Monday 29 September 2014
Saturday 27 September 2014
Celebration Favours 5 Ways
Hello There!
I've been asked a lot for ideas for unusual celebration favours over the Summer whilst crafting with hens on the countdown to the big day.
Favours are the pretty little extra you get at your place setting or in your party bag to say a lovely 'thank-you'. People use favours at birthdays, baby showers, parties as well as weddings. Usually it's a chocolate, scratch card or miniature. So you can see why my girls want something bespoke!
So over the last few weeks I been looking for some vintage inspirational favours, so you can provide something a little more creative.
Here are five ways to make yours stand out and make your guests extra happy.
Bake It!
Release the Bake Off champ in you! There are a whole stash of favour baking books on the market. My favourite has to be this book due to gorgeous photography and easy step by step instructions.
The shortbread hearts are a great idea and can be hung up with pretty ribbons. The recipe is really rich as it uses a egg yolk keeping the whites back for French macarons.
How beautiful a little handmade biscuit with a personalised ribbon threaded through it?
You can alternatively use a shortbread recipe similar to this one. The secret is to rest your dough in the fridge for max. fluffiness. After icing with some ready roll, you can decorate with a choice of sprinkles, wrap in food safe bags and store in an air tight container for up to a week.
Stitch It!
Pretty little keepsake hearts with vintage typed messages are a super lovely gift for your female guests. I've had these in the past from Weddings and I have hung them up in the home as a reminder of the day and well... it's handmade.
Sounds a little bit cheesy but your guests will appreciate the work. If you don't have time, then round up the ladies in your family. I am sure they will be delighted!
Paint It!
Visit a painting workshop and stamp or print on pottery pieces as a reminder of the day. The studio usually do all the writing for you, you just do the fun bit and stamp away! For a baby's first birthday these little pendants were a treasure.
Cheat and Order It!
If you alternatively want to order in ready made favours and let's face it, sometimes it nice to reward ourselves with a little time off. I really recommend Little Bits of Loveliness.
Based in Nottingham, they produce handmade personalised tiffin favours. Wow! The tiffin can be ordered for place settings or why not order you whole dessert table, a table full of tiffin treats! Yum.
Hannah and the team have an easy ordering process including details on wrapping and presentation. With seven tempting favours on offer including Ginger and Cranberry (maybe for a Festive Wedding) to Lemon Meringue (gorgeous for a Baby Shower),there is a wide selection for all your guests tastes.
And there is more, your tiffin can be sliced or moulded into heart shapes and wrapped in vintage sweetie shop candy bags with individual stamps, photos and messages on. My husband loves tiffin (like, really loves it) and has been hovering as I'm posting.
Pop over to see Little Bit of Loveliness at these events this Autumn for a tasty cheeky sample!
I hope this has inspired you,
Happy Saturday,
Samantha x
image courtesy of www.littlebits.co.uk |
I've been asked a lot for ideas for unusual celebration favours over the Summer whilst crafting with hens on the countdown to the big day.
Favours are the pretty little extra you get at your place setting or in your party bag to say a lovely 'thank-you'. People use favours at birthdays, baby showers, parties as well as weddings. Usually it's a chocolate, scratch card or miniature. So you can see why my girls want something bespoke!
Make your own bunting, why not try your favours? |
So over the last few weeks I been looking for some vintage inspirational favours, so you can provide something a little more creative.
Here are five ways to make yours stand out and make your guests extra happy.
Bake It!
Release the Bake Off champ in you! There are a whole stash of favour baking books on the market. My favourite has to be this book due to gorgeous photography and easy step by step instructions.
Bake it yourself, biscuits can be made up to a week before your party! |
The shortbread hearts are a great idea and can be hung up with pretty ribbons. The recipe is really rich as it uses a egg yolk keeping the whites back for French macarons.
How beautiful a little handmade biscuit with a personalised ribbon threaded through it?
You can alternatively use a shortbread recipe similar to this one. The secret is to rest your dough in the fridge for max. fluffiness. After icing with some ready roll, you can decorate with a choice of sprinkles, wrap in food safe bags and store in an air tight container for up to a week.
Stitch It!
Pretty little keepsake hearts with vintage typed messages are a super lovely gift for your female guests. I've had these in the past from Weddings and I have hung them up in the home as a reminder of the day and well... it's handmade.
Sounds a little bit cheesy but your guests will appreciate the work. If you don't have time, then round up the ladies in your family. I am sure they will be delighted!
Say it with a stamp on a little tag! |
Paint It!
Visit a painting workshop and stamp or print on pottery pieces as a reminder of the day. The studio usually do all the writing for you, you just do the fun bit and stamp away! For a baby's first birthday these little pendants were a treasure.
Little tiny feet to keep |
Cheat and Order It!
If you alternatively want to order in ready made favours and let's face it, sometimes it nice to reward ourselves with a little time off. I really recommend Little Bits of Loveliness.
Based in Nottingham, they produce handmade personalised tiffin favours. Wow! The tiffin can be ordered for place settings or why not order you whole dessert table, a table full of tiffin treats! Yum.
Favours for your celebration the www.littlebits.co.uk way |
Hannah and the team have an easy ordering process including details on wrapping and presentation. With seven tempting favours on offer including Ginger and Cranberry (maybe for a Festive Wedding) to Lemon Meringue (gorgeous for a Baby Shower),there is a wide selection for all your guests tastes.
A heart shaped bespoke favour |
Perfect for children's parties |
Pop over to see Little Bit of Loveliness at these events this Autumn for a tasty cheeky sample!
I hope this has inspired you,
Happy Saturday,
Samantha x
Thursday 25 September 2014
Thank-you to this Summers Crafternoon-ers!
Really touched with all the lovely words and crafty makes this Summer, our first full Summer of Crafternoon teas.
Thank-you Summer crafters, you made it a good one!
Samantha x
Thank-you Summer crafters, you made it a good one!
Samantha x
Friday 12 September 2014
Introducing Treat Size Crafternoon teas!
Monday 8 September 2014
5 blogs to follow on Bloglovin
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
I love Bloglovin as it's the place to find all your favourite blogs. Over the last year I've discovered some inspiring bloggers. My feed comes through each morning about 5.30 a.m. so it's here just in time for read before the rest of the family gets up. I make a cup of tea and read what new in vintage, crafts and food.
Here are a few of my favourites -
A Beautiful Mess
Elsie and Emma's crafty, DIY blog is so inspiring. If you love your craft a little arty, fresh and totally retro you will love A Beautiful Mess. With over 100 000 followers you will find everything from how to concrete your kitchen work surface to how to trim your fringe (bangs) and everything in between. Awesome!
Oh Joy
A lifestyle blogger with style, Joy brings together homewares, crafts and fashion whilst being a busy Mummy and Mum-to-be. A fantastic inspirational look book of trends week by week.
Live it. Love it. Make it.
H and Sammy provide up to the minute craftiness from the UK. They try new crafts, visit new stores and work with designers on new projects.Very British and lots of fun!
The Villa On Mount Pleasant
Tamsyn's blog about vintage upcycling and restoring her house is a great read with some beautiful photography. It will make you want to flick through each shabby chic and stylish post. Believe me, you will be itching to go to your next car boot or flea market after Tamsyn has inspired you, even if it's not your thing!
Do you have any good blogs to recommend?
Happy reading,
Samantha x
Here are a few of my favourites -
A Beautiful Mess
Oh Joy
A lifestyle blogger with style, Joy brings together homewares, crafts and fashion whilst being a busy Mummy and Mum-to-be. A fantastic inspirational look book of trends week by week.
Live it. Love it. Make it.
H and Sammy provide up to the minute craftiness from the UK. They try new crafts, visit new stores and work with designers on new projects.Very British and lots of fun!
The Villa On Mount Pleasant
Tamsyn's blog about vintage upcycling and restoring her house is a great read with some beautiful photography. It will make you want to flick through each shabby chic and stylish post. Believe me, you will be itching to go to your next car boot or flea market after Tamsyn has inspired you, even if it's not your thing!
Do you have any good blogs to recommend?
Happy reading,
Samantha x
Crafternoon Jam
Homemade Jam
I've had a glut of raspberries this Summer and decided to make jam as I was told it's simple and really rewarding. I have always wanted to provide as much Derbyshire made Crafternoon teas as possible.
I've never ventured into jams and chutney's ..until now! (*drum roll*) but after being told by my most trust worthy sources (my family) that it was easy, I wanted to have a go. Previous nightmare stories I had heard included un-cooked jam, burnt jam and messy jam filled kitchen nightmares! I felt brave and here's my story with not a sniff of burnt jam insight!
Firstly I bought some Kilner jars with the click open lids instead of having to use paper, greaseproof and string as on conventional jam jars. You can buy a great range also from Ikea as well, this meant I wasn't spending my jams hunting for spare jam jars and filling the cupboards with them.
To get started, you need to sterilise the jars, simply wash them in warm soapy paper and then put them in the oven at 140C or similar. Roll them in on their sides in the middle of the oven ideally and leave for ten mins.
I followed this recipe as it was so simple and used a super jam thermometer from Kitchen Aid. Highly recommended. A great tip is to freeze a few plates to check the jam sets! I froze three plates for my first batch and tested a teaspoon of jam on each plates to triple check.
A day later, we tested the jam in sponge cake and on toast (just to double check, of course) and it was lovely.
So I'm really please to announce...we now have Derbyshire raspberry jam!
If you have any more tips for jam making would love to hear?
Bye for now,
Samantha x
I've had a glut of raspberries this Summer and decided to make jam as I was told it's simple and really rewarding. I have always wanted to provide as much Derbyshire made Crafternoon teas as possible.
I've never ventured into jams and chutney's ..until now! (*drum roll*) but after being told by my most trust worthy sources (my family) that it was easy, I wanted to have a go. Previous nightmare stories I had heard included un-cooked jam, burnt jam and messy jam filled kitchen nightmares! I felt brave and here's my story with not a sniff of burnt jam insight!
Firstly I bought some Kilner jars with the click open lids instead of having to use paper, greaseproof and string as on conventional jam jars. You can buy a great range also from Ikea as well, this meant I wasn't spending my jams hunting for spare jam jars and filling the cupboards with them.
To get started, you need to sterilise the jars, simply wash them in warm soapy paper and then put them in the oven at 140C or similar. Roll them in on their sides in the middle of the oven ideally and leave for ten mins.
I followed this recipe as it was so simple and used a super jam thermometer from Kitchen Aid. Highly recommended. A great tip is to freeze a few plates to check the jam sets! I froze three plates for my first batch and tested a teaspoon of jam on each plates to triple check.
A day later, we tested the jam in sponge cake and on toast (just to double check, of course) and it was lovely.
So I'm really please to announce...we now have Derbyshire raspberry jam!
If you have any more tips for jam making would love to hear?
Bye for now,
Samantha x
Sunday 7 September 2014
Creative and Crafty Blogger Meet Derby #ccbloggers
Really excited to announce that ....
I'm co-hosting the creative and crafty blogger meet in Derby this November with Kat after our fun filled meet last January in Nottingham.
We will have a mix of craftiness including a brillant social media and web savvy clinic. Plus a crafty try it session and a chance to celebrate one of the cities newest design led stores birthday! Phew!
If you are interested in coming, venue and start time tbc (late morning most likely) email me at here . The meet is a bijoux affair and we aim to get a great mix of crafty creative bloggers for you to meet on the day.
More information to follow,
Bye for now,
Samantha x
I'm co-hosting the creative and crafty blogger meet in Derby this November with Kat after our fun filled meet last January in Nottingham.
We will have a mix of craftiness including a brillant social media and web savvy clinic. Plus a crafty try it session and a chance to celebrate one of the cities newest design led stores birthday! Phew!
If you are interested in coming, venue and start time tbc (late morning most likely) email me at here . The meet is a bijoux affair and we aim to get a great mix of crafty creative bloggers for you to meet on the day.
More information to follow,
Bye for now,
Samantha x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)