tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51767993585314919032024-02-03T01:45:09.125+02:00Maybush Studio - UK family and lifestyle photoblogUK Family & Lifestyle photoblog. Photography, interiors, quilts, designClare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.comBlogger466125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-73930720720373375082014-12-31T10:00:00.000+02:002014-12-31T10:00:15.954+02:00Why I'm going pro in 2015...In March I will have been blogging for 9 years. For most of that time
I have refused to regard it as anything other than a very nice hobby.<br />
<br />
When I left mainstream media in 2012, I decided I needed new skills to
take back to the workplace one day, so I committed 20 hours a week (and a
not insignificant student loan) to studying graphic design and I
completely ignored the skills I was acquiring through blogging. Even
when an income and creative opportunities started coming in from this
blog, I still thought it was an indulgence to invest my time in it and I
ploughed on with studying.<br />
<br />
And then I had an epiphany.<br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/15879903759_78c52e5f8b_o.jpg" data-mce-style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/15879903759_78c52e5f8b_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/15879903759_78c52e5f8b_o.jpg" src="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/15879903759_78c52e5f8b_o.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
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I told someone recently that this year I was going to "go pro" with
my blogging and they asked what that meant. To me it means I will treat
it like a business. I can see some of you <i>shuddering</i> at the thought of this, but I sincerely believe this change will be for the better.<br />
<br />
Going
pro is going to mean many things, but mostly it will mean better
quality content, better planned posts and collaborations that benefit
everyone. It will mean I can spend time doing the creative stuff I love
without feeling it is an extravagance. It will <i>not</i> mean this blog becomes a dumping ground for impersonal content and advertising. I would hate that as much as you.<br />
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My sister Jane has agreed to work with me on some projects. She's already collaborated on <a data-mce-href="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/2014/12/12/tassimoperfecthost-festive-coffee-morning/" href="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/2014/12/12/tassimoperfecthost-festive-coffee-morning/">a couple of posts</a> and is a great stylist and photographer (she took the photo of me in this post)<br />
<br />
So here is some of what I plan to do this year...<br />
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*
In the next few days I will be moving to a redesigned self-hosted
Wordpress blog. <br /> * I will be producing more video content.<br /> * There will be more food and craft tutorials, some video based, some photographic<br /> * I will be writing a business plan and setting targets<br /> * I will introduce an editorial calendar to allow me to plan posts<br /> * I will read, comment on and promote other blogs<br />
* Each month I will concentrate on one social media channel or aspect
of blogging and dedicate time to learning about it and sharing that
information with you, for January this will be Facebook.<br /> * I will share my progress 'Going Pro' with you in a monthly summary on this blog and more regularly over <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/MaybushStudio" href="https://www.facebook.com/MaybushStudio">on Facebook</a> and on a dedicated <a data-mce-href="http://www.pinterest.com/claremansell/blogging-tips-for-bloggers-going-pro/" href="http://www.pinterest.com/claremansell/blogging-tips-for-bloggers-going-pro/" title="Pinterest board">Pinterest board</a>. Please join me there.<br />
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Are you intrigued? I hope you are. There will be stuff to be learned for <i>all</i> of us this year and I promise to share it.<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-18698440434342984342014-12-29T14:33:00.001+02:002014-12-30T17:17:35.353+02:00A year of portraits...Back in February I stumbled across a weekly linky on iheartsnapping.com which invited people to take a photo a week of their children and record their development. I joined in week 5 and today is the last of the year. It's been a brilliant project that has resulted in some lovely portraits of Theo (and a few that weren't quite so good!)<br />
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I think what it proves more than anything is that having a photo project of any kind is a wonderful thing as it challenges you to stretch yourself and capture moments that might otherwise slip by. My editing has also improved as I've had one image a week to play around with an achieve the best from.
As I share my last portrait of 2014, I wanted to also share some of my favourite pictures I took for Living Arrows. 11 months that capture the transition from toddlerhood to boyhood.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/12413585605" title="theo090214_2 by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="theo090214_2" class=" aligncenter" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/12413585605_b040f2a8b1_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/12562505824" title="Feb1614_Theo by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="Feb1614_Theo" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/12562505824_45f00e3086_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/12875743654" title="Funny face by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/12875743654_d21d5b221a_b.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="Funny face"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/13671408294" title="rapefield1 by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/13671408294_04a0bb0bef_b.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="rapefield1"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/14013616586" title="270414_1 by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5212/14013616586_6d0bd37d47_b.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="270414_1"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/14204375481" title="cooldude1 by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="cooldude1" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/14204375481_fa4d4bbfa0_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/14139667626" title="theobed by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/14139667626_c3ee9b425c_b.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="theobed"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/14395647693" title="theo_080614a by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="theo_080614a" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3879/14395647693_1fdae8f6e6_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/14419542593" title="raspberry by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="raspberry" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/14419542593_ed326066dd_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/14467849647" title="theo_140714 by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5498/14467849647_89f6ae230f_b.jpg" width="720" height="480" alt="theo_140714"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15133541919" title="It's tough being three by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="It's tough being three" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5582/15133541919_1a5cd25818_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15572383975" title="doddle5 by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="doddle5" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/15572383975_c801af398c_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15416700228" title="pumpkinboy_edit by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="pumpkinboy_edit" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15416700228_b35baf1a5c_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15564942657" title="eh_2_edit by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="eh_2_edit" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/15564942657_0a267aec80_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/16026921355" title="At the beach by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="At the beach" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/16026921355_47be278e0b_b.jpg" width="720" /></a><br />
<br />
And the last one...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/16137159315" title="la291214_edit by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="la291214_edit" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/16137159315_5a6e55aa01_b.jpg" width="720" /></a><br />
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It's hard to pick a favourite, but I find the ones where he is sad are so powerful and they seem to tell a story. Next year <a href="http://shutterflies.co.uk/" title="Hayley">Hayley</a> will be hosting Living Arrows and I plan to continue to join the linky, there are so many moments here I might have lost otherwise.<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-69061746457715806662014-12-26T16:58:00.000+02:002014-12-26T18:27:04.303+02:00Retro Skates Giveaway with Skate Hut<img alt="skatesgiveawaysmall" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2748" src="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/skatesgiveawaysmall.jpg" height="480" width="720" /><br />
<br />
Christmas may have passed, but Santa may still have a treat in store for you. I've teamed up with <a href="https://www.skatehut.co.uk/brands/razor" title="Skate Hut">Skate Hut</a> to give away a pair of these brilliant Rookie Retro Roller Skates in any size.
I remember having a similar pair of quad skates in the 80s and I'm pleased to see that they are still every bit as popular with kids now as they were then.<br />
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These skates have a soft suede effect trainer style boot, heavy duty chassis, stitched vinyl stripes and colour co-ordinated wheels. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and come in UK junior 12 to size 8 adult. If you win, you could choose a pair for you or for a child you know... or if you are lucky like me, you might know a 12 year-old you know who has the same size feet as you!<br />
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<img alt="Win Retro Roller Skates" class="aligncenter wp-image-2732 size-full" src="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/skateportrait2.jpg" height="536" width="720" />
<img alt="15879863017_373620f57f_k" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2733" src="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/15879863017_373620f57f_k-1024x684.jpg" height="480" width="720" />
<img alt="16070303142_6cc3555449_k" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2737" src="http://dev.maybushstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/16070303142_6cc3555449_k-684x1024.jpg" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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So if you fancy winning a pair all you have to do is enter via Rafflecopter below...<br />
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Thank you to Aisla & Millie for their help with the skates! </div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e4c834929" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e4c834929/" id="rcwidget_2yzg9sgp" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-18691945381972249542014-12-22T11:59:00.001+02:002014-12-22T11:59:58.871+02:00Slowing down for Christmas...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9ZeAA07St3q61b-40MP0JQfsfr_LAIyS7i4u05FkkbGrgpYootXC6rtYajqI-8duiOZgEbWScGVi6zz9fUpx77o5ERpXy2pGO79y-zxgYNk64t_ab07XzEOM9PqNczR-tJUejnBh8TU/s1600/livingarrows221214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9ZeAA07St3q61b-40MP0JQfsfr_LAIyS7i4u05FkkbGrgpYootXC6rtYajqI-8duiOZgEbWScGVi6zz9fUpx77o5ERpXy2pGO79y-zxgYNk64t_ab07XzEOM9PqNczR-tJUejnBh8TU/s1600/livingarrows221214.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
<br />
I can't quite believe that this is my penultimate contribution to Living Arrows this year. I'm really looking forward to doing a round up of all the photos from the year and examining how Theo has grown and my photography has changed.<br />
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This will also probably be my last post before Christmas. Whilst it may seem quiet here at the moment, there is some frantic paddling going on beneath the surface and plans are forming, more of which I will reveal in the new year.<br />
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I love this period of peace and quiet before Christmas. Particularly if all the shopping is done and the cards are written. There is no obligation to go anywhere and some time to catch up with things whilst the rest of the world has slowed down a bit.<br />
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I hope you have a lovely time however you are spending the festive period. I'll be popping back in after Christmas for a giveaway and to share some captures from our family Christmas, but until then eat, drink and be merry!<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-75194897398134825012014-12-16T15:48:00.001+02:002014-12-16T15:48:46.360+02:00Tour of a masculine bathroom...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxEznG-jRQCIfViZAB4F5qB-86XON5Ouh8lOYkX8p5P0RtbbLPNO_Mx23Nf_s2RHzxdpWkjAoxr484hiQL33fcyi_U1OcHkFEeXnxHfTOAYSvF0hbJPHibyK1CFwXryxsRP5vaMtEjUE/s1600/feensuite_portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxEznG-jRQCIfViZAB4F5qB-86XON5Ouh8lOYkX8p5P0RtbbLPNO_Mx23Nf_s2RHzxdpWkjAoxr484hiQL33fcyi_U1OcHkFEeXnxHfTOAYSvF0hbJPHibyK1CFwXryxsRP5vaMtEjUE/s1600/feensuite_portrait.jpg" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago I showed you some photos of my mum's newly renovated en-suite and promised you as glimpse of my dad's when it was complete. For those of you who missed <a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/2014/11/sneak-peek-at-my-parents-bathroom.html">that first post</a>, I should explain that yes, my parents have <i>two</i> en-suite bathrooms which are both a compact 2 metres square.<br />
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As they are positioned next to internal walls, they have a Velux instead of a window for light and at night they are lit by LED spots which means they are always light and bright.<br />
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Whilst my mum's en suite is great in its own right. I think my dad's is rather special. He's managed to pull off something quite clever by making it masculine and yet not dull. Once again this was a room that originally had a corner shower which has been ripped out and replaced with a larger walk-in enclosure. Both the toilet and sink are wall hung and there's <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Illuminat-Bathroom-Mirror-500-x-390mm-IP44-Sensor-Demister-Pad-Shaver-Socket-/381088368973?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Mirrors&hash=item58baa3094d">a heated LED mirror</a> and tiled recesses for storage.<br />
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The space has been used really well throughout and it shows how a little bit of planning can really pay off with <a href="http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/static/bathroom-design-and-planning-appointment">bathroom design</a>. My dad also deserves a mention for something else... Look how clean this bathroom is! It is actually <i>literally</i> spotless and he's been using it for several weeks. I might have to ask him how he keeps his shower door so immaculate, though I suspect that a water softener plays a big part!<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-30187226360282397032014-12-15T13:13:00.001+02:002014-12-17T10:55:08.048+02:00A winter's morning at the beach...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you may have seen from my post yesterday, we spent Saturday morning down at the beach at East Head filming part of <a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/2014/12/i-want-to-be-markwarnermum.html">our video entry</a> for this year's Mark Warner ambassador application. It was pretty cold, but it's really lovely having the beach so empty at this time of year.<br />
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Theo was running through the grass telling us he was exploring a jungle whilst the dogs were leaping up and down the dunes following the scent of rabbits and Jim and I were enjoying soaking up some winter sunshine.<br />
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As I hinted last week I have made the decision to leave my graphic design degree at the end of the first academic year in a few weeks. There is so much I want to do next year. Some of it work related and some it about making the most of this lovely spot we live in. I'll reveal a bit more in the new year, but I feel that 2015 is going to be a brilliant exciting year.<br />
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One of the things that has affected my decision to leave my course was how creatively drained I felt after hammering out 20 hours a week of study and so by making the decision to quit, it has lifted a huge weight and meant that suddenly things like Theo's weekly portrait have become a pleasure again and not an obligation. <br />
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Jim would say that none of this is a huge surprise and that I constantly take on too much, but that is something us women specialise in isn't it? I guess the art is to learn which things help us grow and which drag us down and adjust accordingly.<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.mummydaddyandmemakesthree.co.uk/index.php/tag/%7BThe%20Ordinary%20Moments%7D">Katie</a> and...<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-15591274081609871142014-12-14T11:42:00.002+02:002014-12-14T16:16:31.643+02:00I want to be a #MarkWarnerMum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sure it won't surprise you to know that the shorter days and colder weather has recently had us daydreaming about next year's summer holiday. I stumbled across Katie's (Mummy Daddy Me) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgr4EFXfhBQ&list=PLL2sJDaHyCiP4YnZArje3fUY4dQa7Rqm9">review</a> of the Levante Beach Resort in Rhodes a few weeks ago and made a mental note that it looked like it would suit us perfectly. Then only days later I found out that Mark Warner are <a href="http://www.markwarner.co.uk/blog/bloggers/">searching for next year's blogging ambassadors</a>.<br />
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They want bloggers to tell them a little bit about their family and what the ingredients would be for their perfect family holiday.<br />
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We are a family of three, though really I think my husband thinks we're a family of five, as my GoPro and DSLR go everywhere with us. Despite living in Canada and Cyprus early in our marriage, we've never actually had a <i>family</i> holiday abroad, although last summer we did go to the Isle Of Wight which I believe technically could be classed as "overseas" <br />
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As a family we love watersports (Jim and I are both PADI and RYA qualified) photography (mostly me behind the camera and Jim and Theo as my long suffering subjects) and good food, but rather than give you a really long blog post to read, we thought it would be a lot easier to make a video so you can get to know us better and see what would make our perfect holiday.<br />
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I won't lie, filming on a beach in the middle of December wasn't very idyllic, but if we can make that look good, just imagine how good we could make a Mark Warner resort look...<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.hollybobbs.co.uk/2014/12/your-youtube-7.html">Hollybobs</a> and Jenny...<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-30187847412926579022014-12-12T10:56:00.001+02:002014-12-12T16:38:21.633+02:00#TassimoPerfectHost Festive Coffee Morning The run up to Christmas is a great time for a catch up with friends and when Tassimo asked me to take part in their #TassimoPerfectHost campaign and try out one of their coffee machines and a couple of recipes by John Torode, I leapt at the chance.<br />
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Friends and family are more likely to catch up over drinks and coffee during the winter months than at any other time of year. So I decided to round up the ladies for a festive coffee morning and who better to sample John's whiskey brownie and shortbread biscuits than a few of my fellow Clandestine Cake Club members and a couple of my neighbours.<br />
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The Tassimo machine is a rather clever gadget as it doesn't just make coffee, it also does frothy tops for capuccino, tea, hot chocolate and babycinnos. In fact we said the only thing missing from the Tassimo range is a mulled wine pod to pop into the machine - I'd like to take credit for that when they start selling them next Christmas!<br />
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As part of their Perfect Host campaign Tassimo
have recruited a team of experts to help your festive gathering go
smoothly this year. Fashion designer and former Made in Chelsea star
Millie Mackintosh recommends thinking about lighting to get the mood
right "candles and lamps can be used to soften a room" (I also think fairy lights work wonders at this time of year) whilst coffee
expert Hazel Middleton suggests preparing cakes the day before "to avoid
panic on the morning."<br />
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Not only did we try out John's whiskey infused brownie at our coffee morning, but I also made
his shortbread biscuits and served them with Affogatto, otherwise known
as vanilla ice-cream drenched in hot coffee. It
was a big hit and a lovely indulgent winter treat . In fact the Tassimo machine was such a success, that one of my neighbours invited herself over again this morning to have "another one of those lovely coffees" but I'd actually run out! <br />
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If you'd like to try making your own Affogatto, here's John's recipe...<br />
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<b>John Torode’s Affogatto with Short Bread Biscuits
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<i>You will need:</i><br />
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• 4 bowls<br />
• biscuits<br />
• 8 scoops of vanilla ice cream<br />
• 4 individual espressos<br />
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<i>Ingredients (for the shortbread):</i><br />
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• 200g plain flour<br />
• 90g caster sugar<br />
• 60g ground almonds<br />
• 200g butter chopped into bits<br />
• 1 egg<br />
• The zest of half a lemon<br />
• 2 drops vanilla essence<br />
• pinch of table salt<br />
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<i>Instructions:</i><br />
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1. Put the flour, sugar and almonds in a food processor and whizz at full speed for a few seconds. Add the butter and whizz again briefly; the mixture should resemble fine breadcrumbs. Add egg, lemon zest and vanilla essence, then whizz again briefly until the pastry forms into a ball.<br />
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2. Scrape contents onto a sheet of cling film, then either shape into a rough ball or roll into a cylinder shape, roughly 5cm in diameter.<br />
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3. Wrap and chill the biscuit dough for at least 2 hours. You can also freeze it or make a few days ahead and keep in the fridge.<br />
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4. Cut into flat discs or stars. Bake in a preheated oven at 190C on a flat baking sheet for 12-15 minutes<br />
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5. Once baked and cooled, serve on the side of your affogatto.<br />
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<i>Big thank you to my sister <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JaneyAnnaPhotography">Jane</a> for taking photos of our gathering and to Tassimo for inviting us to join the #TassimoPerfectHost campaign. </i><br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-54341319457983209352014-12-08T10:00:00.000+02:002014-12-08T10:00:00.984+02:00Kicking over the leaves...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another week has flown by with barely a chance to raise my head and catch a breath. Christmas is a busy time anyway, but with two university modules due in January, I find I barely have a chance to do anything <i>but</i> study.<br />
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This weekend we did find some time to put the Christmas decorations up and clear the leaves, but they were brief moments squeezed in between other obligations and with the days so short at this time of year, I all too quickly find the sun has gone and the moment to do anything has passed. <br />
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This year has been so full and busy for all of us, I think I want next year to be a little less hectic. On Thursday we found out Jim is going to be promoted, which is exciting and comes with the added bonus of at least a month off over the summer between his current job and a training course. I am already daydreaming about what that could mean... Maybe a bit of traveling before Theo starts school? Or a chance to do some work on our garden?<br />
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The list of things I want to do in 2015 is very long and more and more I find that studying is slipping closer to the bottom of that list. I think about the summer before last and how I had time to make Theo multiple pairs of shorts (which he loved) and how this summer instead of going with him to pick out fabrics to make new pairs, he had to squeeze into the old ones because there was no time to sew.<br />
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There's a lot of thinking to be done in the next few weeks and planning for the kind of 2015 we want to have...<br />
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Linking up with Katie at <a href="http://www.mummydaddyandmemakesthree.co.uk/index.php/item/the-ordinary-moments-14-46-melted-snowman-cookies-and-while-daddy-is-away">Mummy Daddy, Me</a> and...<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-29853298856128340192014-12-02T10:00:00.000+02:002014-12-16T16:00:41.385+02:00Vlog : Hillary's Craft Event in Brighton<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15906882615" title="image by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="515" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/15906882615_d3869a7e89_b.jpg" width="720" /></a>
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On Saturday I went to the <a href="http://www.hillarys.co.uk/inspiration/2014/11/Hillarys-craft-workshop-Brighton">Hillary's</a> Craft Event in Brighton. It's been six months since <a href="http://blogtacular.com/">my last blogging get together</a> and during that time I've learned a huge amount about the importance of meeting people face to face. So after missing out on <a href="http://www.mumsnet.com/events/blogfest/2014">Blogfest</a> last month (should have bought a ticket!) I was thrilled to have the chance to spend the afternoon in Brighton doing crafty stuff and putting real faces to profile images.<br />
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It was also a brilliant excuse to play around with some of my video kit and produce some content for my new YouTube channel (more of that in a sec)<br />
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The event was overseen by Kirsty of <a href="http://makedoandtrend.co.uk/">Make Do & Trend</a> who talked us through making no-sew bunting (which looks great by the way) and fabric Christmas baubles with a pattern based around the Cathedral Windows quilt square. Even though I didn't finish my bauble (I was too busy eating cake!) it was great to see how the pattern comes together, as it's something I've always been rather terrified of doing with quilts.<br />
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If you want to see what the afternoon was like (and how amazingly lovely Brighton looked on a sunny day in November) check out the video below and please subscribe to my channel. I think 2015 is going to be a very exciting year for vlogging, so I've jumped on the bandwagon.<br />
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I'm aiming to produce a couple of vlogs a month, so don't worry, you won't be swamped if you subscribe...<br />
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Linking with Em for Point & Shoot...<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-83063838489430127412014-12-01T13:55:00.003+02:002014-12-01T13:56:18.991+02:00Living Arrows 48/52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>ISO 320, 50mm, f/6.3, 1/125</i></div>
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On a rare afternoon when it wasn't raining last week I took Theo to our local playground and saw for the first time the little social life that is opening up before him.<br />
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There were two little girls of his age there, one whom he greeted with great enthusiasm by name and another who we hadn't met before but it turns out will be in his class at Primary School next September. Within minutes he was bouncing around the playground with them, throwing himself with huge enthusiasm into every game they wanted to play and loving the attentions of his little girl pals.<br />
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It's not just these new friends that have appeared from nowhere. Over the last few weeks we've also had other glimpses into a world we don't see. First he started singing the Meghan Trainor song with wonderful misheard lyrics of "Double Bubble, no trouble." then it was Let It Go from Frozen, a film that none of us had actually seen yet.<br />
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He may be barely three, but he's so ready for school next September. I think he's going to love it! <br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-11591575836707134982014-11-27T13:15:00.000+02:002014-11-28T11:31:15.394+02:00Sneak peek at my parents bathroom remodel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The <a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/search/label/remodel">remodel work</a> may be finished at our house, but there's always some sort of home improvement going on in our family!<br />
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This month it's the turn of my parents who have ripped out their two en-suites and our restyling them to bring them a little more up-to-date. Work is still in progress, but I thought I'd show you a sneak peek. <br />
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Both my parents have their own en suite (something my mum says is the key to a happy marriage!) and they are quite compact at just 2 metres square. Among the changes both bathrooms are having their corner shower cubicles replaced with <a href="http://www.mirashowers.co.uk/onlinecatalog/results.htm?sectionName=Shower%20enclosures">contemporary shower enclosures</a> that you are walk-in rather than having a door.<br />
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They've also opted for dual head showers so you can choose between a rainfall shower (hair washing day) or conventional shower head (non hair-washing day!) My mum has scrapped the bathroom cabinet and chosen a vanity unit with a large drawer for storage. There's also a tiled recess in the shower for storing bottles, something I wish we had done in our en-suite.<br />
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Tile choices can be a little restrictive when you don't want to pay megabucks, but I really love the strip of glimmering mosaics which make a feature out of the shower wall. Work will be beginning on my dad's bathroom next, he has chosen more masculine colours with a touch of sparkle (!) I'll show you some more pictures of both when they are complete.<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.vevivos.com/2014/11/28/post-comment-love-newbie-showcase-28th-30th-november-2014/">#pocolo </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This post contains a collaborative link, but content is my own.</i></span><br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-72635133324376287772014-11-24T23:06:00.003+02:002014-11-25T00:12:53.499+02:00In our neighbourhood : Beautiful BoshamI'm sure I'm not the only one who despaired at the weather forecast this weekend. We normally try and get out somewhere on at least one of the days, but this week the relentless rain defeated us. There was light at the end of the tunnel though (literally!) with sunshine forecast for today, so Theo and I decided to make the most of it by heading out to a little village near us, I also needed to get some photos for a university project I am working on at the moment which is centered around this spot.<br />
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Bosham was my home for 5 years and it's somewhere I love to go back to. It's full of history and character. It's famous (among other things) for being the place where King Canute tried to hold back the tide and these days it's daytrippers that get caught when the road around the creek floods twice a day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX2Ozg90fJmKonU1jTHZjZGXlUSWZ6mXY0LbzXEsFqRGoz9qf0aA_j6twwtBWIehJVTTo2ZkZk-QDVdMOlwuz9k8bKspkRxGnEhGWJruACKyZplOKqWXFKN3wvkH4DQLrXFaEOR3rHH4/s1600/boshamnov2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX2Ozg90fJmKonU1jTHZjZGXlUSWZ6mXY0LbzXEsFqRGoz9qf0aA_j6twwtBWIehJVTTo2ZkZk-QDVdMOlwuz9k8bKspkRxGnEhGWJruACKyZplOKqWXFKN3wvkH4DQLrXFaEOR3rHH4/s1600/boshamnov2.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a> <br />
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One quirky little spot in the village are these two tiny cottages. There's a great story about a nervous young man on a train from London in the 1950s confiding in a passenger that he was going to meet his future in-laws and he didn't know what to wear for dinner "because they live in Bosham Castle" - I wish I'd seen his face when he arrived!<br />
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There are all sorts of lovely house names as you walk round including this one which is the house next door to the famous Anchor Bleu pub.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqpiVFxf8Nr1ppzEMqvo5pSPqTXYNPggvUMLsTuQbWEXmqozBGhvOKvNu6uLu1_sTxaW8eeojz7Ezzx0jiScsF6l-VOFyYoYJ_3pTjnAMFphZNg-9I2OURdx9ye4ppqq29PLLVP8aYmY/s1600/boshamnov10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqpiVFxf8Nr1ppzEMqvo5pSPqTXYNPggvUMLsTuQbWEXmqozBGhvOKvNu6uLu1_sTxaW8eeojz7Ezzx0jiScsF6l-VOFyYoYJ_3pTjnAMFphZNg-9I2OURdx9ye4ppqq29PLLVP8aYmY/s1600/boshamnov10.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a> <br />
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And the proportions of this front door always baffles people. It's a normal size opening, but with a raised step in front to protect the house from high tides. As you step in the door you step down to the house floor which is lower.<br />
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As I walked round taking photos, Theo had a great time burning off all the energy he bottled up over the weekend. There's a raised footpath round the creek called the Trippet which is particularly fun to scoot along at speed. His balance bike really has been the best thing we have ever bought him. He'll go for miles on it without moaning.<br />
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This wooden building which stands on stilts in the creek is the old oyster shed. Bosham used to be a big centre for oyster farming until (legend has it) the Bishop of Chichester got food-poisoning from one and the already dwindling industry was killed off by bad publicity! These days the sailing club use it to store kit and run races. <br />
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Bosham is also famous for its swans. The birds here defy most logic. Swans don't live in salt water and they are fiercely territorial. In Bosham however there are at least 50 swans living in a tidal creek. Apparently the sea has enough fresh water mixed in it at this point to keep them happy and they also cease to be territorial when there are too many rival birds to fight off! <br />
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After the weekend cooped up in the house it was great to get out in the fresh air for a couple of hours, although I do find the sun starts dipping in the sky all too soon at this time of year... Only another month till the shortest day!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/category/Country-Kids">Country Kids</a> and...<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-67644309542567447512014-11-22T19:36:00.000+02:002014-11-22T21:39:17.566+02:00A week of autumn colour (the #capturingcolour project)The #capturingcolour project over on Instagram has really been gathering pace over the last few weeks, largely due to the energetic support of the lovely Lucy at Capture By Lucy who has been roping people in from far and wide! For the last week our theme has been "leaves" and despite the lousy weather we've had some great photos tagged and Theo and I have found colour everywhere on our morning walks.<br />
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What's great about the #capturingcolour project is the community that has sprung up around it. I love finding new people to follow and having a small window into people's lives as well as the inspiration the images provide to see and photograph things in entirely new ways.<br />
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Here are some of my favourites from the last 6 days...<br />
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(1) <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsdarlingx">mrsdarlingx</a> (2) <a href="http://instagram.com/podcastdove">podcastdove</a> (3) <a href="http://instagram.com/scrpbk1">scrpbk1</a> (4) <a href="http://instagram.com/kelstars_7">kelstars_7</a> (5) <a href="http://instagram.com/boysbehaviour">boysbehaviour</a> (6) <a href="http://instagram.com/sunnymatilda">sunnymatilda</a> (7) <a href="http://instagram.com/caroline_south">caroline_south</a> (8) <a href="http://instagram.com/ilses_world">ilses_world</a> (9) <a href="http://instagram.com/thiswaytothecircus">thiswaytothecircus</a><br />
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We've got some really great themes planned out for the next few weeks and <a href="http://instagram.com/capturebylucy">Lucy</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/mytwomums">Kirsty</a> and I will be announcing them at the start of each week. Of course you still have the rest of today and tomorrow to take part in leaves week and to give you a bit of a head start I thought I'd reveal what's happening next week too.... See you over on Instagram, don't forget to <a href="http://instagram.com/maybushstudio">follow me too</a>!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.vevivos.com/2014/11/21/post-comment-love-newbie-showcase-21st-23rd-november-2014/">#PoCoLo</a>... <br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-7900506316494054152014-11-19T20:19:00.000+02:002014-11-19T21:41:56.550+02:00In search of the perfect winter wellies...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the past few weeks I have learned more than most people will in a lifetime about wellington boots. I have ordered pairs and sent them back, I have researched manufacturing practices and read countless online reviews and finally I have made a purchase. After all the false starts, dead ends and another-sodding-dog-walk-with-wet-feet, I decided I should share what I learned with you...<br />
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Urban dwellers or occasional wellie wearers are probably wondering <i>what</i> all the fuss is about, but my wellington boots are the most worn items of footwear in my wardrobe. I walk about 20 miles a week in them. That's 500 miles just over the winter months, so I <i>need</i> decent boots. <br />
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<b>Hunter</b> - My welly tale begins with a pair of Hunters which I bought in 2001 and which lasted me through the extreme heat of Cyprus and the extreme cold of Canada. Unfortunately I learned the hard way that old Hunters are not the same as new ones. The firm into administration in 2006 and the newer wellies (I bought a second pair in 2012) do not have the same durability. If you start reading around online you'll see similar reports from other Hunter owners. My second pair (ironically more expensive than the first) lasted as many months as the first pair had lasted years. It is with a very heavy heart that I had to turn my back on the wonderful selection of colours they sell in favour of something longer-lasting.<br />
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<b>Muck Boots</b> - Muck have been around since 1999. The boots are part rubber and part neoprene. They sell for £80 and upwards and were a close contender for my final selection, but I wasn't convinced by how easy the neoprene part of the boot would be to keep clean.<br />
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<b>Dunlop</b> - Costing somewhere between £15 and £20 a pair, Dunlops are very popular, however I found <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00O24IFG6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00">the pair I ordered</a> had extremely wide calves (more suited to men) and quite hard unyielding rubber. Definitely not boots I could imagine walking any distance in. I returned them to the place I bought them from (by post) which wasn't a cheap exercise!<br />
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<b>Lowther</b> - Made by Hunter with a very similar look and fit (though not as much colour choice) and vastly cheaper price tag (<a href="http://www.surfdome.com/wellington_boots_-_lowther_wellington_boots_-_blue-37296">£35</a>) if you can't bear to be parted from the style of Hunters these are a great bet without the fashionable price tag. Just don't blame me if they leak after 18 months.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTasLAlfkRDKM6WbdG6oVFjFxToeulO-3J_fMOTdEqorgexxVrCmC4H8SGQskE0XtGKZ7LJ86VxO9AdlcVMr9t2THetM-dIxPdS6KMPJydd6_obk3yJtAxBCvjXUsLqPKl59aDVXRZJis/s1600/winterwellie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTasLAlfkRDKM6WbdG6oVFjFxToeulO-3J_fMOTdEqorgexxVrCmC4H8SGQskE0XtGKZ7LJ86VxO9AdlcVMr9t2THetM-dIxPdS6KMPJydd6_obk3yJtAxBCvjXUsLqPKl59aDVXRZJis/s1600/winterwellie.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a><br />
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<b>Aigle</b> - Aigle are a French brand (est. 1853) and seem to have filled the void left by Hunter for high quality wellies. They were recommended by a dog walker friend and after reading countless positive reviews online I settled for a pair of Parcours 2 ISO. They fit true to size and are neoprene lined, but are pricey. Mine came from Amazon and cost £135. I also reluctantly have to admit that they are not as attractive as Hunters, but they feel wonderful to wear and are more comfortable than my slippers!<br />
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<b>Le Chameau</b> - Another French wellington boot (did you guess) with a price very similar to Aigles. They come up a little big, but are also fantastically comfortable to wear. <a href="http://whatkatewore.com/tag/kate-le-chameau/">The Duchess of Cornwall</a> has a pair, so does Prince Harry apparently.<br />
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Also worth considering are <b>Barbour</b> and <b>Mallard</b>, <b>Le Chameau</b> neither of which I have any experience of.<br />
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<u>Further Reading...</u><br />
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Guardian Newspaper <i><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/money/blog/2013/jan/26/which-wellies-should-i-buy">Which Wellies Should I Buy</a> </i>(read the comments)<br />
Telegraph <i><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/kate-middleton/8988157/Will-Kate-Middleton-kick-off-a-war-of-the-wellies.html">Will Kate Kick Off A War Of The Wellies</a></i><br />
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Please leave a comment if you have anything to add on the welly debate it will help others looking for info!<i> </i><br />
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PS - I wouldn't have been able to purchase my amazing new wellies <i>at all </i>were it not for some fabulous good luck winning £500 of Amazon vouchers in a <a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/2014/10/the-joy-of-kids-being-messy.html">competition</a> hosted by Jen at <a href="http://www.muminthemadhouse.com/">Mum In The Mad House</a> with <a href="https://www.twolittlefleas.co.uk/">Two Little Fleas</a>. So a HUGE thank you to them for allowing me to splash out on my Aigles! I know it's not a very rock and roll thing to spend the money on, but I do love them...<br />
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Linking up with Family Fever for <a href="http://myfamilyfever.co.uk/2014/11/tried-tested-tuesday-42/">Tried & Tested Tuesday </a><br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-20292098287862011532014-11-17T13:11:00.002+02:002014-11-17T19:10:43.971+02:00Starting golf at 3....<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15773848746" title="First time on the golf course... by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="First time on the golf course..." height="720" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/15773848746_6de6831d9c_c.jpg" width="720" /></a><br />
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Last week I mentioned our plan to get Theo involved with our local sailing club and this week I'm posting about his first trip to the local golf course, which I realise makes us both sound like sport obsessed helicopter parents.<br />
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But we're not! Both Jim and I were never particularly good at sport at school (or err... after!) but at a time when children are spending increasing amounts of their leisure time indoors we wanted to expose Theo from a young age to a couple of things that he may (or may not) want to pursue as he grows up. The key for both these sports is that you have to go out in the fresh air to enjoy them and that you can do them (at a certain point) on your own.<br />
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Apparently the sport of golf is going through a tough time at the moment because it has a image problem, but we are lucky having an excellent, very unstuffy club near us which has quite accessible pricing. So yesterday we decided to take Theo down for his first session and I'm pleased to say it was a success.<br />
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The driving range was deserted and the sun was shining. We each had a bay to ourselves and Theo happily hacked away with his <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00647LODA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00647LODA&linkCode=as2&tag=singlegirlabo-21&linkId=ON3E2TD4I53OHBIZ">minature irons.</a>
Wrong stance, wrong swing, wrong everything, but he was having fun! Then all three of us had a mini competition on the putting green and finally we asked about kids lessons.<br />
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Luckily for us on Saturday mornings they run a children's academy for 3-6 year-olds so we're going to give it a try. It's too soon to say if he'll enjoy it, but it would be lovely if one day I get to spend time being thrashed on the course by my precocious eight year-old son and if in the meantime we get to spend some time as a family hacking balls around then that'll be great too...<br />
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Linking up with Living Arrows & <a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/category/Country-Kids">Country Kids</a><br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-17724551768192461502014-11-14T16:05:00.000+02:002014-11-14T18:26:22.740+02:00Love The Little Things, week 46This week hasn't been a terribly productive one. I've had a horrible cold, which has really slowed me down and then the tickly cough has kept me awake half the night. The worst bit about colds is that they are <i>only</i> colds and we are supposed to just get on with things! So without any further ado this is how my week has shaped up...<br />
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<b>Read </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC4gWhyGWoa9rDCD4Ej-h91b3VlDrD76TUplQbHucmoNzmnojQU61YDIkf4F14mGoFeOXaDR1VlbqHFy4Su4Jgq7lcPAaihdkJn73Zh-6IoiAJdx0ujC-kaKIN73PmLu91bmvPjgrC60/s1600/selfbuildanddesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC4gWhyGWoa9rDCD4Ej-h91b3VlDrD76TUplQbHucmoNzmnojQU61YDIkf4F14mGoFeOXaDR1VlbqHFy4Su4Jgq7lcPAaihdkJn73Zh-6IoiAJdx0ujC-kaKIN73PmLu91bmvPjgrC60/s1600/selfbuildanddesign.jpg" height="511" width="720" /></a></div>
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There's a feature on our house remodel in <a href="http://www.selfbuildanddesign.com/">Self Build & Design</a> magazine this
month. The best part is that all the photos they used were taken by me
(whoop!) and amazingly the huge picture of our sitting room (on the third and fourth page of the spread) was actually
taken on an iPhone. It looks great in print!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Watched </b><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15670061682" title="Bosham on a winter's afternoon by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="Bosham on a winter's afternoon" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15670061682_368aae5b12_c.jpg" width="720" /></a>
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I don't get a lot of time to watch TV during the week, but I did make time this week to watch the third part of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04n9mtk">The Missing</a> on BBC1. It's really quite harrowing viewing for anyone with children, but I've been sucked in so I have to watch it to the end. Also it was last week rather than this one, but I had to share with you my other "watch" which was the sun going down over the beautiful village of Bosham. This picture was also taken on my iPhone!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Heard </b><br />
<br />
I had a very indulgent evening in <a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/2014/10/inside-my-she-shed.html">my She-Shed</a> the other night sorting out fabric and listening to Radio 4. I have been a Radio 4 listener for years, partly because you never want to listen to what you work with. I particularly love switching it on and finding something that you'd never choose to listen to, but which actually turns out to be fascinating. I'll let you into a little secret too, my only unfulfilled radio ambition is to present Woman's Hour... Maybe one day...<br />
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<b>Made</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJu1jdIJD-LjRREbwkGLuZwwOwGfxPNrktXsHaKLHe-DDJlcqbn5k8QCQhvr1BW_R4Hc0tdU9iPpTkg-8yJkX1ak1jo2aGmguPkIm2qi4dpCGiclUFzX1QukpYRVnxXhYTUUQJE5uHeY/s1600/tiedye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJu1jdIJD-LjRREbwkGLuZwwOwGfxPNrktXsHaKLHe-DDJlcqbn5k8QCQhvr1BW_R4Hc0tdU9iPpTkg-8yJkX1ak1jo2aGmguPkIm2qi4dpCGiclUFzX1QukpYRVnxXhYTUUQJE5uHeY/s1600/tiedye.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
I've done a lot of plotting this week working out what quilt I'm going to make next (I chose <a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2012/01/scrap-attack-triangles-quilt-tutorial.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+StitchedInColor+%28Stitched+in+Color%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">this one</a>) but Theo, his cousin Millie and I also had a chance to tye-die a t-shirt as we were sent the dye and some of the supplies by <a href="http://www.dunelm-mill.com/" rel="nofollow">Dunelm</a>. Millie is a bit of a tie-dye expert, but I think it's been about 20 years since I last dyed something! Theo absolutely loves his "Millie t-shirt" which we made.<br />
<br />
<b>Wore </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemgxEbYWJr8DfJFbmRy9_fGtKPMbQa9_0g_HfK5siaSB-Dr4FBj_w7hIZh1zyd-fkSkkZ4EyY18So1ngBDFLHpU9262QACFTl9sW9ys7QDnFgcP_9fjaKiCZzGa1BPnFiHDh4yKHKIjc/s1600/ootd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemgxEbYWJr8DfJFbmRy9_fGtKPMbQa9_0g_HfK5siaSB-Dr4FBj_w7hIZh1zyd-fkSkkZ4EyY18So1ngBDFLHpU9262QACFTl9sW9ys7QDnFgcP_9fjaKiCZzGa1BPnFiHDh4yKHKIjc/s640/ootd.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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First time doing a full body selfie in the mirror (eek!)<b> </b>but I just had to show off my <a href="http://www.boden.co.uk/">Boden</a> cardigan which I am absolutely besotted with.<b> </b>It was actually sold out on the website so I stalked it like a demented woman until one came back in stock in my size, now I have to hold myself back from wearing it every day. My top is from Espirit, skirt is Dorothy Perkins, tights are Accessorise and I got the boots at a clothes swap a couple of years ago!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>And Lastly</b><br />
<br />
I attended (virtually of course) my first session at the YouTube Academy last night. I'm still blown away at how amazing it is to be able to access this kind of stuff for free in your own house. Loads learned already in the first session and there's three more to go. I think I may be buying a few bits of equipment to help my vlogging progress...<br />
<br />
I'm linking with Morgana and <a href="http://www.vevivos.com/2014/11/14/post-comment-love-newbie-showcase-14th-16th-november-2014/#">PoCoLo</a>....<br />
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I won't lie, I find the winter months quite tricky when it comes to taking photos. The days are shorter, the skies are greyer and lets be honest, none of us really look our best! I've drawn up this list as much as a reminder to myself, as it is a prompt to others. In the past I have shot some great pictures over these colder months and digging them out to review, helps me remember the ideas behind them...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_7G7hnPbfdSx13EcFerZUeo9Mg8m6Mw6PBfqD0f7ILqNXOjC59-NMgRZIDgVwCh985cISDh84Xz4wuZPQVX1jVEvWYKyXt_q6Pkg4RoCKrAvQPDIDG8zaMnywvP8rJSdpRwTLJ_IL6A/s1600/lightpainting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="light painting at duffus castle" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_7G7hnPbfdSx13EcFerZUeo9Mg8m6Mw6PBfqD0f7ILqNXOjC59-NMgRZIDgVwCh985cISDh84Xz4wuZPQVX1jVEvWYKyXt_q6Pkg4RoCKrAvQPDIDG8zaMnywvP8rJSdpRwTLJ_IL6A/s640/lightpainting2.jpg" width="720" /></a></div>
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<b>Try light painting</b><br />
<br />
The short days mean this time of year is perfect for light painting. All you need is a tripod, a camera where you can control shutter speed and a source of light. That source of light can be anything from a sparkler, to a torch, LED lights or in the photo above <a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/steel-wool-light-painting-in-long-exposure-photography/">burning wire wool</a>! This picture was taken last year when I spent a great evening with half a dozen friends trying out various light painting techniques in the grounds of a Scottish castle. We set our cameras up for a 30 second exposure and infinite focus and then ran around drawing shapes or lighting up parts of the building. Light painting doesn't need to be complicated though, you can also try it at home by writing your name with a torch in a dark room. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/8395204676" title="Not sure about snow... by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="Photographing children in the snow" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8395204676_2d65cd9519_c.jpg" width="720" /></a>
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<b>Switch to manual to achieve great snow photos </b><br />
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Snow photos are notoriously hard to get right in auto as the camera will often under-expose in reaction to the large quantity of white it sees. So when the white stuff starts to fall, switch to manual and join your kids in the garden to see if you can get your best photos yet. Children tend to be both happy and occupied when snow is around (err unless they are Theo in the photo above!) so they are less likely to get bored of you fiddling with your camera settings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOc4OhDhth95wtXXn9RkK4tqcW8a5Bf-l1lTWR9Dy0vQ98V2TrtkpbuT_EzZSZddvFxPotE7GQrpfbqt5-TEVpdxzhpNiE7eFm5Xp1z1cOJh6rb4o__OBcrKCJfNJtDu47CyiVhJrbDc/s1600/mosaic441333a363d0bbc0bfbcae56e690c6123f9237cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a collection of beach hut photos" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOc4OhDhth95wtXXn9RkK4tqcW8a5Bf-l1lTWR9Dy0vQ98V2TrtkpbuT_EzZSZddvFxPotE7GQrpfbqt5-TEVpdxzhpNiE7eFm5Xp1z1cOJh6rb4o__OBcrKCJfNJtDu47CyiVhJrbDc/s640/mosaic441333a363d0bbc0bfbcae56e690c6123f9237cf.jpg" width="720" /></a></div>
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<b>Begin a photographic collection</b><br />
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If you are bored with photo projects like 365 or 52, how about a photo collection instead? Decide on something you are going to photograph for the next 6 to 12 months and start snapping. Whether it's shoes, cars, road signs or things with stripes on! At the end you can put them all together in a collage style poster and make some unique artwork for your wall. It will also help sharpen your powers of observation.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15586714838" title="image by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="reflection of a tree in a puddle" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15586714838_7c27b98d94_c.jpg" width="720" /></a></div>
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<b>Play with reflections</b><br />
<br />
Winter means rain and puddles, so use them to your advantage and try out some creative ideas with reflections. Get down as low as you can to shoot and then try reversing the image (like I did with the beach huts in this post) or cut off object fully or partly to just focus on the reflected part. You don't need an SLR either. I took the photo above on my iPhone this morning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn8Kvxagme80iqz44ZxaUegfU0M-gzqs_lLYEk6kZphXMB6IYPMItktgyCVw9H0rYCCEyGnh3uN0KAr_1EG39RCW7QoZXFuY3q1giJNxjwJdshcq2cpg6Bs07JNUYuG5T1Ax871dzfEE/s1600/jimtheo161212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="photographing towards the sun" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn8Kvxagme80iqz44ZxaUegfU0M-gzqs_lLYEk6kZphXMB6IYPMItktgyCVw9H0rYCCEyGnh3uN0KAr_1EG39RCW7QoZXFuY3q1giJNxjwJdshcq2cpg6Bs07JNUYuG5T1Ax871dzfEE/s640/jimtheo161212.jpg" width="720" /></a></div>
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<b>Shoot into the sun</b><br />
<br />
The sun is lower in the sky during the winter months and not as strong as at other times of year, so it's a good time to play around with shooting into it. This effect often works best if you have the sun obscured or partly-obscured by an object, but shooting at it directly can also produce a pleasing hazy look in a photo as above.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswcMR7-K7jidZ6KbX0n62KYqz09yoZ7RrGFakP-DmlPuzVSWLhVNkOxh0lC7q59HMFqa1YTnTH5our_Wr7b3_z-TTOp469GsDfRWmzv95R4S_zwTjnmCHySNdn0KCH1nmuvX6dY6PYNQ/s1600/bokeh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="photographing Christmas lights" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswcMR7-K7jidZ6KbX0n62KYqz09yoZ7RrGFakP-DmlPuzVSWLhVNkOxh0lC7q59HMFqa1YTnTH5our_Wr7b3_z-TTOp469GsDfRWmzv95R4S_zwTjnmCHySNdn0KCH1nmuvX6dY6PYNQ/s640/bokeh2.jpg" width="720" /></a></div>
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<b>Snap festive lights</b><br />
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In the run up to Christmas there are lights everywhere. On shops and houses and draped around the tree in our homes. These lights can produce a lovely effect known as bokeh, an aesthetically pleasing way that the lens renders out of focus points of light. The photo above was taken of the fairy lights on the Christmas tree in our sitting room, but this effect also makes a great backdrop for portraits like <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bunchphoto/11059492964/in/photolist-7RtGtq-99RwEJ-7FRh8h-dgkU92-aGVL7H-dgCmm9-9BXxfi-cZLE9W-jdWnsw-ixgztp-hpJKhX-9KgB87-8FCYUk-mUJd5v-dn2AMn-4YeRmL-6mrUD-7tzQJn-6aKuSS-g9Lcge-hpK2DL-9LXHWj-gUsi3i-dV5mgo-9cqfLF-eZRpVd-64iDfG-aVoQCP-hRhMXb-6qczYP-dKanzA-8vQyqn-33W6fn-9dW6E7-jYGtgY-aBkqqo-4LpTGq-dBzR6b-dxZBML-88Kzwm-b1QWXD-dVtCmm-5UsW1i-e1yxA1-4fnyMo-5gB9Sz-oMRJWC-cuZRmG-8Qn3W9-exEam5">in this image</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK84WgDntJEyrLgHPY3pUtJkdvsOUIKw5M8FaCL5ocJgdNzjUuci9KvG1sE82DREp1y_x-J43LpIR85Tb6UCaBKPDFSXJ-S1oqvzVTxo01W7I1aIS6EYKZzMiCv32So8jbscASxqn9wo/s1600/cp20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black and white photo of center parcs longleat" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK84WgDntJEyrLgHPY3pUtJkdvsOUIKw5M8FaCL5ocJgdNzjUuci9KvG1sE82DREp1y_x-J43LpIR85Tb6UCaBKPDFSXJ-S1oqvzVTxo01W7I1aIS6EYKZzMiCv32So8jbscASxqn9wo/s640/cp20.jpg" width="720" /></a></div>
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<b>Try shooting for black and white</b><br />
<br />
Winter
is a good time to shoot black and white. Stormy skies and bare tree branches
make good subjects for monochrome images and crucially they hide the
lack of blue skies and green plants. It may sound like a funny thing to
say, but the best black and white photographs always contain both black
and white and not just a muddle of grey. To achieve this increase
contrast in an image before converting to black and white.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/5011916042" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Colours 1 by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="" exposure="" height="480" long="" photo="" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4154/5011916042_0bff4b67d5_b.jpg" width="720" /></a></div>
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<b>Use shutter speed creatively</b><br />
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Sometimes being trapped indoors when you'd rather be outside taking pictures can inspire creative solutions. I took this picture using a one second exposure spinning around on an office chair in my radio studio (so <i>that's</i> what we do when the record is playing!) The bands of lights you see are the blurred lights on the broadcast console. You can also achieve other great effects by using a long exposure to photograph cars on a road or (if you dare) by throwing your camera up in the air!<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-76510996071736447272014-11-10T10:00:00.000+02:002014-11-10T10:00:06.097+02:00Winter walks at West Wittering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg066mBl2CbVW7fh0nyDsM4jqhuUmD8X67Tv-_rrwBEs_uuWtXv1k_r3RWcE07t8iTJ3oes9cIVs1-lGMquOBR2egk-gUYR2cee3MC0HW83VjgsuXsXi3Zw3qCEcb8jHcV74Ez-p1GOuR0/s1600/eh_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg066mBl2CbVW7fh0nyDsM4jqhuUmD8X67Tv-_rrwBEs_uuWtXv1k_r3RWcE07t8iTJ3oes9cIVs1-lGMquOBR2egk-gUYR2cee3MC0HW83VjgsuXsXi3Zw3qCEcb8jHcV74Ez-p1GOuR0/s1600/eh_4.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
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One of the nice things about this time of year around our
neck of the woods, is that we regain the use of West Wittering. During
the summer months the crowds, the expense (£8 to park a car) and the
summer dog ban keep us away from this stretch of the coast, but in low
season it becomes a place for wonderful wintery walks.<br />
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The
dog ban is actually lifted at the beginning of October (the same time
the parking charges drop to £2) but as always it's taken us a few weeks
to get round to visiting. <br />
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West Wittering Estate is
connected by a sand spit to East Head, a wonderful place I have written
about on this blog <a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/2013/11/the-shifting-sands-of-east-head.html">before</a>. From the shore we can look back across the
harbour and see our house nestled amongst the trees nearly five miles
away. Last time we stood here squinting at it, it was a stark square
shape wrapped in plastic. Now its slopping roof blends into its
surroundings more subtlety.<br />
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Next summer we hope to spend a lot more time here. We are planning on joining a nearby sailing club and
are looking forward to landing here with a picnic in tow (dodging the parking charge, the crowds and the West Wittering dog ban!) Theo has yet to spend much time on a boat, but it's something we are keen to get him into as soon as possible. In theory he could start helming his own boat from the age of five, if he shows an inclination.<br />
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There was another reason why I was keen to visit <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-head/">East Head</a> today. We came here last November and took a photo of Theo at the sign and I wanted to make it an annual tradition to record him here as he grows.<br />
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The last twelve months have seen him change from a baby faced toddler to a young boy. His blonde hair is darkening and his face is slimming too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaRmzHyQ1PMC1J_OJcIrQy4F-l5xwCLhx02bKhMKlzjgkX7U5UkI3u28C0QIz_p8mPs2bOtEJc83dcCKcZ61o05-4tnXFYmfgOMlAMb7OsM4ORnRIJBKM2ZB-rGiK1uPzaskDTha2sNM/s1600/theoeasthead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaRmzHyQ1PMC1J_OJcIrQy4F-l5xwCLhx02bKhMKlzjgkX7U5UkI3u28C0QIz_p8mPs2bOtEJc83dcCKcZ61o05-4tnXFYmfgOMlAMb7OsM4ORnRIJBKM2ZB-rGiK1uPzaskDTha2sNM/s1600/theoeasthead.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm linking up today with Living Arrows, Point & Shoot and <a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/category/Country-Kids">Country Kids</a>!<br />
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<table><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.iheartsnapping.com/p/living-arrows.html" target="_blank" title="living arrows"><img alt="living arrows" src="http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll320/looby_boo/livingarrowsfinalbig_zps7c07e79b.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td><td><a href="http://www.snowingindoors.com/" title="snowingindoors"><img alt="snowingindoors" src="http://www.snowingindoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Point-Shoot-Linky-Badge_snowingindoors.com_youbabymemummy.com_.jpg" height="150" style="border: medium none;" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-4896525283185244882014-11-07T19:39:00.000+02:002014-11-07T19:39:29.129+02:00New chairs for the kitchen...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIUIUKToiCJ3cly6_71Dt3R6hfedIHB8p-Y7ueCED0oNH4JtYb7uSdQsInGeqHGUWr6djWxcsZgybB0h1_J70HaDjb54u8Dalj9ywaevDDe26_VaiilDhyphenhyphenvJmtl2yvkcWWudvvLCfooo/s1600/newchairs1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIUIUKToiCJ3cly6_71Dt3R6hfedIHB8p-Y7ueCED0oNH4JtYb7uSdQsInGeqHGUWr6djWxcsZgybB0h1_J70HaDjb54u8Dalj9ywaevDDe26_VaiilDhyphenhyphenvJmtl2yvkcWWudvvLCfooo/s1600/newchairs1a.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
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I'll let you into a secret, I have a bit of a thing for chairs. I have been secretly collecting them for years. Wooden ones, plastic ones, leather ones. I'm so good at it, that I don't think Jim has actually noticed our expanding collection. <br />
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But the thing about chairs is that they have to be practical as well as beautiful. We bought our old kitchen chairs four years ago, before we lived in this house and before parenthood. They looked great, but had a rotating base and a design which meant you could only sit on them with a cushion.<br />
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Whilst they were fine for the two of us, as Theo grew and the average age of the people we were seating got younger, we discovered children literally cannot sit still on them and the textured fabric cushions seemed to have a magnetic pull for any stray food. Grubby spinny chairs, not good.<br />
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But what to replace them with? We needed something child friendly, but modern. I've always been a fan of mid-century designs, particularly Eames (we already have the lounge chair) so it seemed logical to consider DSW Chairs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUaRsYgSNZVQIvFx2i999yRBqFrQf4cuZup0Nd9W8LDIAZppEFkNT6EP_OJFwHZVVJr3P-pK131dU1UKW2KY8BKxHa_z9zIBb7SvjyS9P3ght9wuzX_Akhdlfe1ZA02_ypGW2nlNn550/s1600/newchairsportrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUaRsYgSNZVQIvFx2i999yRBqFrQf4cuZup0Nd9W8LDIAZppEFkNT6EP_OJFwHZVVJr3P-pK131dU1UKW2KY8BKxHa_z9zIBb7SvjyS9P3ght9wuzX_Akhdlfe1ZA02_ypGW2nlNn550/s1600/newchairsportrait.jpg" /></a></div>
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DSWs have been on my wish list for a while, I even had a picture of one of the <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/164451823867669090/">original 50s chairs</a> on one of my boards on Pinterest (it's funny how when you pin stuff it seems to register subliminally in the brain!) but I was worried that after buying one set of trendy but ultimately impractical chairs, the DSWs might not be right for us. <br />
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Whilst I was still dithering about how and when to replace our chairs, <a href="http://www.mdmfurniture.com/" rel="nofollow">MDM Furniture </a>came to our rescue offering us two chairs for review. They specialise in producing replica designer chairs, among which is the DSW.<br />
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The chairs arrived with lightning speed and were easy to assemble.
After a couple of weeks in our kitchen we are converts. I'm a taken by
the sexy steel and wood legs and the plastic tops have given us the kind
of practical wipe-clean finish we wanted. There's only one problem now,
which is that we need four more. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DhsmnPnTvn0Sa3qTURvGXDjjmZnDMT3jeJ3D4y3HJSCzxQz7tB8k9eIxnvnws8HtxFzHO9LLWGs8LCfH9yfTbFaBEO3DEGzCMmgL220FVIscaA4JnztOi8srRQD7o2MwC95naAG-Mu0/s1600/newchairs5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DhsmnPnTvn0Sa3qTURvGXDjjmZnDMT3jeJ3D4y3HJSCzxQz7tB8k9eIxnvnws8HtxFzHO9LLWGs8LCfH9yfTbFaBEO3DEGzCMmgL220FVIscaA4JnztOi8srRQD7o2MwC95naAG-Mu0/s1600/newchairs5.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
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So the question is, do we buy them all
white, or mix the colours up a bit? <br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-42942333243090314692014-11-03T16:31:00.001+02:002014-11-03T16:31:05.047+02:00Living Arrows : 44/52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQizvGp-geiwd8-J2bkJp4pziEY0X_B6fxdvUW4F7aRbbRRQ4p8Jj4JThiTd_0nekPiRclddSCjThENTL7qHgzwuEQNtJRBNnmBkkMVhFJ0G8L_6u1Wo45baaXzjAWl0NdcCQxFXfBhbU/s1600/la031114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQizvGp-geiwd8-J2bkJp4pziEY0X_B6fxdvUW4F7aRbbRRQ4p8Jj4JThiTd_0nekPiRclddSCjThENTL7qHgzwuEQNtJRBNnmBkkMVhFJ0G8L_6u1Wo45baaXzjAWl0NdcCQxFXfBhbU/s1600/la031114.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
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<i>ISO 400, 50mm, f/2/0, 1/6400</i></div>
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There are only 8 weeks left of the Living Arrows project this year and as we enter the darkest months of 2014 we are also entering the time of year when mine (and probably everybody's) photographic enthusiasm starts to dip slightly. There are less hours of daylight, poorer quality light and weather that often doesn't inspire us to spend time outside.</div>
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But of course this is exactly the time of year when photographic projects like this come into their own. I could all too easily let the weeks slip by in winter without picking up my camera, but they force us to seek opportunities to record our lives and challenge us to find creative solutions. </div>
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As ever I shall be looking to the talented team of contributors over at iheartsnapping.com to give me ideas. If you are feeling like you are stuck in a winter rut with your photos, do pop over and look at the pictures on the blog today, there's always something to inspire. </div>
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-63984257790291943602014-11-02T17:17:00.002+02:002014-11-02T17:17:55.521+02:00Video review of Plum Pyramid Climbing Frame / Play Centre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xak4HTy-I7Dcq_TvmlsRWeUGI0WURZkL93uFfO3xyhR_jPJW339juKA5ISBSRcCCXlJN8379zCxyJOmrGOvtILb0hrY2m6aE5wSC3_UGhcpHnei5B1g4lnyS3VLKna5kO0ytL65BtO4/s1600/climbingframe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xak4HTy-I7Dcq_TvmlsRWeUGI0WURZkL93uFfO3xyhR_jPJW339juKA5ISBSRcCCXlJN8379zCxyJOmrGOvtILb0hrY2m6aE5wSC3_UGhcpHnei5B1g4lnyS3VLKna5kO0ytL65BtO4/s1600/climbingframe2.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
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You may remember that in the summer we bought Theo a <a href="http://www.plumproducts.com/wooden-play-centres/plum-climbing-pyramid-wooden-climbing-frame-outdoor-play-centre-with-play-den-and-slide.html">Plum wooden climbing frame</a> for the garden. It wasn't a cheap purchase and was something which we spent a lot of time researching and considering before we finally committed to buying.</div>
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During the many hours I spent online looking for information the one thing I really hoped (and failed) to find was a video review. I really wanted someone to actually walk me through the product and tell me whether it was worth the money before I handed over the best part of £400.<br />
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So a few months down the line I thought we should fill that gap by making our own review. I've made a few short films before, but this is the first time I've done "face to camera" vlogging. The prospect was slightly terrifying to begin with, but it definitely gets easier the more you do it. Although of course I have the distinct advantage of 20 years experience talking rubbish for a living!<br />
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So, if you are at all curious, here is our in depth review of the Plum Pyramid Climbing Frame which we bought from <a href="http://www.activitytoysdirect.com/">Activity Toys Direct</a>.<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-76409407009859079342014-10-31T01:25:00.000+02:002014-10-31T01:25:27.016+02:00The joy of kids being messy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PuxJ8uU1QLrl_Z6mpKGZgn0jjslYccK6RtPRBhqk7NJccMYXWpsHVZDhu2KiJTlJszU0_KJ1zyp5AKEZVr4BMl6agTBfMoNuEbFUG9zh9zvxPCAFwzlcYLv1tla-FfsCrGzDHjwRzA8/s1600/messyfaceaug14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PuxJ8uU1QLrl_Z6mpKGZgn0jjslYccK6RtPRBhqk7NJccMYXWpsHVZDhu2KiJTlJszU0_KJ1zyp5AKEZVr4BMl6agTBfMoNuEbFUG9zh9zvxPCAFwzlcYLv1tla-FfsCrGzDHjwRzA8/s1600/messyfaceaug14.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago I spotted that <a href="http://www.muminthemadhouse.com/2014/09/21/win-500-amazon-vouchers-messy-kids-bloggers-competition/">Mum In The Mad House</a> was running a competition with <a href="http://www.twolittlefleas.co.uk/">Two Little Fleas</a> asking bloggers to write about the fun their children have being messy. I think that one of the greatest joys of being a child is not caring if your clothes get covered in dirt or your face is smeared in food. Throwing yourself with gusto into all that you do. <br />
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Whilst we don't seem to do a lot of messy play at home (somehow we just never get round to it!) Theo has a family who love food and we seem to have an awful lot of pictures of him getting messy whilst helping cook or when eating the results, always with a big smile on his face!<br />
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So for my entry to the competition I thought I'd put together a little compilation of some of my favourite messy moments with him. I promise he doesn't spend ALL his time eating ice-cream, no matter if the evidence seems to say otherwise!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4FYE78HP7pA" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-41168944900864529872014-10-28T16:37:00.001+02:002014-10-29T13:56:04.095+02:00Inside my She-Shed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d2U6jAOl8xazz4ngFio8ouKXp-VSrtZ30xWNOmmNOoy6OoWUYmRORMNwGwYtoa9jNn6hnopUk6npN1XNvJrPDJ9QJO8WTbSn83SjKI1laoi1dx6GeaWw4PoSBJ27bgTZM2oEg4qqpKM/s1600/cabinnew1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d2U6jAOl8xazz4ngFio8ouKXp-VSrtZ30xWNOmmNOoy6OoWUYmRORMNwGwYtoa9jNn6hnopUk6npN1XNvJrPDJ9QJO8WTbSn83SjKI1laoi1dx6GeaWw4PoSBJ27bgTZM2oEg4qqpKM/s1600/cabinnew1.jpg" height="480" width="720" /></a></div>
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There can't be a woman anywhere who doesn't fancy the idea of a She-Shed. A little place to escape from the whir of the washing machine and the unrelenting calls of "Mummy!" </div>
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Well mine is finally starting to take shape! Over the last few weeks as I've caught up on sewing projects,
I've also begun to sort out the cabin in the garden, transforming it
from <a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/2014/07/where-weve-been-sleeping.html">it's first life as a sleeping space</a> during our building works, into it's new role as
my studio.
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There's still a long way to go before it looks anything like the pictures of perfect sewing rooms that you see in magazines. (I probably need to iron all my fat quarters and stack them perfectly just to <i>begin</i> with) but already it's a place I love to retreat to if I can steal a couple of hours while Theo is at nursery.</div>
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Part of its beauty is that because it's detached from the house, none of the day to day house clutter invades my sewing space and likewise my sewing doesn't take over the living space. </div>
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At the moment it is being used solely for quilting, but longterm I also want to have a photography backdrop on one wall which can be rolled up and down when needed. The cabin faces south and the light in it is lovely, even at this time of the year.<br />
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Many of the things inside are bits I had acquired over the years which have traveled through a few countries to get here, but I also bought a few bits just for this space.<br />
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The pine table my sewing machine is on came from eBay. It was very cheap because it was far too low for practical use. We raised it up by several inches to make it useable again and when I have actually got round to painting the feet, I'll explain the whole process we did. It was actually very easy and salvaged an otherwise lovely but unusable table.<br />
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This magnetic noticeboard came from Canada and is called an Everyday Display. It is supposed to be used for scrapbook pages (oh yes, I used to be a scrapbooker!) but has lots of photos and magnets on it at the moment. The smaller magnets are from Picstick who are currently doing a 25% off deal for readers of this blog if you use the code 'MAYB25' until November 5th. <br />
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My sister (<a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/2014/06/three-gates-gallery-vintage-giveaway.html">the antiques hunter</a>!) bought me the Dr Pepper tray last Christmas. The various quilts on the walls are either made by me or by other lovely quilters as part of swaps on Flickr. The one in the photo above was made by <a href="http://lizofdandeliondaydreams.blogspot.co.uk/">Liz</a>.</div>
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This sweetheart display cabinet was given to me by the <a href="http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com/sweetheart-display-cabinets?ll=menulink&field_exclude_from_tid[0]=5586&field_exclude_from_tid[5461]=5461&field_exclude_from_tid[5460]=5460&field_exclude_from_tid[5042]=5042&field_exclude_from_tid[5451]=5451&field_exclude_from_tid[5059]=5059&field_exclude_from_tid[5308]=5308&field_exclude_from_tid[5599]=5599&page=0%2C0%2C1&ctid=5586&pos=4" rel="nofollow">dotcomgiftshop</a> and is brilliant for storing precious bits and pieces that Theo is not supposed to get his hands on. <br />
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Amongst the things on the shelves are a collection of champagne corks marking various significant points in our lives (from four countries) a very old toy truck marked up as British Forces Broadcasting (my former employers) the "&" sign from the table plan at our wedding (The C and J have vanished!) and a pin cushion made for me as part of a swap.<br />
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If you could have a She-Shed what would use it for? Many of these outside buildings have been turned into artist studios or libraries.One person even has an extra large one with a swimming pool in it!<br />
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Clare Mansellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05872117967304297271noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5176799358531491903.post-52896689417146914672014-10-27T10:00:00.000+02:002014-10-27T10:00:04.373+02:00Living Arrows : 43/52<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/15416700228" title="pumpkinboy_edit by maybushstudio, on Flickr"><img alt="pumpkinboy_edit" height="481" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15416700228_b35baf1a5c_c.jpg" width="720" /></a>
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<i>ISO 400, 35mm, F/2.2, 1/125</i></div>
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It's Halloween week so how could I possibly resist a photograph with pumpkins in it (I'm trying hard not to say "and my little pumpkin") we bought these on an expedition last week to a quirky Sussex pumpkin event which you can read about in <a href="http://www.maybushstudio.com/2014/10/english-eccentricity-and-pumpkins-galore.html">this post</a>. They look too good to carve, so I'm procrastinating and leaving them on the kitchen table at the moment.<br />
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Last year Theo was invited out by the neighbour's children to go trick or treating, but was too young to really understand it or to stay up late enough. This year I think he'll get it, but I have no idea if the invitation will be forthcoming again! So do I buy a fancy dress outfit? I feel like I'll be jinxing things for him if I do, but then I might be caught short if I don't! <br />
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In Canada everybody dressed up on Halloween including the grown-ups and those who just stayed at home to answer the door to trick or treaters. After several years away we returned to the UK to find that trick or treating was now a thing here, but we still hold back a little from being too enthusiastic! Though Jim did say this weekend that he'd love to fly back to Alberta and fill a trolly with Halloween stuff in the supermarket and bring it all back home. But is Sussex ready for mechanical gravestones and inflatable giant pumpkins? I think possibly not...<br />
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