I love visiting other people’s blogs and there are some truly wonderful ones out there these days! Craft blogs have taken off big time and I can’t think of anything better to do to show off one’s work. I love the fact that the majority of authors are stay at home mums. How I would’ve loved to have the outlet of blogging when I was a mum with a young child! Crafting has always been a great interest of mine. Indeed, when I was training to be a teacher, I chose to do textiles as my main subject. Oh, actually Art was my major but after a year of doing everything that that involved, including photography, pottery, sculpture and screen printing, I finally chose textiles, and particularly embroidery for my last two years. I’m sure I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but what a charmed, relaxing life that was! We embroidered pictures to be framed….one of my favourite illustrators at the time was Roger Dean who designed album covers for Yes amongst others. His weird, futuristic, organic landscapes lent themselves to my imagination and most of my work was based on his. Here’s some examples of his art. How dated they look now!
When Tom was small I got into dressmaking and made most of his clothes. I also used to sell them and got a few commissions from friends. A popular item of clothing was the patchwork jacket I made from scraps of material taken from the old clothes of the child it was for. My goodness they were a work of love! They took weeks to make and I couldn’t bear to charge much for them!
When I started to use the internet reguarly, I had a message board and website for people with Crohn’s. I think I was one of the first to not be satisfied with a plain white background and black Arial text! Oh the fun I had creating backgrounds and making the place look ‘homely’. This eventually went on to blogging which was the perfect arena for me to express my creative urges. Yes, and now look at it! Plain white background and simple text 
I do regret the fact that nowadays my job prevents me from producing pieces of art and craft. How Iovely it would be to show them off on here 
Last week I started running an Art club at school. I have twelve of the older children (aged 6 and 7). Quite a treat as I can talk to them on a different level and show them skills the younger ones aren’t ready for yet. With the help of my mum and a member of staff, we’re introducing them to Monet. I want them to get an idea of what Impressionism is all about and then produce a painting based on a piece of his work. Their homework was to search the internet for his paintings and find one that they love. I was thrilled with the level of enthusiasm after their first lesson 
Dave had an endoscopy done yesterday because for the last year or so he’s had persistent indigestion. They found a large duodenal ulcer. At last something that can be treated!! He started on medication immediately and within a couple of weeks he should be symptom free, wow!!!!
4 Comments
Hi Nikki !
What a great & personal post today, dear friend. I didn’t know you were that much into sewing that you were commissioned by friends ! How great was that ?! I wish I could have seen what you used to make, I’m sure it was precious & beautiful !
I personally think that most teachers are originally very interested in arts & crafts. Probably that was the reason why I wanted to become a teacher too, when I was a teen !
Oh wow, I am so happy that doctors finally found out what was the cause of Dave’s constant indigestions … I hope he’ll be symptoms free ASAP. My MIL has something to the duodenum too, but can’t remember what it is …
I bet this art sessions at school must feel so nice to you … I wish there were such nice & clever things over here. Great job on introducing little ones to Art !
I hope you’re having a lovely weekend, sweetie. Sending you big hugs, and telling you that you’re always in my thoughts. xoxox
gorgeous post. I didn’t get a chance to do much in the way of visits yesterday. We were in and out during the day, then Dudley caused a Huge Drama just as it was getting dark, and after that we had a little bit of John Lewis shopping to do!
I know what you mean about the craft blogs, and reading your email today, yes, you are totally right. In all you say. How nice it is that stay at home Mums are creative and have a place to show what they can do.
When I find a new blog it usually leads to another and then another. Which is lovely, but I often lose the URLs that I would love to keep but haven’t noted down. Like the ones you know about. Found out more about one of those today and slapped my head in a comedy ‘doh’ moment. I am such a dimwit at times (which probably explains some of the comments!!!!! I think I must have ‘idiot’ tatooed on my bonce at times!) Still, am letting things pass and wash over me.
Am about to start reply email, but had to come over and see what you had to say for yourself! I am glad Dave has got new meds and is starting to feel a bit better.
Art is such a wonderful subject, every aspect of it. From painting to sewing, anything with colour and texture and light is so interesting. And it’s something that stays with you and grows and changes each year. I’m finding new things that I absolutely love and find inspiring, using fabrics that I haven’t used since I was at school and just enjoying exploring my creative side. I know little one is already creative and that makes me so happy. When I was little and watched Take Hart or Blue Peter, I could never make the things that they showed as in our house there was only one pair of scissors (no wonder I have an obsession for buying them now) and we never had selloptape or paper or glue. When Humbug is older and wants to make things, my God how she’ll love her Mama and her crafty stuff!!!
Makes me smile just to think of it.
Ok, back to the email. Enjoy your Sunday, and I will say again how lovely it is to read a Nikki Musing!
xx
Hi, Nikki! Good to hear from you and especially the news that Dave is doing so well. This post was full of revelations – things I didn’t know about you! How interesting to read about your interest in art, something I share, if not your talent. My daughter has recently started hosting craft circles at her apartment in Portland, and it sounds like they’re all having such a great time with it. Now I read you’re doing something similar at school. That’s great! Yes, my DIL has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis from a very young age – pre 10, actually. She is doing better just now, and I pray that will continue. Roy is at his brother’s in Orlando. That’s “day by day” they say. Hugs, Julia
Hi Nikki
Glad that they could finally pinpoint what was giving Dave so much trouble. I hope the meds help him be symptom free soon.
It’s always interesting to hear more about people…how wonderful that you can now use your training in interest with your Art club students. They must be really enjoying it and it sounds like you are as well. My Grandma was an artist and it always amazed me to go to her place and see her works in progress. The art gene passed me unfortunately although I like crafty stuff
I am so thankful for blogs though as my life as a Stay at Home mum would be a lot more lonely otherwise. So good to read a post from you again
Take care
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