Face It

These amazing murals by Mylovt are manipulated images that become something other. Love the results. Paper on Wood.

Fabulous Fashionistas and Nanas

 Last night my faith in the human race was restored. I watch Fabulous Fashionistas on Channel 4 and those ladies were Inspirational with a capital I. If you live outside the UK then you must try and find a way to watch the programme.

 Whether you be young, middle aged or old you need to watch this programme and learn.

If this isn't made into a series I shall eat my big floppy hat.

It's started quite a buzz on social media and because of this I discovered

the amazing Katie Harris of East London who has started Nana a cafe for all ages cooking up comfort food, interactive crafts and a great social space for young and old.

At the moment it is in a local pub a few days a week

but Katie has found a disused Victorian public toilet block and wants to convert into a full time cafe.

To fund this amazing idea she has a Kickstart page where you can donate. I have made a donation and I live all the way up here in Northumberland. She needs £15,000 so if you can help her with a donation I am sure she will be thrilled and so will I. POWER TO THE NANAS AND THE FASHIONISTAS!

The New Craftsmen

Pitcher and Bowl

"A collection of the coolest crafters in the land" - Sunday Times. Well that's a recommendation you can't ignore. The New Craftsmen reside at The Garage on Adam's Row in Mayfair, London. This is British Craftsmen at their very best. Take a look or if you are lucky enough to be at LDW13 this week pop in and see them.

Koji Chair

iPad Clutch

Orkney Bench

Orkney Chair

Serving Jug

Sycamore Carved Bowls

Tea Bowls

Harbour Light

Soon Salon - Bringing a Smile To Your Interiors

If you like conversation pieces in and around your home then go and visit Soon Salon. Have a horse coming through your wall,

a cat scratcher in the shape of a dog, 

a picture frame made from rope,

a papier mache dog that is so cute

and a wall hook that looks like a paintbrush in a paint pot.

The Camouflage Company On Facebook - Well Worth a Look

The Camouflage Company is one of those companies that has created something that makes you say - why didn't I think of that? Louise, one of the owners, and I where chatting on Twitter the other day and I took a look at their Facebook page. So clever they post pics of their own products and a camouflage related pic on alternate days. It's a joy to see, take a look.

Brilliant camouflage for your garden furniture in those winter months

Clever storage - this one looks like paper and you can see what's inside

Clever Ideas For Your Home

I live in a very old cottage, space is at a premium so I have to be a bit clever when it comes to storage and displays. The ground floor of our cottage is totally open plan, nowhere to hide anything, evrything on show. So firstly where to put your wellies, well we have an old trunk under the stairs to hold them out of sight, also handy fr utting your hats on.

We store our Herbs and Spices in magnetic tins, perfect to slap on the side of the fridge ad easy to see what's inside.

 Outside we have an old chandlier with a crack in the glass bowl so ideal to use as a plant hanger when lined with coconut matting.

On to other people's clever ideas - Love this bottle opener with a little ceramic pot for the tops.

 

An old kitchen whisk as a lampshade.

 

Beautiful vintage spoons as cupboard handles.

 

Couldn't resist including this little idea. Any old wellies?

 

Brilliant idea that can be used inside or outside. Add a recessed tray into a table to hold condiments and drinks. Genius.

If you have any old books you don't read anymore cut them into letters. You have to be handy with a hacksaw or know someone else who is.
Click the images to take you to their websites

Rocking For Africa

 Joanna Lumley's horse modelled on Patsy

If you have ever yearned for a traditional rocking horse then an auction is coming up where you could bag yourself one desgned by someone famous. I just love this idea. The rocking horses are customised and made by Stevenson's Brothers and will be auctioned off at an exclusive event at Sotheby’s in November. All proceeds will go directly towards CHIVA Africa’s efforts in South Africa in combating the epidemic of HIV and AIDs  specifically in babies, children and adolescents.

Lisa Whatmough's horse with the distinctive Squint patchwork.

Judi Dench's White Unicorn

Amanda Wakley's Zebra

 Maureen Lipman's with a spiky mane

Kelly Hoppen's in Black and Taupe. What else?

Our youngest daughter has one pictured here under the stairs in her home in Paris. Methinks it needs a Ghost Furniture makeover.

The horses will be exhibited at Sotheby’s Kiddell Gallery from 11-14 November 2013

All horses can be bid for ahead of the auction. Absentee bid forms will be available at www.starsrocking.com from mid-October.

For more information please contact starsrocking@chiva-africa.org or call 0208 2099100.