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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setting up Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival site, panoramic photo 1, 2019
May 3, 2019
Glastonbury Festival was sorely missed last year, and we’re well and truly ready for another one. There’s already a buzz around Pilton and the local area – lots of caravans are being towed past the house; and Shepton Mallet Tescos usually has more than its share of interesting vans in the carpark lately. If you’re new here; hello! Welcome! Hopefully you’ll find some other posts on my blog that interest you as well. If you don’t know me, I moved to Pilton eleven years ago, but have been going to Glastonbury Festival since 1995, and absolutely love it….
Styling a lagenlook outfit
It’s cardigan season! Styling a khaki linen dress with a waterfall cardigan
April 25, 2019
This black waterfall cardigan was a charity shop find, and I love it! Not all waterfall cardigans are made equal – I like the shape of them, but some have too much fabric around the back of the neck, and some don’t have enough fabric at the front (do you balance the waterfall bit on top of your boobs, or let it fall to the side of your boobs?), but this one, originally from Marks and Spencer is perfect!….
Hurricane Ophelia orange sky
Why ego is the thief of joy
April 16, 2019
Do you remember the day when Hurricae Ophelia hit the October before last and the sky turned orange and the sun turned red? Well I’m writing this on that day (though no doubt I’ll edit it and make it a bit more coherent in a few days time! (edit: a year and a half later!)). It was the most bizarre kind of day – the clouds were a dark steely grey, yet there was not a drop of rain. The sun was red and the sky was pink like sunset, yet it was noon, and the wind brought down any leaves or branches that were dead or dying. It was no wonder many people had thoughts of the apocalypse occurring. As I reached the top of the hill on our dog walk, I had a bit of an epiphany……
Styling a black smock dress
A plain black smock dress
April 12, 2019
This time last year Chris and I had our first campervan trip of the season to Cornwall, and it turned out to be a lot warmer than we expected! I feel that at the moment we’re in that hit or miss time – completely unpredictable – often looking warm and sunny, but then you find there’s a freezing cold wind, which stops at 2pm and then it becomes quite hot! Anyway, the black dress I’m styling for this blog post is ideal for now – as long as you have a cardigan handy!…
My first art exhibition ~ Renovating our old farmhouse kitchen ~ Christmas market
December 21, 2023
An update on the renovations going on in our kitchen - getting it plastered; and an early peek at the new bathroom. We visit a Christmas market, and after a framing near-disaster, it is opening night at the Art Bank winter art exhibition. If you're interested in purchasing any of my early work, please take a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f4rmsf-nsg&t=199s 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/
Decorating Christmas tree baubles ~ Old country farmhouse kitchen & bathroom renovations
December 19, 2023
Jude is back home! We use glitter, stickers, mica powder and other craft supplies to decorate some old Christmas tree baubles. I show you the 'before' of the yellow 1960's bathroom as renovations by Wickes begin. We also clear out the kitchen ready for it to be plastered. 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/
Mini art supplies haul ~ Glastonbury Frost Fayre ~ Sad news ~ A cosy Christmassy evening
December 12, 2023
Hello! I visit the Glastonbury Frost Fayre, and show you a little art haul - ink sprays and gouache paints, waffling on about colours and buying art supplies from ebay. It was a sad and difficult week this time, but we had a cosy Christmassy evening watching Christmas Midsomer Murders and tearing pages out of festive magazines. Finishing off with clips from our village production of A Christmas Carol. 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/
All my available art!!!
December 8, 2023
This is it folks! Everything I have to offer. I hope there's something you like. :) Thank you for looking! All info is below PLEASE SCROLL DOWN! If anything takes your interest, please email: helen (at) threadsofafairytale .com Postage will vary. For UK I anticipate A4 to be about £6. Up to about £18 for the larger pieces on paper and board and canvas board. Sent 2nd class signed for. For overseas I expect postage will range from about £25 for the smaller pieces to about £60 for the largest. Sent tracked and signed for. After you've expressed intention to buy a piece I will find out the exact postage cost and check that's ok with you before sending a paypal invoice. Thirlmere 1 & 2 Watercolour and ink on paper. A4 29.7x21cm / 11.7x8.3” £40 each + postage Punky Fairy Watersoluble pencil on paper. Slightly smaller than A4 21x28cm / 8.2x11” £10 + postage Green Fairy Watercolour and pencils on paper. A4 29.7x21cm / 11.7x8.3” £20 + postage Autumn at Godrevy Mixed media on paper. 23x30.4cm / 9x12” £25 + postage September beach Watercolour on paper 22.7x30.4cm / 9x12” £40 + postage From Godrevy Watercolour on paper 22.7x30.4cm / 9x12” £40 + postage Towards Gwithian Watercolour on paper 22.7x30.4cm / 9x12” £35 + postage Golden Hour at Perranporth Watercolour on paper 22.7x30.4cm / 9x12” £40 + postage Dusk at Perranporth Watercolour on paper 22.7x30.4cm / 9x12” £40 + postage Morning Lake Watercolour on paper 22.7x30.4cm / 9x12” £40 + postage Art Happening Oil on paper 30.5x22.8cm / 12x9” £40 + postage Kingfisher Oil on paper 35.5x27.8cm / 14x11” £50 + postage Angel Oil on paper 35.5x27.8cm / 14x11” £50 + postage Black cat Oil on paper 35.5x27.8cm / 14x11” £45 + postage Desk study Oil on paper 35.5x27.8cm / 14x11” £40 + postage Roses study Oil on paper 35.5x27.8cm / 14x11” £40 + postage Office study Oil on paper 35.5x27.8cm / 14x11” £40 + postage Wolf watching Oil on paper 35.5x27.8cm / 14x11” £50 + postage Godrevy Beach Mixed media on paper 37.5x28cm / 14.75x11” £45 + postage Autumn Squash (after a photo by Jamie Beck) Mixed media on paper 40.5x29.5cm / 16x11.625” £55 + postage Venice at Dusk (after Eugene Lushpin) Oil on paper 40.6x30.5cm / 16x12” £50 + postage How is Lady Pole? Mixed media on paper 40.5x29.5cm / 16x11.625 £50 + postage Scotney Castle - SOLD Mixed media on paper 40.5x29.5cm / 16x11.625 £60 + postage Glastonbury Abbey Mixed media on paper 42x28.2cm / 16.5x11.125” No longer for sale Bee Keeper Gouache on paper 42x28.2cm / 16.5x11.125” £40 + postage Through the prism Gouache on paper 42x28.2cm / 16.5x11.125” £50 + postage Light in the Trees Mixed media & oil on paper A3 £50 + postage One Lifetime Mixed media on paper A3 £50 + postage Sunset at Godrevy Mixed media on paper A3 £50 + postage Hailes Abbey Mixed media & oil on paper A3 £40 + postage Stonehenge Mixed media & oil on paper A3 £45 + postage (Creased corner) Magnolia branch Mixed media & oil on paper A3 £47 + postage Summer Rose Mixed media & oil on paper A3 £47 + postage Spring in Tehidy Woods Mixed media on paper 51x36cm / 20x14” £49 + postage November woods Mixed media on paper 56x38cm / 22x15” £60 + postage Thinking of You Oil on canvas board 40.2x30.4cm / 16x12” £50 + postage Glastonbury Tor 1 & 2 Graphite and charcoal on paper A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” £35 each + postage Fire Dancer Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” Now for sale at https://www.helenhobden.com/ Earth Keeper Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” Now for sale at https://www.helenhobden.com/ Among the Rocks Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” Now for sale at https://www.helenhobden.com/ Feel the Power Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” £97 + postage Glastonbury Tor in Summer - SOLD Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” The Escape Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” Now for sale at https://www.helenhobden.com/ An Explosion of Joy Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” £67 + postage City Dreams Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” £59 + p&p Murmuration of Starlings Mixed media on paper backed onto board A2 59.4x42cm / 23.25x16.5” £59 + p&p Four for a Boy Acrylic and oil on canvas board 60x45cm / 23.625x17.75” £130 + p&p I’m Here (Stag) Oil on canvas board 60x45cm / 23.625x17.75” £130 + p&p Where Chrysanthemums Grow Mixed media and oil on canvas board 60x45cm / 23.625x17.75” Now for sale at https://www.helenhobden.com/ Feeling the Flight Mixed media and oil on canvas board 60x45cm / 23.625x17.75” Now for sale at https://www.helenhobden.com/ The Dance Goes On Mixed media on canvas board 60x45cm / 23.625x17.75” Now for sale at https://www.helenhobden.com/ Tempted to Step in the Circle - Mixed media on canvas board 60x45cm / 23.625x17.75” Now for sale at https://www.helenhobden.com/
Mixed media sketchbook flip through ~ Painting fairytale art ~ Varnishing paintings
December 5, 2023
Hi! I create a fairytale painting with Brusho and pigment powders; write my signature on my art for the first time, and varnish mixed media and oil paintings. I also show you a flip through of my sketchbook of floral art. And my exciting news is I have had two paintings accepted for a group art exhibition! It's at The Art Bank in Shepton Mallet, Somerset from 7th December to the new year. https://www.artbank.org.uk/events/open-5-exhibition-launch/ 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/
Tidying up my art studio & sorting through paintings
November 28, 2023
Tidy up with me! I tackle some of the mess in my art studio; organising craft supplies and putting things away. I go through all of the paintings I've created in the last year or so and start thinking about selling them. And I cook the apples I picked from the garden! 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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