So 2018

Looking back over 2018, another year of change.

We moved back to Aberdeen, which initially seemed grim but after six months started to work out as we both got new jobs. I also started doing freelance museum work and training which is fun, but does mean I have to do a tax return. On the plus side I get to meet interesting new people and go to new places and do new things. And am financially solvent so can finally buy all those things I have my eye on.

We are still in the old flat, but it is redecorated and has a new bathroom. Maybe look at buying a house next year although the housing market is pretty dead, for various reasons. I might also need a new car, although I love my old car he is becoming a bit of a money pit. I loathe the expense and stress of buying a new car (or a new house).

We did not have any exciting holidays this year, which I plan to remedy next year (brexit willing) We had lots of events with Alistair’s family though. Next year I want to revisit Paris, Rheims and go to Orkney. And have a summer and october holiday. And spend more time seeing people in London.

I discovered, moving back that a lot of my friends are now engulfed by babies. We also joined a gaming club and have met some great new people there. I also have new friends from my work, who are lots of fun.

I have started doing a lot more art in all kinds of forms, from painting to printing to try and find what I enjoy. Foodwise, my projects were Italian and Eastern European. Next year, I think more printing classes and the food project is The Middle East. I also need to get back into sewing. I think rather than retro sewing I might try some more avant garde or Japanese sewing patterns.

I am avoiding any personal resolutions, and my reading plan is Whatever I Feel Like.

Home bookbinding

Experimenting with my new book on bookbinding, making your own sketchbooks and notepads. This one is a bit freeform with cardboard cover printed in gold ink using rubber stamp.

Street Fashion returns

Anyone been missing Street Fashion posts? I despaired of seeing anyone as outrageously fashion forward as in London. Then, yesterday bingo with this lady in the queue in front of me in M&S. Cool lady in her 50s rocking a orange pudding basin bob and chic punk inspired ensemble with black lipstick. 

Pictish Printing 2

A pictish knot, tricky but fun to draw and carve out!

Pictish Printing

Some home printing with Pictish beasts. Could be part of my printing course project next year. Quite obsessed by Pictish motifs and standing stones.

Baronial Aberdeen

Citadel Building 

As I was driving down Union Street the other day it struck me how fantastic the building that terminates it is. This is the Salvation Army Citadel, a Scottish Baronial fantasy of turrets and towers designed by James Souttar in 1893. Medieval walls were discovered under the building as it sits in the heart of early Aberdeen.

Wardrobe Update

So, over the last two years I have almost entirely renewed my wardrobe, mostly shopping second hand.
Lately I have been doing this in a project based way. I started with skirts which I often buy second hand as I am a standard 14 in skirts and apparently skirts are not popular now so are often in charity shops. Does everyone wear jeans now? Trousers? Leggings? Who knows. I like a wool or tweed skirt so happy hunting.
My next target was shoes. After my catastrophic foot injury I avoided buying shoes for several years but now I am back in the game. I got two pairs of smart yet comfy heels from Ecco for work and occassions and a pair of brown ankle boots in a giant garden centre ( always great for outdoor wear). I am awaiting a pair of Ecco knee boots from ebay, fingers crossed.
My latest project is nightwear. Following two pairs of disasterously unflattering and sweaty satin pyjamas I am trying the combo cami/ pyjama trousers thing. Hoping they will be comfy but also look ok, unlike my much loved homemade sack like nighties and ‘I don’t care as long as I’m warm’ pyjamas for staying with people who never put the heating on. A godsend for the last two christmases, coupled with fluffy socks.
And digging out things you have not worn for years I found, and loved wearing to an xmas party, a navy velvet dress with sheer back, impulse buy from Monsoon about five years ago. If you love it, keep it and it will feel good again. My oldest item is a purple velvet jacket I bought about fifteen years ago, still great.

Squashes in the Supermarket

Box of squashes

And, just for a change, not printing, but my new many coloured felt pens. This is a lovely pumpkin display in my supermarket. The fruit and veg section is very inspirational for art, I like to take photos of the trays and crates.