TUTORIAL: Lace covered Candle holders

Theres nothing like sitting by candle light but fancy holders are always expensive, however pretty they are!
This tutorial will show you how to create your own using items you have in your craft box or just around the house.

SUPPLIES:

Glass jar (large with a wide neck or a small one would work to perfectly)
Ribbon/lace/fabric
mod podge (or homemade which is just half pva glue and half water, and mix)
and a small paint brush

Step 1: Wash your glass jar making sure you remove all/any label that may be stuck to it.

Step 2: Dry thoroughly

Step 3: Measure your glass jar and cut your prefered fabric of choice to the right length, making sure the ends touch and only just over lap, or not at all if possible and this will give you a better finish.

Step 4: Coat your jar with the pva and water mixure.

Step 5:Carefully lay the fabric youve chosen (i chose a pale pink lace trim as i had plenty spare to make a few with and i have a huge thing for lace at the mo!) onto the pva/water mix and line it up with the bottom on the jar, pressing down and making sure its level all the way round

step 6: Cut another piece of your chosen fabric and repeat the process. I used the natural curve of the lace to match the pieces together for a unified look.

Step 7: Apply more strips until the glass is completely covered from top to bottom and you are happy with how it looks. Now cover entirely over the top with the pva/water mix to ensure every part of the fabric is covered, the fabric may shift slightly at this point so be careful not to twist or upset your design.

Step 8: Now leave to dry for a few hours then turn over, otherwise all the glue will run down to the end its stood on, this allows the glue to distribute evenly giving and smooth look at the end. Now leave over night to fully dry.

Step 9: Insert your tea light and enjoy!! (you could also use the wide church candles in a lovely wide jar)

I hope to see you all creating these beauties!! They would be great outside in the summer at BBQ's or for center pieces at weddings etc.

L x

TUTORIAL: DIY Vintage Necklace

We all like something a little different when it comes to jewellery so why not give this really easy Ribbon Necklace Tutorial a go and create your own one off piece...

Recycle Vintage chocker tutorial

Tools and equipment:

2 meters of 2cm wide satin ribbon
Ribbon ends with a hoop
Pliers
Cutters or another pair of pliers
Broken piece of vintage jewellery
(i used a large ornate bracelet that was missing some stones that i could get replacements for but any charm with side hoops will work)
2 jump rings and a matching clasp
A short piece of chain and a single bead or charm of your choice
1 head pin

1:  Cut your satin ribbon into two equal lengths and press so smooth out any kinks you may have. Mine was taken for an old item of clothing so needed ironing before use.

2:  I used my pliers and cutters to pry the smaller of the charm off the bracelet. You may simply just need to use the cutters or pliers to cut off or open a jump ring.

3:  Thread the ribbon around the open side bars and pull through so they are of equal lengths on both sides.

4:  Neaten the edges of the ribbon if required and pop the end caps on and close tight with your pliers and pull the ribbon to ensure it doesn't slip through, use super glue or hot glue gun to secure the ribbon in place if required.

5:  Attach your jump rings to either hook at the end of your ribbon and attach the clasp to one side.

6:  On the opposite side attach your short length of chain.

7:  Pop your head pin through your bead, if using a charm just attach a smaller jump ring to the top and attach to your chain,  hoop it round and attach to the stretch of chain.

8:  Fasten and wear with pride!!!

TUTORIAL : Dorothy Inspired Shoes

We all like a touch of glamour in our wardrobe and its even better when you can wear it everyday!! And this is possible for ANY kind of shoe so grab the glitter and an old pair of shoes, the comfier the better, and get creative!!

Dorothy inspired Up cycled Glitter shoes

As my nothing new for a year challenge restricted me on my epic date night with my hubby outfit i had to improvise… and quick!
Armed with a few quid, some charity shop found fabric and an old pair of white brogues i created a vintage inspired outfit to die for!!
However my shoes got talked about more than my dress!!
So heres a quick tutorial on how to up cycle yours or your little ones shoes to sparkle!!

An old pair of shoes/pumps/trainers/heels… WHATEVER!
Glitter colour of your choice, though do make sure you have a few tubs. I bought mine from the £1 shop.
Mod podge or pva glue. if you do use pva glue make sure you have some spray adhesive hanging about or you will leave a trial of glitter wherever you go!
A paint brush
Shoe laces, ribbon or tulle to match your glitter choice.
Masking tape

1: clean the shoes of any loose dirt and dry.

2: Remove the laces, you could dye them if you have some matching colour dye hanging around.

3: Place masking tape in any areas you don't want the glitter to cover, i just did around the soul but you could use stickers to leave a pattern or shape unglittered.

4: Now for the fun part!! Apply the glue of your choice, liberally all over the shoe or work in sections, whichever suits you.

5: Sprinkle your chosen glitter of choice all over the shoes making sure a lovely deep coverage.

6: Tap gently to remove any excess after a short drying time.

7: if your happy with the coverage leave over night to dry. if not wait to dry then apply another layer.

8: once the glue is fully dried use your ribbon etc as shoe laces, tie and wear with pride!!!

i used tulle as my laces as it was all i had on hand and i made them the night before we went out. i was however very happy with the look as it gives a really full bow and they where my birthday shoes!!

u.ni.k Gifts - A What, Why, Who and When

 We are all on the look out for unique gifts, especially when we hear there is a new baby on the way or those all important first birthdays come whizzing around.
Even more so now in the current economic climate we choose to spend our money more wisely on gifts that will last, and are utterly gorgeous!
well look no further than Sarah and Anna at u.ni.k gifts, i caught up with them for a chat about why they run this particular business..

Who are you?
Well there's an 'About Us' section on our website that tells you exactly who we are, but in short - we're two Mums that have started a business while doing all the other superhuman things that are expected of first time Mums. We are two ordinary people, from ordinary backgrounds (OK so Sarah's background is a little mixed up having grown up in Germany but apart from that she's…oh OK so Anna's from a normal background anyway), who have never owned or started a business before that decided to take on all these things while being first time Mums.

Like all good stories ours started over a cup of tea (Anna) / coffee (Sarah) and like all good heroines - we're both a little crazy.

 Anna

 Sarah

What do you do?
We promote and sell heirloom baby and children's gifts on our website http://www.unikgifts.co.uk. We have searched all over the world to bring a treasury of wonderful gifts together. Our gifts are usually handmade and one of a kind, and unlike mass produced toys are designed to last years of use. This means that a u-ni-k gift can be played with by your little one, your little one's little one and so on. We hope that most of our toys are played with by children and grandchildren alike.

What are your favourite products that you stock?

Textile
Sarah - If you'd asked me this last year my answer would have been quick and easy - our Red Shuktara blanket!! However, we now have the lovely Susan from FatHenandFlo making memory quilts for us and so my answer is now our FatHenandFlo memory quilt. Kathryn's quilt is made up from a selection of my old maternity clothes, her first baby clothes and a selection of pieces that her Granny and Nana gave her. It's soft and cuddly and full of memories already.

Anna – I am also a avid Shuktara fan...who isn't! We are expecting a new delivery any day! I am very excited! However, at the moment I LOVE the Annafie liberty print dresses. I have a picture of Ida wearing hers at a family function while playing with her Grandma’s blusher brush. I love the picture and adore the dress. Such a treasured moment. When the dress becomes too small I’ll wrap it up with a copy of the photo, put it in her treasure box and save it till she is a Mum and my granddaughter can wear it.

Artwork
Sarah - The Victoria Plum pictures. I was lucky enough to find Colin Petty selling the last remaining Victoria Plum original sketches for one of her books and was able to persuade him to sell them through u-ni-k. These wonderful pictures don't photograph very well, but in real life their colours are amazing and bring back memories of long summers playing in the woods.

Anna – I am actually very fond of Freddie bunny that Sarah penned with her own hands. He is a very handsome bunny that would be beautiful on any nursery wall. Sarah has captured his little spirit perfectly. A little on the greedy side and happy to munch through anyone’s vege patch.  A very naughty bunny! Both Sarah and I are mad about bunny rabbit’s

Woodwork
Sarah - We have one of the horse coatracks. It's up in the hallway at a height that Kathryn can reach. It's really pretty and looks like something out of a magazine with her little coats hung on it and tiny wellies kicked off underneath them.

Anna – This is easy. By far the new rainbow makers. I love the way Ida’s catches the light during the late afternoon sunshine. The colours dancing on the walls astound and encourage her to play with the shapes and colours they create. She chases, pats and tries to catch them as they dance on her walls. They amaze her until the sun goes in. Sam’s rainbow maker catches the light during the morning sunshine. He is happily entertained, dancing with his hands, with the pretty colours streaming through the curtains, meaning that he lets us get a little lie in! On sunny days anyway!

Ceramic / Silverware
Sarah - Mine has to be the silver fingerprint charm. I spent some time trying to extract a fingerprint out of a 6m old squiggly baby… and I'm now the proud owner of a lovely charm with a very small indent and fingerprint on it.

Anna – I ordered “the naughty” a hand thrown and hand painted porcelain Breakfast set for her birthday. It consists of two bowls in two different shapes, and a beaker for juice. Each has an images of Ida and her favourite companion Mr Elephant on. I hope she will treasure it as much as I do. The cup is my favourite with a naughty Mr Elephant sitting happily on it! The set is something she can keep for ever and pass down to her children. *Photo available once the item is available for sale*

A massive thank you to the girls for sharing with us their favourite, currently anyway, pieces available on their fabulous website.

You can while away your hours here u.ni.k gifts
Alternativly email Anna direct anna@unikgifts.co.uk

Alternatives to Chocolate Eggs this Easter

Not another Easter egg?! Give something different this Easter!

We all know that Easter eggs don’t take long for kids to munch through and all the chocolate often leaves little ones tired after a sugar rush. Thankfully, re:creation has the perfect answer for alternative gifts this Easter.

With pocket-sized favourites like Moshi Monsters™ and the all new Dinowaurs™, as well as hot new wheels from the Razor range, there are Easter treats to suit every wallet from 99p to £50!

Moshi Monsters…

Girls and boys alike will love Moshi Monsters wearable accessories, launching in time for Easter. Items in the new range include Moshi Monsters Keychains (SRP £3.99) and the Moshi Monsters Zippsters (SRP £1.49), perfect to hang from any zip on school bags, pencil cases or clothes! Kids can also go back to school with glee with handfuls of Moshling Charmlings to swap, love and attach to their Moshi Monsters Charmling Bands (SRP £2.99). As each pack contains a wristband and 2 Moshling Charmlings, this is one accessory range which is sure not to break the bank! Available from all good stockists.

Dinowaurs…

Boys will love the hottest new playground craze – Dinowaurs (SRP £1.99, Tesco). A unique battle game with a dinosaur figure, information card and battle card in each pack, this game is sure to keep them entertained all Easter! Available from all good stockists.

Ickee Stikeez…


Ickee Stikeez (SRP from £0.99, Amazon, Sainsbury’s) is an amazing collection of squishy, squeezy, wacky miniature creatures that stick to almost anything! Sure to keep your little ones entertained through Easter lunch, kids will love finding places to stick these little critters. Available from all good stockists.

Delight them with LEGO® Lifestyle products…

re:creation’s LEGO® licensed range is sure to be popular this Easter, with a range of fun products including lights and clever decorating solutions.

The hugely successful LEGO® Lights collection would brighten up any child’s Easter, If your little one is a secret Ninja, why not give the LEGO Ninjago keylight (SRP £6.99, John Lewis) this Easter.
Unleash the power of the dark side with the Darth Vader Key Light (SRP £6.99, Tesco) or the Darth Vader Torch with its super detachable lightsaber (SRP £19.99, Smyths). Homework will never be a chore with the spectacular Darth Vader Desk Lamp with LED lightsaber and handy USB power supply (SRP £34.99).
Kids of all ages are sure to love re:creation’s ranges of LEGO Wall Stickers available now. Ready to brighten up bedroom walls everywhere are characters from the LEGO Ninjago (SRP £9.99, Amazon), LEGO Classic (SRP £9.99, Next) and LEGO City ranges (Small - SRP £9.99, Amazon, Large - SRP £19.99, Next). So much easier than a coat of paint or wrestling with wallpaper – these stickers are easy to use, just peel and go!

There seriously is so much out there that is as affordable as a chocolate egg that will last so much longer and wont give you a tummy ache! So think about your purchase this easter ..

L xx

Lucky Dip Draw

Like most people today i have been touched by the wrath of cancer, loosing my dad just 3 years ago devastated me and with it coming upto the 4th yr anniversary i wanted to do something, not to mark the occassion but to honour his passing.

So we have decided to run a lucky dip! Simply purchase a ticket for just £2, £1 is given to cancer research and your other £1 gets you a mystery item of jewellery from our last collection and 1 entry into a prize draw for a goody bag crammed with goodies!

You can contact me on twitter, @chicuniqueuk on facebook or email me directly for your lucky dip number at lizipants@yahoo.co.uk

I really hope you choose to take part not only to give to charity but for a cracking prize too :)

L xx

Harlequin Fox Bridal Wear

With the Wedding Season fast approaching our attention turns to the numerous Wedding Fairs spread wide and far across the country enticing us with there exceptional wares and their unique concept for your big day.

Every girl, including myself, loves the hunt for the perfect dress! When we chose a cancellation date for our wedding, leaving just 3 weeks to do EVERYTHING it wasnt the easiest job in the world but we did it and it was wonderful. I did yern for a 50s cut or vintage inspired dress. Like most things that i want bad enough to spend hours and hours just on research i didnt have time to have my wish.

 This one i WOULD of had!

I do however wish i had comes across www.harlequinfox.com during my pain staking research as the very lovely Natasha creates THE most stunning Wedding Dresses ive come across in a VERY long time. Not only are they simply stunning, they are handmade, yes i said it HANDMADE! They capture the beauty of the original styling with their exquisite detailing and textured fabrics and are simply  enough to make any girl weep!

Here's a little something Natasha had to say about her business..

Harlequin Fox Bridalwear

Harlequin Fox Bridalwear is a bespoke bridal dressmaking service established by London-based designer, Natasha Shaw.  A lover of all things vintage, her work combines contemporary dressmaking with a touch of old world charm.

Specialising in styles inspired by the 1920's - 1960's, she makes wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, evening gowns, corsets and bridal accessories such as veils, ring cushions and hairpieces.

All her creations seek to bring out the individuality of her clients, therefore she offers a free initial consultation to discuss design ideas and requirements, as well as the all-important  fabrics and trimmings!  Her gowns are then individually handmade to complement the shape and character of her clients, using the classic techniques of couture tailoring.

If you are looking for  a unique, made-to-measure gown for your wedding or special occasion, feel free to book a consultation today.

Natasha is available on Facebook and Twitter:

Follow me on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harlequin-Fox-bridalwear/266917536678523

Follow me on Twitter! - @harlequinfox