More Valentine’s love… for our current competition we’ve teamed up with designer Betsy Benn to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a bespoke ‘To Me You Are Perfect’ art print. Featuring your own choice of words, this unique artwork would make a perfect Valentine’s gift for that special person in your life. Click here to enter the competition…
What could be more romantic than giving your beloved a Valentines gift made by your own fair hands? To help you create something really unique The London Jewellery School are running a special Valentine’s Jewellery workshop where you’ll learn to make a solid silver ‘Love Heart’ charm – perfect for a pendant, bracelet or keyring. In this fun three hour workshop you’ll be guided by a professional jeweller, and at the end you’ll take away your handmade silver charm in a lovely gift bag all ready to present to your loved one on Valentine’s Day. The course takes place at The London Jewellery School in Hatton Garden on Sunday 12th February. For more details visit www.londonjewelleryschool.co.uk.
The London Jewellery School are also offering a place on this workshop as a prize for one lucky reader. For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below before 31st January naming another workshop run by the school. Good luck!
Surrey-based designer Susan Holton creates beautiful contemporary knitwear and accessories, many of which are hand-dyed or hand-painted, using her signature mix of colours, fibres and yarns. Designed to flatter, each piece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using the inherent qualities of the knitting process to ensure that the fabric drapes beautifully to create the perfect fit.
Reader Offer & Giveaway: This month Susan Holton is giving away a pair of her popular Stripy Rolled-Edge Wrist Warmers – perfect for keeping hands toasty this Winter – and also offering our readers an exclusive 15% off the entire collection until the end of January.
To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment below naming another product in the collection. To receive 15% off, enter promotional code FBWL15/112 at the checkout until 31st January 2012. Browse the collection and buy online at www.susanholtonknitwear.com.
If festive fervour has left you a little frazzled, why not look ahead to the New Year and treat yourself to a very special Winter break for two. What could be more romantic than being handed the keys to your very own tower within a 16th century manor house surrounded by stunning Lancashire countryside?
A unique self-catering property, The Irishman’s Tower forms part of the original ramparts of Tudor-Elizabethan manor Hoghton Tower. While the exterior remains true to its origins, the stylish accommodation has been furnished to the highest standards using Ian Mankin linens (woven in a nearby Lancashire cotton mill), while modern comforts include a spa bathroom, flat screen television, WiFi, iPod dock and an open fire for cosy nights in the tower.
During your stay you might visit one of the Merchant of Hoghton Farmer’s Markets where you’ll find local producers selling their wares, take a tour of the manor house on one of their open days, or join in some of the events which take place at the estate. As well as enjoying a relaxing and secluded getaway, you’ll also be doing your bit to help preserve part of Britain’s heritage as your stay will help towards the ongoing upkeep and restoration of the estate.
Reader Offer: Get 15% off when you book a stay of any length between 1st January and 31st March 2012 and mention ‘From Britain With Love’ when making your reservation. For more information visit www.hoghtontower.co.uk.
This month we’ve teamed up with organic food brand Roots & Wings to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Luxury Organic Food Hamper worth over £100. Packed full of tasty treats including jams, biscuits, traditional boiled sweets and organic chocolates, your only dilemma will be whether to share your bounty or keep it all for yourself! Click here to enter the competition…
Roots & Wings organic provisions are available from independent food shops, delis and selected branches of Tesco, and a percentage of all profits are donated to children’s charities. To find out more about the artisan food producers behind the brand and to nominate a children’s charity for 2012, visit www.rootsandwingsorganic.com.
Clare Kelly takes a peep inside new craft book Homemade Gifts Vintage Style
We also have a copy of this book to give away to one lucky reader. For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below telling us what craft you’d like to try in 2012. The winner will be picked and notified by email on 31st December.
We’re often told not to judge a book by its cover, but when I saw the nostalgia-inspired cover of Homemade Gifts Vintage Style
Author Sarah Moore is a collector with a particular interest in vintage textiles, papers and crockery, and her enthusiasm is evident in each perfectly put together project – whether it be simple ideas with antique decanters or handmade plush toys.
Sarah writes with real personality and there are lots of creative short cuts – such as gloves made from old garments – for those who fear craft can be time consuming. Handy templates can be found at the back of the book for easy reference, and Sarah offers helpful insights and tips to help you source the best vintage pieces for your projects.
This book will keep you busy over the winter months and will definitely appeal to those who love upcycling. If you want to add a little individuality to your home you’ll love these hands-on projects which include unusual fabric covered notebooks, super cute dog and cat cushions (for pets who have everything) and pretty beaded door hangings.
The photography and styling in the book is gorgeous, inviting you into a real home setting and at once making you feel warm and cosy. Homemade Gifts Vintage Style
Homemade Gifts Vintage Style
Clare Kelly is a freelance craft writer and author of the blog Pass The Pattern.
Guest blogger Suzannah Roach, founder of online fashion boutique I May I Might I Must shares her tips on picking the perfect on-trend gifts this Christmas, and offers our readers an exclusive 20% off during December.
Whether it’s the festive songs playing in the shops, the images of falling snow, or the ritual of putting up the Christmas tree, there’s no avoiding that the Christmas season is well and truly upon us. If you’re trawling the internet or pounding the streets for the perfect present this year, don’t forget that it’s all about the giving! So before time runs out, here’s our quick guide to picking quality British made gifts which reflect this season’s fashion trends.
For Her…
While clothing can be tricky there are some ’safe’ options. Knitwear is big this year, and oversized cable knit sweaters worn in layers look great. My advice is to go for the best quality you can afford; cashmere/silk mix feels great and hangs fantastically, but it’s not cheap so opt for a good wool blend if your pennies won’t stretch that far. Patterns are also on-trend this season so feel free to go for the brightly coloured options, in fact the more Christmassy the better, such as this knitted tank top by British knitwear designers Quinton Chadwick.
If you don’t want to play the safe card, there are other options. Believe it or not fetish fashion is hot right now. Before you think you’re reading an ‘alternative’ feature don’t fear. Fetish fashion this year is about over the knee boots, leather skirts, shorts or tops… in fact leather as a whole works the trend. Or play it down by opting for a few studs on your bag or accessories, such as this studded metallic leather bow belt from I May I Might I Must.
Fashion accessories are a also good option for the mother-in-law, where you can help guide her towards the fashion world in a diplomatic way. A leopard print or tasselled scarf such as this hand knit purple cable scarf from I May I Might I Must will give a nod to current trends without her looking like Bet Lynch.
For Him…
While buying gifts for men can feel like a thankless task, they’re admittedly tricky but not completely impossible. Men tend to know what they like (and don’t like), and they don’t browse so don’t give you any hints. However, you might consider investing in a lesson or two to help them improve or learn a new skill. How about a private sushi making course in the privacy of your own kitchen from School of Food, the cookery school that comes to you? Team it with a professional chef’s apron from Cooking Gorgeous and he’ll be looking the part in no time.
For the fashion conscious, satchels and backpacks are now offering men a dressed-down and less corporate alternative to the briefcase. Go for a leather and sack cloth finish such as the Mini Explorer from I May I Might I Must and you will be hitting the current trend and pleasing your man all in one fell swoop.
For the Kids…
There are now many children’s toy companies offering something other than the ubiquitous sea of brightly coloured plastic. Choose hard-wearing sustainable wooden toys that can withstand the daily abuse, and they may even last long enough to be passed on to the next generation. Or invest in one of these stunning ’Dreaming Spires’ willow playhouses by Judith Needham, which will naturally blend in with the surroundings while your children live out their fantasy lives in the garden.
Whichever gifts you decide to go for this year, remember one thing… in the words of Roy L. Smith:
“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”
Reader Offer: I May I Might I Must are offering our readers an exclusive 20% off when you enter code ‘frombritain20%’ at the checkout until the end of December. Browse the collection and buy online at www.imayimightimust.com
New online shop Ministry of Words specialises in limited edition screenprints which celebrate the richness, beauty, humour and diversity of the English language and British culture.
To celebrate their launch, they’re offering one lucky reader the chance to win a ‘Signs’ screenprint featuring the A-Z of eccentric British place names. Limited to a run of just 100, each print is a numbered edition and has been hand screen-printed onto premium quality recycled paper.
For a chance to win this large unframed 840 x 297mm artwork, simply name another print in the Ministry of Words range. You can leave your answer as a comment below or email it to us by 31st December.
Launch Offer: Ministry of Words are also offering 15% off their range of screenprints until the end of December, making them ideal for Christmas gifts. You can browse the collection at www.ministryofwords.co.uk.
From their workshop in the Hertfordshire countryside, Karoline Mileham and her team at Candy Queen Designs create funky designer light switches and furniture knobs to add a touch of fun to your kids (and big kids!) rooms. From cupcakes and pirates to wild animals and real sweets set in resin, these cute and kitsch designs are sure to bring a smile to little faces at bedtime. We think they’d also make great Christmas gifts or stocking fillers… check out the golf and football switches for those tricky men who seem to have everything – you know who you are!
Reader Offer: Candy Queen Designs are offering our readers an exclusive 10% off when you shop online at www.candyqueendesigns.co.uk. Simply enter code WL10 at the checkout until 31st December.
If you have little ones to buy gifts for this Christmas, take a look at recently launched children’s knitwear label Picaloulou. Designed in Cornwall, each limited edition garment is made at home by a talented team of ladies who lavish hours of love, care and attention on every piece.
The Winter 2011 collection is made from the softest blend of Merino and Alpaca wool which has been farmed in Britain, then spun and dyed at one of the last remaining mills in Cornwall. This doesn’t however mean that they need to be tucked away for special occasions, as each piece is machine washable and has been designed to be worn, enjoyed and passed on to friends or future generations. Browse the collection and meet the team of knitters at www.picaloulou.com.
Exclusive Reader Offer: To celebrate their launch, Picaloulou are offering our readers 20% off the entire collection, plus free standard UK P&P when you enter code FBWL20 at the checkout until 24th December.
