"I couldn't possibly do that!"

Earlier on this year I went to Olympia Show with my mum-in-law as a late birthday treat.

I wasn't sure what I was going to buy so I picked some decupatch papers and cardboard animals for the girls to do. And than I saw a lady who made most astonishing flowers from ribbons. One particular one caught my eye. It was red poppy and I just knew I had to learn how to do it. So few minutes later I left the stand with enough ribbon and pearls to make 10 poppies;)

 

And than I spotted a large stand full of colourful fabrics. The whole table (about 18ft) was filled with fat quarters (actually it turned out later they were half meters!) that looked like candies. I was a happy girl. I think I must have spent 30 minutes just looking at the fabric as I couldn't decide which one to buy. In the end it was green polka dot and coordinating owl (but of course!)fabric and brown/pink polka dots with flowery one. I did not know that my mum-in-law had plans for this fabric.

 

The next stand had most beautiful children's clothes for sale. I just mentioned to Jan how lovely Iza would look in one of those dresses. And than Jan said: well you could do that yourself. "I couldn't possibly do that mum! I know nothing about making clothes. I only know how to cut fabric into squares and than sew it back together again!".

"Of course you can. Let's find a pattern"

Half an hour later I have had purchased lace, bias binding, 2 patterns and more fabric.

And this is the result:

 

 

Very proud of myself! I never knew I could do that. Both dresses have been worn by Iza now and she always makes a point by saying: my mummy made this. I love her. xx

Cross stitching with the girls

It has been a great week at half term. Elli and Lilli stayed with us for the whole week. Iza was absolutely over the moon with having her big sisters around and all 3 had a jolly good time.

I have decided they are big enough to take on a new skill. So we went to our local craft store and we bought some little cross stitch kits.

Elli chose "gifts":

After making few mistakes to begin with, Elli really loved it! And she spent over an hour doing it which for her is a great achievement.

Lilli decided to go for "cupcake":

The dark brown colour was a challenge but she didn't give up! And wanted to do it for bit more, and bit more, until she couldn't see it anymore!

I am very happy they enjoyed it. As I am now a keen cross stitcher myself:

 

Although this was a simple one, I really enjoyed it and as it was my mum's sister 60th birthday, I thought it would do nicely in a card:

And my latest big project: Hen fun form Boothy Threads:

 

Unfortunately there are a lot of mistakes in this one. But I am still learning:) And I can't wait to start my next project.

Till next time

Ola

Back to cardmaking

It's been 6 weeks since we moved to Weston-super-Mare and I have now joined a paper craft club. It is a great idea where we meet on regular basis and make cards, some ladies do scrap booking. Lots of exciting ideas and nice company as well.

There is another club I have been to, a general craft club where people do what they want. So there was some knitting, felt making, scrap booking and lots of cake and chatting. It's so nice to meet new people.

And here are some cards I made last week:

I was a little "rusty" to begin with, after all I haven't made any cards in two years.

But soon I discovered I still "got it"!

And as time went by, I remembered how much I love vintage style, all things old and stylish:

I think there will be much more to come as I really do like making cards.

And there are still few shops here where I have to pay visit and spend some money!

xx

Our new life...

With great sadness I have to announce that "7th Heaven" shop is now closed for business. Things were not really going well and on the 15th of April this year we have made the decision to close the shop. For some reason Salisbury seems to be dying. So, so many shops are closing down and the council is completely oblivious to it all. With rising parking charges and nothing really happening there, it suddenly stopped being a place to go shopping. Why would people come to Salisbury if there are at least 2 big shopping malls in Southampton, all under roof with lots of space for parking. The same month another shop Yorkshire Fisheries closed its doors after 25 years of being there! That says it all...
We have made a brave decision to move away and decided that Weston-Super-Mare will be our new home.
The move was manic, we have seen 13 properties in two days and spent a whole month driving from Salisbury moving things in. Don't know what we would have done without my in laws who looked after Iza while we did this.
First 3 nights we spent sleeping on the floor (as you do!) as no mattress arrived on time.
I can't believe how well Iza has coped with it all. She seemed to have liked the flat from day one and she looks really happy here. September being so warm we have spent most days going to the beach which my baby absolutely loves. Nothing beats digging in the dirt!
And here she is at almost 2 years:

And that's it for today. I am really happy to get back to blogging. Will update you all with more info from my crazy life in next few days!
Take care for now

July was the month of....

.... cardmaking.

I love making cards, when I get into a mood, I can produce up to 10 a day!

 

Making cards is a way of expressing myself as well, and at the same time I can make someone smile:)

So here are few ones created last months for various occasions:

 

Father's day. I find it quite difficult to make more "masculine" cards, not that much exciting man stuff out there, I tell you!

 

Those two have been made by Elli and Lilli for granddad, I'm glad they got my crafty bug at only 7!

 

Always very difficult to make a card when you have to express your sorrow. Don't want it to be too funky but not too sad either. Hopefully it put a smile on the face of the person who received it.

So R.I.P little Emilie, we will always remember you.

 

And a few just in case and because I just fancied making them:)Lots of birthdays to come as well.

Ola

Lost and found

Last week I was thinking about my lace and how I put it all aside. Shame, but I really don't have the time to do it all. And than I thought of a certain piece of work I created a while ago (must be 3 years now!) so I went to look for it but it was nowhere to be found. I thought it was time to frame it and put it on the wall.

 

Today I had a visit from my mother-in-law with a package under her arm. It was a gift for me and Rob for our 3rd wedding anniversary and a card.

 

I went to unwrap it and it was....

My two lace dragons that I though were lost! It turns out I gave them to Jan to use in one of her lace exhibitions and we both forgot. Clearing her studio, Jan came across some threads sticking out of the folder and there they were:) So she framed them and gave it to us. How thoughtful.

 

I love my mum-in-law.

 

Here is one more with flash, you might be able to see the wonderful threads I used.

 

 

xx

Surprise

Well I never! Here is what arrived today by courier:

These flowers are from Rob for our wedding aniversary:)

And handmade card:)

 



Just to point out how wonderful this is let me tell you, Rob is in England and I'm visiting my mum in Poland. Can't believe he did it!

 

xx