Winter Issue of UK Handmade....

It's finally here......the Winter Issue of UK Handmade Magazine 2010 packed with great articles, reviews, recipes and craft projects, including my review of Scandinavian Needlecraft....enjoy!

November Newness......

This month I have added some new products to the shop, including best selling Juliette earrings, back by popular demand, almond coloured pearl bobby pins and a one of a kind bracelet.  Hope you love them! xoxo

Quilting....

Originally I wanted to create a quilt for my bed - a kind of family heirloom, with our names and wordplay incorporated into it.  I always had the idea it needed be dove grey, metallic, floral and white to go with my room - the problem being I couldn't find any suitable fabric.  


With ants in my pants as usual to get started on my first ever quilt, I purchased a mix of florals from Cath Kidston and John Lewis in pretty florals of pink, green and blue.  My sister in law gave me florals she had picked out for my birthday and my mother in law gave me some vintage Laura Ashley blue floral fabric she had stored away for a rainy day.


I loved the idea of mixing someone else's choice in with mine, and with this theme of adding old and new - I cut up a pair of Jonnys old grey denim jeans to add into the mix.  The back is made from a white linen table cloth from the church Mia was christened in.  Mia chose the polka border.

The thing I am finding with making a quilt, is
a) it's addictive 
b) it takes on a form of its own
c) it's comforting to be able to pick it up and lay it down when the mood takes
d) there are NO rules!!


I have since decided that I should stick to my original ideas for my quilt and be patient.  I will therefore wait, collect fabric as I go along and source greys and subtle colours that I love with a little bit of shiny mixed in.  


This quilt was always going to be very girly from the outset, adorned with flowers and birds, so it seemed only natural that I should change course and make it for my wonderful Mia.... 

One of a Kind.....Hues of Midnight

The exhibition One of a Kind put together by Artlink opened on 4th October and will run until the end of the year.  I am very proud and pleased to be involved again with this exhibition again this year (this is the third time I have exhibited with them). 


This year, I choose to go with Hues of Midnight....this collection of one offs includes satin boudoir bags, hairpins and jewellery, including this statement necklace handmade with pearls, rock crystal and an offset handrilled shell flower.

Softly....softly....

I love making bespoke orders for customers! 

This necklace is made with AA grade dove grey freshwater pearls, rock crystal at the nape of the neck, and a cluster of labradorite, pearls and crystal to finish.......

It's so classy and delicate looking - it'll be great with all this seasons colours and will go great with red, as well as all the neutrals.

Autumn Issue......UK Handmade

The Autumn issue of the wonderful UK Handmade Magazine is out now to read. 

Packed with great articles, interviews, makes and reviews for you to feast your crafty eyes over........so pop the kettle on, get comfy and get creative!

The Mill....

Yesterday I was down at The Mill doing my freelance work. 

I love it there as it is such a creative environment, peaceful and rather special.  I don't know of anywhere else that home grows so much stock, including Acers, grafted and unusual Conifers and much much more.  It really is worth a visit.   

I managed to catch a photograph of this stunning peacock butterfly......

and was kindly given these pretty tomatoes by Gordon which he grew in his own garden, which I plan to roast with garlic from my vegetable delivery and drizzle with balsamic, washed down with a large glass of red.