-9WAFaxagUnGMdVTKFWuaL5EknSarG0JEoISmrUVGz4EFZscBvo/s400/store%257Ewindows%257Ethat%257Esell.jpg" width="283" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(One of Russell's windows on the front cover of the book </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>'Store windows that Sell: Volume 7', image courtesy of Russell Crook)</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was the most valuable thing you learnt at college? </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Composition, lighting, project management and taking ideas from the window concept throughout the store - right down to the carrier bags. We were taught how to gel it all together.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do you promote yourself as a freelancer?</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apart for </span><a href="http://www.freelancewindowdresser.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my website</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, it's usually word of mouth. The visual merchandising industry is relatively small and I've have built up a good reputation over the years with suppliers and other colleagues within the industry.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxNziEOnsQZXzwFhUH6NsPZLYZ_f4A2JkNwrJmUZ1H4CvKgJOQPiYIAm38X8jwXgOYFsJZ-_3S85fR9uOyRjIKcVDKR7yT5Rv-FNCgV45s6BeehhGNIioR0KFTo-c2qjpLWMEYxhOpT8g/s1600/Picture+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxNziEOnsQZXzwFhUH6NsPZLYZ_f4A2JkNwrJmUZ1H4CvKgJOQPiYIAm38X8jwXgOYFsJZ-_3S85fR9uOyRjIKcVDKR7yT5Rv-FNCgV45s6BeehhGNIioR0KFTo-c2qjpLWMEYxhOpT8g/s400/Picture+026.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Russell Crook)</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What advice would you give to someone starting out who wants to get into your specific area of work? </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would suggest a college course, as this will not only teach you valuable technical information, but will also get you work experience within the industry. The </span><a href="http://www.britishdisplaysociety.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">British Display Society</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has more information.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2oknqb3QgQvVRTh_jlMh65l-h0rBRzHi6AZF1j3inRu2fjSu9gQx1IZ-QDrATUMD1SjDPbUmZK16v4lRlvcRpW-Kx08fot7rAw6WPzFCpIsrokSEuA1aBZFiKQCzB_0Pa_lK4Wvjn9jZ/s1600/Russ+face+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2oknqb3QgQvVRTh_jlMh65l-h0rBRzHi6AZF1j3inRu2fjSu9gQx1IZ-QDrATUMD1SjDPbUmZK16v4lRlvcRpW-Kx08fot7rAw6WPzFCpIsrokSEuA1aBZFiKQCzB_0Pa_lK4Wvjn9jZ/s320/Russ+face+pic.jpg" width="282" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(image courtesy of Russell Crook)</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Thank you Russell, for sharing a rare insight into this industry!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHBez3ZYvnvEe1Dm7ES1ni3nDHpMGkA1HM1DvwW75dqBuzrFZStRQh45i0m_S2P6DpFtTyBPKNPaLthCukyYrFpUgT7khXs9LUTNgCxJKJg4MaEV6GRWTu9PTc7nrIAqcpLELdnYveWVJ/s1600/big+interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHBez3ZYvnvEe1Dm7ES1ni3nDHpMGkA1HM1DvwW75dqBuzrFZStRQh45i0m_S2P6DpFtTyBPKNPaLthCukyYrFpUgT7khXs9LUTNgCxJKJg4MaEV6GRWTu9PTc7nrIAqcpLELdnYveWVJ/s1600/big+interview.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/do-what-you-love-interviews.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See here for more inspiring interviews with people doing what they love.</span></a></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-6976498539227743782010-12-03T10:01:00.001+00:002010-12-10T11:41:32.417+00:00Internationally-renowned book artist Rachel Hazell to teach at Do What You Love retreat in England (May 2011)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyYDbE10vxNR05jycibBynYpOkE7CWMoVYIQEVW3ak9H8JFIUTneV9gBxUrL14HeAqj3mcF1jfYLRxmD-Fid-HkiaWx2NftxxBK37D_bk1IVMCQSGYzl5HR56N0t8gzL2wp87UPu_A9rN/s1600/RachelCharlotteBayKellyWhybrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyYDbE10vxNR05jycibBynYpOkE7CWMoVYIQEVW3ak9H8JFIUTneV9gBxUrL14HeAqj3mcF1jfYLRxmD-Fid-HkiaWx2NftxxBK37D_bk1IVMCQSGYzl5HR56N0t8gzL2wp87UPu_A9rN/s320/RachelCharlotteBayKellyWhybrow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(Image credit: Kelly Whybrow)</em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am hugely excited to announce the second of the three fantastic art teachers who will be joining us for the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat in Yorkshire, England next May. <a href="http://www.hazelldesignsbooks.co.uk/">Rachel Hazell</a>, known as 'the Travelling Bookbinder', has made a career of creating extraordinarily beautiful books in extraordinary places - from lighthouses in the Shetland Islands to on board a ship in Antarctica.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9ONzWTLHpvsOsC729XzoqEnS_6CKPtQc2bUwgYqpc9bvnhB0NkZ7qSu7yN54fY0u0Hkk9TI4u8cEGcVyQ40LMkL5t7oQ7kiCDx3w5gtmWowMJgMgEkyfoFShXQko_aQ0O96vwZj-TDJW/s1600/Amystudy_photo+credit+Rachel+Hazell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9ONzWTLHpvsOsC729XzoqEnS_6CKPtQc2bUwgYqpc9bvnhB0NkZ7qSu7yN54fY0u0Hkk9TI4u8cEGcVyQ40LMkL5t7oQ7kiCDx3w5gtmWowMJgMgEkyfoFShXQko_aQ0O96vwZj-TDJW/s400/Amystudy_photo+credit+Rachel+Hazell.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Image credit: Rachel Hazell)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joining us from Scotland, Rachel will share her love of all things booky in her workshop 'Maps, Charts and Other Discoveries: An Extraordinary Expandable Sketchbook Journal'. Rachel invites you on a literary quest of folding, following lines, cutting, composing, gluing and constructing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One step at a time, with plenty of demonstrations and fool-proof exercises, there will be opportunity for wordplay and expressive adventure. Spread over three days, there will be time to make a literal and metaphorical journey. Building pages of content and layers of meaning into an utterly unique work or art that is private, personal, portable, precious and presentable - a papery expedition of exploration and discovery! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NB: It is likely that much chocolate will be consumed during this workshop...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0PnMYjffXQ2fI0q7LMxUzhbtA9al55TP-wLsTBzJFZlYNN2jM2Wuy7Var8rC5Sc2C3aGW4CYjtnJcgPokJPY6clFFWOuVmvR37r8CZnefXGr3BEAVWf9PH9Y6PtOUcQ5c9xBLRsyujwI/s1600/RHazell1_credit+Shannon+Tofts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0PnMYjffXQ2fI0q7LMxUzhbtA9al55TP-wLsTBzJFZlYNN2jM2Wuy7Var8rC5Sc2C3aGW4CYjtnJcgPokJPY6clFFWOuVmvR37r8CZnefXGr3BEAVWf9PH9Y6PtOUcQ5c9xBLRsyujwI/s400/RHazell1_credit+Shannon+Tofts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>(Image credit: Shannon Tofts)</em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Rachel Hazell’s motto is Read Make Love Books. She believes that everyone has a book inside them. Rachel ha<span style="font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">s voyaged far in pursuit of good book art, and with three book-related Masters degrees and a plethora of teaching experience, Rachel is looking forward to another adventure with you.</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxtpQcixJl7rfAkf6lEElnhArqTqyF6Xdzex5ACO9S5cpjTHvQek8YyLpw-8xkaGKCwFE1z_oAYBGmrERJM5tWvs80SyPbKWcr52NMJ3anjgNN_HCVP3yF47c6pajydJG5EXCetz59blT/s1600/static+badge_retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxtpQcixJl7rfAkf6lEElnhArqTqyF6Xdzex5ACO9S5cpjTHvQek8YyLpw-8xkaGKCwFE1z_oAYBGmrERJM5tWvs80SyPbKWcr52NMJ3anjgNN_HCVP3yF47c6pajydJG5EXCetz59blT/s1600/static+badge_retreat.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More information will be available on the Do What You Love retreat website to be launched in December. This retreat will be cosy and intimate – small enough for everyone to get to know everyone - so places are strictly limited. Registration will formally launch with the new website in December, but if you want to be the first to know about it (and get in on the early bird discount), sign up for the new Do What You Love newsletter up on the right hand side of this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">American painter <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/flora-bowley-to-teach-at-do-what-you.html">Flora Bowley</a> and British mixed media artist <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/12/award-winning-mixed-media-artist.html">Priscilla Jones</a> will also be teaching at the retreat! <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/flora-bowley-to-teach-at-do-what-you.html">See here for more info</a></span><br />
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</div></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-55634971724730441192010-12-01T22:00:00.003+00:002010-12-01T22:00:03.394+00:00Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap (2) - the round up!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh my oh my... what an incredible turnout for the second </span><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/great-big-stitched-postcard-swap.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Wow, what a turn out! We were joined by 85 lovely creative people from 13 countries (including 24 states of the US!) across 5 continents - with first time participation from Argentina, Puerto Rico and the Philippines! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was fascinating to see how people from so many different geographic locations, cultures and backgrounds interpreted the theme 'home'. I was stunned by the gorgeous creations that were made with such care and sent out across the world to brighten up the day of a complete stranger. You can see some of these in the random snapshot below, and there are more in the </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/greatbigstitchedpostcardswap/pool"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flickr group here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. You can also learn more about some of the people involved by checking out their blogs - all listed </span><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/p/great-big-stitched-postcard-swap.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmvERaKgFaAEBnL8IvJblReC3O7zvkJkJZ96W5sZj6Tr1p5ZFDXefN0jgCBxiIX09t2n64m0nGgWvGlURsgqfWwYd9WmZn09giuxF5UvjfIKO-x7pyE8yhoag0o0iQPFzYh7ykc2P6KnF/s1600/GBSPS2+mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="318" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmvERaKgFaAEBnL8IvJblReC3O7zvkJkJZ96W5sZj6Tr1p5ZFDXefN0jgCBxiIX09t2n64m0nGgWvGlURsgqfWwYd9WmZn09giuxF5UvjfIKO-x7pyE8yhoag0o0iQPFzYh7ykc2P6KnF/s400/GBSPS2+mosaic.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I received a </span><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/look-what-landed-on-my-doorstep.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lovely quirky postcard from Wendy of Inner Graffiti</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. A little while before I had posted mine off to Marianne of </span><a href="http://sewruffhaven.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SewRuffhaven</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the USA. Here's mine, made with fabric, ribbon, stamps, a metal charm, tissue paper, handmade khadi paper and stitch. What do you think?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJGFKvlrJzWZ8eQ_y6gB_aafuIvvtXZJDe0-8R0YBSSbEivTd0ebWdGCJdS26DI9_KZykQJg1W4jEXfc9F0R6EUsSjhCiuwkBWH_Y8g28NvhjBPo4mIjYrsRvXwXpuO4Kh2_SlzpYht4b/s1600/homepcd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJGFKvlrJzWZ8eQ_y6gB_aafuIvvtXZJDe0-8R0YBSSbEivTd0ebWdGCJdS26DI9_KZykQJg1W4jEXfc9F0R6EUsSjhCiuwkBWH_Y8g28NvhjBPo4mIjYrsRvXwXpuO4Kh2_SlzpYht4b/s400/homepcd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much to everyone who took part. I hope you enjoyed making your postcard and receiving a piece of hand-stitched loveliness in the post! If you blogged about it please share your link below so we can all pop over and have a look.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN-mfhKxY8fhzqQXXsiJAht2ABUgHNTDhpBhIupXrikGFninfpoMXQ_yVhvY93ns6tA5C9_Ru49iTkoc0Q4DVZEHwKT1AEMgi2wgdTz8X8GT4qyMYBu50VYy1B-klAHG_fFtAH4wwZegg/s1600/GBSPS2+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN-mfhKxY8fhzqQXXsiJAht2ABUgHNTDhpBhIupXrikGFninfpoMXQ_yVhvY93ns6tA5C9_Ru49iTkoc0Q4DVZEHwKT1AEMgi2wgdTz8X8GT4qyMYBu50VYy1B-klAHG_fFtAH4wwZegg/s400/GBSPS2+button.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look out for the next Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap in early Spring next year...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHA_ra7-0fwTk5nHM8ZBdZikzZPBfKeJh98dZrF3UBt4SX1n5z8-nfIQ0OrIhExiOZVuzYVAAb7OJZDXr4Yh8-vCUX_MQCdp-lCj5LCoypmHGq7w_lt9i-ZgAEXj8agF7zUto3TFJQSq9/s1600/static_badge_retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHA_ra7-0fwTk5nHM8ZBdZikzZPBfKeJh98dZrF3UBt4SX1n5z8-nfIQ0OrIhExiOZVuzYVAAb7OJZDXr4Yh8-vCUX_MQCdp-lCj5LCoypmHGq7w_lt9i-ZgAEXj8agF7zUto3TFJQSq9/s1600/static_badge_retreat.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>Newsflash!! </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>American painter Flora Bowley confirmed to teach at the </em><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/finally-announcing-my-new-business.html"><em>Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat</em></a><em> in England next May! </em><a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/flora-bowley-to-teach-at-do-what-you.html"><em>More details here</em></a><em> - so exciting!</em></strong></span><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-14566829099890648812010-11-30T11:00:00.005+00:002011-01-05T01:31:50.781+00:00Flora Bowley to teach at Do What You Love retreat in England!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am absoutely thrilled to share the news that American painter <a href="http://www.florasbowley.com/">Flora Bowley</a> will be teaching a three-day workshop at the <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/11/finally-announcing-my-new-business.html">Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat</a> in Yorkshire, England next May!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJ1oeYEz5Bpdgx5m1tjSHbLb0I_Vw54nioEyrw40rx8c-MHZ2hxcaGX6zNRROtYzadGFYFIzXMvkHtBQo4Lye2MOTVE4AS8ICw3oYvaCMELeRCZL1k4nN1mgp3KzX550nKZFMVtz4Qvws/s1600/FB1_credit+Tyson+Robichaud_25%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJ1oeYEz5Bpdgx5m1tjSHbLb0I_Vw54nioEyrw40rx8c-MHZ2hxcaGX6zNRROtYzadGFYFIzXMvkHtBQo4Lye2MOTVE4AS8ICw3oYvaCMELeRCZL1k4nN1mgp3KzX550nKZFMVtz4Qvws/s320/FB1_credit+Tyson+Robichaud_25%2525.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Image: Tyson Robichaud)</span></em></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Flora's painting style is gorgeously unique, bursting with colour and beauty, and she is an incredibly gifted teacher. <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/10/bloom-true-class-with-flora-bowley.html">The one day class I took with Flora a while back</a> was one of the most freeing days of painting I have ever experienced. So you can imagine how exciting it is that Flora will be travelling to Europe specially for this workshop, where participants can sink into three days of indulgent creating with this wonderful free spirit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In "<strong><em>Bloom True - wild and delicious painting with Flora Bowley</em></strong>", the class will explore a whole new way of painting from a space of freedom, non-judgment and experimentation. This process is about loosening up, letting go of expectations, having fun and allowing paintings to unfold naturally. The class will paint on giant canvasses, with access to acres of stunning countryside for inspiration and outdoor classroom space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are able to join us, I can promise you will never look at painting the same way again.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vqo4y99IKNvUlKd8uBbjXUxtfZEKi11wL8rdvfjld4dzNDOv1P3UInWxTbR3t0k-GpHR9WS3uWXzWd0jHrZ7nhJiM9YGkSVa9hovI2kOlYOy1tP-AZD1SH4vRYsn-NnnpM5MtVfGvsBo/s1600/flora+bowley+freed36x36300_25%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vqo4y99IKNvUlKd8uBbjXUxtfZEKi11wL8rdvfjld4dzNDOv1P3UInWxTbR3t0k-GpHR9WS3uWXzWd0jHrZ7nhJiM9YGkSVa9hovI2kOlYOy1tP-AZD1SH4vRYsn-NnnpM5MtVfGvsBo/s320/flora+bowley+freed36x36300_25%2525.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>'Freed' by Flora Bowley, acrylic on canvas 36" x 36"</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As part of the retreat's creative enterprise sessions, Flora will also share some of her experience in making it as an internationally-acclaimed professional painter, who has licenced some of her work with Anahata Katkin's <a href="http://www.papayaart.com/">'Papaya!'.</a></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T-2q5bExKsLXreNZTOYCeTde4vtnV4ZdMlJwSwi9jUdbOVYYJ1LmsVR_0oNioagq_76T-M1ruso4CpiPL7sSeiW3MZ3Wf3aZswNl5G1n_M1neX90m-m4ydQRiX1TFafDH22PU1NjSZ8i/s1600/flora+bowley+thirtysix36x36300_25%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T-2q5bExKsLXreNZTOYCeTde4vtnV4ZdMlJwSwi9jUdbOVYYJ1LmsVR_0oNioagq_76T-M1ruso4CpiPL7sSeiW3MZ3Wf3aZswNl5G1n_M1neX90m-m4ydQRiX1TFafDH22PU1NjSZ8i/s320/flora+bowley+thirtysix36x36300_25%2525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">'Thirty-six' by Flora Bowley, acrylic on canvas, 36" x 36"</span></em></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flora lives and works full-time as a painter in Portland, OR, where she is inspired by magical forests, abundant gardens and a thriving community of fellow artists. Flora’s love for life and spontaneous nature are clearly visible in her vibrant, easily recognizable paintings. Throughout the year, Flora enjoys travelling, teaching workshops and painting in colorful locations around the world. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Hs1-LkckuhJC93nhjJmf6Aj8nNRQvxSMBkyMOWlSUxxnuqeJJfyeDSK81jGY3r4ku7fMnmWIXjzdz7yXVPKj2GhM2JnJDxjbf1OjfxOr33plQp_VTrXMgkAwjmZzJMx-V5SwitTC1X8/s1600/static+badge_retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Hs1-LkckuhJC93nhjJmf6Aj8nNRQvxSMBkyMOWlSUxxnuqeJJfyeDSK81jGY3r4ku7fMnmWIXjzdz7yXVPKj2GhM2JnJDxjbf1OjfxOr33plQp_VTrXMgkAwjmZzJMx-V5SwitTC1X8/s1600/static+badge_retreat.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More information will be available on the Do What You Love retreat website to be launched in early January. This retreat will be cosy and intimate – small enough for everyone to get to know everyone - so places are strictly limited. Registration will formally launch with the new site in early January, but if you want to be the first to know about it (and get in on the early bird discount), sign up for the new Do What You Love newsletter up on the right hand side of this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Internationally-renowned book artist <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/12/internationally-renowned-book-artist.html">Rachel Hazell</a> and award-winning mixed-media artist <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/12/award-winning-mixed-media-artist.html">Priscilla Jones</a> will also be teaching at the retreat. <a href="http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/12/internationally-renowned-book-artist.html">For more info see here</a></span></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177316414424424069.post-12431298029377026302010-11-29T09:16:00.000+00:002010-11-29T09:16:00.494+00:00And then there was snow...<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We haven't had snow like this in England in November as long as I can remember. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down to minus 20 in some places and eight inches of snow expected in the next 24 hours. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know it is nothing like you get in other parts of the world, but somehow snow seems to always take us by surprise here. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the news they keep talking about the travel chaos everywhere, but I am secretly happy about the quiet magic that falls over the countryside when snow comes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We shuffled downstairs early this morning, before the rest of the world woke up, and sat with steaming mugs of tea looking out over the whiteness.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5oNPwh5cjliD3zPswZ07yxSRehFJV5B22MUJwOg9hvoYEaSBGAOwrGmTq2Tu8EGmoeX-A4FDyzvjugmPfiIZG9Bqrm5VZoELyprUmQwBLozs2Z016W2swtX_wbEFa1FN_sdegbeWLMUz/s1600/from+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5oNPwh5cjliD3zPswZ07yxSRehFJV5B22MUJwOg9hvoYEaSBGAOwrGmTq2Tu8EGmoeX-A4FDyzvjugmPfiIZG9Bqrm5VZoELyprUmQwBLozs2Z016W2swtX_wbEFa1FN_sdegbeWLMUz/s400/from+studio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;">View from my studio early this morning</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFMW-8vz3bq4SZWHivNkDjzvkJJuZepoNLm2-Jbl30StTGeDXnZcSi6jn4eXdX6bWHl4a20Jog558cg18pr6tZ9_DxawXfKmvtrDWSAp7PDX1Q2Huq1Rk5JCubhNOO3NVMz4UbGYON_Lm/s1600/from+attic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFMW-8vz3bq4SZWHivNkDjzvkJJuZepoNLm2-Jbl30StTGeDXnZcSi6jn4eXdX6bWHl4a20Jog558cg18pr6tZ9_DxawXfKmvtrDWSAp7PDX1Q2Huq1Rk5JCubhNOO3NVMz4UbGYON_Lm/s400/from+attic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;">View from my attic office skylight</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBmJ5XJ1LCiY-667v3tf1MBYQ2tyKAslRxexHE_83_qohjx87RkJ67MLpileaCR7sJgEVMdfjIoUXX-r8y-sUnglZU4pkFZMytQ3Ga-Y5lU6Yw8I5PlEinlp5N2fQqp20wu8Txvy4Za_1/s1600/back+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBmJ5XJ1LCiY-667v3tf1MBYQ2tyKAslRxexHE_83_qohjx87RkJ67MLpileaCR7sJgEVMdfjIoUXX-r8y-sUnglZU4pkFZMytQ3Ga-Y5lU6Yw8I5PlEinlp5N2fQqp20wu8Txvy4Za_1/s400/back+garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our little garden</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVlY3-CGO_knUho_KQRzr71358l3g2NeeBaWnQVNF-A59sGg51F92fnN1vE63st3s_Ti7wJhB37BiBm7v8d0r8lbIc_fhiUAjeQDvxcrfq44DUMVeU6lDIYG9mUPd80z09ly9QKBpNxtq/s1600/leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVlY3-CGO_knUho_KQRzr71358l3g2NeeBaWnQVNF-A59sGg51F92fnN1vE63st3s_Ti7wJhB37BiBm7v8d0r8lbIc_fhiUAjeQDvxcrfq44DUMVeU6lDIYG9mUPd80z09ly9QKBpNxtq/s400/leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FvVT66WgQvfZa2zVSKYbH8kRAvV2MgzF1iJhJQz_3Llphdo5Ri9XzV4IVK_emQx2fX1tTUObJh6dXipegiM5bIj7LlAfe1cthMwGPGQxeBJDfG0EH3vCdlwGjokUcBnva_i9ge2Aw-8r/s1600/red+bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FvVT66WgQvfZa2zVSKYbH8kRAvV2MgzF1iJhJQz_3Llphdo5Ri9XzV4IVK_emQx2fX1tTUObJh6dXipegiM5bIj7LlAfe1cthMwGPGQxeBJDfG0EH3vCdlwGjokUcBnva_i9ge2Aw-8r/s400/red+bush.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's the weather like where you are today?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Beth Nichollshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02818602131511694418noreply@blogger.com16