Easter 2013...a mini tutorial!

There's been loads going on here recently - despite a constant stream (!) of coughs, colds and for two of our boys a heavy dose of tonsillitis. 

Fortunately all was well for World Book Day  - GB was unfeasibly excited about being 'Wally'. All the teachers came as Wally too so it sounds like good fun.

There have been some nice parcels too - this little stack of books from fellow blogger Zoe, who hoped it would help with the block mojo (it did!)

 

Thank you Zoe - your blocks will be with you after Easter!

The next parcel came in this adorable bag... 

 ...from another fellow blogger Oooh Betty. 

Mmmmmmm, I luuurrrvve vintage Ladybird!

 Thank you Emma - your blocks will be with you after Easter too!

Lastly a birthday present. 18 months late....which might beat even MY record!! 

Jane - I'm going to call it my first 50th present instead - 

so you can consider yourself organised!

Fellow blogger and all round good egg Jane has recently started selling her wares on Etsy - wonderful wired words of your choice carefully wrapped in beautiful fabric. 

For me Jane chose Liberty prints in pink florals - how can she know me so well??!!

In the chipper workshop I've been making all sorts this week, 

some signs for boys:

  some signs for girls:

some blocks:

I've made quite a few trial versions of these wedding/anniversary blocks now and am thrilled to say I am happy to take orders (after Easter!). All I need is a photograph, either as a jpg or similar,

I can re-size and re-colour it. 

If you fancy a set for your next anniversary email me chippernelly@hotmail.co.uk 

to discuss!

Here's a link to others I've made recently for ideas

 I came across another brilliant idea on Pinterest (see here) where you can find a massive range of letters to make stuff with. The letters themselves are on Flickr (link here) and I just had to have a little play on some wood I brought home from Crosby beach a few weeks ago

 here it is in it's new home in the kitchen

We had a lovely Mothers Day this year - with all the Mums in the (close by) family here for tea and cakes. I loved my gifts and couldn't wait to fill my new Pip fruit bowl..with wool!!

I also managed to use the excuse of mothers day to make The Granny a crochet brooch for her hat - which I shamelessly wore before giving to her (I'm not proud)

Speaking of wool...I have also had fun making my new door candy. Here's how

1) get yourself some polystyrene eggs. Mine were 99p for 12 from Hobbycraft. They come in lots of sizes but if you use the egg size ones you can sit them in egg cups while making!

 

2. find some old yarn in cheerful colours and pin the end of the yarn to the bottom of the egg. Paint some mod podge (or any white glue) on to the egg and wind the wool round. It's a bit messy, a LOT fiddly but worryingly therapeutic! I did half an egg at a time then left it to dry while doing the next. Finish the opposite end with a second pin. Leave to dry.

3.stop and admire your own handy work

4. when the eggs are dry find a length of coordinating ribbon and tie a bow in the end...take the top pin out the egg and push it back through the ribbon and egg together.

Voila

 To make my finished work of art I took the glass out of an old knackered frame, sprayed the frame white and tacked some cheapo Ikea net curtain to the back of it (don't worry Emily - still some left for you!)

I then used little tacs to secure both the eggs and the matching bunting.

The frame will look much nicer hung on the glass on the front door with the light shining through - but the weather is SO grim here today I can't bear to put it outside...here it is in the kitchen instead!

That's me signing off for Easter - 

hope the chocolate bunny visits!

fee x