A childhood memory...

I grew up in a beautiful village in Sussex, we lived in a basic end of terrace house yet this house was set in the beautiful wield. Our garden stopped short of an area of outstanding natural beauty and even though our house wasn't beautiful, a year before we moved from it I decided to make a knitted doorstop to have at university.

So here is my slightly quirky knitted doorstop and pictures of my old home to show you how similar (or not) they are.

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Take Courage

Whenever I went home from university back to Sussex, I would always go on the City Thameslink line over London. I love this line, you get to sit on the train and go past some of the best parts of London; St Pauls, the Thames, The Globe, The Tate Modern (unfortunately), Borough Market and London Bridge. But by far my favorite part of this short journey was going past an old advert on the side of a building. This Take Courage advert was painted right onto the brick and I loved it. Whenever I was feeling low, I would end up looking at this advert. It is even the wallpaper on my phone.

So the point of this blog is to tell you that I believed that one of the best brick adverts in London was gone, back in September I could not see it when I went past it - in my defence I was very tired and it now appears that I got it wrong. The brilliant Take Courage advert is still there and appears to have never moved, so I am once again in love with my beautiful London and am so pleased to know there is still some courage in London.

This weeks top craft picks from other websites:

So here are this weeks top craft picks, I haven't done it sooner as I have been busy this week decorating a holiday cottage. So I have learnt that my skills don't lye in laying tiles (even though I can grout) and I have learnt that I don't like building cabinets! Anyway back to crafts to cheer me up, here are this weeks best:

1. I had promised not to make any more scarfs, as I have too many already, but I really want to give this one a go! PurlBee is such a cute blog and I love this scarf...
2. I saw this party and just loved it! An Alice in Wonderland themed party, where they have painted the roses red! Even though I'm 22, this is going to be the theme of my next party!
3. Autumn is here, which I usually love as it is my favourite season so here is a lovely autumn bunting idea, put away the floral summer bunting and welcome in the autumn leaves! Have a look over at Life With Little Ones.
4. Keeping on the scarf theme, this is a very cute girly jersey scarf. Love it - but I really must stop looking/making scalfs! Have a look at A Cup of Sparkle.
5. And finally the geek in me is out again today as here is such a cute take on Star Wars. I love it, bright colours and cute characters. Look at Feeling Stitchy for a lovely blog.

British Pathe

Yesterday whilst I was making a kitchen cabinet for my parents holiday cottage business I was listening to Radio 2 they were talking about British Pathe. As in the past I have watched documentaries about British Pathe I was excited to learn that British Pathe have put their archives on the Internet. So today whilst I was cooking marmalade I decided to take a look... I am now addicted!

I decided to start by typing in "Sexism" - as I had hoped there would be videos from the 50's showing people how not to be sexist. There is no 'how to guide' but there is a lot of sexist comments which made me laugh, so here are my few favourite videos that I found today! Click on the picture to view the video (opens a new window).

BANK FOR LADIES ONLY

BRIGHTON PROMETTES

CAREERS FOR GIRLS

SCHOOL FLAT

STOLEN FROM MEN

WIGGERY POKERY

Why buy it when you can make it?

I recently saw some scented tea cup candles on notonthehighstreet.com for £18.99! A couple of years ago I made some similar candles myself for a fraction of the cost, plus I learnt a new craft whilst doing it. I brought my starter pack from Whicks n Whacks, which had everything I needed in it to start. Instead of buying one candle for £18.99, I was able to make 3 candles for less and still have left over to make more...

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Laura's Handmade Life

So a few weeks ago I received a 1st edition book in the post with no explanation and to add confusion it was signed by the author with the message "happy crafting". I was confused, so I called everyone I knew and asked if they knew the author and sent it to me as scarily this book was very similar to my life: loves crafts, mousey-brown hair and had just moved to deepest darkest Norfolk from the south. After all the people I called couldn't explain it I decided to call the publishers. They hadn't a clue but said they would investigate it, and after a week of them not replying I forgot about it. Then I got an email telling me it was because I won a competition on Crafty Crafty. I am so dyslexic.

Anyway, so I have now completed the book and my verdict is that it was good. I was not captivated by it but I did enjoy reading it. I did feel that the end left a lot in the air but I guess that means there is the availability for a sequel. The story follows Laura who left her life in London to move with her husband to Norfolk, but shes not happy about it. And so after about 100 pages we get to when she learns about sewing and crafts. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to people who life crafts - however if you don't do crafts it doesn't seem much point in reading it. I would give it a three out of five.

This weeks top craft picks from other websites:

Sorry for not doing this on Friday like I always do, but this last week I was away at The Starfish Project, an intensive course for people who stammer. I observed the course and it was amazing but I haven't had time to do the blog, so here I am catching up...

1. I love this basic quilt, it is made using fat quarters which makes it simple and easy for beginners. The choice of fabrics really make a quilt and I love how these give it a 1930s feel. Have a look how to make it over at Sew4Home
2. Sadly I could never make this project as was never very good at woodwork at school - I used to get the boys in my class to help me at woodwork and in return I would help them pass cookery. Therefore I am terrible at woodwork, but I love this table... Have a look at Design Sponge to have a go...
3. This is such a cute light, very girly and vintage. Made from Doily's it is perfect for a clean vintage feel in a room. Have a look at Shannon South's blog for more pictures.
4. A great way to use up all the old floppy disks that we don't need anymore, geek craft has so many uses for all of these. Have a look at Instructables for details.