I couldn’t resist finding out how some people come across my blog and thought I’d join up with Kate’s latest Listography challenge – top 5 keyword searches on your blog. It’s not surprising given my interests that a lot of people find my blog by searching for variations of gingerbread house so after ignoring those my top 5 keyword searches are: 1. mint chocolate cupcakes – well I did make some rather delicious ones here 2. Cath Kidston cross stitch – despite owning all the Cath Kidston craft books I’ve made very little from them. This was my first, and…
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My Christmas decoration making has begun! One of my favourite craft books is Fa la la la Felt which is full of festive inspiration, from ornaments, decorations and stockings. I’ve made a couple of projects from it, including the felt bird garland, as I just love working with felt. We’re not quite sure how to decorate our house this year with a toddler who can’t help but touch everything, but I would like to have a colour scheme. Red and white always seem very Christmassy which is why I liked the look of the Christmas Candy Garland. It’s a simple…
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I love preparing for Christmas and get excited when I see Christmas products creeping into shops. I know we haven’t had Halloween or Bonfire Night yet but I can’t help picking up Christmas presents, finishing off handmade gifts and signing up to Christmas swaps (Very Berry Xmas Ornament Scrappy Swap, Festive Faith, Hope and Charity Swapping, and an Advent Swap). Which is why I couldn’t resist this little handful of vintage Christmas goodies on my latest thrifting trip. I found a lovely retro Christmassy box containing vintage Christmas cards and gift tags. Some are a bit sinister (check out that…
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Last weekend we were invited to London Zoo for a special screening of the comic animation, Rio. It was no ordinary screening with face painting, plush macaws for every child and an up close and personal look at a real live macaw. Feel the rhythm…hear the beat… and let your spirit soar! Rio is a high-flying animated comedy for the whole family. Blu is an exotic pet bird who believes he’s the last of his kind. But when his owner learns about Jewel, Blu’s female counterpart in Rio de Janeiro, they set out on the adventure of a lifetime. Even…
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It’s getting spookily close to Halloween so I thought it was time to make a batch of gingerbread men all dressed up for Halloween. I used my favourite gingerbread recipe and whipped up a load. When they had cooled down I decorated them as skeletons with an icing pen. Yummy, but not very scary! Perhaps I will have to get some inspiration from my Halloween board on Pinterest. I’ve seen some amazing carved pumpkins in the shape of Hello Kitty and Bert & Ernie from Sesame Street. Going on last year’s pumpkin efforts I think we had better get started…
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The Knitting and Stitching Show is the highlight of my year. If you haven’t heard of it before it’s the textile event of the year, featuring hundreds of exhibitors, galleries from leading artists and groups, plus hundreds of workshops. I’ve gone every year since I heard about it but last year was really strict with myself and only bought items I actually needed or would make. This worked pretty well and I made everything I bought except one (due to an elusive Moda quilt pack). This year I was lucky enough to go with a friend and we took our…
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*****giveaway is now closed and the winner is Katie Skeoch***** Klorane is a French company whose founder believed that the human race can only progress and survive through nature. The company now produces a range of plant-based products for hair and also eye care. The hero product is the Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oatmilk which celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Diane Kruger and Kate Moss love, but there’s also a range of shampoos and conditioning balms which use specific plant extracts for different hair problems. I tried the Klorane Mango Butter Shampoo and Conditioning Balm which are great for reviving any…
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I’ve got to that stage of my second pregnancy where I need a helping hand in the bedroom. I’ve been using the duvet to make a pillow under my bump but my husband is starting to complain about the lack of duvet (because I’ve obviously been using his quota of duvet!). However I can’t quite bring myself to resurrect my maternity pillow from its place in the loft. Not that it wasn’t useful, it’s just really un-sexy. Do you agree? I’m not at the stage where I want to cover my pregnant tummy in an old ladies-style nightie but there…
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I’ve been dying to try my hand at felt biscuits ever since I saw them on the cover of Mollie Makes, which were designed by Ouissi Gresty. The patterns were quite simple so I bought a copy of her book ‘Felt biscuits’ but I found it a bit disappointing. It’s a small book and only covers patterns for five biscuits (pink wafer, bourbon, shortcake, custard creams and a jam sandwich) but does include a pattern for a biscuit tray and tin. Personally I would have liked more biscuit patterns (garibaldi, rich tea, chocolate digestive, etc) or the patterns which featured…