In, out, shake it all about...

It’s funny old world, isn’t it?

This time last week, I was knackered.  I’d been out four nights in a row with only Monday night off to recover after a week of hedonism with my mate Lisa (There’s a rumour going around that we’re not good for each other.  Can’t think why.) and, after a gruelling week at work, I was more than ready for a weekend hibernating in my flat – and very nearly cancelled my catch up with fellow arty-type and good friend Laura.  Laura was pretty knackered too, but like the troopers we are, we hauled our arses out of our pits and met for an exchange of collages (I’d left a couple of creations at Laura’s last time we met), a mooch around the South London Gallery, tea, cake, and a bit of mutual mentoring.

"New York" and "Berlin" collages

"New York" detail

You see, Laura and I have “buddied up” and meet once a month to talk about how we have been getting on with our respective projects – and offer moral support when things haven’t quite gone according to plan.  We both work full time, have busy social and home lives and often find focusing on our creative pursuits more than a little challenging.  Laura admitted that she had not done as much of her “to do” list as she had hoped – but had the excuse of a new voluntary job, manic work schedule and an addiction to Coursera – a directory of free online courses on anything from philosophy, social networking and mathematics.  Take a look at your peril – Laura is currently signed up to about half a dozen courses...

So, last week was busy.  This week, however... has been pretty dead.  Other than a rather dull evening meeting I’ve been in every night – which, whilst relaxing, does lead to a bit of cabin fever, along with an over-indulgence of jaffa cakes.  Having said that, it has been a rather productive week.  I’ve caught up with my writing (novel number two is at about 12,000 words and counting) and have been getting on with a bit of crafting.  Not only have I made my mum a snood (modelled by Dog below) and a rosette-style brooch to accompany her ticket to see Carmen for her Birth/Mother’s Day treat, I’ve made Breezy, a metre-long beast of a draught excluder commissioned by a chum who has unusually wide doors.  And tonight I’ve titivated my collage “Fist” yet again... keep an eye on the “Art” section of this website for its unveiling once I decide it’s finished.

Dog keeps the chill out in mum's snood...

...and Breezy keeps drafts at bay.

So, as the weekend begins, I am well rested, pretty much up to date with my to-do list, really rather crafted (and biscuited) out – and looking forward to a weekend with my mother followed by a visitation by The Man.  Who will no doubt keep me entertained next week, whether I choose to stay in or drag him out...