Cards

It was always a great way to pass the time as children, especially in school. Making cards - Mother's Day. Father's Day. Easter. And the rest.

But for years as an adult, I have bought all my cards.

Until a few months ago, when I thought I'd have a go at making some myself. I'm always doodling (I'll share some photos soon), so I thought I'd go down that route, instead of cutting and gluing paper.

I chose simple designs, often only choosing a couple of main colours, stuck the design onto a piece of card using (what I just googled) foam mounting squares to give the card some life, and sometimes chose to add a few tiny little diamonds I had in a drawer. As you do.

With a few Welsh ones thrown in for good measure. 

People (aka friend and family) have been pretty complimentary about them. But to be honest, I find it quite therapeutic to doodle so was happy to do it. And I saved a few quid!

Colour

We could all do with more colour in our lives. Especially at the moment.

So in an attempt to blog more frequently, I aim to post a colourful photo every Monday.

Let's see how it goes.

A yummy salad

I'm a pizza, chips and chocolate kind of Mummy. But sometimes, I honestly do fancy a salad.

This is one I have most weekends. For lunch. Before ordering a takeaway for supper.

It's so simple - sliced mozzarella, fresh cherry tomatoes, torn basil leaves, a few slices of parma ham, a splash of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Oh, and a huges chunk of bread and butter on the side.

This salad is a bit of a cheat, really. If I have this during the day, I almost feel like the calories in the egg fried rice don't count. That's how it work, isn't it?

Happy hump day everyone!

Spray-painted animals

After 10 months maternity leave and a Little One who needs nappies, food and a Jumperoo (!), money has been pretty tight, and so I've turned to making a few things for the house, instead of buying them. 

My favourite so far has to be my spray-painted animals. They look expensive-ish, are cheap and easy to make.

You can find some cheap animal toys (or whatever takes your fancy!) in any pound shop, or children's toy shop, spray paint isn't always cheap (can be £10 or thereabouts) but lasts a long time, and I'm sure most people have an old sheet they use for crafts/painting and decorating.

I normally wait for a dry day, take the sheet outside and spray away. They normally need a few coats to look good, but if you're at home, you can pop out every hour or so, turn them over and give them a little top up. 

It really is that simple.

Fancy giving them a go?

Hygge

Hygge.

If you have any contact whatsoever with social media, you've probably come across Hygge recently. It's the Danish art of happiness. Sounds naff doesn't it?

That's what I thought too, but I'd seen this pretty book before Christmas, and thought it could be comforting to read during this bleak January.

I finished the book in three days. It's wonderful.

It's not mind-blowing, or particularly clever. It's comforting. It's Hygge.

It felt like a real treat to be able to finish supper, curl up on the sofa with a blanket and read this book. It's easy to read with short paragraphs, quotes and beautiful photos. It also made me realise that I already have a lot of Hygge in my life, but I'd simply failed to notice it.

A string of lights hanging over our bookshelf, making the room feel cosy.

A really soft blanket.

Eating a hot cottage pie while it's raining outside.

Making cupcakes and drinking a glass of wine.

Going to bed early. For no reason at all.

Reading on the sofa while the Other Half is on his laptop and the Little One is happily playing on her own.

To me, Hygge is Being Content. But also, being content with the small and insignificant day-to-day things you normally fail to notice. You really don't need that much to make you happy.

Hygge - The Danish Art of Happiness by Marie Tourell Søderberg

Bubble art

My Saturday nights have changed slightly over the last couple of years.

I've never been a party animal, but my weekends used to include the Other Half and I going out for lunch, having a pint, and another, and another. Then stumbling home at 8pm with a kebab or pizza. Those were the days!

My saturday nights still include some alcohol. Possibly a takeaway of sorts. And being home at 8pm. But (thank God!), they don't include a hangover.

So, I can't really moan about my antics last weekend. When I did Bubble Art.

I'm not even sure it's a thing to be honest. I saw it on Pinterest and thought I'd give it a go.

All you need is:

Water
Washing up liquid
Food colouring
Bowls
Paper
Straws

I put some water, washing up liquid and food colouring in a bowl. I didn't measure, but I'd guess at 4 parts water, 1 part washing up liquid, and as much food colouring as you like, depending how colourful and bright you want to be.

Mix it all together, and voila, you are ready to blow some bubbles.

After the bubbles have formed a 'dome', carefully place your piece of paper on top. You can always blow some more bubbles and place the paper on top again if you find there's not enough going on the first time round.

I felt pretty childish in my kitchen doing this, but they actually turned out lovely, and not child-like at all. After reading a bit more online, I think if you use paint instead of food colouring, you get a brighter finish, which might be better with kids. But if it's just you and a glass of wine, I'd opt for the gentler looking food colouring.

I might fold a few into envelopes, you know, for when I want to send someone a letter...hmm. Or I might do some doodling on top, and see where I end up.

Have a love ly weekend everyone!