12 days of Christmas

Its Christmas Eve so i thought i would do a 12 days of Christmas Folksy Friday. Luckily Chloe slept through but got up early this morning so i have time to do it before the day of activity starts! :D

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree. 

Aqua Partridge Feather Headband from Handmade Revolution

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, 

 Childrens Turtle Dove Bracelet from Emz Gemz

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens, 

French Hen Hanging Decoration from Lyrebird Shop
 

 Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, 

Singing Birds Brown Plate from Julia Smith Ceramics

Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,

 TRI COLOR: 14k rose gold filled, yellow gold filled and sterling silver hammered stackable rings from Bijoux + Atelier + Nadina

Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
 

Turquoise Linen Napkins - Geese Feature from Suzie and Me

Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
 

 Swan Grooming 12x16 photography print from Denny's Photography and Art

 Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.  

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
 

 Pink Floral Milkmaids Dress from Dig for Victory

Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
 

 Vintage Dancing Ladies Photo Pendant from Just K Jewellery and Gifts 

Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
 

 Lord Fitzroy Diddybear from DiDDYBEARS

Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
 

 Tobacco Pipe Screen Print from All cats are grey

Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
 

 13" Djembe Drum A from Niiokuni Drums

 

Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree!

I hope you enjoy your 12 days of Christmas. I will try and do a festive activities blog between Christmas and new year but no promises!!! ;) 

 

From Katy and Chloe xxx

December Elves: 11th - 17th December

I am a little later than intended with my December Elves update but here it is in all its soft and cuddly, sparkly goodness, days 11-17 :D

December 11th
1.  Large Vintage Cocktail RingAntique brass Dome with Diamond from Silk Purse, Sow's Ear
Want want want! So may lovely upcycled rings and things here, well worth a look!
2. Orange Lampwork Necklace from Fairly Girly  
Really unique lampwork pendent, absolutely stunning. 


December 12th
3. Butterfly Zip Brooch from Rachael's Special Lil Bits
I think this is so clever!! Great for brooch collectors.
4. Frill Top Silk Evening Bag from Ann Chandler Originals
I have my eye on this quirky number maybe for a friends birthday next year :D

December 13th
5. Knitted Snood Tube Scaf Neck Warmer from hats and more
Lovely colours and soooooo schnuggly warm and soft
6. Gold Pearl Bridal Cuff - Adjustable from Madam CC
Not just for weddings, this is a lovely piece of jewellery for all sorts of occasions

December 14th
7. Domino Bracelet from SP Jewellery
This is great. not too chunky and really quirky
8. Tutu's to Clear from Strawberry Annies
These are fab! Tiny tutu's for tiny people. And they're in a sale!!!!!

December 15th
9. Ala - Pale Yellow Chalcedony Necklace from GillerRT
This is lovely. I think these pieces are so modern and feminine without being fussy. Great for all ages.
10. Brass filigree aventurine stone freshwater pearl necklace - Isabella from One Sunny Afternoon
This is great, lovely vintagey feel brassyness. Right up my street. 

December 16th
11. Victorian Style Bobby Pins/Hair grips x3 from Steampunk Storm
I have said it before and i will say it again, please buy everything in the shop for me NOW. Thank you please :D
12. VW Splitty Print from numb3r
Everyone loves a camper right? I once knew a man that said 'if they've not been in a camper, they're not worth talking to' FACT

December 17th
13. Red Ceramic Butterfly Motif Disc and Semi Precious Copper Necklace from Maxine Veronica Jewellery
This is a wonderful statement necklace that would suit so many outfits with its mixed colours.
14. Floral Scarf from Kate Blankett
Really lovely shapes in this scarf  and great muted colours.

I hope you all have your Christmas shopping done, if not then you may be able to get one of these lovelies delivered in time, QUICK!!!!!! 

Folksy Friday: Paper crafts

I don't know about anyone else but this year i am skint. Christmas has been planned and budgeted carefully and all the presents made to save money, the one thing i do have is time at home so making made sense. When it came to decoration i wanted something new but on a budget. The old red and gold did not go with my new fresh pinks and greens colour scheme in the living room so some new stuff was required (see prev posts!) In addition to some baubles etc etc i found a link to this paper snowflake tutorial on the folksy forum and had a go 

Rather good i thought!! (sorry hall gets no natural light!!) 

I thought i would have a look at what sort of paper offerings there are in lovely Folksy land.

1. Suncatcher batik Paper from The Old Forge Art Studio
I love this, really different, really good for a fun bright tear round garden, kids would love um too. 
2. Vintage French Novel Paper Baubles from Maisy and Alice Handmade Delights
These are lovely, you can pop them anywhere and all year not just for Christmas trees you know!! 
3. Map Bead Cuff Bracelet from Jayfa Jewellery 
Eco friendly statement jewellery, what more could you want!!?!!
4. Japanese Chiyogami Paper Pendant from Picture Pendants
Lovely bright summery pendant
5. Paper Bird - Bluetit from Rae Welch
Amazing, such and lovely ornament, great gift for a bird lover
6. Paper Pendant from My Lurvlee
This is stunning! Lovely colour and shape.
7. 12 Handmade Paper Flowers from Sherbet Ice Designs
These are great, so many possibilities! Wedding table, home decor, decorate boxes, notebooks etc the list goes on!!!
8. Silver etched and paper brooch from KRC Designs
This is very clever, layers of paper and an etched silver panel at the front. 
9. Jenny the paper monkey from polkadot Sundays
I love Jenny the monkey, she needs to come and live at my house!! 
10. Shakespearean paper garland of hearts from bookity
This is great, lovely shabby chic decoration 
11. Paper String Large Vase from Macrame Art
Just don't put water in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12. Cat Paper Weight from Millicent
To keep those unruly sheets in place who better than Cat to watch over them. ♥

So that's your lot today, hopefully there's something you like or some inspiration to get folding, cutting and sticking!! :D

December Elves 6th to the 10th

So another 5 days has passed us by and Christmas is now just around the corner. I have a selection of lovlies from the December Elves days 6 -10 for you to peruse! 
I thought i would show you my listings for these days too. 

 

Clockwise from top left

Fabric Flower Brooch/ Hair clip 'Antique Style Green Lace'
Brooch & Haor Clip Cream and Gold
Fabric Flower Brooch & Hair Clip 'Antiwue Style Brown Lace'
Relisted: Hair Slides Iridscent Snowflakes (set of 3)
Brooch Hair Clip Ice Blue



And here are the lovely listings from my very talented fellow Elves!

 

6th December

1.  Steampunk Brass Dragon Locket from Steampunk Storm 

Stunning jewellery in a steam punk style - i want EVERYTHING in this shop!! 

2. Moonstone and sterling silver studs from Red Bird Jewellery 

Classy and elegant, great for everyday wear and parties. Can't go wrong.

3. 32" Beige Draught Excluder from Heirloom Bunting 

Its tooo cold NOT to buy one of these! 

7th December

4. Xmas card/brooch - Robin from Zygote Gifts 

So sweet and a great all in one postable present

5. Rainbow Bracelet from Just K Jewellery & Gifts 

Bright, cheery fab for a teenager upwards

6. Shoulder Bag - Covent Garden from Leanne Woods Design

Lovely bold bag, perfect for cold dark days

8th December

7. Blue Agate Teardrop Necklace from Esme Dodsworth Design

Simple and elegant. Lovely.

8. Black Vein Jasper Necklace from Maxine Veronica Jewellery

Great with a little black dress or jeans. A multitasking accessory.

9. Button Brooch..Black and White from Mushy Makes

Really nice, unusual buttons. And i do love a button!

9th December

10. Black faceted teardrop bead earrings from Pirate Treasures

Great dangly earrings for the party season.

11. Vanilla Japanese Teacup Candle from Fiona Fach

Teacup candles are a great quirky gift for someone whos got everything!

12. Purple Ruffle CrochetedNeck Cosy or Scarflet from Nofkants Curios

It just looks so warm and schnuggly, doesn't it? :)

10th December

13. Recycled wine bottle cheese board from bluedaisyglass

So clever! Kiln slumped glass wine bottle cheese board, great foody gift

14. Chaya - Swarovski Woven Earrings from GlitterRT

Beautiful! Want want want!

15. Black Wool Beret with Black Pink Polka Dot Bow from Imogens Imagination

Very fancy! Keep your bounce warm all winter with this lovely beret 

>:D

Folksy Friday: Wall Art

Following a chat with my mum yesterday where we were discussing the furnishing of the new extension that seems to have been being built for years (since the summer!) I decided to do a Folksy Friday on Wall Art. She needs something for the bedroom that nearly finished but has no idea what and obviously I poked her in the direction of Folksy. She’s going to wait till after Christmas though so don’t get too excited!!

It made me think about the whole reason I started selling on Folksy in the first place. I made some Flower vines for Chloe’s play room/ the hall of our flat when we moved in March and when I posted some pictures on facebook everyone went mad for them and said I should try selling them so here I am, selling away. Strangely, despite nearly 300 views and 3 favourites I am yet to sell a set of vines and the accessories etc have been selling instead but there we are!

So I thought I would take a look at the sort of wall art available on out lovely Folksy home. Here’s a selection of various mediums and styles from my favourites. Enjoy.

1. Damask Design is all over an apple from Idiera Albert
2. Indigo Tree Art Print from Sascalia 
3. 8x10 Mounted Print - Butterflys from Lily Greenwood.com
4. Hand Cut Paper 3D Butterfly Art from Cotton Butterfly
5. 'little birdy' Wall Art from littlebirdy designs
6. The Life You Imagined Wall Art from Art by Hels Sheridan 
7. Knitted Wall Art - Pink Flowers from Rhea Clements
8. Hummingbird in Flight from Tigerlily Creations 
9. A Little Bubble Came Floating By from Green Island Art Studios
10. BRAP! ltd Edition A2 Art Print from The Nosuch Disco (as seen on Channel  
      4's Come dine with me! Fancy!!!!)
11. Edwardian Punk glossy A4 Art Print from Silent Theatre
12. Celtic Wall Art from Gelert Design
13. Driftwood Love Heart from Reclaimed Time


:D

Sleepy Roses (sorry lots of reading here!!)

This time of year is really bad for making you sleepy. Central heating, less daylight hours and less daylight in those hours, its little wonder that half of us get a bit Seasonally Defective and Disorderly really is it!!??!! 

We try to stay on top of it here at Rags HQ because it used to get me something rotten when i worked in the city. Inside all day bar half an hour at lunch and even that wasn't the full half hour, who wants to eat lunch sat looking at the traffic on Cheapside or Cannon Street!!! So we make sure we go out everyday for a while but there's not so much to do outside in the cold when your trying to keep small rose buds warm in their pushchairs and you live in a very small place. 

Chloe's not been well on and off for the last week or so and that means not sleeping properly. Its always the first thing to be affected when shes coming down with something because its always been her weak point. Shes now taking a sleep hormone called Melatonin which is helping when shes well but when shes poorly I'm right back to being up half the night with her. 2 and a half years of broken sleep is hard! 

 Chloe doing the clever walking with her current walker, 'chooo chooo'

Its helping though, the sleep, when shes well, shes doing very well in generally. Her walkings coming on nicely and her physio wants to try her with a walking frame that she pulls rather than pushes to give her more stability in her legs. Shes doing very well with it in her sessions so hopefully we can have one at home soon.

She will be getting her new splints for her legs next year too. She was prescribed extra calorie drinks in the summer to get some meat on her bones so they can start thinking about surgery on her heart again. She had not put any weight on for nearly a year at that point and looked like she was just stretching as she got taller, very strange! Its helped loads and she'd put on nearly 2 kg in 10 weeks that last time she saw the dietitian in the Autumn so the Cardiologists should be happier this time when we see them on the 15th. It did mean she suddenly had a growth spurt though, all those extra calories, and in 5 weeks she had out grown her leg splints so we had to make do with a sturdy pair of Clark's Boots and some insoles which support her arches while we waited for an appointment. 

New Boots!!

Well not so new now but that's what we call them still!!

That was in September. Our appointment (the earliest they could do) is the 4th of January!!!!! I think the NHS does a fabulous job and it is really stretched with the resources it has. This is clearly not enough and they go and make more cuts!!!! 
Anyway splints, they will help, her legs are so much more stable when she wears them her little ankles don't roll and she has more confidence to walk and move so hopefully they will fit them when we go and we might get them by March :|   


Her last ones were leopard print!!!!

We're hopefully seeing the speech and language therapist again next year too so we can start building up Chloe's understanding to using PECS, Picture Exchange Communication System. Basically Chloe will use pictures to show us what she wants. This would make a world of difference as her communication is limited at the moment. Although i and others that spend alot of time with her know what she wants she would struggle to show someone new, teachers, TA's etc and given that she can start at the pre school at Highfields in September, statement allowing, i would like to start as soon as possible. 

One major stumbling block though, Chloe does not point to things when we are practicing identifying pictures, she kisses them! My daughter, gotta love her!!

December Elves!

In the name of promotion and discovery I have joined the December listings club the December Elves. It’s a personal challenge to list something every day. I doubt I will have the time to do that but I am listing as much as I can and have, so far, had something daily. It’s also a chance to share what you’re making, get your name out there and help promote other sellers by way of blog, facebook, twitter etc. Good for Christmas shopping too, the gifts are laid out for you ready, you just have to click and pay!! 

Rather than update daily I thought I would bring you a selection every 5 days or so. This is Dec the 1^st to the 5^th. Enjoy.

1st December
1. Black Shell Bracelet from Camillou
2. Festive Dragonfly Earrings from Bessie Loves
3. Knitted Scarf from All Things Blankets and More

2nd December
4. Fun Black Scottie Dog and Bone Stud Earrings from Cosmic Eden
5. Cuddle Me Baby Stegosaurus from Molly Moo and Jessica Too
6. Elegant Tiger Eye Drop Earrings frmo Unique Beaded Gems

3rd December
7. Hand Knitted Headband with Flower from Hats and More
8. Ursa - Swarvoski and Wire Work Bracelet from GlitterRT
9. Elf Sweet Soapsicle from Delish Bath Treats

4th December
10. 3D Santa Christmas Card from busybeecards
11. Sparkly Red Heart Jotter from Jessicas Jotters
12. Red Satin Star Charm Bracelets from Putting on the Charms 

5th December
13. Lily Hairband from Mia Scintilla
14. Amber and Gold Flower Bracelet from Fire Red Designs
15. Multi Pearl Necklace from Beadesk

Christmas and THE Rug!!

A couple of people have asked me how I did THE rug! So I thought I would put a tutorial on. I always feel funny at the thought of doing a tutorial, an inbuilt feeling that people wouldn’t want to read it I suppose but then the people have asked so here it is!!

It’s a simple braided rug. Start with an idea of what colours you want and get your material. I used old duvet covers ones I had and some from eBay and charity shops. I like them because they are very inexpensive for the amount of fabric you get.  It helps to have an idea of what you want the rug to look like to. Big stripes of colour like mine or a mix or thinner stripes etc so have a think you can always take it in stages as I did.

Cut your fabric into strips, I did thicker strips about an inch or so width as I wanted a good thick rug for Chloe to bounce off when she falls!! How you lay the braids, flat or on their sides, will also affect the finished thickness. 

Once you’ve got your strips you can start braiding. Simple three strand braid.

When you get to the end of the strip you can either sew on the next strip or, if you’re impatient like me, just fold the next one into the end of the last one and carry on braiding. 

I found it good to stagger the lengths of the first strips so the increased thickness at this overlapping point is one strip at a time rather than all three. 

Once you have a good long braid you can either keep going, good if you’re doing a single colour or just an unplanned mix, or you can start rolling. That way you get an idea of of much of colour you want and how your doing befor you add on the next colour. Decide if you want a thick rug or not. If you want it thick then roll so the face of the braid lays inwards and is not seen. If you’re happy with a thinner rug which will also be bigger lay the face of the braid upwards.

Sew the roll together as you go, this is the bit that takes soooooo long and will give you sore fingers. I gave up in the end and used the glue gun for the last 6 inches or so. If you are sparing with the glue then you actually don’t notice it and the rug is still very pliable and can be rolled.

At the beginning the rug builds lovely and quickly, keep the faith though as you get further on because, obviously, the bigger it gets the longer it takes to get bigger! 

I was DESPERATE to get the rug finished before the Christmas tree went up as the colour scheme would have looked silly with the old one there. Things like that bother me now i spend all my time at home with Chloe. 

Heres some of our decorations!!

Home made bauble wreath

Merry Christmas  ;)

Folksy Friday: Satsumas & Nuts

There’s a definite whiff of Christmas in the air here at Roses towers, not in any small part due to the tree going up and spiced fig candles on the burn from sundown!  So I have been thinking about the things that go in stockings, Not legs!! Everyone will have different stocking fillers but 90% of us will find a Satsuma and some nuts. I could make an inappropriate joke there but I won’t. O_o

So I have compiled a list of the very best in Satsuma and Nut products on Folksy to provide an interesting twist to your stocking filling!! 

1. Turned 4 Apple wood bowls with food safe finish for nuts,salad etc from Aroso  Wood Turning and Flower Cards

2. One Fruity Orange Moustache Pocket Mirror from Kikichoo

3. Walnut Pin Cushion from Madebyhand 

4. Cupcake Shea Butter Bath Bomb x2 - Satsuma from Beautiful Bubbles  

5. Soap - Satsuma from Beautiful Bubbles  

6. Tiny Peanut Earrings from Szeya Designs 

7. Tiny Peanut Necklace from Szya Designs

8. Crunchie Nut Cornflakes Upcycled/Recycled Bracelet from The Fluffy Sausage

So add some fun to your stockings this year and give them a variation on the classic Satsuma and Nuts!!

I've been crafting for us!!! Shocking

So i thought , after a flurry of Christmas present making in October, that i would get on with some of the bits we needed in the house and for us. I have so many things i want to do that its hard to prioritise. First was the rug:

Which took 4 months to do but was soo worth it, i love it and so does Chloe. Its really thick so the super chilly laminate floors aren't a problem for rolly polly crawly Chloe! 

So then i started on my first 'upholstry' project. Its a hinged lid wooden box from my mum, i think she got it from B&Q or somewhere like that. Shes having building work done and getting new stuff so let me have one of them! Its all covered in reclaimed fabric from my stashes and wadding to pad. Its a bit rough round the edges but i love it and it keeps my feet up while I'm tapping away on the laptop!!

 

A mix of cold weather and constant dribbling has left poor Chloe with a very sore looking red patch of dry skin on her chin so i made her some funky dribble bibs too as shes getting a little old to have a proper bib round her neck all the time!!

 

I've made a diary holder too, I have so many appointment cards come through for Chloe that are too long to fit nicely in a standard diary so i made this to keep them safe in my bag. Its 70's material my mum used to use to teach embroidery and i LOVE it!!

 

 I've also been making presents and one particularly took me in a new direction. A photo frame for a friend that came from some very inspiring browsing at Altered Art pieces on Folksy. I think i may work on some for my shop too!

I will get back to stocking up my shop now, ever hopeful that the sales fairy will come a knocking!

:D