holly blues

Scot

2012-01-26T18:54:00.001Z

The last photo's from my mystery summer film are of my sissie, India in my kitchen. Aren't they so adorable?!
I've mentioned before on here about how she is now studying in Edinburgh and how she is very missed. It was lovely to have her home for such a long time over the christmas holidays. Next Friday it's India's birthday so we're taking the long journey (with a few stop off at friends) to see her. I've never visited Scotland before (except a trip as a wee babe) and I'm so looking forward to it! I will try to remember to take lots of snaps on our new camera's to share with you all.

Stitch

2012-01-21T16:44:00.003Z

My incredibly talented friend Elizabeth Loveday Birchley has finally made herself a site to display a few pieces of her work. We studied art at college together and I miss working beside her so much. She stitches these illustrations with layers of fabric and thread. You may remember she made us this for a wedding present, one of our most treasured possessions. Please go and check out her site here, and hopefully she will be encouraged to keep uploading these beautiful images!
Sometimes I really miss the routine of art lessons, of having time set aside I had to work. Being self motivated is the hardest thing. Before I know it a whole morning has passed and I feel as though all I've done is sharpen my pencils. I really need to work on this. Also I lack the enthusiasm that comes with working beside other similar-thinking, arty people. Elizabeth, Lally and I would spend all our time in the art rooms, bouncing ideas off of each other and working side-by-side. One day I'd love to share a studio space with them or at least some similarly creative and wonderful girlies. But for now, I must press on and try my best.
What are the best ways that help keep you motivated and productive?

Bridges

2012-01-20T15:01:00.001Z

During July, we all visited Brighton for a conference. We stayed with Peachy's family in East Sussex and spent an idillic afternoon sat by the river eating sandwiches. The boys competed to see who could jump into the water from the highest tree branch. It was a task getting to the river, we had to climb up onto an old railway bridge and walk along rotting wooden planks a little way before hopping down again into a quiet field of cows. This is such a great photograph of Jenny, what a babe!
I love finding places like this. It echoes my wish of the last post. More adventures please.

Outside.

2012-01-19T23:56:00.003Z

What a magical place we live in. These seaside photo's are from summer in Newquay. The first are taken on such a beautiful evening we decided to take the youth down onto the beach and have our meeting sat on the sand, the last three from our two year anniversary. We lay on a wonderfully deserted beach, talking about our hopes for the next two years. We really are blessed we that can walk 30seconds out of our door and be at the sea. Cornwall is such an incredible place to live.

I'm looking forward to the change in temperature and dropping in strong winds. Id like some more outdoors adventures soon pretty please!

Sugar

2012-01-18T22:48:00.000Z

More photo's from the summer film. One day, we (India, Ruby, Phaedra and myself) spent the afternoon making doughnuts. They were soooo delicious. But took a long time and didn't last very long at all! Just looking at these pictures are making me hungry. I definitely think we should make these again soon... only maybe a few more! mmmmmm

2012-01-16T17:47:00.000Z

We decided that to start off the year we really need to get all the old films developed as a way of de-cluttering especially before becoming three (I know, it would make a lot more sense to throw out our old magazines or some unworn clothes, but well, we've got to start somewhere!)
We picked up a new set of negatives today with photo's from the beginning of the summer. These few were the last ones from Italy. We spent our last two days in Bologna which was quite a disappointment really. We were excited to go for all the wonderful food that it promised, but when we got there we found it was ugly and full of high street shops. It rained both days so after traipsing round everywhere, we bought pasta, meat, and cheese then spent the rest of the time in our hotel watching Italian dubbed MTV.

We are trying out a new (to us) canon, that we picked up at a car boot for £5, we will see how that goes, and a friend gave me a little Olympus which we'll be trying out soon as well. Hopefully one of these will be able to replace the Minolta.

2012-01-13T18:56:00.000Z

Our dear old Minolta camera has been on its last legs since we acquired it (from a friend who lent it to us then moved to Australia...win!), and has finally packed in completely.
I developed an old film this week, and discovered it was the last photographs it took. Most of them came out blank but these few made it through. I love the warm haze that hold the memories of summer so beautifully.

Dreaming of the ocean

2012-01-12T12:07:00.000Z

I dream so much more and so vividly during being pregnant.

Not much else to say from round here, I've been embroidering and enjoying Liams baked bread with loganberry jam.

home sweet home

2012-01-07T16:06:00.000Z

I have really appreciated our home and having our own space this last couple of weeks. After getting back, we've unpacked all our lovely new things and eaten through half of the sweet treats we gathered over the month. The christmas decorations have made their way home, and the tree was de-needled then hauled outside. We reckon we've just about caught up on our sleep and are trying to adjust back to where we were before we became duvet monsters, cocooned to the sofa watching Great Expectations snacking on dairy treats and carbohydrates (I realised I've had toasted raisin bagels with philadelphia every day of 2012 so far!)
I'm going to try and make extra effort this year to keep our home more organised and cosy for us and friends. It felt like we were away so long this trip and I missed our dear little flat and having our own things around us. I also realised how I do love to have our pals round. Last night we had a film night with my sister, India and Liams bestie, Josh (who are now boyfriend and girlfriend, ooooh!). Liam cooked us enchiladas and we watched a pretty depressing Bill Murray film called Broken Flowers. We then devoured more posh chocolates and looked through all the baby things we've been given already (yay to tiny knitwear!)
It's perfectly perfect to be home.

2012

2012-01-01T16:18:00.000Z

Happy New Year!

2012 for me means a new hair cut, becoming a mama and spending more time painting. I am looking forward to getting home (we're in Woking with Liam's family this week), taking down the christmas decorations and having a fresh start. Also to sort out all my wonderful christmas presents, among which were this new felt hat, the Frankie diary and this beautiful vintage purse necklace.

New years celebrations as a pregnant lady was very tiring. I foolishly thought that going to a house party being the only sober person would be fine, but it just led to me hanging about the kitchen eating all the sausage rolls and breadsticks, snatching at any sensible conversations that I could. Nether-the-less I had a pretty fun time catching up with friends, reminiscing over the music we used to listen to (far too embarrassing to repeat), trying to dodge drunken firework displays and being asked a kazillion times if I needed to sit down or go to bed.
I'm now exhausted after a long night shared with four snoring boys and a kicking baba, then a miserably cold drive back from Brighton. About to catch some shut eye before enjoying a Roast dinner with Liam's family. x

2011-12-23T22:04:00.000Z

The last two weeks have been a blur of festive fun. Our flat is littered with pine needles, paper, holly and glitter. Since Liam finished work we've sat on the sofa finishing off christmas presents whilst watching far too many christmas cooking shows, only broken up by the feasting of cheese and crackers, roasted vegetables and cups of hot chocolate. Tomorrow we'll be spending the day baking and cooking, and hopefully a card game or two.
Sadly there's no snow so far this year (just an awful amount of hail, strong winds and chilling rain) But we're still dreaming of a white christmas.

I'm looking forward to dressing up fancy, eating lots, playing games and swaying along to Bing, with all the people that I adore.
I hope you all have a wonderful christmas and I'll see you in the new year! X

Season Friends

2011-12-22T10:45:00.000Z

On Friday I had a lovely day catching up with college friends in Truro. We drank gingerbread latte's in the Uneeka cafe, swapped a few pressies (Lizzie made some wonderful sloe gin for Lally, and just look at those gorgeous knitted boots she bought for Baby blues!), then we headed off into town to scour the charity shops, and hunt out a few last christmas presents and clothes that might fit a bit more comfortably around this growing bump!
It was so wonderful to catch up again -we haven't gotten together as a three since 2008- and what better time to do so than Christmas?!

My sister India is home from Edinburgh, and Liam finished work for the holidays yesterday so the next few days should be perfectly perfect!

These days

2011-12-03T12:30:00.000Z

We've been scrimping and saving for Christmas, so we haven't been buying any film which means there really aren't many photographs of the last few months. I'm always instagraming here though. It's mainly food and drawings and fireworks, but do feel free to have a look. Here are a few to sum up my life recently.

I've sold all my christmas cards, the last pack post out today. So thank you to everyone who bought some. I'm hoping to put more things in the shop as time goes on.

I am aware of many broken promises I have given in recent posts, things are going a lot slower than I wish as I've been quite ill over the last couple of months mainly because... I'm 20 weeks pregnant! On Thursday we had our second scan (photo nine), and decided to let everyone know as I'm starting to get a little round and couldn't hide it for any longer!

Today we're going to pick our christmas tree, before popping into a car boot sale. I'm hoping to pick up some old glass decorations, as I keep dropping ours, boo hoo. Then at some point this afternoon Liam's big brother is coming to stay for a couple of days. What are you getting up to this weekend?

Cards now on sale!

2011-11-24T19:39:00.000Z

My christmas cards are now up for sale! Check them out here.
I also have a few other bits and pieces to put up there, so keep your eyes on the shop over the next couple of weeks, or follow Holly Blues on Facebook.

I'm now sitting back for a few days and focusing on christmas presents. I'm trying to make as many as possible, so poor Liam will have to put up with art things being everywhere for just a little bit longer!
Over the last week, the temperature has dropped to real cold. And I love it! We've pulled out all the winter furs and I've knitted a couple of scarfs to keep us snug! I'm praying for snow and indulging myself with all the christmas decorations in the charity shops. We're envying my sister who's living with an american girl who is cooking them all a Thanksgiving feast tonight. Anyone cooking up something special for this weekend?

Yule

2011-11-19T10:54:00.002Z

I've had my christmas cards all printed. Aren't they beaut?

I'm selling them at The Little Yellow House in Penryn and Le Shed in Newquay, as well as sending them off to Leeds with a friend for a christmas craft fair. And of course I will be putting some in my etsy store. My account has been neglected for so long that it's has been suspended, so I am hoping to sort that all out, before putting them online by Monday evening.

Last weekend, some of Liam's family were over from France, so we had all stayed in a big farm house in Dorset, and had an early christmas. We donned christmas jumpers, ate masses of food, played games by the fire, walked across the country and collected berries and ivy to make beautiful decorations. It was a fabulous time but was very surreal stepping back to the real world and finding it still only mid November. I'm feeling festive on my own at the moment, being banned by friends to start listening to christmas tunes yet. Has anybody else got this premature noel fever?

blue

2011-10-28T18:35:00.000+01:00

The last month has been filled with paint. I've designed a range of christmas cards that will be entering my empty shop very soon, as well as painting a few different projects and starting early on christmas presents. I'm starting to long to spend time with my sister, India and by keeping busy I don't miss her so much during our favourite time of the year. These figures are keeping me company during the day (I'm having a bit of a blue phase).
My plans for the next month are to sort out my shop (its been collecting dust for over a year), and put on a few bits a pieces. Then start taking on a few comitions. I'm new to all this (apart from seeing my papa do it during my childhood) and all the organising things is still quite thrilling. Today I spoke to a few printing companies on the phone and loved being all businessy with my notebook full of various scraps of paper. Liam is really pleased because I've started to use iCal and I'm making reminders and actually sticking to my to-do lists. What a grown up I am becoming!

We are planning a last minute get together with friends for halloween this weekend and I'm thinking papermache masks and pumpking soup whilst watching the Birds. Whatever you get up to this weekend, I hope you have lots of fun! xo

Italian adventure - Venice

2011-10-21T17:38:00.000+01:00

Our few days in Venice were mainly taken up with lots of walking through narrow streets in the stifling heat looking for places to eat! The fish market was incredible! We had to travel in on a bus because we were staying off the island in a tent house on a campsite. It was quite luxurious having our own space and there was a pool, so a couple of days we came back early and swam and lazed in the sunshine.

Towards the end of our stay the weather dramatically changed and we had a very scary night with a crazy lightening store just above us! We made a blanket fort and tried to do many sudoku's to distract us from the -what we thought- inevitable death.

Venice was beautiful, but we'd recommend going when it's a little colder.

After Venice, we went to Bologna where it rained constantly and we ate loads of good food and shopped for two days before flying home again. I did take some snaps here (despite it being pretty ugly in comparison to everywhere els in Italy), but have misplaced the film I shot them onto.
So there we go, our Italian adventure is complete. I'm sorry that it dragged on, and that as it did so, I got more brief and lazy with my explanations.

This week I have been working on a few painted illustrations I'm making into a series of cards and I'm very excited to share these with you. At the moment I am trying to source the best place for me to get them printed, but I'm hoping to get them for sale online within the next month.

Italian adventure - Sienna and Pisa

2011-10-11T19:48:00.000+01:00

From florence, we took a train to Sienna and spent the day there. We stayed in a strange hostel outside the town. It was pretty grey and damp, so we spent a lot of the time in restaurants, shops and church. The church in Sienna was amazing. We thought the Duomo in Florence was incredible, but this place blew us away. It was again too dark for any of my photographs come out. It was worth a trip to Sienna, just for that. (there wasn't really anything else to do there, and most of the restaurants were quite touristy, so not great quality food)

The next morning we returned to Florence via Pisa. I somehow managed to take a picture of the leaning tower that actually looks straight. oh dear.

That night we stayed in a different hostel in Florence, that actually worked out to be someones house. We slept in a fold out bed in somebody's kitchen. It was a bit creepy but we were far too too tired to argue. And the woman who seemed to own it spoke hardly any english.

Italian Adventure - the rest of florence

2011-10-10T17:30:00.000+01:00

More photographs from Florence. Some taken in the Pitti Palace gardens. Others around the town and of course scrumptious pizza's. We stopped taking so many photographs because we were a bit too trigger happy the first few days in Rome!

(I'm going to start grouping more photo's together to speed up this blogging experience. I've got so much else to show you all!)

Italian Adventure - day 4 & 5, Florence

2011-10-06T17:49:00.001+01:00

I was awoken at 5am with a combination of loud neighbours slamming doors, Liam snoring and really bad back pains. Our plan was to visit a flea market and then get a train over to Florence.

We missed the train, so caught the next one and it took four hours, where we got away with being on first class! We made friends with a lovely tour guide from Tuscany, who told us all the best secret places to visit.

Our new hostel was great! It was a beautiful old convent building with giant hallways and big windows. The staff were lovely, and they had a resident DJ!
After a great sleep (with many mosquito bites), we had an even greater breakfast. Fruit, yoghurt, cereal, pastries, juice and toast!

We liked Florence a lot! It is definatly our favourite place. We spent the day walking around, then visited the incredible Duomo. We also went all the way to the top, 463 steps to the Dome.

Italian Adventure - day 3, Rome, continued

2011-10-06T14:01:00.000+01:00

Two things: whoops, I posted the last post before I actually finished it and it took me a month to notice.
And secondly, I am very excite about Autumn and want to do new posts but I have all these Italy posts to catch up on. So I really, really, really promise to sort myself out and finish off all this holiday nonsense!

After we visited the Sistene Chapel, we were exhausted, hungry, aching and very hot. We were getting tired of tourists so we decided to get a train out to the edge of Rome (after we shared a tasty Margherita) and visit the Museo Civico Di Zoologia. The woman in the entrance desk, couldn't believe that we actually wanted to visit it and it took her a long time to persuade her we really did want to wander round rooms of animals with heaps of information in a different language. We had such a great time. The place was deserted and it was so nice to get some space and time together. There was an incredible collection of taxidermy, with over 10,000 species of birds alone!

After the Zoology Museum, we sat in the park under beautiful trees and people watched before grabbing some dinner and returning to the hostel for our last night in Rome.

Italian adventure - day 3, Rome

2011-09-08T10:09:00.000+01:00

We got up early to be at the Sistine chapel early. (for anybody visiting, this is definitely not worth it. We still queued for two hours and when we left at midday there was nobody waiting there at all! Everybody obviously had the same idea!) It was so amazing but madly stressful as my back was real sore and loud tourists everywhere! There are a lot of different museums you work your way through before getting to the chapel. (I have a few pictures that I can't remember if they were from here or somewhere else.)

In one of the museum spaces, there was a small gallery full of such amazing pieces of artwork. Among them were Francis Bacon, Mark Chagall and Salvador Dali. Hardly anybody even went through this part, there was a short cut into the chapel and as the crowds swarmed down there, a trickle of us took the quiet scenic route. While we were looking at Bacon, a family walked past and we overheard the dad saying to his child "Hurry up kids, this isn't real art, this is rubbish." Unbelievable!

I took a few sneaky photographs in the chapel (camera's are banned) but it was so dark, nothing came out, but I snapped these museum shots.

(Just check all the boobies on the lady in the second photograph!)

Italian adventure - day 2, Rome

2011-08-12T08:44:00.001+01:00

The second day in Rome was spent at the Roman Forum and Colloseum. We had a delicious lunch of fresh bread, salad and cheese from the market. It was a long and tiring day as the heat was almost unbearable, but it was beautiful.

Italian adventure - day 1, Rome

2011-08-08T14:39:00.001+01:00

I've been useless at blogging. My flickr pro account ran out, and we've been totally skint and MEGA busy, so haven't had time to update it and start uploading our Italy photographs.
Last night we returned home from a long (but wonderful) week away at a christian youth camp with 22 of our amazing youthies. During the 9-hour journey home O_O, I realised that it had been over two months since we'd returned from our Italian adventure. I'm sorry for the wait.. I hope it was worth it.

Our trip began in Rome, we arrived late and had a long journey with various buses and trains from the airport to our hostel. Our first day was spent walking through the town. We had delicious pizza, visited a few must see places, including the Trevi Fountain (picture 3) and the gorgeous Pantheon.

The Pantheon is possible the best man-made places I've ever visited. It was just incredible. With the open roof, the warm sunlight shining down, the real peacefulness inside. We sat together in here for almost an hour just taking in the calm and the beauty.

organisation

2011-06-12T14:46:00.001+01:00

Don't fear, I am still alive, just very busy! We spent the last two weeks in Italy (stories and photographs will follow shortly) and now I am trying to catch on everything it seems! Liam's away with the boys for the weekend, so I have a bit more space to do washing (there is a ridiculous amount for two people!) and tidying, restocking all the food cupboards, and catching up on all of the birthdays we missed! To keep me inspired I am watching all the Desperate Housewives while I iron. Gotta crack on!

Sara

2011-05-21T22:45:00.000+01:00

In march, I spent a day over in Truro at Sara's house. We had brunch, a business meeting and played with kittens. I took these with my Minolta(which had a smashed lens, and now the mirror wont flip back so I fear it is far gone.)
About the same time, a friend commissioned me to paint her a big canvas for their kitchen wall. I haven't painted in large scale for quite a few years, so I was really nervous and also had to try and work out what an earth it was I was going to paint. Then when I developed this film, and saw that photograph of Sara (second photo), I knew it was the one!
I've held back these photographs because I wanted to show them beside ones of the painting. I loved painting this way again, it was difficult trying to transplant what I felt was 'my style' from the watercolours I do, into acrylics on canvas. Eventually I came to a place where it was finished. It's had lots of praise but I'm not sure if I like it.

Comfort

2011-05-07T09:32:00.002+01:00

Looking a bit possessed in some really old trousers and a vintage slip. I love reuniting with clothes in my wardrobe and finding they are just what I've been looking for in all the shops. I bought these trousers in a charity shop when I was 16. I wore them round my hips, with a big knitted jumper for painting days at college. My mum loved them, but Liam didn't so much. (I did look a bit too much like my grandpa) so I'd always pull them out when he was away and have really cosy days. But after we got married they got misplaced at the bottom of a cupboard. I was so glad to find them the other day. This outfit is sooo comfortable and great for my rekindled love for painting!

In other news, I am spending many a day enjoying the new seasons return of carboots. I've picked up some great bits (including this belt for 50p). Other days are working as a secretary/P.A. for a wedding photographer; painting; scrapbooking all our wedding pictures (finally!); and having a maaassive sort out. We are trying to be really ruthless and get rid of things that are useless -and ugly! Will be carbooting them next week with my mama.

2011-04-30T11:08:00.002+01:00

I am a true royalist. If it wasn't for the size of our flat, the amount of pennies in my purse, and the look of 'nooo, not more!' from my husband, I'd buy anything with the Queen's face on.
Obviously I've been looking forward to the royal wedding. I even sunk to new depths of obsessed on thursday, after watching all previous royal wedding clips, I make a video of myself talking about how excited I was, and going through the royal memorabilia I have collected over the years. Sadly, every time I tried to youtube it, something went wrong, so it shall never be shared. (But thats probably for the best as Liam told me it was the saddest, most boring thing.)
I planned a party at ours, eating cucumber sandwiches whilst watching the big day projected on our kitchen wall. But in the end we decided to head over to ma and pa's as they have a Television, and imagine the disaster if our internet cut out! Liam and I walked round to theirs waving our british flags, dressed to impress and lugging bags of china. It felt quite surreal, I couldn't quite believe that so many people were walking round the shops like it was just another day...
It actually worked out wonderfully swapping venue, we spent the whole day lazing about with the best people gossiping about outfits, and drinking so much tea. Scarlett helped me with food and we made tonnes of sandwiches and scones to keep everyone going.
There aren't many pictures from our day because we were mainly sat in a darkened room watching BBC1, so I staged a few up this morning with bits from my outfit.

flowers flowers flowers

2011-04-23T09:30:00.002+01:00

Its this time of year that the cornish hedgerows begin to blossom. Through the brambles and glass, out pops bluebells, primroses, buttercups and heaps of cow parsley. I get itchy fingers when we drive along windy cornish lanes, craving to pick some of those beautiful stems. Liam is very good at pulling over each time I squeal "stop!" at the excitement of seeing a beautiful clump of 'moon' daisies. (I've been using wildflowers.co.uk to find out all the names)
Tomorrow, we are having the family over for an easter evening meal after hopefully an afternoon at the beach (the weather is turning a little grey after a week of perfect summer). Today I will be off on a long walk down the river, and I'm very excited about collecting lots of flowers to make into some spring time displays. I always envy Amy Merrick's nack for picking all sorts of plants, and bringing them together to make such beautiful displays (this post is a great example of this).

On the theme of flowers, a while a go I screen snapped these stills from Karen Elson's music video, The Ghost Who Walks.
I love all the flowers in her hair, about the coffin, scattered over the bed. I always dry my flowers after they start getting tired. But then I have so many dried flowers around that I end up having to through some out as they clutter about smelling musty and collecting spiders. If anyone has some exciting ways to reuse old, dried flowers (roses especially) please let me know!

I will be making a virtual moodboard of floral inspiration in my Tumblr, so do hop over and enjoy!

green

2011-04-13T00:39:00.000+01:00

On my birthday Liam drove me to a beautiful bay along the coast. We went there a few years ago with some friends, and I'd completely forgotten about it. It was such a lovely treat. We sat and ate our morrocan couscous salad, pain au chocolat's and mange tout, then took the stunning walk down to the shore.

More news: Over the last few weeks I have been painting loads. Mainly watercolours (hopefully for a card series I'm going to make), but also a commission for a friend on a big canvas for her kitchen. I havent painted on a large scale since college so I am having to relearn techniques. I've made lots of mistakes and adjustments, but I am really enjoying it! Watch this space, more will be revealed soon..

neglect

2011-04-10T00:12:00.000+01:00

I have been silent for a while, silently watching everything else and not contributing in return. I've somewhat neglected my blog in the last month, and now I feel ready enough to take control again.
A lot has happened in this time away but these things will be saved for another post very soon.
For now I will leave you some pictures of my birthday treats including party food and flowers. I wish I was a little braver to mix the flowers in their jars, and create something new and vibrant. But things got the better of my time and before I knew it, they'd all began to wilt. I am very grateful to friends for them and enjoyed every minute of them. I'm blessed to own these photographs too, to have them forever.

I promise to be more diligent in keeping hollyblues more updated and cared for.

Sparkles

2011-03-17T09:14:00.003Z

Last Friday it was my 21st birthday. Liam spoilt me wonderfully, he knows the way to my heart: food! I ate very well, from start to finish.
Then on Saturday, we had a sparkly birthday party in our teeny flat. It was a wonderful night of cheese and crackers, friends, crowns, cake and a lot of glitter!
Hannah came over early and helped us jazz up the flat. She made a wonderful little photo booth with a big, silver moon and fluffy clouds. I'm currently processing through the ginormous collection of silly poses and then they will surely make their way onto the wide web.
These photographs Liam took at the end of the night after most people had left. I think they're such beautiful shots.

pompom moi?

2011-02-25T19:35:00.000Z

Feeling so slow and lethargic.
Decided to have a spring clean of my body, and began a week long detox. I have to say I caved after three days, as my body was screaming our for cheese and bread, butter and marmalade. The detox bought me to tears and left me feeling so weak, that I think it would have been silly to carry on. So I made myself some pasta and went on a supermarket spree for some real food.
However, I am still in need of a way to feel energy, to stop feeling so run down all the time. Any cheap (preferably free!) suggestions?

I'm going to be turning twenty one in a few weeks, and we're planning a big sparkly party squeeeeezed into our lickle flat. I want to make some pretty mega decorations to jazz the place up a treat! Last night we made some pompoms. I'd forgotten how much I love making them. Liam had never made them before, so I taught him (not that it isn't mega basic!) and away we went, 7 woolie poms later, we've watched three episodes of Outcasts (fully caught up) and felt pretty pleased at our creations.
We were so proud of our poms, we made a video of us sat making them. I wouldn't put you through that though, as it is actually the most boring video in existance (even more than this one), but we also posed for these, pompom moi et Liam.

zip

2011-02-20T20:51:00.000Z

I've felt a little lost for words lately. A bit drained in real life so no hope for my cyber one.
We borrowed India's photo scanner last week to scan the pretty big heap of negatives that have been gathering. From some rubbish college photographs, to an adorable collection of snaps of me as a baby.
These will slowly be making there way onto the web I'm sure.
Here are a few that I took in my first year of college. They aren't taken very well, but I think they are pretty as a collection. See what you think..

rock

2011-02-10T19:28:00.001Z

We live in such a beautiful part of the world. So nice to have some warmth back in the air.

green

2011-02-05T22:35:00.003Z

When I was 11, I started my cactus collection. They sat huddled together in a wide shallow dish. Every few months, Grandma would take me to the garden centre, and we'd pick out a new baby to join my cute prickly family. Eventually, They didn't fit in my room so they got put out on the roof temporarily and thats where they stayed forever. I think one really cold winter killed my poor friends.

Since this I've hadn't trusted myself to ruin the precious lives of anymore green guys. However when we moved to the Garden Flat, I have built up quite a large collection of plants, and I am trying really hard to keep them happy. Here are some, including presents from friends and a few that I picked up from a lovely lady who lives on a farm in the woods. We found her on Freecycle a few months ago, and after a few emails, Liam and I popped over and the gave us a huge bundle of interesting plants including a really tall cactus with teeny spikes, that get lost in your skin and really hurt.

19 years

2011-02-03T22:46:00.000Z

There are 34 minutes left of my lovely sisters birthday. Today India turned into a 19 year old. Liam and I met her, mum, my grandparents and auntie Suzi for a drink, and some of us stayed on for some lunch. We chose a delicious open sandwich of goats cheese baked on roasted butternut and a generous helping of salad. It was lovely to then spend the afternoon with India, then a lovely meal with all the family this evening. I am well and truly full-to-the-brim of gorgeous food and drink and very much ready for bed.

India has been tremendously busy recently applying for university courses all over the country. Today I realised how much I am really going to miss her next year (And I'm sure she's going to miss me being her very regular hair dresser!). She is one of my bestest of friends. I love her generous, kind, caring heart, she see's the best in everyone, and is always encouraging me to do that too when I'm tired and all I can see is peoples faults (She has been the go-betweener in many sisterly feuds over the years!) I also love the way she appears so elegant, yet is the most clumsy person I've ever met (she somehow stood on a puppy last week!); she's hugely talented in so many aspects of art; when she gets tired she laughs and laughs and can't control herself; she dresses beautifully, with a very Amelie-est style, especially with her dark eyes and cute bob. There is so much that I love about this girl, I could go on for ages..

I pray that being 19 will be a really wonderful year for her, full of adventures one after the other.

Bon anniversaire India!

2011-01-30T21:02:00.000Z

At different parts of the day, the sun shines through different windows and brings me little wonders throughout.
This week has been a very good one. I feel less bluesy. I heard someone saying earlier that being melancholy for a bit is good for us. And I very much agree, it's quite nice to indulge in a little self pity, and winter is the best time for this. I am a complete foodie. When I am low I need cheese, fruits, freshly baked cakes and pastries, roast dinners, overflowing bowls of pasta and veg, but most of all I crave bread. Fresh baked, soft, warm bread. Soaked in real, full-fat butter. mmmmmmm
Once, again I am digress from the point. Being sorrowful has it's place, but now I feel I need to peel back the weepy eyes, and break forth the gleaming smile!

So -in true Ginny Branch style- a gratitude list:
1. The sun came out.
2. My new art studio space. With a big desk, long shelf and all my things in one place.
3. Thursday I spent the day with Chloe and a graffiti artist, learning how to use spray paint. We pimped up our friends farm wall with pretty girls, and marilyn monroe stencils, and of course lots of hearts. I have some pictures I took on my iPhone and may sometime get round to showing them... maybe.
4. On Friday I made some delicious bread.
5. Because of said studio, I've been inspired to paint again. I have done about seven little watercolours as presents for friends, and one for my new space.
6. Last night, Liam and I visited my favourite family in the world; the Petersens, for dinner and catch up. We watched coach carter, gossiped about girls from school, gorged ourselves silly on jacket potatoes and my -still warm- chocolate banana cake, drank lots of tea and topped it off with half an episode of Take Me Out.
7. I knitted a gorgeous deep red pair of palm-warmers with crocheted flowers and leaves. I am so proud of them. They are for a friend, but I think I may make a batch of them to sell online.
8. I saw my first snow drops of the year, and they were more beautiful than I remembered.
9. It was pay day so we went on a big food shop, and got there just as everything was being reduced so got handfuls of fruit and veg for 19p each!
10. Liam is in the kitchen making me some semolina right now, and I can smell it and it is wonderful.

GOOF.

2011-01-20T21:37:00.000Z

I started the drawing class yesterday with Chloe, had such a lovely evening. Last term, I took the course, and this term I am helping to lead it, so I must have done something good!

It was so much fun bossing people around, telling them to notice the tone of this bit; fill the page; stop talking! We set up a small still life with an old suitcase, books and glass bottles. Then one of the students said he had a pheasant in his car. It was so beautiful, the colours just incredible. He told me he was going to have it for his dinner and that I could have the feathers. I'm thinking up things I could use them for. Possibly making some more neck ties like this one (top picture) I fashioned out of a hair piece my mama gave me.

These are a few pictures of their work. Most of the students have hardly ever drawn before, let alone used charcoal for anything but putting on the fire. So I think these drawings are fantastic!
I always enjoy these evening because there is always a really relaxed, friendly atmosphere. And its great to see the work that comes out of people, they find something they thought they never had. At the end we line them all up and look at our work, and I love to look at their faces and see how surprised and proud they are of what they've done.

silly little hat

2011-01-08T18:45:00.001Z

I've spent a bit of today making this silly little hat. I have piles of nasty cheap fur lying around that I need to use up. This is a baby pink number, which I thought would make something funny. It really is a gross fabric, I think somebody gave it to me a few years back. India can't understand why I spent so long making it, but you never know when it may come in handy! enjoy!

coffee stain

2011-01-08T14:42:00.001Z

Although winter is my favourite and my best, sometimes I get a little miserable, and angry at those cruel clouds. It's been raining quite a bit this week, and I feel like I need a bit of fresh air. Two days ago we had one day of pretty beautiful sunshine, and I was inside crocheting some dishcloths, looking out the window thinking "yay the rain has gone, sunshine from now on"... but then the next morning I hear the familiar tap tap tap of drops on our window. I am kicking myself for not putting down my wool, pulling on my wellies and venturing out into the sun! Anyway, I am diverging, what I mean to say is, I need something to keep my spirits high between the cold and wet spells.
Well, yesterday I was walking home from town along the tram tracks thinking how I always see such wonderfully dressed old people walking here. (I have too many blurred pictures of the backs of strangers, its totally stalkerish and probably a bit illegal.) They mix up subtly pretty items of clothing, layer beautiful knitwear. On the quick glance they just look like another lovely old person, but then look more carefully and boy! can they dress. I have always been a key follower of dressing as a O.A.P. Even in my misunderstood teen years, I would pair up an Atreyu t-shirt with an old lovely red knitted cardie with big gold buttons (I later found out my Grandma had exactly the same one!) So I was thinking about how it would be really fun to actually make something of that, maybe ask their permissions and take (focused) pictures of my day to day inspiration..
Just as I was getting carried away with it all, I noticed an adorable couple walking in front of me. Possibly in their early sixties, the still looked completely in love. Then the man walked across the road to pick up a discarded milkshake cup and popped it into the bin, then returned to his smiling wife and carried on walking, hand in hand. I suddenly felt a rush of happiness burn in me. It is so easy to see the world and start to think that everyone is only looking out for themselves, this small act regained my faith in humanity. He then went on to pick up a few more bits of rubbish. That man made my day. I was so taken aback, that I decided that this is what people need to hear, small day to day stories of people making a difference. And I am going to try my complete hardest to bring that to you in this blog.

Sorry for a huge pile of waffling, writing briefly and to the point was never an easy thing for me! I just wanted to try and explain what I want to do and how I feel.

hello '11

2011-01-02T16:20:00.001Z

Happy new year you beautiful readers!
We spent he night with a couple of friends in fancy dress ( I was Annie Hall and Liams was Alvy(both from Annie Hall). No good pictures of me as Annie, and Liams outfit fell apart so he just dressed basically as himself in chino's. These pictures are of us returning from the midnight fireworks.

I am really excited about 2011. I've decided not to set myself any resolutions this year, as its just a way to make myself feel pretty useless. So I am taking this year with a positive step, instead of thinking about how rubbish I was last year, and trying to change it, I am thinking of the good things I did, and building on them. I don't quite know how that will actually work. But it seemed a good idea in my head (now I've typed it down and read it, I'm not so sure...)

Have any of you decided to make any resolutions? Liam has resolved to crochet me a blanket, which is great news for me! x

2010-12-31T10:08:00.002Z

I've managed to get a few of my festive snaps. Although I thought I had more better ones than I did, it turns out I put most of my energy and iphone memory space into making videos of everything instead.

(this was the outcome of having two 7 year olds come round to make christmas cards, glitter EVERYWHERE!)

These are mostly from christmas day with my family, but a few are pre holidays preparations!

On the 21st(ish) we went and stayed at my aunties beautiful house in Petworth (they had planned christmas in New York, so we stayed there to look after my Grandma and feed the chickens). This meant we were a lot closer to the in-laws, so stayed a while between both houses. Christmas day we spent with my family, eating very well and watching the christmas Doctor Who, which is always a brilliant way to spend a day! We also gave out presents and I got a lovely fur coat, some delightful vintage boots from Liam and some new crochet hooks, as well as much more wonderful things. Then the family all headed over to Liam's parents to eat yet more food and play more silly games. Then after that we had lots of catching up with friends, watching christmas specials on T.V. and eating! One of my friends mistook my brie-filled belly for a baby bump! oops!
So now we are home, my skin has broken out in chocolate induced acne, and my pudding thighs are the biggest yet. So the husband and I have decided to make a pact to stay away from cheese (my greatest weakness) and chocolate (Liam's). However last night for dinner the cupboards were bare so both those things were gussled down, followed with sickenng regret. But actually, lets keep going till the new year I say. Tomorrow the detoxing will begin...

the peace after the feast!

2010-12-30T16:35:00.002Z

phew!
Christmas this year was preeeeetty hectic! It was so nice to arrive home again last night and then spend today in pyjama's, getting used to normal life again. I have loads of beautiful photographs (and we are making a family christmas movie!) to show you, but our iphoto is being very naughty, and at the moment there is no way to reach these glorious shots.
So you will have to make do with these...
They were photos for our christmas cards. In the end we went with the bottom picture.

mad old lady

2010-12-03T22:40:00.000Z

I am rocking the eccentric look today. This morning I had a drawing class where I got charcoal all over my face, then came home to paint and sew. And I have not really moved off my chair all afternoon(except for when Scarlett popped in on the way home and we baked biscuits for our sick mama). I didn't even need to cook some dinner, Liam and his friends came over and cooked me a curry! They are now off playing games, or practicing banjo, while I listen to some murder mysteries on Radio 7, having a break from being creative to catch up on cyberspace.
I've been getting headaches loads lately from not wearing my glasses, and then this week I FINALLY found a pair of my specs! I feel a little crazy in them, especially paired with messy hair and art supplies masking my face. Also I keep forgetting to check myself before I leave the house, so often go out with black smudged cheeks, slippers on my feet, and no keys to get back in again!

21

2010-11-29T16:06:00.002Z

Today is Liam's birthday. We had a wonderful weekend, I threw him a surprise birthday party, which was the hardest thing to do, I hate not telling him things! But it went perfectly, he had no idea! I forgot to take any photographs of the night, and everyones incredible costumes (the theme was something beginning with L), but I will try and steal some from friends this week.
Today we were so tired that we just had breakfast in bed, then a walk through the snow, and a delicious lunch at this really sweet place, overlooking the frozen lake. We sat right next to the log burner and laughed at the ducks waddling around on the ice.
Now he is learning chords on his beautiful new banjo, while I water my plants and do some knitting.

Happy birthday to my bestest friend in the universe!

first signs

2010-11-27T11:16:00.001Z

Liam's family are staying in Cornwall for the weekend. They are staying in this big house, so we've decided to join them last night. This morning I woke up to snow! So naturally I woke up Liam and we woke up everyone else and had a lovely walk in the snow.
I can't quite believe how quickly winter has crept up on us!

In no time it will be Christmas! I'm doing lots of knitting drawing and sewing, preparing pressies for all the family! Has anyone else starting making/buying christmas presents? And when is too early to put up a Christmas tree? We were thinking this week?

boots

2010-11-21T20:53:00.001Z

Not much happening as I am very busy making christmas pressies, and planning something secret...
XX

(piccies from Eden Project)

A brief trip to oxford

2010-11-18T19:34:00.000Z

Brief indeed! We (India, my mama and I) left at 5am to drive up to oxford, then walked around for a few hours, then got back on the park and ride, and headed home.
However, there was a point to this excursion. India was handing in her portfolio to the University. (If you haven't checked out her blog already, do so here. There is no way she wont get in for not being good enough!)
I had never been to Oxford before, and we were in awe of the architecture. All the buildings are old yellow stone, with beautiful ornate details. I took millions of pictures, but decided not to bore you with them all! I really loved walking through the cobbled streets, taking in the fabulous surroundings. And possibly better than the buildings, were the fact that EVERYBODY cycled! Attached to every fence was bike after bike. And I love cycling and cyclists. I am pretty jealous of Indie potentially getting to move there. It's gorgeous!

Apologies for taking a whole week to sort these photo's out, we're ill again. But it's actually been really nice. Liam's been off work with chest infection, so I've been tending to him like a good wife should. making him soup and chocolate banana cake. We have pretty much spent the last two days sat on the sofa, knitting and watching C.S.I on tv shack. It's been perfect! What more could anyone want?!

fire stars

2010-11-07T15:11:00.000Z

We had a lovely Guy Fawkes night on friday. A show of fireworks, sparklers all round then back to amy's for hot chocolate, Don't Tell the Bride, and a ridiculous game of charades. Brilliant!

2010-11-06T23:09:00.000Z

True love in hat form. A little gift add on from last post. For some reason, flickr made it look a bit rubbish.
This was filmed on a sick day last christmas. And I think we lost a lot of those hats during the move. One day we've find a box of missing treasures beneath the bed...

2010-11-06T22:54:00.001Z

This evening I have wasted about two hours by putting things on my head. I think I just wanted to show off our new baby. Liam rescued me a little one-eyed, two-tailed, three-legged fur stole. She is so much fun and despite her mutant features, and stagnant perfume, we love her too bits, and have welcomed her into the family. She met our other fluffy critters, and due to her poor eyesight, I don't think she's noticed they're fur fraudsters.

Silliness aside (well not really..), whilst donning the fur, Liam and I had a good idea for a future animation... keep your eyes peeled. And as these thoughts were forming, I realised there were a few pathetic videos that I never showed you. They will also be here soon. So watch this space!

2010-11-01T11:39:00.001Z

Another sleepy October week has passed by. (I can't believe it's already November, we really need to start christmas shopping/making!) I found out that I didn't get the job which was really annoying. Not because I really would have loved to work at ASDA, but I need a job. I need something to do. I've been offered some work with a photographer friend I know though, so maybe that will work out. The weather has been pretty rainy and miserable, so to wake up this morning with sun shining through the window was wonderful! I'm not sure what we'll do but off adventuring I'm sure. Here are the Photographs I took from Kennell Vale. I can never capture the soft lighting and beauty of a place, but at least they give a slight feel for the magical forest!

red sun

2010-10-26T21:10:00.000+01:00

Aren't these pictures I took the other day beautiful? I'm loving the way the pink autumnal sun works with the camera! My glamorous models are India and Amy.

The last few days have been lots of fun. Yesterday I visited the doctor, and all is fine, I just need to rest. So thats exactly what I did. After returning home -to find Liam still snoozing, I got back into bed and we watched murder mysteries till 3ish and then reluctantly ventured out. We visited the charity shops (found some lovely boots for £2), and to the market to buy some wool for an extra huge scarf I am knitting. Later we went to see the family, borrow some smart clothes from sisters (all will be revealed....), and returned to watch the first part of Whitechapel.

Then this morning I had a job interview for ASDA. Not ideal, but whatever pays the rent right now, and pull in the funds for a italian holiday were planning for our 21st. This is why I borrowed the clothes from Ruby, nothing I own is smart enough. It's all falling apart or too wierd for an interview at a supermarket. Anyway, it worked out it wasn't an interview anyway, it was... well actually I can't think of the word to describe it. It's called an ASDA Magic day. We played a few games, did some activities, watched a video and then tried our hand at the shop floor. And I've just found out that got through, so interview is tomorrow! The afternoon was spent catching up on the archers and knitting. Then we watched the two last bits of Whitechapel. It was brilliant. You should definitely watch it if you haven't already!

Now I'm off for honey and lemon, then some beauty sleep. Good night!

golden

2010-10-24T23:44:00.001+01:00

Some very bleached out photo's from a perfect Saturday in Falmouth. We popped in on the car boot, which was freeeezing, but I grabbed myself a llama coat(£1!!) and a couple of other bits. Then we got hot chocolate (the cafe was full so we sat outside an antique shop on rickety chairs discussing christmas present ideas for our family), searched for Oh Comely- to no avail, and played around with leaves in the park. Truly wonderful!

Today we went with some friends and visited Kennall Vale. It was really beautiful. Pics soon! Also I'm starting to feel better. The ears are still bad, so tomorrow I'm going to visit the docs and possibly get my ear syringed. scary.

I hope your weekend is especially special! xx

head down

2010-10-18T19:25:00.001+01:00

I'm so tired and overwhelmed at the moment. Life is speeding along, and I feel vulnerable and weak. We both have so much on it seems that we have no time to just relax and be silly. I was really worried that Liam was taking on too much work, and he would be ill like last year (three months of on-off illness until christmas day, we were so unwell we couldn't do anything), but in fact it's me who's sick. I've got a pounding headache, and i'm all blocked up, my head feels close to explosion. I'm also experiencing something new, my ears are clicking, like ALL the time. little clicky pops. At first I thought it was fun, but now it's been a day of it constantly, It's driving me pretty mad. And I had planned to plant our leeks in the garden today, and walk over to the river, to pick pears that overhang out of someones garden and into the road. Each day I leave it, I fear they will be spotted by a fellow greedy guts.
There is a hero in this story, my wonderful Liam. He's graciously making me a delicious thai curry, with our bargain prawns that must be consumed today. There were a few things that were needed which we didn't have so he popped over the road, to our favourite home from home, Aldi. Way over an hour later he returned (I even called him to see if he was ok, in my fragile state I feared he'd been kidnapped -seriously, I actually thought this.) He had tried every supermarket in town looking for lemongrass. To no avail. It's official, Newquay doesn't sell anything slightly oriental (not including the lovely chinese takeaway out the back of our flat). And now he is at work, grating ginger, blending coconut milk, chopping coriander. What a gem.

Once I'm better, I'm going to try and get my head down, and draw until it looks as good as it used to. I'm afraid that with all my camera clicking, I've lost the way to see paired with a pencil. I'm going to sew too. And I will always be knitting....

These were taken on saturday morning, before finding some adorable little cardboard hats in the weird charity shop, where we were almost mauled to death by a dog definitely with rabies, and scabies.

2010-10-17T09:34:00.002+01:00

Here us some snaps taken on the way back from a trip to the dentist. We were enjoying Liam's updated iphone 4, and the park, enjoying this beautiful season!
Tomorrow I'm planning a trip to go and pick pears from a tree near the river, hopefully they are ripe and plentiful!

leaves

2010-10-15T22:25:00.000+01:00

Last night I had a beautiful walk in the warm evening sunshine. Wrapped up in a long coat and thick scarf, I stood at the cliff, staring off into the wild sea.
Cornwall has been so beautiful this week. I tend to often be quite …. towards living here, I would much rather be living in a city, with the buzz and most importantly, the different cultures that I miss everyday. I know this is where we are supposed to be right now, there is still much more for us to do. But in my heart, I do love our cornish towns; the picturesc landscapes, the sea, the quaint villages, our cornish tales (the legend of the gannel crake was taught to us in school as history!), and the fields reaching out forever. In fact, I think we aren't making the most of all this beauty, we need to adventure more!

The best thing of all is that it is finally Autumn, my favourite season for long walks. There are neatly gathered heaps of beautiful orange leaves, asking to be stamped through, and frost begins to settle over night, the air is crisp despite the glowing sun. I also love the layers! I've had real pleasure to pull out all my winter knits from a suitcase under the bed, and hang up all my thick, cosy coats. I've found hats and scarves and gloves I didn't know I had (also about six lonely partner-less gloves that I don't have the heart to throw out.) And I'm back on the knitting. Not that I really stopped, but when winter approaches, it gets serious.
I guess I get generally more creative, I draw more, paint more, and definitely sew more. I've started embroidering some sweet brooches of girls to sell in various places over winter. I may even sell some online if I think people will buy (let me know if you're interested, they can be of you!)
Well, I must leave you, we're off to watch I am Love. xxx

forgetting..

2010-09-27T20:53:00.001+01:00

I have had an insane week working on the youth website. It's been really fun (lots of drawing, scanning, editing, etc,etc..) but I am soooo tired, and SO much went wrong!
Today was fabulous because Liam and I were complete lazy slobs, we didn't get up till midday and then had a luxurious brunch. Then we went on a little journey to the garden centre, where we picked up some dying plants in the reduced section (we are sure we can revive them to full health). Our joyous gardening gardening spirit has returned, and as well as many flowers and new indoor plants, we are growing leeks, cut-and-come-again salad leaves, chillies and there are still a few more tomatoes left to ripen. We had quite a successful summer with spinach, ruby chard, strawberries, lots of different coloured and shaped beans, peas, one pitiful cucumber and some ladies fingers (okra). On top of that we have lots of herbs I need to freeze and dry for the winter.
I've been very inspired through it all by the lovely books of Alys Fowler, she is absolutely adorable! I love her quirky terrace garden, where she only grows things that are useful or beautiful. We watched the BBC series Edible Garden back in Spring, and before we knew it we were skip diving, planting plants in any container we could get our hands on (although we still haven't found an old tin bath to plant blueberries, yet..)
I've been reminded that AGES ago, I promised a post with images from the books and my comments on them, and I really would like to do this one day. But I am sorry to have forgotten.

Oh and one lunch this week, Liam came home with a bunch of beautiful roses which was such a lovely gesture, and gave me a smile in a crazy few days. I love that man!

2010-09-20T14:23:00.001+01:00

Last night we hosted a birthday party for my bffl, hannah. We had a cluedo/make-your-own-pizza night. We were all assigned our characters beforehand so we could come in fancy dress. I was Mrs Peacock and Liam was Mr Black (the victim). I had such a wonderful night!

red mist

2010-09-15T23:52:00.000+01:00

At about 3 in the afternoon, a beautiful light shines through our curtains and leaves our room in this warm red mist. Often I walk in and am overwhelmed by the romance in it, I just lie, forgetting whatever it was that brought me there in the first place.

apples for jam

2010-09-11T16:37:00.000+01:00

This afternoon I'm making apple and blackberry jam! It's left boiling, but in the meantime, I'll lounge...

...and pout.

I am so excited because my best gal pal since forever is moving close this weekend. It's going to be so wonderful, we haven't lived close since I was 10, so it will be really special. I'm planning a big dinner next week with some friends, Cluedo themed. Everyone shall be given different characters that we'll dress as and we will eat lots and lots of food and play cluedo. It's my favourite because its a mix of my two best things, murder mysteries and board games. Anyway, I can smell the fruit simmering in the pan.

Curiosities

2010-09-07T11:28:00.000+01:00

My beautiful sister India Bunce, has finally entered into the web that is internet blogging. She's a wonderful artist. She paints, sews, draws and takes gorgeous film photographs. I've been encouraging her to put her work on here, and she's started!
Follow this link and follow her lovely posts.

Today is a very busy day for me, I've got to sort out lots of things for our first youth meeting tonight. I need to bake cakes, finish designing some bits, scan things, print them out and buy some teabags and coffee!
I'm hoping these things don't take as long as I've thought, and I can have some time drawing and repotting our lovely new cacti!
It feels weird at home because Liam's gone back to work after a long holiday (although they've gone sailing as a work jolly, so he's left the laptop with me, which is a blessing!) and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I really want to get myself a job, to keep myself busy a few of the days.

grayscale

2010-09-04T20:27:00.000+01:00

These we took an evening a few days ago. We went down to the river Gannel to have some fun with our new film cameras. The minolta 32mm camera's photo's are alright, but a big flat. I think that may have been the film though. And we haven't sent off the medium format film yet. These photographs were taken on our digital.

The last few days have been really sweet lazy days enjoying beautiful weather, and a tourist free (almost) town. Keep your eyes peeled for a post about the orchard we spent yesterday lounging around in.

we booted

2010-09-01T21:33:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we did our first ever car boot. It was very exciting. We forgot to take pictures of our stall, but it was pretty dismal, as it was things we really didn't want to keep. We made £10 profit, which isn't very good, but I kept teling people things were 50p because I was too nice. I am happy with this outcome though.

To remember this special day, we splashed out with some of our earnings, and picked up this little chap for 25p. Isn't he adorable?

We also gained some other new members of the family, these plants. The aloe vera is from a lovely friend, and the other is a small cacti, another bargain bagged at the car boot. I've been singing and whispering to them to help them adjust to their new surroundings. I hope they thrive and enjoy being our children.

All in all, we are feeling very happy!

knitting in my corner

2010-08-25T13:48:00.002+01:00

We decided after our youth camping thing, we were way too tired to do anything, especially some spontanious adventure (boring! all we could think about was cosy beds and warm food!) so we came back home and are having a chilled week at home, enjoying Cornwall.

Today begins with a beautifully rainy morning sat in our window sorting my knitting patches. I'm making a blanket, it's been taking years though because I keep losing the squares! It's going to be a very messy blanket as all the sizes are different and wobbly. Some of them are made by me, some by friends, and some are made by Liam. He is actually wonderful at knitting, perfect tension! Have you got any fun projects you are doing right now?

We are going to head into Truro this afternoon to explore the new uneeka store. Have a lovely day!

berrys, berrys, berrys!

2010-08-16T13:05:00.000+01:00

We are off for a week (at least, may go on afterwards), camping in Devon with the church. It is going to be a full-on week as we are involved in leading the youth work, and are going up early to set up! Thats why we decided that it would be nice to go away after to relax, and have some adventures!
And there are lots of delicious blackberrys in the freezer, awaiting our return.
Have a wonderful week!

2010-08-15T09:38:00.000+01:00

A fantastic day out. We drove to Falmouth, where we endulged in a National Trust treasure, Glendurgan Gardens. We wondered down to the little village, Durgan and sat on the beach, sharing our picnic. It is such a beautiful place, possibly my favourite NT property. It's nicer out of summer, when it's not so busy, so you can enjoy the maze, without being pushed around by tourists. There are so many incredible plants, and beautiful secret places. So many we are surely yet to find.

After the gardens we went to falmouth where we mooched around for a bit, looking through the charity shops, sitting at the harbour listening to greensleeve being played by this fantastic longhaired, leather clad man who is always there. And to finish off a perfect day, we had a delicious dinner, looking out over the sea.

pinks

2010-08-11T20:07:00.001+01:00

Some of the flowers we picked at the boating lake yesterday, and a couple of my own sweet peas, fresh from the garden.

We're starting to make the garden flat feel like home...

blackberry stained cheeks

2010-08-10T22:58:00.001+01:00

Today has been wonderful. I love hanging out with my husband so much. He had a lazy morning while I tidied this kitchen a little. I decided that to brighten up the flat, we needed some cut flowers! So we walked into town (still a novelty!) do sort some boring things, I saw some flowers, but we had no change. So we decided to walk down to the boating lake, via the house to grab a bag and some scissors. We sneakily picked some gorgeous flowers, then visited the tea garden for tea and cake!

On the walk home we noticed a huge blackberry bush. We picked for ages, and got home and made some delicious apple and blackberry pie! and still loads more blackberrys to make jam tomorrow, wonderful! Also sister Minnie, and cousin Maisie came over for dinner, so lots of giggles!

a strong red pout

2010-08-09T13:33:00.001+01:00

I've just found these silly photographs taken once while Liam was away. I was awaiting his return, I was rather bored, and a little lonely. So naturally, I decided to model some headbands I have made.

After looking through these, I realised how long my hair was. It's grown remarkably over the past three years, from when I had hamster short hair. I stopped dyeing it, straitening it, and took plenty of kelp supplements, until I started getting paranoid and thought my fingers were getting hairy. I tried lots of other hair growing remedies, even sitting under a warm lamp for a while! But I have to say, kelp tablets were the bomb. although discusting, they worked a treat.

new home

2010-08-06T23:32:00.002+01:00

Here are some snaps from our one year anniversary. The last photographs taken in this house. We have just moved into the new home, its lovely; damp free, there's internet and it's a minutes walk from the beach. We are sorting things out slowwwwwly. (We're having to downsize, and its sad working out what things have to go.) Very excited about the next few weeks, Liam has time off and we are planning some adventures....

Love is in the air!

2010-07-15T17:41:00.002+01:00

One year of unexplainable happiness.

On Sunday it was our one year anniversary. We had such a special time. We didn't do much, as we are way too skint at the moment, so Liam and I cooked a delicious dinner and watched House Party. It was so lovely to just sit, chill and enjoy each others company. We have been very busy packing things, and building the conservatory, which is (horaay!) finished at last! We have turned it into a greenhouse with all our plants, and it is beautiful. We have also put the table in here and we ate our scrummy dinner here, with the evening light glowing through the glass. Yesterday it was raining really bad and I loved sitting in there during the day, sewing. (I am making a wonderful pair of highwaisted puff shorts, out of some lovely orange velvet.)

Liam Brannigan, thankyou for marrying me one year and four days ago. It was the most beautiful day of my life. You have made me the happiest lady in the world. Thankyou for loving me, leading me and being my bestest friend! I love you.

dreams,ideas,memories,friends

2010-07-01T16:56:00.000+01:00

There are so so SO many things going on in my head right now, as well as life things like moving and work, I am overflowing with ideas, plans and dreams, I have so much I want to do, make, create. I feel like a walking jackson Pollock, way too much going on. This is quite normal for me, however right now it feels like way, way, way too much. But maybe that is because I'm not great at feeling unsettled, I like to know what I'm doing, and where I am. I don't like putting our things away. Leaving our first home, and starting fresh in a lovely blank canvas should be an adventure, though I can't see it that way
I think I need to have a break from all the packing (we still have a month left, I just can't sit still, so I've begun wrapping our china in newspaper and fabric, then tucking it into boxes, alongside the suitcases piled full of shimmering clothes. Whilst we sit in our house, trying to work out what to have for dinner, or watch a film, or write a shopping list, these piles loom above us.

On one day, while Liam was away, I begun the packing. I thought it would be good to pack away clothes, some of the dresses I need to alter, our winter woolies; the bits that we wont be needing(which is silly as the sun has left and now I'm shivering in short shorts, and light blouses.)
I clicked on radio 4, and began to relax, it was wonderful, I felt at peace. I stopped a little half way, did a bit of sewing, and continued. Then I found some of our most treasured friends, that had slipped through the bars of our bed. Prudence, Rags, Patricia, Buttons, and our silly little penguin with no name. Of course, we got giggly in our reunion and posed for silly photographs, showing off a couple of my favourite thrifted blouses (also found in the space below the bed). And I like these photographs.

early mornings

2010-06-28T12:42:00.000+01:00

I really love early mornings. Especially when its warm, and the sun is glowing through the window, beckoning us to awake and be productive. I love it when it gets to lunch time and its feels as if you've had a full day already. This morning was one of them. These photographs were taken at 7am, I was testing out a few outfits for a wedding I was going to. I eventually went with the royal blue velvet playsuit, and new wooden heels I found on eBay.
The wedding was yesterday, and it was absolutely beautiful. It was my best friends mum. The whole day brought us back lots of memories from our big day, almost a year ago. I danced all night, my feet killed, I was drenched in sweat, but it was wonderful!

Scrummy!

2010-06-02T16:41:00.001+01:00

This pudding is my obsession right now!
Stolen from The Delicious Miss Dahl, it is a rhubarb and rosewater eton mess, and it is truly self-endulging and utterly scrumptious. It looks fantastic piled up on a cake stand, sprinkled with almonds. And works perfectly after a slice of our home-made pizza. Liam and I are pro's at this now. This photo is of a pineapple, mushroom and brie pizza. One half is scattered as the husband loves to add a little meat.

(apologies for such poor quality iphone photographs, next time I make I shall photograph better!)

mmmmmm

2010-05-26T13:56:00.001+01:00

Some photographs from a delightful breakfast (well it was brunch really) with India. She came over for a huge clearout at ours, then went out to the garden for a feasting of fresh pastries and fruit. The afternoon was spend lounging in the sun, picking flowers, putting them into bouquets, and planting chick peas, spring onions and sunflowers. My garden books are gorrrrgeous (I am putting together some photographs for a review), and have inspired me no end!

This is kind of how a lot of my days have panned out recently. Summer brings spontanious meetings, BBQ's, picnics and just makes me so much happier!

News

2010-05-14T12:34:00.002+01:00

I've been very absent the last few weeks/months. We haven't got internet at the moment and I'm been working loads (I found a temporary job working in a little shop right on the beach). Also, we are trying to build a blessed conservatory before the summer comes (our part of the deal for such cheap rent), and we've just found a new place to move the first of August, so we have even less time to do it. I say we, but I haven't contributed much from it, I'd aim at helping but after half an hour or so, I tire, and rest in the sunshine. The weather has been glorious the last few days. I've even sat outside the shop and soaked in a little of the sun!

The best thing about sunshine is that the house is warmer, we no longer need to wrap ourselves in blankets and curl together around a radiator.

Actually, thats the second best thing, my favourite is that I can garden! I've become just like my mother, together we go to grandma's for tips about what composts to use for blueberrys, taking over her gorgeous potting shed to plant peas, sweet corn and courgette. Even Liams getting green fingers, we have passes to the eden project as it's real close to us, and when we visited last he was writing a list of all the things we should grow, and we've just ordered three gardening books from amazon. I'm really excited, I'll give them a read then if they're good I'll give them a little review for you.

Are any of you into your gardening? Are you growing anything this summer? I'd love to hear, and exchange some personal tips!

Antony

2010-04-20T11:15:00.002+01:00

Liam and I had a chance meeting with my family before they left for Antony House, so we decided to tag along. We'd been planning to go on my birthday, but it wasn't all open yet. As it happened, the house was all booked up for viewings anyway. But the garden was beautiful, so it didn't really matter.

Antony House is a lovely National Trust property, surrounded by wonderful gardens. It was the set for Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland, so the garden was transformed with Alice-related events and activities.

A new spring in my step!

2010-04-04T21:35:00.001+01:00

Today I am so grateful for my family.
I love my gorgeous husband; Liam, my beautiful sisters and my fantastic parents. I am so blessed with great friends in my family.
We had a lovely Lamb roast, then indulged in lemon pudding and rasberry bomb, lots of chocolate (I even managed to get some all up my leg and on my feet - will never touch the stuff again after that!) then cheese and crackers. Tomorrow I start eating healthy..

Had a wonderful week with the inlaws, especialy loved seeing my bestie, Hannah. Had a fantastic time with her in London, and bought a delicious pair of boots!

I hope you've all had a wonderful day, what has your day included?

sea of souls

2010-03-17T17:41:00.000Z

I apologise for all my empty promises in each post! I have been very behind on everything. Between building a conservatory, leading a youth group, battling our way through the constant pile of housework, and starting up a business, we are now looking for somewhere new to live! At the moment we're inhabit a little house set in a village consisting of only 12 houses, and we see even less occupants. It started off being really fun and exciting, but after the damp set in, the cold blew through the many windows, and we went days without other human interaction, that soon wore off. So we're on the search for somewhere in town.

In the past week I gained a year to my age, so Liam and I went out on a mission to buy him some gorgeous, well-fitting jeans, and had lunch on the cliffside, followed by a walk through the countryside lanes! Over the weekend we had some friends come and stay, which was wonderful. Saturday consisted of mugs of tea and hot chocolate on the beach, the boys climbing the cliff, a trip to ALDI and feasts of lasagne, birthday cake and chocolates, honey and banana waffles. In the evening, the boys went to our local pub (It is REALLY local-they were scared off after an hour). and us girlies watched an Education which was brilliant. On Sunday they took us out for lunch for a birthday treat, washed down with a bottle of white wine. So lots of food and drink from start to finish, and not much sleep in between!
After they left, Liam and I were too overwhelmed to tidy so decided to make a short stop motion animation!
Enjoy!

tin

2010-03-10T21:28:00.001Z

I've been pretty restless recently, and the other day I pulled out all my old tin cans and decided to be productive! I got out my tool box and bashed some holes into the sides of the cans. This one is my favourite, well it is heart-shaped! They make such beautiful tea light holders, reflecting pretty shapes onto the walls.

Once the evenings get a little warmer, I'll hang them on trees and we can sit outside for dinner!

Had a lovely meal with the family tonight, and got some really fab pressies! Will post some photographs soon!

Love cans

2010-03-10T18:00:00.001Z

Its my birthday tomorrow! I've had a superb day today, I met up with Alice and made cookies. Then we washed them down with some banana tea (I've never tried it before, it was delicious!) and sat in the sunshine and had a lovely chit chat, flicking through the new Joules catazine!

Now I must dash off to get changed into something more darling, as my parents are taking us out for pizza!

dried

2010-02-11T09:14:00.001Z

Confetti.

2010-02-09T13:42:00.001Z

I've dried my bouquet, but it doesn't look nearly as nice as it did. I'm about to make some cous-cous for lunch, then will take some photographs of my wedding flowers and finish off some valentine gifts!

wonderful things

2010-02-08T17:13:00.001Z

Last week I visited a lovely little 'studio sale' an old woman was holding. I stumbled upon it just by chance, Grace and I had popped over to a little village to visit the thrift shop when we noticed a small sign in a window. The lady had moved into town and wanted a studio that was closer to her, and decided to have a bit of a clear out before the move. Inside she was selling all sorts of things: artwork, textiles, lace, buttons, art supplies and books, bags, clothes and even a sink! I picked up some lovely lace, buttons and a scarf and this wonderful box

It originally held a wedding dress for Mrs Blatchford, bought in the 1920's. I wish the old lady hadn't decided to sell that on eBay, but I am glad she kept the box.

I just love this label with the address and beautiful calligraphy.

I decided it would be a perfect box for holding all my lace fabrics and ribbons. While filling it, I noticed how little lace I have left, so much was used over christmas! So I'm out on the search for some more pretties.

Here is a little needle book I made for India's 18th birthday on Wednesday.

Pierrot le fou

2010-02-06T13:54:00.000Z

lovely.

love

2010-02-06T11:59:00.001Z

While in this romantic mood, I was inspired to get back to our wedding memory book. It still needs a lot of work, but these are my favourite pages so far.

Late Christmas things

2010-01-05T10:18:00.001Z

These photographs are from a wonderful night we all had over at Maggies. It was a real feast, and she had decorated her house beautifully. Sorry the images are so blurry, they were taken on the iPhone. Just looking at these I want another big roast with all the trimmings! xx

happy new year!

2010-01-02T18:31:00.001Z

I'm sill feeling rotten, So although my Christmas was lovely, it wasn't how we had hoped. It didn't feel like a first christmas together. Then New year came and we both felt so rough we nearly left our friends before midnight (but were persuaded otherwise with sparklers and sausage rolls)!

I was inspired to think about the new years, and set myself some resolutions!

I would like to host more parties, make more things off my to do lists, read the bible in a year, and cook, cook, cook!

flooy

2009-12-21T15:15:00.001Z

Yesterday I spent too long with Ruby. She'd been ill pretty much all week and now so am I.

So all day has ben spent in bed with marmite on toast, reading Atonement (the book is much preferred to the film) and being spoilt by Liam. Maybe I would get up and do something, if everywhere weren't so cold. And to turn the heating on I'd have to dash across the freezing kitchen floor, a risk i am not wiling to take in this state.

However, despite this moaning, I am starting to feel a little better. So maybe when Liam returns, I will try help with a little hoovering, or maybe we can just watch the matrix revolutions.

What are you doing today?

19.12.09

2009-12-19T10:32:00.001Z

Everything has been very, VERY busy lately, and I've had no time for blogging, or even taking photographs! I worked like mad for a christmas craft fair that Alice held. It was a wonderful day, her brother Will came down to help and he is a fantastic chef so we were fed very well throughout the day! I sold lots of brooches and hair bows and gift tags. I also made a few needle books, journals, some mushroom decorations and other bits and bobs which mostly went as well. And since that I've been heads down making christmas gifts!

Winter has really excited me, our house is slowly getting more an more christmassy. And yesterday it even snowed a little! We're a little annoyed that we haven't taken enough time out for more frosty walks.

More family news is that the beautiful Rose Burfoot has been born (still thinking up a middle name). Our gorgeous friends Jo and Anna gave birth to her last Friday morning. Isn't she perfect? We love her!

Sisters

2009-11-12T23:38:00.001Z

My lovely sister India came to stay while Liam was away in Bristol. We had a such a wonderful time. Girlie catch-ups, with a silly photoshoot for her new project. She's doing these amazing paintings of each of my sisters. Then a finale one of us all stood around the AGA with my ma.

birthdays

2009-11-12T23:15:00.001Z

too much fun and not enough work!

foxes

2009-10-28T15:20:00.001Z

Such a brilliant film. I went to see it with Liam on Monday night.

The animation is just incredible, we loved it to bits!

super fun

2009-10-24T20:01:00.001+01:00

Our house of love.

Today we went for a lovely long walk on the beach after visiting the farmers store, where they had lots of delicious tasters like cider, apple juice, jam, sausages, chocolate and cream teas, delicious! And right now Annie is cooking us a yummy vegetable curry!

today

2009-10-19T20:46:00.001+01:00

Today I am so grateful for Liam, my bestest friend in all the world.

hen day

2009-10-12T11:41:00.001+01:00

Anna held me a secret hen lunch! We had delicious sandwiches and cream teas. Then we were all given a triangle of fabric we could decorate in any way we wished, with the theme Love. Then when all were finished they'd be attached together and Liam and I would have some love bunting! It was a really lovely day with all my church friends and such a perfect surprise!

8am

2009-10-12T08:49:00.001+01:00

This morning through my window I can see actual blue sky. I would love to get up, have a croissant, and then go for a lovely walk. But then I remembered that all our floor space is covered in bodies. Liam's family have come to say. So I'm lying here, trapped, too scared to wake anybody by getting up and walking across the creaky floor boards.

I really need a shower and the toilet but out pipes are so loud i couldn't even do that conspicuously. Liam also left the laptop downstairs among everyone so I'm typing this on the iPhone which is hard with my chubby fingers.

I've been lying here thinking about fabric. One of my favourite places to go is Truro fabrics, it is the biggest and best textiles store in the UK and for years I've been trying to get work there. Finally I was asked for an interview, on Monday. All week I'd had a rotten throat and by Sunday both Liam and I definitely had flu. So the interview was a bit of a disaster, but they were pleased I could be so flexible and said to be confident. When I FINALLY heard back they said they had chosen another girl who was better than me. So I'm a little stuck now.

Although I love being at home, it'd be nice to reel in a little extra cash, and I'm getting a little lonely living so far out of town.

we're back!

2009-10-08T08:27:00.002+01:00

After an incredibly busy summer, we are home for good!

It's taken me a while to catch up with everything and also to get used to being a housewife!

We've moved into a lovely little house (actually its quite big for two people), and eventually its started to feel home.

I've got all our wedding photographs back from Chris so I'll post them up on a later date. It was such an incredible day, I wasn't too fussed about it (I don't like all the attention a bride gets). But it was such fun. I ate so much and danced too long! Liam's car broke down on the way to the wedding so Steve and Josh drove us to the hotel in the huge band van (they were starting their UK tour the next day) tied up with cans and all sorts!

I also have the photographs of my surprise hen day and lots of pics of our new house.

All of these are on my flickr which I've had enough time to upload.

I'll leave you with some pictures of what I've been making recently.

I've put my first two items on etsy this morning!