art equals happy.

6 Months of Windows! :: Shop talk

WHOA GUYS! Time sure flies when you're having fun. Can you believe we've been open at Alterknit Universe for 6 months?! I sure can't. A part of me feels like we just opened yesterday, and another part of me feels like I've been doing this my entire life... but blimey it's amazing.

The support from the local community has been incredible and you guys (my online friends) have been super awesome. I know you all love getting to see what the shop looks like, and Instagram is a great place for that. I have a shop account: @AUshopUK where I post things that are going on every weekend. But, just in case you're not into instagram- here's a look back at our window displays for the last SIX MONTHS. (I still can't believe it!) I got some glass-writer pens around xmas time and have been having waaayyy too much fun drawing on the windows. :] Of course I had to draw a medieval santa riding a reindeer. Haha.

Thanks to Jazz and Amy who've helped out on a couple of these windows. And of course a big Thanks to my Mum and Dad who have been amazing on a daily basis! You've probably spied a few things that haven't made it's way online yet, they are coming!

If you want to come visit the shop in person, we are located in Cleeve right on the main road A370 half way between Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare. There are buses that go right outside the shop from the center and there's plenty of parking too. Can't wait to see ya!
Kim xo

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1 Second Everyday :: Video Tuesdays

 
Hey, remember when I posted videos every Tuesday? I'm not going to promise a video EVERY week, but I can definately feel my blogging/vlogging mojo coming back.

Let's start out slow. Here's a compliation of 'videos' from my phone between Jan and March 2014. It starts the day I moved into my new home in Bristol. I'm making this just for me, but I thought you might be interested to see what I've been up to. 

Music by Hills Have Riffs (DCW Briggs): http://www.facebook.com/HillsHaveRiffs
The app: http://1secondeveryday.com/

Hugs, Kimxo

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October & November Good Moments. :: Instagram.

I just realised, I never did an October or November 'Good Moments' post. Better late than never, I guess. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll already have seen these, but I love looking through old photos, I hope you do too. :]Live Drawing, water colour, learning the Uke...Night Walks, dressing up as a Werewolf for Halloween, spinning new things...Appreciating London in the autumn, meeting cats, being cold...Spending some time on the boat, having a sale, cuddling with Negs, and painting signs...Just a few things that Autumn held for me. Hope you're having a good day. :]
Kimxo 

September Good Moments :: Instagram & Life

Fall took a long time to come in September, but I enjoyed every leaf that started to fall.September was full of making for Renegade, and then the fair itself.It was for getting a new geeky t-shirt and Negs being cute/silly.It was for doing random crafts that I've been putting off and being a little bit cat-obsessed.It was about reaching 1,000 followers on Instagram and preparing for 3rd year.Love, kimx
(All photos taken by me on iphone with Instgram or VSCO. kimsmithhappy.)

Good moments, August. :: Instagram & Life.

August was for... vintage nighties, nostalgia, visiting friends, dreaming about ukuleles......pretend tattoos, kitty cats, the occasional jumper, green......movie dates with Mum, drawing, waiting, making things for Renegade, and letting go a little bit.August was fun. All photos from Instagram (kimsmithhappy). kxo

Good moments, July. :: Instagram & Life.

July was for double exposure obsessions, pink and yellow, feeling beautiful, re-learning about patience, art journalling, trying new patterns, finishing projects......going on little trips, being alone in London, dreaming up new products......painting nails, a bit of sunshine, a bit of rain, and my cousin's wedding in the west country.July was also for relaxing.
All photos from Instagram (kimsmithhappy). Kimxo 

Good Moments- June. :: My Life.

Instagram is such a good tool for taking daily snaps & reminders. Here's the last bit of June in Instanagrams.Lots of time in the library, a tour around the Guildhall Art Gallery and some more fun, kitty snuggles, good food, drawing, and the V&A. 
My june had been very history soaked. <3 kimxo

Good Moments. :: My Life.

I worry about all the moments that I fail to capture. Moments I 'should' capture, moments I 'miss' and moments that I've 'lost'. As someone who likes to document- this plays heavily on my mind a lot. I try to move past it by looking at things I have captured. It's like- if you focus on all the things you don't have- you'll never be able to fully appreciate the things you do. And I am a firm believer of never taking anything for granted. Love the moment you are in because you will never be here again.
With that being said (and my recent big harddrive failure)- here are some instagrams from the past weeks, that remind me of good moments.Happy June! kimxo

Good Moments. :: My Life. & Ghostly Illness.

Things are tough around here. Lots of days in bed. Lots of sleepless nights. A lot of leg pain. A lot of crazy nauseated cravings. And a bit too much feeling faint.
They are really piling the work on thick right now. Doing a BA (Hons) Degree is no laughing matter. A few of the ladies in my class that I really admire for their strength, kindness, goodness of heart and work ethic are crumbling under the pressure (like thinking about getting a form for a deferral!)- so it's no wonder that I completely lost it yesterday. Sickness is not a fun thing to live with. It just makes everything 10x harder. Like- you think it's hard, then something makes it harder.I like to keep things positive on here, but without missing out the imporant downs that make the ups feel so good. So- here's to making the most of those crappy days- getting the tears out and not giving up!

Some things which have been helping me a little bit: PRIORITISE. Sticky notes on the wall. Doing your best. Planning rests. Friends who make Veggie Curry for me. A fresh sketchbook. Fresh Pineapple. Knowing that you aren't going to get everything done perfectly. Spending time on my own to re-coup. And savouring those good moments.

Like (no matter how sore you are, or who you weren't patient enough with, or how greasy your hair is) when there is always a pair of knitting needles and a kitty cat waiting for you to come home to. <3Remember the good moments, Kimxo