Christmas Eve....

From my little corner of the world I wish you a very safe, warm and happy christmas....

I love christmas, especially having a young family, it brings me so much joy to see the excitement in their faces on Christmas Eve, and reminds me of the anticipation and excitement I had as a child. I couldn't help but share these words about children and love which I find very inspirational. Sometimes it is not easy being a parent, especially at Christmas when there may be so much pressure and the need to give our children what they want. I have learn't this giving as such doesn't have to be of the materialistic kind, yes, my children shall be unwrapping one or two presents on Christmas Day, but personally I belive the greatest gift you can give them is love....

Merry Christmas one and all....

X

Plaited Fabric Necklace....

Now the holidays are with us, I find it really relaxing to have a little play with pretty fabrics and get round to making some little things for myself. I always like to wear something handmade on Christmas day so thought I would get round to making a fabric necklace. I needed it to be a quick easy make, so opted for a simple plait design. I gathered some pretty fabric strips, 9 in total about 35" long and around 1-1.5" wide, though really I wanted this to be almost thrown together so didn't really stick to proper measurements....

I simply started by plaiting the first 3 strips together ( I enlisted the help of a child to hold the end whilst I plaited the the strips, makes it much easier and quicker to plait )....

As I wanted the edges as frayed as possible, I gave them a little fray as I went along....

Soon, after I had plaited each of the three strips together I was left with 3 long and very pretty fabric plaits....

After each of the 3 strips had been plaited I sewed both ends of each one securely on the sewing machine ( though of course this can be done just as easily by hand ).....

Then I sewed all 3 finished plaits together.... 

And simply sewed altogether to form my necklace....

And voila, a pretty necklace to wear on Christmas Day....

I really like the pinkness of it and perfect for this lovely sunny day....

X

The Little Experience Stitch-It Kit Review....

There is nothing quite as nice as settling down to some afternoon christmas television whilst doing some Arts And Crafts with the children. I really liked the look of The Little Experience Stitch-It Lucy & Alfie Kit that was sent for Miss. Poppins to have a little play with and to see what she and I thought of it.

This kit includes everything you would need to make up your very own Lucy & Alfie figures, along with a very stylish handbag. You get fabric, stuffing, scissors, a needle, thread and all of which come packed in it's very own adorable pink polka dot mini suitcase.

I have to say everything was of such high quality and I was very impressed with how it looked, really child friendly, and with an age range of 6-12 yrs, it really would make a lovely gift for any little girl who enjoys arts and crafts. Indeed my daughter who especially loves dogs, couldn't wait to get everything out and follow the easy instructions....

We both really liked that Lucy and her oh so cute dog Alfie are printed onto organic cotton fabric....

With really simple cut it....then stitch it instructions....

So, how did we ( or should I say my daughter ) do? Well she really did find the sturdy needle and thick thread a doddle to use and so, so simple. You literally cut around the edges of your figures and handbag, then place together and stitch along the dotted lines. It even tells you when to start and stop, ready for stuffing. She couldn't wait to get going on Alfie the dog, so I left her to do all the cutting, stitching and stuffing, and I have to say, Alfie has turned out superbly.

He really is rather sweet....

She got a little distracted with christmas preparations so didn't quite finish Lucy and the handbag, but now she knows how quick and simple it is, I am sure Alfie won't be without his owner for very long.

So, a really lovely high quality product that in my opinion would make a perfect gift for a special someone. I think it is just the sweetest thing for a child to handmake something of their very own and and in this case when Lucy & Alfie have been made, the child's imagination really can run wild  as these new handmade toys come to life and go on little adventures with their maker. I also think the suitcase is such a lovely idea and is a cute item in its own right, perfectly pretty and useful storage that I know any girl would love to keep her treasures in.

A range of crafts kits for boys and girls from The Little Experience are available at alexandalexa and the site offers free worldwide shipping and returns on all orders. UK customers that order before the 21st of December and select express shipping, can still receive orders before christmas and all orders come in beautiful packaging free of charge. 


X

Christmas Wrapping....

I say it every lead up to Christmas "I shall be far more organised this time". But here we are not long left to go till the big day and I still have so much to do....including lots of wrapping. I thought wrapping these little teachers gifts would spur me on and I have to say it has a little....

So my night shall be spent wrapping and wrapping and wrapping....I bet unlike me, many of you have Christmas all *wrapped up* ;)

X

My New Baby....

Well, I have a little someone new to the Poppins house who I would like you all to meet....

Our lovely new family member is an adorable Border Terrier  and oh my we have just fallen in love with him. He has only been with us a couple of days, though settling in well. He is 2 and a half years old, and wasn't getting on with another dog who he lived with in his previous loving, family home. Once a female dog moved in next door it caused all sorts of issues I believe. As much as I can understand how upsetting it was for his previous ( lovely ) owner to see him go, she knew it would be far easier to rehome him, than the other one who was being somewhat of a bully. She has told me it makes things a little easier knowing how much happiness he shall give us, and how much he shall be loved. I have to say those eyes of his just melt my heart....  

He came with a little name of his, though we may just give him a little nick name, though are undecided. He kind of answers to anything anyway, especially if it involves food ;) I am quite new to the breed, so any tips/advice greatly appreciated. He has been to the vets and is a thoroughly well and healthy dog and he recommended me thinking about using one of these whilst he settles. Though would love to know if they actually work. We have been searching for the right dog for a long, long time so are over the moon with this little fella. I hope he settles in well, and can't wait to take him on the lovely long country walks we have near us....

X

Little Treats....

Whilst in Chorlton at the weekend I spied a lovely little Vintage And Craft  fair....

Of course I couldn't resist a little peek inside, apologies no photographs, though they do have a Facebook page where you shall find some. I couldn't resist bringing these two little vintage brooches home with me and not bad for only £2.00 each me thought....

  
I just love Daisy's....

And pink....

So cute....

Of course when I saw the pink frontage to this shop some doors away, had to have a little nose inside too....

Well worth a little visit if you are in the area. Hope you like my little treats, and you have indeed treated yourself lately. Well, it is christmas  :)

X

Decorations....

I am pretty sure I packed them away in order. Nice and neatly, all in their own little boxes. But, when I found this box of decorations, alas it seems I did not, they just tumbled out, all entwined....  

I have a feeling I am going to be here forever sorting through this lot, *sigh*....

X

My Vist To John Lewis....

When I couldn't make a John Lewis blogger event that was being held in London in the Summer, I was contacted and asked if I would like a little personal guided tour of my local John Lewis in Cheadle Now I know this store very well and being the shopper I am, I am often in there browsing the many lovely departments. I also knew my local John Lewis had not long ago had an multi million pound overhaul and among other things it had received some new fancy merchandising, a beauty retreat, a waiter/ess restaurant and new room sets in their home department. How could I resist....When I turned up, I was greeted with a lovely new and very stylish window display....

Then it was time for me to meet the marketing and pr co-ordinator for John Lewis Cheadle, who was a pleasure to meet and certainly knows her stuff....

 ( Photograph courtesy of John Lewis )

It has to be said, when I first stepped into the new look John Lewis, I felt as though I had landed in a brand new store, and it took me a little while to get my bearings. I couldn't wait to see the new Beauty department....

So swish, and the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a little pampering. You can enjoy a 30 minute facial in the Elemis spa pod, and Elemis even offer a power booster facial for men. I like the sound of their Laura Mercier make up master classes, perfect for groups of friends. What is great is you don't always necessarily need to book an appointment for many of the treatments on offer, so if the shopping all gets a bit too much, you can wander over to the beauty clinics and see if you can have a treatment straight away. The ladies are just the friendliest, and were more than happy to have their photograph taken....

Just outside of the beauty area is the new haberdashery department, and a department I love it has to be said....

Lots of lovely new fabrics to drool over, and I am so tempted to buy one of these as a spare machine, I just adore all the colours....

Oh my, something just so pretty caught my eye, and we made our way over to have a look....

On my christmas list...yet again. Oh I just love it. A visit to John Lewis at christmas has you greeted with many lovely gift ideas and treats for loved ones. Champagne....

Chocolates....

Lovely country style gifts....

Then it was off to home accessories, so sweet....

And we made our way past the infamous jelly fish....

A design concept to highlight many of the wonderful prints, furnishing fabrics, trims and accessories on offer....

Then we went for a little browse around the children's wear department. A department any little fashionista would love....

And I couldn't resist a little mooch at the children's Hunter's....

For me, the toy department, did seem to have shrunk a little, though as it is now on a brand new floor, it could be just the new layout I needed to get used to somewhat....

 I fell in love with Hugo ....

And I think a great cause to give one a new home as 25% of the selling price is donated to the RSPCA. I also think their store bear was rather cute....

Women's fashion was indeed a highlight of the evening....

 The new display area for the women's bags was very eye catching....

Even menswear caught my eye, I do love a man in pink....

And quite a choice in the shirt and tie department....

Christmas decorations galore....

This seemingly is one of their best selling christmas trees, very minimalist in my opinion....

I however, like much more of a traditional number....

And there was a great choice of christmas stockings to be had....

I have to say my greatest like of the evening was to be found in the homewear department and boy I just loved it....

So, thank you JL for a super guided tour, I had a fun time and spied some very lovely things I may just go back for....

X