May The Fourth Be With You!

Well, truth be told, when it comes down to it, I am actually quite pretty-traditional-girly. By this I mean, I like owl prints, Art Deco glass, cake, bunting, beach-huts & anything by Cath Kidston. I like toadstools, buttons, cherry blossom, retro pirex, swing dresses, coloured nail varnish and afternoon tea. I like chic-lit, music from and inspired by the 30s & 40s, the seaside, cats, watching Poirot on a cold afternoon, vintage caravans, and picnics in the summer. But when it comes to watching films, well that is another kettle of fish altogether. It's life Jim, but not as we know it .... You see it is true to say that I am a BIG Sci-fi fan. Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate - I love them all.

So in celebration of Star Wars Day and my love of all things sci-fi, here is a list of my favourite sci-fi inspired items found on Folksy this week:

 Star Trek Felt Badge - Pictureofgrace

  Star Wars Paper-cut - Gingerhearts

 

 Stormtrooper Lego Cufflinks - Bits and Badges 

Star Wars Finger Puppets - MuNGBEANS

Aren't they awesome? Which is your favourite?

Are you a sci-fi fan too?

What's your favourite thing on a Friday?

Live long and prosper. xx

PS - Don't forget to leave me a comment here if you want to join in with my Pay It Forward Giveaway.

My Folksy Shop

 

Favourite Things & A Monthly Make

We have a small Cherry Tree in our back garden, that my Mum & Dad gave Mr A & I as a house warming gift when we moved here nearly 10 years ago - which came into flower this week. This, coupled with the warmer weather and blue skies that we have been enjoying over the last couple of days, has really made it feel as if Spring has truly sprung!

Isn't it pretty? Many moons ago I was lucky enough to be working in Japan during the Cherry Blossom season and it was just so beautiful. It's such a shame that the flowers only last a couple of weeks, 
so whilst it lasts, Cherry Blossom is definitely my Favourite Thing On A Friday. 

What's yours?

As well as giving me a pretty view from my kitchen window my little tree also gave me my inspiration for my March Project for the Monthly Make Challenge:

 

Based on the brooch shape I designed for Mr A's mum's birthday pressie, I added a little branch shape and embellished with tiny pink flower shaped sequins, for a bit of Spring colour. What do you think?

Did you make anything for the Monthly Make Challenge

Have fun. xx

Favourite Thing On A Friday :: Owls

I'm joining in with the lovely Emma's Favourite Thing On A Friday series of posts over at Mimi & Tilly today, as it appears that I have developed a slight obsession with Owls this week.

Having made an owl inspired scissors case as my Monthly Make for February, I've then gone on to complete a Little Owl Canvas and a made a couple of Little Owl brooches, all destined for my shop.

Cute aren't they?

And take a look at these other Owl inspired items I have found on Folksy this week:

Pair of Owls Sitting on a Log by Wild Wood Whimsies

Two Owls Canvas by With Hugs and Kisses

2012 Diary : Owls in woolly jumpers by mypipsqueak

Three Wise Little Owls by Mammakaz

Do you love Owls too? What's your favourite thing ona Friday?

Have fun. xx

Favourite Things :: Peacocks

Last summer, when planning to redecorate my hallway, I treated myself to a beautiful print of a peacock and ever since then I've found that I have been drawn to peacock inspired items.

I recently found this funky peacock-feather ring:

which I have been wearing along with this peacock coloured nail-polish:

 Even the kids have been inspired - we made these Mr Maker pictures at the weekend:

by Superhero aged 6

by Princess aged 4

 So last week  I made myself this cute little peacock feather inspired brooch:

Its been an idea that I have had in mind for a little while, so I am really pleased with how it turned out. I think it looks quite art deco. I've been wearing it with my black coat and teal coloured scarf.

Do you like peacock coloured items too?

Have fun. xx

Favourite Thing On A Friday - Buttons

Well, it wasn't planned, but it appears that there was a theme to this week's series of posts, did you notice? Yes, apparently (with out me even realising it) I have become a little obsessed with buttons of late.

And even though I haven't been crafting for that long I have already managed to gather quite a collection....

I like the way they look altogether in the jar, the mix of colours, they remind me of a jar of sweets. And I like to tip them into a bowl and run my fingers through them, I find this quite relaxing. Do you do this too, tell me you do and that it isn't just me being strange, tee hee.

Yes, buttons are definitely my Favourite Thing on a Friday.

So with this mind, I thought it would be fun to find some lovely button themed items on Folksy this week - look at what I found:

Summer Yellow Button Cascade Keyring by D & K Designs

Purple and Green Button Brooch by Realicoul Handmade Funky Button Jewellery

 

Cute as a Button Card by Egg and Soldiers

What's your favourite thing on a Friday?  Check out the lovely Emma's blog for more favourite things.

Have fun. xx

Favourite Thing On Friday - Autumn

Well it's that time of the week again when the lovely (and very funny) Emma over at Mimi & Tilly asks what's been our favourite thing this week.

Well it might be a little obvious, but for me this week I am totally loving Autumn. This has always been my favourite time of the year, but this year (perhaps due to the good weather we have been having) everything seems just that little bit more beautiful. The colours of the trees seems that little bit more vivid. The new emerging forms of the leafless branches seem just a little bit more striking. And the crunch of the fallen leaves underfoot seem just a little bit more, well, crunchy - don't you agree? Loads of inspiration for crafty projects I think.

And the kids have been having a great time too. We've all spent as much time as we could enjoying 'outside' this week either at the farm or the park (although to be fair it has been a tad cold!). And the fact that it hasn't actually rained this half term is a bonus. Plus they have never collected as many conkers, acorns and other interesting autumnal bits & bobs.  And Halloween is just around the corner, well, it's just toooo exciting for words!

So in celebration of all things Autumnal, here is a selection of some of my favourite Autumn themed items found on Folksy this week:

Autumn Felted Bowl by That Fuzzy Feeling

 Autumn Screen Print by Red Berry Hill

Celtic Autumn Necklace by AMITOLA JEWELLERY

Autumn Flower Corsage by Belle & the Bean

Autumn Leaf Coasters by by sally

So what has been your favourite thing this week?

Have fun. xx

Favourite Thing on a Friday - Art Deco Design

With the current love affair for all things vintage, the glamour of the 1940s and 50s is having somewhat of a revival. However, for me, you can't beat the the stylish elegance of the 1920s & 30s.  Yes, without a doubt definitely my Favourite Thing on a Friday is Art Deco Design.

Originally known as Moderne style, art deco influenced everything from fashion, interior design and of course architecture. One of my favourite architects from the period has to be Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Living in pretty Market Harborugh (UK) I am lucky enough to be only about 30 minutes away from one of his most famous projects 78 Derngate, which he re-modelled in his iconic Modernist style in 1917. It is a great place to visit if you ever get a chance - and they even have a lovely tea-room too.

ITV3 are currently re-running The House of Elliott, which I am watching most days, so I totally have the 1930s on the brain at the moment!  So with thoughts of all things Art Deco take a look at these beautiful items I have found on Folksy:

Art Deco Stained Glass Panel by Diomo Glass

Sterling silver etched art deco stud earrings by Lauren Hutchinson Contemporary Jewellery Design

 

 Art Deco Magnolia flower Leather iPhone Sleeve by Patina Blue

Noritake Green Art Deco Teacup Soy Candle by Crafty Green Monkeys

Deco Neckpiece by Kirstin Moore Contemporary Jewellery

 

These items are definitely on my wish-list for Xmas - hope you are taking note Mr A?

 

What is your Favourite Thing on a Friday? Join in and share with the lovely Mimi & Tilly.

 

Have a nice weekend. xx

PS - hope you can pop back after the weekend to join in with Meet Me on Monday?

Favourite Thing On A Friday - Kitsch Teapots

If asked to describe myself I would like to tell you that I am cool and sophisticated. That I have a sleek haircut and drive a fast sports car.  That I wear red nails and drink a 6 o'clock martini everyday. That is what I would like to tell you.

In reality though, I'm much more traditional.  I like vintage tea-cups filled with rose scented candles, I like Cath Kidston print bunting and I like cupcakes, covered in vanilla icing and 100s & 1000s.  

There is another side to me though. One that I don't normally share with the world at large. But one that I feel ready to share with you here, today, right this minute: 

My name is Clare and I Love Kitsch Teapots.

This little teapot with feet is my favourite - isn't it adorable?  I bought years ago, long before I had a house of my own and was still living with my mum and dad. Now that I do have a house of my own I've realised that it doesn't go with anything else in my kitchen - but I just don't care, I love it and it makes me smile to look at it.

What is your favourite thing on a Friday?

Hope you have a fab weekend and hope you can pop back first thing next week to Meet Me On Monday. xx

Favourite Thing On A Friday - A Happy Mess

I have recently found Mimi and Tilly and am really enjoy reading it (as I'm all for leading a Glittery Life!) so I thought I'd join in with their new Favourite Thing On A Friday series of posts;

Well, we are four weeks into the the seven week summer holiday and so far I have managed to keep the kids reasonably entertained - phew.  As the weather hasn't been great this week it has given us a good opportunity to do some Arts & Crafts at home, which is one of our most favourite things to do.  We've done some great messy play, such as playing with cornflour and shaving foam and we've done some lovely painting and sticking projects too.  Here are a couple of examples of things we've made:

 Suncatchers to hang in the windows.

 Mini masterpieces to hang in the freshly decorated play-house.

Some fun wooden spoon people (this was my favourite project).

What's your favourite thing on a Friday?

Here is another couple of reasons why I haven't minded the rain today:

Think I'm going to have a bumper harvest!
 
Hope you have a fab weekend.  Don't forget to Meet Me on Monday so we can share our adventures from the weekend and our plans for the week ahead.

xx