My studio

Working on stock for Bath Christmas Market and that means a few cloudy days!

Explore52 - 34-37

I have 4 weeks of #explore52's for you today and they show a small change from late summer into early autumn. 

First of all we have this little gem of old advertising on the side of a city centre building, it could quite easily be missed if you weren't looking but I happen to think it's rather lovely. 

Secondly is this corner of the Abbey which is a little bit hidden. The gothic curves and windows look particularly lovely here in the late summer sun. 

Next is the Parade Gardens that are in the heart of the city, with beautiful statues, views of the city and a bandstand and deck chairs it is easy to see why locals and tourists like to lunch here in the sunshine. 

Lastly there are a couple of snaps of the fabulous folk who descend upon Bath each September for the annual Jane Austen Festival. I love to see them parading around our Georgian city in their finery, heading for the Guild Hall or Pump Rooms in the footsteps of Ms. Austen herself. 

Late Summer Fun in Pictures

So my friends here are some pictures of my movements over the last few weeks, I have been taking a break from the computer to get in preparation for the impending Christmas making season. To get in the right headspace I have been making plenty of time to be with good friends on the halcyon days of summer. I have made some wonderful memories and here are a few snaps of trips to the coast, spontaneous camping, Gromit spotting and playing in park with little people.
 

Some very special days with special people xx

Explore52 - 33/13

What's been happening the past few weeks with me? Honestly couldn't tell you, my days seem to disappear and suddenly it's the end of the week!! I did get a chance to have a quick stop at a fave cafe of mine on Friday though. Jacob's is a rare thing, it is homely and comfortable but busy and central at the same time. Frequented by locals and tourists alike and situated right at the heart if the city, looking over the Abbey and Roman Baths it is surprisingly affordable and full of tasty treats. 

Explore52 - 32/13

I have another one of my favourite spots to have tea as my #explore52 for you today. My local garden centre has a lovely tea room looking out over the Somerset countryside, the village of Englishcombe can be seen nestling in the hills and there is a tranquility about the place that is good for the soul. 

Explore52 31/13

My #explore52 this week is a view of the canal running through Bath from a bridge that runs from Widcombe across to the train station. This is a fairly quiet spot and the people who use it are usually rushing to catch a train or just cutting through, but it's actually a lovely spot to just stop a while and watch the barges travelling by. 

Explore52 30/13

A couple of weeks ago I got to spend the day with Boris, one of my favourite little girls. Obviously not her real name - that would be cruel - it's just my affectionate nickname for her, some of you Brits may see where it comes from by her hair?!

Anyway we spent the day eating ice cream and basically running around like loons, particularly when we visited Beazers Maze by the weir in Bath. It is often missed as an attraction, but this little mosaic maze is a great place to run around and be a kid for a while. 

Explore52 29/13

As this heatwave continues for a little longer the only thing I want to do is drink iced drinks or eat ice cream in the sun, so my explore52 this week is one of the green spaces in Bath City centre. Queen's Square is a small 'park' in the heart of the city where you will find many an office worker lounging on their lunch break on sunny days, it is surrounded on all sides by Bath's famous Georgian architecture making it a delightful place to sit and unwind.

Where do you like to hang out at lunchtime?

Explore52 28/13

Hey peeps, hope you are getting plenty of sun, it is still shining here in Bath - yay!

I went for a stroll today and whilst walking stopped to admire the writing that can be found in the paving. I thought I would share this as my explore52 this week as sometimes you really need to take time to stop and see the details that you usually miss in your busy lives. 

Explore52 27/13

Oh Lordy I have been so busy in last few days I completely forgot to post my explore52 on Friday, sorry peeps! So here it is and it is another little cheat I'm afraid as I am posting not about Bath, but Bristol, which is a short 10 minute train ride from my city. 

I have recently taken stock to be sold in the pop up shop Paper.Scissors.Stone in Bristol city centre, whilst there I was able to send some time with some pals chilling at the harbour side and looking out for the painted Gromits that are dotted around the city for the summer. 

There were also some roses dotted along the waterside for people to take. The label attached to each rose instructed us to take them to a local gallery (the Arnolfini) and exchange it for a gift, so we did and received these little paper boats by an artist. They have messages inside but I've not read mine yet. 

Anyhoo, I hope you are all having a super weekend xx

My Studio - day of design

Hey, how's your week so far? Monday was glorious here but it has clouded over a little since. I'm hoping the sun will come back as we are heading to a July 4th picnic tomorrow. I know none of us are from the States but with the American Museum on my doorstep it'd be rude not to join in the celebrations, right?

This week has seen me delivering stock to Paper. Scissors. Stone in Quaker's Friars, Bristol, where I am going to be selling for the summer season of the pop up shop. I'm really excited by this as the store looks very slick with many other artisan makers I admire. Today though is design day, I am putting together a few new pieces and thought I'd share my sketch book snaps with you.

Also here is a little info about the Cabot Circus pop up shop...

Do you have any plans for the 4th of July?

A Theatrical Treat

Well, what a day Friday was! The most memorable wedding I have been to, elegant and fun all rolled into one. The bride and groom are huge musical theatre fans so there was lots of singing and quirky little surprises to keep the guests amused, such as the happy couple walking dancing back down the aisle to "Step in Time" from Mary Poppins. During the speeches about a quarter of the guests did a surprise flash mob style rendition of "Sunrise, Sunset" (the wedding song from 'Fiddler on the Roof') as this was the show that the couple were working on when they met, very moving. We were also able to soak up the splendour of some of Baths glamorous spots, with the ceremony taking place at Bath Assembly Rooms (made famous by Jane Austen), drinks at the Roman Baths and a wedding breakfast and masked ball at the grand Guildhall.

What's the most memorable wedding you have been a guest at?