Got there in the end

Those of you that are taking part in the Monthly Make Challenge over at the Felt Fairy will already know that the lovely Annie suggested making a Stanley the Dog as everyone's make for March.  Well being the type off chick that likes to dance to the rhythm of her own beat (or should that read; terrible scatterbrain that is always months behind everyone else?) my March make has turned into my May make, but hey ho, got there in the end.  I'm rather proud of the end result actually and am really loving the colour-combo - what do you think?

Sunday Baking - Country Loaf

 
This is a recipe that I have been making for years and it is absolutely delicious.  My mum used to make it for me and my brother and sister for tea on a Sunday and now I make it for my family.  I'm not sure where the original recipe came from (so don't know who to credit) and I guess it has changed a bit over the years, but this is how I make it today:

8oz self raising flour
2oz butter
1 egg
1 grated carrot
1 small onion
4oz cheese
1 teaspoon of mustard
a splash of milk

Mix all the ingredients together and pop in a greased loaf tin.  Cook at 180oC  for around 35 mins.

Serve warm with a generous spread of butter.  Totally yummy.

Enjoy x

I Love .... a gin & tonic

I love a Friday night G & T.  For me it is the best way to start the weekend.

Ice and a slice anyone?

Have a fab weekend x

Better late than never!

Whenever I leave the house it seems to me that I return with yet another square of felt for my ever expanding collection.  I think I must a have a piece of felt for every colour in the rainbow and then some.  So why is it that most of my projects end up either purple or pink (I guess I'm just too much of a girlie girl at heart - I can't help it!).  Well I have a couple of projects to work on this evening and am determined to use some different colours.  This is what I have on my workdesk today:

Doesn't it look lovely?

Both of these projects are well out of date, but hey, better late than never, right?

My first project is an Easter Chick.  I know, Easter was well over a week ago, but I only came across the pattern over at Myrtle & Eunice at the weekend and it's sooo cute that I just have to give it a go.

And my second project is Stanley the Dog for the Felt Fairy's Monthly Make Challenge for March! And yes I do realise that it is May already (and May the 4th be with you, by the way), but things have been a bit hectic and, well, I just never got round to it .... but tonight is the night.  I'll let you know how I get on!

Happy WOYWW x.

May Day Flowers

I wanted to make something May Day related for my May entry for the Monthly Make Challenge.  Two reasons really - firstly, I thought if I linked it to May Day (ie, the beginning of the month) I might stand a chance of actually finishing the project this time round!  Secondly, I have been practicing making structured felt flowers, (as opposed to flat, five petal daisy shapes which I have used on other projects) and thought where better to use flowers than on a May Day project. 

My initial idea was to make a May Queen Crown, but then realised that my new flowers might actually be slightly too heavy.  So I opted for a flower basket instead.  I've used pinks and purples (as they remind me of cherry blossom and violets) which I think gives it a spring feel.  Some ribbon, a couple of structured flowers and some little button detailing finishes the look.  It's not too big and as I've not designed or even made a a little bag from felt before I am really happy with how it's turned out. 

With all the thoughts of Weddings this weekend I even wondered whether it would work as a Flower Girl basket?  

Spring Projects

Mr A and I have got some time at home with the children this week.  We have been out and about lots and are having a lovely time.  Today though, I am having some me time and staying at home to do a couple of crafting projects.  This is what my workdesk looks like this morning:
 

 

I'm loving all these Spring colours.  My plan is to make a May Queen Crown as my latest make for the Monthly Make Challenge over at the Felt Fairy.  I'll let you know how I get on.  

What's on your workdesk this Wednesday morning?  

I found this fab over-sized button on my favourite market stall yesterday, which I thought would look great on a hair-slide, so I'm going to have a go at that too.  

Wishing you a productive day.

Party Time

WOYWW

I've got a busy day ahead of me today.  Later this morning (as part of my day job - Jumbleberries Play) I'm running a children's Easter party.  I've planned loads of different Easter themed activities, including an indoor version of an Easter egg hunt.  So here I am in the early hours of the morning cutting up hundreds of egg shapes in preparation.  Not the most creative tasks I admit but they have added a welcome splash of colour to my otherwise empty workdesk.

What's on your workdesk this Wednesday morning?

Fairies & Elves

This mornings Easter party will be the second party I've organised this week.  My little Princess turned 4 at the weekend, so we gave her Fairy & Elves party on Saturday.  As well as traditional party games. dancing and singing, we set up a couple of craft tables (obviously!) where her party guests were able to make Elf and Butterfly themed party crowns and magic wand pencil toppers.  We ended up with glitter everywhere as you can image, but it was all great fun.

I used the party as an excuse to get creative and made everyone a little felt egg-cosy party-favour (with a magic star on the front for the boys and a butterfly for the girls) hid a little chocolate egg inside and popped them in the party bags......

... and I had a go at making a fairy inspired cake and some little toadstool cupcakes. The cupcakes went down a treat with everyone (hence there being only two left for the picture!). 

Not bad for for a first attempt.  Next year I'll be taking inspiration from Busy Butterfingers - how amazing are Famfa's cakes?

Right, I better go and finish my prep for the party.  Fingers crossed the beautiful weather continues. 

 the view from my kitchen window

Wishing you a productive day.  x