A cosy tea

Hello!

Don't you think January is the most leisurely month? Perfect for making plans, snuggling up and drinking lots of tea.

That's what I've been doing, I'm easing myself slowly into 2012.

I decided to attempt making a tea cosy, to make my tea drinking more pleasurable. I'd doodled an idea years ago, and thought I'd start there.

If I had known how long this project would take me, I may not have attempted at all!

I was off to a flying start, pattern made, fabric cut.

And then came the actual sewing bit. The bit that scared me.

My sewing machine has been sat unloved for about five years, waiting patiently for the day when it could be let loose on a piece of fabric.

After a day of YouTube video tutorials, and pulling my hair out, I'd finally cracked it.

My first foray into the world of machine embroidery.

And I absolutely loved it!

Loved it !

The sewing machine and I are now friends.

I pressed on, experimenting and making piles of fabric petals. Deciding what would go where, and in which order to place, and how was I going to join this bit to that bit? All fun.

And many, many, many, many, stressful, joyful hours later...

I am ready to reveal,

my tea cosy.

Ta-da!

Oh I'm chuffed to bits, so proud of my tea cosy am I!

I feel as though my fear of the sewing machine has at last been conquered, and I am now ready to progress onto the dizzy heights of a matching cushion. What a rock and roll lifestyle I lead!

But I know that you get it, the feeling of satisfaction and pride of making something with your own fair hands. It's addictive isn't it?

Tell me, if you saw this in a shop, would you part with your hard earned cash and buy it?I would love to know, and appreciate your honest feedback. Because I feel like making another one!

Bertie x

Sweet pink roses and cushions

Hello

These beautiful, pink roses are for you. Yes from me to you, to say a big, warm, heart felt

THANK YOU.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by to say hello, and leave so many lovely words of encouragement. It is very dearly appreciated. I've had a spring in my step all week. You've spurred me on, no end.

You've helped me to take the plunge, and tackle the sewing machine once more.

I couldn't quite face making another tea cosy, so I took the easy option and made a matching cushion instead.

She's now sitting proudly in the kitchen.

I'm on a roll, still having fun. The novelty hasn't worn off yet.

In fact I'm already on with another one!

Bye for now!

Bertie x.

Happy Valentines Decorations

SIMPLE

SWEET

FUN

VALENTINES DECORATIONS

I hope you have a Happy Valentines Day

Bertie x

Apple pancake pie

Hello, It's that time again.

I've got my fresh eggs.

Thank you girls.

And all my ingredients

My apples caramelised

and my batter mixed

a hot stove

and all is looking good.

A generous dusting

and a big dollop of cold custard

Tuesday afternoons in February just don't get any better than that.

Happy Pancake Day

Bertie x

recipe

Mother's Day makings

Yes Mother's Day is almost upon us. So I have been making a little something for my lovely MUM.

I always start off with a very quick sketch once an idea pops into my head. I like to get it down on paper before I forget it.

And then when you get going, you kind of don't know where your going, you have to feel your way.

I love that.

But the hardest part for me is knowing when to stop, I have to put it down and walk away for a while.

Sometimes I take photographs of things I make, and look at them during the process. I find this helps me to see things that I don't notice first hand.

I've decided to stop now, and my little gift is all done and waiting to be wrapped.

This year for my own Mother's Day gift, I've taken matters into my own hands.(Sometimes we have to don't we girls?). I saw this rather lovely Hydrangea bush in the sale. Too good to miss.

So I brought her home.

At least I can't kill this one, and I never need to water her.

I hope you enjoy your Mother's Day celebrations.

Bertie x

Sweet Easter treats

Hello

Happy Easter to you.

I hope you are all enjoying your Easter weekend.

Bertie x

Autumn decor

Happy October to you. I thought I'd share some more of my Autumn decor with you. As this is by far my favourite season I've loved bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside.

My son gathered these conkers for me.

And I've dotted them around the house.

Added my fall garland to the fireplace, and some warm plum blankets on the chairs.

I dried these oranges and apples a few years ago, and found them lurking in a cupboard.

They are perfect for stringing up in the kitchen.

I just added some ripped fabric,

and she's all done.

I glued my pine cones in a circle,and then did another layer, building up into a tower.

But it didn't quite work, and collapsed. Never mind, I think next time I'll use a proper base to make them more sturdy.

So I used salt dough stars instead.

I also made some little dough pumpkins,

I loved how they turned out, so I shall be making lots more this month.

I could do this all day, 

Bertie x