Fairy Tales in Photos

Last month Hannah who I've worked with for several years got married, her lovely Husband to be had proposed while they were in New York a city they both adore, and the wedding was New York themed.

  We wanted to get them a special gift from everyone at work, they were going to New York and Las Vegas but also wanted to fly over The Grand Canyon but didn't think they could afford it; we decided to give them cash.

But really... cash just isn't a special gift to me, I know that will help them do something special, but I love finding gifts more, and we had a bit of funds kept by for some presents too. 

As a couple we knew (my sister is her friend,so we had a spy in their mist) they liked unfussy, simple design elements in bold colours. These Rob Ryan mugs seemed perfect.

But we wanted something special to them, a gift that showed we all really thought lots of them as a couple. We wanted something designed just for them, I'd never commissioned my own piece of art before and I must say it was very daunting. Doubly so as the finished piece wasn't for me. 

Originally I'd had an idea of making something embroidered with words to make up a picture of the New York skyline or a big apple (New York, get it), but I knew I'd never get it near finished in time for their wedding. So instead we'd started to look at sites which made personalised prints.

A friend on Twitter(love it) recommended Photofairytales . I contacted Sarah to discuss a commission and was pleasantly surprised at the price for a piece she designs ( I can't put it here incase the bride and groom read) making it a very affordable and special gift. I had a very definite image of what I wanted and was surprised when the first prove came through and she'd got what I wanted straight away. Communication was very easy and I was able to feel confident about the design process, adding Example in at the last minute as they Facebooked meeting him while on honeymoon.

It's wonderful, containing things special to the happy couple, and permanent reminder of their life together, wedding day and honeymoon. 

They were over the moon with their gift, as was I with Sarah's level of customer service and design. 

Thank you for a lovely canvas, made by someone who truly cares about their work.

Amanda.x.

Little wall of love

So far I've found it quite difficult living in a rented house to make any of it feel really mine, as we're not planning on staying in this house too long I don't want to get furniture that fits around it or make any feature too permanent. I do however love this wall in our dining room, the radiator has a cover on it making a mantlepiece which I've decorated with treasure and the wall above is filled with stuff I love.

I was inspired by Lucy at Attic24 to make these lovely letters, hers was done using coloured paper but I wanted mine a little more textured so used fine fabric glued over a template. My daughter wants one of these for her room too, and I think I'll make some for my shop during Easter.

The lovely swallow picture was made by fellow blogger Apryl(Meridian Ariel) and was sent with a great array of other gifts which I will blog about soon as they were fab. I need to finish her return gift soon but more about that later.

When ever we go for walks Maisie as developed my habit with collecting things as we go, this was a little collection we glued into a box frame from walks in 2011, she likes it as it looks like the boxes you get in natural history museums.

This huge piece of drift wood washed up at the side of the River Eden, Stu and I found it when we fist started going out together 18years ago, I love the shape of it and it makes a great focal point.

Either side of the driftwood I have out collection of stones picked up from various outings around the country, this also has my huge candle my boss gave me as a birthday present, it smells of oranges.

More collection stones as well as my crocheted tea light holder, this was the first one I made, the other candle holder will get it's covering soon enough.

 Bit of a strange sign but it came from the farm I grew up on as a child, I have memories of the electric fences as a child and did get zapped a few times tying to jump them, thinking of the buzzing noise they made makes me feel all tingly.

 The canvas is one I got Stu made up for Christmas last year, it's a great picture he took of Bitts Park on  a frosty morning, I find it such a peaceful image to look at.

 The plate was a lovely gift from my other boss and fellow blogger Sally ( I do have lovely bosses) its called Mystic Daisy and is from Celia Birtwell. It's wonderful and I think I may have to collect some more.

 I found this vintage butterfly collection in our local market charity shop for £4, she had loads more but they were much bigger and I didn't have the pennies that day. I'd love some more, maybe with beetles or spiders.

 My Home Sweet Home plaques was bought from a bargain shop for 99p ages ago, it's there to remind me that your home is as sweet as you make it.

So there you go a peek in to my home, what's your favourite part or your house? If you blog it leave me a link in the comments.