End of year high....

Hello! Not long to go now!

Have really been enjoying all your festive posts and pictures this week.

Some lovely news this week for me, my prints are now available to buy in a shop!

 Yes a REAL shop!

If you have any idea how excited I am then you will know I have big smiles.
This is big news for me, and really one of the main reasons that words and pictures began.

Raindrops on Roses is a beautiful shop in town that opened end October in the lovely old part of town where the streets are a bit higgledy and the cobbles are a bit wobbly. It has 2 reasons for being:

1) 100 % of the profits go to support Herts Against Cancer, a charity dedicated to raising awareness  of cancer and improving early detection.

2) To include and support the best of local creative talent

So when I discovered this shop with a difference was opening I knew it was an opportunity I didn't want to miss. Using my pen and paper to hopefully raise some money for a very worthwhile cause. It really was this that kick-started me into printing up some of my designs.

When I finally had something to show them I was wobbling as much as the cobblestones as I approached the buyer, but was amazed at her positivity and support....and her order!

So my prints proudly sit alongside some wonderful pieces made locally (it is amazing how many creative people live under your nose (not literally) without you knowing any of them) and some gorgeous gifts you would be more used to finding in little Islington boutiques. The shop, 'apparently', is usually heaving.

Why 'apparently'?
Well since I made my delivery to them, I'm too nervous to go in!
A bit self-concious really.
So, am waiting for the day before Christmas, when I know it'll be packed in there with last minute shoppers and I can sneak in and a quick look around, un-noticed.
And only then will I really believe it!
I'll let you know how I get on!

Have a warm happy christmas everyone, relax enjoy and have fun x x

Of golden stars and cauliflowers...

We've had a pretty rubbish week here to be frank.

T has had 'the' bug, I am suffering too ( it's bound to happen when you end up squashed into a childs' bed with said ill boy every night this week), we haven't been out of the house for a week, getting on each others nerves and generally suffering cabin fever extrordinaire.

However, being indoors all week meant that the 2 reasons I did leave the house were even more enjoyable!

First up, Mr Jim was in his first ever nativity at nursery, the Sleepy Shepherd. The nursery children were all golden stars, and unbelievably sat still for a whole 20 minutes before it was their turn to shine.
Boy was I proud.

And not to waste the opportunity of actually being out of the house, I snook off to the allotment to see what winter delights might be waiting for me....

....and I wasn't disappointed! In fact I eeked with delight. I haven't been to the lottie for a LONG while (ie since it's been cold and/or wet) so how this little beauty managed to blossom is beyond me!

A hearty cauliflower and gorgonzola recipe followed, and was much needed in this house of poorly people!!
(Apparantly this variety of Cauli (Romanesco) is best eaten raw or lightly steamed as 'it's all about the looks - honey' and admittedly the whole reason I grew this variety was because it looks so much cooler than your average cauli, but - when it comes to eating a raw green fractal, I'm not sure I'd get many hands up, so soup it was.)

Have jolly weekends friends, and an exciting countdown to the big day x

Make stuff

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

When I saw this image on the poppytalk blog post today it made me think Yay! I love people who make stuff too!

Am thinking there's a little shop in my home town who need this sign in their window...

Hope your day has been good today x

Early morning skies

A few shots from early this morning. After the constant state of *rush* I've been in over the last couple of weeks this Monday morning sky really echoed the lift of fug and teeny bit of clarity coming back into my head this week!

A big hearty *THANKS* to you all for your lovely, motivating and inspiring comments recently, it means a great deal, and has certainly helped me on my way. Much gratitude for the pinning of my new prints and spreading the word that has been happening... And also a great big HELLO to new friends following me on my journey! It's lovely to have you here.

Am off now to find inspiring soup recipes in preparation for warming the cockles on a chilly christmas eve afernoon, and of course, to instruct Father Christmas that he better start wrapping all those pressies.

x

Introducing...

Me!!

So, as I mentioned a while back, I have been creatively dabbling away behind the scenes. This, I must add, has seemed like a v-e-r-y slow process. What seemed to be endless and new-found 'free' mornings in September (when both the boys started school) rapidly became 2 hours of toilet cleaning-washing up-food shopping-etc-etc from October onwards. I found the odd day (and eve) though, to do what I hoped I might when I started up this blog. Stop being a frustrated creative, put pencil to paper and just be. Creative.



So my doodles became 'artwork' *eek* and suddenly I'd filled a sketchbook (it's been a long time),  and then even more suddenly I thought hey! I like this, I really like this. I'm doing something that I like!!

And so Words and Pictures began. My new path.

And I must say a big thanks to all of you for reading, commenting and inspring me to have reached this place...I don't think I would have ventured this far without your company!!

My prints will be available to buy VERY soon, **update, you can buy them now! Etsy shop is open!!** I have 6 designs and will post some pics over the next day or two.... - I am nervously excited..but hope someone out there (well some-two or maybe three) out there will like them and want to own one.

My Etsy shop listings are taking an age, but I will get there in the end (the photos are proving to be my stumbling block- crap camera, crap light, dark days.. excuses are endless) and keep my fingers crossed.
And hope for my little bit of magic.

Jen x



ps I have also delved into the social media whirlwind that is facebook for words and pictures, so please, if you'd like to like me or share me then I'd very much like that! (and you!) You can click on the link above, or on the F icon in the side bar. Thank you! xx

Melting moment!

Found: 1 frosty leaf WLTM warm pocket on the school run for melting moments and lasting memories.

J found this on the playground and gave it to me. "Look mummy it's a heart!" Bless. (He knows how to impress his mother...)

x

Colour pop

Hello again. I had a brief *pause* there for a while...nothing exciting happening in my life...(well not worth sharing anyway!)

And sometimes there just isn't much to say.

Sometimes though, you see something that makes you think, oh! I do have something to share! It may not be very exciting, but hey it's whats happening with me this week...

So, after seeing this lovely calm, uncluttered room belonging to Brooke Holme today whilst multi-tasking (read: browsing the net looking for suitable festive gifts/washing/ironing/letting the sink overflow (with water - not washing up, *eek*)) I discovered that I seem to have a penchant for turquoise, without realising until now.
(I told you it wasn't exciting, but here follow some nice images to make up for it...)

Source: thedesignfiles.net via Jen on Pinterest

Source: thedesignfiles.net via Jen on Pinterest

Lovely huh? Not very festive of course, which is what I was really supposed to be looking for, but when it caught my eye I couldn't ignore it!

So I thought while I was at it I might as well share some of my other turquoise faves with you...

1. Rex Ray wall decals by Blik
2. Aquasilk rug by abc carpets
3. Antique books by modulem on etsy
4. Succulent photo by theestateofthings
5. Nightswimming painting by maechevrette on etsy
6. Jonathan Mutch graphic design

A brief respite from all things red, white and snowflake shaped.
x

I'm in love...

With these gorgeous vintage indian kathkas...

 Long, long ago in the dim and distant past (well, it seems like it anyway) I used to travel fairly regularly to Delhi. Trips to India were my favourite trips of the lot. Yes we were working, but surrounded by such colour, such vibrance and such lovely people. Inspirational in many ways. Of course it would have been rude not to have picked up some lovely stuff when I was there, so I do have wardrobes overflowing with bits and pieces rather similar to these kanthas, but hey, there's always room for more - no?

The bottom on is my favourite. I've got a bit of thing for orange and slate blue together.
Also loving the way it co-ordinates with this fab print from inaluxe I spotted the other day and have added to my wish list!

What about you - what's your fave?

Kantha images found here

ps. I would really like to add that as much as I'm in love with these gorgeous pieces of cloth I am also aware how ridiculously expensive they are in comparison to an average textile workers earnings in India. My only hope is that a decent proportion of this goes back to the people that work hard to make these quilts. I'm guessing it doesn't, as that's the world we live in, but here's hoping anyway.

Source: uk.fab.com via Jen on Pinterest

Dreams..wishes..hopes...

I am about to embark on something new.
Something I guess I'd always wanted to do at some point (but though I never would)
Something I guess I'd been waiting to do (but though I never could)

I think I'm going down the right path...only time will tell... but I am excited, so that's got to be a good start, no?
 

So! It's this way then!

All my dreams..hopes...wishes...in a bottle, patiently wait.
Looking forward to sharing with you very soon! x


(Photos taken on our half term trip up North... The fabulous Forbidden Corner in the Yorkshire Dales, (go - it's brilliant) and the Fish for a Wish exhibition at the Baltic, Newcastle.)

On top of the world...

It really felt like we were.

Thanks for all your pumpkin happy comments on my last post! Hope you've all had a good week. I'm still pretending to be on holiday until the boys go back to school on Tuesday... then back to the real world...! x

My house smells of pumpkin....

...and I like it.

Carrying,
Cutting,
Scraping,
Scooping,
Saving,
Washing,
Oiling,
Roasting,
Flavouring,
Savouring,
Smiling.

Pretty much in that order.

Happy holidays x

(wanted to give you a sneak preview of my little pumpkins as we're off oop north for half term for a little holiday - hope you like them!!!)

Grey day bonus...

Such is this miserable weather we've been having it seemed only right to cheer ourselves up with a cup of tea and some lemon drizzle cake. And have a stab at curating an etsy treasury to go with!

'Grey day bonus - lemon drizzle!' 

Grey Felted bowl - Orga... theYarnKitchen $37.00	gray ombre cushion cove... cocosheaven $39.00	Screen printed natural ... handmadeinhigh... $20.00	Rustic Handbuilt Mugs -... JustWork $20.00
Felted slippers Neutral... AgnesFelt $60.00	Blockprinted Linen Tea ... willowship $20.00	Rainfall Stitched and S... leahduncan $24.00	reading makes your worl... goldlion $20.00
mid century design art ... poolponydesign $35.00	Crocheted Lace Stone, T... Monicaj $35.00	constellation notecard ... BranchandOlive $4.75	Let him sleep for when ... yellowbuttonst... $20.00
Hand printed drum lamp ... ClothandINK $45.00	Cushion cover 50x50cm -... skinnylaminx $38.00	Geometric fine art prin... littleprintpre... $85.00	happybirds screenprint ... roddyandginger $55.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

If....

....I had a million pounds in reality I probably wouldn't spend it on this place, but it's rather nice to dream....

 

The space, the light and the simplicity.
(The complete opposite - I might add - to my own home!)

All images from here including many more interesting abodes for sale...

Rainbow chutney

I've never had time, or the tomato glut, to make chutney before! Another first in our house.

It was becoming apparant though that the remainder of my garden tomatoes were not going to get any riper (or redder) so I thought I rustle up a 'rainbow' chutney and see how I got on.

Having checked out a few chutney recipes online which all looked much of a muchness I thought I'd just try my own version with what I had hanging around the kitchen...
I hadn't realised it was so easy.

Cut everything* up, chuck it all in a pan, let it bubble away for an hour and hey presto...

I love the way you start off with what looks like a summer fruit salad, and end up with an aromatic golden concoction filling the house with spiced autumn fruitiness.

Think I might treat myself to a tasty bit of cheese to go with this!

*I can be more specific if any of you are interested, but basically 'everything' is:
- red, orange and green tomatoes 
- red onion
- sultanas
- sugar
- salt
- ginger
- cayenne
- allspice
- black pepper
- wine vinegar

 

Rug Love

Strange title, I know, but I came across these wonderful floor coverings this evening (pre-'Homeland' surfing)...

Really stunning. (and beautifully styled)... Just a shame they're only available in Australia!
All rugs are from Loom.