On the third day of Christmas ....... homemade Advent Chocolates

Years ago (before children) Mr A and I bought an advent calendar for each other, which, within it's little drawers, contained a beautiful hand-crafted chocolate for each day of advent.

It has been our tradition since then to carefully pack the calendars away until the following December and then re-fill the drawers using shop bought chocolates.

This year, however, I thought it might be fun to have a go at making our own chocolates.

I know we are already a week into advent, but to be honest I haven't really had an opportunity until now, so this is what is on my work-desk this morning:

For added deliciousness I plan to make a variety of flavours so I am making a mixture of white, milk and dark chocolates. 

I've got a selection of ingredients from my baking supplies and am enjoying working out some different flavour combinations.

So far my favourites are; dark chocolate and sour cherries, white chocolate with raspberries and mini marshmallows, milk chocolate with honeycomb and dark chocolate with mixed peel.

I am thoroughly enjoying myself, but I can foresee a problem - how do I only limit myself to one a day?

What's on your work-desk this morning?

Jumbleberries. xx

WOYWW :: Ring Backs

A couple of weeks ago I treated myself to a set of adjustable ring backs, so today I'm going to get the glue gun out and have a go at making some cute little rings. I'm planning on making some with button detail (including using some of my vintage buttons) and I'm going to make some with some felt flowers on top.

Before I start though I'm going to join the WOYWW Link Party as hosted by the lovely Stamping Ground and take a peek at what everyone else has on their workdesks - I have a feeling it might take me some time ...

What's on your workdesk this Wednesday morning?

Jumbleberries xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday :: Cameo Brooches

Today I'm using my little tray again and doing some stitching in front of the TV! I'm making some more little cameo brooches and all the bits of felt are quite small, so I find it easier to work this way. I've designed a strawberry motif, in celebration of Wimbledon, an apple motif, as I thought this might make a lovely "gift for teacher" and an owl motif, well, just because really.

What do you think? I'll try and pop back later to show you the finished items!

So what's on your work-desk this sunny Wednesday morning?

For more Cameo Felt Brooches, check out my Folksy shop.

Have fun.

Jumbleberries xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday :: Pink Flowers

Well I hope the weather is as beautiful where you are as it is here - it's just lovely. So lovely infact that I'm actually working at the garden table today, as I'm sewing by hand for a change. I'm making some more felt flower corsages, this time in pale pinks, snow whites & soft greys, as I thought they would work well as bridal party accessories, perhaps as alternatives to button-holes, or fascinators for flower-girls. What do you think?

I have already made these two in more vibrant colours:

The red flower is going to become a wrist corsage and the green, a hair-slide  - and this time I'm going to keep them for myself....

Right, time for a cuppa and a peek at all the other uber-creative workdesks around the world as hosted by the lovely Julia.

What's on your workdesk this sunny Wednesday afternoon?

Have fun. xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday :: May Day Cake Bunting

I've decided that it's far too wet and cold outside to be venturing anywhere far, so really the only option is to just stay at home crafting for the day ...

I picked up lots of really bright coloured felt yesterday and have been making some pretty flower corsages in various designs. This morning however I had the bright idea that the rainbow of colours would work really well as May Day Cake Bunting, so that's what I've got on the sewing machine at the moment:

 

Of course, I'll have to spend the afternoon making myself a Victoria Sponge just so I can show it off!

What have you got on your workdesk this Wednesday morning (WOYWW)? 

Have fun. xx

Take a peek:

Pay It Forward Giveaway

Meet Me On Monday

My Folksy Shop

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

WOYWW :: Easter Baskets

 

We're planning an Easter get together with my family on Sunday and if the weather is nice we're going to organise an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. So today I am making some little Easter Baskets for the the little peeps to use, using up some odds and ends of felt that I have in my stash. As my Superhero and Princess are at home today on Easter holidays, this is proving to be a slow project, but I hope to be back later to show you at least one finished item!

What's on your work-desk today? 

Not heard of WOYWW - pop over to Julia's blog to find out all the info.

Have fun. xx

PS - Thank you to everyone that left me lovely comments on my WOYWW post last week, it is much appreciated. I do try to comment on your blog in return, however, I am still having problems saving comments unless you have a your comment form set as a pop-up box. Thanks.

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Although I have a dedicated crafting space upstairs, I tend to do most of my making at my kitchen table, particularly if I am using the sewing machine as the light is much better.  This means of course, that everything I have been working on needs to be cleared away in preparation for dinner or homework, etc. And because I always seem to be doing half a dozen jobs at once, quite often my crafting stash doesn't get put away in the neat and tidy fashion it deserves (I'm sure I'm not the only one, right?). So as a consequence more often than not, my work-desk ends up looking like this:

I know, I know, I can hear the more organised amongst you gasping in horror.

Well. Mr A is away with work at the moment, so I have the evening to myself and am planning on spending some time trying to bring some order to my work-desk. I'm quite looking forward, truth be told, to arranging all those yummy colours into some sort of organised rainbow, although I do think there something very pretty about the jumble of felt, don't you agree?

Take a peek here for a selection of real creative work-desks!

Have fun. xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Just a quick WOYWW post from me today I'm afraid, as I've got lots of bits and pieces to get finished off. I managed to slip over in the snow yesterday and twist my arm, so making has been a tad slow and a I'm a bit behind with several projects! 

It's Mr A's nephew's birthday on Friday so I'm making him a moustache pencil topper and bookmark to pop in to his card. I've also got some owl brooches to finish off, a couple of loopy corsages (which I thought would be good fun for Valentines Day) and a couple of hair-slide ribbons I'm making ready for forthcoming birthday parties. Right, I had better get started I suppose.

What's on your workdesk today?

Have fun. xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday :: Little Owl Canvas

On my list of things to make this week is a drawstring bag I've been asked to make for a friends little girl.

So this morning out came the material ready for measuring, cutting and sewing etc. Unfortunately - as so often happens to me - whilst working on one project, another idea pops into mind and I just HAVE to make it there and then....

You see the last time I used these materials, I made this Little Owl for my niece. I loved this project as I was really pleased with the design which I then went on to translate into a paper collage picture.

So, I had the bright idea that the design would make a cute fabric collage on canvas. Away went the bag pattern and out came the canvas and paint and this is what my workdesk looks like this morning:

As you can see I've almost cut out all the pieces, I now just need to sew it all together and glue it to the canvas. I think it will look really cute though when it's finished - what do you think?

Do you get easily distracted with new ideas?

Pop across to Julia's blog to take a peek at a whole world of creative workdesks.

Have fun. xx

PS - if you are kind enough to leave me a comment, please don't be offended if I don't comment in return. I do always check out your WOYWW post, but for some strange reason I am not always able to save any comments I write.

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday :: Hearts & Flowers

My work-desk looks quite productive this week I think (even if I do say so myself, tee hee):

I've been working at the kitchen table over the last couple of days, as the light is better there, especially when it's so grey and miserable outside. I've been designing and making some Spring & Valentine's inspired felt projects. You can see in the photo some heart shapes ready be made into a selection of brooches and a couple of Spring wreaths (one with cherry blossoms on it and one with primroses), which I hope to be able to finish off today.

What have you got planned for today?

Check out Stamping Ground for more creative workdesks.

Have fun. xx

Oh .... by the way, thank you to everyone that is kind enough to leave me a comment - you really do make my day. I do always pop by and take a peek at what you are up to too, but unfortunately I don't seem to be able to leave a comment, unless you have your comments form set-up in the same way as mine. Does anyone know why that might be??

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday :: Primroses

It is quite grey and miserable today, but yesterday was beautifully sunny and it really felt like Spring wasn't that far away. With this in mind I thought I would quite like to design and make some primrose felt shapes that I could use for future Spring themed projects. So this is what my work-desk looks like this morning:

The shapes still need a little work, but I think they are pretty much there - and anyway, I am having fun working it out.

What's on your workdesk this morning? Pop over to Stamping Ground to see what everyone else is up to.

Have fun. xx

Nice Pins!

Well, I spent a happy couple of hours yesterday morning making some fabric covered pins with my new Button Factory kit. It was so much fun (and really easy to use). I got really carried away, so this is only a small selection of the pins I made:

Aren't they cute? I'm off to meet my friend for a coffee in a minute so am going to pin a couple to my coat. 

Have you made any fabric covered pins?

Have fun. xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday?

I've got a couple of hours to myself this morning whilst Mr A takes the Superhero and Princess to the cinema, so this is what is on my workdesk today:

Mr A gave me this Button Factory kit for Xmas and I've been itching to have a play, so this is what I'll be spending my morning doing - I'll let you know how I get on.

What's on your workdesk this Wednesday? Looking for some inspiration then check out Stamping Ground's very creative followers and have a peek around all their workdesks.

Have fun. xx

Autumn Colour & What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

I've felt like I've had a black cloud following me around for the last week for one reason or another, so I have spent Monday and Tuesday of this week trying to be good to myself:

I've spent some time reading

I've spent some time writing

I've spent some time baking (and of course eating) some very yummy chocolate brownies

and after that I started to feel the cloud lift and the Autumn colour shine through and I was ready to start making again.  This included:

an Autumn Leaves Brooch (above)

and this little Apple Brooch

So today - now that I have my creative head back on - I'm going to make a start on some of my handmade Christmas pressies.  On the agenda for this morning are a couple of crayon rolls and 4 bags using some (recently purchased) denim (oh yeah, I spent some time doing some retail therapy too) and some pretty and funky tea-towels.  

What's on your work-desk this morning? In need of inspiration? Take a peek at the list of talented peeps organised by Stamping Ground. Be warned though, visiting all those wonderful blogs is terribly addictive!

Have fun. xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

Loads ....

I've mentioned lots of projects on my making list on my Meet Me On Monday posts, but have been rubbish about actually finishing any of them off. So today is the day.  Hopefully I'll be back later to show you:

- a surprise pressie for an 8 year old (it was his party yesterday but I didn't manage to get it finished in time!)
- an autumn leaves brooch (this one has been knocking around for a couple of weeks now, if I don't get it finished it'll be Christmas)
- an art deco inspired project (have I mentioned that I love art deco?)
- and a couple of secret projects, which I hope to share with you later in the week

So that should be enough to keep me out of trouble for the day.  First though I'm off to take a peek at the workdesks of all the other talented followers of the lovely Stamping Ground.

Whats on your workdesk this Wednesday morning?

Have fun. xx

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday?

I had planned to finish of an Autumn leaves felt brooch I have been working on this evening, but when the kids came home from school announcing that tomorrow was wear a tea-cosy on your head day (obviously!), all previous plans went out the window.....  Now I don't know about you, but we don't use a tea-cosy in our house, let only two, so this evening I'm having to design and make a couple.  So this is what my workdesk looks like right now:

Wish me luck.

What's on your workdesk today?  xx

What's on Your Worksdesk Wednesday

What's on my work-desk this morning?  Not much yet it has to be said.

I have big plans though, don't you worry - oh yes I have big plans.....

Well a couple of ideas anyway, tee hee.

I found this pack of material on my favourite market stall yesterday and thought that they were such pretty patterns that I just had to have them.  I'm planning to spend this afternoon making some yo-yos which can be used on brooches, hairbands and even perhaps a wrist corsage.  Sound like a plan??

Hope to be back later to show you the fruits of my labours.   That is, if I still have time left after I have taken a peek at all the amazing desks organised by the talent Stamping Ground. 

What's on your work-desk this chilly Wednesday?  Hope you have a productive day. xx

PS - hope you can pop back after the weekend to Meet Me on Monday.

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday?

After a week of entertaining the kids with trips to the museum, train journeys, out for lunch, time at the playbarn, meeting friends, picnics at the park, etc, etc, I've declared today is scheduled as a quiet day at home.  So far so good.....

I've recently been playing with paper, having treated myself to a pretty pack of Dovecraft's Back to Basics.  So this is what I have on my workdesk today:

I have an idea in my head to create a couple of holiday themed collages - one of a pretty caravan and one of a retro campervan.  If the kids leave me alone for longer than thirty seconds, I might be able to show the end results later - fingers crossed.

What's on your worksdesk this Wednesday?  Wishing you a productive day. xx

Decopatch addict

On Saturday I had a lovely few hours at our monthly crop.  As well as being able to finish off a couple of (very) outstanding projects, we also got to try our hand at decopatch. 

Have you tried it yet?  It's fab, but be warned it is totally addictive. 

Since the crop I have been wandering around the house looking for things to decorate and, well the long and the short of it is, anything that isn't moving will basically get covered in pretty paper and glue! 

So on my workdesk this morning I have the first of my many decopatch projects and have a couple of lovely little papier-mache boxes which I intend to decorate - too cute!

What's on your workdesk this Wednesday morning?

Wishing you a productive day x.

Oh by the way, a big thank you to everyone that has left me lovely comments on my previous WOYWW posts - although I have visited everyone's blog in return, for some reason not all my comments are published.  I am sure this is due to my limited technical capability, so will endeavor to get it sorted today. xx