Sunday

A little slice of my Sunday. 

1. Yesterday I planted a strawberry pot! I am hoping that I can grow at least a handful of strawberries from the plants we have. There'll be something satisfying about growing my favourite fruit! Kneeling in the sun with mud on my hands yesterday afternoon was nice enough even if my attempts are not very fruitful! (These strawberries are from my fruit greetings card)

2. The other day I found this recipe for an orange and rhubarb cake. I don't bake very often but this was a different choice for me. There was no chocolate in sight! Now my cake didn't look as aesthetically pleasing as the pictures on The Kitchen Paper (my Instagram picture proves this) but it was still a very tasty cake to eat.

3. I stumbled across a painting not long ago which led me to this blog. I wish I could remember which painting I first saw because it perfectly captured a thought of mine. I spent a little while browsing a few of these personal messages yesterday. They convey big ideas and make you think.

4. Yesterday I baked and I cooked. Good Food is a great go to for recipes and this Fruity pork steak was a hit in my house. With red onions, apples and a five spice dusting to the pork it had a great flavour!

I hope you had a good weekend!

Katie

Big Birthday Celebrations

It seems like I have put a birthday hat on almost every animal however it wasn’t until I was brainstorming a birthday card design for a friend’s mum that I realised I’d never made an elephant birthday card. I’d definitely never put an elephant in a party hat!  I didn’t really know why considering elephants like these are some of the most popular greetings cards. I said I’d mock one up and see what my friends thought.

They were happy and I was even happier to alter the design slightly and add this fun card design to my stock. It picks up the same sparkly theme as my cupcakes and ice creams and uses some of my favourite summery colours. I am drawn to anything in these bright pastels!

This birthday card has already stemmed a number of other ideas that I plan to work on soon!

I hope you have a very good weekend!

Katie 

Lately

I'm taking a moment to appreciate the small things.

At one point last year I decided I wanted to have some plants. I had a couple of succulents and the poor little things didn't make it. I don't think I got the balance quite right when it came to watering! For my birthday earlier this year I was given (entrusted with) a few plants including a lovely hand painted pot of cacti. So far so good!

I first found this recipe for cheese and Marmite muffins when I wanted to bake but someone else was bringing pudding. On the few occasions I have made these cheesy treats they've been met with raised eyebrows. It takes a bite! And after that people are convinced. They've even won over a couple of 'hate it' Marmite people! A note to anyone who is making them - They look nothing like the picture. They look messy but taste good. Make sure you try them warm!

I've really been enjoying listening to Rag and Bone Man while I've been working this week. The perfect accompaniment to creating, admin and ticking jobs off the list!

Happy Wednesday!

Katie

Elsewhere

I know I've been a little quiet here lately.

Writing for my blog and sharing my creations and finds is something that I miss. I really hope to get back in the groove with regular posts but, in the mean time, I'd love it if you popped over to my Facebook or Instagram and gave them a like or a follow. You can see my latest greetings cards and I'll be sharing some Father's Day cards soon. As always, anything that you see is available to order and open to customisation.

Have a very lovely week!

Katie

Happy Easter!

I hope you're all having a good day!

David Hockney

At the weekend I visited the David Hockney retrospective at the Tate Britain. The exhibition showed his most well known works from across six decades. There were paintings, drawings, prints as well as the art he has done on an iPad.

What I enjoyed seeing was the development in Hockney's style, techniques and subject matter. It was good to see his iconic Los Angeles swimming pools alongside his bright Yorkshire landscapes. The latter were probably my favourites  and his charcoal sketches of a wood in Spring too. It was scenery I am familiar with and colours that I love.

It is nice to visit an art gallery or museum and find something you weren't expecting or didn't know much about. At the top of the stairs and through a doorway we found Forms in Space... by Light (in Time) It is an installation by Cerith Wyn Evans which you can't help but walk under and observe from different places around the room. You're not just looking at it because with every angle it changes. It is too detailed and complex to take in all at once.

I hope you have a good weekend exploring or taking it easy -  whatever you have planned!

Katie

Easter

I'm looking forward to the Easter weekend. It is a long weekend and I am hoping there will be plenty of time to spend with family and friends. 

For a long time I've spent Easter Sunday with family and this year won't be any different. I am sure there'll be some chocolate involved, cornflake cakes and a good catch up too! 

I have a few handcrafted Easter cards left! For 98p first class postage and the price of the card it could be with you by Wednesday or Thursday  - ready to send special springtime greetings!

Have a lovely week!

Katie 

DIY Greetings

I've lost track of how many people approach my table at craft fairs looking for cards for men. They're usually happy to see these greetings cards! But it is not just men who like to build, fix and put things right so if you're looking for a handmade card for the DIYer in your life - get in touch! 

These greetings cards are all made by hand to order so they can be customised by colour or with ages. They were originally inspired by my uncles who can both fix and mend things like no one else I know! 

Have a lovely evening!

Katie 

Instagram

Visit my instagram for more Katie Sarah on the day to day. I like to share my creations, finds, pictures of special places and blue skies there!

Have a lovely evening.

Katie 

April Craft Market

I'll be at Bourne End Community & Craft Market this Saturday 8th April from 10am - 1pm. I will have my Easter cards with me as well as a range of other greetings cards for all occasions.

I am always happy to take custom orders so, if you see a design but would like small changes making, never hesitate to ask. I can change a birthday hat from pink to blue or add a balloon etc. to most of my designs. I've always liked to send personalised cards so I understand and appreciate when someone considers those special touches.

I'll be at Bourne End Library on Saturday but in the meantime I hope you have a very good week.

Katie

Easter Greetings

Whatever the reason you celebrate or acknowledge Easter, I think it is a lovely time to send your good wishes. We've swapped Easter Eggs as a family for many years and Easter cards have always been a part of that.

This time of year is one of my favourites because these bright pastels are out in abundance. I love using these colours throughout the year but there is something nice about having them out in Spring. 

Each of my Easter greetings cards are individually crafted by me, by hand using a pair of scissors and coloured papers, and they are all available to buy. They are made to order so if there are any particular colours you'd like to include in a design you've seen, feel free to ask. I am always happy to work with you to create the greetings card you would like, and can send you pictures of what I have created throughout the process.

For more information, visit my Facebook page and message me there, or email me at katiesarah.makes@hotmail.co.uk.

Have a lovely evening!

Katie