Bit behind on this one, but I just finished reading Philip Pullmans Northern Lights. Wow. Such an amazing book. Must get the next installment on my way to work this morning.
I saw the trailer for the film a couple of weeks ago and it's named after the American version of the book The golden compass. After demanding all my friends go with me to see it, I discovered that it was called Northern Lights here and a friend lent me her copy. Thank you. Just to let you know Sui, your book made me cry. Anyway if you don't already know about the book read it! If you do go here click on Daemons and meet yours! Have fun.

Had to quickly post about this! I am in love with this shoal light by scabetti.co.uk, "a mass of finely cast exquisitely sculpted bone china fish swarm around a central beam of light" I wan it I wan it I wan it!

Erin Featherston
My two favorite dresses from the winter 2007 collection by Erin Featherston, so very versatile, I like the idea of dressing them down with jeans and a slouchy cardigan. I love daytime sparkle! Don't think my pins are reay for silver tights though! Also there are some beautiful photos in the special projects section of the beautiful Zooey Deschanel.

This evening I am mostly trying to learn how to use photoshop and pining for this coat AND the stool below from Ruth cross. Lovely hand knitted garments and accessories that give me a great feeling of cosiness now the weather has turned so decidedly cold.

PIF

Pay It Forward (via sia via sandra via camilla and so on...) - here are the rules:

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.


Image above taken from presentations by Carolyne Roehm My favorite site for gift wrapping inspiration. I found this site ages ago and lost the link, but I rediscovered it on a blog recently but can't remember where?

Watched old films yesterday, sabrina and Kitty foyle. So woke up this morning with intent of finding more!


More glamour, more dancing, more sparkle. Only one way to turn, Busby Berkeley.
I remember these films being on tv when I was little. All the other kids were out playing on the street behind my house, but I was glued to black and white extravaganza's like these. I just wanted to be one of the dancers when I grew up.
May explain my refusal to take off a vintage green and gold tutu I used to wear over all my clothes, (until it disintegrated from too much wear). I miss that tutu.

Wait till you see what these become!
Wandering the net again to old places and new. Whilst on my travels I stopped at casasugar via sfgirlbybay and discovered the amazing and oddly beautiful work of Stuart Haygarth. Since 2004 he has been working on design projects which revolve around collections of objects. Stuart says "The objects are normally collected in large quantities categorized and assembled in a way that transforms their meaning. My work is about giving banal and overlooked objects a new significance. The finished piece of work takes various forms such as chandeliers, installations, functional and sculptural objects." Working in the lighting industry and living within a swallows swoop of the area in which this guy is based you would hope I had already heard about stuart's work before, but alas I find out third hand from the girl in san francisco! The tide chandelier is so beautiful. Made from man made debris that was washed in with the tide on the kent coastline. Very inspiring way to recycle.

I made this at mijn moodboard, a cool interiors mood board generator found via decor8 a while back. But as Holly of decor8 says it is in Dutch, so you'll need to be patient to get through it. But once you figure it out you'll be on a roll, it's great fun!
As you can see I'm still not over my grey phase. I love it! It even seems that my wardrobe has begun to consist of a lot of grey items in varying tones. I just can't get enough.

Pear tart. Looked good, tasted okay. Found the recipe in a magazine, but I was lacking enough runny honey and added (foolishly) some forest honey! gross, it has such a strong and distinctive flavour it kind of ruined the tart : (

But lucky me, Dean loves my cooking and even when its bad he still eats it! Bless him he's gonna have round two of the disaster tart tonight. Hoping that a scoop of ice cream will compliment it better than the creme fraiche of yesterday.

Picked up this beautiful vintage lace last sunday, I bought it from a little spanish lady who has a shop in the oldtown. She used to have the shop as a china doll emporium when I was a little girl, my grandma bought me a french doll from there once, but I don't have it anymore. : (
Today it looks like someone's lounge with bits and bobs all piled up on the surfaces (house clearance comes to mind) and it turns out she is selling all the old supplies that she once used to make clothes and accessories for the dolls. I'm pleased that I ventured in because when you look in through the door it is hard to know if its a shop or not! plus the lady was really sweet and gave me a strip of lace for free! Also picked up some spotted tulle that matches my wedding dress, that I can use to make a veil horray. Late for work (again)!

Another new etsy discovery this morning! great necklaces made by whitney phippen of Lucky me beads at etsy via housemartin, via bloom-grow-love. (thanks for the tip off)
All these things to see and not enough hours in the day, Finding it hard to keep up with it all. No internet access at work so it's free time only, that doesn't leave much room for ordinary things like eating etc. My little household is in a gradual state of decline, and the boy is going to start his own revolt by demanding an internet curfew! Can't imagine how those of you with children manage to find time to blog at all, I think you are amazing!

Great cards by kingpopcorn at etsy. I really like the phrases used and the beautiful stitching involved in each design, and what an amusing opening statement?!

"One day, there will be something here for you...
My cards and wall pieces are meant to be absurdly decadent keepsakes with a message that no one is sure to forget. To compliment each message, each item is adorned with a hand sewn design that takes hours to complete (a tremendous labor of love). There is a plea for pity in that statement, but don't miss the humor."

As I missed the knitting and stitching show this year, I thought I'd share my favorite artist from a previous visit.
Charlotte Liddle makes these beautiful painted, layered fabric and hand embroidered pieces.
The above image is her final collection for her degree show. Visit her site for more information.

Tonight's discovery! lovely items found at source lifestyle
Hoping my wip will end up looking something like one of these beautiful cushions

WIP

I'm absolutely in love with this cushion, I got it for free when I joined Lisa stickley's mailing list a couple of years ago at a homes and gardens show in London. Each time I look at its simple chair design I smile. Horray for free stuff!

My fingers are full of holes and I'm going blind-but its great because I've just finished my first trade order! My little fixing kits will now be available at two shops. One online emporium called blueberry park which is run by the lovely Karen and sells a really pretty selection of handcrafted products made by crafts people from all over, and made in Hastings a (country living award winning!) boutique. Which stocks work from many artists and makers from my local area. : )

I have been an admirer of the beautiful, delicate works of Denmark based artist Hanne Matthiesen of Heaven and Earth ever since I discovered her photos on flickr earlier this year. The heaven and earth blog is very inspirational.
The patience Hanne has for long term projects like the intricate quilts she makes from softly faded vintage fabrics, and sets of art works and collages (one lasting a year) is amazing.
There is a real passion to explore and expand techniques. Being involved in many projects she also encourages and inspires others to try little creative tasks like the "hand book for gardening" pictured below. read more here

My favorite of all Hanne's projects has to be the paper art money that is created from layered scraps of paper, fabric, lace, old photos, text and paint.

The picture below shows a section of an exhibition Hanne had in Vilnius, The idea was to make a visual journal or record - one year of her life - in of photos, drawings, texts, bills, notes, tickets, scrap and fabric, bits and pieces. the exhibition - 365 collages - one for every day of the year. See and read about the exhibition here
I think you'll really enjoy reading this one mum : ) xxxx

Been up to no good browsing the net again and found some great stuff over at pedlars, this is such a good site for cool gifts and useful bits for the home, plus they sell some great games which get people together (a little more interaction a little less TV!) Here are my favorites. Travel. I just love everything moleskine make. I bought myself one of their Japanese Pocket Albums a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. These city guides are the newest edition to the range. Can't wait to get my hands on the New York one! Travel some more. This cute little wallet is made from a single piece of tyveck, so it is really light and good for traveling. I love the airmail print and secret pocket! Read. While staying at my friends home in barcelona I noticed that all the lights in the apartment seemed to be these utility style lamps fixed to the walls. I really like the way they make pools of directional light just where its required. This one is an original reconditioned 1950s Anglepoise Socialize. Great design for mugs featuring simple blocks of colour and the iconic pantone graphics and number. Everyone has a favorite colour and these can add bold splashes of colour to a kitchen without the need for gaudy patterns. My pet hate is mugs with cats on! It seems I'm surrounded by them at work! Gather. A little paper garland to brighten up your kitchen. Have something like this to keep you feeling festive in between all the other celebrations! Sorry take no notice of me, I love decorations and have them up all year!
Love. Finally a little romance. These bright candle sticks would look great on the kitchen table or mantle piece. They are in the clearance section of the pedlars, site so hurry if you want a set!
Well thats done me in! I get so excited about interiors and how you can change the feel of a room by just using candles instead of electric lamps or swapping the summer linen on your bed for piles of chunky blankets. I think I should be a personal shopper then I could exercise the retail therapy and be serving a purpose too!

Some light hearted fun discovered over at ankle and burblets should add a touch of the ridiculous to your day!

1. Your rock star name
 (first pet & current car)

 Jasper audi

2.Your gangsta name
 (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)

 Hazelnut toffee crunch

3. Your Fly Guy / Girl name
 (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)

 Jpet

4. Your detective name
 (favorite color, favorite animal)

 Grey panda

5. Your soap opera name
 (middle name, city where you were born)

 Rose hastings (token middle name I never got one!)

6. Your Star Wars name
 (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)

 Petje

7. Superhero name
 (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”)

 The white mocha

8. Nascar name
 (the first names of your grandfathers)

 William charles

9. Stripper name
 (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy)

 Lolita marshmallow

10.Witness protection name
 (mother’s & father’s middle names )

 Marylin john

11. TV weather anchor name
 (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)

 Patterson paris

12. Spy name 
 (your favorite season/holiday, flower)

 Autumn peony

13. Cartoon name 
 (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or "y" 

Pomegranate vesty

14. Hippy name
 (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),

 Wheat maple

15. Your rockstar tour name
 (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)

 The patchwork storm tour


Now tell me yours!