My creative space - pretty candle holder

I love Sania Pell's blog and always read her posts, a few weeks ago she shared a simple idea of covering a glass candle holder with a strip of Liberty fabric. So simple but so lovely have a quick look here.

I have had a go - what do you think............


I started off with my strip of pretty floral Liberty print, and double sided tape - plus candle which I forgot to photograph!

I measured the circumference of the glass holder and then added a little for overlap, added double sided tape to both short ends of fabric. Then stuck one end to the glass, wrapped fabric around and peeled off the other strip of double sided tape and secured.

I left the fabric edges slightly frayed which I like and then added some twine around the middle, you could add ribbon or not even bother.

I think it looks cute - do check out Sania's post as the ones she has made look beautiful and the post includes the full instructions

For more ideas and inspiration pop over to see Kirsty on my creative space.

Talk soon x

my creative space - beautiful buttons

A new year and the first of  "my creative space" posts. I can't wait to show you a lovely crafty Christmas present that Kate bought me, it's a Cath Kidston button making kit which includes some beautiful fabric.

can't wait to get started ..............

The instructions include a template which I have just traced onto parchment paper, then you cut out your fabric and away you go............

I have used fabric from the kit and also some Liberty scraps that were left over from Kate's wedding favours and place settings.

They are adorable - Holly Becker made some fab bow tie pins with some she made, can you suggest what I use mine for, my head is full of ideas but would love to know what you are thinking.

Take a minute to peek over at Kirsty's blog for some amazing ideas.

talk soon x

Christmas shopping ......

I decided to venture into London and visit my favourite shop - Liberty's of course! So wrapped up warm with lots of accessories, hat, scarf, gloves and boots [it's freezing out] I set off for the tube. After a very busy underground journey I arrived at Oxford Circus and amid all the frantic hustle and bustle I arrived at Liberty's. 

The store is always beautiful to behold but at Christmas time it has a special magical quality all of its own. I spent some time wandering around and imagining all the things I would buy if I wasn't shopping on a budget. Then it was up to floor 3 where I just love the kitchen shop, the children's area and of course the haberdashery and yarn area - such bliss.  I bought some amazing grey yarn with a silver thread running through it and some lovely creamy natural wool with a sparkle - not sure what I will be making but will let you know soon as I'm desperate to start something special.

The Christmas Shop was a delight and I love all of the different colour schemes, I seem to have fallen for a white and silver theme but alas most of my decorations are red and green so I don't think I can afford to abandon them all this year. Pink and aqua seem quite popular but I'm not sure they are quite me.

lovely Christmas reindeer ........

It was soon time to head back to Kate's and brave the cold and the crowds. It was already quite dark outside and the lights on Oxford Street were stunning but unfortunately my photo doesn't do them justice.

I'm off to get the tube talk soon x

home and away .......................

Sorry it has been a week since I last posted on my blog - I have been so busy it's been hard to find time to sit at my computer. I have lots to catch up with. I went to London at the end of last week so had my usual cookathon to make sure that my partner had plenty to eat during my absence

The old staples of vegetable lasagna and vegetable chili stocked the fridge. For snacking I made a fruitcake, which was a recipe I hadn't tried before - Mary Berry's pound cake, I adapted it slightly and made it as a tray bake rather than a traditional deep round cake, it worked well. I also made a box of chocolate cornflake cakes which are quick to make and a household  favourite.  

Next came packing for my trip, I had to make sure I had room in my case for the knitted lamp and the little wooden people - I can now confirm that the knitted lamp was delivered safely and the little wooden people have a complete wardrobe and are sitting in Kate's studio.

It was lovely to spend time with Kate and Jake, it seemed ages since I had last visited but in reality was less than a month. Jake is getting more confident with his walking and is managing to get everywhere and into everything -  he is just adorable.

Kate as I expected is getting pre-wedding jitters, worried that she won't get everything completed in time, but of course she will.

We managed to fit in a trip to Liberty's where we bought some lovely fabric to make some of the wedding accessories.

I took this photo looking down from the top floor.....

One of the things Kate wants to make for her wedding is a wishing board like the one Sania Pell has designed and featured in her latest book " the home made home for children"

  

Wishing Board - taken from  " home made at home for children"

                              
We spent hours cutting up fabric to thread through luggage labels for the wishing board and for attaching gift tags to thank you presents. Kate also designed some special things for the hen party - I can't give too much away as it's not until the 15th September.

On Monday we visited  Temperley for Kate's wedding dress fitting, she looked beautiful  - I wish I could share more with you but I will have to wait until after the 20th October, I can't wait.

As usual the time ran away from us and it was time to come home, I got back yesterday and since my return  have had a busy time with the rest of my family.

Alex has moved up to year 5, Finn has started school, Daisy has started nursery school and they have all settled in well. Today was my usual day for looking after Zach and Noah, it has been lovely and sunny enabling us to spend lots of time playing in the garden. Noah has become very confident negotiating steps and slopes in the garden, his walking has improved so much. Zachy and I didn't manage to bake today but he had fun pretend baking in the sand pit.

I have also managed to do a little bit more on my crochet blanket, will add a photo next time.

No wonder it was so late when I eventually started this post.

Night night talk soon x 

still away from home ............

Sorry I've neglected my blog - but looking after Jake has taken up all of my time - not even been to my favourite store yet but hopefully I will have time before I go home. I have had such a lot of fun with Jake he is at the stage where he is babbling and exploring all of the time. Although you have to have eyes in the back of your head as he crawls so fast and seems to have radar for finding things he shouldn't have. He is trying to walk and has had a few tumbles along the way - have had to explain a few red bumps to mummy!

Yesterday we went shopping as it was a lovely sunny morning. Armed with our shopping list off we went, Jake was chatting away and being such a happy boy. We visited most of the local shops and also collected a parcel from the sorting office. Then quite unexpectedly the heavens opened and I had to try my hand at putting a rain cover onto the pram, which was much harder than I remembered. I eventually got it on but unfortunately it was upside down but raining so hard I had to leave it.

We arrived home with soggy parcels and wet clothes, I was soaked but luckily Jake faired better and was only slightly damp. I then had to dry out a wet pram - don't tell mummy.

Today the weather seems more settled and Kate is home which is lovely. I have had a nice leisurely start to the day and we have all enjoyed bagels and fresh fruit for breakfast.

After Jakes morning sleep we are going to have a walk along the Kings Road and call into Peter Jones and Anthropologie. (We can't manage a trip to Liberty today as it's a difficult tube ride with the pram but hopefully soon.)

I am planning  to take some photos whilst we are out, as week two of my blogging course talks about photography and gives some examples of iphone apps which can help improve the quality of images - which would be good for my blog. I have downloaded a few different apps so hopefully you will see the results tomorrow.

talk soon

Sue :)


to take better photos