Was getting changed at a friend's to welcome in the New Year with a party. As she shut the door, I smelt wood - like old fashioned pencil sharpenings. All ready for a new school year. What smell heralds the New Year for you?

Up earlier than everyone, but not in my own home.  Like a spare part, I wobbled about the house after the many festive meals, then decided to have that promised play with the undiscovered buttons on my camera.  Kids were draped over the sofas still fast asleep - time to mess about with long exposure times.  One thing led to another, five minutes turned to more than, continued at a visit to my parents.  My appreciative mother constantly reviewing - ever enthusiastic about any of my projects.  

It's always great for me to take alternative portraits of the kids and my parents.   And each time I return to my folks, I return with some old momento - which lately have become small works of art or craft - frottage of their possessions, simplistic sketches, and this time these photos.  

I loved this unplanned project - think I'll do something with these.  You do have to move back to see the portraits amongst these.  Really exciting - feel like I'm going to give birth again, except this time in clay.

Another first - doing a demo of ceramic art at Gifted.12 at the National Centre for Craft and Design .  My last and very fresh memory of a demo was during a talk by an established ceramicist to a room full of people a few weeks ago.  She'd set the bar very high, so I went in all prepared with a strung together presentation, fingers crossed.  But phew! it was in the shop while people were busy and strolling by.  Nice gentle intro - very relieved!  Look forward to next one in January.

Ta da!  My first blog entry, a year after I originally thought about it.  Well, I've more than dipped my feet into facebook so decided to prepare for very different and productive new year with this.  Hope you enjoy reading and decide to follow and share.  

My little splashes!