London days

We have been having a brilliant time here in London. So much to see and do. For the first month, the kids and I visited museums, historical places, and a few parks and playgrounds. And since the kids started school earlier this month, I have been able to explore a bit on my own. 

We have gotten used to asking where the loo is instead of the restroom when we are away from our flat, saying football instead of soccer, plaster instead of band-aid, and jumper instead of sweater, but it all still feels a bit strange.

Here are just a few of the hundreds of photos I have taken on our excursions:

We are going to Paris tomorrow for a long weekend, and then will be back in London for just a few weeks before we head home. Hard to believe our winter here is almost over. But with the temperatures rising and the days getting longer, it is starting to feel like Springtime should be here soon.

The London adventure begins

Happy 2012!
We are in London!

I know, I know, I'm not sure I mentioned even the possibility of coming here before now, but everything happened so fast. My husband had an opportunity to teach at Central Saint Martins here in London for a term and we all jumped at the chance.

It was a bit crazy. Getting ready for Christmas is always crazy enough (nonstop shopping and cooking and wrapping and preparing and baking and trying to remember to take a breath or two along the way) even without also getting ready to move across the pond for three months. So, after allowing ourselves to actually breathe and relax for a day or two, we then... (deep breath) ... took down the tree, packed up Christmas, packed our suitcases, readied the house for our exit and the arrival of renters, and then flew here on the first of the year. Whew!

We are settling into our flat and getting to know the neighborhood, the Underground, and English as a foreign language:)
So far, we are loving it!

Here begins the London adventure.

Fresh holly wreath

As we were raking and bagging the mountains of leaves on our front lawn last weekend, we decided, on a whim (why not now?!) to prune our very overgrown holly bushes. In the now (almost exactly!) seven years we have lived in this house, we have only taken a clipper to these bushes a few times. And when we did, it was only to trim a few small springs of berried branches for our Christmas table. It was due for a real trim.

Now that we have a mountain of holly branches, why not make a wreath or two...

'Tis the season, after all.

Luckily, I already had a spool of some green floral wire (found in the kids beading box:)

After cutting some of the branches into manageable sizes, I also cut some small lengths of the wire with the same clippers, and was ready to start. 

Since I didn't have a wire form or foam substrate, I chose one of the longest branches and bent it into a large circle and secured it with the floral wire. Then I just started adding branches where they fit, following their slight natural curves.

And before I knew it, it was a wreath. 

I even had enough to make a smaller one for one of our glass doors inside...

With the green foliage and the red berries, I think they are beautiful as they are, but you could always add a ribbon or even evergreen sprigs. 

And if you don't happen to have a holly bush in your front yard that needs pruning, you could always make a felt version like I did last year. 

Happy wreathing!

Halloween bats

As I am still putting the finishing touches on the kids' halloween costumes this year, I thought I would show you the bats that are flying around and sleeping in our sun room:) Must give all the creative credit to my husband for designing, cutting (with some help from little hands), and hanging all of these creatures. 

Happy Halloween!

small pea studio at neighborhood fall festival

Apologies for the lack of recent posts...it's been a busy fall!

I have been slowly inching toward a more official and robust studio business concept and am starting to have a better idea of what small pea studio may become:) In an effort to speed along some decisions (at least in my mind), I decided to share a table with a friend (who is also a doll-maker) at a local neighborhood Fall Festival this past weekend. Our table was surrounded by a face-painting and kids crafting corner, local small business set-ups, and tables of hand-crafted items including letterpressed cards, knitted baby hats, jewelry made with found antique buttons, and slices of pie!

I had one mini-quilt and three pillows, along with some temporary business cards and an email sign-up list. A start, right?

Yes, but definitely not enough inventory to actually sell anything. Despite the samples-only display, I had a great time talking to those who stopped by the table, friends and strangers alike. It felt good to be part of the community in that way, and I look forward to this small pea studio sprouting and growing where it may.

As I begin to make some of the temporary studio ideas more permanent, you may see some changes around here. Any feedback is welcome and encouraged:)