Trip to The Tate Modern

We had a family trip to the Tate Modern today to see an exhibition for Occupation for spaces on education and why they look the way they do.

The exhibit was created by new teachers studying at university who worked with  number of schools. My daughter and her friends work was featured as part of the exhibit

Their art project within school was to create masks for the exhibition.

Amelie | Occupation, Philippa Bloomfield, Tate Exchange

Amelie | Occupation, Philippa Bloomfield, Tate Exchange

We also took some time out to have a look around the Tate Modern, a first for me! I know being a Londoner its a shocker.

Tate Modern, London

Tate Modern, London

Tate Modern, London

Southbank, London

Klimt Polymer Clay Canes - Weekend Catch Up

Here is a new cane I created playing around with an idea in my head, this is actually the first cane I've ever made myself from my own idea, I've used the skills I've learnt from previous caning techniques to combine this one.

Polymer Clay Canes by Lottie Of London Jewellery

Its very simple but I really like it it reminds me of a fish tank looking through at all the tiny orange fishes.

A Fleeting Visit To Venice, Italy

Now everyone says how romantic and wonderful Venice is but I have to admit it certainly was'nt on my top ten list of places to visit.

So as we were off to Bardolino in Lake Garda Italy for a weeks break we decided to fly into Venice for a fleeting visit and see if its all its cracked up to be.

The Canals of Venice, Italy

The stunning buildings lining the canals of Venice, Italy

So on landing we headed straight for Venice as we only had a few hours to check it out (well I did say it was a fleeting visit).

On first getting there we walked and walked until we finally worked out it was far easier to use the river buses, yes we are total Noobs!

The colourful houses of Venice, Italy

Views from the river bus of Venice, Italy

As you can see from just a few of my snaps taken Venice is a beautiful place and I have to say it has certainly captured my heart, it was such a shame that we only had a few hours to dash around and get as many sights in as we could.

It is packed with tourists but we are certainly adding it to our ever growing list of weekend breaks for another future visit.

St Mark's Square, Venice Italy

Our fleeting visit to Venice, Italy

Catch Up Marathon Looming

 Well this pretty much sums it up!!

Marathon Day is looming this Sunday 14th April 2013 in Brighton and my feelings are shifting from panic and fear to oddly enough excitement, now I never thought I'd feel excited but when I look at last years pictures of the runners in the Brighton Marathon I get butterflies and I can't wait though this could become nausea by Saturday night.

Right now I have the pleasure of starting my carb loading in prep for the big day, after all there had to be a plus somewhere to all this training.

Carb Loading

On reflection when I first started running nearly 4 years ago with little 15 min jogs on the treadmill I can't believe how far I've come.  Training has been gruelling not so much the runs but the fatigue and tiredness in between and the cold weather we have had has been unbearable at times.

But its done tonight I will jog my last before stuffing my face Bring It On!!

Running the Brighton Marathon 2013 for Cancer Research 

 

Guess How Long It Will Take Me to Run the Marathon for Cancer Research

Weekend Catch Up

I've been MIA again so its a catch up from me this week as I've been a busy bunny and life is taking over.

We've been doing more decorating on the flat, this time we tackled the kids room, I'm glad to say its now all painted and almost complete apart from some finishing touches, I need to gloss some bits here and there but I really don't enjoy glossing.

Preparing the bedroom for painting

I'm  also about to embark on the hard grind of my marathon training next week with my long runs kicking in, I have to admit as it gets closer its taking over much of my life and focus, with stretches, strength and training runs I'm not getting in as much claying as I'd like, especially with Spring around the corner somewhere.

Its niggling at me that I should be making/crafting something but I'm just not finding the time.

So what do you all do when life takes over and how do you find or make the time for the fun crafty things in your life esp if you are trying to make a go of it as a business?

Marathon training bring on the grind

img from http://webwarezwatches.wordpress.com/tag/funny-marathon-signs/


I did manage to make one thing this week, this little Alice in Wonderland polymer clay charm.

Alice in Wonderland Polymer Clay Charm handmade by Lottie Of London

Don't forget as part of a UK Etsy promotion I'm offering free p&p throughout March simply enter the coupon code FREEMARCH13 to qualify visit my Etsy store Lottie Of London Bespoke Jewellery.

Have a great Monday Everyone and don't forget to check out more great crafter's over on Handmade Harbours Handmade Monday

Weekend Catch Up with Polymer Clay

Well I had planned to do a post on Faux Jade with polymer clay, but life always has other plans, well actually it was my hubby as he arranged a much needed night out the good old fashioned way of a meal and a film, which was wonderful.  He had bought tickets to see Les Miserable but the geek in me persuaded him that we should see the Hobbit as it won't be showing much longer, very enjoyable and 3D is highly recommended and enchanced by a good half bottle of wine.

Still I do have some polymer clay makes that I had have been creating over the last week, following my Polymer Clay Millefiori Rose Canes.

Millefiori Rose Cane Creations from Polymer Clay

Here are some pendants created from my red rose cane and I've incorporated a Zipper Cane as an edging.  The largest will be a brooch, but I'm still undecided on what I will do with the other pieces.

Millefiori Rose Cane Beads from Polymer Clay

This is a collection of beads I've created with the burgundy rose cane, I have plans for these to be teamed with some deep red Swarovski crystals I have in my bead box to create a bracelet.








I've also been working some colour mixing for the new Pantone Spring/Summer 2013 colour predictions, if you haven't seen the colours yet here they are.

Pantone Spring/Summer 2013 Colours

Source: pantone.co.uk via Clare on Pinterest

Below are my colour samples, not a bad match I think although you may notice Greyed Jade is missing, I must of got distracted.

Colouring Mixing Pantone Spring/Summer 2013 Colours from Polymer Clay

So what do you think of the colour predictions?  Emerald has been named as Pantones colour of the year for 2013, so expect to see a lot of it.  I don't have a lot of green in my wardrobe but I might just find a way to incorporate it into my accessories.  Do you love Emerald?

This post is part of Handmade Monday with Handmade Harbour why not pop on over for more crafty goodness.

Weekend Catch Up with Polymer Clay

Well I have finally made a start on the painting, glossing to be precise and we've finally decided on the colours for the living rooms make over before Xmas, so now its full steam ahead.

Craft wise I ordered in some Glossy Accents to try out on some of my polymer clay pendants, I've never used this type of gloss before and apparently its great for all sorts of crafts such as rubber stamping, scrapbooking etc...

Glossy Accents used on my Polymer Clay Pendants

Initially I've tested it out on a couple of pendants as I wanted to be sure I liked the finished results.  Its a little difficult to see the difference in the photos but I am very impressed and will be using it in the future as its very easy to use and dries relatively quick.

On the polymer clay front I had hoped to start making some new pieces by now but I seem to have lost my go with everything else going on.  I attempted using up my Mokame Gane cane that I created recurrently in my post Mokame Gane with Polymer Clay, but it went horribly wrong and got scrapped.  I also had a dabble with a new skull roller I purchased recently at Old Spitalfields market, but despite my best efforts it just was'nt going the way I wanted.  I have however have plans for a future post with my new roller so keep a look out.

Testing out my new skulls roller on Polymer Clay

And lastly I'm pleased to say that today I finally received my T Shirt for the Nike Run to the Beat Half Marathon, my training of late has been quite intense and its left me a little exhausted and with a few twinges and aches in my left hip, I believe due to my over pronation when I run, so for the finally two weeks I plan to take it easier now until the race, a prefect excuse to play with more clay.

Me and My Run to the Beat Race T shirt - the next time I wear this I may not be smiling

This post is part of Handmade Monday with Handmade Harbour