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Happy 2014 - Dreams and Resolutions



Happy New Year! I can't believe we have already said farewell to 2013 and 2014 is already galloping ahead of us. I am already looking forward to what this year has in store, but at the same time anxious and worried for the unknown, it's always a bit unsettling, but I also love the opportunity of a fresh start. I think I am becoming more of a worrier in my old age, and that is something I want to shake off this year. What I have realised last month is how much I have missed blogging, and have let work take over my mind and time. This year I really want to get back into sharing projects, memories and being proactive in being creative (especially during the winter months). I am always going to be snowed under with work, but if I don't spend time on my own ideas, they will never happen. And perhaps one day one of those small ideas could turn into something big. So I am even more eager to start fencing in just a little more time for all the things I love; Writing, reading, pottery, sewing, cooking but most of all being with my family and friends.

So here is my very simple New Years Resolutions;

1. Go to bed much earlier
2. Wake at 6.00 am and write for 40mins ( I've had an idea for a book for about 8 years now)
3. Say no when I want to (I'm rubbish at this)
4. Not to worry about work too much
5. See more friends and family - Dinner parties, walks, holidays
6. Plan and book adventures and weekends with friends & family (spontaneity in your 30's is rare)
7. Be creative - Blogging, sewing, writing, drawing, taking photos
8. Launch an etsy shop to sell Pottery and Prints
9. Go and see more live plays and dances
10. Only watch TV - for a certain programmes, read instead or watch old films
11. Rest more - Meditation / Time out
12. Keep blogging and being inspired!

 

 

 

 

Wishing you all a healthy & happy 2014

come visit us!

Love Gem x



Grateful!

Maria and I longed for summer to come, for those lazy long summer days that are all our own to play with. No work, no marking, no clock....no bell! And it came, and we did all those things we longed to do! Apart from keeping our blog up to date! I really thought we would have more time to blog, but we were both far too busy enjoying the summer sun. This year my favourite past time would have to be swimming in the sea, and that I did a lot! So here is my little blog post a homage to a wonderful summer. I am looking forward to the Autumn and love the fact that the seasons are so defined in England. I have not given up hope that I might just get one more sea swim in, before the waves start crashing in and the trees drop their leaves.

Have a great weekend! 

I promise we'll be posting more often now the nights

are drawing in x

gem 

sharing my top favourite places in Pembrokeshire

A couple of posts ago I shared my holiday snaps and promised to share with you some of my favourite places in Pembrokeshire . My parents and best friend and her family are coincidentally going soon! I am very jealous but wish them all a great time! x

1. Barafundle Bay

2. The Point House Angle (Best Pint of prawns

3. Fresh Water West

4. The Olde Worlde Cafe (Bosherston)

5. St Govans Head Inn (great steak) and dog and children friendly, very popular with climbers
6. Mencap open walled garden in Stackpole- Lovely gardens and new cafe, with a little shop selling grown produce.

7. Broad Haven & lily ponds
8. Cactus and Succulent shed (on the way to Freshwater West) New find and def worth a visit, look for the sign on the roadside.

9. The endless amount of gorgeous beaches
10. The fresh sea air

On the way we went the scenic route through the Brecon Beacons to stop at our favourite antique shop full to the brim of treasure, there is also a lovely cafe opposite to.

(my treasures from my last stop) 

Have fun! Let me know if you visited any of my suggestions, happy hols

gem x

...making posters for the little fella's room

We have been moving a few things round here lately to get ready for sproglett number 2's arrival (hence my radio silence over the last few months). The little fella has moved into a bigger room which he will eventually share with his brother/sister. We wanted to make the room quite gender neutral because we don't know what flavour this one is, and we're not really into blue for boys pink for girls, etc, anyway.

One of the things I was keen to do was to get some fun, original 'art' to go on the walls. As ever we are on a budget, so Gem helped me to trawl websites such as Pinterest and Etsy for some inspiration.

We decided that this picture of Gem and her sister's ice creams could work as an A1 poster (see other poster fun we have had here).

I wanted it to be black and white so that when photocopied and enlarged it would have the same sort of grainy quality like the nest poster.

When I took the above image to my photocopy shop they said that the background was far too dark, and that the ice creams needed to 'pop' out a bit more. So I got back to work, and thanks to Gem and her photoshopping skills we came up with this image below.

She highlighted the ice creams (and did some other clever techy stuff too), and faded out the background. I was so excited to see the end result!

And here it is! It sits beautifully above the mantelpiece underneath the yards of bunting that I made for him before he was born.
The room is really starting to come together now. I might even share some pictures soon.
Have a lovely weekend! I'm off to find some ice cream...

Maria x

sleeping under the stars at the BIG WILD SLEEP OUT

This weekend I am heading to RSPB's nature reserve in Arne to help volunteer for

As part of the RSPB's new campaign to give nature home, they are getting kids and adults to experience nature at night! So I have packed my bags for a weekend of star gazing, nature searching, camp fires, and fun. If you are in the area come on down, bring a tent for tonight, but Saturday and Sunday all you will need is out door essentials and enthusiasm for the elements.

Ps Big thank you to 7th Rise who gave me the mushroom book as a competition prize! Hopefully I will be posting about my finds later next  week!

Have a fab weekend! 

Gem x

....Revisiting my childhood holidays in Pembrokeshire

A week ago last Saturday I had the same bubbling of anticipation that I did when I was a child, as we were heading over the Seven Bridge. We were on our way to our childhood stamping ground in an old rented Farm House in Angle in Pembrokeshire. It was amazing! My brother and sister and I spent our days at our favourite old haunts, swimming in the sea, eating pints of prawns and generally soaking up the spectacular Pembrokeshire coastline(I will post later in the week about my favourite spots). This magic place will always be my second home! The Farmhouse was just how I remembered; lots of old furniture, chintz and big old sprung beds, a big old steel bath, and the close by sounds of sheep baa'ing and masts chiming in the harbour. I'm so glad we went back!

I love this old kitchen, everything is the same as how I remembered it! 

 My Brother and I ran into this dining room to see if the pickled adder was still there.. 

sadly it wasn't, but the out of tune piano remains! 

Sorry for our absence! 

I hope you're all enjoying the summer, 

Love gem x