Good Wreath

You probably know by now that I love getting my little creative groove on! So today I did just that! 

The fantabulous Donna Roche from Naturals by Donna (she is now blushing) arrived in my life this year and she really should scare the life out of me. You see she is so wonderfully spiritual and earthy - all aura, colours and healing. Usually I would run a mile and yet Donna does not frighten me at all. She has some sort of happy magnetic force! A broad smile seems to constantly beam throughout her chaotic day as she flits and floats here there and everywhere. She connects with the part of me I try and keep well trained - my creative side. Donna though - she just ooooozes it! Donna expresses her art so freely, wildly at times whether it be painting, print, healing or with flowers. It is simply a joy to be around her. You will all love her! I just know it. 

So I was so lucky to spend an afternoon with her at her workshop/studio/barn/space at Foxholes Farm to create a Christmas wreath for my door. 

So we got cracking and this (in very EJM terms) is what we did.

1. Wire ring thingy. Cover it with moss using wire to keep it tight.

2. Add the foliage to cover the ring. Donna goes nicking stuff from trees and hedgerows and apparently that is ok. Not ok from gardens though. Donna assures me she is a proper florist as well who does pay for most of her flora & fauna! Her point is though - look around you. Pine cones, branches, twigs, ribbons, wires. Donna seems to be able to make it all work together!

Donna - Leaf it Out!

Even something as simple as leaves can create a gorgeous wreath in Donnas hands. Apparently Americans - they love a wreath. Welcome Wreaths they call them. They welcome not only the guests but also the seasons so will reflect the time of year. What a lovely idea. (Add to Ideas List) 

So many ideas out there but I do love a succulent so this was my favourite alternative wreath and I might just have to give this a go (with a little help from my friend!! - HINT - Do a Succulent Wreath Workshop Donna! (Add to To Do List!)

3. Back to Christmas!! Then it is was time to play play play. Adding bits and bobs. Bark, wool, decorations. The studio is like an Aladdins cave with all sorts of wonderfulness spilling from every drawer or cupboard!

4. Then. Wow! Stand back and admire your amazeballs wreath. Donna suggested putting small plastic tubes so I can change the flowers every week and it is incredible because it can completely transform the wreath! It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. 

Now Donna can make you a wreath if you like - she is open at Foxholes Farm every weekend leading up to Christmas so just get in touch BUT what would be better though - is if you made it yourself! Yes little old you! With friends, sipping mulled wine, singing carols and getting all festive! Donna is running special Christmas Wreath workshops leading up to Chrimbo on Dec 8th, 12th and 15th at 6pm. Spaces are limited to 6 per session and the workshop will cost £55 (inc all materials!!) lasting approx 4 hours ish - depending on how much Mulled Wine you knock back!! There is also an afternoon session on Monday 15th if you cannot cope with another evening out. As if that was not enough - everyone who books onto the course will be put into a prize draw (names in a hat!). One name will be picked and that person - well they only get the workshop for free!!!!!! Yes free! Oh my days! Get booking. 

Contact Donna via her Facebook page or email naturalsdonna@aol.com

The Barn, Foxholes Farm, Hertford Heath. SG13 7NT

EJMx

Plooming Lovely

The Joy of Ink. No don't panic (Mum) I am not getting a tattoo. I am talking old school ink. Pen & Ink. That retro thing we call handwriting. A lovely weighty fountain pen in hand with words cascading with heart & soul onto paper. #bliss
The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.

Gustave Flaubert (Some French bloke but I liked it!)

The clever peeps who study graphology can tell over 5000 things just from your handwriting. Type it and all they can tell you is where you brought your paper and that you have a Hewlett Packard. Handwriting is personal to you. Like a fingerprint. Unique. You cannot get that with a computer or phone! Now I can't live without my computer, tablet or phone, typing and texting - I love a gadget BUT the written word - well it is just scrummy.

I love to write. No screens. Just paper. As a journalist when I am researching a new feature I storm it, using paper and pen. Doodles, ideas, key words all scribbled in chaos. Handwritten words can capture and connect chaotic thoughts. Sometimes it is as if the story comes alive before your very eyes. Cross them out but they are still there peeking back at you. They are also there, in your head. You wrote them. Your brain made that pen move in that way. I know it all sounds a bit flouncy but it is so true. 

So imagine my sheer delight when Sally from Plooms sent me the most amazing package. Just look at it!

A thing of beauty with lovely little hand written touches. It felt a bit like pass the parcel but I was certainly not handing this to anyone!

Inside the cellophane wrap was the brown paper parcel with a gorgeous hand written tag (which I promptly nicked for my Family Frame!!) and inside the brown paper was a beautifully wrapped gift. Inside the wrapping, a box.

Inside the box a felt case and inside the case.A Plooms Pen! In Paridisus Alexae Green.

Just look at it!! To write with it feels like heaven. I have found every excuse to write.

Yesterday I caught up with two weeks of my diary - just so I could use the pen!! I keep leaving little notes around the house. Which brings me smoothly on to Plooming. We all have to get PLOOMING. This is where you come in! This is the competition part. This is why you have read this far!!! 
Plooming.

You need to understand this for a chance of winning. So concentrate!! This is so wonderful. It brings my two worlds together - my love of writing and social media!!! #genius

Confused? Keep up! This is my Ploom of the day. Little story behind it - last night I was telling Hubby how I keep failing with my whole healthy eating thing. (I know - been a bit quiet on the whole 40Fit&Fab haven't I - more like 40Flab&Drab at the moment but that is for another post!!) 

Anyway he said: "Make tomorrow the day you do".

It sounded so simple and for some reason I liked it. It is in my hands. So I wrote this little note and took a pic with an apple (healthy innit!) and sent it to him. Ah cute I know! No - not soppy - cute! That is Plooming!!!!! #ploomit

Then hopefully I can send this to him tomorrow!! #ploomit

So COMPETITION TIME. Together with the lovely Sally at Plooms we want you to get Plooming. Send a photo with a handwritten message to someone. Make someone smile. 
1. Post your Plooming pic on instagram and whilst you are there make sure you go and find @ploomspens or find them at Plooms.co.uk on Facebook
2. Use the #ploomit when posting your pic on either site and wham bham you are entered!
3. Or for those who cannot get their creative juices flowing (and PLEASE do try) simply like Plooms.co.uk on Facebook and Like & Share the post on EJMx. #fairandsquare 

And you do not have to but I would love for you to come find me over on facebook!! #prettyplease

Sally and I will draw a winner on Dec 12th from all those who entered giving you the chance to win a Plooms Pen!!!!!! I know!!!!! #totesamazeballs #crushagrape #ploomit
Some more examples from Plooms for you to inspire you to get Plooming!! 

Hope you are as excited about this as me and I cannot wait to see your #ploomit pics over on Instagram @ploompens or Facebook Plooms.co.uk

Get Plooming
#ploomit

EJMx

You've Been Framed

Just a quickie as I have been a little poorly (all together now - aaaaahhhhhhhh). Nothing serious so will be back on my feet soon but wanted to show you I have not been idle!! I made this using more prints from the fabulous peeps at HuggleUp - do not forget you can use your code ELEPHANTUP for a 25% discount when ordering. So here is another idea of what you can do with those lovely ickle petit prints! STOP THE PRESS - I just found code HUGGLECARDS for a fantastic discount!!! Buy 1 Get 1 FREE!!!!

I had an old frame with a cracked mirror sitting for a few years in the under stairs cupboard - just waiting for its moment to shine again. It was silver so I painted it with some gloss from the cupboard - I love GREY! Everything is being painted grey in my house!! I grew up in the 70s and my parents painted everything brown and purple. My children will look back and say the same about GREY!! With a splash of yellow!

Then I stapled on (using staple gun) some pretty bobbly stuff (I am sure it has a name but my bobbly stuff was from Hobbycraft). I had to get my adult to do this (Husband!) as I was pretty useless and got close to chucking the frame down the garden!! I told you I am not well so my fuse is shorter than usual!!

Then using my little pegs that I used for my Family Tree I attached the photos. It was a complete #crushagrape moment when I finished it and put it on the wall.

Just as I was finishing I got a parcel from the wonderful Sally at Plooms and although I am going to be telling you all about that in the next couple of days I could not wait to use my lovely Plooms pen and even swiped her lovely tag to add to my frame. The pen is simply gorgeous and wait for it - you are all going to have the chance to win one!!!!

Anyway, back to my Family Frame. These would make lovely little gifts at Chrimbo if you fancy getting your creative on! Now to decide where to hang it!!

EJMx

My Smile Today is brought to you by the huggleup Family Tree

 

The guys over at Huggleup asked me what I would do with a pack of their Petite Squares and I came up with this.
A Family Tree.

 You will need:

Twigs from Ikea (Torka - £4.25) and cut them down to the length you want or if you are lucky use some twisted willow or hazel from your garden.

Ickle clothes pegs from eBay or Hobbycraft £2.79 for 100

Vase (one from my cupboard - you will have to get your own!)

Petit Prints from HuggleUp - £12.50 for 44

Ribbon or string

(Would also look mega fabulous using their Petit Polaroids Oh god did I jsut say mega!?!?. I will contact them once I have put this post live and see if I can get you guys a little discount code!)
UPDATE - 25% OFF use Code ELEPHANTUP

Simples!

The great thing is it is so easy to change and is a great talking point. Add new family members or remove them!

 

Change it on birthdays to be ALL about the Birthday girl or boy and get a few simple ones of the number they are going to be for an extra special touch.

 

Make a Christmas centre piece with all little pics of past Christmas gatherings and add them to the Christmas tree or get some holly for a table centre piece!

 

I could keep going but you get the picture!!

 

I have written on the back of some of the pictures to remind us where and when it was taken. I am a little bit in love with it! Hope you like it too.

EJMx

Who needs Enemies?!

Honestly I am my own worst enemy.

 

Every day I have a list. Be it written or simply floating about ever growing like a never ending till roll. It will always include the basics - kerching - washing and ironing, kerching - walk dogs and make beds, plan dinners, clean etc boring blah blah blah! Add to that some sort of physical activity - a run or a Crossfit session in the hope that I will get to 40 in some form of fit and fabulous condition. Then I will be all sweaty betty so need to shower. Then I like to throw in some little extras to the list such as steam kitchen floor (big job), clean oven, sort boys wardrobes (massive job), clear out hallway cupboard (HUGE job), drop off dry cleaning, list a gazillion items on eBay blah dee blah dee blah etc. Squeeze in some time to write something for the blog. Make sure all commissions for features are written or get my thinking cap on as to what to write next. Get some creative jiggy on and do some artwork.....

 

This list. It does not end. So every day. I fail. #epicfail

 

Now I know I cannot honestly fit everything in so why does this list exist?! I am my own worst enemy. Why do I not create an ickle list and then feel great at the end of the day that I have achieved it. So I am here telling us all now - STOP WITH THE NEVER ENDING LISTS! Let us unite and free ourselves from this sillyness. Let us rise in the mornings and feel good about what we will achieve that day! We will get a couple of jobs done and that will feel marvellous. #freedom

 

Trouble with me is on the one hand I am actually a messy, chaotic person which is why being creative suits me. Writing here and there. Painting or printing when the mood springs. All marvellous, loose and creative with not a list in sight. Only thing is alongside this little scruff bags sits someone bordering on OCD. I love pure, clean lines. Crisp and clean. Beautiful stillness. Everything in its place and a place for everything. These two peeps do not sit well with each other. This other side of me creates the list!

 

I give myself this huge amount of work to suppress the creative side? Sounds really deep doesn't it!? But understand this - I did not write, paint or print for eight years. Yes, I was busy with the kids etc but it basically boiled down to me keeping it at bay. Perhaps, ever so slightly, this is what I am meant to be. A creative being. Perhaps, this is me....... Can it really take this long to work out what you should be? And another question.. if this is what I love, why did I tread it down so long?! Weird huh?! So perhaps the answer is simple. Get creative and get a cleaner?!? #sorted

 

I am now off to do the ironing

whilst thinking about my next feature for We Heart Living

and then I will clean the oven

put all the clothes away

draw some whales

clear up the leaves outside the front door

whilst outside clean the windows

Oh and whilst I am out there the Wisteria needs training

Shit. A List.

 

EJMx

My Smile Today is Brought to You by Soup

I was so excited about 18 months ago when Campbells released some limited edition soup tins in the iconic Andy Warhol design. I raced out to snap them up - I really did. I knew what day they were being released and everything!! #littlebitsad 

Since then they have sat hidden away in the cupboard!? Poor beautiful little soup tins - hidden away. Then I had an idea about a year ago of what to do with them and finally I have found a moment and have pulled my finger out and done it! By now the soup was in fact out of date but I cleaned them out and then basically shoved in some mini succulents and whooppppeeeeee - I adore my little table arrangement. When I say adore I really mean it. Little things like this really make me smile!! It has made me realise that I should try and get around to the gazillion other little ideas zooming around in my chaotic arty/crazy head. So watch this space.... more smiles will be arriving shortly!

Some other creative peeps have done great things with their Campbells tins (I am not the only crazy one!).


How awesome is this Campbells cake!?

Simple but beautiful. Might have to do this too one day! And plant the dahlias....... Add to the ever growing To Do list..



Anyway, made me smile.
EJMx