Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts

Wednesday, 9 July 2014

A day off and a visit to Vintage Squirrel

Today I managed to blag a whole day off....just for me! No guest breakfasts to cook, no sewing and much as I love the wee darlings....no children!
I headed off to Inverness to get some much needed clothes for the girls (why do they have to keep growing so fast?!)

The sun was shining and, with the excuse of needing some more Annie Sloan paint, I took the opportunity to call into the most gorgeous studio shop, near Munlochy Vintage Squirrel 
Kate is just lovely and really helpful.  She runs Paint Techniques Workshops from the studio (I'm hoping to do one as soon as I get a chance), until then I've treated myself to a tin of Paloma which I will be using on a wee occassional/coffee table.
The coolest floor ever, I love the blossoms....wonder if I could find a bit of floor to do this on?....


Loads of lovely natural light :)

I'm in love with the hare lamp...would go so nicely in my living room...hint hint....

I do think I need one of these shades!
 And...the best news is....not only can you get some really unique, quality bits and pieces for your home, you'll also be able to pick up a wee Jennifer Carr purse, wallet or bag as Kate will be stocking some of my products very soon :)

Friday, 16 May 2014

Playing with paint



 I've been busy working on some wholesale orders, getting the B&B rooms ready as it's that time again already and also trying to build stock for online. It's hard to not get caught up in a restrictive mind set that because time is so limited, it must be used sensibly and that everything we make must have a "value". After a good talking to from a really good friend I've decided to have one day (or at least evening!) a week to just play at anything creative. I'm desperate to try fabric designing and we have fun and exciting plans for over the summer :) until then, I've had a wee play with some printing blocks we picked up on our honeymoon in Dubai (4years ago!!) xx

Wednesday, 14 May 2014

Wallets?....


I've had lots of requests for men's wallets made in Harris Tweed. I always planned to do them but just never found the time to experiment and come up with a good design that I was happy with. I didn't want them to be too chunky but they needeed to to have enough pockets and space in them to make them useful.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/440297301041643425/

(I love that quote and it's my rule when designing.....it has to be completely useful...and hopefully beautiful!)



 Anyway....my husband is currently road testing this design and if it get's the thumb's up I'll be making some up in Harris Tweed and you will be able to find them Online or follow me on Facebook :)

Monday, 12 May 2014

The Painted House Patterned Rollers

Oh my goodness..... Have you tried these patterned paint rollers from The Painted House? They are amazing! You can use them on walls, paper, fabric (which I can't wait to try out).
Originally, I had planned to paint our back hallway with the Tussock roller, but with all of the "real life" that the area undergoes.....wet children in dirty waterproofs, husband in welly boots, 2 year old with dirty hands etc I'd be constantly worrying about if I could clean without the pattern wiping off.
I opted for 3 square panels of pattern instead, which gave me the perfect opportunity to have a play with my latest obsession for Annie Sloan paints ;)


After having a wee play mixing Provence with Old white, and Empires Silk with Old White to get the colours I needed (I wanted them to tie in with the colours in our kitchen as the hall leads into the kitchen).
I masked off 3 squares with Frog Tape (amazing stuff that stops your paint bleeding under the edges like normal masking tape).



And the finished hallway....




Saturday, 10 May 2014

First play with Annie Sloan paint

My husband and I have very different taste....I used to think that he would like to furnish an entire room in one hit by opening the Next catalogue and buying the entire range (plus co ordinating soft furnishings!) Whereas I'm a lot more eclectic and love old preloved items which look like they have history.
Well....it's taken 4 years of marriage....but I've finally worn him down to the point that not only is he coming around to my way of thinking but he's willingly helping me make them over :)
I've seen so many fab makeovers on Pinterest with Annie Sloan Chalk paint so was desperate to give it a try and see what all the hype was was about.  I was lucky to get a gorgeous chest of drawers from our local Facebook free ads, it's a fantastic size and really solid. My husband is super practical and great at wood work, so he fixed the bases on a couple of the drawers and removed the hardware which we kept and reused as it was.
I didn't get a proper before pic...
but as you can see it was pretty old school, and although there was nothing majorly wrong with it, it definitely would not have suited our house.....
A couple of quick coats of Annie Sloan Old White and I absolutely love it!!!
The paint really was as easy and lovely to use as people rave on.  My husband sanded back the top and pedestal - the wood isn't perfect but it has a warm homely worn look to it. I didn't want to go to mad with the distressing as this was my first attempt and I didn't want to over do it so just rubbed over all the edges and natural "wear areas" with some fine grade steel wool.
Now we just have to manoeuvre it upstairs to our bedroom!




Monday, 1 July 2013

A Trip to Sleat, Floraidh and Ragamuffin on the Isle of Skye

I needed to take this little collection down to the beautiful little boutique Floraidh, in Isle Ornsay, Sleat. So accompanied by my friend Angela and my little munchkin, Chlo, we used the excuse for lunch and a day trip.


If you've never visited this part of Skye before, you have to put it on your list of places to go, the landscape and scenery is breathtaking and there is a lovely feel to the place.  My husband and I got married in Duisdale a couple of years ago and our wedding photo's were taken right next to Floraidh so this is just a peak at the view.

 When visiting Sleat, you will have to go down to Armadale and pop into Ragamuffin.  Now, I know I'm biased as I used to work here but it is quite possibly the best shop....EVER. 
I love the colours and the beautiful and quirky outfits, here's a quick snap of some of the displays.  There was also a gorgeous raspberry/chocolate one in the window but there were customers standing by it and they might have thought it a little odd if I started photographing them!



I know it's a bit cheesy to take photo's of yourself in the mirror......BUT....I fell in love with this Annie Glue scarf and thought I'd drop a few unsubtle hints to my husband about how it looks like it was made for me.... ;)
I'm also loving the new changing rooms - these are a new addition since I worked here and they are FABULOUS!  
Obviously I should be wearing a Jellycat on my head or something for a proper Ragamuffin photo....

Of course.... Chlo was delightfully happy trying on hats until I whipped out the camera!

After saying hello to the girls in Rags, we had to have lunch from the Pasta Shed. Made me very sad I'm not working down here anymore!

Then a visit over to Skyelark and Grumpy George's where I saw the most beautiful embellished Harris Tweed cushion handmade by the shop owner, Serena.  I wish I'd taken a quick snap so that I could have shown you all!


Friday, 14 December 2012

Feedback

Ok...I don't normally big myself up too much but I was feeling very sorry for myself after a trip to the dentist :( and that evening when i checked into facebook I had all of this lovely feedback!  Cheered me up so much - all of my customers this year have been so great!
 
Alana Clark: Received my parcel from you yesterday, thank you so much, they are all lovely. Big decision now of what one to keep for myself. Thank you so much and have a lovely xmas x
Kim Thomas: Received my items today and I love them. Thank you very much :) x
Kelly Harland: Just to let you know I received my purses yesterday! WOW!! They are amazing! Thankyou so much. X
Nicola McAllister: Oh my...I just got my tweed purse with bird on it and pink dog coin purse and WOW I am amazed at the quality and beauty of these items!!! THANK YOU so much Jennifer
Suz Clark: Received my purse yesterday, absolutely love it. Thank you!
Shaleena Patel: hi, just wanted to say thank you for the purse which arrived today and which was a fab surprise when i got home from work. and this time i'm keeping this one for myself. thank you so much again - it's gorgeous. x x x x
Catriona MacKenzie: Hi, Jen - love my decorations (& the cute wee bag they're in). Will post a pic when they finally make it to the tree. Getting laminate laid next week so it's going to be cutting it fine for getting in Christmas mode!
Marina Slater: Love the purse, I waited till my birthday to open it, thank you it's beautiful x

Monday, 24 September 2012

Laughing with Angels......

While browsing around Blogland with my cup of coffee this morning, I stumbled upon this beautiful blog Laughing with Angels


 Filled with gorgeous pictures of beautiful blooms and inspiration, just what's needed on such a chilly dull morning!


These roses look like my David Austin Eglantyne, unfortunately mine did not do so well this year.  They've been in a container since we moved here and I really need to plant them out.


Sigh......please can we have summer back!

I actually love Autumn but we're in need of some beautiful crisp clear skies to be able to appreciate the gorgeous colour and light that it brings....... soon hopefully!