A Big Thank You

I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their kind messages, texts & tweets today whilst Esme hasn't been well.

I'm happy to report that when I checked on her & Estelle a few minutes ago she was nibbling some hay and then engaged in an energetic game of  "carrot" with me (slightly concerned that she appeared to be sharpening the end of said wooden carrot to resemble a stake .....).

People are always ready to knock social media sites like Twitter but yet again it has proved that for every trolls or weirdo on there, there are 100 kind-hearted people like you all.

So from me, Esme & Estelle a massive THANK YOU!

Love Jen, Estelle & Esme

xxxxxx

Book Review - "Girl's Night In" by Hannah Read-Baldrey

I've been excited about this book ever since I read that it was coming out last month. The book is written by Hannah Read-Baldry (@CoutureCraft on Twitter) who also collaborated on two of my other favourite crafting books "Everything Alice" & "Everthing Oz".

First off the book is GORGEOUS it's full of lovely illustrations & pictures. Content-wise there is a wide range of different ideas and skill levels and SO many great ideas that cover Papercraft, jewellery-making, sewing & baking. Above all it's FUN!

I've already gotten so many ideas from it which I feel is the mark of a good craft book, not only does it instruct you well but it also encourages you to explore your own ideas. 

Love Jen

xxxxx

The Littlest Things

Firstly I'd like to point out that the title of today's blog is not a reflection upon my stature (or lack thereof! Whilst I am happily resigned to my smurfeness, as Helen helpfully refers to it, today's blog is more about the little things that make a big difference.

We're always being told to appreciate the little things and whilst I'm certainly not about to lecture on that, I know how hard it is to appreciate anything at all on the really black days, I just wanted to share with you all some of the little things that have made a difference to me.

Firstly the reaction I (normally) get from Estelle & Esme first thing in the morning (admittedly this may be more hunger driven) - noses poking through the bars of the hutch, twitching at a hundred miles an hour, and their heads bobbing up and down. It's adorable and I miss the morning ritual if I'm on holiday or away for some reason.

Another thing is the people around me. I know I'm extraordinarily lucky to have a supportive family and friends. I have lost a lot of friends from school and college due to being to scared to go out and socialise but the friends I have now are amazing.

I'm going to give special mention here to Helen who's more like a sister than a best friend to me. She's amazingly supportive when I'm low, she'll take the piss out of me to cheer me up (again one of the aforementioned 'little things'). Even though we've only known each other 3 years we've amassed a huge amount of great and fun memories that I can call on to lift me.

Sometimes I guess it's about taking note of teeny, tiny things that make you smile. For example I LOVE sunrises and sunsets, I love that no two are ever the same and for that moment everything is ok.

I could go on and list more, like being serenaded by the Blackbird that lives in our garden the other evening, or getting up early to watch the Formula 1 with my brother, hearing your favourite band playing on the radio, or receiving cards in the post from my Twitter friends but my point is to embrace the things that make you smile as much as you can.

Love Jen
XxxxX

Ps as I was typing this I have in fact just been accosted by Helen as our "on our way to work" paths have crossed - it's not even 8am and I have something to smile about :D
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2

Alice In Dreams

This is the final invitation card that I've drawn up. I'm trying to teach myself to draw again as it's always been something I've enjoyed and that's relaxed me.

When I was a kid I drew hundreds of 'models' wearing different outfits, I never dreamed that one day I'd design and make my own jewellery like I do now - well not sure if my kind of bits can be classed as 'design' but I'll take it!

The next thing I really want to do is learn to make clothing and I have all these visions of 50s style prom dresses & 40s tea dresses that I want to make! I just love the feeling of wearing something I've made and that no-one else has the same.

Love Jen
XxxxxX
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2

Crazy Cuteness!

Hello! Today I'd like to share Maddie Prior's (@MaddiePrior) creations with you all.

Maddie has been making these gorgeous felt bunnies and bunny & hamster handwarmers. I love all the colourful, fun fabrics she uses.

Please tweet @MaddiePrior or @Divaloulou with any queries or orders.

Love Jen

XxxxX
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2

There's No Place Like Home

I'd like to draw your attention to these gorgeous bunny houses that a very talented lady Heather Siddell (@hevsid on www.twitter.com/hevsid) is making.

Like me Heather also battles depression daily but it doesn't get in the way of these beautiful houses she has made.

She also makes these amazing rabbit play tables -

Please take a minute to check out her ETSY store Rabbitat Toys

Love Jen

xxxxx

A Few Favorite Things I've Made .....

I guess to properly document not only my recovery progress but also my creative progress I'd better share a few previous creations of mine .....

 Being a bunny-slave I tend to make a lot of rabbit-themed items 

 I like charm bracelets! 

 This was based on a template for a brooch - but I decided I liked it more as a bracelet!

 Having a Steampunk moment

 My first attempt at a purse

 A kindle cover with Day Of The Dead fabric

 Headband

 This handsome chap is now living on a headband

 Christmas Wreath

 London map themed passport cover

A reversible bag

 London Bunny!

 Felt flowers

Drawings of my bunnies Estelle & Esme

 I have a thing about eyes

And finally this is what happens if you mention your favorite church in Florence is the Santa Croce ................

You of course get a felted Santa Croce of your own! Poor Helen!

Love Jen

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You Are Invited To A Tea Party ........

So as you may have guessed by now I have a *small* obsession with Alice In Wonderland (blame the talking rabbit!) and this year I'm intending on having a Mad Hatter's Tea Party for my birthday.

  It's handy having a white rabbit in your life with an obsession like this!

Unfortunately my girls Estelle & Esme suffer much from my Alice obsession, from the indignity of being placed inside Hatter-style hats .........

............ To being drawn as characters from the book. 

Luckily I have a little practice in Alice decorations from my best friend Helen's Wonderland-themed birthday party last year. 

 

Me, Emma & Helen (I made my card headpiece, Emma's cameo necklace & Helen's red, white & blue necklace)

I made us a "Pin The Hat On The Hatter" game

And a few posters

I made this white rabbit based on the illustrations in the book. 

For my tea party I've decided to draw some Tea Party-themed Alice invitations to send ........

 Goth Alice

 Based on the book illustration

 Steampunk Alice & Hatter

 I'll update this post as I make more party bits!

Love Jen

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To Do List

Anyone who knows me will tell you I like a good to-do list so this is my current crafting-things-to-try list!

1. Make headbands for Download - yes I will be making 30 Seconds To Mars themed headbands using the Phoenix template that I *may* have tweeted at them a week or so ago and they *may* have tweeted back that they liked.

Screenshot from my fangirl  music following Twitter account. 

2.  Start making some Tea-themed bits to raise more money for the Race For Life that myself, my Mum and my best friend Helen are running in June in honor of loved ones battling cancer. I'm going to make tea-themed jewellery, decorations etc to top-up our fundraising. You can donate here

3. Make the decorations & party favours for my Mad Hatter's Tea Party themed birthday in June. 

4. Learn to crochet

5. Learn to knit

6. Carry on re-teaching myself to draw

Love Jen

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