Kim Family Auction

I was so caught up in fears for MsP that I missed the heartbreaking story of the Kim family and the tragic death of James Kim.

I've also missed the opportunity to contribute craft work to the Kim Family Auction which is taking place right now (until the 7th) here on ebay. As it's Pay Pal only I can't bid, so I urge you to visit and bid yourselves. There are so many wonderful works which have been donated by extremely talented bloggers, all of whom have been deeply moved by the Kim Family's loss. Kati Kim is a fellow blogger and my thoughts are with her and her two children.

Tagged

Deco and reflection in Ikea

I've had my first tag of 2007 from strwberrydelight inviting me to share secrets. As you know, I mostly am fairly private about my actual real life but in the spirit of giving, and to make up for not being able to send cards and things this christmas here you are.

5 Secrets for the Land of Blog...

1. I come over Miss Eco Green Organic but when I was going to Kate's wedding in Sweden I felt self concious about my darker blonde winter hair so I used Sun In with a hairdryer to make my 'roots' closer to my summer sun lightened longer bits.

2. I can't remember 6 months of my teenage life, at all. It was when I was living with my crazy Aunt. She was pretty psychotic and had tried to kill me, then she sent my dog away. I got very low then and don't remember anything until I went to visit my parents in LA. I didn't want to come back but my brother was so horrible to me that I did - it's harder to be hurt by someone you love (him) than someone you hate (her).

3. When I was at college I had ME (Chronic Fatigue). I was often too tired to get to and from college so I used to hide from the security gaurds and get locked in overnight so I could work late and then sleep through the day. I've always been more of a night person, creatively speaking.

4. When we were kids my brother and I used to sneak out at night. We just loved walking around our town at 3am when no-one was about. But one time the Police saw us and chased us (we were under 10yrs old). The Police station was beside the bridge that we needed to cross to get home, so I had to put him on my back and wade through the river, up to my waist, to get home. Scary but FUN!

5. When I was older, about 14, I used to sneak out and play on the roof of our High School. Gosh, I sound like such a trouble maker! But it was all very innocent, we liked to rollerskate over the 4ft bumps on the roof. We never damaged anything, or bothered anyone.

Goodness, I hope I don't regret mentioning any of that.

If they would like to join in then I would tag Anna at twelve22 and Christine at Vegas and Venice since I'd love to know some of their secrets :0) But Christine, have you a new home yet? I've no access to my email so I can't contact you, but I hope it's all working out OK. Anna on the other hand is already in her new home, and it's super lovely. If you'd like to see it she has some shots on her blog that have cheered me up recently.

sorry guys I just re-read this one week on, it's a bit heavy isn't it, I'll do a lighter one next month for you.

Birch indoors

Did I get a bit low there? Here's a jollier post, still red, but with a wintery theme as it's me in that garden centre again. These silver birch trees are in a Narnia themed grotto which made me get very Christmassy indeed! Still wearing those PJ's.

The Red Shoes

I've been up all night with cramp so I just had to post something RED.

Did I say I was spending Christmas with Ms P?
I realise I've been neglecting my blogging, things have been pretty full on and I only have dial up access to the internet just now. Since her surgery stopped her coming here for Christmas, MrP and I went to MsP's home in England instead. It was really great, especially as they let her come home from hospital on Christmas Eve, though by all accounts she had to do some major persuading to get that. She is very persuasive, yey.

Of course, it was not all plain sailing, she's got an open wound like a special effect from a movie, and she's had several complications, but in spite of that she was a complete star for the whole of our visit. One in a million. I honestly don't know how she does it, except that she is oozing positivity like no-one I've ever met before. One of the things about meeting her, though, is that I want to talk about her all the time, but it's her life, and I wouldn't want to be publishing it just cause it means a lot to me.

So I guess I'm saying that knowing her is one of the biggest things in my life now, and takes priority over blogging. Not that I'll stop blogging, but just that when my mind is particularly occupied with worries or cares about her then maybe I won't be doing so many posts.

So what are the red shoes about? Well they are my Christmas present from her, I saw them in the Shelter (charity) shop for £4.50 and had to have them, but they seemed like something that would be nice to get from her. I don't do heels, but liked these and had got them in the hope that surely one day one of my gay friends will have a Wizard of Oz fancy dress party and I could at least wear them for the photo shoot. Not that I got to wear them on xmas day, she loved them herself and popped them on to try, then fell asleep in them. So cute cause I have big feet and she has little feet so they were huge on her. The best bit of all was seeing her finally get a few hours sleep, she'd had virtually none in hospital.

Finally, apologies to anyone trying to email me, I'm not actually at home yet, just posting this from a friends laptop. The power went down on two thirds of my house last week and with my health a bit bad just now (nothing to worry about though) I've just stayed away rather than get stressed by something I can't fix right now. Imean hey, it's the holidays right, no sense worrying.

I had hoped to be able to work from MrP's place, but TalkTalk have really messed him about re. his supposed new broadband connection, so no joy on that front just yet. When it's working I can finally get some proper holiday pictures posted here. Till then, happy January.

Happy 2007

One of my photographic/illustrative christmas cards... shame I never got them printed in time to post to anyone! Only people who saw me in person got them. It looks very pale here but in real life it's got better colour.



This one was my one for work folk... but my printer wasn't working, and the photocopier wasn't working, so no cards for those people either. The antler is based on part of the carving in the wall of the Ice Chapel in Sweden this year.



This is me in England at my favourite HUGE garden centre, we popped in on the way home for some bargain price christmas decorations. I am shamelessly still wearing my pyjamas having never quite made it to bed the night before (I stayed up all night in a PMT frenzy doing another room make-over for Mr P's mum - which she loved).

Happy New Year to all of you. Love to all my new bloggy friends, and the few of my previous ones who know about the blog.

Happy Hols everyone

Berries, what's not to love.


Babushka, sent these Lindt chocs to my friend Nikki in Australia last month, I LOVE them. I wish they were wood though, so I could have some but not eat them and spoil them. Nikki's arrived in Melbourne to 37 degree heat, so they had melted a bit, but hey Nikki, this is what they looked like before they went in the Jiffy bag.


And more Lindt goodness, this one went to Janet last month (she sent me the Lindt bunnies earlier this year). These look like bunnies but they are reindeer. I didn't like the tacky packaging they came in so I painted the bottom white and then chopped up an old sparkly Chrsitmas card for the background, much more festive I thought. Hope they reached her un-squished.

This may be my last post, it was meant to be showing some of my card designs, but they are on another computer. So till I get my act together... HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone! Thank you so much to all of you who have commented, emailed, written and even met me in Edinburgh this year. Blogging has really changed my life in a good way, and I appreciate the support and inspiration that you have all provided, thank you and I wish you all the very best for 2007.

ps. Ms P had to go back to hospital yesterday, she's having a rough time of it. In fact, many people around here are having a tough time this month with health, deaths, floods and things, so I wish good health, peace and happiness to everyone I know... and to those I don't as well. Lots of love Cally xxxx

busy for Christmas

Busy busy Busy, this is My Christmas branch, as you can see, utterly unadorned. Too busy to even decorate my house, though I have done some decorating at Mr P's place (on account of it's warmer there and will receive seasonal visitors). Will try to do a post before Christmas. Hope you are all well and getting on top of the plans you have for your hols (hope you have hols).

Ms P having complications, it's so unfair. We are hoping they don't take her back to hospital before Christmas, but then again, if it's what she needs then I guess it's better that way and we'll just make it as Christmassy as possible for her. Thanks so much for everyone's best wishes for her.

Ice Hotel Reception

I loved the ever changing light through the ice walls of the ice hotel. If I ever get any time I must find out what it looks like this winter.

Ms P. gradually getting better though she's had some problems. Best of all is that she's allowed to eat a little bit of real food. Now I know how much most of you love your food, so I'm sure you can get how hard it must be when the Docs are saying 'No'. She's been particularly looking forward to having Maltesers :0)

Another of my sketches from last January, but based on people/pod/seed forms that I've been working with since college, only with a Scandi influence in the headwear.

I'm back, so sorry to have been absent for so long, life took over in a big big way this last week or so. Thanks so much to everyone who sent messages of support and best wishes for Ms P. She is doing ok, though it was a rough ride for her, and those who know her. A lot of healing needing to happen so unfortunately it's not safe for her to come up for Christmas but I'm just happy that she's having a Christmas in the first place. I was so scared for her, though I kind of knew it would work out cause I had a good feeling about this year and so far it really has been one of my best ever years, money probs aside.

Unfortunately it means that those of you (and I think you all know who you are) that would have been getting a Christmas card from me, will now probably not get one, but I'll maybe do a virtual one instead. I couldn't afford time off to go and see her in hospital so to make up for it I've been working non stop since I got back... and that means no time for making anything really. Not that I regret it one bit, I'd do it again, she's SO worth it. In spite of the circumstances, it was such a lovely visit. I never thought I could have such a nice time sitting in a hospital pressing someone's morphine button every 5 minutes, but it felt great to be able to be there for her in that way. She puts on an incredibly brave face but I know she was in a LOT of pain. Yet despite that, she still has that happy spirit that makes the people around her feel all invigorated. Amazing and inspiring.

Ok, I must sleep now, but I finally have a few days off work so I will try to blog before thursday. Thanks again people, and I hope you are all keeping in good health yourselves.

Green Things & Ms P.

Near my house


Thread drawer


War time Stamp book

Sorry not been blogging, a lot of 'life' going on this week. Friend has new kitten I've been helping look after and Ms.P has had to go for very scary surgery so my mind is really anywhere but the blog... but I thought if everyone who reads had a positive thought for her she'd just love that.

She really is the most wonderful, sweet, kind hearted, funny gal you could ever wish to meet (we have adopted each other as the sisters we never had). I'm not ready for her to be taken away from me yet so fate will just have to favour us because it's the right thing to do. Love you Ms.P. XxXxXxXxX