Laura Strutt's Blog, page 45

Hexi-Patchwork Fabric Coasters

Fabric coasters are one of my favourite, quick and easy makes. Right now I have a huge crush on mini hexis so I thought I’d give mini Hexi-Patchwork Fabric Coasters a try!

I adore these little hexi patchwork coasters – they have a traditional and timeless feel yet, when you pick out a collection of rad contemporary prints they look totally modern and delicious. Yes! Delicious coasters! Even better, because the coasters are made from tiny wee hexi patches a little fabric goes a very long way!

Grab your supplies…

Selection of three different print cottons

Needle and contrasting and coordinating sewing cottons

Sheet of felt

Vilene Quickscreen Triangle – or scrap paper

Bondaweb

Scissors – paper & fabric

Quickscreen Triangle is pretty rad – it’s a great interlining that is marked with a triangular grid that is just perfect for trimming down into hexagons to use for hexagon patchwork – if you’re new to Quickscreen Triangle, check out this step-by-step tutorial! For this project I simply cut along the lines to make the smallest hexagons from the grid.

If you’re using scrap paper to make your hexagons, trim the paper into two hexagon templates. A larger one, measuring 4.5cm across and a smaller one measuring 3.5cm across.

Using the small hexagon template cut out seven small paper shapes – alternatively, if you’re using Quickscreen Triangle, cut out seven small hexagons following the lines marked out on the printed grid. Use the larger hexagon template to cut out three hexagons from two of the print cottons and one from the third – there will be seven fabric hexagons in total.With the wrong side of the fabric hexagon uppermost, place one of the small paper hexagons – or Quickscreen Triangle hexagons – into the centre. There will be a small border of fabric on each of the sides. Neatly press the fabric around the template and hold in place with tacking stitches worked in a contrasting colour thread.

Repeat until each of the fabric hexagons has been folded and stitched. Lay out the hexagons in to the desired position, alternating between the repeated prints around the edge and placing the accent print into the centre. The hexagons will neatly fit together to create a pretty bloom shape.

Pick up the centre accent hexagon and one of the pieces that joins to it. Place the two pieces with right sides together, carefully aligning the corners and straight edges. With the needle threaded with the coordinated sewing cotton, secure the thread at one side and begin to join the two pieces together using neat whip stitch.

Working around the bloom, pick up join in the next hexagon to the centre hexagon using whip stitch. Continue until all six of the outer hexagons have been secured to the accent shape. The working on one pair at a time, hold the outer hexagons with right sides together to join the remaining seams and complete the bloom.

If you are using paper inside the hexagon shapes, carefully remove it from patchwork – if you’re using Vilene Quickscreen Triangle, just go ahead and leave it where it is…that’s the beauty of it!

Trim a piece of Bondaweb to the same shape at the completed hexagon bloom. Remove the backing paper from the Bondaweb and sandwich between the patchwork and the piece of felt. Following the manufacturer’s instructions bond together using a hot iron.

With fabric scissors, work around the outer edge of the hexi coaster trimming away the excess felt. With the needle and coordinating thread, work around the edge of the coaster with small blanket stitches to secure the edges, before removing the tacking stitches with a small pair of scissors or a seam ripper.

Now, how about that? Cute coasters that you can make in an afternoon, and chances are, you probably have enough of the fabrics in your stash already!

 ♥ – ♥ – ♥

You have been watching, in order of appearance…

Print cottons from Art Gallery Fabrics

Vilene Quickscreen Triangle – for stockist enquiries email crafts@stockistenquiries.co.uk

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The Countdown Begins…

You remember that time I got married? Well, I don’t know if you know this…but, one month before the big day I was finishing up the manuscript for my Sewing Book when the publisher called with an idea. Everyone loves an idea, right? Well, this one was just too much fun!

Having chatted about my upcoming nuptials with my publisher (and pretty much anyone that would listen, as brides tend to!) she thought it would be great to work on a DIY wedding book – sharing ideas for creating a DIY wedding, tips on planning, budgeting and bringing together all the elements that make a unique and special wedding. Of course, I jumped at the chance!

So, once we returned from a deliciously relaxing and heavenly honeymoon in the Maldives I did what every newlywed does, collected my wedding gown from the dry cleaners and set about wedding planning! Yes! That’s right! Out came the notebooks, the sketch pads, the craft supplies and I began working on a whole new wedding…well, a series of wedding ideas to include in this step by step book.

Now, this title has been available to pre-order on Amazon for the longest time, this listing features a super early draft of the cover, so I thought, now that the publication date is in sight, I would share this exclusive peek at the real cover. Yes my friends, this is the real deal!

DIY Wedding Manual, £18.99 Haynes

You know what? Writing a book is very much like planning a wedding- you dream up ideas, you spend hours working on the smallest details, some days it’s all you can think about, you put your heart and soul into it, it’s a lot of graft, a real labour of love and then the day comes and you realise that it was worth all the hard work!

I can hardly believe that this time next month my book will be in stores! I mean, wow, time has flown by!

Are you tying the knot this year? Did you marry your sweetheart in DIY, handmade, budget-friendy ceremony – I’m a sucker for romance, so I’d love to hear your lovestory!

ps: These breathtakingly beautiful wedding and engagement photography – and the one that appear in the book – are by the super awesome Kerrie Mitchell ♥

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National UK Blog Awards – Made Peachy Needs You!

You may have heard me mention a little thing about the National UK Blog Awards…

Made Peachy is really only a little baby in the whole wide world of blogging. With only six months of posts under my belt I think it’s safe to say that I’m something of an underdog in a contest this size.

But, you know what nothing ventured nothing gained, am I right?

After some interesting twists and turns during the middle of last year, I stepped out into the big wide world, dipped my toe tentatively into the waters of freelancing…then jumped straight into setting up my own business.  Running a creative business has a whole heap of benefits; you get to be your own boss, you schedule your day, you can be the master of your own destiny…ok, that sounds rather dramatic, but I like to remind myself of this fact when I’m staring down the barrel of a rather tight or tricky deadline.

With a day job that revolves around writing, editing, proof reading and designing, making and demonstrating. Creating a place of my very own, an online place, to share the things that I love seemed just right. Like the final piece of the puzzle that neatly drops into place.

You know what? I actually love this little blog. I love that feeling when an awesome ideas pops up that would be great to share. I adore the amazing people – and new blogs – that I have found through writing, making and sharing here on Made Peachy. Most of all, my very favourite thing about my blog is that it is a whole heap of fun. I never feel like it’s a chore to swing in past and add a new post, a new project or new how-to guide…you know what, chances are I’m usually making, or doing, or thinking about these things anyway, so why not share it here, in this little corner of the internet?

I’m besotted with this little blog, it makes me happy, it makes me proud. I’d go so far as to say that it’s my very favourite thing. Yes, my very favourite thing.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, Made Peachy has been entered into the National UK Blog Awards 2014! and, if you’ve enjoyed reading Made Peachy for these last few months it would be a dream come true if you’d Vote for Made Peachy!

So, how about it? Why not make a gal’s dream come true and give her your vote?!

Thank you, thank you!

 

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New Year, New Knitting

The New Year is a time for new beginnings and starting on lots of exciting new projects. My workload for the first part of this year is packed with stitching projects – you might say it is bursting at the seams! Being a fickle creature, I like to be able to work on a wide variety of  projetcs – all at once. Whilst there is always the danger that you can start too many makes and things will fall by the wayside – picking small projects is a great way to really ensure that you hit the finish line! So, for the last couple of days, I’ve been digging though a mountain of yarn, hunting out the needles and getting started on my first knitting project of the year.

2013 seems to have been a year of babies, with many of our chums welcoming new Littles into the world. I’m a firm believer that newborns need hand knits. I love working on these tiny little yarny designs – they are often super quick to make, which is hugely satisfying, and there are so many different designs which is the perfect way to try out new skills and techniques in a bite-sized project!

While I never set the resolution of “knitting until I get through my stash” I know many knitty and crafty folks set this as a top priority for the new year. Baby knits require so little yarn that chances are you already have the right quantities sitting in your stash ready to go – see what I did there, I helped you to find a way to knit through that epic stash of yours!

The reason that I never set this as a resolution is that I operate on the principle that I am continually knitting from my stash. On the surface this sounds great, but in reality what I am actually doing is telling myself that I only knit from my stash, which completely irradiates the guilt when I buy yet more yarn.

Neat, huh?Another thing I like about knitting, is that while your hands are busy it stops you from reaching for those last remaining Christmas chocolates – which, let’s face it, wouldn’t be a bad thing after all the over indulgences over the festive holidays! In fact, I’ve held back on filling that super cute owl cookie jar I got for Christmas from my rad sister, and have been using it as a rather cute (and calorie free!) yarn bowl!I decided to start the year with one of my all time favourite baby knits, Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Baby Surprise Jacket Well, if you’re going to be knitting you may as well knit something you love, right? I must have knitted this pattern about 20 times in the last five years, my paper pattern is all wrinkled, creased and very much loved. It might sound daft to keep on knitting the same pattern over and over, but you know what? I just can’t get enough of it. I adore the way the pattern is written – if you’ve not checked it out, you really must – rather than the standard listing of instructions found in modern knitting patterns, this is written more like a letter from a dear friend. Yes, at first I found the more “conversational style” of knitting instruction a little confusing, but before too long it all fell into place. This sweet little knit looks amazing when it is completed (don’t fret, I shall share some photographs of the finished jacket  – and the magical way it comes together, when it is complete!), but what I love most about it is the amazing construction – for as the name suggests it really is a surprise indeed! I mean, it’s not until the very end that you can actually see the jacket! Elizabeth Zimmermann is my knitting hero – I adore the clever approach that she adopts to the shaping and construction of her knits. Her infulences can be seen popping up in so many of my favourite contemporary designs – like the February Lady Sweater!

The Baby Surprise Jacket has been described as ‘engineering marvel’ (yes – someone said that about a knitting pattern, a knitting baby knits pattern – which is great to remember if anyone scoffs at the thought of you knitting up cutsey baby projects!) Whist the knit itself is simple garter stitch, with only a smattering of increases, decreases as the main techniques used, this project is a great way to really see what can be achieved and created with knitting. In fact, every time I finish this little jacket it blows my mind. Blows my mind! Now, how many baby knits can you say that about? Taking a little time out to work on this has got me thinking more and more about the amazing techniques of Elizabeth Zimmermann – I think that perhaps it’s time to dig out those knitting DVDs and brush up on a few more knitting skills this year.

I don’t for a second think that this will be the only Baby Surprise jacket I knit this year. And, with fear of sounding like some kind of knitwear hoarder, I though that I might work on a little bundle of wee baby-sized hand knit projects ready to dispatch to any new arrivals, despite the fact there have been no announcements for new babies in our circle of friends and family this year. Well, if there are no new babies on the scene in 2014, then there are heaps and heaps of very deserving charities that I’m certain will be more than glad of a few little knitty goodies!

Do you love to hand knit for new babies? Do you stockpile made-with-love goodies for impending arrivals or do you like to donate to local or international charities? Have you ever knitted the Baby Surprise Jacket – let me know what you think of it, do you adore it as much as I do?

 

 

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Art Gallery Fabrics Giveaway Winner!

Day two of 2014 and already things are hotting up! I don’t know about you, but there is something about the start of a new year that fills me with the excitement of all the possibilities and opportunities of the year to come.

In true bursting-with-enthusiasm-for-the-New-Year style, instead of spending yesterday slumming it on the couch, curled up with the dog and a good book, ideas started tick, tick, ticking. There have been lists and sketches, sketches and lists – how I love with the creative bug hits…but, why is is always when you made other (far more lazy) plans? So my dreams of a chilled out evening quickly turned into a late night brainwave-a-thon! Today my friends, I’ll be making a start on some exciting new projects for the new year, I’m more excited than I can tell you…unfortunately, I’m going to be keeping you in suspense for a little bit longer on this one (sorry!) but all will become clear soon enough! Is there anything more exciting than new ideas and plans? Well, I’m pretty sure that a bundle of awesome fabrics is the most exciting thing ever!

So now it’s time to announce the winner of the awesome Fabric Bundle from Art Gallery Fabrics…

Congratulations Lesley Bambridge! 

Check your email and get in touch with your postal address so that this bundle of rad prints can wing their way over to you! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

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Quick Catch Up: Hello January, Hello 2014!

Rise & Shine! It’s the New Year!

Holy smoke! It’s 2014 – I’m not going to say anything corny like, how did that happen – because let’s face it, after yesterday’s 2013 Year Review – I think it’s pretty clear that I did know that I’d be waking up to a New Year! I’ve got that ‘back to school’ feeling where you want to hunt out a brand new notebook, get planning, get organising and get focused on your goals for the year ahead.

With pre-Christmas Deadlines coming out of my ears, I’m already enjoying that clean slate feeling that comes when you have a whole host of new and exciting projects stretching out before you. I adore that feeling of new beginnings, that ‘anything is possible’ feeling that comes with the start of the new year. After all the excitement and preparations for Christmas, I think I’m going to take some time today and simply drift away with dreaming and planning for the new year ahead.

I think that it is safe to say that this month has been busy, jam packed busy as we got down and dirty with the Christmas preparations. So, here is quick round up of all the exciting things that have been happening on the internet this last month:

On Made Peachy:

Crafts: Super-Sized Crochet Granny Square

Style: Knit your own Santa Hat

Skills: How to Use Vilene Quilter’s Grid

Eats: Cinnamon Spiced Crispy Apple Bites

 

My Browser Besties:

1: FosterWeld

2: Eisley

3: BonLook

4: Vitamix

 

My Blog Crushes:

1: The Dainty Squid

2: Knitted Bliss

3: I’m A Ginger Monkey

4: The Blog of Worldly Delights

Psssstt! There is still time (just) to enter the Art Gallery Fabrics Bundle Giveaway entries close at midnight tonight (1st Jan GMT) and the winner will be announced on the 2nd Jan- so get entering!

Now…let’s get onto the sticky subject of resolutions! Love them or loathe them – it’s hard to deny that we all like to make  the odd one (or twelve!) at this time of year, whether we say them out loud or not! I guess there is the feeling that once you’ve said them out loud that you won’t be able to back out, give it a miss, slack off. But, you know what rather than actual resolutions, here are some of the things that I will be putting more energy into this year!

2014 is going to be a year for Reinvent Time - yes I’m planing on adding another 6 hours to the day, you can thank me later! Well, of course I’m not. That’s impossible or someone would have done it already, right? I’m going to reinvent the way I use time, that whole work smart philosophy, and making more time for those folks that are most important! Get that Camera Snapping - for a girl that heads out on a whole heap of adventures, I’m frequently guilty of leaving my camera at home. Now, that’ll never do – you can’t take a photograph if your camera isn’t with you (ok, it’s not rocket science, right? But, it seems that I need reminding! Before the onset of winter, knit up A couple of Cosy Sweaters that have been languishing in my Ravelry queue for ever. In fact, while I’m at it I should  make some Fab Frocks and dig out all of those dress patterns that I’ve been dying to make for the longest time and actually stitch them into dresses. The ups and downs of the last year have put our exciting renovations plans on ice, but it’s now time to get this project fired up again and get on with the Reno, Reno, Renovation and I can’t wait! I’m pretty sure that I’m not alone in thinking in the wake of the (over) indulgence at Christmas that it’s time to get fit and healthy – get back to eating well, get back outside to more fresh air and exercise…you know what, I’ve been really missing riding my bike these last few weeks, so roll on the brighter weather so that I can get back out there! Finally I have challenged myself get Read 24 Glorious Books - fiction, non-fiction, biography, real-life, fantasty…you name it, I’m gonna read it!

Now I may have already mentioned this (!), but Made Peachy has been entered into the National UK Blog Awards 2014! and, if you’ve enjoyed reading Made Peachy during 2013 I would be truly blown away if you’d Vote for Made Peachy!

All in all there looks like there is plenty to get excited about this year and there is always something so satisfying about setting out a list of the things that you want to focus on, so, what are you planning to focus your energies on this year?

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Looking back on 2013

What a year! In so many ways the last twelve months have kicked my ass. And, I mean really kicked my ass. But, now that the year is almost out, it is hard not to get every single shade of soppy and sentimental about the things that have come to pass, the situations, lessons and experiences.

What did I love?

For fear of sounding like the soppiest gal on the planet, I’m going to go right ahead and say my husband. Yup, I’m really that much of a sap. My very favourite thing about this man is his ability to amaze and surprise me each and every day, oh and don’t even get me started on his smile…!

You may or may not have noticed, but this spring we got our very own puppy. I have been longing for a Border Terrier since before I even knew what they were, when they were just “you know, those scruffy little dogs with funny beards that kinda look like little old men!” The day little Waffle snuffled into our lives was a truly happy one, I don’t think that a day goes by when I don’t think about how much I adore that funny, smart, cute and adorable pup! Watching him grow and learn a heap of new things has been utterly amazing. He’s taken us on so many adventures this year and I can’t wait for millions more next year.

What did I learn?

That when life throws you lemons you got to grab the tequila and throw yourself a party – and I’m not talking a pity party either. Earlier this year I found myself in the unfortunate and painful position of being made redundant. Now, anyone who has ever been in that position know just how dark those days can feel – because, lets face it there is no greater kick in the guts than being told you’re ‘redundant’, am I right? With a roof to keep over our heads and a hungry pup and husband to feed, there was no time for me to sit back and wallow in all those feelings – as much as I’d like to have, believe me. It was a case of pick yourself up, dust yourself down and, honey badger, get yourself back in action!

The thought of working freelance had always freaked me the freak out – no word of a lie. But, sometimes when you ain’t got nothing holding you back you just kinda, well, go for it. And, go for it I did. There were a lot of lists in those early days, I’m talking notebook upon notebook of lists and lists and lists. Then things got busy, things got really, hot damn busy. I like busy. Busy is good. This unique brand of busy got me to thinking about directions and options and all manner of grown up stuff. Then my friends, I launched my own business – just like that ping! My very own business. OK, maybe there was a lot of research, planning, business plan writing and accountant meeting  before the actual ping! But there was the ping! none the less. Let me tell you that ping! is the polar opposite to the feeling you get when the rug is pulled out from under you, and I’ll take that – rug pulling and all, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

What inspired me?

One thing that has made this year feel like a fairground ride has been dashing about all over the country demonstrating stitching at a whole heap of shows and events. I still have to pinch myself when I think that I was lucky enough to take part in these, let alone that I’ll be done the same again (plus a few more!) next year! I’ve met the most amazing groups of people, heard talks from incredible and inspiring artists, worked with some of the finest, most talented textile artists around. Just being in the company of people that radiate creativity and passion, it would be impossible not to have this rub off!

Working from home and having a small hound to take for regular exercise, having a flexible working schedule and being able to step out for a stroll with the dog has been a brilliant way to recharge, each and every day- it’s like I took my own advice!

What have I been thankful for?

Family and friends, because they are gems, aren’t they? They are the ones that help you through the tough times, are there to celebrate the joys and share with you their wonderful moments. It’s been a year of meeting new people and making new friends, around the country, around the globe and I’m so thankful for my new friends, my new co-workers, and you – you amazing guys that stop in past to visit – I’d love for us to get to know each other better, if you have a blog, do leave a comment below and share your link, so I can head on over and get to know you a little better!

Now, I’m going to roll over and sweetly say to you, so honey, how was it for you? What did you love? What did you learn? What inspired you? What are the moments from this year that will stay with you forever?

While Made Peachy is barely half a year old, it’s nice to look back over the last few months – so, here are some of my favourite posts, most popular posts, and post that think you might like!

Hearty Oatcakes

Mending a teddy bear

Iced Peach Green Tea

Hassle-Free Hexi Patchwork

Narelle Shawl Knitting Pattern

Homemade Lemon-Limeade

Batik Stack Of Coins Quilt

Blocking a Granny Square

Phew! Now that was a bit of a whistle stop tour of the archives if ever there was one! If you want to see more of what’s been happening on Made Peachy check out the Gallery!

Made Peachy has been entered into the National UK Blog Awards 2014! and, if you’ve enjoyed reading Made Peachy during 2013 I would be truly blown away if you’d Vote for Made Peachy!

The night ahead of us is for celebrations, for glancing back with fondness and tenderness (where possible), toasting those that we can’t share the evening with, and looking forward to the year ahead and all that it holds in store. Tonight is a night for friends, drinking whiskey sours, playing crass card games and making memories, so at midnight I shall be raising my glass wishing you all the very best for a magical New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

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Speedy Beetroot Dip and Pitta Recipe

New Year’s Eve is fast approaching. Entertaining guests is a one of the best parts of this season – it’s a chance to dig out that cocktail shaker, dust off the card games (this year we’ll most likely be playing this – because, we just can’t help ourselves!), and enjoy a huge feast of nibbles and snacks!

Party foods are by far my favourite food group. I love that you can have a little nibble of something savory, scoff something sweet and then move on to the next tempting treat. These itty bitty foods are brilliant for catering for a wide range of guests and take the stress out of picking out something that everyone will enjoy. Not only do they taste great, but a full spread of nibble, sips, canapes and snacks is a true feast for the eyes – you know I’m right there is nothing more pleasing than the sight of a fully loaded buffet table!

This recipe for Speedy Beetroot Dip & Pitta Bread tastes just as good as it looks – and as the name suggests, is quick and easy to make too, what a bonus!Grab your supplies…

25g (1oz) Parmesan

500g (1lb 2oz) drained, vacuum-packed cooked beetroot

100g (3½oz) full-fat cream cheese

A small handful of fresh mint leaves, plus extra to garnish

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1  In a food processor, whiz the Parmesan until finely crumbed, then add the beetroot, cream cheese, mint leaves and plenty of seasoning. Whiz again until smooth and check the seasoning.

2 Transfer to a small serving bowl and garnish with a few mint leaves. Serve with breadsticks and toasted pittas.

Feeling a little pressed for time?

Vacuum-packed beetroot makes an almost instant dip. Make up to one day ahead, but don’t garnish. Cover and chill in a bowl. Complete the recipe to serve.

Serve with toasted sliced Pitta Bread to really impress your guests!

Grab your supplies…

15g (1/2oz) fresh yeast, or 1 1/2 teaspoon of dried yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar

700g (1 1/2lb) strong white flour, plus extra for dusting

1 teaspoon of salt

1 tablespoon of caster sugar

1 tablespoon of olive oil, plus extra to grease

1  Blend the fresh yeast with 450ml (3/4 pint) of tepid water. If using dried yeast, sprinkle into the water with the sugar and leave in a warm place for 15 minutes or until frothy.

2  Put the flour, salt and sugar into a bowl, make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast liquid with the oil. Mix so a smooth dough, turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and kneed for 10 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic.

3  Place the dough in a large bowl, cover with oiled clingfilm and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

4  Divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll each into an oval shape about 20.5cm (8in) long. Place on a floured baking sheet, covered with oiled clingfilm and leave in a warm place for about 30 minutes until slightly risen and puffy. Pre-heat the oven to 240C (220C for fan assisted).

5  Bake the pittas in batches for 5-8 minutes only. They should be just lightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and wrap in a clean tea towel. Repeat with the remaining pittas.

6  When the pittas are warm enough to handle, but not completely cold, transfer to a plastic bag and leave until cold. This will ensure a soft crust.

7  To serve, warm in the oven, or toast lightly. Cut into strips and serve with the dip.

♥ – ♥ – ♥

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This fantastic recipe for entertaining is from Posh Nosh. Made Peachy readers can buy a copy of Posh Nosh published by Collins & Brownfor only £3.50 including free UK p&p. Call 0844 576 8122 and quote reference CH1798.

 

 

 

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A Year In Books

It’s the holidays. It’s a time for relaxing, taking some (much needed) time out and indulging in the things that you love. Aside from all the feasting (which there has been far too much of these last few days!) for me there is nothing I love more than spending the day on long chilly dog hikes, adventuring in the countryside, then returning home to curl up with a book and read, read, read. My career has led me to work with words on a daily basis; reading and writing for work – it was like a dream come true for me. But, this was something of a double edge sword. With days in the office spent writing or proof-reading, it wasn’t long before sitting down with a book didn’t seem like a recreational pastime at all, and soon enough finding a book that I just couldn’t put down dropped right off my list of priorities.

Bad times for a bookworm, my friends, bad times.

Something had to change. If you love something, you should find a way to keep it in you life, right?

For the last couple of years I’ve been setting myself reading challenges on GoodReads – as a gal that loves a challenge, this is a great way really encourage me to take time out to dedicate to this amazingly fulfilling pastime. So far, since taking part in these challenges, I’ve had a pretty busy schedule – the first year I wrote my own book (which is pretty much like having two full time jobs all at once) and planned a handmade wedding, and then this year I wrote my second book and started my own business – so all in all, free time has been in rather short supply. So, the focus of my first challenge of 2012 was just just get back into the habit of reading. Let’s face it, reading one book is better than reading no books! With a 2012 challenge of reading 12 books – that’s a manageable one book a month, I got my reading mojo back in full force and read 14 books! Friends, I got the reading bug back!

When 2013 rolled around, I decided to aim for another 14 books, but this time to try to pick out a wider range of books – things that I wouldn’t normally read. This year my challenge has been more of a equal-opportunities approach to books – trying to read a wide variety of books – check out my challenge list read over on my GoodReads profile!

While I might never be a Chick-Lit kinda girl, giving them a go has been a heap of fun, and picking out authors and genres that I may not usually pick has helped me discover some rad authors – you know, not judging a book by it’s cover and all that!

What I’ve been reading…

One of the best things about keeping track of a reading list though out the year is looking back remembering new favourites.

1 Glasshopper – Isabel Ashdown

Isabel Ashdow has such a talent for setting the scene & filling it with characters that leap out & touch your heart. Bursting with bitter sweet nostalgia, making it hard to put down.

2 Phoenix – Chuck Palahnuik

Bite sized Chuck Palahniuk – perfect little reading indulgence! for those that haven’t read any of Chuck ‘s work, this is a brilliant, blistering introduction!

3 Pioneer Woman – Ree Drummond

A very sweet love story, as a follower of Ree’s blog this is an enjoyable read. I never thought it possible, but I want cinnamon rolls more than normal!

The end of the year is rolling away and the fresh new year is stretching out before us, its a time for contemplating  our resolutions, for thinking about the plans and achievements we want to aim for. As I’m approaching the final chapters of my last book to complete my 2013 Reading Challenge, I’ve been thinking about the next challenge. In the coming year I’m raising the bar, and will be aiming for 24 books in my 2014 Reading Challenge! That’s not all! During the last twelve months, whilst searching for books that I might not normally read, I’ve found myself checking out reader reviews and found that they have been really helpful in picking out new reads. This year, I’m aiming to write and share more valuable reviews on the books that I read, you never know, it might help someone else on their reading quest!

So, if I love reading so much, why set a reading challenge? Well, I’m sure that I don’t need to tell you, but life is busy. Days are jammed packed with things to get done – work, seeing friends, sharing time with family. The weeks seem to just fly past. As a habitual list maker setting a challenge, listing the books and checking in on my progress is a great way to make sure that I find the time to do the things that I love to do. Are you planning on setting a Reading Challenge for 2014? What books are top of your Must Read List?

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Obsessed with Handmade Thank You Notes

I love it when I find a greeting card that says just what I was thinking! This awesome “I Can’t Thank You Enough…” card, £2.35 CraftColorfully, does just that!

Christmas day might be over, but we are still only part way through our festive family tour – this is the very best part of having a big family – the celebrations go on for days! How amazing is that!

Whilst we are traveling up and down the country, it is hard not to feel as though we have been truly showered with very lovely, very thoughtful gifts! In fact, I’m feeling rather overwhelmed by all the amazing treats this year! I’ve said it before, and I shall say it again, nothing beats a hand written thank you note. And, after all the thought and effort that has gone into the preparations for Christmas, it seems right that I’ve been browsing though some ideas for our Thank You notes this year.

There are so many handmade options, that I think we’ll all be spoilt for choice – so, to make like a little easier, here’s a round up of some of the most awesome handmade Thank You cards on Etsy!

1 Mittens Warm Thanks Cards • £11.29 for a pack of 12 • DelightfullyNoted

2 Christmas Lights Printable Thank You Cards • £3.14 • NHACreatives

3 Yellow Chevron Thank You Cards • £5.33 for a pack of 8 • alinicoledesigns

4 Printable Vintage Reindeer Thank You Card • £3.67 • GreenCherryFactory

5 Baby’s Christmas Thank You Card • £9.41 for a pack of 10 cards • RoyalRegards

6 Printable Chevron Thank You Cards • £6.27 • MKSDesignStudio

7 Handstitched Thank You Cards • £7.53 for a pack of 4 cards • bythelindentree

Are you writing and sending Thank You notes this year?

 ♥ – ♥ – ♥

If you want to check out more of my handmade favourites, be sure to check out the January Issue of Sewing World – on sale now!

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