Searching for Denise Grunstein

While we are on favourites, this is my absolute favourite photographic image. I saw it a few years ago in a magazine and have been trying to track one down ever since. It is by Denise Grunstein and was part of a special art event that Ikea held. So if you ever see one, or hear of one for sale- you know where I am....

Neutral agates and Dinosaur Designs

This is my favourite necklace. Its faceted agate stones on a heavy silver chain. Totally unusual and I have no idea where or when it was made. My husband and I saw it in a shop in Byres Road, Glasgow when we were Christmas shopping a few years ago. I loved it but it was sooo expensive. Anyway David secretly bought it for me. I was delighted but before I could go back and find out more about it, the shop closed down. So none the wiser I have been adding to my neutral jewellery ever since. The bangle is one of a series I have from Dinosaur Designs,www.dinosaurdesigns.com.au/ , an Australian company that make amazing jewellery and home wares from resin. They mimic natural stone and I wish they were for sale over here!

Watching the Waverley

Saturday In Glasgow was glorious weather. A long time ago, before kids we used to go on an annual trip on the Waverley paddle steamer. Quite a West coast institution, the last ocean going paddle steamer. Really these trips 'doon the watter' were  an excuse to have a wee drink and get sunburnt. Anyway in these changed days we took the kids to the Renfrew ferry to watch it going by. Needless to say small one slept through it all! We then moved onto the Botanic Gardens for a picnic and a wander round the glasshouses. In its own way quite a traditional Glasgow Saturday!

A little bit of Florence

When I was pregnant with bubba number two this was my project. We wanted a small table for the hall, just a drawer, a cupboard, not too big, not too small. We looked and looked and found nothing....until this horror came along.....

Believe it or not it was just right. Soooo a lot of hard sanding later, often very early on weekend morning (I couldn't sleep) and a lot, a lot of white paint later we ended up with the version shown in our hall. I found some nice glass handles and thought well its ok but something was missing....

So I was clearing out a cupboard and came across some samples of Florence Broadhurst 'Aubrey' fabric. At one time I had hoped to cover my Ercol chair in them, but unfortunately at £50 a metre it did not come to pass. Previously I had sewn some together to make a cushion, and luckily they fitted perfectly under the glass top- so what do you think? I think its just right.

Woodland Charm

Home to Perth at the weekend as at my future sister in laws hen do. Had a lovely time and the boys seemed to report back unscathed from the Inverness stag. On the Sunday in between torrential showers, my folks and the kids went for a woodland walk. It was sooo wet but just nice to get out in a break in the showers. The falls were amazing and much more impressive than this picture shows!

This post is also an excuse to show my 'woodland charms' bracelet bought in Boo Vake (an amazing shop). Yet another birthday present to self. I am having a bit of a jewellary fest at the moment but luckily I got some lovely pieces from family and friends too. So thank you.

Slowly but surely I am getting the hang of the iphone and may yet manage some photo apps, anything to help improve my snaps!

Slow Sunday morning craft and play!

We had a lovely Sunday morning. We have all been a bit under the weather this weekend. Finn was up sick last night so was feeling quite sorry for himself this morning. So we all stayed in our PJ's most of the morning making the first of my craft kit (for children!) owls. Nevie played happily at our feet.

Candlesticks

Sorry, yet another post about Ikea. But I have a bit of a thing about the store just now. I have been busy finishing off the new En suite with bits and bobs which has of course meant visits three weeks on the trot. To be honest its actually a great place to go with the kids. Finn loves it and is well behaved, eats the food etc etc and its really baby friendly for Nevie. Anyway this is my latest thing, don't you just love this candlestick- I had seen it in a couple of magazines and the Beloved Homes Ikea book (currently my favourite reading) and was delighted to find its only £4.99!! Definitley next purchase. Its just so mmm Scandinavian isn't it!