Spring

Like I mentioned last post, it's spring and there is lots of blossom and flowers about the place to prove it. I took these latest photos at a friend's birthday party at a place out in the countryside. It was a day filled with good food, good company, a spa, a bbq, a bonfire & roasted marshmallows. La vita bella

    

A magnolia freshly opened

An older magnolia flower (they get paler)

This is possibly a hyrdrangea?

Sunday afternoon

Spring has started to kick in where I am, and I'm pleased to see it! I spent some of today's sunny Sunday down near the water, watching kids playing around collecting starfish and this guy making these gigantic bubbles - he had the whole area entertained.

Vases

My lovely work-mates bought me this gorgeous vase the other day on my last day of work as a little leaving gift. Thanks guys, it's been a pleasure working with you! Here's some pics of the beautiful pressie -

Pinks

I went out looking for some photo opportunities the other day, and managed to get caught in a storm! At least I found some sweet jasmine to photograph. 

Jasmine

Jewellery-making

Inspired by some jewellery that I'd seen online, and in need of something a little different, I made this necklace today from some satin out of my scrap box and an old gold chain. 

Nana's things

It is fair to say that I am not much of a collector. In general I get more satisfaction from passing things on, than from holding onto them in the vague hope that they might be useful again someday. However, there are things now and again that manage to escape my regular clean-outs, because of their sentimental or symbolic value. The first that I've photographed below are some chestnuts that come from a tree that my Nana planted. Who knows, one day I may be able to replant these if the seeds within them are still good, but I just enjoy the shape and form of these. The other is a makeup compact from my other Nana, which I love because of the shape and the gorgeous bird motif. 

Dandelions

I am a big fan of dandelions. They are so common, but such a beautiful and fun plant (weed?!); when you see them it's hard to resist blowing the mini-parachutes to release the delicate seeds into the breeze. 

A home-made Christmas

As I mentioned in my last post, last year my family went for a home-made Christmas. This meant I was looking forward to Christmas day a bit more than usual, as I couldn't wait to see what everyone came up with! If you're thinking about doing something similar this year then I highly recommend it, just make sure you decide early enough in the year to give everyone a chance to have the time to be creative. 


These are the things I made:
Caramel sauce (see photo) : For some of the guys
This seemed to go down well, and I enjoyed making it. It did take a few batches to get it right though, and you need to keep it refrigerated and have a best before date on it. 

Greeting card sets : For sisters & mum 
I've been meaning to get greeting cards printed using my flower photos, so this was a good chance to actually start it! It takes quite a lot of figuring out to get them designed and printed correctly. I recommend using a really nice cardstock so that they have a professional feel. 


Sock toy (see photo) : For one of the kids 

I made another sock toy as the first one I made was really popular. They're super simple to make, you just get a couple of socks, chop them up, stuff them and sew them, and then you have a nice spongey soft toy. 

Memory card game  : For some of the kids 

I got this idea off the internet and it was probably my favourite gift to give. I got photos of each member of my family, printed two copies onto glossy card and then laminated each card onto coloured card, to make a card set. 


Journal (see photos) : For some of the guys
Guys are hard to make stuff for! I made my dad and brother journals from recycled paper, cut to about A5 size. The front and back were made of scored card, drilled to take the wool binding along the edge. 

Door posters : For some of the kids
My sister gave me this idea and it was the simplest present to make. I used photoshop to make a simple poster of a kids name and then put some things they like on it = done!
There were loads of other cool things that were given and received, here are a few of them:

• Knitted beanies
• A scarf
• A mulled wine-making kit
• Letters of names that you can put on your wall
• Candied nuts
• Shortbread 
• Photo blocks
• Oven mitts
• A toy car garage
• A toy boat
• Aprons