tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post8828053863347558646..comments2024-03-19T12:10:27.714+00:00Comments on Niki Fretwell: Life is the Art of Drawing Without an EraserNiki Fretwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06453900065526512512noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-45641634771552522892011-02-09T21:44:14.562+00:002011-02-09T21:44:14.562+00:00I have just had a catch up of your previous posts ...I have just had a catch up of your previous posts and can really empathize with you in this one. My daughter sounds just like yours in that she tries hard at school, excels academically and doesn't waste her spare time. I am so proud of her.<br /><br />I guess our girls will have learnt all about responsibility and independence when they get into the big wide world and for that we should be truly grateful!<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />Natasha.Natasha in Ozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17975487981963489572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-22112365468298956762011-02-07T09:10:38.698+00:002011-02-07T09:10:38.698+00:00Nikki,
My husband and I chose to open a vintage sh...Nikki,<br />My husband and I chose to open a vintage shop in Wimbledon 6 months ago to pursue a 'quieter life'. Having been head of Art at a local independent school, I was ready for a calmer existence. I had no idea the work that was involved in running a shop. Yesterday I missed one of my closest friend's baby showers because I simply couldn't bring myself to be around people on my day off. I opted for a 'duvet' day,and ate pancakes in front of the telly while my husband and I 'licked our wounds' after what had been a particularly tough week. I also tutor art students as we have a small art school attached to our shop and know the pressure that students are under to keep up. Please tell your daughter, she must never 'dumb herself down' to make others feel better about themselves. Art requires dedication, not the fleeting type but the passionate type. It is so important that she does not allow detractors to spoil or mar her career.<br />Big hugs to her, had she been one of my students I would have recognized this dedication and encouraged her to feel great about herself.<br />Holly<br />ps.we love your blogNicholas and Steelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09895035446155428714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-59997941005403112342011-02-03T09:07:46.872+00:002011-02-03T09:07:46.872+00:00Sorry to hear about your daughter's worries Ni...Sorry to hear about your daughter's worries Niki. If it's any consolation my daughter, who is the same age, has experienced the very same thing. It's very sad that you can be teased or mocked for just doing what you're meant to be doing. It's so hard at that age to have the courage of your convictions but it's lovely to see that your daughter is doing exactly what's right for her and not being swayed by the crowd. Good luck with it all<br />KimxRagged Roseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08339985100168927169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-70666306476971039592011-02-02T19:41:48.116+00:002011-02-02T19:41:48.116+00:00Just read your mail and I'm sorry that your da...Just read your mail and I'm sorry that your daughter has been upset.<br />As an ex art teacher I understand her passion to get on with her work.<br />I think it was about her age that ART became so important to me and its never gone away.<br />The people who taunt her and complain are just jealous and being unkind.<br />If she can ignore she's got to and she's allowed to do as much extra as she wants.<br />I bet her teacher wishes she had more of the same.<br />Give my love to her and tell her to just carry on.<br />Diane. XXXPilgrim at Kerjacobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856125168980358855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-59760490131302111372011-02-02T15:41:49.641+00:002011-02-02T15:41:49.641+00:00Sorry to hear of the upset suffered by your daught...Sorry to hear of the upset suffered by your daughter, it is difficult to do I hope she can try forget about such thoughtless and no doubt jealous) comments, she will benefit from her dedication. I'm sure her commitment to hard work is from your excellent example.<br />I worked full time for over 30years, sometimes more than one job at a time. I am now retired but still feel like I should be "doing more" whilst at the same time not wanting anything that requires regular commitment.<br />Once again you have made and also lovingly restored some beautiful things. <br />Hope the family problems can be resolved.<br />Carol xxCarolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10811673280675153792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-83815637320696667562011-02-02T13:56:29.821+00:002011-02-02T13:56:29.821+00:00Hi Niki, well said - perhaps we all have the same ...Hi Niki, well said - perhaps we all have the same thoughts when it is about our children and family, our life, our work. I do enjoy less work now and more time for doing things I love to do. I still have not enough time for it all. But it is such a good use of time when you have less work. <br />Good for the library! . I might come across not this weekend but the weekend after - shall see with my son how it works out. <br />Bisous, Bayoubayouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08803865167364775151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-64062840831800991892011-02-02T12:05:41.925+00:002011-02-02T12:05:41.925+00:00Hi Niki
A very thoughtful post,it is sad for your ...Hi Niki<br />A very thoughtful post,it is sad for your daughter, and no matter how much you tell her that she will be the one that benefits in the end, will not help her now. I worry about Tom, being away at 16, I know the temptations are at college to stop him from studying, easily lead and doesn't need much to distract him, which is unfortunate as he is clever and talented and as the Government intend to sell off the Forestry Commission his work placement opportunity is getting less and less.<br />I love your cushions and desk, I know how you feel about the fairs/stock/shop and I only buy, sometimes I paint but I certainly couldn't make like you as well, I had some lovely rag books and had a similar idea but my sewing skills are zero so they just went for sale,you are very disciplined and obviously not easily distracted. You wil be missed at the V&H, but you have to be sensible about these things!<br />I hope that your family problems resolve themselves soon. Heres looking forward to the daffs!Trixie@ the vintage bothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05576556635216603744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-71043056374951250842011-02-02T10:42:55.197+00:002011-02-02T10:42:55.197+00:00Hi Niki-
I always think it's a bit different...Hi Niki- <br /><br />I always think it's a bit different for us, because we love our work so much, that there's no real definition twixt life and work- it all merges into one happy day!<br /><br />I love work of all kinds and relish the sense of achievement at the end of the day from having done what I do to the very best of my ability, and hopefully created a liitle joy on the way!<br /><br />Love all the bits in the pics, thanks so much for sharing it all<br /><br />xxted and bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08420272135724099182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-71892540176063557642011-02-02T08:46:56.367+00:002011-02-02T08:46:56.367+00:00Hi Niki,
I have two teenagers, one taking GCSEs th...Hi Niki,<br />I have two teenagers, one taking GCSEs this Summer and the other A levels. They both work in completely different ways, one doing all homework and coursework immediately and the other leaving everything until the last minute - I know who is the least stressed! Well done to your Daughter for being so ahead in her work.<br />You will be missed at the V&H fairs, I always buy something lovely from your stall. I'll just have to visit your shop instead!<br />Debs xDebshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07850260593610330824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-42502394317206983272011-02-02T08:46:51.481+00:002011-02-02T08:46:51.481+00:00Soon ... soon ... you WILL receive your Christmas ...Soon ... soon ... you WILL receive your Christmas gift ... although it might have to be combined with your birthday prezzie!!<br /><br />SxVintage to Victorianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00227207487929669724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-35570440456033633552011-02-02T08:09:42.733+00:002011-02-02T08:09:42.733+00:00You need to work hard to get to where you want to ...You need to work hard to get to where you want to be in life, but you do need time to play too.<br />I love your daughters bedroom, did she paint that lovely tree?<br />I've got that exact same Laura Ashley dress circa early 90's, but it had to be shortened in length to fit me now I'm debating whether to make Caitlin a little dress from it as I cannot get into it anymore!<br />Julie xxxxxxxxKC'sCourt!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16768777808237333266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-81698036392487124152011-02-01T23:05:26.242+00:002011-02-01T23:05:26.242+00:00HELLO NIKI
VERY WELL DONE TO YOUR HARD WORKING
G...HELLO NIKI <br /><br />VERY WELL DONE TO YOUR HARD WORKING<br />GIRL<br />I HAVE NEVER KNOWN ANOTHER LIFE OTHER THAN TO WORK HARD AND FEEL GUILTY WHEN I HAVE A DAY OFF<br />HAVING SAID THAT I HAVE A LOVELY<br />LIFE BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK THAT I<br />HAVE DONE<br />LOUISEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-37846039223846068882011-02-01T22:41:19.527+00:002011-02-01T22:41:19.527+00:00I have these same thoughts all the time - I work v...I have these same thoughts all the time - I work very hard. I'm not even home from between 6.30am until 7.30pm on a good day, and really only have the weekends. I still manage to squeeze in facials, daily gym, nails etc. Sometimes I feel guilty for these extravagances, but then I remind myself that they didn't happen by chance - I worked to get where I am. It's a bit of a catch 22 - you either have plenty of time and no money or vice versa. <br /><br />The one thing I do know is that the busier you are the more organised with your time you tend to be. For example, Tim's mum was moaning about having no time for exercise when she works half days comes home and sits on the sofa all afternoon!! <br /><br />I love your daughter's room by the way! :-)Tinyholderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06282856264223984826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-90883886401768853572011-02-01T22:33:17.484+00:002011-02-01T22:33:17.484+00:00Dear Niki,
Those that make those comments are only...Dear Niki,<br />Those that make those comments are only jealous - deep down they know that they should have got on and done the work too but were too busy lazying around.<br />Being self-employed I understand your dilemma. I remember my dad telling me it would take me five years to find good people that want to work for me but that in those first five years I would find plenty of people who want to get paid for doing nothing. I now know how right he was but when you find the good staff it is so lovely to be able to take some time out and know that the staff will look after your interests. So my advice is stay with it and it will bring its own rewards.<br />Love your daughter's bedroom by the way.<br />Hope to be in the area of Shepton in a few weeks and will try to pop in.<br />June.Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07519222546233157254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-49051544453210931922011-02-01T22:04:23.920+00:002011-02-01T22:04:23.920+00:00Hi, my son is also studying for his AS's at th...Hi, my son is also studying for his AS's at the moment, he is dyslexic, and I know at times he has felt the same as your daughter, it seems he has to work twice as hard as his friends, to achieve good grades. He too works on his free periods, when his friends go home, and sometimes late into the evening, but he is doing so well. Good luck to your daughter and well done for working so hard. This is a quote I have written down, sorry I can't remember where from, I'm always randomly writing things down! <br />'The happiest folk are those that are busy, for their minds are starved of time to seek out woe'<br />Sophie xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13831452606024076452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-77302928083326885252011-02-01T21:09:33.604+00:002011-02-01T21:09:33.604+00:00Just think how far your daughter will get in life,...Just think how far your daughter will get in life, she is dedicated and that is a good thing, she will learn to pace herself soon.<br />I have no children, I find it hard to meet up with friends these days because of that, as their lives take a different course to mine in that respect, I kind of get left out, as I do not fit the mould any-more.....which makes me sad......but then I do still have some friends who do want to know me despite that!<br />so its all good!<br />Did your daughter paint the tree in her room....?<br />Its so amazing!xMelMelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18183064592017156230noreply@blogger.com