Jeanette your magazine amazes me, every issue is beautiful,
you can feel how much heart you put into it
and how much you love to share it with us freely.
So full of light colour and upliftment!THANKYOU!
My favourite pieces this 3rd issue....
the quote - "don't let anyone dull your sparkle" & the dreamcatcher feature!
i recommend you to read it too my lovelies - 3byFryd
it will help you feel like a butterfly
kat xxxxxx
The Cygnus bookclub review dropped through my letterbox today.
I always take some time out to browse the latest mind body spirit books, and the articles they share are more than just your average paragraph. They are proper excerts from the books, and you can often learn so much from these alone. It has been a real source of wisdom to me over the years of healing.
Cygnus has a real friendly community vibe to it, the newsletter is free and their website also holds all the previous features to read. I have had pretty much all my life changing books from them since the nineties. The reductions in prices are second to none, and their wise, edited selection, mean you can trust you are getting books that can really make a difference.
This article really touched me in the May issue. Its on a book called Dying to be me by Anita Moorjani and is Hay house published 10.99 usually, but £7.25 cygnus price. Its about her journey through cancer and how after 4 years she almost died, and had a near death experience. It gave her an awakened view of where the cause of her dis-ease or fear lay, and how to overcome it. She needed to see she was good enough just as she was, and to end her deeply held fear of what others thought of her. (read the full article online here)
Often,the cause of a dis-ease on the physical level can be deeply held emotion, such as anger, grief, or fear.
It is within us to open up to a journey that can lead us to finding this, and healing at that level can mean physical symptoms decrease or disolve. This is empowering, but we must remember to never judge another or ourselves in the unfolding on this type of work. For sometimes where the required healing lies isnt always obvious, and may not be as simple as identifying a single issue or fear and removing it with focused willpower. For the depth of any one persons healing, and the true scope of an illness cannot be seen on the surface. There are multitude of facets to anyone's life, and the reason for a condition may involve deeper purposes that either become clearer with time, or to which there isnt an explantion within that life time.
I remember years ago reading Steven Levine's book,Healing into life and death, and how through his work with the terminally ill, he described how healing, in the way he had come to see it, was not just about getting better and remaining alive.
For some the healing that took place in their hearts was deep and profound, it radiated out and touched others in their lives, their work in resolving their pain was complete and yet they may still have gone onto pass away. And for others they may have seemed to barely scratch the surface, they may have still had unease, and yet their condition went into remission.
This outlook from someone who's wisdom was gained through direct experiences working with those who were in hospices and at the end of their life, shifted my understanding of what "to heal" really meant. And it stays with me to this day.
So, with that in mind, i would say, the most appropriate steps to take are simply to believe in healing, but to not seek to define exactly what that must look like.
To know that your body does have capability to heal, and that your heart and soul are always seeking to guide you in the steps you personally need to take to restore more ease at the levels you need it most. Being aware of what comes our way & feels right at any given moment. An allowing, and a non resistance to what is, combined with an "anything is possible" outllook.
The most help you can be to yourself or another on their path,
is to extend compassion and unconditional love.
And to never have set ideas, or in other words judgements.
Be open, flexible, and flow as much as possible.
Ways of being that books from Cygnus have no doubt helped me in developing.
dear Lionheart
you are simply
so very
very lovely!
Find out more here: Lionheart magazine
I found mine here: newsstand and it came the next day.
love and wishes
kathryn x
Sewing Made Simple is a book packed full of instructions and clever tips, it demystifies the subject and provides a wealth of know-how that will give you the confidence to make and customise clothes and home furnishings.
It is a beautiful book, the illustrated steps are concise and clearly thought through. I feel it instills confidence in both the beginner who may not know where and how to start when sitting in front of their new sewing machine, and also those at the intermediate level of sewing, who may want to broaden their capabilities and feel ready to tackle bigger projects.
· An indispensable guide to everything you need to know about sewing, starting with the essential items for your sewing box through to the core skills that will enable you to make your own cushions, curtains, clothes and more
· From stitching neat seams and inserting zips to basic quilting and embellishing, key techniques are presented in an accessible way
· Practical advice and tried-and-tested tricks that will help you to achieve professional results
· Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs and step-by-step illustrations
· Includes 20 specially designed projects that will give you the confidence to try your hand at making anything
The author, Tessa Evelegh, is an expert in her field with over 30 titles to her name and a previous career at the British magazine Family circle, her work has also been in Ideal Home and Homes and Gardens magazines. She learnt to sew as a child and has continued to make clothing and soft furnishings to this day.
Where other sewing books i may have bought in the past focused more solely on inspiring projects, this is a real how to book, taking you through the practical sides, with pretty pastel drawings, that are easy to understand and a wealth of explanation on various topics such as types of materials to choose and how to measure for and use a pattern.Then there are some projects towards the second half of the book, for things like curatins, cushions, tablecloths and dresses.
Here is a overview of what's covered....
The first five chapters introduce you to all the tools, equipment and materials you will need for sewing success.
‘The Sewing Box’ explains different threads, needles, pins, scissors and other haberdashery must haves
‘The Secrets of Sewing-Machine Success’ guides you around your machine and its accessories, and includes a useful section on troubleshooting.
‘Stitch Craft’ teaches you the essential hand- and machine-stitches – the building blocks of any sewing project.
‘The Paper Pattern’ explains how patterns work and how to use and adapt them for expert dressmaking.
‘Fabric Choices’ reveals how to select the most appropriate fabrics for your project, taking into account colour, pattern, composition and weave.
The last chapter, ‘Basic Sewing Skills’, shows you how it’s done, with the essential techniques for making almost anything explained in plain and simple terms – from sewing on buttons and stitching darts to appliqué and piping.
Interspersed are 20 gorgeous projects that will help you to consolidate your skills. The projects range from a simple bias-cut skirt and tailored cushion to a more complicated apron and lined tote, and include useful basics such as a curtain, blind, child’s dress and customised T-shirt
The publishers Jaqui Small, who gave me a copy to review,
have also kindly offered one as a giveaway to Secrets readers who live in the UK.
So to be in with a chance of owning your own inspiring copy all you have to do is
leave a comment on this post
and i will use a random number generator to pick a winner.
The giveaway will close a week today, good luck! And do remember its Uk only
Find Sewing made simple by Tessa Evelegh on this link at amazon
love
Kat x
Till next time, wishes and love
Kat x
Homespun style by Selina Lake! my copy arrived today, i know so many of us have been excitedly awaiting its publishing! And i have to say i am just finding it amazingly wonderful in every way!
Packed full of the homemade and pre-loved, this book is a treasure trove for those who have a passion for the restored & reinvented, or who seek to add their own creativity to furnishing, through a love of crafting, painting,or stitching.
Homespun style is most comforting & homely,
but with an added modern twist
of fresh colour combinations and unique one-off finds.
Just as i like it!
We can take a look inside the rooms of some beautiful homes from various countries, all brimming with individuality and design ideas to inspire. With photographs taken by Debi Treloar, that are full of soulful colour combined with Selina's expert styling and attention to all important little details, the result is a book showcasing a style of decor that feels full of light, colour, the lovingly handmade and a freedom of expression that's not always apparent in other ways of decorating. By this I mean, the style is more about living with what speaks to your heart and enjoying it, than creating a look to impress or live up to.
As with Selina's previous 2 books,(i reviewed here, here and here) Homespun style is clevery divided into sections
Elements: modern craft, colour & pattern, customize & recycle
Details: textiles, furniture & lighting, display
Spaces: relaxed living, cooking & eating sleeping & bathing,
children's rooms, creative spaces, & outside living
* * * * * * * *
I was particulary looking forward to seeing the homes of friends and people i recognise from my online world, such as the lovely Jasna & lovely Jeanette from Fryd & Design.
This book brings together so much of what lifts my heart, about filling a home with what you love. Decorating is always a balance when dealing with repurposing of vintage pieces and adding such an eclectic mix into one home, it could lose identity, instead of enhancing personality. But here we are shown how to add the homespun look in ways that create just the right feel within modern day rooms, and how recycling and reinventing the old, doesnt have to have the sense of being outdated. It can instead create an entirely fresh, yet at the same time comforting feel to our homes, with the added colour of soulfulness and happiness, that really only handcrafted or customised pieces can truly bring.
(back cover)
Selina is an expert tour guide, we can follow her umbrella (which i imagine is neon pink and floral & oh so very pretty) above the crowd within this Homespun World of wonder and never feel lost!
Homespun style is out now! and there is a facebook page specially for it here
Love and homespun goodness,
I was kindly given this book lately, I Love Stationery
and as a lover of all things papery, especially stationery, it is such a delight!
Charlotte Rivers has brought so many new designers to my attention, and given me inspiration for my own card designs along the way.
I love how it is set out by style, covering hand-drawn illustrations, screen prints, letterpress, woodblock, digital illustration, calligraphy, spray paint, papercut, relief print and etchings. I had never realised there were quite so many beautiful techniques!
Each chapter begins with an explanation and tutorial on the specific technique featured, and includes an array of lovely examples, some of which i have picked out to share with you in this post. It really is a comprehensive overview of the beauty that is being created in modern day stationery.
A humble card, can be transformed into a work of art, and technology isnt ending the love of paper, it is enhancing what can be applied to it. Computers aiding the artist's ideas and enabling old artforms such as letterpress to be taken to a whole new level.
The internet then being used to share the love of cards and letters, with an audience that appreciates the design, care, creativity and imagination that goes into the artists work. And this book bringing so many of them together, so that we can browse and find new favourites or be inspired to create ourselves.
I Love Stationery is a lovely collection of the very best of paper goodness, from gift wrap to greetings cards, notebooks, journals, to invitations and place cards, it has only ehanced my love of Stationery and independant design.
Jeanette's blog frydogdesign, has given me much JOY in 2011
So it was with real DELIGHT that i learnt she had made a calendar that would be coming to me free with my copy of Mollie Makes magazine in December.
And my it is very BEAUTIFUL,
i find it SO inspiring.
And i am so HAPPY to see a blogger i admire being in print!
I love the colour combinations Jeanette uses at her blog and the calendar is very in keeping with her style.
Even down to the wonderful little quotes she adds (smiles) 
This is the back cover which shows all the pictures for each month...
And below is the front cover, many of the photos feature Jeanette's own home, and her little treasures or decorations
And my collection of Mollie magazines....
Thank you Mollie Makes for gifting us with such a lovely lovely free gift,
it will be used all year, and is already hanging upon my door awaiting 2012's start.
If you maybe are interested in having a calendar of your very own,
you could buy the current copy in any larger supermarket in the UK,
or to get one posted to you look at the website newstand,
they ship internationally too.
And here for offers on subscriptions And here for the Mollie Makes blog
much love
Mollie Makes weekend!
One of the best things to come about in 2011, has to be the publication of Mollie Makes magazine. No ordinary craft magazine, this is a world of creativity, full of stylish designer/makers, presented in a beautiful way. And with many recognisable names from the world of blogs, it can feel like a home from home (smile).
I flicked through my growing collection, and picked out a few favourite images from with the pages, to give you a taste of what the magazine is all about. As certainly when it comes to magazines, i am such a visual person, i like to see beautiful content, and this magazine has so much of it!
Its for anyone who loves the handmade worlds of etsy, or who knits, sews, does paper craft, crochet or embroidery. Who likes to attend craft fairs or who has their own craft business.
Its all in there, every issue featuring up and coming or established makers and designers. Showing inside their inspiring homes, or how they have set up their creative spaces.
There are projects too, that are easy to have a go at, clearly printed patterns, and often a free kit is included to make something, such as a corsage.
I like the little features on handmade sellers, or upcoming books. And i also like seeing all the adverts for online craft shops and haberdasheries.
And this little motto, sums up just what the magazine is all about...
Tomorrow i shall share some pics of the calendar that comes free with the current issue of Mollie Makes. If you are interested in buying a copy, you could try newstand, or myfavouritemagazines
or full subscription here
love
My copy of Rachel Ashwell's new book Shabby Chic Inspirations & Beautiful spaces arrived and I couldn't wait to show you some of my favourite pictures from inside it's pages.
These are pages that I know I shall be turning for some time to come too. There is much to read about her time in Nottinghill London and the people she was inspired by.
The bedrooms here are in the home of Pearl Lowe, beautiful soft peachy pink, with a brighter chandelier and a butterfly mirror, a distressed chest in chalk pink and floral bedding. Just perfect.
love
