My Day Out

I had a couple great outings last week with Pat, my husband and as usual on my outings I had my camera with me, I'm no 'photographer' but enjoy taking 'snaps' and 'pics'. I just use a small digital, but my, aren't they good these days? Small enough to pop in my bag, no weight involved and easy to download straight onto the 'puter. 

We set off nice and early and went to The Ace Cafe London

A small selection of the bikes that arrived

It was just over an hours ride away and the roads were clear, most of the traffic was behaving itself and it was a very pleasant ride. By the time we arrived we had built up a bit of an appetite and I had what must have been the biggest 'full cholesterol' breakfast I've ever had, but mmmm I did enjoy it, (even though I couldn't finish it).

There was a great atmosphere and it was very friendly and great fun. As for the bikes there was a huge selection of Classic Vintage, Sports and Cruisers.

We then rode on to High Beach in Epping Forest. It's a great ride and we stopped off at a tea hut where a lot of bikers meet up.

High Beach Tea Hut

Pat's Pride and Joy

We then took to the road again and came across a lovely little pub, 'The Harlow Mill', a lovely place to stop for a snack and the perfect cup of coffee.

The Harlow Mill

The Lock behind the Mill

Beautiful Houseboats on the River Stort, just behind 'The Harlow Mill'

We came across this lovely Sculpture by  Anthony Lysycia at the side of the Lock.
The Sculpture Trail looks interesting and it's something I may follow up.


All in all we had a brilliant time.

I'm hoping the weather stays well as we are planning a few more trips before the summer is over. 

Take care everyone

Jan x

Bathroom Plaque & Handmade Monday

Gosh I'm really late this week, oh what a busy one it's been and not all painting and crafting either, I've had a couple of great day's out but as I'm running so late I'll leave all that for another post. 

For this weeks blog hop I've got a some Bathroom Plaques to show you.

 

I have a couple more Bathroom Plaques in the pipeline, one say's "The Reading Room" and the other is "Throne Room", it has surprised me how many people give 'that' room a quirky or different name, a couple I've done that spring to mind are 'The Wee Room' and 'The Best Seat in the House'

I'm off now to follow the links on Wendy's blog and have a nosey at the other great crafters that take part in 

Handmade Monday

Bye for now

Jan x

Handmade Monday 29

This week I've been busy doing my wood preparation. I tend to saw, drill and sand the wood in large batches ready for my plaques, bunting and other bits and bobs. If anyone requests an item of a different size than I usually do then I will do that as I need it. 

A few days ago I had such a request from a repeat customer, she wanted a Plaque larger than I normally do, to hang in the kitchen of her new house. My Plaques are normally 31/2" x 7" but this one is 5" x 10" and I've used a chunkier wood. I'm pleased at how well it turned out.

A Kitchen Plaque

This is one of the nice things about individual handmade items, as I'm sure you will all agree, they can be done to suit the customers wishes.

I also had a commission for a Plaque for 'Grandpa's Shed'. The customer wants the Plaque to hang outdoors and asked if it could have a bee painted on it. I emailed across a selection of designs and the customer chose this cute 'ickle Bee and Daisy. The Plaque is finished with an exterior varnish and florists wire instead of ribbon.

A Plaque for Outdoors

Before I go I'd like to say a big Thank You to three lovely bloggers, firstly I'd like to thank

Linda at myblogfinallymadeit  for featuring one of my Fairy Doors 

Linda does a great job of showcasing wonderful selections of  items from the Folksy shops.

My next thank you is to Anita at Bath Bomb Creations

She sent me a gift bag of her Lavender & Ylang Bath Bombs to 'Try & Review' and I must sat it was very favourable.

Anita often offers freebies to her blog subscribers in exchange for a review, it was done as a simple question and answer format. I never would of thought of buying this type of gift before but I have completely changed my mind. All reasonably priced too so...........

.........Thank you Anita.

Lavender & Ylang Bath Bomb Cubes

 Lastly but certainly not least I would like to thank Wendy who does a brilliant job of hosting Handmade Monday so why not pop over and check out what all the other talented bloggers have been up to this week. If you don't know what Handmade Monday is then follow the link and all will all be explained.

Jan x

F is for Fairy

It doesn't matter to me how it is spelt it all means the same, whether it be fairy, faery, faerie or any other spelling, to me it's magical, enchanting and charming. 

Did you know that the word 'faery' originally derived from the Latin 'fatum' or 'fata' meaning Destiny, Enchantment and Fate? Fatum/Fata developed into fee (french) and the English fay or fae. Now this isn't me being clever, I gleened this information from one of my most favourite books, Good Faeries-Bad Faeries  by Brian Froud. 

As the title suggests Fairies are not always the sweet, gentle, helpful creatures we usually imagine, they can be mischievous, disruptive or even evil.

Other names we can use for the Faery Folk are sylph, spirit, elemental and pixie.  Brownie, elf, sprite and nymph. Gnome, goblin, gremlin. Siren, imp and leprechaun, these are just a few that can be used for the different classifications of Faries. We have the Fairy Godmother the Tooth Fairy and even Fairy Rings.

I often paint Fairies in my artwork, not in the same class as Mr Froud but I get great pleasure from doing these paintings.

Autumn               &               Springtime

Summer                      &                      Winter

Some of my commissioned Plaques

 I love Wooden Fairy Doors too, they are the doorway to an Enchanted Kingdom.

Do you believe in Fairies?       I do and it's often been said that I am 'away with the Faeries'!

All my Plaques and Paintings are either for sale or can be made especially for you, you can contact me by leaving me a message on this blog, through my Folksy Shop or my Facebook Page

Also check in on Wendy's Blog for a look at lots of other great bloggers or even join in on Handmade Monday.

I'm off now to play at the bottom of the garden, I'll be back soon with the letter G

Jan x

Jungle Themed Plaque

Good day to you all and Hello to any new visitors to my little corner of the blogasphere. 

It's a wonderful sunny day here in Suffolk and I will be spending some of it in the garden taking photographs of my finished plaques and paintings. 

I'll also be scribbling away at some sketches for a couple of  new paintings I'm hoping to start in the next week or so.

Here is one of my jungle themed plaques I was asked to do for a birthday gift.

There are lots more designs for Plaques in my Face Book Albums

This week also found me having a great day out in Wells-next-to-the-Sea. It's a great place for fish and chips on the beach and an ice-cream for afters.

I'm off to check out the other great bloggers who take part in Handmade Monday

I hope you can join me.

Bye for now

Jan x