#Monday Moodboard - Boxing Day Walk by the Thames

We've had a quiet but happy Christmas this year. I've eaten too much and not drunk nearly enough booze (I'm a lightweight these days) but that can all be rectified next year!

On Boxing Day we decided to go for a walk along the seafront, it was a cold but bright and sunny day. I love the Thames, it has so much history and contrast along what is a relatively short stretch of water.

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas and are doing something nice for New Year whether it be a big party or a night in with a take away and the telly. Have a good one xxx

Pin It

Jam Jar Love - 14 up-cycling ideas

There's something homely about an old jar, their robust and reliable qualities present many possibilities for recycling. Post Christmas is the perfect time of year to squirrel away all the empty condiment and pickle jars ready for a years worth of recycling. Here are fourteen fun and innovative up cycling ideas some of which I hope to attempt in 2013!

1.colourful crafty storage

2.cottage style vases

3.striking chandelier

4.mini terrarium

5.haberdashery meets pin cushion

6.party lanterns

7.cool cocktails

8.quirky storage

 

9.simple money box

10.artisan bread

11.yummy homemade jam

12.seasonal snow globe

13.mini salt and pepper shakers

 

14.inspiring fine art

 

 

 

1.birdcage design  2.a alicia blog  3.boots N gus 

4.a cultivated nest  5.buttons and bobbins 

6.the natural wedding company  7.eat in mess  8.house to home  9.january to december  10.simple bites  11.jamie cooks it up  12.make and do girl  13.crafter holic 14.jimmy cauty

Pin It

Dear Santa, please may I have...

Georgina who writes the blog 'Life at The Coop' has tagged me in a Christmas wish list challenge, should I choose to accept this challenge (which I have hence this post) I have to write a list of 5 ultimate Christmas gifts and then invite 5 other bloggers to do the same.  Due to lack of time on my part, it may be difficult for my 5 chosen bloggers to do this as Christmas is now imminent so I'm sorry but the tag stops here, until next year! 
So, in no particular order....

1. A cliche I know but world peace, this year has seen so much conflict and disaster.

2. A new mattress and bed, a good nights sleep is the key to lower stress levels and happy days!

3. A year free of family feuds would be a gift from heaven. Happiness for all.

 

4. A dishwasher, do I need to explain this, I must be the last person with kids that doesn't have one?

5. A shed, workshop or studio space of my own. I do have a small work area in the house but my own studio would be amazing.

XX MERRY CHRISTMAS XX

Pin It

#Monday Moodboard - Christmas Eve

Ho ho ho.....Merry Christmas one and all, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas whatever you're up to. Xxxx

Pin It

One Photo 5 Ways - Apptastic Applications

I love applications, they are certainly the bloggers friend, in a few taps on a phone some great results can be achieved. However less is more when it comes to using apps, I still prefer photographs taken in good light with well considered composition and tasteful editing, this is something I am striving to improve upon all the time.

The UK weather can make good natural light pretty scarce at times and this is when apps come in their own. As well as being useful I find using apps great fun, the combinations are endless, see a few of my favourites below.

 

::here's the original before any editing:: 

::cropped and subtle adjustments using brightness and contrast to make image darker and the rainbow more vivid in the AFTERGLOW app::

::then on to INSTA EDITOR, I've used the 'singe' filter to give the image an atmospheric quality:: 

::adding stars using the BOKEHFUL app::

::finally the addition of text using OVERGRAM::

This took me less than 10 minutes to do, the great thing is that you can edit and post on the go, most apps are compatible with the majority of social networking platforms too.

Pin It

To Tree or Not to Tree....Traditional or Alternative Christmas Trees

I think it might have been fashionable in the 70's to have fake Christmas trees, I can remember our family tree, it was fairly modest in size and had branches that reminded me of bottle brushes. Despite it being fake it still had a magical quality to it and to me a tree is the corner stone of Christmas decor. I would forego all other decorations as long as I could still have a tree, it's like having a guest in the house for a couple of weeks silently standing in the corner looking pretty.

 

It was only as I got older that real trees became the preference. Fashions come and go and these days there is a tree out there for everyone whatever their taste and space limitations. Some alternative tree ideas are innovative, quirky and aesthetically pleasing and still manage to capture the magic of Christmas. Check out the trees below, which one would you choose?
 

 

::tree 1 - The faketastic perfectly pointy Christmas tree in a box - dependable and reliable, year after year::

 

 

::tree 2 - What's not to like, even with no clothes on this tree looks good not to mention the fresh smell of pine. The only down side is those pesky dropped needles that the hoover never seems to pick up.  Still, it's my favourite tree choice::

 

::tree 3 - Sorry but this does not do it for me, I get the space saving qualities of this tree and the quirky qualities it possesses but it still doesn't pull my cracker!!::

 

 

::tree 4 - This would be a close contender for me, bringing the inside outside,  a real potted tree that can be planted afterwards.  Eco friendly and looks great, less is more in this case::

::tree 5 - A method favoured by my lovely Mum, the sprayed and adorned budget friendly branch, its zen like qualities ooze style.  It provides a great silhouette, what the heck I'll have a tree and a branch::

 



::tree 6 - Innovative, simple, up-cycled and blooming lovely.  I'd have this one all year round, whats not to like?::

 



::tree 7 - We are wood fans in our house and this beauty ticks all the boxes, much like tree 6 its innovative and up-cycled qualities add to its simple yet elegant look, somewhat Scandinavian in style me thinks::

 

::tree 8 - Last and definitely not least, this tree is fantastic, a wonderwall of delight.  I would spend hours just looking at this tree.  If I'd composed this beauty myself I'd of loved choosing each artifact to adorn the festive wall.  This could be adapted for any time of the year, a great idea, wish I'd thought of it::

 

Image sources:

tree 1: http://www.ventasalud.com

tree 2: http://oaxacaborn.com

tree 3: www.acolorfuljourney.com

tree 4: www.casacullen.com

tree 5: http://thrift-queen.blogspot.co.uk

tree 6: www.woodwoolstool.com

tree 7: www.etsy.com/shop/marzashop

tree 8: http://blog.alltheluckintheworld.nl

Pin It

#Monday Moodboard - Frosty Morning

Last week we woke up to a winter wonderland, the frost covered landscape looked beautiful in the morning sun. Only 8 sleeps till Christmas! Have a superb week xx

Pin It

How to Make a Festive French Knot Heart - see my tutorial on www.craftcandy.co.uk

  

I came across Craft Candy whilst on Twitter, its a relatively new venture supporting London based craft related organisations.  Their website lists craft events, activities and businesses and promotes these through the use of social media and technology, they are even launching a Craft Candy app!

They are looking for guest bloggers and I put my name forward for consideration.  I had a few craft activities on the go and my French knot heart was selected for their blog.  For the full tutorial go to www.craftcandy.co.uk.

 

Pin It