Lobster & Swan : matchbox challenge...

Have you been by Lobster and Swan recently to see what the lovely Jeska is up to? If you have then you will be quite keen to pop on over there today to see the start of her lovely new matchbox challenge.

Jeska has confessed to being obsessed with vintage matchboxes and has longed to do a wee project with her collection that contains such treasures as vintage postage stamps and snippets of broken jewellery. So for the month of February she has set herself the challenge of turning 29 of these wee boxes into miniature, and I'm guessing highly collectible, works of art. I say 'highly collectible' as she will be offering each of them up for sale in her Etsy shop and donating the proceeds to her husbands chosen charity as he runs the London marathon!

You can follow Jeska's matchbox challenge on her beautiful blog and see the gorgeous creations she comes up with based on the daily themes she has set herself. Not only that but you can also join in if you wish to as we have all been invited to get creative with any wee matchboxes we might have handy, yay! I know I have one or two boxes lying around that my crafty fingers are keen to get hold of, not quite twenty nine I know but it will be fun to play along just a wee bit!

Do stop by Lobster and Swan to find out all the details and see the first matchbox, that is 'The Airmail One' pictured above. I love it already!

Emma, x

Making everyday beautiful...

{ 1. Saídos da Concha, 2. peonyandthistle, 3. nomesthenome, 4. bylina, 5. mialiv }

Hello... hello? Is this thing on... !?
Gah, blimmin' technology! I don't think this PC was too happy with me calling it 'medieval' last week because since then it got very slow and grumpy before offering up the dreaded 'blue screen of death' when I tried to switch it on one morning! Thankfully my Man was able to provide a very handy wee trick which eventually defeated the said offending blue and I have spent much of the last couple of days backing up on all my files and photos. And what I am more thankful for is that after learning the hard way from a previous iffy hard drive episode I am much more disciplined at regularly (monthly at the least!) backing up my files so I only had a few weeks worth of stuff that needed saving. My dears if you don't have an external hard drive or other way of backing up your stuff and keep thinking 'I really must do something about that'... Do it, do it now! After talking to a sweet friend this week who has lost years worth of images of their artwork that can't be replaced I can tell you that it can be heart breaking! Please do heed this warning.

Anyhoo, while I have been catching up with emails and whatnot as possible I have been taking a wander through our lovely Flickr group 'making everyday beautiful' to soothe my soul just a wee bit. Of course I couldn't resist these picks with their understated granny chic charm. I love the layers of soft cream and pretty neutrals that show off the floral details and mialiv's fabulous crocheted throw. Perfect!

Emma, x

Monday afternoon reading...

While the beautiful winter sun has been shining today I've spent much of my time photographing a bunch of new lovelies for the shops. I'm hoping, with all my fingers crossed, that they will look just as good up on this screen as they do on they wee one on my camera. Sometimes you can never be too sure and quite often things can go awry between my camera and computer. Some days I am convinced there are wee gremlins in that connecting cable (nope, there's no fancy wee SD card port on my medieval machine!) that play mischievous games with my lovely lighting!

Anyhoo, before I discover if these wee beasties have been to work or not I've treated myself to a lovely spot of reading. Have you seen the new issue of Gatherings Magazine? It is yummy! Miss Heather has outdone herself again with this gorgeous wintry feast for the eyes.

The White Issue is choc full of the usual inspirational articles, recipes and features including a home tour with Tina Fussel, aka Traveling Mama; a lovely wee interview with Kathi Wrensch Mundigler of All things White, a long time favourite Etsy shop of mine; some gorgeous winter table styling inspiration from Iris of Irideeen; and not to mention a beautifully illustrated article to help you choose just the right white paint from Miss Heather herself.

As with all the Gatherings magazines, this issue is overflowing with gorgeous photography. I am completely mesmerised with the layers upon layers of beautiful textures from delicate lace doilies and milk glass to weathered wood grain and chunky sequined throws. With every shade of white you could possibly imagine in there too, what is there not to love!?

Emma, x

Making everyday beautiful...

{ 1. wondertrading, 2. ted and agnes, 3. nomesthenome, 4. Otomodachi, 5. jenib320 }

Imagine me doing a wee happy dance if you will... because I am very happy indeed thanks to your wonderful response to making everyday beautiful! Since last week the group has almost doubled and the quality of your submissions is just breathtaking, not to mention your level of creativity and dedication to all things beautiful!

I was sure when I first pondered this group that it had potential to be something very special indeed and you lovelies are making it just that! You are inspirational and I do hope that my wee round up collections (which I wish I could curate all day, everyday!) will do you justice?

Oh, and does anyone else have an urge to put their onions in their fruit bowl!?

Emma, x