Socialising through #BeckBromFL on Twitter I have found great local businesses and lovely people. Ami, of Angelcasts happens to fit both of those criteria! I have been in awe of her wonderful casting creations for a long while. Coming from an artistic background myself, I can appreciate on many levels the kind of talent, hard work and love that goes into each and every cast Ami takes. I’d been thinking for a good while what I would like to have and hearing about Ami’s Imprint Kits I instantly knew it was this that would work for us as a family. I met Ami at the SE20 Craft Fair, had a natter, pawed over her gorgeous array of multicoloured casts of teeny weenie feet and picked up my kit! The kids and I decided on a crafting day to imprint both of their hands as keepsakes, which I documented for you, so… here is our experience with the wonderful Angelcast’s Imprint Kit. First things first, the packaging is gorgeous, thick textured card and wire-rimmed ribbon make this product feel and look luxurious. Plus, I’m a big fan of green in design - so I’m bound to be biased! Inside the box, we had everything we needed. A protective sheet to make sure my surfaces weren’t marked whilst rolling the clay. A wooden knife and rolling pin (which were both simply adorable in their slightly mini-size), some beautiful ribbon for hanging/decoration and of course, the clay - securely wrapped in plastic wrapping and an organza bag. The most important thing of course is the instructions, which were easy to follow and clear for both I and my 10 year old to comprehend. I decided to remove my rings and roll my sleeves before cutting and rolling, which is a good tip as my hands did get a bit mucky. It’s easy to wash off of course, but I’m a bit of a drama-queen when it comes to having grit or dirt (or clay!) in my rings. Cutting, rolling and moulding the clay was super-easy. It was the perfect consistency and easy to fold up and roll again when I hadn’t given myself enough the first two times. So once we had rolled out a sufficient amount of clay for my eldest’s hand print, we decided to bite the bullet and try a print! Ami explains in her instructions that if you make an imprint you are not overly keen on, you can simply roll or fold the clay and start all over again. It really couldn’t be easier (or more fun!). Making the imprint was again as easy as described. We started by applying pressure from the base of the palm of his hand, working our way to each individual finger. Once we were satisfied he’d pushed as much as we could, we gently peeled back my eldest’s fingers one by one, then palm… to reveal our imprint! We were both really happy with the result! We then rolled out another piece of clay and got my toddler involved! I have to admit I was slightly nervous that he’d throw a tantrum, refuse to touch it or even it eat it (all three highly likely) but once he was sat on my lap and had had a good look at the clay, he was intrigued and surprised enough by the doughy cold texture that he let me press his hand firmly into it, just as I had done with my eldest. Gently peeling back his hand revealed another super print! We sat as a three in our kitchen, huddled over our imprinted pieces of clay discussing the fingerprints, shapes and textures on both of their hands, it was truly fascinating and a really bonding, fun experience! As I type this, our imprints are drying in the kitchen, a simple process
which just involves leaving them until they turn white and hard on one side, then gently turning them over so that the back dries in the same way. It seems such a simple thing but I am so chuffed to have a little piece of both my boys life as they stand now. I can imagine looking back at the imprints in 5, 10, 20 years, when memories of just how *tiny* their hands used to be are fading. Putting my own hands in their prints and reminiscing about all the hand swings, rounds of applause and kisses I’ve given those little paws… so thank you Ami and Angelcasts for allowing me to capture that moment in time. Find out more about Ami’s work at her website: www.angelcasts.co.uk Follow Angelcasts on twitter @angelcastshelp Like Angelcasts on Facebook: www.facebook.com/angelcastshelp
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I remember my first experience of Garden Of Pomegranates well. The #BeckBromFL Twitter hashtag was alight with locals raving about a wonderful woman who had true healing hands and an amazing setting where these magic hands do their work. Over weeks, then months, of Tweeting and sharing I began to feel like I’d known Nathalie for a lifetime. The positive reviews kept on coming for her unique Ayurvedic massage therapy and I was now a regular visitor to her website Garden Of Pomegranates pouring over the wealth of amazing treatments to be had, whilst building up a lovely friendship. On Friday the Of March, I was lucky enough to experience the true healing of Nathalie's hands myself! I was booked to have an extended Pada Abhyanga (foot and leg massage). On arriving at Garden Of Pomegranates, i was instantly made to feel at home. Nathalie, just as i had imagined, is a wonderfully warm, friendly, caring and attentive host, looking after my coat, offering me tea and water and being patient with me when i took forever filling out the pre-massage forms on my health! I also made friends with Nathalie's gorgeous fluffy cat, who sleepily watched over me as i filled my forms and sipped some delicious ice cold water. Once my history and health was all wrapped up, Nathalie took me into the treatment room. The rest of the house had already been gorgeous but this, this was something else. Plush fabrics and rich colours filled the room, the mood lighting was amazing - soft light and warmth beaming from an open fire. I was stunned. Nathalie left me to get prepared, on to the treatments table and under the gorgeously soft blanket. Once i was ready, she came in and began. I will not describe the massage process here as it is something i cannot explain with words alone. The soft ambiance of music trickling in the background coupled with the glow from the fire, whilst being gently massaged over my aching legs and swollen feet can only be described as true bliss. For the hour or so i was being treated, i drifted in and out of light sleep, images flowing through my mind of times past, colours, patterns, my pains drifting away. Nathalie had a fantastic intuition and knew where every ache and sensitivity was in my legs and feet. I could have laid there all day, chilled out in my own little piece of paradise. The time came for my treatment to end and i felt amazing. I was sleepy but refreshed in a way i haven't been for longer than i can remember. I felt as if were floating out of the treatment room. Nathalie offered me a cup of tea and to have a relax before venturing into the cold grey world outside but sadly i had to leave due to other commitments that day. I will definitely be taking her up on the offer on my next visit! Garden Of Pomegranates is a true hidden Nirvana in South-East England. I have recommended Nathalie to all of my friends and family and urge you to treat yourself to an experience with her, it is one you will never forget and will not regret. Follow Nathalie on Twitter @gardenofpomegra and Facebook www.facebook.com/GardenofPomegranates |
Who is Julie?30 something, mother of two gorgeous boys, lover of one gorgeous husband, perpetually living in a dream world full of wine, chocolate and artsy crafty things. Archives
February 2018
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