Advice

I'm new to the blogging 'thing'. I decided to start writing a blog as I found myself being directed to so many inspirational blogs and wanted to be apart of it. Thing is,I don't think I'm doing very well at it!

I am very grateful to those of you who have decided to follow me, but I was wondering if you could direct me to any ways of getting more followers or interest on my blog?

I have myself followed blogs, I have also commented on a large array of blogs. I know my header and background aren't great and I have got someone to work on that for me but it won't be for a couple of months or so.

Anyway, any positive criticism would be warmly welcomed.

Thank-you

Rachel x

Mad about pattern.

I have always loved patterns. In fact if I wasn't a teacher, I would of been a pattern designer, designing wallpaper and wrapping paper. Maybe in another life. I love all these patterns, for house stuff or clothing. Mixing and matching pattern is even better! 

However, I have recently been finding more folky floral type patterns, here are some pics!

I love all of these! Especially the ribbon and pink fabric! Does anyone know where I can buy something similar or does anyone have anylovely folk floral items?

Thanks for reading.

Rachel xx

Books

Just a short post today. I know a few other people have been blogging about these, but I got two lovely books through the post within the last week and wanted to share them with you.

The first is this one by Selina Lake.

For some reason I was really reluctant to buy this book, but had seen some good reviews. All I can say is WOW, it is absolutely gorgeous, full of wonderful ideas and stunning photographs. I could frame each page and put it on the wall.

The next book is this crochet book which was advertised in Mollie Makes.

Again, this book is full of pictures of projects made in spring coloured yarn. It has three sections of varying difficulty, so I'm hoping some of the patterns will be OK for me.

I've picked this circular cushion as my first project from the book. I've ordered some 100% cotton yarn in shades of blues and greens  and can't wait for it to come to get started.

Anyone else got any good craft/housey books to recommend?

Thanks for reading.

Rachel. x

 

Storage

Storage solutions are key in my little two-up, two-down house. I have managed to fill the whole house with 'stuff', even though I moved into it from my one and only bedroom at my parents house. As much as I like the homely, cottagey and homespun feel, I'm not a fan of masses of clutter and prefer the things that aren't there to look pretty to be away somewhere, in an organised fashion. However, this doesn't mean that the storage itself can't look good. I probably spend more on the storage than the things that goes in it! Here are some storage solutions that I like at the moment.

 A gorgeous basket by Rice, perfect for anything, from toys to shoes, dvds to books and magazines.

Cake tins have become really fashionable, but you don't have to be a baker to own some. You can keep allsorts in them, from jewellery to buttons.

Some things even look great in clear glass jars. I love this rainbow of organised button jars.

These flower baskets are very pretty. They'd be brilliant on a desk storing pens, pencils, glue, sticky tape etc.

Here are a couple of storage solutions in my own home.

A set of lovely Greengate tins in my bedroom to store my jewellery.

A collection of various sized glass jars to store sewing/craft stuff. The labels are are from fabric and stamped using alphabet stamps and fabric ink. They have then been tied on with garden twine. I have a feeling I will be needing more jars soon!!

Anyone else got lovely storage items?

Thanks for reading.

Rachel xx

Cushion Love

Wikipedia states "A cushion (from Old French coisson, coussin; from Latin culcita, a quilt) is a soft bag of some ornamental material, stuffed with wool, hair, feathers, polyester staple fiber, non-woven material, or even paper torn into fragments. It may be used for sitting or kneeling upon, or to soften the hardness or angularity of a chair or couch."

Don't worry, I'm not writing an essay (I wouldn't use Wikipedaia for that!) merely displaying the view and prupose of what cushions are for. However, this is really not my own, personal view of cushions, in fact I don't think I have ever bought or made a cushion for any other reason other than that they look nice!

I've heard many men (I'm not being sexist, I just haven't heard it from women!) saying things like "Why are there cushions on the bed when you have to take them off when you go to sleep?" and "We realy don't need another cushion" and other things along those lines.

The truth be told, I'm a sucker for cushions and I reckon those loads of other women (and men!?) who are the same.

I love these bright coloured ethnic coloured cushions with the gorgeous pom pom trim.

These are gorgeous Jan Constantine cushions and I would reeeeally like one - although I don't think I'll ever afford it!

These crochet flower cushions are so bright and colourful - one day my crochet skills might reach that standard!?! Any tips much appreciated.

And these are beautiful cross stitched cushions designed by Emily Peacock - I definitely don't have the patience to make these but my Mum is currently stitching two, maybe she'll give me one as a gift!?

I have made loads of cushions for my own house, everytime I buy some nice fabric I want to use it for cushions (crafters and sewers alike will know cushions are an easy bet!)

These are a selecion of patchwork cushions I made for my living room. They are all slightly different - squares, stripes, different shapes, some with pom poms, some without. However, they are all made with goregous Tilda fabric from Crumbly Cottage . They haven't got anycomplicated zips, but are finished with an envelope fastening, button holes and some lovely East of India ribbon to make some bows. 

These cushions are both in my bedroom, (yes, I take them off the bed before getting in!) The smaller one is made from felt, blanket stitched round the edges and the heart and flowers are all hand-embroided. The REALLY big cushion is patchwork, made from various scarps of fabric from Fabric Rehab and Frumble.

However, I don't think Bertie appreciates the lovely patterned fabric, and is more interested in he nice soft, feather cushion pad inside!

 Hopefully, I'll be adding to my cushion collection soon, if anyone can point me to a good, easy crochet cushion pattern, it would be greatly appreciated!

Does anyone else share the cushion love?

Thanks for reading.

Rachel x

Cups of Tea

I love drinking tea, possibly a little too much. I doubt I spend much of the day either without a cup of tea nearby, drinking tea or with the kettle on awaiting a cup of tea. When I was really little my Mum used to give me it and I hated it, then as I grew older it began to grow on me. 

When I got to uni, the love of tea grew more and more, and I think it was probably a comfort thing and made me think of home. It was then that I started to get a 'taste' for how I liked my tea, and it's stayed the same since. I like it strong, well brewed and with a tiny bit of milk and now, in my older years, I can't seem to drink it other way! I also prefer to make it in a tea pot but can cope with it straight into a cup.

 I can't understand why you would want to add sugar or so much milk there was no tea taste - but we're all different!

I also seem to have gotten really particular about what I drink my tea out of. I'm only 25 and very picky about these things - I dread to think what I'll be like when I'm old! 

Call me OCD all you like, but I like all my cups/mugs in my cupboard to be the similar, all of mine are Cath Kidston and look like this(in a variety of patterns). 

  

These mugs are a decent size and keep the tea warm for ages. However, they do stain quite easily and always need a good scrub!

I  also have Cath Kidston cups and saucers, for afternoon tea or 'posh' guests.

However, I do have one cup which breaks the CK rule and drinking tea from it beats drinking it from anything else. Here it is.

It's a gorgeous Emma Bridgewater mug which my brother bought me two Christmas' ago. He used their personalisation service and it's a very well loved and special gift. A lot of people take the mantra of tea solving everything and I think it would if drunk from this cup! 

Tea is one of those things that divides the majority of the British public - like it or not like it, strong or weak, sugar or no sugar, mugs or cups and saucers, straight into a cup or from a teapot? 

How do you like yours?   

Lots of love
Rachel