Tinsel

Here's my really quick, simple and inexpensive Christmas Wreath

For my base, I used a polystyrene hoop. They're very cheap to buy - this one was a £1!

I wrapped two silver tinsel garlands around the hoop (£1 each), securing the ends with a modified paperclip...

Using wire cutters I cut a U shape. I then pushed it into the polystyrene, securing the tinsel.

Once all of the wreath was covered in tinsel, I made a bow out of silver wired ribbon (£2) and secured it by tying it around the wreath.

Total cost: £5 (that's $7.79 or €6.34)

**** Linking up at these sites

Stocking Filler 2014

I've just finished off my crochet coaster stocking fillers for this Christmas.

I previously posted about this crochet pattern here

I used some silver ribbon to bundle up my sets of 4 slate coloured coasters and I added a very simple label - made using my trusty tag punch and a christmas tree punch.

**** Linking up at these sites

Miracles do happen

Today is the the fourth annual World Prematurity Day - 17th November.

It's an international day to raise awareness of preterm birth - 15 million babies are born prematurely around the world each year.

In October 2013, my baby boy Max was born almost 11 weeks early weighing just 1lb 12oz.

What should have been a joyful occasion was in fact a very frightening time. I had undergone an emergency c-section and my emotions were all over the place.

I feared for my baby. I had no control. I had to put all of my trust in the doctors and nurses to look after him and keep him alive.

I didn't get to hold him until the next day and even then, he was covered in wires and on oxygen. They call it Kangaroo care, placing the baby skin to skin with the mother.

When the nurse placed him on my chest, I could hardly feel him - he was so light in weight. He gripped my finger tight ... he had some strength and that gave me strength.

The work the doctors and nurses did was amazing. My baby was so tiny and they managed to care for him in such a gentle, delicate manner.

Each evening I would leave the neonatal unit in tears, but I knew I was leaving him in safe hands.

After 7 weeks, weighing a mighty 4lb 3oz, Max was allowed to come home.

Of course, all journeys are not as straight forward, so the work charities such as Bliss and Tommy's do is vital.

I know how lucky we are.

Pucker Up

This is my first Christmas make of 2014...

This mistletoe pattern is by Marina Hoffstrom and it's very well written. You can purchase it in her Etsy shop.

I used Sirdar Cotton DK yarn and a 3mm hook. Instead of using pearls, I chose to use some pearl buttons.

A red ribbon bow finished it off and it's now ready to be hung over my doorway! xx

**** Linking up at these sites

Vampire Vodka (including label download)

Halloween isn't just for children! This Vampire Vodka will be a welcome addition to any spooky party this October!

It's basically a cherry infused vodka and is very simple to make.

The longer you leave it to mature, the better it gets †

I used a 250ml clip top preserve bottle.

To the bottle I added 100g of frozen cherries and 70g of caster sugar.

I then filled the bottle with vodka - don't use an expensive one!

After an initial very good shake, all you need to do is shake the bottle once a day. That's it!

And to make things even simpler, feel free to download the label I created - you can resize it as you wish!

DOWNLOAD 'VAMPIRE VODKA' LABEL HERE

If you have run out of time for Halloween, this recipe would be great for Christmas!

Enjoy!

† UPDATE: I found that after just two weeks the drink was already delicious!

**** Linking up at these sites

Shades of Autumn

So it's officially Autumn. Despite the sunny bright days, the nights are chilly and the leaves are starting to fall... all the inspiration I needed to create this scarf.

I followed a free pattern by Crochet In Color.

I used Sirdar Cotton DK yarn in autumnal colours and a 5mm hook and did 17 rows in total.

Instead of braiding my ends, I added a fringe. Here's a great tutorial showing how this is done.

**** Linking up at these sites

Let's Peg It!

I came across some jumbo pegs at my local Tiger store and knew one could be easily transformed into a unique photo holder.

The pegs were a bargain at £1 each.

I took a peg apart and used each piece as a template on my paper. I cut these out with a craft knife and stuck the paper to the peg pieces using Mod Podge.

Once dry, I brushed on a layer of Mod Podge to form a seal.

Finally I added 3 flower embellishments to the bottom of the peg ... less is more, as they say!

This peg is a great photo holder, but also great for keeping together important bits of paper, including those supermarket coupons!

**** Linking up at these sites

Over The Moon

The Supermoon is the closest full moon of the calendar year, when the moon appears largest in the sky.

Tonight it was visible over the UK and I ventured out into the darkness to get a quick shot.

Considering I couldn't really see what I was doing, I am pretty pleased with the image!

Fjord Eyes Only

We've just returned from one of the most beautiful and scenic holidays I have ever had...cruising The Norwegian Fjords.

We sailed on the Queen Victoria, a member of the Cunard family.

Taking a baby on a cruise was a great idea - no chores to do, no washing to do, no meals to prepare, just 7 whole days to enjoy being a family.

Our first port was Bergen and we took a trip on the Fløibanen Funicular to experience the fantastic views (you can see the Queen Victoria bottom right)

We sampled the delights of the Fish Market

Second port was Andalsnes where we got ashore via the ship's tender

One man didn't seem too keen to see us...!

We then went on to Olden and saw it's beauty from an open top bus tour

We stopped mid tour to photograph the glacier down Olden Valley

Stavanger was our final port of call and it was hosting it's Gladmat food festival

It was our first cruise and it's safe to say we definitely now have the bug for it!

**** Linking up at these sites

Iconic

I want to share with you this fab tutorial from Wonder Forest - step by step instructions to create your very own icon for the iPhone home screen.

*** DESIGN UPDATED 5TH AUG 2014 ***

I didn't even know this was possible, but Dana explains how simple it is to create for Blogger and Wordpress.

I used picmonkey to create my icon.

It look just minutes to install and works like a dream! 

Check out Dana's blog, create your own icon and while you're at it, sign up for Dana's newsletters.


**** Linking up at these sites

Charming

If you're a little too old for the latest craze of Loom Bands, then this Fabric Charm Bracelet project is for you - and it's made up of items you may find in your crafty bits and bobs.

I used a scrap of floral fabric and some charms.

Using the sewing machine, I made a tube out of the fabric (hemming the tops for a tidy finish). 

Using a chopstick, I turned the tube to be the right side out. This can be tricky, but persevere as it's worth it. To see how this is done, check out Genoveva von Lubeck's tutorial here. 

I then pressed the fabric, as the chopstick method does crease it somewhat.

I put the charms on to the fabric using jump rings. A bird, a pearl, a heart and a flower (the pearl and flower are off a broken necklace).

Finally, I tied two sliding knots to allow the bracelet to be adjusted.

**** Linking up at these sites

Going With The Flow

Earlier this year I was so happy to be contacted by Flow Magazine in The Netherlands. They were preparing their Flow Holiday book and wanted to feature my Memory Jar project.

 This week the Editor, Ellen, sent me a copy so I could see my feature!

The magazine is beautiful. There's some lovely items in it including paper photo frames, stickers, a holiday journal, pretty papers and paper bunting...

This is my first feature in print and you'll have to forgive me showing it off - I am over the moon!

Why not create your own Memory Jar?

Perhaps you have some bits and pieces you have collected from your holiday this year?

See how I created mine here

**** Linking up at these sites