Jack had the day off school due to the teachers strike, so once we picked Riley up from nursery I'd packed a picnic and typically british weather held us hostage in our home with a picnic on the living room carpet.
We soon ventured out after that and toddled along to Wicksteed Park which is very local to us
Heres a few photos from our time there, the boys did some 'rock' climbing
Riley was amazed at this as usual
They did some tyre climbing
The memorial gardens are gorgeous and in full bloom, very peaceful, well until the kids get in there that is
What did you do today x

Personalised Bunting

I've finally got around to making some personalised bunting,

first up is the hearts
These are available in purples and pinks at the moment but of course custom colour orders are always taken
£20 for a set of 6 personalised hearts price increase by £3 per heart after that xq

Tash away

Who'd have thought these would have been so popular, I truly didnt, but I love making them cause there so much fun, great for all types of parties and photo opportunities

Cake Bunting

I was super excited the other day when a customer sent me some photos of her wedding cake complete with one of my felt cake buntings - I truly let out a little squeal, how gorgeous and pretty does it look :)I'm super super happy to have been part of someones wedding, congratulations Lucy, and thank you so much for sharing these with me again xxx

The weekend

Our weekend consisted of me and riley just chilling, really chilling, I really felt that I in particular needed to just stop and I feel a little better for it

Riley baked again, he really is our little jamie Oliver in the making, bless himAll orders are up to date, so will start working on new ones that came in over the weekend. New ideas have been worked on too :) x

Cosy

I made this just for fun, a bit of vintage inspiration for a cushion cover, a labour of love to make and sew together but I love the finished resultI'm thinking of lots of different styles and colours for around the home :)

Lemon Melts Recipe

These melts are gorgeous and quite easy to make

Ingredients
1 lemon
175g butter
200g plain flour
150g icing sugar*Set the oven to 160c/325f/gas mark 3
*finely grate the rind of the lemon then squeeze the lemon and put aside
*cut the butter into large pieces and put into a food processor or large bowl with the lemon rind, most of the lemon juice (leaving 1tbsp for use later on), the flour and 50g of the icing sugar
*beat the ingredients together until smooth, soft and lump free
*using a large star nozzle and icing bag (i used disposable catering ones), spoon the mixture into the bag
*pipe rings onto an ungreased baking sheet
*bake in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes until pale golden

*meanwhile sift the rest of the icing sugar and stir in the remaining lemon juice to make a smooth thin icing
*lift the hot biscuits onto a wire cooling tray
*brush or drizzle the icing over the top and leave to cool

Enjoy with a hot cup of tea, they really are a delicioius treat and great to make with the kids

Inspiring Feature - Country Heart & Home

I first started reading Debbies blog Country Heart and Home years ago, I happened upon it after seeing a dresser that she had done up and I totally fell in love her blog then
Debbie is an all round kind of girl who loves to blog about her very busy family, baking, arts & crafts, her creative makes are so inspiring and her year long recipe box had me hooked. Its the only carrot cake and lemon cake recipe I can use now - delicious

Anyway here is Debbie in her own words

Tell us a little about yourself
When i first started scrapbooking I was known as mumof3boys....then mumof4boys...and now it would change again to mumof4boysand1girl -
SO im sticking from now on with plain old Debbie!!
My ever expanding brood also own 2 cats which we rescued from a centre close by - Crunchie and Twix....those were the names already given and the boys thought they were perfect so they stuck!
What does your blog mean to you
Countryheartandhome blog is my baby, i try to treat it like a visual diary.
A kind of online update which is great to look back on, not just to see what i made and when but to document days out we take etc when it comes to journalling etc - its saved a lot of blank journalling spots so far!
My blog continues to grow daily which is a suprise as i am only just getting back into it after a long break.
It still comes as a surprise when i get people emailing me asking me to do a review on a product or if i can promote something as im still of the mind frame of 'who would listen to me'! lolWhat inspires you
I am inspired by colours, scents and everything around me - im constantly looking at things and seeing how i can change them or make them suit 'me'.
Im a complete shabby chic girl at heart and love inking, making things for the home and general messing about with paints, lace and pretty things!An insight into your day
A general day in my life consists of answering to MUMMMMM a thousand times a day, trying to fit in what needs doing around the house, making time to bake (another favourite passtime of mine) and after everyone crashes to bed.....
i try to sneak another 30 mins or so making something or checking out the internet (also a favourite passtime!) lol

Where do you see yourself in 10 years
Not sure where i will be in 10 years but i hope still amongst some of the loveliest ladies i have ever met - or am yet to meet!
Thank you so much Debbie for taking the time out to feature on my blog today

Debbie also has a wonderful new scented business called Frills and Fondant selling candles, lip balms and accessories
You can follow Debbies daily blog Country Heart and Home here

Its all in the crisp you know!

the crispy bite that is when you chomp down on a crumpet, we love um, they are most certainly the best treat for an early morning breakfast
Whats your early morning treat!

Market Update

It was our handmade market last Saturday and we had some wonderful stalls on offer

The weather wasnt very kind to us so it was a slower day than normal but thankfully we are indoors so no one got wet
Anyways let me introduce you to some wonderful crafters

The cakes and preserves this month we're kindly from Butterfly Crafts
Sharon from Shabby Polka Dot is one our lovely stall holders who paid us a visit for a scrummy cream tea
Patti from Essentially Country Crafts has a wonderful array of fabric makes, Riley truly loves his new kitchen apron
Jackie from Georgie Girl Jewellery handcrafts some lovely jewellery
Billie from Olive May's stall was full of wonderful vintage fabrics turned into everyday fun items
(see the green door stops - there mine, will share in another post)
Jo from The Crow Road makes gorgeous gifts with vintage accessories, I adored the doilie bunting
Sue from The Gifts of Nature workshop has some amazing turned wood gifts, her fruit bowl is always a hit
Michelle from Button it, my partner in crime has some fabulous unique button themed jewellery
Due to a couple of cancellations she also brought along her lovely flower photo cards
a close up of one of Debbies delicious cupcakes
and of course my little corner of quirky gifts Quirky BootsOur cream teas were a hit again and everyone throughly enjoyed them
note the ipod, always have music at your craft event, its not so awkard in the quiet patches thenas for this basket I managed to bag this for a whopping £6.99 on Ebay, I love it

The Chop

Little monkey boy wouldnt stand still so I could photo his new hair cut!

Craft Clearout post below :)

Clearout!

No not you! but in my craft room there is a huge clear out going on!

I have the following items for sale and a few bits more so if your interested in anything please message me here quirkyboots(at)hotmail(dot)com

pink zutter dreamkutz - £50 ono
pink zutter bind-it-all plus 2 boxes of wires - £50 ono
pink zutter round it all and tote bag - £18 ono

stampin up stamps - these have been used twice if that! and some not used at allbusiness basics - £20
fox and friends - sold subject to payment
on a pedestal - £10
out of the box - £10
tree for all seasons - £10
dasher - sold subject to payment

brother XL-5011 sewing machine - offers

cuttlebug, dies etc - sold subject to payment

job lot chipboard, craft & hobby dots boxes, clear foam pads, photo corners,

offers accepted x

Graze!

I've signed up for GRAZE, a yummy treat each week of nutritional and fun snacks

A surprise in a box, this was my first box last weekYou can order your own GRAZE box here and with this code you can get your first one FREE, theres no commitment to continue at all.
Just a fun treat in the post each week, I cant wait till Thursday for my surprise

WOW Thank You

Theres a new online store in the making and thats my personal website for Quirky Boots which is a tad delayed due to a few tweeks here and there which I'll share very soon I promise

Until then, I've signed up to another new online store for handmade gifts and accessories calledHeres my page, click on photoDo pop on over and help support a new online shopping experience
If your interested in selling in an environment like this, then do pop along too, they are always taking on new sellers that will fit into their online store and its *very* competitive rates too

darn internet

We really are struggling with our internet service at the moment which doesnt bode well when you sell your items online!
The lovely peeps from Virgin are having to pop out on Tuesday so I'm hoping that it will all be sorted and normal blogging can resume!

Until then a few things we've been up to
I've been working really hard with our little one and his behaviour and attention span the last month or so and this last couple of weeks he's been helping me to cook dinner each evening, which isnt as easy as it sounds, especially when a) he doesnt listen to you and b) your kitchen is the size of a cupboard under the stairs!
This week we've baked quite a few things but here's two to share now
Home baked cheese and tomato pizzaLemon Melts (recipe to follow)Amongst other general things we've been up to the handmade market I run with my friend Michelle took place on Saturday, I cant wait to show you the photos of the stalls, they was such a lovely mix of people Hope your week has been fun
will update properly again soon x

Vintage Aprons

We first met Billie from Olive May some time ago at a local craft exhibition, Michelle and I have been trying to pin her down for a stall at our market as we knew she'd be a hit

We both fell in love with her vintage style and take on things and loved how she used the vintage fabrics she had to create unique aprons. Billie finally attended our market this Saturday and we drooled over which aprons to buy

It took me some time but I finally decided on this gorgeous 1950s vintage fabric one
She creates amazing furniture items, her upholstered cinema seats are amazing
She's pretty much new to the internet but do keep an eye on her blog and website, she's so talented and inspirational

Olive May blog
Olive May website

A rock here

a rock there!

I remember at school the first thing I ever baked was a rock cake, sadly my family had to endure hundreds of rock cakes whilst I tried out different flavours and textures!

Yesterday Riley and I made a batch up, there not the prettiest cake to make but they are pretty darn easy and you get to have some messy time by rubbing the butter with the flour mixture which Riley enjoyed lotsYummy currant and dried apricots

Uk Love

Fridays are now about me finding Uk based companies with a difference, ones that I thought only existed in my dreams, ones that I can proudly say are british

After reading this blog I came across this store based in Brighton who specialise in one off sculptured fantasies - be proud to be british my lovlies

Wait for it
Wait for it

The amazing store called Choccywoccydoodah
Visit there online store here
Follow them on Facebook here

Mini giveaway winner

Sorry for the delay, I was going to get Jack to pull a name out of the hat but the day has just disappeared from us, but we've had a good day, seeing lots of friends so its all good

I used the random number generator to choose for me and the winning number isand the first name on the messages is DAZIE :)
Looks like been first did help you hehe - email me at quirkyboots(at)hotmail(dot)com with your address and I'll get your goodie sent off to you x

Thanks everyone, there will be another giveaway starting next week for the opening of my website - finally...

Tomatoes! I never use to like them at all, then I did a little bit, now I do alot!
Is it an age thing!Still not big on sprouts though ...

Behind the scenes

***mini giveaway still happening here***

I've been having a spring clean on the ole blog front, what do you think. Kinda hoping its a little fresher and less cluttered. I've updated all my pages with the about me, market etc

I had an email today with the samples of the stickers they are designing for me for my kits and I love them, I'm very nearly there to releasing my first felt kits, I'm kinda pretty excited about it.

I've managed to find boxes also so my crochet mug cosies can now be sold with a mug in a gift box, these will be available very soon as kits too (fingers crossed the hook fits in the box! otherwise its another search)

That and making up photo prop orders I'm kinda busy

My website will be open by the end of the week so I'll be having a giveaway :)

wibble wobble

wibble wobble jelly on the plate!

I saw these cute jelly moulds in Tesco the other day and couldnt resist them, they actually hold half a pint!The jelly was pretty nice too :)I love fun kitchen items - do you x

Bargain Chair

Me and my pink chair

What I went through to get this chair! I love it, like totally love it.
Ive taken it to my local craft market and could have sold it so many times but I proudly stood there and said no each time.

I saw it outside the local junk shop 'nannas attic' and couldnt stop my car quick enough, I remember trying not to look so eager when I asked how much, when she said £2 I actually squealed and picked it up and ran to her! oh dear my 9 year old was embarrassed!Now I just need to decide whether to keep it pink, which I adore, with its story telling of white paint flick marks on it or totally give it a new look! I just cannot decide...