Blankets

I made these two blankets as Christmas presents,

This one was Scottish themed in colour for my brothers girlfriend. Heathers and greens.

This one for my brother in muted greys, and neutrals.

I have more crochet to be getting on with soon. Baby blankets.....just waiting on result of sex.;)

Piano makeover with Annie Sloane paint.

I have always wanted a piano in the house, and this weekend I got one. :)

I bid on an old upright on Ebay. It is primarily for my daughter and I to tinker on. Sadie is having lessons, so good for practise.

Even if nobody tinkers, it just looks lovely in the room, a real focal point.

I had no intention of leaving it in its original state, it wasn't particularly stunning as it came. This was going to be a renovation from the moment I decided I wanted a piano.

It very nearly had to go back on the van, as I have a narrow hallway and there was no way it was going to fit. Husband had to cut half of the cupboard under the stairs away to get it in, whoops!

I knew the look I wanted after researching on the internet, and had discovered Annie Sloane chalk paint. I chose the old white shade as didn't want it to look bright white, I wanted character.This paint is fantastic as it gives a mellow aged look straight away. You don't need to prep the wood at all, apart from a clean down. No sanding or priming whatsoever, which is good because I impatient and lazy.

Make sure you mask up the pedals and keys well before painting.

 The first coat I applied was watered down to the consistency of milky single cream. Then I watered the second coat to double cream.

Here it is after one coat:

Whilst the first coat was drying I painted the piano stool, and a chair that I bought specifically to sit next to the piano. It's a Louis XIV chair, another bargain for £20 on Ebay, these can fetch £100-£200 pounds done up!

Before

The pink had to go, I had bought a black fabric spray paint which at £10 a can is not cheap but cheaper than reupholstering. I sprayed two coats on the fabric. Then got to work painting the woodwork.

Back to the piano!

Here it is after the second coat. Then decorated with lovely things. Whoops my candle fell!

I also recovered the piano stool with a turqouise silk damask remnant also from Ebay, for £3.

I let the paint dry overnight, and waxed the whole piano today with a good coat of clear wax on a clean dry cloth.

If you want a more distressed look you give a light rub down with some fine grit sandpaper on edges before you wax.

Here is the chair, Much better I think.

My back and knees are suffering after doing all that! A labour of love, but worth every bit.

I just  LOVE the end result.  Makes my room look really classy. Just needs to be professionally tuned now.

My little girl loves it!

Now for some tinkering.............

❇ Christmas preparations ❇

Well it's that time of the year again, and didn't it creep up quickly?

I have been,and am still making and crafting gifts for this year which I am enjoying immensely.  I am nearly done which is good, as I start a new job next week and will have a lot less time on my hands.:(  I am still running my cookery classes for kids throughout December, which is a lot of fun. There is still have lots of  Christmas shopping to do too which I enjoy less as dislike trudging round shops more than I can say....

Here are a few pics of what I have been up to:

I made a red silk Christmas  flower with a diamante centre to a green glitzy collar for Lulu.

I had to coax her into eating a treat to get her to pose!

Lots of baking at home..... More pics of  Jenny's kitchen Kids Christmas classes: HERE

We put our decorations up today, which is too early I know but I have always put them up in time for my for my birthday on the 6th. Am feeling more festive now they are up. :)

Still lots more to do, but I will get there. I just LOVE this time of the year, nothing can bring me down!!

Enjoy your preparations to the lead up!

Cyprus

First holiday abroad for 9 years. It was bliss. I did nothing but read. Relax and eat. I highly recommend it!

Gyros-Fast food

Coral bay beach

Villa pool

Amazing bakery

Sparkly dessert

Blue skies every day

Last supper of Kleftiko, so delicious!

I'm now well rested, and glad to be back, even to the dull wet windy rainy weather, because for one I am reunited with my Lulu, and its back to cosyness, and Christmas is creeping up on us isn't it?

Autumn love

Well Autumn is well and truly upon us, and it's getting chillier, which can mean only one thing, HOOK OUT and back to crocheting!! Oh how I have missed it during the summer. Anyone that knows me knows that summer is my least favourite season. I like being cosy, cosy. cosy and relish the Autumn and Winter months.

I have just finished this lovely shell stitch blanket for my mum. It's an easy stitch that is quick and relaxing to work up. It took me about 10 days over most evenings. My mum has always loved browns and cream colour pallettes. I think of coffee, Lattes and chocolate when I look at it.I hope her dog doesn't claim this one like she did with the last one I made!

I also made  Lulu a red house coat to keep her warm in the winter months.

 She loves it can't you tell? She does get shivery and it will keep her snuggly when we get a really cold snap. My lap is still her fave place though even though she doesn't fit anymore! Here she is hogging the stripe blanket.

Well I'm off to sunnier climes for a week, destination- Cyprus and really looking forward to it as haven't had a holiday abroad for 8 years, so really going to relax.  Sadie cannot wait to go on an aeroplane and is so excited she can barely sleep. I'm not a fan of flying and the nerves are starting to kick in.....Think I will take my rescue remedy if I'm allowed?

 On my my return I will be holding two Halloween cake decorating classes with children which will be lots of fun. I love Halloween and all its pagan origins/symbolism.

Hope you are all enjoying and embracing Autumn. xx