The makings of a wedding album

I've finally finished a long overdue promise...a wedding album for the dearest and most adorable couple. I'm very biased of course, having seen the beautiful bride grow from a little girl...but also knowing the trials these 2 have been through made me feel very blessed and priviledged indeed, to get to make them something special.

I did spend most of the time wanting to squidge those gorgeous wee cheeks of theirs ...but that just heightens even more, how old I  feel now that the little girl is big enough to get married!

So.....the makings of a wedding album....

Of course begins with two dear hearts very much in loooove....

A mixture of textures, vintage linen , mixed with broderie anglais and tilda fabric.... keeping it pale with a splash of my "go to colour" blue/turquoise. I've started stitching on applique "leafy swirly bits"  for the background to capture the trees  and the setting they were married in.

The spine of the book is stitched in place, and all the fabric pieces of the background are sewn together. More appliqued leafy swirly bits have been added ... and of course the glowing bride and groom!

I added a little bit of blue watercolour to the background so you could see the dress better...there's a little bit of leakage but that's ok!

More water colour added and hand embroidered details too (LOVING the kilt!)......now we're ready to attach this whole piece to thick board to make the front and back cover..and then bind in the pages.

I promise to share the binding and cardboard sticking some other time ..it's the messy and not very pretty stage (and where I didn't have enough hands to carry out AND take photos!)

I look forward to handing this over, knowing that its going to be filled with some real treasured moments.

And now it only seems fitting to end with a proper "awwww" inducing moment....

how is this for love...the groom completely designed, sewed and made the bride's dress! swoon :)xx

Treasuring you...Today I...

Today I.....stitched a stag!

Its the start of the month again..time for "treasuring you.."
                                               
I've seen a few posts featuring lists of  "(number corresponding to age) things to do before I turn (age of next birthday)" and thought yep, thats a good one to put in my little book  because next week I'm about to have a birthday which will be the last one in my 30's (eek!).

However on sitting down I could only come up with 16 things I wanted to do/achieve before I turn the big 40, and half of those were all lame half hearted "aspirations"  (like read one book and get my hair cut!)..which lead me to think either I am a) incredibly dull with no imagination or ambition or b) quietly content with my lot......

Nah!
My final decision lay on c) which was : advanced planning never has been my cup of tea...I'm a wing it kind of girl, let the desires and aspirations reveal themselves as I go along...
Its served me well till now anyway!

So giving that list the old heave ho ...I decided to keep it simple and mark the mini milestones and 50 lives lived in one day by documenting... Today I......

Marvelled as my little tomboy daughter twirled in her new ballet outfit looking ever so pink and girly. Wore my green skinny jeans and got called "elfety elfety elf elf elf"! Hoovered, cleaned, squished spider webs. Nagged. Caught myself nagging. Stopped nagging. Belly laughed at the story of a sweet sister who prided herself on looking like Axl Rose. Couldn't find a pen. Attempted writing 40 things to do before I'm 40, came up with 16. Moved on!
Pushed and climbed, pulled and lifted, chased and birled at the Peter Pan park. Picnicked. Kissed a knee, stroked a cheek, wiped some tears. Smiled in the sunshine in a t-shirt in September. Breathed in the fresh air.Felt grateful. Restrained from having an ice cream..only to have it later. Sprayed and stitched. Ate a yummy tea cooked for me. Watched the film  Fantastic Mr Fox. Decided that this is my most favourite film. Hugged and laughed and tickled and kissed. Sighed and relaxed. Retreated to my fave place (the attic= my  creative space) Rediscovered The Doors, transported back to teenage-ness. Played "Skinny love" (bon Iver) over and over. Swooned. Stitched  a stag. Laughed. Kissed. Supped on a wee g&t . Hand embroidered and dreamed...

the offending green jeans.....love them! Also love how my book matches the wall! :)

When I see the little minutae written down like that it helps me realise just how magnificently different and wonder-FULL each and every day is! And how sweet and good life is :)

So what about you? What has filled your day so far? .. what many little moments have made today a good day to be here right now?  I'd love it if you shared :)x 

Post Trade Fair Rumination!

Phew!..home now and just trying to absorb everything that was experienced over the 3 days spent at the British Craft Trade Fair. I wish you could have been there and seen all the incredible and beautiful art and crafted goodness that was there. Now I know where to go should I win the lotto! :)
I'll do a bit of linky love next time and let you see what I'm on about!
                                        

It was a great experience, a huge learning curve and oh so many lovely people met.

My gorgeous mum  came along too...she was such a great help...trusty tea reliever, cheerleader and      

chocolate provider. Yay! Even though I had my big girl's pants on, I don't think I could have done it without her help. Thanks mum! :)x

And now I'm off to sew sew sew! I promise to visit you all soon x

How hard can it be..?

Famous last words...

I've decided there are 3 types of people.

1) those who don't even attempt to turn their hand at things they have no expertise in..

2) those who are prepared to give something a go if they realistically think its within their abilities, but will call on expertise when required.....

3) those who reckon it can't be that hard and reckon their novel skills can conquer anything!

Guess which group I come into?.. (aherm..)

So my latest thoughts were why not create a "lookbook"  kind of thing for my books/journals....a context for them to be presented in...a sweet vibe to draw in some appeal...something other than photograped objects on a white background...

So with a 10 minute window to spare.....cue Stu (the novel photographer), me (the novel model..but I had painted my nails!) and the courtyard (novel glamourous location)...

Once the words "all we're seeing is your chest" followed by " stop turning your head there's way too many wrinkles" were uttered, I really had to admit perhaps there was a bit more to this photo shoot milarkey than I had given credit for... 

 

 Cue  photograhed objects on white background....

 Dammitt!!
So come on tell me..what group do you come under...please tell me I'm not the only one :)xx

Book or journal?

It's a discussion going on over here...whether I make "books" or "journals"....    

Clearly my life must be good (or dull!) to have this as the current debate...

But...Do the pages have to be filled with images or a story before you'll call it a 'book'?... Or... is it simply the intention to fill the blank pages with your musings and meanderings, doodles and inspirations that makes it a journal?

I'd love to hear what your thoughts are...what makes a book a book..and a journal a journal??!!  :)

"Ding dong the bells are gonna chime..."

I've been feeling very productive lately (since the unexpected weight loss plan) which is good what with the British Craft Trade Fair ahead! (gulp)
My bespoke books are expanding and growing and this is a new one I wanted to try out... a wedding photo album. Its hard covered and HUGE, and if I say so myself a touch sweet!

A fresh spring vibe with love in the air....awww, whats not to like :)

I always get caught up in the people that appear in stitch or paint...and this couple and their meringue free style wedding almost make me want to tie the knot... :)

lucky..a winner and an elephant!

I don't think I ever showed you the little journal I made for my mum for her christmas...

She has a soft spot for my elephant sketch and a huge love of purple... 

 

I just wanted to make her a little something special even though she deserves the world :)

And lets not forget the giveaway winner!!

Going back to my mum, she makes us play spin the bottle every New Year's gathering, despite the groans and protests...thankfully the grand children are all now big enough to perform the random tasks such as "hop on one leg singing how much is that doggie in the window?!" ....I shall say no more....:)

Anyhoos..I thought how better to pick a winner....this time with no ritual humiliation required!

So here we have circle of names and one empty tonic bottle (ahem!)

Can you see? Bit blurry huh?

Yayyyyyy...Its the sweetest Em at "Mimi and Tilly". Congrats to you!

This lady is a girl after my own heart, red slippers, all that sparkles, mahoosive rings and courageous honesty.

 I'm afraid I couldn't stop though..its actually quite fun this spin the bottle milarkey (well when there's no party pieces to perform...may have to suggest this to mum!!)

 So I've got a little something for Colette and Whinging Ninja too x

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend
xx

What I'm loving...

Well..you incredible and supportive people for a start! I am seriously LOVING ALL of you! Thankyou so SO much for such kind and wonderful words...you've kept me star jumping all week..but I'll refrain from more leaping photos.However I do think there may be a danger of me becoming one of those annoying people that are happy ALL the time..haha!

"Brothers Blue"
I've been doing a lot of sewing lately and so loving the simplicity of sewn outlines with a little splash of colour here and there.....


Did I ever tell you about my wish to have grown up in the 60's? The desire probably peaked in my teens when I had a HUGE crush on Jim Morrison.... but the style, the clothes, the music, the discoveries! Aaaah, instead my heyday was in the 80's with luminous socks and rara skirts! :)
I've been having a good old rummage through my Granny's photos and discovered so many 60's treasures...the beardy one is my dad in his yester years! The other groovster is my uncle who is sporting not "double denim" but actual "triple denim"...wow!! Takes real style to pull that one off..and I think you'll agree..he is THE man :)

Also loving turquoise and buttons and winged girls with love heart belts..

Oh and balloons of course!...

And is it wierd to like battered suitcase closing bits too? Oh well so be it :)

Happy weekend to you all xx

Celebratory GIVEAWAY!

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (chinese proverb)

Yep! I've taken quite a few steps to get to here, must have totalled several miles by now! And here is the next step...

www.loveandpeas3.co.uk

Woohoooooooooo!!

Who would have thunk it..little old me with a website!

So to mark the occasion and CELEBRATE I'm having a giveaway of frilly fishie goodness...

A matching pouch and journal......

The little journal/sketchbook is perfect for stuffing into your bag and carrying about to catch those little moments of inspiration or sketches. The pages are artists watercolour paper 230gsm with a few added pages of glittery navy blueness! There are two little button and ribbon closures to keep it all neat and snug.

You may remember the pouch from one of my previous experiments which created a slight zip battle. We've made our peace now ...me and the fishie (and the zip!) and I've even sewn on a few

more decorative bits to compensate for the heated exchange!

So if you think you'd like these frilly fishie pieces here's what I'd like you to do!!....

* Become a follower if you are not already! (do you think i could make it to 200?! Ooh icing on the cake or what!)

* Check out my website (on the link above)and leave me a comment below telling me what you like best!

* If you feel so inclined to spread the word through bloggy land, facebook, twitter then let me know and that'll get you another entry.

The Giveaway closes on November 5th...a night of fireworks in this part of the world!

And finally I would like to send out a HUGE heartfelt THANKYOU to all you lovely peeps out there,(YOU know who YOU are!!) because without the ocean of support you give those steps would be soooo much harder XX

Crop Rotation!

Some things stick in your head and one thing that has remained forever cemented in my mind is the word "crop rotation"!

It came from an artist being interviewed on etsy, who's name unfortunately didn't make the cement. (sorry artist lady!) She likened her need to create in many different forms (including clothing, painting and jewellery making) to "crop rotation"...keeping the creative ground fertile and allowing freedom of movement from one expression to the other to prevent barren ground!

Genius! I thought...and still do...permission to be a creative butterfly, because what is creativity if you can't actually create what your urge is leaning to.....

So my point to all of this is that..(if you hadn't noticed already!) I'm a furtive crafty crop rotator! I really can't help myself and I sometimes DO wonder how this will pan out in the being a "successful artist" / having a brand kind of world....

ANYHOOS, I'm back to the sewing again! Didn't take me long!... Experimenting really...bit of paint, machine stitching on top, some rosettes and then added sequins and buttons....still needs something to edge it all off I think but thought I'd show you so far.

Hoping life is full and fertile wherever you all are xx