Homemade 'Flaky' Nail Polish

I love nail polish and recently discovered Nailside a truly amazing blog about the fabulous things you can create using polish and masking tape. I was taken with the 'flaky' polish effect and, as I didn't have such polish to hand and doubt polish of this kind will be available to buy in the humble little market town that is my home, decided to make my own. The sparkly circular flecks in the polish featured on the Nailside blog looked somewhat like my daughter's glitter, of which she has a vast collection in a wide range of colours. Cue light bulb moment in my head. So I painted my nails and when they were more or less dry, mixed a few specks of glitter with some clear nail polish and voila, a 'flaky' nail effect. I didn't stop there. I then applied a matt effect polish as I can't get enough of matt nails at the moment. What do you think? It'll do as a temporary measure until I get my hands on the real thing.

Michael Carson

I love this painting by Michael Carson.

Wanted!

Actor James McAvoy kindly donated this signed photo to be auctioned at the Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival's celebrity charity auction on Friday 3rd September 2010. The actor does a lot for charity so we're thrilled to receive his support. Proceeds raised on the evening will be donated to the festival's chosen charities: The Bridgnorth Hospital League of Friends and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Hollywood actress, Elizabeth McGovern, will perform on the evening with her band Sadie and the Hotheads. The auction will be hosted by the TV antiques expert, Philip Serrell (Dickinson's Real Deal, Bargain Hunt). It should be a great evening. Photos to follow! 

Click the link above to see more info on the festival's website. More info can also be found here.

Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival 2010

I'm involved in the Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival (27 August - 5 September 2010) as organiser of arts and literary events. With less than two weeks before the fun begins, I've been pretty busy promoting forthcoming arts events (see poster below). In fact, I'm having lots of fun writing press releases, taking part in video podcasts and local radio shows to help raise awareness of our festival. All proceeds raised at events will be donated to the Festival to help its chosen charities, which this year are the Bridgnorth Hospital League of Friends and Macmillan Cancer Support. And admission to all events is FREE!

I can't wait to attend the events and am really proud to be involved in fundraising and community activities. In my favourite field of the arts too. Bridgnorth is a beautiful, historic market town situated on the River Severn in Shropshire, England. To view a full programme of events, visit the festival's website: www.bridgnorthmusicfest.com

I've created a page dedicated to the festival so photos and news will be posted there.

Fridge Magnet Fun

I like to collect fridge magnets and this one I found in a gift shop yesterday. It made me laugh. It's now on my fridge! 

You know Lil's in the house when...

...her collection of Littlest Pets are enjoying a discotheque in the candle holder you bought from TK Maxx.

...her doggy's kennel is no longer the protective casing for the Wii remote.

...you go to put on your shoes and find them transformed into boats on The Terracotta Sea.

...she plants sunflower seeds in the nooks and crannies of your laptop.

...you go to turn on the lamp and find an exotic bird perched on the shade (my favourite).


I love how children appropriate mundane household items, giving them fantastic new uses. Which is your favourite?