San Francisco... the city of hills!

After our fabulous trip in New York had come to a sad end... we hopped onto a 6 hour internal flight to San Francisco! 

Ive never been to California before so this part of the holiday super excited me...

We decided to stay at Fisherman's Warf which is the coastal part of the city, known for its amazingly fresh sea food, sea lions and breezy sea winds (and breezy they are!) 

We only got to stay here for a couple of days as we were set to start our road trip to San Diego soon... but to be honest a couple of days was just enough time for us to see the seaside sights :D

On our first day (after a totally scrumptious breakfast of granola, yoghurt and fresh cinnamon toast at the most amazing bakery called Boudin...) We tried to head to the pier to hop on a boat to Alcatraz... turns out we were a bit naive in thinking it was that easy- It is after all one of San Francisco's main attractions! 

So after skipping up to the booking desk- all merry and hyped up off granola and STRONG coffee- and being told the next free trip was next month... needless to say we were gutted! That was one trip I really was looking forward to....

Still as one door closes, another opens and we spent the day exploring the city by foot instead!

 Whilst exploring, we ended up casually coming across some stairs we decided to climb...(which turned out to be LOTS of stairs that never seemed to end!) At the top of these steps ended up being Coit tower which is a tall light-house like building which overlooks the whole of San Francisco at a 360 degree angle- it was amazing being able to see the entire skyline... and Alcatraz too (at least we got to see it a little bit!)

 

We then headed up through China town and towards Union Square- which although is very lovely, is just like any City really with its big shops and cafe's. Still we walked it all and then back towards the coast again with The Goldengate Bridge in sight... 

4 miles later we just about made it to the bridge! You can get bikes to make this journey a bit quicker, but it was such a lovely walk along the coast... walking seemed fine at the time (though my blisters have since proved me wrong on that!)

After finally getting on the bridge- I had a sudden realisation that I had to face my fear of heights... again! (Why is everything in America so tall?!)

So after clutching to the inside handle rail (the rail AWAY from the edge...) for most of the journey- getting in everyone's way... we only made it to the first post, But coincidentally that was just enough for me anyway! 

So we jumped on the next bus and went back to the Warf for one last Clam Chowder (so yummy) before passing out in our hotel... 10 miles walking and too many tall things can take it's toll on a girl! 

The next day we went back to Union Square to be reunited with my sister, her boyfriend and our family friends (who happen to be in the California for their jollies too!) So we had a few mint teas and  lapped up a bit of sunshine with them before we had to set off again to pick up our rental car and begin the part if our next journey... road tripping it down Route 1 and along the Coastline to San Diego!
Phew... hopefully I might get a bit more rest on this part if the trip- then again maybe not!

Will let you know how it goes... (If I don't suddenly decide to drop everything and fulfil my life long dream of becoming a famous California surfer babe that is!) Hmmm me thinks perhaps not!
Speak then you groovy lot :D
xxx

New York Continued...

On our 3rd day in New York, we decided to head out to the coastal side and go see the loveliness that is The Statue of Liberty... (You have to don't you!)

I have to admit she was smaller then I expected... but she is still one cracking sized lady! And the views from the boat of New York where incredible!

On the way back into the centre, we decided to stop off at ground zero... a decision I originally was unsure of because I thought- given the context- that it might not be the most uplifting place... turns out I was completely wrong and I am SO glad I went in! Not only was it really interesting,  it was really rather beautiful and the effort the people behind the scenes have gone to for the people who died in 9/11 was really inspiring... like these white roses for instance, which they place on the names of those who's birthday it would have been on that day... 

Carrying on from there we took ourselves (and our aching feet) up towards Soho and Little Italy... which by a nice coincidence happened to be the holding place for a fantastic food event for the next 2 weeks! Everything was completely rammed with people and smelt like burnt corn and pretzels... it was awesome!

To finish off the night we had booked ourselves some tickets for Matilda on Broadway (well it would be rude not to!)

...$14 for a tiny cup of wine- each! But it was worth it! The songs were all written by Tim Minchen... and the choreography was on another level! Seriously amazing... I laughed so hard!

On the final day we decided to take it slightly easier and just go to the main art museum and then hang around Central park and Central Park Zoo... little did we know, however that Sunday's in the park were open to a whole host of talented New York folk dancing, singing and roller-blading all over the show! Not to mention the size of the Art museum with its many floors and serious art pieces... 10 hours later and our feet are literally worn down to nubs... but it was very worth it- a perfect end to a great city...

Next stop we are off to San Francisco for a couple of days before getting in our hire car and heading down the coast for a week towards L.A... shall definitely be taking some pictures there so will update you any free chance I get :D

Hope your having a great Monday!

X

New York baby!!!

I just wanted to send you a quick update on my USA trip!

So far we have been in New York for 3 day... and minus the rather horrendous travelling to get here beforehand (it took us about 18 hours altogether) its been bloody marvy! 

Ive been to New York before in my uni days, but I dont remember it like this! The weather is scorching and everyone is walking around in their stylish dresses and flats with a starbucks in their hand (of course!)

So far we have walked EVERYWHERE and my feet feel like they are going to fall off! I have already gone through my converse just by walking through Central Park alone!

We also hippety hopped over to The National History Museum (yes the one from Night at the Museum!) 

It was truly amazing and awe inspiring! I could have stayed there all night (but obviously we know from the film that that wouldn't be the best idea!)

Next stop was a spot of shopping down 5th ave (yeh right!) And a visit to the HUGE toy shop... literally the best toy shop I have ever been to! (If only I were 6 again...)

Then of course no trip is complete without a go up the Empire State Building!

I have been up before... but at night, this time it was wonderfully windy and you could see for miles! Given that im super scared of heights you would think this would be my worst nightmare... and you would be right! My legs turned jelloid and I very nearly couldn't go outside- but I managed a quick burst of courage... and managed to get this one lovely pic (yes just the one!)

We are back out today for more exciting ventures so hopefully I will have more to show you then... (when I get a minute to breathe!) 

Toodles for now!

X

Just a quicky!

We have exciting news here at Felt Mountain Studios! 

And although I am literally about to set sail to the USA on a 3 week super break... I really wanted to share it with you (I know I am so nice!)

The Problem is I actually can't share too much as it is supposed to be a secret until it is out soooooo what I am going to do is give you a clue as to what our exciting news is...

so here goes!

Yes that is a man... with a camera... out our house!

And that is all I can say!

Haha hope you guessed it! Will keep you updated when the secret is revealed!

xxx

All things grow with love...

I just wanted to share with you another of my recent commissions that I had to manically finish off before I went off on Holiday to America... tomorrow!

I love this business (who doesn't love flowers?)

And it was such a joy to design!

Search for it on Facebook (Slawitflowers) and take a peep at the lovely jam jar wild flower bouquets- gorgeousness!

That's all for now!

Toodles!

xxx

Mac I love you...

Having my new Mac computer (oh did I forget to mention I had that? It's huuuuge and super duper!) 

Well anyway, having that means that I had to re-teach myself how to use a computer all over again! (Mac's are confusing!)

Still this has not been a bad thing, as with the new computer came new design programmes too... and now where I once was a bit techno-phobic (and slightly behind I have to admit) when it came to certain programmes, now means I am working at tip top quality!

With that I have found that my designs too have changed, for instance it is now SUPER easy to make patterns- hense me designing so many willy nilly! Plus I seemed to have come across a whole new array of colours (Who knew there would be so many different colours of pink!)

This was one of the first commission designs I did when I finally got to grip with the workings of it all, and I have to admit I love it :) The colours are so much brighter, and everything is just that little bit clearer! So no going back now... 

Mac I love you!

A bit of magic...

I have had a lot of commissions to keep me busy over the past few months, some different to my usual style and some completely different to that!

One re-design I have just started is for for The Old Coach House Healing centre (which happens to be 20 yards from my studio home!)

This is just a sneak peek of the beginnings of their website design... and the theme is Magic!

Summer time!

If you have looked outside at all the past couple of months you might have noticed that... Summer's here! 

(Well technically it has been here for a while now... but non the less!)

So inspired by the sunshine and the gazillions of smoothies I have been making (partly as a health kick and partly because they just taste so good!) I decided to come up with some summer inspired patterns... using mainly fruit, wild flowers and trees :)

Hope you like! They are all available in my Etsy shop in some form or another :)