Do What You Love

There is something so exciting about booking flights.  I have booked hundreds over the years, but I always get a thrill from seeing the destination spelt out on my ticket. It is like an invitation to adventure. And we are going on a seriously big adventure. We have booked our flights to Japan for theread more >>

*** Today’s fascinating *shared stories* come from former clown and master storyteller Arina Isaacson and body image expert Kimberly Riggins *** Arina Isaacson I am 10 years old. I am sitting in the beautiful old opera house in the classic western mountain mining town of Central City Colorado watching my, first ever, live theater production. The Miracleread more >>

  Wishing you and your family a warm and cosy very merry Christmas!

One of my favourite traditions of Christmas is kissing under the mistletoe!  I had to share this picture with you – this is enough mistletoe for a whole lot of kissin’! Happy Christmas Eve!

I am thinking about treating myself to a new camera before I head off on my big Japan adventure.  I already have an Olympus E-500 Digital SLR and am looking for something considerably better. I don’t mind spending a fair bit if it is going to take great pictures and last me a while.  Nikon? Canon?read more >>

I love being surrounded by stuff like this (and having an excuse to buy it!) What lovely crafty bits and pieces are you using for your present wrapping this year?

  Can you believe it is nearly Christmas?  Seriously, where did all the time go?  This whole year has flown, but these past few weeks in particular have been a complete blur.  I think that is one of the things I am most looking forward to about 2012, and our big adventure in Japan –read more >>

In all the hustle and bustle it is easy to forget to look up when Christmas shopping, but if you do stop and look up in Leeds city centre you get a real treat.  The Christmas decorations in the Victoria Quarter are stunning – sparkly and gorgeous but still in keeping with the traditional architecture. read more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from Danielle Diamond and Beth Cougler Blom *** Danielle Diamond   I strive to inspire people to live healthier lives both physically and mentally through Yoga, meditation, and a healthy diet,  because I have experienced firsthand the profound positive change it can bring to not only your body, but theread more >>

It has been a while since I took photos of random things around me. At the beginning of the year I spent hours snapping away, taking pictures of nature, signs, the sky, my feet – all sorts of things. But recently I have been working so hard, and been so attached to my desk, thatread more >>

As a complete book addict and hoarder, I thought it was about time I shared some of my favourites with you! In each ‘Weekend Book Club’ I post about a set of lovely books, with a different theme each week. This week’s theme is JAPANESE STYLE, in celebration of having just booked my flight toread more >>

…If you are stuck for a Christmas gift for someone special, why not give them a gift voucher for a creative e-course?  What a fabulous way to start the year – and your gift will keep on giving as they explore their creativity and connect with a new community of like minded people around theread more >>

I couldn’t resist decorating the studio to make it all sparkly and cosy for Christmas.  Thought you might like to see a few pictures! I moved my sewing table to make space for a Christmas tree.  Priorities, priorities! I love sitting by the fire with a glass of sherry, listening to Bing Crosby and making Christmasread more >>

I love exploring old English towns when it is time for Christmas shopping.  Somehow the shops are cosier, the tinsel sparklier and the hot coffee more tasty.  This year my Mum, my man and I went to the lovely Northern town of Hebden Bridge to explore, shop, and catch up with the lovely Hannah Nunn,read more >>

(image via Pantone) So Pantone have announced the colour of 2012… Tangerine Tango!  Does this make you want to get up and dance?? According to Pantone the colour (#17-1463) ‘marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.’read more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from Marie Pickering and Lisa Grace Byrne *** Lisa Grace Byrne   The story of the birth of my business is really the story of when “That Which You Must Do” became radically clear and in focus.  It also happened to coincide with my own birthing as a mother. It’sread more >>

Enjoyed a night at the Leeds Uni textile/fashion students’ mid-course exhibition last night with Rachael Taylor.  Some lovely work was on display – here are a couple of my favourites Hannah Barton (above and below) Hannah Morris Joanna Ellerbrook (The pieces above and below were unnamed) *** If you are interested in patterns yourself, why not joinread more >>

  Part of me is counting down the days to Christmas which I absolutely love (and I love the chocolate that comes with the counting…) Another part of me is trying to slow the days down – they are rushing by too fast and I cannot believe Christmas is just around the corner… How aboutread more >>

Way back when – in the fall of 1995 – I started a business called Swirly with no earthly idea what I was doing. The internet was just beginning to come into its own, but had yet to become the now-indispensible tool it is for creative entrepreneurs. There were no e-courses with step-by-step instructions onread more >>

*** Today’s *shared stories* come from Kat Fulton and Tracy Verdugo *** Kat Fulton   Doing what you love is an extension of being the person you love to be. I think you first must be who you love to be before you even know what inspired actions to take. Once you live out whoread more >>