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Wednesday 31 October 2012

Pop Art at Harrods...

Now, yesterday was supposed to be spent at the sewing machine. But, the opportunity for a little impromptu visit to the Big Smoke presented itself, so the whole fandamily set off to the business capital that is Canary Wharf, London. While hubby had to attend a meeting the kidlets and I pootled around the shopping mall. I realised soon enough that I'm more of a country bumpkin than I thought! The crowd of suits and heels did not appeal to me at all! However, the children were in awe of the tall skyscrapers, and a hearty lunch at Wagamamas hit the right spot! After lunch we set of for Knightsbridge to visit the very luxurious and iconic department store that is Harrods.



The highlight of this visit was most definitely the Halcyon gallery display. During this autumn season one can peruse the Pop Art Exhibition on the second floor, and with art and sculpture from Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, Mauro Perucchetti and Lorenzo Quinn on display, the ooh's and aah's are plentiful!

Lorenzo Quinn...'Force of nature'


Mauro Perucchetti...'Guns and Roses'


Andy Warhol...'Cowboys and Indians'

 
My favourite...'Marilyn'

 
 
The children's favourite...didn't quite catch his name...
 
 
 
Please excuse the poor quality of some of the pictures...They were taken with a mobile phone, and in a hurry!
 
 
One of the best treats in Harrods at this time of year has to be 'Christmas World'. Now, I used to work in Harrods many years ago, and got to experience the Christmas department in all it's glory over several years. I was a little disappointed with it this year...it was a lot smaller than it used to be, and the atmosphere didn't seem as Christmassy as before. Still, it had some beautiful elements to it.
 
 
Disney boutique...where little girls can try on new shoes like little princesses!
 
 
Well, a fun day was certainly had, and my only regret is that I couldn't take better pictures! I'm frightfully aware of just how strict the photography prohibitions are in Harrods, as it was expected of us to pounce on people with cameras back in the day when I used to work there! They seemed even stricter this time round. I did however ask permission to take a few snaps, and was given the 'I'll-turn my-back-and-pretend-I-didn't-see-you-permission-slip'!
 
If you have never visited this luxurious store, and ever have the opportunity to do so, I can highly recommend it. There is so much to see, and if you want to play a game of 'spot the celebrity', you have a good chance of success. We managed to spot singer Alexandra Burke yesterday...no photo though, as I respect the fact that she perhaps wanted to eat her lunch in peace!
 
Have a super day wherever you are, until next time!
Blessings, Tania ♥
 



Monday 29 October 2012

Take a leaf from this book...

Hello my lovelies! How is your Monday treating you? Hopefully with kindness? The kidlets are on their half-term break at the moment, so we spent the morning in the lovely town of St. Ives (Cambridgeshire), just pootling around the market, and indulging in a few comforts from home...Home being South Africa, and the treats being sweets and 'dry wors' from 'Die Koskas', a bit of manna from heaven in the shape of a market stall! I've also been doing a little sewing for my very own Christmas market stalls which I will be selling at in the run up to the festive season. I've been sewing leafy bookmarks...I'm not quite finished, but I'm well on my way. I adore books, and it scares me that technology seems to be replacing the use of printed books. Nothing quite beats the turning of pages on a journey through a gripping story. Hence my desire to make some bookmarks!

Just in case you missed it...


 
 
Leafy loveliness...
 
 
 
Apart from sewing, we have also had a wonderful weekend spent in the company of friends. I mentioned in my last post that we were planning a 'Soup Night'. Well, we all had a wonderful time laughing, eating and catching up over steamy bowls of soup. Here are a few piccies!
 
 
Autumnal posies...
 
 
 
 
Set the table...
 
 
 
 
 

 


 
 
'Friends are the family we choose for ourselves...'
 
 
I wish you all a very happy Monday, and an even happier rest-of-the-week!
 
Tania ♥
 

 
 
 
 


Saturday 27 October 2012

A chilled weekend ahead...



Hello my lovelies! Well, it's a lovely crisp Saturday morning where we are, and the temperatures have taken a little dive. We are wrapping up a little warmer, and finally the winter woollies are stretching their lazy arms from the bottom of the drawer, yawning away the long slumber of summer!
Tonight we are having a few friends over for a bring -and share 'Soup Night'. I think it's perfect timing as the chill in the air is calling for hands wrapped around steamy bowls of comfort food. What are you planning for the weekend? Whatever it may be, work or frivolities, I wish you a blessed, happy time! Embrace the ones you love, and enjoy a time of refreshing!

Warm hugs, Tania

P.S. Yip...I know...a very short post again. Please bear with me...I intend to a proper catch up soon, sharing with you what I've been up to over the last two weeks. It's been a busy, beavering time! :)

Tuesday 23 October 2012

A warm welcome...



Hello my lovelies!
How is life treating you in your world? I hope you are all in a happy place! This is just a quick 'hello' from me to you, and a warm welcome to all my lovely new followers! It has been wonderful to see so many new faces on here, and I've enjoyed popping into your fabby-dabby-doo blogs too! Things are a little hectic over here...sewing season for me, so if I haven't managed to say a cheery 'hello' to you at yours, I will get there soon! May your week be filled with smiles, cheer and happy crafting to all!
Tania ♥♥♥

Sunday 21 October 2012

Cardi Love...



At this time of year I always do a little stock take in my wardrobe. The spring/summer dresses and skirts are packed off to the back of Narnia, and they make room for tweed, cardigans and winter woollies. This year, I have decided to add some handmade accessories to jazz things up a little, paying special attention to my cardigans as I wear them a lot! Pinterest has been a great source of inspiration for me, and I'd love to share a few of my favourite makeovers with you. Now, I love wearing cardigans. But sometimes they look a little forlorn, like they need a little bit of sparkle or a dash of colour to cheer them up a bit. These are a few of the beauties I have discovered and bookmarked over time, and which are firm favourites on my 'To Do List'!

PRETTY VINTAGE BOW by the lovely Mrs. B...I think a little Liberty print fabric and I'll be on my way!

 
 Sometimes those woollies just cry out for a fairy godmother to turn their little pumpkin faces into peachy perfect loveliness! A little change is always good, right? How about adding a ruffle? I found this very easy to follow TUTORIAL for adding a rather fetching ruffle...all you need is a little time, fabric, needle and thread. How hard can it be?
 
 
 







I think adding embellishments to a much loved cardigan is a super way of giving it a new lease of life. This BEAUTY is by far my favourite cardi makeover to date! So pretty! Perhaps a little more labour intensive, but definitely worth the effort!
 
Now, if there is one thing that makes my heart go giddy-up, it's lace, lace, oh yes...lace! I think it embodies femininity and girliness, and if I can add it to a cardigan I will, I will! How sweet are the pockets on the ANTIQUE LACE CARDIGAN REMAKE?
 
 
 
Hearts...one can NEVER go wrong with a little 'heartfelt' hearty touch to most things! And elbow patches on a favourite cardi or sweater...oh yes! JUST LOOK AT THIS!
 
 
 
Adding some floral to touches is a brilliant way to lift the look of , well, just about anything! I love this one by THE SISTERS FOUR.
 
 
 


I face a slight dilemma now... Where does one start with such wonderful, inspiring tutorials and ideas? Hmmm...I think it's time to get the cardies out and have a play! Have you been tickled by these? I would love to hear from you if you feel you might have a go, or perhaps you've done something like this already? Do share!
 
Blessings
 
 
Tania ♥♥♥

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Autumn leaves...and blessings abundant!

My eyes have really opened to the warmth and beauty of nature's gifts this autumn. Every day, as I'm out and about, the palette changes, introducing deep, warm hues of red, yellow, orange and purple. As I shared in my previous post, we have enjoyed lovely walks and inhaling every detail of creation as it changes. I thought that this harvest season yields the perfect opportunity to reflect on the blessings in our own lives, thinking of the things that we can be grateful for every day. So, for the month of October (at least!), I thought of doing a little display on our mantel, something to remind us of the blessings that we enjoy! Sometimes we get so bogged down by 'normal life' and the stresses of modern day, that we forget that we are fortunate to have so much to be thankful for.

As always, a little sewing to start me off! I wanted to make a simple wreath to hang above the mantel, and used an existing heart twig wreath that had been shoved away in a cupboard. Inspired by the latest issue of 'Mollie Makes', I sewed some felt and fabric leaves to decorate the wreath. I am so pleased with the results!

Autumn leaves...


 
 
And hanging above the fireplace...ta-dah!
 
 
 
With the new wreath in place, a few reminders of autumn and all-year round blessings...
 
 
 
A heart garland to remind us of family, that we are bound together by love...We are thankful for each other...
 
 
 
Pumpkins to remind us that we have plenty to eat...we are fortunate in a world where some many people go without...
 
 
Tartlet candles, to remind us to be light in the darkness, to share the bounty that we enjoy, with those who are less fortunate...

 




The vintage 'Flour' tin and milk can also reminds us of these blessings, harvested all year round. In fact, we are very blessed to just be able to buy these from the supermarket! :)

A vintage toy sewing machine...a reminder that we are thankful for the health, ability and resources to work...

 
But most of all, we are grateful for the faith we have, and the love of God that upholds us every day, and His word...
 
 

 
The cotton reels are little reminders that we are clothed...for that we give thanks!
 
 
And so, we reflect, and give thanks...for the friends that we have in our lives too...and as a reminder? This beautiful red toadstool, made for our family by a dear friend. She hand engraved each of our names, and our family name. We are very blessed to have so many wonderful, selfless people in our lives!
 
 


 
I hope that you can also reflect today on the blessings in your life. And may many more come your way!
 
 
Tania♥








 

Sunday 7 October 2012

Ready...get set...sew!

Here comes THAT word that some people dread hearing before December...CHRISTMAS! So sorry to say it out loud so early, but I have to start thinking about Christmas as soon as the children start the new school year in September! I always do a couple of craft fairs in the run up to the festive season, so a lot of sewing needs to be done, and thus a lot of creative Christmas thinking and planning too! Now, before I could even start thinking about tackling the mammoth task of sewing a gazillion new projects, I had to sort out the mess in my sewing corner from the spring's sewing flurry! And, while it's all tidy and somewhat organised, I thought I'd take a couple of snaps to share as part of our Home Tour. If you've missed any of the little peeks into our home sweet home before, you can take a look here, here and here!

My sewing corner...


Perfectly Peachy Pincushions...
(thank you Cath)
























And a few jars turned into itty-bitty button storage with pincushion lids...a girl can NEVER have enough pins...and pincushions...

Florals and flowers...
 
 
 
Good old Bon Maman Jam Jars...
 
 

 

Here's a little project for the wall...an old wooden toiletries box turned display shelf...

First, I glued a little fabric to the back...

 
 
Add a few embellishments...metal photo corners...vintage sewing lovelies...
 
 
 

And voila!

 
 
 All sorted! Ready...get set...sew!
 
 
 
There is nothing nicer than planning a new sewing project at a lovely, tidy desk...once the sewing starts in full swing, it will be nigh impossible to keep it that way! So, I will sew, create mess, and look back at these pictures and enjoy the tidiness that lasted for five minutes! Happy days!
 
 
Tania ♥