Saturday 27 July 2013

Summer 2013 in Our Garden

Last year we didn't spend a lot of time in our garden, almost none as a family. The weather wasn't great and it really wasn't easy with two six month olds. So Big Girl (aka Bambina) spent a of time out there with PJ alone while I stayed inside with the twins.

This year proved even more of a challenge as the Little Ones are now mobile and eat EVERYTHING and I mean everything! But I really wanted to spend time outdoors with them. Big Girl really loves it. So this is what we have done...


It cost us £35, although our neighbour did provide the four extra metal stakes that I didn't realise we would need. Each side of trellis netting is about 5m wide, too long for there not to be another support in the middle.

I was thrilled to buy about eight garden toys, some of which you can see here, on Ebay for £15 and to get a playhouse from the local paper for £30.



Add a sun canopy, purchased with Clubcard vouchers last year and a water table, Big Girl's birthday present from her grandparents and we are all set.

We have spent hours out there, with lots of playdates too! The fact that the Little Ones can't go digging in the flower beds, falling off the deck or tripping up on the patio means that I can manage on my own during the week. I even get to sit down sometimes!

My project for me was to plant out this wall. It's only occurred to me, after five years of living here to look under the stones. And I found, beneath a membrane, that there was pretty good soil. So once I removed the soil I just added a bit of compost to top it up. I bought heather and ivy plants and got two thyme plants delivered with our weekly groceries. I already had the lavender in a pot and I grew chives, aubretia and bellis perennis from seed. As well as colours that I like I am aiming to cover up the wall, which I hate, a bit! I am so pleased with the results. I am definitely going to do the other half next year.

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Pretty, pretty, pretty

My most recent Dollies, made for my friend Andrea. I especially enjoyed working with her youngest daughters floral garments and the cat themed babygros are very sweet too.

See more of my Dollies at www.facebook.com/memoriesgro

Sunday 21 July 2013

Cake Competition!

Only mad women hoover and bake when it's 30 degrees plus outside. I am one of those women!

When I discovered that a cake competition was to be held at the summer fair where I use to work I knew I should resist the temptation to enter, not least because I have a lot of Dolly work on at the moment. But as the temperatures started to rise and I couldn't actually model the fondant without washing my hands every two minutes I really began to seem like lunacy.

Anyway, I did it. It wasn't as good as I had hoped. I was planning to make the tea set as cake pops sticking out the top of the cake. If you'd like to see the picture that inspired this idea and my other influences for decorating the cake have a look at my Summer Cakes board on Pintrest. The top tier is an Earl Grey Cake, the top, a Berry Bakewell.

I came joint third (out of six!) and won a £10 Lakeland Voucher for my troubles. Not too shabby. Have decided never to go pro though, far too stressful!



Monday 15 July 2013

More For My Mantle

I've mentioned my mantle piece before. I'm perhaps more attached to it that before because the children can't reach it! It's somewhere we can still have a little bit of grown up decor.

I saw this pin a while back and thought, "wow!" I love my glue gun, it is awesomely useful. I bought it to make some of these flowers and it's been great for many other things but this was something new.

This was my first attempt, so I kept the design simple. I had a sauce bottle that I had kept but never really managed to get all the glue off so this was perfect. Looks great on my mantle piece which has, without me planning, got a white and yellow thing going on. Can't wait for my sweet peas to come out. They'll look great in this.

Saturday 13 July 2013

Tin Can Lanterns

I am addicted to Pintrest. I spend a disproportionate amount of time pinning wonderful things that don't get made because I spend to much time pinning. To be fair at the end of a long day sometimes I feel a lot more like pinning than crafting. It requires a lot less effort.

Anyhow P.Js 40th was looming and I find presents for men so difficult so when I saw this pin I thought it was a fab idea cause he loves the garden and sitting out on Summer evenings.

Here are my efforts. I was quite pleased.


Friday 12 July 2013

Hello.... is there anyone out there?!?

I'm back and determined to have another go at blogging! So, you know I had twins, well, they're nearly 18 months! And Bambina is nearly 3 and a half (think she might need a new nickname!) I have been busy, obviously. I am not going back to work. Not only did my salary not even start to stretch to the costs of three lots of childcare but I am also happier to be at home with them for now.

My other major project has been to undertake a new business, making and selling keepsake Dollies from baby clothes! I am really enjoying it and am currently working on expanding my range.

That's it for now, I shall try to be brief and by frequent. That way I might actually have a chance. If you read this please say hi, it would be good to know if there is anyone out there!



You can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memoriesgro