A handmade wedding

5 years ago today me and Mr Bunny got married! It was an amazing day, in the Lake District, which we shared with our friends and family. 

Being the crafty soul that I am, where I could, I made things.  I made my own invitations, order of service, seating plan, thank you cards, place settings, menus - pretty much anything I could get away with! You can see just behind the owls in the photo a menu card poking out!

Where possible, I bought handmaid items. Custom made corsets for my bridesmaids ( to go with the bargain skirts and wraps I picked up in the sale), handmade soap for gifts, hand made chocolate hedgehogs for favours from a gorgeous chocolate shop in Windermere. We even had a souvenir  plate made instead of a guest book!

I thought I'd share a few photos of that special day with you all.

Until next time.

Sarah x

WIP Wednesday - Crochet and Felt

One of my crafty resolutions for 2013 is to blog more regularly.  I love blogging but found that life got in the way and I wasn't blogging as often as I should so I've given it a little structure.  To ensure I blog at least twice a week, I've introduced 2 regular features - Words of Wisdom (which I launced here yesterday) and WIP (Works in Progress) Wednesday ~ I borrowed this idea from the fabulous Plutonium Muffin (I hope she doesn't mind!)

WIP Wednesday is an opportunity for me to share what I'm working on be it crochet, sewing or art journaling. 

Currently, I have 3 projects on the go. 

1.  Wrapt Top from Curvy Girl Crochet by Mary Beth Temple

This is the second project I've made from this book which, as the title suggests, is full of projects designed for curvy girls.  I've finished the body and sleeves and just have the edging and ties to make and then it's finished and ready to wear!  The yarn is Red Heart Shimmer in sparkly pink which I picked up in Sainsbury's for the bargain price of £1.50 a ball.  Eventhough it is 100% acrylic, it is super soft and will make for a beautiful top when finished.

2.  Lego Blanket (Pattern by Andrea Baker)

I'm making this blanket for Mr Bunny as he loves lego and needs a blanket of his own so he will stop stealing mine!  The pattern is really simple and, once you've made a few blocks, you don't even need to look at it.  So far I have around 30 blocks so I'm not really that far along - he wants it completed immediatley but it is definitley going to take some time.  To keep costs down, I'm using my acrylic stash up so it's going to be a multicoloured lego wonder when finished!

3.  Textile Coursework


Today has been devoted to finishing off all my work for Module 1 of my City and Guilds course (we have to hand it all in for assessment in a few weeks - eek!).  I've been writing in my sketchbook and have made my sewing machine earn it's keep.  I've still got a bit left to do, but the majority of it is done now - phew.  I've really enjoyed machine embroidering onto my felt pieces as it creates an amazing effect.

What have you all been up to this week? 

Until next time

Sarah x

Words of Wisdom

I love quotes.  I find them really inspirational. They are also a great stimulus for my art journaling and really get me thinking, writing and creating.

One of my crafty New Year's resolutions is to blog more regulalry.  Aspects of my life have prevented me from doing this as fully as I could over the past few months so, to get me back into the swing of things, I am starting 2 new regular features - one of these being Words of Wisdom!

Every Sunday I will be posting a quote of the week to get us all reflecting and thinking.  I may also add other 'bits' to go with it such as photo's or journaling - I'm pretty flexible on this and so you could get just about anything.  I would also love it if you, my awesome followers, would comment and share your thoughts and ideas through the comments section and by linking back to your own blog or page - I'd love to see what you are all up to!

I know it's not Sunday, but being the first day of 2013, I felt that a quote would be appropriate.  This week's quote is:

Image courtesy of mymdsdesigns.blogspot.com

Ok, so not quite a quote but pertinent to the start of a New Year.  For me, I am starting a new chapter in my life with a change of direction with regards my career.  I see the start of a New Year as the start of a new chapter and an opportunity to set some goals for the year ahead.  I avoid the traditional resolutions of lose weight, give up alcohol etc etc and prefer to be more positive and look at the things I would like to do. 

How do you want your 'new chapter' to begin?

Until next time,

Sarah x

P.S - Happy New Year!

Out with the old and in with the new



(Photo courtesy of anniemandbenc on Flickr)

I can't believe that it is New Years Eve 2012!  I'm not the biggest fan of New Year (I'm much more of a Christmas girl) but I do like the opportunity to spend a bit of time reflecting on what the past 12 months have bought and thinking about what I want the following year to bring.

2012

2012 has been a funny old year for me. 

Personally, it's been quite a tough year for me and I've made some pretty massive decisions about my life.  In fact, today is officially my last day in my current job as a full time primary school teacher (I'm not going to go into details now, that is for a future post!) The decision was a hard one but one I am extremley happy with.  I will be working as a supply teacher for a while, as well as continuing with my private tutoring - which I love.  I will also be able to devote more time to The Gingerbread Bunny, which I am really excited about.

The Gingerbread Bunny has continued to grow. I've developed some new designs and my funky applique clothing line as well as teaching more workshops and selling at a few events. 


Last year I set myself 2 crafty resolutions:

1:  To learn how to do Tunisian crochet.  I saw Holly (who has started a crafty blog - check it out) doing some Tunisian crochet and the final effect is gorgeous.  

I'm pleased to report that I have been learning the basic tunisian crochet stitch thanks to the beautiful shawls designed by Aoibhe Ni.  I have made a couple of Pax Shawls, for me and as gifts, and made the Elderflower tunisian crochet hat.  I have actually just ordered a set of hooks and a book so that I can get to grips with more stitches next year. 


2: I also what to attend more workshops next year.  I have already enroled on the next Textiles course at night school for this term and am really looking forward to it.  I really want to go on a dressmaking course and definitley need to get myself booked onto another art journaling workshop at Art from the Heart in Harrogate!

I started the year with a textiles course at night school - where I made my patchwork crochet bag.  Then I took a big leap and enrolled on a City and Guilds Textiles Level 1 Course (through felt) with Arty Bird in Carnforth.  I have to say, it is one of the best things I've done in ages and I love it.  I'm really looking forward to this years weekends and am hoping to stay on to do level 2. I did enrol on a dressmaking course but, unfortunatley, this was cancelled due to the ill health of the tutor. 

2013

So, what do I want 2013 to bring?  In terms of my life in general I have but one goal:

(Photo cortesy of coffeecupsandraybans on tumblr)

Being happy, in all aspect of my life, is extremley important to me so I'm going to make sure that I do things that make me happy (not what will make others happy but me miserable!)  If I'm happy, then those closest to me will also be happy.

2013 Crafty Goals

Following the success of 2012's crafty goals, I'm going to set myself a few more for 2013.

1. To sew myself a skirt!
I have the most beautiful Amy Butler fabric in my stash which is just crying out to be made into a skirt.  2013 is the year I learn to make a skirt (with the help of a few friends).

2.  To develop The Gingerbread Bunny through: a website, teaching workshops and selling at craft fairs.
2012 has seen The Gingerbread Bunny grow and I want to see that continue into 2013.

3. To blog regularly.
I am aware that I have neglected my blog over the past few months and I want to remedy this in 2013.  I love my blog and, unfortunatley, life got in the way.  I have so much to share with you all and want to make sure I do this.  I've 'borrowed' a few ideas from blogs I love to follow as well as developing some of my own.  New features include a WIP Wednesday post (Work's in Progress) and an Inspirational Quote of the Week on a Sunday (although the first will be tomorrow!) as well as other exciting book reviews and other crafty goodies dotted around during the week.  Hopefully, by adding some structure to my blogging, you will get to read more.


All that leaves me to do is to wish you all a Happy New Year where ever you are and however you like to see it in.  This year, me and Mr Bunny will be enjoying a Lord of the Rings marathon with a few cheeky drinks and nibbles.