Accidental Vix

Well as Handpicked Hall opens in Skipton today there can be no other choice for this week’s Friday Faves. I will be there tomorrow with my baby bits and illustrations, but until then if you are heading down for the opening day today then here are a few of my personal faves, who also happen to be fellow Craft Soup creators:

Rose Cottage  Crafts  - I was lucky enough to meet Christine at last night’s premier , and after spending time chatting to her via Craft Soup it was great to see her granny chic creations in person and I am envious of anyone who can crochet as it’s something I haven’t tried yet for fear of being addicted and already lacking hours in the day! So, if like me you love a bit of vintage inspired crochet that would sit perfectly in any home then check out Rose Cottage Crafts’ website or pop by and say hi as she will be at Handpicked Hall on Fridays

Little Shop of Lathers – It’s always great to catch up with Claire as she is as bubbly as her handmade bath and shower creations. Last night I even learnt about Claire’s clever idea of a bath bomb equivalent for those who prefer a shower! The only problem I have being within 100 metres of Claire’s gorgeous products is that I can’t resist buying quirky things as presents. I can’t reveal too much about my purchase last night as it is a soon to be Easter present but I can say that if you want an Easter alternative to chocolate then this is your girl. If you’re in the area tomorrow then pop by and be tempted by the chocolatey aromas as you reach the Little Shop of Lathers stall.

Ruby Spirit Designs – Tracy is actually one of the first people to introduce me to Craft Soup when I met her at an event in Haworth, and I always like the chance to catch up with her as we cross paths on the creative circuit. As with Little Shop of Lathers I find it very dangerous going near Ruby Spirit Design products as they have a quirkiness and style that I have not seen elsewhere and I know that any products (yes, none of them have made it as far as presents as I have kept them all) will stand out as being unique. I even managed to find some gorgeous earrings at Handpicked Hall last night that match my brand colours, so I think I’m justified in buying them to wear on Saturday, right??

If you are in Skipton today, tomorrow or any other day please pop by to Handpicked Hall and suport local designers, sellers and businesses and enjoy this breath of fresh talent that is a welcome change to what is becoming a standard selection of high street chains in most of our towns and cities – celebrate local, handmade and British.

Xx

I had great fun designing my screenprint at the Blueberry Park workshop I did a couple of weeks ago, and it pushed me out of my gocco comfort zone which uses my detailed illustrations and fine line sketches, and made me simplify my ideas. This led on to me creating a pattern with birdhouses and silhouettes, and I am intrigued by how strong block colour can be. Of course that is a clue as to why I chose Short Cuts Laser as today’s Tuesday Talent:

1. It’s great how a silhouette can become so recognisable without any detail, and I think that makes these shapes even more striking

2. You are bound to find something that makes you smile, and I need that this week, from pineapples to rabbits, to stars, and they are perfect for any age or gender

3. I love the bold colours, and these are bound to grab attention wherever they go

So, on that note I will go and doodle some outlines of my fave silhouettes to turn into screenprints whilst I wait for my mum at physio. Have a good day

Xx

What else could today’s theme be other than the Olympics?? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been as frustrated as most Londoners with the disruption and extra cost, but I am excited about it now and can’t wait to watch the opening ceremony tonight and then get cheering on team GB, and looking out for my fab friend Vicky who is line judging the badminton! Today’s jewellery faves are from a few of my etsy teams:

Jinja Jewellery – purple and bronze earrings (apart from the bronze connection, these remind me of the Olympic torch)

Alison Moore designs – silver calla lily pendant (love the sophistication of this, hope all the winning athletes get flowers as pretty)

Laura’s Jewellery – bird locket (let’s hope team GB bring home lots of gold medals)

Whoever you’re supporting I hope you all have fun watching the Olympics, and I can’t wait to see the volleyball final in a couple of weeks time now our tickets have arrived.

Xx

Most of my Friday Faves have featured sellers that I know and teams that I’m part of but today I decided to choose a theme and just search etsy to find new shops. After a bad but sunny week we had a good start to the morning and June despite the rain so today I have chosen ‘sunshine on  a rainy day’…

CBE Designs – Good day print (because today will be a good day and hopefully turn into a good month)

Baubles by Jill – Umbrella earrings (my friends know I’m always looking for fun and quirky earrings)

Little tree design – sunshine on a rainy day print (wouldn’t this make you smile on any day?)

So now I’m off in search of sunshine… have a fab jubilee weekend

Xx

As I’ve decided to go back to the drawing board so to speak and have a bit of a break from sewing this week (probably the safer option with the hip pain and drowsiness from painkillers) I’ve taken inspiration from my black and white sketches for this week’s monochrome theme from some of my etsy team’s sellers this week:

Axevictimus – Wood pendant with aluminium (Craft Britannia shop of the week, great to feature a man this week)

Me and Moms crafts - White crochet infant girl socks (Craftyetsians shop of the week, soooo cute)

Whimsy Woo Designs - iPad Cover (Craftyfolk shop, love this fabric)

Off to see if I can stay awake long enough to do some sketching now, have a fab weekend

Xx

I’ve just joined a few teams on Etsy, and discovered lots of fab new shops and items, so the best way for me to showcase some is to pic a few of my faves. To help me with today’s  pics from crafty folk, I have chosen the theme ‘magic number three’:

Liquid silver designs – Triple heart pendants (I like the contrasting finishes)

Little red robin etsy - Personalised napkin rings (simply striking)

DevikaBox – Crystal earrings (nothing like some sparkly earrings to make me smile)

Have a fab weekend and Easter

Xx

Nothing like looking through the Luulla shops to make me smile, so no surprise that I couldn’t wait to find more of my fave seller to feature. Although, jewellery had to be one of the hardest to choose from as not only are there so many in this category but I found so many that I liked, after some time I narrowed it down to these 3:

HuiyiTan – snowflake earrings (given the current weather, there’s no doubting it’s winter but these earrings would brighten up any day)

Kaori Kaori – Ruby red vintage glass earrings (I love the simplicity of these, and they remind me of my dear friend Jane)

Maria Goti – Sterling silver butterfly earrings (these are just beautiful, and def on my wishlist)

Time now to go and finish scanning in my sketchbook project, so watch this space!

Xx

What a day it’s been and as always I’m glad it’s the weekend, but even more excited this weekend as 2 of my bridesmaids are coming to visit!! I was hoping to try on wedding dresses in the style of the one I’ve designed to check it suits me but it seems that is not such an easy task and there are no appointments left anywhere in the near vicinity. So we’re going to have a chilled girlie weekend instead and that is my theme this week:

Canny Belle – Hello ChitChat Necklace (Trust me there will be plenty of chatter and gossiping this weekend)

Tigerlilly Primitives – Wooden blocks (Live, laugh, love – definitely a motto when with my friends)

The lime garden – Mini Teacup Necklace (There will be lots of tea being drunk this weekend, need something to keep our voices going!)

Off to chill now as my fiance was up feeling sick all last night and an early night is called for.

Sleep well.

Xx

I’m really glad it’s Friday, another stressful week but there were some really flattering compliments from the client so it’s worth it! We’re looking forward to escaping back up North for lots of wedding planning this weekend, so today’s quick Folksy Friday is inspired by clicking on Folksy today to be greeted with some gorgeous yellow items and the completion of our save the date cards, and constant thoughts of our wedding colours… Charcoal/grey and Aqua:

Lej jewellery – aqua leaf earrings (these are so delicate and beautiful, definitely on the consideration list for my youngest bridesmaid)

Pour l’amour – aqua earrings (the vibrancy of colour is gorgeous!)

As I’m doing this on my lunch break it is short and sweet, have a fab weekend!

Xx

I’m so glad it’s Friday… although it’s only been a 4 day week after the long Christmas break, continual engagement celebrations and wedding planning it has been a real struggle to get up in the mornings! It will come as no surprise that I’m completely loved up at the moment and can’t wait to get home in the evening to spend time with my fab fiance even with plenty of save the date invites still to make and send this weekend.  So today’s folksy picks are lovebird themed as that is the design of our save the date cards which I can only show you a small sneak peak of as I want it to be a surprise when our guests receive them:

Cherryloco jewellery – lovebirds necklace (I love the modern simplicity of this design)

Joanna Rutter – very tiny lovebirds necklace (this is stunning, and so cute)

Kirsty Elson Designs – love birds (this would be adorable sat at our wedding)

Opitome -  orchid bridal display (perfect if you want your bouquet to last past your wedding day with these hidden little lovebirds)

Sian Bostwick jewellery – silver bird ring (I looooove my diamond engagement ring but this would look cute next to it)

Hope everybody’s new year has got off to a good start, and congratulations to all those who got engaged and are getting married this year!

Xx