Arty To Do List.

I've been a little slack on posts recently for two reasons:
1. I was on holiday.
2. I've been spending a lot of time being a busy bee working on my upcoming shop.
Having devoted more time to being creative recently, I've built up a little list of all the arty things I want to make (some of which were inspired by local arts-stuff I saw whilst on holiday in Greece).

Here is is, before I forget:

1. Bracelets galore
I currently only have materials for my 'Elephant Range' which I've been playing about with, but I've been having lots more ideas involving colours and buttons...

2. Lino printing
The last time I had a go at this was in school. I don't think the results were anything to even remember. But I'd like to try this again. For some reason I think a windmill would look nice as a lino print. Unfortunately, it seems there's a fine line between the 'I did this at school' look and the 'that's rather arty' look, which I'll have to see if I can cross.  

Image source: pinterest.com

3. Canvas painting
I'd like to paint some of the snaps taken on holiday. Blue skies, deep blue water, and little white-washed buildings. I think these kinds of images would look good on small sized canvases with thicker paints - acrylics or oils.

Image source: pinterest.com originally pinned from: http://www.123rf.com

4. T-shirt printing
I am wondering whether lino printing would work on t-shirts with material paint? I see a little experiment coming up! 

Also while on holiday, and in souvenir-buying mode, instead of buying pre-made printed t-shirts, some little shops offered 'choose your t-shirt and choose a transferable print' and then heat transferred the print using a giant iron machine. I am - at the moment - up for messing about with some custom iron transfers. 

5. Fork bending..!
I saw these on Etsy/pinterest yesterday from Stars for Streetlights. May have to invest in some more forks (and plyers) to give this a go. [Is this dangerous to wear? I wonder if going through airport security they would take this away?]

Originally from: http://www.starsforstreetlights.com/2012/11/how-to-make-curly-fork-bracelet.html

6.  Stone painting

Image source: pinterest.com

Another holiday inspired endeavor. Many of the places we visited in Greece made particular use of natural stones. The hotel used a white stone with a handwritten 'Do no disturb' on one side and 'Please make up the room' on the other, instead of the usual paper door hanger. Some restaurants used designed stones when they brought the bill to stop it from blowing away, and another place gave us a free painted stone as a souvenir. I'd like to paint some stones, I'm just not sure they 'fit' a carpeted place. Maybe on the kitchen window sill, after a stone hunt...

Feeling inspired feels good! Results to follow! 

The Liebster Award

About a month ago I was nominated by lovely bloggers Kirstie and Floss from Weekend Toast for the Liebster Award. Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy reading, and happy that this lends itself to the list format so well (love lists!).

What is the Liebster Award? 

Image sourced from: thisisreed.wordpress.com

 

It's a fun way of sharing blogs that you're enjoying that have less than 200 followers, and it's a way to introduce blogs that you think deserve more recognition. 

1... 2... 3... How does it work? 
1. First answer the questions set by the person who tagged you. 
2. Choose 11 people with less than 200 followers and list them in a blog post (no tagging back!)
3. Create 11 questions for the nominees and let them know they've been tagged.

11 things from me to you
1. Beach, mountain or desert?
This is a difficult one...! It's a choice between mountain or beach. I'm going to go with beach. I've been really lucky to visit some amazing beaches, white sand, turquoise waters, and coconut trees. In other words, paradise. 

2. What would your dream house be like?
Nice question. I've posted about a dream house (reality aside) here. I'm thinking a place with a reading nook, or perhaps a complex with a gym and pool, or a green area at the back with lovely plants. Initially I thought of somewhere quite big, but thinking again... it would be somewhere that isn't too difficult to maintain. Perhaps a place that comes with a free cleaner? 

3. What's your favourite way to relax?
To be honest, doing very little. Sitting in my dressing gown, watching something that requires very little thought on 4od  (like Made in Chelsea - big fat guilty pleasure, or Peep Show), accompanied by milky tea, and some snacks.

4. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Gnocchi, spinach, baby tomatoes and mozzarella, a little but of salt and pepper, mixed up and baked in the oven. 

5. Where have you always wanted to visit and why?
I have a multitude of places I would like to visit, but I've always wanted to visit India for the cultural heritage and the food.

6. Which job would be least suited to you and why?
A door to door sales person or a clinical psychologist. I can't talk the talk. 
 
7. Which DVD would you take to a desert island and why?
Can it only be one? Love Actually, because it's ten stories in one and I'd miss Christmas if I was on a desert island!

8. If you could only shop from one clothes shop for ever more which one and why?
I know this is so boring, but H & M. 

9. First thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
Probably a house, featuring some of my 'dream house' features. 

10. Favourite season and why?
Summer. I don't do cold!

11. Which fantasy book or film would you like to be in and why?
Either The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, just to eat the wicked white witch's Turkish delight, or Avatar to experience beauty.


 11 (I've actually changed this to 4... ) of you

Angel's Corner  
A very cute corner of the internet about all sorts with a particular knack for food art.
  

Indigo Buttons
I love her style, and she collect all things owls!
 

Kerralina
Every blog post she writes is brought to life by her genuine talent for writing.

Jammy and Jelly
A lovely blog accompanied by unique illustrations. 

4 things from you to me
1. What inspires you and why?
2. What's your ideal holiday? 
3. If you could meet anybody in the world and ask them one question, who would it be, and what would you ask them?
4.  What is your favourite book or film, and why?

 

   

Chapter Chat: Two Cents on Cloud Atlas

It's official. I now belong to a book club. I have mixed feelings about this, especially after reading this (albeit from the Daily Mail).

Anyway, after (nearly) completing Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, I rocked up to talk to a bunch of strangers about the book. Here's what I thought.

4 reasons why this book is worth reading
1. 
It's full of variety. It's made up of six stories that are each spun out in two parts (making the book structurally interesting). Each story is set in a different time or era ranging from 1600s to the present day and far into the distant future. 
2.
It's plays on the idea - at least my interpretation of it - that we can never be certain on the real version of the 'truth'. Ideas like this that really make one ponder are also played out in books like Life of Pi, which I have also mentioned in this post. 
3. 
It also gives - again in my opinion - a concise overview of human nature, and toys with the idea that the themes of humanity are universal, regardless of the time or place, and that history cannot help but repeat itself. It's another thought provoking but simultaneously daunting thought. 
4. 
This book is rich. If I was to read this book a second time there would be new things like all sorts of subtle links, names, situations, symbolism, and imagery that I would notice and piece together (perhaps I missed so many of these first time round because of my rushed 'I must try and finish this in time for the meetup'...)

4 reasons on the other side of the fence
1.  
Personally I wasn't convinced by the 'connectivity' of the six separate stories. Perhaps I was reading too literally, but I felt sometimes the links were tenuous and a little far fetched...
2. 
Perhaps it was part of a demonstration on how writing style can convey or reinforce a message, but at times I found the shift between the different narrative styles too jolting. I was just getting into one story when.... bam.
3. 
Sometimes I thought the author was trying too hard. Somtimes I prefer a book that just reads itself.
4. 
It's rather long...!

All in all, worth reading and it's probably a book I wouldn't have come across if it weren't for reading-en-mass!

Print Book:

Cloud Atlas

Kindle version:

Cloud Atlas for Kindle

*I've also heard that the book was made into a film, which I'm curious to see, but haven't got round to it yet. Has anyone seen it? 

I like those #2 - Perfumes: 6 Scents

Sometimes I wish I had a disposable income. If I did, I would certainly splurge on some of the perfumes that I have not bought yet...but always spritz in airports duty free.


My absolute favourites are: 

1. Estee Lauder  - Sensuous

My sister gave me the 5-in-1 minis pack:

Out of these the one that really stood out was the one called Sensuous. It's a rich smell, but one of those scents that you smell and have to get another sense of it as it's so utterly attractive. I think it's the essence of 'molten wood' in there somewhere. Full link to description here.

2. Mark Jacobs - Daisy (eau so fresh)

This is one is decribed by The Perfume Shop as: Vibrant, charming, whimsical Daisy Eau So Fresh is the spirited new version of the original Daisy. It transports you to a place that is happy and sunny.

I'll take that, and as described, it's just incredibly fresh and clean. It's a no surprises, reliable scent.

3. Nina Ricci - Nina

Again, this scent has got a bewitching sandal wood essence, and is also very zesty. It's definitely a noticable perfume, perhaps not for everyday spritzing - I'm not daring enough.


However, more in my day-to-day price range are these: 

4. Playboy - Play it Lovely

I've had this before, and I'll willingly buy it again. It's very cheap, but doesn't give off that cheap-spray vibe, at least I don't think so. It's good for the wallet, but but unfortunately the scent doesn't last so long.


5. Ted Baker - Little Treats, Polly (the pink one)

Compact little handbag edition. Fun and fruity (if a bit young).

6. Next - Paradise

This must be the latest version of the packaging, which they've changed several times. Despite various different package designs, Next Paradise is an solidly effortless, girly, fresh, summery scent. Yes please. Like other cheaper perfumes, this one simply doesn't last long enough! Respray... run out... repurchase.
 

Baking Fail... Pink Loaf: aka the 4-4-4-2 Guestimate 'Cake'

What's a 4-4-4-2 Guestimate Cake?

1. 

It's got 4oz flour, 4oz butter, 4 oz sugar and 2 eggs (sugary, dairy, white fatty goodness...)

2. 

I call it guestimate because I don't own a weighing scales. Apart from the eggs, my meauring abilty for the ingredients involves some serious guestimating such as looking at a 1.5 KG bag of flour and diving by approximately 10 to get 120 grams, pouring far too much in, creating a dough consistency, adding more eggs, and more sugar until the consistency looks roughly uncookedly-cakey and there's considerably more mixture than the original intended amount...

How to make a 4-4-4-2 Guestimate Cake (the 'if you have weighing scales' method)

1. Put oven on to 180C, then get a mixing bowl and add 4oz (120g) of sugar.

2. Add 4oz (120g) butter and 'beat' togther until 'fluffy'. My interpretation is get a bowl, whack in some sugar, add buttter  - which is hard from the fridge, dont' be bothered to wait until it's 'room temperature' so stuff the PLASTIC bowl in the rapdily pre-heating oven. Walk away... realise... there's a plastic bowl in the oven...! Quickly take it out and the butter is softer, not melted, it worked! 

3. Add the two eggs and mix (mine started to look curdled...)

4. Nevermind. Add in the flour (as above). Proper amounts are 4oz (120g). 

5. Mix. 

6. Add colours/flavourings. I had a choice between coco powder, peppermint essence or pink colouring. I thought a peppermint cake would be wrong so I choose pink - naturally.

7. Pour into tins(s). Or in my case, a loaf tin. 

8. Whack into the oven for approx. 25 mins. 

9. Check cooked-ness with metal fork - prod a bit to check if it wobbles or if the fork comes out clean. If it's the latter, then it's time to turn off the oven.

10. Leave to cool and add icing/decorations. Or, my prefered option is: cool for a while until you've waited long enough, and add some chocolate spread. 

What I expected:

image source: weheartit.com

I've done the above before and the results looked great and were tasty. Not so much this evening... What actually happened:

Notes list for self:

• Don't add too much sugar it glazes the cake in an inedible coating 
• Self-raising flour doesn't raise!
• I don't have the natural instinct to half-heatedly bake.
• Taste verdict: far too sugary, verging on uncomfortable to eat.
• Thoughts on looks. Without icing: It's trying...

• Covered in chocolate spread, gosh very unattractive... 

Final verdict. This is something that started off with potential and gradually got worse... It genuniely looks like a nasty surprise planted on a plate. 

 

10 things I look forward to every single day (weekday editon!)

They say it's the small things... and in many ways I think that's true. On a daily basis, I genuinely look forward to the following:

1.

Porridge at work in the mornings.

2.

Twenty minutes of quiet time, usually eating my porridge and checking my personal mail: a blissful few moments before having to get productive. 

3. 

A lunchtime stroll and chatting on the phone to family.

4.

Punctuated moments throughout the day of 'sip-ahh' on a fresh cup of tea (at least 3-4...)

5.

That moment of getting home, closing the door, and then taking a sigh of relaxation. 

6.

The glee (the feeling, not the TV show) of sitting down to watch the next episode of something I've been following ferociously - at the moment it's House of Lies.

7.

Ticking things off my daily 'to do' lists (more lists...!)

8.

Changing from my work clothes into my comfy house clothes. 

9.

Getting home whilst it's still light nowadays.

10.

At the start of most days, before I've even got out of bed, I look forward to getting back into bed...! 

What does everyone else look forward to everyday?

I wish cats could talk...!

[I could list the reasons why I wish cats could talk...there are many... but instead I'll tell you one reason alone!]

A few days ago while I was visiting home, I was out in the garden winding up the dog playing the 'run and grab game' with a pair of my old ripped jeans. Even though it was a frenetic affair, I swear I could hear a faint meowing... I thought it was one of my mum's cats who was probably making trouble by trespassing into the next door garden.

Later, we decided to go out for lunch. As we drove away I saw Suki, my mum's big, fat, greedy (but also darling) cat. She was on the roof! We drove back and tried to get her to come down by going the only way we could imagine she'd got up. She wouldn't come and was trying to get down the wrong way! After quite a while of coaxing, we decided to go for lunch and see if she would find her own way down.

Ages later, she was still there when we got back, looking and sounding very desperate. 

Even a ladder wouldn't reach her. This was going to be an operation from within. 

At the top of the stairs there's a single velux window that opens onto the roof. It's not an easy window to open because of it's sheer height and it's proximity to the edge of the top of the stairs. 

The only way to rescue the cat, was to get a chair and position it under the window (a dangerous act in itself) and then somehow lever the velux window 90 degrees to create a glass step for the cat to use and a sort of swinging ledge. Trying to get her to actually do this while balanced on a chair at the top of the stairs was a bit like a circus act.

She took ages to come and then wouldn't step onto the glass as she probably knew the possibility that her own weight could send the window flying back, throwing her to the ground. 

She edged in, but she was impossible to reach. We (that is, my mum and I) worked together. I stood on the chair and poked my hand out while my mum anchored the window and simultaneously steadied the chair.

"Suki, come here"

She was struggling with the sloping tiles. She tried the otherside of the window. 

"You're going to have to come in a bit..."

After ages of edging, she poked her head at my hand. I quickly grabbed her by her collar, pretty much choking her and then managed to get a grip on some of the rolls of fat and fur. What followed next was a scramble of weight, fur and claws, and a swinging window.

We got her! Her whole body was shaking. 

I held her tight and lowered us down from the chair. Her claws were still dug firmly into my jumper and they were going through into my skin.  

Once safety was established, I wanted a little cuddle on the arm chair at the top of the stairs. But there was to be none of it.

Suki jumped down from me and immediately skulked off, slowly and deliberately, down the stairs. 

"She didn't even say thank you", I said.

My mum put back the window, climbed down from the chair and straightened herself. 

"Well what did you expect...? For her to open her mouth and utter 'thank you very much'?"