My little world of safety, security and happiness.

Hello ........... You o.k? Perhaps you're sitting with a cup of tea, having a quick break from the chores, or work, or whatever? I'm sitting here, with my tea, in a multi-coloured spotted mug, having a little break from work. You may already know that I work from home, and have a studio in one of the rooms in our house? Yes? Perhaps you work from home too? The other day someone asked me if I ever get lonely, and I could answer that immediately, with great confidence. No, I never get lonely at home on my own. I'm not strictly on my own. I've got the dogs, but a lot of their time during the day, they are baby-sat by our neighbor, who I think wishes they were her dogs! Even when the dogs aren't here, I don't get lonely. I love being at home, and I love being in my studio, painting and drawing. Being in my little world, which is very secure, very safe, and very, very happy. The photo above is the view from my desk, in my studio. Shame about those buildings the other side of the wall! It's the job centre, and sometimes I see people moving around inside. I find myself wondering if they ever sit there and look at me, working at my desk. There's something fascinating about each of us being able to see each other. Unless I have the blind down, because of the direct sunlight. When I first moved into my studio, and positioned the desk infront of the window, I had a debate with myself about what I should put on the window sill in front of me. A debate? You might ask? It's not as strange as you might think! A window sill can be a depository for lots of distracting things, and distraction isn't good for me. So, at first it was completely empty. But that seemed a bit harsh, and totally uninspiring. Then I tried out various bits and bobs, postcards, ornaments. But I worried about them being damaged by the sun. So my bowls I use to mix large quantities of watercolour in, seemed to be the solution. I love these bowls. They're a mix of old french coffee bowls, and cheap and cheerful buys. The same with the jugs, which somehow made their way onto the window sill. And no worries about sun damage with these, as far as I know. Untill this morning, I've resisted putting flowers in the jugs............. if there's one thing I find distracting, and positively lethal to my concentration, it's flowers. I find myself sitting and staring at them, looking at how they're positioned in the vessel, which makes me want to stop work and paint them. Not good! Which is what was happening before I broke off from work to have a cuppa and a chat with you! You know what I forgot to mention? The radio! That's one of the primary reasons I'm never lonely, I have Radio 4 for company. How could I forget my beloved Radio 4?! That station is a huge part of my life. I listen to the presenters voices, and have images of what they look like. I listen to the plays, the programmes, and my day is mapped for me. I know it's lunch time soon, because 'You and Yours' has come on. At the finish of the afternoon play, it's three p.m. Only an hour till my cup of tea! Radio 4 is like a friend, which might sound strange, but never-the-less, is true. I think I'm very fortunate to be so contented and happy, aren't I? And to be doing a job I love. It's a shame I can't show you what I'm working on at the moment. I have to wait untill it's published before I can do that. I was just thinking about my crochet. Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments, you've all been spoiling me rotten with comments over the last week or so, it's been very exciting! I've been asked for the pattern for my crocheted granny quares, which on reflection, I can give you without breaching anyone's copyright. Because my square is partly a pattern that is a classic pattern, and one which seems to be in all the crochet books, so I'm guessing it's not a copyrighted pattern. And it's partly a pattern I've cobbled together from various different patterns I've seen, so in the process I suppose I've made it my creation, and again, I won't be breaching anyone's copyright by telling you all about it in a blog post. So I feel safe to tell you all about it, which I'm very much looking forward to! I thought I'd do the full picture and explanation thing, so that hopefully, anyone can do the pattern, whatever level they're at. That will take a bit of time to put together. So how do you feel about me working on it over the weekend? Then I'll put it on the blog for you next week? How would that be? Would you like that? I'll give you all the details of the yarn I've used, and any other info I think might be useful too. I'm so pleased I've been asked for the pattern, I can't tell you how great that makes me feel! Anyway my good friends, the doggies need a walk, and then I need to finish the painting I'm working on, I'm determined to finish it today. I'll have to love you and leave you I'm afraid. Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Hen]

I love being at home alone too, I feel a positive wrench to be away from my den! No windowsills in here but plenty plenty plenty of other distractions! I'm a Radio 2 girl, perhaps I'll try Radio 4 on your recommendation but I do find the radio perfect company, our tv is never on in the day. Look forward to the crochet pattern.
Hen x

[Julie]

sounds lovely. I'm a stay at home mum, so I'm not strictly on my own, but as my little girl's only 19 months and doesn't talk much yet, it does feel like it. I love it too - it's nice to get out and about sometimes, or have the odd visitor, but this last week we've been out or having company every day and I am really so looking forward to having a quiet week next week.

That's a beautiful cup and saucer in your picture by the way.

Will look forward to your crochet instructions - then I'll really not have any excuse not to give it a try!!

[cathleen]

Vanessa, I love your little world, I love your blog. It's just incrediably sweet, pretty, and cozy to visit here. Oh, and the colors you are using for your crocheted blanket are exactly the colors I would use if I was making one. Exquisite!!! Hope you stop by my blog tomorrow...I am having a May Day giveaway!

[Karen]

Hi Vanessa, its lovely of you to share your crochet pattern and I am really looking forward to it as they are quite the nicest squares I have seen. I work from home too and never feel lonely. I don't even listen to the radio but I might have a listen to Radio 4 tomorrow as you have reminded me I used to enjoy it! Hope you had a lovely doggie walk. Karenx

[Aqeela]

Im also a radio 4 fan! We got rid of our (only) tv 3 weeks ago and radio 4 is just one thing which may be slowly taking its place. I also spend alot of time at home but im very contented here, and that is very important isnt it?

Aqeela xx

[Beth P]

Looking forward to the pattern!

[Anne]

I am so excited you are going to share your pattern - consider it a compliment that all of us are so crazy about it!! Really - you do beautiful work - can't wait to have a go at it!!

[melanie]

You have some lovely china. xxx

[Sumea]

I really enjoyed that cosy chat. We are so similar in some ways. I too am never lonely alone at home working and I often listen to my friend radio 4. Even though I am working on similar squares and flowers I can't wait for your pattern! so I can have a go at that too. I caught a glimpse of your gorgeous squares on the post below, so now I'm going to have a look there too x
Sumea

[Lisa]

Such utter prettiness, Vanessa. And love the colours you have chosen for your crochet!

I am in the market for a new camera and was wondering what one you use? Do you like it?

Thanks so much,

Lisa xo

[frances]

Thank you for the view from your window, indoors and out. So funny that your outlook is on a job center. Think that a true center or work is right in your studio.

Whenever I have the luxury of being at home and working or either drawing, painting, needlecrafty things, time passes so easily, so quickly. I also like to have the radio on ... over here in New York I like my local WNYC, a member-sponsored public radio station. I have, however treated myself to Radio 4 when in the UK, or even over the web.

Best wishes.

[Helen Charlton]

Just Living the dream . . . . . . . .
Bliss!!

[Stephie @ Narrative Self]

There's nothing better to be distracted by than a bunch of wild flowers in an old jug - or a collection of well used and much loved sable brushes! And when my windowsil is sometimes empty I love to be distracted by the birds. Thanks for sharing.

[mary]

I like these photos very much ! Happy painting !

[kitschen pink]

I have become more attached to world service than R4 these days. I just found I kept listening to depressing exposes and informative programmes about things that might kill me or why education has gone to pot. so instead I have discovered the unabridged audio books at the library. unlike the collection we have bought, these ones are 65p for up to 26 hours listening and I have 3 weeks to get through them. Completely engrossing. Especially if it's a favourite reader like Martin Jarvis! t.x