Calming the Chaos

It's my birthday today....and I'm at the studio working, but I'm really happy about that as I've had so much else going on around here I haven't had time to get stuck in for a while.
So this kitchen drawer is a good example of the way things are heading (I hope!)
There are countless examples on the web for making chalkboard / blackboard stickers, so no claims for originality here!
Our kitchen is now complete and I've got birthday tulips to celebrate...

We've  still got to sort out the floor and clean the windows! Here's the before.  The biggest difference is that we moved the door frame to centre it with the stairway, only by about 40cm but it was the best thing we did.  The 30 spot lights (yes 30!) have gone down to 10 and we've said bye bye to all those overhead cupboards.

Thanks to my builder, Tony who put up with all my last minute changes and did a fine job.
I attempted to go for an eco route on the worktops and even the kitchen itself but we just couldn't keep it in budget I'm afraid.  We did manage to give the old kitchen away on freecycle and Rob who came to collect it, ended up as Tony's 'chippy' for the duration of our new kitchen build (and beyond!) So hopefully I've scored just a few Brownie points there.
From all the great kitchens and ideas I found on the web, Pinterest became my style notebook throughout and gave me a fun storyboard to work from.
The main thing was that Nigel likes it.  It's passed on all counts for a good working kitchen - he's the main cook so I had to make sure of that! Stanley didn't really care but enjoyed having builders in the house and his first tea party to celebrate last Friday which turned into a booze up with the parents....just how it should be!

Have a lovely day everyone! x

One more day.....

I want our kitchen out of our living room NOW!
Getting sick of washing up in the bath and eating takeaways.
The taps go in tomorrow - Yippeeeee!

Stanley has coped amazingly.  It makes you realise that kids don't really mind how big or small a space they have as long as it's home.

Change please!

Cushion candy, originally uploaded by Helen Rawlinson.

I'm rather bored of looking at my blog recently so it's time to add something new! I've been busy sorting out our new kitchen whilst having a big dose of flu. Juggling orders has been a bit tricky but I'm almost back! See you very soon.

Open Studios in Full Swing!

Note: no one is actually buying anything at this point - lot of drinking and chatting going on!

We had such a good time at our Open Studios last night. The weather was kind and everyone was in good Christmas spirits! Mulled wine and mince pies a plenty, a roaring fire and an outdoor screening on the Chocolate Factory walls pulled it all together to make a great start to the weekend.
Here's just a glimpse of it all.  Tomorrow's the last day - I'm doing 20% off on my current range of lampshades and as always the sale (print) table is happily getting lighter as the weekend goes on.  Still plenty of tea towels and bags to shift!  Just the block mugs left - all the Moroccan tile designs were bagged in one swoop.  Most of the studios are open and there are some really great finds for both Christmas presents and beyond.

I really shouldn't put this one in, but it does explain my banging head this morning! Poor little Bernina pushed to the wall. This desk certainly takes some hammering and I really think it's about time I remove that Tricky sticker!

That clock needs a new battery! Close of day today - 6pm

With Relish are opposite me and calls for Dog Bingo will be heard throughout the day - everyone welcome to join in the fun and support The Mayhew Animal Home. 
I love the photos taken by Matt from Studiohead (responsible for the virtual orchestra merriment in the yard!) which give a sneek peak into the build up and beyond of Open Studios - now in its sixteenth year! See all the pics on our Facebook Page 

Why?

Before, originally uploaded by Helen Rawlinson.

I certainly pick my moments to get a long awaited paint job done at home! House in chaos - studio in chaos....roll on Christmas! Afters coming soon.

Open Studios 3/4th December

It's all getting frantic at The Chocolate Factory again!
Open Studios is nearly upon us...

All welcome!

Flying By

pavement love, originally uploaded by Helen Rawlinson.

I'm having a rather nice time of November so far - An out of the ordinary great day of teaching at The Make Lounge (all will be revealed at a later date) The State of Craft Book launch (I have my copies! It's a must buy!) a fleeting glance at the crazy world of SickBoy, a night out to see John Hegley and anatomical friends at The Lilian Baylis Studio (an old friend has temporarily moved into our loft space so we've had a bit of free babysitting!) a game of tennis and thankfully, lots of orders to keep me busy, it's all just flying by. Hence not much time to blog, so I'd just thought I'd share this happy cat I spotted just on the street near to my studio the other day.

State of Craft - Launch Night!

I mentioned a few posts back about my contribution to a fab new book which is launching this week.
State of Craft - By Ziggy Hanaor and Victoria Woodcock is now available now on Amazon. The launch party is open to all and is tomorrow night - I'll be there so do say hello if you spot me!

It's going to be quite an event - with mini workshops in moustache making, tote bag printing and hipster head dress making.  Plus a talented panel ready to answer all your DIY questions - see more info here and click to attend!

A Sensory Weekend

 

Making drums from popped balloons (nice gentle sounds - beats banging of pots and pans and ear splitting headache!)

 

 Apple bobbing at the local market

 'Bread Head'

and bread making with Campbel Works (Neil and Harriet being as inventive as ever) Christine was our expert guide - quite an experience on a fine Sunday morning!

An off the wall weekend

Productive Play

I've had a bad cold this week, so I haven't been very focussed.  With orders to go out, I've printed the wrong things and not got as much done as I needed to.  Never the less, I some how managed to start chopping up bits of my off cuts and made Stanley a mobile for his window. It's a fun guessing game for him working out the missing shapes and things.  I'd like to do more with my other designs.

 

The blind comes from the wonderful Rude (lots of fab stuff currently at the Tate and you can find them at our Chocolate Factory studios too)

Then came a few Christmas card ideas.

Then it was on to printing Santa Sacks and a new photo shoot - this is my attempt at Christmas styling!!!

 

Oh and on a Christmas theme, I did a little Santa last week for my demo at The Make Lounge, I'm hoping to make something of this design - Christmas cushion perhaps?  We always had a frilly one with a Christmas tree print on it,  My mum got it out every year! Think I need to follow on the tradition......

Happy weekend.