Don’t be put off if you know nothing about embroidery – I promise this cheat’s version is not as tricky as it looks.

You will need:

• Embroidery hoop
• Embroidery thread (I opted for a fairly thick one so it would conceal our pencil lines)
• Needle
• Pencil
• Fabric (I used a natural canvas)
• Coordinating patterned fabrics and extra hoops (optional)

1. Trim your fabric to slightly larger than the embroidery hoop then iron the fabric. Lay the hoop over the fabric to give you an idea of size, then lightly sketch out your desired message in cursive. Don’t worry if you have to adjust the lines, you can always erase the unwanted lines.

2. Separate your inner and outer hoops. Centre your fabric over inner hoop and lay the outer hoop on top.

3. Gently pull the fabric as taut as possible without distorting it.

4. Tie a knot at one end of your thread and thread the other end through your needle. Starting from the underside, push your needle through at the beginning of your first letter. About 4mm along the pencil line push the needle back through. Come up again halfway between those two points. Continue along the remaining letters going ‘two steps forward and one step back’. At the end, tie off your thread and trim excess.

I left the fabric overhanging for a really casual homely look but you can fold back or trim for a neater finish if you prefer.

I paired the finished piece with a couple of smaller hoops using contrasting patterned fabric to create a sweet little cluster. At only a few dollars in materials it is a lovely decoration to add above your cake table or entrance table at your laid back homespun wedding.

Styling: White Room Events | Venue: Tin Cat Cafe | Photography: Alicia Parsons

Ms Gingham says: Now with winter setting in this is the perfect project to occupy yourself by the fire!

I am Alicia Parsons, the Atypical Type A. I live in Adelaide, South Australia in a modest townhouse with my new hubby Ryan (aka The Man). I am the owner and graphic designer behind Akimbo, which specialises in quirky invitations, announcements and greetings.

Alicia contributes regular DIY projects to Polka Dot Made. You can view her posts here.

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Leibnitz Fraktur is a mid 18th Century German print, appearing in print shops of that era. A formal wedding with letterpress invitations? A black and white colour scheme? And full blown white peonies? Yes, this print would tick all the boxes for an elegant, formal wedding.

‘Leibniz Fraktur contains a bunch of useful ligatures, and by typing ‘N’, ‘r’ and period you get an old style number-sign.’

Leibnitz Fraktur is available from My Fonts

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1. Mini books printed on eco friendly paper from Satyrika   2. Soy based wax fire starters from naturefavors   3. Heart soap wedding favours from SakuraBathAndBody   4. Handmade lovebirds from katikamade   5. Personalised white dove feather from TheLonelyHeart   6. Plantable flower seed paper hearts from recycledideas

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When I think of a Bloody Mary, I think of ‘the morning after the night before’. This drink is a well known, and much loved hang-over cure. But, it’s also a wonderful choice for brunches, lunches and afternoon teas.

This recipe is a little different from your traditional Bloody Mary and along with Vodka and tomato juice it also incorporates the wonderful fiery North Africian hot red paste, Harissa. This is an exciting twist on a classic drink.

 Ingredients:

-       75ml Vodka

-       250ml Tomato Juice

-       1 teaspoon Harissa Paste

-       Juice of 2 Limes

-       Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper

-       Ice

Method

1. Mix the harissa paste, lime juice and vodka together till the paste is evenly distributed

2. Add tomato juice and stir to combine

3. Add ice cubes

4. Season with salt and black pepper

5. Garnish with a fresh crispy celery stick

(serves 1-2)

Photography by Nicky McLauchlan

Ms Gingham says: Yum!

About Ms Lace: A Brisbane girl who writes the inspiring wedding blog, Chasing Rainbows Kissing Frogs which showcases ideas, vendors and weddings from around the world. Having lived everywhere from Paris to Beirut and Saudi Arabia, the only language Ms Lace is fluent in is weddings. “Weddings make me giddy!”

Ms Lace writes regularly for the blog. Read her previous posts here.

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This has to be one of the easiest and most fun DIY projects! Chalkboard table numbers are such a fun way to add a personal touch to your tables (because why stop at numbers? Name your tables anything you like!) but we loved the idea so much that Ms Gingham and I turned it into a DIY project for our recent TV segment!

What You’ll Need:

- Chalkboard Paint

- Chalkboard Marker or chalk

- Paintbrush

- Wooden Shape

- Dowel

- Glue

Instructions:

1. The first thing you need to do is determine the shape of your “number” and the length of your dowel. Spotlight sells “Heart wands” with the dowel and heart shape already attached, but if you need to do these yourself, or want to try a different shape you’ll need to purchase your own shapes and glue them onto the dowel.

2. Ensuring your shape is smooth, paint on the chalkboard paint as instructed. The makers recommend two thin coats.

3. Leave to dry and cure for six hours.

4. You can use chalk or chalkboard marker for this project. Ms Gingham picked up a chalkboard marker and I have to say, if you are transporting your numbers, then the marker and it’s sticking power is definitely the better option!

5. Write your number, name or quote onto your “chalk board”.

6. To help your table numbers stand up in your vases or vessels, stick them into a stack of florist’s foam.

You don’t have to be limited to one shape! Maybe you could put a heart  for your table number and one saying “The Sweethearts Table” or “The Family Table”. The best part about these is that if you don’t like what you’ve done, you can wash it off, rub it out and re do it!

Photography by Ms Polka Dot

Ms Gingham says: We had so much fun putting together this little DIY segment for The Circle at Channel 10 and although I wasn’t invited to be a guest “on the couch” (clearly an oversight) our DIY expertise is sure to impress! Hehe!

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