Gardens finished

I've finally finished all the hard work in my garden so now it's time to sit back and relax whilst the flowers bloom.

I've still bits and bobs I want to add but will do that gradually as it's mostly upcycled bits so just need to find the time :)

My garden is starting to come together

Just thought I'd post a quick update with a few pics from my garden as it is starting to come together and now I can't wait for the plants to start blooming :)

Zentangle/zendoodle

A while back whilst flicking through Pinterest I came across pretty pictures drawn with what's called Zentangle (basically drawings created from repetitive patterns) 

It's been a good few years since I've bothered with any drawing and I ain't no artist but doodling well I can do that so set about on my first zentangle✏️ or zendoodle as its sometimes called.

And here's the result of a good few weeks doodling :)

Gardening time

For the past couple of years I've got to admit I have really neglected my garden mainly due to the kids using it loads to play in it just wasn't worth doing a lot with it, but I decided this year I will get my butt in gear and get it done up so no more kids stuff like trampolines etc it's time for a grown ups garden ;)

Here's a few pics of it now before it gets the makeover which I will update on here as and when.

My latest beach finds

The weathers been lovely here this weekend so it's been great to get out strolling along the beach picking pretty beach treasure up along the way, I can't wait to collect enough pretty China and sea glass to make into some nice creations hopefully during the summer :) 

Beautiful beach treasure

I really enjoy my new hobby of beach combing which I only started the beginning of this year yet I already have a vase full of pretty sea glass ........ Just got to get creating with it all when I get the time! 

Our new family members :)

After a lot of thought I finally gave in to my daughter and we went to collect the latest 2 members of our ever increasing family of pets :)

2 gorgeous guinea Piggys named cookie and Bella they are just adorable.

Beach combing

I'm very lucky to live on a beautiful island with some gorgeous beaches to make the most of all year around, you can't beat the fresh sea air whilst having a gentle stroll along the beach collecting little beach treasures along the way that can be transformed eventually into something using crafting skills.

This is something I've not done for years but one of my resolutions for 2015 is to get out and about more for the fresh air and exercise and beach combing is a great excuse and quiet addictive.

I've found some lovely pieces of sea glass and broken pottery so far that will be used for some craft projects later in the year once I've collected enough.

Even my daughter is enjoying walks on the beach at the weekends and it gets her away from the iPad for a while! 

Roll on 2015

Hi just wanted to post up a quick post to say I will be back crafting and blogging like a mad women in 2015. 

This year has been one of the most difficult years for me as I lost my dear dad back in April, I loved my dad to bits and he was one person who was always there to help me out and I miss him terribly. I'm only just getting my life back on track after losing him hence why I haven't crafted or blogged all year.

But if losing my dad has taught me anything it's that life is short so make the most of it so for me I've a lot planned for next year to keep me (and my mum) occupied including getting my garden sorted which has gone to pot this year :( I plan to upcycle a lot of stuff for the garden as money is tight but with so many ideas online I can't wait till springtime to get going on that :) 

Lastly I'd like to wish you all a very merry christmas and all the best for 2015 xx

Small cross stitch card

It's been a while since I've got stuck into some cross stitch it's something I really enjoy doing and a perfect craft to sit down with of an evening whilst chilling out catching up on the soaps! 

I've a box full of little kits that come free with magazines and chose to get this little card stitched.

It's a design from the All our yesterday's range which I love and have stitched a few of their kits over the years. 

It's great seeing a project develop over the days of stitching and always lovely to complete a cross stitch pattern. 

Upcycled Mirror

Last year I finally got around to redecorating my daughters bedroom and we picked up some nice bits and bobs at bootsales etc to upcycle.

This is a fab mirror I picked up for £1.50 it was a bit old and tatty but I knew exactly what needed doing to revamp it into something pretty :)

So an afternoon spent sanding it down, priming it then using up some leftover white paint and some lovely cath kidston napkins and modge podge this is the result so much nicer than it was!

It was my first time decoupaging with napkins and modge podge but I have to say its quiet simple and the results are very pleasing.

 

I have a beautiful wooden desk to do up come summer and a fab little chair I rescued from a skip but I will have to wait for summer as no room indoors to be painting big projects !

Handmade Heart Swap Goodies

I recently signed up to join in with a Handmade Heart Swap over at Mary Poppins Blog

I was lucky enough to be paired up with the lovely Pen over at Rosalily

So last week i received this lovely parcel of goodies including a lovely letter with a handmade envelope :)

Its just like Christmas with all the lovely little parcels to open!

First up this pretty felt heart cuff.

A lovely felt bookmark.

A little felt hanging heart i just love the stitching all over this makes me think i should get more practice on my sewing machine!

These sweet little wooden birds with little heart wings.

And 2 little painted wooden hearts.

Thankyou Pen i love them all and hope you enjoy the gifts i sent you x

Cake pops

It's my little girls 9th birthday tomorrow so I thought I'd have a go at making cake pops for her to take to school instead of a normal cake.

They're quiet easy to make apart from mine falling apart when I put the sticks in :( luckily I managed to get enough made without them all falling apart ..... I'm really not good with cake making I should stick to just eating them teehee ;0

Anyway the finished result was ok and they taste yummy so hope the kids will enjoy them.

Crochet flower garland

With this learning to crochet lark i wanted to find some easy projects to start with so these flowers are so easy to make i thought i would have a go at making a little flower garland which will eventually go in my daughters room.

I chose 3 different coloured yarns and made 3 flowers in each colour.

Then it was just a case of doing a simple crochet string and attaching the flowers at various points.

I think its turned out lovely and I'm sure i will be making loads more in the future as this crochet lark is quiet addictive!

Carrot and Pineapple Muffins

I decided it was time i got my butt in gear and done some baking as I've been very slack lately but do enjoy baking goodies so should do it more often!

This is one of my favourite recipes i cant remember where it came from but I've had it scribbled down on a piece of paper for years and its an all time family favourite they are very very yummy.

4oz plain flour
4oz plain wholemeal flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp bicarb of soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
200ml / 7 fl oz vegetable oil
3 1/2 oz caster sugar
2 eggs
4 1/2 oz grated carrots
8oz crushed pineapple semi drained
4oz raisins


preheat oven to 180


Sift flour,baking powder,bicarb, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl.


Beat oil eggs and sugar until well blended


Add carrots,pineapple and raisins then add flour mixture gradually just enough to combine.


Bake for 25 minutes or until cooked through.


Enjoy x


I'm linking this up to Whitelilygreens HandmadeThursday 

Pretty in blue card

I had a nice morning of making cards yesterday inspired by some blog challenges.

This first card is a lovely digital stamp image which I've coloured in using promarkers and backed onto blue cardstock.

The background paper is from a stack i've had for ages.

And the flowers i coloured using promarkers as i didn't have any blue paper flowers in my stash! I think in future i might just buy white paper flowers as its so easy to colour them in with promarkers!

Im linking this up to this weeks My Time To Craft challenge

Crochet flowers

I'm really getting the hang of crochet now and have to say its very addictive!

Today I've been chilling out and learning to crochet these pretty flowers.

There's lots of tutorials online for different flowers but I find these ones very easy for a beginner.

Now I just need to stock up on more different coloured wools so think a browse on eBay is what's needed ;)

Hope your all having a lovely weekend x

Learning to crochet

For years I've tried to learn how to crochet but have always failed miserably and given up.

My mum has always been good at crochet but she's left handed so I could never follow what she was doing to learn from her!

So the other week I decided it was about time I found the patience to learn and looked up some tutorials on YouTube which have been a great help!

And I'm delighted that I've finally figured it out ....... Well I've mastered the granny square so far whoop whoop!

Now to start stocking up on more wool so I can hopefully learn to crochet flowers etc aswell :)