Making Paper Mache Animal Heads

This project for some reason has taken us months to finish even though it really is very simple. During the rainy months of February, inspired by the ever interesting pinterest, we decided to make some Paper mache animal heads like the ones that adorn Anthropologie (But way out of our budget). We also had a lot of help from a certain little red haired boy who loves Peter Rabbit. And so Mr Todd and Tommy Brock were born. 

 Our inspiration (Image from Anthropologie)

We started of by making rough shapes with rolled up newspaper and tape

We worked out that the best paste was good old fashioned  flour and warm water, we dipped kitchen roll in the mix and added to our paper models 

To speed up the process we baked them in the oven on a low heat till they were slightly toasted

Beginning to take shape!

The final task was the painting. We finished Mr Todd this afternoon (Tommy Brock will have to wait for another day). We are all so pleased with how he turned out! The little guy wants to hang him on his door. Fine by us!

Would love to hear about your crafty endeavours this summer

Maria & Gem x

...guest blogging for Gas and Air

Check out my birth story-this week's story of the week on http://gasandairblog.com/ ! 

...going to weddings!

A few weekends ago we went to a good friend's wedding. It was a beautiful day full of eating, drinking and celebrating the beginning of an exciting new chapter. There were so many things that I loved about this wedding; the setting, the food, the endless prosecco, the handmade decorations. But what I will remember most are two things-
1. This dress!

(photos are a bit blurring-shows how fun it was!)

2. This poem that the bride's sister read at the ceremony. For me, it is so fitting and really sums up what a happy and lasting marriage is about. I hope you enjoy.

Atlas

There is a kind of love called maintenance
Which stores the WD40 and knows when to use it;

Which checks the insurance, and doesn’t forget
The milkman; which remembers to plant bulbs;

Which answers letters; which knows the way
The money goes; which deals with dentists

And Road Fund Tax and meeting trains,
And postcards to the lonely; which upholds

The permanently rickety elaborate
Structures of living, which is Atlas.

And maintenance is the sensible side of love,
Which knows what time and weather are doing
To my brickwork; insulates my faulty wiring;
Laughs at my dryrotten jokes; remembers
My need for gloss and grouting; which keeps
My suspect edifice upright in air,
As Atlas did the sky.

UA Fanthorpe

Congratulations Kate and Adrian!

Maria x

Learning stone sculpture with my dad

A couple of weekends ago I was at my favourite little pub, The Square and Compass. It was walking past the back yard with all the stone stacked ready for their Stone Sculpture weekend  that inspired me to take a trip home and learn from my Dad.

I have been wanting to have a go at stone carving for years, having watched my dad chip away for some time now. I love the sound of his 78's whirling on the record player with the familiar constant sound of his hammer hitting a stone that in time will evolve into one of his characterful forms. I had the idea of making a simple pear shaped sleeping Dachshund, but like any new artistic endeavour things changed a little.

The process of  building things up from clay I am used to so I  was unsure how I would take to  chipping away. The process is physical and very rewarding. How a raw shapeless stone, jagged and frayed can with some grease and vision turn into something so smooth and tactile, is amazing. No wonder people get hooked, I could happily spend my days making, throwing clay, chipping, sanding, carving.

My dad is my biggest artistic inspiration, self taught and hungry to learn from his favourite artists. He has always gone out of his way to inspire us and evoke a sense of curiosity and wonder. We were never too young to hold a hammer, a saw, a paint brush. For this I love him dearly! x

To begin with I used the mallet and these lovely chunky chisels to get the weight of the stone of. 

This is the tricky bit as you don't want to break the stone.

Dad used his stone grinder to get the raw shape I wanted 

By sun down it was beginning to take shape, early that day the stone cracked in half but left a perfect sleeping dog shape. So my original idea morphed into a sleeping spaniel, I didn't mind at all. It is true the stone will tell you what it wants to be in the end. 

Once the initial carving has been completed the next stage is sanding and smoothing down the edges. With water and lots of elbow grease the stones true colours raise to the surface, and you begin to get the natural shine of the stone. 

Pit stop during the rain - Listening to 78 of Bringing It All Back Home

I am so happy with my peaceful sleeping dog, I will ensure that it is patted for years to come

Here are a few of my dads lovely sculptures that settle in our house and give us much cheer! 

Thank you dad - All my love

Gem x

Discovering new campsites in Dorset

The first weekend of the holidays Maria suggested we all get away for the weekend and go camping. I never need much encouragement so we all set of in convoy to a quiet little patch in the middle of the Purbecks. During the drive I was directed down a very narrow road and was convinced we were going the wrong way. It was far too pretty not to believe it, so we followed the road we missed this little sign and and had to do a U turn, for others this would be a bad sign, for us It was just what we wanted to see, Simplicity!

The campsite was recommended on Junkaholique  . Artemis is absolutely right,  Jims Place is the perfect campsite. Like walking back into my childhood; A small summer field a few tents, the sounds of a handful of happy children. No kids club, shop, smell of a chip fryer in sight. Only a meadow of wild flowers, some free roaming guinea fowl and a big open space to just 'be'.

We enjoyed walking around the little village and were delighted by the bunches of sweet peas for sale and the free courgettes on offer.

We will definitely be going again!

Yes the courgette was hot and needed to cool down! 

This Cottage!! Swoooooooon

This little one really loved his first camping trip! 

We had courgettes and chorizo for starters! Yum

Morning Coffee - Enamel ware at the ready! 

 A three year old is very useful for jumping/rolling on things, when it is time to pack up camp

We would love to hear of your Dorset Campsite recommendations 

Gem & Maria