International inspiration

Whilst on holiday in Amsterdam last summer, I stumbled into a shop selling all things Egyptian, including some beautiful metal lamps and lampshades. I fell in love instantly!

Not quite knowing where I could put such an item, I practiced extreme restraint and merely took down details and enquired about shipping costs to the UK. However, that has not stopped me from thinking about them ever since and, as I planned my new kitchen in the autumn and turned the plan into a reality this spring, they were very much in my mind. In fact, one iteration of the kitchen design went through a very North African phase before being reigned back into something a little more monochrome, but hopefully far more adaptable over the years to come.

And so it was this weekend that I finally made the curtains for the patio doors.  Requiring just over 10 metres of fabric, it took three trips to the fabric shop before they had enough in stock. Naturally, the fabric was chosen with the lampshade in mind. Still in simple black and white but with a dot display that hints at the lampshade pattern.

In the spirit of restraint and recycling, I reused the linings and heading tape from the old curtains, which made the construction of the new curtains a little swifter, and so the job was completed in a day. And what a difference it makes to the room to have the curtains up!  I am delighted with the finished results.

Well, I say 'finished' but really the finishing touch will be the lampshade. I just either need to track one down in the UK (John Lewis, very expensive) or send off an enquiry to Amsterdam (perhaps those shipping costs were quite reasonable after all?)

Sounds like a job for next weekend...

Emma the bunny

In between snagging the kitchen and fitting in a much-needed holiday, the crochet hook has been out once again. Let's say I've now officially got the Edward's Menagerie bug...

After struggling (and failing) to make the elephant for my friend's baby at Christmas, my crochet hook and the pattern book were banished for a good few months. However, the impending birth of my cousin's baby made me have another go and, you may recall, the camaraderie of Craft Club in March ensured that my second attempt at crocheting a toy animal was much more successful. Not that I think my fellow crafters think much of my new favourite pastime since I'm completely incapable of talking and crocheting at the same time.  I find myself having to constantly count the stitches as I work my way around each of the pattern pieces. Even, heaven forbid, perform my times tables as I go so I know when to increase or decrease. However, I promise I can listen and crochet, even nod my head when offered a cup of tea!

Anyway, the animal I chose to make this time around was Emma the bunny and I'd made all but an ear and her tail prior to yesterday's crafty gathering so I could join in much of the chatter as she was stuffed and assembled.

I'm afraid I didn't get to take any photos of the creative process but we (Emma and I) have just completed a photo shoot and are happy to give you a sneak preview. Mind you, I'm not sure how photogenic she is (shh, don't tell her I said that) as I think she looks far cuter in real life.

I'm now feeling confident enough to reattempt the elephant so watch this space for how I get on. With two babies due this summer I should be well prepared with gifts, even if the kitchen does go another month or two without any curtains!