Change the world with a smile

''She felt like doing her part to change the world, so she started giving thanks for all her blessings, rather than bemoaning all that was missing from it. Then she complimented her reflection in the mirror, instead of criticizing it as she usually did. Next she walked in to her neighbourhood and offered her smile to everyone she saw, whether they smiled back or not. Each day she did these things and soon they became a habit. Each day she lived with more gratitude, more acceptance, more kindness. And sure enough the world around her began to change. Because she had decided so, she was single-handily doing her part to change it. '

I found these words on the internet, I could not find an original author, these are not my words but aren't they lovely. I have created the below image so you can share them on pinterest if you like them as much as me.

She felt like doing her part to change the world...

Peace and Love
Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
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Hello 2016

Well it has been a while hasn't it. How are you? So in the last days of 2015 I am looking forward to 2016, wow where are the years going? Why do they seem to come around so quickly the older I get? It is as if time is speeding up. I have many goals I wish to achieve this coming year that I may not fit them all in. A few big ideas I have I need to break down in to achievable chunks as right now they are very daunting and I am sitting back and not working on them.

Do you set yourself goals at this time of year? How do you keep on track and measure how successful you are? I have achieved so many things I never thought possible with my small business but most things still remain to be done. So I must go make a list of what is very important to me right now. I must be brave and begin somewhere Because she who is brave is free!

handmade shabby wooden heart

Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade
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How to measure for curtains...

These are shabby chic rosali curtains made by me. Click to purchase.

Curtains look best when they are double the width of the window, if they are the same width they are flat when you close them. However some prefer them to only be one and half times the width, I always go with the more is more and therefore that is how I measure my own so let us agree on double. Buy a rod that is 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) wider than your window so it extends on either side. This makes your window appear much wider than it is and it also allows for maximum light to enter because you can push your curtains right back when they are open. Mount curtains as high as possible to draw the eye upwards and that therefore makes your room appear to have maximum height. As a rule fit poles a minimum of 15 cm (6 inches) above the window above the recess and make sure it is in the centre and that you have 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) each side of the window. If you already have a pole/ track up and you wish to measure for curtains do not include the finials (end of pole/ track decorations that stop curtains falling off the ends).

The length of curtains is very subjective, some advise letting them break 3 cm (one and half inches) on the floor, some like more than that on the floor for a puddled effect. Here I will talk about the most common for the average home.

Sill length: Curtains should be 1.25 cm (half an inch) above the window sill.

Below sill: End your curtains 15 cm (6 inches) below the window sill.

Floor length: End your curtains either 3 cm (one and half inches) on to the floor or as I prefer 1.25 cm (half an inch) above the floor. Ending them just above the floor prevents them sweeping up dust as you open and close them each day.

Please note, if you have a radiator below your window you may not want to cover it with curtains as it will prevent it from heating your room. In this case you should end your curtains 3 cm (one and half inches) above the radiator to allow the heat to circulate.

When it comes to measuring the length of your curtains please measure from the top of your pole or from the eye of your curtain ring, or where the clip is if you use clips. Measure in at least two places along your pole as it may not be level if you did not fit it yourself, then always use the smallest measure to define your desired length.

I hope this was helpful and informative.

Peace and Love
Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade
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Rules, rules, rules

Everywhere there are rules, be quiet in this train carriage, no running in the corridor, turn off your phone. All pointless, all necessary. People can not be nice with out being told to be nice.  The Rules I prefer are these ones though.

#1 Be thankful
When I experience something beautiful I like to say thanks with a silent prayer, clouds, blue skies, cloudy skies, good food, a beautiful bloom growing in a crack in a pavement.
#2 Alone time
I love my family and my friends, but I also love being alone, in silence or with music drowning out the thoughts and sounds of other lives around me. A chance to read, relax spread out and make mess only to tidy it up again.
3# Patience
The world sometimes is so fast, fast food, downloading a song you just heard for the first time within a minute, sometimes I like to hand sew, I can only go so fast, one stitch at a time. I have done sewing projects that have taken hundreds of hours to complete.
4# Doing something New
It speaks for itself never stop learning or growing. Because we are never complete nor perfect and that it OK.
5# Respect
Respect each other and each others things. Be truthful, not hurtful. Listen. Value time, yours and others. Do not make people wait unnecessarily.
#6 Celebrate
The little things come around more than big things, Celebrate them all.
#7 Love
Treat yourself well. Eat well. Exercise. Sleep. Have hope. Dream of Spring.


Love Clara x

Pretty Pictures

Hello Lovelies,

I thought I would share a few images from my collection of lace that I have put on Instagram today. I hope you like them, I will be posting mainly to Instagram and Pinterest from now on as I get so little feedback here. So if you do not see for a while that is where I will be. Links are on the right hand side if you wish to keep up with ClarasHandMade.

Peace and Love
Clara x

Grafitti/ Inspiration/ New Design

Hello my lovelies,

I have always found Graffiti beautiful, not those horrible tags you find in grim alleys and on railway lines, no I mean the big colourful kind with images and words that make you think. Maybe this is because one of my favourite places is East London where there are many such pieces. These are some of my favourites:

Not my photo, taken from Google images

one side of the street

and the other side

Lets Adore and Endure Each Other

Although all the above have always been favourites of mine, this Adore and Endure piece has really being playing on my mind lately. I loved it from when I first saw it many years ago. Now with the recent horrors of the shootings in Paris and the out pouring emotions from both sides this piece of graffiti art has really been in my thoughts. I have also loved this banner from Rachel Ashwell for a long time:

Endurance banner

and these last two images inspired me to create my own banner. In pure simple white linen with silver stitching tracing my own hand writing I made Adore & Endure.

I hope you found where some of my inspirations come from interesting.

Peace and Love

Clara x

ps this piece and others along this theme will be in my shop soon.

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/clarashandmade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade
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Happy New Year

So another year rolls around. It's cold and wet. Not much to look forward to for a while. So for me it is all about taking joy in the small things like fresh flowers.

pink roses

Hope you get to enjoy beautiful things too,

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
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Images of my decorations

 Hello my Belles,

Here are images I have shared on pinterest and instagram of my Shabby Nordic inspired Christmas decorations as promised. I hope you enjoy them.

ClarasHandMade Christmas decor 2014

Merry Christmas, God Jul, Bonne Noel!
Take care
Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade
Instagram: http://instagram.com/clarashandmade

Handmade winter wreath

Hello my belles,

Today is Saturday December 13 th 2014, and I went for a winter walk as it is so sunny and bright though it was minus 1 Celsius when I woke up.

Real ivy and some red berries

Today was the day for collecting foliage and pretty berries for making my door wreath. This traditionally has been my dad's job. This year we done it together.

Berries and pine cones

glitter twigs

The walk was fresh and the grass was still frozen in places even at two in the afternoon. In other places I was so scared of falling over as it was so muddy, the splotchy mud was up to my ankles! But thankfully I remained up right with the help for trees and a fence to hold on to.
So I collected wild ivy and red berries which will compliment the faux holly and silver glitter twigs I have.


I have faux holly as I know birds eat the berries so I didn't want to take wild holly away from the lovely birds I have around here. I have florists wire and a round straw base for making my wreath.

supplies: straw base, florists wire and collected ivy

To start I wrapped and tied on the ivy with the wire hiding the straw as best I could.

First layer of ivy

 I then filled in the gaps with the faux holly and stuffed again with the glitter twigs and pine cones I added a few jingle bells and voilà! This took about 20 minutes to make and remember imperfection is better than shop bought! Have you made you own wreath or Christmas decorations? Please share photos in the comments or tag me on instagram or twitter if you have I would love to see them.

getting there in my making

adding in the glitter twigs

almost done

c'est fini!

finshed article on my door!

Take care
Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade
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Christmas decorations

Hello dear readers,

I am so happy right now I just took delivery of the most darling sparkly crochet stars. I bought them from CrochetPocket all the way in Latvia. They came quickly and well packaged and I got small gifts in the pack!

one of my darling tiny stars

When I first saw these I knew I wanted to string them together and make myself a lovely winter garland for my window. I will take down my summer garland, it should have come down at least a month ago but the weather is still mild for this time of year. My summer garland is made of twine with lace bows and jingle bells that tinkle in the breeze from the open window and they will be replaced with these little beauties. There will be no bells on this winter window decoration as there is no point, the window will feel no breeze in the cold months to make them sound.

my summer garland, simple and sweet

Here it is. Seven stars threaded and knotted on to twine, a job that takes mere minutes. I might add some lace like the summer one has. Or maybe some white pom-poms.
Handmade decorations simple or elaborate will always win over mass produced for me. Make your decor for winter as simple or as complicated as you like. From this you can see I prefer simple and delicate designs.

 stars threaded on twine

I still have another five stars that be threaded with cotton loops to hang up as tiny decorations on my tree as well. Plus I will be making my own winter door wreath with real foliage. I will show you this soon. Till then...


Take care
Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade

Last of the summer wine...

Hello my lovelies,

Sorry I have not posted in so long I have been very busy with enjoying the summer sun. The summer has been a long warm one for me here at Hand Made towers which I have enjoyed very very much. Life is plodding along very comfortably as we move properly to Autumn, I have many joys and feel very lucky indeed. I practice counting my blessings very often as I think it keeps you young and happy.

Autumn leaves down by the mud flats along the Thames River

Now the leaves are turning over and the sun light hits us from a low angle, the clocks have changed and the nights are longer. Soon will be the time for fireworks and cosy blankets on knees with hot chocolate to drink and marshmallows to toast. I take great please in welcoming season changes.



Take care
Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade

Doors...

Hello my lovelies, 

How are you? 

I have been fascinated by doors for quite some time. Where do they lead? Is it better through there? 
I admire the colours and features like letterboxes and knockers. 

Old church doors on a summers day 2014

A typical wood and glass 1930's door

A gorgeous pale blue door with lace and roses

I am in love with all these doors which are fairly local to where I live. The church doors are from a church from 1894 and they are weather beaten and in need of some water proofing but I adore the paleness of the wood in this condition. The white door is from a small bungalow that still has its original stain glass windows and gorgeous original features. The blue door pulled at my heart strings due to the lace and roses each side of it and the features of it rather than the colour. I just think it is so quaint and charming. Please feel free to pin these images and check out my other favourite doors at:
pretty-buildings-and-doors


Take care
Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade

New items from me

Hello,

Just thought I would drop a quick post to show you about my shops new additions:

Vintage framed rose print

gold coloured shabby chic serving tray

White shabby chic wooden frame

I am very much attached to the tray, it is the most wonderful golden colour, I have taken quite a fancy to it myself and I very much have a thing for frames and you will know of if you follow me on Pinterest. The print is also darling. I can remember my grandmother having pictures like this hanging up when I was a child. I even have a framed photo of her in a matching frame to this one. I hope you like this small selection I have chosen to show you.



Take care
Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade

Absence...

a trio of hoops from clarashandmade

Hey,

sorry for being gone for so long I have been without a laptop as my last one died on me fairly suddenly and blogging on a mobile phone is just no fun for me. I have also been suffering health wise. But now I am back and strong again. Just like summertime. Here in the East of England we are having a fantastic summer that seems to be going on and on. The colour of the leaves are slowly changing and autumn fruits are abundant but the temperatures are still high, we are due to have the warmest September since records began in 1659! I have been keeping busy in the garden and going for walks to pick fruits that grow wild around here. It has been such a pleasure to spend time outside with the sun warming me. I am getting back in to making again and will stocking the shop with more pretties soon. So please keep and eye on ClarasHandMade shop

heart decorations in white and shabby chic style

it is good to be back and blogging again. What have you been doing with your summer? What plans do you still have?

Take care
Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade

Autumn 2014 is coming

I have had a cracking summer! My Etsy shop has been doing better and better, the day job is not being wholly horrid, and the weather has been absolutely marvellous. The last few summers have been very soggy and miserable. In contrast this one has seen temperatures over 25°c for many weeks on end, this coupled with being  close to the sea and family has been wonderful.

orange clouds, photo taken July 14 in my back garden. no filters.

Today has seen a drop in temperature and some heavy showers of rain, and to be honest it has been so nice to pull on a large snugly cardigan and lounge about this afternoon and put on a film and eat biscuits. I love summer I truly do, but Autumn is my favourite time of year. I am looking forward to cool mornings and nights where you can sleep without being too hot. Blackberry crumble and custard and other such lovely desserts, but you still get warm afternoons and lots of golden sunshine. I love the colours of Autumn, the golds, oranges and light browns of leaves turning colour and the stepping on them as they fall from the branches all crispy and crackly.

image is NOT my own and taken from Google image

What is your favourite season? and what do you like most about it?

Take care
Love Clara x

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/clarashandmade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarasHandMade
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/clarashandmade

Crochet and doilies

Hello sweeties,

here are some lovely images for you to Pin for my lovely crochet doilies!
I find the intricate work in a piece of crochet amazing. They take patience and skill way beyond my means to create them and I admire the work greatly. I have admitted to you before that I can not crochet anything more than a chain and even then my stitches are not even. So I am ever grateful to those that can do this wonderful art form and I truly honoured to hold many such pieces in my possession at any one time.

a stunning ecru 3D doily

another 3D doily this time in white and with some sparkle brooches added for lustre

a white linen cut work example with a pink bloom and a Bible

click on bottom middle image to purchase this piece of lace

here is a link to my Pinterest crochet board with lots of other beautiful images and even some crochet tutorials, feel free to follow this or my other boards. But please pin kindly and do not copy my whole boards.