Sewing Machines are Great

Two years ago my mum bought me a sewing machine for my birthday, to begin with I just did bits and bobs on it, not really knowing what I was doing. If I needed to do sewing I normally did it by hand, a little bit scared of the machine in case it went wrong in some way or other.

But then I thought, what am I so worried about a sewing machine for? I was so pleased when I got it and I have hardly used it. So I booked onto a lesson at Hanson's in Sturminster Newton (a very pretty little Dorset town with a great big fabric warehouse) Apparently people come from miles around to go to this shop. They were very helpful and gave me a half hour crash course on how to use my sewing machine, then \it was up to me.

And guess what? It really wasn't so scary after all. With the instructions by my side, I was off, and now I have taught myself to make cushion covers and everything! And I've even sold one recently.

I started to do the ribbons to tie them together, not only because I love ribbons, but because I haven't learnt how to do a zip yet, but I don't think I am really bothered about zips now, because I really love the way they look with the ribbons, so pretty! And it is a good excuse to go and buy ribbon. My house is steadily being taken over by ribbon, what with cushions and bike and scooter ribbons.

My husband normally makes sure we walk very quickly past any areas in shops where there are cushions, but now there is no escape, because I can make them myself! Maybe some day, we won't need any chairs as our house will be full of cushions and ribbons, you could just open the door and throw yourself into the cosiness of it all (I'm sure Pete would love that).

So if any of you who are reading this have a sewing machine and it's in it's box gathering dust, then just get sewing, it's so great, and you can make beautiful things with it. My next project is bunting, as I now have lots of off cuts of material.

If you still don't fancy giving it a go yourself, then you can always treat yourself to one of my cushions instead!

http://www.sarahlovellart.co.uk/category/cushions-and-pretty-things

What have you made on your sewing machine? Would love to hear....

I Love Stationery

I have always loved buying new stationery, especially new packs of coloured pens or pencils. I think it's something about all the bright colours in just the right order looking beautiful.

I remember at primary school, quite vividly, (i must have been about 7) one of my friends having an amazing set of coloured pencils, they were in a wooden box, and there were loads of them, all in colour order. I was very envious, I have never had a set like that, maybe one day.....

Nowadays, now I'm all grown up, with my own money, I can't seem to resist a new pack of pens or crayons. And now I even have children of my own, what better excuse to buy more lovely sets of coloured pens, chalks, crayons, glitter pens, paints, our collection is ever on the increase. Well it is very good for them to have access to a wide range of media to experiment with (that's what I tell myself!).

My latest purchase were these twist up crayons from Staples, so lovely, an practical too. Crayons so often snap or aren't very bright, these ones are very nice and bright and can't snap easily as they wind up, brilliant! All for under a fiver.

From today, I do have another good excuse to go shopping in an art and craft shop as I have used up most of my daughter's silver glitter finishing this 'Pegasus'.

Horses

Horses are amazing, and they make up a large part of my life. I spent most of my childhood around them, learnt to ride when I was 6 and sat on the pony and cried the whole way through my riding lessons, I was very addament that I would continue with them, and ignored my Mum's suggestions that maybe we should leave riding for a while.

I got there in the end, and that was the beginning of a long love affair with those beautiful creatures. I used to spend all of my spare time at the riding stables, helping to groom, muck out and feed the horses in return for a  free riding lesson a week. I loved every minute of it.

At the age of 15, my dreams came true and my parents bought me my own horse, Clarissa. She was amazing, the very best horse in the world as far as I was concerned, and a great friend. Horses are such gentle, generous creatures. They give and give in return for not too much. Clarrie and I spent many years together and competed a lot to quite a high level. There is nothing like the adrenaline rush of riding around a cross country course against the clock!

Most nights I still dream about horses.

I have always loved to draw horses, when I was little I would get very upset that I couldn't draw them very well, but I practised and practised and now I am not too bad. Nowadays, If you have had a look at my art work, unicorns crop up quite often, and I am working on a pegasus collage too. I am inspired by my love of horses, and also love of magic and fairytales, mostly from films and children's books.

I love 'The Last Unicorn' , haven't seen it for years, but remember loving it. Looking forward to watching it again with my children. I remember being so relieved at the end of 'A Neverending Story' when the horse Artax comes back to life from the swamp of sadness, while watching that film at my cousin's house, completely transfixed! My favourite bit of all of the 'Lord of the Rings' films is when Gandalf meets Shadowfax 'The lord of all the horses, and we have been friends for many years' - amazing. What I wouldn't give to ride a horse across where ever they were in New Zealand. Won't bore yo with all my favourite bits, of all the horse films I have seen in my life, there's quite a few!                                                              
                                                    

                                                         

Horses will always inspire me, and always feature in my art. They are truly amazing and beautiful animals.

Ribbons are for Boys and Girls

My 'Ribbons' come in colours for boys too, check out 'Classic' and 'Summertime' here:

 http://www.sarahlovellart.co.uk/product/scooter-and-bike-ribbons-summertime

http://www.sarahlovellart.co.uk/product/scooter-and-bike-ribbons-classic

My little boy loves his, still getting the hang of his scooter though!

Phantom Scooter Rider Caught on Video

Spooky!

The Beach, Ribbons and Cupcakes

Today actually felt like spring was in the air, so we headed to the beach. It made me think, as it always does when we go to the beach, that we really should go a lot more often. It is so beautiful, and today the sky was blue and the sun was shining. It really was idyllic.

We took the scooters, addorned with ribbons, of course, and the camera and had a bit of a ribbons photo shoot! Claudia and Henry had  fun riding them up and down the promenade before and after playing in the sand and running away from breaking waves (Henry and Pete did get their shoes a bit wet much to Claudia's delight!). The beach was bustling with smiling people and happy dogs, it's wonderful what a sunny day can do.

   

  

After a play at the beach, we climbed the hill again, up to have a cupcake and cup of tea (and hot chocolate) up at 'Lulubelles' a very pink (right up Claudia's street) and very lovely new cafe next door to 'Lulubelles' cake shop in Canford Cliffs. If you haven't been yet, you should go. It's delicious. I have been meaning to go since it opened a few weeks ago, as my 'Ribbons' are for sale in there amongst some other lovely locally made products.

It has a very warm atmosphere as soon as you walk in, and the mini cupcake menus are a great touch. The cakes taste as good as they look, the tea is served in pretty bone china cups with a saucer, and the hot chocolate is yummy. My children had one each too, which came in their own little cup and saucer, perfect for making it all a little bit special for them.

The icing on the cake was that I noticed some of my 'Ribbons' had gone, so hopefully some little people out there are riding or scooting about with my 'Ribbons' on their handlebars, a very nice thought.

A fantastic Saturday, which felt quite Sundayish, which makes it even better as we still have Sunday to go! Will definitely be back at Lulubelles for another treat soon.

http://www.sarahlovellart.co.uk/category/scooter-ribbons

Commission (video)

I have been asked to do this commission for a black and white bathroom, thought I would make a little video of how it went.

Oil on canvas.

http://www.sarahlovellart.co.uk/commissions