I, like umpteen other watched the return of Dr Who this weekend.  I was a little apprehensive as our family will miss Matt Smith so much, especially our children, who loved him as their `first Dr` (mine was Tom Baker - so you can guess how old I am!).  However Peter Capaldi is one of our most esteemed actors and it seems it was an act of genius casting.  I thought he hit just the right note of confusion, madness and brilliance of an alien who often seems to be on the cusp of transforming into something more evil than the evil he is trying to overcome.

Anyway!  I got all inspired by the episode`s Victorian setting and created a new Etsy treasury, featuring a few of my most favourite steampunk goodies on offer from UK sellers - click below to view!

my new steampunk UK Etsy treasury


I did sneek in one of my items - a steampunk inspired necklace!

Lost in France....

We returned a couple of weeks ago from our summer holidays - as the children are older, we decided to venture overseas with them for the first time as a family.  A trip to the south of France was agreed upon and we merrily made our way, via Eurostar and the TGV to the Cote d`azur.
Cue a horrendous mix up at Avignon TGV station, involving getting on the wrong train at the wrong time and we were whizzing back towards the North of France.  Luckily all French stereotypes were overturned when we were given lots of help getting our holiday back on track, the guard on the TGV explained we could get off at Lyon and then speak to customer services to see what they could do.  I could have kissed the chap at the enquiries desk when he allowed us free access to the next TGV back to our original destination in the South.  The only problem being the train had no more seats so we would have to stand; we ended up in the baggage section and felt like box car hobos, but we got to were we had to get to - albeit a little later than anticipated.
All in all a great adventure - for the children - not us adults!  We spend the next week sunning ourselves, swimming in the med and eating fine French food.  Luckliy our trip back passed without any problems PHEW!  Needless to say, we`ll do it all over again next year!

Friday - sometime in August 2014...

I`ve just opened my NEW Etsy shop, featuring my new passion, resin jewelley and I thought I`d share with you some of my designs!
Daisy the cow (pic2) is now sold and is on her way to her her new home in the US of A.  In the last few weeks and months I have created a tonne of necklaces, brooches and rings, which I dont possible have enough limbs or time to wear, hence my new shop.

take a peek at
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MustardCityVintage

Delicious Decoupage

One of my very favorite pastimes is the extremely addictive craft of decoupage.  I happened to stumble upon it one wet and rainy afternoon when trying to entertain the children a few years ago.  Since then I have had a go at all sorts of techniques and covered all sorts of objects.  I really enjoy the space the craft gives you to express yourself and find your own style, the items you buy especially to decorate, up cycle or save from a skip can enhance your home or make perfectly unusual and highly appreciated gifts for others.

I have rounded up 3 of the best examples I could find on ETSY created by very talented decoupiers - visit their shops for more details!

A colourful, unique bag from Love Kitty Pink

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/lovekittypink

A cockerel treasure box from Decoupage Delight Deco 

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DecoupageDelightDeco

For shoe lovers Hello Kitty Heals from Kapow Couture

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KapowCouture

Obviously I cant leave this without showing off some of my own work!!!

Here is a mini drawer set, perfect for a jewellery box or maybe as an addition to a dressing table to pop your lipsticks or smaller makeup items in.  I have gone to town with crackle glaze and gold paint and have even lined the mini drawers with paper.

Wedding Favours

With the summer just around the corner (!) and people planning weddings and parties, I got my thinking cap on and came up with some soapy wedding favours.  Brides give their guests all sorts of gifts these days - sugared almonds are just soooooo 20th century!  I`ve known, little cupcakes, flower pots with herbs, cactus and choccies but not soap.

English Rose and Patchouli soap wedding favours

Fleur de Lys shea butter wedding favours

I`ve made these by the traditional `hot-process` method of soapmaking and I`m sure they will make an unusual wedding favour, all supplied in cellophane bags with ribbon and a little name tag.  Visit my shop for further details.