Showing posts with label pretty things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pretty things. Show all posts
Monday, 24 December 2012
Bath Christmas Market
Here are some pictures I took on my magical picture box when I went to Bath Christmas Market at the end of November.
Friday, 18 March 2011
butterflies make music on my walls
+ Edited 19th March
Thought it was about time I posted something. This was part of a window display at Monsoon Children and, after a donation to their chosen children's charity, it now hangs on the wall of my living room. That brings the number of instruments in the house up to nine. Does a stylophone count?
Friday, 10 December 2010
9th December {#reverb10: Party}
Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.
The word party on its own in a title reminds me of that Black Books episode. I love that episode.
Manny: Let's paaa
Bernard: DON'T YOU DARE USE THE WORD PARTY AS A VERB IN MY SHOP
Manny: Paaotter along, in order to attend the party!
Right. So. A party that rocked my socks off. This one:
People: brilliant
Music: our own (8 different instruments in total)
Food: cake of every variety
Drink: mostly tea
The word party on its own in a title reminds me of that Black Books episode. I love that episode.
Manny: Let's paaa
Bernard: DON'T YOU DARE USE THE WORD PARTY AS A VERB IN MY SHOP
Manny: Paaotter along, in order to attend the party!
Right. So. A party that rocked my socks off. This one:
People: brilliant
Music: our own (8 different instruments in total)
Food: cake of every variety
Drink: mostly tea
Thursday, 9 December 2010
consumable gifts {part 6: the packaging}
Hello and welcome to the 6th part of this Consumable Gifts series.
So, you've made some scrummy treats but you're not sure how to wrap them. Somehow a crumpled plastic zippy bag just doesn't do your jam justice. What a mental image. Hopefully you'll find some better ideas here to inspire you.
Things in Jars
Jam, chutney, pesto, body scrub, cookie mix - so many great homemade consumable gifts can go into jars. If you want to impress, buy a nice jar - one they can keep things in afterwards (one they'll want to keep things in afterwards). Or if you're being thrifty by reusing old jam jars, well done you! But do hide the unattractive lid. Here's a lovely idea:
Find some pretty fabric to cover the lid and attach your own handwritten label. Or forget the fabric and just go for a bold label like these from Jamie Oliver:
I adore this one (below) with the sealing wax. You could use sealing wax to hold together ribbon, bakers' twine or old fashioned string (or an old bootlace, if you really want).
Maple Honey Caramel Spread: it's enough to make me want to move to America, just so I could try some.
If you're giving more than one jar as a gift, think about packaging them together. I like this idea - mainly because it uses a free and plentiful resource. Looks quite effective too.
Fudge And The Like
As we know, Martha Stewart has some ideas for how to wrap fudge here (only two ideas though. Not that impressive, is it Martha?) or there are Candy Packaging Ideas here. This is a fave of mine:
There's a great tutorial for these at Givers Log (brilliant site), along with a load of other fantastic ideas. In fact, I could just give you that link and call it a day, but I'll show you a few more. Below is an idea I stumbled upon o Givers Log for a DIY Bakery Box. Genius!
Or how about this gift box made from a paper cup? Nifty.
I think that's enough for you to be going on with for now, don't you? Oh alright, here are some more nice packages to inspire you. You see, you don't need fancy wrapping paper: brown wrapping paper, newspaper and maps all make really effective wrapping paper. Use some string or bakers' twine or ribbon to brighten it up a bit. Maybe you could make your own label too?
1. Regalos decorativos bajo el árbol, 2. You mean the world to me, 3. all ready!, 4. This week I..., 5. Paint chip package, 6. Season's Greetings. 10 pack gift tags., 7. Untitled, 8. Einzigartige personalisierte Aufkleber, 9. Untitled
If I've whet your appetite for pretty packaging, have a nosey at the Flickr groups nice package and gift wrap.
Now, I'm feeling inspired enough to go and wrap some fudge. I shall return with photos.
So, you've made some scrummy treats but you're not sure how to wrap them. Somehow a crumpled plastic zippy bag just doesn't do your jam justice. What a mental image. Hopefully you'll find some better ideas here to inspire you.
Things in Jars
Jam, chutney, pesto, body scrub, cookie mix - so many great homemade consumable gifts can go into jars. If you want to impress, buy a nice jar - one they can keep things in afterwards (one they'll want to keep things in afterwards). Or if you're being thrifty by reusing old jam jars, well done you! But do hide the unattractive lid. Here's a lovely idea:
(image found here)
Find some pretty fabric to cover the lid and attach your own handwritten label. Or forget the fabric and just go for a bold label like these from Jamie Oliver:
(image found here)
I adore this one (below) with the sealing wax. You could use sealing wax to hold together ribbon, bakers' twine or old fashioned string (or an old bootlace, if you really want).
If you're giving more than one jar as a gift, think about packaging them together. I like this idea - mainly because it uses a free and plentiful resource. Looks quite effective too.
(image found here)
Fudge And The Like
As we know, Martha Stewart has some ideas for how to wrap fudge here (only two ideas though. Not that impressive, is it Martha?) or there are Candy Packaging Ideas here. This is a fave of mine:
(image found here)
There's a great tutorial for these at Givers Log (brilliant site), along with a load of other fantastic ideas. In fact, I could just give you that link and call it a day, but I'll show you a few more. Below is an idea I stumbled upon o Givers Log for a DIY Bakery Box. Genius!
(image found here)
Or how about this gift box made from a paper cup? Nifty.
(image found here)
Or make your own paper box (tutorial here) - they are super easy.
I think that's enough for you to be going on with for now, don't you? Oh alright, here are some more nice packages to inspire you. You see, you don't need fancy wrapping paper: brown wrapping paper, newspaper and maps all make really effective wrapping paper. Use some string or bakers' twine or ribbon to brighten it up a bit. Maybe you could make your own label too?
If I've whet your appetite for pretty packaging, have a nosey at the Flickr groups nice package and gift wrap.
Now, I'm feeling inspired enough to go and wrap some fudge. I shall return with photos.
Friday, 26 November 2010
consumable gifts {part 2: handmade and edible - the sweet ones}
Hello and welcome to the 2nd part of this Consumable Gifts series.
In this post, I've compiled a list of consumable gifts ideas, focusing on (you probably guessed from the title) gifts that are both handmade and edible. I haven't included cookie and cake recipes because you can find those for yourselves. Also, think about when you're giving the gift: will the recipient have time to consume it before it's past its best? Maybe they already have a cupboard full of cake and one more would just be a burden. Unless it's freezable, maybe? This is why I've chosen things in these posts which will keep a bit longer.
We begin with homemade food gifts {the sweet ones}. I got quite hungry creating this post.
1. Fudge
Make batches of different flavours: peanut butter fudge, chocolate fudge, vanilla fudge, chocolate mint fudge, irish cream fudge, holiday fudge, or just plain and simple fudge (more ideas and recipes here). Slice it, wrap up in greaseproof paper, put it in a box and tie with ribbon or bakers' twine - more ideas for packaging here.
2. Mix in a Jar
Layer a simple mix for cookies/biscuits/brownies into a nice jar (the jar can be part of the gift too). All they then have to do is add the wet ingredients. Attach the recipe to a card and tie with ribbon.
[For ideas on how to decorate something in a jar, check back here later for a post on packaging ideas]
3. Cookie Dough
Wrap up a log of dough for them to keep in their freezer and bake with when ready. It doesn't go stale and is something a bit different. See here.
4. Brittle
Good old fashioned peanut brittle is my favourite. See here for more ideas and recipes. You could wrap it unbroken, with a mini hammer and ribbon, like this one.
5. Candied Citrus Peels
See here.
6. Gingerbread Caramels
I love the packaging for this.
7. Fleur de Sel Toffee
See here.
8. Cake in a Jar
It keeps! It can be stored for 6 months, possibly longer. No cooking required for the recipient: just open and eat. Find it here.
9. Chocolate Drizzled Mints
Looks fun to make, too.
10. Truffles
Autumn Spice Truffles, Chocolate Truffles, Amaretto Truffles, Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles, Low-Fat Mint Truffles. Dip them in chocolate and sprinkle white chocolate shavings or nuts before the chocolate sets, top them with bubble wrap chocolate decorations, or just leave them as they are.
11. Peppermint Creams
From Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, no less.
12. Homemade Marshmallows
Candy-Cane Marshmallows and Marshmallow Snowflakes look great in hot chocolate.
13. Edible Glitter (aka Sanding Sugar)
You chefs may be wincing when I call this edible glitter but, to a novice, that's kind of what it looks like, don't you think? It's actually Sanding Sugar, though.
14. Neapolitan Coconut Strips
They even have packaging tips here.
15. Caramel Bourbon Vanilla Sauce
Pour into a little jar and attach a spoon with garden twine. Beautiful.
16. Candy Bracelet/Necklace
A great gift for children who don't have a problem with E-numbers. Or just big kids who don't care about E-numbers.
17. Hot Fudge Sauce
This looks great. On profiteroles, perhaps?
18. Cinder Toffee/Honeycomb/Sponge Candy
As it is, or dipped in chocolate.
19. Buttermilk Syrup
Put it in a bottle and stick a label on. Maybe you could give waffles with it? I'd like that.
20. Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
Homemade tastes so much better than Nutella.
21. Gumdrop Pops
Not quite homemade, but they are home-assembled. It certainly makes sweets look even more exciting.
22. Pecan Clusters
These look great in their handmade packaging.
23. Vanilla Syrup
Great gift for a coffee lover. I prefer it in hot chocolate. This recipe is really simple.
24. Praline Ice-Cream Sauce
This one's made in the microwave - great!
25. Brandy Butter
This one looks especially pleasing with a spoon attached with bakers' twine.
Coming up next: homemade food gifts {the savoury ones}
In this post, I've compiled a list of consumable gifts ideas, focusing on (you probably guessed from the title) gifts that are both handmade and edible. I haven't included cookie and cake recipes because you can find those for yourselves. Also, think about when you're giving the gift: will the recipient have time to consume it before it's past its best? Maybe they already have a cupboard full of cake and one more would just be a burden. Unless it's freezable, maybe? This is why I've chosen things in these posts which will keep a bit longer.
We begin with homemade food gifts {the sweet ones}. I got quite hungry creating this post.
1. Fudge
Make batches of different flavours: peanut butter fudge, chocolate fudge, vanilla fudge, chocolate mint fudge, irish cream fudge, holiday fudge, or just plain and simple fudge (more ideas and recipes here). Slice it, wrap up in greaseproof paper, put it in a box and tie with ribbon or bakers' twine - more ideas for packaging here.
2. Mix in a Jar
Layer a simple mix for cookies/biscuits/brownies into a nice jar (the jar can be part of the gift too). All they then have to do is add the wet ingredients. Attach the recipe to a card and tie with ribbon.
(image from Fried Chillies)
[For ideas on how to decorate something in a jar, check back here later for a post on packaging ideas]
3. Cookie Dough
Wrap up a log of dough for them to keep in their freezer and bake with when ready. It doesn't go stale and is something a bit different. See here.
4. Brittle
Good old fashioned peanut brittle is my favourite. See here for more ideas and recipes. You could wrap it unbroken, with a mini hammer and ribbon, like this one.
5. Candied Citrus Peels
See here.
6. Gingerbread Caramels
I love the packaging for this.
7. Fleur de Sel Toffee
See here.
8. Cake in a Jar
It keeps! It can be stored for 6 months, possibly longer. No cooking required for the recipient: just open and eat. Find it here.
(image from The Kitchn)
9. Chocolate Drizzled Mints
Looks fun to make, too.
(image from Gimme Some Oven)
10. Truffles
Autumn Spice Truffles, Chocolate Truffles, Amaretto Truffles, Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles, Low-Fat Mint Truffles. Dip them in chocolate and sprinkle white chocolate shavings or nuts before the chocolate sets, top them with bubble wrap chocolate decorations, or just leave them as they are.
11. Peppermint Creams
From Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, no less.
12. Homemade Marshmallows
Candy-Cane Marshmallows and Marshmallow Snowflakes look great in hot chocolate.
13. Edible Glitter (aka Sanding Sugar)
You chefs may be wincing when I call this edible glitter but, to a novice, that's kind of what it looks like, don't you think? It's actually Sanding Sugar, though.
(image from Bake at 350)
14. Neapolitan Coconut Strips
They even have packaging tips here.
15. Caramel Bourbon Vanilla Sauce
Pour into a little jar and attach a spoon with garden twine. Beautiful.
16. Candy Bracelet/Necklace
A great gift for children who don't have a problem with E-numbers. Or just big kids who don't care about E-numbers.
(image from Paper&Cake)
17. Hot Fudge Sauce
This looks great. On profiteroles, perhaps?
18. Cinder Toffee/Honeycomb/Sponge Candy
As it is, or dipped in chocolate.
19. Buttermilk Syrup
Put it in a bottle and stick a label on. Maybe you could give waffles with it? I'd like that.
20. Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
Homemade tastes so much better than Nutella.
21. Gumdrop Pops
Not quite homemade, but they are home-assembled. It certainly makes sweets look even more exciting.
22. Pecan Clusters
These look great in their handmade packaging.
23. Vanilla Syrup
Great gift for a coffee lover. I prefer it in hot chocolate. This recipe is really simple.
(image from Craftzine)
24. Praline Ice-Cream Sauce
This one's made in the microwave - great!
25. Brandy Butter
This one looks especially pleasing with a spoon attached with bakers' twine.
Coming up next: homemade food gifts {the savoury ones}
Thursday, 18 November 2010
gifts for camera lovers
If you thought that Hüfa was a great gift for a photographer (and it is. Mine has stopped me from losing my lens cap about 5 times today), you should have a look at Photojojo. It's a treasure trove!
Some of my faves:
Camera phone lenses! This would be very cool if I had a fancy phone.
Mr Pippa got really excited about this one. It is only a model camera though, so your borrower friends couldn't even use it.
If I was one for sticking things to my MacBook, this would be cool. You can even choose between Canon and Nikon.
And now for things I'd actually use:
Not of much interest if you're not into photography, but very handy: a white balance lens cap. No more carrying around a bit of white paper. It replaces your lens cap so there's nothing extra to carry. Although, the auto white balance in Lightroom is so impressive that I can live without this for a while longer.
Magnetic polaroid frames. Super fun!
Super-Secret Spy Lens! This is genius. What I love about my Nikon D5000 (I had to check the body before I typed that. I never remember. Why don't they have them in some kind of order like, say, after 80 comes 90? No, that would be far too logical. So what comes after the D5000? No, it's not a D5001 - that could be a bit silly. It's not a D5500. It's not even a D6000. It's a D90. Where's the logic in that?! Anyway, where was I? Oh I remember...) is the flip out screen on the back (excuse the lack of technical terminology). It's what stopped me from upgrading from the Fuji sooner - I didn't want to lose the flip out screen with live view. Why? Because some of my favourite photos of people were taken with the camera nowhere near my face with the screen flipped out. Why are those photos often my favourites? Because no-one is posing and I'm able to catch the real smiles and laughter. However, sometimes, I want to look through the viewfinder. But you know that as soon as someone has a camera pointed at them, they stop the laughing and start looking all awkward. Well, not always, obviously. And not everyone, clearly, or we wouldn't have people making a living out of being models. Back to my original point: this is brilliant and I'd love to try it out. (Photojojo: fancy lending me one?)\
Cloak Camera Bag. Not as subtle as the Super-Secret Spy Lens, but still brilliant. I've been looking for a camera bag where I don't actually have to remove the camera to use it (yes, technically I don't have to remove my camera from the Crumpler bag to use it if I only want photos of the inside of the bag). I like this camera bag so much, it's getting another picture:
And finally, we have my favourite. This is the one which made Mr Pippa and me gasp in wonder and delight...
The Camera Lens Mug.
You can even choose between a Canon and a Nikon lens. I love it.
Some of my faves:
Camera phone lenses! This would be very cool if I had a fancy phone.
Mr Pippa got really excited about this one. It is only a model camera though, so your borrower friends couldn't even use it.
If I was one for sticking things to my MacBook, this would be cool. You can even choose between Canon and Nikon.
And now for things I'd actually use:
Not of much interest if you're not into photography, but very handy: a white balance lens cap. No more carrying around a bit of white paper. It replaces your lens cap so there's nothing extra to carry. Although, the auto white balance in Lightroom is so impressive that I can live without this for a while longer.
Magnetic polaroid frames. Super fun!
Super-Secret Spy Lens! This is genius. What I love about my Nikon D5000 (I had to check the body before I typed that. I never remember. Why don't they have them in some kind of order like, say, after 80 comes 90? No, that would be far too logical. So what comes after the D5000? No, it's not a D5001 - that could be a bit silly. It's not a D5500. It's not even a D6000. It's a D90. Where's the logic in that?! Anyway, where was I? Oh I remember...) is the flip out screen on the back (excuse the lack of technical terminology). It's what stopped me from upgrading from the Fuji sooner - I didn't want to lose the flip out screen with live view. Why? Because some of my favourite photos of people were taken with the camera nowhere near my face with the screen flipped out. Why are those photos often my favourites? Because no-one is posing and I'm able to catch the real smiles and laughter. However, sometimes, I want to look through the viewfinder. But you know that as soon as someone has a camera pointed at them, they stop the laughing and start looking all awkward. Well, not always, obviously. And not everyone, clearly, or we wouldn't have people making a living out of being models. Back to my original point: this is brilliant and I'd love to try it out. (Photojojo: fancy lending me one?)\
Cloak Camera Bag. Not as subtle as the Super-Secret Spy Lens, but still brilliant. I've been looking for a camera bag where I don't actually have to remove the camera to use it (yes, technically I don't have to remove my camera from the Crumpler bag to use it if I only want photos of the inside of the bag). I like this camera bag so much, it's getting another picture:
And finally, we have my favourite. This is the one which made Mr Pippa and me gasp in wonder and delight...
The Camera Lens Mug.
You can even choose between a Canon and a Nikon lens. I love it.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
baby shower decorations
I can tell you're on the edge of your seat to see what this blog post will be about. Is it about tiny decorations for my shower? Or decorations for my tiny shower? Or decorations for the shower I use only on my baby? It may or may not surprise you to know that I'm actually talking about decorations for a baby shower (one of those parties thrown for a woman expecting her first child).
I made various decorations for this shower and we'll get to each one of them in time but first I thought I'd show you the simplest (no special skills or fancy equipment required): clothesline bunting.
Isn't it cute?
I'll have a tutorial on here soon. I'm working on a few things atm so it may end up being quite a busy couple of months over here on Pippa's Long Stockings. Makes a change.
PS. I added some buttons (clickable links*) over on the right (finally doing something with what I was taught on the course over at Little Light Studio. I'd recommend it, y'know) and I'm working on some other bits and bobs. So if you, y'know, happened to mention how great they look... that would be nice. We'll pretend I haven't said this though. You noticed all by yourself without any prompting from me. [Insert massive subtle wink here.]
*Mr Pippa ordered me to add that. He thought I'd stuck some buttons to the bunting.
I made various decorations for this shower and we'll get to each one of them in time but first I thought I'd show you the simplest (no special skills or fancy equipment required): clothesline bunting.
Isn't it cute?
I'll have a tutorial on here soon. I'm working on a few things atm so it may end up being quite a busy couple of months over here on Pippa's Long Stockings. Makes a change.
PS. I added some buttons (clickable links*) over on the right (finally doing something with what I was taught on the course over at Little Light Studio. I'd recommend it, y'know) and I'm working on some other bits and bobs. So if you, y'know, happened to mention how great they look... that would be nice. We'll pretend I haven't said this though. You noticed all by yourself without any prompting from me. [Insert massive subtle wink here.]
*Mr Pippa ordered me to add that. He thought I'd stuck some buttons to the bunting.
Friday, 20 August 2010
Folksy loveliness {and a lot of rambling}
I never did tell you about my birthday jewellery, did I?
I stopped myself from looking in Accessorize (although I've been disappointed in their selection lately) and found some beauties at Folksy.com.
Peacock feather earrings from here.
Pocket watch (should that be all one word?) necklace from here. (Thank you, Zara Taylor - this came so beautifully packaged and was a delight to open!)
Yes, I still have the plastic film on the watch face. I do that. I'm one of those people who will try to keep the film on a mobile phone screen for as long as possible, to keep it nice. Didn't really work out too well for me as a child, though. I'd keep my pencil case clean and graffiti-free, putting blu-tack on the end of my set of compasses to prevent holes being made. Then autumn would come around and I'd look forward to a lovely new pencil case as a reward for looking after last year's one so well. But do you know what would happen? I wouldn't get the new pencil case, because "there's nothing wrong with your old one". I know. There's nothing wrong with it because I kept it clean and nice all year and resisted writing on it or stabbing it. But the girl who mistreated her pencil case gets a new one. She drew on it, made holes in it, got chewing gum on it and painted tip-ex onto it so that she could write on it again. And she's the one who gets the new pencil case. SHE DOESN'T DESERVE A NEW PENCIL CASE.
Ahem. Sorry about that, folks. I'm not sure where that came from. Clearly this time of year brings back memories of buying (or NOT buying) new stationery. But I'm over it. Really, I am. No resentment here. Nope. None.
So, back to the jewellery (I really didn't intend to mention stationery). That pocketwatch (have we decided whether or not it's one word yet?) necklace has proved invaluable in the past couple of months with all of the weddings - I don't want to wear my watch because it's not smart enough, but I need to have a means of checking the time regularly. Pocketwatch necklace to the rescue! And so pretty too. I've found that earrings of the feathery kind are best worn with hair up, otherwise they just get lost in the mass of hair.
Tell me this: why do people comment on how long my hair is after I get a load of it chopped off? It's a mystery.
Could this be the most rambling post I've ever done? I'm off to have a brew.
Friday, 30 April 2010
lots of pretty jewellery
I was wanting a necklace for a party this weekend. Last minute, I know.
It would have been easy to go online and find something from my favourite shop. But why give my money to a big business when there is so much choice on Folksy?
I hope you'll be pleased to hear that Folksy won! There were so many beautiful things on there and I couldn't buy them all, so I thought I'd share them with you instead. Next time you want to get some jewellery (or any gift, really) for someone, check Folksy first. By buying from Folksy, you're supporting tiny businesses like mine :)
I really love my necklace with the key on it and have a bunch of keys which are still waiting to be turned into necklaces. Obviously I wouldn't copy this craftsperson. It has reminded me how much I love those vintage keys though...
It would have been easy to go online and find something from my favourite shop. But why give my money to a big business when there is so much choice on Folksy?
I hope you'll be pleased to hear that Folksy won! There were so many beautiful things on there and I couldn't buy them all, so I thought I'd share them with you instead. Next time you want to get some jewellery (or any gift, really) for someone, check Folksy first. By buying from Folksy, you're supporting tiny businesses like mine :)
Right, now for the pretty things. Some of these are on my get-this-next-time-I'm-allowed-a-treat list and some of these are on my get-this-for-someone-else list, which is why I'm sharing some things which aren't my style at all but are still super cool.
Ready? Here we go...
(She has M.E. so even more reason to support her!)
(This one and the one below appeal to my love of things in colour order. I imagine I would have loved these as a teenager.)
(I really really love this one!)
What a feast! Have a great weekend. Cheerio for now :o)
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