30 June 2012

Flowery Prose

It seems like, after last week's wintery weather, summer has finally crept back into our garden - like the garden of Oscar Wilde's selfish giant, only without the religious symbolism. There seem to be new flowers popping up everywhere, and our raspberry and strawberry plants are suddenly filled with ruby red morsels of goodness- taking me completely by surprise; which is why the Eating Berries for Breakfast score is currently Woodlice - 42 Katie - 18. I clearly need to bring my berry-pickin' A-game this summer. 

Somewhat ironically, my favourite thing about having flowers in the garden is picking them to fill vases, jugs and bottles to put in our house. I certainly don't have a natural eye for floristry, but they say practice makes perfect- and luckily for me I have a fair few flowers left to practice with before I've picked them all!


But what to do when over-zealous flower-picking and/or autumn means there are no flowers left for me to put in the house? As you've probably guessed by now, I'm not a fan of spending money on things I consider expensive, and flowers cost loads of money and then die. 

Until recently, I wouldn't have counted myself as a fan of fake flowers; thinking my only option for faux blooms would be the polyester ones that seem to be gathering dust in retirement homes across the country. But I loved the idea of having pretty posies in my house all year round... and then I discovered these beauties!



The tutorial and pattern for these stunning paper flowers can be found here. It looks quite time-consuming, but certainly not difficult. The perfect in-front-of-the-TV craft, I reckon!

How do you feel about displaying flowers in your home? If you display them, do you prefer real or fake flowers?

23 June 2012

The Skulls and Ponies Make Something Swap - Part 2

I am very excited to announce I've now received my Skulls and Ponies craft swap presents from the lovely Louise over at Craftyguider- and they are absolutely B*E*A*U*TIFUL!! If you read my previous post, you'll know that I made Louise an "I love sewing" sampler- which she seemed very happy about (hurrah!). So, what did Louise make me? Are you ready?



Ta-DA!

Beautiful shabby-chic oven mitts, to combine my love of all things Cath Kidston and baking lots of sweet treats

The gloves are so incredibly well made I'm a little blown away. Seriously- they are better quality than things I have PAID FOR IN SHOPS. They've even got "Handmade for you" labels in :) Adorable, right?


And extra little tags I can use to hang them up in my kitchen- with union jacks on! Who doesn't love a bit of kitsch in the kitchen?



How lucky am I?! :) And they're going to go perfectly with the Batman apron Fran made me for my birthday last year; a perfect representation of how I attempt to balance my desire to be a 50's-style housewife with my secret alter ego..

Have you taken place in a swap before? I think I've caught the swapping bug and would love to take part in some more- please do send me your recommendations!

16 June 2012

Malted Milks and Stargazy Pie

Hello all

I hope you're having a lovely weekend! 

First of all, as you may have noticed, I've given my blog a make-over! Please do let me know what you think :)

I'm pleased to say my crafting spree continues- and now that we've finally finished decorating our landing and hallway I'm very excited about hanging up lots of photographs (including some by my very talented boyfriend), embroidery, and artwork. 

I bought this little gem from Nikki McWilliams over at Folksy;






I spent yesterday evening scribbling away with my trusty colouring pencils to create my own version of this beautiful print. I absolutely love it, but not £75 worth of love.... 

I'm pretty pleased with how it's come out; and I think it looks rather cute in this second hand picture frame I've painted with cream emulsion. The frame doesn't have any glass in it, but I think that adds to the seaside-y look. 





I love the phrase "stargazy" - it sounds utterly magical; and it reminds me of a story from my childhood- The Mousehole Cat, by Antonia Barber, which mentions stargazy pie.

I've got my eye on a few other bits and pieces to make our home as zoo-like as possible (full of animals, ice-creams, and happy faces- I hope!) including this awesome Pink Elephant Lamp from Graham and Green






Although, obviously, I'll be attempting to make my own budget-friendly versions. I have a feeling some of my future blog posts may feature papier-mache and whittling...

Have you got any pieces of artwork you are particularly proud to display? I would love to see them!

14 June 2012

Getting my crafting mojo back

In addition to being AWOL from this blog for most of April and May, I also found myself experiencing a crafting drought. I just didn't feel at all inspired to pick up a needle, felt-tip, paintbrush, or tube of glitter glue- despite spending a lot of time looking at brilliant arty blogs such as Musings from the Pigeons Nest, Doll Doll Dolly, Matsutake and Color Mr Katie (that girl is just put-me-in-your-pocket ADORABLE). 

I honestly don't know what I spent all that time doing (although I expect the huge bum-dent in the sofa and the suspiciously empty chocolate tin speak for themselves), but after finally finishing my crafty gift for the Skulls and Ponies Craft Swap, I think that *whispers* my crafting mojo is well and truly back! Hurrah! 

I spent the whole weekend leaping from one project to the next like an over-enthusiastic frog. Here are some of the things I made;



A teeny-tiny embroidered picture - inspired by the brilliant 365 Lucky Days project





Painted second hand picture frames to make a collage of art up our stairs.


A rather psychedelic cushion for one of our dining chairs (upcycled from a garden seat pad), complete with lovely ribbon bows...



Technically I didn't make this, but I put it together myself using tools and everything(!) And I painted the wall that lovely snot green colour. 

What have you made recently? Please do share- I would love to see!

11 June 2012

The Skulls and Ponies Make Something Swap

As I mentioned in my post about April and May, I've recently been working on a crafty present for the lovely Louise of Craftyguider as my contribution to the Skulls and Ponies Make Something Swap

It's now finally finished, and Louise has seen it (and, thankfully, she loved it- hurrah!) so I can show you lovely lot what I made...


"I love sewing"; because she does. 

I decided to frame it, so Louise could hang it straight on the wall. 

And obviously I had to wrap it nicely before I sent it :)
I had a lot of fun designing the sampler for Louise; and taking part in the swap. I'll show you all a picture of my present from Louise just as soon as Mr Postie shows up with it :) 

Have you taken part in a craft swap before? What did you make, and what did you receive?

3 June 2012

Preparing for sunshine and babies (not mine!)

So... have you lovely lot been enjoying the blazing sunshine of the last few weeks? 

I have to admit that the real reason sunshine makes me happy is because it makes other people happy- and I do like seeing my peeps with big smiles on their lovely faces :) 

Unfortunately, my pasty skin burns easier than 3am drunken-munchies toast; despite wearing factor 50(!) suncream. So, for me, summer time means covering up, sitting in the shade, and eating lots of ice-cream (there's no medical proof it prevents sunburn, but you can never be too careful...)

The silver lining to the cloud(less summer sky) is that with my new-ish Proper Grown Up Job I've been forced to go shopping for some sophisticated summer work clothes; and I have decided that 2012 is the year I will start wearing full length skirts and dresses, like a proper grown up! My favourite find so far was a £14 skirt from Primark, that looks exactly like one I was eyeing up in Zara. 


Basically like this, but not 60 English pounds
The other preparations I've been lucky enough to take part in are MUCH more exciting than sunshine. My lovely friend (and Work Mum, from my previous job) and her equally lovely other half have been approved as adoptive parents; and will very soon be welcoming a teeny tiny toddler into their family. 

To make their new little one feel instantly at home, they asked me to put my art skills to use painting some murals on the nursery walls. Apparently their son-to-be loves Bob the Builder and Thomas the Tank Engine (who doesn't?!) so I spent two very enjoyable evenings mixing together tiny paint sample pots to create the pictures below; and being paid for my efforts with delicious home-made lasagne :) 





It's amazing how much more fun decorating is when you're drawing cartoon characters. I might see if Tom will let me paint dinosaurs in our hallway rather than just painting it green. 

Have any of you bought any new summery dresses you're excited about showing off on the beach/at work/on holiday? Or painted any murals for the babies in your lives? I would love to see pictures!