Day Dreams and Ice Creams

It has been grey for the last few days. Where has Summer gone? I'm finding it a little hard to believe that we still have August to go - right at this very minute it feels like it could be September and Autumn next week!

So I will day dream about sunny days and ice cream lollies instead. We can pretend we want to reach for sprinkles and strawberry sauce rather than kettles and cups of tea! This is another card from my sparkly birthday range - it is perfect for birthdays or as an invitation, and can be custom made in any colours.

I've just checked the weather with great optimism. It is looking a little brighter next week. I will cross my fingers and hope for Summer!

Have a great weekend!

Katie

Christmas Puddings

Yesterday I shared my hand knitted Santa hat garlands and today I am back with Christmas Puddings!

There are five Christmas puddings on this garland and I knit each part by hand -  that's the pudding itself, the holly leaves and the berries.

The garland is £12.50 + postage and packaging, and if you're interested in getting one please contact me on Facebook or by email at katiesarah.makes@hotmail.co.uk.

Also available to order are my Christmas pudding tree decorations!

These decorations are the perfect addition to any tree or room for Christmas time. Not only are they seasonal but, hanging on trees, they are also the perfect counter to playful pets and wandering fingers. They won't break if they fall!

Each little pudding is £3 + postage and packaging and they are strung on dark blue satin ribbon.

If you would like to order either the garland or the decoration, please get in touch. I would be happy to answer any queries.

Have a very merry day!

Thank you,

Katie

Christmas Hat Garland

Every year I fill a bag with tiny knitted hats and make these handcrafted Christmas garlands.

I love to make them and to see them come together as the perfect festive decoration. I made one for my family and it has adorned the mantel piece at Christmas for a few years. These hand knitted garlands are nice decorations for your home but they also make lovely gifts at Christmas - in a stocking or as part of advent.

For as long as I have been attending Christmas fairs I have been selling garlands alongside my handcrafted cards and this year I am excited to say that I am making my Christmas garlands available to order!

The standard garlands are a 10 hatted string for £10 and a five hatted string for £5 + postage and packaging. Each hat measures approximately 3.5cm x 4cm.

If you're interested in a custom garland, with any number of hats, I would be happy to discuss this and pricing with you.

To order a garland, please get in touch on Facebook or by email at katiesarah.makes@hotmail.co.uk.

It seems a little early to be talking about Christmas but I wanted to let you know that ordering is now open! I will be back tomorrow to share another of my Christmas garlands!

Thank you,

Katie

Sunday

I spent the morning wandering around outside a really gorgeous house, surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants. I had a cup of coffee under the shelter of an enormous barn, and then got a little lost in some other gardens and barns. It was lovely even when the hay fever hit!

I came home and dosed up on cups of tea before ending up here! All I have are a few little musings about what I've been up to in the last couple of weeks.

They have been a mish mash of all sorts. As per usual for our British weather we've seen blazing sun, as well as dull, grey skies that looked like they needed the pixar cloud treatment. In a similar fashion I've been making fun, colourful summery designs at the same time as creating for Christmas. On my desk there have been penguins and robins alongside ice creams and cupcakes! I'm not complaining - I like both seasons and enjoy making for both too!

Unbelievably, I don't think it will be too long before I will be sharing some of my Christmas designs for this year. Expect Penguins in hats, mistletoe and sparkly Christmas cupcakes! For now, I am enjoying summer and I'm hoping we're in for a few more sunny days. I've got plans and the cold and rain might put a dampener on them! :)

Happy Sunday. Have a good week!

Katie

Thank You

The summer holidays are almost here and it is that time of year again. Time to say thank you! I remember a certain amount of pride in choosing a small present for my teacher and writing in their card. The day I took it into school meant that I had weeks of holiday ahead of me and everyone always seemed to be in a good mood.

I know more than one person who is a teacher or who works in education, and I have volunteered at my local primary school before. I know the effort and ethic involved in this kind of work and, while I did appreciate it while I was at school I find it even more admirable now.

Thank you to everyone out there who supports, teaches and guides us!

Katie

A Few Things

Clockwise from  Left

1. I adore the colours in these beautiful landscapes. Created in watercolour with simple shapes and lines I think they are really striking and effective.

2. How wonderful is it that we laugh because our bodies cannot contain the joy. This pretty much sums up how I feel about those moments when you can't help but laugh as well as those moments when you just can't stop!

3. The plants I got for my birthday live on and I am very happy about that! I love what a plant can bring to a room and although I haven't quite got the space for a giant leafed thing I can hope for one day! I saw this plant pot and it is just my kind of thing!

Happy Wednesday!

Katie

RHS Chatsworth Flower Show

I am at home in the countryside and I think there is something really nice about summer when flowers are blooming and everything is as green as it can be. Which means I was pretty happy a couple of weeks ago as I wandered around the beautiful grounds of Chatsworth at its first RHS flower show.

There were prize winning gardens, natural installations, and blow up greenhouses. There were dozens of cacti and some of the most intricate plants I've ever seen including an allium called 'Art' - a simple and apt name!

The weather was a mixed bag. I started the day in layers, put my hair up against the wind and a scarf on, and then by the end of the day I had shed almost all of it and was having my first ice cream of the summer!

Below are a few snaps I got from the day.

I think my favourite part of the show was the giant greenhouse. It was a blow up dome based on The Great Conservatory that used to be in the grounds of Chatsworth. Heated by coal it was demolished after World War 1 as the cost of it became too much and they didn't have the man power to run it. I was completely inspired by beds full of striking white striped leaves and all the vivid reds and oranges. 

It was a chance to spend time with two of my favourite people in the beautiful grounds of Chatsworth, and with food trucks, coffee and live music too it was a pretty nice way to spend a day!

Have a lovely weekend!

Katie 

Mr or Mrs Fix It.

This card is a design that is relatively new to my stock. It seems to have gone down well with people looking for a greetings card for a man or someone who can turn their hand to any kind of DIY. It is also a nice thank you card for someone who has helped you out with a fix it job!

Like most of my card designs it was inspired by someone in my life -  probably one of my DIY uncles -  but what I love is that I can personalise it for someone you know! Whether you'd like it in a different colour or an age added I am happy to have a go. There's never any obligation to buy and I'll keep you up to date with pictures of my progress.

Have a lovely evening.

Katie

Happy Father's Day!

Dad, 

Thank you for all that you do and all that you've done. Thank you for putting up with my attempts to talk sport and for saying you like everything that I cook! I appreciate it. Don't worry I made you a card too! 

This was a custom order for a pretty special Dad. I was given a short brief and this is what I came up with. 

Thank you to all the Dads, Grandpas and Great Grandads out there. You're all pretty great!

Happy Father's Day!

Katie

Sparkly Birthday Cake

 

My range of sparkly birthday cards is always expanding and this time it is with this birthday cake. It incorporates elements of my other designs - there is sparkle and sprinkles, colour and stars - but with this card the flames flicker too!

These cards are a lovely colourful way of sending someone birthday wishes at this time of year. All my cards are currently made to order so I would be able to include any favourite colours or cake flavours. No request is silly and I'd be happy to discuss any ideas with you if you email me at katiesarah.makes@hotmail.co,uk or contact me on Facebook

Have a good evening!

Katie

Ice Cream Sundae

And all of a sudden we're into the Summer months. Not that you'd know from the rain we've had today. We had a small lake in our garden earlier and it has been more than a little blustery.  

Still as I am writing this there is a little bit of light peering through the clouds so I'll look forward, optimistically, to warm days when we can get out and about, and treat ourselves to some ice cream! 

I can't remember the last time I actually had an ice cream sundae but I love their decadence! Remember the ice cream at places like Pizza Hut where you could fill your bowl and finish it off with sprinkles and all the toppings?! What a treat that was. 

The design for this card stemmed from this colourful swirl of an ice cream. I still love using bright pastels in my designs and I like adding a bit of sparkle with the glittery white sprinkles. I will happily make this greetings card with whatever colours (or flavours) you fancy so don't hesitate to contact me if you're interested in a commissioned card. 

I'll cross my fingers the rain stays away. 

Katie 

p.s. For more of my summery ice cream designs have a look at this post. I still love making the ice cream vans and they are a favourite for this time of year. Perfect for Summer birthdays or party invitations. If you're interested in any of my designs do get in touch at katiesarah.makes@hotmail.co.uk for more information.