Book Review - Tilda's Fairytale Wonderland

Hello, I hope you are all well and keeping warm as winter is stubbornly sticking around beyond its welcome. Although it is the perfect excuse to stay indoors and indulge in some crafting before the garden starts needing our attention. So I was very pleased to receive a copy of Tilda's Fairytale Wonderland to inspire crafty afternoons with my daughters. I am a big fan of the Tilda books written by Tone Finnanger and already own several of the earlier titles. So I was intrigued to see if the new title was as inspiring and exciting.

With a handmade princess doll sat upon a bed of many pretty fabric layers adorning the cover, the promise of magical fairytale characters within its pages captivates myself and my daughters. There is always something wonderful about fairytale characters and this book is full of projects to bring childhood favourites to life. Again Tone Finnanger has created a beautiful book with projects that simply must be made. Whether you have a budding ballerina to make a gift for or a little person who loves woodland creatures or perhaps there is space for another beautiful princess in the playroom. Whilst the majority of the projects are to be sewn there are a few that do not require a needle and thread.

As a child I adored the story of the princess and the pea and plan to make the little doll and her many layers of bedding as well as the wall hanging of the princess in her high bed. Another favourite for me was Pinocchio and I will definitely be making this doll later in the year. But for now we are awaiting an order of Tilda skin coloured fabric to create our own collection of little woodland creatures. I will be sure to share both mine and Lucy's, Amber's and Kitty's creations in the coming weeks.

Are you also a fan of the beautiful Tilda books? I would love to see photos of your creations so be sure to share!

Have a lovely day, stay warm.
Zoe
xx

To purchase your own copy visit Stitch, Craft & Create

Half Term Crafty Fun

Morning! I hope you are all enjoying half term, although I know many of you will be juggling work and children.  It's a bit chilly here this morning after a frosty start but I seem to have plans to do alot today and have a real feeling that spring is on it's way.  I have been enjoying having time for some sewing again the past couple of weeks and already planning to start block printing and screen printing in my summer holidays from uni aswell as making clothes, more cushions, throws and curtains too.  What is always inspiring for me is that my daughters love to make, bake and create too. They plan projects and are all becoming very capable at all sorts of crafts.  I am sure you have busy bees too, making and creating all sorts of things.  As it's half term I thought I would share a few of the projects I have been collecting on my Childrens Crafts board over on Pinterest, to inspire you and your children for some half term crafty fun.

I love this idea and the geometric shapes are of course on trend!

For the tutorial visit Estefi Machado

These are fantastic and this blog has many more ideas for cardboard boxes.

For the tutorial visit Mood Kids

Sewing cards have been a great help for teaching my children to sew.

For these sewing cards and more visit Gi Det Videre

Toilet rolls are such a great starting point for many crafts and these cars are fab!

For the tutorial visit Rolls & Lavender

I hope these have inspired you. Be sure to share photos of your makes with me on Twitter or Instagram.

Enjoy your day,

Zoe

xx

Camp Bestival - A Weekend of Colour & Fun

Morning! I know it seems far too chilly to be thinking of camping and festivals but this week Camp Bestival announced their line up for this summers family friendly festival.  Why is she writing about festivals I hear you question, but with fields full of colour and costumes that have taken many hours to make, it is truly a fab place for crafty folk! I have to admit I am more than excited by this years line up, where else will you find Levellers, Richard Hawley, The Farm, Mr Tumble and Horrible Histories in the same place.  Now I thought last year was fab, with The Gruffalo, Fantastic Mr. Fox Opera and Shrek gracing the stage alongside Rizzle Kicks, Kool & The Gand and The Happy Mondays among many others. Then to top it off there's Alan Davies, Sasha, Billy Bragg, Musical Youth, The Rocky Horror Show, nevermind all the other cool stuff like the art tent, which my daughters love, the circus school, which all my children love.  This year also sees a science tent, which Kitty is particuarly excited about and the BFI film tent, now I know where I'll be heading for a little rest! 

With such an amazing line up this is definately on my wishlist of plans for the summer.  Camp Bestival is adorned with all the usual colour you expect of a festival and in the ground of Lulworth Castle the backdrop as you would expect is fabulous, especially when perched at the top of the big wheel.  For me Camp Bestival is a time of fun, with a programme that promises fun for all of my children this year.  So will you be heading to Dorset in the first weekend of August for Camp Bestival? Fingers crossed I'll see you there!

Have a fab day,

Zoe
x

Portmerion Coffee Set Love for Valentines

Morning! Just a quick post today as I have exams but just had to share with you all my fabulous Valentines present from my gorgeous husband.  Having recently brought a fantastic retro sideboard I desperately wanted a Portmeirion coffee set to sit on it.  So off went my husband and came up trumps with this Greek Key coffee set in the rare mauve colourway.  I feel incredibly lucky today.

I hope you all have a lovely Valentines day.

Zoe

xx

DIY - Felt Heart Garland

Morning! I hope you are all well and aren't suffering like me with an  awful cold that my lovely children have kindly shared with me. Although I am in the midst of exams it is hard to forget that it is Valentines Day tomorrow.  But rather than share lots of printables for last minute gifts or cards, you can find some on my Valentines pinboard, I wanted to share this gorgeous felt heart garland tutorial that I found over on Dana Made It.  Whilst it would make a lovely decoration for a valentines brunch, it would also work as a wedding decoration, instead of bunting.  Or how about making short lengths of this garland to decorate the backs of chairs at a wedding or party.  Another idea is to make it instead of bunting for a childs bedroom or a nursery.  I think you'll agree the possibilities are many for this simple but gorgeous garland.

Pop on over to Dana Made It now for full instructions and even more making inspiration.

Be sure to share photos if you make this garland.

Have a lovely day.

Zoe

xx

DIY - Drawer Handle Hooks

Hello, I hope you are all well and having a good week.  I am busy revising and writing assignments at the moment but find regular visits to Pinterest are making it all a little less stressful!  Whilst I have been collecting ideas for projects for our house and for things to share here in the future I thought today I would share this fab idea from Design Sponge.  I love a quick fix that is practical and clever too so this tutorial to make old drawer fronts into coat or bag hooks was too good not to share.  Maybe you don't have any old drawer fronts cluttering up your hall or shed but you could get some old style drawer knobs and paint a rectangle of wood or even mdf to recreate this idea.  I think Lucy would love this idea for her room but the possibilities are endless.  How about coat hooks in the hall, school bag hooks in the playroom, display all those beaded necklaces you've hidden away in a drawer? 

For the full tutorial visit Design Sponge

So what will you be using yours for? Be sure to share.

Have a lovely afternoon,

Zoe

xx

Valentines Typographic Artwork

Morning, I hope you are all well and had a lovely weekend.  With Valentines next week and our fifteenth wedding anniversary only a month later I am considering purchasing something special this year.  I have been a fan of typographic artwork for a while and think this is a great way to have something personalised that captures a special occasion perfectly.  So for todays post I thought I would share some of my findings from some of my favourite British designers.

1. Morse Code Print from Owlish Grey  2. 'I Have Love You For....' from Mags & Paul
3. 'All You Need Is Love' Papercut from Kyleigh's Papercuts
4. 'I Love You Because...' from I Love Design  5. 'You Are Just My Type' from More Than Words
6. 'Just To Love' print from The Green Gables  7. 'You Had Me At Hello' from More Than Words
8. Personalised Playlist Cassette Print from Betsy Benn

So have you invested in a piece of personalised typography? I'm feeling a little spoiled for choice but know I need to decide to order in time for our anniversary! 

Have a fab day,

Zoe

xx