Something to share

Why, can it be Wishcasting Wednesday again already? How the week has flown! If you never joined in, then pop along and visit Jamie Ridler and the wonderful gang and cast your wishes to the wind with us. This week we answer the question: What do you wish to share?

I would love to share something wonderful with my fellow bloggers who always offer such support and guidance - a slice of this chocolate cake from Konditor & Cook perhaps? Or, if you don't like chocolate (strange person!), then a pretty flower from an English country garden?

This is my second attempt at this post tonight. I hid the other one away. It became too open.

After the hidden attempt, I wasn't going to bother writing another post today, but then I whacked myself around the chops a few times and told myself off for being so selfish - Jamie has asked us to share and so I will. I'm sure I've got more than one thing to impart - the other post was a dilemma - this one will be something to make you smile. I'm not sure what yet, I'm hoping for inspiration as we go along.

Today I shared fuss. My son crept in my bed this morning rather early because he wanted some. My boyfriend needed a bit too, but he had to have 'virtual' fuss because we didn't see each other today. My Dad deserves lots of fuss as he recovers from his heart attack and my Mum definitely requires us all to fuss over her as she worries about the rest of us too much.

I like sharing fuss. Would you like some?

I love sharing stories about my son... He believes I have eyes in the back of my head and that 'little birds' really do tell me that he got that huge scratch on his belly from falling out of a tree he wasn't supposed to be climbing, rather than just 'falling over on the playground' as he 'innocently' explained to me...

It gives me great joy to share exciting discoveries. My friend just visited and she was bombarded with books and websites I wanted to show her (I may have pushed her in the direction of this blog a bit too, but hey, we're only human!). I introduced her to Etsy and books by Kelly Rae Roberts and Susan Tuttle. I predict it will only be a matter of days before she makes her first Etsy purchase - her eyes lit up when she realised just how many wonderful shops are waiting, just a simple click away. She shared with me a book I should read - something about being a Goddess ... I need to go look it up on Amazon...

You know what, I enjoyed writing this post. It felt good sharing nice things. I wish to share more nice things, it's a happy thing to do. And now, I am going to share my thoughts on what the other wishcasters have to say.

I got sunshine...

I got sunshine... on a cloudy day.

When I saw the Mixed Media Monday Challenge this week asking for a piece inspired by lyrics from a song, this immediately sprang to mind. I love this line. It's so romantic.

I've had the idea for this painting for a while. I was captivated by the magazine shot of the woman in the rape field and wanted to give it a bit of a 'Lisa treatment'. OK, so it doesn't quite conjure up the romance of the lyric but the brilliant yellows from the blooms in the field keep her shining as the clouds gather above.

Acrylics, magazine collage, some more of that old book, tissue paper scrunched up (just like we did back at primary school!), charcoal pencil (my new favourite toy) and a dash of oil pastel.

A cheesy tale

Fran wriggled her nose rabbit-style and slowly sniffed. Deep, earthy scents tickled her senses, teasing with promise. Salivating, she smiled coyly at James and begged for a tiny taste. He speared a ripe brie and held it out tantalisingly before snatching it back as her mouth leant forward. The exercise was repeated with a gooey stilton, a pungent gorgonzola and the freshest of unpasteurised goat's cheese.

The precious dairy products were packed away and replaced in the fridge. "Do I need to padlock it?" James laughed.

Fran patted her round belly and heaved herself out of the chair, waddling upstairs to bed. "I think I can wait a few more days", she smiled.

My entry for this week's Sunday Scribbling. The theme this week? Well, cheese naturally!

Nothing doing

Switch everything off. Close your eyes. Relax. Listen to the soft swoosh of waves dragging their cargo of sand and shells up the beach. Empty your mind. Do nothing. Think nothing. Good things will happen.

But what sort of beach? Is it sandy or bumpy with pebbles. Is it in this country? Cornwall perhaps, or maybe a golden curving dream ringed with gentle palms. Is the sea rough or calm?

It doesn't matter what beach, just listen to the sounds of the waves, allow them to wash away your thoughts...

No, it's no good. I can't stop my imagination taking me on a whistle-stop tour of Conde-Nast's Top 10 dreamiest holiday hot-spots.

A candle, that's nice and simple.... Did I turn the stove off? I'm sure I did, but I know for sure I've forgotten to hang out the washing. What time is it? Only 5 minutes since I started, well I suppose technically I should begin again as I've been rather thought-filled...

What have I done with the book anyway, haven't seen it for a few days... I can't remember what is supposed to happen when you 'do nothing' anyway. Some sort of state of calm I guess... Hmm. I'm a bit peckish... I hate my job... Shall I quit? Is that the phone?

***

Well, no I haven't gone completely mad (well no more than usual). This is simply an open dialogue typical of my attempts at switching off this week. Together with a group of bloggers, we are working through The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. Week 1 required us to 'do nothing' for 15 minutes each day. It is not very easy. When I actually remember, I simply cannot switch off for more than about a minute at a time. However, I'm not overly bothered. I never for one moment thought that this was a skill that would come naturally. In fact, I also suspect that I'll learn most from reading others' experience. I'm off now to read up on what everyone else has been doing.

I'll keep trying anyway. Next week's chapter is called truth. OK, I admit it. Twas I that stole the cookies from the jar...

To see how everyone is getting on, take a look at 'The Next Chapter' with Jamie Ridler and the gang.

For my Dad

I love you Dad, you really are a wonderful father. I know it shouldn't take a heart-attack and a spell in hospital for me to say this 'out loud'; but sometimes I guess we all take each other for granted - especially when that someone is 'always there for me'. Together with Mum you did a pretty good job of bringing me up and sending me out into the world. I guess I'm a bit of handful sometimes (but only a little!). I've not always been the conventional daughter but at least I keep you on your toes. I'm sorry about the teasing and mickey-taking - but it really isn't necessary to wash the crockery quite so thoroughly before putting it in the dishwasher!!

This blog has become such an important part of my self-expression which is why I want to tell everyone just how great my Dad is. He doesn't have a computer and watching him work a mouse is frankly quite hilarious, but I know I can be sure you'll read this sooner or later.

It's pretty hard knowing quite what to say here. Once I start listing your qualities I'll struggle to stop. So let me just make everyone jealous and tell them you're always willing to help, to offer support and guidance (even when we don't think we need it!). You're funny and clever. You're a wonderful Grandad. In fact, you're everything!

Get well soon, have plenty of rest and, next time you have 'indigestion' for over 12 hours, do us all a favour and call an ambulance after about 10 minutes!

Your loving, troublesome daughter Lisa
xx

Luxuriating in...

I've been doing a lot of wishing lately (keeping the fairies out of recession, it's a hard job but someone's gotta do it). It's all the fault of that nice Ridler lady and the ever-increasing gang of Wednesday Wishcasters. Do you know what, it's quite nice asking the Universe for things and this week we get to choose a 'luxury'. Hmm, what shall we say - a bath filled with chocolate? A yacht filled with toy boys? A ring filled with diamonds? Nah, not that they're not nice of course, but let's face it - too much chocolate makes you fat and spotty, I doubt the toy boys could handle me and if your best friend is a diamond, then you're really in trouble girl.

No, I'm afraid I am going to be a bit cliched here. It's TIME I'd like a bit more of. I go to bed every night frazzled, trying to pack into my evening what I'd be far more comfortable spending all day enjoying. I need a little time to find me. I need time to find a job where I feel I'm actually achieving something, but that finishes nice and early so I can spend more time with my boy. I need time to do nothing - cause I'm supposed to be doing this for 15 minutes a day for the Joy Diet and I'm finding it really hard (more on this on Friday's posting). I most definitely want more time to write and slosh paint about. I might get around to doing more housework or, hey... what about someone to do it for me?! I would have posted a longer missive tonight, but guess what... I'm a bit pushed for time... (I'm multi-tasking hanging out the washing and making tomorrow's sandwiches as I write this).

And Universe, if you're listening and feeling really generous. Could you possibly give me a hand turning the spare bedroom/junk room into an art studio?

Painting by Will Cotton: Chocolate Bath!

Strictly metal

Naturally, I could not allow the beginning of a new season of Strictly Come Dancing* on our screens to pass by unmentioned. I just had to sashay onto the page with dancing superlatives. I even created this little artwork inspired by the lights and glamour of the show. It also fits in rather nicely with the 'metal' theme at Mixed Media Monday.

(*aka Dancing with the Stars elsewhere in the world or simply 'Strictly' in the UK).

Waltz along with my words tonight darlings as I take to the floor with my dance partner - Prose. Step to the sexy Brazilian beat of the Cha Cha Cha by taking in this rather crazy composition of silver foil, shiny metallic acrylic paints, iridescent inks, a little collage, shiny tissue paper, lashings of glitter and an overdose of swirling chiffon and rhythm. It is perhaps a little over-done and clumsy, but hey it's only week 1, there's time to improve... Over to you judges...