This lavishly decorated box is almost a gift in itself, and is a stylish way to conceal a special surprise. Natural materials work well with fabric flowers, and you can use paper ribbon both to cover the box and to tie the chunky bow on top. Read the rest of this entry »
Delicate, swirling brush strokes create a watery background for this delightful sea horse. The box can be used for storing stationery, pencils, jewellery or even cosmetics. Read the rest of this entry »
This little ‘granny’ doll is bound to be a great favourite with small girls. She is easily made out of scraps of fabric and is filled with lavender. Read the rest of this entry »
Posies of aromatic flowers and herbs were popular in the past. This posy of long lasting, perfumed dried flowers, could be used on more than one occasion. Read the rest of this entry »
* 175 g/6 oz olive oil soap
* 30 ml/2 tbsp ground almonds
* Grater
* 25 m1/11/2 tbsp almond oil
* 10 drops lavender essential oil
* double boiler
* 25 m1/11/2 tbsp coconut oil
* Spoon
* heart-shaped moulds, oiled
1 Grate the soap. Place the grated soap in a double boiler and leave to soften over heat. Add all the other ingredients.
2 Stir until all the ingredients are evenly mix and begin to hold together.
3 Press the mixture into the oiled moulds at leave to set overnight. Unmould the soaps ready for use.
Essential oils don’t always work in candle gel. But in this project they work perfectly, because the gel is used as a casting medium rather than as candle fuel. Therefore, the therapuetic qualities of the oils aren’t destroyed by heat. Read the rest of this entry »
Winter holidays are a popular time for festive candles and gel candle crafting can open up a whole new world of ideas for you. These candles are made with iridescent red and green glass marbles, but you can use any sort of (safe) decorations with a holiday theme that spark your imagination. Read the rest of this entry »
The role of a mother has long been revered, with Mother Earth being worshipped in many forms. The origins of Mothering Sunday, known in the USA as Mother’s Day and celebrated later in the year, are therefore unclear. It may have very early pagan origins but it is probable that it began with the medieval practice of visiting the cathedral of the diocese or Mother Church on the fourth Sunday in Lent. Read the rest of this entry »
The men and women sailed narrow boats along the waterways of England created a unique style of painted enamelware, said to be the oldest folk-art in the country. Today only a handful of narrow-boat painters are still at work, yet a novice can apply a simplified version of the classic narrow-boat designs to dull household items, and transform them with the colours and vitality of the original ware. Canal traditions are also popular in France as well as Holland where distinctive styles of decoration have evolved over the centuries. Read the rest of this entry »
The custom of a bridewearing ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe’ is a chance for friends and family to give the bride an appropriate gift.
The garter is another traditional item, worn by the bride on the day of the wedding. Another custom is for the newly wed bride, on leaving the reception, to throw her posy of flowers to her unmarried girlfriends and her garter to the bachelors, those who catch the flowers and garter are said to be the next couple to announce their marriage. Read the rest of this entry »
