This is something I wrote when Ellie was almost 2 weeks old and I was still getting used to all this new love.

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Being a parent I realise what mine went through with me,
The pride, the euphoria and all of the worries.
The constant doubt that they are doing it right,
The love and wonderment even with all of the exhaustion and the sleepless nights.
No one could have better parents then mine.
I really wish I could tell you this all of the time.
Your support and encouragement has not gone unnoticed by me,
You're still always here even though I'm now not at all wee.
I'd be lost without you, of that I'm certain,
Who would come round on their days off to watch baby so I can sleep or even to just help me hang my curtains?
You get nothing but gratitude for the way you raised me.
Because you gave me the very best example of how to be an amazing mum to my very own baby.

Hey! I will be exhibiting for North East Open Studios (NEOS) at Oriel Studio just outside of Kirkton of Skene, near Westhill.

I'm with a really cool group of artists and theres tons to see and do for all ages, including a woodland sculpture trail, workshops and a wide variety of pretty things to see! Oh and theres cake!

Come along, the opening night is Tomorrow (Thursday) 6-9pm but were open from Saturday the 12th until Monday the 21st, 10.00-18.00 weekends and 11.00-17.00 week days.

Come along and see me!

Oh and the awkward moment when your cat decides to help you get your cards ready!

In my family girly nights out are a great tradition. Tonight's one included a fabulous meal at Las Iguanas in Union Square followed by a visit to The Aberdeen Art Centre to see the production of Grease by the Giz Giz Youth Theatre.

I am completely impressed!

This was a great example of amateur theatre at it's best and I have to admit I was fair impressed by the talent and skill that the young actors displayed.

Male lead, Danny played by Bradley Phillips, began with a rather nervous energy which was rather endearing as he was visibly uncomfortable in front of the audience to begin with, after all it was opening night and he certainly came out of his shell for the second Act, his staring moment in my eyes being his cracking dance moves during 'Born to Hand Jive' (TUNE! As my friends would say).

Hollie Cunningham played Sandy and has such a lovely voice and appeared to be completely at ease on stage and I was very impressed with how well she played her role.

One of my favourites was the role of Rodger or 'Rump' that was truly brought to life by Dylan Shearer in brilliant style. Between his cheeky demeanour and brilliant vocals, he had the entire audience eating out of the palm of his hand as well as in stitches. His duet 'Mooning' with Jan (Carly Scott) was just brilliant.

My absolute favourite was Shelly Cunningham's Rizzo. That girl can sing!

Much like Hollie Cunningham she is clearly a seasoned actress and handled her role effortlessly. My favourite moment of the show was when she sang 'There are Worse Things I Could Do' her voice is stunning!

She is perfect for Rizzo who, admittedly, has always been my favourite character in this production anyway. And I can honestly believe that this girl will go on to do great things. I only wish I could sing like that and a little less like a cat benign strangled!

Of course the production team, the band and all of the crew did a great job bringing the show to life and all the effort and rehearsals have clearly paid off, although there where perhaps a few wobbly moments I believe that Giz Giz has pulled off a brilliant show which I am very glad I went to see!

If you can go see this show!

It's on at Aberdeen Arts Centre and Theatre from today, Wednesday the 8th until Saturday the 11th of July at 7.30pm

Call Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641 222

Or visit www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

The show is brilliant and it's a great way to spend a dreich Aberdeen evening!

Every time I talk to a family member or a friend who stays out with Scotland they take great delight in asking me

'Hey Clare! How's the weather in Sunny Scotland?'

And on the very rare occasion that is is nice I like topic them in their place and reply

'Hey! It's beautiful here less of your cheek!'

How ever any of my fellow Scots will know that these opertunities are far too few and far between.

But how do we resolve this troublesome issue? Any ideas?

I suggest we start a petition. Hey, it's better than anyonelse has come up with!

As many of you may know I have been workin rather a lot recently... Like all the time! And I was rather ridiculously excited to have the weekend off to chill and spend time with family and friends and to finally be able to do some art work!

I'm sure more than one person will agree that I turn into a massive Bword when I don't get to do any art work for a prolonged period of time and you know what? I could argue with them if I wanted to!

Having managed to make, paint and finish a whole bunch of freaky face magnets,finish two Lino prints and begin a new one and do an impressive amount of other fidily little jobs I was feeling rather proud of myself and indeed, rather less inclined to hiss at people.

I'll have to make more time for these enjoyable little bursts of energy in the future.

Here's to massively productive weekends!

All The Best

Clare

Hey people,

I have decided that today everyone should smile. Why, you may ask... Um because I said so?

Did you know that smiling is actually good for your health? It can fool your brain into thinking your happy, something that I hope isn't necessary, and if that doesn't work at least other folk have something pretty to look at :)

I have been hiding under a metaphorical mountain of council work but I have emerged, victoriously? (Obviously not! I am, after all still working for the counsel) and now I intend to pester all of you with my ridiculously hyper active good mood.

As some of you may know I recently woke up and found myself in Paris, well ok, this may have happened after a month of planning and getting on to a plane destined for there but I'm still counting it. Paris is 'totes amaze balls' (yes amber that one was for you) it's stunning, it's warm, compared to Scotland, and it's full of totally bizarre and awesome people. Getting to wake up the a view of the Sacre Cour every morning is not something to turn your nose up at either. Oh and did I mention the pastries, crepes, cheese and a multitude of other tasty treats? Nope? That's coz I ate them all... Sorry.

This week (what's left of it) is going to be awesome, I can feel it in my bones as my dear old gran would say, seriously she told me that earlier.

Have a great weekend everyone and remember to smile 😊

All The Best

Clare

Finally! There seems to be some life coming back into the world I always find winters where there's just ice and freezing winds so depressing don't you?

I was walking my creaky old dog this morning and saw colour! Yay! Even Shi (my 14 year old common as muck mongrel) seems to have a new lease of life! Long may it last!

Hello there again folks! Recently I have become a bit of a social media recluse but on the upside I have been trying my best to reclaim my social life and its been working! Well it was until I realized that I had to work 3 weeks with only 1 day off, eeeeeek! The joys of Care work. But hey ho it’s Christmas soon.

So since I last saw you I have participated in North East Open Studios or NEOS, which was awesome! And I met some really cool people and saw some really cool things oh and I sold some of my merchandise, which was pretty fun :).
I’ve also been on a wee holiday down to England. 
Finally seen the light and become an ‘Apple’ Persona and got myself an iPhone (don’t judge me! I’m weak!) And I bought a dress that’s covered in pretty things like shoes and unicorns. I have amassed a small army of rubber animals, something that every girl needs, mostly curtacy of my awesome friend Lucy who's moved all the way to Manchester! :(
Made volcanos erupt using vinegar and baking powder and been on a steam train!
 Oh and my favorite and (luckily) only little sister has moved down to Aberystwyth in Wales to be an Au Pair for a very lucky family. Wohoo! Peace and quiet! Just kidding Charli J

Right after NEOS I joined my family for a good old-fashioned family holiday down in Kent. It has been some years since I last braved a family holiday and that dreaded long journey in a cramped car with my nearest and dearest and I can honestly say that I now know why. 

I love my family (and I'm not just saying this because some of them might read this... no honestly I’m not) but I’d be lying if I were to say that I wasn't very relieved and slightly surprised that everyone made it home alive. 

I absolutely loved Kent; it’s the first place I've been to in England that I would actually like to live.

We were staying in a place called Broadstairs, which was a stunning seaside town. And had some rather interesting wee shops. I bought people way too many presents so I have converted some f them into Christmas presents. I also got to explore a series of underground tunnels that were dug during the second world war and saved hundreds of lives during air raids and became home to many who where made homeless, which was pretty amazing but the highlight was finally getting to meet my Great Aunt Sally, who lives in Tunbridge Wells.

 If you read my blog then you may know that, at the start of the year, I lost my favorite person in the world, My Granda. Sally is Granda's sister and I grew up hearing all these wonderful stories and as she introduced my Gran and Granda to each other when she and Gran where art students together during the second world war, she played quite a large part in my existence and I have always wanted to meet her. 

Sally is an extremely talented artist and an exceptionally kind person; she used to send me her how-to illustration books when I was a kid along with little pictures and letters of encouragement. Granda frequently told me that I was like his much loved sister, which always made us both smile. 

Meeting Sally was brilliant, we shared memories of my Grand and Great Grandparents and she gave us a portrait of my Grandfather that my Grandmother had painted almost 70 years ago. I can honestly say she is exactly what I was expecting and more and meeting her made a great holiday amazing.


Sorry for this one being so long! I promise the next will be shorter and with less of a wait!