L.T. Marshall's Blog, page 21

FREEBIE ALERT

Wood and Resin Mermaid Scene Brooch

After my disappointing video yesterday I felt I had to scrape back a little of my pride with a much better video. Using the wooden shapes to create another piece of jewellery and incorporating the resin in a much more creative way.

I craft while I write, as it helps me focus my self into handling complex plots and intense story lines. So this really is a sign I am working my way back into one of my more complex characters brains. It’s my zen to the chaos that is Carrero.

Today I made my friend heather (My constant cheerleader in all things) a brooch in her favourite theme – anything ocean. She loves blue too so this design is an all round win win.

The materials –

UV resin (your choice of brand)
Resin mould of a frame
Assorted natural elements, such as sand, shells, moss, starfish
Nail sparkles
Micro marbles
Cake sprinkles in blues and greens
Blue Glitter
Mica powder
Water colour paints
Wooden shapes
Fine liner black drawing pen
Gel pens
Holo nail varnish
Flat back pearls
Rhinstones
Broock blank
Nail file

The video!!

Watch me craft – Wooden unicorn jewellery

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I love to make things when I need to relax and allocate time for myself every week to make sure I do something creative. I often upload videos to youtube and as I had a new camera to try out, I decided to make some unicorn jewellery. Sadly the camera didn’t do a very good job at staying sharp and had to limit how much I can zoom in on the video before it blurred. I apologise for that and won’t be using it again.

This style used to be one of my biggest sellers when I ran my online store and went to craft events, so I am now sharing with you how I used to make them. A list of supplies are below.

Materials –
Laser cut wooden shapes – Ebay has a huge variety or pre cut shapes and sizes, so just search what you are looking for.
These are what I bought –
White Gesso as a base for my illustrations
Sharpie markers in pastels
Assorted gel pens, metalic and glitter
Black fine line drawing pen for outlines
UV top coat (or UV resin)
Black permanent Marker
Nail varnish in holo glitter
3 star charms as bails
A necklace chain for assembly
4 4mm glass beads for accent
Pair earring hooks
UV lamp for nails, I use one in the video to spot cure but put my finished piece sin my large UV lamp for 30 minutes each side to cure hard off screen.
Liquid super glue to hold the charms in place.

The video

Trying some cleaning tips on a budget.

I am one of these weird people who has never caught the Mrs Hinch bug. I mean I am a serial cleaner who goes through bouts of extreme deep cleaning regularly and cannot work in messy surroundings despite my creative impulse to make rather than clean, but I just didn’t get the sudden infatuation with her.

My sister first pushed me in the direction of ‘hinching’ when she caught the obsession and I hate to admit, that after joining the Facebook group, I stopped going in there after one day. A lot of the tips and tricks made me cringe and really question the sanity of some people. I mean choosing to soak dirty cloths overnight rather than just actually wash them in the machine. Opting out of cleaning things properly for a good old ‘overnight soak in zoflora’ as though it was suddenly a new trendy product. Using chemicals meant for laundry in wax warmers, to inhale all manner of toxic fumes in a bid to make your home ‘smell nice’.

What sort of lunacy is this?

Now I am not dissing Mrs Hinch, as I am sure she has a whole manner of great ideas and her enthusiasm got a lot of people bulk buying cleaning products to create Instagram photos and earn gold points for their collection of Zoflora……yes that’s mild sarcasm. She did seem to push the cleaning challenged into trying to get all domestic, and the formerly borderline unhygienic homes got a little nicer. I respect her methods of getting people hyped up to don pink rubber gloves and get intimate with their loo bowls, it’s just I was already a hincher in my own right. I think that is maybe why it went right over my head and I didn’t really click with this whole new ‘Hinching’ affair.

For decades I have carried with me some age old tips, handed down by granny (my family are all serial cleaners and OCD is a mental health issue that has been passed down the generations. I myself have it.) I am always keeping my ear to the ground for legitimate tips that seem to be proven to work rather than the hype to just buy every chemical under the sun. I especially love when the tip includes budget products available to the many and very little effort. Things we can get easily, keep to hand without mass buying, use when required and really work without question. I tend not to jump to buy something until i repeatedly hear the same good results over and over , and then I usually try it for myself.

So here are some of my favorites from the past few months that for me , most definitely work.

Koh – eco cleaner which is pretty new to the market.

The initial kit is a bit pricey but it makes up several bottles of solution and the cloths and sponges you get with them are worth it. This is a constant in my arsenal and it best deals with grease, tough grime and hard to shift grime. Great on cookers, around the cooker where grease builds up and great on white PVC windows and doors. I have been using Koh for about 6 months now and have gone through maybe 4 refills of the solution with still plenty left. I use it on the hard to shift stuff and honestly have zero complaints. It’s subtle in smell, doesn’t irritate my breathing or skin (I am very sensitive) and always get’s the things clean that other products fail on. It particularly keeps the white tiles behind my cooker, grease free. I have cleaned my oven doors effortlessly with this , multiple times.

The pink stuff – in both cream and liquid. (My new favourite)

I am new to this and just spent two days deep cleaning my entire kitchen with these products to really test it out. I am one of those folks who have to thoroughly road test something before I recommend but these products got me so quickly that I feel confident in saying I love them. My favourite part is that it is super cheap, available in home bargains and B and M for around £1 and under, and even though I used them on absolutely everything, I have more than half left. The paste excels at the tougher grimy stuff, chrome and silver metal finishes and really ground in dirt. I just rubbed a sponge over the surface and applied directly to what I was cleaning. And I mean I cleaned EVERYTHING!! I even got on my hands and knees and scrubbed my textured vinyl floor with this.
The liquid was gentler and I found it great on moderate daily grime much like other cream cleaners. A bit better than cheap brands and a good rival for CIF with less smell and less irritation to my hands. Smell was so subtle I honestly couldn’t smell it most of the time. My skin didn’t react to direct exposure, even after 2 full days of using it and rinsing it constantly over my hands. Which is unusual for me. I have rubber glove allergies so that’s really important to me with a product I want to use again and again.

Milton sterilising fluid and tablets

These are an old favorite for removing stains in clothes but the reason I recently bought the tablets again was a tip that they are amazing on bleach safe carpeting and rugs. I have 2 rugs that were in need of extreme cleaning. I have shampooed them previously and despite working hard I never really got them bright and fresh like when they were new. This time I popped in some Milton tablets into my shampooer and with practically zero effort shampooed both rugs back to cleaner than they have been in a long time. I soaked the harder to move stains with some of the solution, let sit for a minute and proceeded to shampoo and got both looking so clean I could not be happier.

Other uses include – using the solution neat directly on white clothes with stains for a few minutes before laundering. Popping into your dishwasher or washing machine between uses to clean and get rid of odors. Diluting into a spray bottle and using as a mild cleaner on surfaces. The downside is that your house will smell of a local swimming pool but I happen to find that smell really nice when it comes to the kitchen and the sense of clean it gives me. I get no reaction from using it near my skin and it’s cheap , easy to find in most shops although for the tablets I had to go to ebay. I got 28 tablets for 2.99 and free postage.

Salt

Yup good old fashioned salt. Mix it with washing liquid to create a gritty paste on really dirty surfaces, chuck a cup into your dishwasher with hard to clean dishes for extra oomph. Pour it over oil spills to absorb the fat and then you can simply use a brush and pan to remove them before cleaning as normal. Dissolve salt in water for a sterile solution to clean wounds and help with dental issues. I keep 2kg bags of salt in my cupboard as I find it works on so much.
When I had a newborn our house caught a flea epidemic from an adjoining neighbors house. As I had a toddler and a baby i could not use flea products so instead a mixed a 50 50 powder of bicarbonate soda and salt and covered every surface in my house before bed every night. I would hoover it all away next morning. I did this three time sin one week and we got rid of every flea in the entire house. The salt dehydrates them while the bicarb is so fine it sticks to them causing abrasions which help kill them as the salt and bicarb penetrate. You basically hoover up dead fleas. It does take effort but it’s both kid and pet friendly and costs next to nothing.

Zoflora

I know, I know…… I can hear the gasps of Hinch enthusiasts inhaling, all over. It was around long before Instagram made cleaning a social event, trust me. I use Zoflora for one purpose only though, preferably the grapefruit as that is my favorite, although I currently have tropical and the linen ones. I mix my Zoflora, couple of teaspoons into bicarbonate of soda to make a paste. This paste is an absolute legend on textiles where something liquid has been spilled and smell won’t clean out. So milk, urine, sick, on carpets, mattresses. You spread the paste very generously over the area which smells bad (obviously after first cleaning the spillage away best you can) and leave it overnight, the longer the better. The bicarb absorbs the smells while the zoflora disinfects and scents the area. You get your hoover out when it’s dried up and returning to powder and just hoover it away.
I have a son who used to have bed accidents and I can tell you I have used this on his mattress several time sin the past and never had any sort of lingering urine smell from his room after using. It hands down beats anything I ever tried in the past and still sue this when my dog has little accidents in the house.

Cheap stain remover for clothes

Those huge tubs of oxy powder and such, they are awesome in more than just your washing machine. Add them to buckets of hot soapy water for the floors, add to the dishwasher to help boost and clean it out when doing a rinse cycle, dilute it in water bottles to spray on carpets for spot cleaning. Mix it with Zoflora or disinfectant to make pastes in the way you can with bicarb and tackle stains and hard to clean areas on textiles. You can toothbrush it in and rinse it out when you battle your grime.

Baby wipes

I know the plastic police will probably put me on some sort of hit list for this one but as I have yet to find an equal alternative then I am sticking with them. these are miracle wipes and can tackle anything from arts and crafts spillages, to house cleaning and kiddo’s. I once used baby wipes to take black printer ink out of my carpet, and it was not a little spill either. My mum and I went through two packets on a terracotta carpet and all that was left was a faint shadow of ink where it had gotten so deep in the pile we couldn’t get into it. I wipe down woodwork, surfaces and really stubborn stains with these and they never fail to remove. I use them with acetone on my nails, rinse them and use them to clean my entire bathroom and loo for mega quick cleans when guests give you a 3 minute arrival warning. I clean windows with them.
I keep them handy for absolutely everything and always carry a pack wherever we go. For camping they are a godsend and I have used them to clean out filthy pots when camping before then using my valuable dishwater to give the pot a rinse. My kids are well beyond baby wipe years but we all still buy and use them.
They take out most stains you would never think of using them on, cant remove the worst grime and instead of buying house hold cleaning wipes for various surfaces, I find these work on them all and do not damage surfaces either. Some of the wipe chemicals can affect wood and laminates but these are pretty safe for everything. I quick clean floors with these when I have small spill areas or mucky footprints and as you can buy them as little as 50p a pack, then it’s a win win.

Method products

Okay these are not so much in the budget friendly bracket but I still had to add them, for a few reasons. firstly, these are eco friendly options and they smell absolutely amazing. I particularly love the wild rhubarb and use it on my surfaces a lot. this not only cleans really well but leaves my kitchen smelling great for hours. I have used this on tiles, cookers and such and it does a great job at handling tough grime.
I get no allergy reactions to something that smells this strong although be warned my friend does get issues with how strong t smells when I spray it. She is okay with it after I am done and enjoys the scent it leaves but she has to leave my kitchen while I am using it. So I am guessing it will affect people with breathing issues or lung sensitivity like she has.

I don’t need air fresheners downstairs when I use this as it does leave a nice smell for a long while after. I use it on my bathrooms and living areas, not just my kitchens and find it works well as multi purpose. I have a few of the method products but this and the matching scent floor cleaner are really the only ones I reach for. The smell is my absolute favourite thing to have in my house and I get comments as to how nice my house smells when I have been on a cleaning spree with it. A good thing to watch for is the 3 for the price of 2 offers method seem to have regularly which cuts down the cost to a more manageable one. It lasts a long time as you need very little to clean. I also love that the spray bottles are reusable. some brands that no longer function if you take the lid off, these are a good size and can b washed out and filled with some of your home made solutions. I dilute Milton and water into one for when I feel I want to sterilise areas. I have another with diluted fabric friendly floor cleaner and salt for carpet and upholstery spot cleaning.

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So that’s my short list of things I have in my go to housekeeping cart this past few weeks and will be using them for a while yet. I have other tips and tricks for products, not just cleaning and hopefully will revisit these in the future. If you have any tricks, tips or product suggestions then leave them below and I will have a look x I love trying out new things to keep my house cosy and welcoming so don’t be shy.

Let me know what your go o cleaning products are.

Halloween is coming.

The past few weeks my knitting needles have rarely been at rest, I swear sometimes smoke has risen from the fast friction and the result is an Etsy shop full of patterns for you all to enjoy and try out. I really enjoy creating cute pieces knowing others can and will make them too and I also joined Ravelry ( the links will be at the bottom of the post) for easier access as I know a lot of you prefer it to Etsy.

I was never really one to make themed toys for any season other than Christmas so I have been enjoying the change and the challenge. Enjoying the break from the mental workout of the next book and instead using my skills in design, rather than gripping plots. Soon I will be back to writing the next book, it’s calling to me to start but September is my last couple weeks of downtime and I aim to make the most of it.

I wanted to share with you the fruits of my labour this past few weeks with a little Halloween picture of the makes that have kept me occupied. The pumpkins have inspired me to decorate for the season so I may be sharing some other related DIY soon.
Show me what you have been working on this fall. Tell me about your current art, craft or writing project.

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The links

ETSY – https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LianaMarcel

RAVELRY – https://www.ravelry.com/people/LTMarshall

Win a Loulou Belle Knitting Book

Would you like to win a paperback copy of the 24 page Loulou Belle Dolly Knitting pattern?With colour pictures and a clear easy pattern to make your own 20 inch doll and bunny, in a gorgeous bunny outfit and slippers.It’s Easy to enter.

Just Like, Comment, Share

Open to international contestants, no age limit (although anyone under 16 needs parental permission) This ends September 30th, at the stroke of midnight (UK time) I will choose a winner from the combined comments on Facebook, Instagram and my blog.
Terms and conditions.

Make sure you are a liker of my Facebook Page – One Creative Family

You can enter there, instead of here or for a double chance, then enter on both!!

#Winlouloubellebook

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Free Autumn, Dinky Doll Pattern

With the weather taking cold and wet turns this past couple of weeks, I was inspired to give you something cute and seasonal. I am still on writing hiatus for a couple or few weeks yet, due to life commitments and things going on at LT HQ. I am hoping to get on with Alexi’s POV soon as I am dying to get his thoughts out of my busy brain.

I am also trying to organise myself to get back on Youtube but things seem to like piling up on me lately and I get no real head space. One thing at a time right?

So here is Autumn, a tiny dinky dolly, measuring just under 6.5 inches tall.

To get the pattern click the link below.

Autumn Dinky DollDownload

Did you know that you can sign up to our mailing list , so that whenever we post free patterns or projects you can get the reminder straight to your email inbox!! Any new pattern releases will be announced in a monthly update letter so it’s worth signing up if you miss a lot of our posts.
http://eepurl.com/dcAhLH

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Loulou Belle Dolly

I started designing this doll and her Bunny over a week ago with only one goal in mind . To create a large toy design which would challenge me out of my comfort zone and give me a project that would take a little time while I still take a writing break.
The result was better than I could have envisioned and she is one of my favourite makes of all time.

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So we now have Loulou Belle and Bunny, all ready for bed in her first pattern. There will be more to come , more outfits and accessories, but for now her nightdress and slippers can be knitted as a day dress and boots if you exclude the bunny details.

She is 20 inches tall and so cuddly and floppy like a rag-doll should be. With her curls that give her such an adorable look and her removable hair bow which will be customised per new outfit. She feels so good to cuddle and play with.

You can buy this knitting pattern in print, eBook or PDF format and all the links are below.
I am a lover of printed patterns so we have a 24 page glossy cover, full colour booklet pattern available on Amazon, for collectors of printed patterns.

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Where to buy

Amazon print version – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1690737123

Amazon Ebook version – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Loulou-Belle-Dolly-Knitting-Pattern-ebook/dp/B07XFRVCWB

Etsy PDF – https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/719879886/loulou-belle-dolly-knitting-pattern

Ravelry PDf – https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/loulou-belle-dolly

Did you know that you can sign up to our mailing list , so that whenever we post free patterns or projects you can get the reminder straight to your email inbox!! Any new pattern releases will be announced in a monthly update letter so it’s worth signing up if you miss a lot of our posts.
http://eepurl.com/dcAhLH

Free Chico the Chihuahua Knitting Pattern

You have probably seen my little side kick, Chico, if you follow me on social media on any platform so I thought it would be cute to make a mini him. The PDF is below and can be yours with one click!! I think I may be biased but he is just the most adorable.

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I think I have caught his best features and the cute red coat make him more striking. Chico looks great in red so really had to make it so.

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What does Chico think of his Doppelganger? Well, he doesn’t seem too impressed and tried to eat the competition! Better keep them separate I guess. LMAO

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Get the pattern here!!!



Chico the ChihuahuaDownload

Scot’s Slow Cooker Stovies

Well, it’s no surprise that I am a Scottish girl from Scotland. I think I have mentioned it once or twice and while I live in the central belt now, I have moved around my country a fair bit trough my life. I spent my young teens and high school in the highlands and I think it really gave me a deep love and appreciation for the more traditional side of Scotland and it’s cultures.

I think the further North you go the more old fashioned and caught in a time warp Scotland really is and I love nothing more than going back to my best memories with some good old Stovies for winter eating.

We are moving into wet and cold weather again already and today just got me int he mood for my Stovies.

What are Stovies? Well, we like to think of them as a potato stew of sorts but I believe they were created as a use for left overs and sort of stuck with most Scots.

Everyone makes their’s how they like them but this is how I was taught and how I love to eat Stovies. I make a pretty big pot so I can freeze some for writing days when I am home alone and can pop a tub in the microwave.

1 Large or 2 medium onions, chopped454g beef sausages ( I use different ones every time and sometimes we use corned beef)1.5kg floury potatoes, such as maris piper, sliced quite thickly. I don’t peel ours as so much goodness is under the skin.2-3 beef stock cubes depending on the brand. I like a strong stock so for a full slow cooker I use 3. Some folk only use 1.Water as per your stock cube instructions for the amount used. Gravy Granules if after cooking the Stovies are still watery.

I slice my potatoes and dice my onions and throw them all in the pot.
I boil water and in a jug, combine with the stock cubes until dissolved.
Pour over the contents in the pot.
Cut up the sausages into bite size pieces and throw in.
Stir it all well and put the lid on.

You can add carrots, Celery and turnip if you want to add more variety, sometimes I add peas or a can of beans. It all depends on the mood! Scot’s dishes tended to be all about left overs so really make this to your taste. This basic recipe is how most make them.

Leave on high heat until the potatoes are falling apart anytime you stir. The starch will infuse with the water and flavours, and thicken slightly.

If you have watery Stovies then you can add instant gravy to thicken it slightly (Or use less water next time). Boiling Stovies in a pot tends to make it less watery, but in a slow cooker it’s most likely to be runny.
Don’t make it too thick though as serving the Stovies slightly runny with buttered bread, is the bomb!!
I stir mine after an hour and then set it to low and leave overnight with tin foil under the lid to catch the moisture. If I am making it in daytime, I cook on high for most of the day and then stir and serve.

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This is after an hour, stir it up. Add pepper at this point. When this is ready to eat tomorrow I will add another picture of the finished result .

It already smells so good!!