Nel Whatmore

Nel 25th Year Celebration Exhibition 'Life is a Minestrone"

2012-01-25T04:57:00.000-08:00

Well January has been very very busy, as things build up towards my big show in April. I have been painting like a woman possessed! Feeling no pressure at all, as it's my 25th year! There will also been an exhibition of work from when I was a child up to present day. Cue terrible hairdoos and pictures of giraffe's, gorilla's and all sorts. It's always interesting to look back as well as forward. I often find it invaluable to see the progression of work and also as a reminder that there has been improvement when normally when you are only looking at current work it seems as though you are not going forward at all. If any of you would like to be sent an invitation for the show please email me your address and I will make sure you receive an invite. They will be going out the first week in March.

In the midst of all this painting, the 2nd strike offs of Katharine's Wheel, my next range of fabrics for Freespririt, have arrived. So there is a lot to do. I can't resist taking a picture for you to see them! There are just a few tweaks that need doing but then can't wait to start making bags and quilts and things.

Our kids are in the middle of exams, both of them, so it's hard at times to concentrate as there is always someone needing something. Such are the joys of juggling family. Anyway I just wanted to say hi and post something in January, which we are nearly at the end of . I am going to do another give away shortly so let me know who would be interested in winning some Sleeping Beauty Fabric. Here are some reminders of the range.

Nel Christmas Prize worth over £100 featured in NEW issue of World of Cross Stitch Magazine

2011-12-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Hi just to let you all know that the next issue of World Of Cross Stitch, on sale on Dec 8th I believe has a feature on me, which I am really pleased about. Also it gives me the opportunity to do another lovely FREE GIVEAWAY. This is open to all readers of the magazine who follow my blog and all of those who already do. Thanks so much for dropping by !

The PRIZE is Three Maia Cross Stitch Kits worth over a £100!! Plus a Nel Calendar and diary.

All you have to do is join my blog and post a comment below. I love hearing from you all.
The kits are of such a high standard and they have interpreted my paintings beautifully, that I hope you will enjoy doing them or sharing them.
Well it's getting colder and colder and yes the first snowflakes fell on the car this week and it's getting really cold at my studio. I am painting avidly at the moment towards my big 25th exhibition next year and have just been to see the venue again to measure up and try to work out actually how many paintings I will be able to fit in. Coupled with racing all over the country taking our son to University open days, there has been little time to anything Christmassy. December is always sooooo busy for everyone.
I will select the WINNER ON MY BIRTHDAY 30TH DECEMBER as that seems like a nice thing to do on that day!
BEST OF LUCK EVERYONE!!

Winner of the 100 Block Magazine Blog Tour is.......! And a note to you all from Nel

2011-11-13T06:30:00.000-08:00

Home Quilt! Congratulations. I will be getting all your goodies off to you next week. There were so many of you who very kindly commented it was a bit overwhelming THANK YOU SO MUCH! As I have to make three Christmas cakes today, as the fruit has been soaking a bit to long. I will try to reply to some of you, who had queries but alas can't promise to manage everyone. So please know how much I appreciate it you dropping by and I look forward to keeping in touch.

The exhibition up at Ripley of my originals is going well. Thanks to all of you who have visited so far. I love spending my Saturdays up there much easier than doing the jobathon at home. I will post some pics shortly , after doing the Christmas cakes as they need to cook for 5 hours!!!!!!

I am so excited today the first strikeoffs of Katharine's Wheel , my third range, arrived and I AM SO PLEASED WITH THEM. I so want to put them on my blog but as a few of the patterns need just a few tweaks I am going to try to be patient....it's very hard though as I can already see bags and quilts and all sorts of things that I want to make.
Anyway here are a few pics as couldn't leave without putting some up. They are of our annual visit to Thorpe Perrow Aboretum. Which is just such a beautiful place.

Happy Go Lucky Block in this issue of 100 Block Magazine Issue 4

2011-11-09T15:33:00.001-08:00

JOIN MY BLOG TO HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING LOTS OF GOODIES TO BE SENT ALL THE WAY FROM ENGLAND!

Hi everyone from a rather grey North Yorkshire! It's great to have my first block in 100 Block Magazine Issue 4. www.quiltmaker.com/100block

I am a fine artist and so all my textiles are inspired by original paintings. I am always very happy when I paint and so it seemed appropriate to call my first range Happy Go Lucky. I work in pastels and oils and then take elements of my original paintings and create textiles designs for Freespirit.
Happy Go Lucky is my first range of fabrics with Freespirit so it's all been rather exciting to say the least. Here are a few pictures we did of Happy Go Lucky in my friends garden.
I love block quilts and although I am relatively new to quilting and all the joys of it, I love the way blocks when combined together make new patterns.

The quilt above was fussy cut so you end up with the lovely flowers in each square. A border was then added again to add a further dimension to the quilt. The whole range can be seen at Cottonpatch
If you would like to see more of my originals then please go to http://www.nelwhatmore.com/
If you would like to win a copy of the issue of 100 Block Magazine along with some other goodies including beautiful file dividers and the new 2012 Calendar and diary,

If you would like to win a copy of the issue of 100 Block Magazine along with some other goodies including beautiful file dividers and the new 2012 Calendar and diary, then please just add a comment and I will choose a winner on Saturday.

Here are some pictures of the rest of Happy Go Lucky that we took in my friends garden. I wish it was our garden!

The colours used in my block are from the blue colourway of Happy Go Lucky and include Polly Poppitt which was inspired my daughters stripy tights. Often it's little things that inspire me from colours I see together to treasured moments in life, it all plays it's part.

FREE PATTERN There is a free Happy Go Lucky Doorstop pattern if you would like to make it just click on the cat on this link and it will download automatically. Happy sewing! www.nelwhatmore.com/merchandise/

My new range Sleeping Beauty has just launched in Houston and we have been showing it in London too. This is our stand in London last week So it has been a very busy couple of weeks. Let me know where you find Happy Go Lucky fabric as I would love to know and by all means send me pics of what you have made with it and I will put them on my blog. Look forward to hearing from you and hope you win the give away, warm wishes Nel xx

www.nelwhatmore.com/merchandise/

Exhibition Starts at Chantry House Gallery 5th-20th November 2011

2011-11-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

Well how time flies and it's already November and Chantry House Gallery Exhibition at Ripley Nr Harrogate, starts tomorrow and it only seems a few days since we came back from Brand Licensing in London. I will be up at the gallery every saturday for the next three weeks so that's the 5th,12th and 19th. So it would be great to see you all. I always have such a nice time with Chris Braddon up at the gallery. It's so nice to see my work all hung so beautifully. In fact I will take some pictures tomorrow and post them up for you to see.

In the meantime Helen made some fabulous things using Sleeping Beauty fabric at the Brand Licensing Show in London and we had interest from all over the world including Russia, Belgium, Italy, USA and Ireland. So we have been very busy following up from the show. At home it has been rather hard work as we have been having some much needed maintenance done on the house and it has opened up a huge can of worms so we are currently into our third leak in the lounge and second gas leak. So going up to the Gallery all day tomorrow away from drying out carpets and chaos will be very nice in deed!

100 BLOCK MAGAZINE LOOK OUT FOR THE HAPPY GO LUCKY BLOCK!
Oh yes I must mention I have a block in the latest 100 block magazine and will be doing a guest blog post and giving a way a free issue of the magazine on the 10th November. So I'll tell you about my block then. But look out for it soon.

Knitting and Stitching Show 2011 and 100 Block Magazine Blog tour NEWS

2011-10-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a very busy few weeks and it's set to continue as I am leaving for the Brand Licensing Show in London tomorrow we will be on Konnect's stand FO85 for those of you who are going, we look forward to seeing you there.

But just wanted to share some of the other news and pictures before leaving. I was at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace this year on Coats Stand. There was as ever were some amazing things to see all interesting and many very inspiring. I have put the full album up on my facebook page but here is just a few pics.

FACEBOOK ALBUM KNITTING AND STITCHING SHOW UK

Also I have my first block in 100 Block Magazines next issue and will be on their Block Tour on 10th November . There will be a FREE ISSUE TO GIVEAWAY when you post on my blog during the tour.
So watch out for that!

Sleeping Beauty my next fabric range is being launched very soon so finally here are some more things I have made

and also thanks to Christine Down for the beautiful bags
and Hazel Williams for all her hours spent on the quilt.
We will be doing a pattern for the Sleeping Beauty quilt shown here which will also give you enough
material to make the cushions too, so let me know what you think of the quilt. So happy sewing!
For Sleeping Beauty Stockist go to Sleeping Beauty Stockist Sleeping Beauty fabric is due in in November Bye for now as must pack my bag, eat my tea looking forward to your comments I will try to answer as many as possible xx

Happy Go Lucky Cat Pattern FREE DOWNLOAD and Sneak Preview of Sleeping Beauty Cushions I Have Been Making!

2011-09-21T04:33:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, well I have been very busy making Sleeping Beauty cushions and items for the quilt show in Texas and also the Brand Licensing show in London coming up. But I just wanted to let you all know that the Happy Go Lucky Cat pattern is now available as a free pattern on the website go to http://www.nelwhatmore.com/merchandise/index.asp and CLICK ON THE CAT and it will automatically download.

There will be a cat with every collection to collect and I will in fact be making the Sleeping Beauty cat this weekend. The pattern for that and others will be available to buy shortly on line.

We work quite far a head so I have just delivered my third range for Freespirit called Katharine's Wheel. That will be revealed later. In the meantime I cannot wait until Friday as that is when the Sleeping Beauty quilt will be ready. We are doing a pattern for it ,that will also include patterns to make some of the Sleeping Beauty cushions as the quilt involves some fussy cutting so we thought with the fabric left over it would be nice to make some other items. So a bumper pattern really!

Here is a little taster, these pics were just taken at home as I piled them up on a chair. Thanks for following. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

My First Guest Blog is this Week thanks to Madame Samm!

2011-08-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Well I have just finished my first guest blog Madame Samm www.sewwequilt.com/! It will be on Madame Samms blog this Wednesday so go and have a look. There's pics of the International Quilt Festival in Birmingham and news of Sleeping Beauty my second range of fabrics for Freespirit.

Here is the link to the full album on facebook. Guest designer with Cotton Patch At International Festival of Quilts.

I met so many lovely people at the show thanks to all of you who showed such an interest in Happy Go Lucky and also PLEASE NOTE the Happy Go Lucky Cat Patterns will be available on this link HAPPY CAT and the bag patterns will also soon be on my site . Also look out for the other Happy Go Lucky Cat patterns , Cool Cat and Fancy Cat. Every collection will have it's own cat.

Thanks to Cotton Patch who did a fabulous job at the Festival and have now done a kit for the Happy Go Lucky Trip Around the World Quilt which is £74.95 and includes all fabric other than the backing fabric Trip Around the World Happy Go Lucky Quilt

Here is a picture of me blending in with it!!

In the mean time my sample Sleeping Beauty fabric has arrived!

HelenWrightson who works with me and Hazel Williams ( whose blog is Cottoncocktails.blogspot.com/) and I have been planning the next quilt and it's beginning to come together. We have also been doing Sleeping Beauty Boxes and there will be of course a Sleeping Beauty Cat to curl up on your quilt.

I am also looking forward to getting back to my painting this week as it is so long since I have done any.

For those of you who would like to see some of my paintings please go towww.nelwhatmore.com

2011-07-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Hampton Court 2011 - a set on Flickr

2011-07-16T06:08:00.000-07:00

Just met HRH The Prince of Wales and presented him with a painting as part of the Princes Trust 35th Celebrations.
Here are the photos!

Hampton Court 2011 - a set on Flickr

We won an Award again at Chelsea!

2011-06-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Chelsea 2011 (11)

2011-06-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone here is the link to my photo diary of my wonderful week at Chelsea 2 011 (11)

Happy Cat Doorstop Competition in Homestyle Sewing, GREAT PRIZE TO WIN!

2011-05-10T01:45:00.000-07:00

Homestyle Sewing are doing a feature on me this month and are running a competition. There is a pattern in the magazine to make a Happy Cat weighted door stop (featured in the picture here). All you have to do is make your own cat either following the same pattern but just using different fabrics from the Happy Go Lucky range or making your own cat but still using the Happy Go Lucky fabrics. Then just submit a picture of your cat to my website follow the link above http://www.nelwhatmore.com/gallery/ and finally give your cat a name!

WHERE TO GET HAPPY GO LUCKLY FABRIC
You can get a fat qtr bundle specifically to make Happy Cat or find any of the other fabrics from the link on my website http://www.nelwhatmore.com/merchandise/
WHAT COULD YOU WIN!
We have had Cool Cat/Fancy Cat and Happy Cat so far! You could win over a £100 worth of goodies including placemats and Royal Worcester Mugs. The winning cat will also be on display at the famous Festival of Quilts show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham August 11-14th. It will then be returned to you. Entries must be received by the July 31st.

So happy sewing and I very much look forward to seeing your cats!

A Lovely Very Different Quilt

2011-04-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a lovely quilt by Mandy Marson who has used Happy Go Lucky to make this very striking quilt

Just finished my Pillow for the Million Pillowcase challenge

2011-04-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

Nel Whatmore (65)

Nel Whatmore (10)

2011-04-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Nel Whatmore (10) Here is a sneak preview of work not uploaded yet xx

Spring has Sprung and Artists Block

2011-04-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

Well I have 40 minutes before yoga and I have just found a small supply of chocolate things are looking up. As I sit in my office as that is all I can do in here, which for those of you who do not know, is the size of a cupboard the sun is shining merrily over head and I am desperate to get outside. I should apologise now for any spelling mistakes as being vaguely dyslexic, with the best will in the world, spell check does not help. What has been going on? Where am I up to. Well I love Spring it's the best time of the year in our garden , a time when I can sit outside happily not looking at a million thirsty plants or over blown weeds. It's just gorgeous. But I have artists block ! Not confined to writers I fear. When everything you do isn't quite right and everything you want to do seems unattainable. Coupled with the kids having broken up for Easter and being needed for lifts and food and the need to utter the phrase " have you done any revision" at least once every few days, it's hard to have space to concentrate on painting. It's a funny thing the creative process, wild and wonderful at times, heart wrenching at others. Unlike the common misconception we don't all wait for the muse to take us to waft us lightly in the right direction...you just have to get on with it, work through it and hope inspiration returns. It will it's just gone off on it's easter jaunt to the south of France lucky thing!

I 'm feeling the need for another chocolate but I am fighting it...that extra truffle will probably be the tipping point when I am balancing on one leg at yoga later. Who am I kidding.

All the new diaries for 2011 have gone out to let everyone know when the shows are plus letting people know also that I have been doing this for 25 years. A bit like a big birthday I didn't know whether to shout about that or not. In the end thought better to shout while I still can. So for those of you who have missed it here it is if you haven't had one in the post.

Exciting Sewing News

The Happy Cat pattern In 'Homestyle Sewing' magazine is about to come out and we also have a great spread in Simply Homemade this month.

I'm running out of time so will see you soon xx

Flying Hares, Cake and Patchwork Cats

2011-01-21T04:16:00.000-08:00

Since I last wrote it has been my birthday when we went walking with friends at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on a beautifully eerie December morning. Here are some of the pictures I loved the trees and little drops of dew on the grass and mossy walls and ducks stood waiting on the frozen lake. A perfect day ending with a plethora of sweets!

It's bright and frosty today instead of grey grey and more grey! January is always a funny month in some ways just one we all have to get through and out the other side of. I once heard an australian guy on the radio say that he thought the reason the english were so creative was because of our weather, that it was so bad, it forced us to spend so much time in doors, that we were constantly finding new ways to entertain ourselves and fill all those grey days. So I guess that is what I am doing 'grey day filling' . Although as I say today is actually nice! Anyway less of our infernal preoccupation with the weather. I have just heard that I have got into Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton RHS shows....short dance...followed by mild panic of quite how I will get everything done. After all there is only one of me.

So today it's doing the diary day letting everyone know where they can find this rather dishevelled artist later in the year and then I have to make a patchwork black cat today. Not something I say every day!
It's for a magazine feature later in the year. I will also be putting various projects on twitter and facebook too. Here are the other cat's for those that are cat lovers.

The other piece of NEWS that I am really thrilled about is that I will be a feature designer at the Festival of Quilts 11-14th August on the Cottonpatch/ coats stand. I had a great time at the Knitting and Stitching show last year and so am really looking forward to it. So better get on as the clock is ticking and I am off to a preview tonight at a venue that I may use next year so will let yo9u know. Warm wishes xx

Thank you to Abi Wrightson

2010-12-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Abi is aged 10 and very kindly went to the trouble of writing me a poem. I called in on her Mum unannounced just as she had finished it. I was very touched and would just like to say a BIG THANK YOU. You made my day Love Nelxx

Facebook (32) | November 24, 2010

2010-11-24T03:11:00.000-08:00

MINI Art PREVIEW This weekend, goes live online Monday 29th

As usual I am rushing to pack the van and of course it won't all go in, no surprise there. Do hope lots of you can make it this weekend. I will be at the Yorkshire Events Centre for the Living North 'Essence of Christmas' Show. MINI Art Will be previewed there so make sure you get there early. I will also be showing the fabulous new ROYAL WORCESTER MUGS, candles and the last few calendars. It should be a great show . Times are on the gallery page it's Friday-Sunday. See you there here is a sneak preview of some paintings that will be on show.

Facebook (32) | November 24, 2010

Cup cakes and knitting

2010-10-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

Facebook (5) | Nel Whatmore

Here are all the pics from Knitting and Stitching Show. Thanks for such a good time look forwrad to seeing all your pics of what you make with your Happy Go Lucky Fabrics. We're going to have a gallery for them on my blog. Can't wait to see the jitterbug dress in black trefoil, nice to meet you at the show.

Facebook (4) | Happy Go Lucky Things to Make

2010-10-06T02:45:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the lovely things to make with your 'Happy Go Lucky 'fabrics . FREE DOWNLOADABLE PATTERNS COMING SOON
Facebook (4) | Happy Go Lucky Things to Make

Here are a few of the lovely things to make with your 'Happy Go Lucky 'fabrics . FREE DOWNLOADABLE PATTERNS COMING SOON

Facebook (4) | Happy Go Lucky Things to Make

Carly of Quiltville has made Three Quilts Already!

2010-09-04T04:13:00.000-07:00

Carly of Quiltville
She has patterns and material and quilts they look great so glad you all like them.

2010-09-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

Facebook (8) | Quilts and Pears and things!

2010-09-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Quilts and Pears and things!

Here are the quilts in our garden any excuse to get outside it's so lovely......may go on strike

Thank you Abs and Maddie!

2010-08-27T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just had to share these lovely pics have a great weekend! Maddie and Abi in their 'Happy Go Lucky' dresses I made for them. Can't wait to pick up the quilts tomorrow. Thank you to those of you who have been emailing about where to get the fabric I hope to have a link for you next week byee for nowxx

Holidays ,Home and Hot Tubs!

2010-08-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well I have been sitting, very happily I might add, in a hot tub in the middle of a forest for two weeks. Not 24/7 as naturally that would neither be pleasant or productive, but on enough occasions to make me sit and think a little and ponder what I might do next .We have been on holiday in Devon to a beautiful thatched cottage.

Holidays are funny they seem like pauses in life or at least they do now that our kids are older. When they were younger a friend once said to me while mulling over why the relaxing idylls that holidays once were before they had children bore little if any resemblance to holidays after, with them. He said 'it's just more of the same but with different scenery!' Holidays are now easier as we are blessed with teenagers who for the most part are great company although trying to drag them away from their phones, ipods and play stations all in the name of having 'quality family time' sometimes seems like a battle one needs a degree in diplomacy in or connections with a burglar to come and pinch the whole lot!
Anyway back to the hot tub! Complete with LED lights and sound system any footballers wife would have been delighted, as in fact we were. I stayed in it so long ,after one partiularly rainy venture out to see some worthy monument ,that Polly informed me that the ends of my hair, that had been trailing in the water quite happily while I read my book had gone green. Actually she said "why is your hair REEEALLY GREEN?" Evidently over soaking in chlorinated water and highlighted hair don't mix. Thank heaven I hadn't decided to do my full Ursula Andress impression and had had the sense to put my hair up in a ponytail as there may have been tears at bedtime.
We had a great time anyway in true british summer time style, we body boarded in the rain, celebrated when we could actually see any blue sky at all, ate too much, slept too long, laughed at Marks jokes and learnt that Nut Hatchers walk vertically down bird feeders. Perfect.

Now it's back to work coupled with trips to find school uniform for Polly as nothing now fits but no skirt seems the right shape, length or material (if your 14). I am thinking of threatening to make her one then she may well leap at the first polyester pleated number we can find in Mark and Spencers. David is going into sixth form so that of course means no uniform but a whole other daily dilema of "what shall I wear?!" Bring back short trousers until they leave home I say. Sorry back to the hot tub.

So having that quiet interrupted time to think meant that my brain roamed around and deliberated what to paint next and why, to blog more, get fitter and make a list of what I would like to do before I'm 50. It seems strange even writing 50 as if it's a number that has nothing to do with me. The list will have little things on as well more significant ones I have decided. I guess I am writing this here so that I won't be able to get out of them. Not that a million of you are going to say "excuse me but you failed to do number 36 you are officially a lesser person." But this is what comes of being self employed for a long time combined with the advent of blogging and twitter. Ultimately we all want to tell someone something, it's human nature. Well I think I better upload some pictures some I can tick off 'updated blog". Before I go, Helen has picked up our two quilts today, that we have had made from the other two Happy Go Lucky Colour I cannot wait to see them. Thank you Anne Jeater and Tania for all your hard work. I can now post some pics of the photo shoot we had just before we went away. We love how they have turned out, thank you Simon at Hilton Photography.

Thanks also to Carly who has just emailed me from Wisconsin she has made a fabulous quilt using Happy Go Lucky fabrics she sells patterns for it too. Her is the link
http://www.etsy.com/listing/54425824/painted-windows-quilt-pattern-cjw-013

I am just designing the next collection called Keep A Secret which will be revealed in the months to come. For now here are some pics from our holiday and or things large and small.

"Happy Go Lucky Fabrics" have landed

2010-05-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well it is one of the busiest weeks of the year. Seven days before Chelsea, Surtex in New York before that then the Licensing show in LA. So thank you to Helen for getting the parcel off today to Julie Newman my new american agent. I'm sure she will have a great show. Julie we will be there with you in spirit!

So every day I'm finishing off paintings and delivering and picking up from the framer. It's so great to see things finished after months of gazing at them trying to work out what to do with them . Some paintings never get finished others get painted over in disgust! The Painting above is called Swan Lake and is a very large pastel and will be one of the centre pieces at Chelsea.

But the exciting news is that the sample meters of my first fabric collection ' Happy Go Lucky have arrived ( small scream of delight!). I am so pleased with them can't wait to make them up into all sorts of things just need some time.

This is the Blue colourway.

Well it seems we have a Prime Minister today after much drama. Hopefully election fever will pass and my friend Elaine will get on with running the country from be hind the scenes!

Naturally I have to also pass comment on Dr Who as it is a family tradition watching it on a saturday . I'm still not sure about Matt Smith I have to hold my hand up. Which is not a popular opinion in our house, given that Mark my husband writes Dr Who books. But hey I have to be honest, as he is with my paintings sometimes, when asked to give his opinion. Naturally being sensitive and artistic, something of a potent combination, it's never good when you show someone your work and they point out exactly the thing that you hoped no one else would notice but that inside has been niggling you like that label with the irritating edge, in your new jumper.

We have also finally arrived at doing GCSE'S with my son. I hear all you parents out there with kids of a similar age groan and hang their heads. After trying too many times to express why 20 mins a night for revision is really not going to make a whole lot of difference. I have come to the conclusion that what will be will be and that there is little point wasting energy on breath that only makes everyone else including Mark and I, grumpy!

By writing this I am also spectacularly avoiding doing the plan for my stand at Chelsea , which involves sadly doing a scale model of the stand. Terribly organised I know but actually it has been the most helpful tip given to me by my very good friend Rebecca de Mendonca, as it has saved us hours of work and holding very large pictures up and down and up again until everyone would probably just like to just go home. So think of me and my little dolls house ...which I really must do now...so have a good evening.

Oh one last thing. I will be sending a diary of where I will be for the rest of the year and FREE TICKETS to the Ripley , Grand Sale Show 10th -13th June, next week. So let me know if you don't get your copy. Have a great evening!

Cold and Cups and Things!

2010-02-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

Well could it be any wetter or colder, probably not, for it has rained all day, yes ALL day and struggled to be even half a day. As by 10 am it felt like four and at four the sky had given up and taken all and everything off to bed.

And so I paint bright colours to beat back the grey and try to remember long summer days with warm wide skies and seas of buttercups and daisies .

My hands are cold as I type and typing quicker doesn't help. So I cast my mind to more fruitful past times than wining about the weather, as weather is weather and there is little to be done than just accept it.

My new studio is great I paint for longer and ,I hope, better and rediscover that in painting for hours I reach further and find my mind digs deeper and asks questions that I haven't asked myself for a very long while. Whether you paint or sing or build things or your role is simply just to think up things, it all takes time and is not fathomed in a day but from hours of perusing.

I have just realised the heating is actually on! It feels like it's off! Time for vest number 14 me thinks. Anyway the opening of my new studio at Umbrella Creative was last night and it all went well with everyone participated who could, from sculptors to painters and light makers.

I love it. I'm painting for Chelsea and Tatton Park flower shows at present as I have just been selected for both which is great. So I have been painting for months the award winning gardens from the last two years. I am planning to unveil those paintings at Chelsea. This coincides with ,David ,my sons gcse exams , oh joy. So May is going to be a busy month! I am aiming not to be grey by July.

In the meantime Helen and I are very exciting as we love the new votives that Enesco launched at the Spring Fair and also Pimpernels placemats ,mugs and trays.

As there is little food in the cupboard and I can hear plaintiff calls of 'whhhhhaaaattttts for teaaaaaaaaa I'm starving?!"wafting up the stairs I will have to stop here and say it would be nice to hear from you all as to how you are weathering your winter. Here are some pictures to keep you warm.

Autumn Sneak Preview!

2009-11-20T03:29:00.000-08:00

Lovely inspiration form Daisy Chain florist in Leeds thank you so much! Berry Berry original will be at Chantry House. Preview starts tomorrow 11am-5pm 21st Nov

Well there is lots of work, beautifully framed by Andy up at Chantry House for the show . I will enjoy my next three saturdays up there. Escaping Christmas shopping!!

I love the autumn , the light, the colours. So have been feeling very inspired. Coupled with the fact that I will be moving into a new studio on Dec 1st everything is rather exciting Yeah! I have a white box awaiting with absolutely nothing in it! Sometimes I feel I have so many many things in my head that I will not ever get them all painted.

I am awaiting the second strike offs of the Westminster Fibre collection of fabrics. I can't wait to see them ,they do such a lovely job. Helen and I have been working hard also designing a whole giftware range for Enesco. The mirror votives and candles are just going to be great. I'll hopefully put them into The Little Gift Shop so you can all get them from there rather than having to hunt for them.

I plan to do various shows next year and also to produce a really lovely catalogue of my work which I have never done before. So lots going on as ever . Not to mention Christmas of course. If anyone else says to me they just have to WRAP not BUY ...WRAP their last present I may just scream VERY VERY LOUDLY! Naturally I am envious and probably very disorganised as you would think I would learn as I have the same scenario every year! But no every year there is always too much OTHER STUFF to do to even contemplate buying baubles in January or a little something for great Aunt Floss on my holiday! When I am on my holiday I am just that ..on my holiday.. I don't send postcards to make those who are not fed up that I am on mine nor do I think about Christmas when I am floating in a pool. I guess I am just that kind of woman who does what ever needs doing when it arrives. Not before and sometimes now only after ..as I forget. I am how ever enjoying every day! See you soon.

Fabulous Show! London 2010

2009-10-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Brand Licensing Show in London. Rubbing shoulders with Batman,Dr Who and the Royal Ballet!!! Great two days. The new stand worked really well and we just loved all the product that all of our licensees sent. Thank you all so much! Here are a few picis.

We are also launching Nel's Little Gift Shop next week so you will be able to buy products directly from us at http://www.nelwhatmore.com . Thanks Black orange for doing a great job again with the website.

Landscapes here we go!

2009-09-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am going to start a series of landscape paintings. Last night the sky was stunning, so stunning in fact I had to pull into a lay'by on my way to Harrogate and get a complete stranger to email me the pictures he was taking of the sunset. Fortunately he did, as my own camera had run out of battery. Why does that always happen always but always!

So thank you to Ben in the lay'by. Lets see if I produce anything of worth.

Food is calling, and light is fading. So to tomorrow!

Hot hot hot!

2009-07-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well the temperature has been rising steadily in the last few months and my studio is now officially boiling after 2pm! It's a bit like painting in a sauna but with your clothes on..well some clothes on at least!

Why is it that January and February goes really sloooowwwly and then from March to July we set of wit a gallop and then as soon as you sit down for a rest it's Christmas? School holidays are nearly upon us so I find myself racing around like a headless chicken trying to get all and sundry sorted before schools out. The kids have so much on, the garden seems to think it's amusing to grow weeds like they were going out of fashion and I have grown more potatoes than I know what to do with . So famine or feast on all fronts!

Painting in these moments becomes an activity that offers me calm and solace . A time for myself, a pause for thought and a time to reflect. I have various lovely projects on the go from painting much larger than I have ever done to designing mugs and lots of new exciting products.

Happy in the Sunshine

2009-04-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

Well like most of us we have been enjoying the good weather I have been painting outside and trying when ever possible to be in the garden. It is the last few weeks before Chelsea and also Surtex in New York . My agent Mary Mc Carty will be standing at the show and meeting with lots of customers...so sorry that Helen and I will not be over to see you all this time but hope you have a great time seeing Mary. We are sending her a Chelsea preview of all the work that will be on show in London.

So here are some photos of our garden which looks so lovely in Spring. We have been updating both the licensing site and the Original and print sites. So there is lots of new things to see and also the possibility of being sent free tickets for Chelsea and also the Ripley show! Go to www.nelwhatmore.com and www.nellicensing.com

Well lunch is calling and also painting so all for now.

Tulips are out and Sun is Shining! New York and London shows in May!

2009-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Best things in Life are Free!

2009-03-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

Well at last I have a little time to write , on Mother's day actually! Which I have spent the best part of digging and planting fruit bushes. It's so nice to be outside and for the season to be turning. The daffodils are out and everyone breaths a sigh of relief . Flowers always mark the passage of time I feel with the first snow drops , we saw a wonderful bank of them when we were up at Richmond the other week.

Well I have been painting fervently and experimenting and as always trying to learn more and so i have returned to abstract painting as well as having Chelsea still upper most in my mind. So here are few things that are either works in progress of finished. But then is a painting ever really finished!. Usually when it is framed there is always something that you look at and think that you would do it differently next time, but that makes you start again. I once read an article about the never ending question 'What is art?'. One contributor said it is simple the thing that makes us climb the stairs to paint every day... it's that compulsion to create.

I adore abstract painting there is something very freeing about it, and I have not done it for a while. So this week I have realised that I have missed it a lot. Here is a detail from the very large piece you can see at the top of this entry.

We have finally finished the new licensing site if you would like to go and have a look , it has taken quite a lot of my time but it now hopefully will be much easier for licensing customers to use it also gives news of new products that are out there.www.nellicensing.com.We are also thinking of having more products available to buy on line one the originals site ,as the calendars and Reason to Be poetry books have done so well. So I will let you know when there is more news on that front. So lets hope the sunshine continues this week as we all need it.

Chelsea Flower Show 2009

2009-02-20T11:32:00.000-08:00

Hi , well having been to London for half term I missed my blog update,but hey can't do everything. I've just heard That I have got into Chelsea Flower Show again which is great! So I'm starting to think about my stand and how to display work etc.

My studio is getting too small as I seem to want to paint larger and larger paintings! I wonder if I will have enough time to paint all the paintings I have in my head...probably not!

We have been updating the licensing site and it now looks great. If anyone hasn't seen it go to www.nellicensing.com. Well it's friday night and food is calling or rather needs to be made so have a great week. Picis to follow later.

Nel's first Blog!

2009-02-09T02:25:00.000-08:00

Hi I thought I would start blogging as I love hearing from customers and fellow painters and thought it would be good to keep a weekly diary of my painting. So here goes! I will be learning as I go so expect this blog to change colour etc as I learn what to do!! love Nel