notes from my nest

READY TO PLAY

2008-05-30T18:34:00.002+01:00

well hello there! + thank you for bearing with me.

has it really been 2 months plus since i put finger to keyboard here? it feels longer in some ways...but i am very much ready to type type type again + as it's been a while i thought i'd make a fresh start.

tomorrow you'll find me at my new home...if you'd like to join me once more i would be delighted to welcome you over. hope to see you soon xxx

PRESSING PAUSE

2008-03-26T15:33:00.004Z

i can't help but notice that the gaps between my posts are getting bigger these days...the words fewer too...so i've decided to take some time away from this space. only a little interval but just so's i can free up my feelings + come back when spring is in full sprint + i have more focus.

thank you for all the lovely comments that you leave for me...i've become particularly bad at responding to them but each + every one really makes my day.

see you back here soon...xxx

THE CUTE ON SUNDAY

2008-03-16T10:09:00.004Z

from our village shop today...the owner's daughter is now writing the names on the papers!

BEING GOOD TO MY BODY

2008-03-10T18:47:00.007Z

loving these delicate colours
+ enjoying the ritual in preparing healthy feasts

taking some quiet time
peaceful
cosy indoors with my friend mr b

whilst the stormy rain
beats on the windows

NOEL + THE NEW FRIDGE

2008-03-05T14:47:00.010Z

thank you for all the lovely comments on the last post...i did feel frozen once or twice lately but have thawed out nicely. i think the chilly weather put me into hibernation mode : )

since my unplanned absence i am now sat looking at a blank screen thinking "how/what to come back with?"...for today it's just a few things i've done/seen/liked over the past week or so.

got all excited at the arrival of a new nephew (little noel)

bought a new blue fridge
ate ham cooked in cola (trashy i know but so good!)
for mother's day
i like this top from tulip + nettle
(the blue gingham has a spring vibe no?)

listened to this by the whitest boy alive in my car
...a good driving song

baked some venetian b iscuits

covered a mini-mannequin
in bits of cath kidston catalogue for my mum

fell in love with fanja's lumi dolls

i've also been happy to see jodie posting again over at vintage film...go see this beauty of a dress on her blog along with some wonderful polaroids...she's going to share some of her collection of vintage clothing over the next few weeks + i plan to join in to show mine too : )

my list of new blog posts to read is bursting at the seams. everyone is being good. i have been bad + have also neglected my 366 project on flickr...it needs a serious update! oh well...tomorrow is another day. xxx

blogging about a fridge? a case of from the sublime (baby noel) to the ridiculous i know! but the colour does make me smile when i see it standing in our kitchen + it's so good not to have to go outside to fetch the milk in every time we make a cup of tea!

DIAMOND DUST

2008-02-19T20:36:00.006Z

still chilly here!
some call it a haw frost
some said it was snowing
but the local weather lady told us
it's official name is diamond dust

COLD CAR

2008-02-17T12:33:00.004Z

chilly greetings friends...
from me + my very cold car + it's pretty ice patterns

keep warm wherever you are reading from
+ enjoy your sunday! xxx

PAPERWHITES + A NEW SKIRT

2008-02-15T16:12:00.005Z

a friday at home
+ a chance to do some sewing
whilst listening to this
(shari...it made me think of you!)

paperwhites + pussy willow
in a bottle
on my desk
every time i glance at them
i can't get over how pretty they are

this is my new rita skirt
another curtain creation : )
the lacy pockets remind me of eyelashes
i liked how it turned out
so i may make another for my shop

off now to chop wood for this evening
it's going to be another chilly one here
but there's talk of nice weather coming
+ i hope to get out to my neglected garden!

enjoy your weekend whatever you get up to
xxx

CAKE FOR C

2008-02-11T16:28:00.000Z

as ordered...
this year it's a victoria sponge
for your 34th

filled with a lot of love
(plus raspberries + cream of course)

happy birthday my sweet ciaran!
i hope i bake you cakes for many many years to come
xxx

H IS FOR...

2008-02-08T15:00:00.000Z

a new baby for my cousin...harvey

+ i finally got round to making him something
(from this book :: pattern by the wonderful hillary lang)

for some reason i had some trouble putting this little elephant together. my friday brain couldn't compute the instructions...but i kept going + i'm really pleased with how he turned out + c actually commented on him...he never usually notices what i'm making! now i've made my 1st softy i think i could get quite hooked + even have a go at my own design.

h is also for...hanging the washing outside (at last!)
for we have sunshine
dare i say it even feels a wee bit spring-like!

happy weekend everyone : )

GIGI + RITA

2008-02-04T14:53:00.000Z

i had some nice stitching time on my hands this weekend

mainly thanks to cold weather
a fire to sit by
watching the rugby with c
eating rhubarb crumble

so today i've been able to update my shop
with 2 new collections
gigi (inspired by lynn)...a dressing up cuff + a corsage
rita...a shoulder bag + a corsage

happy monday everyone!

I HEART FEBRUARY

2008-02-01T17:51:00.001Z

february...you are a sweet month
a special birthday + of course an excuse to get romantic
first blossom on the trees
feeling that spring isn't too far away
+ pancakes to make!

i took a little look in this shop today...oh the goodies it holds!

i love the headpieces in their catalogue + they've nudged to me into thinking of a making something along this line again for some weddings we'll be going to this year

a teensy bit of snow fell this afternoon here

this sky tonight makes me wonder if we'll wake up to white in the morning? keep warm friends! i'm off to light the fire + get cosy. happy weekend! xxx

KITTEN-SITTING

2008-01-28T22:26:00.001Z

we have had an extra fur boy in the house for a few days
mr freddy pumpkin

he's a bit tricky to catch on film

but when he sits still he's terribly cute

WINTER WHITE

2008-01-23T09:33:00.000Z

a little contribution to shari's winter whites week
at the glass doorknob
an old fake fur jacket that my dad bought my mum years back

a bit grubby...but it warms my heart to think of how beautiful my mum must have looked in it...feeling totally glamourous i'm sure...for years it has lurked in dressing up boxes various but i took advantage of it for a winter party outfit just before christmas.

lots of wonderful photos around as part of this project. i love this this + this.

TEMPLATE FIDGET

2008-01-20T13:20:00.000Z

i can't quite settle with my template
(as you might have guessed!)

i'm still adjusting
but for now have settled on a new arrangement
going back to a once-liked formula

this year i joined a flickr group
project 365
where i'm posting a photo a day
that'll be 366 this year then
here's a couple of my january contributions

i'm noticing how muted all the colours are
which i suppose is down to the winter light here
next week i'm looking forward to seeing more winter whites
over at the glass doorknob + all around

THE HAPPY LIST

2008-01-16T16:58:00.000Z

5 reasons to be cheerful

thinking it was actually 4.30pm when i took this
the days are definitely getting longer : )

buying ingredients to try out a new recipe courtesy of abigail

finding this website
...falling in love with kate's sketchbook
+ buying something from her shop
for 2 special people who have a birthday this week

getting the new boden catalogue in the post
great colours like sulphur : rouge : grass : thistle
oh + these cute print bookmarks that i'm using for my wishlist!

downloading some new free fonts
loving ecolier : 3rd man + a la nage

happy wednesday!

p.s. thanks for the comments on my print play too...
i shall report back with further fabric progress
right now it's taken on the form of a postcard

PRINT PLAY

2008-01-11T18:29:00.000Z

i have been experimenting today as you can see

i'd really like to push myself a bit more creatively this year + get to finding my handwriting again when it comes to style. this seems like a good start + i have some ideas to go forward in this kind of direction. something to combine a love of illustration...print...stitching

reflecting on this + wanting to do something similar but on a new level

my beginning here was a photo by hazel. the colours + shapes. so a special credit needs to be given for that shot of inspiration i needed. i'm still playing around with the idea of adding more detail or using a more abstract base (like the middle one) to embellish. i'd like to eventually stretch them on little frames.

actually...i think the middle one is going to be the best to work with even though it's just the reverse of the illustration scanned in!

NORMAL

2008-01-07T16:35:00.001Z

i'm sitting here with a cup of tea + slice of christmas cake
(thank you rosemary)
which i have to say i am totally enjoying!

i was at my post office job this morning. c is back to work too which by his own admission he was ready for. so i'm feeling the joys of being back to normal round here.

got some laundry done + cleaned the bathroom. even a spot of birthday sewing/card making for megan...i'm hoping her nintendo ds thingy will fit in the purse i made? we're a bit cut off from the world of toys so i had to take a guess!

bosco still can't quite stir into action though
i think he has the monday blues!

RUN BEN RUN

2008-01-02T11:21:00.000Z

today my brother starts on an adventure
after years of jobs that he didn't like doing
he's off to be a runner at maidstone studios

ben...i take my hat off to you for not giving up on your dreams

what a great way to start the year! yes...you may be about to live on your home grown veggies for the forseeable future but they're going to taste good knowing that you're on the road to doing what you've always wanted!

i'm very proud of you. love from your big sister xxx

FIRST

2008-01-01T16:10:00.000Z

may i take this opportunity to wish anyone who takes the time to pay me a visit here a very happy new year! i'm looking forward to much more of the inspiration + friendship that i feel lucky enough to have found with you all over the past 12 months + beyond.

we saw in 2008 from the comfort of our home...the first time we've ever done this i think. usually we've been out galavanting somewhere : ) shivering whilst trying to find a taxi in the early hours...all great new years in themselves but i like how this one's taking shape already.

we cooked together. sat by the fire. had a wee glass of champagne + sang along with jools.

it's been nice to take things easy. to have some time to reflect on the year that's just passed + think about the new one ahead. i have a good feeling about it. little projects. big projects. some just for me + some to share. xxx

MERRY MERRY

2007-12-31T11:26:00.000Z

a very merry time was had by us here

it's been so nice to see that others have too as i read through my bloglines subscriptions

i must have been exceptionally good this year ;) as i had a whole host of wonderful gifts on christmas morning! here's 2 of my many favourites...a beautiful handpainted box (by my mum) from my parents which will be used to store our decorations in...so much better than the carrier bags they've sat in for years + so special as i know what love went into it.

ciaran spoiled me rotten. he's so good at buying me presents! i had some great new drawing pens with a new sketchbook. perfume that whisked me back to our 1st date...i haven't worn it in so long so it's lovely to feel 19 again! i was also delighted to open a tiny box that revealed this necklace by abigail...wow...i love it to bits.

the best thing though was just being together

...cooking/singing/laughing together + having a pretty chilled out holiday! oh + playing with this little fella : )

and now 2008 is just hours away
which fills me with excitement for possibilities + adventures that a new year can bring

...i have so much i want to acheive + share

and it all starts tomorrow!

ALWAYS TIME TO THRIFT

2007-12-13T20:28:00.000Z

i might be up to my ears
working all day in the post office + back home tonight to write out our christmas cards...

...but there's always time to nip into a charity shop on a lunchbreak!

i'd gone in looking for inspiration for a party we're off to tomorrow night...the theme is white...clothes :: food :: drink :: decor...i'm looking forward to it now we have our outfits planned (thanks to some wardrobe rummaging...at last my hoarding feels justified!) photos to come as evidence of us looking angelic ; )

needless to say i came out with nothing for the party but couldn't resist a big vintage tin for £1 that holds so many button treats i couldn't contain myself! i love that it's from maidstone...that's where my brother lives these days way down south. i also went a bit curtain crazy + now have these drying on the clothes horse. i have a plan to make a couple of winter skirts. am i going a bit sound of music? i just saw some potential + as i can't afford anything from here i'll try + create a little homage to something like this instead.

hang on a minute...haven't i got a million things to do already?! good job shari's on hand to give good advice today.

ONLY 50 MORE TO GO...

2007-12-12T14:48:00.000Z

it's crispy + cold outdoors
i have a day off + i'm having the best time
cosy in my studio
radio on + singing away
bosco by my side in hibernation mode
scented candle burning

a few ticks on the long list of things to do
including our christmas cards
yes i've kept the potato print theme for another year
with some stitching detail this time
to represent the flat landscape that surrounds us

i started off with a uniform row of trees
but i'm starting to like a bit of random spacing

best get back to my production line!

(love leya's homemade cards)

updated to show you another colourway
gold + rose
can you tell i'm having fun?

SPECTACULAR CRAFT

2007-12-11T13:40:00.001Z

at the end of our day trip to london last week me + my mum made a little visit to the v+a where we came upon a small exhibition called out of the ordinary: spectacular craft

just a handful of pieces...i felt drawn to the simplicity of some of the works there + inspired in particular by these artists

susan collis

what we thought at first was ordinary work equipment left in the corner...but on taking a second look revealed a beautiful use of mother of pearl inlay. rawlplugs made of diamonds + gold. paint splatterings hand embroidered on to dust sheets.

catherine bertola

these patterns are so delicate + unbelievably some are created in dust. i love the super subtle colours...haunting.

yoshihiro suda

speaking of his own work "there are no goals as such, just that i can make it better next time" i love this quote. his amazingly realistic wood carvings appear from unexpected places. we saw the most divine magnolia growing from a pristine white gallery wall.

this feels like a strange post for me. it's so rare that i go to any exhibitions these days. this one made me think i should go to more + to explore a bit more what's out there. i'm feeling a resolutions list taking shape for 2008 already!

MY CHRISTMAS FAIRY

2007-12-10T16:38:00.000Z

i have had more than a little help in getting our house in festive spirit...my very talented mum has made us this door hanging + beautiful table decoration (which looks lovely at night with the candle glowing) she makes these for family + friends as well as to sell at a market for the flower club she belongs to. using greenery + dried hydrangeas from her garden. how lucky are we?

so whilst my christmas fairy has been working her magic...we (yes me + c) made 3 dozen mince pies today...having made a load of suet-free mincemeat at the weekend...more dozens to be baked + scoffed over the next few weeks...maybe a frangipane version next batch?

oh...heard my 1st christmas song on the radio today too!
happy monday xxx

TWINKLE TOWN

2007-12-09T17:21:00.000Z

a lovely london day out with mum

gazing at twinkly lights
getting aquainted with uniqlo
eating christmas sandwiches with parsnip crisps
+
becoming smitten with everything in liberty
(these trimmings had to come home with me)

at the risk of sounding crazy i'm going to aim to post each day for a week...probably the busiest time of year + all but lots going on creatively + my mum did mention that it's been a bit quiet on my blog front lately...so see you here tomorrow for a mince pie + a new banner (well it is winter now so i'd better get with the season!) xxx

MORE TIME PLEASE?

2007-12-05T17:00:00.000Z

i'm getting that festive feeling

also that slightly panicked feeling
...a feeling of a need to make many's a list!

at least our tree is up + decorated

...now can i blame bosco for lurking around when i bring an outdoors tree indoors...cover it with sparkles that dangle + sweet birds? pure temptation!

so now it's back to the to do's + some baking with this delight...yum

SILLY B

2007-12-02T21:27:00.001Z

i nip upstairs to get something
...what do i find?

silly bosco in one of his funny sleeping positions!
love that spotty belly : )

MR SMART + MR BENNETT

2007-11-27T20:38:00.000Z

i'm working full-time at the post office this week
+ it's starting to get busy
(yes...christmassy-busy...eeek!)

busy means queues + queues can mean a few people being a little on the grumpy side...but there's also nice things that happen + here's a few that made me smile today...

i see a lot of dark colours + a lot of fleece in the line but today i served an elderly gentleman in an outfit which sung out style. i'm not sure if his wonderful colour co-ordination was intentional...but it certainly made my day...his 3 piece wool suit was sage green...with a carmine shirt + a paisley patterned claret tie. special.

i had 2 letters to send off to santa c/o the north pole too...so sweet!

sticking a stamp on a beautifully scripted envelope + making sure to voice my appreciation which always takes the person by suprise but i genuinely admire the gift of lovely handwriting + it's quite rare to see nowadays.

oh + a mr gordon bennett came in to pay his phone bill : )

PARTY PEOPLE

2007-11-26T19:32:00.000Z

a few seasonal projects...

decorating this mask for my cousin vicky
for her work's christmas-do

i have my party feet sorted for our family party where we 'll be doing a lot of dancing : ) i'm also shocked to report that i have made my frock already (this is so not me...i normally leave it 'til the night before!) it's aubergine velvet + doesn't really photograph well in the dark...so when i get some light i'll be proud to show it off...just need to make myself a dressing up cuff or maybe a little headpiece to glam it all up.

speaking of which...there's a few new sparkly things in my shop for the season.

hoping that all of your weeks are off to a good start. i'm full time at the post office this week but have lots of evening craftiness to look forward to...off now to make a start on a design for our christmas card!

HE' S A SUPER-SHOPPER

2007-11-17T10:59:00.000Z

as promised i am back with some show + telling today...courtesy of my lovely dad (aka my shopping-mule!) who went on his last captain's trip to america before he moves on to pastures new + some loop the looping over here near us lot which means we get to see more of him : )

so without further ado here's my stash...

this goodies set from martha stewart...so's i can wrap up my baking this christmas + play at running a pattiserie with my boxes/twine/glassine! i'll be having fun too with other bits from the ms crafts line which we can't get over here like a nice bird punch + lovely ribbons.

then came fabric heavenlies from purl...
you won't be suprised to know that these were a pure joy to unwrap!

i've got a couple of projects in mind for these + now i know how easy it is to order online i'm sure i'll be back for a fix before too long as luckily they do post internationally!

i bought small pieces from a mix of designers including yuwa...heather bailey...joel dewberry + koka

the frosty weather here has meant that my uggs haven't left my feet since they came out of the box! i'm off now to do some weekend chilling by the fire with a pile of december magazines...bliss indeed.

p.s. i must send out a special thanks to cabin crew lady dawn who actually brought the huge box of ms craftiness on the next flight back to england when it hadn't arrived in time before my dad left the hotel...you're a sweetie! x

LONG TIME NO HEAR

2007-11-14T16:46:00.000Z

hello. my name is kelly...i used to write a blog

that all seems a while ago now
...but today i return!

so a little catch up is in order :: here are a few things i've been up to over the past 2 weeks

spying an autumn rainbow

chopping kindling...oh the happiness such a basic job can bring!

enjoying my 1st gingerbread latte of the season
(no cream on top)

baking a marmalade cake...thinking of how long i can hold off on the mince pies (gigibird has got me in the mood!)

dipping my toe in the already crazily-busy shops to spy an outfit idea for 2 festive parties round the corner...this caught my eye in the latest blueprint...i couldn't carry off the orange but i love the style + the hair too (have you seen this gorgeous style by the way?)

thinking it's got to be handmade this year for my gifts...some made by me + so's i don't have to work every spare hour over the next few weeks i'll be perusing etsy + getting inspiration from the wonderful artists featured (2 each day) this week by shari over at the glass doorknob

burning clove + mandarin essential oils

hearing that a new kitten is coming to live with my parents : )

selling the new christmas stamps at work

wearing tights + new uggs which my star of a dad bought for me on his last trip to america...that man can do some mighty fine shopping! he also returned with other goodies (more of which to come later in the week)

hope november's been treating you all well. scary to think it'll be halfway through tomorrow

time for me to make some lists! xxx

AUTUMN MUMS

2007-10-29T17:10:00.001Z

these were for sale in a bucket outside a house in our village

how could i resist?
so nice to buy flowers grown round the corner + with a few extras from the garden it makes £1.50 go a whole lot further than it would at the florists!

happy monday!
normal posting resuming soon...we have family over to stay from ireland this week so i'll be back after halloween with tales of tricks + treats xxx

DRESSING UP CUFFS

2007-10-19T11:06:00.000+01:00

new in the shop today...if a little sparkle takes your fancy

i used to make these for dancers in my old job as part of their costumes but i like to make more subtle versions these days...let me introduce you to...

audrey...violet + bonnie respectively

i've started naming my pieces based on fabrics :: colourways i use (ok i confess...because it's fun to think up names too!) + have lots more goodies up my sleeves + in my sketchbook to add on the run up to the holiday season...just need to get them from paper to sewing machine!

friday afternoon already here...
i guess the weekend's ready to take my hand
...your's too? have a lovely one! xxx

LUNCHTIME AUTUMN WALK

2007-10-17T15:39:00.000+01:00

taking a little lunchbreak walk

:: wall to wall sunshine ::
:: chilly enough for my new fingerless handknit gloves ::
:: a couple of natural treasures ::
:: hearing the leaves rustle like they're creeping up behind you ::
:: the clearest blue skies ::

enjoying a perfect autumn day
so good to stop + take it all in!

p.s. wish you could have come with me mum...get well soon xxx

SCENTED READING

2007-10-08T17:51:00.001+01:00

re-stocking my shop little by little
...today some lavender filled bookmarks

happy monday xxx

INSTANT MESSENGER CRUMBLE

2007-10-07T20:08:00.000+01:00

weekends go too quick!

i'm holding on tight to sunday evening as it turns into sunday night...

we've had a lovely one though
spending an evening with my aunt + uncle
chatter :: laughter :: delicious dinner
(rosemary...you're the best cook!)

today i bought some felt to make some new bookmarks
trying to ignore the christmas decorations as i browsed
(scary!)

ciaran had a guitar lesson + so
i took a little time...very little infact...to make a lazy crumble
feeling all girl-guidey as i found some prepared topping in the freezer.

i love how i had all the components for a scrummy dessert here in the house. normally i find myself having to go out to get what i've taken a notion to cook on a sunday. this time we'd been given some apples from friends so that got the ball rolling...sometimes i'm too quick to go out to the shops + i think i'm going to try + be a bit more resourceful with what's already in the cupboards/freezer. weekend time speeds along fast enough + spending it in a supermarket queue is something i'm going to aim to cut out for 2 precious days...i can but try : )

i had fun chatting to julie today on instant messenger
(my first go...yes i'm a very late starter!)
how amazing to make that spontaneous contact across the world

+ to my delight the return of strictly come dancing on telly
...a special place in my heart for ballroom + latin dancing
thinking back to my days surrounded with sparkles
(how could working with anton amongst others be anything but a happy memory!)

a new week about to start
some new plans + projects too
see you back here for more
xxx

GINGERBREAD + JEWELLERY

2007-10-03T17:27:00.001+01:00

i can't tell you how excited i was to get my post this morning

a grey + drizzly morning was forgotten about as i had this package to open

which i did very very slowly
(such lovely wrapping)

i've been dreaming of treating myself to something made by abigail for a long time + since i made an etsy sale of my own last week i thought i'd celebrate by heading over to her shop...her pieces are truly beautiful + i love her latest simple styles...when i see a new post of hers pop up in my bloglines i always know i'll get a hit of inspiration!

so without further ado i put on my new earrings + ring + baked gingerbread

with a bit of lemon icing

tested + given the ok by my grandma + grandad c + me!

other happy news from my part of the world...the magazine came out this week here with an article on my mum + me + our little business. we're really pleased with it + hope the coverage will bring us some new orders In the run up to christmas. which makes me think i really should get a head start on making some gifts for my loved ones (like this pinny) time to start a list!

SUNDAY CINEMA + LAVENDER BISCUITS

2007-09-30T15:22:00.000+01:00

we went to watch a film preview this morning in cambridge...i'm not used to going to the pictures before lunch but it was a nice experience...just a little strange stepping out into the sunshine afterwards : )

i had read the book so it's always interesting to see it's translation on to the screen. both funny + moving...just right for sunday cinema. oh + with jim broadbent too...can't go wrong.

a spot of baking this afternoon...nigel slater's almond + lavender biscuits which i found through google (not sure which of his books the recipe comes from?)

after reading this interview that mentioned them i had to track the recipe down to try out...don't worry...the flavour is very subtle : )

nigel slater's lavender + almond biscuits

125 g unsalted butter
50 g golden caster sugar
100 g plain flour
100g ground almonds
2 level teaspoons lavender buds

whizz all the ingredients together in a food processor
press into a dough
cover + refrigerate for 4 hours
pre-heat oven to 150c/300f/gas mark 2
flour your hands + break off walnut sized pieces of dough
flatten into tiny rounds + sprinkle some ground almonds on top
lay on to lined baking sheets
bake for 25-30 mins until golden
allow to cool a little then transfer to a wire rack

(i used the last of our lavender from the garden which i've recently cut back)

perfect with a cup of tea as we sit + cheer on ireland in the rugby!

p.s. have been loving the serialisation of mr slater's new book in our sunday paper...talking tunnocks tea cakes...marmite...fish + chips...definitely one for the christmas wish list!

HOLD UP WAIT A MINUTE MR POSTMAN

2007-09-28T12:41:00.000+01:00

parcels galore have been heading off from my household this week! a nice big etsy order heading over to america **beam** and so to keep the ball rolling i've re-stocked with some new bits + bobs...miranda scarf/corsage/bag + a couple of vase covers too.

september is a bit of a big birthday month with my grandma mary...ciaran's god-daughter grainne + ciaran's mum anne all celebrating. many cards have been handmade.

a nice excuse too to make something for a little girl to wear...not too girly but with just that bit of essential sparkle!

i also had a commission to make a card for a great-granddaughter's 1st birthday

meantime it's all been too tiring for bosco...autumn's here + he's taken to long lie-ins...enjoying the return of central heating!

special thanks to everyone who left a comment about my parent's cat winston on the last post...they really were touched to read all your words. xxx

SWEET WINSTON

2007-09-16T17:34:00.001+01:00

the awful awful feeling of losing a treasured pet...

my parents will miss their cat winston so much

i always said if he were a coffee he'd be a gingerbread latte : )

he was the soppiest softest scaredy cat...
pink nose pink paws
grapefruit eyes
we all fell head over heels in love with him
he made me sneeze but i never could resist a cuddle!

sweet dreams little winnie

A SCARF IN A SHOP

2007-09-07T11:44:00.000+01:00

as promised i got down to some stitching this week...

...a scarf for late summer + heading into autumn

vintage floral print cotton with linens + a few french knots

i'm calling her elsie +
she's for sale over here today
along with a couple of other pieces

so it's another friday
how quickly these days fly by!

good things from the week...

foot watch!
here's my battered babouches...loving these step hop skip
abigail's paris (charmant)
toast wallpaper for my computer
lemon drizzle loaf in the oven right now (nigel of course!)
a date at the pictures tonight with my c (atonement or 2 days in paris?)
swap delights from hazel
hearing from my good friend fee + making plans to meet up in london

...signing off now + jumping into the weekend! x

p.s. thank you for the slipper love! a fun gift from my friend who bought them in america

FEET UP

2007-09-05T20:03:00.000+01:00

feet week over at mecozy

i put mine up this afternoon. i'd had my reflexology appointment so kept peaceful.

stitching tonight for friday! x

BACK TO SCHOOL

2007-09-03T14:14:00.000+01:00

yay! today i got my swap parcel!

what's inside? a lovely original hazeljoy collage card...muji pens...lots of gorgeous print + colour papers...good old pritt...a sweet pair of scissors (which have been on my shopping list for ages!)...best of all a fantastic applique felt carry case which has been handmade by hazel : )

yes my friends...i am 32 + not ashamed to say that stationery gives me a big a buzz as it did when i was 7...writing with a new pen for the 1st time? how good is that?! on a fresh sheet of paper? even better!

so today i feel well + truly spoiled with the goodies that hazel picked out for me. the tools of her trade to be exact...everything needed to create collage which is very much her speciality. i've got to know a bit about hazel through her blog + she has a wonderful talent for pattern...i'm in awe of the pieces she's made like these cushions. she's a design technology teacher (so she really will be back to school this week) + must be surrounded by all sorts of stationery goodness...sounds like a dream job!

thank you hazel for putting together my parcel...it's made my monday a very happy one!

+ thanks to marta too for organising another great swap...you can see the parcels over at her flickr group.

here's a peek of what i sent to hazel.

SIMPLE PLEASURES + A NEW SEASON

2007-09-02T21:06:00.000+01:00

a simple family sunday...morning stroll by the sea...delicious home cooked dinner at mum + dad's...that snoozy afternoon feeling + spending a little time with sweet winston here who makes me sneeze!

so a new season is starting...leaves falling already...the light almost different outside too...i like it

looking forward to getting creative this week + i'm setting myself a project to make an addition to my shop by friday...there you go i've said it now...you are my witness so there's no going back!!

an early night is in order here hence the short post. hope everyone's septembers are off to a good start. i definitley feel an air of positivity out there in people's words which means lots of new inspiration to share + new work to see...what could be better? xxx

ELEMENTS WEEK :: DAY FIVE :: METAL

2007-08-31T18:34:00.000+01:00

well...it's the last day of elements week + i've had fun!

having a brief to work to has got me back in the zone again + feeling v at home.

i got to find some nice folk out there through the links + i think shari did a lovely thing getting us all to play along! she shares a beautiful poem over at the glass doorknob today...just right for the last day of august.

see you in september...happy weekending!

ELEMENTS WEEK :: DAY FOUR :: FIRE

2007-08-30T07:41:00.000+01:00

dancing lights

ELEMENTS WEEK :: DAY THREE :: AIR

2007-08-29T12:19:00.000+01:00

falling feather

ELEMENTS WEEK :: DAY TWO :: EARTH

2007-08-28T19:34:00.001+01:00

allotment love

ELEMENTS WEEK :: DAY ONE :: WATER

2007-08-27T17:14:00.000+01:00

always inspiring me + now shari has given me just the nudge i needed to get reaquainted with this journal of mine. she is hosting elements week + i've been enjoying the links to see other people's take on today's element...water

see you here tomorrow for a look at earth

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL 1...2...3

2007-08-08T11:46:00.000+01:00

i've had myself a bit of the post-holiday blues

...our travel pals went home
i had to go back to work
avoiding the never-ending laundry pile
having to think about what to make for dinner
missing my siestas...

but along come things to make it all better

reason #1

marta is organising another swap
i'm signing up today

the last one was such fun to put together
i had a super-sweet swap-partner from across the pond
+ this time round the theme is right up my street
(yes i'm the girl who loved to get her pencil case restocked for the new term!)

reason #2

my lovely friend lynn sent me a suprise parcel
which landed on my doorstep
a customised cardigan wrapped in cute tissue
i can't tell you how much i love the colour
(so me!)
i feel incredibly touched that someone would
just think of me + make me something
(all that thought from a person i haven't actually met in the real world)

special thanks to you again lynn for making my day!

reason #3

on friday i'm off to my mum's house in norfolk
where we're going to be interviewed for a local magazine
about our acorn of a business venture
a very exciting prospect as it may lead to
much dreamt about commissions
+ who knows where?!

xxx

A HOLIDAY STORY

2007-08-06T17:04:00.000+01:00

whilst i unpack

here's some snaps from sardinia

BACK BY DEMAND

2007-07-27T20:25:00.001+01:00

nigella's strawberry meringue cake

from forever summer

this is becoming an annual bake for our visitors from ireland
+ was specially requested again this year

marian + louis are staying with us for the weekend then we are all heading off on holiday together to sardinia...for warmer days + much needed sunshine. so i'll not be posting for a little while but with lots to look forward to over the next week or so i shall return with tales + photos!

we are all off to my friend abi's cafe tomorrow night for her birthday party. games to be played + lots of scrumptious food will be scoffed. i made her this handbag + have an idea that i'll make a few more on my return as my poor etsy shop has been well + truly neglected of late : )

outside

+ inside

wishing everyone out there a great weekend!

until august...xxx

DANCING WITH KT

2007-07-25T09:55:00.001+01:00

love love love it

NEW BEST BUTTON FRIEND

2007-07-23T22:20:00.000+01:00

people can be so kind

i got talking to clifford... a regular at the post office
(an antiques ebayer)

we discussed a mutual love of kirsty allsopp
+ the joy of old buttons

so imagine my delight when he brought me this
cute tin full of oddments...how to make a girl happy!

(i started sorting through them + loving these glass ones)

SUNNY THURSDAY :: RAINY FRIDAY

2007-07-20T22:26:00.000+01:00

ON THE ALLOTMENT

2007-07-18T20:29:00.000+01:00

i'm pleased to report that day three has been a delight!

today we were in cley-next-the-sea...a favourite spot + even happier to be there in the sunshine! after a morning scout around the streets...both me + mum decided to settle down for the day at the village allotments. the 1st time i've been drawn to draw there (you know what i mean!) they just looked so beautiful this year...dahlias...sweet peas...vegetables of every description + lots of quirky sheds...which i worked on in my sketchbook...

we finished the day with a little review of the group's work. it is so lovely to see the collection of pieces set side by side...today it was well + truly apparent that everyone had been very content in the environment. i guess it just shows when you are comfortable in + inspired by what surrounds you. icing on the cake? a takeaway cup of earl grey tea + sharing a slice of cherry coconut slice from the local food shop...feeling weathered + pleased with what we got up to!

back soon with a few more notes...xxx

NORFOLK ART WEEK

2007-07-17T22:44:00.000+01:00

greetings from norfolk!

(i'm here at my parent's house + enjoying the start to a week of art)

i'm a day late with my art week report as i forgot my blogger password...i tried every variation i could think of but without success...luckily my hubby has come to my rescue with a reminder...thanks c!

me + my mum make this an annual event...this is my 5th or maybe 6th year (?) of coming here for a landscape art course. so far so good. we had a dry monday + half a dry tuesday! today the heaven's opened after our picnic lunch + we got drenched. this funny weather calls for some creative thinking as to where/what to sketch...we've worked in the car with windscreen wipers going in the past!

each day see's a new location + new subjects to inspire

monday was spent at salthouse...a small village along the coastal road. it has a lovely church with higgledy piggledy gravestones + an abundance of hollyhocks growing here there + everywhere. my choice? would you believe that i settled down to sketch the post office : ) of all things!

today (tuesday) we've been at felbrigg house just outside of cromer. i had a very nice morning in the company of the most amazing trees (thinking of julie) but the afternoon turned stormy so we headed back with a bit of homework...helped along by the cats. winston was too exhausted to do much more than snooze amongst my pencil crayons! there are 4 cats sharing my parent's home...they'll all get a blog introduction soon.

off to bed now...

CATS SLEEP ANYWHERE

2007-07-14T18:00:00.000+01:00

friends to stay for the weekend

new cushions finished for the sofa

making up the spare bed...

...turning my back for a minute

+ he's found another place to get cosy!

THE ROAD HOME

2007-07-12T22:41:00.001+01:00

red sky at night
just caught on my way home

sounds silly
but it's the kind of thing
i thought i'd like to share with my blog friends

OUTSIDE INSIDE

2007-07-09T19:52:00.000+01:00

a july day?

funny weather around our part of the world
a.m. blue skies + sunshine...p.m. hailstones!

in the garden

a delicate sweet pea that smells like a dream
+
tall frilly hollyhocks

so i'm lucky to have an outside flower inside

a rose cut today to keep on my desk
"the generous gardener"

truly beautiful

happy monday!

A SPOT OF SUN + A LOT OF FRIENDSHIP

2007-07-08T22:05:00.000+01:00

we just spent some lovely time with our beautiful friend abi

i want to say my friend because i found her 1st a long time ago...
...but i'm happy to share her with c because he loves her too
(which fills me with joy)

we got to stay at her place (thanks for giving up your bed sweetpea)
eating tapas on saturday evening + drinking wine + cheeky cocktails
(waking up a little worse for wear the next morning)
but making it all better
with a private breakfast for 3 in her cafe downstairs

we all spent a sunny sunday wandering around stamford where abi + me used to live many moons ago...having an impromptu picnic on the meadows after we picked up some goodies at the continental market. how come food eaten out in the sunshine tastes even better?

much chatting + strolling was done...spotting old doors + buildings that we probably never noticed or at least never appreciated in our schooldays. a little reminiscing + a lot of laughter...pledging to see each other more often...here's the photo roll...

so i've returned home feeling full to the brim with friendship...a very welcome state of mind after being a bit under the weather last week. gearing up for a fresh monday tomorrow...xxx

PEA SUPER

2007-06-28T10:49:00.000+01:00

this is what i've been up to on my day off work
(a spot of furniture-tarting-up)
in dulux eggshell shade willow creek 2

as i was happily painting away i was thinking of how my love of colour has grown all the more since i started this blog. i've been hugely inspired by other people's use of colour...see here + here + here...plus i've really immersed myself in it as a subject on several occasions e.g. joining in julie's colour week and marta's mellow + yellow swap.

looking back i think i always surrounded myself with/wore/used some colour day to day...steering clear of darker shades + black...but recently i'm embracing colour all the more...it lifts my mood no end. when we moved into our house the walls pretty much all got painted white (along with a lot of bits of furniture too which became a bit of a joke to my husband) but slowly there's been an injection of colour into each room. there's still a whole lot more i'd like to do but i'm glad i held back + waited for each corner to speak out as to what shade it needed to be. hope everyone's having a good week...the sunshine has been peeking out today here : )

FRENCH FANCIES

2007-06-26T12:20:00.000+01:00

hello from a chilly england

(where has our summer gone?!)

a full day working at the post office for me
a quiet shift without many customers
+ time to dream of lovely things

france on my mind for some reason...
looking forward to watching this film
...making a mental note to take my mum out
to eat la duree macaroons sometime soon
...how i love these childrens clothes so
+ remembering alodie day's blog that i stumbled on recently
(such a beautiful name)

wishing it would get a little sunnier...bosco in the flower bed

WHEN A TABLECLOTH BECOMES A SKIRT

2007-06-25T16:17:00.000+01:00

whilst i haven't been blogging much of late...
...i have been faithfull to my sewing machine!

a couple of new summer skirts now reside in my wardrobe

the green one above brings me a feeling of joy because i love the colour + print + can i tell you a secret? it used to be a habitat tablecloth! i had the pleasure of happening upon it in the window of a local charity/thrift shop...i popped straight in to find out what it was + delighted in discovering to see it was a nice big bit of fabric with 6 napkins all for a few pounds. i'm wondering now as i sport it around town if some local person does a double take when they see what their tablecloth turned into?!

this next one reminds me of manda at treefall...maybe because of the colour combination. it's a linen mix...i know it'll be crumply which i do rather like + i'm hoping i can wear it next weekend for a certain garden party that we're going to at my grandparent's house. there's going to be some croquet playing + some trifle eating + somehow this skirt seems to speak summer garden party to me...am i loony or do clothes speak to you too? i made both skirts from a trusty pattern which i know i'll use + re-use until the day it falls to pieces or i've eaten way too much trifle whereupon i shall incorporate an elasticated waistband into the design!

+ on the subject of clothes
...have you seen the adorable tops at tulip and nettle?
this one + this one are particular favourites of mine right now

2 posts in 2 days? i'm feeling back in the groove : )
hope everyone's weeks are off to a good start
+ thanks for welcoming me back with open arms

xxx

HELLO AGAIN

2007-06-24T17:52:00.000+01:00

...so it's been a while
+ somehow the longer i stayed away
...the harder it seemed to come back

days rolled by
+ i felt slightly tentative about sitting down to write something
becoming happy just to take in what everyone else was up to on the blogging network

may i make a confession?
i've also 2timed my blog by getting wrapped up in facebook!

but this evening i felt like i wanted to say hello again!
with a little bit of a summer makeover
(even though the rain's drizzling down here)

i'm looking forward to making a regular date with my blog again
tomorrow + all this week for some fresh posts
(putting the love back into our relationship!)

THREE

2007-06-12T13:01:00.000+01:00

three years ago today ciaran + me got married

a hot hot hot sunny day in norfolk surrounded by our loved ones
(the first time our parents met each other!)

i felt so wonderfully happy
(i still do)

weddings on my mind lately...my lovely friend lynsey just got engaged
(talking about dresses...invitations...flowers with her...bliss!)

enjoying a catch up with favourite blogs...
this beautiful day caught my eye...this one made me laugh
...i noticed that little special + ali have been celebrating too
+ janet is about to (when she's finished sewing 200m of bunting!)

SIDETRACKED

2007-05-25T06:18:00.000+01:00

it's been a while since i posted...things are a trifle busy around here...me + my mum have been getting ready for an arts + crafts fair this weekend which fingers crossed will be a little more fruitful than the last wedding fair we did back in february! it should be a pleasure anyway seeing as it's set at the lovely national trust house felbrigg hall in norfolk. we are sneaking along our sketchbooks just incase of quiet moments! hoping to return with at worst...some new doodles + at best...with an order : )

i have a few celebrations coming up which is always good...a birthday for me + one for my blog too! my plan is to come back a year older + with a fresh blog look for summer...i haven't forgot that i still owe a holiday story amongst other goings-on-tales...so see you back here soon! until then i'd like to send good wishes out there to my blogging friends that i've been very much neglecting lately...i've hardly had a minute to be in touch with you so here's a hello...i'll be in touch soon! wishing everyone a lovely weekend + for those lucky folk who have an extra day-off on monday here in the uk...enjoy it even if it rains...how could it?! xxx

HOLIDAY ON A MOUNTAIN :: SKETCHBOOK

2007-05-14T18:07:00.000+01:00

please excuse this short post

(i'm having difficulties with uploading photos)

so until normal service resumes...here's a word from my sketchbook!

THE SUNDAY STAY-IN

2007-05-13T12:05:00.000+01:00

i'm home

it's rainy here today + what better excuse than to stay indoors?

unashamedly i have eaten a breakfast of lots of coffee + toast
(with lime curd made yesterday)

this afternoon?
i'm going to light the fire
watch an old film
read the papers
snuggle on the sofa with c + b
listen to new guitar tunes
sing songs we heard at a concert last night
eat a buttery herbed roast chicken

enjoy the comforts of home

tomorrow?
back to work
+ back here
with tales of my holiday

x

ADIOS

2007-05-02T07:10:00.001+01:00

(just a little goodbye)

i'm off for a weeks holiday in spain with
my mum
my aunt rosemary
+
my cousin victoria

don't worry...bosco has been left to keep c company!

back shortly with tales to tell
xxx

p.s. happy birthday to my lovely mum!

MELLOW + YELLOW PART II

2007-05-01T18:19:00.000+01:00

my faith in the post people has returned!

having sent parcels off overseas with trials + tribulations
today my swap package arrived super-fast
+ safely in the hands of ali in america

so this is a little show + tell of what i sent to her

on a similar turquoisey colour scheme to the goodies she sent to me

a handmade-by-me tote
2 little glass votives
some refreshing herbal tea
a home-mix of mellow tunes cd
living etc magazine

+ so pleased that she likes everything!

THE JOY OF THE SWAP

2007-04-30T13:36:00.000+01:00

a few weeks back i joined in with the mellow + yellow swap

i somehow came across marta's lovely blog + was just in time to sign up. the rules were very simple...pick a colour scheme + send some gifts...what could be better?

today i got back from work to find a parcel on my doorstep

all the way from america...from my lovely swap partner ali

***beam***

i opened it up to find a host of delights
each one just the kind of thing i love
(that girl's got good taste!)
sweetly wrapped with tissue + string

in tones of sea green + a hint of bitter chocolate
(what a delectable combination)
here's what she kindly sent to me

:: an aromatherapy candle...
bergamot mint that smells so uplifting...
sat on my work desk ::

:: pretty thank you notelets with print envelopes...
it's going to be hard to part with these
...for extra special thank yous only ::

:: cucumber soap...simple + such a gorgeous colour ::

:: dotty fabric + dinky buttons...
i'll have much fun using these for a new creation ::

:: a screen-printed linen napkin which
i think i'll keep to use as a little tablecloth ::

+ handmade by ali...fabric covered thumb tacks
for my pinboard...so special...something handmade is much appreciated!
these came wrapped in a swatch of the print fabric which is going to be an ideal addition to something i'm working on right now

thank you so so so much ali!!!
it's been so nice to make a new friend
i hope my package reaches you safe + sound

you've made one happy monday! xxx

i'll post some photos of what i sent to ali
when i know she's received them
...i hate to spoil suprises! i'm off now to take a peek at
the flickr group to see what everyone else got : )

THE COLOUR PURPLE

2007-04-27T13:45:00.001+01:00

can anyone tell me where this week has gone?

hmm...i have no idea...sometimes i'd like to press the pause button just to take things in for a minute...everything looks so beautiful right now...warm spring sunshine seems to be here to stay which is the best! a little round-up of my week then...

i have a bit of a purpley thing going on right now...maybe to do with the wedding we just went to where i made the stationery + carried their colour theme through to the card we gave with our gift (by the way we had a wonderful time last w'end...the new mr + mrs were super-happy...sunshine...new shoes but no blisters...lots of dancing + i kept my headpiece on until the wee hours!)

in the sitting room vase? tulips + ranunculus...each time i look at them they seem to have changed shape...fascinating...i did a little sketch + plan to develop some photos i've taken into a more stylized pattern which i might just try to print onto fabric? experimenting + enjoying it!

this is felix...our neighbour's cat who visits us at least 5 times a day...bosco is pretty laid back in his company...as you can see he's not afraid to make himself at home!

new patchwork all ready for a new creation

my coffee break enhanced by italian biscotti today
(brought back by my sweet parents from a whirlwind trip to florence)

+ as the weekend approaches we are planning to be out in the garden
:: painting the decking :: planting veggies :: birdwatching ::

have fun whatever you get up to! x

JUST BECAUSE...

2007-04-25T17:21:00.000+01:00

...it makes me smile each time i see it!

(old family holiday snapshot of my grandad, mum, her sisters + my uncle...1970 ish)

taking a little blog break to catch up with emails
...upload photos...some card making
+ silly things like laundry : )

back on friday
x

p.s. can i just say WOW!! i was blown away to receive so many comments last time...the most i've ever had...thanks so much to you all...you're lovely!

100 :: FINISHED!

2007-04-18T18:41:00.000+01:00

yum

today i bought some of these
(treats for post 100)

ooo + i finished my headpiece!

(sorry...wednesday is messy hair day too!)

thank you so much to all of you who left comments for me last time round...it's great to get feedback on a creation in progress + gave me a confidence boost to complete it for today (i needed that deadline!) after umming + ahhing i did decide to dye the netting + i'm pleased with the result. i haven't really got any other white in my outfit so it looked a bit out of place. sparkles + buttons added after a sweet nod from rebecca + lynn. i didn't use the feathers in the end...they are the perfect colour but somehow seemed too much...a very small detail but a bit like a painting when it gets overworked (you've got to know when to put down your brush!)

i really enjoyed making this...i always had an idea in my mind of what i wanted it to look like before i really knew what i was going to wear + i'm pleased with how it turned out which is a bonus indeed : ) i've been dreaming up some others in different colour combinations based on lovely fabrics + buttons i have so roll on the next wedding invitation!

(click images to see more detail)

the bag is ready too

pretty simple
just big enough for my camera + lipstick + hanky + pennies

here are the shoes

(which i haven't learnt how to make yet!)

so we're off for a bit of a weekend away near manchester for the wedding which will be lovely...next job on my to do list is the card for the happy couple + wrapping the pressie! oh + a bit of fake tan on the legs of course ; ) fingers crossed for no rain on saturday!

i feel really touched hearing from you all + getting to hear your thoughts. i have lots more to run by you so watch this space!! until next time, x kelly.

WEDDING HEAD

2007-04-16T16:48:00.000+01:00

join me for a cup of tea + slice of batternberg cake

...i need to pick your brains on wedding attire
+ show you a work in progress...

we are off to a wedding at the weekend
+ i'm making myself a headpiece

are you a hat person?
me? i like them

these are v nice!

here's what we're wearing
so i've gone for a mix of navy, green + turquoise
thinking i might just dye the piece of netting a pale turquoise or green
or should i leave it white?

well it's plain to see that i don't change...
here i am at the last minute making my outfit
(this is a lifelong habit!)

i have a bag to make too
so i'd better get off this teabreak + get making!!!

it's all just pinned for now but i'll report back with the finished articles
on wednesday (there...that gives me a deadline!)

(here's how it's looking with messy monday hair)

hope everyone's weeks are off to a good start!

xxx

COLOUR WEEK :: DAY 5 :: RED

2007-04-13T09:36:00.000+01:00

the last day of colour week
...thank you so much for kicking it all off julie!

i've really enjoyed it...sometimes i thrive on a bit of direction : )
+ it's been so lovely to see everyone's interpretations each day

...lots of new faces + blogs...

thank you to all who've left me comments over the week
it's been great to hear from you + pay a visit to where you 'live'!

hmmm...i've decided that i'm going to keep up my colour file of photos
i feel like my eyes have become tuned in again this week
+ i've rekindled a love of certain shades

here's 2 favourite artworks of mine whilst we're on the subject of red

on the road to thoiry (1970)
by peter knapp (swiss photographer, born 1931)

something about this takes me back to being a child
feeling happy + secure...a nostalgic image

betty
oil on canvas 1988
by gerhard richter (german artist, born 1932)

this is just so beautiful
the light
the pattern
+
how i'd love to see the original

one last link...le ballon rouge
see a clip here

happy friday!
xxx

COLOUR WEEK :: DAY 4 :: YELLOW

2007-04-12T07:57:00.000+01:00

making me feel sunny

treefall design's love of yellow + these new lines
nigella's super-easy lemon ice cream
sweet orla kiely straw dandelion tunic

looking forward to the
mellow + yellow swap
that i'm doing with ali
+ sending off her goodies soon!

last day with red tomorrow
how quick is this week flying???!

xxx

COLOUR WEEK :: DAY 3 :: PINK

2007-04-11T08:46:00.000+01:00

finding pink in favourite things

norfolk
+
cake

musically speaking? today i'll listen to pink martini of course!

xxx

COLOUR WEEK :: DAY 2 :: GREEN

2007-04-10T19:48:00.000+01:00

a late entry from me!

green really is my favourite colour
hmmm...i can't seem to capture it somehow as i'd like to today

but i love so many of the gorgeous images about
including these from
micasa
camilla
julie

if anyone else out there has the delightful book apples for jam
by tessa kiros...how apt it is this week to browse through
+ inspire...divided into colour chapters + oozing with
gorgeous photos : )

also this website with it's shop by colour facility
...love the names too!

looking forward to a pink wednesday
...join in even if you missed days 1 + 2!

x

COLOUR WEEK :: DAY 1 :: TURQUOISE

2007-04-09T15:01:00.000+01:00

here's my little contribution to julie's colour week!

a photo from my archives

dirty door in kerry, ireland
(where everything is colourful!)

i just couldn't restrain myself to 1 image
....so i took these today....
my eye has been drawn to all things turquoise about the house

(sorry julie...i'll be stronger tomorrow!)

i'm really looking forward to the week as it unfolds
+ seeing everyone's contributions

why not join in too?

ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER

2007-04-06T21:30:00.000+01:00

it's me....i'm back....we just got re-connected + i'm very happy to be in contact again!

we have had no internet/email in the house for 2 whole weeks....for the 1st few days i acted calmly, thinking "what's a few days without being able to go online?"....a couple of days passed + i paid a visit to a horrible internet cafe (so I could pop my head into blogland) only to hate the environment + leave after 10 minutes....7 days passed + i finally threw a tiny bit of a wobbly (eeek!) saying to my hubby "but i can't wait another week + you surely must be able to do something (being an software engineer + all) ?!!!"....but of course i could wait....(he really couldn't do anything) + frankly i didn't have much choice being at the mercy of our broadband supplier!

so thank you all for your sweet sweet comments in my absence....it brought a big smile to my face to return to find them all waiting for me in my inbox! the 2 week gap made me realise just how much i use my computer day to day....maybe a little too much sometimes....so the lesson i've learnt is that i shouldn't rely on having everything at my fingertips just when i want it + that missing a connection to the internet was rather silly....but absence has made my heart grow fonder for the connections with the friends i have made through my blog + i'm looking forward to getting back in touch!

so what's been happening here?

well the sun has been a-shining....the clocks changed + we've got nice light evenings again : )

my sweet pea seeds are sown + currently sitting on the windowsill....veggie seeds to be potted this weekend along with some lavender + rosemary to be planted in the garden in this perfect weather.

i have plasters on my heels from wearing summer shoes (shock-horror with no socks!) on soft winter feet!

i got round to making that skirt i had on my to-do list. i used a nice turquoise linen that's going to match lots in my spring/summer wardrobe....after some pattern-tweeking i got the fit just right so i'll be sewing a couple more once i've found some fabrics....i'm on the hunt for a great print (cheap if poss) if anyone's got suggestions?

baking has been very basic....not really baking actually but mixing....how could i not make chocolate nests for easter?! very kitsch i know but they are an essential in our home....the house of mini egg addiction : )

i visited my lovely friend abi at her new business venture....a tea room in a lovely walled garden....easton walled gardens to be exact + wow....what a wonderful place to be working! i'm planning lots more trips there over the summer....taking my grandparents + definitely a day of sketching with my mum. so many potential subjects + i'll be heading back to this gate for sure : )

i met a v cute dog called mole who lives in the gardens!

please bear with me as i take a bit of time over the weekend to catch up + get in touch again....i'm all behind on your goings-on so i need lots of tea + easter eggs by my side as i write emails + read blogs!

until next time have a great weekend everyone....hooray, it's an extra long one for us here! x

LOST IN SPACE

2007-03-28T13:33:00.000+01:00

hello friends!

just to say that our broadband connection was unexpectedly cancelled last week

....i am now sitting in a smoky internet cafe : (

so this will be a very short post....

thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post

....i'm so sorry that i can't reply properly to you all just now

as we've been told to wait 7 days for re-connection....grrrrrrr!

so until then....hope you're all well + i'll be back soon!

xxx

SPRING PRINTS + SHOES

2007-03-23T11:51:00.000Z

this time last week i spent a truly lovely day out shopping with my mum

it has been a very long time since i spent money on clothes
+ i have to admit i went a little bit crazy!
(it's like print heaven in the shops right now)

so this is a kind of confessional/show + tell post

starting with a cropped monsoon jacket
(spotted by my mum....thanks mum)

green....my favourite favourite colour

+ how could i not buy something from primark? a £15 cotton coat

loving the 3/4 sleeves + big big collar

+ now for the shoe section....a clarks special

(then) i didn't want to get my school shoes there!...
....+ (now) what's not to love?

especially when you're tall + like comfort

these flats are going to be my best friends
(as soon as it gets a teensy bit warmer!)

+ whilst i waffle about fashion here a few things out there that i heart

the new laura ashley archive collection
(prints + colours = truly gorgeous)

this this + (if i had a little girl) this from saltwater

+ on the subject of fabric prints + saltwater
....i must share a £20 ebay bargain coat + a matching tunic dress
(linen + print + colour combination = gotta have it!)

i'm planning to make a cotton turquoise
(or satsuma?) skirt to match for the summer

wishing one + all a great weekend whatever you're up to!

xxx

DUCK EGG + DAFFODILS

2007-03-21T14:07:00.001Z

the 1st day of spring

+ brrrrr it's chilly here....but a lovely sunny brrrrr!

i've had fun with a bit of a blog makeover....spring has been on my mind especially colours + thinking of fresh starts....i am proud to say that i stumbled about + managed to make the changes all on my own without having to pester C for help....learning by trial + error along the way which is how i tend to do technical jobs : ) what do you think of the new look? like i said before....a little re-arrangement goes a long way for me + i'm feeling like i've turned over a new leaf....wanting to really get back into things creatively + raring to go again. projects lined up + on the go include....

my new additions for the shop at the end of march
completing the nest website for me + my mum's business
sowing seeds in pots for the windowsill
making a headpiece for an april wedding

so back to the post title before i ramble on forever! these colours are very much on my mind....in my wardrobe....background for my blog....oh + in our house. recently i spent a day painting our dining room which opens on to the kitchen. when we moved in we painted the whole place white which i do love....but as time passes + we grow into the space i'm finding that i want to bring colour to certain areas. this project had a few hiccups along the way. (note to self....please buy tester pots to try out before spending money on whole tins of paint which turn out too dark + not right....however much you like the name of the colour....well sketchbook sounds so good + not dark grey.... doesn't it?!) anyway all's finished now + we really like it....good old duck egg (pale duck egg that is....sorry C not the normal duck egg which you dashed off to buy for me when the 1st tin ran out! 4 trips in 1 day to the diy store + i'm staying away now....promise! )

daffodils....all around + how happy they look. i cut them from our garden + delight in their scent which suprises me every time i walk by the vase. set against spotty blues....how the simple things can bring such pleasure!

more smiles in the form of print....a new blueprint....brought to me by my dad who never lets me down when i send him in search of magazines in other countries! taking a peek at the new bluelines blog had kept me going inbetween issues....this one seems slightly sparser in content but still has plenty to get smiley about : )

loving this chair + print

dreaming that i could be a bit neater

coveting a spring wardrobe

so there you have it for today....i'm off now for some catching up with my favourite blogs....with a nice cup of clarity tea (lemongrass + ginger....see even my foodstuff's fitting into the colour scheme!!)

have a good wednesday everyone....happy springtime! x

RE-ARRANGING

2007-03-19T19:43:00.000Z

oh, how i love to re-arrange

especially around this time of year when a new season is nearly here
(i say nearly....we had sun + snow today in england!)

my usual fix is to have a big move round in a room
it gives me a boost + a fresh enthusiasm

instead of furniture....today i thought i'd experiment with my blog
(inspired by shari + julie)

please bear with me as i'll be making adjustments
+ then maybe putting it all back to normal!

xxx

MUM

2007-03-18T20:03:00.000Z

it's mother's day here

i've just spent the loveliest time with my special mum
+ much of our family
(my dad, brother, my mum's 2 sisters with their families + my maternal grandparents)

all squeezed into one happy house
....cooking together + sharing much delicious food....
....laughing....hugging....
getting blown about outside whilst walking : )

we watched old cine films of our mum's weddings
+ of us all as toddlers
....sunny days + happy times....
funny hairstyles + lots of knitted clothes!

i know that i am very lucky to have
a great relationship with my mother

i cherish it more + more as i get older....
....appreciating just how much she gives to me
+ thinking how i'd love to be able
to give the same to a child of my own

we do so much together + i love that

she's
my stitching guru
my shoe shopping partner
my fellow archers listener
my sweet tooth gene giver
+ so much more

my mum is my friend

xxx

WIP MONDAY

2007-03-05T16:29:00.000Z

happy monday one + all....what are you up to?

i've been making tops for baby roan
....soon to cross the water to ireland

enjoying working on the print....wondering what it should be?

oh + getting things ready for a shop update
at the end of the month!

p.s. thank you so much for all the baking love!
c is chuffed that his efforts didn't go unseen : )
there isn't a lot of bakewell left....how i would have loved
to invite you all round for a piece with a cup of tea!
xxx

THIS TIME LAST WEEK

2007-03-04T19:06:00.000Z

ok....so this time last week me + my mum were at a wedding fair....we'd been working towards it over the past few months + had a good range of samples for our exhibition stand. i (in my typical style) was up until the wee small hours the night before printing out leaflets + generally coming to blows with my computer who was not playing nice....yes i'm a last minute girl by my own admission + never seem to be that organised person that i want to be : )

an early start on a sunday morning....we unloaded at the hotel + enjoyed setting up our little space. then from 10 to 4 we didn't really get to see more than 30 people....some of whom were other exhibitors! (you have to laugh or...) good job there was free tea + coffee....it was a disappointing day all in all. lots of work + no one to show it to....chatting to other traders we were reassured that it was a particularly quiet fair + the talk was that it was either poor advertising of the event or just bad luck that people didn't fancy leaving their houses on the day. still....we can draw some positives from it....it kicked me into getting a website on the go (with an address to print on the leaflets....that wouldn't print properly....that nobody took!) all of course with neverfailing help from my computer man....aka the baker boy ciaran!

the website's an ongoing project....the next step is looking to see how/where we should try + get our product out there....we have our doubts that the wedding fairs are really the best place to exhibit + i think we're going to look to contact some magazines with information about what we do....i may test it out on you readers at some point : )

so the nest thing feels in limbo for me right now....i'm trying to get back into the groove with it....hope it won't take long because it's not just about me....my mum has worked really hard on the concept too so i want to keep the momentum going....i just need a kick up the bum sometimes!!

forever sidetracked....from my photo archives....this time 2 years ago i had this wonderful view in front of me + i just never get tired of looking at it....ireland is so beautiful. until tomorrow, x

TART VERSUS BISCUITS

2007-03-03T12:48:00.000Z

today we have both been baking

yes....both!

now this may not be a revolutionary statement to some readers
....but this is the 1st bit of baking my husband has ever done!

using a recipe scribbled for us by our lovely friend abi yesterday
at her cafe....a bakewell tart today was baked!

so it's a bit of a landmark day in our house

with 4 sisters it was always unlikely that my boy would
get stuck into much in his childhood kitchen
....yes i know that's not something i should assume
but it's the excuse i make up for him!

today he did a grand job
(tested with tea + given the thumbs up)

i made some shortbread....orange + cardamom

so lots of treats stocked here for 2 sweet tooths!

xx

STRIPEY

2007-03-02T20:44:00.001Z

out for a springtime drive

c at the wheel
+
me....watching the stripey fields go by!

HELLO MARCH

2007-03-01T18:42:00.001Z

a new month

new works in progress

feeling that spring is nearly here
+
maybe good things can happen

xxx

HERE + NOW

2007-02-20T18:10:00.001Z

so what's been happening?

well....

....blossom is beginning to peek out in cambridge

other than that i haven't a lot to report....

....just some things that i'm liking right now

clocks II
+ more gorgeous prints by angie lewin
i plan to look out her fabrics too
when i'm next in norfolk at st. jude's

the new toast collection
making me think of
shari's praire walk
+
early
beth orton

the sweetest pocket
+ all in the two trees shop

listening to
peter bjorn and john

this photography blog

ooo + because it's pancake day here
we ate these tonight with pretty rhubarb + vanilla ice cream

so cheerio for now
this week's a busy one
getting ready for
something at the weekend
(nest has a stand at a wedding fair)

so i'll be
back with news
next week

xxx

KIND OF WEIRD

2007-02-17T23:18:00.000Z

hmmm...

i feel like i'm very late
to join in on this
(+ a little reluctant)

but hey....i was tagged
so i'd feel rude not to have a go

so here are 6 weird things about me

number 1
as much as i love all things
colourful....i just can't bring myself to drink out
of cups that aren't white on the inside

number 2
in the privacy of my own home
i've been known to wear
socks + flip flops
in a japanese style
(it all started with my muji toe socks)
so comfy

number 3
in the school play
i was the baddie's girlfriend
in bugsy malone....
....i sang at the audition
in front of everyone
(i was desperate to be blousey brown)
but i got a non-singing part
enough said

number 4
books....
i normally have 3 on the go
i can't seem to be patient enough
not to start a new one
when i haven't finished another
like tonight
i know i'm going to start reading the book i bought today
+
i'm already halfway through 2
(this is also the case with my creative projects)

number 5
i like to wear my husband's aftershave

number 6
i am officially a scaredy cat
+
the older i get the worse it's becoming....
....i'm the sort of person who doesn't like
to freewheel on my bicycle downhill
or drive very fast
but what's strange is that when i was younger
i did actually
go pot-holing
qualify as a scuba diver
+
learn to abseil
so what's happened to me?

so that's my 6 things
were they really weird?

oh well....back to normal on monday!
xxx

+ THE WINNERS ARE.....

2007-02-16T22:42:00.000Z

a quick

friday night hello
to call out
the valentine bookmark draw

c picked the following
completely at random
....

janet
alison
orange blossom goddess

+
bizelily
(i made a 4th one)

if i had had time
i'd love to have made one
for everyone who
commented....
....thanks so much
for writing such
lovely words

i'm going to restock
my etsy shop
+
have an update
in march
(with bookmarks, cat quilts, button magnets + some jewellery)
so watch this space for more news

happy weekend wishes everyone!
xxx

AFFECTION

2007-02-14T12:31:00.001Z

hours fly
flowers die.
new days,
new ways
pass by;
love stays.

henry van dyke

may i wish you all
a very happy valentine's day

i hope you
tell your loved ones
just how much you love them

how sweet today
::
to hear
this duet
::
read
this love list
::
to see
this heart

to show my affection
to all the lovely folk who leave me comments
(thank you lovely folk)
i made 3 valentine bookmarks today
filled with a little lavender
from my garden
+
on friday
my lovely assistant c
will draw 3 names
from the comments page
for me to post them to!
(anywhere around the world)

i'll be back on friday
to announce the
winners

with love to all who read
xxx

HONEY CAKE FOR MY HONEY

2007-02-11T17:33:00.000Z

to my ciaran

who is 33 today
(the 13th birthday i've spent with you!)

gifts with breakfast
guitar playing
irish stew+ red wine
watching the rugby
honey birthday cake
february sunshine
(ordered especially!)

with all my love
+
happy happy wishes
for today
+
every day ahead together

xxxx

BRAND NEW PASTELS

2007-02-07T17:14:00.000Z

a little note to say

i'll be away for a couple
of days....

....off to norfolk to spend
time with my mum

our plans?
(snow permitting)
*working on our nest project*
*1 day life-drawing class*
*visit to the cinema*
*tea + treats*

i have brand new pastels
+ i'm all excited!

so, until i'm back....xxx

SPECIAL

2007-02-05T19:30:00.000Z

the postlady delivered

a very special parcel
to me today....

....all the way
from
julie in israel!

the alfalfa bug box is from her handmaid shop + is now hanging in my workroom....it 's actually close-by my computer + it's nice to think i have it here in my home as i pay my daily visits to her blog. i love all the found papers that she uses + of course the handpainted butterfly tile....

....she also sent me this new piece which i'm all excited about....how fabulous is this wall brooch???! now....i think that the concept of wall jewellery alone is wonderful....but add the sweet colour + textural pattern too....i couldn't be more delighted with it :) thank you dear j!

isn't it just so good how we make these connections through our blogs? when i started mine last year i would never have guessed that i'd end up communicating with such inspiring + lovely people from all over the world....it encourages me to keep creative + makes me feel touched by friendship....very special indeed.

a few other specials

this donna hay recipe
for some reason i have a desire to eat
something delicate + pretty

shari's polaroids
beautiful blossom in the snow

itching to see this film
try out what do you dream?
me? i'm a creative savant apparently!

reading about a new allotment project
+ thinking what veggies we'll grow
in our garden this year

until next time, x