DIY Home Decor - Cloud Cushions

Morning! We've made it through another week, hooray!! Whilst I love my job I also love having some time at the weekends to take life at a slower pace and even have time for some crafting.  So today I thought it would be fun to share a great crafty diy with you to try this weekend.  Perhaps you have accidentally shrunk a jumper recently and wasn't sure what to do with it, well I have found the answer for you.  I found this fab tutorial on the fab blog Making Nice in the Midwest, to make cloud cushions with old sweaters.

Full Tutorial on Making Nice in the Midwest

Have fun making and be sure to share a photo with me on Instagram or Twitter!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Zoe

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Creative Workspace

Morning! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.  I have been busily ordering the last few things to make my new crafty kits this weekend and Lucy and I are planning to have them listed in the shop next weekend.  Whilst working away at my desk, in a  home office I share with my hubby and his online bookshop I spent sometime daydreaming about one day having a beautiful creative workspace.  I have regularly collecting dreamy workspaces on Pinterest for a while and with sunnier, warmer months hopefully arriving very soon I am definitely longing for a garden workshop.  So for todays post I thought I would share some of my favourite ideas as I am sure I am not the only one dreaming of a pretty place to make, create and work.

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Be sure to take a look at my Workspace board on Pinterest for even more inspiration.

Have a great Monday,

Zoe

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Designer Brunch - The Green Gables

Morning! I hope you are all having a fab weekend, even if it's raining.  I had planned to get outside and do some gardening this weekend but unfortunately the weather has other ideas!  It has been a busy week for me, especially as my husband managed to break two bones in his foot.  So I have been looking forward to a restful Sunday morning, with the papers and catching up with my favourite blogs.  This morning I am delighted to welcome Gabrielle of The Green Gables as my guest here on the blog for Designer Brunch.

Giftwrap from The Green Gables

Working from the beautiful Surrey countryside, Gabrielle left behind her daily to commute nearly two years ago to concentrate full time on The Green Gables. Having started by making plantable wildflower paper bunting Gabrielle quickly added stationery designs to her eco friendly business.   Her illustrations are often seen in magazines and her collections of notebooks, tapes,wrapping paper, greetings cards and bunting are reguarly being added to.  Earlier this year saw Gabrielle launch a fabulous new service for stationery lovers around the world.  The Eco Stationery Club is the perfect gift for anybody with a stationery addiction.  Every month they will receive a box of goodies from The Green Gables website, beautifully packaged to make one day a month a happy post day.  

The Eco Stationery Club

I first discovered Gabrielle's designs when I wrote regularly about weddings and parties and have since become friends on twitter and met in 'real-life', which is always fab when you get on so well with somebody you have met on twitter.  So please give a warm welcome to Gabrielle and find out more about her Sunday mornings.

Best drink to start the day 

Always tea! As both my husband and I work at home we start every day with a cup of tea in bed and the dog hops up to join us too.

Croissants or full English 

I do love croissants but rarely have them, not sure why! Weekdays I usually go for unexciting cereal but at the weekends I love a sausage (veggie) sandwich after a long dog walk.

Sunday paper or favourite magazines

I combine the two by reading the magazines that come with the Sunday papers! Before I started my business I worked on a youth newspaper so became skilled at skim reading newspapers at high speed and as a result the enjoyment has disappeared a little. I'm addicted to magazines (I only worked on children and teen magazines in my past life so grown-up magazines haven't been tainted for me!), I could merrily clear a newsagent of all their interiors and food titles just to pore over for hours, if I had the spare cash to do so!

Seaside Writing Set from The Green Gables

Favourite blogs 

There are so many but a few I really enjoy are brightbazaarblog.com, travelingmama.net, decor8blog.com,abeautifulmess.com, printpattern.blogspot.co.uk… I could go on…

3 songs for Sunday brunch 

This is a tricky one! I'll go for Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae, Photography by Jamie Cullum and Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder.

Favourite local shop or market for weekend shopping 

The Cornerhouse in my local town, Dorking, is a beautiful interiors shop, everything, and I do mean everything, in there is absolutely gorgeous and hand picked by the lovely owners Clare and Clara. If you're ever in the area be sure to visit! thecornerhouse.eu

To view more of the designs available from The Green Gables please visit -

Website : www.thegreengables.co.uk

Not On The High Street - www.notonthehighstreet.com/thegreengables

Thank you Gabrielle for joining me for Designer Brunch, I hope you are having a lovely Sunday.  There are three of my top music choices here and several of my favourite blogs too.  

Wishing you all a very happy Sunday,

Zoe

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Workshop Wednesday - Get Hooked on Crochet

Morning! I hope you are all having a fab week and managing to enjoy some of this gorgeous, warm sunshine that has arrived here in the UK.  I've had a busy week so far, even more so than normal as my husband has broken a metarsal in his foot.  Something it's made me realise is how we take doing small things for granted. As it's Wednesday it is time to share another great workshop with you and this one I am particuarly interested in as I have failed to learn to crochet.  So I was thrilled when Ali from Get Hooked on Crochet got in touch to share her crochet workshops.

Ali teaches beginners, beginners plus, improvers and intermediates from her home in North Dorset.  Each class is for two hours and lasts for four weeks.  As with many workshops distance becomes an issue so Ali listened to potential pupils and started online classes via Course Craft. There are two courses for right handers and currently one for left handers, with the second currently being constructed.  Since starting these online crochet classes Ali has helped many people learn to crochet.  I have added these classes to my list for my summer holidays from uni.  

So if you would like to learn to crochet visit Get Hooked on Crochet website for more information -

www.gethookedoncrochet.co.uk

Have a fab day,

Zoe

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Designer Brunch - Dots & Spots

Morning! I hope you are all having a lovely weekend and getting to enjoy some sunshine.  After a long winter I really do believe Spring has finally arrived and the promise of warmer, sunny days is very uplifiting.  Perhaps you are planning a family brunch or lunch in the garden today or a lovely walk on the beach or across the fields. Today I am very pleased to share this weeks Designer Brunch post with you all and thrilled to welcome Becky of Dots & Spots as my guest.

Dots and Spots Studio

Becky is a very talented greetings card and giftware designer whose designs are always colourful and cheery.   As her business name, Dots and Spots suggests, she uses these in all of her designs.  Creating collages with spotty papers Becky then uses her designs for cards, notebooks, magnets, giftwrap, mugs, decorative tape and more.  Having launched her business as a part time venture whilst still working as a primary teacher she has allowed her business to grow steadily.  After working from home initially Becky had to move to dedicated premises as trade orders flooded in aswell as orders from retail customers, via her website and Not On The High Street storefront.  Before long Becky left her teaching job and now focuses full time on Dots and Spots. This year has seen Becky expand into the party business with spotty party bags, invitations, spotty balloons, and party bag packs.  I always love to read her blog and hear about her new designs aswell as her life in the pretty county of Somerset.

Decorative Tape

I met Becky via twitter and have since met her in real life.  She really is a lovely lady and I am delighted that she has joined me for todays post.  So I shall now let Becky share her perfect Sunday morning with you.  

Best drink to start the day?

Black coffee every time!

Croissants or full English?

Warm Croissants with rhubarb jam

Sunday papers or favourite magazines?

Favourite magazines Country Homes and Interiors, Country Living, Homemaker

Party Invitation

Favourite blogs to read at the weekend?

I follow 100's and 100's - so catch up daily with Google reader. I'm too visual and scan images rather than read great chunks of text.

Sunday morning playlist - 3 songs for Sunday brunch?

The Corinne Bailey Rae CD on repeat for a chilled out Sunday brunch

Favourite local shop or market for weekend shopping?

Wells Market, Somerset although the Wednesday Market is best for food - fab breads, fresh meat and fish, artisan bakers, home grown fruit and veg, delicious jams and chutneys and sweet treat yummy fudge.

Find out more about Becky and Dots and Spots and to see more products visit -

Website - www.dotsandspots.co.uk

Not On The High Street : www.notonthehighstreet.com/dotsandspots

Thank you Becky, I hope you are enjoying a late breakfast in the garden. Corrine Bailey Rae is a favourite choice for Sunday mornings in my house too, well when I get to the docking station first!

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday,

Zoe

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Workshop Wednesday - Angel Vintage Homestore

Morning! I hope you are all having a fab week so far.  The promise of the weekend always seems a little nearer by Wednesday.  I am very excited to share with  you today the first Workshop Wednesday post after a great response to last weeks post about my plans for Wednesdays here on the blog.  Todays workshops are in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside not too far from the city of York.  Angel Linens is a name I have been familiar with for a while and adore Kirstins beautiful linen cushions.  Aswell as designing these cushions she also owns and runs the Angel Lifestyle store, which moved to bigger premises in 2011, due to its enormous popularity. This year has seen Kirstin launch a fabulous programme of workshops in the new interiors workshop space at the back of her store.

Already proving popular customers have attended the workshops to make lampshades, crochet bunting and paper decorations.  Each workshop has space for 8 people and the different courses run reguarly to avoid people having to wait too long if a course is fully booked.  

Here are the dates for the rest of April and I will be sharing the summer course dates here on the blog very soon.

LAMPSHADE MAKING
Make your own lampshade in this wonderful workshop with Georgia Wilkinson of Jorja Wilkinson Design. Bring half a metre of your chosen fabric, or purchase from a selection on the day*, and transform it into a professionally finished lampshade in a variety of sizes.

Time: All workshops run from 10 until 12.30
Price: £45.00 incl. all materials* & refreshments
Dates: Thurs 18th April, Mon 29th April


CROCHET BUNTING
The perfect project for beginners, ‘returners’ and old hands alike! Make your own crochet bunting in this fun workshop with Kirstin Hodgson of Angel.

Time: All workshops run from 10 until 12.30
Price: £30.00 incl. all materials & refreshments
Dates: Thurs 2nd May

FRAMES & FABRICS
Create a framed ‘work of art’ for your walls, using our wonderful range of chalk paints and some lovely vintage fabrics, in this workshop with Kirstin & Susannah from Angel.

Time: All workshops run from 10 until 12.30
Price: £45.00 incl. all materials & refreshments
Dates: Thurs 25th April


PAPER DECORATIONS
Make your own vintage flower pom-pom’s & lace bunting in this wonderful paper workshop with Kirstin & Susannah from Angel.

Time: All workshops run from 10 until 12.30
Price: £30.00 incl. all materials & refreshments
Dates: Mon 22nd April


Discounts available for group bookings.
To book call us on 01347 822044 or call into our store [10am-5pm Mon-Sat]
Angel vintage homestore 23 Chapel Street, Easingwold, YO61 3AE

website - www.angel-lifestyle.com
twitter - @AngelAtHome

So for which course will you be booking a place?  I would love to try them all, but especially the crochet bunting as I desperately want to learn to crochet!

Have a lovely day,
Zoe
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New in the Inspired Decoration Shop

Morning! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Today I am heading back to uni with my weeks split between lectures on campus and time at my placement hospital.  I cannot quite believe I am in the final term of my first year! This will be a hectic term for me and my children as exams loom, including the first of some of his GCSE's for Connor.  But I know that weekend trips to the beach will relieve the stress of the coming weeks.

Red & white stripy buttons - Mother of Pearl buttons

Orange & pink spotty buttons - Tiny buttons

Over the weekend I have been adding some more buttons to the shop and just wanted to share a selection here today.  I am also hoping to add more ribbon and trimming sets this week aswell as finalising some of my craft pack ideas.

I hope you all have a fab start to your weeks,
Zoe
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