All things photography...

Hello again!

I know this is my craft blog, but I wanted to talk a bit about photography... As some of you may already know, photography is a passion of mine, something I share with H2B.  Because of this we have set up a facebook page where we can share our favourite pictures, a sort of online portfolio but not as formal! 

I'd love for you all to have a wonder over and have a look, we will be continually adding pictures to it as we grow our "portfolio" and experience.  To keep it simple we've called it "Photography by Amanda and James"

Here's a sneak peek of some of the pictures we've added so far....

So as you can see, a mix of photos!

We'll also be starting up the photography challenge submissions again as we let that one slide a little bit.

Until next time...

Amanda xx



A crafty bank holiday

Hello all,

So I hope you all had a great bank holiday weekend, I am loving the fact that it's already half way through the week and that it's now nearly the weekend :) 

Our weekend was spent with old friends and started with a damp but fun BBQ (what did we expect?!  No one books a BBQ for bank hol weekend, it is destined to rain!!)  However, on Sunday I had a go at some new crafts with "K" whilst the boys played golf.  Here's what we tried:

Book binding

Using some very detailed (and a tad confusing at times) instructions from Pinterest we created a hand bound fabric covered notepad each using some very pretty fabric I picked up in the Liberty's off cuts bin (love that place!) and decorated the outside

I have to admint, not bad for a first attempt... look forward to making more!

Glass engraving

After seeing a post by a fellow blogger The Pea Pod on glass engraved tea light holders I just had to give it a go and after seeing her designs thought it would be great if I could make 40 for our wedding next year (hmmmm!)

So I purchased an engraver and attempted my first "simple" dandelion design.  NB - need to buy some safety specs!!  This is the result.....

I think need I need to practice first before I attempt the more complicated designs for the wedding.

But anyway, it was good fun and kick started me back into trying new crafts and look forward to whatever I try next.

What crafts have you tried or shall I try next?!  Answers below greatly appreciated!!

Until next time...

Amanda xx

Buy Handmade Gifts..... for Weddings

I know it's drawing to the end of the summer wedding season, but I have come across so many great handmade gifts for weddings I just had to share them!

Button guest tree by Button Junction - £35 

"His and Hers" foot pegs by Jigsaw Wooden Products - £14

Pair of eartheware clay magnets by Wotnot Pig Ceramics - £10

Personalised Mouse Doorstop by Velvet Paws - £18

Antique Dictionairy Bespoke Art by Wall Envy Art - £25.75

Bridal Charm by Betty's Glamour Box - £25

Personalised "Penguins in Love" by Pen and Stitch - £22

Bespoke Wooden Map Letters by Bombus - £13

Personalised Wedding Slate by Letterfest Engraving - £14

Alphabet Wine Bottle Stopper by Letteroom - £13.95 (per letter)



There are loads of gorgeous gifts out there, but these are the ones that caught my eye! 

Until next time...

Amanda xx

Cushion Covers

Hello All,

Hope you've all been enjoying the sunshine!  I took a break from over heating to do something I have been meaning to for AGES......  make new cushion covers.  So I decided while I was making them to photograph what I was doing and create a step by step guide.

This is to make a 56cm square envelope cushion cover with the front fabric being different to the back.....

What you need:

- 58cm x 58cm of front fabric (upholstry fabric was used)
- Two pieces of back fabric (thick cotton/poly blend was used) measuring 58cm x 41 cm
- Pins
- Tailors chalk or pencil
- Tape measure
- Matching thread
- Cushion pad
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing machine (or you can hand sew!)

Method:

1.  Be organised and get all of your bits together.

2.  Measure and mark out your fabric using a tape measure and tailors chalk.

 3.  Cut out your fabric using fabric scissors (best not to use scissors that have cut paper as these tend to be blunter and therefore don't give as clean a cut).

4. With the backing fabric, on the longest side you need to create a neat edge as this will be on show.  To do this, fold over 1cm of fabric and then fold it over again by 1cm, pin in place.

5.  Then head over to the sewing machine and stitch this hem in place. 

NB - I used a straight stitch and a chocolate brown thread to contrast against the blue.

6.  Time to construct the cushion cover.  Place one of the backing pieces on top of the front fabric, you want the sides that will be showing on the cushion at the end to be facing each other (this is known as right side together).

 7.  And pin together.

8.  Do the same for the second pieces of backing fabric

9.   You will now have an "inside out" cushion cover, so turn it back the right way and tada......

NB - should have maybe ironed the fabric first!!

You may have noticed in the first pic (and if you didn't how many of you scrolled back to the top!?) there were some buttons, the plan had been to finish the back off with buttons, but having a 10cm overlap for the "envelope" made me think it wasn't needed so I've come up with another use for them!

So there we have it, my finished cushion cover, only 6 more to make haha!

 

 

Happy crafting everyone!

Until next time...

Amanda xx

A bit quiet...

Sorry we've been a bit quiet of late, it's been busy busy busy with work and wedding planning!  I'll try and be better at keeping the blog updated, especially as I have new crafts up my sleeve and crafters to interview!

So, what have we been up to...... 

Photography

Well, the photography has been going well.....

Winner of the Going Digital Picture of the Month Competition!!

We (H2B and I) have also photographed two stunning weddings this summer

 

We have also joined Flickr and will be adding our photographs onto there as we build our portfolio...

Escape to the Country

I had a lovely few days in the countryside with family, it's nice to escape the hustle and bustle of London...

And swapping it for this...

Water Lily Wishes

 

We've taken a break from craft fairs for the time being as things are pretty busy, so we're focusing on our online sales at the moment.  We still have our SUMMER SALE going on over on our Facebook Page.

We're also now selling our cards and photography prints on Folksy - so please stop by and have a look, the collection is small at the moment but is sure to grow.

In other news...

The wedding plans are going well, I've bought my dress and am soooo excited to wear it!! I had a lovely day with my Mum picking it, and the fact that we both misted up shows it is the right one! 

We have been beavering away making the save the dates and these will be winging their way to our guests very soon.  

Plans are moving forward with accommodation, transport and flowers nearly sorted and have started the search for dresses for my two beautiful bridesmaids.  

All in all, a happy bride to be!

Until next time (and I promise not to leave it so long)

Amanda x