A Floral Crown - Fit for a Queen

 

I love how everyone  is getting into the mood to celebrate the Jubilee. Flags are at the ready and bunting has been strung along the shop fronts of all the local businesses.

I've been doing the window displays for Caversham's newest massage therapists Le Masseur Personnel since they opened. This month, they set me a challenge and rather last minute asked me to come up with a floral crown for their Jubilee window. 

"Cool, no probs, of course I can do that" I said. Only thing was, it had to be very lightweight to be able to sit in their existing suspended display box, so oasis was out of the question. I'll figure it out, I thought and went away to play with some wire.  One snipped finger and a few chicken wire scratches later, this is what I came up. 

I used coloured decorative wire to make the outline shape, reel wire to make the fleur de lys, orb and crosses, to which I added beads for jewels. I then attached chicken wire around the base and arranged thistle, carnation spray and gypsophila through this as a floral alternative to the usual Ermine. Don't think Queenie would mind, do you? 

After all, Queens get a free massage this weekend ; ) (everyone else gets 10 %)

More Blush Roses - Quicksand

Vintage lovers prepare to swoon. How gorgeous are these roses? This variety called Quicksand are the most amazing fleshy blush pink shade. Check out the subtle variations within this one wrap of roses. 

At one glance they appear to be putty pink, look again and they're coffee cream. Beige would be an insult ( I mean who wants to be beige after all? ) but think natural, neutral, nude and you're definitely on the right track.

This batch came in with quite a small slightly cone shaped head. Quite a similar shape to Amnesia. I haven't yet put them together but I'd be interested to see how they work because they're both very much dusky antique shades. 

Look at those amazing tints of raspberry pink on the outer petals. They are just begging to be paired with fruity deep pinks and incredibly subtle silver foliage.

Mmmm. How would you have yours?

Etsy picks - White Hot Wedding

Its hot hot hot in the UK at the moment and has been for the last week.  This unseasonably good weather got me thinking that whilst its lovely if the sun shines on your wedding day, nobody wants to be hot and bothered when they're supposed to be looking their best.

How do you stay cool as a cucumber when the suns beating down? I had a little mooch around Etsy and gathered some fab vintage finds for a stylish summer wedding....

Keep the sun off your head with a pretty parasol or a cute straw hat, shade your eyes with vintage sunnies and protect delicate shoulders with a light capelet or silk shawl. They'd make great props for photo ops too. 

For details of all the suppliers included follow the link to my Etsy treasury

Historic Ludlow

One of my favourite things to do is to go where I've never been before, so last week I took a trip to Ludlow in Shropshire, somewhere I'd been meaning to visit for a long time. After a drive up through spectacular countryside, I reached my destination and headed into town for a mosey around and a catch up with an old friend.

The rest of the afternoon was spent chatting in a shady cobbled courtyard with cool refreshments and nibbles, before heading out for the night to gorge at the French Pantry where I feasted on duck and sauteed potato's, followed by apricot tart and ice cream. Yum.

Next morning we started the day with breakfast at De Greys Cafe, where I was encouraged by the staff to try a local speciality, a butter bun which is every bit as sinful as it looks and sounds.  Still, it soaked up some of the previous nights tipples.

Then we were off round town for a spot of shopping. I was charmed by all the cuteness in Goosey Goosey Gander a childrens gift shop, and in awe of the fabulous victorian shop fittings in Pickards Hardware. Black Bough had the most wonderful edit of design led gifts - I could have seriously taken home every item in the shop, but had already spent up so vowed to stop by their website in future.

Next up was more awe inspiring history and a trip round Ludlow castle. This Norman wonder is incredibly well preserved and had me gushing and cooing in amazement. Wow was very much the word of the day. Especially when we braved the climb to the roof and took in the views of the surrounding town and countryside.

After all that excitement, we took a picnic lunch down to the riverside to cool off. And no thats not me and my friend! I spotted these ladies in their blue outfits and sunhats and thought they so perfectly matched the masses of wild blue forget-me-nots growing on the hillside that I asked for a photo. Think they thought I was a little crazy.  

Good company, indulgent treats and a well timed heatwave made a few days feel like a proper holiday. If you fancy a short break I would recommend Ludlow for its beautiful architecture, shopping, walking and definitely eating.  

Simple Vases - Vintage Tins & Painted Cans

More simple vases, and this week I thought I'd have a look at some different ways to use tins. I have a bit of a thing for vintage tins and could easily fill shelves and cupboards with old biscuit tins and tea caddy's.

You can often find decorative tins in charity shops, car boots and antiques fairs, but if you're not the thrifting type, you can still get hold of classic british brands in the supermarket (think Colmans, Lyle and Tate and Brasso).  Don't forget to check the world food aisle too and look out for eye catching designs when you're on holiday.

I like to fill mine with buttons and beads and assorted habadashery bumpf, but they also make great containers for flowers and plants. A row of herbs planted in tins makes a pretty and practical display on  a kitchen window sill or shelf.

Not to worry if you can't find tins with pretty designs on them. Make do with good old baked bean cans, remove the paper labels and paint in matte pastel shades and you still have rather fetching simple vases. 

Or you could enhance their metallic sheen with a spritz of spray paint. The copper and bronze shades used here look great. Make sure to spray in a well ventilated area, hold canister about 10-15cm from the tin, taking care to move both tin and spray to achieve an even finish. Leave plenty of time to dry.

To introduce pattern, wrap the cans in clashing or co-ordinating giftwrap or wallpaper. The uniform shape and size of the tins used here brings a bit of harmony to this cheerful mix of colours and designs.

A cheap, fun and (perhaps with the exception of the spray paint) environmentally friendly way to decorate your tables.   

Images: Dear Designer; House and Home; Country Living; Sweet Paul; Jane Weddings; Bumpsmitten

DIY - Embroidery Hoop Display

Does this even need words? Ok, just a few.

You will need

• Embroidery hoops 
• Co-ordinating/contrasting fabrics
• Scissors
• String

Method 

• Cut to size 
• Tuck in edges, or tape to frame for neater finish
• Hang in your preferred arrangement

Ridiculously peasy DIY. Perfect for the craftily challenged.

Jubilee Tea Party

The sun finally came out this week and it felt warm for the first time in ages (posting this, now with a pink glow, warm seems a bit of an understatement) It was a perfect day for a spot of afternoon tea, shame I was just installing the Jubilee window display.

All the elements came together - garlands made, embroidery hoops filled with chintzy fabric, tables and tablecloths in situ, and red white and blue flowers in china teacups.

The teacups are part of a range that we hire out for weddings and events, and I found the lovely green tablecloth with red, white and blue poppies in one of the local charity shops. We are spoilt for choice with charity shops round here - I often pop out for a rummage in my lunch break.

The white cloth was borrowed for the display and we're still undecided whether the lacey edge is crochet or tatting. Any ideas?