I am going to Yarndale again whoohoo!!

Hello all,

Sorry I haven't been blogging much recently. I have gone from 0 hours of work per week to at least 37.5 hours a week. It was a bit of a shock to the system for me and the rest of the house, but it is worth it!! I need to be mega organised . . . I'm still working on that!!!

I do miss my home time, and little A keeps saying 'I miss you at work Mum' awwww, pulling on the heart strings. He has also started the school nursery this term. He is finding it very hard and fighting back the tears. My daughter just didn't have the issues, she would go anywhere at anytime, so much confidence for a youngster!!

Anyway, like I said before, I have been neglecting my blogs recently and I woke (not naturally, by a 6 year old, gggrrrr) this morning and after telling a grumpy child to go back to bed, I couldn't get back to sleep. So, I grabbed my phone and checked out Attic 24's blog and realised that Yarndale is coming up and she has a crochet Mandala challenge. This spurred me to book my hotel for Skipton , my tickets for Yarndale and get my hook out. I'm not sure when I will do it, maybe in my sleep!!!

All I need now is for someone to mind the studio whilst I am in Yarndale . . . any takers???

Here's a little gallery of what I've been up to (Anyone know how to do a picture table in blogger the easy way? I have tried and tried to no joy)

Pebbles

Pottery

A few of my favourite things

My beautiful town in which I live in. Quirky and full of history.

Family time and bbq's!!

It's taken me almost a week to write this post because I have been trying to fit my pics into a tale and getting frustrated. I have given up . . . .HELP.

Kel x 

A misty morn . . .

Hello

I fancied cycling into work today. I am so glad I did.

It was a crisp, fresh morning. It really blew the cobwebs away. 

I pootled along and it only took my 10 minutes until . . . .

I get to St Mary's water lane.

This pic is from half way up the hill, looking down. 

You can just see the arch way at the bottom of this STEEP hill.

This is looking up the hill from half way point. 

I certainly didn't cycle it. I pushed the darn thing up. 

Oh my poor thighs did hurt at the top.

It is too dangerous to ride down it too, hence, why they put railings at the bottom. 

I'm sure there's been a few people flying into the river at the bottom. 

I shall be taking this trip more often.

Feel the pain, feel the burn.

Hope you are all cool xx 

Long time no writing . . .

Hi all.

I haven't been here for such a long time. I have been busy running the pottery painting studio.m

It is going well, but it still needs to get out there to the people!

Here are some pics of the studio at its finished state . . .

The entrance to Splat n Splodge

From the counter

The colour selection splat plaques

Pottery available at Splat n Splodge. 

I had to choose these carefully and not select pieces that everybody would be happy to paint.

These range from cups, plates, bowls, picture frames to fun figurines. 

I will then branch out to more unique pieces. 

Aprons!! Lil kiddie aprons, cute!!

Oh the bunting. You have just got to have bunting!!!

I have a couple of extra events going on too. . . 

*Ladies night. 6th May. 7-9pm. Groups of friends can come and paint pottery in a relaxing environment. I thought it would give people a chance to meet up on an evening and do something fun, without the cost of expensive food and drinks. Also, where they can chat too each other without having to shout over loud music. Plus, they get something to treasure at the end!!

*Craft space. This will be a session once a week where people can and bring their craft, such as crochet, sewing, embroidery, knitting . . . and have a natter. This will be arranged around interest and availability. Something I have always wanted to be part of. 

Well, that is a quick update on the studio. 

I am popping over to all your blogs tonight after my tea.

I have been neglecting your blogs and I am sorry. 

I have a lot of catching up to do!!!

Kel xx

Making the most of the sunshine

After school today, we got straight into the garden and painted some plant pots. We used the sunshine to inspire us. It's been such a lovely day.

Mine is the middle one. I have done a Paisley design,  which isn't finished yet. I love my daughters.  She painted the four seasons around hers.
Lil man's is . . . Is his own design that only he understands!!!

Happy spring days

Kel
X

Mother's day treats

Hi

It is always great to get spoilt on Mother's day. But, I always appreciate the simple things more.

I just love receiving homemade gifts and card's as much as giving them.

I had a fab day, just pottering around the garden and having family time.

Lil man and myself are just popping out to get some plants for the garden. I do try every year, but I don't have a clue. I wish someone would come round and start me off!!!

Kel x

Hillary's country craft competition

Hello people

I have taken part in the Hillary's country craft competition.

I thought I was going to go all out on this challenge,but with starting the new business, time just ran away with me. I had to keep it simple and sticking to what I knew didn't freak me out.

I decided to make a cushion cover. I have a large feather filled cushion at home that needs a new cover . . . so off I went.

Here is how I started. I chose the fabric and trimmings to go with the Hillary's fabric I chose, Calluna Amethyst. I wanted to also add a personal touch to the cushion, so I stenciled a bird to the calico side of the cushion cover.

I found a picture of a bird I liked and used grease proof paper, contrasting fabric paint and a sponge dabber and off I went.

When the paint was dry I gently sealed it with an iron. 

I then went on to sew the two front panels together and pressed the seams open.

Added the trim. I chose purple velvet and cream lace trim. 

I decided to make an envelope style closing at the back. 

I have two young children and I have to put my soft furnishings in the wash a lot. They put them to the test!!!!

My kids use my cushions as trampolines, weapons and shields in pillow fighting and building them up to make a fort, so I find not having buttons or zips makes it safer and easier to live with.

I finished by sewing all the pieces together and viola . . . 

Let's see how long this one lasts with my two little tinkers!!!

This measures approximately 60x60cm. 

Kel x 

Cramming in a craft

Oh my

Oh my what a busy time I have had recently. I have been trying to get the studio ready and family time.
I want to apologise for the lack of blogging recently. I have felt like I have been burning the candle at both ends. I haven't blogged or looked at any blogs. I haven't even been on Google+ (sad face).
My days have been filled with everything from painting chairs to designing websites.

My house n garden (when it isn't rainy) have been filled with (16) half painted chairs. I have chosen these bright colours to brighten the place up. 

The walls n shelves are white and then I went and chose white and multi spot oilcloth, so it was looking a little bland.

I have also been painting, glazing and firing some test pieces. I have to admit, I am no artist, but I have to practice. Here are some pieces before glazing and firing . . . 

(Some of the lighting in the studio is fluorescent tubing and causes lines on the pics I take sometimes, annoying)

You can see the studio is coming along, with some chairs painted and tables covered and erected. Slowly but surely.

If you are interested in taking a look at the Studio's website and what we offer, take a look at my website:

www.splatnsplodge.co.uk

What can I make with these lovely beads? I was thinking of some kind of garland.

I found these beads outside a shop in the centre where my studio is. I kept walking past and they kept catching my eye. Illlooooovvveeee the colours and now I know why. They beads match my oilcloth!!! Meant to be!!

The beads are made by thread being wound round the ball. These straight away remind me of Christmas when I was a child. We used to have Christmas tree baubles made this way. Agghhh nostalgia!!  

I just had to have these little beauties for outside the studio . . . how cute? 

Where's the crochet? I hear you say. . . 

Well, I managed to get the Yorkshire, Haworth to be precise. I used to live here and always try to get there when I can. I had 2 nights away without the little people and managed to spend some time with my mum and sister. 

 Haworth is such a beautiful quint place. With just one main street. It is full of quirky shops and cottages. If you are not familiar with Haworth, it is the birth place of the Bronte sisters. This place is so magical that it would encourage anybody to put pen to paper.

Where was I? . . . o yes crochet. Whist I was at my Mums, I raided her wool stash and found a ball of wool and started on a scarf. Just because I couldn't sit still!! I didn't take any crochet with me because I didn't have space in my bag . . . shock . . . .horror!!

Anyway, here it is. A skinny scarf, using a pattern from the an issue of Simply Crochet.

On to the sewing. I have entered the Hillarys Blinds Country Craft Competition! I am going to write another blog post about this, because I also have to send this off to them. I am not expecting to win this competition but I like a challenge. Like I said, I just did't have the time to throw myself into this full throttle. When I first entered, I had big plans for the fabric. But in the end . . . .'I ran out of time'!!!

Kel x