More Crochet Flowers!

After having shown you my most recent crochet project in its finished state, I thought I'd share with you how the idea came about. 

My friend was getting married and had asked all the girls to get together to make some flowers up for her bouquet (which turned out stunning by the way, such a genius idea of hers!). After an evening of wine and stitching and bitching, I felt really inspired to have a go at making some out of crochet instead of fabric. I found a basic pattern online and altered it slightly to make it my own design, and attached them to pipe cleaners wrapped in green wool as a stem. With a few added leaves, they looked quite pretty, but what could I actually do with them?

They sat in a project box for a month or so until I came across them again and had a light bulb moment.....why not weave a few of them together and stick a few hair pins through the stems? Voila....one crochet flower hair slide done! And here was my very first attempt:

Say hello to Charlie Beagle!

A little close up of the flowers. I also wrapped one around my finger to make up a ring. I was really pleased with how this turned out, hence why I've been trying to come up with a more polished version. I think this could easily be used as a statement broach/pin on a jacket, dress or even bag, so I'm thinking of making them multifunctional, what do you recon? 

Much love from Brighton, 

L.J.

&

Charlie

XXX

A Frosty Spring Walk

These pictures were taken in February, I never got around to putting them up on here but still wanted to share them with you because it was such a pretty afternoon in Tilgate Park, even if it was freezing cold!

We were out on our weekly Saturday afternoon walk with Charlie Beagle and stopped to take a couple of snaps of one of my recent acquisition; a thick 70's wool tweed jacket to keep out the chills.

I fell in love with the lapels of the jacket, that curve! And the green white flecked wool went perfectly against my freshly dyed auburn hair. People ask if it's my natural colour, alas it is not! I've wanted to be a natural red head all my life though, does that count? 

(should have remembered to move our cups of tea out the way though, oops!)

As I've mentioned previously I've not really been curling my hair much recently, but have been pinning up the front bits and playing around instead. Here is one such example, I've pinned up 3 curls from the centre front down the side to swoop it out of my face. Quite liked how this one turned out :)

And some detailing from the back. I don't know what the technical terminology for it is, but I really like the triangular reinforcement bits either end of the back vent, I'd really like to try something like that out on a future project...not quite sure what yet....just know I'd like to. Any ideas what that's called?

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

XXX

Tilgate Park, Crawley

Pussycat Pussycat, Where have you been?!

...I've been up to London to visit the Queen.

Well....not really (but I do wish!)....haha! 

A very belated Happy New Year to all, and an even more so belated Merry Christmas! 

I decided to put down the keyboard over the festive period so I could crack on and get the mountain of presents finished, and then just enjoy and indulge myself. I'm happy to report this plan was a great success, however many a box of chocolates have had to offer themselves up and are no longer with us ;) well worth it!

Christmas was spent with my nearest and dearest, and I have to admit, I was itching for them all to open up their presents, this was after all my very first home made Christmas! Stupidly, I failed to take pictures of 99% of the presents I made, so cannot share them with my lovely readers :( sorry. Will do better next year.

I absolutely loved making everyone's presents, and have learnt a few lessons for next year:

Leave more time for completion

Vary the crafting techniques (not everything has to be crocheted!)

Plan further ahead and prep. I have leftover bits and bobs coming out my ears!

However, one present I can share with you is what I made for the little furry ones in my life. I realised none of them had their own stockings, so of course it was my duty to make them, and stuff them full of home baked dog biscuits. Of course the cat didn't miss out, she got catnip instead (very funny!). So here is one of them, made for Charlie Beagle:

I was so happy with how these turned out, and they loved them just as much, as Maisy can prove. I'm thinking of making a few of these for the local dogs trust.

Now normality has returned, I fully intend to make a come back to the blogosphere; it brings me so much joy writing this blog, and how I have missed it so.

Much love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

A furrrry Sunday Best

Another sunny Sunday, another Sunday Best!

Winter has most certainly arrived, I opened the curtains this morning and had the very first frost of the season, so what better way to prepare for a day out walking than wrap up warm with layers of wool, petticoats and fur :)

We took a stroll into town along the seafront to blow off those cobwebs (quite fitting this weekend, nay?), and in-between rain showers and sunshine managed to take a few snaps.

This jacket is starting to make a lot of appearances on the blog now the weather has turned, and still has to be my favourite item of clothing. If I haven't mentioned before, this is a 1940's Cyril A. Castle Saville Row Suit jacket, and I have the matching skirt! Woop! Gloat much.....sorry! ;) This time however I've teamed it up with a 50's floral tea dress, padded out with 2 layers of petticoats for added warmth, white jumper and fleece tights (hallelujah Primark, finally something I actually needed!).  

A little on the controversial side perhaps, but I'm not ashamed to admit that yes, the fur that I am wearing is real. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I am completely against the 'production' of new fur, but don't see why that should mean that vintage fur should be left to be eaten by moths in a darkened cupboard. What's your opinion on the matter?

I also finally got around to dying my hair again this week, long overdue indeed but I am totally in love with being a fiery red head once again. If only this could be my natural colour, hah. Pinned up at the front in swirls and in a big birds nest at the back, one of my recent favourites.

And of course Charlie had to join in and wear his Sunday Best. This is a made-by-me coat I rustled up in time for last Christmas. There were two, one for Charlie and one for his brother Buster (RIP), they're fleece lined, with a waterproof inside layer, their 'family' tartan and finished off with green pipping and their initial embroidered on the fleece collar. Sure to keep old Charlie warm in the coming months, and sure to attract plenty of attention from passers by. I think Charlie got more comments than either the Mister or myself! The people of Brighton sure do love a beagle in a coat heh.

I see quite a few fellow bloggers have now joined me in the Sunday Best Campaign, and I'm loving seeing all the effort you've been going to to crack out your Sunday Best, no excuses needed! Please do remember to let me know when you've posted up a Sunday Best post so I can start creating a monthly round up of all your frilly frocks, looking forward to it!

1940's Suit Jacket - Martlets Charity Shop, Brighton

1950's Brown Floral Tea Dress - Upper Gardner Street Flea Market, Brighton

Fur Ear Muffs - Christmas present

Fur Headband - Pop Up Vintage, Hassocks

Fur Collar - Brighton Marina Car Boot

Vintage Glass Bead Necklace - Brighton Marina Car Boot

Yellow Fleece Tights - Primark

1950's Floral Umbrella - Seaford Flea Market

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

August so far...

Firstly, I want to say a big thank you and welcome to my lovely new followers! Now that I have reached the rather exciting number of 90+, I'm currently busy crocheting away at a home-crafted Give-Away prize, so keep your eyes peeled for that, together with the launch of the Sunday Best Campaign in response to recent comments on here. Let's see how many fellow bloggers we can get involved in this and spread the fun of stylish Sundays!

In the meantime, however, I thought I would update any of you who may have wondered where I disappeared off to (just indulge me!)

 

August has been a super busy, and rather exciting month so far! Big changes are afoot... I went for an interview with somewhere I have always dreamed of beign a part of, and actually got it!!! You cannot imagine just how excited I am to be working for.....the Brighton Dome!! As of September, I'll finally be based in Brighton again, and starting on a whole new career. Bit daunting after spending 5 years working for a bank, to switching to something completely different, but at the same time I cannot wait. I've been studying Occupational Psychology on the side, and now I get to put all that into practice and start a career in HR, woop woop!! I've been waiting for this for quite a while :)

 

I've also been shimmy-ing my thing at home, practicing and putting together a new routine, and creating a whole new costume to match. Busy times, but oh so much fun! Cannot wait to show and tell!

 

The crochet side of things has also been seen to. I finally completed the granny square blanket, yet another cardi, experimented some more with Hair-pin Lace Crochet, and starting to put together a 'to-make' list for Christmas presents. Yes, I know it's only August, but this is going to be my very first home made Christmas, and I am determined to make everyones presents, so I'm starting early to make sure I actually get them done. That list is getting rather long......

 

Both of my parents also recently turned 50. I don't know about you, but presents for parents are starting to get rather tricky. There's nothing they want that they haven't already got and I'm running out ideas, so I've had to be rather creative this year to mark this special occassion. So...I thought I'd share with you the presents I put together for their 50th Birthdays:

My dad has always been a bit of a space and all-things-techie lover. I have many childhood memories of Sciene Museums and Space exhibitions, and yes, we did spend many a family evening at home, glued to the box engrossed in the latest episode of Star Trek :) So earlier in the year, when I stumbled across an early 1970's cigarette card and booklet collection entitled 'The Race into Space', I knew exactly what to do with it, and who would appreciate it the most; my Dad.

 

Here they are all framed up and mounted. I'm so pleased with how this turned out. And Dad loved it. Actually turns out he collected this exact series when he was a kid, and probably still had it in a box in the attic...unless it got lost in the move from Germany along with his Thunderbirds comic collection.....don't worry dad, I'm sure I will find a new set for you one day!

 

The rest of the cards I put in an envelope and attached to the back of the frame, should he want to swap any out in the future!

 

Now onto Mum. Mum is a very hard person to buy for. And my Mum's opinion in all things crafty really mean a lot to me. She herself has always been an avid crafter, having created her own line of kids clothes and having a shop when we lived in Germany. Still sewing away today, attending pattern cutting classes and learning new techniques, she has also been learning how to crochet, and coming along to the hair-pin lace lessons too. Not only that, but she can paint and draw, although she would never ever admit it and is her own worst critic...so no pressure there then, hah!

 

For Mum and Dad's 40th Birthdays I painted them a picture of our childhood dog Heinz (RIP) and our cat Febe (still very much with us). Since Heinz passed away, we had a new addition to the family early last year, and what better way to combine this and welcome Maisy to the family but to add her to the family gallery:

 

 

 

 

 

Personally, not my favourite, and I think I may have to do one again...but it shall suffice for now :)

 

 

Now on to get that Give-Away prize finished!!

 

Much Love from Brighton,

 

L.J.

xxx

 

A 'Special Occasion' Outift Post

We had a the Mister's niece's Christening to attend a few Saturday's ago, and I finally got to bust out one of my favourite a-little-too-nice-to-wear-on-a-normal-occasion dresses and matching bolero.

Sadly the little shop I purchased it from no longer exists, and I found this on my first and only trip...the little old lady was gone the following weekend! But many long-time vintage lovers in Brighton have informed me that it was Brighton's best kept vintage secret, the tiny shop up on Upper St James St in Kemptown where apparently Kate Moss used to get most of her bits from.

Anyways, I've had this dress since my 21st Birthday, which was um....nearly 3 years ago now, and have only worn this on 3 occasions, my 21st Birthday, my friend's 30th as seen here with me sporting my oh so sexy wrist braces, and for the christening! It even proved to be dog-proof too...pretty and practical? Score!

Me flashing some bling-bling for a change:

And a hat with a GIGANTIC flower set off to one side:

Now to organise some more special occasions as an excuse to get the others out of their plastic covers! I may just decided to go back to what they used to, and wear my best on Sunday's every week, special occasion or not! Anyone care to join me? Liberate those rarely worn lovelies!

Dress & Bolero set - 30a, Upper St James St, Brighton

Hat - Brighton Marina Carboot

Bird Necklace - Brighton Tattoo Convention

Broach - Oxfam, Uckfield

Daisy Chain - Worthing American Car Show

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx





1950's Yelow & Green Florals

Out and about taking Charlie for his weekend you-know-what, we stopped off at the park in Horsham for a few quick snaps (the sun actually made an appearance!!)

I picked this dress up at the recent Vintage Pop-Up Fair in Hassocks, along with the previously mentioned raspberry dress, and Saturday last week was my first opportunity to wear it out, with my hand made cardi :)

Still a bit on the chilly side, but us Brits pretend its summer even when it's only 14C and cloudy outside ;) heh.

1950's Floral Dress - Trailor Trash Vintage, Hassocks

1940's Cardi - handmade by me!

Shoes - Primarni

Hat - To be Worn Again, Brighton

Diasy-chain - thrifted

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

In Loving Memory of Buster Beagle

Buster Boo very sadly and suddenly passed away this Saturday.

I am left with a big hole in my heart, as I am sure all those who knew him have as well. Even though he may not have been our dog, we loved him as if he were our own.

We have been lucky enough to enjoy the most amazing 4 and a bit years with Buster and his brother Charlie, and will always be greatful for the chance to be their aunty and uncle every weekend. Thank you Julia and Bryan, we have so many happy memories we will never forget. I know their whole family will be hurting right now, including Charlie, and I wish there was more I could have done.

You may have noticed photo's of the mischevious Beagles sneaking into a blog post here and there, but it is hard to explain what exactly these boys mean to me. We were part of their pack. I could spend days not seeing anyone and just being with them. They brought so much happiness to both mine and the Mister's lives.

 I still miss my own dog, Heinz, terribly, and the Beagles were there to comfort me. Now Buster has passed too, I know that Heinz will be looking after him, and Buster will be joining him in the Big Sniff in the Sky.

Those boys came everywhere with us. Many a Car Show...

 

...Afternoons lounging on the beach under a parasol...

...long walks through the countryside...

...and through the woods...

 

...galloping through the snow at Christmas with their cousin Bertie...

 

...and sleeping it off in the back of the car...Buster loved his hammock, and would snore for hours...

...on the subject of sleeping, he loved sleeping! Especially in random places, mostly in his trademark 'superman' pose! Seen here under the bed...

They have stayed with us at every flat I have lived in in Brighton, and never stopped enjoying all the smells in town. they would greet us when we came to pick them up, bounding up to the car and jumping up and stretching to reach us. It was like they were saying 'come on Em, we've been waiting aaaages! Let's go!'.

I think my favourite memories have got to be the curling up with them at night, and watching them slowly fall asleep with us.

However, there would be times where I would pop out quickly, and find them fast asleep on our chairs! Naughty boys!

 

And on another occasion, although we only have one chair in our bedroom now, Buster was too slow and Charlie would get there first. They were so full of character and I would frequently end up in fits of laughter watching them together.

 

...how could you not coo over these two when your greeted by this when you come home...

How many beagles can you fit in one bed?

As you know, they also let me have my wicked ways with them occassionally, by dressing them up! I even made them matching tartan coats with a wool fleece lining and their initials embroidered on the collar last Christmas. They were starting to feel the cold a bit so I wanted to keep them warm, and they looked very dashing indeed. I will have to dig out the evidence, they are so handsome.

Buster may have been naughty and stolen his fair share of cake over the years, but I would never have changed a thing about him. He was our Buster Boo and we will never ever forget him.

 

In Loving Memory of Buster Boo

1st April 2000 - 14th April 2012

Emma

xxx

Fun times with the Beagles

We've been dog sitting the Beagles again. I love those boys! And they don't mind me doing silly things to them either, heheh ;)

Buster, the lord of the Manor:

and his brother Charlie:

I am so cruel! heheh but they do love it!

L.J.

xxx