Reestore

Hello. I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.
Mine has been spent sanding down chairs and going to a very intense jumble sale (I think I have bruises from all the elbowing). However, I have also found a completely inspirational site. Reestore take everyday waste items and upcycle them into functional and stylish products. Just look at these:

www.reestore.com 

www.reestore.com 

www.reestore.com

I am completely in awe of what they have done....something to aim for.
Off to Bath Vintage and Flea market tomorrow to scope it out for a future stall for myself. Will just have to resist the temptation to buy things...ok, will have to resist buying lots of things.

Will post some more Japan photos on Monday for you all to see Kyoto.
Have a lovely Sunday.
xx

Bussiness Cards

When I first set up the business it all kicked off with a market in Ashbury, Wiltshire, UK. In my mad panic to get items ready to sell I forgot about one vital bit of business kit - the business card. I managed to get a very rough and basic business card together but it has been my aim ever since to re-design it. And I have finally managed to complete my goal.

This is what I have produced:

Front

Back

I have gone for something simple but I hope the sofa silhouette says something about what I do. I know that lots of businesses would get someone in to design their logos, stationery and websites, but I can't resist the opportunity to flex by designer muscles.
I hope you all like it? I have placed the order for them and can't wait to get them through the post. I love getting packages! The next aim is to re-design the website so stay tuned for that.
xx

Buttercup China Competition

Before I left for Japan I entered a competition with Buttercup China - check out their website - here.

One of the mugs from Buttercup China's current range. Sourced from here.

The competition was to design a pattern for one of their mugs for the new spring collection. Due to going away, and being a perfectionist, I created a design but had to enter it before I was really happy with it. But it has been shortlisted along with 9 other designs! I am so pleased!

To check out mine and the other finalists go to the website - here.
They announce the final winner tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed.
xx

We're Back!

Hello! It is so good to be back with you all. We had such a fantastic time away, and I'm so impressed with the fantastic job Mummy Springy Beard did while we were away. I thought I would just share some moments from our trip with you. There was so much inspiration for the shop, but first things first...

We travelled around a bit whilst we were in Japan so I thought I would share a few of my favourite photos from our different destinations. Our first and last stop was in Tokyo...

The beautiful trees near Zojoji temple

Tokyo as we whizzed past on the bullet train

Tokyo Tower. It was so big I couldn't fit in the picture properly, hence the funny angle

Pray boards filled in by visitors and hung up in Meiji Shrine

Obviously I took hundreds of pictures but I don't want to bore you. I will post some more photos over the next few weeks of the other locations we visited: Kyoto, Osaka and Shojoshin-in Temple. Also, stay tuned for inspiration I found in Japan for the home, which will hopefully inspire you too.

Glad to be back, but gosh I have a lot of work to do!

xxx

Tutorial: Industrial Record Cabinet

Hi everyone.
This will be my last post as Kayleigh will be home on Friday. I have enjoyed looking at the posts she has left me, and choosing the things I really like and feel I would like to try one day.  This style won't be for everyone, but I have to say it does grow on you and gives you food for thought. Give it a go and see what you can come up with.  Bye for now....x

So this tutorial is not for the faint hearted, but my god it looks gorgeous.

This tutorial has been taken from the fantastic blog A Beautiful Mess - check out the 'how to' - here. I really, really want a record player, and lots of records to go with it. And what would a record player be without the trendiest cabinet to put it on. I love the industrial look and you could always update the wood with a painted pattern or striking bright colour. If you can't find the metal crates you could always try wooden fruit ones.

I love it. I want one.
xx

Tutorial: Orb-lando

Here I am again, Just putting on the last but one post for Kayleigh. They are leaving Osaka and should be making their way back to Tokyo today. Another seven days and they will be home, I am so looking forward to seeing them.
I have just realised that the posts I have been putting on have the date they were created and not the day I am posting them. Sorry guys. Not sure what to do about it, anyway Kayleigh will be back soon, so it will all be ok again. :)
Anyway enough of me. Just check out this amazing chandelier. I love it, and I can see it being done in all different colours, great idea.     

Do you want something stunning and dramatic to be the centre piece of you dining room? Well look no further than the fantastic chandelier, titled by its creator, the 'Orb-lando'.

The creator is Orlando Soria over at HommeMaker. The site is full of stylish interior design inspiration and the chandelier above is just a tip of the ice-berg. For the instructions go - here. The great thing is that you can adjust the size depending on the size of your room, or even spray paint the wire a gorgeous colour to match or clash the colour theme of your room. Myself, I just want to recreate the image above. Strike that, I want that room.

xx

Tutorial: Cyanotype

Hi Everyone it's still Kayleigh's mum. They are having a wonderful time in Japan and as it was Kayleigh's Birthday on Tuesday they spent a few days in the mountains and it's snowing!!
Well! Having never heard of Cyanotype I was fascinated to read this, what a great idea. I will look forward to Kayleigh giving this a go and may even slip in a few of my own things. (I wonder if she will notice), I'll let you know.

I wish I had seen this tutorial before the autumn season started. Over at Craftzine they have a fantastic article all about the printing technique Cyanotype. Check out the 'how to' - here.

Cyanotype is the process where light sensitive chemicals are applied to a material, and then areas of the materials are covered and the whole surface exposed to sunlight. I have previously seen it used on other materials but not on knitting or crochet. I think the effect looks fantastic. If I had known about this earlier my shop would have been stocked full of cyanotype printed knit. Sigh. Never mind, I will store it in the ideas bank and save it for next season.
xx