Heart cushion

 

A pretty something I've been making today. An appliqued heart cushion in shades of purple on a base of vintage lace. Will be available at the Emporium later in the week, hurry! :)

Colour inspiration; Glamorous gold!

I used to really dislike gold as a colour, I thought it was ostentatious and ugly but the last year or so I have really come to appreciate it and now I lovelovelove it :)

 

 

 

Here are a few golden things that are inspiring me at the moment; a beautiful antique teapot * a lovely glass and gold trinket box * shiny new baubles for next years Christmas tree * glittery gold nails perfect for New Year celebrations!

Christmas presents; Ship applique!

My lovely boyfriend requested I paint him a picture for Christmas, nice idea, slight issue in that I can't paint. At all. :( So instead I went for something I definitely can do, embroidery! Painting with fabric is so much easier! I decided on a ship design as I knew that would be something he'd like and googled a little for inspiration. I found this vintage embroidery pattern and this  gorgeous design created using it which I was much inspired by.

 

 

 

 

I simplified the design by taking out a lot of the intricate details, doing away with all the detail on the hull and instead opting for a silhouette in lovely textural vintage tweed. I then stretched it onto a frame made (with much help, thanks Dad!) of wood and stapled it in place. I'm pleased to say it was received incredibly well and will be hung in pride of place in our home! :)

Home made Christmas presents; lion face cushion and a chicken doorstop :)

 

 

Unlike last year, this year I managed to remember to photograph my home made presents! Here are a couple I made; a happy lion face cushion for my little niece with appliqued and hand stitched face and an orange triangular mane. And a gingham, polka dot and floral chicken doorstop for my mum with beady button eyes :) Now they've been given I felt I can share them with you all! :)

Wedding dress repair!

A super exciting new opportunity has arisen recently which is right up my street. :) St Margarets Hospital charity has opened today a brand new shop specialising in 'New to you' Bridal and evening wear and I have been offered the opportunity to act as in-house seamstress! :) I'll be working with brides on alterations and fittings and also making any repairs that need doing to dresses pre sale.

 

 

 

Here is a gorgeous dress I've started work on today. I'm re-hemming and repairing the front panel. It's beautiful bead embellished lace with a low V neckline and a trim of glass beads around the waistline. Absolutely stunning and I'm certain some lucky bride will look lovely in it! :)

Cinnamony cinnamon roll goodness :)

I've been meaning to make cinnamon rolls for.... oh, about 4 years since I went to Sweden and pretty much lived on them for a fortnight!

 

 

So I finally got round to it yesterday and now I'm kicking myself for having waited so long, they are goood! I love cinnamon with pretty much anything at this time of year and these, drizzled with a sugary glaze and still warm from the oven were wonderful :) I saw some variations using nutella a few weeks ago on A beautiful mess and will definitely be trying that out too sometime soon! :)

DIY beaded baubles!

I'm all about the idea of accumulating a collection of handmade Christmas tree decorations and the past few years I've made some new ones each Christmas, here are last years stitched ones.

 

 

This year I am pretty glitter obsessed and decided to go for something a bit different. So I bought some plain red glass baubles and used PVA glue to stick on glass beads and glitter. I particularly like the glass heart which I added the initials of myself and my boyfriend (yes, a bit cheesy, get over it! :P ) I then added some matching red ribbon to hang them and, voila!

 

 

I'm well aware I could have just bought glitter baubles but then I would have missed out on an afternoon of glitter - filled fun! These were so easy to make and would be a nice craft for children, and you end up with something pretty and unique and lets be honest, at about £5 for three baubles, an absolute bargain! Do it, you know you want to! :)

Chocolate Peppermint cupcakes

A few weeks ago I bought some candy canes for photography props but as they were cheap ones 10 out of the 12 in the box were broken :( .... which gave me the idea to make something I'd seen last year here which involved adding crushed up candy canes to icing...yum! :)

 

 

I used a basic chocolate cake recipe and vanilla butter cream and added the crushed candy canes. I was a little worried there might be too many flavours going on in these but actually they turned out delicious! You get the crunch of candy cane and a hit of peppermint with each bit which is delightfully festive! Definitely a winner! :)



Christmas at The Emporium

 

 

 

Just a quick peek at a few of the things in my Christmas display at the Emporium in Yeovil. Feeling super festive now! :)

Bunting!

 

 

I've been working away on a couple of commissions this week. Two sets of Christmas bunting and a set of name bunting which have now been sent out. I've really enjoyed spending my time sat working away at my sewing machine with a cup of good coffee and a mince pie on hand whilst listening to Christmas music and I consider myself so lucky to be able to have the opportunity to do so! :)

 

Now, onto finishing a few Christmas presents that I started a while ago and should really get round to completing in time for official present wrapping times this weekend! :)

First december weekend

 

*Snuggling under my newly finished Christmas quilt * Beautiful wintry sunrise skies * The smell of cinnamon from a Christmas candle * Writing cards designed by my very lovely and talented friend Rebecca. You can buy her beautiful set of Christmas cards from her Etsy shop *