Link for the week: Etsy Guide

I know we are speeding towards Christmas and so this link might not be what you think I might share.  You would have thought it would be all about presents, right.  Well, I know that at this time of year, I start writing a big old list of things I want to do with my days off.  I know, I know, I should probably be relaxing, but I need to have something to do in those quieter moments!

The girls from New Craft Society sent us over the handy Etsy guide they found and so we thought we would pass it on also.
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https://www.worldpayzinc.com/etsy-guide/

We have been meaning to do an Etsy shop for ages and so this may be just our kind of guide!

H

Link for the Week: Bill's Restaurant

It's the time of year where we spend most of our evenings out at Dinners or parties for the festive season and so I thought I would make it this week's Link for the Week. Sammy and I went to Bath yesterday, more about that later on in the week, but we did sample another of our favourite chains, Bills Restaurant.  

http://bills-website.co.uk/

It never fails to disappoint with the food and definitely puddings and there is a Christmas Menu too. The afternoon tea is great too and would make a lovely present for someone, so basically it's all just fab.

If you can't make it down to a restaurant then you could always buy a present for someone with one of their hampers and then I recommend a visit in the New Year!  They have them in many different places in the South of England and so there is plenty to choose from.

It's making me hungry!

H

Link for the week: Anna Dent Studio

We came across Anna Dent at Renegade a few weeks ago and loved her stuff, so thought it would be good to give her Link for the week status.

http://www.annadentstudio.com/

You can buy her work online too at: https://beta.folksy.com/shops/AnnaDentStudio

Anna's work is really graphic Surface pattern designs, from prints to homewares.  She designs fabrics aswell, so you can always make your own items from her beautiful designs.

Even her logo is very cool and follows the retro vibe!  What's not to love.

H

Link for the week: ASOS

Now, this might be hard to believe but this month I made my first ever ASOS purchase!  I know.

I have been meaning to buy from them for a long while, but just haven't done it for some reason.  I have heard good and bad things about some of the quality of the clothes and I suppose that has put me off as I am really lazy and hate having to send things back.

My first experience was good though as I bought the two dresses above and they are great.  Both good quality and fit right, bonus.

http://www.asos.com/Women/

They always have great sales and the dress on the left went in the sale 3 days after I bought it which was a little annoying, but I love it so much that I don't mind too much!

Go check out the site and see if you can get a bargain!

Love it

H

Link for the week: Alison Lush

I first came across the subject of this week's Link at Spitalfields market way back in 2011.

I found Alison's stall and instantly fell in love with her jewellery.  She makes rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings and its Sterling Silver, so everything you could want really!  Well, everything I could want anyway.

I am currently lusting after the wire wrapped silver ring above!

http://alisonlush.com/

I found the bird necklace above and had to have it.  It's so simple and yet really effective on a plain top, which is why I love it so much.

If you are ever at Spitalfields market in London then do check Alison out, or you can just check out her website and buy direct from there.  No excuses to not leave with something!

Love it

H

Link for the week: Merton Abbey Mills

I found this little place while I was wandering around on the Internet this week and so I thought I would just have to share it.

http://www.mertonabbeymills.org.uk/index.php/directory/arts-and-crafts

According to the website it is 'An Arts and Crafts Village on the River Wandle, with an open air mini weekend market, live music, fantastic places to eat and exciting activities for all the family. The weekend market keeps in touch with its historical past through its stalls selling arts and crafts, together with more general stalls including fresh produce and exotic hot foods. Our shops are open throughout the week, (with own individual opening times) selling a variety of crafts, furnishings, jewellery and more, there’s regular shows for both children and adults in The Colour House Theatre and the fully restored waterwheel powers a pottery wheel in the Wheelhouse, with pottery classes for all ages, available every weekend'.

Sounds great hey!  I think a trip to South London will be in store!

Have you ever been? Or do you live near it, or anywhere else like this? Let us know in the comments below, or if there is somewhere else we should go, tell us all about it.

Thanks

H 

Link for the week: The Bake Off Book

Now we all love a bit of The Great British Bake Off - for those abroad, go check it out on BBC.

For the 4th series they have brought out a book about Everyday bakes.  Now I am not great with cook books in general as I have a relaxed approach to making sure I have all the ingrediants they ask for.  However, when it comes to baking, you have to make sure its all right, otherwise you end up with very random concoction!  Sorry to those who have had to eat those!

I thought that this week's link should be where you can buy the book so that you can become just like Mary Berry herself:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-British-Bake-Off-Foolproof/dp/1849906084

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/18288/Great-British-Bake-Off%3A-Everyday?src=gfeed&gclid=CNTjv4mpv7oCFSbHtAodsjQAsQ

Plenty of other shops have the book, but at the time of writing this post, these two were the cheapest I could find.

Also, there is a great review here about the book.

have fun baking!

H

Link for the week: TOFT

Just over a week ago, we popped along to the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace.

When we were there we visited TOFT UK's stand which is a great brand that sells alpaca wool to make all manner of things, our favourites were the new animal crochet patterns they have on offer.

http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/

You can crochet all manner of animals, from Zebra's and Monkeys, to Bat's and Bears.

They are sooooo cute and the wool is so soft, they would make great presents, whether as a kit or all made up for someone.

Love it

H

Link for the week: Free Machine Embroidery

Cupcake tea cosy by Poppy Treffry

I have been wanting to try Free Machine Embroidery for a while and I have seen this course at The Makery in Bath and so I thought I would share it with you.

http://www.themakeryonline.co.uk/workshops/sewing-textiles/free-machine-embroidery-an-introduction/

I think it might be a great excuse to go to Bath and check out the area.  I last went when I was very little and so I think a visit now I am older would be great to see the local bath's and of course a cream tea!

Live it

H

Link for the week: Knitting and Stitching Show Autumn 2013

Photo courtesy of www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com

It's that time of year again when the Knitting and Stitching Show comes back to Ally Pally in London for another round.

http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london/

We like to go to this show as it gives us chance to catch up with some faces and buy a few treats for ourselves aswell.

It's also good to see the exhibitions and what's new in the knitting and stitching world, any excuse hey!

The show runs from the 10th to the 13th of October and from some areas you can get the coach - just check out the website above, or just get the train like us.  Alexandra Palace where it is held is a beautiful building too and its nickname of Ally Pally is just as cute.

Hope to see you there!  Let us know if your going and maybe we can have an imprompu meet-up!

Love it

H

P.S. Friends of Sew Crafty Jan and Jean of 'Double Trouble' who produce the most AMAZING embroidered pieces are exhibiting this year, if you are going pop in to say hi and check out their new exhibition called ‘Rhythms and Counter Rhythms’ Sammy xxx

Link for the week: Friendship bracelets

photo courtesy of http://www.ohsoprettythediaries.com

This month is a pretty special time for Sammy and I as we have known each other for 15 years!  

I know ... but more of that later in the week.

I saw this tutorial for friendship bracelets on one of the blogs we follow on Bloglovin 'Oh so Pretty' and so I thought it appropriate to share.

http://www.ohsoprettythediaries.com/2013/07/the-diy-beaded-friendship-bracelets.html

What I love about these bracelets is that you can use cord - so no allergic reactions to metal for me - and whatever beads you have laying around and so it's so simple to make.  I also love the clasp that means you can easily do up/undo without having to have a clasp - which is always a bit difficult for me.

Friendship bracelets have been around so long and there are so many different types out there, but it's always nice to share the love with your friends by making them something so why not make one for their birthday or even have a think about Christmas presents - I know I just dropped the C word!

If you have a go, do let us know in the comments below.  Or if you have a way you do your friendship bracelets, let us know that too, so we can have a go!

Share the love with your friends.

H

Link for the week: Lindy Bop

Now, I am sure you all know by now that we both love Vintage - after all we did do 'Live it Vintage' event last summer in Sammy's hometown of Maidenhead.  I particularly love a Vintage Dress and have a few for events coming up, not too many details though as I want to keep them a surprise!

There is nothing quite like finding a beautiful Vintage dress that you love, but then there is of course the added problem of it fitting like a glove and for those of us who are a little on the larger side, those outfits are much harder to find.  For those of you who don't want to alter something to make it fit, there is always the Vintage Inspired dresses out there and whilst I was reading Vintage Life magazine the other day, I found a company which I thought I would have to share.  Mainly due to falling in love with one of the dresses - now just where to wear it! 

http://www.lindybop.co.uk

and my particular favourite dress is here, can you guess what colour?

The great thing about these dresses is that they are not too pricey.  One of my bugbears is that when you put the name Vintage to something, it instantly becomes expensive.  You can get the look of the 1950's without breaking the bank and I am all up for that. 

Where is your favourite place for Vintage inspiration?  Let me know in the comments below and we will go take a look.

Love it

H

Link for the week: D.I.Y. Jewellery storage via Under a Glass Sky

I found this little gem on our Bloglovin feed this week from a blog Sammy and I both love 'Under a Glass Sky' and thought it was such a great idea and so pretty.  It definitely deserves a link for the week status.

http://underaglasssky.com/2013/08/27/tuesday-tutorial-jewellery-picture-frames

It's from one of the blogs we follow on Bloglovin, so you should go check it out to see what other ideas you can find on there!

Make it

H

Link for the week: Sweetie time

Photo courtesy of www.mrsimmsoldesweetshoppe.co.uk

So, over the lovely long weekend both Sammy and I popped over to a friends housewarming which was lovely to catch up with good friends and some lovely food.

There was even some sweets to take away with us at the end - an adult party goodie bag if you will! I love those!

Anyway, it got me thinking about the old sweets we used to have as kids (usually for 1p or 2p down at the local shop) and then I found this weeks link! Yey

http://www.mrsimmsoldesweetshoppe.co.uk

I particularly love Jazzies, foam bananas and flying saucers, but to be fair most sweets will do!

Go check out this company and fill your boots with sweets at one of their stores or just buy online if you really can't wait!

Love it

H

Link for the week: Must See Exhibitions

Hello all and it's that time of the week where I tell you about something new to go and take a look at.

This week, it's a few exhibitions that I really want to go see.  Some of which I don't think I will get around to but I thought I would share with them with you guys and if you have been or do go, them please do leave a comment below about what it was like.

First up is the Zandra Rhodes exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London.  This place is a little known museum I feel, but its definitely worth a visit.  I went a few years ago for a Sanderson exhibition and loved it.

http://ftmlondon.org/ftm-exhibitions/zandra-rhodes/

I feel this may well be one of the exhibitions I won't get to though as it finishes at the end of this month and I just don't see me squeezing in a time to get there. So if you go, please let me know what it was like.

Next up is an exhibition at my favourite museum, the V&A.  We all know I love it here so no introductions needed to the museum but this exhibition on 'Club to Catwalk, London fashion in the 1980's' looks so good.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-from-club-to-catwalk-london-fashion-in-the-80s/about-the-exhibition

I missed the Hollywood costumes exhibition a few years ago - as it was always fully booked and so I am determined not to miss this one!

And finally, it's an exhibition on 'Extraordinary stories about Ordinary things' at the Design Museum. 

http://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2013/extraordinary-stories

I love objects and seeing what people think of boring items which can be seen in a different way. It was one of my main research loves when I did my masters a few years back and it has stayed with me.

So, I think that's enough for one day.  Hope you get to go see something soon too, let me know in the comments below.

Live it

H

Link for the week: Sewing Lego

Photo courtesy of www.suchitysuch.blogspot.co.uk

I found this little beauty on Pinterest the other day and couldn't resist showing it to you.  Why would you not want to make a little sewing machine out of Lego!  Combining Lego and sewing for me is my ultimate geek fest!

You can find the tutorial here:

http://suchitysuch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/lego-sewing-machine-tutorial.html

I would love to see if anyone makes this or has any other fun items they make.  Leave a link below and we will take a look.

Make it

H

Link for the week: crafts before they were cool

A friend of mine gave me the inspiration for this week's link for the week.  He sent me an article on buzzfeed and then I had a little route around and found this article that took me back to my youth:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/swelldesigner/14-crafts-you-made-before-they-were-cool-22zb

I often think about what I used to make when I was a child and how I am sure that it wasn't as cool as it would be now.  I remember making nearly all of the items on this list of 14 and I definitely know that my pom pom's were not as cool as the pom pom garlands in the article!

Have a look and remember your youth, what do you remember making?  Let me know in the comments below or even better send us a picture to our email address liveit.loveit.makeit@gmail.com.

Live it

H

Link for the week: Excel Art (yes really)

Photo courtesy of http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2013/05/28/tatsuo-horiuchi-excel-spreadsheet-artist/

I am constantly amazed by artists all over the world with their skill and enthusiasm for their work and then someone comes along and really makes me rethink how art can be made.  

Using a different tool of the trade and some huge imagination the artist Tatsuo Horiuchi uses Excel to make art.  Yes really!  He sat down one day and thought I can make something really amazing with a very mundane office tool.  You can see more about his work on the link below:

http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2013/05/28/tatsuo-horiuchi-excel-spreadsheet-artist/

I know you won't believe your eyes and so I thought I would add another picture from the article, so that you can see that he uses the autoshapes tool to make mini works in each of the cells, so that when combined they make beautiful pictures!  

Photo courtesy of http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2013/05/28/tatsuo-horiuchi-excel-spreadsheet-artist/

His work may not be the most unusual of subject matter but the way in which it is made really shows what can be done with alot of imagination and a programme people use everyday for spreadsheets and accounts.  As one of the people who commented on the original site said 'Just imagine what the guy could do with Photoshop!'

I am going to give it a go the next time I find myself doing some life admin, so if you try it too let us know in the comments below as we would love to see what you get up to.

Make it

H

Link for the week: Choccywoocydoodah

photo courtesy of www.choccywoccydoodah.com

Yes, you really did read that right, there is a place called Choccywoccydoodah and it's amazing!

Sammy and I have been to the shop in Brighton and London and we love all the amazing Chocolate sculptures they have.  Yes, because these are just not cakes, they are sculptures in their own right!

The original store was in Brighton and it gave us a great excuse to visit, but the London store does make it a little easier for us.  I am not sure whether that is a good thing or not! he, he.

The London Store

So, I thought it only right to make it the link of the week this week.  We are hoping to go to the cafe in the London store, as they only added it late last year.  The trouble is there are too many things on offer, how are we meant to choose!

http://www.choccywoccydoodah.com/

Back, to the store.  You can buy some of the cakes on offer or have your own made - for a fee of course.  There are also lots of chocolates on offer, for those who prefer a bit of chocolate to cake. There are giant jazzies, right through to chocolate blocks.  See, there really are no excuses not to go.

When we do go, of course there will be a post about it, so don't you worry about that.

Have you been, let us know what you think in the comments below.

Love it

H

Link for the week: Niki Feijens

photo courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk

I found this article while I was looking for something else - like you do.

This artist takes photos of abandoned places, places which could entirely be lived in, if it wasn't for the fact you know that it has been years in which they have been lived in.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316987/Photographer-Niki-Feijens-eerie-images-abandoned-farm-houses.html

A bit of blurb from the article: "His Disciple of Decay series features abandoned family homes that must once have been filled with conversation and laughter, but now house only the crumbling belongings of their former occupants.

One picture shows a bedroom that remains almost exactly as it was left, from the paintings hanging on the walls, to a television on a chest of drawers and a lace covering on the dressing table.

Another reveals a darkened living room with ornaments lining a sideboard, and a pair of shoes resting on the floor in front of an empty armchair.

Other images capture buildings in far worse states of repair, from the crumbling ceiling in a once-grand piano room, to a rotting table and chairs in an abandoned farmhouse."

I think they make some very beautiful pictures, if not a bit eerie.  But sometimes that's what makes them so intriguing right?

Anyone else I should have a look at?  let me know in the comments below.

Love it

H