I really missed blogging! Really!I'm rearranging life (as I know it) and trying to spend way less time in-front of the the glowing screen... since the universe has blessed me with carpal tunnel syndrome. That pushy universe. I'm still cross with it.
Among new things that I'm getting used to is the - luck of coffee. I've quit it (yes, I'm sad about it) and substituted it with tea. I don't know why being addicted to a hot morning beverage is such a must for me... but it is:)
Anyway... I'll try to see you as much as I can. I believe in positive thinking.
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ReplyDeleteNo Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteAnd I really don't appreciate the spam.
(love your reply to the above)
ReplyDeleteHelen - of course we all miss your more frequent posts but do what you need to do to be well and happy. Your artwork oozes "happy" and I would be sad if it changed.
No coffee? I don't know how you are doing it (as i sip my coffee with added espresso shots!)
BTW - I received an awesome watercolor done by you for my 40th birthday last month. I'm now the proud owner of 2 originals by you. They make me so happy to look at!
:) Heidi
I really feel for you! I've just given up coffee for health reasons as well and I LOVE coffee! And I do totally need a hot beverage in the morning. I'm trying out tea, but don't love it as much. Sorry about your carpal tunnel, no fun. I love your illustrations and wish they were all made into fabric and I could wear them every day!
ReplyDeleteYou've been so prolific up to now, i think you must have done double the amount or more than most of us can do in a lifetime. You have my blessings to take as much time you need to get through this... but i'll miss you all the same!
ReplyDeleteDear Helen, I'm so sorry about the syndrome. Wish you good rest an good health.
ReplyDeleteNow the Coffee: I've been there. Try Caro, sold at the health shops. !100% natural.It's made of barley, barley malt , chicory & rye. It worked for me (desperate measures for desperate times...). I think it tastes like cheap coffee, if you must get a fix! I also like indian chai with milk.
All best,
Nataly (chocovenyl)
missed you..thinking of you
ReplyDeleteOh... Thank you guys!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm addicted more to your sweet comments than coffee:)
we can all just peruse through your previous posts and see new things in them each time...always a joy...always brings a smile. take care + sip your tea slowly...I can enjoy this tea illo for a long time!
ReplyDeleteThat's the best! I like it so much because of it's being colorful & tasty & a bit folk & textural.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fun of tea. Pls, don't call it substitute :-)
it's a whole world of tastes
Just get into it.
Oh my goodness I would kill to have this in fabric form! It's amazing! I am usually a coffee drinker but I love teapots/teacups etc. Tea has much cooler paraphernalia than coffee.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the Carpel Tunnel probs. and what you call your "clicking finger".
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you have already tried different alternatives and I don't want to try and teach granny to suck eggs but have you tried the Wacom tablet and pen rather than a mouse/puck to draw with? Just a thought love your blog and can only dream about being as creative as you.
Thanks Steph
Sending warm wishes and good health, love your tea pots! fantastic!:)x
ReplyDeleteThanks guys:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Steph. I'm actually going to go try out the Wacom tablet this Friday. Last time I've tried it was almost 8 years ago... and it wasn't all that great... but I hear the screen ones are super now and am willing to do anything that might help me keep working:)
Helen-
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and everything you do! Just received my copy of the embroidery book and it is so fantastic! Just ordered more for friends for the holidays! Any chance the little miss crafty image stitched and photographed as the cover is available anywhere? Would love to stitch it out to go with the books as gifts! Also love the girl on page 68 that shows how to copy a template, but don't see her image in the book. Am a missing it somewhere?
Your tea illustration made me put the kettle on . . . thanks!
Good luck with trying the tablet and pen tomorrow - I haven't had any probs with CT (touchwood) and have been designing using the Wacom for 10 years now so fingers crossed for you. I do however have a hunchback from all the hours spent toiling at the computer :-) Not very attractive!
ReplyDeleteIt may take you a while to get used to the pen but hopefully it'll soon feel natural. All the best I really hope it works for you. Steph
I agree with the above who are suggesting the Wacom tablet. The only thing is that I will misplace my Wacom pen and that makes me really cranky!
ReplyDeleteAnother possible way to cut down on clicks - especially in Illustrator - is to select your tools with a key stroke. pen tool (p), magic wand (y), dropper (i), scale (e). This re-distributes the work to the left hand so the right hand gets a little rest.
BTW, I bought a Blue Q bag with your design and I get tons of compliments!
Good luck with healing!! I love your blog.
Teresa
Love your illo style. I was at a scrapbook store and saw your school scrapbook papers, I almost fainted with delight. I'm not much of a scrapbooker but I sure could be with fun papers like yours!
ReplyDeleteI left you an award at my blog. Just wanted you to know your blog is an inspiration. If you'd like it, it's there waitin' for ya.
Hope your wrist heals quickly.
helen, i'm so sorry about the carpal tunnel thing! It sure hasn't affected your incredible talents and i'm sure it won't in the future! Your imagination and abilities are unstoppable!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surpised if i were next to learn that i have CTS too and my plan is simple: train my children early to push the mouse around for me...
So sorry to hear about the hand helen, such a fan of your work. And I totally agree with the above, I started using a wacom and pen at work and at home this year and think they are amazing! I think you'll love it, I find them so easy to use and draw with. Let us know how you get on with it! And enjoy your rest (and tea!)
ReplyDeleteoh Helen, I wish you all the best to get through this!! I will probably miss your illustrations a lot but you really need to take a break I think! Have a nice cup of darjeeling instead of coffee, it's not bad! :)
ReplyDeletehi- first i love your work- i have had my wrist get cranky from time to time, but not like yours- look at this web page for some ideas on how to help- not a guarantee, but something worth trying maybe? take care! :) http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/carpal_tunnel_syndrome.html
ReplyDeletelove your tea illustration! i love tea too and nothing wrong w/ loving a warm beverage in the AM---i can't drink anything cold 1st thing in the am!
ReplyDeleteHopped here from automatism - and boy, am I glad I did! Love your artwork - and this tea one is simply beautiful. I love tea and I guess I would feel as strongly as you do about coffee if I had to give it up.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the syndrome - I don't know how you manage to do these beautiful illustrations; its really admirable.
tea is much better than coffee! I've nver had coffee...but drink tea religiously and am left without the horrible coffee breath and stomach aches! its win-win! you can do it!
ReplyDelete