Recipe: Amazing Rocky Road

Heya!

This rocky road recipe is a little bit of a mash-up between classic rocky road and tiffin, which I also adore!  It's the recipe I was raving about on Facebook last week, and trust me, you will love it and it's so easy!  You'll be able to whip it up in no time.

Ingredients

2 tbsp golden syrup
100g butter


300g plain chocolate

200g digestive biscuits
100g mini marshmallows
150g raisins

Step One:  Melt the chocolate, syrup and butter in a pan and stir until combined.  Put half the mixture to one side for later.

Step Two:  Bash up the biscuits until they are a good combination of large lumps and crumbs! Pop the biscuits, the marshmallows and the raisins in to the chocolate mixture left in the pan.

Step Three:  Pour the beautiful mix of chocolate, biscuits, fruit and marshmallows in to a tray, and flatten out with the back of a spoon.

Step Four:  Get the chocolate mixture you've put aside earlier and pour it on top of the biscuit mix so it creates a lovely topping.  Pop the tray in to the fridge for a few hours or overnight, and enjoy!

Makes about 12-16 bars.

Freya May

The Dressmaking Diaries Promotion

Hello!

This is the time for some shameless self promotion, sorry about that.

I just want to know, have you taken a look at my new blog 'The Dressmaking Diaries' yet?? Since I first told you about it, there is now some actual content on it, so do check it out!

It is literally a place where I can document my sewing projects, with a few tutorials thrown in for good measure.

I'm quite new to this dressmaking marlarky, so I'm basically starting from the beginning and throwing my self into the deep end- it would be nice to have some moral support in this!

Also, when my Masters kicks of in a week and a half, that is the blog I will be prioritizing, as I will be trying hard as I can not to stop sewing, but make time for it in my busy, mad life.

In conclusions- please start following me on that blog too, it will make my day!

Thank you,

Freya May

Found on Pinterest #13

Hey,

I'm working on setting myself up a proper sewing and work area in out flat, because currently I do all my sewing at the dining table and I don't have a study space either.  We do have the perfect space in our spare room, where the spare bed currently is.  So, the plan is to sell the bed (email me if you want it- black metal day bed, super cute!) and replace it with a nice large desk space where I can keep myself busy.

I know the desk I'm getting, but I want to make the whole space much more homely and creative, so I've scoured Pinterest and found some inspiration.

Source: craftomaniac.blogspot.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: everythingetsy.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: madeitonmonday.blogspot.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Freya on Pinterest

What I like about these spaces is the use of the walls to hang inspiration and art work, the colours are all bright and welcoming and they all show individual flair.

This is the kind of space I want to create for myself, so watch this space...

***UPDATE***
Read about how I've set up my new craft space HERE

Freya May

Thrifty Thursday Outfit Post

Top: Topshop, secondhand

Jeans: Newlook

Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Hello!

This week I'm joining up with Coffee and Cardigans 'Thrifter Thursdays' to show of one of my awesome second hand  finds.

This top is by Kate Moss for Topshop, and I picked it up for about £3.50.  Love a good bargain.  It's been in my wardrobe for about six months, I bought it just before my Charity Shop Challenge in April, and I love it!  It so pretty (flowers are definitely my thing) and it was perfect for day to day and work too.

It's a pretty good top to remix with different outfits too, there are at lest 5 different skirts or trousers that work with it perfectly, I guess I'll have to show you at some point.

Click over to the linky party here and check out what other people have been lucky enough to find.

Found on Pinterest #12

Heya!

Following on from last weeks 'Found on Pinterest' I've decided what I really want to do with my embroidery is write inspirational, cute or biblical quotes to hang around the house.

Here is my short list, let me know what you think.

Source: etsy.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: ibibleverses.christianpost.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Freya on Pinterest

So, less of a short list than intended, but I've choosen one to go with for my first attempt, this one-

                    

Source: Uploaded by user via Freya on Pinterest

Lets be honest, I'd quite like to do them all, so I'll keep them as reminders of that, I'm just quite slow at stitching and I get distracted easily on to other projects.  More ideas than time- that's me.

I'll show you how I'm getting along with this later in the week.

Freya May

Thrifting on a Thursday

Heya!

Had a productive day yesterday, did my chores, worked on my latest dressmaking project, hung out with my Dad, went for a run, and went thrifting.

I picked up a couple of brillient finds in the charity shops, this lovely earring holder, for just one pound!

And a great addition to my tea set.  Again, a bargin for just £1.50p!  I've got a great set of china tea cups now, but I can't stop buying them when I find them so cheaply! Hay, maybe one day I'll have enough to rent out to weddings and things!

Freya May

Found on Pinterest #11

Hello,

This week I've been inspired to dust down my cross stitch equipment and have a go at some embroidery.  Unfortunately, I'm dreadfully slow at it, but I thought I'd share with you some of the beautiful projects from Pinterest that have encouraged this idea.

I would LOVE something like this in my home, and it would have to be home made, of course.

Source: whererosesbloom.wordpress.com via Freya on Pinterest

Isn't this the cutest? Totally can see this some where in my home.

Source: littleloveliesbyallison.com via Freya on Pinterest

I think this is a great idea to add interest and texture to a cushion- must do this! 

Source: translate.googleusercontent.com via Freya on Pinterest

So, many hours on Pinterest and some nice inspiration to come from it. Not too shabby.

Until next time,

Freya May

Back Again

Hey all!

So, the summer. Kinda left wondering if it really came at all... But none the less, I've been very very busy.  Too busy to keep up with blogging.

However,  I have decided, after my short break, two things. The first is that I wish to continue writing this blog.  I felt like I've missed it, so expect frequent posting from here out.

You might be wondering exactly what I've been doing to keep me so busy.  Well, here is the run down of our summer...

First, I went Blonde!

The went to a wedding (congrats to Mim and Eddie!!!)

Then it was Dave's last week of work, so I mooched around a lot.

Then Dave got his teaching qualification! Woop!

Then we went to see Handball at the Olympic Park in London (Awesome game, btw.)

Then we drove 6 hours to Cornwall to see two of our best friends get engaged! (and Dave scored best man duties, get in!)

Then we headed north, to Yorkshire, for another Friends wedding (Congrats to Becky and Luke!)

Then we went to Centre Parcs in Sherwood Forest for a romantic getaway, just the two of us (until the Thursday when we had my family visit for the day)

Then we went camping with a small group of friends in Derbyshire- beautiful, if a tad wet.  And a great walk in to Bakewell.

That weekend, we were meant to go to the Lake District to visit family, but the trip was cancelled (boo!) and we went bowling instead (yay!)

Then, we drove back down to London to visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour!!!  Which was amarzing and I so want to go back!!

Finally, last weekend we went to Greenbelt in Cheltanham, and had an amazing, yet totally muddy, time.  Listening to music and thought provoking talks.  And just keeping calm and carrying on as the mud reached our ankles (Thank God for wellies!!!)

And here I am, after one heck of a summer, tired, happy and ready for the lot of challanges I have to face.

My masters starts in almost exactly one months time.

Am I ready for it? No! But will I be? You can bet your ass!

Now, you may be wondering what the other thing I have decided is going to be...

And I'm not a mean person, so I'll tell you right now... I'm starting a second blog!

The Dressmaking Diaries, to be exact.

Where I shall be documenting my dressmaking adventures and clothing based DIYs in the future.  I've come to the conclusion that I want my blogging to be more focused.  So, one for my day to day adventures and one for my favourite hobby seems sensible.

Now, if you have reached the end of this wordy and, some might say, boring post, I applaud you.

Love,

Freya May

Start of a Project

Hello!

I've started making a knitted blanket, however, I've only managed one square so far :D

It will be yellow, light green, light blue, pink, white and lilac.

At this rate, it's going to take a year or so to finish.

So, just in time for next years Greenbelt!

Freya May xxx

Freak Weather

Hello World!

How is everyone doing??

It is two weeks until the summer holidays for me at the moment- and although it means the end of my job (boo!), I really can't wait!

However, it won't be nearly as exciting if the weather doesn't buck up and start shining on us!   Check out this photo of my route home from work this week-

credit

With weather like that, you'd never guess it was July this week!

Freya May

The Race for Life

Last Sunday Emma, my Mother in Law, Debra and I ran the 5km Race for Life to support Cancer Research UK!

Here we are after we did it- super gross and sweaty!

So far we've raised around £190 pounds in sponsorship!  Isn't that amazing?  But, if you want to contribute and make that even more, please click on the button below and donate now.  This is life saving research, and, for me, it's personal. 

I've lost two grandparents to cancer, and I have a brave aunt who is a survivor.  One of my greatest fears is that one day I'll get that life changing news, so I want to be ready to fight if it ever happens to me.  And the research we're helping to fund is all part of that.

Donate below, or, as we all said we're up for running again next year- join us! Every little does count.

Freya May

 

Finished Dress

I finshed the dress I wrote about here!  

I'm so please with how it has turned out-  I'll definitely wear it :D

And I learnt some lessons on it's construction- which was the motive behind making it in the first place.

For example, I need to make the yoke slightly shorter to account for my petite-ness, and I learnt that I can make sleeves!  These were the first I've ever attempted and I'm very, very please with them!

Joy for Summer Dresses!

Freya May

This Old Thing?

Well ok, this old thing is pretty u-g-l-y!

Yes, that's a dress, not a night gown.

Its a size 18, which accounts for it tent like qualities on me, but I've wanted to have a go at refashioning a item for a while now, so for £3.50, why the heck not?  And, anyway, the extra fabric will probably be quite useful!

So, I bet your just dying to see what this was transformed into?

Well, what do you think?

Huge transformation!

All from a few absolute ton of pins and some careful snips.

Anoyingly, however, it's is clear this is my first attempt, as I missed the line between fitted and ever so slightly  too small.  Irony, huh?

Never mind, a few pounds lighter and it'll fit like a glove.

Freya Mayxxx

DIY Dip Dyes Shorts

I'm loving this trend of dip dyes shorts that I've seen around this summer.  And when mum and I went to the Vintage fair earlier this month, I saw a pair that I really liked!

However, I'm a DIY girl, and I knew it would be so easy to recreate the look, without the price tag of £20 (or £35 in Topshop!)

1 2 

So, that same day, we went to the charity shop, picked up a pair of jeans for £1.50 (!) and got to it. 

If you too want to DIY it, here is a quick tutorial.

You need; 

Pair of jeans, bottle of bleach, bucket, rubber gloves, salt, dye and a poky stick.

Cut the jeans short and submerge in approx 1/3 of the bottle of bleach in 5 leters of water until they are the colour you want and light enough for dying.

I had quite dark jeans, and it took me 3 attempts to get them to the right colour.

But when they came out they looked great!

Following the instructions in the packet, make up one of your dye colours, and dip the bottom of the shorts in and leave for a hour.  I used a clippy clothes hanger to hold them up.

Take them out the dye and rinse the bottoms out in the sink with fresh water until the water is clear, then make up the other colour of dye and repeat the process, turning the jeans upside down.

Once you've rinsed out for the second time, put them in a warm wash and Da Daaaa!

Finished jeans, for less than £9!

Dress Making Fun

Hello,

I thought I'd share my current dress making project with you.

My current favourite blog is 'Adventures in Dressmaking', written by the talented Suzannah.  I've been totally inspired to get dressmaking again.  And like I said yesterday, I made three in May!

As inspired by another wonderful dressmaking blog, and the awesome Hunger Games film, I'm currently working on a version of the Dress Katniss wore in the reaping scene.

In case you haven't seen the film

 Amy suggested the New Look 6069 pattern, which I think is perfect.

I like Dress C the most, even if D is most similar.

Now, the thing to remember is that these girls are really good seamstresses, and I am a very novice beginner.  So practice is still the name of the game.   With that in mind, I have started a practice version.  I picked up this fabric, which is an old duvet cover, from a charity shop for £3.  I think its cute, so if the practice dress turns out well, I will still wear it!  

Once I feel like I know what I'm doing, it's time to use the 'real' stuff.

Here is how I'm getting along so far-

Made the bodice and am quite happy with it.  The only thing I want to change is the amount of rouching around the shoulders. I want more.  I'm thinking that I need to widen the yoke and the top of the front pieces, but, wiser and more experianced ones, is that the right idea?

Having fun with my sewing machine, makes me happy :D

Freya May

life is good

Its been eight months since I started work, almost a full year since I finished my degree, and I'm slowly starting to actually feel like I can have a life which includes all those aspects I choose to include- blogging, writing, reading, crafting, socialising, baking and managing to keep the house in an acceptable level of cleanliness.

Yay me!

Over the last month I have made three dresses and started on a forth. and I have started going to a small group with our church- having finally found one we want to settle in. Life is pretty exciting and I'm very happy.

Now the next challenge, I have been accepted on a masters course at Leicester University (so excited!!!). So studying will once again become a major factor in my life. I hope that I will still find (some minuscule) time to give to the things I love to do along side my studies, but accept that somethings gotta give. So, I plan to enjoy this time of balance, even more the time in the summer when I don't necessarily have work but lots of time to devote to craftiness, before the ridiculously interesting but super intense study begins. 

Exciting times ahead!

 Freya May

Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been?

I've been to London to see the Queen!

It's been a excellent Jubilee Weekend, I have indeed been to London to see the Queen, camped out on St James' park with Dave and a few, equally mental, friends.  Yes, it was FREEZING. And yes, it was busy!

Despite that, we did have an awesome time!

That there is the Queen^

Freya May

p.s. I'm sorry for the month of radio silence, I've just needed the head space but am feeling back and ready to keep sharing my stories with you all.

Bonjour

Hey, how you all doing?

I've not really felt particularly inspired to write this last week, so sorry for the radio silence.

 I've also been kinda busy, been to a new church and making new friends (dinner round their house tonight-yay!).  Started a new dress pattern, and a bolero jacket for a summer wedding, making Banoffee Cupcakes and other goodies.  All needing to be blogged about, if I can be bothered.

Feeling particularly inspired at the moment to get busy dressmaking- check out my newest patterns .

All from Jaycotts.co.uk

So, really, I'm just breaking the radio silence, saying 'Hi' and I hope your all ok :D

Freya May