Trip to Kew Ceramic Cafe

If the truth be told despite me having an obsession with craft cafes, ceramic cafes have never appealed. I like the idea of painting plain ceramics but going to a cafe to paint with friends seems a bit odd. I probably never would have tried it had it not been for the fact Matt and I were given a voucher to spend at a ceramic cafe in Kew Gardens. We didn't have a clue what we'd end up painting, we own far too many mugs, don't need any plates or bowls and didn't want any tacky ornaments.

There was racks of  items to choose from, lots of bowls in all shapes and sizes - none of which we needed and there was plenty of tack!

As ceramic cafes go, it was a very small and quiet one but they do have a fantastic room upstairs for private parties for which you can bring along your own food. And it makes a change to go somewhere that feels a little more private than most places on a Saturday afternoon.

 Realising neither of us own a watch or have any clocks in the house we chose the above.

I loved the cafe's attention to detail, everything around us from the plate they serve the biccies on to the  signage was hand painted providing lots of inspiration - and of course we needed a cuppa before we started.

 The obvious choice for the theme was Miss P, our African Pygmy Hedgehog who passed away recently : (

 The paints look a very different colour to when you paint with them and how they come out after firing.

 We took on different roles, I did lots of the painting and double coats.

 

While Matt was responsible for the overall design and details

And here is Miss P surrounded by her favourite things - stinky shoes and socks, yellow chicken biscuits, her wheel and the rock she used to hide in. There is actually a story going on in the picture too, her bum is sticking out and she's grinning, a sign she's about to go and do a number 2 in the bushes - something she loved doing in the park!

We spent 2-3 hours on the design which was a relaxing and welcomed break to reality. It was so satisfying to do something 'complete' and give it all our attention without any distractions. We also felt it helped with our mourning and seeing the clock up in the living rooms makes us happy.

As for ceramic cafes, I was so wrong. They are very fun places, a bit pricey if you are paying but far more pleasant than buying ceramic paints and doing it yourself. It's nice to take a break from home, leave it for a few days then go back to collect it and be suprised by the results. I'm definately going back!

Goodbye Miss P

  Miss Pricklesworth (Miss P for short)

7th January 2011-16th May 2011

Miss P was an African Pygmy Hedgehog born into a family of four siblings and brought into the world by Kelly from Fragglewood Hedgehogs in Essex. We adopted her the day she turned 6 weeks old and brought her home in a cardboard box on the train.When we got her home and opened her up she couldn't wait to take a peak around her new home! 

Her main diet was Whiskers chicken flavour cat biscuits - with a particular preference for the yellow variety.

She was my first pet and brought with her so much love and affection, everything she did made me happy. Every time she ran around the park with her head held proudly in the air as she scurried off with her little legs, my whole heart felt light. She was such an incredible pet. And very intelligent too! Once she was shown a part of the flat or park, the very next time she was there she knew where she was. But the most impressive thing happened one morning when I was getting my breakfast. I don't have a garden but do have a little concrete courtyard and every morning she would run around it in circles. She could be happily left for 30 minutes and continue running without boredom.

That morning I let her out, watched her for a few minutes then went inside to get my breakfast. When I opened the front door of my flat to go back outside she was there proudly waiting outside and wondered into the flat as though nothing had happened where as infact she had climbed out of the courtyard, up some concrete stairs and walked through a corridor to find her way home. She casually wondered around a bit then climbed back inside her house.

I only ever got upset with her once, when I was really tired and desperate for sleep, she wondered underneath my wardrobe and refused to budge. I spent from midnight to 12.30 trying to entice her out, but she refused, so fed up, I left her and went to bed - 5 minutes later she wondered out of her own accord and went home.

She loved snuggling up inside fleece blankets but given a choice, especially in the early days liked to climb inside Matt's very hot and sticky shoes. She also loved his stinky socks! And generally loved him him very much as was always climbing up his back and around his neck making content snuffling noises. 

 Hedgies can swim and she also loved having a soak in the bath and a good paddle around. This is a shot from her first ever bathtime. 

Probably her most favourite thing to do though was hiding in the leaves at the park and munching on ants. 

She was a fantastic climber too and felt at home among the trees.

One morning we were watching her play and zoom around the park then in a blink of an eye she vanished. We searched the park in fear, high and low for 45 minutes and eventually found her hiding inside a concrete tunnel. We spent another 30 minutes trying to get her out, and when we did she was very happy and had obviously loved her adventure.

Miss P after being rescued from inside a tunnel!

She was always seeking out the next challenge so my messy room was like a dream to her. She would climb up folders, hide behind cushions, inside carrier bags, scale picture frames, watch me type on the computer and loved pooing behind my craft tool box. 

 Sadly in the end it was poo that made her life so short. She eat some mouse poo which made her very poorly and despite a few days of TLC and medication she passed away aged just 4 months : ( It is a terrible tale as although mice are very common in London we don't see them much, but it turned out the reason we attracted a mouse is because they discovered her food supply and were helping themselves to her cat biscuits and subsequently pooing around the entire flat. Before we realised, it was too late : (

On the day she passed away we took her to the park and buried her in her favourite spot, adjacent to the concrete tunnel she so adored. It was a small service attended by our neighbours who's rabbits Elvis and Priscilla she enjoyed playing with. 

Then we had a small wake were we all recalled our favourite memories of her - for she touched everyone who had ever met her.

As in life where she was so adventurous, her death became adventurous too. The morning after we buried her we returned to discover her grave had been dug up and she was missing : ( It was one of the saddest feelings ever. We eventually decided to search all the bins in the park and found her coffin which had been a little chewed by a dog.

So we brought her home and put her in the freezer until we decided what to do. We put her coffin inside a thick Ikea carrier back advisable because this prevents any freezer burn while the freezing itself prevents decomposing.

We buried her again today, properly so she can finally rest in peace.I knitted her a special blanket and Matt engraved a message on the back of a sequin. One of his 'stinker' socks also went inside.

Miss P, you brought so much happiness, laughter and joy, life is not the same without you - there was so much else in the world I wanted to show you but never got a chance. But I hope you have some good memories of us and look forward to seeing you again on the other side.

Tea cup land

On a recent trip to Holland I visited a town called Veere, in Zeeland, which on first inspection looks like a picturesque coastal town with cobbled streets, yachts and old buildings. Yet wondering around the shops I discovered I was actually in teacup heaven. 


Every store I went  into whether it was down a secret passageway or on the main high street seemed to sell the prettiest range of tea cups imaginable. 

 All the stores had their own unique way of displaying the teacups, it was like wondering into a sweet shop and being amazed by all the delightful colours and not knowing where to start.

 You can never go wrong with spots.

 And even if you don't like florals, seeing so many types looked very appealing.

 And of course there were attractive teapots to match.

 And even tea cloths...

Yet what was utterly strange was that I drunk approx 12 cups of tea in different cafes/ restaurants over the weekend and every single one was served in a transparent glass mug.....I didn't see a single teacup in sight, even when I order tea in Veere!  
How most peculiar......

How to make a notice board

I used to think funky foam was really pointless but it's actually as versatile as felt with many  crafty uses if you keep an open mind. I made this project recently for a craft session at the Geffrye Museum for ages 5-9 years but I think it can be pretty much enjoyed by anyone, especially as you can theme it how you like and it can be used immediately. It's inspired by a similar project designed by Crafty Chica many years ago in one of her early books (more on that to come in a future blog post!):
What you need:

• A4 sheets of funky foam/neoprene (I got a pack of 10 for £1 in Poundland)
• Double-sided tape
• Pencil
• PVA glue and applicator
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Ribbon
• Something circular to drawn around
• 

 1. Start with three pieces. Tape the front piece to the middle section using strips of double- sided tape ensuring all the edges match up neatly.

2. Before you attach the back piece, staple one piece of ribbon across it to create the hanger and then close the three pieces with tape or staple for extra security. Three layers gives you enough thickness so pins don't go through, you can use a 4th if you really want to but I've found that's not necessary. 

 3. For this floral design I drew round a circular coaster lots of time in different colours. 

 4.  I then freehand drew flower shaped using the parameters of the circle and then some smaller flowers and circle shaped for the centres. These were all glued around the edge of the  board to create a decorative boarder. You can cut the foam to whatever shape you like.
Leave it to dry. It's ready to stick some drawing pins in and hang on your wall. 


A super quick useful craft project that everyone can make use of!


Top tips:

• Neoprene is available in bigger sheets so you can make larger boards
• Make one for a housewarming gift for a friend
• Make in colours that suit your home
• Glue on sparkles or add stickers, feathers....whatever you fancy to personalise it to your taste

How to bargain hunt at a Bootsale!

Last week at the legendary Battersea Boot Fair

(APOLOGIES: I was meant to post this on Saturday for anyone going to an Easter 
Sunday bootfair but was so busy outside in the sun I forgot, however there are also Bank Holiday Monday bootsales to explore tomorrow...)


This blog post is not a descriptive version of the TV show 'Bootsale Challenge', (quite the opposite considering I know pretty much nothing about antiques). It is a guide to going to car boots sales for people like me, who like to find treasure by rifling through other people's unwanted clutter. 


This passion dates back to as long as I can remember. My father was a keen bootsale shopper and among other things brought home an incredible vintage umbrella and exercise bike. As I was growing up I always enjoyed visiting jumble sales but it wasn't until I got to university in 1999 that I discovered the true beauty of car boot sales.


The carpark behind Brighton train station* used to house the most remarkable bootfair imaginable and it was here that I purchased many a cuddly toy (who I still love dearly), a blue guitar and endless books and CDs. During my final year of living in Brighton I lived one minute's walk from the station and this meant I was able to go every week AND get the best bargains. I once picked up a pair of 70s platforms covered in animal print velvet - before 7am! 


*(Sadly after I left, the bootsale shut down)


Having been back in London now for almost nine years trying to find a decent bootsale has been a mission, I always try and go when I'm on holiday in another part of the UKs however one of the best known in the capital is Battersea held at Battersea Technology College, Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 5AP every Sunday from 1.30-5pm, where I went last week and took these photos. (50p admission)


I can't imagine there are people who dislike bootfairs (though in reality I know this is the case - their loss!) In this respect I'm not looking to convert anyone but I hope people reading this who like a good bootsale rummage like me, will appreciate my advice: 


Do's

Gifts are good!

1. Do buy gifts
This apron will never fit me, but alas, if you're in the same situation but know someone that can give it  a home, then by all means purchase it!

Guaranteed wear!

2. Do buy something you already own that you want more of
Matt has an obsession with straw hats; his belief is you can never have too many...obviously this does have it's implications, storage especially, but it's so hard to find one's that fit properly. So, whenever he sees one he gets it, and now he has one for home, his other home, work and some spares!

Things you LOVE

3. Do buy things you love (or people you're in love with)

The tasty specimen in this photoframe is Bollywood hunk John Abraham, who low and behold, was inside a wooden frame (which the stall holder bought in India but had no idea who was inside). To find such a rare thing that only you could ever love (l'm sure 99% of all other visitors blanked this) is a personal treasure so indulge and buy!


4. Do ask
Unlike in shops car boot sales are rarely priced so if you're interested in something, decide what you think it's worth, how much you'd pay and then enquire about the price. Haggling is perfectly normal so never be afraid to negotiate. One story I'll never forget is when I bought a giant cuddly Barney the Dinosar. I walked past him so many times in awe but was convinced that because of his size, he would be out of my price range. It turned out he was 50p and has been bringing me joy for nearly a decade!


5. Do take a shopping list
Bootfairs can be so overwhelming that you often don't know where to start and as your eyes dart across the wares, you find yourself wanting things you probably can do without. Taking a shopping list of things you genuinely need will help you focus your mind.

Don'ts

Save it for later...

1. Don't buy things you won't wear
I was really drawn to this dress, it was a stunning colour but on reflection I knew I wouldn't wear it now; perhaps in another 10 years time and for this reason I left it behind. 

Looks aren't everything...

2. Don't be sucked in by displays
This was clearly the prettiest stall by far but looks aren't everything, it was ludicrously pricey whereas when you get huge boxes marked 'everything 20p' and you have to hunt around to find things, it's much more satisfying; this stall just felt like a shop. 

Seriously, are you ever going to make it?

3. Don't buy things that's don't yet exist
Ask yourself, will you actually make it, mend it, fix it???? If the answer is no, don't go near it. (The item in this photo on the other hand I will be making!!!)


4. Don't leave things too long
If you eye up a potential find buy it immediately - the good stuff does not last long and by the time you go back it will most likely have been snapped up.


5. Don't get carried away...
The worst possible scenario is that you buy so much stuff you can't carry it home...the second is that you do, but once at home your new 'thing' gets shoved in the corner and forgotten about. Don't just 'buy' because things are cheap, enjoy what you buy, love it as you would something you've paid full price for and take comfort in knowing if you do leave something behind, another customer will come along and give it a better home than you.


One more Do: check out my favourite Car Boot Sale song, 'Jumblesailing'. It was written by Brighton band Clearlake (who must have been inspired by the Brighton Bootsale)....the song has some superb lyrics like.....


'we'll be just like two millionaires going out on a spree' (exactly how I feel when I'm bootsailing)


'it won't break the bank 'cos it's only 10p'  (at Brighton bootfair lots of things were 10p but they weren't at Battersea ....ah how times have changed..)


It's a fine song and it brings back fond memories, I hope it inspires you to get to your nearest bootsale ASAP!

Hopper Mad!

Hoppers in London - finally located!

I encountered hoppers when I was in Sri Lanka last year and from the first bite I was hooked. I could eat them every day and I could most definately eat one right now! Hoppers are like pancakes but rather than flat, they are bowl shaped because they're cooked in bowl shaped pans. They are much lighter than pancakes,  more wafer thin and are made from fermented rice flour batter giving them a slight sourness. Because they are bowl shaped, you can opt to have a filling inside, a popular breakfast dish is 'egg hopper' where by the egg is cooked inside the hopper as it cooks. You can peel the sides off and dip them into the yolk just as you would toast soldiers. Just like this:

Yum!

Plain hoppers can also be eaten with curries instead of rice or bread, they taste sublime and are very healthy. Ever since I got back to the UK I've been craving them but they are a mission to find! There's a lot of Sri Lankan restaurants in London but not many that serve hoppers. 


Raveen, a Sri Lankan friend of mine recently drove past Hopper Box in Gants Hills (in Essex but also on the Central Line of the London Underground so very easy to get to) and it didn't take much persuading to get to down there.


So on Friday night myself and three friends ventured East and sampled Hopper Box. 


Trouble was the menu had soooo many yummy sounding dishes, I came there for hoppers but was drawn in to all the other specialities. 

So aswell as two hoppers (priced very reasonably at £2.95 for the pair) I also had a pumpkin curry and pittu - a kind of steamed rice/coconut cake, again a substitute to rice and judging by the link, very complicated to make! My cohorts also had hoppers as well as chicken and devilled anchovies. 

Pittu

It was a fine establishment, very clean, spacious and welcoming with a theatre style kitchen so you can watch over your hoppers being cooked. It's quite new still and they're not sure how to manage the numbers - it was packed so with just two members of staff there was alot of waiting involved. This just meant I had to order a second mango lassi which was no problem as the first was delicious.

Mango lassi is a combo of mango and yogurt

Food was good, hoppers wereworth the wait but not as 'tall and bowl formed' as they should have been.

In Sri Lanka, I loved eating hoppers for breakfast, here they are at the Galle Face Hotel where I spent my first night:

And here at a really sweet art cafe in the colonial coastal town of Galle where they had endless fillings, I even tried a sweet version with bananas and honey.....ahh the memories.

Next up Raveen plans to show us another eaterie that serves 'better' hoppers in Hendon, hope to go there next month and will report back.


Until then, here's a parting shot of the boys drinking Lion Brand beer, the official beer of Sri Lanka.

Death by chocolate...I've just experienced it

No this is not a giant flake cake from Pimp That Snack!, it is Nigella's Quadrauple Chocolate cake, baked last night by my friend Janine and 15 hours on from eating a 1/4  of it, I am still experiencing the after effects. I can honestly say I have never in my life had such a chocolate overload and I have had a lot of chocolate!


One time at university I  took part in a paid experiment where over the course of two weeks I had to eat chocolate until I had my fill every day at an allotted time AND I worked a Mars for a a few months where I ate free chocolate every day (the joy of a freshly cooked Bounty bar...hmmm those where the days.)

Yet this monster was the most indulgent thing I've ever eaten, especially as I went in for two slices...

It's quadrauple because it's made of cocoa and chocolate chips, and is then drizzled in chocolate sauce and topped with flaked chocolate. Inside it was so moist is was almost like drinking melted chocolate. 


As for experiencing death by chocolate it actually felt my body was made of chocolate, like I was a living breathing chocolate statue (I could barely move!). I haven't been able to eat anything since then and normally I can't function without breakfast. While I was asleep I could even feel my body expanding....but it was soooooo worth it, words can't describe how delicious it was and I call myself a writer....the irony is we halved the ingredients in her recipe to make it smaller and yet it was still so ridiculously rich and tasty.


Presently I cannot imagine ever eating chocolate again, I'm sure I've had at least a year's supply in one go and I'm still feeling like my blood has turned into chocolate milkshake.


If you consider yourself to be a chocoholic, you must try this recipe, there's no two ways about it!!