More lovely table decorations

Table Decorations

I have become obsessed with amazing party decorations, here are a few I have come across. I hope you agree how amazing they are! I will be featuring more next week. Have a great weekend :-)

What would you like to see?

Hi everyone

I am doing a little survey today and would love some feedback from you please, if possible.

• What would you like to see more of on my blog? 
• What made you decide to subscribe to my blog? 
• What was your favourite post (if you can remember?)
• Does anyone out there know of anything lovely I could feature? 

Please make a comment on any or all of the above, or email me if you'd prefer to do it privately.

Thanks in advance! Enjoy the sunshine!!!

Amanda
x

Another Lovely online store

Hi

Today I wanted to feature another lovely online store I found recently. Check out Papermash. They are UK based and they sell those gorgeous paper cups I featured a few months back! as well as lots of other lovely things.

Here are some of my favourites:

Gorjuss Images!

Today I wanted to feature these lovely illustrations by Suzanne Woolcott. Check out her website

Sorry

So sorry for my lack of posting this week. I have had a nightmare of a couple of days, firstly my Black Lab had to be put down, she was very old, but it is very sad. Then my boyfriend was in a motorbike accident, so I am now very behind on my work. Therefore, please forgive me, I'll be back on Tuesday.

Have a good bank holiday weekend everyone x

Top Tips to Stay Motivated from Gail

I recently came across these top tips on the True Expressions website and wanted to share with you all.


Gail Gibson of True Expressions, published author, coach and trainer, helps
 people to change, to grow, and to realise what they are truly capable of.
 Facilitating a process of discovery and re-discovery, she helps people to
 communicate themselves and their business, successfully and with confidence. Here are the 10 motivational tips to help you:


1. Surround yourself with likeminded and positive people. Link with individuals whose mindset creates a force of energy together, helping sustain and motivate you to continue.

2. Believe in yourself and follow your gut feeling. Have confidence in your instinct and if something feels right then you should go for it.

3. Challenge yourself to do better. Set short, medium and long term goals to work toward, creating steps to progress both you and your business.

4. Leave your troubles at the door. Stop making excuses and take action to make things happen.

5. Always deliver the best experience. Go an extra mile for your customers, right from your first meeting or phone call, through to the delivery of your service or product, and beyond.

6. Put effort in to achieve the results you desire. Business doesn’t just happen. You’ve got to work at it. Think broadly and look for opportunities to achieve more. 

7. Stop talking and do it! Turn your To Do lists into To Done lists. Make your best laid plans happen. 

8. Stay focused.  Focus on one goal at a time. Take bite sized, easy to digest chunks to reach your goals.

9, Manage your time wisely. Don’t overburden your workload with too many tasks.

10. Do what you love doing. Deliver your business with enthusiasm. Your passion for what you do is a key to your happiness and success

I hope that they help those of you wanting to get out into that sunshine, when there is so much work to do! :-) 

x

More Lovely Cakes!

Eat More Cake

I have recently been working on a fab project for a local company who specialise in Cakes for all occasions. I have been designing a logo for Hertford based company 'Eat More Cake' I hope that you like it?.  

All cakes are handmade and they specialise in taking your ideas and turning them into cake. They don't use potions or nasties, all their ingredients are found in your store cupboard, the eggs are free range & chocolate real. 'Eat More Cake' are also happy to deal with allergies and food intollerances. Here are a few photos of their cakes. Website coming soon!

Pipii

I found this lovely online store last night Pipii and wanted to share it with you all. They sell some lovely items which can be used for making contemporary gifts, favours and decorations, all at reasonable prices.

Here are a few photos, to give you an idea of what they offer.

Business Link Course

Sorry for my late post today, I have been on a Business Link Course. For anyone thinking of starting their own business, or have been trading for only a short while, I highly recommend contacting Business Link for advice. They also offer free courses, which I try to go on a few times a year, as well as great content, they also serve as a great networking opportunity. If you are based in Herts then you can see the courses available here, or just contact the above website or call 0845 601 1000, they are so helpful and most of what they offer is FREE!

Please, please, please!

I am after a favour today. I am trying to spread the word and find more people to follow this blog. I would be very grateful if you could nominate me for the 'Dorset Cereal little blog award'. Please go to this page:http://www.dorsetcereals.co.uk scroll to the bottom of the page & add my blog address:http://amandalincoln.blogspot.com under 'Lifestyle' Thanks!

You might even fancy having a go at winning a Camper Van whilst there :-) 

Happy 40th Tina

I made a little card yesterday for my best friends 40th. You wouldn't believe it, but it took ages! everything that could go wrong did, e.g. the ink on my printer kept smudging across the card everytime I tried to print it. Serves me right for making it in a rush, I just haven't had time up until then to do it because work has been so hectic. Anyway here it is and thanks Tina for inviting us to your BBQ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY my lovely. x

New logo work up

Things are a little manic here for me at the moment, so I don't have much time today. Therefore I thought I'd give you a sneeky peek of some seasonal patterns I am working on for a new client.

Have a great weekend!

Lucy Kate Crafts

Today I just have to share with you some beautifully crafted pieces from Lucy Kate Crafts. Amy is so talented and offers tutorials for you to also have a go at making these and many other gorgeous things.

Coloured Masking Tape

I have fallen in love with Japanese masking tape, isn't this just adorable!

I want every colour and pattern - even though I don't actually know what I'd do with it. However I have restrained myself and limited my collection to just 5 rolls - for now!

Have a great day everyone!

Stunning photos

Today I'd like to feature some of the beautiful work by photographer Kristi, she has kindly agreed for me to show you some of her pictures and here is a little information about her too. I'm sure that you will love her work just as much as I do!

How did you know you wanted to work in art/photography?

I've always enjoyed capturing life through photography. Photography helps me slow down and look for details that I otherwise might miss. I feel most alive when I am creating & sharing things of beauty. I believe Aaron Siskind best describes how I feel about photography perfectly,

 “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”

What are the inspirations/ influences for your work?

I find inspiration everywhere from my children, nature, the simple things, soft colors, natural light, quotes and life. 

The future, what are your next plans?

To keep learning, growing and living. Being a full time mother of three I don't really make plans. I've learned to just go with the flow and embrace whatever comes along. I do know the future holds many beautiful and wonderful things and I can't wait to see what they are.

Do you have any advice for wannabe photographers out there?

I'm just a beginner, so it's hard to give advice but, my advice is to never stop learning and to practice what you learn. There is so much to learn and it's great that there is an endless amount of information out there. I've learned a lot from reading articles, websites & books and from amazing photographers on flickr.

To see more take a look at her store on Etsy

Happy Halloween - he he!

What a yucky weekend it's been here :-( I have been working on Halloween patterns and it certainly feels nearly as cold as October out there. I hate the cold.

Here is one of my characters from my halloween collection:

More lovely things to drool over

Have a good weekend! x

More lovely stationery!!!

My first Blog award!

I am feeling very lucky today as Anna (from ARK Designs by Anna) gave me this 'I LOVE YOUR BLOG AWARD' which has put a smile on my face.

Here is a link to her lovely blog! I have only known Anna for a few months through blogging, we have never actually met, but I know from reading her blog and all the lovely things that she does, that we would get on well if we were to ever meet. In fact she lives in the same county as me, so I hope that one day, we shall get chance to get together, for one reason or another. 

As part of me accepting of this li'l award, I will be nominating 7 blogs that I love to look at and I will name 7 things that very few people know about me.

Hmmmm!

1 - I have double jointed arms

2 - My brother and his family live next door to me, so I get to see my two nephews regularly, which is lovely

3 - I LOVE LOVE LOVE Stationery & cards

4 - My degree is in packaging design

5 - I grew up in Oxfordshire

6 - I dance Ceroc (Modern jive partner dancing) when my work schedule allows

7 - My favourite food is seafood

Now I am nominating this award to 7 blogs that have inspired me or made me smile lately:

creativity blog

jilly.p.graphics

rachael taylor

littlebrownrabbit

dinky-daisy

6thstreetdesignschool

harrietkelsalljewellery

Thanks again Anna! x

I hope that you all like these blogs as much as I do! 

My trip to London

Hi

I hope that you had a good bank holiday, I had a lovely time in Brighton and spent too much money in the shops. Talking of which, whilst i was in London on Thursday, I bought some lovely stationery from Artbox, Paperchase and Cath Kidston - here are a few snaps, more to come tomorrow: