My Weekend

My weekend was spent working and then cutting, stamping and sewing.

I've decided the only way I can be organised enough to get everything ready in time for the craft fair is to concentrate on one 'product' at a time. This weeks project is brooches. Here they are in the green box ready to have the brooch pins attatched and then backed. I'll probably do this at the Meet and Make evening session on Wednesday.

I've had this gorgeous stamp set for a few weeks now and have been itching to use it. I thought I'd indulge myself and make something for me. Isn't that stag a handsome beast?

See here for a christmassy giveaway.

 

Thanks for visiting.

xXx

 

Fancy a Giveaway?! NOW CLOSED

I planned to celebrate my 100th post with a giveaway and collected some bits together. Then, as it often does 'real life' got in the way and here we are at my 106th post! Due to the contents, I either had to do the giveaway anyway or wait until next year. I didn't ever think I'd get to 100 posts for sure, and there have been times when I had no inspiration or motivation to blog.

But, I can't tell you how much I love getting your comments and knowing that people actually choose to read my blog!

So here it is my 106th post celebration!

There will be more, some surprises and some things that I forgot to add to the photo shoot. As this giveaway is to celebrate my blog and show how much I appreciate you all I'd like you to be a follower to join in, but I'm happy for you to become a follower so that you can join in - in fact, I'd love to have you!

Just leave me a comment to enter and I will choose a winner on the 1st November.

Thanks for visiting.

Have a great week.

 

xXx

 



WOYWW 176

It was such fun joining in with WOYWW again last week, don't know why I stayed away so long!

 

I rather liked the look of this all together - very Christmassy!

My desk is a little tidier this week. I'm off to a crafty evening with my friend Mrs Snippet (I have the lemon shortbread Mrs S!) later and as I'm working this afternoon I thought I'd get ready in advance (not like me at all!). I am going to be finishing the Christmas decorations I'm making for the craft fair, they started out as brooches but as they seemed rather large I decided they'd sell better as hanging decorations rather than as brooches for giants!

 

 I stamped on fabric (I love the effect), sewed the fabric to the felt and then embellished and sewed on the ribbon. Now I just need to back them with more felt - my job for this eve.

Here's a close-up of the only finished decoration so far. What do you think?! I'm still intending to make some brooches using the same technique but with smaller images.

 

I'm off to have a snoop around the WOYWW desks before leaving for work. Want to join me in having a snoop? Click the link - you won't regret it!

Thanks for visiting.

xXx

 

 

And the Book Buying Continues!

Today my pre-order of Kirstie Allsop's new book arrived.

On first glance I like what I see, I'm looking forward to having a proper read of it over the weekend.

Whilst blog hopping this evening I came across this book

and couldn't resist ordering it from Amazon. I don't think it's written in English but the pictures look stunning.

Really must stop buying books, if for no reason other than I don't have anymore space on my bookshelves!

Of course, I do have a few pre ordered books still to look forward to!

 

 Thanks for visiting

xXx

 

 



WOYWW 175 (and swap goodies)

I seem to have taken an unintentional break from WOYWW, I last joined in many weeks ago. I have stopped by to have a nosey at your desks, and of course I follow some of you WOYWWers too so kept in touch that way.

Today, when I walked past my very messy desk I was reminded how much I enjoyed taking part - I wasn't very creative over the (alledged) summer and therefore didn't really have much to show. As I'm now creating to sell at my first craft fair on the 17th November the desk is in use again - it seemed like a good time to come back!

I have to confess my desk has been exactly like this since Sunday due to me feeling poorly. Sadly, I missed a crafting evening on Monday with

Mrs Snippet (who rather shockingly has not blogged since the 5th July!) and Seaside Girl. Last weeks get together was a great opportunity to enjoy excellent company, biscuits and lots of tea whilst being productive!

Well, I'm happy to be back - if you've not yet discovered WOYWW pop over here to have a look - you'll be hooked! Thank you Julia for organising it all.

 

 Whilst I am here I must show you the goodies I received this week from my All Things British (organised by the lovely Lynda) swap partner, thank you Trayci.

 

Thanks for visiting, and to all those who sympathised both verbally and via the blog over Eldest Boys attack - he's doing well but it still seems likely he'll lose his teeth.

 

xXx

 



She is too fond of books...

..and it has turned her brain.

(Louisa M Alcott)

What do you do to cheer yourself up when you're feeling a bit low?

I have realised that I buy books!
(I know, I work in a library...!)

In the last week or so I have bought

I love this one - beautiful styling.

 

I have to say this book didn't inspire me AT ALL. I struggled to find something I wanted to make. As always, great styling and pictures but that's about it as far as I'm concerned!

This was a lucky find, lots of great pics and is full to the brim with ideas

 
This is quite an old book. I bought it for a ridiculous price from one of the Amazon Marketplace sellers. Great pics.

 

Not overly impressed with this one, full of things I've seen in magazines and books already.

Some I am happier with than others as you can tell.

 

And, I couldn't resist this!

Sadly, I also eat chocolate and cakes and buy even more magazines than usual, rather a lot too

(or should that be Happily, I also...).

 

Thanks for visiting

xXx

 

For Carly, edited to include mini reviews of the books. Thanks for your comment Carly XX

 

 



What a week!

It's been quite a week so far in the Bramble Household!

Eldest Boy was assaulted, and although the attacker has been caught it has still left EB with stitches, a fractured jaw and the prospect of almost certainly losing three of his top front teeth (at 18!). It's been a traumatic experience for us all but at least he is 'walking wounded' and when I think of what could have happened I feel grateful for that.
 

 My lovely work colleague, Lucy is off to pastures new. Things are changing in libraries and self-service is being put in place meaning less staff are needed, so Lucy is off to the 'Big Library'.  Today we had lunch to say our goodbyes, I'll certainly miss her.

Yesterday I received the first of my Amazon Christmas book pre-orders (does that make sense? I can't decide!), Mollie Makes Christmas. I have to confess to being a little disappointed, I love the layout and pictures but the projects just didn't really inspire me on the whole. Have you seen it - what do you think?
I have lots to share with you so I'll be back soon, when I am in a more positive frame of mind!

Thanks for visiting.

I hope you are having a good week.

xXx

 

 

A little bit random...

Hello All,

Just an update as to why I've not been blogging much recently. Organising the Craft Fair is taking up a lot of my time at the moment, I've been doing a lot of designing (and that has been a steep learning curve!). It's fun but at this rate I'm going to have nothing to sell!!

Tomorrow myself and a couple of friends are having a  Meet and Eat (thank you Ian for that title!) get together to try and encourage us to get making! I'm also planning a photo shoot (with Youngest Boys point and shoot camera - not as grand as it sounds!) for our My Favourite Things blog and Facebook page.

Here are a couple of my designs to prove that I have been working!

I am very excited to be signed up for Hookin' with Laa Laa's

advent swap and sad that it will be the last swap she organises. My swap partner is Emma, I've already started collecting - I love Christmas!!.

I joined in with the Jubilee swap previously which was great fun and I met the lovely Aija. I've not received anything from my All Things British swap partner but as it was some time ago that I sent mine, and I know she received it, I'll show you a piccie of what I sent.

A memo pad, some Montezuma's chocolate (not only British but also local to us), some UJ coasters, a British Seaside mug, a gorgeous notebook (that I really wanted to keep!), some British sweets and paper craft bits, badge and a brooch made from a British and Vintage blanket and mother of pearl buttons all went to my swap partner. I did enjoy putting the swap parcel together!

Anyway, I'm now off to create a booking form for the craft fair!

I hope you've not had too wet a weekend if you're in the UK.

Thanks for visiting

xXx

 

Feeling a Little Green...

A little while ago I bought some Annie Sloan paint, I'd been reading about how great it is and how, what really sold it to me, it needs no preparation!

I have to admit my first attempt was a disaster - I decided to paint outside on a fine but breezy day. I really wondered what all the fuss was about.

Today I decided to give it another go, this time painting inside. It made a huge difference and I had to force myself to stop before I'd painted everything in sight! It's so easy to use!

My favourite colour is green and I chose Antibes from the AS range.

I love this colour! I painted the frames and box with it and used a dark wax on top of the paint, the drawers are painted in the same colour but with clear wax on top. I think I prefer the dark wax on this colour.

clear wax 

dark wax

A mirror, thimble shelves and another frame were also painted before I could bring myself to stop but they've not been finished yet so I'll show those some other time.

 

 I also bought Paris Grey and Old White coloured paint so I need to try those soon...

My paint came from Bon Ami in Lewes, they are going to be running courses soon on how to use the AS paint. Although Lewes is 20 miles from us I'll go back there to get my next lot of paint (I'm thinking about Emperor's Silk next) as they are so friendly and helpful.

So, much as I still love my old favourite Farrow and Ball colours I have to say I'm a convert to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Do you have a favourite range?

 

Thanks for visiting.

Have a great weekend.

xXx

 

 

A New and Exciting Venture

It would be silly wouldn't it, for the first craft fair I sell at to also be the first (and possibly last) craft fair I organise? Why am I doing just that then?! Only one word for it really M*A*D, but exciting too.

Luckily for me, my partner in crime has sold at CFs before so has some knowledge, and I'm sure we'll make up in enthusiasm what we may lack in expertise!

The hall is booked, the flyer designed after many, many hours trying to get the sizing right (I'm no computer expert!). We even have a blog! With a beautiful, magical introduction to the C******s fair written by the talented Mrs Snippet - thank you Mrs S! Please blog soon - we miss you!!

Today was spent trying to come up with ideas for things to sell, here are a few things I've made so far...

 

I'm not great at making things more than once, I itch to try something new, so I need to be organised and disciplined!

I know some of you sell at CFs so any advice will be gratefully received.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and have a great week.

Thanks for visiting

xXx