Sporti, shopping and Mr Selfridge.

Hooray, I got my Ilford Sporti photographs back this week.

My house!

Assorted sheds.

I had mixed results... some of them came out ok, the vast majority didn't! A few appeared to have something obscuring the lens, a classic schoolboy error. Some looked like the winding on thingy was not working properly creating interesting effects.

I am keen to try again though, this time I will make a note of the settings so I can rule out any issues there. I was most impressed with Peak Imaging for swift service and no sarcastic stickers telling me what a crap job I had done! (I used to work for Boots and I HATED those stickers but we had to use them).

My floristry course is fast approaching its end. I am very sad about this, what on earth will I do with my Tuesday evenings now? The last couple of classes have been spent creating planted designs... I made an outdoor planter that would have been cheaper to buy ready made and an indoor one which allowed me to indulge in fairies and butterflies as I created it for a friends birthday!

This week it's the planted design assessment and so I am taking it right back in time and creating a bottle garden. Fascinated by these for years, I have never owned one -probably because my track record with houseplants is abysmal. But hey, this one only has to survive the evening!!

Well, it's Sunday and tonight I have to find alternative entertainment as there is no Mr Selfridge :-( I don't normally watch costume dramas but I will admit to having enjoyed Mr Shellfish... I went out and bought the book which the series was based on this week, 'Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge' by Lindy Woodhead. So far it's a really interesting read, although those expecting a rip roaring story along the lines of the series will be disappointed. It's a look at the broader history of shopping here and in the US and the huge impact that Mr S had on changing the face of our favourite pastime. Some of these changes were massively positive - some of them were causing consternation back then and still do today (I am thinking especially of the buying out of smaller shops in order to expand). As a social history it makes for a great book, so maybe that's how I shall spend my vacant Sunday night spot tonight. Blanket, book and a bottle of red!

Mad Hatter and startled ferret!

Well, I've had to return to the land of normality (ha ha) after the filming excitement.... It's been a routine week of work and household chores but I did get to indulge in some creativity with a vintage twist for my floristry class!
I am now about half way through my Floristry diploma course, still loving every minute of it and still marvelling at the bargains to be had at Aldi (fabulous roses this week for £3!)
My assessment this week was to create a shop window around a theme of my choice. By 'shop window' they meant against a door in the reception area of the college. My door was to the office and so I had to allow for staff coming in and out. I tried to block them in with the step ladder but they managed to squeeze through.
I chose the Mad Hatters Tea Party as my theme as I thought I could make good use of my plentiful collection of vintage stuff. In reality it caused problems as I tried to choose between 20 different sets of china. I have slept for the past 3 weeks with a notepad by the bed, funny how inspiration strikes at 3am. 'Aha, bunting would be cool', 'Great, now shut up and let me sleep!' 'No, seriously, Alice themed bunting... here's how we could make it', 'Honestly, please tell me in the morning', 'No, I need to tell you NOW!'

Completed window display - ignore the office and magazine shelf!

Anyway, the assessment day arrived, my car was stuffed to the gunnels with everything I thought I could possibly need (plus lots I wasn't sure about) and I was ready to create. DD had scotched the idea of using my taxidermy vole as a dormouse (people will think you're weird! As if!) and so as a last minute stand in I had to enlist the services of startled ferret. He's my favourite Forest School soft toy and has had many a woodland adventure. Sitting in a teapot was a virtual holiday for him!

Startled Ferret - star of the show!

 

I was particularly proud of my floral cupcakes (sounds like a good name for a burlesque star?) - thank you to Carol for the inspiration.

 

Aldi roses - an absolute bargain!

 

It all went well and I got some good feedback from my tutor. Another bonus is that my house is now full of flowers, on the flip side I have loads of china to clean and put away and startled ferret needs to come back down to earth.

Still, it's the taxidermy course next Saturday and so he will have stuffed rat to befriend. The rats steampunk wings are coming along a treat but that's a whole 'nother story!!