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???

Folksy Friday - The Power of Love...

Well, with Valentine's Day fast approaching (a week on Monday, in case you need reminding!!) I couldn't not give you a fantastic collection of handmade goodies to give to the one you love...

All the items are hand crafted, unique and definitely made with love too... I have tried to find a few different and quirky pieces for you too.

You should still have time to buy these in time for the 14th, but please do check with the sellers to be on the safe side...

As usual, click on the item name below each picture to find out more:

I'm so in love with you

by mypipsqueak

Love Heart Porcelain Bowl

by Penny Spooner Ceramics

Wee Love Mole

by Quernus Crafts

Bunny Love Tote Bag

by Hoppy Bunnies

Love Cards

by sweet things

Pure Silver Love Heart Charm

by Precious Jewellery by Karen

Groovy Love Cushion

by little a designs

Love You

by Abundant Glass

Heart Shaped Key Ring

by Lizzybeths

Love Necklace

by Winnie World Jewellery

Love Me Till My Heart Stops

by Tigerlily Creations

Last Rolo

by Poesh

Pink Wooden LOVE Sign

by made by kate d

Pink Heart Shaped Stool

by Anne Taylor Designs

Wooden Heart

by Driftwooddreams

So all I have to decide now is, which one do I buy for my hubby??

Folksy Friday - Gardening Made Easy...

Now, I am not famed for my green fingers... Unfortunately we do not have a very big or inspiring garden, but I do like to at least try to grow things!  This week the Amaryllis bulb I was given at Christmas has sprung into life in a major way, I have acquired a new succulent for my desk (trying to break away from my only successes to date - money plants), the fiscus I bought for the lounge is still hanging on in there (known to be fussy little blighters) and I have noticed some very brave daffodils nosing their way out of the soil in the front garden.  So really, for me, things are positively blooming!!

It may be a little early to think that spring has truly sprung yet, but I am certainly getting the verdant vibe to chase away the post festive season mid-winter blues; so I was inspired to look at all things plant and gardening related on Folksy this week.  Yes there are items for real true gardeners, but also for us armchair wannabe's, as well as a couple of pieces for those who just want to celebrate the growing season... I hope there is something for everyone!

(As usual, click on the name below each picture to fly over to Folksy and find out more about each item.)

Seedbom

by Kabloom

Leaf Brooch

by Jacqueline Cooley Glass Designs

Cottage Garden Bowl

by chocolate frog

Watering Can Cufflinks

by Penny Dog Jewellery

Vintage Cup Succulent Plant

by Candys Emporium

Oak Wooden Garden Dibber

by Diggi Wood Turning

Wall Hung Garden Pot

by jml pottery

Spring Leaves Bracelet

by Presto Beads

Ceramic Plant Markers

by Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics

Head Gardener Mug

by a room in my house

How Does Your Garden Grow Necklace

by Chasing Bella

Potted Plants Notelets

by Lou Peajeux Illustration

Ceramic Planter

by Little Wren Pottery

Eat Your Sprouts

by big tree little tree

African Violets

by Fleurs de Perles

Happy Gardening!!

Folksy Friday - Cushion yourself for Christmas...

All regular readers of my Folksy Friday blogs will know that I do love a good cushion - whatever the theme of my selections, one always seems to creep in there.  So this week I decided to dedicate my whole blog to gorgeous, cuddly, comfy, crafty cushions.  There are cushions for the lounge, cushions for the bedroom, cushions for the conservatory, even cushions for the kitchen... cushions for boys, cushions for girls, cushions for mum and cushions for men...  After all, you can never have too many cushions can you?

When I entered "cushion" as my search on Folksy, I was hit with 211 pages of gorgeousness - that's well over 2000 cushions for you to choose from!!  All are hand made and all are totally lovely.  Thankfully I decided to limit my choices to just 20 - and that was hard!  Otherwise we could have been here all week...!

(Click on the name below each picture to be taken to the relevant Folksy shop, and learn more about the seller.)

@Home Cushion

Organic Shapes Cushion

Patchwork Cushion with Pom-Poms

Bird Cushion

Cushion Cover

Vintage Rose Cushion

Smiley Face Cushion

Tea Time Cushion Cover

VW Campervan Cushion

"Cushion" Cushion

Funky Bird Cushion

Chunky Cable Cushion

Daisy Cushion

Dinosaur Cushion

Vintage Embroidered Cushion

Green Feather Print Cushion

Felt Cockerel Cushion

Union Jack Floral Cushion

Appliqued Cushion - Clematis Flowers

Sequinned Heart Cushion

Aren't they all gorgeous???

Are you, like me, wishing you had a bigger house to put them all in???