Homemade Christmas - All Wrapped Up

All Wrapped Up

I am so pleased with the results.

Even if it took two days to wrap and even more to prepare!

  

I wonder if I am a little too coordinated!

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Nice to see you again.

Xxx

Handmade Christmas

Last year was my first attempt at a handmade Christmas.  I had so many ideas and left so little time.  Despite the stress I put myself under, I did manage completion of a number of handmade Christmas gifts.  There is nothing more satisfying than making and giving something handmade to your loved ones.

This year I promised to give myself more time.

So here I am on the 15th December with 10 more sleeps to go, cross stitching and crocheting late into the night.

I know, I know, why don't we ever learn!

While I am no where near starting, let alone finishing my projects, I have enjoyed every handmade Christmas creation so far.  Some new, some old.  I decided to buy all my gifts, so no handmade Christmas gifts under my tree this year, this has alleviated some of the pressure.  So my 2012 handmade Christmas has been all about decorating the home and wrapping gifts.  So far I have made a Santa envelope, indoor Christmas wreaths, crochet snowflakes, embroidered tags and cross stitch present labels.

Little Miss P is getting stuck in this year.  I have enjoyed and cherished every moment.  It is such a pleasure to share my hobby with her.

Together we have painted stain glass ornaments, decorated christmas cards, created a fancy dress costume for nativity, made snowflakes, snowmen, angels and a Father Christmas all out of plaster of paris (don't you just love Hobbycraft for children's handmade Christmas crafts).

I have even allowed some of these handmade Christmas creations onto the Christmas tree, which if you know me well will know this would not have been easy.  I learnt from my mum, who would reluctantly let us decorate the tree as children, but then as soon as we were tucked up in bed, she would re-dress the tree in coordinating colours, with an even distribution of baubles and beads.

And do you know what I LOVE IT!  

The tree has never looked better and this is all credit to the Little Miss P.

I would really like to hear all about your handmade Christmas.

Nice to see you again
Xxx

MArKEt - Handmade

I never thought I would be able to actually sell anything I handmade, especially as I am my own worst critic.  However, recently I have been thinking, just maybe, just maybe I could do this!

So I would like to say a big thank you to my dear friend at MArkEt who has started organising local craft fairs in Sussex.

 MArkEt

 MArkEt 

Despite my lack of confidence, I am really excited to announce that I have taken the plunge and put my name down (provisionally) for a craft stall.  I say provisionally as the dates fall very close to my due date.

 MArkEt 

 MArkEt 

Luckily I may have convinced my very creative mum to join me.  This will be a big help on two levels, one she is talented across all spectrums of craft and all her contributions will only add to the appeal of my stall, but more importantly she will be able to run the show just incase I am otherwise engaged!!!

I will also add if Little Miss P keeps up her creativeness it might be the first craft stall selling 3 generations of handmade.

I also want to credit two more friends, the lovely Mrs K and Mrs K (sister-in-laws creative) at SoMO  and Justine Kimmer illustrations who have both given me the confidence to commit to the commercial creative world of the handmade.

SoMO  

 Justine Kimmer illustrations

So hear I am mid-December, desperately finishing various handmade Christmas bits, already thinking about and forward planning for Spring and Easter ideas for my first craft stall at MArkEt.

Book your place today.

I would really appreciate any advice from fellow sellers.  I think I may need it.

Nice to see you again
Xxx

Fashion Fridays - Interview with 'Kiss and Make Up Beauty'

Today's interview comes from the fabulously talented Tammy Treacher.  Tammy runs a home-based beauty salon offering a fantastic range of treatments and products.  Tammy has been a beauty therapist for 9 years, she trained at the London School of Beauty and Make Up.

Congratulations on the launch of your new website 'Kiss and Make Up Beauty'

How does it feel to have had your nail art published in the ‘Look’ magazine?

It feels fantastic! To have your work picked out from so many others and then to have it published in a national magazine, twice, is pretty special. It most definitely helps with my confidence as a nail technician/artist that my work is appreciated by others.

What made you get into beauty and make up in the first place?

 I had always known I would, as far back as I can remember I would raid my mums make up bag and nail varnishes and practice in front of the mirror. Despite people telling me it was a waste of time and I should be doing something more academic, I did it anyway because I knew it was just who I was.

How do you juggle motherhood and being a working mum?

It can be really hard at times because I am a working mum but I also care for my mum too. So juggling it all can be a test but when I have a good day I look back and feel pretty proud that I coped with everything. Everything I do is for my daughter, Hadley, so I can give her the best I can. So when she gets upset because I have to work, I know in the long run she will appreciate it.

Do you think your daughter might follow in your footsteps?

Well she most definitely loves her nails being done and even attempts to help me at times, it is so cute. She is most definitely a girly girl with an edge of tomboy but whatever she chooses to do in life, I will support her.

Who inspires you in your work? 

Anything or anyone can be an inspiration. My friends and their personal styles, the latest trends, day to day patterns and effects. Thank goodness for camera phones because being able to get a snap shot of the things that inspire me is a massive help.

If you had to wear one nail colour everyday, which would it be?

I would most definitely go with a flat dark colour. A classic dark almost black red. Like Shellac in Fedora.

Nail art is so popular at the moment, what’s your favourite style?

At the moment the more gothic style of nail art is my favourite. Darks, glitter, crosses etc. It compliments the current high street trends.

If you could recommend one beauty treatment for life what would it be?

As much as I LOVE nails and everything about dressing them up, I would have to say an eyebrow wax. Having your eyebrows tidied and shaped and tinted is integral to framing your face and making the best out of your eyes.

What are your top 5 beauty tips?

1. Always keep your nails tidy. Shape them regularly, buff once a week and push back those cuticles to prevent infections.
2. Use a good cuticle oil and hand cream. Especially in winter.
3. Don’t be afraid to have your eyebrows tinted. Tinting doesn’t necessarily mean darker, just a more defined look.
4. Have regular Pedicures. Feet so often get forgotten about. They need love and attention too.
5. Always take your make up off before you go to bed. It really does make a difference.

Who is your style icon?

Rihanna. She is fearless and always looks amazing.

A personal thanks to Tammy for taking the time out to talk to us.

If you like what you see then visit 'Kiss and Make Up Beauty'.  Gift Vouchers are now available in time for Christmas.

Nice to see you again.

Xxx

Crochet Creations

I could not wait to share with you how busy I have been creating crochet.  I am really quite pleased with myself, this is all within two weeks of learning.  I am still very much a beginner, but I very excited about the results already.  

I had to get some new funky crochet needles!

An urgent run to Angmering Framing and Stitches to purchase some practise wool for my granny square blanket.

 Isn't it great to see them all together, I can almost see myself snuggled underneath it already.

Check out this colour selection of Rico Designs Cotton I used for my Deryn Relph flower crochet workshop at Clothkits

I love the colours from Rowan by Amy Butler, I brought mine from A Bit Woolly who were very helpful.

 Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench has some beautiful crochet projects for all levels.  It seems so far the easiest crochet instructions to follow.

Nice to see you again.
Xxx