Mini Moo...

 At long last, I have got around to designing my own Mini Moo Cards...

After a lot of deliberating, I settled on five different designs for the front of my cards...

1. The 'daffodils & snowdrops' header

2. My chunky crochet granny squares

3. Some of my handmade bunting

4. Buttons from my collection

5. A few of my favourite fabrics

I am really pleased with the outcome...

I wanted the cards to be simple yet eye catching... What do you think?..

Which of my Mini Moo Cards is your favourite?..

As this is my first Moo Card order, I would love to hear your thoughts on them! :)

If you fancy some of your own Mini Moo Cards check out this link for 10% off your first order... you can even design your own business cards, stickers and postcards too!..

Mollie Makes... Crochet Mug Cosy...

As some of my twitter friends might know, I haven't been feeling well this week... so when my Mollie Makes issue 7 magazine dropped through the letter box it really brightened me up... and I couldn't wait to get started on some of the lovely projects...

After reading the front cover, I turned straight to the 'How to Make... A Woolen Mug Cosy' by Knit Storm ...

I fell in love with the cute cosies and got straight to work on crocheting my own...

... and here is the final result

... my own chunky crochet mug cosy, complete with hanging heart...

What do you think?..

My Little Etsy Shop...

As you may have noticed, my little Etsy shop is now up and running!..

For those of you that don't know, Etsy is an online marketplace focusing on handmade and vintage...

Lately I have been crafting away, adding my handmade 'daffodils & snowdrops' items to the shop... The newest pieces being these cute scented tea cup candles...

 

Vanilla Scented Tea Cup Candle - 

daffodils & snowdrops

  At the moment I am selling a few country home style items... 

Handmade Mini Bunting... Hand Felted Soap and Scented Tea Cup Candles...

I hope you enjoy my little shop and find something you would like for your own home...

If you would like to take a look, pop over to my Etsy shop... alternatively you can check out the 'My Etsy Shop' page at the top of my blog...

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions on my items or if you would like to request something 'made to order'... daffodilsandsnowdrops@gmail.com

Love to Visit... Courtyard Arts...

Courtyard Arts - Hertford, Hertfordshire

Courtyard Arts is a modern visual arts venue based in an enchanting old stable building in Hertford...

The center is home to a beautiful contemporary art and photography gallery... Showcasing a continuous programme of exhibitions, changing fortnightly... 

Alongside the gallery, there are two workshop spaces running various classes covering many different subjects such as; ceramics and pottery, painting, stitching, life drawing and photography... 

You will also find a cute little gift shop situated inside one of the old stables...

The gift shop offers a selection of unique products from local artists and crafts people... and recently some of my own 'daffodils & snowdrops' items...

 'daffodils & snowdrops' handmade mini bunting...

... and hand felted soaps

Courtyard Arts even has its own juice bar offering light refreshments...
 A charming and vibrant venue... definitely check it out if you are in the area...

Take a look at the Courtyard Arts website for more information and workshop timetables...

Courtyard Arts - Tue to Sat, 10am until 4pm

Friday, 10am until 5pm 

At other times by arrangement


My 'Handmade Mini Bunting' and 'Hand Felted Soaps' are currently on sale at Courtyard Arts... you can also find them online in my etsy shop...

Sew Simple Blind...

I recently decided to brighten up our bedroom window by making a lovely new blind... using pretty floral cotton fabric and country style accessories...

One of my favourite blogs, 'Country Days' by Rhoda Parry the editor of Country Homes Magazine, featured a post on

'How to Sew an Easy Blind'...

I loved the look of the simple blind and was keen to make one of my own...

Using the 'Country Days Easy Blind' instructions as a guide, I got started on my slightly adapted version...

As my window is in an awkward position, instead of using a curtain rail to fit the blind to the wall, I used a velcro wall fastening...

To finish I added some cute little shell buttons to the ties...

A quick, effective and easy to make country style blind...

If you fancy making a 'easy blind' of your own... take a look at the step by step instructions on the House to Home page...

I would love to know how you get on... so please leave a comment below...



Hedgerow Crumble...

This year I have enjoyed many trips out searching hedgerow for ripe blackberries and apples to make delicious crumbles with...

Fruit freezes well, so you can prepare the apples and blackberries before hand and freeze them until you are ready to bake your crumble...

My favourite recipe is my own adaptation of Delia's Apple and Almond crumble...

 

This recipe will serve 6-8...

Ingredients:

700g Hedgerow Apples

225g Hedgerow Blackberries

25g Light Brown Soft Sugar

1tsp of Ground Cinnamon

Crumble Topping:

1/4tsp of Ground Cloves

110g Whole Almonds

75g Butter

175g Self Raising Flour

2tsp Ground Cinnamon

110g Demerara Sugar

Recipe:

1. First peel and slice the apples into thick chunks and place them in a baking dish along with the blackberries, sugar, cinnamon and ground cloves. Mix lightly.

 2. Next make the crumble by adding all ingredients to a food processor and roughly blend.

 3. Now spread the crumble mix over the top of the apples and blackberries, pressing it down firmly.

 4. Finish by lightly running a fork over the surface of the crumble.

 5. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven at 200°C for 35-40 minutes and when the topping is golden

brown.

Serve with a scoop of natural yoghurt 

 

I hope you enjoy baking this crumble as much as I do!...

I would love to hear how you get on, or if you have any alternative crumble recipes which you enjoy making... 

so please leave a comment below...

Knitting and Stitching Show...

The Knitting & Stitching Show 2011 -
Alexandra Palace

Recently I enjoyed a day out at the
Knitting & Stitching Show 2011, Alexandra Palace, London... 

The Knitting & Stitching Show is one of the best textile exhibitions in Europe and is held in three different venues in the UK... 

Along with many knitting and stitching sellers, there are lots of other craft stalls including, embroidery, felt , jewellery accessories and card-making...

One of my favourite stands was
Blooming Felt...
Offering gorgeous wool felt craft supplies and a colourful selection of 'pick & mix' felt balls...

Whilst at the show I of course treated myself to a few bits and bobs...

 I love this 'Big Crochet Kit' by Ingrid Wagner... Including a 'Big' crochet hook and recycled yarn... I cant wait to get started on a chunky crochet cushion...

I also picked up some other little bits to add to my craft stash...

I had a wonderful day out... and would definitely recommend it to any keen crafters!... 

This year the Knitting & Stitching Show will also be in:
Dublin from the 10th - 13th November
Harrogate from the 24th - 27th November

Don't miss out! Book your tickets now at the Twisted Thread website...

Love to Visit... Smug...

Smug - Islington, London

Smug is a quirky little homeware and lifestyle shop in Islington... Selling everything from contemporary arts & ceramics to vintage furniture & cute soft toys...

I love their selection of adorable stationary...

How cute are these 'House Shaped Cushions'... which come in three different colour combinations...

 A clean and contemporary shop with quirky items to suit everyone...

Check out their website at http://www.ifeelsmug.com/

or follow them on Twitter and Facebook...

Smug - Monday & Tuesday - Closed

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday - 11:00am-6:00pm

Thursday - 12:00-7:00pm

Sunday - 12:00-5:00pm

Camden Passage

Islington

London

I Love...

Vintage Glass Stand & Fragranced Soaps - RE

 I love this vintage cut glass stand by RE...

An elegant feature in any bathroom... 

The delicate stand makes a pretty display for your favourite soaps...

My Lovely New Book... Patch...

'Patch' by Cath Kidston

At the end of last week I was lucky enough to meet Cath Kidston herself at the Patch book signing event in Selfridges!... 

and what a lovely lady she is... 

 

After a little chat she signed my book, pictured above... I cant wait to get started with some of the lovely projects...

Patch is full of charming patchwork inspired crafts... including everything from pretty bags & cushions to appliqued tea towels... Whatever your level, there is something for everyone...

One of my favourites is the 'Floral and Spot Tote Bag'... a great everyday bag, in fun country style fabrics...

It even comes with all you need to make the delightful 'Dresden Plate Tote Bag' on the front cover... alternatively you can use your kit to make the attractive 'Dresden Plate Cushion'...

Both the bag and cushion use a variation of patchwork, quilting and applique... three of the main techniques used throughout the book...

A gorgeous read... also, if you are like me, and have a collection of pretty little fabric scraps, 'Patch' offers great ways to use them up in bright and fun projects...

Why not treat yourself... 

check out CK books online and buy your copy of 'Patch' now...

If you too have Patch, I would love to hear which projects are your favourites... so please leave a comment below...

Winner... Lavender Heart Giveaway...

Lavender Heart - Handmade by daffodils & snowdrops

 I would like to say a big thank you to my lovely new followers on both daffodils & snowdrops blog and Twitter... and thank you to those who took the time to enter my little giveaway...

I entered those who left comments into my giveaway in number order of where their comments fell on the page...
I used random.org number generator...

and the winner is....

...Lavender Attic!..

Please email me at daffodilsandsnowdrops@gmail.com with your address and I will send you your little heart...