a weekend of hobbies!

I am sorry I have been absent for a while - Spring has indeed sprung!

It has been tricky to focus on crafty things as well as the day job so as usual work got in the way , however today I travelled with my Momma and Auntie Tina to the NEC to attend the Hobbycraft exhibition. What a day!!

I have spent the last 2 hours trying to transfer photos from my camera onto the laptop but I have been terribly unsuccessful so my apologies for the lack of visual stimulus.

there was so many stalls and if I am honest my brain is numb. How much card, paper, ribbon, glitter, dye-cutters and Angelia Angel hair can one lady take?! NO MORE!

It is fair to say on the final aisle at about 5pm this evening having basically crawled my way to the stand...I found a little piece of hope from Clarity stamps - you have to have a look at these!

This lady knows how to make cards and so I am taking my inspiration from her....

There were some other beautiful things and a wonderful old bookshop stall with gorgeous fashion illustrations but saving the pennies so used it as a chance to have a peep and take down some ideas to work on....

happy crafting!

Make someone's January Bloom!

Well hello there! I am sorry it has been a while. The new job has taken its toll - early mornings late finishes and hardly anytime to see crafty stuff let alone make any!

However - I am always on the look out.. and after a recent girlie gathering and a wonderful 3 course delicious meal a certain Charlotte enlightened our evening by sharing with us a new found love. Charity and shopping together! Amazing. Oxfam online is genius but as I have been warned it is best to set yourself a budget otherwise your money could disappear faster than you can say "charity shopping from my sofa is brilliant!"

I would also like to mention a theatre company SKIPtheatre that have now arrived on twitter @SKIPtheatre

Follow them and see how wonderful they are! Their website is www.skiptheatre.co.uk and the girls are just fantastic! Their performances appeal to all ages and offer a magical escapism involving theatre, dance, drama, music and film!

and if you are looking to make somebody smile or preparing for Valentine's day I suggest you check out Rose Hamson Flowers - gorgeous flowers, delivery to around the UK and a wonderful customer service - check out the website for all things beautiful.

www.rosehamsonflowers.co.uk

see you soon xxx

CHRISTMAS is just beginning

Sorry for my absence.

I have been juggling making cards, sorting things for my Christmas workshop, shopping and managing to get me a "proper" job in London.

All 3 things have been a success and now I have time to log and blog about it!

Thank you to all those that made it down to Chelsea town hall on 4th December - the day was a great success and so much fun. It felt really Christmassy and super fun to have so much support from friends and family! I think some of my cards may even make it to Toronto!

The proper job bit is only just beginning but I am thinking about keeping a diary- you never know who you are going to meet or where you might find yourself!

GOOD LUCK with the Christmas Shopping - I found myself suffocating in Selfridges the other day! Looking forward to luscious Liberty's next week! xx

Chelsea Christmas Fair

This is where I will be on Saturday 4th December making Christmas decorations. Please come along, stop off for a little mooch about, say hello or come and take part....I promise it will be very christmassy and lots of fun! All ages welcome to my workshop! x

Crafts and the country

Country and Crafts

I must tell you how much fun I had with one of my best girlies. She bought us tickets to the Country Living Christmas Fair which was in Angel, London last week. There were so many stalls and people and the ground floor was bursting with Christmas decorations and ideas for the festive season. We spent about 5 hours wandering through the business centre. Charlotte, I learnt has a penchant for ceramics and rugs and I realised that I seemed to like most things that were shiny and sparkly as well as all the things that I could envisage in my imaginary country home. It was wonderful. Thank you Charlotte. Ladies of leisure and ladies who lunch.

This weekend was spent on the outskirts of Stratford upon Avon. Clean country air, open log fires and a day at the races. Starting to feel Christmassy and got lots of ideas to make things this year so expect to see lots of ribbon, glasses and glitter! xx

Hello - how exciting to be starting a blog about all the things I like and love - smiles all round I hope.

I love all things crafty, especially home-made items - made with time, energy and love. I get excited finding treasures at markets and fairs - old letters, postcards and photographs are magical to stumble upon, as is the perfect dress. It is intriguing to think about where items have come from and travelled to. Thinking about who owned them before, what they are worth now and what their history is. The stories behind the trinkets are fascinating, when discovered, and I always wonder if serendipity plays a part.

I am smiling when I find a new shop full of pretty things and when I am able to enjoy the perfect hot chocolate somewhere that is unknown on a sunny but cold afternoon. It is the little things in life that make it wonderful and totally unforgettable.


Welcome to MY VELVET CASTLE, full of luxury, ritz and sparkle - happy reading and peeping through the windows into my Chateau. xxx