We love these new ‘Model T Towels’ from Cheltenham-based design studio Rosablue. With a nod to Mr Ford, they’re available in any colour (as long as it’s pink or blue). Although we think they’d look pretty good in black too… Find them at Rosablue.com.
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…
If like us you’re steering clear of unhealthy snacks after all the recent festivities, you’ll be pleased to know that you can indulge both your taste buds and your passion for crafting with this fabulous handmade ‘Yogurt Pot Pocket’ project – a collaboration between organic dairy brand Rachel’s and textile designer Jan Constantine.
These charming Pot Pockets will not only help keep your hands toasty warm while enjoying your favourite yogurt, but will also enable you to upcycle your old yogurt pots… we’re thinking pots of herbs on the windowsill, storage for pens and pencils, a cosy cup warmer, or maybe even a Valentine’s Day gift for a loved one filled with some home-made treats.
To print out the pattern and full instructions, visit the Rachel’s Organic facebook page. Happy crafting and do let us know what you’d use your Pot Pockets for… we’d love to see photos of your creations!
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.
Guest Blogger Clemi Hardie from Sofas and Stuff brings you her pick of the best British made products to enjoy from the sofa this Christmas…
There’s no better time to snuggle up on the sofa than the festive season - classic Christmas telly, a full tummy, and a roaring log fire with your nearest and dearest close by… you really can’t beat Christmas time for that feel good factor. We like to think we know a thing or two about sofas, so here’s our pick of the best British made products to be enjoyed from the comfort of your sofa this Christmas.
One of the best things about Christmas is being able to eat chocolate without feeling guilty! And what better way to indulge than with these delicious treats from Walkers Handmade Chocolates. Made by top British chocolatier Robert Walker, they’re well worth putting on your Christmas list this year.
Keep feet toasty with these cosy British made Alpaca Wool Bed Socks by Perilla which are available in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colours. If you’re giving them as a gift this Christmas, the good news is that they also come beautifully packaged in gift boxes.
Our sofa scene just wouldn’t be complete without a warm and comforting blanket. Lucky for us, Just Blankets have got it covered with their beautiful lambswool blankets which are made on looms in a small, traditional Scottish mill. The range comes in a variety of dazzling colours, guaranteed to brighten up anyone’s Christmas.
No need to move from the sofa while delving into your Christmas stocking… we love these these linen Christmas Pudding stockings by Charlotte Macey (who we recently featured on our own blog). Her creations are all lovingly hand-stitched in her small workshop in the Cotswolds, and are just perfect for hanging by the fireplace this Christmas.
It goes without saying that every sofa needs some seriously comfy cushions, and these beauties from Melin Tregwynt are woven using traditional techniques in one of the last remaining woollen mills in Wales. They even do dressing gowns and slippers to match!
Everybody loves a cup of tea on the sofa and we’d agree, but how about adding these to the mix? Combining two of our great loves, a good cuppa and the warm glow of candlelight – these beautiful bone china teacup candles from The Dizzy Flea are just the thing to add some atmosphere this Yuletide.
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without those classic festive films that you can’t help watching every year. ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ is a personal favourite of ours, which is why we were delighted to stumble across this delightful framed print by The Green Gables featuring the quote from the film “every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings”.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our top British made picks for Christmas, and that you get the chance to put your feet up and enjoy some quality family time on your sofa this festive season. What British made gifts would you recommend for Christmas? Let us know by leaving us a comment below…
Brought to you by Sofas and Stuff – makers of beautiful British sofas.
After three years and eight successful events, We Make London are back with their Christmas Pop-Up Shopping Experience. Taking place on 10th December at the Battersea Arts Centre, you’ll find over 80 hand-picked exhibitors, making it the perfect place to get in the festive mood and snap up some unique handmade Christmas gifts.
Organiser Mary McDermott explains “It’s time to take a refreshing break from high street monotony into the exceptional world of handmade, with beautiful items made with love by some very gifted makers.” Hear hear, we say! You can find out more about who is exhibiting at www.wemakelondon.co.uk.
Want Free Tickets? We Make London are offering our readers 15 free entry tickets. Simply email your name to editor@frombritainwithlove.com and we’ll notify the winners by 3rd December.
Christmas is coming and to celebrate we’ve teamed up with iconic British pottery producer Emma Bridgewater to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a stunning cake stand and two half pint mugs in their new ‘Joy’ design. Inspired by the gentle curves of gingerbread biscuits and the fine lines of Victorian samplers, this pretty pattern is sure to become a festive favourite, while the sentiment will undoubtedly bring comfort and joy to your table… especially when piled high with lashings of homemade mince pies!
For a chance to win this fabulous prize worth almost £100, simply click here to enter.
Reader Offer: 10% Discount: Emma Bridgewater are also offering our readers an exclusive 10% discount on their entire range until 15th December. Simply enter promotional code FBWL10 at the checkout. Browse the collections and buy online at at www.emmabridgewater.co.uk.
