Bench cushion covers

Firstly I think I need to say a big sorry for abandoning my blog for a little while. I feel very bad that my last post was over 3 weeks ago, awful! Anyway Im back in the routine now and so will be updating 

regularly :)

Today I wanted to share with you my latest project for the family home, project 'kitchen bench'.

The addition of the L shaped bench was fitted to maximise seating around our kitchen table for socialising and of course eating, without having to use the more formal dining room. 

The bench was made by a local carpenter and then responsibility was passed over to me to paint the pine and create cushions for comfortable seating. We decided upon a cream shade (Dulux Natural Hessian) to match the kitchen cabinets and to compliment the walls (Dulux Cookie Dough).

When it came to choosing the fabric I instantly opted for a stripe. A sleek, structured pattern that would enhance the lines of the tongue and groove. I ended up choosing Right Lines in 'Olive Oil' from TerrysFabrics online. Displaying a fresh mix of colours with a Mediterranean feel the fabric certainly makes the seating 'pop' and everyone is happy with the first complete cushion! 

One down, two to go...

Design Sponge at Home

I have been a big fan of the Design Sponge blog since I discovered it a couple of years ago and so was very excited to hear they had squeezed all the brilliance of the website into a book!

Keeping the main features of the website the book is divided into chapters entitled Sneak Peeks, DIY Projects, DIY Basics, Flower Workshop and my personal favourite Before & After. 

Here are my photos to share...

 Sneak Peeks

(A rather brilliant way to have a nose around some stylish interiors!)

 Perfect space saving solution

Bold and chic, you just know from that exterior the rest is going to be good!

DIY Projects

 Delicate doilies stitched together to make a romantic table runner (great for a christmas centre piece!) 

Before & After

 A fantastic transformation of a drab writing bureau back into a sophisticated desk using a great palette of colours. 

For Olivia

Here are some photographs of the bracelet I made for my little sister Olivia for Christmas. She absolutely loves horse riding and even dedicates her free time to help out at the stables, so when I stumbled upon this silver horse charm I just had to get it and make something especially for her. 

Christmas gifts

This Christmas I hand-made some of my presents as my step-mum had asked for some of her very own decorations. 

Remembering the theme for our dining room this year was red and white I stuck to the colour palette whilst adding a little green for that festive feel. I made two small trees with gold button detail and also two polka dot hearts decorated with green felt and red buttons to make my very own holly. 

Halinka's Fairies

I came across Halinka's enchanted little characters at the Ideal Home Show and absolutely admired the amount of detail in each smiling faced figurine. From fairies to ice skating mice, her range of decorations are perfect to decorate the tree this christmas. 

My firm favourites are the leaping rabbits pictured below. 

 Alpine Rabbits £18 each or £52 for trio

 Strawberry Rabbits £15 each or £44 for trio

To look at the rest of Halinka's Fairies decorations or to find out more, please click here.  

New

red & green themed mini tree with midnight blue buttons

P.S. I am now selling on ebay!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HandMade-Christmas-Tree-Decorations-/260900358041?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&var=&hash=item826690bfb9#ht_512wt_1188

Handmade Tree Decorations

After a recent post entitled Have a Handmade Christmas I explored the kind of things you can make for the upcoming christmas season, which are brilliant as decorations for your own home and can also be given as lovely hand-made gifts. 

After exploring some of the suggestions already available, I became inspired and tried my hand at making a few myself! 

Here are my tree and stocking decorations, made using a selection of cotton fabrics, buttons, trimmings and of course a Merry Christmas tag. 

If you are interested in buying any of the items above (just £4 each) or you would like a piece specially made, just let me know. I can work to a chosen colour scheme or base something around a loved-one's initial. You can contact me by email at beckigarrod@hotmail.co.uk  

Have a Handmade Christmas

With money being tight for many this year a little homemade 'do-it-yourself' is a fantastic way to forget about the purse strings and get your creative juices flowing. These handmade decorations can either take pride of place on your own tree or be given as gifts to family and friends. 

Here a few ideas taken from Folksy which are easy to re-create using your own scrap fabrics, buttons and ribbon.

And why not get the whole family involved with many children's felt craft kits on the market