Homemade envelopes from maps

I was digging out a local leaflet to include in letter when I found a few older map leaflets, and I’d also gained a few other map leaflets recently that I didn’t know what to do with either, tuen one morning I was inspired to make a few envelopes! I’ve got a couple of nice wooden envelope templates that make it easy.

The larger envelopes are made of maps of Derby, Shrewsbury, and the Science Museum in London, as well as the cover of an outdoor clothing catalogue. The smaller pocket envelopes are made from maps of the London underground, and Newstead Abbey gardens.

The Science Museum map is already on the way to a penfriend in the Netherlands who likes museums, and I’m planning to use the smaller envelopes to hold a few stickers or little flat gifts. It’s a really easy way to personalise a letter 🙂

Decorated dining chair

Most of my dining chairs are at least second hand basic folding Ikea chairs, but when I moved I bought a single decent chair with the intention of eventually having a fun and mismatched set of seating. I also intended to decorate the chair and brighten up the plain wood, and on the last bank holiday I started the transformation. It’s taken until now to get it finished and varnished but it’s definitely more fun now!

The boring ‘before’ chair

And the final result!

The colours were chosen to match the pink and red in a nice decoupage paper I had, and the colours and styling were designed to go with the dining table I painted a while ago, with metallic cross bars and colour on the bottom of the legs. The colours are called ‘coral crush’ and ‘summer pudding’ (which was more crimson than expected) – paint colours have such wonderful names! There’s also a coat of varnish to protect the paper and colours.

I just walked back into my kitchen and saw the chair sitting in the sunlight and thought ‘oooh look at that!’ so I think the effort was worth it! Next on the decorating list: the wooden stand my printer sits on – I already have the paint and paper ready and waiting 🙂

Earls Hill views

 

Earls Hill and Pontesford Hill are located near Pontesbury, Shropshire. It’s a steep climb for amazing views across Shropshire and over to Wales. There are 2 Iron Age hill forts up there, a perfect position to defend yourself against the neighbours, and the earthworks and embankments are still clearly defined.

Ordnance Survey/ Bing maps

Look at the contours on that! I’m so unfit, it was really hard work to get up there, but definitely worth it 🙂