Design Inspiration. Planet Stencil Library.

When was the last time..

When was the last time that you did something for the first time? This was a question posed by an advert that I saw this morning. I thought that it may be an interesting thread to share.

I'll start because I had quite a few firsts last week.  I visited Luxembourg for the first time.. verdict? Fab.

I had never drank Cremant which is Luxembourg's 'fizzy'.. Verdict? Also fab.

Another first was cooking on a raclette grill ..verdict? I have ordered one in the hope of cooking in the garden this summer.

I watched Britains Got More Talent for the first time.  Now, I have to admit I was looking forwad to this as I rarely see TV at home... verdict? Awful and I don't want to do it again.

Played with a Wii for the first time ..verdict? Fab and silly.  Who waterskis on their friends sofa whilst wearing scotty dog pyjamas?

Another first was sardines cooked on an open fire washed down by Mojitos.. for breakfast.

Verdict?.. I can't remember.

Now it's your turn.

Helen.

60 Minute Makeover

The Dogs Stencil adapted from our book Stencil It had a starring role ITV 1's 60 Minute Makeover this week. There are 28 days left to view the episode.

Linda Barker and her dedicated team transformed three rooms of a Surrey home whilst the unsuspecting occupants where elsewhere. I've not seen the full episode yet so I hope that our stencilled offering was well received. What do you think.. do they look pleased or shocked?

I was unable to join Linda's team that morning because I had been invited to a garden party at Alnwick Castle attended by The Queen and Prince Philip...and that does not happen to me everyday. So, I stencilled the dog design onto several rolls of wallpaper, shipped them south to Linda and went to the party.  I will find the photographs that I took of the dog wallpaper project and post a 'how to' for you.. Meanwhile here's a couple of pictures from the garden party. 

Helen.

Introducing Senor Picklesworth

To Indulge in two of my obsessions Pugs and Jubilee I introduce Senor Picklesworth

I just discovered him at Folksy.com the same site where I sell my For Queen and Corgi bags. My finger is hovering over the buy button.   Visit his shop to find more smile inducing creations! Whilst you are in the Folksy neighbourhood please drop in on my place too.

Helen.

photos by Senor Picklesworth.

Jubilee crown and corgi stencils.

Are you having a Jubilee party?

We are and we'll be using these crown and corgi stencils to make our decorations look fab... and you can do the same.

DesignInspiration is offering readers the special price of £10.00 for the pair. The size of the stencils are 125 by 165 mm. That's 5x6.5 inches. They are a good size for stencilling bunting, making party invitations, decorating napkins, plates, aprons... There are lots of things that you could stencil them onto once you get the imagination working.  We can make them in other sizes too.

UK postage is free, overseas postage will depend on destination. Contact me or leave a comment for more information. If you want your comment to remain just between us write 'Private' and it will not be published.

These plastic stencils can be used many times and decorating with them can be a fun, family or community project.

Brushes, paints, sponges etc can be ordered from The Stencil Library.  Alternatively, tell us what you need and we will post it with your stencils. 

Helen.

 

Simple beauty

A blast of spring sunlight greeted this morning and encouraged me to snap a few scenes of simple beauty around the house.

Faux pears bought from Bernhart

Reflections on a bowl full of mirrorballs.

that wander into neighbouring rooms.

Muscari bulbs and planter both from IKEA. Stencilled tablecover.

sunlight through lace above a bath.

Roses from the supermarket. Meander stencil on the wall.

Kiwi fruit for breakfast...then off to the office.

Helen.

A tip from Simply Wonderwoman

I met Joanna Gosling at The Country Living Fair recently. We were both giving talks and book signings at the theatre there and her presentation followed mine. Whilst I was packing away my stencil demonstration gear I could enjoy hearing her but could not see what she was doing.  This tip came floating to my ears

Decant leftover paint into cleaned food jars.  This will prevent the paint drying out, stop rust forming and most of all will look gorgeous lined up on the shelves. Plus, you can see the colours at a glance. Remember to label each paint with the manufacturer and code number.

 Joanna recommended a particular brand of Passatta for having good jars to recyle once when the sauce has been eaten. Another good tip was Collect glass jars that have pleasing shapes.  Pour a couple of spoon fulls of paint into them, replace the lid and swirl the paint around until all the inside is coated. Remove the lid and leave the jars to dry thouroughly.  You now have vases and vessels in many colors.

Some years ago Rachel did this in our house with a gold fish bowl and turquoise paint.

I've been having a clear out in my studio and I have just given most of my paint and jars away otherwise I would be doing both projects this weekend. Joanna's book is called Simply Wonderwoman by Joanna Gosling with photographs by Rachel Whiting. The tip is featured in Homes and Gardens Magazine this month.

Helen.

 

Fleeting Beauty

 

Most of Great Britain has basked in the sun for the past week but now temperatures will plummet in our area from 20 down to 3. So, before the blooms turn brown with frost and the sullen skies return I thought I would nip to the garden with the camera. Yes, that's me in a bauble.

magnolia and prunus

forsythia

orange, yellow shrub, I forget it's name

The honey bees and the bumbles are busy.

Christopher the pheasant and his six wives have been indulging in dust baths and sun bathing.

various daffodils

So, fellow Northerners....enjoy and remember the warmth. It may be a month or so before we experience this 'summer' again! 

winter jasmine.

Helen.

Pug Dogs for Happy Kids

21 fashion designers have dressed toy pugs to auction for Unicef.

It's fab, it's silly and it's all in a good paws...sorry cause.  Visit luisaviaroma  the one of a kind, collectable pugs in their outfits look delicious.    If you want to bid do it now. Valentino and Balmain auctions have ended but there are 19 more.

I love them!

Helen.

 

For Queen and Corgi new collection on line

At last the new stencil venture 'For Queen and Corgi' has an online shop.

I am in partnership with my friend, ex colleague and 'super stenciller' Sabina Rose.  Our stencilled Jubilee inspired bags are the first items to be uploaded because they are limited edition, have been much admired...and the Jubilee festivities will be upon us in June.

Actually, I think everything we create will be a limited addition because we can only paint one at a time, I have a full time job, Sabina has a full time garden and there are only 24 hours in a day.

Until today we have sold our Jubilee souvenir bags exclusively at The Stencil Library shop in Stocksfield or from people seeing Sabina or I carrying one.  Recently, we have  started a For Queen and Corgi Facebook page and now we have an online store at Folksy.com

I was a busy uploading product images last night. We invent and stencil new designs as the mood takes us, so there will be more uploading to come... but that will have to wait until next week when I return from demonstrating stencil techniques for Country Living Magazine at their annual fair in Islington, London. I should be there tomorrow until Sunday.

The organisers are hosting workshops on several different subjects my students are learning how to stencil fabric bags. Soon they may be in competition with me! The participants will be using the 'Dogs Stencil' featured in the Stencil It book

I will be signing copies of 'Stencil It' by Helen Morris which is for sale on The Country Living stand. If you have a few moments please visit me at the fair, the 'For Queen and Corgi' Facebook page or Folksy shop. It is early days for our new sideline and we would welcome comments...we would welcome orders too! 

Helen

 

Students are spot on.

We hosted a school visit to The Stencil Library.  It was a small, select group of students involved in an arts apprentice scheme. They got a tour of the stencilled house then had a go at stencilling paper and fabric.

 
I picked NC21 polka dots for them because there is so much one can do with a polka dot stencil.  I note that their colour choice appeared to match their nail polish and uniform.

I wonder whether that was intentional?

Why did they not have things like this when I was at school?  I remember trips to a Football Club dressing room and an abbatoir...not really the same is it?

Helen