This is my kingdom, it is based around my craft office and home, family and pets. It is a warm, cosy shelter away from the nasty cruel world outside. Here I do my crafting and live my life with my family and animals.
My design style is modern, colourful and fun, with layers and textures, it is very touchy feely. I believe that original design, art and craft should be within the reach of every one, every day. I take my craft and design seriously - study hard (I do have an art's degree) - talk to everyone, go to craft classes twice a month and surf the web to try to keep up.
I moved to Kendal from Hampshire in 2003 and really love it here. Illness holds me back these days - but just look out - one day I will get better!
The Palace Guard Dog.
My dear, mad hound William. We do obedience and agility training – and we are hopeless!!
You think he is gazing lovingly into my face - He only love’s me because I have got a sausage in my hands.
In my life I have had several jobs, loads of moving house, one or two mishaps and, well, life has not always been easy. I moved here from Hampshire because a friend I knew in London (!) lived here and finally nagged me to have a holiday with her – and that was it – I fell in love with the place. I just felt it was ‘home’ – strange really.
My hubby is an artist and works from home – I have a muscle condition called fibromyalgia, which is progressive and means I can’t go out to work any more (I have FMS, CFS/ME, IBS and have just started to develop MCB – I call it alphabet soup – pick a letter I am sure I have it somewhere) – so we are home together ALL the time. I can feel the shudders from here, as I know loads of couple could not stand it, but it’s the only way my hubby could work. He works such odd hours and gets so involved in what he is doing (as you do when self-employed) that if he had a separate studio he would forget to come home!
As I said – I can no longer go out to work. I finally had to stop about 3 years ago and my crafting keeps me sane. I try to spend a bit of time each day practising my calligraphy, and take a fairly serious, formal approach to design and the 'why things work' aspect. I have a degree from the OU in English Literature, and i love to study. The worst think about fibro (as far as i am concerned) is the 'brain fog' that goes with it. I started this web site to keep my little brain cells active, to show my work to anyone who is interested and to keep a modern style diary of someone living (and coping/or not) with fibro. I am on my computer most nights (don't watch much telly) so it is always changing and evolving. Keep dropping by to see developments
I was a single mother for quite a few years, now I am married to a jobbing cartoonist and my son (princelet) has just hit the ‘TEENS’ so life in the kingdom is never dull. The next year’s diary should be a good one. Also in the castle are 2 cats - litter brothers, and totally different; my little dog – get this – he is a 'Red Nose, Rough coat, Chocolate Patterdale Terrier', KC name William Chocolate Orange – posh or what? We also have a very regal visitor, Misty – an extremely elegant, and cuddly, Shih Tzu who graces us with her presence when her mum is away.
I do a few things outside the castle. I go to a yoga class, which I love and am quite good at. My faith is very important to me and I am a practising Christian, I ‘man’ the office as well as going to services. We were extremely lucky in having the Rev Dr Allan Billings as our vicar before he retired. He does ‘Thought For The Day’ at 7.45 on Radio 4, you can also get it on the listen again service – he is the most amazing speaker.
Thank you for looking – come back and visit anytime – drop me an email with any comments, if anything takes your fancy, or just for a chat.
