....Tie Dying

Since last summer I have been dying to Tie Dye!  (Alan Partridge-  unfunny pun) So this weekend taking advantage of my sister being down to stay, this is exactly what we did.  Maria and her little boy came over to help us out, it was great fun! The plan is to do it again in the summer and make a day of it with friends and a BBQ. There is talk of making things for the little ones, bright yellow duvet covers and little baby grows! I can't wait. My sister is going to make a quilt blanket from her bed sheet so watch this space for an up date soon! 

You need to soak your clothes first! 

Adding concentrated Dye! Love the colour! 

Little man, washing our pebbles to make patterns with! 

Twisting and Tying knots and pebbles make great patterns! 

reviving old festival T-shirts 

This is the best bit! What are we going to get .... 

We found the instant Dylon Sachets really easy to use, and helpful tips are suggested here. 

Fingers crossed for a long summer's day 

for more Tie Dying Fun! 

Gem x

...making a special photo gift for Father's Day

One of my goals this summer is to learn how to use Photoshop. Luckily for me, Gem is a whizz at this, and has been helping me and giving me some excellent tutoring!
For Father's Day I decided to make the husband a sort of collage of pictures that I have taken on my iPhone over the last year or so. I used a couple of apps to change the filters and add some doodles-my favourites being VintageCam (read my post on this here), and A Beautiful Mess. I wanted to have the effect of an old photobooth, so Gem helped me line them up into strips. Then we printed it out onto A4 card, and I found a simple black frame in Wilkinsons. I was delighted with the end result-as was the husband, which was the main thing after all!
Stay tuned as Gem and I are having lots of fun with photography lately, and will be posting our creations very soon!

Maria x

Weekend fun with The Tickled Pig and Quinns Quinney

After a really stressful week (Ofsted) It was great to forget our woes and eat lots of amazing fresh organic food care of The Tickled Pig restaurant in Wimborne, at their anniversary party at Pamphill Farm. The food was amazing and well worth the entry fee (I can't wait for someone to generously take me for a meal at their restaurant one day) The evening got even better with the arrival of my friends the well known  skifflers of;  Quinns Quinney. The event was lovely and reinforced why I love Dorset so much; kids running around chucking hay and families munching into local food and cider. This is what life is all about! An excellent tonic to a gruelling week!

This was just half of it! 

My friends little boy loved the hay pit! 

 Daisy - I wanted this dog so badly! 

Hope you had a great weekend! 

Get in touch if you know of any other Dorset events 

that just can't be missed! 

Gem x

Gem's June Wish List

How have we got to June already! I usually find wish lists really easy, but this month it appears that all I really want is friends, tasty summer food and sunny weather. But after a little bit of pondering I realised these little summer essentials could easily be added to my summer!

1. Badger After Sun Balm (I might have to get this as a matter of sun protection)

2. Some very expensive but stylish Ray Bans (I need to protect my ageing eyes) 

3. A wetsuit for our typically British Summer

4. Sea Water Originals for Paddling on pebble beaches

5. Maria has told be lots about the Carnegie Book Prize Shortlist,

 I think I will start with the Weight of Water!

6.This lovely cotton smock top from Seasalt

what's on your Summer Wish List? 

Have a great weekend! 

Gem x

...enjoying the start of the summer (or have I spoken too soon?!)

Wow. It has been a particularly hectic few months here, that I feel I am only just managing to catch my breath. The couple of lazy sunny days we have had recently have helped to recharge my tired old batteries, and I feel inspired to 'blog on' with renewed energy and vigour (!)
So, I am going to start with another little catch up on what we have been doing lately. It involves lots of eating and lazing in the sun; my two favourite past times.

 Sunbathing in my parents' garden (ours is a bit of a building site at the moment-but more on that soon). This magnolia tree has been looking particularly lovely these last few days.

 More flowers! We are trying to teach the little fella some of their names.

Hanging out and eating delicious home cooked food with good friends at supper club.

Paddling pool fun.

More eating! I have been experimenting a lot lately with homemade burgers. They are so easy to make. I just use good quality minced meat, add a bit of salt and pepper, mould into small patties with my hands, and grill on the BBQ. Easy peasy.

Listening to this summery song on repeat in the car. The little guy has just discovered it. He says 'I love this bit' when it gets to the chorus. I couldn't agree more.

What have you been up to lately? Let's hope the sunshine continues!

Maria x