Meet Me On Monday :: it's out of this world!

 

 

 

This week I'm:

Making :: a selection of flower corsages (I made this teal coloured version for Deanne. She already had the button - isn't it a great colour match?) I've challenged myself to list a new item on my Folksy shop everyday through May, so I've got a lot to make this week!
Up-cycling :: my favourite top into a rosette brooch, I'm so pleased that the lovely print gets to be worn for a little while longer

Growing :: geraniums. I love the smell, they remind me of my Grandad's green-house when I was little

Playing :: with my new stamps. I thought they would look great on my product labels
Cooking :: lemon curd tarts with blueberries, which were so scrummy that they were all eaten before I had a chance to take a snap!
Meeting :: the Mixed Bags aka the lovely ladies from the crafting group I attend and a fab day I had too
Learning :: how to make a shamballa style bracelet. I'll be making some more this week I think
Eating :: leek & potato soup with homemade cheese & onion scones followed by lemon cake at the craft group - perfect! 
Loving :: the view of the cherry trees from my kitchen window. Even on a grey, wet (very wet), miserable day they still make me happy

Receiving :: a bunch of pretty tulips from Mr A

Excited :: because the lovely Lorna over at {dab and a dash.} posted a little interview with me during the week. Thanks so much Lorna  

Visiting :: the National Space Centre (hence the blog title - lol), it was Am-A-Zing!

So what's influencing your creativity this week? Add a link to the magical widget below to join in.

Have fun. xx

PS - my Pay It Forward Giveaway is still open if you would like to join in with that too.

Sunday Baking :: for the school cake sale

We've been out for the day today so I haven't actually done any real baking, however, the kids did have time to decorate some bought (I know, I know, I'm such a terrible mother) cupcakes ready for their cake sale at school tomorrow:

Is there such as thing as too much icing, buttons and sprinkles? I guess not ....

Have you done any baking today?

I'll be back tomorrow with Meet Me On Monday - hope you can join in too.

Have fun. xx

Saturday Show & Tell :: from the Craft Group

Today I went to my monthly craft group, organised by the amazing Deanne. I love going to the craft group - I don't always make that much when I get there I have to say, coz we spend most of the day eating cake, drinking tea (lots of tea) and generally having a laugh, but I always have the best time. Today, however, I was actually a bit more productive. Deanne had organised a short tutorial for us on how to make a beaded bracelet. It was a bit tricky to start with but once I got into the swing of it, I really enjoyed making it and am very pleased with the end result:

I'm definitely going to have a go at making some more.

Also the lovely & very talented Fran was kind enough to make me a little bunting rubber stamp, which I am going to use on all my business cards:

 Isn't it cute?



Mum and I also spent some time making some products for a craft event we are attending next month. Three of the products were snapped up whilst we were there (even before I thought about taking a photo)! So a great day all round really.

What did you get up to today?

Have fun. xx

PS - I've just realised that this is my 100th blog post. A massive thank you to my little band of followers and to everyone that is kind enough to leave me a comment. I really love blogging and it's really great to get your feedback, so cheers. x

Mary Jane's Tearoom Giveaway

I've entered the Spring Giveaway over Mary Jane's Tearoom. Two different sets of very pretty things up for grabs.

Have you entered too?

Have fun. xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday :: Mink & Teal

On my desk today I have some denim, brown felt, a selection of pale blue buttons and my favourite top.....

 I bought this top years ago from White Stuff and I've worn it and worn it and worn it, but now it really has had it's day (the seams have started splitting and there are holes under the arms!). It's such a shame as I totally love the material:

 It has quite a 70s pattern in soft mink, with pale blue and teal detail.

So...... I thought rather than just throw it away (which is not in my nature anyway), I'm going to have a go at using the material in a couple of brooches. I'm thinking a rosette style one and perhaps a circular version with denim and brown felt to give it a really textured feel. 



So that's my project for the day - that and drinking tea, eating biscuits and watching a Poirot or two! What's on your workdesk this morning?

Oh, before you pop off to take a look at all the other super-creative desks hosted by the fab Julia, have a quick read here - I've got a giveaway going on don't you know.

Have fun. xx

PS. Sorry peeps, but I am still have trouble leaving comments on blogs where the comment form is embedded and can only comment if it's set as a pop-up box. So if you are uber-kind enough to leave me a comment and find that I don't leave you one in return, that will be the reason. As they - it's not you, it's me!

You may also like:

PIF Giveaway


Meet Me on Monday


My Folksy Shop

Pay It Forward Giveaway

Recently I was lucky enough to I win the lovely Famfa's Pay It Forward Giveaway over at Busy Butterfingers - and look what landed on my doormat yesterday morning:

A pretty little parcel containing two lovely gifts. Famfa was very sweet and made me a cute little chicken in my favourite purple colour and - knowing how much I love a coffee - a mug-cosy with Jumbleberries embroidered along the side. How lucky am I? Thanks so much Famfa, Mr Chicken will have pride of place on my craft-desk and I'll be using the mug-cosy for my morning latte later today.

So .... now it's my turn to announce my own GIVEAWAY!!

The rules of this giveaway are that I now have 365 days in which to find three bloggers who would like a handmade gift from me and are prepared to do the same.

Here's how you can enter:

1: Be a follower of this blog and leave a comment on this post. You don't have to have your own blog to enter and you can be from anywhere in the world.

You can gain an additional entry into the draw by:

2: Posting a link on your blog or website about this giveaway, linking directly back to this post.

3: Adding the giveaway button to your sidebar and linking to this post.

I will randomly pick the 3 lucky winners on Sunday 13th May - good luck.

Have fun. xx

Meet Me On Monday :: at the Sealife Centre

This week I'm:

Celebrating :: my Little Princess' 5th Birthday
Making :: chocolate & sprinkle topped marshmallow-pops (well watching the kids make them anyway) 
Growing :: a Spring Clematis, very pretty on a rainy morning
Purchasing :: a super cute Fox Brooch from Stripes & Stars
Visiting :: the Sealife Centre in Birmingham, one of my favourite places ever
Watching :: Happy Feet in 4D, complete with silly glasses
Loving :: this giant Spring wreath outside a gift shop
Photographing :: interesting things around Birmingham 
Eating :: a steak and onion sandwich made by Mr A - it was so delish that I forgot to take a picture, lol.
Entering :: the Dab & a Dash giveaway

What's influencing your creativity this week? Join in and add your name to Mr Linky below.

Have fun. xx

Sunday Baking :: Little Owl Cake

Mr A & I helped Princess celebrate her 5th birthday yesterday by organising an arts & crafts party for her and her friends. As the theme was "Forest Friends" it gave me a perfect excuse to turn my Little Owl design into a cake: 

 

It turned out really well I think (even if I do say so myself, lol) and it tasted yummy too! 

Have you done any baking today?

Hope you can pop back tomorrow and join in with Meet Me On Monday.

Have fun. xx

 

Meet Me On Monday :: With a new dress on

 

This week I'm:

Listing :: A Pansy inspired Felt Brooch, in shades of purple and lilac. I thought it would look great as an alternative to a button-hole at a Spring wedding or May Day event.

Wearing :: My new dress, I think the material is so pretty.

Treating myself to :: A cute Crafty Mushroom note-set.

Growing :: A plum tree, which is in full blossom at the moment.

Loving :: All the Art Deco inspired stuff that is around at the moment.

Reading :: The Great Gatsby, obvs.

Eating :: Veggies - after consuming my body-weight in chocolate over the Easter holidays, I thought it was time to be nice to myself. 

Drinking :: A Latte in our local Italian, just because it was served on such a cute saucer.

Making :: An Owl shaped cake for Princess ready for her birthday party on Saturday.

Watching :: The Voice - just how ridiculously cool is Will.I.Am? Think he may just be my new celeb crush!

Meeting :: (well in a blogging sense anyway) Marina who is my "LaaLaa's God Save the Queen" swap partner, very exciting.

Remembering :: Titanic, so sad, yet so fascinating.

Want to join in?  Leave me a comment below so I can pop over and see what's influencing your creativity this week.

Have fun. xx 

The Red, White and Blue

 I've joined Laa Laa's God Save the Queen Swap. Red, white & blue crafty fun!


Are you joining in too?

Have fun. xx

Meet Me On Easter Monday

 

Visiting :: Cambridge. Mr A and I are celebrating 18 years together this week, so we had a day out in Cambridge, just the two of us (no kids) to mark the occasion.
Eating :: Cake - lots & lots of cake!
Drinking :: a cool glass of Rose by the river
Growing :: Violets, aren't they pretty.
Wearing :: Green shoes - I know!
Watching :: The Boat Race, wasn't it dramatic this year?
Making :: Coloured egg decorations with the kids. We had a great time blowing the middles out.
Cooking :: Slow cooked roast lamb for 12....
Playing :: An egg & spoon race, an Easter egg pinata (made by the kids) and an Easter egg hunt, great fun.
Loving :: The Easter Holidays - hope you had a great one too.

So what did you get up to this Easter Weekend and what do you have planned for the week ahead? Do share.

Have fun. xx

How To :: Rainbow Easter Garland

Yesterday I made this cute little Easter Garland to hang over my fireplace in my front room ready for our family party on Sunday.

It was super easy to make, particularly with kids to entertain this holiday, and a pretty way to add a splash of Spring colour to a room, especially if it's a bit grey and miserable outside. It isn't an original idea by any means - I'm sure you have seen lots like this before - but I thought it would be fun to show you how I made my version in case you would like to make one too.

First of all you need to collect a selection of paint charts from your local DIY store. I used a rainbow selection, but you could use colours to match the colour-scheme of the room you are going to decorate.

Next, draw an egg shape on some paper. The shape should be one and a half times the length of a colour block on the paint chart. Once you are happy with your egg shape and size, cut a template out of some scrap card.

Placing the template over one of the paint charts, line the bottom of the egg shape at the bottom of one of the colour blocks. Make a mark on the template where the top of the colour block is.

Line up your template at the bottom of the colour block, making sure the mark is lined up with the top of the colour block. Take a look to make sure you can't see any text within your selected area. Draw around the shape and cut it out. You should be able to cut three egg shapes from each paint chart.

Once you have cut out all your eggs (I think I used around 30 shapes) stick them to a length of string or ribbon, making sure that all the white lines are level. Hang it up and sit back and admire your handy work.

Let me know if you have a go at making one too, I would love to see your version.

Have fun. xx