Wednesday 2 May 2018

I'm Still Here

Did you miss me?
I'm okay, but busy... and finding life just a tad stressful which has made it difficult to write. Nothing new... mental health issues (not mine), unemployment (again not mine), anxiety, another brief A & E visit and family tensions... it's all a bit crappy if I'm honest but you've heard it all before so I won't bore you to tears all over again because there's good stuff too.


I had a fabulous weekend teaching in Coventry, almost two weeks ago now. Such a lovely fun group of ladies and all so enthusiastic. There was much beautiful work produced by everyone and I played around and stitched some sunflowers while they were all working hard. I got to swim in the hotel pool in the mornings and ate croissants for breakfast, so it almost felt like being on holiday and not a bit like work. And in the evenings I managed to relax with my knitting. The fact that it matched the hotel bed linen probably pleased me more than it should have done but... small pleasures!


Back home I took my portraits along to Art Van Go and set up my mini exhibition. It seemed a bit far fetched to call it an exhibition when the entire collection fitted in a shoe box.


But they made a good display when hung together. While I was there, Viv just happened to ask did I have any other work I could bring along as the gallery was looking a little sparse.


I didn't need asking twice, so this week I brought along everything I could find behind cupboards and under beds and I really do now have a solo exhibition at Art Van Go of a variety of work spanning the past eighteen years! It will be up until the beginning of June so do pop in and have a look if you are in the area.


I'm rather excited at my first ever solo exhibition... definitely a sixty x sixty!




I have snatched some odd bits of time here and there and have finished the second of the wedding waistcoats. Number three just needs the buttonholes doing... so only four more after that!


I was also in a musical variety show with the local Amateur Dramatics group last week, comprising of readings, short sketches and lots of fabulous rousing songs, which was just what the doctor ordered. Nothing like a good sing song to release tension. Fortunately our audiences seem to enjoy it too.
And in between times I've indulged in some very light, feel good reading, not too deep, not too sad, not too taxing... again just what the doctor ordered.


And I've finished knitting my very cosy warm shawl, which I'm hoping will encourage the warm weather back again. We really all have had enough of the cold and rain... it's May for heavens sake! So like I say, I'm still here, muddling along like you do.


Hopefully I'll not be away quite so long next time!

25 comments:

  1. Sending cyber hugs and loving all your wonderful creativity. I wish I lived nearer so that I could visit your exhibition. Well done you. B x

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  2. I did indeed miss you here. I am sorry things are a bit rubbish and hope things improve soon. Congratulations on your solo exhibition, that’s amazing and well deserved. Cx

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  3. Here's to your art finding lovely new homes!
    The fresh sunflowers are perfect.

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  4. I miss your posts and hope that things get sorted out soon. You are a lesson to us all the way you get on with life in spite of. Irene from Northern Ireland

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  5. It's a pity I don't live close by as I'd love to see your exhibition. It sounds like you have a lot to cope with, sending best wishes.

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  6. Always glad to have you back. Congratulations on your solo exhibition. Shame I am so far away. We have just got cool here with some very welcome rain. 6 months of none was getting rather worrying, but I think I could do with your lovely shawl. You do seem to fit a lot in!!

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  7. Good to hear you've found time for the smiley stuff amongst the challenges. Sometimes it's just too easy to be consumed by it all. Your exhibition displays look fab. Well done!

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  8. Sorry to hear you have all the challenges back again, but I am sure you will get through them. The exhibition looks wonderful, Just wish I could visit to see it. I love the sunflowers, buy I hope yu get enough warm weather soon not to need the shawl - Autumn is finally arriving here I think, but hot weather is forecast again for a few days next week. Crazy. Hugs XXX

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  9. So sorry that things are not good once more, but keeping busy is far better than brooding. Your portraits are even more striking for being small and I'd love to see the entire exhibition - such a variety in your work. I like the look of that cosy shawl - it's always good to be co-ordinated with ones surroundings!
    Thinking of you all.

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  10. How lovely to find your post this morning Gina! Loving the colour of your knitting and looks SO tactile. Sorry that life is difficult... but you seem to be SO amazing at fielding what is thrown at you. I really hope a warm sunny and happy May bank holiday beckons for you. Sending you hugs and as ever thinking of you. Liz x PS maybe it's about time I got into blogging action, I haven't been able to find my voice recently.

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  11. Congratulations on your solo show!! Sorry to hear of the stressful parts, but you're correct in that we've all got something going on all the time... such is life. I'm loving the embroidery portraits and the art quilts! So much lovely work!

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  12. Your exhibition looks great! a good addition to your list.
    I am sorry about the struggles at home. I am glad you are taking time for yourself so you don't get broken. {{{Hugs}}}

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  13. Great work as usual. But when are you ever not busy Gina?

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    1. Lovely to hear from you Margaret. Keeps me out of mischief! 😉

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  14. As you know Gina, I love these sunflowers. What a super experience to have a solo exhibition of your work-you must feel really proud. Your shawl looks luscious and soft and warm. Waistcoats are coming along nicely as they look quite fiddly to me who hates making buttonholes. Hope may brings us all some warmth-I had to put my woolen socks back on today.

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    1. Thank you Catriona. Hasn't it been lovely to see the sun.

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  15. I love those fabulous sunflowers Gina. Congratulations too on a solo exhibition- very well deserved. Hoping too that some of the home problems ease a little.

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  16. I did miss you and if you hadn't posted today I would have been sending an email to find out if you were okay. Sorry to hear that things have not been all that great but out of the trying times you still seem to have managed to create beauty. I absolutely love the sunflowers

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  17. Hurray! Your shawl did the trick. When can you make another one?
    Take care Gina and look after yourself as well x

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    1. Sunshine and warmth at last! Hurray!

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  18. Congratulations on your exhibition Gina, it looks great! :)
    Sorry life is a bit crappy for you at the moment, sending you a hug and hope that some good changes will come soon.
    V x

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