When it comes to occasions, some people focus on the food, others the music or the outfit – me – it’s the decor and the invitation. My birthday was a great excuse to indulge in this hobby. The invitation was a quirky take on a train ticket with the date being hole punched. I went for a fresh natural slightly coastal look –white translucent bunting, black and white photos, blue striped runner, quirky blue plates and beautiful pebbles. I invited about 18 local village friends for champagne, croissants and chocolate cake and there was a great atmosphere with lots of laughter, chatter and sparkle. On Saturday night I celebrated with a family dinner party (and the same decor). The table was set with a herb plant and a ‘memory’ pebble for each guest to take home. Everyone had received a tag to fill in about ‘What’s fab about 40’ and ‘What is not so hot about 40’. The answers varied from the profound to the hilarious. Profound included “You are young enough to still enjoy some of the benefits of youth and old enough not to jump straight into the pitfalls!” And what is not hot about 40? “The grey and the sag!” Someone wrote the same answer to both questions – “You still have a lot to learn”. My husband wrote that he has finally reached the age he was born for!
Photos: Emily Macaulay, Tessa Case
I had a big change this week. I entered a new decade and turned 40 and these photos hanging on a line represent my life. I can’t help but reflect and recognise that I can no longer do anything I want. I won’t be a business woman running an empire (do I want that – not really). I won’t live in a house with acres and vistas (do I care – not really). What is precious and important to me? My faith, my husband and children, creative challenges, my family and my friends. Friends to laugh with, to cry with, to pray with, to shop with. Friends to run village events with, friends to cycle with and knit with, friends to giggle and gossip with and friends to advise and counsel me. I shall remember one friend’s wise words “Enjoy being 40 – it is a fruitful season.”
My sister, Megan Kerr, an author and editor is aiming to publish The Writers’ Greenhouse: Story Elements which is a book of games and activities to assist creative writing and for writers’ group. It is fun, creative process-learning based around key elements of story architecture and will help writers learn new principles, try fresh approaches, and collaborate. The finished book will have 50+ hours of writing activities and because they’re photocopiable, you only need one copy between your writers’ group or for your classes.
Cornish Colour. I am squeaking in just in time with this challenge as we are just back from holiday.
A delicate luncheon of nectar!
Somehow austerity measures have sunk in and the last two weeks of 
I have designed another personalised artwork for a client with key words of her husband’s history incorporating special places where he has lived, his hobbies and important dates. We included a Hebrew font which adds texture as well as another layer of meaning as he is Jewish and the word in the Latin alphabet is’ahava’ which when translated is ‘love’.
I am half way through the 
This is a longing in all of us no matter how young we are to create a safe place – a home. It may be cardboard boxes, or a rug thrown over a table or a den made of sticks.
I have completed a commission to design an artwork of meaningful words. As a birthday gift for her brother, my client gave me the words that I laid out in a 21cm square format. It was interesting to create a design purely from words especially as I didn’t know the memories behind them. The design needed a focal point so I took a chance and enlarged the amusing word ‘eels’ and added the punctuation for emphasis. We discussed colour and felt that blues and greys would work well for her brother and also for the choice of watery words and the sports that he so obviously enjoys. It has a lovely marine blue frame with an inner mount of bright blue. The 40th birthday gift was a complete hit and a few tears were shed when it was unwrapped. I was delighted that her thoughtful loving gift was so well received.
Button wreaths, decorative biscuits, robins and stars. I am enjoying a little creativity with sewing and in the kitchen as well as in the studio. Below is my gift for festive events this year.
Whether it is a drinks party, a Christmas coffee morning or a gift for a school teacher, it is always special to give something handmade.
How do I design a poster fast but effectively? As a graphic designer I am asked to do voluntary design for our village and above was my solution for the children’s Christmas party which will include animal encounters. I was rather pleased with the results although gratefully inspired by Lauren Child’s illustrations in her Charlie and Lola books. I am far better at designing than baking cakes – that is for sure!
