See you on the other side

Hi everyone, I've decided to stop blogging at Tea for Joy, and have set up a new blog at Papermash. For branding purposes I thought it made more sense to start a Papermash-specific blog, and I need to focus all my online energies into promoting my shop - as I'm trying to also find more balance offline, and spend more time pursuing things which are important to me (which are mostly not design-related). I'm not sure exactly what form it will take yet - am not a fan of blogs which plug their businesses in every post - but will find out as I go along. I hope you'll take a look.

Charlotte Love styled a pretty travel-themed story for Papermash, which I've shared in the first post.

I haven't transferred over subscribers, and won't redirect this blog, so please subscribe if you decide to follow along.

I'll always be thankful for this little blog, which has given me so many opportunities (Sunday Times Style magazine being the highlight, thanks Sian), and introduced me to some amazing people. I've really found bloggers to be some of the most positive and encouraging people I've met. Some blogs of friends and people I've met, whose blogs you might want to visit, are: Decorator's Notebook, Chocolate Creative, Hey Homewrecker, Anamu, My Creative, Playdoh and Poo, Lobster and Swan, Patchwork Harmony, Something I made - more on my blogroll. Hope to see you on the other side!

Photo: Lenka Rayn H.

Something new....

coming soon.

Taking a break...

I'm taking a break from blogging to figure a few things out. I'll still be on Instagram (@teaforjoy) and hope to find more time to comment on your blogs. I'm not sure when I'll be back (from time to time I've wondered about setting up a new blog, more branded with Papermash - what do you think?) I update the Papermash Facebook page regularly, you can find me there too, and on Pinterest. 

Can anyone see an angel in the light? The photo above is from the Royal Courts of Justice, from Open House Weekend. (For what it's worth, I can also see a dinosaur.) 

Wednesday workspace

I've been busy, wrapping orders, visiting little friends, and working hard in my day job, but I wanted to pop in and share one of my favourite desk spaces. I love the simple string and pegs / washi tape collage - something I hope to perfect soon. I'm not sure I could confine my mess to such a small space, but I love this one!

Image: stylist Scout / photographer Julie Harmsen

Happy weekend + links

I never love Paris quite as much as I think I should; but it's so accessible and easy to get around when you're there that I think I should persevere. I had a great trip last Friday (if you follow me on Instagram @teaforjoy you'll have seen some photos) but I 'm still to discover a favourite cafe, a favourite shop or two and a quiet garden square so that it's feels more familiar with each visit. I like to discover new things but also to revisit the same special places.

No specific links to share this week, so I'll share some blogs I 've been particularly enjoying recently:  A Merry Mishap // Reading my tea leaves // My Second Hand Life.

Have a lovely weekend! The English Philarmonic orchestra are visiting my workplace this lunchtime (as they do) so I'm off to enjoy some classical music in the sunshine. I'm helping a friend with an exciting business plan this weekend, which is just my idea of fun!

Supermarket Sarah + Jonnaxkangan

It's been a while since I checked out Supermarket Sarah, but I spotted that Jonnaxkangan had a wall so I took a look. Things which tempt me; bright dishcloths, the hot water bottle cover (with 'hot water' written in Hindi) and this bright geometric cushion.  Some of the items are sold out already, so I'm hoping to make a (small) purchase soon!

Wednesday workspace

White, and bright, to showcase the wares of Danish brand Oyoy. I love storage, so I like the geometric sack (and have seen similarly great designs at Varpunen.)

Wishlist

I've been off work sick for a few days, with nothing to do except trawl the internet, which I think makes you feel even more unwell. Still, I've spotted these items from new autumn collections, which I love. The boots! I've never bought anything from Boden {feel like that is a step too far towards middle age}, but these are nice, right? There's actually quite a lot in the current catalogue which I like. What does that mean?

1. Metal trolley £145 2. Retro Barber Board £55, 3. Suede boots £129*, 4. Pendant Light £69.

UPDATE: not available for 3 months! Splurge averted.

Day trip

Going on a day trip to Paris tomorrow for a friend's 40th birthday - exciting! Let me know if you've any tips for St. Germain or the 6th arrondissement. I'm packing a Paris notebook, Pia's book and preparing for a very early start...

New!

A few items from recent new stock at Papermash; 1. Birthday stamps £12.95, 2. Rifle Paper Co thank you postcards £7.95 (love these!), 3. To Do list £7.95, and 4. Bookplates £4.95 (I decorated a plain brown notebook instead of putting them inside a book.)

Polly Rowan

Polly is a student studying textile design {she just interned at Orla Kiely - brilliant!} who I finally met at my craft evening {you can spot her here.} She's opened an Etsy shop selling just a few things, including this beautiful cushion cover {£24.} But, I particularly love her embroidered feathers which she is selling as framed versions {£42}. So pretty! I'm excited to watch her career develop.

Wednesday workspace

I see a piece of paper covered with blackboard paint, and I'm immediately thinking 'Brilliant idea!' Think I might have been reading blogs for too long. When I read this post on adding orange slices to water and thought 'genius'! I thought it might be time to get out more.

{I've got some blackboard paint and rolls of paper, so I might try this. And, I did slice some oranges into water almost straight away.}

Image: Jeroen can der Spek

Love these...

....Harris tweed bags. In a total turnaround from my anti-autumn sentiments yesterday, I just came across these little bags by Breagha on Etsy and I want one! Normally they are around £65 but I just noticed these have 25% off until tomorrow, so thought I'd share now instead of filing away for colder times. My favourite is the green, how about you?

Summer days

I've spent these last summer days (and a few days of holiday), cleaning, shredding, filing, and making! It's so satisfying! I love trips to the charity shop and late night wanders to the charity book bin at the supermarket. I'm also trying to rest, and enjoy the summer rays while they last. There's been too much talk of autumn around!

 

 New storage from Ikea - very painful to put together, in fact I had to give up {it's just about holding together as it is.}

 

{Evening sun - and I made this cushion at a Clarissa Hulse / Dalani evening. Actually I just looked blank, and had quite a lot of assistance.}

{Making freezer jam and natural yoghurt lollies - yum! And this time Ikea did the trick - haven't had any problems with their 99p lolly maker.}

Anyone else have stacks full of Living Etc from 2007 in their cupboards? Once upon a time, I didn't throw out magazines until I'd ripped out all the features I wanted to keep - but I'm over it.

{Photos: @teaforjoy on Instagram.}

Ribbon Squirrel

I never need to buy another notebook; but I love the combination of black and white photos and graphic design on these notebooks {£3.80 each} by RibbonSquirrel. 

Wednesday workspace

I have a desk I'm not too fond of, but before I offer it up to the scroungers of Freecycle {no, I don't believe you genuinely need a table, half a box of tiles and a helium tank, for example*}, I'm going to give it one last chance and move it to a sunnier spot by the window, where I'll be available for Neighbourhood Watch duties.

Photo: Fantastic Frank, via Kat Hannaford

*Genuine Freecyclers I like, the others not so much.

Summer styling

Now that we're having an occasional appearance of summer weather {a few hours a week, it seems} I have a new appreciation for pretty scenes such as these from stylist Rebecca Newport. Show me any kind of food in glass jars and I'll love it almost every time.

Hendy Home Store

A few weeks ago I took a day trip to Hastings, where I'd already earmarked Hendy Home Store {which I'd spotted while driving through the Old Town on our way here.}

It didn't disappoint! Full of  Labour and Wait-type utilitarian home goods, such as enamel kitchenware, antique desks and lamps, Mason jars {although pricey at £25 each!} and old linens.

 

But, a great source of excitement, which wasn't expected, was when we saw a menu in the window! Recently opened at the back of the shop is a tiny restaurant which sells simple, mainly fish-based recipes. I loved our starter of radishes with a celery leaf salad and bread, and my baked crab was delicious. We sat on a table right beside the kitchen, and I loved it. Only open at weekends, from 12-4, it was the highlight of the day! Next time I'm in Hastings I'll be heading straight there for lunch.  

Treat time

Recently, I've noticed that almost everything I've pinned to my wishlist has been jewellery. I need to rename it something more bejewelled. Which of these do you like? I haven't made any purchases yet, but it's feeling like treat time soon.

1. Kaleidoscope locket $65, 2. Blokkie $30, 3. Copper beaded necklace $30.99, 4. {current favourite} Dip dye necklace €24.90, 5. For kids, but isn't it pretty? Liv necklace $45.

Making: raspberry freezer jam

Over the weekend I decided to make some raspberry freezer jam. I'd hoped this summer to visit a pick-your-own farm, {inspired by this post} but am not sure that will happen, so have ploughed on with the jam-making regardless. This is my first attempt at making jam!

I decided on freezer jam as it's easy, and so tasty! There's no cooking required.

Ingredients:

*550g raspberries {my recipe called for slightly more but I bought 2 punnets of raspberries at 225 each}
*900g sugar
*4 tablespoons lemon juice
*1/2 bottle Certo

 

Just add the raspberries, sugar and lemon juice and stir. When it looks like the sugar has dissolved, add the Certo {in my supermarket this was beside the golden syrup, it's liquid pectin} and stir for a few minutes. Leave for 24 hours, and then freeze in small containers. Keep in the fridge when opened.

Of course, I had to decorate it with my new jam decorating kit. I've already eaten some, in my porridge and on wheaten bread, but I'm not sure I'll make it again in a hurry because of the huge quantity of sugar! When there's more sugar than fruit, that can't be good, although it looks like normal jam uses less sugar - but still a lot. It's like the time I made my own buttercream icing, that put me off fancy cupcakes for life! Have you ever realised something is seriously unhealthy when you've made it from scratch? Or, if you've got any good recipes for reduced sugar jam, let me know!