♥ Stitchy stitchy! ♥

I recently purchased some bargain embroidery hoops while in the charity shops.  It got me thinking - I used to LOVE a bit of stitching and am going to start again, watch this space...

...until then, here are some pics of stitchy projects from back int' day...

First is my entry to the The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap which I won by the way, the theme was "discover".  You can see all the entries here and read a blogpost about the previous years' entry (bloom) here.

stitchy caravan & bunting

close up

  

Pretty appliqued cakes...

 ...Craft Fair stitchies...

Lavender bags, hearts etc

Pin cushion scrap pack

...stitchy cards...

valentines cards

...and Christmas stitchies!

felt garland

Tree decorations

★ "MAKE IT" MONDAY ★

#GIFT - Vintage Teacup Candle

These Pretty Vintage Teacup candles, great for unique handmade gifts for friends and family.  Search charity shops, flea markets, car boot sales and ebay for nice teacups and saucers, they usually cost £1-£2.50.  If you are making multiple candles it might be worth buying a full tea service, also often found in charity shops.  

These Teacup candles only cost £2.05 ($3.30) to make!  Find details of prices and stockists here.  

You could also add a personalised label with message, Download some FREE Rankidoodle Teacup Candle Labels here.  I wrap mine in polka dot cellaphane and tie with pretty lace, very vintage darling. x

For this project you will need...

Teacup saucer

15 tealights (plain or scented)

cellotape

Wick (12cm)

lolly stick (optional)

Wick sustainer tab (optional)

glue (optional)

Old pan

Metal jug

You will need to fill your pan with water and bring to the boil.  

Next take all of the tealights out of their casings (remove the metal casings and wicks) and drop them into the jug (dont worry if any of the casings/wick fall in they can be fished out later).

Next place your bowl/jug in the water and wait for the wax to melt

(please make sure the water doesn't run dry)

When your wax has melted pour a tiny bit into your teacup and push the metal sustainer and wick into it to secure.  Then either cellotape the wick to a lolly stick or you can just use cellotape, across the top of the teacup.

Next make sure you protect your hands (teatowel or oven gloves) and pour your wax into your teacup. Fill to 1cm below the rim making sure the wick is central.

Leave to set for about an hour.

And Voila!  You have a lovely Teacup Candle.

TIPS:

Doing multiple Teacup candle can save time.

Sometimes the candle wax can come loose in the teacup, to prevent this put a blob of glue between the teacup and wax (when fully set) to secure.

Download these FREE Rankidoodle Teacup Candle Labels here

♥ WEDDING WEDNESDAY - Save the Date ♥

Wedding Diary #5 - Save the dates

The Date is set, the amazing venue is booked so now you need to let people know.  It is time to send out your "save the dates!".  Usually sent out at least 6-12 months before the big event so recipients who wish to attend can keep the date free.  This is usually followed by a formal invitation nearer the time.

Here are some fab ideas for save the dates...

Save the date printables from here, just add twine.

These two cards ideas are from in the tree house

How about a photography shoot, here are some clever ideas...

Kyle Hale

diy weddingbee

photobooth

And some really cute DIY ideas which are simple but effective...

You can see how to recreate this idea here

Scratch to reveal the date, you can see how to make this here

OR how about creating your own video to send to all your friends, here are some great ones...

                  

Save the Date from Steve Haslip on Vimeo.

                  

Save the Date from Ryan Leggett on Vimeo.

Rankidoodle Labels

Am just working on some new labels for the pretty bow brooches my mum kindly knitted for my Rankidoodle shop on Etsy.  They will feature these old photographs of my mum in the 70s when her and my dad were just "courting".  The knitted bow brooch will sit in the middle of the card.

I haven't shown her yet!

Hope she likes em...

★ "MAKE IT" MONDAY ★

Welcome to my new blog feature "Make it" Monday where I will be featuring a weekly DIY project.  I LOVE making things and in this feature I will be showing you how to make gifts for friends, fashion items, gifts for children, for the home and much more.

Due to the current financial climate it makes sense to try to save money by making gifts, cards, homewares and with each project I will be revealing how much it costs to make, I think you'll be surprised how much you could save.

The projects range in the time it takes to complete.  I am starting with an easy 10 minute make, there are also 30 minute makes, 100 minute makes and Weekend makes.

#FASHION - Vintage Bow Brooch

These Pretty bow brooches can be worn to liven up any outfit or bag, they would make great gifts for friends.  They only cost 21p(34cents) to make!  Find details of prices and stockists here.  You could add a hair grip instead of brooch pin and wear it in your hair, very vintage darling. x

For this project you will need...

Felt  (21 x 3cm & 6 x 2cm)

Lace  (21cm)

Brooch pin

glue (glue gun shown but all purpose is fine)

Lay the lace over the longer felt piece and fold around so it overlaps itself by approx 2cm, I didn't but you can put a blob of glue here to secure before the next step...

...then fold the felt and lace in half longways and wrap the smaller piece of felt around the centre and put a blob of glue (where my thumbnail is) to secure... 

...then glue the brooch pin on...

...and voila!!!  You have your very own Vintage bow brooch.