14 Pictures of 2014

Tuesday 30 December 2014
Blog meet goodies from #ccbloggers meet up. Brad got in my yarn stash!
Vintage -spired brooch making with 1940's rug making techniques
Daffodils corsages from a Spring Crafternoon tea
Embroidery project for a Crafternoon

Pretty Snowdrops from my vintage garden

Handmade rings made by old buttons and jewellery findings


China ready for a glamping Crafternoon tea



Dabbling with papercraft and silk flowers for a friend's birthday

Yummy classic sponge cake in icing and sprinkles



My love of vintage patterns for the #vintagepledge challenge


Summer roses and gift wrapping for Father's Day

Salt dough crafting at home
My very first Summer Wedding fair
A lovely photo shoot Christmas present to our family and friends captured by Marie-Louise Hall Photography



What are you top pictures of 2014? Drop me a link in the comments box and I'll pop over for a look.

Happy New Year!

Samantha












































































Share Why You Love Vintage & Win A Night Out At VOC, London

Thursday 27 November 2014

Mix Your Night Up With Vintage Style Drinks in London worth up to £60







 To celebrate the launch of our new blog www.teacakecraft.eu, we are giving you the chance to win a night out sampling the best vintage style drinks worth up to £60 at VOC in London.
So if you are heading out this Christmas party season or looking for a reason to go to London in the January sales, enter now for the chance to win drinks and food courtesy of VOC in London.

With vintage style punches on the menu, it's really hard to be choose which one. Traditionally made with five ingredients including a spirit (either Dutch gin called genever or arrack made with coconut palm), punches have made a come back. 

With a collective of award winning mixologists and drinks enthusiasts VOC has created a phenomenal range of drinks inspired from a bygone era with a modern interpretation. They pride themselves with using seasonal produce and the latest molecular mixology techniques. Vintage looks like a trend that's here for good.

Check out the drinks menu!  I have to say I'm a White Port Tea lady myself with Earl Grey in a punch. A real twist that works for me!

So if you are planning a hen party, birthday or celebration, get your friends together over vintage drinks and let the ideas flow!

So let's celebrate. Enter by sharing why you love vintage here .

Good Luck,

Samantha 


The small print - 
Voucher redemption from 16th December 2014 to 31st January 2015.
One entry per person only.
One winner only.
The winner will be chosen at random after the competition closed at midnight on the 14th December 2014.
Competition held with Crafternoon Tea Hostess (Samantha Schofield) and VOC, London.
No cash alternative to be offered.
Crafternoon Tea Hostess will not share your data with  any other third party company.
For an email of the name of the winner please email info@crafternoonteahostess.co.uk after the 15th December 2014.
Please drink responsibly.

Vintage Style Stamps

Friday 21 November 2014
I am always on the look out for smart, cute and quality crafty tools. I have to say, I've had self inking stamps made for me last year and they didn't print properly! How frustrating! So when Speedy Stamps asked me to review a this cute 2.5 inch square bespoke stamp (the size of a mini clear tape), I  was delighted to try it out.

I love stamps! They look vintage and quirky on thick water marked pretty papers and really reflect the retro look we have at Crafternoon Tea Hostess.  

www.crafternoonteahostess.co.uk
Clear printing each time with my new vintage stamp
Speedy Stamps wanted just one image from me and sent over a proof for me to check. We ended up doing two proofs to make sure it was perfect and they even amended the files at the offices as the website address was small.

I love the lovely old fashioned wooden handle of the stamp and the big ink pad that comes as standard with the stamp. No hunting for a ink pad that's compatible.

For me, the guys at Speedy Stamps turned the job around in a few days and hey..the details is really amazing...
They turned my image into a vintage stamp

I now have faith in using bespoke handmade stamps! Why not try getting one made for your Wedding or Christmas crafts?

Bye for now,

Samantha x

S - This is a sponsored post and all views are my own.

The #ccbloggers Derby Meet

Wednesday 12 November 2014
Take A Group of Creative and Crafty Bloggers ...

Mix in a decopatch crafty project  +


paper, crafts, decoupage
Making Christmas decorations with Decopatch
  
A visit to a product photographers studio  +

photography, derby
At Holly Booth Photography new studio in Derby


Add a social media talk....

social media, derby
Social Myla Ltd giving us a social media savvy chat
 
Some creative projects....



journal, studio, creative
Daire from Open Way Designs fabulous creative journal


Lots of blogging tips and experiences ...

blogging, blog
Chatting over drinks in the Bean Caffe in Derby

And you have a Creative and Crafty Blogger Meet! 

Thank-you to all the lovely Midlands bloggers who came to Derby last Saturday. 

A big crafty thank-you to
 the following businesses who gave their time and services to make the day happen.




Bean Caffe Derby

Revolution Bar Derby



And the #ccbloggers

Caroline Gautrey – Putting Your Life In Order




Twitter @carolinegsbm



Laura Beardmore -  Erimini Designs




Twitter @eriminidesigns





Kat Reekie – A Krafty Kat




 https://twitter.com/AKraftyKat               



Charlotte - English Girl at Home


englishgirlathome.com                                               

    
twitter.com/englishgirluk          

Hannah KarimDainty and Ivory

  daintyandivory.blogspot.co.uk
  Twitter @daintyandivory


Sally Williams - Sally Bee Makes


 Twitter @sallybeemakes




Daire Paddy – Open Way Designs





Twitter - @DaireCharlotte


Emma Peake – Lily Allsorts



Twitter @ Emmalily84





Samantha Schofield - Crafternoon Tea Hostess







Kelly OHanlon - Too Become Mum


Twitter @ToBecomeMum

Follow us on #ccbloggers or be in involved or support us contact me,

Happy Crafting,

Samantha


A Christmas Wreath Making Crafternooon

Friday 7 November 2014
 
A Crafternoon in a Museum
Our crafternoon crafters making in the museum kitchen!
Last Saturday I packed up the Crafternoon cases and headed over to Pickford's House in Derby for an afternoon of wreath making fun. We had an afternoon tea to host as part of the afternoon of old fashioned crafty fun. I had looked forward to this event for ages!

It is early but it's great to be prepared for Christmas with our wreaths all made for December. V smug feeling I can tell you! The wreaths were inspired by the colours, fabrics and Christmas celebrations of the Georgian period, the time when the museum was a prosperous house in Derby.

Georgian inspired crafty wreaths
 
Here are a few pictures from the day, I've had a nasty bug this week and preparing for a blogger meet hence the delay in posting.

Our afternoon tea in the scullery

 
We put all the crafty materials around the kitchen

Wreath making with vintage afternoon tea
Our amazing setting at the museum

 
Our next Crafternoon is in December at Pickford's House where we will be making lovely Christmas ornaments!


Bye for now,

Samantha
 

Preparing For A Crafternoon Tea

Wednesday 29 October 2014
This week, after a lovely long weekend by the sea with my little family, it's time to prepare for this weekend's Crafternoon tea!


beach
Pretty little beach huts


I am looking forward to crafting with a lovely group of people in the original kitchens of Pickford's House in Derby.


vintage, sewing
preparing vintage lace, buttons and beads


It's been a few months in planning and the lovely folk at Derby Museums wanted a vintage style crafting workshop from me. So together we decided on a Georgian Christmas wreath inspired Crafternoon in the beautiful museum surroundings!


craft
Georgian inspired wreath craft

At the moment we have just two places left, so if you want to prepare early for Christmas drop me an email at samanthaschofield@hotmail.co.uk.

 
I know it's early for Christmas, but as most crafters know the best crafts are those prepared without any stress as early as possible.

Can't wait to share the day with you over the weekend!


See you later on,

Samantha

A Day In The Life

Monday 13 October 2014
Hello,

I was honoured to feature on the Made By Mrs M site last week in her 'Day in the life' series.

Read here what a typical day is like for me as life as a Crafternoon Tea Hostess!

Here are some of the pictures from the post -

Crafternoon tea planning

My Autumn garden, a source of inspiration


A sneaky peek at a new workshop I'm working on

Hope you enjoy,

Bye for now,

Samantha x

Celebration Favours 5 Ways

Saturday 27 September 2014
Hello There!


image courtesy of www.littlebits.co.uk


I've been asked a lot for ideas for unusual celebration favours over the Summer whilst crafting with hens on the countdown to the big day.

Favours are the pretty little extra you get at your place setting or in your party bag to say a lovely 'thank-you'. People use favours at birthdays, baby showers, parties as well as weddings. Usually it's a chocolate, scratch card or miniature. So you can see why my girls want something bespoke!

tea, cake, craft
Make your own bunting, why not try your favours?

So over the last few weeks I been looking for some vintage inspirational favours, so you can provide something a little more creative.

Here are five ways to make yours stand out and make your guests extra happy.

Bake It!

Release the Bake Off champ in you! There are a whole stash of favour baking books on the market. My favourite has to be this book due to gorgeous photography and easy step by step instructions.

biscuit, cookie, bake, sweet
Bake it yourself, biscuits can be made up to a week before your party!


The shortbread hearts are a great idea and can be hung up with pretty ribbons. The recipe is really rich as it uses a egg yolk keeping the whites back for French macarons. 

How beautiful a little handmade biscuit with a personalised ribbon threaded through it? 

You can alternatively use a shortbread recipe similar to this one. The secret is to rest your dough in the fridge for max. fluffiness. After icing with some ready roll, you can decorate with a choice of sprinkles, wrap in food safe bags and store in an air tight container for up to a week.

Stitch It!

Pretty little keepsake hearts with vintage typed messages are a super lovely gift for your female guests. I've had these in the past from Weddings and I have hung them up in the home as a reminder of the day and well... it's handmade. 

Sounds a little bit cheesy but your guests will appreciate the work. If you don't have time, then round up the ladies in your family. I am sure they will be delighted!

thread, needlework
Say it with a stamp on a little tag!


Paint It!

Visit a painting workshop and stamp or print on pottery pieces as a reminder of the day. The studio usually do all the writing for you, you just do the fun bit and stamp away! For a baby's first birthday these little pendants were a treasure.

christening, pottery
Little tiny feet to keep


Cheat and Order It!

If you alternatively want to order in ready made favours and let's face it, sometimes it nice to reward ourselves with a little time off. I really recommend Little Bits of Loveliness.

Based in Nottingham, they produce handmade personalised tiffin favours. Wow! The tiffin can be ordered for place settings or why not order you whole dessert table, a table full of tiffin treats! Yum.

Favours for your celebration the www.littlebits.co.uk way


Hannah and the team have an easy ordering process including details on wrapping and presentation. With seven tempting favours on offer including Ginger and Cranberry (maybe for a Festive Wedding) to Lemon Meringue (gorgeous for a Baby Shower),there is a wide selection for all your guests tastes.

buscuit, favour
A heart shaped bespoke favour
And there is more, your tiffin can be sliced or moulded into heart shapes and wrapped in vintage sweetie shop candy bags with individual stamps, photos and messages on. My husband loves tiffin (like, really loves it) and has been hovering as I'm posting.

favours
Perfect for children's parties

Pop over to see Little Bit of Loveliness at these events this Autumn for a tasty cheeky sample!

I hope this has inspired you,

Happy Saturday,

Samantha x

5 blogs to follow on Bloglovin

Monday 8 September 2014
Follow my blog with Bloglovin


I love Bloglovin as it's the place to find all your favourite blogs. Over the last year I've discovered some inspiring bloggers. My feed comes through each morning about 5.30 a.m. so it's here just in time for read before the rest of the family gets up. I make a cup of tea and read what new in vintage, crafts and food.

Here are a few of my favourites -

A Beautiful Mess 

Elsie and Emma's crafty, DIY blog is so inspiring. If you love your craft a little arty, fresh and totally retro you will love A Beautiful Mess. With over 100 000 followers you will find everything from how to concrete your kitchen work surface to how to trim your fringe (bangs) and everything in between. Awesome!

Oh Joy
Feeling-french
A lifestyle blogger with style, Joy brings together homewares, crafts and fashion whilst being a busy Mummy and Mum-to-be. A fantastic inspirational look book of trends week by week.

Live it. Love it. Make it.

                  

H and Sammy provide up to the minute craftiness from the UK. They try new crafts, visit new stores and work with designers on new projects.Very British and lots of fun! 

The Villa On Mount Pleasant  

vintage

Tamsyn's blog about vintage upcycling and restoring her house is a great read with some beautiful photography. It will make you want to flick through each shabby chic and stylish post. Believe me, you will be itching to go to your next car boot or flea market after Tamsyn has inspired you, even if it's not your thing!
                                                
Do you have any good blogs to recommend?

Happy reading,

Samantha x

Crafternoon Jam

Sunday 7 September 2014

jam making


I've had a glut of raspberries this Summer and decided to make jam as I was told it's simple and really rewarding. I have always wanted to provide as much Derbyshire made Crafternoon teas as possible.

I've never ventured into jams and chutney's ..until now! (*drum roll*) but after being told by my most trust worthy sources (my family) that it was easy, I wanted to have a go. Previous nightmare stories I had heard included un-cooked jam, burnt jam and messy jam filled kitchen nightmares! I felt brave and here's my story with not a sniff of burnt jam insight!

Firstly I bought some Kilner jars with the click open lids instead of having to use paper, greaseproof and string as on conventional jam jars. You can buy a great range also from Ikea as well, this meant I wasn't spending my jams hunting for spare jam jars and filling the cupboards with them.

To get started, you need to sterilise the jars, simply wash them in warm soapy paper and then put them in the oven at 140C or similar. Roll them in on their sides in the middle of the oven ideally and leave for ten mins.


I followed this recipe as it was so simple and used a super jam thermometer from Kitchen Aid. Highly recommended. A great tip is to freeze a few plates to check the jam sets! I froze three plates for my first batch and tested a teaspoon of jam on each plates to triple check.



A day later, we tested the jam  in sponge cake and on toast (just to double check, of course) and it was lovely.

So I'm really please to announce...we now have Derbyshire raspberry jam!

If you have any more tips for jam making would love to hear?

Bye for now,

Samantha x