Day 24 - Crochet Part 4 - Crochet Flower Garland

Here is a crochet project I started working on earlier this summer then abandoned as the ends needed sewing in! 

It's is a floral garland, a pattern that was featured in Mollie Makes magazine. It consists of three different flower sizes and once I got the hang of it I couldn't stop! 

Just need to finish sewing in the ends then actually make it into a garland. But here is what I've got so far! 

It may not be that amazing but I'm totally amazed how easily I am picking up crochet now after such a battle! I'm still impressed at how advanced looking the most basic of stitches can look!  

Pretty crochet flowers for garland

Close up of crochet flowers

Day 23 - House Revamp Continues

My latest trip to Ikea saw me buy a number of different photo frames and bits n pieces. It's only taken me three weeks but I've finally sorted them out and I'm ready to put things on the wall. Here is my latest additions: 

Pink frame from ikea with Paperchase wrapping paper inside

Close up of Paperchase print

Blue ikea frame with John Lewis wrapping paper

Close up of John Lewis print

In addition my latest trip that I took to Steptoes (a local reclamation yard) saw me come home with some tapestry pictures which I'll add to my growing collection:

Birds tapestry

Deer and fawn tapestry

Rose illustration print 

Embroidery

Close up of jam embroidery 

This is a cross stitch I picked up from a car boot sale for 20 pence!! 

Now just to paint the wall in the kitchen so some of these can actually go up!!' 

Day 22 - A Walk In the Rain

I'm quite lucky to live near a river so a lovely scenic walk is only 5 minutes away. I often like to go for a walk down there and see the wildlife. There are quite a few herons as well as other birds. 

Even though it has been a miserable rainy day I still fancied a walk down there, and luckily enough I even got to see a heron! 

There is a heron in this picture!

Talking of herons a few months ago I took my SLR on a walk with me and took some photos. I'll have to share these with you sometime. 

Now time to splash in some puddles! 

Day 21 - Washi Tape Frames - The Experiment Begins

After my post on Washi tape I thought I should really try and do something with the tape I bought! After rooting around in my things I found a pack of photo frames I bought to cover stamps in, so it was decided, the frames would be donated for my experiment. 

See the results for yourself, quite a quick and quirky way to jazz up a boring frame don't you think??? 

Frame before the revamp

The first frame midway 

Work in progress

The finished frames

Ta-da

Day 20 - Crochet Part 3 - Pretty Lace Collar

My latest crochet project was from a pattern I found in Simply Crochet. http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/

Simply Crochet

I've been admiring for a while all the pretty Peter Pan style removable collars that have been selling in the shops, so when I saw a pattern for a lace crochet collar I thought I might as well give it a go! 

Lace collar

All in all it was fairly simple, the only problem I had was an issue with my tension. I must crochet quite tight as after doing the foundation chain and row one my collar was still about 10cm too short! I had to creatively figure how to encorporate more stitches. This has resulted in the finished item being slightly uneven at the ends so it may be best to hide the join at the back of the neck rather than wear to the front as intended. No big deal, ill get number 2 right!! 

Anyway enjoy the photos, ill upload another one when it is 100% finished! 

Work in progress 

Day 19 - I've Fallen In Love With Stencil Rollers

Last year I came across an article in a craft magazine about an alternative way to decorate your walls. It is like a stencil but its applied through the use of a roller! 

These rollers are available from The Painted House and were first discovered by the founder in markets in Romania. Since then the rollers have been adapted slightly from the old design. The applicators come in 2 different types, one suitable for fabric printing and the other for walls and wood.

http://the-painted-house.co.uk/applicators-and-designs/applicators/

There are various designs all of which look fantastic when painted onto a wall or furniture or fabric for that matter!!  Here are some of my favourite roller designs. 

http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/109883586/no-1-patterned-paint-roller-from-the

http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/109883546/no-2-patterned-paint-roller-from-the?ref=cat_gallery_8

http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/109883377/no-6-patterned-paint-roller-from-the?ref=cat_gallery_4

All of these rollers are available on The Painted House Etsy shop to buy! 

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/patternedpaintroller

Have a look at their website for some fab ideas on what you can do with the rollers. http://the-painted-house.co.uk/

I can't wait to buy one, I'm thinking maybe a door or chest of drawers but which design to choose?! Definitely looking forward to seeing the new designs next month.  Watch this space and see! 

Day 18 - Shopping on notonthehighstreet.com

Recently the women in my office have been going nuts for the shopping website notonthehighstreet.com for wedding gifts, christening gifts, birthdays and baby gifts! 

Although I have never bought anything I have had a snoop and found some gorgeous stuff. It is ideal if you are looking for a personalised gift too as many items have the ability to be personalised, even better!! 

The website aims to bring you the work of independent designers and small businesses so it is more unique than buying from the high street.  

I thought I'd have a look at the prints available and this is what I have found which I thought was cool. 

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/modocreative/product/personalised-framed-heart-christening-print

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/bombusoffthepeg/product/amalfi-map-heart

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/kirstym/

product/the-harbour-print

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/pogofandango/product/laser-cut-family-tree-a4-unframed

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/hannahlloyd/product/personalised-heart-passport-stamp-print

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/thelittleboysroom

/product/stitch-a-journey

I could probably keep going and listing more!

Have a look for yourself, there are so many items

to choose from and if you are buying a gift you 

are bound to find something here! 

Http://www.notonthehighstreet.com