Lavender Bath Salts

These are the next item to go in my xmas hampers. I took an old kilner jar and filled it with a mixture of epsom and rock salt. I used dried lavender for scent and finished it off with ribbon, raffia and a vintage spoon.

Lately all I ever seem to do is search for afffordable kilner jars and spoons. lol

Xmas Gift Ideas

IMG_2106
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks

I'm making hampers again this year and im hoping to make a better job of it. These cacti were planted into vintage/damaged pots and cups. Hopefully people will appreciate them. :)

Happy Halloween!!!

IMG_2100
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks

Facebook Giveaway

Mustard Fascinator
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks

I recently had a giveaway over at my fraggierocks facebook page. I really like this mustard fascinator I was sad to see it go. Its hand blocked and the pom decoration was hand cut and finished with a vintage button.

Take a peek over at my facebook page to see who won and to keep up to date with all the fraggierocks gossip!

Another Commission

I've been really blessed lately to have had a few commissions and this was one of the most technically challenging. Its a hand blocked purple sinamay base with hand rolled sinamay bow detailing and purple feathers.

I am really pleased with the results and I'm glad I went with a dark purple it looks more chic.

In other news I have a mahoosive shed coming soon which I shall be turning into a studio. I am so excited because I will finally have space to spread out all my pretty things instead of bags stuffed everywhere. I'll also be glad to get my house back it was starting to look like a Hobbycraft knock-off lol

Eric Warburton Art

My Dad has a new website to showcase his gorgeous art. I'm biased I know but I do love his work. My favourite has to be the windmill, I have a strange fascination with them and the colours are stunning. It's even better when viewing in person!

Eric Warburton

Blackberry Jam

Seen as there is certainly no shortage of blackberries in my area I decided to make some jam. It took a few days to collect enough but the lovely walks more than made up for my impatience.

It was actually alot easier to make and you don't need lots of special equipment in fact you don't need any. I followed the recipe on a bottle of apple pectin and it really was simple to follow. I worked it out that if you used recycled jars each jar cost 53p to make. Better than any supermarket and you know whats in it!

Of course I couldn't not put a pretty top on the jam jars....lol

So much sugar.... bangs go my diet!

Potted up - I've seen tutorials that say you need to heat the jars, I chose not too and it set fine.

Pretty Lids - I thought that if it tasted horrible I could at least say it looks good lol

It does taste gorgeous and I cant wait to make my next batch to go in my Xmas hampers. :)

Chick Chick

Chick Chick
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks

A couple of day ago the newest additions to our family arrived. Meet Foxy, Polly and Nugget, Nugget is the biggest and is the boss (top of pic) Molly (left) follows nugget everyone and lastly Foxy (right and named after a friend) is the smallest and had had a bit of a battering.

They all need a bit of tlc and a few cuddles which I am happy to do and so far they have produced the most amazing eggs I have ever tasted.

I have to say im totally hooked, they are great characters and very tame and curious and i'd have dozens if I had the space. Plus their muck will make great compost!

Ask me how much I love chickens in mid January lol x

Weekend to Hastings

The Driver.... heehee

The Dartford Crossing...

Hasting... wet and windy!

The 'Old Town'

Major Inspiration after visiting the Shipwreck Musuem!

Birdie

Birdie Poohing on the Drivers Car haha....

Fish and Chips on the Beach

Coming Home :(

Bird Swap - What I sent!

Bird Swap - What I sent!
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks

Hurrah! She received it safe and sound and she loves it! Phew I was so worried it would get lost or have a huge custom charge!

I'll blog in more detail tomorrow about the individual pieces but I was quite chuffed with my efforts hence the sneaky peek!

Latest Commission Piece

I was very lucky to get the chance to try something new with my latest commission. I was shown a picture of her 'Pack of Card' inspired jewellery and I also remembered that she loved the new Alice in Wonderland movie. I didn't want to do something obvious but I loved the idea of using a heart shape and incorporating the swarovski rhinestones that feature on her necklace and earrings.

So this is what I came up with. The heart is blocked in sinamy, padded and then covered in a cotton fabric then each swarovski rhinestone was individually glued into position. I've never used hot-fix before and I was super happy with the results. I also attached red shaped turkey feathers and its all sewn to a plain black headband.

The great thing about this headpiece is that it quite subtle in natural light but once under the disco lighting it will shimmer and shine!

Rainy Days

T-Shirt Embroidery
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks

The weather is pants and we have a big dose of cabin fever. My daughter Jessica has chicken pox as well so she is a bit down in the dumps.

We decided to make something together so we 'borrowed' her new P.E T-Shirts and made an embroidered picture. She designed and drew it herself and I did the sewing.

Looks cute I have to say!

Where We Live...

This is where I live. I live on the top of the Nene Valley, its windy and freezing in winter and we get regular wafting yukky smells but I love it and I wouldnt want it any other way - well maybe a house that isnt falling down and decent views from my window (facing wrong way) lol

Bedside Table Decopage Recon....

We brought two bedside tables from the local tip when we moved for £5 (for some reason the tip wont sell stuff anymore grrrr) We liked them because they fitted in with the period and style of our home.

To brighten them up I painted them a light mauve colour and added cut out flowers. I have varnished it to seal the flowers in and I plan at a later date to line the inside with some vintage papers.

Here are some before and after pics....

Bird Swap

When I saw that noodleBubble was hosting a bird swap on her fab blog I just had to take part. At the time I was heavily inspired by birds and I had loads of ideas. I was partnered with the lovely Molly P and I recieved a really cute package of goodies.

Here is what I recieved, I hope she has got my package I sent it out last week and I am so worried its not arrived.... eek!

Thanks Molly P!!!!!

Gawd Help Me...

It was my daughters last day of school on friday. Oh how I look forward to six weeks of the little cherub...

Actually im hoping to have lots of crafting fun with her over the next six weeks. Its pretty much the only time we dont argue - ish! For her teacher we made a painted bag and she had her first go on the sewing machine which she loved. We also brought two plants and added fabric and ribbon to the base to jazz it up. She gave those to her two favourite classroom assistants.

So here she is on the last day of reception class. I was so proud of her because she had a horrible stomach bug for a couple days beforehand and battled her way in on the friday so she didnt miss the fun. Thankfully shes much better now.

Shabby Chic Mirror

Shabby Chic Mirror
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks

I saw this tutorial in a book and decided to make my daughter a mirror for her room.

I took an old gold mirror and sprayed it white. I used sandpaper to distress it and then added fabric and ribbon detaling.

Its looks quite good and cost well under £10 to do. In fact the most expensive item was the spray paint at £4 the mirror only cost 50p from a car boot sale. :)

Garden Cushions

I have made some garden cushions for our patio set but they also double up as dining chair cushions. I saw the idea on This Morning and it was so simple.

Measure the cushion cut the fabric 1cm smaller then sew three edges. Turn in the fastening edge and attach ribbon to finish. Easy!!!

Alicia Keys - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart (Official Video).mp4

Ascot Commission

I was very lucky to be asked to make a fascinator for a lovely lady for Ascot this year. Once we had established she would have to dress for the Royal Enclosure this is the design I came up with.

Firstly I blocked three leaf shapes using three layers of sinamy and wired them ready to be covered in pale gold silk. I then embellished the leaves with gold coloured bugle beads.

BLOCKING

WIRED AND HEMMED

The feathers I used vary in style there are narrow, coq and curled goose biot feathers which have been steamed, curled and shaped by hand. It is attached to a clear come and elastic. 

CLOSE UP OF FEATHER & BEAD DETAILING

SIDE VIEW

BACK VIEW

She was very happy with her fascinator and I hope she had a wonderful day and won a few pennies too.