chalkboard art

source: Little Baby Garvin

 

Lately I've been obsessed with chalkboard art. I've spent many hours on Pinterest looking up beautiful creations. It all started with the Little Baby Garvin blog. Every week Jessica would chart the progress of her pregnancy with these marvellous chalkboards. She draws (chalks?) all her artwork freehand. She has a tutorial on her blog, just click either of the links above and you'll find it from there.

source

It wasn't long before I came across the work of artist Dana Tanamachi.  Her work is truly beautiful.

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This piece which she created for a wedding is fab. How fun would it be to try this? I mean, all you need is a mahoosive piece of hardboard,a tin of chalkboard paint and Bob's your uncle, lol! Although I suspect that if I tried I would create something similar to a child's chalkboard drawing!

source: LilyandVal on Etsy

I've got to have a go. I have a great chalkboard which I made from an old framed print. I painted the gold coloured frame white, removed the print and glass, and then painted the backing board in aqua chalkboard paint. I'll post the results after I've had a practice (or two!).

Have you tried chalkboard art? Any tips for a total beginner??

happy new year!

As we approach the end of 2012, how was it for you? Mine has had its share of highs and lows. I achieved things I never would have thought possible, including a 10k race and a half marathon!

That's me in the blue top at the front of the photo! During this year I managed to lose some weight and have kept it off.

In September we watched the amazing competitors in the Ironman event. My husband has almost decided to do it next year. I just need to keep nagging encouraging him to enter ;-)

Another thing wich I managed to do this year was to finally get to see The Killers in concert. They were everything I had hoped for, amazing!

I managed to find time to make some fab things this year. I have lots of ideas for new projects for next year. So many things on my 'must try this' list for 2013! Also, I made some fab new crafty friends this year. Even better some of them ran too so we'd chat about Etsy shops etc whilst out on our runs.

2012 also threw me a few curveballs which were testing to deal with. Hopefully they taught me a few lessons on the way and I'm a better person for it.

I hope 2013 is good to you. Let's raise a glass to whatever it may hold!

Happy New Year!

beautuful christmas decorations

don't you just love this time of year?

lego straw toppers printable

On my previous post about the Lego straw toppers here I didn't mention where I downloaded the printables. I'm pleased to say I have found the link again and they are available to download here. The Aussie Pumpkin Patch blog has put together a fab download which includes invites, colouring in pages, wrappers for bubbles and raisin boxes and party bag toppers. All available in one download. Awesome, as my 7 year old would say! 

For the Lego heads all you need to do is print off the sheet, cut out the heads, cut two slits on each head and slip over your straws. Easy peasy!

Have you organised a Lego party? I'd love to hear about what you have planned.

I'm still here!

Just a quick message to say hello & that I'm still here! I hope you're all having a good summer. There's been lots of tv watching here lately - we have all been glued to the Olympics. So proud of Team GB and for London hosting a fabulous games.

I've been doing something quite shocking lately. Running. Yes, you heard right, I've been doing actual exercise. I've found out its actually quite fun if you stick at it. I may be the slowest runner in town but who cares? I've even entered a half marathon in October. Madness, I tell you!

I'll leave you with a gratuitous photo which I took on my iPhone whilst out on a run. I needed evidence that the sun was shining and the rain had actually stopped!

craft fair, narberth

I'm pleased to announce that I'm taking part in a new craft event in Narberth, Pembrokeshire. Crafts by Design: a weekly market of quality crafters and artisan makers. Every Thursday morning you will find us in the Queen's Hall, Narberth alongside the Country Market.



There will be Damson and Slate with their  beautiful throws, cushions, stoneware, etc.  As seen in lots of magazines such as Country Homes and Interiors, Country Living, Homes & Gardens, etc.

Also attending will be Canvas and Cloth with their wonderful selection of haberdashery. They are a stockist of Hoopla which is a yarn made from a byproduct of the textile industry. Recycling at its best! Canvas and Cloth were recently mentioned on the Homes & Antiques website and also were featured in Handmade Living magazine with a Hoopla rug.

Jeannie from Geranium will be here with her selection of handknitted and sewn toys all made in beautiful natural wools, tweeds, etc.



I'll take some photos tomorrow and come back with details of the other stallholders.

loving the little paris kitchen

Image from BBC website

Oh my, I love the new cookery show from the BBC 'The Little Paris Kitchen'. Rachel Khoo conjours up amazing food in a truly tiny kitchen. I often watch cookery programmes where they swan around in massive kitchens to die for. Well this kitchen is also to die for but in a teeny tiny way. Rachel even cooks on two tiny gas rings and uses a mini oven. It just goes to show that you don't need a big fancy kitchen to make delicious food.

We are currently up to week 2 and I'm sat there frantically scribbling down the recipes each week. Last week the boeuf bourguignon with baguette dumplings looked lovely, as did the chocolate lava cake (sadly the recipe isn't available online at the moment).

I often get into a food rut and seek out new recipes to try. And we are trying to our 7 year old to try new foods to widen his rather limited food choices. So I will take inspiration from whatever source I can find!

I love Paris. Or rather I love the idea of Paris! I have been twice so far and both trips weren't the best experience I have had! The first one was a business team building freebie trip.  Eurostar from London to Paris, overnight in a lovely hotel and back the next day. Which was fine except one of us got mugged on the Metro, then some of the group witnessed an armed robbery in progress! Then I made another trip some years later with my then boyfriend. He proceeded to spend much of the trip watching football on tv and was more interested in that than exploring the city. And our hotel was on the edge of the red light district which was a bit of an eye opener.

One day I might be lucky to go back and have a nice time!

spring lamb stew

There are currently 4 of Rachel's recipes available online here and you can watch previous programmes on iPlayer here.