Much preparing going on for tomorrow

Relaxed...

 

So it is Sunday and it is my 3rd day into vacation..

I should be good and relaxed by now and just slightly missing home.. and my camera should be filled with wonderful images to share...

Have a wonderful day!

images via

 

Excitement

There's so much going on.
And it's all good and interesting stuff. that's making me happy.


Tomorrow I install my window display at the Fringe Arts on Kloof Street and hang a few new pieces inside that will blow your socks off. Or at least I hope they will.  Think rolled books, long chains of hanging treasures and interesting shapes as well as Spekboom plants growing out of books. Not a bird or heart in sight!  Well, actually there is one heart  - I haven't lost my commercial sense all together.  Topping it all off are A1 size posters with quotes and thoughts, hand drawn or painted or printed or sewn, they will change every second day so keep an eye out.


I am working on another 2 privately commissioned book pieces as well which are giving my spirit a bit of a work out.


In the beginning of July I have a lovely holiday planned to the Eastern Cape for a bit of Grahamstown festival, a Great Karoo road trip and a wedding.


I came across these quotes while researching a get-together for creative entrepreneurs that I am planning for the end of July. I like them. They all sum up how I see my business.

A lot people never use their initiative because no one told them too

-Banksy

"Nobody talks about entrepreneurship as survival, but that's exactly what it is and what nurtures creative thinking. Running that first shop taught me business is not financial science; it's about trading: buying and selling."

- Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

"Experience taught me a few things. One is to listen to your gut, no matter how good something sounds on paper. The second is that you're generally better off sticking with what you know. And the third is that sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make."
- Donald Trump

greige and flowers

 

Just about everything is better with flowers I think.  I have been buying fresh flowers to put around the house lately as my roses are not doing their best this year.  Soon though it will be time to cut the hydrangea and that I have a lot of!

image via pinterest

 

An Origami Lesson

I've just spent a very pleasant morning teaching a group of friends how to fold cranes and horses which they are doing for a friends wedding décor.  1000 cranes are needed in total for Luck so they are still folding steadily (and chatting and laughing and drinking bubbles and eating cupcakes).

I am always reminded during these lessons at how nervous we are as adults to learn something new.  The common denominator is always seems to be fear of failure and not making it correctly ie. I'll never be able to do that, I can't do crafty stuff, I don't get this type of thing... blah blah so it goes.

And then the best part is when everyone's stumbled through 2 or 3 cranes they suddenly click and realise they can do it.  And they have learnt something new that stimulates a part of their brain they'd forgotten all about.

Finished up..

 

I wanted to show you a little update on my vintage sofa.  I picked it up a little while back but have not had a chance to take a full picture of it.  I love it- I went with the dark grey linen and added vintage wheels to bring it up a little bit for the room.  I love love it!

What do you think?  Have you had much success with reupholtsering vintage pieces?

 

 

THE PERFECT SUMMER DRINK

 Photo courtesy of Belvoir

When I heard that Belvoir, England's all-natural, small - batch  fizzy cockail - enhancing elixers were available stateside, I ran out and bought some. I headed to my local Williams-Sonoma and grabbed what enticed me. Their charming hand-written script label with bright background and tall bottle create a beautiful and alluring presentation. I have found I am totally smitten with the Belvoir Fruit Farm's Ginger Cordial, and have needed to restock my bar. 

So what is a cordial, anyway? The process of making the drink syrup involves pressing, cooking and extracting the essences from fresh flowers, fruits and spices. Those are then mixed with local spring water to make the yummy bottled cocktail ingredient. Their Ginger Cordial, my favorite, includes a mixture of fresh and spicy ginger root syrup along with lemon. It makes the perfect Moscow Mule. Or try another popular version the Elderflower, which is available through Terrain. Add sparkling water, vodka, and the cordial over the rocks and you are on your way to an amazing evening. Yum.