My five favourite Instagram photos of 2014!
I know I'm a bit late to the party with this post, but you'll forgive me won't you?!
This post was originally supposed to be called "My favourite FOUR Instagram photos of 2014, but it was really hard to narrow my favourites down to just four and that's why there are five!!
Paddling pool - I can feel the intense heat of those distant, long hot summer days in those blues.
The three musketeers - The first photo of all my boys together!
A vignette of "stuff" found in my studio! I really enjoyed putting this together so I'm going to try to do this again....soon!
Paper cut - I love cutting this design and seeing all the different things that are important to people
Happy New Year - Last post of 2014 and last new product of 2014!
You can find me on Instagram, @loumclaren Leave a link to your Instagram profile below and I'll hop over to say hi, in a non threatening, non stalking kinda way!
xx
{ this moment } Perthshire Open Studios is looming!
Starting to get the bombsite in order for all you lovely visitors!
{ Sneaky Peek } A Diamond Anniversary card
I was commissioned to make a paper cut card for a very special couple celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, 60 years, something to truly be celebrated.
Where to start with a commission, the awful prospect of a blank sheet of paper!
The commissioner had seen my work before and liked the idea of having two birds, a heart and leaves, so to the scribbles.
I start with a few thumbnail sketches to get the idea fixed on paper, to try out a few of ideas, get the major components in the right places and the overall proportion and composition "right"!
At this point I tend to walk away and let the ideas circle through my sub conscious and thought for the rest of the day. Somehow this "sets" the idea of how I should cut the piece and I can develop the design a bit further.
And then BINGO! It all clicks into place and the design flows from the pencil onto the paper.
A bit of time and patience and here it is, all cut out.
I backed the paper cut with a lovely matt gold paper which gave the card a lovely glow and I'm told the special couple were delighted with their card.
{ this moment } 14th February - Valentines Day
Inspired by the
fabulous SouleMama
{this
moment} - A Friday ritual.
A single photo - capturing a moment
from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to
pause, savour and remember.
I've found more and more lately that my happiness isn't about expensive one off
purchases or gestures;
it's about the simple, everyday things,
turns our Valentines Day isn't any different!
Where did October and November go?!
In some ways I can't believe it's been more than two months since I last posted in here! Then I think about what I've been up to and realise why!
I signed up to exhibit at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow way back in April and as soon as POS was out of the way it was full steam ahead with the preparations! As well as cutting, printing, proofing and approving like a banshee, I spent a bit of time designing the layout of my stand. I had a 1m deep and 2m wide stand so it was quite a tight squeeze to fit all my work in.
I hate to think how long I spent on Pinterest looking at shop fittings, trade show booths and craft fair displays! Once I'd got a few ideas fixed and being an Architect by trade, I dug out my scale rule and made a model of my stand and all the fittings and pictures that I wanted to fit in. And here's the finished stand in all its glory!
And boy, did all that time pay off, I was totally amazed and very excited to win the Editor's Choice Award! It was the icing on the cake of a very busy, hectic and worthwhile weekend. There's even a wee feature about me on the Country Living blog.
I met some long time designer/crafter hero's of mine. The lovely Kat Goldin, the fantabulous crochet designer and blogger of Slugs on the Refrigerator. The super talented Susan MacGill of Susan McGill Designs. The fabby Victoria who IS Hipster Spinster. The lovely Emily Notman whose work is just breathtakingly beautiful and delicate and last, but by no means least, Flossie Teacake who in the strictest sense I didn't ACTUALLY meet. Every time I popped past her stand to say hello she was busy chatting with people! The fantastic Molly Ginnelly was visiting the fair and stopped for a chat, I kept thinking I knew her from somewhere but couldn't place her face, until about 2 hours later!
I signed up to exhibit at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow way back in April and as soon as POS was out of the way it was full steam ahead with the preparations! As well as cutting, printing, proofing and approving like a banshee, I spent a bit of time designing the layout of my stand. I had a 1m deep and 2m wide stand so it was quite a tight squeeze to fit all my work in.
I hate to think how long I spent on Pinterest looking at shop fittings, trade show booths and craft fair displays! Once I'd got a few ideas fixed and being an Architect by trade, I dug out my scale rule and made a model of my stand and all the fittings and pictures that I wanted to fit in. And here's the finished stand in all its glory!
I met some long time designer/crafter hero's of mine. The lovely Kat Goldin, the fantabulous crochet designer and blogger of Slugs on the Refrigerator. The super talented Susan MacGill of Susan McGill Designs. The fabby Victoria who IS Hipster Spinster. The lovely Emily Notman whose work is just breathtakingly beautiful and delicate and last, but by no means least, Flossie Teacake who in the strictest sense I didn't ACTUALLY meet. Every time I popped past her stand to say hello she was busy chatting with people! The fantastic Molly Ginnelly was visiting the fair and stopped for a chat, I kept thinking I knew her from somewhere but couldn't place her face, until about 2 hours later!
Perthshire Open Studios- de brief!
I can't believe it's almost two weeks since Perthshire Open Studios finished for another year! I shut my front door at 5.01pm on Sunday evening, did a little jig of happiness and delight and then promptly poured myself a MAHOOSIVE (and well earned) glass of wine!
Last year (my first Open Studios) all I wanted was for one person to turn up, even if they didn't buy anything! This year I was worried again. What if last year was a fluke and no one turns up? Or people turn up and find it a huge disappointment? Or........
But, yet again my greatest expectations were well and truly shattered! 166 incredible, lovely people came and visited me and bought themselves (or some very special, lucky loved ones) some of my work.
I really enjoy chatting with all my visitors about, paper cutting, Open Studios, The Green Route, library evaluation forms (don't ask!) and a hundred other topics! There were a few times (especially on both Saturdays) when I had 4 or 5 people in my studio and my visitors were kind and patient enough to wait to have a chat with me.
My tote bags disappeared (I kid you not!) in the first two days.
My Christmas decorations also flew out the door. I take my hat off to all you super organised peeps who have started thinking about Christmas! (Mind you, I've kept the few decorations that I have left hanging in the window.......they look so jolly! But don't tell anyone!)
So a huge thank you to all you brilliant visitors, with out you it would just have been me..........on my own..........in my studio!
Last year (my first Open Studios) all I wanted was for one person to turn up, even if they didn't buy anything! This year I was worried again. What if last year was a fluke and no one turns up? Or people turn up and find it a huge disappointment? Or........
But, yet again my greatest expectations were well and truly shattered! 166 incredible, lovely people came and visited me and bought themselves (or some very special, lucky loved ones) some of my work.
I really enjoy chatting with all my visitors about, paper cutting, Open Studios, The Green Route, library evaluation forms (don't ask!) and a hundred other topics! There were a few times (especially on both Saturdays) when I had 4 or 5 people in my studio and my visitors were kind and patient enough to wait to have a chat with me.
My tote bags disappeared (I kid you not!) in the first two days.
My Christmas decorations also flew out the door. I take my hat off to all you super organised peeps who have started thinking about Christmas! (Mind you, I've kept the few decorations that I have left hanging in the window.......they look so jolly! But don't tell anyone!)
So a huge thank you to all you brilliant visitors, with out you it would just have been me..........on my own..........in my studio!
New prints on the block!
I had a bit of a listing bonanza on Etsy last night!
I've FINALLY got around to taking photos of a couple of new prints and also some better pictures of some old favourites. It's been lurking on my (never ending) to do list for about a month and I was finally inspired to get my camera out and get snapping!
I was so pleased with the results that I kept working into the wee small hours and listed the newbies and revamped the older listings!
So first of all the newbies.....................
And the old favourites............................
I've FINALLY got around to taking photos of a couple of new prints and also some better pictures of some old favourites. It's been lurking on my (never ending) to do list for about a month and I was finally inspired to get my camera out and get snapping!
I was so pleased with the results that I kept working into the wee small hours and listed the newbies and revamped the older listings!
So first of all the newbies.....................
Initial......C.
Perfect for the completely captivating Claire's, Caroline's, Chloe's and Cicely's in your life.
Need it in your life?
Screen printed Moleskine Cahier
A botanically inspired screen printed Moleskine Cahier journal. The print shows a swathe of leaves, flowers, hanging hearts and birdies in a beautiful deep, rich purple.
Perfect for keeping in your bag to jot down those important, never ending lists.
And the old favourites............................
You Smiled
"When I saw you I fell in love and you smiled because you knew"
A beautiful, romantic sentiment, making this a perfect gift to give to your other half on your wedding day, your anniversary or just because you want them to know how much they mean to you. Something you can hang on your wall and enjoy as you grow old together.
LOVE
The print shows the word love, embellished with flowers, delicate, lacey leaves and a pair of birdies. It would make a beautiful gift for you to give to a special couple on their wedding day, something they will hang on the wall and treasure forever.
The Art Market and Scone Game Fair
What a whirlwind the last 3 weeks have been! All the preparing, travelling, setting up, chatting, selling, taking down and travelling for The Art Market in Holmfirth and Scone Game Fair have left my studio in a total and utter bombsite and me as a slightly vague, dishevelled wifie.....OK as MORE of a slightly vague, dishevelled wifie!!
But we have just come back from a fabulous weekend at the boat. I spent Saturday doing nothing, and when I say nothing I really mean it! I stayed on the boat as anchor watch while John, the boys and the dog rowed ashore to the castle and the beach. I lay in the sunshine listening to the radio and snoozing. I didn't pick up a book or a pencil or anything. I really can't remember the last time I've spent so long just..........being. Long overdue and so needed!
Anyway I've come back renewed and rejuvenated and red faced! Note to self, if you're going to LIE in the sunshine please try and remember to put sun cream on you face! It's going brown now, thank goodness!
In true Louise McLaren style I do not have a SINGLE photo of my stall (or anyone else) at The Art Market, however The Art Market Blog has a lovely roundup of the weekend here, and if you scroll down you will see a picture of yours truly clutching my very exciting and hugely unexpected Special Commendation for stand design! I've got it framed, next to my Cycling Proficiency and 50m front crawl certificates!
And I also have NO photos from Scone Game Fair, however 3D2D who organised the Craft tent have a Facebook page here, with photos of some of the exhibitors goodies!
I will have some photos for you later on in the week of what we have come to call "The Great Bee Saga of 2013"........never a dull moment here!
But we have just come back from a fabulous weekend at the boat. I spent Saturday doing nothing, and when I say nothing I really mean it! I stayed on the boat as anchor watch while John, the boys and the dog rowed ashore to the castle and the beach. I lay in the sunshine listening to the radio and snoozing. I didn't pick up a book or a pencil or anything. I really can't remember the last time I've spent so long just..........being. Long overdue and so needed!
Anyway I've come back renewed and rejuvenated and red faced! Note to self, if you're going to LIE in the sunshine please try and remember to put sun cream on you face! It's going brown now, thank goodness!
In true Louise McLaren style I do not have a SINGLE photo of my stall (or anyone else) at The Art Market, however The Art Market Blog has a lovely roundup of the weekend here, and if you scroll down you will see a picture of yours truly clutching my very exciting and hugely unexpected Special Commendation for stand design! I've got it framed, next to my Cycling Proficiency and 50m front crawl certificates!
And I also have NO photos from Scone Game Fair, however 3D2D who organised the Craft tent have a Facebook page here, with photos of some of the exhibitors goodies!
I will have some photos for you later on in the week of what we have come to call "The Great Bee Saga of 2013"........never a dull moment here!
{ Sneaky Peek Thursday } Possibility
This post has been a while in the making. In fact so long that it's morphed from a { Sneaky Peek } into more of a TA DA grand unveiling!
So here is Possibility, the latest heartfelt moment to be captured and celebrated.
A crossroads in life. Endless decisions, countless outcomes and oh the possibilities, the boundless possibilities.
Where will decisions made or unmade take you next? What opportunities lie over the hill, around the corner?
The most important decision to take? Live life, dwell in possibility.
As always, I was inspired by a fantastic piece of poetry. This time by Emily Dickinson's,
a brilliantly, inspiring place to live.
Thumbnail scribbles, working out the general layout and form of the design.
Various "life size" sketches, looking at different ideas and combinations of flowers and leaves.
Voila, all finished and painted!
{ Sneaky Peek Thursday } Top secret project "A"
I don't want to give too much away about this super, top secret papercut, so the photo shows the design back to front and the wrong way up!
I've done a design similar to this as a commission but this one will be available as a screen print, and possibly making some other items super special and pretty!
I'm hoping to have the prints ready to launch at
on the 29th/30th June so watch this space!
My June newsletter will be sent out this afternoon so if you'd like to join the mailing list, fill in the form on the right hand side. As this is my very first newsletter there's a special offer for EVERYONE who signs up and I promise I won't spam you with endless news of what I'm having for lunch or how to lose 3 stones in a day!
{ Treasury Tuesday } May - Fresh Soft Spring Brights
Welcome to Treasury Tuesday! I hope you all had lovely Bank Holiday Weekends. Ours was great, lovely and relaxing. Weather wasn't too sunny, but it was mild and overcast so pretty much what's to be expected for a Bank Holiday!
It's been AGES since I've made an Etsy Treasury, but I've been hugely inspired by the sparkly new month of May and the soft, fresh weather we've been having.
So I give you...... May - Fresh Soft Spring Brights click on the link to see the Treasury, in all its glory, on Etsy.
Here's a list of ALL the beautiful finds with links directly to the fantastic sellers Etsy shops.
First row L-R : Beautiful painted, scarves by Emily Magone, of LoveArtWillTravel
Delicate, floral wreath by Jess Quinn of JessQuinnSmallArt
Beautiful, soft Spring Hare print by Lily Moon of LilyMoon
Bright hardback journals by Susan Green of SusanGreenBooks
Second row L-R : Colourful kite brooch by Lucie Ellen of lucie0ellen
Muted wool felted slippers by Rita Felt of RitaJFelt
Zingy heart earrings by Marieanne Cavacuiti of damsontreepottery
Soft printed silk cotton scarf by Lillian Z Baird of CrossWoodStore
Third row L-R : Fantastic Taurus print by Sabrina Tibourtine of EineDerGuten
Spring-y snowdrop tile by Ceri White of CeriWhiteStudios
Bright, distressed antique skittles set by Crol of CrolAndCo
Striking emerald green enamel earrings by lukely of lukely
Fourth row L-R : Stunning yellow patent satchel by frenchenglish of frenchenglish
Beautiful yellow poppy fine art print by sparksoffire of sparksoffire
Colourful felt, bunny brooches by Tocha Aga of TochasWorld
Zingy tribal print tea towel by Sam Osborne of SamOsborneStore
Siberian Spring, goodbye March, hello April!
Well, March certainly lived up to its "in like a lamb, out like a lion" reputation! We've been really lucky here in Comrie, we've had hardly any snow over the last month, it's just been bitterly cold. Anyway, April is well underway and spring can't be too far behind.....can it?!
I was selling my ware at the fantastic Lady Magpie and Me Spring Fair this weekend. It was supposed to take place on the 23rd March, but due to the ridiculous amount of snow they had in our Siberian Spring, the event had to be postponed. There were STILL snow drifts, in places, of about 3 feet deep!!
I have never really been down to Dumfries and Galloway, in the bottom left hand corner (technical term obviously!) of Scotland before, and I don't know why. Castle Douglas was so pretty and had a really lovely "feel" about it. I didn't get much of a chance to explore the town but I will definitely be back in the future! Now, this is where I should insert lots of lovely pictures of the buildings in the town and the quirky shops and even the aforementioned snow drifts but.......I forgot to take my camera! Mahoosive FAIL on my part!
So I have NO photos of all the lovely stalls and vintage goodies on offer at the fair. The magnificent bread and hot cross buns that were for sale opposite my stall, the AMAZING cakes and cups of tea being sold by Mrs Greens Tearoom! But if you hop over to the Lady Magpie and Me blog or Facebook page you can find the detail of all the stall holders and some fantastic pictures!
I've also been a busy bee, updating my Etsy shop and have listed all of my new screen print designs and also the few canvas tote bags that I have left! So don't delay and miss out!
I am going to add an Events page to the top of the blog, (I've put it on my To Do list, and now I've told you, I'll HAVE to do it!) which will have details of upcoming exhibitions, craft fairs, art markets and open studios events where you can come along and see my work in "the real world" and have a chat!
I was selling my ware at the fantastic Lady Magpie and Me Spring Fair this weekend. It was supposed to take place on the 23rd March, but due to the ridiculous amount of snow they had in our Siberian Spring, the event had to be postponed. There were STILL snow drifts, in places, of about 3 feet deep!!
I have never really been down to Dumfries and Galloway, in the bottom left hand corner (technical term obviously!) of Scotland before, and I don't know why. Castle Douglas was so pretty and had a really lovely "feel" about it. I didn't get much of a chance to explore the town but I will definitely be back in the future! Now, this is where I should insert lots of lovely pictures of the buildings in the town and the quirky shops and even the aforementioned snow drifts but.......I forgot to take my camera! Mahoosive FAIL on my part!
So I have NO photos of all the lovely stalls and vintage goodies on offer at the fair. The magnificent bread and hot cross buns that were for sale opposite my stall, the AMAZING cakes and cups of tea being sold by Mrs Greens Tearoom! But if you hop over to the Lady Magpie and Me blog or Facebook page you can find the detail of all the stall holders and some fantastic pictures!
I've also been a busy bee, updating my Etsy shop and have listed all of my new screen print designs and also the few canvas tote bags that I have left! So don't delay and miss out!
I am going to add an Events page to the top of the blog, (I've put it on my To Do list, and now I've told you, I'll HAVE to do it!) which will have details of upcoming exhibitions, craft fairs, art markets and open studios events where you can come along and see my work in "the real world" and have a chat!
Red Nose Day
A HUGE, MASSIVE thank you SO much to everyone who made a donation to Red Nose Day in exchange for one of my special edition Grow Old screen prints. Together we managed to raise £195!! I've been blown away by every ones generosity and I only have one lonely print left!
I've been promising to have a giveaway for about six months but have never got round to it, completely rubbish I know! So.....since Red Nose Day is still a whole 11 days away (it takes place on Friday, 15th March) I thought that a raffle in aid of Red Nose Day with this beautiful papercut as the prize would be MUCH better! Hang it on your wall and enjoy it forever whilst getting a warm, fuzzy glow from knowing that your hard earned pennies are making a REAL difference to someones life.
All Will Be Well, a fantastic uplifting sentiment to remember when it seems as if the whole world is on your case. The words are surrounded by delicate, lacy leaves, birdies, hearts and stars in a lovely deep green with a hint of teal.
To buy a ticket, hop over to my giving page http://my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/louisemclaren and leave a donation, there is NO minimum ticket price, just give whatever you can.
I would love to get as many people as possible involved in raising money, so this is how YOU can help! If you're on Facebook and share my status about the raffle I'll give you a bonus ticket (just let me know you've shared by leaving a comment as FB doesn't ALWAYS tell me!) Same goes to Twitter, just retweet any tweets about the raffle and I'll give you a bonus ticket. Again let me know that you've done it, just in case!
I've been promising to have a giveaway for about six months but have never got round to it, completely rubbish I know! So.....since Red Nose Day is still a whole 11 days away (it takes place on Friday, 15th March) I thought that a raffle in aid of Red Nose Day with this beautiful papercut as the prize would be MUCH better! Hang it on your wall and enjoy it forever whilst getting a warm, fuzzy glow from knowing that your hard earned pennies are making a REAL difference to someones life.
All Will Be Well, a fantastic uplifting sentiment to remember when it seems as if the whole world is on your case. The words are surrounded by delicate, lacy leaves, birdies, hearts and stars in a lovely deep green with a hint of teal.
To buy a ticket, hop over to my giving page http://my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/louisemclaren and leave a donation, there is NO minimum ticket price, just give whatever you can.
I would love to get as many people as possible involved in raising money, so this is how YOU can help! If you're on Facebook and share my status about the raffle I'll give you a bonus ticket (just let me know you've shared by leaving a comment as FB doesn't ALWAYS tell me!) Same goes to Twitter, just retweet any tweets about the raffle and I'll give you a bonus ticket. Again let me know that you've done it, just in case!
The last glorious week of February
We've been basking in glorious sunshine this week, it's been cold and frosty at night but warm and sunny during the day. Some afternoons we've even managed to play outside with no jackets on, a real change from the snow a few weeks ago!
It feels as if everyone and everything has come out of hibernation; we have had more people walking and cycling past our house this week than in the whole of January and February combined, or so it seems! My bees have left their winter cluster and have been buzzing round the hive, returning from foraging trip with their legs covered in pollen; the hens and ducks have started laying eggs again and the woods around our house are filled with birdsong.
Needless to say we've been spending our afternoons in the garden soaking up the vitamin D and enjoying the feeling that the whole world is coming out of hibernation! Not too great for getting much cutting done, but I've been sketching out some new designs and I'm writing this sitting on the back door step, in the sun, with the laptop perched on my knee!
What I HAVE managed to do this week is produce a super special limited edition run of my Grow Old screen print is a lovely deep, dusty scarlet to raise money for Red Nose Day. For a suggested donation of £20 + £3 p&p you get a beautiful screen print to treasure forever PLUS the added satisfaction that every last one of your twenty pounds goes to a fabulous cause! For more info go to my Facebook page, I only have FIVE left so if you'd like one don't leave it too late, once they're gone......they're gone!
It feels as if everyone and everything has come out of hibernation; we have had more people walking and cycling past our house this week than in the whole of January and February combined, or so it seems! My bees have left their winter cluster and have been buzzing round the hive, returning from foraging trip with their legs covered in pollen; the hens and ducks have started laying eggs again and the woods around our house are filled with birdsong.
Needless to say we've been spending our afternoons in the garden soaking up the vitamin D and enjoying the feeling that the whole world is coming out of hibernation! Not too great for getting much cutting done, but I've been sketching out some new designs and I'm writing this sitting on the back door step, in the sun, with the laptop perched on my knee!
{ free download } LOVE gift wrap
I've seen lots of fabulous and lovely free Valentine's downloads this week and it got me thinking......Could I make a beautiful free download for you lovely lot? And IF I could, what should it be??
After a bit of head scratching, pen twiddling and pencil scribblings........................................................
TA DA!
LOVE gift wrap, free for all of you (yes, every last one of you!) to download.
LOVE gift wrap, free for all of you (yes, every last one of you!) to download.
So on you go.... download it here, print it, wrap those pressies and give them to the most important people in your life.