Little Changes

Hello,
There's been a few little changes around here.....before

 Have a lovely weekend everyone xxx

Giant Lampshade Makeover

Hello!
I've been making little changes to our house, I think it's this time of year, fresh starts and new looks. I bought this giant lampshade ages ago, it's been in the to do pile and I finally got around to doing it on Friday. I love how it's over sized but it was just too boring for me in white, so I gave it a makeover in my current favourite vintage fabric. I know it's the middle of winter but this new shade definitely has a hint of spring time about it. On Friday night I had the strangest dream, I dreamt the shade was hanging about an inch from my face and was about to all from the ceiling, might have been something to do with sleeping in a room with glue fumes! Note to self always use glue in a well ventilated room.

Before

The shade comes in a box but it's really easy to put together, I did discover that the hole in the middle is too big for the light thing that dangles down (very technical terms), so I rigged up a fitting from an another shade

measure twice, cut once

I cut the fabric half an inch wider on either side so I can glue it over to get a neat finish

Use a PVA glue to stick the fabric, do a little at a time, smoothing any bumps as you go

I find superglue works better for the edges

Then this happened!!

Finished! It's huge and I love it (it's circumference is 74 inches)

Handmade Happiness

Hello Lovelies!
I love giving and receiving handmade presents. When my friend Catherine gave me this wrapped up and told me she had made it I didn't have a clue what was! On Christmas morning when I opened it I was so surprised! I Love it and think it's such a great idea! Catherine used dishes and glasses from Ikea and strong glue to make it. The possibilities are endless, you could mix and match patterns and colours, charity shops are the perfect place to find miss matched china and glasses. I've found a new use for my stand, on my dressing table, but it would fit perfectly into the craft room filled with buttons and spools, for afternoon tea or maybe on a hallway table for keys and sunglasses, or an alternative fruit bowl......

Do you like to make and receive handmade gifts?
Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy New Year!

Here's to new starts, learning new things, visiting new places, meeting new people! THE NEW ME!!

As a little January pick me up, and inspired my my new book I thought it would be fun to do a portrait of myself everyday in January, please join in too!

Happy New Year Everyone!
Thank you all so much for reading in 2013 xxxx

Nail Obsession

I'm obsessed with my new set of nail polishes! I've had a new colour change everyday (sometimes twice a day!) I've been sat here watching tv, eating choc and nail painting but I've got my energy back and with the new year just around the corner it's time to get going with some of the projects that need finishing!

My sandwich ring, a Christmas present from the big lad! I've just started a new job in a sandwich shop! Sandwiches are a girls best friend.

Happy New year to you all! I hope that 2014 brings lots of happiness and health xxx

Gold nails and a tin of roses

Hello,
The last couple of days have been spent sofa surfing while I try and get over a cold, I'm always sick at Christmas! From the comfort of the sofa, I've watched The Hobbit, been reading my new photography books and painted my nails sparkly gold.

New old tin, a present from my sister

Nail polishes, enough for a different colour for every nail, a present from my sister Bob

Lovely photography books from my friend Kathryn

It's nice to have time to recharge the batteries, have a lovely weekend everyone xx

Mary Christmas

Hope you're all having a relaxing Christmas! xx