Our New Kitten

After the loss of Jasper our house felt so strange without a cat in it we decided to give a rescue cat a home. We made a few enquiries and saw a 7 month old kitten that looked so cute. We went to take a look and ended up bringing her home with us that day.
She was from an abused home and was taken to the cat rescue by the vet and was starving, full of fleas, worms and they thought she might be pregnant.

On seeing her we all knew she was the one for us. She has a great ability at jumping up ontop of my kitchen cupboards at the moment which I am trying to discourage. She is a very affectionate cat and full of mischief. It's just like having another baby all over again, I have to think ahead of what I need to move out of her reach as she has to investigate everything.

We have now had her a week and she is starting to know a few commands such as get down and no, I don't think she had any structure in her young life so this is all new to her.

Her are some pictures of her so you can see just how sweet she is.

My jasper

My Jasper who passed away today and will be missed so much by us all.

Snowy pictures

It was a record -16 last night. It's so lovely outside with the snow and icicles on the trees I braved the cold and took some photo's






Shivering trees....brrr

Our back garden covered in snow

Me getting covered in snow after I startled a pheasant in the tree above me.

One of the trees in our garden. Doesn't it look lovely!

My poor little chickens and ducks. The ducks hate the snow it means they can't go on their duck pond. They go absolutely mad when they can, splashing about.

My son and his snow igloo

Jewellery maker Velanch

Today I am featuring Etsy seller Elena with her shop Velanch.

She loves to make beautiful items using beads and sequins. All of her work is her own design and she uses embroidery to make these gorgeous pieces.

This is what she says about herself " My name is Elena. I've always been a creative person. Embroidery became my passion after graduation. I had more time to experiment with many materials. In my self-teaching, I relied only on my intuition. Since starting in 2007, I get great pleasure from the creative process of embroidery.

This is just a few of her beautiful items. Visit her shop today to see more.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90846497/hair-clip-sequin-embroidered-felt-gray
Unique and shiny hair clip. Small gift for your hair!

This Hair clip is designed and hand embroidered by me. I made it of white wool felt embroidered with beads, sequins, glass cut and nickel free platinum hair clip (4cm).

♥ Size of embroidered part is 5cm*2cm. Size of hair clip is 4cm.
♥ Materials: beads, sequins, glass cut, wool felt, hair clip.
♥ Colors: Gray,multicolor silver, transparent, periwinkle, bubble lilac.
♥ Shipping : Usually I send an order in 1-3 business days after payment

* All items are handmade by me from a 100% smoke-free, pet-free home


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http://www.etsy.com/listing/83698143/lavender-green-earrings-beaded-sequin

Hand Embroidered Just for fun Earrings with beads and sequins.

This Earring are designed and made by me. I made them of white wool felt circles. They are attached to earhooks (Silver color)


♥ Size: 4.5cm*4.5cm(h=6 cm. with earhooks)
♥ Lilac, Green, Transparent green Colors.
♥ Shipping : Usually I send an order in 1-3 business days after payment
♥ The item will be arriving in a pretty package and is ready for gift giving for other or for yourself. (with mini gift tag, so you can write your own "best wishes")

* When I took pictures with items I used my own earhooks. So when you purchase this earrings you get new earhooks with them.

* All items are handmade by me from a 100% smoke-free, pet-free home.

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http://www.etsy.com/listing/84468020/red-earrings-silver-embroidered-felt

Hand Embroidered Earrings with beads and sequins. "Berries in the frost"

♥ My earrings are special and unique, because I make them with patterns from my head! Usually it takes longer to make first earring. I sit down with a lot of different materials and inspiration and start to invent my pattern! Sometimes I have it already in my head, but anyway I must think about details with love and careness. And I hope You will be enjoy the result! ;) ♥

This Earring are designed and made by me. I made them of white wool felt circles. They are attached to earhooks (Silver color)


♥ Size: 4.5cm*4.5cm(h=6 cm. with earhooks)
♥ Silver, Red,Transparent red Colors.
♥ Shipping : Usually I send an order in 1-3 business days after payment
♥ The item will be arriving in a pretty package and is ready for gift giving for other or for yourself. (with mini gift tag, so you can write your own "best wishes")

* When I took pictures with items I used my own earhooks. So when you purchase this earrings you get new earhooks with them.

* All items are handmade by me from a 100% smoke-free, pet-free home.

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http://www.etsy.com/listing/37401443/brooch-purple-gold-embroidered-felt

This Brooch is designed and made by me. I made it of beige wool felt embroidered with beads and sequins.

♥ Size of embroidered part is 4.5cm*4.5cm
♥ Materials: beads, glass cut, sequins, wool felt, ribbon, plastic stone, brooch pin.
♥ Colors: Purple, Brown, Gold.
♥ Shipping : Usually I send an order in 1-3 business days after payment
♥ The item will be arriving in a pretty package and is ready for gift giving for other or for yourself. (with mini gift tag, so you can write your own "best wishes")

* All items are handmade by me from a 100% smoke-free, pet-free home.

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http://www.etsy.com/listing/85168863/sequin-fuchsia-brooch-sequin-embroidered

Mandala Brooch. Tender,shiny and unique Brooch!

This Brooch is designed and made by me. I made it of black wool felt embroidered with beads and sequins.

♥ Size of embroidered part is 4.5cm*4.5cm
♥ Materials: beads, sequins, wool felt, brooch pin.
♥ Colors: Turquoise, Deep cerise, Fashion fuchsia.
♥ Shipping : Usually I send an order in 1-3 business days after payment
♥ The item will be arriving in a pretty package and is ready for gift giving for other or for yourself. (with mini gift tag, so you can write your own "best wishes")

* All items are handmade by me from a 100% smoke-free, pet-free home.

* If you are happy with my works, feedbacks and photos are very much appreciated! If you agree, I can place your photos on my web site www.velanch.com

* If you want other color combination, just Convo me!

Brooches-small ornaments for any type of clothing, always transforming and make any outfit unique!
Everyone enjoys receiving brooches as a gift and giving them is a wonderful expression of love for those close to you!

Each of my brooch embroidered with good humor and love. Each of my brooch looks much better than the picture conveys. Each beads, sequins and stones sparkle in any light. Beads, like candy, tasty decorations for any clothes!

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                                             http://www.etsy.com/listing/89073489/cobalt-blue-earrings-black-sequin

Hand Embroidered Earrings with beads , glass stones and sequins.

♥ My earrings are special and unique, because I make them with patterns from my head! Usually it takes longer to make first earring. I sit down with a lot of different materials and inspiration and start to invent my pattern! Sometimes I have it already in my head, but anyway I must think about details with love and careness. And I hope You will be enjoy the result! ;) ♥

This Earring are designed and made by me. I made them of blue wool felt circles. They are attached to earwires (Anthracite color)

♥ Size: Embroidered part 4.5cm*4.5cm (7cm. with earwire)
♥ Black, Navy Blue Colors.
♥ Shipping : Usually I send an order in 1-3 business days after payment
♥ The item will be arriving in a pretty package and is ready for gift giving for other or for yourself. (with mini gift tag, so you can write your own "best wishes")

* All items are handmade by me from a 100% smoke-free, pet-free home.


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http://www.etsy.com/listing/90587871/bubble-white-earrings-embroidered-felt?ref=v1_other_2

Hand Embroidered Earrings with beads , glass stones and sequins.

♥ My earrings are special and unique, because I make them with patterns from my head! Usually it takes longer to make first earring. I sit down with a lot of different materials and inspiration and start to invent my pattern! Sometimes I have it already in my head, but anyway I must think about details with love and careness. And I hope You will be enjoy the result! ;) ♥

This Earrings are designed and made by me. I made them of white wool felt circles. They are attached to earwires (Silver color)

♥ Size of embroidered part: 4.5cm*4.5cm, with stone&ear wire is 7cm.
♥ White, pearl white, (Soap bubble) Transparent rainbow Colors.
♥ Shipping : Usually I send an order in 1-3 business days after payment
♥ The item will be arriving in a pretty package and is ready for gift giving for other or for yourself. (with mini gift tag, so you can write your own "best wishes")

* When I took pictures with items I used my own earhooks. So when you purchase this earrings you get new earhooks with them.

* All items are handmade by me from a 100% smoke-free, pet-free home.
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Artistic earrings by Mada

Today I am featuring jewellery maker Mada otherwise known as MADEbyMADA.

www.facebook.com/madebymada

craftsbymada.blogspot.com/

What inspires you to make your beautiful jewelry?

My home town’s name is Szklarska Poręba, which is related to glassworks, it means the place where trees are cut to deliver the fuel for glass making. The whole glassworking thing started in XIV century. The big factory was closed in the end of the XX century. There was not much left from glass greatness here. So I decided to do something that is related with glass. And then I discovered glass beads! I live just few kilometers from the Czech Republic border, which also is well known from its amazing glassmaking. So my first inspiration is the History of the place where I live. My second inspiration is my Country :) Poland and its amazing Folk art.

She lives in a beautiful part of southern Poland, the Karkonosze Mountains.

This is where she creates her precious handmade pieces.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73369176/sale-valentine-folky-flower-polish-folk?ref=pr_shop

Polish Folk motif Earrings ( pattern on the both sides )
white, yellow, orange, pink, red, blue, navy blue, green, dark green, black

One of a kind handmade decoupaged Earrings with Orginal Polish folk art motif..
finished with Czech glass colorfull beads

Earrings are 4,5 cm ( 1,7inch) long
total lenght is 6 cm ( 2,4 inch.)

The earrings can withstand a bit of water but since they are paper and wood, be careful not to get them too wet.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82606723/sale-valentine-folk-flowers-polish-folk?ref=pr_shop

Polish Folk art motif Earrings ( pattern on the both sides ), light as a feather.

yellow, orange,pink, red, green, dark green, blue, pink, black

Handmade decoupaged Earrings with Orginal Polish folk art motif.
finished with Czech glass colorfull beads

Earrings are 4,5 cm ( 1,7inch) long
total lenght is 6 cm ( 2,4 inch.)
diameter 4cm (1,57 inch.)

The earrings can withstand a bit of water but since they are paper on base, be careful not to get them too wet.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85214909/sale-valentine-winter-birds-earrings

Two Robins in the snow earrings ( pattern on the both sides ), light as a feather

Handmade decoupaged Earrings
finished with Czech glass colorfull beads

colors: beige, white, grey, brown, burnt orange

measurements :
Earrings are 4,5 cm ( 1,7inch) long
total lenght is 6 cm ( 2,4 inch.)
diameter 4cm (1,57 inch.)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85588028/sale-valentine-mandala-oriental-rosette

Oriental mandala earrings ( pattern on the both sides ), very light

colors: black, orange, violet, fuchsia,blue

Handmade decoupaged Earrings
finished with Czech glass colorfull beads

measurements :
Earrings are 4,5 cm ( 1,7inch) long
total lenght is 6 cm ( 2,4 inch.)
diameter 4cm (1,57 inch.)

The earrings can withstand a bit of water but since they are paper on base, be careful not to get them too wet.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81997856/sale-valentine-goth-black-and-red

Halloween Earrings ( pattern on the both sides ), light as a feather
dark, goth, lolita, black, victorian dress

Unique handmade decoupaged Earrings
finished with Czech glass colorfull beads


Earrings are 4,5 cm ( 1,7inch) long
total lenght is 6 cm ( 2,4 inch.)

The earrings can withstand a bit of water but since they are paper on base, be careful not to get them too wet.

NOTICE: nickel and lead safe - hypoallergenic !

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83330195/sale-valentine-floral-earrings-feminine

Floral earrings ( pattern on the both sides ), light as a feather

pink, magenta, navy blue, black

Unique handmade decoupaged Earrings
finished with Czech glass colorfull beads

Earrings are 4,5 cm ( 1,7inch) long
total lenght is 6 cm ( 2,4 inch.)
diameter 4cm (1,57 inch.)

The earrings can withstand a bit of water but since they are paper on base, be careful not to get them too wet.

NOTICE: nickel and lead safe - hypoallergenic !

This is just a few of the beautiful earrings to be found in Mada's shop. I was really spoilt for choice when it came to selecting a few to showcase.Visit her shop today and see for yourself!

Mosaic Artist Sirli

I have a large beautiful mosaic mirror in my bathroom which is the pattern of a sun made up of different shades of blue. It was purchased 2 years ago from  a little french market that comes to our town once a year. I admire the workmanship that went into it's making.

My feature today is about a young women called Sirli who has a passion for making unique mosaic works of art. This is what she says about herself and how she became interested in mosaics :-

.My name is Sirli, I am a 31-year-old self-taught mosaic artist. I got this "always- itching mosaic bug" when I visited Indonesia in January 2010 and saw mosaics sold on a market. And today I am a truly passionate mosaic artist myself. Every piece I create is done with love and joy, I take very high pride in my work.

Here are just a few pieces of her wonderful work. I have tried to show off a variety.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70089755/light-blue-glass-mosaic-bowl-and-a-plate?ref=pr_shop





 Information about the MOSAIC PLATE:

As a base of this wonderful glittery light blue mosaic I have used a strong bamboo plate/tray.

All of the pieces of glass are hand-painted and hand-cut by me.

The tray/plate looks equally good on a wall as a wall decoration, or on the table as a fruit/candy/jewelry plate

Diameter of the plate is 14.2 inches (36 cm). It weights a bit over one kg. Decorated with pieces of mirror and grouted in black.

Information about the MOSAIC BOWL:

The glittery light blue mosaic is made on a bamboo bowl, it´s diameter is 11.8 inches (30 cm). Depth of the mosaic bowl is 3.7 inches (9.5 cm).

The bowl makes a delightful and eye-catching addition to your beautiful home, you can use it as a fruit, candy or jewelry bowl

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67620629/pink-flower-pot-forget-me-not-free

The pot is happily pink and it glitters. I used hand-painted and hand-cut pieces of glass, yellow (amber) glass gems and decorated the rim with pieces of mirror. I grouted the mosaic in the same color as the pot itself - terracotta.

When the pot is placed in a sunny spot, it will fill the ceiling and table (or window sill) with many little Suns. Wherever you decide to put the pot, it will brighten up the room for sure. Also it would make a great gift for anyone who loves flowers. For yourself, maybe?

The pot weighs 870 g. It measures 16 cm across (6.3 inches) and 14 cm (5.5 inches) high.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88721424/orange-mosaic-candle-holder-with-pearls

I gave this ceramic candle holder a new life. My dearest mother picked the candle holder up from a flea market from Finland. I was so exited when I first saw it, I saw a new vivid romantic mosaic candle holder in my mind already then.

I painted some glass, cut it by hand, cut also some mirror and found some pearls. The pearls are not precious, not even fresh water ones (I was working in a pearl farm in Australia, Broome, Beagle Bay, so I would know). The pearls came from an old necklace, what my hubby´s grandmother had given to me. When the grandmom handled the necklace to me few years ago, I thought - what on earth should I do with it - but now I´m thankful to granny Salme, because the pearls from her vintage necklace fit just so perfectly to the candle holder.

                                           http://www.etsy.com/listing/90112168/i-love-you-red-mosaic-fruit-platter

This beautiful glittery and vivid angular fruit platter with mirror would be a perfect gift for a special someone. For your Valentine :)

I used hand hand cut and hand painted glittery glass and long narrow pieces of mirror when making I Love You mosaic. It can used as a fruit, candy or jewelry platter, it´s brims are nicely upwards.

The platter measures: 13 X 13 inches (33 X 33 cm)
Weight: 2.5 lbs (1134g)

                                   http://www.etsy.com/listing/80071990/colorful-mosaic-photo-frame-terracotta

Find a picture of someone, some place or view you love and place it in this beautiful mosaic photo frame. The picture frame would be perfect on your dining or living room table, it would make a great present at a good price for someone special.

The frame is for 10 X 15 cm ( 3.9 X 5.9 inches) photos. The frame is sealed and it´s going to be packed in the most careful way

 

                                http://www.etsy.com/listing/85324243/black-and-white-coffee-table-with-mirror

This gorgeous one-of-a-kind coffee table is a wonderful piece for creating a unique, elegant and interesting look for your living room, bedroom or kitchen.

I used hand-painted and hand-cut glass when creating this black and white coffee table. I also added some pieces of mirror and grouted it all in white. The mirror and glittery silvery black glass makes the table so vivid and very very chic-looking.

Dimensions of the table are:

55 cm long (21.7inches)
55 cm wide ( 21.7inches)
45 cm tall (17.7 inches)

I pack all my mosaics with greatest care, I use bubble wrap, and very strong boxes for shipping. Also I pay very much attention for the quality of my work - everything I create is made with love and joy.

The legs of the table can be taken off and put back easily within 5-10 minutes (all of the tools for putting the legs back are included

 This is just a few from the wonderful items that Sirli makes. Why not visit her shop today and see her other hidden tresures.

The Posh Bird House

Every special day for the past 2 years my little boy has treated me to something out of his own money that he has saved. We put a bird box on our tree that we can view from our window while we are on the computer last year and had some blue tits move in it.

For this xmas this year he has bought me a very posh looking bird box which we have put up a bit furthur along the tree.

The next day we had some birds going in so looks like we will be having young in this one as well as the other bird box. The blue tits are back again busy in and out of the box that we put up last year.

This is the bird box he bought me.

Retro Delights

Some wonderful delights found on etsy

My latest knitting order

I had my first custom order for the year through my own website last night and thought I would take photo's of it's progress. These were the colours choosen by my customer, mint, lemon and biscuit.

 

It is beginning to take shape now. Just needs sewing up and a pompom at the end.

Here is the baby's pixie hat now finished and ready to post.The light today for taking photo's isn't that great but is a really lovely colour combo together.

Gold themed items from Etsy

Some  gorgeous gold themed items for Etsy Sellers

Great cheese straw recipe

After buying a halogen just before xmas I soon found that the recipe book that came with it wasn't much help. My children love cheese straws and found a cheese straw recipe which I tweaked a bit. They are gone as soon as I make them. Have a go and see what you think.



120g marg
1 egg
450g grated cheese ( or as much or as little as you want)
250g plain flour
drop of milk
seasoning of your choice - I add different herbs or seasonings

Rub in the margarine into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Mix in grated cheese and seasoning, add a whisked egg and mix with a spatula. Add a drop of milk until it comes together to form a ball. Roll out until abou 1cm and cut into your desired length. Place them 2 flat round dishes.Place half on the low rack and half on the high rack.
 Cook at 200'c for about 10mins. Keep an eye on them as they really do cook fast and mine is spot on at 10mins but yours could vary. Take the top rack out and swop the bottom layer over. This batch will not take as long as they have already been cooking so keep an eye on them.
Try adding some pre-cooked bacon bits in the mix they are scrummy.

Pink and Grey Favorites of mine

Just a few gorgeous items to be found on etsy.