I still haven’t worked out what to do when I grow up! I’m mainly a writer, an artist, and a fairytale dressmaker with various crafty hobbies! Here (and on YouTube) I share bits of my life, thoughts, and what I’m learning along the way. Let’s find magic and inspiration; join me for this creative living adventure!

 

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gratitude journaling
Why you should try gratitude journalling
February 14, 2022
Have you heard of the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon? Or perhaps you’ve heard it called ‘Frequency bias’? Have you ever looked around for your new car; chosen a make and model you’re interested in, and then all of a sudden you see it everywhere? It’s the car in front of you in the traffic jam, and then you walk past two more as you walk across the car park to the Tescos entrance. It seems like the universe knows you want that car, and decides to show it to you ALL the time…
frozen lake
A slow January
January 31, 2022
I just made it to the New Year, and then I got very ill indeed. It was nothing more serious than a fluey cold, but oh my god, I don’t remember the last time I felt that ill! I had hot flushes and chills (they were multiplying) and couldn’t breath lying down, so three nights of trying to sleep upright in the settee downstairs left me extra tired too. Anyway, the upshot is, even if I’d wanted to run into 2022 full steam ahead, I simply couldn’t. I was kind-of forced into a slow January…
A camper van trip to Cornwall that didn't go according to plan!
September 27, 2023
A weekend in Cornwall in our self built campervan, starting with a magical place at Bodmin by the Trippet stone circle. And then we had a problem with the brakes! So instead of exploring Cornwall, we went to Godrevy beach that we know, and stayed there for the next day and a half, and came home a bit early. It was a lovely weekend break and I enjoyed watercolour painting the beach and lighthouse in my sketchbook, and catching up on my illustrated journal. And we saw lots of seals! As always, thank you so much for watching and spending your time with me! Please support this channel for free by clicking the thumbs up and the bell notification button, and subscribe for more videos. If you enjoyed this one, please share the link with your friends. Thank you! :) Sign up to my newsletter here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/threads-fairytale-newsletter/ If you would like to watch an extra 60 or so sewing and art videos, please go to https://www.patreon.com/HelenHobden Handmade by me: Take a look for your fairytale bohemian clothing purchases here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ and your handmade gifts here: https://etsy.com/shop/byHelenHobden Tip jar! If you would like to contribute to my hard-drive fund, it would be gratefully appreciated. :) https://paypal.me/Oshun Keep in touch! Links about my clothing business: Website: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ E-mail: helen (at) threadsofafairytale.com https://www.instagram.com/threadsofaf... https://www.facebook.com/ThreadsOfAFa... Links about me and my blog: Blog: https://whenigrowupblog.com/ e-mail: helen (at) whenIgrowupblog.com https://www.instagram.com/helenhobden/
Introducing my new sewing room! Household changes ~ Studio changes
September 19, 2023
The kids have flown the nest! (Well, one of them only temporarily!) So a bedroom has become free and it's going to be my new sewing room. This will mean my study / art studio will have more space in it, which is very exciting. I can't wait to get going on the renovations and updates to the rooms. We also have a re-jig in the living room and autumn decor changes are happening. As always, thank you so much for watching and spending your time with me! Please support this channel for free by clicking the thumbs up and the bell notification button, and subscribe for more videos. If you enjoyed this one, please share the link with your friends. Thank you! :) Sign up to my newsletter here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/threads-fairytale-newsletter/ If you would like to watch an extra 60 or so sewing and art videos, please go to https://www.patreon.com/HelenHobden Handmade by me: Take a look for your fairytale bohemian clothing purchases here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ and your handmade gifts here: https://etsy.com/shop/byHelenHobden Tip jar! If you would like to contribute to my hard-drive fund, it would be gratefully appreciated. :) https://paypal.me/Oshun Keep in touch! Links about my clothing business: Website: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ E-mail: helen (at) threadsofafairytale.com https://www.instagram.com/threadsofaf... https://www.facebook.com/ThreadsOfAFa... Links about me and my blog: Blog: https://whenigrowupblog.com/ e-mail: helen (at) whenIgrowupblog.com https://www.instagram.com/helenhobden/
Art studio vlog ~ Experimenting with different mixed media techniques ~ Learning how to display art
September 12, 2023
A catch-up video in my art studio and I show you the different mixed media art techniques I've been learning and experimenting with, and the paintings I've finished lately. A chat about self doubt and overcoming it. Some lovely campfire family time. And a front garden wildflower update! As always, thank you so much for watching and spending your time with me! Please support this channel for free by clicking the thumbs up and the bell notification button, and subscribe for more videos. If you enjoyed this one, please share the link with your friends. Thank you! :) Sign up to my newsletter here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/threads-fairytale-newsletter/ If you would like to watch an extra 60 or so sewing and art videos, please go to https://www.patreon.com/HelenHobden Handmade by me: Take a look for your fairytale bohemian clothing purchases here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ and your handmade gifts here: https://etsy.com/shop/byHelenHobden Tip jar! If you would like to contribute to my hard-drive fund, it would be gratefully appreciated. :) https://paypal.me/Oshun Keep in touch! Links about my clothing business: Website: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ E-mail: helen (at) threadsofafairytale.com https://www.instagram.com/threadsofaf... https://www.facebook.com/ThreadsOfAFa... Links about me and my blog: Blog: https://whenigrowupblog.com/ e-mail: helen (at) whenIgrowupblog.com https://www.instagram.com/helenhobden/
Some big news keeping us very busy! Plus tidying my art desk ~ Packing the book fairy dress
September 1, 2023
Tidying up my art desk - it was well overdue time! Lots of art supplies to put away and organise to give me a little space on the table! I get out the paper dress I made from old books a few years ago ready to send to someone who is going to be a book fairy when she wears it. I chat about our new roof and solar panels. I've also been so busy over the last couple of weeks because there's a massive change in our household. Exciting, but also very sad. Here's the link for a power distribution card for Home Assistant specifically for GivTCP users: https://github.com/VeniVidiVici/givtcp-power-flow-card As always, thank you so much for watching and spending your time with me! Please support this channel for free by clicking the thumbs up and the bell notification button, and subscribe for more videos. If you enjoyed this one, please share the link with your friends. Thank you! :) Sign up to my newsletter here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/threads-fairytale-newsletter/ If you would like to watch an extra 60 or so sewing and art videos, please go to https://www.patreon.com/HelenHobden Handmade by me: Take a look for your fairytale bohemian clothing purchases here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ and your handmade gifts here: https://etsy.com/shop/byHelenHobden Tip jar! If you enjoy my content, have the means to do so, and would like to contribute to my hard-drive fund, it would be gratefully appreciated. :) https://paypal.me/Oshun Keep in touch! Links about my clothing business: Website: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ E-mail: helen (at) threadsofafairytale.com https://www.instagram.com/threadsofaf... https://www.facebook.com/ThreadsOfAFa... Links about me and my blog: Blog: https://whenigrowupblog.com/ e-mail: helen (at) whenIgrowupblog.com https://www.instagram.com/helenhobden/
Art student studio vlog ~ Milan art Institute Mixed Media review ~ painting in oil & watercolour
August 24, 2023
Catching up on all the mixed media art I've been doing for the Mastery Program art course by the Milan Art Institute. Trying oil paint over acrylic, over gouache, over watercolour, and over ink. Lots of art time-lapses! There's also a little update about getting solar panels on our roof! As always, thank you so much for watching and spending your time with me! Please support this channel for free by clicking the thumbs up and the bell notification button, and subscribe for more videos. If you enjoyed this one, please share the link with your friends. Thank you! :) Sign up to my newsletter here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/threads-fairytale-newsletter/ If you would like to watch an extra 60 or so sewing and art videos, please go to https://www.patreon.com/HelenHobden Handmade by me: Take a look for your fairytale bohemian clothing purchases here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ and your handmade gifts here: https://etsy.com/shop/byHelenHobden Tip jar! If you would like to contribute to my hard-drive fund, it would be gratefully appreciated. :) https://paypal.me/Oshun Keep in touch! Links about my clothing business: Website: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ E-mail: helen (at) threadsofafairytale.com https://www.instagram.com/threadsofaf... https://www.facebook.com/ThreadsOfAFa... Links about me and my blog: Blog: https://whenigrowupblog.com/ e-mail: helen (at) whenIgrowupblog.com https://www.instagram.com/helenhobden/
The real reason why I wasn't around early this year ~ Tackling self portrait week ~ Making cushions
August 15, 2023
Drawing and painting self portraits for the Mastery Program by the Milan Art Institute. This brought up thoughts about self confidence and the truth why I wasn't posting videos at the beginning of this year. I also tried drawing some abstracts, and then it was the final assignment of the oil painting and drawing section. I also make chair covers and cushion covers by upcycling a pink velvet curtain; and included clips of a family get-together. As always, thank you so much for watching and spending your time with me! Please support this channel for free by clicking the thumbs up and the bell notification button, and subscribe for more videos. If you enjoyed this one, please share the link with your friends. Thank you! :) Sign up to my newsletter here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/threads-fairytale-newsletter/ If you would like to watch an extra 60 or so sewing and art videos, please go to https://www.patreon.com/HelenHobden Handmade by me: Take a look for your fairytale bohemian clothing purchases here: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ and your handmade gifts here: https://etsy.com/shop/byHelenHobden Tip jar! If you would like to contribute to my hard-drive fund, it would be gratefully appreciated. :) https://paypal.me/Oshun Keep in touch! Links about my clothing business: Website: https://threadsofafairytale.com/ E-mail: helen (at) threadsofafairytale.com https://www.instagram.com/threadsofaf... https://www.facebook.com/ThreadsOfAFa... Links about me and my blog: Blog: https://whenigrowupblog.com/ e-mail: helen (at) whenIgrowupblog.com https://www.instagram.com/helenhobden/
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