Folksy Friday - Perfectly Purple!

Anyone who follows me on Twitter (@thelimegarden) will know that I had a bit of a hair crisis this week... What was meant to be a rich mulberry brown home hair dye session, turned into a purple screamer! Yes my hair came out purple - no, not just a hint of, but real true "Cadbury's Purple".
The following day I rushed down to my faithful hairdresser (love her to bits!) for an emergency meeting - she eyed up my purple handbag, watch and nail polish (yes, purple IS my favourite colour, but not for my hair!!) and told me "actually, it looks pretty funky!" Once I had convinced her that, yes it was a nice colour (for crushed velvet!), but no it wasn't what I had wanted (waving the hair dye packet under her nose a couple of times) and telling her she could do whatever she liked to the colour, the length and the style, so long as the result was (a) easy to handle (b) stylish (c) suits me (d) appropriate for a 41 year old trying to be a taken slightly seriously business personage and (e) not purple, we booked an appointment for later today... I am hoping the result will still be Cadbury's - but more the chocolate, not the wrapper!

So, having had a very purple week, I thought I would bring you a great selection of purple accessories - whatever your hair colour might be!

(all items are handmade and can be purchased at Folksy.com - just click on the link below each picture to find out more...)

These delightfully simple earrings caught my eye, being

almost the exact colour of my hair!

Purple Bon Bon Earrings

by Barton's Beautiful Bracelets

 This bracelet is cute and funky...

(perhaps my hairdresser would like it??)

Purple Pom Pom Bracelet

by Pookledo

This felted brooch would add the perfect touch

of purple to a plain jacket or coat... 

Deep Purple

by Hanapea

 This is a very pretty and cosy looking cowl scarf,

if my hair colour doesn't change, it will frame my face perfectly!

Purple Lace Cowl

by TickledPink Sheep

 I just love this cool resin pendant necklace:

Purple Polkadot Necklace

by Freak Carousel

 This is a gorgeous statement ring, and the pastel

colour is beautiful...

Purple Dichroic Ring

by Hand Over Your Fairy Cakes

 If you like your purples punchier, then this is a stunning

felted corsage - I love it!

Felt Brooch - Purple Carnation

by made by lolly x

 With autumn only around the corner, I think I may invest in

a pair of these...

Purple Fingerless/Piano Gloves

by winternagel

 This purple bag charm would make the perfect

companion for my lovely purple handbag:

Purple Theme Handbag Charm

by sk designs

 This picture just about embodies my love of

the colour purple...

Purple Haze

by Hazy View Images

 And this lovely wee purple cushion has a 

vintage feel about it - and I do love vintage too!

Purple Heart Cushion

by Ronnieray Crafts

 This is another funky jewellery piece, I really like the

millefiori polymer clay look!

Purple Pendant

by Deborah Franks

 This is a pretty handmade purse - I wish my knitting

looked this good!

Purple Knitted Purse

by Sarah Elizabeth Designs

 Another pair of earrings - but then a girl can never have

too many earring - and these are gorgeous...

Purple Heart and Star Earrings

by Purple Dandelion

 And finally, although I already have a purple handbag,

I am rather in love with this one too:

Purple Leather Pocket Handbag

by The Leather Store

I hope I have brightened your Friday - either with my hair disaster story, or my choice of lovely purple gorgeousness found on Folksy.com - and maybe now you might have a bit of a purple passion too...?

Bad Blogger!

It has to be said, I have been such a lax blogger recently. Is it any excuse to say that I have been very busy?
Or that my lovely husband dropped my laptop, so it had to go to *hospital* (back fully repaired now, thankfully) ?

Well, I have sat down today and sketched out a schedule for the next couple of months... I just hope I keep to it! My next post - later this week - will be about a fabulous lady and her amazing response to help the poor independent traders who fell victim to the recent riots across England. And then this coming Sunday it will be my monthly Sunday Bookworm post - I can't believe another whole month has whizzed by so quickly! This month's book is Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson - so for any of you who became fans of this talented writer through watching the recent Case Studies dramatisations on the BBC, I hope you will enjoy hearing about this great book.

I also have plans to bring you some great wedding related features - hoping to introduce you to some different ideas to make your special day truly unique, and some gorgeous vintage (ahh, I do love a bit of vintage!) details, accessories and decorations, as well as a few do-it-yourself ideas for saving a few pennies. I will continue to post my occasional recipes, gluten free cakes and treats - that taste even better than the wheat varieties, so your wheat eating friends will, quite frankly, never know the difference!

Here is just a small sneak preview of my next recipe...

In between these posts I will resurrect my Folksy Fridays, fortnightly posts featuring all sorts of handmade gorgeousness from the talented makers as Folksy.com. As well as bringing you news of my own new products, creations and business ventures... and there are some very exciting new developments coming soon (some of which I just can't reveal yet!!)!

So I do hope you are going to continue to watch this space, and thank you for hanging around !

Folksy Friday - Feeling Arty...

I haven't done a Folksy Friday post for a few weeks now, I'm trying to add a bit of variety to my blog, but I thought is was time to bring you a another selection of beautiful items from our wonderfully talented crafters and artists.

My inspiration for this week's collection came when I was researching items for another Folksy orientated blog that I write for (Found on Folksy - they publish a weekly Tuesday post) and came across so many lovely paintings and art works for my chosen subject (you'll just have to visit the blog next Tuesday to see what it is!) that I thought it was about time I showcased some of this amazing wall art.

I am truly astounded by the talent of these fabulous artists - personally I can't draw a pair of curtains, let alone know where to begin to create something this beautiful - so I am totally in awe of all the artists I have featured here.

Folksy.com is bursting with similarly fantastic art pieces, and all at reasonable prices bearing in mind how much you would have to pay for one off pictures like these in a gallery. So support our clever artists, and next time you want to brighten up a room take a look!

Cat & Mouse Print

by Cora Stone's Paintings

Cityscape Painting

by Wellydog Gallery

Red Bouys

by Posh Oxford

Autumn in the Highlands

by Genevieve Cseh Art

Humming Bird & Vintage Butterflies

by My Tweet Things

Three Wise Owls

by Sascalia

Painted Patchwork

by L F Studio

Pebbles

by ..........redpaint!

Stargazy Sky

by cheery deary

Balloon Ride

by Vintage Twist art by Claire Barone

These are just a few of my favourites... click on over to Folksy.com to find yours...

...there are plenty more for you to discover!

What's new pussy cat....?

There has been lots and lots going on at The Lime Garden - plenty of gardening, both literal and figurative! So I thought it was time to tell you all about it...

First of all, as you can see, this blog has had a total makeover - with some fab new pages added, which will hopefully make it a more interesting place to visit. I have added a "mini-web" page to introduce you all to what I do; it's not a substitute for my full website at www.thelimegarden.co.uk but allows you to take a peek before heading over to the full version.

[Important note: at the moment I have some problems with Google in accessing my website for editing, so please bear with me, and content will be updated just as soon as they rectify the problems! ;-)  ]

The next new page is dedicated to Weddings & Parties... The Lime Garden is supplying more and more Vintage Cup Candles for weddings and other special events, and so I thought it was time to have a page that tells you all about our services. We offer a completely bespoke service, catering to the needs, requirements and desires of each client - putting together a beautiful collection of candles that is unique to their event. (These services are also detailed on the full website.) So if you like what you see then please drop me a line, and we can chat about your plans and ideas!

I have also added a Gallery page to this blog - it is simply a collection of pictures of stock, previous and current, so that you can see what we do.

And the last new page on the blog is my "Trading Post".  This was inspired by seeing posts on Twitter from fellow Folksy.com sellers, letting people know that they are willing to trade their handmade goods for other handmade goods.  I thought it was a great idea, and if I could collect a list of these traders in one place then it would be a useful tool for all of us... It is early days at the moment, but I am hoping that many more traders will get in contact, and we will soon have lovely selection of handmade goodies represented. If you think that you may be interested, please click over and take a look - there is absolutely no obligation whatsoever to agree to any trade at all, you only accept trades that you really want! It is free to sign up, and if nothing else could increase traffic to your Folksy.com shop.

These pages though are not all that's new on the blog... Take a look at last Sunday's post "Sunday Bookworm" where I am starting a monthly book review and inviting other readers to chip in with their views and comments too. Please read the post, and if you would like to take part, please get in contact!

But work on the blog is not all that has been going on...

The Lime Garden is now a listed supplier for Vintage Cup Candles for wedding decorations, and "Melt Your Heart" wax melts as wedding favours, on the following wedding directories:

www.marrymeinsomerset.co.uk

www.gatheredhere.co.uk

www.yourweddingunveiled.co.uk

And if you are in the throes of planning your wedding, you could not do anything better than check these sites out, as there are many wonderful suppliers listed - from frocks to florists and cars to cakes - and they all have fantastic forums too, where you can ask questions, get advice, trade tips, and chat about all things weddings related - or just have a good old rant to relieve some of that planning stress!

In addition to all these activities, I have also been busy working on some lovely new products. In particular I have started working with palm wax - another eco-friendly product as an alternative to soy wax - which has some marvellous properties that allows you to create the most beautiful pearlescent finishes. So I will be introducing them to you shortly, with lots of lovely pictures and a bit more about working with the wax itself and all it's eco credentials.

Finally, it hasn't all been work, work, work... real life has been pretty busy too! Along with my handy husband, we have totally transformed our real garden - more pictures and the full story coming soon. And I have been perfecting my baking with gluten-free flour - so I will have some fab tasty recipes to share with you too... just as soon as my cakes and biscuits hang around long enough to be photographed!!

I really hope you will enjoy visiting my new look blog, and hopefully will join in with some of the activities, if you want to contact me about anything in particular I have written about today, please email me at:

anna@thelimegarden.co.uk

subject line either: Blog Trading Post or Sunday Bookworm

or if you would like to find out more about our wedding & party sale or hire services:

enquiries@thelimegarden.co.uk

I look forward to hearing form you!

♥

Folksy Friday - New Homes For Sale

I revealed in my blog post last week that I have a burning desire to become an Estate Agent... I also mentioned this on Twitter, and promptly lost 9 followers! But hey, I am undeterred!

This ambition of mine stems from an absolute love of property - big, small, whatever! To me a house is more than just bricks and mortar, more than just a home. A house is the heart of every family - their sanctuary, their shelter, the place they come back to, the place they laugh in, cry in, play in, grow in, and a house should be a reflection of it's occupant's life, love and soul.

So with all this in mind, I decided to get in a little practise for my new career, and this week I bring you twelve delectable new homes I have found on folksy... (and no mortgages required!)

As usual, click on the label below each picture to find out more...

Bird Nesting Box or House

by Caractacus Pots

Wooden Insect / Bug Hut

by The Craft Shed

Home from Home Handmade Ceramic House

by H B Ceramics

Long Life Decorated Bird House

by The Meadow Craft Workshop

The Funky House

by Dollydoo

Wooden Bird House

by Coastal Wood Craft

Gingerbread House Necklace

by Betty and Butters

Hedgehog House

by Wudwerx

Ladybird House

by Skiprat Creations

Shed Some Light

by AngeMadeCeramics

The Witch's House

by Alix Swan

Little Wooden House

by number 72

So, when are you moving in??

Folksy Friday - Birthstones

I was pondering a birthday gift this week, for a very lovely friend - but she is soooo difficult to buy for! And then someone asked what her birthstone was... and it solved the problem!  So I thought I would pass this little "gem" (full pun intended!) on to my blog readers, so that you are all fully armed and equipped with ideas when you to are faced with a similarly troublesome present problem....

I have picked out some beautiful jewellery pieces, some from the modern birthstones, and some from the traditional ones - there are several stones for each month, apparently, so hopefully you should find something to suit your pocket, even if you are not on a "crown jewels" budget!

As usual, click on the label below each item picture for more details from Folksy.com

January : Garnet or Rose Quartz

Garnet and Gold Crocheted Necklace

by Vanda Handmade Jewellery

 February : Amethyst or Onyx

Amethyst Heart Set

by Damselfly Jewels

March : Aquamarine or Bloodstone 

Aquamarine and Fine Silver Bracelet

by CeeGee Jewellery Design

April : Quartz or Diamond 

Frosted Clear Quartz Wire Wrapped Ring

by You Nique You

May : Emeral or Chrysoprase 

Emerald Crystal Studs

by LouLy

June : Pearl or Moonstone 

White Freshwater Pearl Necklace

by ZM Designs

July : Ruby or Carnelian 

Silver Hammered Stacking Rings with Ruby

by Mila Jewellery

August : Peridot or Sardonyx

Peridot Earrings

by Kara Gems

September : Lapis Lazuli or Sapphire 

Seaside Necklace with Lapis Lazuli Fish

by Halcyon Jewellery

October : Opal or Tourmaline 

Moongazing Hare Opal Brooch in Pewter

by The Owl and the Pussycat

November : Topaz or Citrine 

Topaz and Silver Leaf Studs

by S B Jewellery

December : Tanzanite or Turquoise

Labradorite Tanzanite and Moonstone Silver Earrings

by Corinna2Designs

Aren't they all gorgeous - have you made your birthday wishlist yet???