A sunny weekend in Yorkshire!

Even if you're really busy, (and I mean REALLY busy!) it is important to have time off - to relax and recharge and to avoid mental, physical and creative burnout.

But if you're that busy how can you make the decision to stop?

I personally find this really difficult - especially in the 4 month run up to Christmas as my life and my business gets more and more hectic...

But at the weekend my in-laws came to stay (and apart from a few times when I couldn't resist checking my emails - 'just in case') I managed to resist doing any work at all for 4 whole days!

During the weekend, the sun shone, the sky was blue and Yorkshire looked fabulous!

 

And so - for no other reason than I had a lovely and relaxing time taking them, please find below a selection of my favourite pictures from the weekend!

All of these photos were taken with the vintage camera app on my phone when we visited

Cannon Hall Museum and Gardens

Monday Makeover - Red Felt Poppy Corsage Pin

Traditional Style Red Poppy Corsage

Not really a craft makeover in the usual sense, more of a style reboot...

The traditional style made by lolly red felt poppy corsage seems to be as popular as ever; selling well online through my Folksy and Etsy shops, at events and exhibitions and flying off the shelves quicker than I can make them for The Gift Gallery York!

But... it has been in production for over a year now, so I thought it was time that the red poppy brooch pin had a brand new look for Autumn/Winter 2012.

As you may know, the new season stock has been heavily inspired by the bold colours and repeating patterns often found in Folk Art. Many of the new designs feature contrasting colours with clean and simple outlines.

Although there have been lots of new designs this year, my absolute favourite folded felt corsage is the Folk Art Daisy, and so it was this design that I used as a starting point when I thought about re-working the red felt poppy corsage...

And this is the result:

My bright red felt poppy corsage pin has had a retro makeover!

Super sleek, with a clean and simple design, the retro re-boot of this item is proving as popular as the original! Featuring four folded petals made from bright red felt, the centre has been decorated with hand stitching and beading which is finished with a bold polka dot black and white spotty button.

Ever so slightly smaller than the traditional style, the retro poppy corsage measures approximately 7cm in diameter x 2.5cm deep but size isn't everything and I think it is as eye catching as the original!

I am so pleased with the new design, and think that for now at least, it is my new favourite!

Both the traditional and the retro style red poppy brooch are available online from the Folksy and Etsy shops, and will be coming to my next event at Mary's Marvellous Vintage and Craft Market in Sheffield...

 

But for now, the big question is... Which do you prefer?!

 

(I really would love to know! ...please feel free to leave a comment below)