Lavender Wreath

I am finding it really hard to find the time to blog during these holidays, we have had so much going on and family staying. Today I actually managed an afternoon on the allotment followed by an evening of crafting, which has been bliss.  I have been getting the plot ready for autumn, clearing the beds and lifting and storing some of our harvest. There is a plot near by which has no tennant at the moment and has the most gorgeous lavender bushes, I picked a beautiful basket full and this evening attempted my first Lavender wreath. I think it is one of those things that takes a little practise and I should have probably started with a slightly smaller one, but I am pleased with the outcome.

It's late so the lighting isn't very good, but you can see how it has turned out. I love it when I can combine my hobbies! I have been flicking through a book called the outdoor decorator, which gave me the idea. Hope you like it. Needless to say I am now smelling a little old ladyish!

For a progress report on the competition pumpkin have a look at "view from the gate", by clicking on the tab at the top or the photo to your right.

Thanks for stopping by

H

Mini Christmas Wreath

I saw a gorgeous wreath on pinterest the other day which was made by pushing lots of fabric strips onto a wire coat hanger bent into a circle. It was really beautiful, but she did say it cost a fortune in fabric as you need loads to completely cover the wire enough. I wanted to see if you could make a similar effect with paper, this is only my practise run so it is quite plain and simple, but I think it does work well.

Definately an idea I can play with I am sure you are going to see more of these!

There will be no crafting this weekend as we are off to family camp with the beavers, fingers are crossed for nice weather and I will be back on Monday with some family fun photos.

Thanks for reading
Hx

Chabby Chic Ornament

I had a little wooden tray with 3 candles in, but the candles had been used, so I threw them away. I was about to through the stand out, but decided it was a bit of a waste and thought I could do something with it. This is what I came up, it has no real use, but looks attractive on the sideboard!

The frame is a little bashed about, but I think that adds a little character. I have a four squared one also, which I have an idea for so watch this space.

Thanks for stopping by
Hx

Fishing

The children were staying with my sister last week and so I stupidly offered tog go fishing with Gary, something I won't do again. It was a sunny evening and I thought  I could sit and read my book (The bad beekeepers club, by Bill Turnbull), we went down to Sandown where the tide was out, it was pleasant for all of half an hour until the sun went down, in the following hour I had donned all three layers of clothing, my hat, my scarf and finally it was too cold for me to hold my book, complacently I had not picked up a pair of gloves. Gary convinced me to reel in his rod, which I did, by this time I would do anything to try and keep warm. I reeled it (apparently wrong as I had gone over the spool) only to find I had caught my first and last ever fish! all be it a tidder!

And here he is a tiny Turbout, anyway my fish caught, all my layers on and hands too cold too to read I wanted to go home, which didn't please the other half! We stayed just long enough to catch sight of the moon over Sandown bay.

Fishing is well and truly off my list of favourite past times and I will happily stay in the warm with a cuppa tonight crafting whilst he goes off to freeze and die of boredom.

Thanks for stopping by
Hx

Fishing Birthday Card

It's Gary's birthday next week and I wanted to make him a fishing inspired card. I bought a really nice clear stamp set a couple of months ago, which you may have seen me use on some smaller cards, this time I have done a full size card and I am really happy with how it has come out.

By the way it's the photo thats wonky not the card! Again these outline stamps come out really well using the blender pens, I have also got water colour pencils for the hands and face. This actually looks a little like Gary, which is why I had to buy the stamps, what do you think?

He never looks his best when he is fishing bless him!!! and for anyone who knows Gary, they will appreciate that he is never happier then when he has a fish in one hand and a beer in the other, the balance obviously isn't right in this photo as there is no beer, hence the lack of a smile!

Hope you like the card, thanks for stopping by.

H

Dinosaur Roar Card

Hi hope you are all enjoying the olympics, I am pretty adicted!! Go GB, whilst watching it today I made this birthday card with the gorgeous Dinosaur Roar set. Sorry I haven't taken the best pic.

The foot prints, which are not part of the set are actually petals from an old retired set, which I think is called spring time stems, I have  added a little bit of shadowing and the green toe nails to transform them into T-Rex prints. I love using the blender pens on this dino's they always come out well. Hope you like it thanks for stopping by.

H

This is why I make room for Cut Flowers!!!

For anyone who would question making room for flowers in a small plot I would argue several points such as adding diversity for bees and insects, making the plot look gorgeous and being able to fill small gaps not to mention the ecstorshanate price of cut flowers, but if they were still in doubt, here is the main reason: 

How much would this bouquet have cost me £10 or £12? they look and smell gorgeous and there is still more on the plot for me and the insects to enjoy. Next year I am going to add to the flower boarders I have introduced this year and I am going to aim to have something in flower for the bees each month.

I have been crafting this week, but am not able to show what I have made so far as they are gifts, but I will be back soon with some crafty creations.

Thanks for stopping by

H