Pink fabric wreath and snow!

We have been excitingly showered with snow in the last 24 hours and it has been magical! Both my two children have been so excited and have loved playing in the snow. There has been conversations of sledges and snowman amongst the Mums and Dads in the neighbourhood today (even a small mention of school closures), but alas for now the snow has stopped.

I have had such lovely comments about the ribbon wreaths I have been making, that I have decided to make some more. This time I have used fabric strips instead if ribbon. I love to co-ordinate all the colours, so there is some sort of colour pattern the eye can follow.
I had kept a parcel bag full of strips,end bits of fabric, discarded from my sewing projects and greedily used these for the fabric wreath. I had lots of pale pinks and pastel light greens left over fabric which I feel compliment and look nice together. I find making wreaths, quite a cathartic process,choosing,cutting and applying the fabric/ribbon strips around the wire base of the frame is very relaxing.

To hang with, I used a beautiful double sided baby pink ribbon.

                             

Lots of gingham, stripes and spots. I think this would like lovely in a girls bedroom.

               
My next wreath I am working on is a Red Christmas one, using lots of different styles of red ribbons, so far (I am about half way) it looks very festive and what with the snow today, its putting me in the Christmas spirit!
I have been crafty busy the last few days, not only making the above but also lavender hearts, ornament Christmas trees, and a green gingham purse- phew! I really do enjoy making these things and feel so pleased when I see the finished piece. Both Mister Blister and Pumpkin are interested in them too, and frequently ask me how my sewing/craft work is going! I love the fact they are seeing there Mum doing some thing worthwhile, they always seem so pleased when I show them what I have been working on. Maybe its just kids and the unconditional love they have for you!

Anyway, time to sit and relax Hubby has just brought me a cup of tea and a apple and cream turnover! Ah the small things. Bx

Autumn celebrations

 Autumn is just a beautiful season and brings a lot of happy times in our household. We all seem to have our birthdays within weeks of each other then soon after we celebrate Christmas.

You may not know this but I was born in New Zealand and November is a Spring month, lots of freshly mowed lawns and warm sunny morning. But since living in beautiful England, I have celebrating my birthday in the Autumn season. No more outdoor celebrations, but more cosy, fire lit, warm evening birthdays. I am not complaining as I really have fallen head of heels for the autumn season.
My children adore the leaves falling and are amazed when I tell them they will grow again in the Spring. They enjoy Halloween, Guy Fawkes night, birthdays and the Christmas celebrations.
Last week I celebrated my birthday on a cold cosy November day, I was thoroughly spoilt and felt like a Queen for a day. I had requested a new camera (our original one was brought when my Son was born and could only take 3 photos before it ran out of power). I was so delighted when Hubby presented me with a lovely Violet digital camera, I soon started taken pictures of every thing I could see and putting them into slide shows for my Husband to view all evening.
I not sure if it is a age thing, but I find as I get older, I am more selective about what I would like, so having given my family a small list of little treasures a few weeks earlier, I was thrilled when I opened the presents and found them in front of me.

Paperchase teatowels

I love these Paperchase tea towels, I could look at these owl patterns all day.Oohh love paperchase!

Their is a lot of fabric around at the moment with owl patterns and designs, I think it is so timely with the darker days and autumn nights.

This pretty heart photo/note display

I have wanted something like this pretty heart photo/note display for a long time, so pleased with this.

I hope you all enjoy the Autumn season and the changes it brings with it.

Bx

PS My thoughts go out to the NZ miners in Greymouth and their families and friends today.

Ribbon wreath tutorial

Over the last few weeks, I have noticed how you can create and make beautiful things with ribbons. Whilst researching buying ribbons online I have seen the most lovely idea in which to display your ribbons- a ribbon wreath.
Ribbons wreaths are really very easy to make and quite relaxing at the same time.
So on Saturday afternoon (after going to pizza express for lunch, I will tell you about this in my next blog) my children and I excitingly sat down and we made a ribbon wreath.
I have put together a quick tutorial to show you how to make one.
All you need is - some ribbon, a wire wreath frame, a pair of scissors and plenty of helping hands.

You can buy a wire wreath frame from any local florist for a very small amount.

Cut several 6-8inch pieces of different colour ribbon (or in my case 2 little helpers taking turns at cutting)
Tie the ribbon pieces around the edge of the wire and tie into a bow- several times.

And basically that's it, keep putting the ribbon pieces around the wreath until it starts to look like this..

When you are happy with your design and the ribbons look puffed and pretty. Attach a thicker piece of ribbon in the middle of the top of the frame and hang accordingly in your favourite room.
Voila......

I have hung the ribbon wreath in my living room amongst my other treasured things.When I look at this it makes me feel happy.
Now all I have to do is order some more ribbon as I have ran out of two colours...but I do not mind as I am now a ribbon addict!
Bx

Beautiful cushions

If some one had told how easy it was to make cushion covers when I was in my early twenties, I would have stopped buying so many cushion covers over the years. I have a loft full of cushions that I have discarded over the years, once I re-decorated a room, got bored of the colours, did not like the colour etc.
My Father in law (who is a very good sewer!) said I should look into making covers for cushions as they were simple to do, so being a simple sewer -I did. And what a discovery I found. You can sew a cushion cover in 20 minutes! By using the inside cushion as your template you can sew one very quickly. (I can provide a cushion cover tutorial with photos for those who are interested? Let me know.)

There are lots of different designs for cushion covers but the best one for me is a cover with a zip on one side. You could do one with tassels, buttons, tie-knot etc. I like the basic zip design, and I couldn't resist some ribbon detail on the side as well.

Here it is. Notice the beautiful pink spotted ribbon on the side.

I love this material from Fabric rehab. Check out their website it is full of beautiful fabric and lovely fat quarter bundles. http://www.fabricrehab.co.uk/
I am afraid these cushion covers are for me, I have selfishly decided to keep them for myself and have them sat beautifully in my sewing room and living room- they are too lovely to give away!

Becky
xox