Off to Gay Paris!

Just to let you know I am off to Paris on Monday until Thursday so won't be posting but hopefully I will have lots to write about when I return. Au revoir!

Paper Spring Wreath

If your in the mood for a project this spring and want to brighten up the mood of your household with a fun decoration then look no further than Alisa Burke's Butcher Paper Spring Wreath. You can find detailed instructions on each step at her blog.

(image from Alisa Burke)

What Royal Wedding?

I don't know whether you've all noticed but their is a lot of talk about a royal wedding. Well after searching the Internet for inspiration I came across these very patriotic decorations on Design Editor. We are visiting friends that weekend in Wells, Somerset and a couple of days ago suggested we have a very British afternoon tea party in their garden. Included in the free download are party invitation, Royal Flags, treat toppers, drinks wraps, crowns and coordinating papers. These printables will go down a treat.

Images from Design Editor)

One Table Five ways!

I was recently reading Design Sponge and spotted this before and after design project by Michael Jones, co-founder of the furniture design company Hunter Jones. By using colours and finishes that enhance the natural shape of the desk and adding various different coloured knobs, he has created 4 very different looks. I just love up cycling projects especially when they involve furniture. Check out the article for hints and tips on how to recreate the looks, the pieces are also available to buy through his shop on not on the high street. 

(Images from Design Sponge)

A Lovely Day!

Apologies for not posting yesterday, I was celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary with my husband on the Norfolk Coast, and what a spectacularly sunny day we had. We first went to a national trust place Oxburgh Hall, a beautiful moated Tudor manor house. It even had a secret priests hole that you could crawl into, not without difficulty I might add. 

(image from The National Trust)

We then headed to Burnham Market and had a drink in the sun at the Hoste Arms, They do a great afternoon tea here and would fully recommend you stop here for some food. 

(image from the Hoste Arms)

There are also some great interiors shops here especially Norfolk Living a shop of many rooms selling everything from wooden trugs to Emma Bridgewater ceramics.

We then headed to Burnham Overy to get a view of the sea and take a walk amongst the boats, I love that sound that you get by the coast of the boat masts clanging together in the wind.

Out last stop was Holt, in particular Byfords for afternoon tea which included fantastic finger sandwiches, warm scones with jam and clotted cream, sticky ginger cake, Bakewell Tart and chocolate brownie. Even my husband was thoroughly stuffed. We then had a quick hunt around our favourite antiques shop Mews Antiques Emporium just off Holt high street, it has pretty much got everything you can think of from old pig troughs to vintage milk bottles, you really need a good hour to make sure you see everything but we only had a quick look. It literally just started to rain as we got in the car so we definitely got the best of the weather. Anyway if you're ever in Norfolk check out some of these places you won't be disappointed.

DIY Bunting from 'How about Orange'

My favourite paper craft resource Jessica Jones at 'How about Orange' has been using her Silhouette machine to great effect again on this tutorial for DIY Bunting. This super cute bunting could be used at parties or even just to cheer up a friend, everyone needs a little pep talk now and again and the sweet messages on this decoration should do the job. There is a downloadable pdf which you can either print and cut out by hand, or open in Adobe Illustrator and use the plug-in for your silhouette machine.

(Images from How about Orange)

Graham & Green Warehouse Sale

If you happen to live in London or are in the Brentford area on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April go and check out the Graham & Green Warehouse Sale at Unit 2B, Capital Interchange Way, Brentford, TW8 0EX. There is up to 70% off selected lines. If you are unaware of Graham and Green they are the purveyors of wonderful interiors and gifts, I have posted about them here before as their selection of furniture is fantastic, especially if you're after a vintage looking piece but can't be bothered to trail through the antiques shops and flea markets. So check it out!

Graham & Green Warehouse Sale

If you happen to live in London or are in the Brentford area on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April go and check out the Graham & Green Warehouse Sale at Unit 2B, Capital Interchange Way, Brentford, TW8 0EX. There is up to 70% off selected lines. If you are unaware of Graham and Green they are the purveyors of wonderful interiors and gifts, I have posted about them here before as their selection of furniture is fantastic, especially if you're after a vintage looking piece but can't be bothered to trail through the antiques shops and flea markets. So check it out!

New Products at Papermash

Papermash, one of my favourite online stationery retailers, has had some new additions. I realise it's a bit sad but I absolutely love this heart hole punch, it not only makes your filing look pretty it also creates heart confetti, I love products with a dual purpose. Their new selection of tapes are also wonderful with anything from Squirrels in trees, the Alphabet or Manhattan Subway Maps on. The Party Banners are also pretty cool, great for a grown up party. I'm off to Paris in a couple of weeks to celebrate my third wedding anniversary, and instead of buying the usual mundane postcards while I'm out there, I'm very tempted to send these great Paris Polaroid Postcards. Trés Chic!

(All images from Papermash) 

Bold & Noble

Bold & Noble, set up by Jane Tobitt and David Wardle, produce beautiful hand pulled screen prints in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. They are printed on 100% recycled card and all the prints fit into standard size 'off the shelf' frames (50cm x 70cm), which means you don't have to go to any great expense on frames, Ikea and Marks and Spencers do some perfectly good frames in a range of colours. Some of these would look lovely in a kid's bedroom. The endless love print (in purple below) has a particularly nice sentiment, would make a lovely anniversary present especially the 2nd anniversary as you are supposed to give Paper.

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(All Images from Bold & Noble)

The Balcony Gardener

I love the idea of growing your own vegetables and herbs, especially at this time of year when everything around is starting to bloom. Now generally seed packaging leaves a lot to be desired but The Balcony Gardener packaging it just adorable.

(All Images from The Balcony Gardener)

As well as wonderful seeds to sow they also sell vintage products including Tea sets, Apothecary bottles, Chairs, Tables and Wooden crates, basically everything to make a wonderfully vintage garden. If you're not that green fingered or have only a windowsill to create a garden, look no further than their ready made containers in Edible Garden, English Country or Contemporary themes. 

Fabric Rehab

Fabric rehab is a fantastic online retailer of wonderfully retro and bright fabrics created by sisters Nancy and sally in 2008. Their aim is to 'supply unusual and contemporary fabric to the modern crafter looking for something a bit different'. Sold in fat quarters or bundles and a mixture of dressmaking and upholstery weights you are spoilt for choice. I am looking to copy the pattern of a really simple but lovely summer top I bought in New Look last year, and would like it in some brighter patterns, below are my faves! The colours on the Mid-Century Books are fantastic. Check out their blog

Vintage basics Tiny Geometric Shape Red

Scandinavian Style: Folklore Garland Orange

Scandinavian Style: Folklore Dala Horse Teal

Funky Florals: Hoopla Tulips White

Fabulous 50's: Mid Century Books White

Scandinavian style: Trefle Scandinavian Blooms Red

(All Images from Fabric Rehab)