A different direction . . . .

2019 ended with much excitement for 2020 with new branding for my little business but for us all we were thrown in a new direction as Covid 19 dominated our plans.

January kick started with the delivery of a Vision Board workshop with Jemma from Unconditionally Nourished at At 1 Space, Nottingham. This opportunity also aloud us to deliver the same workshop in the corporate setting which blew us away and was a fantastic experience. In February my daughter and I had our first girls break away to Anglesey where we had much fun and I’m so grateful we managed to have this little mini break away as homeschooling became priority as lock down started but just before I still kept busy creating and had a new stand made with a productive meeting with Klara, Birds in the Attic. I found a brilliant local carpenter who put our ideas to paper and the stand was looking wonderful, in rustic wood and made to fit the boot of our car to easily transport and to assemble. This was the finishing touch to a new brand, new website, stationary, work and events planned for the year ahead to showcase my new re vamped little business.

The garden was starting to show life at this point in the year and I had also just started thinking about designs for fabric sketching out pretty patterns ready to venture further with new thoughts for Sweet Pea Home and Interiors. I’d had a photo shoot ready for my website with Elizabeth Brown ready for the launch and everything was coming together. I had also set up my new stand to see how it was looking and what else I needed to tweak, there was lots of interest and wonderful comments which felt brilliant.

Then the National lock down started as I launched my new website!!! I had a few orders and kept as motivated as I could whilst homeschooling took priority. Mother’s day was enjoyed along with many home improvements! We made the most of time together, putting any arty slant on the theme each week for school, went out for massive walks, bike rides and runs, took part in a virtual sports day and much more. Having the time to watch nature is something I was so grateful for, just how slow the pace of life had become which, if I’m honest I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

New inspiration came in the form of blossom, roses and much to enjoy in the garden in April. I was preparing for an online virtual Spring event and also delivered a live talk about my stand I’d set up in our garden, taking the audience into my home where I am inspired and work from the kitchen table if I’m not in the shed!

Seeds we’d grown were growing fast as I treated my daughter to a newly designed decorated bedroom. It took a few days but was totally worth it. She’d worked so hard to this point homeschooling and not seeing her friends or family little things such as this we’re a pleasure to create for her. In between home improvements I was also creating illustration commissions for families all in the same situation. It was so nice looking back to capture happy moments for others at this time.

Summer had arrived and the weather was sooo hot and had been for a few months now. My legs haven’t been so brown just at home in England and I lived in shorts with paint on my limbs! I had also created my ‘Mouse House’. Something I’d seen and wanted to do for some time, now seemed fitting and the first was for my daughters bedroom. Pretty Hannah Nunn and Peony and Sage wallpapers finished off my design perfectly. I had a few orders, early Christmas gifts gorgeous to make which I teamed up with my local carpenter who made my stand. 

My commissions were being posted out and May was a time for social distance bbq’s, this unknowingly the last time we we’re to visit our family in Manchester! It’s been far too long and when we can I know we’ll be having a big gathering with lots of chicken and rice and peas!!! We enjoyed a hot Father’s day celebration with fire pit fun, toasting marshmallows and crumpets! The village had a scarecrow show each household made for their garden as the Carnival wouldn’t be able to take place. Ours was to show love to all the Grandparents out there that children were missing. 

An interview with my little one chatting about her new Mouse House and preparations for the Summer Market online were in full flow. Home grown sweet peas were being picked regularly and as home schooling was coming to an end a well earned summer break had started. A flurry of new followers of my business started and it was lovely to see original watercolours being enjoyed in new homes. 

We were just constantly outside in the summer as the weather was just delightful. Brilliant as we had planned a trip to Nice, France but it wasn’t meant to be with the Covid flight/quarantine listing. So we decided to visit family in Bristol and visit Bath via the Cotswolds. It was so wonderful to leave home for a few days to see more of our beautiful country. Bought a few treats and completely inspired by different creative places/shops/people and cafes/restaurants. 

A little more diy and a trip to Snowdonia when it became extremely windy! A fab walk which we last did when I was pregnant followed by a windy and wet few hours on the beach with, of course fish and chips on the way home. Back home business had slowed down for me a bit and if i’m honest I was feeling a little flat. Preparations were on their way for an event that could take place as it was outside. Joy Events was lovely to interact with my followers and the other independent stall holders and to set up my new stand for the first time. School had started back which was wonderful for my daughter and I also was very excited to meet a new venue to run my workshops, The Shed. 

A perfect setting that suited my business wonderfully and the ladies totally supporting what I wanted to deliver. The weather was still glorious and I was making the most of my creative time whilst my little one was back at school. The launch of my Autumn Bloom watercolour workshop was off and getting booked up, autumn was on its way, my favourite season. Pumpkins, crispy leaves and earthy tones were my source of inspiration for the first workshop at The Shed. In the last year I had also supported an independent shop in our village and in turn Sarah supplies the booms for the workshop. I then started to help out a little more regularly which has been wonderful this year. Autumn also brought my husband and my 10th wedding anniversary which we managed to enjoy a meal out as a family, a rare chance this year to dress up!

Launch of my second workshop at The Shed was announced shortly after the government brought out the tiers of which made it harder to run the workshops. So the decision was made to postpone until the new year. At this point in the year I was personally going through a tough time but with much support and guidance I’ve come through. Enjoying a slower way of life, being outside as much as possible, meeting family and friends when we can and working with Sarah at our local shop has been such fun. Sarah rewarding me with my own wreath making workshop and a sneaky prosecco! My wreath was up on my door near the end of November just a little longer this year to bring just a little early festive joy to our home, creating it with dried hydrangea from our garden.

The festive season was here and light was at the end of my tunnel. Our home was completely finished, rooms decorated with a fresh lick of paint and candles lit. Each year I have made my daughters advent calendar and this year was no exception. I created stars from brown paper filled with chocolates or little acts of kindness she’d need to fulfil. These were then hung amongst the garland I created along our stair banister. I was super pleased with it and as you turned right through to our kitchen a galvanised bucket held a mini tree for the kitchen.

Social distance trips to my parents allotment was our way to get together with flasks of hot soups and homemade treats! Another moment that made me appreciate time spent with loved ones and simple pleasures in life and how much they mean to me. As the festive break came so did new opportunities for 2021. This made me feel it was time to stop, slow right down and be with my family. Celebrate our daughter's 9th birthday and put on a Harry Potter tea party as she couldn’t have her best friend over for a sleepover. Christmas was just the three of us but with delicious food, roaring fire, gorgeous candles, pretty lights and plenty of films!

Reflecting on this year has been interesting. I started off full of enthusiasm and ended full of enthusiasm. But in the middle my plan changed and it threw me off a bit as we all have felt that. My thoughts for my business and goals still stand but this year just blurred that pathway. Implementing structures and listening to myself a lot more has realigned where I am and where I’m heading,

I think 2020 has been good to stop and think about what we all really need and prioritising ourselves.