DIY - Watercolour Gift Tags

I can spend days thinking about a DIY but often the best ones happen organically. These watercolour and ribbon gift tags are a result of some simple breakfast crafting with Milly and Stanley. We were making birthday cards at my mums a few weeks ago - as fun as painting with a three and one year old can be the results always end up a little muddy. Before the paints got totally mixed Milly managed a rather nice sludgy palette, it didn’t make the birthday card grade but chopped up it transformed itself into these gift tags. When I got home I added some peachy ribbon from my odds box and made ribbon from a scrap of cotton. Voila! Beautiful gift tags ready to go. Happy Making! xx

Styling work with Other Letters

Can’t believe it’s been almost a year since this project happened, talk about time flying. Last year I worked some amazing local ladies - party people Other Letters, dream cakes, My Petite Kitchen and super photographer Anna - to style this pretty scene. Commissioned by Lionheart magazine our theme was happy, and what could be happier than spring colours, beautiful cake and a gift wrapping DIY*?!

You can buy your copy of Lionheart issue 10 here. 

*perhaps a nights sleep ;-)

Three DIY's to put a spring in your step

I’m really enjoying revisiting old tutorials and posts at the moment I used to work at such a pace that I never shared what I created as much as I should have. Here are a few March favourites if the glimpses of spring we’ve had got you feeling creative...

Rose Gold and Semi Precious Stone Hoop Earrings - I wear these constantly

A Beginners Guide to Growing Flowers - Now is the time to get those seeds going

Watercolour Flower Card - My mum still talks about this one (five years on!) 

Happy Making! xx 

I have this thing with tablecloths

I was on Instagram stories talking about tablecloths and I got SO many comments - turns out there is a lot to talk about. I've grown up with tablecloths signifying an event - whether that be Sunday lunch at my Gran's when she got out a special lace tablecloth or a birthday with a cake and candles. A cloth on the table always made a gathering into a special occasion. I thought everyone knew about tablecloths but talking to friends (IRL) and chatting online, it turns out not everyone's in on the tablecloth chat.

If you've followed me for a while then you'll know that most table setting posts start with a tablecloth. I buy mine (stripes are always a winner) mainly from charity and second hand shops for a few pounds,  I also bought a stack of pretty embroidered ones for my wedding from Ebay. In addition to charity shop treasures, H&M Home have a great variety at really reasonable prices as do places like TK Maxx, Homesense and Tiger. If you're looking to start a collection I'd go for white as it always looks clean and fresh or something textured and neutral like a soft blush pink (I personally count pink as a neutral because it does go with everything) or any shade of grey. I also like to buy plain lengths of cotton fabric from Ikea and dye it to suit my table setting. 

A tablecloth always forms the basis of a pretty table plus it hides the fused on Weetabix. It instantly creates the mood for the rest of the setting where you can then have fun layering plates, glassware, candles and flowers on top. I've gone through my archives to show you some of my favourite ways I've laid my dining room table over the years, its really fun to look back plus its given me some new ideas for tables to come. As always I really hope it inspires you to make your everyday beautiful. 

A colourful undone table

Under the shade of a tree

Styling the Seasons - July 

Tie - Dye Tablecloth 

Early autumn afternoon tea

Fairy themed birthday table

 Styled Christmas Table

Simple, colourful Christmas Table

Candle light and fresh flowers - a Christmas table

A simple new year table

DIY - Dyed and Embellished Cashmere jumper refresh

A little end of winter DIY for you today.  I always feel so fed up of my winter clothes by this time of year - breezy summer blouses are too chilly and heavy winter jumpers too dull. This tutorial brings a dash of spring sunshine but will keep you nice and toasty whilst waiting for actual spring to arrive. 

One of my biggest treats are cashmere jumpers, I save up birthday money and buy a new one every year when Boden has 20% off. However, I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided pale pink and small children was a good idea - it didn't last long. Too good to throw away but too stained to wear I decided to refresh it by using up some dye I had in my stash. Whilst I was happy with the outcome it still needed something extra. When I 'discovered' Swarovski crystals came in delicious jewelled shades I knew I had the missing material for my project and got stitching. Of course I'm not saying you need to purchase a cashmere jumper for this tutorial, that would be a bit excessive but if you have a jumper that needs a refresh or want to embellish a plain jumper then this could be the tutorial for you! Materials and steps below...

You'll need - If you're dying, a woollen jumper (light coloured is best) or a plain jumper/sweatshirt if you're not,  Dylon cold water dye (I used a half/half mix of Flamingo Pink and Goldfish Orange), salt,  

6 x Pear shape, Crystal Lilac - crystal setting, 

4 x Oval shape, Crystal Light Coral - crystal setting, 

6 x Teardrop shape,  Crystal - crystal setting , 

needle and thread

Step 1. If you're dying your jumper, follow the instructions on the dye packet to create your colour. I wanted mine coral so mixed two shades. I could have stirred mine a bit longer as its a bit patchy in places but I'm ok with that. Make sure its dry completely before you start to embellish. . 

Step 2. Fix all your stones into their settings and then scatter your jewels over the jumper to get an idea of placement.  I always mark where the centre of my boobs are to avoid awkward crystal position ;-)!. The back of the coral stones were a lovely matt colour so I fixed a few in their settings the 'wrong' way round.

Step 3. Sew the lilac and coral stones in place first and and add a few crystal shapes to complete. 

The crystals used in this post were kindly provided by Swarovski at a blogger event but I was under no obligation to use and share. Tutorial, photos and styling all my own.

Details with the Neon FInca

A little early spring palette for you today. I was about to write last week but realised I took these photo's almost a month ago - time is passing in a good way at the moment. This palette came about quite accidentally during a some photos I was taking for my friend at The Neon Finca but I love the tones and textures so much.

I'm working on more styling and photography at the moment and want to start offering packages for small (or big!) companies that need creative direction. I love working with and seeing small brands like my friend flourish and feel like I have lots to offer. If you're interested in working with me, please don't hesitate to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you. xx

Macrame Workshop

I'm so happy to share these pictures, last week my mum and I held our first macrame workshop and I'm delighted to say that it won't be our last! Four lovely ladies spent a gentle afternoon up in my craftroom learning the art of knotting and creating their own beautiful wall hangings. I was on hosting duties so kept everyone topped up with tea and cake and did to occasional bit of cord holding. Mum took everyone through the basic knots and then stepped back to watch four completely different designs take shape - I can't believe how different each of them were. The afternoon was calm and relaxed and everyone was encouraged to follow their instincts in coming up with a design, no patterns just letting pattern in the cord do its thing. By the time the class was finished everyone had a reel of cord on order ready to make their next design. 

As I said, I was in charge of hosting which made a change from being a teacher. I always want the room to be a reflection of what people see here on the blog and on instagram too so went for a slightly pink themed refreshment table (being as its February and all that!) . Making the most of my favourite dried flower crowns, dried flowers and a few roses that were just finishing to add a floral touch and then using mismatched plates and vintage teacups to keep it feeling relaxed. I also lit a candle as a delicious smelling room makes all the difference. 

We're definitely going to be holding some more classes so keep an eye out for more dates. Have a lovely weekend. xx

P.s - Pink Tie Dye Tablecloth Tutorial