Summer time in London

Hello!

Friday last, George and I were up bright and early, to catch the 10.15am train from Leeds to London.

During the week, Paul (my partner and super-semi-step* dad to George) works down in Farnborough. So when the holidays allow us, we occasionally travel down to meet him in the big smoke, to have a fun weekend exploring...and also to save him the arduous commute back home to North Yorkshire.

We try and stay in different areas each time, and this weekend we were based in the Waterloo district (at another Premiere Inn, because we do get the best night's sleep in their beds), as I had a real desire to visit the South Bank area.

It didn't disappoint!

We saw the hilarious Scotch and Soda show in the London Wonderground Festival Spiegeltent, next to the South Bank Centre - acrobats, bike tricks, strange men in wooden clogs, all to incredible music by the Crusty Suitcase Band.

We had another hilarious outing, quite by accident, thanks to a member of the boat crew giving us a free guided tour, on the river cruise we took down to Greenwich.

Over the course of the weekend, we walked miles; the sun shone; we laughed; we ate amazing steaks and watched George desperately try to climb the lions in Trafalgar Square; we wandered South Bank and took in all the sights, sounds and smells; stumbled on a cool little exhibition about youth culture throughout the ages and the world; and generally remembered how good it is, to be of our happy little trio.

Here are some photos of our visit...

oh how I would LOVE this funny little structure as a Ditsy den at the bottom of my garden - I'd also need a garden ;)

discussing external lifts - P explaining, and G equal halves horror and awe struck

this dress ♡

epic photo bombing

urban jungle

queuing for the Spiegeltent

welcome to the Wonderground

my lovely little family ♥︎

 

 

my photo taking compadre

 Gloriana, the royal barge

 

 

 

who doesn't want a column growing out of their head?

amen

 

spectral being encountered at Central St. Martin's

Sarah
x




*semi because we're not married and super because he is

Weekend round up

Good morning, and a happy new week to you all!

So what did you get up to over the weekend? Did you have sunshine?

Ha, that is such a British thing to ask, isn't it?

It was a bit patchy round our neck of the woods, with lots of rain and some sunshine...our plants are very happy about it though.

colour me happy

I lost myself in painting on Saturday - it was utter bliss!

This week is my last in my current job, as I am being made redundant on Thursday, and it's my first time. Hey ho, I'm not the first, and I certainly won't be the last...and frankly, I think I've done well lasting 18 years in a company where I've seen so many people go over the course of that time.

beautiful church and churchyard in Kirkby Lonsdale

I'm quite alright with the no longer working there part, it's just the actual leaving bit - this last week - it's all a bit toe curlingly cringy. I just want to be gone. I hate being the focus of attention, and actively avoid awkward situations, so it's going to be two days that will be spent firmly outside of my comfort zone.

My plan is to act bright and breezy, and eliminate any potential uncomfortable moments...cunning plan, huh?!?!

how's about that for a messy desk...fun times!

So back to the painting - I just slapped colour on various wooden objects, and continued on, for some very happy hours. Colour happy!

Most are nearly finished, and will soon be ready for the wonderful inking process. Hurrah, my favourite part.

And the cherry on the cake? A damned tasty, takeaway curry in the evening. Perfect.

how fab is this building, with all those windows & a roof like a bushy monobrow?

Sunday involved a lie-in, late breakfast, and a lovely mooch around Kirkby Lonsdale - it is such a pretty town, with little boutique style gift shops, loads of pubs and cafes, and a fabulous gallery. There are some gorgeous riverside walks to be had too, but we were in mooching mode yesterday.

odd place to put a clock, don't you think?

I finally got my hands on some gorgeous oil cloth for our kitchen table...it's still packed away until work has finished in the house, and we're straight again, with everything back where it should be, and lots of stuff hidden away in the soon-to-be boarded loft.

Ooh storage, how I've missed you!

feeling the house love with this beauty, and that completely lush garden

Sunday evening consisted of a Paul cooked chilli prawn linguini; a mini manicure & pedicure, from me to me; and catching up on a couple of episodes of Penny Dreadful. I love it, but it creeps me out big time, so I won't watch it alone. 

And now it's on with a new week, full of potential, and a little more rain for good measure.

Have a good one,
Sarah
x

A weekend in Lisbon - Tiles part 2

As promised, here is the follow up to part 1, a photo heavy post of the close ups of the amazing Portuguese tiles, or azulejo, we saw in Lisbon. Enjoy...

the fresh hit of green really lifts this design

so beautifully reminiscent of Royal Copenhagen china patterns

this pairing of border tiles and main pattern tiles, makes me very happy

a full run of the main pattern ones from above

it amazed me how many had been painted over...I found it really sad actually - seemed a little disrespectful of old traditions and workmanship

I love the tone of these

these are my favourites!

There were so many that I didn't photograph too - some really funky, contemporary ones - perhaps we'll have to plan a return trip some time in the future!

Sarah
x

I'm still here!

Hello there and a happy, glorious, sunshiney Monday to you!

I wanted to pop in to say hi, and to let you know that I am still here ;)

I've been busy beavering away on designs to build up a stock that, with a bit of pc practice and a following wind, I can use to create all sorts of printed delights. An arty arsenal, as I keep referring to it.

This is taking a whole lot of time and patience (not something I'm renowned for if I'm honest - I'm more of an instant gratification kind of gal) but I am determined to CULTIVATE my skills so am persevering.

In the meantime, here's a sneaky peek of a few hand-drawn creations, as well as some rather fabulous sky doodles!

Have a great day!
Sarah
x