Jammy Dodgers and Creativi-tea!

Well, this is quite an honour to be here and to be writing my first blog for Found on Folksy.  Normally I would celebrate in some way, perhaps with a large cup of tea and a jammy dodger biscuit.  For those of you who already know me, I do have rather a reputation for liking the occasional cup of tea ...... OK, I admit it, LOTS of tea!!!  The odd jammy dodger biscuit makes an appearance as well, although not for long and certainly not as often as I would like them to!

So, in recognition of being asked to blog for 'Found on Folksy' and very much in honour of my love for tea and jammy dodgers, I have put together a treasury of beautiful and inspiring pieces of work from the very talented and creative people of Folksy.  To me, these pieces show how a truly creative person can draw inspiration from everyday, possibly mundane, items to produce something inspiring, uplifting and desired by many. 

I hope you will enjoy my lighthearted journey through the pages of Folksy and share in the appreciation of these unique and inspired pieces of work.

I love the quirkiness of this print and the fact that it depicts the typically British tradition of tea drinking.  The use of cockney rhyming slang can't help but make you smile. 

7 x 5" mounted print 'Rosy Lee' by Artwork by Angie

What can I say?  It really does look good enough to eat!

Jammy Dodger Pendant by CutiePies

This is just beautiful.  I'm sure if all tea cosies looked like this, more people would use them.  I would be proud to 'dress' my teapot in this.

Crochet Tea Cosy Plum with Pink Roses (Made to Order) by Andrea Lesley Crochet

I chose this because the fluid lines of the teaspoon lend themselves perfectly to the shape of a ring.  I love the concept of recycling the odd, or unwanted, teaspoons to breathe new life into them.  It reminds me of a mobile I once bought for my kitchen, that was made entirely from recycled cutlery.

Sterling Silver Teaspoon Ring by Sophie Marie Smith Design

These would certainly make bath time more fun!

Biscuit Soap Set - Oreo, Jammy Dodger, Custart Cream & Bourbon - yummy fun food soap - vegan and suitable for sensitive skin

I love these!  Lino printing reminds me of early craft experiences at school and these cards inspire me to maybe try it again one day.

Teapot Linoprint Cards, Set of 4

Although not strictly tea, or jammy dodger related, this gorgeous little chap appeared in my search and he does have a somewhat striking resemblance to a certain biscuit!

Tubby Love Cat (Dark Brown) by Quernus Crafts

Another quirky one.  I love the individuality of this brooch.

Square Wooden Teapot Brooch by Kettle of Fish

I like the bold simplicity of the design on this one and the sentiment obviously!

"I love tea"! Mug, Red by Quite Contrary Crafts

This is just so striking and a great combination of different styles that work together so well.  A really eyecatching teapot, but also an amazing piece of art.  You would definately want to get this one out if Hyacinth Bucket came round for tea and SO much nicer than her hand painted periwinkle set!

Tin Can Teapot by Rebecca Sims Ceramics

  

Inspiration

I'd been chatting with Kirsten about my first blog on FoF and I suddenly thought about the old story of how do creatives get inspiration - how do they refresh, renew, revive and go forward? As a practicing designer of many many years and a lecturer in art and design it's been an ongoing adventure leading me in lots of different directions.

Websites like Folksy and the web itself are full of visually interesting stimuli. I tend to avoid my specialism for inspiration as I think, for me, it's really important to go outwith my disciplines. It gives me an opportunity to look differently at what I see. My training doesn't kick in so I don't start to analyze what I'm looking at - I get the chance to absorb the simplicity and colour of polished wood, beautiful textures, pattern and shapes, atmosphere in a well taken photograph or sharp black and white.

Perhaps some of these inspirational items below will take you in a different direction or just give you the idea to go off and investigate absolutely nothing to do with your specialist area. So come on knitters go off and look at some wonderful graphic design and all you painters out there, why not take a look at mixed media or fashion! You'll be surprised at what might happen!

Stephanie Cole DESIGN : Guinea Fowl Cushion

Kidel : Men's Cowl Knit

coolmummy : decoupage bike theme

Lingford Illustrations : Lobster T-Shirt

Sue Woollatt Engravings : Late Shopping

Dig For Victory : Prom Dress

Blue Forrest Jewellery : Pearl Earrings

Bonnie and Jackson : Rajasthani Wingchair

Lola's Room : Chevrolet Truck

mini monaxle : fabric shoes

Sarah Julia Clark : Ladies First Book

House and Home and Keeping Warm

Found on Folksy finds itself a little behind schedule today...for which it can only apologise profusely and explain that this particular FOF writer is housebound and more or less uselessly lying about the place, streaming with cold. It's no fun. It reminds me that winter is around the corner and with it probably more colds, more days spent chilled to the bone, or raging with fever, sneezing and coughing and blurry eyes watering. Inspiration is not far away however and, given that I have been listlessly gazing at four walls for days, all I can think of is comfort and warmth and house and home. So here we are. How can Folksy help me through this most troubling of times? Well, let's see!

If you have to be surrounded by a hundred tissues at all times, then you might as well try to enjoy it. Stuff a few of them into a cute little tartan and doggie button holder like this fun one, by DIVINEARTS.

Keeping warm is essential. Cuddle up to this beautifully cable-knitted, teal coloured hottie by cushions and cosies.

Then snuggle under this painstakingly patched quilt by Quilt Obsession. You may never want to get out of bed again!

It's very easy to feel selfish when you feel under the weather. But think about others...and other creatures....when the weather starts to get colder. Birds will love this little home by London Clay Birds.

And it's not only the birds that need a place to stay. Wudwerx make homes for wild little creatures. This hedgehog house is great...and they do a premium version too. Ooh la la! As Wudwerx says, it's only for the most discerning of hedgehogs.

Keep your essential gadgets close to hand - your phone or iPod - in this delightfully embroidered and appliqued felt cosy by suezybees.

Catch up on some card sending while you recuperate. This is a lovely, handmade, birdhouse shaped new home card by pollypurplehorse.

If you do manage to drag yourself from under Quilt Obsession's cosy quilt, you could have yourself a relaxing hot bath and pop one of these cold and flu relief bath bombs under the running water. Containing eucalyptus, camphor and tea tree, just the thought of it makes me feel better already! Made by Posh Brats Bath and Body Boutique.

Let's end on a very cheery note, with this fun, bright Dala House giclee print by Lucy Cunsolo. I'd love to live in a house like this! Then I'm quite certain I'd always be healthy and happy. I'll bet no one gets a cold in this house.

Ta ta for now....Keep healthy! Atchoo!

Of Mice and...more Mice

I love mice. I particularly love the cute ones that gaze up at you with adoring eyes, and keep you company as you work. And so I decided to find out how many mice I could find on Folksy. And the answer was...quite a lot! And they come in all different shapes, sizes and colours - and they are all just adorable!

Retro Mouse by Audrey's Cat

Mouse by Moonlight Gem's

The Chocolate Mouse by Cherry Blossom Candles

Eeky Mouse - Personalised Drawstring PE/Storage Bag by missymo moo and sam

A Mice Cup of Tea by Paula Bowles illustration

Cute little wool felt squeaker mouse by Loopy la-la

Roly Poly Mouse Print by clootielugs

Mrs Mouse and Babe by Flossie Limejuice

Jessica Mouse with gift box.... and snack ;-) by Felt Like A Mouse

Church Mouse Doorstop by Millicent