Return to Dunstable Downs
posted on Friday, 30 December 2011
My return visit to Dunstable Downs back in October was one of my highlights of the year.
Blog Archive : 2011 : October - December
New Years Eve 2011
posted on Saturday, 31 December 2011
What better way to ring in a new year than with good food, drink, company and a burlesque variety show?
Delays And Delights
posted on Tuesday, 27 December 2011
We were due to head home to London today but have decided to delay our return until tomorrow. Which makes us all feel like we have an extra day free to do with whatever we desire. What a treat!
Boxing Day 2011
posted on Monday, 26 December 2011
Today is Boxing Day, or St Stephen's Day as I grew up knowing it.
Christmas Day 2011
posted on Sunday, 25 December 2011
I love Christmas. The eating of food and drinking of drink you wouldn't touch at any other time of year.
Visual Cravings
posted on Saturday, 24 December 2011
I'm still beading, and still keeping it hidden, and still not doing much so I'm now beginning to visually crave new sights and interesting things.
Beading And Bakery
posted on Friday, 23 December 2011
I'm still working away on my latest project but can offer you no photos as I want to keep it hidden until it's published.
Gougères And Apéritifs
posted on Thursday, 22 December 2011
Fortunately my family are all as fond as food, and drink, as I am so when we get together it's not just one of our main activities, but a big topic of conversation.
Mistletoe And Wine
posted on Wednesday, 21 December 2011
The best thing about your parent moving to France is when you go to see them, you get to go to France. Simple but true.
A Magical Evening
posted on Monday, 19 December 2011
Another day, another thing to learn.
London Cocktail Society Christmas Party
posted on Sunday, 18 December 2011
Last year I missed the LCS Christmas party, so when I realised my trip to Egypt was postponed, my disappointment was tempered by being able to attend this year's.
Under Wraps And Hidden Surprises
posted on Saturday, 17 December 2011
Unfortunately my teaching trip to Egypt has been postponed until March, due to the elections there, and worries about what may happen.
Filtering And Filling
posted on Friday, 16 December 2011
Even though the recipe I have been following for Milk Liqueur says to leave it for 10 days, and I'm only 7-8 days in, I'm ready to filter as I want to give some of it as presents tomorrow.
Busy Day
posted on Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Phew. It's just gone 11pm and I've been sitting in front of my computer for almost all of the past 15 hours.
Bottling And Curdling
posted on Tuesday, 13 December 2011
4 days on and my Milk Liqueur still hasn't curdled.
Secret Streets
posted on Monday, 12 December 2011
Another day, some more beading and another excuse to drink a cocktail.
Rivolis And Revelations
posted on Sunday, 11 December 2011
I'm still working away on my latest necklace and whilst I'm enjoying seeing it come together I have a constant dilemma as to what colour rivolis to use.
Thanks And Recipes
posted on Friday, 09 December 2011
When I wrote my blog yesterday I really wasn't sure whether to talk about the charity, but it was very much in my mind as I was thinking about what to get people for Christmas.
New Patterns And An Appeal
posted on Thursday, 08 December 2011
I promise this is not the start of some regular theme of my blog posts, but bear with me and it will make sense.
Beading Behind The Scenes
posted on Wednesday, 07 December 2011
Just to prove I do spend my time doing more than eating and drinking, here is a look at the big bag of beads I'm currently making my way through.
Cooking Canapes
posted on Tuesday, 06 December 2011
It's almost a year since I last visited l'Atelier Des Chefs and the vouchers I received for Christmas are about to run out so it's time for me to panickedly take some cooking classes.
Garlic Overdose
posted on Monday, 05 December 2011
My roller derby team has a big bout on Saturday so we're having a quick team meeting tonight and the chosen venue is Garlic & Shots in Soho.
Triangles and A World Cup
posted on Sunday, 04 December 2011
Today I'm supposed to be working on making some more of my 3D triangles but am being very distracted by the fact that the first ever Roller Derby World Cup is taking place in Toronto.
Teaching 3D Triangles
posted on Saturday, 03 December 2011
Off to Cambridge today to teach the Newmarket bead group all about beading 3D triangles.
Courvosier Dickens Tour
posted on Friday, 02 December 2011
Last year I read all about the Courvosier Dickens tour and promptly booked tickets. Then I got my times all mixed up and we missed it.
Taxidermy Course Day 2
posted on Thursday, 01 December 2011
The main downside to travelling and doing fun things, like courses, is that all my regular work still needs doing.
Taxidermy Course Day 1
posted on Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Since I was young and used to visit my grandmother in Ireland I have been fascinated by taxidermy.
Learning To Fly
posted on Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Don't ask how or why, but with only a few minutes notice, today I found myself sitting behind the controls of a Boeing 737 learning how to take off and land.
Lots To Say- Nothing To Show
posted on Sunday, 27 November 2011
I have no new photos to show you, so instead I'll treat you to some more from New York, but I do have some exciting news.
Learning To Ski
posted on Saturday, 26 November 2011
Since December 31st 2007 I have celebrated the arrival of each new year at the Comedy Cafe with the great company of my boyfriend and friends.
Teaching Geometric Beads
posted on Thursday, 24 November 2011
A trip down to Dorset today to teach both my Peyote Geometric Beaded Beads and the Brick Stitch version.
London Cocktail Society Bitters Evening
posted on Wednesday, 23 November 2011
We safely arrived home yesterday and promptly fell asleep for a good 20 hours.
New York 2011- Day 13
posted on Monday, 21 November 2011
Today is my last day in New York and you know what- somehow I managed to not take any photos. I also managed not to yesterday either.
New York 2011- Day 11
posted on Saturday, 19 November 2011
Today I'm teaching my Jaipur Jewels pieces for The Bead Society of Greater New York and once again it's great fun to catch-up with old friends and meet new ones.
New York 2011- Day 10
posted on Friday, 18 November 2011
Still tired today so another late start before heading off to eat lunch and wander The High line.
New York 2011- Day 9
posted on Thursday, 17 November 2011
Today we're still tired so a slow start which begins with a walk to the World Finanical Center to see Canstruction.
New York 2011- Day 8
posted on Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Just as it doesn’t take much to make me happy, some days it equally doesn’t take much to annoy me. One thing guaranteed to frustrate, upset and generally infuriate me is bad service.
New York 2011- Day 7
posted on Tuesday, 15 November 2011
A busy day today starting with a private class with a lovely group of women.
New York 2011- Day 6
posted on Monday, 14 November 2011
A day off and a day to look at beads and meet up with friends.
New York 2011- Day 5
posted on Sunday, 13 November 2011
Day two of teaching at Beads By Blanche and todays class is all about my Rivoli Roses.
New York 2011- Day 4
posted on Saturday, 12 November 2011
Today is my first day of teaching and I catch the bus out to Beads By Blanche. This is my third time teaching here and as always I am amazed when I walk through the door.
New York 2011- Day 3
posted on Friday, 11 November 2011
Another day, another opportunity to shop...
New York 2011- Day 2
posted on Thursday, 10 November 2011
Another day, another breakfast at the Broadway restaurant...
New York 2011- Day 1
posted on Wednesday, 09 November 2011
I'm back in New York and super-excited. We flew in last night and, having packed for intense winter weather, were delighted at how warm and sunny it is. No coats needed which is great.
Deconstructing Drinks
posted on Monday, 07 November 2011
I've been reading a great book called 'How's your drink' by Eric Felten which is full of history, anecdotes, advice and of course cocktail recipes.
Triangle Variants
posted on Sunday, 06 November 2011
This may look like a lot of my previous work, but in my mind it is completely different.
Brooches And Bows
posted on Friday, 04 November 2011
A few years ago I won in a raffle a brooch made of a measuring tape. It was unlabelled so I had no idea where it came from.
Browsing And Beading
posted on Thursday, 03 November 2011
No sooner had I found my new local branch of HobbyCraft last night than I discovered it had only been there a few days and most importantly was having a 25% off sale on everything this afternoon.
New Discoveries
posted on Wednesday, 02 November 2011
A busy day today writing instructions and catching up with emails. I was pleased to get in the post issue 34 of Making Jewellery Magazine which features some colourful beaded beads I made recently.
Book Of Colour
posted on Tuesday, 01 November 2011
At the Tate yesterday I was unable to resist this book.
Art And Education
posted on Monday, 31 October 2011
Brian Williams, who I met last week, had kindly invited me to visit his studio and as I had already fallen in love with his work there was no way I wasn't going to accept the invitation.
Visit To Bird Of Prey Centre
posted on Sunday, 30 October 2011
Today I'm determined not to sit in front of the computer or behind a beading tray all day and we head off to The Bird of Prey Centre in Bedfordshire for a half day introductory course.
Cute Caterpillar
posted on Saturday, 29 October 2011
I've been very lucky recently to have been proof-reading and technically editing a new book on wire beaded butterflies and bugs.
Bronze Casting Course Day 5
posted on Friday, 28 October 2011
Today is D-Day. Or, to be less dramatic, the day we discover whether all our hard work has paid off and we have created wondrous things in bronze.
Bronze Casting Course Day 4
posted on Thursday, 27 October 2011
I start the day very tired and with extremely sore hands so am in no rush to get to college. When I do arrive it's obvious that the room has been a hive of activity.
Bronze Casting Course Day 3
posted on Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Today on the course starts out nice and slowly. We're due to begin preparing our pieces to be cast, but lots of people are still carving amazing creations, so we're a bit behind.
Bronze Casting Course Day 2
posted on Tuesday, 25 October 2011
It's the second day of my course today and I start by checking out my work and seeing if I still like it after a good nights sleep.
Bronze Casting Course Day 1
posted on Monday, 24 October 2011
Ever since I saw my first art medal (back in July 2009) I've been in love with them and have wanted to work more in wax and bronze.
Learning A Lesson From Jam
posted on Sunday, 23 October 2011
After my jam disaster of the other day I ordered extra pectin and today set about trying to salvage all my hard work.
Beading And Bands
posted on Saturday, 22 October 2011
The past few days have been spent mainly writing instructions and trying to squeeze in some beading when I can.
New Newsletter
posted on Thursday, 20 October 2011
It's been months since I've had the time to write a newsletter but I'm pleased to say that one will go out in the next few hours.
Plenty Of Pears
posted on Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Today as well as still trying to catch-up on all my work, I'm making use of all the lovely pears I picked from the small tree in my garden.
All Over The Place
posted on Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Today I'm tied to my computer still clearing emails and paperwork.
Comedy And Cuisine
posted on Monday, 17 October 2011
This week I'll be frantically trying to catch up on all my work having had so much of last week off.
Bouting And Eating
posted on Sunday, 16 October 2011
Today is a day of roller derby bouts for my team, the London Rockin Rollers.
Day Of Beading
posted on Saturday, 15 October 2011
My time at London Cocktail week 2011 is over and today is all about recovering, preparing for a skating bout tomorrow and beading.
Gin Day
posted on Friday, 14 October 2011
Today is the last day I'll be doing anything with London Cocktail week 2011 and to celebrate 3 of us planned to visit 3 different gin events and see just how much we could learn whilst imbibing.
Ministry Of Mixorcism
posted on Thursday, 13 October 2011
It's still London Cocktail week and today I'm booked onto 4 talks being given by the 'Monkey Shoulder Ministry of Mixorcism'.
More Chair Bafflement
posted on Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Today was work, work, work with nothing of interest to photograph and show you. So instead I present this photo I took yesterday of a pumpkin sitting on a chair.
Flavours, Accord And Exciting News
posted on Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Today I was back for more cocktail talks and had a great day of education.
The Magic Of Maturation
posted on Monday, 10 October 2011
Today is the first proper day of London Cocktail Week and having managed to secure myself a special pass I've booked into lots of trade talks and seminars.
Work In Progress
posted on Sunday, 09 October 2011
Don't worry, just because it's London Cocktail Week doesn't mean I'm not working!
It's Not That Hard...
posted on Saturday, 08 October 2011
... to please me. One thing that delights me, whilst at the same time resoring my faith in humankind, is good service.
Eat, Drink And Be Merry
posted on Friday, 07 October 2011
This week I'm mainly working on writing instructions, proof-reading a book on making wire beaded butterflies and bugs and finishing my latest Jaipur Jewels piece.
They Know Me So Well
posted on Thursday, 06 October 2011
Two of the best things in life are friends and random acts of kindness. When both combine, as they did today, you know all is well in your world.
Treasures Of Heaven
posted on Tuesday, 04 October 2011
Today I managed to make my delayed trip to The British Museum to see their Treasures of Heaven exhibition.
Busy Busy
posted on Monday, 03 October 2011
In amongst all my other work and travels this weekend I have been busy beading.
Dunstable Downs
posted on Sunday, 02 October 2011
Well we made it. It took ten years but I got back there again.
Photographic Memories
posted on Saturday, 01 October 2011
The weather in the Uk is unbelievable. It's the start of October yet it's hotter than it's been all summer. Today I stayed in and worked but tomorrow I'm getting out there to enjoy it!