Nesting for Spring with Pippin Prints
Happy Friday and welcome to the latest catch up blog post with Pippin Prints. A moment for me to reflect on the most recent chapter in our year, the nature inspired art that I’ve been creating in my studio and the progress I’ve made on current projects. I’ll also share some of the little joys of life from the outdoors, home and the comforts of the current season. Whilst February has been a rather rainy month it hasn’t been a slow one, although my huge pregnant belly has been making things a little more challenging. When I have had the energy, I’ve been busy nesting for spring.
Nesting for Spring with Pippin Prints
It can be so easy to get caught up in the grey skies and freezing cold mornings of February and feel in a bit of a slump. To try and keep myself focused on the positives and also out of necessity as I’m in the countdown to baby now, I’ve been focusing on nesting and preparation. Both for growing our family, and for the blossoms which will soon be appearing in our garden.
One is a little more essential than the other I will admit, but I find spending time outdoors and working on the garden so calming. I honestly think it is what’s helping me get through these gloomier months in a genuinely good mood. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, but it has become a specific priority for me to spend time outside daily this year and I feel like a better person for it.
Each day I spend some time working on the house. The kids’ rooms are naturally the priority for now, although the house needs renovated top to bottom. That will all happen in time. For the past few weeks I’ve been stripping wallpaper, filling holes, sanding bumps and painting. All in small doses and with a lot of help from my family, I’m very grateful to say.
Then I step out into the garage to my potting table and spend a short time looking after seedlings and choosing spots for new bulbs around our flower beds. We spent a lot of time on our garden last summer so small efforts over time should really help to build on the work we did last year and make for a beautiful space to spend the warmer months.
In the Studio
Life in the studio has been a little quieter this month as I have given most of my focus to the house, however I have been doing some preparation here too. Tidying, organising and packing cards and art prints has been a main focus of mine in order to make things easier for myself when I’m chin deep in newborn life.
It will allow me to continue to work with my beautiful stockists with a light touch approach, simply having to select and post or drop off parcels as and when needed. This will in turn allow me to somewhat keep my head in the game of creativity and work when most of my energy is spent on feeds, sleep schedules and whether or not I’ve remembered to eat or brush my teeth that day. I know all of you parents are nodding right now.
Thankfully I’ve still been able to find a few spare moments to slow down and draw. With decorating tools and dust sheets to my side, I picked up a pencil and began to sketch some crocuses in the garden. They are hiding under the magnolia tree which was so overgrown last year that we couldn’t even see them. Such a lovely surprise and one of our first signs of spring.
Little Joys of Every Day Life
As I’ve gradually adopted the form of a slug in later pregnancy, whilst still wanting to get a lot done with my time, I’ve had to adapt my expectations to suit. I’ve been trying out the 1% approach, where you look to make just 1% of improvement in an area of your life each day. Not only has it been working for me, I’ve found it actually brings me joy. Small jobs are getting done in my work, around the house or in the garden without me becoming overwhelmed and exhausted and I can see my progress at the end of each day which puts me in a great mood. I absolutely recommend you try it, especially if you’re a pro at procrastination like I am.
Of course my greatest day to day joys are always found in family time. We’ve adapted our time outside to suit my previously mentioned slug form, spending more time in the garden than anywhere. Lots of afternoons have been spent encouraging my daughter to build imaginary fires and see what magical things she can find around the garden while I sit wrapped in my big coat listening to the birds. I can’t reach the borders anymore but I can sit and plan for summer which is exciting in itself. Lots of veg growing and picnics are on the horizon!
As I type this the sun is shining through between rain showers and doing it’s best to make the days warmer. I’m looking forward to seeing what March brings!
Emma x
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