Two Years of Homemaking

So, I've been blogging for two years now about my homemaking journey as a new Mamma and leaving my career girl days behind. I've been hosting Crafternoon teas for a year and this is getting exciting now. Gosh time has really flown. I've chosen this picture of Little L's Christening as she looks so very happy and this was taken the week before I started blogging! As you can see I look very tired as she was still waking up in the night and also I was at the start of getting my teeth fixed so they look a little goofy here!

Two years ago I was blogging whilst Little L was sleeping away.I was using nap time and any down time to take photos and work my way around twitter and blogger! Here is my favourite post, this really cute storage for her nursery, an un-edited photo I just uploaded!

And a cot tidy to match...

One year ago in 2013, I was discovering vintage crafts and creating Crafternoon projects...she was sleeping less and I was looking at bringing my ideas to a commercial project. Also, I was getting a bit more web savvy with layout, pictures and working on the style of my blog a bit more...

Looking back,I've made so many lovely blogger friends over the last two years. I love to write and share and be encouraged by the blogging community (that's you!).

I've still tonnes of projects still to do and whilst Crafternoon teas is now a growing business and Little L is at pre-school, I want to keep on working on home projects and lovely sewing makes. I still want to do so much more!

So what will the next year bring...?

Bye for now,

Samantha x

Moving On... a personal post

Last week was a big week for us as we...

 

our first home together, hence the unplanned blogging break!

Even though moving on from your old home is a happy time, it also has lots of nostalgic memories, the Summer parties, happy holidays and getting our first little cat together.





 

In my beloved Cornwall, a year before our Wedding

Bradley posing for the camera, his first Winter with us.





This house was the first house Mr S. and I lived in together. We got married whilst living there, so it's on our marriage certificate and I fell pregnant with our first baby here, that sadly I lost.

 

So this house was full of life changing events. Happy times, life changing times and times that have built us together. 

 

What is next for us...exciting times...

I am really looking forward to getting some DIY on in our family home, we need a new kitchen and maybe extend to make it a great room for living and eating / cooking in.

We need a lot of new curtains and the place needs freshening up this Spring too. Our family home is pretty modern but some aspects need to go and some look tired. Just the normal putting your stamp on kind of thing.

So looking forward, I am very much excited about more homemaking and less house selling!


Samantha x

 

 

Textile Leaves Christmas Wreath

With the festive season just around the corner, now is a great time to start crafting your wreaths. They will stay fresh and colourful right through the season!

We made these in Crafternoon Teas  yesterday and everybody made their own original wreaths using colours, textiles and button decoration! Oh ..plus we had a gorgeous cream tea too! So get your craft on and make cream tea too to enjoy the pleasure of wreath making this Christmas time!

You Will Need –

130cm 80cm wide organza ribbon (or strips of voile)

120cm 25cm red double satin ribbon        

1 x 25cm florists wire hoop

6 buttons                                 

20cm voile (golds /reds)

20 x 20cm crafters felt (green/reds)       

20 x 20cm table protector

40 x 40cm selection of fabrics include velveteen, satin, linen or cotton

130cm 80cm wide organza ribbon (or strips of voile)

Opaque nail polish (to give frosted look)

Sewing box essentials scissors, threads, dressmaking pins

Let’s Create

Take your wire florist hoop and wrap the organza around it and secure both ends with a pin. You now have your base.

Take three seasonal leaf shapes, trace around them and cut out. Then cut out odd number of leaves in various sizes, colours and textures. Take your ribbon and make a bow and pin over the overlapped ribbon. This is your bottom of your wreath.

Take your largest leaves and lay on your base first. Remove your ribbon as this is a guide. You will add the ribbon as the last job. Pinch the centres to give them a raised effect. 

Then add your smaller leaves and ribbon trio fillers. If you want to add varnish to create a frost effect this is a good time to do this. Add your organza strips in trios. Your wreath is now all pinned up.

It will take about an hour to sew your wreath together. Going around the pins, stitch the leaves on and take the pins out. 

Your wreath will then have a 3D effect to it. 

Add buttons and... 

...is all ready for the festive season.

Happy Christmas 2013,

Why not visit my website for more information on workshops, projects and events www.samanthaschofield.co.uk

Like me on facebook www.facebook.com/samschof

Clutter Chic -Bye Easy Living Magazine

Cluttering Can Be Stylish?

I had to write a post in response to the Clutter Chic article in this month's Easy Living magazine which is sadly the last printed copy before it goes digital. I have had this magazine since it started, I was a young grad living in London.

It is the only title my Mum, Aunty and friends can read. Such a shame it has gone from our coffee tables.

To say bye to one of my favourite titles, I have written about my love for stylish clutter. As you know from my blog, life is busy, I love vintage and crafting and making my house the heart of the home.

So I got out my lovely old books, favourite cross stitch and memory books and used the spaces in our home to display them. It does take a little more dusting time but it is lovely to see everything out on the sides to pick up read, reflect on and then put back for someone else to do the same.

 

I would love to know any other clutter chic ideas...

 

SS x

 

A DIY Lavender Air Freshener

A Chemical Free Eco Smell Of Loveliness -

perfect for babies room..

 

 

I have been reading the  blog mymakedoandmendyear and it got me thinking of what I could I could make for the family that is green and from everyday items you find in the cupboards.

I really think that our household footprint is getting too big and if we all do something green for the home the world would be a more eco-friendly place.

Having a creative mind and also loving the fresh smell of scents...I bring you my Lavender Scented Air Freshener. I really love to make soaps, bath fizzes and candles so this is just another creative craft to add to my making list.

I like it as it doesn't pump out those nasties that chemical versions do and all the ingredients you can find in your store cupboard.

As I am a asthmatic I wouldn't use the chemical versions as they trigger attacks. So this version is so mild it even goes in babies room! The scent lasts for a good month and even helps sleep. And we all like babies that sleep!

All you need is  -

jam jar
elastic band and ribbon to cover the band
4 teaspoons of baking powder
4 drops of lavender essential oil
Piece of fabric to cover the top of the jar

Mix the baking powder and essential oil drop by drop in the jar. It will fizz so be careful with the mixture. I mixed over the kitchen sink. Add the fabric cover and secure with the band and cover with a ribbon.

I give mine a shake every few weeks to wake up the smell.

Enjoy..Happy Scent Making..

Sam x


 

Easter Treats

It has been a very busy weekend of Easter treats, family fun and time together.

 

After two weeks of illness and nasty bugs in the household, we are getting back to full health.

 

Will be back to the blog this week with some lovely new projects.

 

Here is one of the Easter baskets I made last Friday for the family with crocus I planted at Christmas, eggs, little chicks and Easter confetti.

 

Love to see other Easter baskets..

 

 

 Belated Happy Easter !

 

 

Sam xx

Charity Shop Chic!

If You Fancy Mixing Retro Fabrics & Turning Them Into Something New...

 

Start At Your Local Charity Shops...

Take a fiver and take one hour of your time and go this week and see what you can find.. I did this on Saturday and here is what I found...

100% wool is always a great find to start with, if you don't like the garment you can always felt it up by boiling it up in water on the hob for 30 minutes. So you have a number of options, if you buy woolies buy 100% wool as any synthetic will stop the fabric from felting up.

This scarf is for a patchwork rug and only cost £1. I have a Cath Kidston throw which is lovely and it will match it perfectly.

Look out for my projects later in the week. Oh and always wash your finds in mild hand wash in the sink not the washing machine to make sure they are spring fresh before you start your up-cycling!

  So soak your finds for 20 minutes in warm water, any hotter and the wool will shrink or felt.                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

 I always hand on the line so that any marks will be sun bleached out... 

These retro pale blue Irish linen napkins were still in their retro '60's box, they looked great for a Spring project. So always look for good quality fabrics, linen washes at a high temperature so you can make sure it is tough to get it Spring fresh in your wash and it is a high quality fabric for you to craft with. You don't want to spend hours of crafting on rubbish fabric.

So with with goodies washed, I'll be off to do some project...bye for now...

 

Valentines Handmade Gifts

Why do to the stores, when you can show your love with a handmade gift or card?

Here's how...

It is stressful with the pressure of finding a Valentine, or if you have a seasoned Valentine you need to be inventive with a gift you have not bought before. You can buy the chocolates, the cards, the flowers. Let's do it handmade style this year...

Handmade Valentines Bath Bombes

I first posted these back in Christmas 2012 and I wass amazed at the response. These cute little hearts are just what you want to make sure that you bag a nice hot bath with the love of your life.

Click on the link below to find out how..






http://samschofielddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/12/making-bathing-loveliness-for-christmas.html

The Card

 With an old type writer and some red and cream card, make an up-cycled card. You can always handwrite instead or print using a retro font off your laptop? Type out your message the rip the papers up and sew together on your sewing maching. I then stuck this on a piece of red card with the my message below.

To give the card an arty feel, I cut two pieces of card and stitched them together on a sewing maching. Keep the sewing maching foot down and sew in a straight line ideally with a 90 or 100 needle so you don't break the needle.

One unique Valentine's card for your loved on.

Hand Painted Quilty Hanging

Sometimes of year it is nice to decorate the home, I am doing this on Valentine's day simply because it is my husbands birthday as well, so I have to go the extra mile but it is so worth it to see the smile on his face!

This year I am making a Valentine's day wall hanging with hand painted hearts, all stitched together to form a creative quilt effect. Simple, quirky and very us!

 

I hope I have inspired you for your Valentines?

 

 

Love to hear your comments?

My Creative Christmas Family

 I love homemade gifts...

..so tonight's post is a thank-you for some gifts made by love by my caring family!

 

I am really am blessed to have some talented people around my new little family. Here are some of the lovely homemade Christmas gifts we received on Tuesday. So tonight I am having a break and showcasing my family and some beautiful gifts, given with love.

Homemade Chutney

Made by Great Aunty Celia

 

Aunty Celia makes us chutney every year and it is mild enough for baby L to have for tea with her cheese sandwiches. We love chutney and I use it on everything sandwiches, toast and a spoonful in a curry always goes down well.

Crochet Baby Gifts

Made by Aunty Hazel

 

Baby L has some handcrafted crocheted knits for Christmas from Aunty Hazel, a pinafore and a jumper with crochet flowers and over sized buttons. I took a few pictures as I cannot wait to get baby L dressed up in theses handmade unique pieces. As they are winter colours we can team them up with tights and colourful bodies. So very cute...

 

 

Nordic Style Felt Bird Hanger

Made by Nana

 

For baby L, she has this beautiful Nordic style felt bird hanger. Each felt bird was stitched and embellished with beads and sequins in orange and pinks. It has a little bell on the end so we have attached it to her door so it rings each time you go into her room.

 

 

Homemade Christmas Cakes

Made by Grandma Cynthia 

Some handmade Christmas cakes were made and iced by my Mum as Christmas gifts. They were so light and a great idea, you never eat all the cake and these are kept really fresh. We have been eating our way through them and they stack in the cupboard. At Christmas time the cupboards are always full.

 

 



Party Dress

Handmade by Grandma Cynthia

 

I haven't been able to make some beautiful handmade dresses for baby L this Autumn due to my other crafty ventures and job hunting / interviews etc. So while I was busy looking to get back in the job market as a new Mum, my Mum helped out making a new dresses. This one was a surprise for Christmas day which she kept very quiet from me and I am sure that baby L will spend many happy times in this dress.

Spring Bulbs

Handmade by Aunty Melissa

 

How lovely, a pot of spring  bulbs wrapped in Christmas ribbon and decorated with small stones . In a few weeks we will have a show of Spring bulbs in our kitchen window to remind us that spring is just around the corner.

Our 2012 Christmas

Our family Christmas with a homemade touch...

 

After a busy few days of preparing for Christmas day I managed to host my first Christmas Day.

 

***my Internet connection went down so blog post lost half way thru!! update tomorrow***

 

So over the 12 days leading up to Christmas day I crafted my way through presents and treats and the odd decoration for the tree. This was my first Christmas dinner and with a 13 month old I was a little nervous of getting food from kitchen to table without a nappy stop or a teething moment!

 



 

I really put everything into the preparation, on Christmas Eve we had a tagine which freed up some of my time to make the veggie option. With a visit to Church for the annual Christingle service to go to I didn't want to feel stressed and not enjoy what the children had spent months rehearsing.

 

After Christmas Eve's tagine with couscous (bit festive with fruits and spices) I set to with my helpers to get all our vegetables chopped and in water ready for the next day. I even had enough time to make a handmade card for our kitty crazy toddler. That is real preparation on the food front.

 

I made our Italian Christmas cake a few days before and on Christmas morning whisked up some eggs,cream  and vanilla, sliced up the cake and layered it all in a oven proof dish with morello cherries and covered in brown sugar. Not too heavy for a pud.

For our Christmas lunch vegetables, I did roasted potatoes of courses and a new dish of roasted red onions with pomegranates seeds and basil. The fruits really lifted the palette and were a delight. I always do too much red cabbage! Braised in cinnamon and balsamic vinegar the cabbage really added some punch and colour.

The veggie option was a stuff roasted squash, stuffed with chestnut and walnut roast and the fish option was salmon with lemon and martini glaze (little sweet and bitter at the same time).

And

Crafty For Christmas! 6 days to go

As Us Mum's Get Busier Leading Up To Christmas ...

 

here are some quick ideas to make a lovely crafty festive time...

I just love this time of year now that I have a little one year old running around. Yes, some days are tough but she is so rewarding. Being a full time Mummy for the time being is lovely but tiring. Sunday afternoon Mr S looked after baby as I needed some sleep and catch up on some rest as I was getting runned down. Feeling so much better now and ready to get ready for Christmas time..Mums need energy at this time of year and sometimes being looked after too!

So as baby sleeps as we have been Christmas shopping, here are a few things that I have been up to on my sister site of my own name ... http://samanthaschofield.blogspot.co.uk/

With the countdown to Christmas in full swing, here is what has been going on...

Handmade Christmas Stockings are such a delight to make and so easy even if you are a beginner.Baby has this one on her cot.

Stamped Christmas wrap was something that baby and I could do together, she stamped and then wanted the whole set but it was fun for both of us to do. I will save a bit for her scrapbook.

Christmas Greetings cards was a friday night project as Mr S was out working late so I made the most of my time alone.

Christmas Bulbs have been planted and ready to be given as gifts.

 

Mince pies were made last week and yes I need to make more. The butter is out on the side as I write to make some more.

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This is one of my favourites from this year  2012 Union jack card