colour...

I meant to post this over a week ago but a combination of having a few days off work and my home broadband playing up, meant that here I am just doing this now... (sorry Catherine!)

This was the third time I've collaborated with Catherine on our photo project. She chose the theme Colour and sent the most fantastic parcel...





Catherine's photos were of little paintings she has done which feature all of her favourite colours and she sent me a couple of the paintings - thank you Catherine!She also sent me the sweetest bunting and a wonderful chocolate which totally reminded me of childhood and made me smile!

a little sunshine in my world...

I'm feeling in a summery vibe at the moment; not you understand because the sun is out in abundance in the UK at the moment but we've had slivers of it and I'm loving it...



I heard this song by Stornaway recently and it just sums up how I feel at the moment. It makes me feel as if I want to lie in the long grass with a picnic and enjoy the happy feeling that sunshine brings...

This sunshine also makes me want to revamp everything in my house in a Cath Kidson type of way. I'm already thinking of buying some material so I can make some new cushion covers - which will work out just perfectly for when I'm lying in that long grass!

I hope you're enjoying the weather where ever you are!

making...

I really don't know where the time has gone this past week, I've been meaning to post this for the last few days and just never managed the time...

As part of my 38 things post, one of the items on my list was to try out a new recipe each month, so for April with the thoughts of Easter not long past I thought I would indulge and try out the delicious sounding Chocolate and Hazelnut Torte. The recipe came from an old issue of Easy Living magazine and the best thing about it is there's no cooking involved! As you can see, my photos involve fruit in a bid to make it look less indulgent lol!

Chocolate and Hazelnut Torte
100g (3.5 oz) plain biscuits
150g (5oz) dark chocolate broken into pieces
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp castor sugar
100g (3.5 oz) unsalted butter
100g (3.5 oz) shelled hazelnuts toasted and coarsely chopped
cocoa powder for dusting

* Grease a 18cm (7inch) springform (i just used a normal tin) cake tin with butter and line base with baking paper
* Lightly crush biscuits into uneven pieces (use a bag and a rolling pin!)
* Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, you may need to stir
* Put egg, egg yolk, vanilla and sugar in a mixing bowl and using an electric mixer beat for 4-5minutes or until mix is pale and thick
* Melt butter then add it to the egg mixture in a steady stream while beating at high speed
* Beat in the melted chocolate
* Using a large metal spoon, gently fold in the chopped nuts and crushed biscuits until combined
* Pour mix into cake tin, spreading it evenly and gently
* Let chocolate cool
* Cover with clingfilm and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight until firm
* Dust with cocoa powder and eat - yum!

the gift of jewels...

A short while ago, the lovely Se'lah of Necessary Room organised the 'gift of jewels' swap, where those who participated sent a little token of love in the form of a letter, postcard, poem etc out into the world to their swap partner. I was so excited when I got back from manchester to find mine waiting for me...

The only problem, is that I'm not sure who it came from, so that I can thank them, especially as it had all of my favourite things on it. So if you happen to read this ' thank you!'.

Also thank you Se'lah for organising this swap!

finding a balance...

I've been thinking about New Year Resolutions and goals and after much thought - it really is pretty simple. What I'm aiming for this year is 'balance'.



In a nutshell, balance between the things I have to do, - work, commute, eat, etc etc and the things I want to do - make, play, wish, grow - with maybe a happy overlap between the two.



Not much to ask really - I'll work on the fine tuning as I go along...

wednesday...

My two vintage dressmaking patterns have arrived from here and here. (Yes I did finally decide to buy the other pattern I was deliberating over).

such pretty packaging

I'm feeling pretty nervous now though. I've never actually made an item of clothing, especially not one I might actually want to wear...

this week...

Has been all about chilling, after my previous hectic week and lack of sleep! I think now that summer is coming to an end I'm starting to think more about making and looking for inspiration while the sun is still around.

Thinking of pretty things leads me to good news. The lovely Rachel from Heart of Light has opened an Etsy shop, yep you heard right and about time too! She has so many beautiful handmade headbands for sale and oh so pretty...

Heart Of Light on Etsy

Heart of Light on Etsy

If you're quick enough, this lovely may still be available because who doesn't need a ruffley headband! Oh and she can also make all the headbands into belt sizes as well...

Recently I've been thinking that I'd like to try and make my own clothing, so this week I've bought a vintage clothing pattern from 13th Faerie on Etsy. There are so many lovely vintage patterns on Etsy that they're worth looking at just for the illustrations.



I figured I'd better try and start off simple, as my knowledge of dress making is pretty non existant and it was the words 'Simple to Sew' that sold me! I'm thinking I might make this shorter than the pattern suggests and maybe lower the neck line a little. Ho hum, perhaps I should actually wait and see how complicated this looks before I start making my own adjustments lol!

I also really want the pattern below, from here



but it's about three sizes bigger than I need. Apparently it's easy to resize patterns - mmmmm but I'm not convinced, especially for a novice like myself. Any thoughts anyone?

so this is what I've been making and an announcement...

So back from being away with work and I promised I'd show you what I'd been up to on the crafty front... I'm pleased to say that everyone I sent a pay it forward gift to, has now received it - yay! and so I can show you what I sent out.


the little butterflies are from my packaging

I've been making little pouches to use for money, ipod, lipstick or whatever, (Martina says her camera fits in perfectly the one I sent her).



I then did freehand embroidery on each of them, (remember these) and all I can say is how much fun I had! Each person got a little pouch and a small photo print from me.



So... because I've enjoying making these so much, (and also because I have become obsessed with pouch making,and embroidery in particular and you can only use so many pouches or give them as gifts!) I have decide that as of the 1st June there will be an Etsy shop!


I am super excited, as it means I can carry on playing - hooray! I'm thinking of making two sizes, the small ones and a bigger size to use as a make up bag. If anyone has any thoughts on this, regarding useful sizes or just a comment in general, leave a comment in this post and I'll pick one at random by the 1st June and do a giveaway of some handmade lovliness! (oh and did I say I'm also thinking of doing photo prints as well!).

'making mojo'...

Because of my travel problems at the moment I haven't had much time for creating, so I feel as if it's about time I got my 'making mojo' back. Luckily I have a fortnight off work - bliss, (no early travelling!) so I am hoping to use this time to recharge a little. Below is my inspiration board that I have propped up on my desk. It changes depending on my mood and the things I find inspiring at any one time.



Tomorrow I am off to the Lake District, (in a hire car!) for a couple of days, so I am going armed with my camera, notebooks, pens, crayons and books, amongst other things. I feel it's important to pack these essentials first and then see what space I have left for clothing! Hope you all have a wonderful and creative weekend!