the gallery: happy

 

 

This photo of one happy boy makes me happy. A great day out with just the two of us as dad was out on a long bike ride as he trains for Ironman Wales. We decided to visit Heatherton which is a sports theme park. We looked at the many activities on offer and decided upon pistol shooting, adventure golf and archery. The boy then carried on with the fun and had a go at the kids Land Rovers and body zorbing.

 

Well, it turns out body zorbing (or inserting yourself into an large inflated ball and slamming yourself into each other if you were wondering) is the best activity ever. If you are 9 years old that is.

 

This is my first time joining in with The Gallery on the Sticky Fingers blog. Every week Tara suggests a theme and you join in by posting a photo on your blog. Hop over to Tara's blog and check out the other photo theme entries.

 



 



days out in pembrokeshire: coastal path

 

 

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is 186 miles long and hugs the spectacular coastline in Pembrokeshire from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. Most of the path is within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Britain's only coastal National Park.

 

The sun was shining so we headed out to Marloes near Dale to explore the path in the beautiful weather. We have tried our best to get out and about when the weather permits and today didn't disappoint. The secluded beach in the photo above is located at Musselwick Sands.

 



 

 

 

We parked up and got out into the glorious countryside. The bees were buzzing, spring flowers bursting out all over the place and the sun making a welcome appearance. It wasn't long before I was stripping off the layers because I was too hot.

 

 

 

The pink thrift was everywhere and looking fabulous. I think that's what it's called anyway!

 

As you can see, parts of the path can be quite dangerous with the path coming quite close to the edge of sheer drop cliffs. This signpost certainly got the message through!

 

 

We picked a perfect day to explore a little part of the path. The sea was like a millpond with not a breath of wind to be had. We only stayed for an hour, just enough to work up an appetite for an ice cream from the village shop afterwards without tiring us all out.

We are planning our next part of the path to walk when the weather allows. Have you walked the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path? Which part is your favourite bit?

days out in pembrokeshire: caldey island

 

 

Caldey Island is located off Tenby's South Beach. Hop on a boat from the harbour for a short boat ride to this secluded island. It is now home to an order of Cistercian monks and their monastery overlooks the village green. The monks make perfume and chocolate on the island which is sold in the gift shop. I can vouch for the plain chocolate, it was very nice (I just had to support the monks in their venture, didn't I?!).

The lighthouse offers spectacular views. As you can see, the sky was an beautiful shade of blue on the day we visited.

There are numerous churches on the island with beautiful stained glass and statues. Some of the churches were quite tiny and we were free to wander in and out of them.

Have you visited Caldey Island? What did you think of it?

days out in pembrokeshire: national trust stackpole estate

 

 

 

 

The weather has been wonderful here this Easter so we have been out and about the local area exploring. The wild garlic in the woods at Stackpole was everywhere. Stackpole is a National Trust site with extensive woodlands, lakes with an abundance of wildlife including resident otters and a beautiful beach at Broad Haven South.  

 

 

 

 

There is a pair of swans nesting right next to the footpath which makes for easy access photography!  Just as well because I didn't have a zoom lens with me today.  The swans must be quite used to people and dogs because the path is widely used and they hardly reacted to us being there.

 

 

 

 

This view is up towards the estate from the Eight Arch Bridge where the otters like to appear from time to time. Sadly we didn't see them today, maybe next time. We have spotted them before so we know that they are usually about.

 

 





 



The greenery was waking up from the long winter slumber. Almost as if it was unfurling itself before our eyes. It was quite a show.

 

 

 

 

The bluebells also put on a good show as usual. This time of year is ideal to be visiting wooded areas in the UK with nature bursting out at the seams at every turn. The Stackpole Estate is just one part of Pembrokeshire worth a trip to visit. I'll be coming back soon with photos of other things to do in the area. Let me know if you have any gems which a worth a visit!

 

 





stationery love

Hands up who loves a bit of stationery? Not the run of the mill boring stuff you get in an office, but fun and pretty stationery in an amazing range of patterns and colours. My day job is in an office and lately I've taken to bringing in colourful pieces from home to cheer up my desk space (and to take away the tedium a little!). I have also taken into work a selection of colourful gel pens but I have got a bit of a job on my hands making sure that they stay on my desk and not accidentally on purpose landed on someone else's!

The washi tape in the top photo are from The Range. They come in a pack of 3 and are great value at only £1.25 per packet, although there's only 2 metres on each roll.

Sticky notes have changed a bit since the days of Post It Notes and their rectangular yellow stickies. The sticky notes with the butterflies on in the photo above came from Poundland  - a great bargain find! The smaller rectangular sticky notes with words on and the arrow shaped paper clips also came from The Range.

One shop I like to visit is Paperchase for it's vast selection. It's like an Aladdin's Cave of stationery porn. Sadly, the nearest store to me is miles away so I only seem to visit on annual basis - good job they do mail order. These fishy sticky tabs are fun don't you think?

These travel inspired sticky notes are from John Lewis. They cost £8.99 for a pack of 8.

Have you spotted any nice stationery lately? I love noseying at new places to shop for goodies.

silent sunday

silent sunday

 

 

do

  

Every New Year I vow to do things. Do less eating rubbish.

Do more eating good things.

Do more sorting and tidying.

Do more painting projects.

Do more sorting and tidying (see a theme developing here?).


So I have decided that my word for the year is do. Do more. Do less. Or just do something. What though, I haven't decided yet. Running definitely. Organising yes once and for all. Do those projects that I have been meaning to get on with for so long.

In the words of Nike. Just do it.

What's your word for 2014?

silent sunday

 

 

Photograph: Rebecca Naden/Reuters

silent sunday

 

 

christmas 2013

Christmas has come and gone in a flash. I love this time of year, even the craziness in the build up to the big day. An endless round of carol concerts, plays, school Christmas fairs. Not to mention the house tidying, present buying and maybe a spot of making to be squeezed in.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much time for making this year; just a few bits to add to the decorations for the house.

I was lucky enough to receive a new camera lens. As you can see from my photos I have been having a play.

I've been having great fun fiddling about with it and I'm pleased with the results so far.

I've got to get back into the habit of using my DSLR more. I've got so lazy using the iPhone all the time (the Camera+ app is fantastic for photos) but now it is time to go back to basics.

 



How do you take your photos? Camera phone? Compact camera? DSLR? Manual setting or programme mode? Any tips for a beginner?

christmas craft tutorials

There are some wonderful tutorials on blogs lately so I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite Christmassy tutorials and printables.

I love bottle brush trees and I have a few of the little beauties in my possession now. I have never tried to make my own yet though and Cathe at Just Something I Made recently posted a tutorial on how to make your own - who knew you could do that?!

 

Something else I've been obsessing over for the last few years are Putz houses. These glittery cardboard houses look so sweet. I made a church and a few houses last year but unfortunately I didn't store them correctly and they got all squished in the loft.

I'm definitely going to make them again and these templates from Little Glitter Houses make the job a lot easier.

There are some beautiful free printables out there in blogland. These woodland chalkboard style gift tags from Lia Griffith are great. The fonts that Lia has used are so sweet.

I often drool over the tutorials on Tatertots and Jello, the things that Jen can make are awesome. She recently took part in a series called Knocktoberfest and this Pottery Barn mirror knock off is definitely on my long, long list of things to make. I'll need to do some research on some of the items used to distress the mirror. I have never heard of muriatic acid before! Unfortunately I don't yet have a Silhouette Cameo so I'd have to cut the vinyl by hand but I guess that would add to the handmade charm.

I hope you enjoyed my little round up of fab tutorials!

my week on instagram

Just a quick round up of my Instagram photos from this last week. It has been about tiny bits of sunshine, organising, daft dogs and fab new craft supplies in Wilkinson's.  Did you know they now sell washi tape and baker's twine?

You can find me here on Instagram.

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.

source

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!