It feels like a dream…

So, so proud to say that I am an award winner.

With my business Elizabeth Orridge Photography, I’m a member of the Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 business group, and last week they held their annual awards.

I’m usually the one behind the camera (Weddings, Family and Newborn Portraits etc) but for this night, it was I who went to the ball.

Myself, my boyfiend Sean and my Parents glammed up and we rocked up to the John Fretwell Complex.
I had my hair and makeup done (thanks so much Lauren Hamilton and Ema Brown for my fabulous makeover).

 

WOW. Just WOW.

What a fab night it was for the business community to get together to celebrate some amazing work.

 

And I am so, so proud to say that I won an award for Commitment to the Community.
I say I won, but we all know really that everything I have done has been a community effort.
And what an effort it was:

- I taught myself how to Sew, and made 1,000+ items for front line workers, including uniform wash bags, face coverings and ear protectors.

- Collected £2100 for John Eastwood Hospice

- Organised food donations for 134 food hampers for underprivileged families in 4 weeks for Christmas 2020

- Organised collection of 1,000+ new and used books to fill a school library in our area

Raising money and awareness is a team sport.

This award is for every single one of you who has supported me, shared a post, tagged a friend or spread the word, dropped off books, food or collected masks!

WE all made this happen, so the award I accepted is really our award, for when the world stopped, Mansfield came together and I couldn’t be prouder <3

 

Some quick mentions too for Ella at Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 for pulling the awards night together. Big respect to everyone who took part and all the winners. A particular mention for Martin Rigley, a well-known businessman and community person who was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award.

 

What great places Mansfield and Ashfield are.

All my love, Elizabeth x

 

ps, here are a-few photographs from the evening: 

 

 

 

Bridal Bouquets are a key part of every Wedding. 

 

But it is a shame that you cannot keep them forever, as they only last 24/48hours.....

One of my Clients Charlotte Wharmby posted online how she had managed to preserve her Wedding Flowers in resin. and with her permission we are sharing the step by step process she used to make her gorgeous Resin heart. 

 

Here is Charlotte & Gaz on their Wedding day (see flowers)
and here is the resin heart Charlotte made herself, which is absolutely gorgeous !

 

Charlotte has kindly offered to share her experience and top tips.

 

Step by step guide:

1. Snip flowers and foliage from bouquet whilst they are fresh (recommend more than needed so you have options)

 

2. Put in air tight container and cover with silica gel for at least a week until dried - this helps preserve the colour and shape more than if they are air dried or pressed

 

3. Arrange in layers but remember you will be arranging them upside down in the mold

4. Mix resin (instructions for ratios will vary resin:hardener) and pour a thin layer approx 1cm deep into the mold

5. Use a heat gun to disperse any big air bubbles

6. Allow approx 15mins for first layer to begin setting/hardening then arrange first couple of layers of flowers and pour another layer of resin 1-2cm deep

 

 

7. Leave to harden for at least a couple of hours - if you pour too much resin too quickly the chemical reaction will cause to much heat and your resin may crack

8. Repeat process of layering flowers and resin allowing a couple of hours between each layer

 

 

9. Once all flowers are covered by the  resin and it has fully set, you can de-mold your masterpiece

 

Top tips:

- Add a small sprinkle of glitter to a couple of layers

- Try drying a full variety of flowers/foliage as some work better than others

- Also some flowers/foliage from your husband/wife's buttonhole/bouquet

- For someone else to do this, it would cost £150, we managed it for £80

- It took 2 days to complete.

- watch afew youtube videos first, to better understand the process and materials.

 

"We love our Resin heart, and it has pride and place in our home" - Charlotte Wharmby

 

Thank you so much Charlotte for sharing your crafting tips and tricks!
Please let me know if you follow this guide, and how you get on ! Xx