Tuesdays Culture Vulture: Tomorrow's Harvest

Last night I tuned in with 22,000 others to listen to the 'Live Transmission' of Board of Canada's new album Tomorrows Harvest.

It's been 8 years since BOC have released any new material, and I've been a fan since the early days of Music Has The Right To Children, so was keen to hear how their sound might have changed from the glory days of '90/00's IDM (Intelligent Dance Music!) to the current Radio 1 friendly, EDM (Electronic Dance Music!) And in my one sentence review: Disconnected and Dystopian. Mmm, a new genre and acronym all in one, DaD (DaD music - which seems appropriate as since having kids, this is the nearest I've got to a live gig in ages)!

Boards of Canada have always have had a ‘unique’ approach to performing – rarely appearing live and in the case of this album, setting up speakers in the middle of the desert and revealing the coordinates to fans.

Anyway, I’ve ordered the vinyl – have a listen and see what you think, its not as melodic and tuneful as their early work, but maybe Tomorrows Harvest's DaD feel is a sign of the times.

Our Little Piece of Paradise......

Our Garden!!

Sunny weekends usually means time in our garden, although a lot of hard work it is also a place where we can sit and chill out in the sun by the river.

 We spent most of the morning and afternoon planting out more vegetables and doing a general tidy up!

We finished the day off with a well deserved BBQ :)

Great Rock Co-op

It's always great to find a friendly independent shop right on your doorstep!  The Great Rock Co-op has only been open since April, and is already creating a buzz in the Calder Valley as being a fantastic place to pick up locally sourced produce and home made goodies.

So with it being a beautiful Spring morning, we set off from our home at the foot of the valley up towards The Great Rock a local popular walking route, knowing there would be delicious treats and goodies waiting at the end of the journey :)

The walk takes you through some beautiful locations in Higher Eastwood, but not recommended when you have a toddler that refuses to walk more than 10 yards! Worth the view and sore thighs:)

The store opens from 10am until 2pm - We arrived at around 10.15am and it was already a queue forming and products selling fast! I think what we really appreciate -  and what is clearly popular -  is a return to more traditional way to shop, which isn't simply about 'convenience'.

Our purchases included the mouth water-watering Medici Macarons gift pack with a perfect assortment of macaroons, my personal favourite being salted caramel. Also in our backpack of goodies were some elderflower wine from Luddenden Valley Wines which will be crack open as soon as laptop is switched off.....

All in all it was a beautiful little hike (beside having to piggyback a 3 year old up a steep hill and down again), picturesque views, delicious local home made food and drinks- happy days!

Friday Feature: My Paper Cut Heart

Today’s Feature is a very talented artist and paper cutter- Enjoy getting to know her!

1) What is your business name and give a brief description of your business?

My business is called My Papercut Heart; I create pencil drawn hand cut paper cut illustrations.

2) Where do you sell your products?

I sell mostly from my facebook page...I am a new company and I live in a relatively remote area so the internet works well for me. I also have pieces in a local gallery in Brecon.

visit FB here 

3) What do you enjoy the most about your work?

I love the complete freedom my customers allow me when I’m creating my commission pieces...As an artist this is a wonderful endorsement to be given free rein on creativity

4) How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as very free-flowing, whimsical....with a nod to fairytales and a smidge of humour!

5) Where is your studio?

I live in a little 1 up 1 down cottage so I work from the downstairs room...as a single mum this is perfect as I’m in the thick of it with my daughter!

6) Tell us, how did you got started?    

I have always been creative, but discovered paper cutting after experimenting making Christmas cards for my family and friends last year. People started asking me to make things for them and it has taken off from there....A very happy accident.

7) Biography

I was born in Wiltshire, at the age of 19 I moved onto my narrow boat 'Ruby Tuesday' and travelled the country. I taught myself to sign write and the art of traditional canal boat art. In 2010 my daughter was born and I wanted to settle somewhere...Last year I moved to Mid Wales in the stunning Cambrian Mountains, and decided I needed a new craft to pay the bills and subsidise adventures. Inspired by the scenery I started sketching and cutting animals and landscapes...And that is where my latest venture was born.