Knitting at Studio NL

I first learned to knit when I was a little nipper but then when my joints got bad during my late teens, I had to give it up because it just wasn't worth the pain! However, as my wrists have been much better recently, I have been thinking for a good while that I would like to take it back up again, but I completely forgot what I was doing.

When Tracy of Norah George announced she was doing a begninners knitting workshop in the Leicestershire countryside, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pick up some needles and start again. I travelled to the other side of the county to Tur Langton, the home of Studio NL where the workshop was hosted.

We had a lovely morning, learning the basics. Casting on, knit, purl and casting off. As soon as I got home, I spent my afternoon with my feet up, the boys playing and I made myself a lovely little stripy dish cloth. However, Dan said that it is far too nice to use!!

Many thanks to both Tracy and Roz for the wonderful day :)

Snippets

Busy
Morning; soft play.
Afternoon; painting, making birthday cards, assembling hampers.
Evening; family dinner date, quick shop, bath, bed

You can find more snippets here.

Photo An Hour (ish)

Yesterday, I finally became a member of the I-Phone club (a bit behind... I know!) so I thought I would play around with the camera and various apps to do a photo an hour (ish, I didn't keep to it as much as I usually do) for you :)

Early morning for us today. Papa is away so we had to get up extra early to get all ready for work and playing with Grandad.

 No milk for porridge meant nutella dinosaur toast for breakfast - what a treat!

 Off to work, plenty of orders to pack up!

 And new Nappy Gurus to welcome :)

 Home for lunch, cheesy sandwiches for Mr Bee.

 Then off shopping ready for our week on our own. Papa Bee and Nana Bee have flown the nest for a few days so it is just us little bees for a few days.

Fridge cleaned and stocked up. 

 Stopped into John Lewis for a gift for Papa, I hope he likes it :)

 Lasagne for dinner this evening, possibly my best so far.

 Evening stroll to the park for football....

 And a workout, toddler style.

 After an easy bedtime, I made a start on a bunting cushion cover - turned out beautifully :)

So that was our day today, finally getting the hang of this iphone malarkey ;)

Spotlight on: Sunflower Crafts

It occurred to me that I have lots of friends and family who are incredibly talented! I thought that I should share with you their makes and so the 'Spotlight On...' was created! This 'Spotlight On' is dedicated to Sunflower Crafts.

 Anna of Sunflower Crafts is one of my best friends. For as long as I have known her she has been making jewellery and being generally creative. She has recently started going along to craft fairs and has built up a good portfolio of items from bracelets to coasters.

The coasters have been a very popular addition to her repertoire. They are ceramic based, with a felt backing and feature patterns and motifs that are truly beautiful. The coasters are availble for £5 for 4 coasters.

Anna also designs beautiful jewellery including bracelets, earrings and necklaces, here are a few of my favourites.

Button Bracelet £2.50

Fairy Earrings £3.50

Paua Shell Wirework Bracelet £10

You can hop on over to http://sunflowercraftsbyanna.blogspot.com/ for more Sunflower Craft goodies and be sure to visit her Facebook page for more updates!

If you are in the Leicestershire/Hinckley area on the 10th March 2011, The Bee Hive Crafts and Sunflower Crafts will be holding a stall at a craft fair taking place in the Hinckley URC from 10 until 4!

Spotlight on: Bee Designs

It occurred to me that I have lots of friends and family who are incredibly talented! I thought that I should share with you their makes and so the 'Spotlight On...' was created! This 'Spotlight On' is dedicated to Bee Designs

.

I first met Sue of Bee Designs when I did my first ever craft fair in October. Her stall was just across the walkway from mine, and being 'bee' related, I was naturally interested! Sue is keen paper crafter with a broad range of beautiful products from gift tags to hand bound books.

I had an email from Sue a week or so ago saying that I had won a competition she was running on her facebook page. At first, I thought she was someone else, but instantly recognised the beautiful package when it turned up on my doorstep! There was a bag full of goodies featured in the photos in this post. 

 

You will find Bee Designs at various Craft Fairs around the Midlands area, alternatively her beautiful products are available through various online shop fronts which are linked from her website.

Spotlight on: Jo's 3d Keepsakes

It occurred to me that I have lots of friends and family who are incredibly talented! I thought that I should share with you their makes and so the 'Spotlight On...' was created! The first 'Spotlight On' goes to my Mother-in-Law, Joanne McClymont.

 My Mother-In-Law has been making cards for as long as I have known her, but she has developed her card-making into a small business, making papercrafted keepsakes.
These adorable little boxes are made to any specification, with a variety of things that can be displayed inside.
Jo uses a variety of techniques to produce the displayed items. She enjoys making figures out of fimo, papercrafting celebration cakes and sewing cushions to seat other element of the design.

As you can see, Jo puts in tremendous effort in making these beautiful keepsakes, adding embelishment, co-ordinating ribbon and name/message plates.

These Keepsakes are available for sale in several shops around the Clitheroe area of Lancashire, where they can be bought pre-made or to order.
For more details, please contact me via my contact page or comment below and I will pass any queries and well wishes on to her.

Louie's first Keepsake box. A bee hive with bumble bees for his Bee themed party.

Weekend Away

shopping!

Football, visiting family, Breaking Dawn, bumblebee buttons, hot chocolate and christmas magazines, craft shopping, new shoes, overtired toddlers and crafting. Mad weekend and a mad week up ahead!

The Sewing Cafe

Last Tuesday evening, I went down to the Sewing Cafe in Hinckley for an evening tutorial class. I had never even visited the shop before, but the prospect of making a sewing machine cosy was very inviting. 

When I got there, I was invited to choose the fabric that I wanted for my cosy and a ribbon to match. Then we went into the back room with all the machines.

I think I fell in love! With the place, the machines, the fabric, everything! I had such a fun time making my little cosy, even though I think that next time I would do a more challenging course.

The sewing machines were such a beauty to use, very simple to get the hang of, it didn't need any introduction for me. I am confident that I could use one again for various things. I intend to visit again when I want to do some quilting, as it will be much easier with their machines!

So here is my finished product, Percy's little cosy. I do have plans to tweak the cover slightly, as Percy is only a mini and I can take him where I need to. I plan to put some buttons around the bottom edge and create some straps so that I can button the strap on to make it into a bag, 2 in 1!

Of course, a shop as lovely as the Sewing Cafe was full of wonderful goodies and I couldn't leave without taking a few things home with me.

Such beautiful fabrics, brand new in floral and polkadot fat quarters which I will put to good use I hope. Also a bundle of Christmas fabrics which are just stunning and a roll of christmas coloured felt. All in mind for getting ready for my Christmas craft fair.

My craft area seems to be well stocked at the moment, with lots of new things, a bundle of Cath Kidston fabrics, my new things from the Sewing Cafe, this months Mollie Makes magazine with coverable buttons, and some dies for my Big Shot machine which should be arriving tomorrow! Although I have taken a little break from crafting since my fair, it certainly has been exciting, I can't wait to get started for Christmas!

My First Craft Fair

Today was my very first Craft Fair.
It was really quite nerve wracking at the start, getting in and set up, seeing everyone elses lovely stuff. I knew I didn't have that much stock, and only a small table so I got set up really quickly.

In all honesty, it was quite a slow day, but I think I did really well for my first fair. I managed to break even about half way through, and managed to nearly double the cost of the table, which I think is pretty good! I managed to sell two gadget cases, an apron, rings, cards, lavender hearts and drawstring bags.

I did meet a lovely lady, from Bee Designs, who makes really beautiful cards and other papercrafts. I bought a beautiful handmade sketch/scrap book from her, with bumble bees on (of course!).

I do have another fair booked for December, if nothing comes up before then, but of course I will keep you updated! I have lots of festive ideas in mind for December, but now, my focus will be on getting Mr Bee's Christmas presents ready!

Leicestershire Readers

If you have a few hours to spare tomorrow why not make a trip to the Blaby Social Centre for the Hargraves Art and Craft fair?

There will be lots of exhibitors there with a variety of stalls, something for everyone!

It is only 50p entry, which is donated to the Air Ambulance, and a Heartlink charity tombola :)

Maybe I will see you there!

Perfect

This weekend has been pretty perfect really.

Autumn has finally landed, hurrah! My favourite time of the year.

The temperature has dropped slightly, the trees are a beautiful golden hue and it is time to bring out the stew pots.

Yesterday I made an early morning trip into the town for some essentials. I don't like shopping at the weekend, so it seemed the best thing to go first thing. It was really very quiet, just how we like it :)

We were home by 10 o Clock, after a rather white knuckle bus ride home, as the main car is still out of action, and Papa had mine. 

We were straight in the door and into the kitchen, making some soup. It seemed so homely and perfect, with the nippy weather out of doors.

On the menu was a first for me, Grandpaaa's Leek and Potato Soup. He makes it so beautifully so I asked him for the recipe. As I expected, my rendition wasn't quite as good as Grandpa's, but everyone seemed to enjoy it none the less.

Mr Bee and I also made some bread, making a big loaf from me and a small one from Lou, that has become tradition now. 

Mr Bee had some wicked fun doing the washing up for nearly half an hour. 

Isaac, 3 months

Then came the arrival of our wonderful friends, Anna, Sam and Baby Isaac. It turned out that we hadn't seen our closest friends for two months. It was lovely to see them all, especially Isaac, who has grown so much!

We had such a cosy afternoon, snuggled up watching Flubber and searching for a bicycle for myself whilst Mr Bee slept. I would love a vintage one, but its seeming hard to get one to suit me. I have however, found two new cycles that I love.

Claud Butler Windsor

Dawes Duchess

Which one do you prefer?!

Sunday has been just as lovely. Waking up later than normal, then climbing into bed to watch cartoons. A quick trip to the supermarket was followed by a quick Al-Fresco lunch, as Papa was all dirty from getting the Astra ready for its new cylinder head. 

 After another lazy afternoon from Mr Bee, taking a two hour long nap!! I managed to steal away for a few hours to get crafting. I managed to make some Lavender Bags ready for the fair, and prep some rings ready for sewing. Not too much that I want to get done now.

 Back to work in the morning!