Category: DIY

October 1, 2014

Creative Magic x

After the long summer break, it’s the much anticipated start of Creative Coffee (click for details) this morning – chutneys and oat cakes today, but above are pictures from a previous session of sausage making rather than a demonstration of what happens to unfortunate attendees..

We made them right through from mincing the meat, adding bread crumbs and spices (for three different kinds of sausage no less) to the requisite comedy moment, complete with lubricating oil..

There was much tittering!

A plate of very special bangers!

It’s hard to explain, but when I go to Creative Coffee – which essentially means making something from scratch that would be easier to buy in a shop – I realise what a privileged life I lead..

Laters, Kate x

September 23, 2014

Stamp of Style x

Using badges and logos..not invented by Marc by Marc Jacobs but cunning all the same…

A rather delicious collection of fonts and styles married to the perfect boyfriend jeans..just add a smile and a killer pair of heels..

Penelope Chilvers has also got in on the act, although is hers a more traditional, preppy version..and the meanings are meaningful..I’d love to be able to buy the patches individually..

Also to be found on her boots and shoes..

Anya Hindmarch has pushed the creative boat out even further in her own offering of luxury-retro-street. Inspired by stickers from her school days, the graphics are embossed onto the leather in a three step process. Utterly edible.

But the real joy is that this trend has it’s roots deep down in freedom of expression and do-it-yourselfs.. you could just follow your heart and DIY your own fashion statement like Fun in the Making..

Or cover a Louis Vuitton bag like the courageous Sue. Because the truth about badges and patches, despite what the designer brands would have us believe, is they’re really about individuality and being unique in a stylish and remarkably accessible way..now, where’s my needle and thread?

Laters, Kate x

July 5, 2014

I Dyed.. x

Like the lifespan of a butterfly, the summer term is flying to it’s end. For Bella’s class it’s quite a poignant time as her year get re-mixed into different classes for September so after three years together it’s a real time of change. As a little hurrah for the mums of her 2B class I held a Shibori tie-dye day..with all the essentials….

Joy of joys..the sun shone!

Is that a stick I see before me?

Our patriotic dye bath..previously used for mixing concrete for the patio. The union jacks come from cut up passport covers from the 99p shop – they were perfect for holding the material in place to create the square shaped tie-dye pattern.

The magic starts when you unwrap..it’s a bit like Christmas..you have no idea what they’re going to be like..

But the results were pretty spectacular!

Each one different and unique! My washing line has never looked so cool!

OMG – It actually looks like the tutorial photo!

This beauty was the result of ‘stick’..it’s like looking up at the sea whilst diving..

Now I have the kids home and dying everything in sight! But honestly, I can’t blame them..it’s addictive..for a wonderful day with friends, it’s surprisingly easy, wonderfully effective and thoroughly recommended!

Laters, kate x

July 4, 2014

Mightier than the Sword..

I so need to up my penmanship skills…but my tie-dying skills might improve today: Have 6 friends round to to transform everything white into beach-ready Shibori..pictures sure to follow…

Laters, Kate x

June 20, 2014

Roses and Cupcakes x

Creative Coffee Mornings are still a regular Wednesday occurrence and a highlight of the week. These pics are from our ‘Sugar Art’ session..

Which included a variety of projects including making elderflower cordial..even the word ‘cordial’ makes me smile…

We also crystallised edible flowers..so simple and so effective..

You thoroughly coat each petal – back and front – with egg white, then cover everything in sugar. A sprinkle of very fine glitter helps with the final fairy effect. Then they dry out and can be kept for months in an air tight container, ready for a dramatic flourish when required.

And we made cupcakes to practise our icing skills on..

With a whole box of toys to play with!

The joy, the pride, the ability to allow yourself the time to be creative and the companionship of sharing the experience with others all feed in to make this time so very special. You literally zone away from real life – I’m sure it’s a similar endorphin rush to a serious gym workout. Just without the pain…

Next week is ‘homemade sausages’…..guaranteed a giggle…

Laters, Kate x

June 17, 2014

Just Corking! x

These are my beloved two year old most comfortable summer shoes the world has ever known babies. They’re really on their last hurrah, but I couldn’t resist giving them a summer re-vamp to squeeze that last bit of life out of them..

Studs! Except they’re not..

They’re bog standard drawing pins (tacks to others) pushed into the cork..no glue, nothing..just a bit of thumb grease..

And I absolutely love ’em! Now they’re smiling again for another year on the tiles…

Laters, Kate x

June 13, 2014

Shoe Notes… x

These shoes would complete my life. My waters tell me so. Sadly I have no idea who designed them…but I’m thinking a pair of pointy whites and some magic markers?

Laters, Kate x

June 12, 2014

Stunning Shibori..

(From Fausto Puglisi Resort 2015)

There’s a quiet revolution happening which originally had it’s routes in Japanese culture but for me will always sing of the seventies: Shibori tie dying..

(From Fausto Puglisi Resort 2015)

But now it’s far removed from flower garlands and hippy communes and is steadily seeping it’s way onto the catwalk..

(From Fausto Puglisi Resort 2015)

Even Michael Kors Resort 2015 can’t resist..

From MiH jeans who have a particularly fine range this season all in glorious indigos.

But the joy is this is something that anyone can do – especially with inspiration and advice available all over the web:

I love this video..I want to be there and play!

One of the best written tutorials I’ve found is this one from Honestlywtf, making all sorts of shapes and techniques look utterly effortless and astonishingly beautiful..imagine these as individual napkins on a summer table…

Or doing these techniques on a dark denim shirt with bleach instead of dye?? And I’ve just looked….and Honesltywtf have a tutorial for that as well!

Suddenly I really, really want to get my hands dirty….

Laters, Kate x

June 2, 2014

Espadrille Competition – THE ENTRIES! x

I was lured away by summer flowers and a lack of Internet – but what a post to come back to! The first ever Design Your Own Espadrille Competition!! This was a bit like a drive through the dark on an unknown road with no idea where it would lead, but with a trembling hand on my fluttering heart we have a truly wonderful selection of entries and I’m utterly thrilled and delighted! A huge thank you to all who took the time and talent to take part (for now you’ll remain anonymous..but not for long)

So feast your eyes on these beauties..and then vote for your favourite..the choice is yours!

Vote for Number One if you love the quirky and avant garde..

Vote for Number Two if this pair tickle your fancy..

If you l’amour this cheeky little number, vote Number three!

If geometrical design floats your boat, vote Number Four!

Number Five makes your heart beat faster? Vote!

For a splash of neon, vote Six!

And if you think this delicious pair are a cut above the rest – vote Number Seven!

To vote, please name your favourite in the comments below….the winner will be crowned on Wednesday..

Laters, on tenderhooks, Kate x

April 26, 2014

Espie Inspo..

Update on Espadrille Competition: Due to various requests I’ve extended the deadline – Photos of creations to be submitted by Friday 23 May, winner announced Monday 26 May!

Mine have arrived – I ordered a white and a navy pair. the white were a bit grey and disappointing – like six month old sports socks – so I took the plunge and sat them upside down in a bowl of bleach..worked perfectly! They are now a glow in the dark white. In fact, if the above pictures float your boat, then check out ‘Bleach fashion’ on Pintrest – has some incredible offerings like how to make a bleach pen by leaving a yellow felt tip pen soaking in bleach for a day…….just think of the possibilities!