Tra - la la-la-la: Gotye

 

The song for last nights choir was "Somebody" by Gotye (2011). Lots of tricky high notes but only three moves (although you wouldn't believe how much trouble a turn of the head and a step to the left then a step to the right can cause) It's a great video (apparently it's in the top 15 most viewed list) and I'm loving all those triangles, very on trend :  ) Six weeks to the concert.

Farrow and Ball wallpaper competition

 If you want a chance to win some fabulous Farrow and Ball wallpaper follow this link here and enter NOW! They giving away 5 rolls of the paper of your choice every week for seven weeks. This design is called Tessella, my fav. as it reminds me of 60's boudoirs, Bridgitte Bardot and the geometric design project I have to do later this week. Good luck!

Les Mis

If you can't decide whether to go and see Les Miserables at the cinema I urge you to GO - NOW! It is FABULOUS, dramatic, grim, joyous, sad, funny and beautiful, a rollercoaster of emotions in 3 hours. The songs are amazing and all the big stars have incredible singing voices, there is very little spoken word in the film at all. The last scene will knock your socks off. Everyone clapped at the end - BRILLIANT -  I LOVED IT!

Laugh often

My friend Dot makes amongst other things, these lovely little brooches which she sells at local craft fairs  (unfortunately she doesn't have an on line shop : ( ). Sometimes I am guilty of taking life too seriously but with this perched on my desk it's a welcome reminder to have a chuckle and see the funny side of life.

Tra - la la-la-la: Poison

It was choir again last night. This week we learnt the good old classic rock song Poison by Alice Cooper (1989). Picking up the song was OK but we had to learn some dance steps and actions to do whilst singing - eek that was tres difficult. Think I need to practise my scary Alice Cooper moves in front of the mirror at home.  Seven weeks to the concert : /

Out of the Dark

I visited the Interiors show at the Birmingham NEC yesterday. Behind all the grand stands, chandeliers and expensive furniture was a very interesting, creative stand showing recycled furniture and other salvadged items. Out of the Dark is a charitable social enterprise that recycles, restores and revamps salvaged furniture as a means to train, educate and employ young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Founded by Jay and Jade Blades, Out of the Dark is an extension to Street Dreams, the charity that they have been running for the past 12 years. Their charity's projects are all about supporting young people achieve a better life and steer away from crime, and this project brings in the element of craft, DIY and work skills. Not to mention the development of self esteem and confidence.Their personal experience of rebellion and hardship in teenage years coupled with professional backgrounds in building and interior design has been the right mixture to make Out of the Dark a success. To find out more follow this link here.

Meet Barbara

My kids made Barbara the snow person today, they think she is hysterical.... I don't know why : ) We have spent lots of time walking and playing in the snow this weekend. There are now wet wellies and odd gloves everywhere drying out in readiness for the next adventure. The BIG question is will there be school tomorrow? 

Tra-la-la-la-la

I have started singing in a Rock Choir (to those who have heard me sing - I know I am rubbish but I have been told that that doesn't matter, enthusiasm and love of music is all that's important ............ thanks goodness) It's great fun and that feeling of unity when you sing is very special. I went to the choir for the first time last night and we started to learn the lovely song "You've lost that loving feeling" (originally made famous by the Righteous brothers in 1964 - how cool do they look in this video and aren't their voices are terrific?). Our first concert is in 8 weeks and I have to learn loads of tunes but the money raised goes to charity so it'll be well worth it and exciting too :  )

Little folk

These lovely little things are from Vietnam. My friend didn't want them so I HAD to give them a home. Well wouldn't you? Each one is dressed differently in lovely fabric and braids. There is so much work in each one and they are only 5cm tall. They will inspire a new print I think.

Printsource and Paperworld

My wonderful agent is going walkabout in the next few weeks. They will have a stand at Printsource, New York (F7 15th/16th Jan) and Paperworld Frankfurt (C67 Hall 6 26th/29th Jan) If you are visiting either of those shows please pop along and say HELLO! They will make you very welcome and will show you some FABULOUS work of course : )

Where are we now?

I was very excited to hear that David Bowie has released a new single to celebrate his 66th birthday. An album will follow - hurrah! The video is very strange (to be expected from Bowie) but I LOVE the song, very reflective. We have been listening to Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars over the holidays (we are TRYING to educate our One Direction obsessed daughter) and I still remember all the words and the order of the songs. Will Bowie do a world tour perhaps? That would be amazing. If so, I would probably re-mortgage the house to make sure I could get my hands on some tickets.

From Pinterest - originally from www.theglitterguide.tumblr.com/post/24496004715

Emergency glitter pills.  Had a bad day?  Step 1: open emergency glitter pill. Step 2: throw glitter in the air.  Step 3: SMILE. It's back to work and school on Monday - I may need these!

2013!!!!

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!