It's February!!!

Oh my.

Well here we are. Finally. Wedding is in two weeks and I cannot even write down how much I still have to do because I am getting a teeny weeny bit stressed. Though apparently I'm hiding it well.

It has been a strange 3 months, me and the boys have been ill since November. Think them starting nursery has not helped but we're on the mend. I actually ended up in hospital (via ambulance no less!) but thankfully it wasn't as bad as they thought. Mortified that the paramedics came into my house since nothing had been tidied in 4 days due to me feeling ill. 4 days of no tidying with two children under the age of 4, may as we'll mean the house has never been tidied.

So, I hope my absence will be forgiven!

So I now have some photos of the kitchen we made for the boys!

I posted a picture before of telephone unit which I had bought with the hope of magically transforming it into a play kitchen for my lovely boys, and I did it!

Yey! I was literally finishing this at 0:30 on Christmas morning. If I was reading this I would be sensing a pattern that I tend to leave things a bit late.

Anyway I was super chuffed with how it turned out.

I painted the unit with a few colours I thought would look nice and bright, then I attached the back board, to give it a little something extra. I cut a hole in the top shelf and glued a baking tray in for the sink! I removed the drawer handle and glued the drawer in place. I managed to do this after the sink was put in by cutting the back off the drawer...

Which I then used to make a shelf. I used cork pot stands which I bought in packs of two, to make the cooker rings. I painted them black and painted one with a little gas ring! I made little dials for the hob rings from the tops off honey bottles. I opened the cap (it was one of the little flip top ones with the squeeze lids). I put a washer in the cap and then put a screw in, glued the inside of the cap and closed it, job done.

I added on a corner shelf to each side of the unit to give them a little worktop space which is housing their toaster and stand mixer which my crafty pal Danielle got the for their bday!

I'm planning on putting a little curtain over this part to hide all of the pretend food they have. I got 3 little baskets which we are using for utensils (pictures above in red), and one each for fruit and veg.

Then we have the oven. All I did was paint a little flame for this one.

And that was our oven! I have seen some on the internet which are flippin' incredible, but I have to say I do love mine. And so do the boys which is the most important thing. I have had several pretend cakes and cups of tea and they were all pretend delicious!

X

What a day!

I am exhausted.

Today was supposed to be wedding invitations day and somehow ended up being a 'let's go into town and buy things' day.we got up late (oops) and the boys were late for nursery (double oops), then we had to go get new blades for my craft knife (we'll come back to that), and I then persuaded Ben to drive into town. Okay so the day was all my doing. I slept through my alarm, I was in charge of the alarms ths morning as Ben had to sleep in the boys room last night. We're taking it in turns due to Frankie's unbelievable scratching just now. No idea why it's gotten so bad just now but he need 24 hour watching. So anyway, back to the alarm. I missed it. Technically I didn't, technically I woke up, turned it off and went back to sleep. Don't tell Ben.

I had a notion to go into town today as I knew what I wanted to get my bridesmaids for their little wedding token. Due to the fact I'm now panicking about our impending weddin (less than 2 months!!!!) and the fact I haven't even started my dress, I thought today was a good day to get started on everything else.

Still not sure if this was a good idea. However we got them. And they're great, if I do say so myself.

I also got my wedding wellies. Yes, it is a real thing. Ask any bride.

My thinking behind the wedding wellies, which is a real thing, is the fact that we are getting married in a little house. And the house is beautiful, and the surroundings are beautiful. So I presume we will be getting some pictures taked outside, and my lovely shoes, which I cannot wait to wear, are not outdoor in the mud or on a beach type of shoe. Enter the wedding wellie! I got EXACTLY what I wanted. And to be honest I was surprised as I thought I had just made them up.

Now they may not be to everyone's taste, I have to admit I never thought I would require such an item, however, once I've swapped those black laces for some colourful ribbon, those babies will be amazing. Also you'll be able to see my little pedicured toes!

See through glittery wellies. They have literally done everything possible in footwear.

 I also ordered our cake topper, I CANNOT WAIT for this to arrive. Expect A LOT of pictures. 

I also ordered all our earrings, my hair clasp thing (which is actually coming as a brooch) and my veil, which I was going to make myself however I'm trying to be realistic about my timeframe now. Kind of.

I also tried to make our invitations. What a disaster. Really.

I though screen printing would be super east. Cut out, layer, Paint line, pull line with big squeegee, hey presto, screen print. This is not the case. We're lucky there isn't a squeegee shaped hole in the front window. 

So tomorrow I'm going to try and take pictures. I'm rubbish at pictures but there's only one way to learn! So prepare to be completely underwhelmed.

Night night! X

Woop woop!!

Day 2 in the craft house...

Well well well, two days in a row, so far so good! Though due to fact this is more of a retrospective look at 2013 I must say I don't think this one counts towards my '2 posts per week' promise from yesterday. Sitting watching Doctor Who (season 6, episode 9) whilst playing Lego updating this craziness whilst considering taking down my Christmas tree as it's starting to annoy me. Full of holiday spirit.

Anyhoo, I posted a while ago about making a kitchen for my boys for Christmas, I honestly finished this on Christmas Eve, what a nightmare but now it's here! Not totally finished, feel like it needs a few more wee touches to improve it, however here it is...

I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out. Will take more pics of a bit more detail in the next few weeks so I can show it off a bit more!

There has also been a few additions to the extended family including a set of twin boys! Yey for babies!!! So I have embroidered the little family tree from Mollie makes issue *something*, sorry I have a terrible memory!

So happy with it, just need to add on everyone's names now!

Also it was the boys birthday, both within a week of each other so we had a little joint party in. The house and I made some decorations. They decided it was going to be a finding nemo party so I crocheted some jelly fish, a la Kirstie Allsopp, and I also made these

I was a massive Blue Peter fan when I was little so I used an old fave to make them, toilet roll tubes! I am def going to write up how to do these as they were SUPER easy, SUPER quick, and super cheap! All the makings of great party things for kids.

I swear this is not all I made over the last 12 months but this was what I thought was worth putting up for my new start. I did also attempt to crochet Ben a pair of socks for his bday. Made a full leg and heel then got his to try it on. Or attempt to try it on. Couldn't even get it over his foot. 6 weeks and about 25 hours of crochet and It was all for nothing! To say I was upset would not quite cover how bad I felt. Lesson learned for next time though!

Well, I will be back, fear not, and I hope you have a lovely day (especially if you live in Scotland where the 2nd of January is a holiday, Yey! X

Same old story...

I know I know, I can just imagine everyone's judge faces ( very similar to my own I must say).

Here she comes, new year again, promises to be made to be broken and then to be forgotten all together. Naughty me.

I know I said something similar last year about being crafty and writing it all down here, and to be fair I did manage the crafty part. The writing down? Not so much.

Soooo, here come the new promises.

1. I will continue to be crafty, with a little help from Danielle (hello!) and my mum (sorry dad). Both have been super helpful so far so I'm expecting great things. 

2. I will WRITE IT DOWN. This is my downfall, however I will strive to improve!

3. I will spend more time with my wonderful boys doing messy fun and silly things. Grown up stuff is always getting in the way, but not anymore!

4. I will make more of an effort with my man, less ponytails and big jumpers and more nice hair and shaved legs. 

5. GET MORE ORGANISED. This is a direct copy of previous years, however to achieve the rest above I must achieve this one. So really this is number 1. Although technically they are not in any sort of order at the mo.

I have a new toy with which to update, one of these new dangled tablet devises. I refuse to name it as it is not a company I normally associate with, which might explain why I have no idea how to work it!

Will return with pics in a bit. Hoping to update twice per week. That seems do-able doesn't it? 

We'll, we shall soon see...... X

Woopsy doodles...

Well now.
I swear I've been up to all sorts, craftyness ahoy!
It's been Bens mums b-day, Bens made soaps, all by himself! I made her the box bag for it, got the instructions from the following:
http://prudentbaby.com/2010/05/prudent-home/organization/man-gift-toiletry-bag-with-oil-cloth-goodness-2/
This is the second time i've used this and it always turns out amazing. So much so they usually dont believe i've made it! I also made two pairs of baby converse slippers for Bens uncles soon to be born twins!
Then it was Bens stepdads b-day. I crocheted him a pair of big boy converse style slippers from Mollie Makes. OMG. It took AGES!!!!!! Talk about taking a long bloody time. However they turned out pretty good i'd say.
Now its the turn of my babies, still slowly working o  the kitchen but I made a whale for Daniel from here:
http://valaanvillapaita.blogspot.co.uk/p/hi-there-i-finally-managed-to-translate.html?m=1
This I have to say is one of my favourite all time projects. It turned out amazing, I had all the stuff to make it in the house so no shoppi g or pennies required, and even my dad was impressed. Not an easy task.
I also made Danoel a fabric book, however the final put together was not well put together and it will be redone shortly. Now it's Frankies turn! A fishing set has been thought out and is now being executed. I'm updating on my phone hence no pictures! (Sort it out blogger) but I will be back!!!!! Pictures and all!
Peace!

The August Break: 2, circles

I decided to take up the Susannah Conway challenge for August. Taking a different photo each day of something to try and improve my photo taking (lack of) skills. As you can see from the picture, i may need longer than a month. That is my very same-ish collection of nailpolishes, a bottle of kids Calpol (disgusting stuff) and my bedside table lamp. Very dull. However that is not the point of the exercise.
Hoping to have a bit to share on tbe wedding prep this week. LOVING our invitations but they are far from finished. Also I have been going charity shop MENTAL. Everyone in the shops near us is starting to recognise me and the boys. We're looking for plates, bowls, etc, for the wedding dinner. The place we're getting married charges £5 per head. Not a lot but this way it will be more personal AND we'll have something to keep!

What's Happenin'

So, the last few weeks have been confusing ones. I realise I haven't mentioned this before however I am actually in the process of planning mine and Bens wedding. We got engaged 3 years ago (whilst I was pregnant with Frankie) on a beach in France. At night. Most romantic thing ever. Well it would have been had I not dragged Ben from 8 restaurants before we found the right one due to the fact they all sold shark fin soup. What can I say, I like sharks.

Anyhoo, so far I have bought 2 dresses. And I have also returned them.

The first one I found in Coast. It's much nicer on than in the pictures I think, no offence to the girl in the picture, but I didn't think the sideways pose helped.

 

So I loved this dress, however I bought it about 10 weeks after having Daniel, very very bad idea, because a mere 8 weeks later I had dropped a dress (and cup) size, and the bloody thing didn't fit anymore. When I decided it needed to be returned I decided to buy another dress I had seen which I thought would be pretty from Orla Kiely.

 

And it was.

The dress was lovely.

But, I couldn't shake the fact that so many people had asked if I was going to make my own. Having never made any clothes except the jammas for Ben and the boys, (as well as a pair for my dad ,which were too small and a pair for Bens step dad),  I thought that might be taking on too much.

 

So I have taken the plunge. I have returned my store bought dresses and have started researching making my own. I've bought a pattern, and have found some fabric I really like.

I also thought it would be good to try and make something to practice. I attempted the Miss Marlo Dress from Pip Lincolns book Sew La Tea Do. What a flippin' disaster.

I can't even get the dress over my head.

I have no idea what I've done wrong, probably something very, very daft but the thing does not fit. That's it's new name, The Thing.
 

So then I decided to attempt the High Waisted Sash Skirt from This Big Oak Tree, http://www.thisbigoaktree.com/2012/04/high-waisted-sash-skirt-tutorial.html,

and it's also too small!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so confused. I measured and checked and measured again. So now I have cut up two perfectly beautiful metres of Liberty print to make two pieces of clothing which will never see the dull glow of day. Dull glow since I'm pretty sure that's our summer over now. It's been raining for 6 days.

A lot more practicing will be done before I decide to ruin some expensive wedding dress material so watch this space.
Also I am going to make our invitations, this I am really hoping will be the focus of my next post, all going well!!