Sew Sew

I've been making my hearts and selling them on ebay for around a week now, and they appear to be gathering a bit more interest.

Love is All you Need

It's still extremely early days but I'm already looking forward to my next projects. I'm hoping that in the next couple of weeks I'll be getting a sewing machine, which will really help me move onto the next step. It will allow me to create a much larger variety of products and I will be able to execute them to a much higher standard.

My new heart design I have hand embroidered "love" onto and have plans to start taking orders for personalisations. I love the thought of embroidering peoples names, special dates, or words; and hopefully in the future take orders from couples for weddings favours, co-ordinating with their colour scheme.

Joy is not in things, it is in us

I have already spoken to a few event organisers about selling at country fairs and markets etc. so it's quite a hectic yet exciting time in my life.


I'd like to thank those that have started following me and left me messages, I really enjoy reading what you have to say and appreciate the kind words...

Ally 

xxx

Simply Scandinavian

With the Autumn weather feeling like it's really starting to set in I've been looking to the Scandinavians for design inspiration.
The look is very natural, lots of wood, neutral colours teamed with thick knitted throws and cushions.

The bedroom is my own creation, I love wicker baskets, and old scabby looking cases they're great for hiding odds and ends away in.

One of my favourite companies Cox and Cox have a lot of items in their new Autumn collection that can help you achieve this look yourself. I love all of their pieces, but these are the ones that I love the most.

I'm sharing this post with http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com

Ally

xxx

Pleased to Announce...

I'm thrilled to announce that a selection of my hearts are now for sale on Etsy.

If you click on the caption underneath the photo it will take you straight to my Etsy page.

Mother of Pearl

Heart Embroidery

Kiss Embroidery

 Ally

xxx

Bank Holiday Bliss

The weather is warm, the sun is shining. Who wants to bet it will be raining over the Bank Holiday?

I won't be picking up the hammer or drill this weekend. I'm going to relax, have fun and eat some good food.

If anyone is doing the same either holding a party, or want to add a new look to a room without pulling all of the tools out, bunting can create a vintage touch to any setting.  It can be hung inside or out, just in case that Great British Weather doesn't hold up; and once you're done with it, rather than stuff it in a cupboard why not use it to decorate foot board of a child's bed.
These are a few of my favourites.

Grace and Favour Home

Ticketty Boo

Ella James

Ticketty Boo

By Alex

Ally

xxx

English Rose

This weekend my parents held a party in celebration of their 25th Wedding Anniversary.  Whilst mum had been worrying if there was enough wine for her everyone and dad had wondered if there was going to be enough steak to go round I was busy worrying how I was going to arrange the table.

I bought a couple of bunches of roses and cut some hydrangeas from out of the garden. The bright pink and the dusty pink were perfect in contrast to each other and the bunch of white roses that I also bought.  I found that by buying the flowers and arranging them myself saved me a great deal of money. I couldn't believe it when I saw a similar bunch of roses that cost £75!!! My flowers cost me £10. 

I arranged the roses in a couple of small glasses, the first bunch was a single white rose with alternating bright and dusty pinks. The second bunch of roses I did the inverse, with a central bright and dusty pink rose surrounded by white roses.  The hydrangeas I tied together, cut the stems short and placed in a teacup.  If I'd had more I would have loved to have placed all of the flowers in teacups. Perhaps this is the perfect excuse to buy some more? 

Left: dotcomgiftshop
Right: cake stand from V and A Museum

The table cloth I bought for very cheap, from the supermarket. Being paper made it so quick to wrap up all of the rubbish and throw away this morning. It also saved time on washing and ironing.  With so many colours and patterns to choose from I think paper tablecloths are a smart choice.

The British Summer weather unfortunately let us down so we had to bring everything inside, but once it got dark, and with subdued lighting the room had a really warm feel to it.
As a finishing touch I gave the fruit, the flowers and the cupcakes a dusting of edible glitter, this went down extremely well with the ladies, but the men were left looking rather baffled with this idea. Personally, food can never be glittery enough!

I was really happy with how it all turned out, and judging by the state of the house this morning everyone else had a wonderful night...

Ally

xxx

Get Laid

The kitchen is so close to being finished. All left now is to get blinds sorted. I am so pleased with how it has tied together, and will upload some pics as soon as I can.

The part of the kitchen that I am by far proudest of has to be the floor that I laid (with a little help from my Pops). I thought I would share with you the process of how to lay floor tiles as it is much more straightforward than I was expecting.

Before anything else its really important to make sure you have everything you need and everything is prepped.  You're going to need:
Tiles

Be sure to get a trowel like this, the grooves that it
creates in the adhesive helps
 the tiles to adhere.

Floor Adhesive
Grout
Tape Measure
Chalk
Floor Adhesive Trowel
Tile Spacers
Damp Cloth or Sponge
Tile Cutter
Pencil
Grid Paper
Spirit Level

I would suggest however that if you're going to use expensive tiles get the experts in.

So you have ripped up your old floor, chosen your tiles, and have everything you need. The floor needs to be clean and dry. We're almost ready to start.
1. Before you think about laying a tile though you need to find the Centre Point of the room. To do this measure all of the sides of the room and chart them on your grid paper to scale.

e.g one square of paper is equal to 10cm.
N.B This isn't essential but I found it a really useful way of visualising everything before I did anything to the floor.

Find the centre of the two longest walls and draw the chalk line across. Repeat across the width of the room. Where the two lines meet is the centre point.


2. Lay 2 lines of tiles along the chalk lines that you have drawn on the floor. Use this to judge by eye if your centre point needs moving up, down or to the side slightly. Use as many whole tiles as you can.

3. So now you know where you're centre point is this is your starting point. Always start from the centre of the floor when tiling, and only tile in one direction at a time. Spread your tile adhesive along one of the corners of the centre point using your trowel. It's best to work in areas of a meter square at a time. Place your tile firmly applying pressure evenly. Place spacers at each corner in between each tile to maintain an equal distance. Use your spirit level to check that you're laying the floor evenly.

4. Repeat these steps until you reach the wall. It is likely at this point you're going to have to cut some tiles. Measure the gap, remembering to leave a gap for grouting either side, and mark this on the back of the tile to be cut with your pencil.

Our finished floor!

Please take care when using a tile cutter, and seek advise as to which cutter would be best for your specific tiles.
Don't be disheartened when you break a tile. I say when and not if, because it's going to happen. Even the pro's expect it.

If any tile adhesive spills onto the tiles wipe it off as quick as you can with your sponge or cloth.
Leave the tiles to set for around 24 hours before allowing light traffic. Grout the tiles and leave it to dry for 72 hours before letting them get wet.

I know it sounds like a lot and can be a really daunting process, but once you get started with it, it's really quite straight forward.

Have any of you had any good or bad experiences with DIY?

Trust me, if I can do it, you can too...

Ally

xxx

I heart ♥s

For the last week I've been looking at fabrics, and sketching some ideas down on paper for my hanging hearts. Yesterday I finally decided on which fabric I was going to use (even the man in the shop commented that I'd finally made my mind up)! I had such a specific idea in my head that I was never going to find what I wanted.

The fabric I ended up going for I was worried was going to look a little dull and washed out. But I "jujjed" it up with some bright stitching and ribbon.

I've mocked up a couple and will make some more, with different designs and which ever are deemed most popular will go on sale in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully!

So Excited...

Which is your favourite?

Ally

  xxx

Good Books have No Endings

This bookcase was one of my first real DIY projects. Prior to what you see in the picture below the room was dominated by dark wood, and unorganised books. With a quick sanding down, a lick of paint and some thoughtful arranging it transformed the previously dark corner of the room.
All that's needed now are a couple of bookends.

These are a few of my favourites.

India Jane

Wisteria

India Jane

The Original Home Store

Restoration Hardware

Sweet Love Vintage - Etsy

Ally 

xxx

So long Sweet Summer

The days are getting shorter and the nights are starting to draw in. It's August and the leaves are already starting to turn! Autumn is biting at our heels.
I'm not moaning though, I love Autumn, the Summer can become unbearable for me, particularly being hundreds of miles away from the coast. I don't know why I complain, we only had 2 days of Summer this year.

Autumn to me is a time to eat the fruits of our harvest (the vegetable patch at the bottom of the garden) and bake pies.  Nothing reminds me of Autumn more than the smell of a hot pecan pie straight out of the oven, a big dollop of clotted cream on the side and a cup of tea to wash it all down with.


As the nights are starting to get longer there are more and more excuses to cosy up, create a little ambiance and light a few candles. Last winter I decided to customise a few of my own.

It couldn't be quicker or more simple. All you need is some candles, a glue gun (bought cheaply from any craft store) and the decoration of your choice. Last year I used dried chilies, cinnamon and my own family tartan.


This year I might try decorating some candles with dried orange slices or acorns.  What are you going to go for?


Top Tip: Once large candles have burnt away a little, place a tealight in the centre and light that. It saves the lovely large candle from burning away.

Until next time....

Ally
xxx

Keep Out of the Kitchen

If I had to categorise my choice of home decoration, it would fall into the traditional/country/classic genres. However, I do like to add a bit of a contemporary twist with my accessories

I have just moved back home from university for a few months to help save money. We have lived in our family home for almost 6 years and we are yet to put our own stamp on the house....Whenever I come home,  I pester my parents as to what's going to get sorted next, and the look of enthusiasm worry on my mums face seems to sum up her trust in my DIY skills!

To better introduce you into what my sort of style is, and where I get inspiration from I thought I'd start with my kitchen, which I am currently in the process of refitting!  Giving a tired room new life doesn't have to cost mega bucks, often a new lick of paint, new soft furnishings and rearranging furniture can transform a room in no time at all.

Skipping Stone

I have painted the walls in our kitchen much more of a stony colour (Farrow and Ball Skimming Stone), the room is north facing and the light cream walls often made the room feel grey due to the lack of light; and the kitchen cupboards, instead of changing, have also had a freshen up with a nice cream eggshell (The Little Greene Company Hollyhock)

As for the floor, the ancient discouloured lino had to go. We did contemplate laying a new lino as it is relatively cheap and the quality is much better these days. For a kitchen it is practical considering how clumsy I can be with spilling things.  However we opted for tiles. The tiles are porcelain but in a terracotta style, which really add much needed warmth to the room, and at a fraction of the cost.

To again cut the costs we decide to lay the floor ourselves!!! I was completely daunted at the prospect, but there are some good youtube videos that help and make it straight forward.

This was a good day

The new worktop is being delivered today. We decided on a solid oak, again to add some warmth and sense of space, as I feel a dark granite worktop would have closed the room in. All we need then is the last finishing touches but I will keep those a secret for now...

Ally

xxx