The Great British Sewing Bee returns for Season 2

excited

me

oh, just a little

On Tuesday 18th February at 8pm I will be found glued to my sofa with a cup of tea and a slice of cake ready to watch the first episode of - The Great British Sewing Bee Season 2

If you didn't watch Season 1 last year you missed out on a treat - 6 competitors cut, hemmed, button-holed and designed their way through a set of challenges which would turn any sewing amateur pale

All commentated expertly by Claudia Winkleman -wouldn't you love that job???? 

Loved it

Loved it

Loved it

Can't wait for Season 2 

2014 Great British Sewing Bee competitors

Using up my stash - Vintage Teacup Candle Tutorial

The general consensus when I admitted my addiction to purchasing candles (which I don't then use) was to turn them into teacup candles for gifts. I found some great vintage teacups in a market a couple of weeks ago and then today I have finished the candles. Yay! I have Vintage Teacup Candles!

I read a few reviews and tutorials before I started and wanted to share what worked for me 

You will need

Teacups

Candle wicks

Candle wax - I melted down old candles

Tip - you may also want to purchase a cheap saucepan and wooden spoon - the cleaning afterwards isn't pleasant. I spent £1.75 on a pan and then recycled it with other metals at the dump

1. Prepare the Wax 

As I was using part used candles I cut them down into chunks before melting.

I've got quite a candle stash so selectively removed any dark sections of candles and then used a knife to shave these into sections. 

TIP - I found a smooth blade much easier to use than a serrated one

2. Prepare the Teacups

I purchased prewaxed wicks with sustainers so they stood in the teacups without needing sellotape across the top

3. Melting the Wax

This was the bit I was most nervous about. I read reviews of wax bursting into flames and that got me scared. The safest method seems to be melting wax in a small pan which is resting in a larger one filled with water

I used a really low heat - my hob has settings 1-9, I used setting 3

The water was just touching the bottom of the small pan and wasn't simmering or bubbling at all

The wax melted really quickly. Very soon I had liquid wax with lumps of wax icebergs gradually melting

TIP - you can add essential oils at this stage

4. Making your Candles

Once you have enough melted wax pour it into the teacups - a little first to secure the wick in place and then fill up to the required amount. 

 Leave to cool whilst you feel smug and enjoy a well earn cup of tea!

And here are the finished articles....aren't they adorable and what a perfect low cost Christmas / Birthday gift

I hope you found this tutorial useful - please let me know if you've made some Vintage Teacup candles

Tackling the Apron bulge! #SpecialK30

I've always watched the SpecialK ads on TV thinking they offer a rather too good to be true, there was the wonderful pinch an inch ads in the 80's, the drop a dress size in 2 weeks offers and the most recent red dress and swimsuit ads. I've been memorised by their claims for 30 years, so when they offered to send me a box to try I jumped at the opportunity.

SpecialK has been around for 30 years! Wow....well I've certainly changed a little in 30 years, so I guess it's only right that the cereal has developed too.

In 1984 I was 4, with pigtails and a cheeky grin I used to rock to Eddie Grant's Electric Avenue - this was my first album....honestly my parents were cool enough to buy me a vinyl when I was 4. I loved it - here he is rocking a rather fetching 80s sporting ensemble -

it was only relatively recently I discovered Electric Avenue is a real street in Brixton, London

I was into My Little Pony, Cindy (there was no Barbie in our house! It's a running joking in my family that I was deprived as I didnt have Barbie!)

 

The past 30 years have been good to me. I'm married, have a beautiful home in Hampshire, a good job and of course a rather wonderful 2.5year old little boy

Now to the cereal. This was my first venture into SpecialK. Wow I've been missing out all these years. It's yummy, and low fat. And let's face it after the baby comment when I wore my apron recently, low fat high flavour is the way I need to go!

Well the best recommendation I can give is my shopping basket this morning, treated myself to 3 more varieties to try. Wish me luck in fighting the pounds, and enjoying myself as I go

Post in association with - BritMums/Special K “How I’ve changed Linky challenge”

 

 

 

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#imapiece London Installation

I've blogged a few times about the #imapiece work being championed by the Craftivist Collective for Save The Children, read about them here and here.

An amazing 700 pieces have now been submitted, they were displayed today in Craft Central, London and I got to visit this evening after work, even the sun came out to celebrate the event.

It was inspirational to see and the messages were moving, I really stopped to think with a few of them

You can't walk a mile in their shoes...they have none

Live simply so the others can simply live

Crafters came out in force to support the event and after enlisting the help of crafters and Save the Children reps I managed to locate my piece here...

If you haven't had the opportunity to see all the handmade #imapiece jigsaw pieces together then there is still time, the installation will be continuing its tour so check out the Craftivist Collective site for more information.

And if you haven't made a piece yet, do it!

The work culminates in the G8 summit on hunger in June, Save the Children are holding an event in Hyde Park on 8th June where we can all show our support. For more info click here

 

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iPad Mini Case

I bought my cute iPad mini just before Christmas and have been carrying it around in a shoe bag since then. I've looked in a few shops for an iPad mini case but the are all either hard, boring or wouldn't fit the iPad mini and the Smart Cover. What to do?
I had a free evening this week so set too to make myself a simple envelope style iPad mini case.
I struggled to choose the fabric I wanted from my stash as there were too many options, oops, need some serious stash busting.

Decided on yellow and grey with batting and lining recycled from my destroyed quilt.

I made a simple sandwich of the 3 fabrics, quilting diagonal lines, folding over the outer edge and then hand stitching the sides together.

I got to use another function on my new sewing machine - button holes, yay (loving the new machine....it purrs)

So here is the finished article, my new iPad mini case. Ready to grace the table of various coffee shops and trains as it becomes an essential item in my hand bag, and when it gets a but grubby I can pop it in the washing machine, ah the joy of homemade and handmade

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The Not-So-Secret Diary of Becca Lou Aged 34 1/2

I remember starting a journal when I was about 13. I don't know if this was in response to reading The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4, being a teenager or the fact my friends were doing it, but it seemed a good idea at the time. I guess most teens go through this

I have to admit that after struggling on and off for many years I gave up on the idea. I wasn't dedicated enough to write regularly, I really didn't see the point if no one was ever going to read it, and I simply didn't think my life was interesting enough to need documenting. I grew up and gave up. It was definitely the right decision for me.

But I've made a slight de-tour to this decision recently.

I stumbled upon Christie over at Grace Is Overrated. She has drawn a set of 50 journal template pages, they are full of fun pictures, thought provoking tasks and inspiring quotes.

I was most definitely interested

- This is journaling but not as we know it -

The pages offer escapism and day dreaming, not a detailed account of the days calorie intake and water cooler conversations. They are bliss to complete.

I've printed and bound the pages and keep it next to my bed for evenings when I need to wind down before sleep.

I've rediscovered colouring, it really shouldn't be saved for the young, it allows my hands to be occupied so my brain can wonder and its incredibly relaxing and it feels like I'm achieving something at the same time - win:win. And the pages are becoming a treasure trove of bright colours and thought

The little tasks are so simple but so incredibly clever "5 people who make you smile", but my relaxed mind then takes this further....am I really spending enough time with these people? What about those I didn't put down, what is the reason? Do I need to think about those relationships? ...

 

I really don't want to be too deep here but wanted to share the gem over on Christie's blog.

 

I may not be about to become the new Adrian Mole but I'm certainly enjoying ending my day colouring and journaling once or twice a week

 

 

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UFO Declaration

We all have a pile of projects which just need that last burst of energy to complete them. I know we are all the same as I keep spotting UnFinished Object posts on other blogs.

My pile is quite significant! It's not good. I've had some stern words with myself this morning and I am not allowed to start anything new until I start to finish some projects. This is a harsh reality of the state of my craft desk and (I hope) will spur on some energy to finish or ditch as I've got some lovely projects brewing in the back of my mind.

 

I've started well ditching a few projects including frogging an early attempt at knitting which didn't start well. It was part thrown in the textile recycling bin and part recovered to be used in another project

 

And here are some of the projects In my UFO pile at the moment

Ripple blanket - I've done 82 rows, reckon I'm about half way there, not ad seen as I only started in Jan/Feb

Zpagetti bag - loving the Hooked Zpagetti products so thought I'd give one of their bag kits a go - nearly completed

 

 

Mega stitched matt for the floor under my craft desk - about 1/3 complete

 

Quilt which was started years ago and I just need to finish quilting and bind

So no new projects for me until at least one of these is completed... Feeling exhilarated and deflated at the same time....although pleased I've shared this with you... Hi ho hi ho...

 

 

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Great British Sewing Bee - new TV show

I'm quite excited......I'm sitting on my hands bouncing excited....I've just heard that the BBC are due to broadcast a new craft programme in April - The Great British Sewing Bee. I understand it will be based on The Great British Bake Off format and will be presented by the fabulous Claudia Winkleman so I'm sure we are in for some great dry humour.

 

Roll on April, looking forward to a nice cuppa in front of the TV, willing on the contestants as well as hopefully learning some new tips....

 

Fingers crossed this grows into the enormous success of The Great British Bake Off and we can look forward to some great episodes and competitions year after year.

 

How exciting.....AND IT STARTS NEXT MONTH ..... Bring on The Great British Sewing Bee

 

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Welcome to the Blog Party

Hello, as you are probably aware there is a little party happening in the blogosphere today, it's a global Blog Party organised and hosted by the lovely Vicki from 2 Bags Full.

It's so easy for us to just continue as we are, chatting away in our little blog worlds forgetting there are people out there who don't know us but would like to. You wouldn't do that at a party would you? No, you'd pause and introduce yourself, then share and chat until your found some common ground and a spark.

So that is the idea of the party really....

Pause and introduce ourselves .....

Share a little bit about ourselves and hopefully find a little spark with someone who might like to pop back every now and then to see how we are doing.

Lets start a conversation.

I'll certainly be looking for some lovely blogs to follow and I assume, by the fact you are reading this, you are too.

--------------------

So hello, how are you?

I'm Becca Lou, I'm a Mum of one from Hampshire, England. I enjoy making beautiful items for my home and as gifts in my free time. I've been blogging for a couple of years but took a bit of a break when work, parenthood, moving house etc just meant I didn't have the time to dedicate to you. I missed blogging so started again just after Christmas and having had the time to reflect I have some idea seedlings which will hopefully result in some lovely ideas to share with you over the coming months.

I thought I'd give you a whistle-stop tour and share what I'm all about...

Crochet - I discovered crochet a couple of years ago and have been hooked (please excuse the pun!). I find it so relaxing and portable, sitting in front of the TV it acts as a snuggly blanket, waiting for my car to be serviced it keeps boredom at bay, it's a lovely craft...

This is a blanket I finished recently...

 

Jewellery - I've created a few items of silver metal jewellery using silversmithing techniques as well as playing with silver metal clay.

Beading and Accessories - I do like to show off my hand made items and very little gives me more pleasure than beading a headband to wear to an event and to receive a compliment about it.

I made this one to wear to a friends wedding, this and others have made appearances at many parties and events I've attended. Usually get compliments, always makes me smile to say "oh this? Yes I designed and made it, thanks for the compliment"

Quilting and patchwork - a lovely way to re-use fabrics and use up scraps, I do love a bit of quilting. The images below are from play mats I made for friends on the arrivals of new babies.

Conferences - I'm off to a couple of blogging conferences this year....looking forward to sharing the learnings with you, improving my blog, and hopefully meeting you there? Let me know if you are attending, you will find me at...

Cybher

Brit Mums Live

 

So this is me, there is so much more I'd like to tell you but hope that with any good conversation started at a party we will get to know each other over time.

 

So tell me a little about yourself, do you have a place in the blogosphere I can visit?

Please come back again soon

Ta at for now

X

 

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CyberMummy Here I Come

Well I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve. But tomorrow I won't be opening presents, drinking champagne or eating too much rich food....no tomorrow is the CyberMummy conference

I'm incredibly excited

I've become a lot more confident about myself since becoming a Mummy. When I might shy away or be almost embarrassed about myself or something I've achieved previously I'm much more "this is me" now and you can take me or leave me. I don't know if this is a result of motherhood in that I simply don't have the time to fret anymore or if this is because the arrival of the little man has put me in a position where I HAVE to make new friends.

None of my close friends live nearby, in fact the closest is about 1hr15mins away so when motherhood loomed I knew I needed a bunch of friends nearby who were going through the same life change. It really was the first time since University (and that was a few years ago) where I've been flung into a situation where the plan is to make friends. And I'm pleased to say I succeeded, I have a lovely group of Mummies nearby.

I wonder if this has increased my confidence or maybe being a Mummy has just made me more interested in other people and everything else is a by-product. Well whatever the reason I'm not complaining.

So to continue my strive to meet like minded and not-so-like minded people and stay in contact I'm looking forward to not only the sessions tomorrow but also the breaks when I can chat chat chat. I've even made some businesscards (although I'd maybe prefer to call these name cards as I certainly don't like to think of my little blog as a business).

They are a bit fun, a bit crafty and quite girlie but I love them. I'm corporate Monday-Friday so my weekends and blog are a time for fun. I've only made a few so hoping to hand these to special people I meet on the day and hope they stay in touch.

I'm off now to check the agenda, organise my travel and pack my bag for the day.... I'll share the conference with you soon

xx

The Surrey County Show

I had the pleasure of attending the Surrey County Show at the weekend. This is a totally British institution where we congregate in the middle of a field to look at livestock and judge who has the best cow, chicken, goat etc. I do find it all strange and fascinating in equal measure.

We walk around with our cider (or ice cream in my case), in our wellies which have never seen a wet field and nod along with judges as they praise the straight back of a sheep, or the stance of a pigmy goat. When, lets be honest we won't look at a sheep again until the event next year. Hands up, I was nodding along with everyone else and loved it, its nice to be a country-bumpkin for the day when you're a city girl through and through

There were some amazing livestock specimens and some of the sheep I could happily have climbed into the pens and had a cuddle, they really did look that fluffy and warm.

There was even the opportunity for a little retail therapy

But then as with all great British days out the clouds rolled in and we all bolted. I'm pleased to say that we managed to get everyone inside the car before the heavens really opened and gave the fields the watering that the farmers wished for more than any gold medal.

So tell me reader, is this a traditionally English affair or do these events happen all over the world?

Ahoy There

It's been a while but I certainly haven't forgotten you and I hope you haven't forgotten me either.

I've been itching to get back to blogging for a while now. I've taken some time to make sure this is something I'm willing to commit to again and after hours of thought and deliberation the conclusion is - YES.

I'm back and it feels great

I've been up to so much that I want to share with you. There have been...county shows.....baking extravaganzas....crafting....and of course I need to introduce you properly to my little man.

So for now I will wave farewell and I'll see you back here very soon. Watch this space
Bx

Tiny toes

My little bundle of joy / tornado of trouble arrived on 6th October, a healthy little boy.



I've been wrapped up in enjoying him ever since and at the moment can't imagine having any crafty time soon so will be taking a little break whilst we all get to know each other.

Thanks to all my readers and I'll be back soon

X

What to do...

It's that time of the year again.

It's time to decide whether to submit to the Discerning Eye competition. This is open to art in any media from any artist. The pieces are selected from those submitted by art critics and celebrities and are then shown at the Mall Galleries, London in November. All pieces have to be available for sale. It really is a great opportunity to have your work shown.

I submitted a couple of funky cross-stitch pictures last year. I wasnt selected :o(

But what to do this year? Pieces have to be submitted in early September so if I want to come up with something new there isnt too much time. Or I could submit the same pieces as last year as the selectors are totally different.

What to do....what to do....

My week month ahead

Unless you have been visiting Mars or live on an all female commune (in which case please send me details so I can enquire for vacancies) you will know that the Football World Cup kicked off yesterday evening and is determined to plague our TV screens until 11th July.

I'm not really a sports fan myself, R however, has been counting down for MONTHS (he has even kindly installed a World Cup App on my iPhone so I am never more than a few clicks from the latest score! thanks) ...our holidays and evenings out have had to be arranged around this series of 22 men running around a ball....

I have drawn the line at decorations. R is a grown man and more than capable of showing his support without the need for flags or kits gracing our car and home - I can only imagine what I will be subjected to in 4 years time if bump is a boy.... help

However, in a moment of sheer madness this morning (I blame pregnancy-brain) I agreed to plan our evening meals this week so that we eat food from the countries playing...Oh what have I done????

Monday 14th June

Italy v Paraguay

Easy - Pasta and Garlic Bread

Tuesday 15th June

Brazil v Korea DPR

Slightly more tricky - don't really know the national cuisine of either of these countries, might try to pass off stir fry

Wednesday 16th June

South Africa v Uruguay

Hmm another tricky one - am thinking maybe I pick up some Biltong and grill lots of meat. I've never been to South Africa but have been to Namibia next door so think this might work.

Thursday 17th June

France v Mexico

Fajitas and Nachos (yummy)

Friday 18th June

England v Algeria

Not really sure for England, we don't really have any traditional food (well not anything I can knock up when I get home from the office at 7pm) if its cold weather maybe I'll be organised and start a slow cook cassarole before I head to work, if not maybe a sandwich????

And tonight - well tonight is the England v USA match, I honestly don't think that R will event register what food I put in front of him as his eyes will be 100% trained on the TV. I'd already planned a Moroccan Tagine, well the World Cup is being held in Africa so surely this counts???

Anyone else doing crazy World Cup cooking???? I haven't looked at the matches next week so no idea what delights might be in store for me

A little bit of news

As you’ve probably noticed I’ve taken a step back from blogging in the last couple of weeks I’ve simply not been able to focus my mind away from the huge voice shouting at the back of my head……and I haven’t been ready to share with you until now….

I’m absolutely thrilled to tell you that I’m pregnant….am now 21 weeks and have quite a bump, ooh its so exciting.

My mind has been racing with bloomers, cot quilts, softie toys, nappy bags, crocheted blankets, and lots more things I simply can’t wait to start making but I’ve been holding off until I was a little further along…..I’ve got books, material and all sorts ready to go and have sooo much blogging material stacked up that expect an influx of posts now I'm public online.

I’ve honestly been bursting to tell you and wanting to blog about it for ages but also been cautious to keep quiet until it was the right time, and having just had my second scan, which we both passed with flying colours, now is the right time.

So our new arrival is due at the beginning of October I’m looking forward to a summer of making goodies and remodelling the spare room into some sort of nursery.

So happy to have shared this with you…. Have a great weekend....I'm off to Amsterdam for a good friend's Hen Party (alcohol-free champagne for me)

X

Technology Failure

I'm a little disgruntled writing to you this Saturday afternoon....I wrote a heart felt post this morning over breakfast on my iPhone Blog App about the link I'm finding between my mood and the craft tools I choose, whilst R was engrossed in the Saturday papers and no doubt the latest wrangling between our potential Prime Ministers.

Was just checking a few bits on the laptop and puff its disappeared...I'd heard that other people had had problems with the iPhone BlogPressLite App but didnt think it would do this to me right now...grrr

It was one of those right place and time blog moments...

Silly how much we rely on these gadgets...I guess I shouldn't be cross, it's a handheld electronic gismo which cost less than £150, in fact I think the App was free, has let me down. But as we move from pen and paper to electronics we just expect things to work all the time and every time.

Busy busy tidying

Just had to show you this...my yarn has been in carrier bags and piles in the corner of my living room...have just tidied it all up and I now have a small box with all my lovey cotton and the larger one with all my new wool....yippee...I love being organised.

Becca-Lou on Flickr

I've never really been a technophobe but I haven't always been the first on the uptake (I think the fact I only entered the blogging world in the last 2 months proves this point!), but am proud to announce that I am not only a blogger but am also a flickr'er too.... check out my flickr page here

Coffee and Ice Cream

I was a very lucky girl today, I went to Fortnum and Mason's for coffee. I had high expectations for the coffee and was anticipating something slightly more than your average latte from Starbucks, but what I got was an absolute treat.

Not only did my coffee arrive in BIG cup....it also came with the most adorable little coffee ice cream, I've never seen an ice cream so cute and the perfect accompaniment to my hot coffee.

I wonder whose idea it was to give these little ice creams....and where they sourced the miniture ice cream cones???

It got me thinking about other accompaniments which I might like to try, maybe a mini pizza with wine or mini donuts with hot chocolate