I'm back in the saddle!

and I'm using this lovely image from damonabnormal to illustrate my point.

Have a look at his full range of photography on flickr : )

House and Home

My latest contribution to House and Home
Wrapping paper tips to follow tomorrow!

Ermmmm…Macaroons

26 flavours to have to painstakingly choose from...too much choice

Pinks to make the boys wink!

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found Laduree in Dublin. (I then realised it has been around for a considerable time in BTs!) Macaroons, such a French icon, they brought back all the lovely memories of the tastiness of Paris! Not only are their macaroons a thing of beauty but their packaging and other little treats are to die for. I love their pastels shades punctuated by some utterly gorgeous vibrant tones. Laduree also stock gorgeous marshmallows: pistachio, rose, orange blossom and strawberry. As soft and fluffy as clouds. And my favourite macaroon flavour… Rose Petal : )

Alternative envelopes

I love love love these stunning envelopes, such a clever idea from the genii at 100 Layer Cake. (I simply can not get enough of this beautiful blog!)

A very cute idea for a envelope liner by Getchichtenvonkat.

My love for vintage never fades. This envelope spent its previous life as an engraved map of Mississippi dating from 1886. Chasing Lightening Bugs do a beautiful range of gorgeous goodies.

These two chappies are from Adnagam- I just can't get enough of maps and old paper!

My love for alternative or recycled envelopes has officially been rekindled –Envelopes, I believe, are actually one of the most fun and often over looked aspects of successful card making.

Birthday Time

If there is one thing I love it is making cards. Here is one I made earlier! (Happy belated birthday Paget) The envelope was made using a photocopied page from an edition of "La Vie Parisienne" dating from 1895! I simply adore the old illustrations. The present was wrapped in white tissue and then encased in a pretty doily, finished off with a ribbon.

Book in a braclet

I found these old pics while trying to find some very old work on my external hard drive. I utterly love experimenting with materials to see what comes about and this little collection was the result of one of those occasions. They are made using tiny stripes of text from a ancient German book I picked up in Amsterdam (According to a random pair of German girls I met it is archaic German, perhaps even a Shakespeare equivalent, that was before I processed to partially shred the book.) The writings will however now remain forever trapped inside double sided sticky back plastic (yes the kind that you tediously cover school books with). These tiny pieces were then one by one threaded in the hundreds on to jewellery wire.

Brrrr!

I think the sudden changing of the clock and long, damp nights has forced me into early hibernation… but no more!