Perfect Polka Dots........on Etsy

Good Bank Holiday morning all..................even if it is cold, grey and rainy! In an attempt to brighten things up, I have selected some beautiful, colourful treats from Etsy, which are all sprinkled and speckled with polka dotty goodness..........enjoy.

Dotty Pin Cushion - Homespun Collections

Polka Dot Stitched Notebook - Ink Whimsy

Blackberry Polka Dot Earrings - Fall or Fly

 Fridge Magnets - Stitchery Dickory Dock

 

Polka Dotty Cushion - La La Loop 

Polka Dot Gift Tags - Shasta Creations

   Purple Polka Dot Clutch Purse - Graceful Banquet

 

 Dotty Flower Bottle Cap Bow - Bugga Bows Boutique

 

Sunshine After the Rain...

We've just had a sudden, and very, very heavy downpour! Tropical style! It sounded beautiful and I absolutely love that 'just rained' smell. And then the sun came out......if only for the briefest of moments, and made everything all shimmery and glistening. The flowers and plants in the garden looked fab, decorated with their glittery droplets of rain.

Especially my favourite wild sweet pea, which is the most gorgeous pink colour!

And then a friendly bumble bee paid a visit.........

The dark clouds are rolling in again.....I think more is on its way. What better reason to stay tucked up on the sofa with a glass of wine!

Recent Makes

I've just got back from a visit to Arundel where you could say I over indulged on lunch, and then over indulged on a rather yummy chocolate peanut butter whoopie! Still isn't that what Sunday afternoons were created for..........sleeping off a giant lunch?? Anyway back to it as I promised a little insight into my creating of late.

I had a very productive few days last weekend, and despite a lack of creativity during the week, I spent some time yesterday afternoon stitching away to my hearts content. I have ended up with six new cards and im quite pleased with the outcome, so I thought id share some piccies with you. Of course all these soon to be available in my Etsy and Folksy shops. Hope you've all had good weekends! Have they been crafty too??

Folksy finds.......Sweet Cherry Pie

Its been a busy week at work, and that partly explains my blogging absence this week. I had planned on doing an update of my recent makes, but what with one thing and another........and a possible bit of laziness thrown in.......it didn't happen. Still I promise I will do it this weekend, but I thought id kick things off this morning with a little Folksy finds. Yesterday I enjoyed a yummy slice of cherry and rhubarb cake (thanks JP), and I thought what a great theme for a collection.......so here it is......CHERRIES!!! They are so fresh and fruity and summery.........I hope you enjoy!

Cherry Kisses Skirt - Rooby's Skirts

Cherry Coke Earrings - JenniMac

Cherry Cupcake Brooch - Lizzybeth's Felties

 Strawberries & Cherries Retro Apron - Rosie Ann

 White Cherry Hairband - Pinch Her Cheeks

  Very Cherry Earrings - Joelleabelle

Cupcake Card - Pinkbonbons

 

Open Houses.....part 2

Yesterday I became a football widow. But what better way to use this 'me time', than to get out all my crafty goodies and have a making afternoon. I love times like these, when I can make as much mess as I want, throw huge piles of fabric on the floor, and have a good rummage through everything. Its surprising what you find sometimes. Anyway it turned into a very productive day and im really pleased with what I achieved.......photos to follow soon.

Today we visited some more Open Houses and I thought id share with you some of the lovely things that I have seen.

These very, very, cute handmade felt brooches are by Betty Shek. I really like how bright and colourful and fun they are. Take a look in her beautiful Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/designedbybettyshek

This vintage inspired flower necklace is by Bryony Jennings. I was very tempted by these gorgeous necklaces as I love unique and unusual jewellery, and I love the combination of the shaped metal backed by delicate lace. And you know I love buttons! I really haven't seen anything like these before.

Finally we found these gorgeous illustrations by Thea Telford. She makes stunning collages like this beautifully simple and colourful Beach Hut Collage, and yummy, bright cushions full of detail and intricate work.

There are two more weekends left, and we have a few more houses to visit. Im already feeling hugely inspired, but having spent the majority of yesterday stitching, cutting and sticking, I have decided to give myself the evening off.

Hope you've had a good weekend too xx

Brighton Festival - Artists Open Houses 2011

So the Brighton Festival started this weekend, and the one thing I look forward to most of all is the Artists Open Houses. I love nothing more than being invited in to browse round looking at works by artists and designers, getting inspirations, finding someone whose work you just fall in love with and possibly picking up something beautiful for yourself or a lucky someone. Its a great way to spend a day and perfect if you want to get something unique and handmade. Its now in its 30th year and this year there are more houses to wander around than ever before.

This, not so sunny, morning was spent visiting a couple of places in West Hove, and I would highly recommend a visit to both.

The first is Cherry Picked For You. A beautiful house featuring a nice seletion of artists and designers. There was a lot at this house I liked, so I have picked a few of my favourites to show you.

Caroline Green makes these stunning porcelain bowls, like this one above which is decorated with wire and bead trim around part of the rim. I really want one of these and a small bowl costs around £10 which I think is a bargain.

These super cute tea light holders are by Anna Perring of Luna Lighting. My favourite is the dragonfly. Again at £12 each they are very affordable. I  might go back for some!

This beautiful heart card is by textile artist Wendy Dolan. Its a very simple, understated design, but its gorgeous and pink and lovely.

All of the above artists work can be seen and purchased at http://www.cherrypickedforyou.co.uk/ Please go and have a look as its full of wonderful things.

The second house we visited, Aymer Arts, was equally lovely, but at this one I actually made a purchase, albeit a £3 one. Jules Miller makes very sweet greeting cards, featuring her own printed illustrations which are hand finished with jewel and glitter embellishments. You can see a range of her cards at http://www.julesmillercards.com/

Here is a small selection of some, but im not showing my purchase in case the recipient happens to read this!

The Open Houses are on until 29th May, so thats my next few weekends filled up then! But of course I will keep you posted on all the yummy, pretty things I find.

Hope your all having a good weekend!

The Green, Green Grass............on Etsy

I love the beautiful smell of cut grass, especially at this time of the year. At work today the office was filled with this aroma and inspires this weeks grassy green '......on Etsy'.

Hand Painted Cushion - NickyBeeShop

 

Green Baroque Flower Ring - XOXII Shop

 Eco Friendly Painted Coffee Cup - Yevgenia

 Fresh Cut Grass Thank You Notes - Almost Sunday Designs

Fresh Cut Grass Soap - Blushie

Green Grass Swarovski Crystal Necklace - Midnightblu Adorn  

A Thank You...

I would just like to say a big thank you to Scrummy Scrapz for the gorgeous BoBunny goodies I received today from her giveaway last month. They are fab! Please check out her lovely blog, just click on the name above.

Im now deciding what to make and what papers to use first...........im loving the yummy dotty stuff.....much thanks again Liz!

Making and Baking

After a quick trip into Worthing this morning, (mainly to get blown around by the wind it seems!) and a quick stop off for some lunch (well it is a bank holiday after all....), I have spent the rest of the day making and baking.

I have had a second comissioned card to do, this time for a girls 1st birthday. I kind of knew instantly what I was going to do, the only instruction being to make it pink and sparkly. I cut out a number 1 in pink paper and decorated it with handcut butterflies, punched flowers, glitter, silver gems, and the little girls name. It was really good fun to make, and im considering offering something like this in my shop.

Once this was done, I decided to make some yummy banana bread. I like to bake, but I admit to not being the most successful baker (full marks for effort though!). I am getting better, and learning as I go.

This banana bread is really easy to make. It must be if I can do it! I found it in a Womens Weekly Cookbook - Low-Fat Meals in Minutes.

What you need:

185g self-rasing flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon margarine
110g sugar
1 egg, beaten lightly
60ml milk
1 ripe mashed banana

All you need to do is combine flour and cinnamon in a bowl, and rub in the margarine. Stir in sugar, egg, milk and banana, but just enough to mix ingredients. Then spoon into a lined loaf tin and bake in a hot oven for about 20 mins.

This recipe is given as a breakfast idea, but its almost like a cake, so perfect with a cuppa in the afternoon. Would love to know what you think if you give it a go............take care xx