Celebrating the humble British cup of tea

I don't know about you, but I think tea is one of the best inventions in the world.

Apparently we've been drinking it here in Britain for over 350 years. They were a little luckier in China, having enjoyed a cuppa many centuries before us. In the UK we now drink over 165 million cups a day (thank you UK Tea Council) so I think we've just about made up for those years we were deprived of what is now the nation's favourite drink.

I thought it would be nice to celebrate tea in my own little way by making a papercut featuring a tea quote and surrounded by all things related to the delicious leafy infusion.

It was quite nice to spend a couple of hours cutting out teacups, teapots and tea bags while drinking a cup or two of the wet stuff!

Here's what it looks like framed. The quote reads "A cup of tea makes everything better". Which it does!

Would you like to know how I made it? Yes? Ok.

I started by drawing out the design in reverse on the back of the card. I always make sure each element is touching or linked in some way at this point because if not it would all fall to pieces when cut.

Then comes the fun bit, getting the knife involved! (Please excuse the pants picture, it's from my phone and let's just say it's not 'top-of-the-range', but rather 'hand-me-down'!).

So then I cut it all out, which I completely forgot to take photos of, but I think you probably get the idea! I decided that, to make the letters show up better, they needed a different coloured backing. To get the backing the right size and shape I drew through the lacy papercut around the letters, took the papercut away and filled in the gaps. Probably not the most conventional way to do it but it worked.

Here's the letter backing cut out.

 To stick it on I applied PVA with a cotton bud so it didn't all squish out the edges and cause a sticky mess.

Then I had the fiddly task of aligning the backing and gluing it on level.

A little while later, all the letters were backed. The main colour, a dotty green/blue, was easier to stick on as I just dabbed glue on everything, aimed it for the backing and went for it.

And now I'm off to make oaty cookies. And a cup of tea. Mustn't forget that!

I'm sharing today's post on the following lovely blogs: I Gotta Create, Rhinestone Beagle, Domesblissity, Free Pretty Things for You, Manon Popje's Illustrations, Savvy Southern Style and Seasoned Homemaker.

A new blog header and a lovely, sunny weekend - life is good!

Introducing my new blog header! It's taken me every evening after work this week to cut, so it was a time consuming piece but I think it was worth it! What are your thoughts? Should it stay?

Disaster nearly struck as I had forgotten to mirror the year (top left) when I drew it from the cutting side. Thanks to my Dad's eagle eyes, disaster was averted and the date is the correct way round!

Here are some more close-ups of the papercut.

I like the idea of having to look at it for a while to find all the little details hidden among the flowers. There are a whole variety of things to spot, from teapots (see below) to bees and butterflies.

There are also a few stars hidden in there too.

At the beginning of the week I also completed another heart commission to be given as a wedding present. I'll be able to reveal that one when the big day is over later this year!

My Mum and Dad came to stay on Friday night, and, as luck would have it, the weather has been absolutely stunning.

We took the opportunity to get out exploring the lovely North Devon coast, walking from the south end of Westward Ho! around the corner and along the South Devon Coast Path.

It's warmer than it has been in a long time and a sure sign that spring is in the air. It makes me feel very happy to be outside enjoying such incredible scenery, catching some rays and much needed vitamin D.

The colours at this time of year in England are so vibrant. There's something lovely about these tufts of springy grass on weather-worn mounds of earth.

Mum and Dad went home on Saturday evening, so Sam and I took advantage of a second day of sunshine for a little road trip to Bude, about 40 mins south and just over the border into Cornwall.

We took a little walk along the breakwater for a closer look at the crashing waves. The surf was amazing today - a little too big for most of the surfers braving the winter-chilled sea!

This photo shows the view from the end of the breakwater across the bay of Summerleaze Beach and back towards the town.

After an ice cream we set off north along the coast, past Crooklets and on to Northcott along the South West Coast Path. The views were beautiful across the sea and coast, and back across the fields.

A ladybird hitched a sneaky lift on Sam's shoulder!

After a brief pause to admire the view, we set off back to Bude for a well-deserved pasty from Tasty Pasties - and they are just that, yum!

When we got back it was still sunny in the garden, so the sun-worshipping continued, this time with a book and lounger.

As it got a little chilly, I came inside and finished a sleeveless top sewing project that I started on Saturday evening. I adapted it from a few patterns and the block that I made last week, which may explain why it's not quite right!

The little tucks in the neckline weren't originally intended, but when I tried it on the neck was a little baggy so I improvised.

It needs a good iron!

The back went a little wrong as I didn't line up the shoulder darts with the waist ones, so there was a baggy part between the points of the darts which I just pinched together and bodged so its still a bit lumpy.

Not bad for a first attempt though and it'll teach me to match my darts line up next time!

I'm sharing today's post at Handmade Harbour, Manon Popje's Illustrations, Be Different Act Normal, Lamb Around and Tatertots and Jello. 

The finished papercut heart

It's been a beautiful day here in Devon, the sun's been shining and we've been out for a lovely meal at the Clavelshay Barn near Taunton. If you're ever in the area, you really must visit; it's in a pretty spot by the river and the food is delicious!

Last week I finished a papercut heart for my Auntie. Here's how it started life...

 ...and here it is finished, many hours later!

I'm not sure what colour my Auntie will choose for the background, but I've shown it here on red for Valentine's day.

My Auntie requested that it feature lady birds, hearts, butterflies and the word love; can you spot them all?

Here are a few close ups to help.

The heart is in the middle of an A4 piece of thin card. It's almost as high as the card is wide.

I've now got another commission for a wedding present which I'm really excited about! It'll feature the bride and groom's names, their wedding date and a couple of little things representing their hobbies hidden in amongst the flowers.

I'll leave you with these photos of Westward Ho! taken yesterday and this evening. I love the vibrant green of the grassy tussocks against the sky.

If you've enjoyed this post and would like to keep up with my work, please 'like' my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter @ClareWillcocks. You can also subscribe to my blog using one of the buttons on the right :)

Today I'm sharing this post on the following blogs: Handmade Harbour, Manonpopje's Illustrations, Be Different Act Normal and Tatertots and Jello.

A papercut heart in progress

I've been working on a couple of things this week, one being a papercut heart for my Auntie. I haven't quite finished it yet as it's quite intricate! An early birthday present of a craft knife is making things a little quicker though, it's easier to cut around all those little curves than the stanley knife I'd been using before.

Someone asked me last week if I could show the process behind one of these papercuts, so I've taken a few photos as I've gone along.

I start by drawing the pattern out in pencil and outlining the most intricate bits in fine line pen.

Then I begin cutting either side of the lines, stopping and turning the card to go around corners.

It's best to cut out the insides of shapes first, for example, the insides of leaves or butterflies. If you cut the shape out first and then try to cut the inside, it tends to rip or bend the card at the weak points.

That's about it, just continue growing it outwards. This is as much as I've done so far.

This is it from the back, where the cutting is done. One thing I would say is make sure that you write any words backwards, I speak from experience!

And again from the front. It's the sort of thing that once you start, you get quite addicted!

Another early birthday present that I received from some friends this weekend is this beautiful papercut! Aren't I lucky! It was bought on a trip to China and seems to be some sort of transparent paper painted gorgeous colours.

Finally I'd like to introduce you to our new pets! These are zebra danios and the first additions to our tank.

I've named them Fred, Cecil, Barney, Sparky and Wonk (as he's got a kink in his tail). I'm not convinced they're all boys (how does one tell?) but I'm sure they won't be too offended if they're girls.

Sorry about the terrible photos, they're so speedy it's hard to get a good snap. We're working on making the tank a little more interesting for them too.

If you haven't entered my giveaway yet to win this papercut heart, head over to my Facebook page for instructions, you've got until the evening of Monday 10th Feb (UK time)!

I'm sharing this post on the following blogs: Manon Popje's Illustrations and Handmade Harbour.

Papercut heart with flowers - giveaway time!

I'm getting a little bit addicted to these papercuts. They're so satisfying to do and I love how the bright background colour transforms them when they're finished. The fact that they're hearts makes them the perfect Valentine's day craft project too!

Seeing as I can't seem to stop doing them I've decided to give one away! If you'd like to win this little papercut heart, head over to my Facebook page for details on how to enter.

This is another flowery heart I cut this week. If you'd like to get your mitts on it, it's for sale for £25 + p&p. Pop by my Facebook page and drop me a message if you'd like to buy it :)

Now, remember those fabric scraps from my Auntie that I told you about last week? Well, I had a go at crazy quilting. I was unprepared for how much brain power it takes to sew the pieces down in order! It's like some sort of complicated mathematical equation!

Here's how it turned out. I would have liked the outer pieces to have been shorter and fatter, but for some reason I kept needing to add longer bits to cover up the previous pieces' edges. If anyone has any tips on how to prevent this I'd be very grateful.

Nevertheless, I like how it turned out. I think it looks like sea (on the left), hills (on the right) and a fiery red sunset sky. Though that could be just my imagination!

I'm going to carry on and do a bit of embroidery over the top to give it some more interest. Then it will have pride of place on the wall!

Speaking of seaside views, Sam and I went to Clovelly yesterday. The weather was a little temperamental but a shower of rain was a good excuse for a hot chocolate in the pub!

Don't they look like little, painted model houses!

The last creative thing I did this weekend was bake a cake! It's certainly not the prettiest looking thing, but it does taste good! We've almost demolished the whole lot between us and the little that's left I'm sure we'll finish off with a cup of tea tonight!

I bought the sprinkles on offer after Christmas! Always looking out for a good bargain, me!

And on that scrummy note, that's it for another week! Don't forget, if you'd like to win my handmade papercut heart, head over to my Facebook page to enter my giveaway.

Today I'm linking up to the following link up parties: Handmade Harbour, Manon Popje's Illustrations, Be Different Act Normal, Tatertots and Jello and Lamb Around.

Heart shaped papercut and a 1918 Singer sewing machine...

Last year I bought my Dad a book of awesome intricate papercut examples, compiled by Laura Heyenga. A couple of weeks ago was my first chance to have a really good look through it myself (backhanded present alert!) and it inspired me to give it a go.

Our walls are looking very cream and boring at the moment, so I decided to do a papercut to brighten the place up a bit. I chose a heart shaped design and drew out a curly pattern, filling in the gaps with little leaf motifs and flowers. It took absolutely ages to cut, but turned out really well!

It was extremely fiddly, I was worried that I'd cut a section right off!

Can you spot the not-so-deliberate mistake?

Now we just need to find a frame! I think a square frame with a broad mount would suit it, what do you think?

A surprise find at the recycling centre

Yesterday we paid a visit to the recycling centre at the tip in search of a couple of little tables that we could spruce up a bit for the lounge.

Of course, as always happens, we didn't come away with what we'd intented to buy, but instead brought home a photo frame, fishing chair and.........this!

A 1918 Singer sewing machine! As soon as I saw it sitting there, looking so chic and vintage on a chair, I knew I had to have it. I love the design, it's heaviness and the fact it still works! I've yet to try it with fabric, but the mechanism seems to run really smoothly and it still has the original instruction book and selection of feet.

Sam's reaction was "where on Earth area we going to put that?", which is why it's currently sitting on the windowsill. I quite like it as a quirky ornament though!

It has beautiful decorative metal panels on the end and back, more inspiration for papercuts perhaps! The wood is a little damaged, but I think that just adds to its charm :)

A lovely walk on the beach

Our friends came to stay last night and we went for a walk this morning to make the most of the rare sunshine! The beach at Westward Ho was looking as lovely as ever.

The recent storms had washed away the sand revealing the clay bed underneath which had been moulded into interesting formations by the water. There's something really satisfying about squishing a firm rounded clay mound under a welly booted foot!

All the stone-like ridges in the photo below are the clay poking through the sand. 

That's all for today, after a yummy lunch at the Village Inn in Westward Ho, I'm now ready to snuggle up for the evening in front of the fire!

I'm sharing this post on the following blogs: Handmade Harbour, Manon Popje's Illustrations, I Gotta Create,  Lamb Around and Tatertots and Jello.