Nearly at the end of my extended session.

So my shop is getting back to normal with nearly all the major work completed just my artistic flare needed to bring it back to life.

Tile floor is down and the base of the shelves and under the windowsill tidied up with new cladding. I have backed the shelves with some new paper which is a lovely kraft brown color and rambling flower pattern in black this has been complimented with a cream and black dot cellophane in other areas where I used to have green fabric.

My lovely vintage dressing table and teal tables back in place ready for a delivery of flowers.







So here's a post about all the crafting I've been continuing to do while I waited.

First up I've got my little group of matryoshka dolls, These are so sweet. Like with my partridges before Christmas I cut out all the pieces in several different colors then mixed and matched them to get the best combinations. I also chose to have three different colors for the hair to give them some different looks.

  Here's is a closer look at just one of them they are not as detailed as the partridges but they do have a touch of hand embroidery in the form of tulip flowers on the belly piece. The edge of the head scarf piece is decorated with complimenting ric-rac and a flower shaped button. I decided to cut a hole in the headscarf piece and place the hair and face pieces under it instead of stitching them on top I prefer the look this gives. I wasn't to sure about making the faces look good so have gone with simple smiles and sleepy looking eyes. The hanging loop as been made with a ribbon I picked up which had a fun ric rac pattern on. The dolls I lightly stuffed with toy stuffing to give them shape.
I think they are a fun and on trend little ornament and would make a cute little gift for mother's day.

 Another gift Idea I have been making are these jars of decorated tea lights. I had made some small sets with Christmas patterns which were quite popular so have decided to make these jars using more candles and a mixture of scents and patterns of tape.  I enjoyed making these and think they create a gift that is a little bit different and would be prefect for a thank-you or house warming.



Both of these the felt matryoshka ornaments and the jars will be available soon in the shop for £4.99 each.

Carrying on my passion for crochet ( I will get my new spring garlands pressed and photographed and put up on here soon) I have also made this little fella I was researching different flowers to possible attach to some small wicker wreaths but this pattern caught my eye and I had to have a go. He is made in dk cotton by creating a circle of crochet this one was done in half trebles. A small triangle is made for the beak, oval pieces for the wings and chains created for the legs and hanging loop. Buttons are added for eyes and feet. the circle is folded and half and stitched with a small amount of stuffing added for shape. I like the mix of colors in the body and think I will be making more of these in the future in different combinations.  

I have also continued with my baking. Making this rather yummy lemon curd cake for valentines day (that's why it is covered in pink hearts.) This is a recipe I have acquired from my mother in-law and is a simple sponge recipe with added lemon zest and juice and lemon curd in the middle rather than jam. I sometimes wonder about making it with lime curd as I seen jars for that at my local farm shop.






I hope my reads are enjoying all this crafting I am although I could have done without the circumstances which allowed me to do so much. Still to come my leap in to machine sewing.