Pretty Shabby Uk

Hi all, I am delighted to have been asked to be a guest blogger for Maggie over at  Passionately Artistic . For those of you who don't know me let me introduce myself; I'm Dawn, I live with my fantastic hubby John, and I have 4 amazing kids. I am a newbie when it comes to the blogosphere.  Have a look around, see what you think.  Feel free to add yourself to my list of followers. Let me share with you how to make this easy peasy Me to You Happy New Years card Supplies:- A4 white card Me to You Stampers gift set Me to You papers Xcut oval nesting dies Silver adhesive stones Step by Step Instructions Using the Xcut oval nesting die I created an oval card blank.   Then covered the card with patterned paper Stamp ‘Let’s Party!’ on to a small oval die cut and embellish with a ribbon bow and shimmer dots. Attach to the card. Stamp the tags four times on to card and patterned papers then cut in half and paper piece the tags. Add colour to the balloons. Stamp 2012 o

Lavender Shortbread Recipe Makes 16 small rounds. Ingredients 150g plain flour Pinch of salt 100g butter 50g caster sugar 2 tsp culinary dried lavender flowers. Method Preheat oven to 160C.  Slightly crush 1tsp lavender flowers in a pestle and mortar to release the natural oils. Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl with the caster sugar, butter and crushed lavender, and rub in using fingertips to make a crumbly mixture which can then be kneaded together to make a dough.  Roll out to 1cm thick and cut into individual rounds. Sprinkle with the remaining lavender flowers, pressing them down gently until they stick, then bake for 10-15 mins until the shortbread is just starting to brown. Leave for 10 mins before removing from baking tray, and sprinkle with caster sugar. Tips Some people recommend leaving the dried lavender flowers for decoration until after the shortbread is baked, but I find they just fall off. The amount of

Hi All, Well not long now.... It is about time that i posted my fabulous Christmas tree picture.  This year i decided to go for the fairytale gingerbread theme. See what you think?  Have you spotted the Five little snowmen  or the Felt Christmas Puddings ? Remember the wooden gingerbread men post i did?? Meet Gingerbread Sam The full effect This one is also gingerbread Sam..... My son Luke loves Fireman Sam.... I have been busy trying to get my assignments done before Christmas so i can relax, oh and baking the odd batch of mince pies (yummy).. So I am going to pop over and see what other fabulous goodies have been made this week at Wendys

Why is it that things taste better on a stick? All I know is that these marshmallow pops are yummy! They are also super easy to make and your wee little ones can help you. Eat these while sipping on some hot chocolate. Heck, plop one in your hot chocolate and use as a stir. Enjoy! Materials 6 Candy Canes (crushed) Lollipop Sticks Large Marshmallows Chocolate Chips (melted) Rolling Pin or Food Processor (for crushing candy canes) Method Start by placing a straw through the center of each marshmallow. Place your candy canes or peppermints into a food processor and process into small pieces, or smash up with a rolling pin Place your chocolate into a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for 30-second intervals, stirring frequently, until melted. Let the chocolate set for about 1 min, and then sprinkle with peppermint crumbs Place in freezer until hardened. Feel free to Visit the Blog | Follow on Pinterest | Follow on Facebook |  Follow on Twitter

Looking for something a little different to pop on your mantle this year? Infusing natural rustic decor into your holiday decor creates a casually elegant style that is warm and welcoming.  Pinecone Topiary Trees do just that, emphasizing materials such as pinecones that can be found right in your own back yard.  What you will need:  2-12" Foam cones Hot Glue Gun Mod Podge Burnt Umber Craft Paint Gold Spray Paint Glitter in White Gold Heavy Duty Scissors Paint Brush Pine cones I have always collected pinecones and have them readily available, but if you can’t harvest them yourself, you can certainly buy them by the bag at your local craft store (and they are usually scented, bonus!). Mist each pinecone with gold spray paint, not total coverage, just enough to give them a little metallic sparkle. Once the gold paint dried, cut the ‘petals’ off of three medium (6″) size pinecones.  Using heavy duty scissors, cut off all the petals and set them aside. It might look difficult,

Do you need an advent calendar for Christmas?  Why not upcycle your used baby food jars and make an Advent Christmas Tree with your kids. Materials: ·          24 baby food jars ·          Ornaments ·          Beads to hang ornaments on ·          Assorted green & brown paper ·          Assorted number decals ·          Paint ·          Mod Podge ·          Hot glue gun ·          Cardboard 1. Paint your jars and lids. 21 green and 3 brown. I did this with the lids off, so the rim of the jar would get painted too. I used acrylic and it took a couple coats. Spray paint may be easier?? After the paint was dry I went over the jars with a coat of Mod Podge to add a little shine. Don’t worry about the lids- we’ll get them later 2. Cut out 21 green circles and 3 brown. You could use solid or patterned paper- or a mixture. 3. Mod Podge your paper circles onto the lids. Go ahead and coat the lid rim while you’re at it to give it a nice gloss. 4. Hot glue a

During my last post Fabulous and easy to make advent I found some amazingly beautiful and very easy to make calendars. I just simply had to show you more of my finds. Button & Upholstery Fabric Advent - Made from upholstery fabric which is stiff , non-wrinkly, and subtly shiny and embellished with pearl buttons which correspond to the date. For instance 4 buttons for December 4th. Little Houses {with doors that open and shut} are hung from a bouquet of bare winter branches. Hidden behind each door will be a time ticket (a family tradition now!) or a slip of paper with a clue to where a tiny treat is hidden in the house… treasure hunting is very popular around here. A simple wall + pocket made out of charcoal linen and a cotton canvas print. It is made with four rows of pockets to hold 24 little number cards. Advent Pocket Calendar - Made with paper and fabric scraps, chipboard, stickers, and various knick-knacks/household junk. Fabric Nativity Advent  - I just

Here is my top 5 Easy to make Advent Calendars  Make your own Advent calendar to help ease the anxiety of waiting for December 25.  The tutorial to make this fantastic   tin advent calendar This easy to make Matchbox advent is sure to be a winner Rather make this beautiful muffin tin advent?   HERE is the amazing tutorial I love this cute little bucket advent , not sure who will have more fun your child for getting the gifts or you for making it Now there is no excuse not to be able to collect these materials to make this cool Loo Roll advent calendar This is so easy and cheap to make, and so beautiful Christmas Tree Advent There are so many beautiful and easy ways to create stunning and original advents calendars.  Why not post yours and lets see your advent ideas.....

I cant believe it my little guy is 3 today, seems like only last year when he was crawling....how time flies.. Just thought I would introduce you to some of my absolutely amazing family  My Gorgeous Little Guy He has the temperament to match that fiery hair too... My beautiful little Princess  Lets try for a group shot...........no chance... Cant believe we managed to get the kids still.... My Eldest Daughter......how beautiful she has grown up... Andrew my other son who is 15 does not like his picture been taken, so Just want to say how handsome he has grown up too. My husband was working this day, so I plan to go back and have a family portrait done, Note to Andrew.....YOU WILL BE ON IT xx

When I saw this template I was interested as to how it would work.  How on earth did it flip, so out of curiosity i thought I would have to give it a go. Why not download your Free  Flip card template Remember my Halloween Flip Card , well this is its template I used....