Lavender and Lime

Our bundle of joy!

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:29:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay but just a short blog to let you all know that Stanley Arthur Reece was born at 2.54am on 1st January 2011, he weighed 9lb 9oz and is a little belter! Thanks for all your kind comments and cards.

Tracy and Robert

An even better excuse....

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:57:00 +0000

....for not blogging for ages! Can you guess why? Here is a clue!

photo courtesy of http://www.5thelement.co.nz/

After 5 years of trying we are going to have a baby and so all craft projects (including my blog) have had to take a back seat. Our little one is due on 20th December 2010 although this is the third date I have had so we are not holding our breath!

As you can imagine we are very excited and a little anxious, we have been together for 21 years and so are trying to prepare for the massive change this new life is going to bring.

I hope to see you all at the craft fairs soon (as a customer for the time being) but in the meantime I will be closing the Lavender and Lime site. Anyway off to talk to the big white telephone.......again!

Craft withdrawal!

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:19:00 +0000

I am so fed up with painting, decorating and making curtains that as a treat (?!?!??!) I allowed myself to make some wall art for the new house, I love the way they have turned out.

I am hoping to put them on the website soon, they will retail at £56.99 including postage and packing and as usual you will be able to pick the style, colour and even wording. They come complete with mirror fixings so they can fix flat against the wall.

New Year...New Me

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:35:00 +0000

A very busy Penmon Point

Happy New Year to everyone, I hope it was a good one and you all are looking forward to the New Year with optimism? We have so many plans for the New Year, the sad thing is that my crafts will have to take a back seat for the first few months at least which I am not happy with but with both job and house commitments, something has to give.

We have spent Christmas and New Year at Penmon which has just been amazing - unfortunately we don't get anything done, I take the washing up in the vain hope of putting it away and end up staring out to sea in a euphoric trance!!! Gorgeous!

We have decided to rent the cottage out for the foreseeable future and I know some of you were interested in renting it so the URL is http://www.oldcoastguardhouse.co.uk/.

Hopeless - but a great excuse!

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:46:00 +0000

If I was following this blog, I would have given up on it a long time ago! It is nearly two months since I last posted anything - hardly what you would call a dynamic site!!! I have had a good excuse though, we moved house on 6th November 2009 and just look at the view from our bedroom......

....we keep having to pinch ourselves! If you would like our new address it is:

1 Old Coastguard House

Penmon Point

Beaumaris

LL58 8RR

Everything is all over the place and I have a Craft Fair this weekend at Chatsworth House - this should be interesting!!! I have made some lovely new things and hopefully I should be putting them on the website soon, incidentally the website will be updated in the next few weeks but please bear with me for a while!

Well, I best sign off and unpack the hundredth box but I think I shall leave you with a picture of our lovely house......

Live, Laugh, Love.......

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:07:00 +0000

I love the 'Live, Laugh, Love' philosophy and I find it creeping into many things that I make and my latest creation is no exception. I have painted 5 blocks which, when turned, spell out Live (with a little daisy on the fifth block), Laugh and Love (again with a daisy). I have painted them in different ice cream shades and distressed the letters and block edges for a 'shabby chic' feel. The photograph doesn't do the colours justice really!

Get a life.....

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:41:00 +0000

........I have come to the conclusion that I am getting to be a saddo (if I wasn't already there!) It comes to something when the arrival of a craft book sends you into raptures - the way a night out with your mates or a win on the lottery might have done! I just love the range of books by Tone Finnanger and await each one with eager anticipation, this is her latest and I must say it doesn't disappoint!

Tone makes and designs the 'Tilda' range of products and she is an inspiration, especially if you like all things country and shabby chic! I have managed to make some of her gorgeous little houses, I have even given them names and they will be available on the website very soon - you will even be able to customise them with your own unique name.

Since taking the photo I have added a flower by the door - they look so cute, I just have to make sure I don't do overkill and make hundreds - something I am apt to do when I like a new product!!!!

Felt terriers, letters and 'home sweet home' signs....

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:02:00 +0000

Sometimes I just can't get going and the creative juices are suffering a drought! I did manage to make two felt terriers today, inspired by the Allsorts blog and a lovely pattern by Jennie B Harris. I only made mine in 2D but Jennies look great with a gusset. The picture doesn't do them justice - I have made them in my favourite colours of the moment - pink and green!

I used to make these for the craft fairs many moons ago but for some reason I stopped. If I remember rightly they were a good seller, I used to make them with buttons and small ribbons attached but this was my favourite with a small 'star' design, I sometimes attach small jewels in the centre, you can always email me at enquiries@lavenderandlime.com if you would like a price.

And last but not least, I love my new 'Home Sweet Home' signs and even better I have made them from the usually discarded inners of my 'hollow hearts' both can be seen at www.lavenderandlime.com and with all my products they can be customised to suit your every need.

Perhaps the loveliest place on earth?

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Every now and then you visit a place and it does something to you, Rob and I are like that with two places, Pennan off the Eastern coast of Scotland (the setting for Local Hero) and Penmon Point which is a headland off Anglesey. The latter is beautiful and when you have paid the £2.00 toll you can spend forever just looking out to sea or over to Puffin Island, the Great Orme or to the right, the Snowdonian Mountain Range - where else would you get all those views rolled into one. My dream is to live here one day and have a little craft shed, I have got it all worked out in my head and there is a house for sale so watch this space......

Tidy workroom......errrmmm...tidy mind?

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:17:00 +0000

I am always intrigued when I see these fabulous work spaces in magazines and on craft sites and I marvel at how tidy they keep them, well I thought I would share mine! This is after three (?!?) hours of sorting and tidying which gives you an idea of the 'before' picture! I love the idea of a floor to ceiling storage area and a plush carpet but in theory if you are creating, this is not possible and so I shall be content with my paint splattered floor, the bits of thread that I seem to bring with me everywhere I go and the smell of lavender that pervades our home (the latter is not a chore!).

I love the calm before the storm ie just before a Craft Fair when all my baskets are full and labelled and ready to go, I store them all in our spare room and often just pop in to take a look - I really need to get out more!!! But, seriously, I believe that if you spend so much time creating then that is the reward, being able to see your things nicely displayed and (hopefully!) flying off the shelves.

Me at Dobbies, Southport with a black rooster through my head!

If you would like to order anything you see on my blog, you can always visit my website at:

www.lavenderandlime.com

Stockton Heath Arts Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:34:00 +0000

What a great festival, after an initially shaky start it was the perfect venue to show off my goods and people were ready to buy too which is always a plus! Surrounded by lovely people, the very sociable Catherine and Rachel to my left and the wonderful Wendy Massey over to the right - it always makes these venues when you are with great people.

The festival was very well organised too, I believe the organisers also do an event at Christmas - put me down for that!!!

There was someone taking lots of photos so I will post them here (if I can get permission) when they are available!

Exhausted...but happy!

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Phew!!! What a tiring week! First the Cheshire Show and then a day off followed by three days at the Capesthorne Balloon Festival. I sold out of all my best lines at both shows! It was hard work but made a lot easier by the fact that I had my lovely friends Joan, Terry, Wendy and Margaret next to me - it made the quiet times very bearable.

Wendy makes the most wonderful personalised canvasses, my favourite is a stork carrying a baby which can be customised with baby's name, birth weight and date of birth but as she is so talented I think you could have anything you wanted. I am hoping she will put some of her lovely designs on my web site so watch this space! Wendy's website is http://www.1stUniqueGifts.co.uk/ and you can order her wonderful canvasses on line.

Phew....no rest for the wicked!

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Sorry for the long time between postings - I don't know where the time goes! Well I do, what with supplying three new shops and trying to hold down a part time job, life is pretty hectic. Well, what have I been up to? I have been making lots of lovely new things for my next craft fair which is at the Cheshire Show, like these lovely bunnies, filled with a fresh linen scent they have a little tail and are too lovely to hide away in a drawer.

Reproduced by kind permission of my friends Rachel and Catherine at Fingertip Interiors, these fabric gift tags look great on bottles of wine or any gift. Check out Catherine and Rachel's lovely products at http://fingertipinteriors.com/

I can't resist hearts - I just love them, small and compact like these lavender filled hearts or big and cuddly like these primitive style hearts, I love the fleece material, it feels lovely.

Anyway we are off to Bruges soon (second time lucky) so best get on and finish the millions of jobs I have started!!!

Cranage Hall - Craft fair

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:34:00 +0000

Not the best fair I have ever done, in fact it was the worst but hey! who said we were in it for the money? Just as well really! It was great to see some of the other 'crafters' though. I was pleased with

my stall and the new products went down really well. I am at Haydock Park this week and I have booked a 12' table in the hope that this may help, my tables until now have always been 8' and most of that is a return and people don't walk down the return part, I'll let you know how that goes!

On the eve of the fair....

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:10:00 +0000

....tomorrow is my first fair of the year and, despite the fact that I have been working flat out for weeks, I am still convinced that I haven't got enough stock - ever the optimist! I have lots of new items from felt spectacle cases, catnip cushions, Kath Kidston fragranced cushions, bags of lavender and rose and some lovely chicken 'hangies, I will take lots of photos and post them tomorrow. I am looking forward to getting some feedback from the customers (good or bad!) and seeing some of the lovely crafters that I met last year. The picture is some wooden lettering that I make with butterfly and dragonfly adornments. Well I shall get on and check my bag for the last time!

Lizzy's tip: Don't spend money on expensive bags of filling from craft stores, I buy the pillows/cushions from my local £1.00 shop - they are ideal!

Belgium, Schmelgium!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Well. we didn't make it to Belgium - I came down with the Dreaded Lurgy the night before and we decided not to go - we were both so disappointed , especially as it was our anniversary but we have decided to go again in a few weeks when I am better. I have spent the time thinking of new ideas and I have come up with this Lighthouse Pillow, the quote reads, "At the bottom of the lighthouse is darkness" - Rob thinks this is a pessimistic quote but I think the opposite applies? I have also been busy making hair slides and brooches for my next craft fair, which is fast approaching, and updating Gilby the Terrier by adding a 'coat' and a flower - I think they look so much better? I have put some organic French lavender in them and so they should help drift you off to sleep - aaaahhhhhh!

Off to Bruges....

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:51:00 +0000

.....we are off to Bruges tomorrow for a few days as it was our twentieth anniversary on Wednesday - can't wait! Some friends have recommended Bruges and say we may even get some lovely fabric - poor Rob he doesn't know what he is letting himself in for! I am taking the Blackberry and so I can still reply to any of your comments/queries from the website http://www.lavenderandlime.com/

Handmade French style signs

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:14:00 +0000

I have been very busy this week, I have made fifteen of these for the craft fairs (with the help of my lovely husband) all ready for my first fair in March. They will be available on the website from mid-March and the colour, phrase and style can all be dictated by you, keep a look out on our website for them www.lavenderandlime.com. I have yet to price them but I think they will retail at about £8.50 each.

Adorable quote cushions

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:01:00 +0000

These are my latest project, a little cushion with a quote/phrase on, I just love them and they can be made in any colour/fabric or with any quote you desire, they can even come with lavender. I have tried to show you a selection and they will be available on the web mid to end of March and at the craft fairs from early March.

French Vintage Key Holders

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:09:00 +0000

These are very popular at the fairs, they are a 'shabby chic' key holder and have 'vintage' French advertisements on them. I rub them back for that 'aged' look, I love making them as they look authentic.

I am working on some 'quote' cushions at the moment (so new I am not sure what to call them yet), I have found this fabulous fabric that you can print on to and then sew with, it is a little thin (like muslin) but I find attaching iron on interfacing helps, I will post a picture when I have done some. I am also working on some signs - ideally 'shabby chic' style with popular phrases on, I am working on one for the Craft Fair for Mother's Day, again I will post a picture when I have done them.

Felt, felt, felt....

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:51:00 +0000

These are my latest creation, they are so new they are not even on the website yet, they are miniature felt hearts with beading details and contrasting stitching, they are a joy to make but I have had to stop myself...I think thirty is enough! Oh well, at least I am stocked up for the craft fairs, the first of which is in March but I am at that lovely stage where I spend most of my time dreaming up new products. I also love the wooden primitive hearts that I have made. I have suspended them from a wire and I am not sure whether to put anything on these yet - what do you think, maybe a small bow on the wire or some beads? Also, I am trying to keep the colours quite 'calm' (except for the vivid pink!!) are there any colours you think I should be including? I know I need to concentrate more on little boys colours, the tendency is to go more towards the lovely pinks and lilacs. Incidentally the lovely rack was bought at a craft fair, I just loved it and had to have it! Anyway, best sign off - I want to package up my new catnip cushions before tea.....I know how to live eh?

Handmade wooden plaques

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:35:00 +0000

I love anything personalised and these handmade wooden plaques are just great. I make them from MDF and then paint them in any colour (Mademoiselle Pink and Moonlight blue shown) and slightly distress them. The letters are painted in an off white and are also given the 'shabby chic' treatment, I then add a butterfly (girls) or a star (boys). This picture doesn't show it but I now add mirror plates for fixing.

Beaded hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:09:00 +0000

This is one of my 'Beaded Hearts' that I sell, I make them in any color that you wish, you can buy them at my website by clicking on the picture link, it will take you directly there. I would love to know what you think?

My starter for ten....

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 15:01:00 +0000

...well I have finally done it - created my blog! Why? Well, I have got so much information over the years from the internet, I thought it was pay back time plus I am a craft fanatic and run my own small website http://www.lavenderandlime.com/ and I wanted to share my products and hopefully get some (good?) feedback on what I am doing and who knows, maybe I will get to chat to some like-minded people. I hope you like what I do and I would love your comments.

FAQ's

noreply@blogger.com (Lizzy Reece) — Fri, 01 Jan 1999 15:50:00 +0000

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LAVENDER AND LIME

Can I order online? Yes, simply go to http://www.lavenderandlime.com/

Is the site secure? Payment is made through PayPal, the worlds biggest administrator of payments and is a secure site, you don't need an account and can make a 'one off' payment.

Can I change colours/fabrics etc? Yes, all our items are handmade to order and we love it when you get exactly what you want.

I have seen something at the craft fair but it isn't on your site? Email us your requirements to lizzyreece@lavenderandlime.com and provided we have the raw materials in stock, we will make it for you.

Are you the maker of 'Happy Bags'? Yes, I am. They are not on the website yet but are available in packs of 10 for £10.00 plus £1.95 postage and packing.

When and where are you exhibiting? Check out the NEWS section of our website for up to the minute details.

OLD COASTGUARDHOUSE

Do you accept bookings? Yes, simply let us know which week you require and we will let you know if it is available or not. Please let us know you are a follower of this blog and you will receive a 10% discount.

How many does Old Coastguard sleep? There is a double room, a twin room and a small room with bunk beds (ideal for children) sleeping six very comfortably.

Do you allow dogs? Yes we do allow well behaved dogs but we ask that they do are not allowed on the furniture.

What are the tarriffs? This varies between £350.00 (low) to £750.00 (high) but does not allow for discounts, please contact us via EMAIL for a definite price.