Monday 21 November 2011

Crafty ladies

Tonight, Lucy and myself made it! We headed down to our local snooker hall, 'Rack em Up', who host a craft night in a quiet corner of the room and sat and created things. Lucy with her art nouveau lino cutting, Lauren with her detailed knitting and me with me doodling. It was very pleasant.

We drank red wine. We chatted about men folk. We created. We giggled. And we enjoyed.

Here are some photos of what I've been up to the last few weeks. I shall write more later, but for now, it's time my head met the pillow.






















Thoughts of beauty

'Ooooh, don't forget toilet roll'.

Urgh! My poor husband to be. I hear myself request such things and know I sound a nag. But this is where it is. Where we are and where we are happy. Nestled together in our shed and fully immersing ourselves in EVERY emotion. Here we cook, sleep, do the do si do to get to the toilet in the morning. This is where my heart has been yearning to be, so now it's here, I'm loving every ounce of its goodness and embracing every feeling, sweet and sour. Happy and sad, I'm just pleased we're doing it together.





I hope I don't cause gag reflexes to trigger in anyone who reads this... but it probably will. Sorry.

(Heeaaaave)


I've been looking at Handfasting ceremonies today, a way of marrying Abe that will bring us together spiritually. There are two types of ceremony I am drifting toards; the 'year and one day', where we will renew our vows or the 'as long as love lasts' ceremony. Both of which appeal to me a great deal. I enjoy the idea of being able to follow our journey naturally, being true to our feelings. Of course we will work our hardest through the really shit times but if there ever comes a time that we aren't supposed to be together, then we are free to separate. (This is obviously something I do not even want to think about now - now I am in love and this is where I intend to stay. But who knows what our future selves will want). It gives us the freedom.
I like the idea of renewing our vows yearly. I really do. It'll refresh us and excite us and remind us each year of why we decided to come together.

I have been looking at places to join together spiritually. It gets me even more excited. There is a lovely farm near Constentine where a great deal of our very good friends live and work. Chyan...



It is a beautiful community where living in nature is key to their ethos. I love them and am forever inspired by them. Last night we visited and sat at the top of my friend's (Vicky and Andy) converted double decker big green bus where it was so cosy and warm. It reminds me so much of being on a barge with all of the beautiful wooden surrounds. Lovely lovely! We sampled some of Vicky's sushi. (I'm now a huge fan and plan on moving to Japan imminently). Vicky had made them so deliciously and puts so much love and attention in to her food that it's impossible for the food to not be absolutely delicious.

(This isn't a photo of Vicky's yumminess, I was too busy eating and enjoying it to be snapping photographs)
Yum, yum, YUM! And, unlike the roast I had been planning to gobble, this filled me up and made me feel great rather than filling me up and sending me to sleep. Idea for the wedding I think?!

So my connection with the place and people at Chyan is something that brings me to believe this will be a great place to marry Ib. And he is so peaceful here. His head switches from thinking about work (where he runs his own ermazing renewable energy co-operative which I am so so SO proud aboot) or any other stresses (ususally van/driving related. Or me dragging him to a car boot sale to sell all of my JUNK on his most favourite day of the week. Sunday. A day which would usually involve him and a) his bike and some hills b) a wander through fields looking for natural delights to inspire his mind c) surfing or b) all of the above. Definitely not selling tat at a car boot sale where the most bizaare bargain hunters race around with scary expressions and an unquenchable thirst for my rubbish). So, (a bit of the track there) Chyan, in all of its splendour would be tres bon. Tres, tres bon indeed.

But, there is also another option. A farm we stumbled upon one sunny Sunday afternoon. A gentle stroll took us to Goongillings farm. What a find! It looks out over the river and has previously had a small festival there to celebrate nature and the greatness of trees. It really was special. Moi avec Ib found ourselves, as the tide was out, tucked around the creek where no-one could see us watching birds and sitting and talking all about our future together. We have SO many plans. None pinpointed down. But our chatters about what we want from life and where we want to travel get us both excited and passionate and enthusiastic and and and... I cannot wait to get started!


This is Abe at Goongillings, on his phone... Always at work. Always. Though is may be hard to see, this is an endearing thing. I'm too proud of this man for words. I do wish that sometimes he wasn't under so much stress, but, that's what keeps him ticking along. It's what inspires him to do more. And that's how he inspires me.
Me: I am not like this. Nope. I make things, bake things, draw things and create things and enjoy a very simple life. We are yin and yang. And that is how we inspire each other.


Kabe Fest will indeed be special.


Lucy popped round for a brew earlier. (This is her...)
Such a beautiful spirit. We sat, we chatted, we ate ginger cake... for she is a beauty of a ginge and we supped on tea. I'm not sure how it came about, but we got onto the subject of this amazing creation

This my friends is the SnowDome Ice bar and it is spectacular fun to be inside of.
After it has been set up, the dome looks incredible and has a cheeky tunnel to crawl through to get to all of the fun that is within. If you too would like to hire such a thing for an event, get in touch with them at  snowdomeicebar@yahoo.co.uk .
They also have access to the Cock n Balls Inn which is a double decker bus with sound system and bar. Just imagine yourself jiggling away on one of these!
 

Thoughts of beauty

'Ooooh, don't forget toilet roll'.
Urgh! My poor husband to be. I hear myself request such things and fear I sound a nag. But this is where it is. Where we are and where we are so happy. Nestled together in our shed and fully immersing myself in EVERY emotion. Here we cook, sleep, do the do si do to get to the toilet in the morning. This is where my heart has been yearning to be, so now it's here, I'm loving every ounce of its goodness and embracing every feeling, sweet and sour. Happy and sad, I'm just pleased we're doing it together.




I've been looking at Handfasting ceremonies today, a way of marrying Abe that will bring us together spiritually. There are two types of ceremony I am drifting toards; the 'year and one day', where we will renew our vows or the 'as long as love lasts' ceremony. Both of which appeal to me a great deal. I enjoy the idea of being able to follow our journey naturally, being true to our feelings. Of course we will work our hardest through the really shit times but if there ever comes a time that we aren't supposed to be together, then we are free to separate. (This is obviously something I do not even want to think about now - now I am in love and this is where I intend to stay. But who knows what our future selves will want). It gives us the freedom.
I like the idea of renewing our vows yearly. I really do. It'll refresh us and excite us and remind us each year of why we decided to come together.

I have been looking at places to join together spiritually. It gets me even more excited. There is a lovely farm near Constentine where a great deal of our very good friends live and work. Chyan...



It is a beautiful community where living in nature is key to their ethos. I love them and am forever inspired by them. Last night we visited and sat at the top of my friend's (Vicky and Andy) converted double decker big green bus where it was so cosy and warm. It reminds me so much of being on a barge with all of the beautiful wooden surrounds. Lovely lovely! We sampled some of Vicky's sushi. (I'm now a huge fan and plan on moving to Japan imminently). Vicky had made them so deliciously and puts so much love and attention in to her food that it's impossible for the food to not be absolutely delicious.

(This isn't a photo of Vicky's yumminess, I was too busy eating and enjoying it to be snapping photographs)
Yum, yum, YUM! And, unlike the roast I had been planning to gobble, this filled me up and made me feel great rather than filling me up and sending me to sleep. Idea for the wedding I think?!

So my connection with the place and people at Chyan is something that brings me to believe this will be a great place to marry Ib. And he is so peaceful here. His head switches from thinking about work (where he runs his own ermazing renewable energy co-operative which I am so so SO proud aboot) or any other stresses (ususally van/driving related. Or me dragging him to a car boot sale to sell all of my JUNK on his most favourite day of the week. Sunday. A day which would usually involve him and a) his bike and some hills b) a wander through fields looking for natural delights to inspire his mind c) surfing or b) all of the above. Definitely not selling tat at a car boot sale where the most bizaare bargain hunters race around with scary expressions and an unquenchable thirst for my rubbish). So, (a bit of the track there) Chyan, in all of its splendour would be tres bon. Tres, tres bon indeed.

But, there is also another option. A farm we stumbled upon one sunny Sunday afternoon. A gentle stroll took us to Goongillings farm. What a find! It looks out over the river and has previously had a small festival there to celebrate nature and the greatness of trees. It really was special. Moi avec Ib found ourselves, as the tide was out, tucked around the creek where no-one could see us watching birds and sitting and talking all about our future together. We have SO many plans. None pinpointed down. But our chatters about what we want from life and where we want to travel get us both excited and passionate and enthusiastic and and and... I cannot wait to get started!


This is Abe at Goongillings, on his phone... Always at work. Always. Though is may be hard to see, this is an endearing thing. I'm too proud of this man for words. I do wish that sometimes he wasn't under so much stress, but, that's what keeps him ticking along. It's what inspires him to do more. And that's how he inspires me.
Me: I am not like this. Nope. I make things, bake things, draw things and create things and enjoy a very simple life. We are yin and yang. And that is how we inspire each other.


Kabe Fest will indeed be special.


Lucy popped round for a brew earlier. (This is her...)
Such a beautiful spirit. We sat, we chatted, we ate ginger cake... for she is a beauty of a ginge and we supped on tea. I'm not sure how it came about, but we got onto the subject of this amazing creation

This my friends is the SnowDome Ice bar and it is spectacular fun to be inside of.
After it has been set up, the dome looks incredible and has a cheeky tunnel to crawl through to get to all of the fun that is within. If you too would like to hire such a thing for an event, get in touch with them at  snowdomeicebar@yahoo.co.uk .
They also have access to the Cock n Balls Inn which is a double decker bus with sound system and bar. Just imagine yourself jiggling away on one of these!
 

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Beautiful handmade thrifty ways on these lazy days...(inspiration for my wedding))

twine yarn ball lanterns

Beautiful. Just beau! 

What you will need are: balloons, glue, yarn, tray for glue, corn starch 1/2 cup of Corn starch, 1/4 cup of Warm water, clear fast drying spray paint, hanging lamp cord or fishing line (depending on your desired final product), and a lighting kit if you’re looking for a fully functional lantern. Jessica recommends using a sharpie to mark on the inflated balloon how much room you need to leave for the lighting cord. She also recommends coating the balloon with vaseline prior to wrapping the yarn coated with glue so it doesn’t stick on the balloon once it’s dry. You can see all the details on Jessica’s blog.

diy twine yarn chandelier glue balloons


Instructions:
1. Inflate the balloon to a medium size so the shape is a little rounder.
2. If you’re looking to make a lampshade out of the string chandelier, use a sharpie to mark around the knot on the balloon.
3. Before you start working, we recommend using a tarp.Mix corn starch, glue and warm water together until it has a smooth texture.
5. Smear the vaseline all over your balloon until it is completely coated so th twine wet with glue won’t stick on the balloon after dry.
6. You can start a little assembly line with friends by one of you feeding the yarn through the glue mix and giving to another person to wrap it around the balloon.
7. Start wrapping the balloon vertically, slowly changing to wrapping. For a seamless look, tuck the ends of the twine under one of the wrapped strings.
8. Wait 24 hours until the balloon has completely dried before popping the balloon.
9. Spray the string chandeliers with clear fast drying spray paint et voila!


I imagine this beauty was made the same, using doilies rather than yarn, but it is delicious. Cannot wait to make one!
DIY Tin Lanterns

These are just scrumptious and will provide me with the right amount of light to get people moving around a dark field without falling over.


What to do: Peel the label off an old tin can, fill with water and freeze in the freezer. Once frozen, draw a design onto the tin, and then pierce holes around the lines of your design using a nail and hammer.


Beautiful!
Idea sourced from Trinket Box, who originally found the idea from Gem Fatale’s Style Blog

Candles in jars? Candles in jars! Simplicity is sometimes best. The sand in the base is effective



IMG_5414

mason jar7

And these are pretty spectacular...


Bright coloured glow in the dark jars to line a walkway or use as decoration. Thank you www.intimateweddings.com  THEY DO ONLY LAST ABOUT 2 HOURS THOUGH and make sure you use gloves as the cracking noise inside is glass. You can use glow in the dark paints if you prefer.

glowing jars
DIY Glow Jars Tutorial
For each glow jar you will need:
  • a jar
  • two Glow Sticks
  • scissors
  • rubber gloves
  • safety glasses
Disclaimer: This is a project meant to be done by an adult – not a child!
Purchase Glow Sticks(I got a pack of 15 for $1.50) and dig a jar out of your cupboard.
diy glow jars
Grab two glow sticks and cut at one end. Make sure they are inside the jar when you cut them. I used rubber gloves because I didn’t want to get the glowing liquid on my hands.
glow sticksglow lanterns
Shake each glow stick while holding inside jar until contents are empty. You will notice little pieces of what looks like plastic along with the liquid. One reader said this is actually glass, so be careful. You will dump these out later.
glo jarglo lanterns
Head to your garbage and dump out the little pieces of plastic. Swirl liquid around the jar.
glo lanternThat’s it. You’re done! Go and find a dark place and enjoy the glow! (Note: These will glow for about an hour.)
glowing jars
glowing jar
glow lanterns

With a big focus on nature and recycling, this is a lovely idea...

Scrapbook paper tree

Making scrapbook paper leaves

Scrapbook paper leaf



A great idea as a gift for your guests...

wedding chalkboard

And hark at this simple way to contain a cake without too much fussy decoration... clever! 
paper-cake-decoration


Phew.... that's a few hours of trailing the internet for ideas. I hope you can enjoy them too.

Love and light 

xxxx