Veronica Dearly Illustration & Graphic Design

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Veronica — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:26:12 +0000

The Anticipation

Veronica — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:30:39 +0000

Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about my goals and hopes for the future.

What’s the MOST exciting feeling you can summon up from memory?

Without a doubt, (don’t worry, this post is not about babies) every time I hear the happy news that someone has fallen pregnant with their first child I am taken back to the time in my life when it was my turn. The incredible emotions I felt at the time. I was more on a roller coaster of terror & love than on a permanent high, but looking back of course all I can visualise are the magical moments of ultrasound scans, talking to Craig about how we would have a little baby that squeezed our fingers in it’s whole hand and buying adorable clothes.

And now that I have 2 growing, learning little humans of course I feel love & excitement incredibly often, but the anticipation is more than I will ever forget.

Recently I came across this post on Zen Habits – Achieving Without Goals, and it really inspired me to challenge the way I see my goals. I am evidently not ‘Zen’ enough to give up on goals entirely, and I don’t know that it would be an attitude that many people who run their own businesses could truly adopt. However, an important statement stood out to me:

Goals (wanting to improve) are not consistent with contentment (being happy with where you are).

So I’m working on a new perspective – I’m celebrating on the way. I’m channeling all the raw excitement I feel into my attitude, and putting less pressure on myself to reach the end goal quickly. Recently, I’ve been setting myself targets and really giving myself a lot of time to tick them off. I’m enjoying the process of my work, and of my life.

When I look at my children, I’m reflecting on the anticipation I felt when I knew they were soon to be part of my life, and it’s multiplying all the good stuff that’s happening right now. It’s an ace juxtaposition.

And in terms of my business, I’m looking forward to what I will achieve next year, but I’m also reflecting on how far I’ve come and how happy it makes me already.

Whatever you do, embrace the anticipation. Aside from love, it is as powerful a feeling as you will ever feel.

Fathers Day is Looming

Veronica — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:35 +0000

This is your slightly-more-than-a-month-to-go warning for Fathers Day everyone! And hopefully you will have no need to leave gift buying until the last minute because these are definitely the things you are looking for. Imagine how organised you will feel when you have a card & present sorted a whole MONTH before the day?!

For the egg eating/tea drinking father figure in your life I have a Dad (or Daddy if your little ones are getting in on the action) You’re a Very Good Egg mug. Because Mums are definitely not the only good eggs around.

And if he’s not a big tea drinker but is still a good egg, why not tell him with this fun card, which again is available to Dad or Daddy?

And in case you want remind your Dad of the long and amazing journey he has thus far been on with you, I have drawn it ALL out on the front of a card. How can he not be overwhelmed by his achievement when it’s right there in black and white.

And if he needs a more permanent reminder, of course I have a mug for that too! (Can you see a pattern? I really like mugs.)

This sales pitch is over (until my new MUGS arrive! Yeah I know…) and I promise I will blog some more general usefulness soon.

Thanks Without End…

Veronica — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:00:11 +0000

So I don’t know if you’ve had a little browse in my shop recently but there are some new things I’m rather pleased with.

Saying thank you doesn’t need to be dull now with these reasonably cute ‘Thanks Without End’ cards featuring a rather handsome little snake.

But if you’re a bit Indiana Jones and snakes aren’t your fave, I can cater for you too. I know, it’s a real niche but I’m well prepared.

All thank you cards come as single cards and also in sets of 6, perfect for after birthdays, weddings, new babies, anytime that you’ve been really spoilt and want to let everyone know that you appreciate their kindness.

Things I learnt from being a… Mum (Part 2)

Veronica — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:00:04 +0000

We all need a little help sometimes, and other people are really rather helpful. It never pays to struggle on alone when most of us are surrounded by a network we’d never even considered calling on – but when you do, they don’t bat an eyelid and deal you some relief.

I don’t think I ever really appreciated the luxury of sleep until I had children. It makes such a difference to the day ahead if you’ve had a good nights sleep. Now the children sleep through (more or less) I have to force myself to get off twitter/pinterest late at night and make the most of a quiet night.

Making children is quite magical, but that’s not really what I mean. We don’t really know what we’re capable of until we embark on these madcap endeavours and pour our hearts & souls into them.

Are EWE coming?

Veronica — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:00:04 +0000

So I’m really excited to be taking part in the Eclectic Wedding Extravaganza
this Sunday 24th in Birmingham, will I see you there?

What happens when three slightly mad wedding suppliers come together?

They hatch a crazy plan….that’s what!! When Sassy (Assassynation), Jo
(Couture Company) and Vikki (Liliia) got nattering over a glass of wine
(standard) they decided that they would put on a Wedding Extravaganza
with a real mix of suppliers.

Couture Company photograph by Assassynation

“We want to put on an amazing wedding extravaganza (aka fair) that would
be exciting for both the suppliers and couples alike, so we hatched a
plan “A-team” style (Hannibal Smith would be proud)..

The first show back in November 2012 was an amazing success and was so
well received we couldn’t resist the cries from couples and Mo Flo’s
alike of “When are EWE putting on another show???” So with one show
under our belts we have launched EWE2!! This will be held on the 24th
March 2013 at Fazeley Studios in Birmingham…with lots more awesome
suppliers.

Chris Barber Photography

The idea is that we want people to shake off the shackles of what is
considered ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ and to take their own personalities
and loves and stamp them on their weddings. With that in mind we have
picked suppliers who can help EWE do that!

This is no ordinary wedding show, the suppliers aka the Baad Ass Mother
Flockers have been chosen and invited based on their personalities, the
quality of their end product and the fact that they offer something
unique. White linen covered trestle tables are discouraged and hard
sells are banished, we want you to come along, have a drink and a good
old natter to the Mother Flockers that catch your eye. The Mo Flo’s are
being challenged to create stands that are totally unique and
interactive. As well as having awesome Mo Flo’s at the show, we will be
running some competitions, having a fashion walkabout/ramble and
organising a treasure hunt!

Black Cherry Cake Company photography by Me2

So we are putting a call out to all you gamers, goths, geeks,
rockabillies, psychobillies, off the walls, mods and rockers,
steampunks, new punks, old punks, flappers ,happy clappers, hipsters and
hell-raisers, bohemians, folks who are inked and pinked, or if Ewe just
want YOU to shine through.

We hope to offer you some things that are really EWEnique for your
weddings.

Our Motto:-

“Don’t be a wedding sheep…it’s all about EWE!!! ”

Crown & Glory photograph by Lisa Devlin

Our venue, Fazeley Studios, was chosen due to the fact it is such a
gorgeous space (and yes they do have weddings there) with tons of
natural light to show off our Mo Flo’s work in the best possible way.

We will have a themed café so you can have a drink and something to eat
as well as a wedding dress walkabout to showcase some of the gorgeous
frocks. There will also be a fun-tastic treasure hunt where answers to
clues can be found on the Mo Flo’s stands. We want EWE to get involved,
pick stuff up, take a good look, really check out the Mo Flo’s and ask
them tons of questions as they are all a super friendly bunch.

Emma Case Photography

One thing we can assure you of is that it will be a fun day out, with
tons of giveaways, lots to learn and see and not one bit like a ‘normal’
wedding fair!

Mo Flo’s already signed up include Emma Case photography, Shutterbox
Films, Hat Therapy, prior Engagement Gowns, Revive Me Boutique, The
Conjurer’s kitchen, Chris Barber, Little Ruby Red Cake toppers, Disco
Wed, The rebel party band, Crown and Glory, Toast of Leeds, Elbie Van
Eeden Make up Artist, The Vintage Salon to name but a few……

Check our website for a full list of Mo Flo’s

Have a ramble around the site, register and get your tickets early at a
BAAAAArgain price of £3 YES!!! EWE heard right…..only £3 !!!!

A Little Mother’s Day Update

Veronica — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:00:55 +0000

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As some of you may have noticed (especially as I didn’t stop banging on about it) I pledged to donate all profits from Mother’s Day cards sold through my shop to the very deserving Meadow House Hospice, in memory of the Mother of a very close friend of my husbands.

I was so pleased with how popular the cards were – in particular the “Mum – you’re a very good egg card” (look out for a Fathers Day version coming in the very near future) and am happy to announce that I have rounded it up a little and made a donation in the amount of £100.

Thank you all for your support, I am really chuffed that you supported me in this little endeavour and of course I hope that your lovely Mums enjoyed receiving their cards!

March Motivation – Things to do this month…

Veronica — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:11:47 +0000

Go somewhere new, it’s so satisfying finding a new restaurant, park, coffee shop etc. I’m a creature of habit but I want to do some exploring.

I love Spring flowers, daffodils are just the happiest flowers in the world. My mum always has at least one vase of fresh flowers in her house (as well as millions of plants in pots everywhere) and that’s a habit I’d really love to get into one day.

A Simnel cake for Easter? Some amazing project you’ve seen on Pinterest that will surely change your life? I put off these things all the time, so getting ONE done should be a satisfying experience.

I like having candy coloured nails but never get around to painting them, and then in turn never get around to removing the nail polish so I look untidy for the majority of the time. But there’s a lot to be said for indulging in something frivolous.

Where are you going this summer? We’re looking forward to a family jaunt to Croyde in Devon, we went last year and it was a TOTAL washout, so by comparison this year has to be much better.

Once a year is not enough for pancakes. I just need to get some lemons in and I’m game.

Small things/big things/silly things, whatever’s on your list this is a cheery exercise.

It’s contagious! Do it.

So I’m not the most talented housekeeper, but even clearing away the smallest pile of junk that’s been collecting over the last month (or year…) makes me feel productive.

Mothers Day Cards – for Meadow House

Veronica — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:00:47 +0000

Mothers Day is on Sunday 10th March, so not long left to go! I now have 3 card ranges on sale, to suit a variety of Mums. Me? I’m the tea one, definitely.

Recently a good friend of my husbands lost his Mother after an illness – she spent her last days under the care of Meadow House Hospice and by all accounts the care she received from the staff there was wonderful, and in Her memory all profits from Mothers Day cards sold through my personal shop will be donated to the Meadow House Hospice Fund.

Things I learnt from being a… Mum (Part 1)

Veronica — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:00:52 +0000

My “things I learnt from being a waitress” posts seemed to go down quite well so I thought I’d continue…

Or you’ll go wild. Actual wild. Now I’m not saying I’ve mastered this necessarily but - not everything is important enough to spend your precious time & energy sorting out. Let it drift away…

No matter how big/terrifying/amazing a boss you are some people are just unpredictable. Unreasonable even, a complete and utter dead end of negotiation & patience. Prepare for these people, set a good example to them, show them the end goal of what you’re asking of them. But be open to what it is that they are going to do. Maybe that way’s okay too.

I think this one’s self explanatory, even on the worst days we’ve all got something that will drag us out of our cavern of negativity and doom.