Jubilations

Jubilations

Britain has gone mad for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations this month and why not? This year more than ever we feel the need to party and the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics are the perfect outlets for us Brits to wave the flag and celebrate all that we do well. We do love a good street party after all!

I remember the flag waving and excitement in 1977. The Silver Jubilee mugs we were given at school, the commemorative coin, a girl guide trip to see the Queen as she came to Cardiff (I lived in Wales at the time), the street parties and party games. I also remember my mother buying a Jubilee Tea set. The only tangible item that remains of that special year is the large Jubilee tea pot and whenever it is rolled out at family gatherings I am instantly transported back to my 'happy go lucky' 11 year old self!

So feeling very nostalgic this week and having just taken stock of some beautiful rag dolls,  I persuaded my own Princess out into the garden for a 1952 inspired tea party shoot!

The gorgeous red, white and blue bunting is from Jacqueline Jones and Eloise is wearing a rosette from Let the fun Begin with the words Jubilee 2012. Both make  really lovely keepsakes of the day

Isn't she sweet? This is Molly from new toy brand Ragtales. With her velour pigtails and freckles, and vintage inspired floral frock she'll brighten up any playroom.

And this is Megan with the prettiest polka dot frock and pink cardi. Both dolls come in their own carry bag with their names embroidered on the side.

This weekend me and my family are going to see the Pageant on the river. We'll wave the flags and join in the Jubilations and long after the celebrations are over I am hoping all the special momentos, bunting, rosettes, trays and cushions I have bought will be happy reminders of the occasion for my children to enjoy in years to come.

Ragtales

Ragtales

I was super excited to discover 'Ragtales', a new and emerging toy brand earlier this month. As an independent retailer of traditional children's pyjamas and toys I'm always on the look out for something different and less main stream to the high street offering. When I discovered the beautiful characters that Ragtales have created I literally felt......well like a kid in a toy shop!

Each character in the Ragtales range has been designed in the Uk. They all have individual stories to tell and are made using plush velours, vintage style floral prints, hand knitted and crocheted garments. 

There is 'Dasher' the cute little dog complete with his own little kennel and bone. He has a removable coat and pink flappy ears.

Then there are the Ragtags. A group of three little characters that will surely become firm playroom favourites.

Peter the hamster. A chunky little fella in a hand knitted coat.

Patch the Mouse. A cheeky character with mismatched ears and pink fluffy slippers.

Poppy the rabbit. A real sweetie with her ditsy floral skirt and pink cardi.

The thing I love about all these toys is the attention to detail. The packaging, labelling and the stories behind each character make them unique. You can see all these characters for sale at http://www.myheartandhome.co.uk and I can't wait to introduce Darcy! 

Have your cake....

The arrival of some new pinnys in stock has prompted a round of baking this week. With pretty ruffles in shades of blues and greens they have a vintage appeal which inspired our own little bake off! A Victoria sponge was an obvious choice for a nostalgic feel to our shoot.

Something I share with my Mother-in-law, is our love of vintage baskets and she gave me this one recently. I love how it is so beautifully crafted, it's colour and comforting charm! It looks so gorgeous filled with all our assembled ingredients and utensils.

Baking is always a calming activity with children, especially if the end result is sticky, sweet and appealing! These two eagerly joined in the fun part....spreading the jam and dusting with icing sugar.

Thank you Eloise and Ava for being so enthusiastic and eating so much of the cake for me!


Janne x

Yellow

I thought I'd have a bit of fun styling an Easter shoot. Yellow is very much the colour this Spring making a come back in home furnishings and fashion. It suddenly looks new and fresh again. It was very easy to combine a few of my favourite things (fluffy rabbit ears aside).....mini chocolate eggs, parrot tulips and sylvac rabbits! I had made a Simnel cake for Easter and as I was rather pleased with the result, it seemed a shame for it just to be gobbled down with no record. After all it is an annual event and I may not feel like making one next year!

I always thought there were twelve balls of marzipan on a Simnel cake (a light fruit cake with a  marzipan layer) representing the disciples. Judas being a traitor however, means he doesn't count and so we end up with eleven.

Rabbits in jars? Well why not..I think he looks rather cute!

Happy Easter!

Easter eggs

Decorative Easter craft

I love Easter time! Not for the chocolate (honestly), but for the perfect excuse to don a pinny and get crafty in the kitchen. This little project colouring eggs took a couple of hours and we could have spent another few decorating with paint, beads and feathers. However, hungry teenagers were beckoning! The sewing box was to hand and a bit of lace and buttons were a lovely contrast to the darker colours.

Ideally, white eggs should be used, but failing this, the lightest brown. Boil for about 8 minutes with a teaspoon of vinegar and several drops of food colouring. You may have to experiment here as my colours didn't quite turn out as expected! Leave to cool. A friend pointed out afterwards that I should have rubbed the eggs with olive oil to make them shiny. I'll try that next time! Decorate as you wish, although I quite like them simply piled up in a glass jar.