Happy St.Andrew's Day!

Saturday 30 November 2013


Here are a few amazing tartan finds from Etsy to celebrate all thinks Scottish!

Harris Tweed Clasp Purse Handmade in Scotland 
I favourited this beautiful tartan purse made from Harris tweed on my page . The maker Faith Monsoon has I-Pad covers and guitar straps in her shop all made from tartan made in Scotland. If you have Scottish heritage, treat yourself!

This dog collar by Paws and Polks Dots would be a lovely gift for your pet this Christmas. Visit there Etsy shop to find out more tartan finds!
Handmade Murray of Atholl Tartan Adjustable Dog Collar
And finally,if you really want to get into the tartan swing with a kilt bag this gorgeous bargain from Penelope and the Sea for under £24 ex p&p!
Vintage Kilt, Tartan Plaid Skirt, Wool Kilt, Preppy Plaid Skirt, Women's Kilt, Scottish Kilt, Clyde Kilt, Vintage Skirt, Red Skirt,                  
I'm off to do a highland dance or two!

Laters,


Customised Rubber Stamp - and it's from Lidl!

I picked up this nifty bargain in Lidl of all places on Thursday and it's fab for creating your own customised stamps for your creative business or just for fun! And it was only £2.99! 

Had to share, as you can customise as many times as you like, just click out the ink pad and use the rubber letters to create a new message.

This took me about fifteen minutes to make and I'm really happy with it. Here is what you get to create your own bespoke self inking stamp.


Let me know what you think?

This post was not sponsored...

Happy Crafting,








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Mrs. Crafty B's Lucky Dip Craft Kit Review

Thursday 28 November 2013
Last week this exciting parcel dropped through the door...
it's Mrs Crafty B's Lucky Dip Craft Kit to review. I have had my eye on this crafty parcel whilst planning Open Studios over the weekend and couldn't wait to get started  on lots of new projects using the kit.

Mrs Crafty B's craft packs are all in aid of a good cause. She is setting up a community craft project to support groups in Cambridge and surrounding areas. Each kit costs £3.50 including p&p from Mrs Crafty B directly. 

The project already supports an evening group for adults and for 2014 will be setting up two new monthly adults workshops and two new weekly groups for parents & preschoolers and mums with under ones. 

As a new Mummy, this support network is fantastic for your well being and to support your child's development.

Let's get started...
I firstly opened the kit and sorted out how many projects I could make using just the items in the pack.

...and here they are...

if you are confident with a sewing machine why not use it on paper. I used a size 3 stitch in running stitch.
This bunting is hanging up already above the fireplace and it beautiful. Thanks Mrs Crafty B!

and a Card...
and a finished a gift tag in ten minutes ...
A really good value pack. I love the bunting and the garden leaves card will be perfect for my Mother-in-law's birthday.

Thanks for the product to review Mrs.Crafty B!

Happy Crafting,


My Weekend at Evolve Banks Mill Open Studios in Derby

Sunday 24 November 2013
This weekend I've been to my first Evolve Banks Mill Studio's Open Studios here in Derby. I was really looking forward to displaying my Crafternoon Tea Stall alongside other East Midland's Creatives.

I want to send a big thank-you for everyone who came to see me and my family for all the support. I met some great people, heard some lovely sewing stories and found out how other Creatives make their crafts! Phew!

So here are a few pictures up of my stall before I go and get some rest before some busy blogging next week..

and after three days at the show...


Here is one of the beautiful fascinators made at a Crafternoon Tea...

Handmade fascinator and Christmas Pudding brooches
Banks Mill Studios lit up for the Friday night launch
My Crafternoon Tea Stall
Try It Samples for the Crafternoon Teas
My apron! Hung up after a busy three days...
Catch you in the week with more posts about the lovely artwork I saw this weekend,

Open Studios @ Banks Mill, Derby

Wednesday 20 November 2013
This weekend I'm packing up my Craftiness ...

and going to Banks Mill Studios Open Weekend! Very excited, so if you're coming I'll see you there!

I'm in the 'Made in Derby' market in the Enterprise Centre, Bridge Street, Derby. 

I'll be bringing my Crafternoon Tea Stall along with crafternoon inspired gifts.

This is a great opportunity to find out more about what I do and what's new!






Afternoon of Craft and Giggles!

Sunday 17 November 2013

Crafty Fun - perfect for a Hen party...

Yesterday I was lucky enough to work with Katie from Crafts and Giggles and a wonderful group of Hens.

We made vintage style corsages and brooches under two and a half hours and all twenty three crafty Hens finished. They looked pretty amazing! 

Katie provides craft workshops through the UK on a diverse set of crafts from cake decorating to glass painting to accessory decoration. Check out her website for those fab corsages!
Katie from Crafts and Giggles

For the vintage style accessory party, the Hens had a great choice of fabrics, beads and threads to choose from...
so much crafty choice.
then they got there craft on with lots of singing and high spirits...
 And produced some creative and bespoke pieces.

Here are a few pieces from Crafts and Giggles site to inspire you...

Picture

Picture 

A big thank-you for Katie for inviting me along to work with her,

Enjoy!

Time For Us

Friday 15 November 2013
This morning, my Mr.S and I took ourselves off for a mid morning date. It's may not sound like a big deal but it's the first time we have been able to in two years. Friday morning, no kids just us.

Time for ourselves and each other is really valuable and with our family growing up around us it was great to go and take coffee and have gorgeous mid morning cakes in a local coffee shop and chat.

We normally get time at the end of the day so this was a real treat.
I wanted to share as it's just lovely to stop and appreciate each other and listen.

Then get back to everyday life!


 
Isn't nice just to take time out and have time for each other?
 
 
 

First Crafternoon Tea At The Weekend In Derbyshire

Tuesday 12 November 2013

On Sunday I...

packed up my crafting goodies and headed up to a lovely teashop in Borrowash nr Derby to have a Crafternoon Tea workshop. 

The teashop is Marmalade and Tea and I chose it for the amazing light and airy space which is perfect for crafting in. 

I took festive greenery as inspiration plus suitcases of vintage buttons and fabrics

The session was a sell out, here is a few snaps for the day plus the great tutorial for the Christmas textile leaves wreath we made!

 
Our project








Crafting tables 



Gorgeous cream tea served on vintage china                        









If you missed out this time, why not join me at other Crafternoon Teas here in Derbyshire this Winter?

Happy Crafternooning (as it's afternoon somewhere in the world!)

 



Textile Leaves Christmas Wreath

Monday 11 November 2013




With the festive season just around the corner, now is a great time to start crafting your wreaths. They will stay fresh and colourful right through the season!

We made these in Crafternoon Teas  yesterday and everybody made their own original wreaths using colours, textiles and button decoration! Oh ..plus we had a gorgeous cream tea too! So get your craft on and make cream tea too to enjoy the pleasure of wreath making this Christmas time!

You Will Need –

130cm 80cm wide organza ribbon (or strips of voile)
120cm 25cm red double satin ribbon        
1 x 25cm florists wire hoop
6 buttons                                 
20cm voile (golds /reds)
20 x 20cm crafters felt (green/reds)       
20 x 20cm table protector
40 x 40cm selection of fabrics include velveteen, satin, linen or cotton
130cm 80cm wide organza ribbon (or strips of voile)
Opaque nail polish (to give frosted look)
Sewing box essentials scissors, threads, dressmaking pins

Let’s Create

Take your wire florist hoop and wrap the organza around it and secure both ends with a pin. You now have your base.


Take three seasonal leaf shapes, trace around them and cut out. Then cut out odd number of leaves in various sizes, colours and textures. Take your ribbon and make a bow and pin over the overlapped ribbon. This is your bottom of your wreath.


Take your largest leaves and lay on your base first. Remove your ribbon as this is a guide. You will add the ribbon as the last job. Pinch the centres to give them a raised effect. 

Then add your smaller leaves and ribbon trio fillers. If you want to add varnish to create a frost effect this is a good time to do this. Add your organza strips in trios. Your wreath is now all pinned up.


It will take about an hour to sew your wreath together. Going around the pins, stitch the leaves on and take the pins out. 

Your wreath will then have a 3D effect to it. 

Add buttons and... 


...is all ready for the festive season.

Happy Christmas 2013,








Why not visit my website for more information on workshops, projects and events www.samanthaschofield.co.uk

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DIY Wedding Flower Secrets...

Wednesday 6 November 2013


Be Creative with flowers on your big day...

I love flowers and saved a small fortune on our Wedding day with doing a lot of the flowers myself. Read more about my florist and Wedding journey on this post for Nicola's fab lifestyle blog Nicola Through My Eyes plus my tutorial on how to make a button hole.



As promised here are some more hints to make the flowers personal, gorgeous and save some money (your future spouse with love you more!)

Ask your local supermarket for the fresh flower delivery buckets (they mostly throw them out!) use these to condition your flowers in at home instead of buying pre-conditioned from the florist.

Purchasing seasonal flowers and fewer varieties.

Use evergreen foliage, I used greenery from friends and families gardens. It gave a personal feel to the day. I loved the varieties so much that now I have the same plants in our garden. Floristry has me hooked!

Having a classic theme of no more than three colours.

I really hope that this helps any bride to consider doing the flowers with a bit of help from friends and family. 
 
..And buy the best hand cream you can afford. I use L'Occitane Shea Butter Cream. Amazing, use everytime you wash your hands! Honestly it works.


It was a real money saver and gave me a new skill that I now use at Christmas, Easter and recently for my little ones Christening Day.
 
Love to hear from any DIY Brides that have also done theirs or any would be DIY Brides after tips!
 
For now, 
 
Sam x