Monday 11 April 2011

New Year (sort of!), New Blog (definitely!)

OK, so the New Year is well and truly underway so it's not really new anymore, but in Tickled Pink land it is!  I have been very remiss in keeping the blog up to date, so I've had a revamp and am ready to go!

So, what has been happening in the world of Tickled Pink Crafts I hear you ask?  Lots and lots is the reply.  Both of us have moved house, Miss Tickled is now settled in London and enjoying life in the big smoke and I am very happy in my forever house in Herefordshire.  Spring has sprung (especially after the recent glorious weather), there are lambs in the field behind us and the fruit trees in the garden are in full blossom.



I can see lots of jam-making this year which is especially good news as I inherited the family jam pan when Mum died and I am excited to carry on the tradition of using it.  Lots of recipes please for plum, damson and greengage jams!

The garden is starting to yield crops and I picked nearly 4lbs of rhubarb this morning.  Some of it will have to be given away, but I am going to make the a rhubarb and custard cake this afternoon - absolutely delicious warm with more custard, but still yummy when it's cold.


And we have sown potatoes, peas, carrots, rocket, radish, cabbages and broad beans for later in the year.  Runner beans, tomatoes, cauliflower and various squash are in preparation too!

Now, before I move onto Tickled Pink itself, let me introduce you to the newest member of the Pink family - Wilbur, a 14 week old Schnoodle puppy.  He takes our dog tally to three, and to be honest, I think that's enough for now!


As for Tickled Pink Crafts...............it's all systems go!  We have both decided that this is the year we have to make a success of things.  Neither Miss Tickled nor I want to go back to work (in a conventional job) and we both love crafting, so we have set up the partnership on a more formal basis and are working hard to make it happen.

Miss Tickled manned our first craft fair this weekend, the Boogaloo Market in Highgate.  Sadly it wasn't a roaring success, but the organisers were lovely and very encouraging so we are not disheartened.  Probably the fantastic weather and the lure of the Grand National kept people away.  However, we proved to ourselves that we can put something together at very short notice (less than a week) and are looking at it as a positive thing.  Even if I say so myself, the stall looked great - well done Miss Tickled and thank you.


What you can't see on here are Miss Tickled's fabulous new range of shutter cards.  Here are just a few examples.....



 

What's even better about these, is that they are completely customisable (is that a real word?), and she will make them in whatever colour way and design you require.  The last one was made as a commission for a bridesmaid who wanted a card for the bride and groom to match in with the colour and theme of the wedding.  They really are cards to be kept and admired and stand out amongst all the shop bought ones.


I have found the most fantastic ribbon supplier and have spent many happy hours in front of the television making corsages.  They were great in winter for brightening up a dull day, and now that the sun has made an appearance they add to that happy feeling that summer is on the way.



 
What do you think about having these for a wedding - in colours to suit Mother-of-the-Bride and Mother-of the Groom outfits? Or for the Bridesmaids? Or how about on hairclips or hairbands?



I've also been discovering needle-felting, a great way for getting rid of your daily frustration and also for creating some wonderful, unique pieces.  I have customised some jute shopping bags - what do you think?







I'm now trying out some alpaca wool/fibre that I picked up at Wonderwool Wales and maybe plucking up the courage to try some 3D felting too!

Finally, let me show you the eggs that the Tickled Pink hens laid the other week - just in time for Easter!

11 comments:

  1. Amazing range of stuff, all gorgeous!! You both have got such a talent.

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  2. Great new look and I love those bags, they're really cute!

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  3. Thank you so much - glad you like the blog and the bags! xxxx

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  4. Wow, what a comprehensive update Miss Pink! Love it all, especially Wilbur.

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  5. Gorgeous!! Both the blog, and the crafts! (And the dog!)
    xx

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  6. Love the new look of the blog, very attractive, and the crafts are lovely. I wish you both luck.
    You don't send spare rhubarb to Montreal by any chance do you - rhubarb season is a long way away in the frozen north!

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  7. Thanks Lesley Ann. xx

    I'm sure we could smuggle some rhubarb your way Barbara! xxx

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  8. Lovely to hear the update and see all the pics...you ladies are so talented, and we wish you both much success in this year's endeavours! K & co xx

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