Happy Easter

via

Happy  Easter!

wishing you all a fabulous day, wherever you are

and however you are celebrating

xx

 



March hares and easter bunnies and Alice Mary Lynch

This time last year I posted this in honour of the March Hare and the advent of Easter.  This year I want to show you these amazing dolls created by the designer Alice Mary Lynch and currently on display at Temperley London

Alice was a local girl,(to me!) training at Kingston University, London before going on to work for John Galliano, Christian Dior and Sonia Rykiel. She honed her craft in their studios full of stitching, beading and embellishment and thrived in the theatre of their catwalk shows.  Her latest whimsical creatures are made from vintage textiles and crystal beads.  She says ''I love imagination and humour, people who have their feet on the ground whilst dreaming, the poetry in everyday life. I like a certain vulnerability whilst standing strong, 1930's cabaret, dark shiny and mad, and silent films. I like the circus, the colours when the lights go down, the trapeze artist making an entrance. I like it behind the scenes, there are stories there too, and toys and childhood and history on our doorstep.'' 

 All these gorgeous hares come in a box frame and can be made to order...they don't come cheap but they are a one off.  For more information contact the designer directly.

Which one would you choose?

Paper love

It's just into February and Valentine's Day is fast approaching, so I thought I'd share this wonderful short film from Disney, just to get us in the mood. I've always loved the word serendipity, and this film is nothing, if not serendipity at it's best.  It's shot in black and white, set in the 1940's on a New York subway platform.  If this doesn't get you in the mood, then you have no romance in your soul!

This is just the trailer, so to watch the full film follow this link.  It's just magical and made me smile all day.

Still on the Valentine theme, some of you may remember my attempts at making my own origami valentine heart here.  Well, I've tracked down some other freebie printables for you to make your own love treats this year.

1. Martha does it again

with this accordion card

2. These cute love arrows

3.  Can't wait to make these adorable little tags

4. and a book of  love coupons to be redeemed at your leisure

Whatever you're planning, maybe these little treats will make it seem a bit more personal.  Have fun!

How to make... a poeny bouquet

My love of these flowers is well documented (see this) and I think if there was ever a need for me to have a bouquet of flowers made for me I'd definitely go for a poeny bouquet.

Anyway, I recently came across this tutorial to make your own.  Makes it seem soooooo simple even I'm tempted to have a go.  Even if you're not getting married you could make this as a treat for yourself.

London Landmarks

London Routemaster Bus

 As a child I was always into making things - books, terrible crocheted doilies, dolls-houses from shoeboxes and so on; but what I didn't do was the whole airfix thing and the making of tiny models.  That might all be about to change! The summer may be drawing to a close, the Olympics are over, the Para-olympics underway, Wimbledon done; but that's no reason not to continue to celebrate London as a city.  As I was trawling the internet for birthday presents last month I came across several models that could tempt me into what I always viewed as a frustrating gluing job.  What do you think of these?

Big Ben



Tower Bridge

All these kits are made of foam-card and need no tools to assembly.  How cool are they!  Get yours here and enjoy pretending you're ten years-old again!

Wrap it up!

I'm always on the look-out for new paper fripperies; drawn towards racks with trailing ribbons in multi-coloured hues, polka dots, neons, gilts and pastels.  I have draws full of luggage labels ready to be customised with bright washi tapes, boxes full of stampers to create my own messages and different coloured inks to write in.  I recently discovered this glue pen which is fine enough to write with and still add glitter for a sparkly effect.  I compulsively buy and then hoard gorgeous cards and postcards, loathe to part with them just in case they aren't loved by the receiver in the same way!

Although I love different wrapping papers and fine tissues, my go-to favourite has always been good old brown parcel paper.  It's SO versatile - customise with stamps, decorate with washi, write on it with glitter, bind with velvety ribbon or just add a beautiful tag; simple but effective and always made wth love!
It embues the act of giving with as much anticipation of somebody elses pleasure as the joy of receiving.

If you're into all things crafty and you live in London Papered Parlour in Clapham, South West London, is having a Papermash event tomorrow - tickets free, so register now and pop along for some crafting fun.