pretty thing of the week

I’m a bit rubbish about buying cards online.

I have to admit that, even when the occasion I am buying for involves those closest to me, I am apt to forget all about a card (and usually giftwrap too) until it’s time to actually write the thing.

At which point I find that I have absolutely nothing suitable in the house. And by which time it’s too late to order online.

But I am trying to improve. It is on my list. Along with sorting out my driving and painting the spare bedroom floor.

If I weren’t so rubbish, I would definitely have bought some cards from Jolijou by now.

Not that I imagine either lad or his dad (my primary card-recipients) would fully appreciate them.

But so much the better…

I might just get to keep them for my wall instead!

p.s. Check out Jolijou’s mugs too – they’re lovely!

p.p.s. The broken English descriptions of the goods in the shop are so sweet!

e.g. “These cards are much too good to be used as a map, make plugged also great eye-catcher on your wall, or on your wall if framed, dangling with a Clothespin on a leash, you will hopefully enjoy it”.

See what I mean?

tea break

A little round up of my favourite images, recently-discovered via pinterest.

So, put the kettle on, make yourself a brew, put your feet up and enjoy!

Click on each photo to visit its source and see more. x

There… doesn’t that feel better?

picture perfect: jane ormes

Unusually for me, I came across Jane Ormes’ prints via facebook.

I immediately hopped over to her website… and promptly fell in love with her work.

Her ability to see life at a slant, together with her obvious love of pattern and texture and a certain childlike midcentury quality clinched it for me.

You can see – and buy – Jane’s prints here, or visit her Etsy shop.

But be warned, you may just fall in love…

Might be safer just to read her blog, or follow her on facebook or twitter.

gifts from those who are gone

The process of clearing your parents’ house is a long and sad one.

My partner’s dad’s home is at some distance from us, in Dorset. So, unlike when my own parents died, there is a lot of travel involved.

It is hard on everyone.

Some of the contents of the house are already finding their way back to us. Although tinged with sadness at the reason behind their arrival, they can also bring a smile.

Like photographs.

Grandpa was hardly ever without a camera in his hand. And he liked nothing more than to film or photograph his grandchildren.

There was a set of pictures on Grandpa’s wall that I always coveted.

They were taken when Nanna and Grandpa stayed at our house to look after lad, whilst we were away celebrating my birthday. I mentioned them to my partner and he brought them back with him.

To honour their arrival and make them more at home, I decided to make a little fabric-based change to the orange pine frame in which they were housed.

So now we can all look at the pictures and remember lad when he was little, now that he isn’t so little any more.

And we’ll remember Grandpa, who took the pictures… and Nanna, also gone.

And we’ll remember all of the gifts they gave us.

thank you

Well, lad is back at school today. He seems fine.

My partner, less so. But, having lost both my own parents a few years ago, I know that over time, he will be.

I just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you that took time and trouble to send messages of sympathy.

They were very much appreciated.

Thank you.

winter woes

This is me at the moment.

I have lots to be getting on with… A notebook full of ideas to refer to.  A calendar of stalls to make for. Commissions to get started on. Leads to follow up.

But my motivation, so healthy in the sunshine of Australia, has shrivelled up and died in the cold and dark of winter back home.

It doesn’t help that I need a new bed. I awake each morning to a nagging and persistent pain in my back.

Or that my sewing room is cold and inhospitable. No matter how many layers of clothing I swaddle myself in.

Sorry to moan.

But I thought I should explain why there hasn’t been much in the way of crafty posts lately.

Perhaps I should just hibernate until spring.

By the way, the lovely prints pictured in this post are by the rather wonderful Sarah Abbott, an artist from Sheffield, which is not that far from me (just a bit further north). So I imagine she will know all about cold winters.

Her work can be bought from her Etsy shop Watersounds, and via Society 6.