Embroidery Hoop Decoration detail

 I had a mad 20 minutes last week when i decided to make this set of co-ordinating hoop decorations.

I have a box of these pretty hoops sat waiting for some various tasks...

and i also had a bag of scraps from my bunting making session and always i have little baskets filled with bits n pieces and scraps and ribbons and stuff i made or stuff i bought.... STASH! you know how it is.

 So, they are 3 different sizes and i hung mine as above, getting smaller. You can hang them anyway you like though but i like the 3 different sizes.

The first was so easy. I literally sewed up some long strips of leftover Christmas fabrics. I have used these fabrics and colours elsewhere in my Xmas Decorations so i knew they would fit in with the general home decor theme (if i have such a thing)

 The second two, i then stretched over with matching / co-ordinating scraps.

I have sewn the back of these like you would if you were making a yo-yo / suffolk puff thing. Whipped it round the edge and pulled it in tight - i can do you proper tutorial for some Spring versions after Christmas? Give you some real notes amd photos on exactly "how to" ?

 Anyway, the moral of this semi-tutorial is thus:

1. I decorated the hoops AFTER with the embellishments as they were easier to sew on once stretched in the hoop.

2. i did not plan it at all and just saw whatever happend. I like to work this way

3. it took about 20mins- seriously. 30 mins to hang it too.

4. it is dead easy and you can even take these out and change them if you want.

5. hang yours thus or differently or make a set of 5 or just a few small ones... whatever, it'll look good :)

 I am going to list these exact sets of 3 in the shop (hopefully both etsy and LPF by the end of today)

 But it is a bit close to Christmas now so, prod and remind me we can do this again in detail ready for Spring / Easter. I will be having a sale around February time so i may chuck even more hoop sizes into the mix ready for February...

 If you already have a hoop or 3 hanging around at home, why not use some cute Christmas Ribbons to embellish? My Artisan Bunting below is just an example of different bits and pieces you can add to your hoops.

Merry Front Doors

and

Happy Last Minute Crafting

and Annie.... THANKYOU x x x

Blog Love and Blue things...

Awwwww - look at us! We are in "Quick & Crafty" magazine!
How lovely is that? I received my complimentry copy in the post this morning - Thankyou so much! I would never have thought other people might appreciate my Colourful and Crafty pursuits so it is such a boost to see the Blog given some love x x

Ha ha ha - Who's that ugly mug in the cheap thrifted beret? Why, tis Moi! BIG hugs to my blog readers for helping me so much and sharing their ideas and inspirational Blogs too (((()))) (that is a cyber hug my friends)

And THIS shot below was taken about 2 hours ago! The ManFish snapped us as we walked out of the 'Antiques Cellar' in Brackley after having snaffled this yummy AQUA painted kitchen chair. I loved it at first sight and it was a bargain, so it needed to come home and be sat on with immediate urgency...

Of course i could have painted one myself - thrifty crafter that I am, but this was £15 and all done for me. I am crafty but I am no fool x

I already have a chair in the kitchen waiting to be painted green... or red... so i didn't want another on 'the list'!!

And as a 'by the way', i thrifted this set of IKEA drawers from my Sister last week. Maybe this awesome turquoise / aqua is what has inspired this LOVE of blue to date?

Today i wore aqua tights, a little aqua v-neck jumper, my blue coat and had my blue Cath K BIG bag.... Is there somebody out there who knows about "Chakras" and colour therapy? What does it mean that I am drawn to this bright blue right now? I'd love to know....

Keep thrifting, keep crafting, keep colourful and keep that tongue firmly in your cheek KirstyFish ;)

NEW dress x handmade of course...

Not handmade by me but by Abi: Abi has an etsy shop but really her PROPER shop is the best!
There is nothing in Abi's shop but that is because i think her real shop is what it is all about for Abi. It is an Aladdins cave of gorgeous textiles and reconstructed clothes and original patterns and amazing ideas.
Excuse the one-woman fashion show but no photo did this dress real justice...

Look at this cute lining...

I love the pleats...

I adore the back, like a pinafore type design...

Heavy wool fabric in PINK with Aqua wool stitch detail, oh i love it x

And i have been wearing it with my grey tights and green shoes and stripey cardigan....

You could not find this in the High Street. It is why handmade is so amazing and important.

It isn't that i *must* look different and great! It is just that i want to look like 'me'. I want to look how i feel and High Street rarely gives me that feeling that i look like 'me' x

P.s. The Fishmarket in Northampton, UK - "Kismet": If you live locally, go see her.....