A Crafting Drought

Well what with the move and feeling under the weather, crafting has been pushed to the back of my hectic life. However yesterday I managed to get the baby asleep and the eldest content at the same time (shock horror) I had a whole hour to sit and craft. Well I spend the first 50 mins deciding what to do and the last 10 mins adapting a design I created for the craft fair. Now i'm chomping at the bit to get started again much to the annoyance of my children.

1980's Fantasy Movie Craft Swap - Received

Well I finally have had a moment to blog about the amazing gifts I received by Caroline @ Seawood Designs from the 1980s Fantasy Movie Swap hosted by Meridian Ariel.

I have to say Caroline is such a lovely lady and also very talented to boot. I am over the moon with my goodies!

The image of the parcels was rushed to say the least, this was my first bit of post at my new home that didnt have a bill attached to it lol

I received some fab stash items, i'm not 100% sure what to do with them but the colours are just my style.    

Caroline made me the most amazing sketchbook/note pad using Lost Boys imagery, I was so in love with Keifer Sutherland after seeing this film. Included was a bookmark too which I desperately needed!                                                                                                                   

She gave me the most interesting book called the Faerie Oracle which included oracle cards, its very inspiring even just by looking at the illustrations. I knew of Brian Froud before this swap but thanks to Caroline I have learnt alot more.                                                                                                        

I also got two lovely pieces or jewellery, I don't wear bracelets very often due to my fat wrists so im really pleased to have something that fits.                                                                                                           

Now this fab cross stitch is so apt for my home, so much so it will stand pride of place in my hallway as a warning to others lol I am ever so slightly guilty or force feeding my kids happiness haha!                        

                       

Now I LOVED everything but this had me OMG out loud. It's amazing - the time, effort and detailing gone into this is astonishing. Emperor Ming was photographed outside surveying his kingdom (ok the back garden lol)

Thank you Caroline once again everything! I will blog what I sent another time this has taken ages especially trying to work out this new blogging layout thingy.                                                                                      

Moving....

I moving tomorrow... yay! Lordy knows when I'll be back online I leave that to the fate of the Internet provider gods. :)

I'm using this image as an incentive and reminder that I am happiest when crafting - so I'd better unpack quickly.



Be back soon xxx

Craft Fair

Well all that effort, time and money was wasted as usual on the craft fair. My closest competition was a lady selling glitter cowboy hats :) There were some lovely sellers there I just dont think my designs are suited to church fairs. :( Oh well one more next week then i'll be pounding the shops looking for people to stock my stuff.

The move is still going to plan, we should be exhanging contracts this week. We have set a moving date for 14th Oct although it is only penciled in. I really should pull my finger out and get the movie swap done. *eek*

I'll leave you with some pics of my day. The church was so beautiful I didnt take many pics as I wasnt sure whether is was ok to do so. I will defo go back again with my sketchbook.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well once again I'm wondering how it managed to get so long in updating my blog.

So much is happening right now. The original smelly started school this week, she is loving it. I'll be glad when she goes full time though as I desperately need to get smelly two into a proper routine.

We also decided to try our luck and see if we could get a mortgage. To our amazement we were approved!!! Not only that we have had an offer accepted on a property we want to buy and is currently going through all the legal bumph before signing contracts. I don't want to jinx it by going into loads of detail but I shall update asap.

My craft fair is now one week away I have so much to do its unreal. I also have to source some cheap packaging just in case I actually sell one... hell may freeze over first lol Anyway I must dash and get back to finishing and sneaking the odd new design in.

I'll leave you with a picture of my gorgeous daughter on her first day. Ta-ra for now....

So Much to Blog

I'll start with what I have been making for my craft fair. If I get a chance I'll do another boring... I mean highly entertaining blog post about all the other things I have to tell you about. :)



Purple bow headband made with purple leatherette and finished with a purple brooch.





Crushed velvet fascinator base decorate with vintage glass buttons and vintage style cameo brooch and flowers.




Cream silk dupion fascinator base decorated with vintage glass buttons and Dior style silk roses. It is finished with a crinoline veil.





White silk dupion flower with pheasant feather decoration.







Black satin headband and pad with swarovski bead detailing.

Organza flowers with swarovski bead inner attached to a black satin headband.

Blackberry Hunting

Behind our house is a massive field its not as fabulous as it sounds due to the large industrial estate overlooking it. lol Anyway the whole family including the dog went berry hunting. You can see I got distracted with pretty looking things.

I just love the shapes and its inspired a fascinator design already. :)

My oh took this as there were a load of nettles in front of it...

Here are our spoils 'smelly one' was most pleased it and the purple fingers she came home with.

And here is the finished crumble. I will post the recipe but feel free to find a better one. Mine is bodged -

Ingredients

1 Large Bramley Apple (You may prefer two medium)

6 Oz's of granulated sugar

4 Oz's butter (I found hard and cut into squares best)

5 Oz's Self Raising Flour

80-100g of Blackberries

You can also add Cinnamon to add extra flavour but I hate the stuff with a passion. I used a casserole dish to make my crumble but any medium sized dish should suffice.

*Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees (mine is fan assisted) Sorry I don't have the other conversions.

*Add the flour to a bowl and mix in the butter with a fork (or fingers) until the mixture is the consistency of breadcrumbs.

*Add 4 Oz's of the sugar to the mixture and mix carefully.

*Peel and core the apple and cut into four. Cut the quarters into six even slices and line the dish.

*Add the blackberries to the dish and sprinkle the remaining sugar on the fruit.

*Add the flour mixture over the top and use a fork to even out the mixture.

*Cook for between 30-40 mins and make sure the crumble is piping hot through.

If the crumble has not browned you can put it under the grill for 1-2 mins just keep an eye on it.

Leave to cool for 15 mins and serve with ice-cream, cream or my fav custard!

Prizes Galore

I won not one, but two prizes over the last two weeks. (apologies in advance for dodgy photographic and editing skills)

The first prize was from the crafter_oo first birthday competition and I won a pair of earrings courtesy of Pennydog Jewellery. They are so cute and fab.

I then won another pair of gorgeous earrings over a CeeGee Jewellery's blog.

My, I am a lucky lady, thank you for my fab prizes!

I have loads more to catch up on over the next few days but I thought these fab jewellery designers deserved to be mentioned first.

1980's Fantasy Movie Craft Swap

You just know that this craft swap hosted by the lovely Meridian Ariel is going to be great. Today is the final day to enter. Make sure you do... I have!!!!

Princess Holly

I would love to say that I had a day of crafting fun with smelly one however I would be a liar... more like crafting torture - the girl just isn't open to incorporating my fab ideas heehee

Soz if its fuzzy another day of no sun. :( Meet Princess Smelly and Princess Holly...

AWOL!

I've been missing in action over the last couple of weeks. It started with the central heating being fitted and then the sudden realisation that I have two craft fairs at the end of September.

I will try and blog (if your interested) as much as possible with my progress.

Here is some of the stuff we have been doing....



I made this doily fascinator a couple weeks back now. I spray starched it to shape and added vintage button detailing. It's one of my favs so far.




A barbie dress for my daughter, she likes it even if the finishing is poor lol



We made more cakes yesterday - I'm getting good now I only covered the left side of my top in flour this time... I usually come out looking like I've had a tub of talcum powder dropped over me head lol

Black Daisy Fascinator

Last night I had some time to make something so I put together this little fascinator. I did try and glue the sequin string to the pad but it looked rubbish so had to hand sew it instead. I then used a black daisy and two leaves and attached it to the base. It has a plain millinery come to fix to the head.

It's nothing special but it will suit almost every outfit.... I hope :)




My daughter wanted pizza for dinner yesterday but I didn't have any pizza bases... so I made it on bread instead.

Doily Scarf

Yesterday was quite a fab day! Not because I did anything exciting or even left the house. In the morning I got to watch one of my fave films with 'Smelly One for' the first time (The Goonies) and in the afternoon 'Smelly Two' had a long sleep so I could spend more time with her making stuff. She has always been really good at letting me do my crafts as long as she can get involved and thinks she is a grown up - you'd be surprised how long a four yr old will play with a pair of chunky knitting needles.

She made this as well as a matching bracelet and a purple pom pom...

As for me I was inspired by an idea I saw on the web to make my winter scarf- made from doilies!

I brought lots from a car boot sale for 10p each, I stitched them together in no particular order and added some vintage buttons.

I've also decided to submit some art work for a local art exhibition. I have some idea but I'm not sure if I can achieve it or if its do-able (I need photos transferred onto canvas). I will let you know.

Summer Eh?

This was the scene outside today, so much for the warm summer we were predicted...



We had everything - wind, thunder, lightening, rain and..... blinking hail stones!



*makes note I must weed the garden*

Its only week one of the summer holidays and I have cabin fever already. :)

Alternative Knitting

I have blogged previously about my attempt to make knitting needle bangles. I also sculpted some into a random shape which I made into this...

I moulded the vintage knitting needles using a pan of boiling water. I then knitted a square using blue wool which I covered over a black fascinator base. I then secured the needles using spare blue wool. It has also been lined and just needs a comb attached.

Sorry the photos are rubbish it was taken last night after a long 24 hrs. My son is poorly and spent the night in hospital having tests. Thankfully all he needs is some paracetomol and plenty of TLC.

Bake and Shake

Well the bake part of the title is self explanatory... the shake means that 'Smelly Two' has Colic and therefore needs a lot of shaking (well I mean bobbing) up and down on my knee to get his wind up.... the joys of parenthood.

Wednesday me and 'Smelly One' made cakes ready for her pre-school leavers party. I did cheat with those cupcakes, they were shop brought and iced at home...

This is the mess I made by the way :)


I made these though. :D

Thursday I decided it was about time I tried to make some myself and I'm glad I did. The family now think I'm a domestic goddess. They did taste rather fab if I do say so myself!

New Tattoo

I got a tattoo yesterday - It was designed by my lovely 4yr old. She loves anything craft related (takes after her mum) and especially loves to draw. She goes on drawing trips with her grandad and her grandma taught her how to use her 'sticking' finger when she started sitting up.


She is strong willed, fiercely independent and at times a nightmare... but she can also be loving and sweet and willing to help anyone. Basically I think she is the best but I am totally biased lol

Fairy Gift Set

Tomorrow is my niece's birthday party. Its a fancy dress theme and of course smelly one wants to be a fairy!

I put together this fairy gift set as my niece also loves all things cute and sparkly.

It contains fairy dust, fairy dream catcher, fairy headband and fairy door. I can't take credit for the door and dust as my mum who is also an amazing crafter made those.

I hope she likes them. :)