My first craft fair (part 1)

Nearly a year ago (July 2013) I attended my first ever craft fair as a vendor.  I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to show you – oops!  It was one of the hottest days of the year, the Wimbledon tennis final was playing and my legend of a mother helped me set up my first craft stall.  If you knew my mum you would know how much of a sacrifice this was for her, especially as Andy Murray ended up winning!  *thanks again mum – I love you!

I was a little anxious at first.  I had spent the majority of the week leading up to it frantically making more stuff thinking that I didn’t have enough.  It was a beautifully sunny week that I had booked off work.  With hindsight I should have chilled my boots a little and enjoyed the sunshine, but hey-ho!

Once we got there I was really excited.  We were allocated a great spot, and I couldn’t wait to get set up and have a wander around all of the other stalls (I do after all love a good craft fair).  As you can see from the pictures, there was soooo much on offer.  There was the sound of vinyl records playing whilst girls had retro makeovers at a mobile vintage hairdressers, all kinds of different arts and crafts and plenty of antiques and vintage for the second-hand junky.

I took about a million pictures, so I’m writing this post in pieces.  Special thanks to: Greenside Deli, Juniper Creates,  Studio Aitch, Me and Thee, and Vintage Rosie For allowing me to take their picture for this (extremely belated) post.

My city: Sheffield

I've said it before, but I feel so lucky sometimes to live where I do.  Sheffield is the city of steel and greenery.  So many contrasts... the industrial and the rural.  It really is the best of both worlds.  Depending on my mood I can walk the city concrete taking in the noise and the colours, or walk through the parks with Betty by my side breathing the fresh air and feeling the grass below my feet.

Yep, even Mr. Attenborough is a fan of the steel city!  This is just one of many impressive street art spots in Sheffield.  I'm forever stumbling across new treasures, but this one is definitely a favourite.

Where concrete and nature coexist...

And when I need some peace I head over to the Botanical Gardens... a stones throw away from our flat.  With Betty in tow of course!

The hours I've spent here... listening to the birds, taking pictures of all the different flowers and trees, laying on the grass with a book or a new crochet project.  It's also Betty's favourite walking spot.  Because it's so nearby I get to walk around here each morning and I never take for granted how lucky I am to have this beautiful space at my fingertips.

There is so much charm about this city.  It has a rich history and a promising future.  Whether you're looking for live music, vintage shopping, locally sourced food or a walk in the hills, Sheffield has it all.  There is just so much to share about Sheffield.  I feel this is just the beginning.

Hipstamatic diaries

Yay for summer!  It's this time of year Sheffield becomes it's greenest, so we take every opportunity to soak it all in whilst we can.  I also took this opportunity to take up one of my birthday goals and use my camera app - in particular the 'Hipstamatic' app.

Hipstamatic is definitely the app I've invested the most money in - I get pretty excited when they release new lenses and covers, but hardly ever get use out of it... what's that about?  Well I'm changing that, starting here.  Hello new feature!

Posing (with friends)

 

This posing malarky isn't getting any easier you know.  I still feel a bit silly asking Floyd to take my picture... I really want to get over this personal barrier, so I'm sticking with it.  I had a little help this time from my friend Dave.  He was pretty keen to get involved and made it a lot more fun!

As you can see the sun decided to show it's face.  It's feeling more like summer here in Sheffield.  I'm enjoying walking to work without a coat, turning my electric blanket off, eating ice-lollies and having salads for dinner.  I'm counting down the days until Glastonbury (2 weeks!!) - so excited, I can't even begin to tell you how much.  It's my first time, so I'm going with open eyes ready to take it all in.  Are you going to any festivals this summer?

Walking

I've said this before, but I feel so lucky to live where I do.  Right on my doorstep is this!  Miles and miles of beautiful landscape to explore and behold.  Since moving here, me and Floyd have really gotten into taking long walks in the countryside.  Breathing in the fresh air, feeling the cool wind against our faces and really appreciating what Mother nature has given us.  As I keep saying - lucky.

It was Floyd's birthday a couple of weeks ago, so to celebrate he gathered a few of our good friends and suggested a long walk in the Peaks followed by some real ale and some grub; and that's exactly what we did (grub and ale not pictured).  We started our journey in one of Sheffield's gems - 'The Tap'.  A place I want to go back and take a million more pictures of because it has so much character.

It was a great way to celebrate his special day and I'm sure all would agree it was a big success (rain and wind included).  I can't wait until next time.