I've moved!!!!

Ok, so after a very long blog hiatus, I've got some news...

*I've moved*

My new address is 

www.edenfound.co.uk

So please update my new address on your blog readers.

See you on the other side........

Michelle x 

edenfound at the movies

As a mother of 2 kids under 5 I don't get many opportunities to go the cinema very often. So I usually wait till they put them on the telly and watch them in the comfort of my own front room (much cheaper). However, it has to be said, there are some films that need to be seen on a big screen (and no, Mr C, that is not an excuse to buy a bigger television....). So, I've made a decision that I'm going to take myself to the movies more than once before the year is out -  which is just as well because there are some really great films  being released soon - have a look at this little lot!

The Great Gatsby

I've been meaning to read this book for a while now, so I hope I get around to it before the film comes out. It's coming out around Christmas time and it's directed by Baz Luhrmann, so it's bound to be good. Strictly Ballroom and Romeo & Juliet were also directed by Luhrmann and they are are two of my favourite films. Have a look at the trailer:

It's set in 1920s America too, so I'm sure we'll see a raft 20s fashion this Christmas, so I thought I'd get in early with this little number from Topshop.

Skyfall

We all love a bit of Bond, right? Here's a trailer for the the latest offering: 

And for every wannabe Bond girl out there, here's the perfect little black dress for you that will most definitely break the bank (well, it'd break mine). Time to go fishing for money down the back of the settee methinks....

Les Miserables

I simply ADORE this musical! my husband took us to see it for our anniversary and I sung the songs around the house solidly for months weeks (sorry hun). The film version is out at Christmas and to say that I'm excited about seeing it doesn't even cover it. To all the people who know me I may as well apologise now - I WILL BE SINGING THE SONGS AND TALKING ABOUT THIS FILM ALL THROUGH CHRISTMAS. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WITNESS THIS, THEN PLEASE DO NOT INVITE ME ROUND. There, you've been warned. Anyhoo, here's the trailer....

Ps. when I went to see the musical I experienced a bit of coat envy. One of the characters, Javert, wore a great military style coat for the duration of the play. If you, like me, are partial to a bit of military styling, here's a little number for you. Enjoy.

(Credits: 1920s dress, black dress, coat)

That's all folks - pass the popcorn!

Michelle x 

new directions

Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower

No, this isn't a post expressing the wonders of Glee (I only lasted till season 2 - I found myself fast forwarding the dialogue to get to the songs. When I found myself fast forwarding the songs too I knew it was the beginning of the end)

A few people have commented on  how empty my Etsy shop has been looking of late. It's true, there is nothing to be seen in there at the moment. I spent many an hour over the summer mulling over what I have done so far with Edenfound and where I wanted it to go and I've decided to change direction.

I will be exhibiting my new items at the Winter Wonderland Christnas Market on Saturday 8th December, which means I will be a busy bee over the next few weeks. But, don't worry I shall keep you all posted....

Bye for now....

Michelle x

I made this: paper hearts

Original image by Esther Orridge 2012

These paper hearts featured quite heavily at the Tea at the Cathedral Event we held last weekend. Not only did we use them to decorate the room (hung in single rows on fishing wire), but all the ladies who attended were given the opportunity to make their own. As a craft, these hearts are ideal as the only implement you need are scissors and a stapler.

I got the idea from a 'how to' on a blog (Unfortunately I can't remember which blog that was!) so I can't claim that the idea is my own. 

Of the 2 crafts available on the day, this proved to be the most popular, so here's a step by step guide to making your own:

You need:
9 Strips of paper about 15cm (6 inches) in length (I cut mine out of an old music book from a charity shop, but maps also make a great option)
Scissors
A stapler
A hole punch (not pictured because I've lost mine - aarrgh!)

1. Take one strip and fold it in half. Use a hole punch to put a hole into the folded end. We'll use this hole to hang the heart up with afterwards. Place the folded piece down onto the table.

2. Take out 2 strips and place them down either side of the folded piece.

3. Gather the other strips of paper and cut about 2.5cm (1 inch) off the top. Take two of these strips and place them either side of the folded piece. Continue this process until you have no more strips left. Discard your scraps.

4. Gather all your strips together in the order that they are laid down. Your pile should go from the shortest to the longest and back again with the folded piece in the middle. Gather them all at one end and staple.

6. Hold the strips by the stapled end. Bend the strips over and secure at the end with another staple.

7. Hey presto, you have your very own paper heart!!

These are so simple to make and not only do they look great hung in rows, but they make great Christmas decorations too! (Did I just say the C word - yeah I did!).

If you try this, let me know how you got on!

Bye


Michelle x 

tea at the cathedral

I came, I saw, I tea partied (or something like that). Saturday was the day of the Tea at the Cathedral Event that I, and several others, had been organising at church. It was a charity tea party to raise funds for our wonderful church building and it was a great opportunity for us women to get together, have a natter and drink copious amounts of tea!

A lot of work went into it as we had a lot of high hopes for the event and didn't want to disappoint. In fact, planning this was the main reason for my blogging hiatus over the past few months.

For their entrance fee, the ladies got their cream tea and their chance to get crafty, a little bit of pampering if they wanted it and a gift bag - what a bargain, eh?

Image by Esther Orridge

With a red carpet and a little bit of live music thrown into the mix too, it turned out to be a great event and a good time was had by all. Even better, we raised a lot of money for the charity in the process!

Many an afternoon (and evening) was spent making the cupcake flags for the gift bags, making paper pom poms, making paper heart bunting and drilling holes in vintage china to make cake plates  - all in preparation for the big day..... phew! More info on how to make those soon....

Image by Esther Orridge

Lastly, a very BIG THANK YOU SHOUT OUT needs to go to Steady Hire Ltd for letting us use their chairs and tables for free! And to Marina at Knittery who shared her knitting expertise with everybody!

AND to the wonderful team of ladies who worked with me to put this event together - you know who you are - I couldn't have done it without you!

Till next year.....

Michelle x 

back to work beauties: on yer bike!

Do you remember when you were younger when you used to just ride your bike just because you loved it? 

Watching our wonderful Olympians in the Velodrome this summer (yes, I am still talking about the Olympics) has got me hankering after a bike of my very own. I used to love riding my bike when I was a kid - I literally spent hours riding up and down my road (it wasn't a long street, it was only as far as I was allowed to go - thanks mum.) and I long to do that again.

As a result, I've been doing a lot of bike related interweb searching these days. So here are my bicycle related Back to Work Beauties for this week. Enjoy x 

Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Well, that's enough dreaming for this week!


Adios amigos


Michelle x 

summer lovin'

Please excuse the cheesy title, but WOW, what a glorious summer it has been! First the Golden Jubilee celebrations and then the spectacle that was the 2012 Olympics. I can't believe that summer is over. But over it is and now the nights are rolling in there seems no good excuse not to flex those bony fingers of mine over a keyboard once more and get blogging.

A couple weeks ago we celebrated the birthday of one of my dear friends with a tea party in her honour. Considering the rain has played as big a part in the British summer as the Olympics itself, we were pleasantly surprised by the appearance of the sun in the sky.

see, those meringues are tiny!

Holdsworth House was the perfect setting for our gathering and after drinks in the garden, were were taken to a private room where we were served with our quintessential English fare. Although I am a lover all all things kitsch and vintage, and am hosting my very own tea party myself next week (more about that in future posts) I have to admit I actually don't like the taste of tea or cream* (I know - shocker, huh?!). 

obligatory vintage china

But fret not - I didn't go hungry. After drinking my own body weight in coffee, I quickly polished off smoked salmon sandwiches, a chocolate muffin and  five a few mini lemon meringue pies. Delicious!!

the aftermath

 It was the perfect birthday treat for my most girly of girlfriends and the perfect send-off to what has been a great summer. If you're interested in booking Afternoon Tea at Holdsworth House, then please click here.

Michelle x 

ps. the only 'downer' to the whole afternoon was the strange picture in the corner of the room. It gave a weird slant to the party, I must say. I tried to look away, but my eyes kept being drawn to it. Bit of a buzzkill to be honest, see for yourself...

I mean, really

REALLY!!

Anyhoo, Happy Birthday Lucy - I hope you enjoyed your day!!

(I know, you can't stop looking at that painting, right?)

Bye for now

Michelle x 

* don't judge me, I have tried to like tea, honest.