WIP: Peak District Photo Conversion

Over the past month since my last update I have been busily stitching away in my spare time, and I'm about halfway thorough the first page. (so only approx 14 1/2 left to go). I was most definitely not wrong about this being a big project! Anyway, to remind you, here is the photo I converted into a cross stitch chart It was taken along Langsett River in the Peak District on a walk last August.

And here is the photo showing my progress mid December.

Yesterday evening, this is what my cross stitch project looked like! Not bad hey?

The colours are definitely blending together more now, and I'm so pleased that I'm finally stitching with greens instead of just the blues of the sky. The downside is that the greens are taking much longer to finish a square (14stitch x 14stitches), as there are so many more colours per square (between approx 7-10 whereas the blue sky had a maximum of 5, and most only have 2 or 3 different colours). I guess it means my progress will slow, but I will keep stitching away until It's time for another update!

Happy Stitching


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Friday Finds: Masks

Sorry I've been slack at posting recently, I've had a really busy week this week at my day job, which coupled with a home computer that doesn't work, and being in Venice last week (Gosh, that's gone quick!) I've hardly found time.

Venice was a beautiful city, (as any of you who have been will appreciate) although it was a rather cold and rainy couple of days. We managed to see and do quite a bit, (which I will tell you about in a later post). One of the things that I most enjoyed looking at is something I now have as a souvenir, Venetian Masks. They come in all shapes and colours with additional adornments, and the really fancy hand crafted ones are easily priced into the £100's! However, there are plenty of cool and quirky masks around  along with the famous venetian carnival masks, here's a few of my favourites!

 This traditional Plague doctor mask by Venetian Artiquity is one for the boys, and as it's handmade in Venice it is a proper venetian mask . If it doesn't scare you now it will when worn! perfect for celebrating the upcoming carnival, masquerade ball or a fancy dress costume!

Lupin's felt owl mask just looks like so much fun should be had when wearing it! It's a cute little accessory to complete the perfect  outfit for a fancy dress party! Check out her other animal masks too.

If you prefer masks that are a little more sexy (okay, a lot more sexy) and just as much fun, then take a peek at Amorous Cats Attics collection of gorgeous lace masks to give a luxurious ball gown a touch of sophisticated quirkiness.

January is the time we all want to hunker down and hibernate from the cold and wet. This beautiful floral eye mask by Pretty Pastels will help you do just that while oozing with vintage chic!

Traditional Venetian masks are being brought up to date incorporating the steam punk style by MeriMask. The colours blend perfectly to create a modern design that retains the venetian effect.


Happy Browsing


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Friday Finds: Friends

I am excited today for 2 reasons.

1: My best friend, Rhian, is visiting me in Sheffield this weekend!
2: I'm off to Venice on Monday for three nights!

Let's just stick to no.1 for now though...

I've been friends with Rhian since we first met in a school PE lesson when we were 11, and our friendship soon blossomed (mostly because she was a complete chatterbox and I was shy and quiet, we've evened out a bit more since). Something worked though because our friendship soon stuck, through going to uni and moving to different cities, and not seeing each other for months at a time (or speaking to each other for several weeks). However, I know that she is always there for me when I need her, and she knows that I will be there for her too. We've both changed through the years of friendship. but that has stuck strong, and I feel confident that it will do so, even when we're old and grey! She has been an inspiration to me in many ways, I have always admired her confidence, an attribute that I was very lacking in as a shy teenager, and one that I have slowly gained as I've got older and wiser (really I just care less what others think), and amongst many other things, her long awaited visit has inspired today's Friday Finds!

 I remember spending lots of time knotting friendship bracelets, but I never managed anything as complex or decorative as this! I love the pattern, but if pink's not for you then don't forget to check out the many other designs available from Perfect Imp

We all know what makes someone our good friend, and there are many ways of putting it into words. This printed quote by Shakespeare, from LadyBird Ink  however, proves the qualities of a good friend are timeless.

Sascalia's gorgeous wooden jewellery box is a beautifully simple way of showing the bond of friendship. Several designs are available, so, if you're like me, you can pick out the one that looks most like you and your friend. (I like imagining this one is my sister, me, and Rhian!)

Who doesn't appreciate a good pair of shoes? You know, the pair you wear all the time, or always go back to for special occasions. The ones that make you fell amazing! I totally agree with London Dream Photography's sentiments!

We all remember the days of cheap friendship bracelets and pendants of our youth. You know the ones, broken hearts that say 'best friends' when placed together. They were cute, but somehow don't seem as special as these friendship bracelets. Emery Drive can even personalise them just for you, making this gift doubly special!

Happy Shopping!

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Tutorial Challenge!

Probably my favourite part of reading other crafty blogs is the tutorials. I love learning how to create new things, learning different techniques and gaining inspiration from other peoples creativity. I've had an attempt at writing my first ever tutorial in December, and I was fairly pleased with it, but I think I can do better. More pictures, less words. So I am going to challenge myself to write a tutorial every week for a year. It could be project tutorials, like my embroidered birthday card, or a tutorial for a new stitch (I have a hand embroidery stitch bible and really want to learn more of them).

As well as sharing my knowledge, and hopefully giving back to others all of the things I have taken from other blogs, this challenge will help keep me inspired and help me learn loads of new things along the way, (probably with a few disasters to share with you too!).

 

Anyway, I guess I'd best get thinking of a few things to do...

 

Is there something you'd like to see? If so please leave a comment with your ideas below!

Happy Making!

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Friday Finds: Calendars

 

Friday Finds: Calenders

Happy New Year!

January is a time to make fresh starts, to relax and recuperate from festive fun and look forwards at the future. Its a time when we re-evaluate our life and our goals, and make plans for the coming year. This year I want to look more into going travelling, so that in about year I could be jetting off on an adventure. my sister is busy planning her wedding in November. What are your plans? however small they are e.g a weekend away, they are something to look forward to for the year ahead. And as every body knows, well organised or not, plans look exciting when they're written down, when you see the date fast approaching on a beautiful calender. Which leads me to today's theme, Calenders! I have some treats for you!

I love this bright quirky calender from 23Madison Studio. It's the perfect accessory for today's fashionista! If only a Hermes bag came with it...

Head to ZenBao for this beautiful vintage silver cube that rotates cleverly so you will always know today's date. There'll be no more marking of days on the wall for shipwrecked sailors with this gorgeous calender.  

Do you ever forget it's someones birthday until the day? or simply get fed up copying them all from last years calender? With Totally High Maintenance's funky colourful birthday calender you will never need to worry again. Just add birthdays to each month, and you're away!

calenders aren't just for walls, as Graphic pals prove with their unique, real wood Mayan calender iPhone case. I love the intricate design and it's unusualness. Even the most techie-savvy can enjoy some traditional original work.

Fan's of the famous bard will be racing to buy this trendy Shakespeare calender from Immortal Longings. While you're at it, check out the other Shakespeare paraphernalia on offer, it's fantastic!

If you love all things vintage, then head over to jons creations for this Austrian perpetual calender. Simply hang it on your wall and move the sliders. You'll never have to buy a calender again!

Anyway, after all that I'm off to plan some things for January on my calender at home. 1st item, my birthday (it's the 16th of Jan). 2nd item, my friend visiting, 3rd item, a 3 night trip to Venice!


Happy Shopping!


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