Bill's

A few months ago, some friends and I wen for a girly weekend to Brighton! 

we had all planned a little bit of our trip and one of my lovely friends found this great restaurant called Bill's. 

Now Bills is a chain but it is fantastic! It feels like a one off and the bohemian restaurant layout gives off a great atmosphere, plus the food is great and is value for money. 

thought you would like to see some pics of this great place :) 

The fab metal tea pot

Eggs Benedict, yum!

Full to the brim (there was a queue to get in)

The lovely Helen with her smoothy

the wonderful Claire enjoying the orange juice

Me in desperate need of Tea!

Battlesbridge, Essex

Battlesbridge, in Essex, is home to the Battlesbridge Antiques and Craft Centre. Housing over 80 dealers selling antiques, crafts, also offering valuation services and s motorbike museum!

I went with some friends to have a look for some bits for a new flat, it is a treasure trove of wonderful finds. It is so quaint and the variety of items for sales is amazing.

To be honest I think I could have lived there!

Lovely Bunnies

Here are some lovely bunny related items that I have found online :)

This lovely necklace is by Four Beautiful Keys. It is handmade using sterling silver wire, and is yours for £32

These Bunnies with Attitude are amazing! These bunnies are made by Lonely Hearts and are £6 a hop. (get it ;))

And of course these bunnies are made by me :) stuffed with soft wadding and calming lavender, these 14cm bunnies are perfect as a sleepy soother for your child. completely handmade and yours for £6. 

How to Make a Roly-Poly Bird!

On Friday at 6pm 18 Brownies turned up on the door step of Cherry Green Trees camp site and lodge expectant of a weekend full of exploring, playing, and most importantly, crafting!!! 

Each pack holiday that we run is based on a theme, and this one was Roald Dahl. The girls were divided into three groups based on one of his books and the leaders (including me) became characters from the books. 

The craft that I was elected to run was the making if the Roly-Poly Bird. This is an easy make, but also fun. It does require the concentration of the children doing it and it was remarked upon several times that each group that sat at my table was silent :). 

The instructions can be found here.

I got the girls to cut out all of the pieces that they needed to make the birds using templates that I had prepared earlier (how very Blue Peter!) and then made them read the next step from the page.

To make things move a little faster instead of getting the girls to stick the limbs of the bird onto the first plate I let them use a stapler as once the second plate is stuck on top you wouldn't see the staples.

The birds turned out fantastically and I was so please that when the girls were asked to evaluate their holiday the mentioned making the birds as one of their Favourite activities!

Interview with Beautiful Things by Claire Mackaness

How did Beautiful Things by Claire Mackaness start?


Beautiful Things was launched in March 2010 as an offshoot from my card making hobby business.  My Mum bought me a small sewing machine for Christmas with the idea being I could sew on my cards, which was the fashion at the time.  I soon realised I could make things with it too and started making bunting and basic items.  Since then I have self taught myself how to make all sorts of things and the cards have taken a back seat.  I do still make them to order for some of my old regular customers though.

How did you get into crafting?

I have been crafty since I was tiny, my Mum will tell you I often went off into my bedroom for hours on end and appeared with something creative.  One of my best creations was an entire plane made from cardboard boxes and a Biggles hat made from a bobble hat with socks stuck in the sides for flaps!  Mum and Dad have a picture of me flying my plane in the garden somewhere but I’m not sharing that with you!  Professionally I have been crafty for about 10 years, starting with cards, then glass painting, moving onto contemporary works of art, Soap making, back to cards and then onto sewing.  Let’s just say I get bored easily!  I am sticking with sewing now though as there is so much variation with it and I love that I can create almost anything I like.

How often do run craft classes and what do you teach?


 I run classes on an as and when basis.  As long as I have enough people interested in learning something I will put on a class.  I hope as word spreads and when my website is finally finished (watch this space) I will be running a lot more.

When did you start the Knights way community market?


The Ingrave Community Market was started in September 2009 as an opportunity for me to promote my wares locally and encourage other like minded crafty types to sell theirs.  I gave it up after 2 years simply because I had a new addition to the family and my business had grown.  Something had to give and I couldn't give the market the time it needed anymore.  The Community Centre is keeping it running for now though so hopefully it will continue on to be a success still.

Tell me about the collections you have coming up for Mesh and The French Quarter?


 I have some new scarves coming soon to MESH as well as hopefully some re-purposed clothing in the new year.  French Quarter are getting some lovely winter bags as well as some luxury evening bags too.

Do you have any other projects do you have coming up for different shops?


No projects planned, but I have my fingers crossed on a few more that I have approached recently. Obviously if you own a shop and are reading this and think I could make something for you, do get in touch!

Where can we catch you next?


 My next craft fair is at the Reading Rooms in Billericay High street on Sat 29^th October and then I will be at St Marys Church Craft and Gift Fair, also in Billericay High Street on the 12^th November. That’s my last event for the year then as I am then off on an extended holiday until mid January so it will be the last chance you have to buy from my stall.

   

Leigh-on-Sea

This weekend we had one of our best friends come down from Liverpool to stay with us for the weekend.

On Sunday it was soooo lovely and sunny that we decided to take a little trip to the sea side with her and another friend from University.

We didn't fancy the bright lights of Southend and so headed to a place we had never been before, Leigh-on-Sea.



Leigh is a beautiful little fishing village on the Thames estuary full of tea rooms, cockle stands, pubs and crafty shops. In other words, Heaven!




As we walked trough the streets of Leigh we came across The Old Foundry. This is a beautiful crafty shop, selling childrens books and clothes and products from Kath Kidson and Orla Kylie



However I think the best thing about this shop was it's amazing product display featuring an old bus!




I also found these little tins featuring well known brands including KitKat, Heinz and Coleman's.




We then stopped off and got a well deserved ice cream before taking an accidental stroll to Southend, we didn't realise they were so close!

Shamballa Bracelets

This Saturday I went along to the Brentwood Bead Shop to learn to make Shamballa bracelets.

I was my usual self and managed to turn up 5 minutes late! After being greeted by the lovely Nina I went up stairs and met Nina's mum Carol, who was teaching the class, and the three ladies who would be learning with me.

I sat down to find that Carol had already written out a list of the items that I would need to make the bracelet (I used this bit of paper to write my notes on).

I must admit that the bracelets look complicated, they do take a little bit of time to get used to but when you get the hang of it it's easy!

Using a clip board to clamp the bracelet is really useful but I also found that using some pins to attach the main body of the bracelet to my trouser leg also helped.

Carol is a fantastic teacher and the girls I was learning with were lovely. If you do live in Brentwood or near by keep an eye on their Facebook page for classes. They are also on Twitter @brentwoodbeads.

After the class I was so pleased with the fact that I could make these complicated looking bracelets that I bought enough for two more! And here they are...