hello world

Happy new year friends xxxx

A star is born

He is here....Rafferty Joseph McArdell, 7lb 15 1/2 oz was born at 2.15 on 23rd December and brought home on Christmas day. He is perfect, we are all doing well and enjoying every single second......

Happy, happy Christmas xxxx

Magical........

I have been housebound since last Thursday but made it out today. This is our back garden and I think it looks gorgeous (click to enlarge). Do you remember sitting here in the Summer Kelly?

Lots of love to all my readers and thanks for hanging in there with us this year. Warmest wishes this Christmas, hope its magic! xxx

Huuuggee hello

For such a long time now I have wanted to blog about a very special friend and talented jeweller, Kriket Broadhurst.

She lives just around the corner from me here in Beaumaris and she landed here not long after I opened the gallery.

She makes and fires her own ceramic beads which I find fascinating and love going into her studio to see and play with her latest firings and wonder what beautiful creations she will turn them into. Her work has always been incredibly popular in our gallery as it suits young and old. I am a big fan of her new all silver collections, they look great on, dressed up or down, and are very affordable. So take a closer look here and here.

She also has a very lovely blog with some interesting tips for jewellers, and an etsy shop. The pieces below are all on our website.

I am just about hanging in there..... counting down the days, watching favorite films, baking, going to Christmas parties, wrapping presents, waddling down the road for coffee and cake with friends, loving The Apprentice, organising rotas for January, trying to write a staff/work manual for new staff, trying to tear myself away from the gallery and let hubby take control, spending way too much money online because of boredom, packing bags, still loving every kick.....but not every wriggle down as head is engaging, realising I can sleep better without a million cushions surrounding me making me sweat, making wreaths for the front door, struggling to decide on a name, only 6 sleeps to go!

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, and just in case I don't make it back before, wishing all you gorgeous lovely readers a very merry Christmas xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Betty Flo got married

Well ladies....friends. Thank you thank you thank you, each and every one for leaving such heart felt comments. It made me realise I had definitely done the right thing in sharing our news. Hubby and I have read them over and over again as it really warms my heart.

I didn't mean for it to be so long between posts but we have all had a horrible bug which found me in hospital overnight as so dehydrated. Hubby then got it, then Mum and it was a nasty one. I had to stay away from hubby for a few days while he mended but we are all good now. It seems most of our town had it too. But we had a very positive experience in hospital and met the most wonderful consultant who I have been waiting and longing to meet which has given me a new found confidence for our forthcoming arrival.

I just wanted to share some photos of Betty Flo's first wedding. We had a wedding list at the gallery a few weeks back and as the lovely couple are surfers I thought they might like to use Betty Flo as the wedding car. Along with a beautiful white VW beetle it made quite a lovely convoy. Since then I have had 2 requests to use her next year so we shall see.

This Saturday she is coming out of storage again as we have a Victorian themed event in town with a Christmassy feel too.You may remember we have it every year in Beaumaris where the town dresses up in Victorian costume, there are processions, choirs, punch and judy, craft fairs, an antique fair, fairground rides, apple bobbing, snow machines and much more. This year we are doing face painting in Betty Flo parked up outside the gallery.....could be fun. I will try to remember to take photos. If you are over our way its definitely worth a visit. We serve mulled wine and stollen all day, its a lovely way to get in the mood for Christmas. If you're not already.

I have a freshly baked carrot cake waiting to be eaten that is pulling me away, and I have to leave some things to say in my next anyway. I swear by this recipe, tried and tested many times. Its so big though that I have to do the rounds to neighbours and friends with a slice while it is fresh and at its best. It's from the wonderful Falling Cloudberries book and everyone LOVES it.

Carrot Cake recipe:

4 eggs, lightly beaten

250g caster sugar

185ml sunflower oil

300g plain flour

3/4 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

2 tsp ground cinnamon

400g carrots, peeled and grated

55g chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting:

180g butter, softened

250g icing sugar

180g cream cheese

3 drops vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 180oC/350oF/Gas4. Grease and flour a 24 cm springform tin or bundt pan. Whisk eggs and sugar until creamy, then whisk in the oil. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon. Add this to the eggs and whisk. Add the carrots and walnuts and mix together. Scrape into tin and bake for an hour.

Once the cake has cooled; For the icing whip the butter and icing sugar together until its stiff. Beat in the cream cheese and vanilla. Spread over the cake. And decorate with walnut halves.

Its the best I have ever tasted. I could happily sink my head into the bowl of topping its so good.

What a pretty sight, hope all is well with you lovely lot, I am also about to plan our Christmas windows to do tomorrow so bye for now.

bumpity bump

Well Hello all, or anyone at all?....who knows if anyone still checks into this space anymore.

I wouldn't blame you one little bit. Bloggers are no fun when they're not consistent are they? Well I don't know, it lifts my heart when I suddenly find someone has blogged again after a long absence and I understand that lives have to be lived, people have a LOT going on. I saw a good friend yesterday who reminded me I'd not blogged since June and I had a long think about and decided its about time I share (thanks Ali x)

Well, to explain my long absence, I have been looking after and nurturing a very large belly filled with a very wriggly and blooming baby. Yes, I am 7 1/2 months pregnant and due to give us all a wonderful Christmas present this year.

I have been frightened to write it here for so many reasons but I have come to the conclusion that it is something to rejoice in, celebrate and share with people who I know care a great deal and can send us as many well wishes and thoughts and prayers.

I kept it quiet from as many people as possible until it was so obvious that I hadn't just been indulging on cake and fish and chips all Summer.

The gallery fortunately just goes from strength to strength and was incredibly busy this Summer keeping me focused and occupied. I have one final commission to do pre baby and am starting to wind down.

Its been a rollercoaster of emotions and a long long pregnancy but I can see the end in sight. Fear is my main enemy and positivity the one I need to be best friends with.

We have been looked after and have a plan and I am as confident as any woman can be that I will be holding my beautiful baby by Christmas Day.

It is quite poignant that my due date is exactly 1 year and 9 months after the birth of our little girl last year. We have brought that date forward slightly but still, it seems quite fated to me.

I need and want to celebrate every single kick I get and every last day I have until they arrive.

So for now that's all I feel I can say, I've come out of hiding and feel good about it.

I am just about to go and move Betty Flo (our camper van) to a good spot overlooking the sea where the firework display will take place this evening. We are going to bring flasks of hot chocolate and mulled wine down there so if you happen to be in the vicinity do come and say hello. We can offer you a warm drink. x

Thanks for listening, if you are still there, do leave a comment, just so I know it's worth me popping back.xxx

Lovely Lavender

On Friday we went to Chelsea flower show, it was hot, busy but pretty amazing. Above is the Provence garden which I had seen on telly during the week and was dying to see. There were at least 3 people deep trying to see each garden though so we didn't stay as long as we thought. I am almost embarrassed to say we travelled there on the Orient express. It was a surprise birthday treat from hubby. The food and service was pretty special and the grandeur of it all.
Then back to open the gallery for a very very busy weekend. And the highlight of my weekend was meeting a fellow blogger....in.....the.......flesh. And what a pretty darn special little family they were to meet. They were on their way to Ireland and took a slight detour to come and see us. We sat in our garden under a parasol, drinking beer and getting to know one another in the Sun. I felt like we had known them for years. Thanks for stopping by Kelly, we must do it again soon. Thanks for sharing your wee one too.

Today is glorious, and I am itching to get out there and enjoy the sun but we are struggling to close the doors today.
As much as I would like to I just can't turn away a lovely customer.
Hope everyone is sipping Pimms this evening
xxx

Poppy's puddle

I asked the wonderful Mandy at Belle and Boo to create an image in memory of our daughter. It is called Poppy's puddle.

Mandy is the most amazing person and artist, she has lifted my heart like I couldn't describe. Her blog is a favourite of many.

It makes me happy, it makes me sad, but it is beyond perfect. When I was small I was often found in a puddle just after my Mum had dressed me in a pretty little dress, so I would have taught her to splash till her little hearts content.

The prints are available in the Belle and boo shop, here and here.

I find great comfort knowing this image will adorn little girls and boys bedrooms across the land.

Thank you Mandy, and thank you Poppy xxxxx

Polperro

I just finished this commission of Polperro in Cornwall for a lovely couple.

Polperro is one of the strangest, most delightful places I have ever been to in Cornwall. It had an almost magical feel to it, I can't describe it. Its made up of higgledy piggledy houses which of course I love but it seems such a creative little hub. It seems like the locals really really care about their village. There are no big corporate companies there so far, and that the way they like it.

This photo made me smile, lovely hubby was taking photos of our new placemats to go on the website but if you look closer you can see his funny little feet in the picture. I say funny little feet because I always tell him his toes are so straight you could use them instead of a spirit level.

Then someone recently told him he had the most perfect feet they had ever seen. DOH!!!! Oh, he LOVED that!!!


If you happen to be in Brighton, I have some originals and prints in the Yellow house Art open house as part of the Brighton festival. Over 243 venues are showing the work of over 1000 artists, amazing. Just wish I could go down to see some great art and craft.

Hoping for good weather this bank holiday weekend. Have a great one.....x

VW heaven

I promised colour....here it is.

We bought her on Boxing day, in the snow. She is 31 years old, likes the sunshine and her name is Betty Flo. She is a beauty is she not????

We had our first real outing in her yesterday. Of course, she broke down, on the top of a mountain in Waunfawr looking out over the Llyn Peninsula, Caernarfon castle, The rivals and even out to Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey, so who cares. Its exactly where I would have chosen to stop to admire the view. Just not necessarily blocking a single track lane miles from civilisation....whoops. But after some good advice on bump starting while in 2nd gear rolling down the hill she decided to have a go again. We got so many waves, thumbs up and beeps it was so exciting. We stalled....ooohhhh, about 40 times on most junctions and roundabouts, and when you have your name plastered on the side its not perhaps the best, but smile politely and 99% of the time people will cheer you on. Only one irate, impatient lady gave us a not so friendly hoot.

My shoulders are aching, a small blister on my left hand but I got out at the end of the day and can honestly say it was one of the best days of my life. So there you go, some colour is back.

(Looking out to sea over to Snowdonia)

She is parked up on the Green in Beaumaris, overlooking the sea and mountains. I have had morning coffee sat in her twice this week, a staff meeting and if it is nice tonight I might just treat the hubby to fish and chips and a game of cards.

All is good xxx

(Anna and Kriket)

For those that are still there and reading and being patient with me thank you. Thank you for so many well wishes, and concerns, we are ok...ish. I want to write, I try believe me, and then I delete...and delete again. I feel positive and alive some days, most days even, I can smile, and laugh, and enjoy life, but there are still a lot of tears and sadness.

I feel awkward, this blog used to be filled with joy and colour, becaue thats what my life was, and then it was turned upside down, and turned black for a while, and i don't really know what this blog should be anymore. I have drafted so many posts and prssed delete time and time again. I don't know what to say, how much to share.

That's it really, so take tiny steps with me, and we can perhaps find our space in a colourful world again.

Of course life has to go on, and it has but there is always a Christmas, and a Mothers day and birthdays to get through.

This month is becoming a bit more dificult, its the month she was born and it sometimes feels like yesterday, it would have been my dear little sweet Poppy's 1st birthday. It should have been such a celebration, we will celebrate, and buy her flowers and mourn, and send a balloon up for her. We should have been baking cakes and buying tutu's.

The bright blue skies of the last few weeks help, I walk a lot more now than I ever did, and breathe in fresh air, and look again, and delight at the snowdrops carpeting the forest behind us and wish she was with me so much. But I feel lucky to be alive, and experience another Spring, it is a beautiful month....full of hope, and I feel alive but still I miss her desperately. I am fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places in the country, surrounded by sea and Mountains, and every day I gasp at the beautiful light over the sea and the changing view. I have a job I love, a gallery that I can stock full of beautiful pieces of jewellery, ceramics, art and crafts. I have a husband who loves me unconditionally and is my absolute soulmate. I have a lot.

Poppy was a clever little thing, she has taught me about love. Deep, deep love.

The pain in my heart is incredible it physically hurts but I can also sometimes now think of her and smile through the tears, because she has taught me to love and appreciate life. My beautiful, clever little girl xxxx

A little hello

Hello

I have been overwhelmed by the well wishes and touching comments that have been made regarding my previous post. Just thank you so much for taking the time to write a few words. I have read them all over and over again, and they have helped me, particular thanks to Shropshire Suz and Kari......touched me deep inside. We are on the mend, tiny steps though but life is returning to some kind of normal.

Things making me happy this week

1. Bowls of beautiful buttons sitting on the counter in the gallery (above)

2. A weekend spent with friends and lots of smiles and laughter

3. Chicken broth

4. Evenings spent on the sofa snuggling with hubby

5. Planning a trip to Paris next week (an early Christmas present)

6. Painting again!!!!!

Lots and lots of love to each and every person who reads this little old blog of mine. xxx

This is going to be very very difficult. I have drafted this post many many times and couldn't bring myself to post it. I feel I owe an explanation for my complete absence. Our little girl Poppy was born on 30th March on her due date but devastatingly only brightened this world for 7 short hours. She was simply beautiful. She died of an infection quite unexpectedly. A complete shock to all. Words cannot possibly describe the last six months so I am not even going to try. What I can say is that we are finally seeing light at the end of a dark tunnel and finding simple pleasures in life again. I am not going to say anymore as tears are flowing and this is very hard. Maybe I will be back here one day, but right now we still need the comfort, safety and continual support of our most amazing family and friends who have been just incredible and got us through this past six months.

With love xx

It surpisingly snowed here on Wednesday night, so we jumped in the car at 5pm and headed into the heart of Snowdonia....beautiful and unexpected. I feel very lucky to live by the sea but be 25 minutes from stunning mountains. You must visit sometime. x

Mussels for dinner

New painting and original available to buy in the gallery 30x30 inches.
Not liking this miserable weather all of a sudden!!!

p.s thanks for the sewing machine advice, I bought a simple Janome one, think it will do the job, looking forward to getting started

I'm a mug

Hello all,
So I have some mugs out, I'm kind of shy to say that my designs were picked by Dunoon to grace their mugs. I don't like to blow my own trumpet, even though its my job and I have to promote myself. I just do what I do and love my job. To think that other people like what I do enough to want to buy something fills me with absolute joy.

Anyway, back to the mugs, it all started about 6 months ago when they approached me, I was of course thrilled but couldn't quite visualise them. They have done a great job, I just wanted to point out that the bottom mug in the picture has the harbour by night scene (shown below) on one side, and the harbour by day(also shown below) when you hold the mug the other side. When the 2 images are together they create one picture.

They are fine bone china and come in a box and if anyone is interested they are available to buy here .

I did the two paintings in late 2007 as I had an idea for a childrens book in mind. The prints are here and the cards are here. They are still some of my favourites.

The place doesn't exist, only in my head, I wanted to create a harbour where lots of fun things might happen, conversations with the seagulls and the boats. It is something I am still working on, mainly in my head but would love to tackle one day. The hubby is also a very talented illustrator/animator/computer person so it would be a project we would like to do together perhaps. I think its the kind of thing I will have fun planning at those 2, 4 and 6 o clock in the morning feeding times that are fast approaching.

It is also a coincidence that the mugs come out this week as the image below also appeared here. Lucy over at Attic 24 so deserves her success this week being featured in not one but two magazines and to see they used my card with her crochet bunting was a thrill. She has a truly delightful blog that inspires many and her nature and honesty is so welcome in this blogging world. Her blog is always a riot of colour and a joy to read. We had a customer in the gallery today actually ask "have you seen Attic 24 today?" My poor husband didn't have a clue what she was talking about but then proceeded to phone me at home and asked " have you heard of Attic 24", well of course I have I replied.

So, there you go Lucy, fame in Anglesey too, people are talking about you!!!

(below is one of her delightful crochet brooches)

We share a love of colour. Although I sometimes feel I want to live in a cool calm grown up world of whites blue and greys , I am a big kid at heart and my heart leaps at bursts of colour, I guess you can probably tell from my painting.

Wow, this is one of my longest blogs to date. I am now off to search the net for a sewing machine. I want a cheapy cheap one, nothing fancy, I just want to have a play with some applique bits and bobs. Got a few little projects in mind. However I would like it to be able to do machine embroidery to. I have bought and sold and bought and sold so many sewing machines since leaving college 12 years ago which is why I don't want to spend a lot. I quite fancy this red one . I'm sure I am just being seduced by the colour and the fact it has been in tonnes of magazines recently. Any advice would be so much appreciated, if its rubbish, then tell me.
So, hope you are all having a great weekend, byeeeeee.........

Sunny Slapton

This is the whole painting finished. Click to enlarge. It is 76x100cm. The original will be in Baxters gallery in Dartmouth next week and limited editions on my website next week too. Back soon x

People at Slapton Sands

Part of a very large painting, 30x40 inches to be exact. This is my first attempt at people in a painting. Had lots of fun with it, making up little life stories for them in my head. Practice makes perfect! When its finished this will be available as a limited edition print. Part of my new Devon collection....coming soon! Babies in bellies having hiccups is an odd sensation! x

We seem to be the only place in the UK without snow, every day has seemed nearer to Spring for us this week. So while bloggers all over are posting beautifully white snowy images I am going all out with colour.

We seem to be the only place in the UK without snow, every day has seemed nearer to Spring for us this week. So while bloggers all over are posting beautifully white snowy images I am going all out with colour.
My nesting instinct has completely taken over. With just seven weeks left I suddenly want to redecorate everywhere. I am not crazy enough to attempt any of this myself so painters and decorators are arriving first thing Monday morning. It all started when I found this website and had an urge to tackle the most uninspiring room in the house, the Utility room. The thing is we both have to walk through it every day to our office and studios so I would like to feel inspired by it. With the help of the amazing deckchair fabrics above and a little turquoise paint lets hope it will become a room of its own and not just a walkway. Before and after photos will follow.

The other room we are tackling is the living room. Admittedly, no surprise to you all I LOVE colour but I have always wanted one room in the house to be Swedish, French inspired. Pale greys, whites, sage, charcoal, blue etc etc. THIS is my very favourite shop and inspiration for the room. Owned by a former stylist from London, with incredible taste and style. To start with the walls are being painted grey and I am spending the rest of the day looking for a white fire surround. I am so excited to see the end result. I will share, I promise.

So thats that for today, any tips for suppliers of fire surrounds would be gratefully received.

Enjoy the rest of the snow this weekend, wish I could go sledging!!

A few things I like today, this birdcage mobile from Couverture, it has to be one of my very favourite shops for its eclectic mix of goods that you just don't see everywhere else.

This fun cushion by famillesummerbelle. They also have some very affordable prints which could look great in kids rooms. check out their website...and blog

and this video which my hubby just skyped to me is superb!!

Happy friday.....