Tuesday, November 12, 2013

French Buffet




I love all the old French furniture you can get over here and I have just bought this beautiful
Oak Henri II Style French Dresser (1880 - 1900 ) I love thinking about who had this and what type of house it was in originally, I was going to paint it but after I had polished a bit of it I felt it would be a shame to paint over all the wear and tear it had had so it's staying this colour

Monday, November 11, 2013

Stitching Faux or Real

 



Over at Ooh la la this fortnight the theme is Stitching and I adore stitching on cards
whether it be real or faux, I did try to do real stitching but I have a problem with my sewing machine
the thread keeps breaking, perhaps it's because it's about 60 years old, so I resorted to Faux

We have some sad news this week as Dawn has decided to leave, she has a new grandson who I am sure takes up a lot of her time as well lots of other things she would like to pursue, We would like to thank her for everything she has done and hope she still pops in from time to time.

The good news is that Anne has agreed to return and take over so things should carry on smoothly

I too have chosen an image from The Shawn Jenkins Collection I love this CD
This one is called " Tis the Season " and you can purchase your copy
over at Ooh la La Creations Website you can also see all of the fabulous samples the Design Team
made for the show in the
 Gallery

Sunday, November 3, 2013

More transformed goodies

 
This started out as a very worn brown table, I'm rather pleased with the end result
 
 
 
 
This was 2 old chairs that hubby took apart to make a Bedroom Bench
Painted with Annie Sloan Louis Blue
 
 
 
These are my next projects this is the before
watch this space for the after
 

Display cabinet



 
Single Bed

 
Matching Wardrobe
 
 
2nd Display cabinet

 


Old Chair


Monday, October 28, 2013

Food/Drink

First let me say thank you to everyone that joined in our challenge over at Ooh la la for  the last
fortnight there were so many fabulous/gorgeous creations this time I found it so hard to choose the
top 3 but I finally managed after an hour or so of looking at them all
 
We also have one lucky winner who will receive the new Shawn Jenkins CD which I just adore
The theme this fortnight is Food / Drink chosen by Dawn, if you would like to join in then pop on
over  here
Once again I have chosen an image from this CD I hope you like it, the DT have come up with some gorgeous designs of their own too
 
 
 

 
You can see here lots more beautiful creations in our  gallery  for this CD
 
and you can purchase your own copy in our web shop  here
 
Happy Crafting


I would also like to enter this into the challenge over at

Crafty Catz  ~  Spots & Stripes
 
 
 

Monday, October 14, 2013

Things with Wings

The theme this fortnight over at Ooh la la was chosen by moi, and I have gone with anything with wings, my favourite being butterflies and dragonflies, our new CD The Shawn Jenkins Collection features lots of butterflies and birds aswell as plenty of other gorgeous images including Christmas.

I was having trouble choosing as I love all the images but finally decided on two, the first one is
Happy Birthday Tags



the second one I chose is called Cherish, I added a second butterfly to give this one dimension mat and layered the word cherish and added a pearl for the dot


 
The DT have come up with some absolutely gorgeous creations of their own too so pop on over to Ooh La La Challenge Blog   we also have a CD to give away this fortnight so do come on over and join in the fun.
Happy Crafting
x
 
I would like to enter these in the challenges at
 
CD Sunday ~  Butterflies
 
Totally Gorguss  ~  Wings & Things
 
The Squirrel & The Fox  ~   Things with Wings
 
 
 

 



Friday, September 27, 2013

Sky 671, Freeview 36 and Freesat 813

 

 
The Shawn Jenkins Collection on Create and Craft Saturday 5th October 10am
with new guest presenter Kathryn Sturrock
A fabulous collection of Christmas and Occasions featuring
 beautiful butterflies, scrumptious cupcakes, fabulous floral, plus an array of
gorgeous Christmas and fun images all on one CD and all for just £14.99
Pre order yours  here
 

Friday, September 13, 2013

New CD launching on Create & Craft TV Sky 671, Freeview 36 and Freesat 813


Don't forget to tune in early this  Sunday 15th September 9am  (yes I know it's early)
for the launch of Nursery Times from Ooh la la with with the fabulous Hayley West

You can see a few samples here and you can also purchase puzzles to match your cards from
JHG Jigsaws here


 
 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Cherry and Chocolate Cupcakes

I think my cherries were too ripe this year when I made my jam because it just did not set
and  I made a lot of jars, there is only so much ice cream and cherries you can eat so I googled what else I could make with unset cherry jam and found this recipe for Chocolate and Cherry Cupcakes.

Apolgies but I did not save the site just wrote the recipe down but thank you to whoever it was that came up with this recipe.  I made a batch up this morning and my daughter and grand children said they tasted just like shop bought cakes and were the best cakes I have ever made, so if you have some unset Cherry Jam give these a go you wont be disappointed especially if you get one with a juicy cherry in. I decided not to add a topping for mine

 
 
 
 

Recipe
 
125 grams soft unsalted butter
100 grams dark chocolate broken into pieces or
(12 level Tablespoons cocoa powder as I did not have chocolate) I have to say I prefer Cocoa Powder for chocolate cakes
300 grams Morello cherry jam
150 grams caster sugar
1 pinch of salt
2 large eggs (beaten)
150 grams self-raising flour

Topping

100 g dark chocolate
100ml double cream
Cherries
 
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4/350ºF. Put the butter in a heavy-bottomed pan on the heat to melt. When melted, stir in the chocolate or cocoa powder.

Leave for a moment to begin softening if using chocolate pieces, then take the pan off the heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the butter and chocolate are smooth and melted. Now add the cherry jam, sugar, salt and eggs. Stir with a wooden spoon and when all is pretty well amalgamated stir in the flour. put into muffin/paper cases and bake for 25 minutes.

You can also add a topping if you wish

When the cupcakes are cool, break the chocolate for the icing into little pieces and add them to the cream in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, remove from the heat and then whisk - by hand or electrically - till thick and smooth. Ice the cupcakes, smoothing the tops with the back of a spoon, and stand a cherry in the centre of each, or even a piece of Cadbury Flake.

I also made the Chocolate Orange Cupcakes but these were not as yummy as the cherry ones

Chocolate Orange Cupcakes, substitute the cherry jam and the cherry garnish for good orange marmalade and candied orange peel.



 


Monday, July 15, 2013

Cherries, Cherries & more Cherries

Just been and picked some cherries from our tree, and have decided to make some Cherry Jam, Cherry Compote, Cherry Pie Filling and Cherry Brandy, and when the Cherries are finished with in the Cherry Brandy I will dip them in chocolate mmmmmmmmm

 
I have already made 12 jars of Marmalade, 3 Jars of Blackcurrant Jam, 8 pots of Cherry & Redcurrant Jam and 4 pots of Redcurrant Jelly
and will be making Lemon Curd, Orange Curd, Lemon Marmalade and Lime Marmalade.
 

                                                                            

 
I found a site that lets you make and print out your own labels click here to go to the site
I have decided to make up a few mini hampers with all my goodies this Christmas.
I have to say I am enjoying this new hobby
 
 


Monday, June 24, 2013

Welcome Little One

First of all let me thank everyone who joined in with our Buttons & Bling challenge last time
We had some fabulous entries and I found it really hard choosing the top 3, if you want to see who I chose hop on over to Ooh la La Challenge and perhaps join in with this weeks challenge chosen  by
Dawn who's daughter will soon have her own little one


The papers, image, faux bow and sentiment all come from Yesterday's Memories CD
which can be seen here

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

My Newest Hobby

I have recently discovered Annie Sloan chalk paint and Wax and I am afraid that now nothing is safe from my paint brush.    The best thing about this paint is that you do not have to do rub down, so no prep work apart from making sure your item is clean.   There are so many beautiful colours to choose from and I decided to start with light colours first.   Each pot contains 1litre of paint and costs £16.95 from most UK shops,  and this goes a long way, as does the wax if you use a brush to paint it on with which costs £7.95.   I purchased mine from Dovetails in Kent, they don't post to France but my brother brought the first lot over for me and will be bringing the next lot over next month.  

 
 



This table was a light brown and the chairs blue, I painted the legs and chairs in Paris Grey
recovered the seats and waxed the top of the table with dark wax, I have to say I am really
pleased with the end result.

My next project was the fire surround that hubby made for the front room, this time I used
Old White and then I waxed the top first with clear then with dark wax to
to get the effect on top

 
I then found a little table that I had had in the loft for years, this started out as brown with a red leather top, I painted the whole lot even the leather with Old White, then I clear waxed first then again with the dark wax
 
 
 
Next was an old chair that was given to us, this started off brown and again I used the Paris Grey
I have yet to make new back and seat covers
 
 
 

 
 
 
I am currently working on this brown chest of draws which  I will up date later when  finished
 
 
Before
 
 


 
 
 After




Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Mum & Chicks

 
 

These are our little chicks, born 3 weeks this Sunday, I think they are starting to get a bit braver

Monday, June 10, 2013

Buttons & Bling

First things first let me thank everyone who played along with Inspired by Nature chosen by Pauline, we had some absolutely beautiful creations and if you want to know who she chose as the top three hop on over to Ooh la la Challenge Blog , and while your there perhaps join in with our next
challenge.
This week it's my turn to choose the theme, I have always had a fascination with buttons, even as a child I would love looking through my Nans button tin and now my grand daughter Maisy does exactly the same thing when she comes over to craft with me and
who doesn't like bling! so yes you have guessed it my theme is  Buttons & Bling
 
 


I chose papers and an image from Faithful Friends CD, I love this little Pomeranian
I mounted the image to some sparkly card to give it that extra blingy look
I used La Crème Baby Pearls down the edge and small Polka Dot Buttons to finish it off,
both the Embellishments and CD can be purchased in the website shop  here


I would also like to enter this card into the challenges at
The Corrosive Challenge Blog - Animal Antics
Pan Pastel UK Challenge Blog - Anything Goes


Monday, May 13, 2013

Seeing Red

 
First let me say thank you to everyone who entered  Ooh La La Challenge for  
the last fortnight, we had some beautiful and amazing creations all Vintage themed, I was so pleased
that it was not my turn to choose the top 3, but if you do want to see who Lisbeth chose do pop on over, and perhaps you may want to join in with us for the next one
 
 
The challenge this fortnight is Seeing Red and I have used papers and image from Christmas Presence, artwork from the very talented Peggy Abrams, if you would like to see what's on this CD you can see it here, we also have some gorgeous bling and buttons in the shop, not forgetting our new CD Faithful Friends
 
 
 

Monday, April 15, 2013

Boxer Easel Card

Another week has flown by and we had some fabulous entries for our Orange & Green challenge, a big thank you to everyone who played along.   This week the theme is Easel Cards, and I have used an image from our new CD to be aired on Create & Craft on the 27th April 11am with Hayley West.
The corner I used is metal and can be purchased in the  shop.   The Cd will be on the website this week for pre ordering
Happy Crafting
 
 
 
 
 
I would also like to enter this into the challenge over at

Brown Sugar Challenge / Step or Easel

Monday, April 1, 2013

Ooh La La Green & Orange




The challenge over at Ooh La La this fortnight is a colour challenge and we have chosen Orange & Green, the girls have come up with some spectacular creations.   Secondly let me wish you all a Happy Easter Monday a lovely excuse to eat chocolate, I had my fav egg bought a Cadbury's Mini Egg, I wonder what your fav is.   

Now on to my card, the image and paper are taken from Yesterday's Memories CD  the silver swirls are peel offs with added pearls and the white mat was a gift from a friend.

We have some lovely swirls, pearls and bling on the website

I would also like to enter this into:

Allsorts - Vintage

Rhedd & Rosie Challenge Blog  -  Vintage/Shabby Chic



Monday, March 18, 2013

Gone Fishing

 
Another fortnight has flown by and it's time again for another challenge over at  Ooh la La
Our theme for this fortnight is  It's a Man Thing, and this is a card I have made for my Brother's Birthday.   He is mad on fishing and even comes to France on fishing holidays, good job his wife loves fishing aswell.
The DT have some fabulous creations this week to help inspire you so do pop over and take a look
 
The paper and image are from the  Boys to Men CD  and the Birthday Wishes is a stamp
the silver looking spots are stickles.  We shall have new freebies on the website tomorrow and we have new embellishments in the shop with more goodies being added very soon.
Please join in if you can inspiration for mens cards always come in handy, they are a difficult lot at most times.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Perfect day so far

What a fabulous day I am having and they say it always comes in three's

It started early this morning, my daughter and I are arranging an Anglo/French Exposition/Market
here in France which we shall be holding every 2nd & 4th Saturday in the month starting in April
We have lots of interest from both French & English and it sounds an exciting venture
We have lots of different stalls ranging from Cards, Craft, Breads made in a traditional French bread oven, Preserves, Jewellery, Neals yard, Wood & Leather gifts, Scarf Sensations &Patchwork to name but a few. 

Then as I arrived home a beautiful vase of Tulips were delivered from my Son who lives in the UK for Mother's Day, which was the best surprise ever.

 
Saturday
 

 
 


 Wishing all Mums a wonderful day tomorrow

 
Monday
 


Monday, March 4, 2013

Four Legged Friends

Good morning and I hope it's a blue sky where you are today, I always find I feel so much brighter when the sun is shining and it certainly is here today

This weeks challenge is all about our 4 legged friends and I have chosen these adorable kittens for my card this week, it's for my son inlaws Mum who loves cats

The entries we had last week were all amazing and so many thank you all so much for taking the time to join in with us, I hope you like our challenge this fortnight too and I look foward to seeing your creations

Now on to mine, this is a simple card, I added the wording on in my graphics program and just mat and layered onto some beautiful shiny red card



If you like Vintage you will love this CD which was a sell out on C&C last month, there are all sorts to choose from, cute animals, birds, beautiful floral, vintage fashion, and some lovely Xmas images too, you can purchase your copy   here


Monday, February 18, 2013

Sparkle & Shine

Wow what a fabulous amount of entries we had last week for our challenge Love Story
I'm so pleased it was not me who had to choose there were far too many fabulous creations
This week our challenge is Sparkle & Shine so get those thinking caps on and come on over and show us what you have made, one lucky winner will be able to choose a CD of their choice
you have 2 weeks to enter, we are also looking for  Guest Designers so if you would like to join us
please add GD after your name on Mr Linky
The girls have come up with some fabulous designs of their own so if you need a bit of inspiration be sure to take a closer look
This is my take on the challenge
 
 


 
I used a pink sparkly sticky back backing paper to cover my A4 card
The artwork is from Dreams of Tranquility and called  Cathedral of Illusion, I hope you can see the
sparkle on the river and my light is the door in the background, this is a beautiful image and I thought it needed nothing else apart from the metal filigree corners
You can purchase both the CD and the corners in the shop here
Happy Crafting

Monday, February 4, 2013

Challenge # 123 Love Story


Boy the weeks fly by so fast I can't believe we are in February already, big thank you to all the entries we had for our last challenge and dont forget to check out who our lucky winners were .
The challenge this fortnight is Love Story and the girls have come up with the most beautiful creations ever,  we hope you will be inspired to join in  Ooh La La  and look forward to seeing what you create, my image and paper are from our new CD Yesterday's Memories which has a vintage feel
about it and you can see it   here  we also have a fabulous gallery where you can see all of the samples made for the C&C show that was on Sunday 27th Jan

This card was very simple to make
A4 card folded in half and covered with baking paper from CD
2 peel off corners added and the sparkly bits are the full stops from another sheet of peel offs
White card with one edge punched from the Martha Stewart punch  Scroll Lace
White Organza ribbon
Sentiment from CD

 Happy Crafting

Monday, January 21, 2013

And now for something completely different




The challenge this week over at Ooh la La is Wheely Good, well this was quite a challenge and I thought I would try something different this week.
Hubby has been making clocks again for the craft fair in May so I thought I would have a go too and this is what I came up with, it's a present for my nephew

I printed the image out onto card and added the numbers in my graphics program before printing
you can of course use stick on numbers, I then glued this onto an artist's canvas board, then I added the clock hands and back and Voila

Monday, January 7, 2013

Birthday # 121

First let me wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope you got all that you wished for at Christmas
The Challenge this week over at  Ooh La La Blog Challenge  is Birthday, the image I have used comes from our new CD Yesterday's Memories which you can see  here  and I have made this for my sister's Birthday next month.