Party Decorations, Celebrations, Makeovers & More

Well hello there!

I thought it high time I got my feet back on the blogging pedal, post some pretty photographs and let you know what we've all been up to in the Poppins household. We have been gearing up for a little occasion where little Miss. Poppins got to be queen for a day. I got to relish in all things floral and girly so had great fun organising things. Here's a little taster of her beautiful bouquet.

I organised a little get together for her friends and ours, and made some pretty decorations to create that party atmosphere. Here I threaded some cheap cupcake cases along a length of twine, so easy and quick to do.

They look so effective when hung up, like pretty cupcake bunting. Of course I couldn't resist having a go at making some paper pom poms. My new making craze and they looked lovely in the gazebo, they are now dotted all over the house, perfect for summer! Seriously if you have ever thought about making these, do it, they are SO easy and quick to make. There are lots of great tutorials out there so have a search. 

 These ones came out lovely and big, and at only 49p for 10 sheets of coloured paper from Home Bargains, a bargain too! I also made up some sweet heart bunting using pairs of heart shaped paper doilies to create a 3D effect. Cute, cute, cute!

As is tradition for the festival Miss Poppins was in, the Queen's home is decorated near to the crowning day, and I had fun playing with pretty flowers. I was kindly given some really lovely artificial flowers and Poundland came up trumps ordering in some of their £1 hanging buckets that I had been trying to get hold of. I placed little posies in each of the 12 buckets and popped them along the garden fencing. I just love the pretty look!

As we were having little tables outside for people to sit around I wanted to have a little decoration on those too, so I dug out some of my pretty (and pink) stuff and thought about what I could do.

With the pretty polka dot Ikea candles I couldn't resist adding a little bling!

And with the other candles I used doilies and ribbon, which I thought looked rather sweet on the tables. The LED ones again from Poundland are great and give off a glow with just the switch of a button.  

You can't have a little party without balloons and being helium, needed weighing down. Hmmm, I may as well make the weights!

Pimms was served in the oh so cool Ikea flamingo glasses that I have slowly been 'collecting'. I may be a little embarrassed at how many I now have, I tend to put a small handful in the trolley each time I visit Ikea ;) My thinking being they make perfect little tea light holders too amongst many other things.  

And so a lovely little party was had and soon morning came and it was Miss. Poppins' big day. She had a ball and I was the proud mum of her and also Master Poppins who was a dancer in the festival. My very own Billy Elliott! Here she is, looking very regal and the horse drawn carriage was just divine!

She made a lovely speech in front of an audience and hopefully relished every moment. A lovely day and a memory for her to hold on to.  So her beautiful handmade (not by me but a very talented dressmaker) dress is hung up, waiting to be put on again for her duties as 'Queen' and of course sticking with the handmade theme, even the hanger is a little crafty make.

Next it was time to finish my long list of little makeover's. I managed to acquire a semi-circular garden bench that is meant to go around a tree. The item was gifted and I couldn't wait to get stuck in and pretty her up. She was rather rusty and looking a little unloved when I first got her. Here she is all dismantled, two of the 'chairs' have been primed ready for a top coat. I just hoped I could remember how to put her all back together again!

After a lengthy painting session and some detailed remembering of where bits and pieces go, I got her back all in one piece. Adding a little pink rose garland could only make her even more charmful. Hope you like the new her!

 Next it was finishing Master Poppins little bedside table in his room. You may remember it looked like this.

And now it looks like this.

I've distressed it a little so it gives off a nice vintage vibe. Mr. P knowing my love of all things old, knew I'd take a fancy to an old little wooden crate he found in a skip - being a gentleman he asked and it was kindly given. I got my trusty paintbrush out and love the white washed look a light coat of paint has given it and you can see all that lovely grain.

Soon it was time for the sewing machine to come out again. Here's what I been 'a making!

Pretty lavender keyrings.

Cowboy personalised bunting.

 Oh so pretty 'With Love' hearts.

I'm really enjoying making word prints as gifts for people and I loved doing this one and making a little heart for a very special new baby boy.

So hopefully a little glimpse into our little world. 

I couldn't leave you without sharing a little number I picked up a while ago, second hand, but great condition and possibly a bit of a bargain. A really lovely Cath Kidston Classic Rose eiderdown in blue. It made a perfect gift for Miss. Poppins to cosy up in, I just really hope she shares it with her mamma!!

^^^^ Oh I love it! ^^^^

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Time For Pastures New

So the time has come that after 7 happy years, we are nearing the end of Miss. Poppins' time at primary school. I can't believe where the time has gone, in the blink of an eye she has gone from age 4 to 11! It has to be said she has enjoyed every single day at primary and I know there shall be many tears when they all say their goodbyes next week. In fact, I shall probably be needing to wear the wellies what with all my teary puddles ;) Miss. Poppins won't know anybody in her new secondary school, and although I know she is looking forward to making many new and lovely friends - the old ones shall always have a special place in her heart.

Talking of hearts, its that time of year again where I leave things far too late, run out of time and energy to go shopping, so succumb to going handmade for teachers gifts. I've included a little mini box of chocs too for each of them, but hope they like their little Thank You hearts too. My daughter shall be leaving Primary school a happy, confident, bright young girl, ready to take on new and tough challenges. So it is very much a heart felt THANK YOU to all who have inspired and encouraged her during her early school years.

  

So we've got plays, leavers assembly's and discos to look forward to - mixed emotions for me though, as although I know she is beginning a new and exciting chapter of her life, is living proof that my fist born is growing up. Those apron strings are getting a little looser! She'll be fine, I'll be fine and we shall spend some quality, fun loving time over summer together before the hard work really starts, and I get to wave her off  all over again to pastures new.

Sob....just a little ;) Good luck to any of your yr 6 children, may their futures be healthy and happy as they head up to 'BIG' school, have fun!!

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Why I Always Remember The 5th Of November....

Happy 10th birthday to my most wonderful, and precious Miss. Poppins. You inspire me each and every day to be a better person, and I am so proud of you....

It makes me so happy that you love learning, reading and indeed school so very much, in fact you hate to miss a day off school. You have a real passion for writing and I know you shall go on to follow your heart and achieve all your dreams, whatever they may be. You are so much braver than your mummy, and even as ex cabin crew, you would never find me going up in one of these little ones.... Whereas you just love every second of it! Perhaps you shall encourage me to go up one day....

Like me, you love to sit on the beach, read a book and take in all your surroundings....

If I was your little brother I would feel so lucky to have you as my big sister, and I know there is your other very special little brother looking down on you today, smiling and sending you floaty kisses. More than anything I am so proud of your wonderful ability to empathise with others and take into account their feelings.... Happy Birthday sweetheart, we all love you so very, very much....

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The Most Beautiful Dishcloth In The World....

My goodness, where has the time gone, it only seems like yesterday I was here telling you all about my pretty drawers ;0) Thank you so much for the lovely feedback, I was even approached to see if I would like to tart up future pieces of furniture and sell locally in a beautiful shop so have been very flattered. My next piece shall be an original Art Deco bureau, though am procrastinating on that one a little, just so much on my to do list.........

My gorgeous Miss. Poppins for a while had been telling me that she was working on something very special for me at school in a club she was in. I was very excited to know what it was and she gave me a hint or two, that I would be very proud and perhaps it had a craft element to it....she certainly got me very intrigued. Well I was indeed overwhelmed with proudness when this is what she brought home for me....the MOST BEAUTIFUL dish cloth in the world, hand knitted all by herself, with the superb guidance of a lovely knitting expert at the school.

Isn't it a beauty :0) Not only is my 9 year old daughter a better speller than me, she seemingly is also a better knitter too....I am so very proud of her achievement....

I just can't stop looking at it....

It is so soft and a beautiful oatmeal colour, and I just love it!! And shall it be used as its intended purpose, a dishcloth. No, not on your nelly. It shall be framed as a piece of fine art :0)

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Happy Birthday Miss. Poppins!....

Remember remember the 5th of November....

Happy Birthday to my precious sweet pea, 9 today!
My teeny tiny 5lb 11 ozs baby girl born on the 5th of the 11th.

(Photograph curtesy of Urban Angels )

Takes after her Mummy with the silly faces....

Mummy, Daddy, Master Poppins and all the family love you so very much, you make us proud ( mostly) each and every day. I hope mummy can control herself and not take a peeky at some of your presents or take a nibble on one of your adorable Daisy cupcakes....

Hmmm, maybe a little bite....

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