Poppy Sparkles

Sunday Stumbles 29/01/12

2012-01-29T11:47:00.002Z

I can't believe it's Sunday already! And it's nearly February. It seems that 2012 is flying by at an amazing speed. I began the weekend super excited with the close of the competition to find the face of Poppy Sparkles Mummy Necklaces. With the help of random.org, I can announce the winner as Kelly Quinton. Eternity Family Birthstone Necklace - customised with your choice of birthstone

{ Hair } No Heat Curls tutorial

2012-01-26T10:09:00.001Z

With two children and naturally wavy hair with a tendency to frizz, hair styling is something that is often too time consuming and I find myself stuck in the 'messy bun' type rut. A couple of nights ago I stumbled across this tutorial on youtube for creating curls without heat. And it works! Having left my hair to curl overnight as per the tutorial and in less time than I normally take to

Feeling the Love

2012-01-24T11:54:00.002Z

Love Ribbon by BigFish on Etsy I am certainly feeling the love today and my Valentine Collection is getting some lovely blog love. I've been featured by Wedding Planning Secrets - a great blog for those planning a wedding with fab finds and great deals. At the moment Folksy is running a competition to curate a homepage for Valentine's Day with the title 'Handmade Love'. I'm so pleased to

Sunday Stumbles 22/01/2012

2012-01-22T13:38:00.003Z

After a little hiatus, Sunday Stumbles is back! Keepsake frame from Olivia Pink I had a lovely little blog mention this week on the Olivia Pink blog and then had a nosey at the Olivia Pink website. There's lots of lovely products. I particularly loved the keepsake framing - such a great way to preserve memories and special momentos. I'm really loving pinterest and finding it a great way to

{New Designs} V A L E N T I N E Colletion - red hearts and pearls

2012-01-15T07:48:00.000Z

VALENTINE Bracelet I'm a real lover of hearts and collect a variety of heart themed objects, so it's little surprise that I've created a number of pieces with a heart motif. I've opted for a classic red heart after finding some beautiful opaque red czech glass hearts. VALENTINE Heart Earrings I love the contrast of the red with the cream pearls. The single red heart, providing a burst of

CLOSED Could you be the face of Poppy Sparkles' Mummy Necklaces?

2012-01-13T10:54:00.004Z

Credit: Marie Donn Photography A picture can say a thousand words. Nothing can capture the meaning and sentiments behind my Family Birthstone Necklaces, more commonly referred to as 'Mummy Necklaces', than seeing the Mummy and family behind the necklace. Credit: Marie Donn Photography Last year Marie Donn took some wonderful photographs of my necklaces that helped convey the emotion and

{Commission} Bespoke Eternity Necklace

2012-01-12T22:04:00.004Z

Eternity Family Birthstone Necklace - Bespoke Commission The Eternity Birthstone necklace has been well received since I launched it a little while ago. I love the symbolisim of this design with the sterling silver ring representing eternal love. It's been a lovely edition to the family birthstone necklaces, popular for Mums and Grans, looking great with a few birthstones as well as with

{Review + Giveaway} Beadcrafty.com ****

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000Z

Shortly before Christmas I was invited to review Bead Crafty and given a £25 voucher to spend. It's rare that I purchase beads without considering Poppy Sparkles, so it was lovely to select beads on their appeal to me and not having to consider designs that might sell well etc. Purple Jade Heart Beads Used to purchasing costly sterling silver and Swarovski crystal, I wasn't sure how far £25

{Birthstone Jewellery} Garnet for January

2012-01-03T07:57:00.002Z

Abacus Birthstone Necklace with Garnet Swarovski Crystal by Poppy Sparkles Garnet, a deep red crystal, is the Swarovski Birthstone Crystal for January. I love the deepness of its colour, especially when contrasted against delicate Freshwater pearls. Above is my Abacus necklace, shown with Garnet - a perfect gift idea for a January birthday girl. To view more from my Birthstone Jewellery

Hello 2012 + kicking the new year off with some fab news

2012-01-01T07:08:00.000Z

Live the Life you Imagine Print by The Kikki Comin Shoppe on Etsy We made it! We're in 2012! I love New Year and the chance to reflect on what has gone before and one's direction and set goals for the coming year. However you celebrated, I hope that the arrival of 2012 is full of promise and dreams yet to be realised. I managed to see in midnight..... with thanks to a little person who had

Looking Back, Looking Foward

2011-12-30T11:35:00.002Z

As the end of 2011 approaches, I wanted to look back over the last year briefly and then share some aims for 2012. I began 2011 with a new logo designed by Tracey of Edward and Emma. I have to say that having a proper logo really made a difference and I've used my hearts to visually brand Poppy Sparkles, using the hearts from my logo as avatars online and on printed material. I also include some

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T19:36:00.001Z

Winter Art: First Snow by Marianne LoMonaco on Etsy Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year As the last order for Christmas has now been despatched, I'm taking a little rest. I'm sure I'll still be spotted on twitter or Pinterest, but I'll be taking a little rest from blogging. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last year - it's very much appreciated. I'm looking

{Review} Doodlenation - creative fun to keep you busy

2011-12-19T15:02:00.005Z

There is something relaxing about colouring in, but it is sadly seen as something for children and more usually a solitary task. The colouring posters from Doodlenation open up this relaxation to those who would be deemed 'too grown up' for colouring in, as well as making it a group activity with their oversized, A1 colouring in posters. Sun Colouring Poster from Doodlenation The posters

18/12/11 Sunday Stumbles

2011-12-18T10:44:00.000Z

My apologies for the lack of daily blogging. At times it's been hard finding the time to maintain daily blog posts, especially with some pretty big changes that have put greater demands on my time. A situation not helped with my laptop being on its last legs and crashing and freezing on a far too frequenty basis. Sadly, I cannot create more hours for my day, but I do have a new laptop which will

BOUF - a new store for Poppy Sparkles

2011-12-15T14:01:00.001Z

Poppy Sparkles has added a new online store to the empire and can now be found on BOUF. I'm still uploading products, but there is already a reasonable selection available in the Poppy Sparkles BOUF Boutique. Whilst you are there, take a look around - there's a lovely selection of products.

The Season of Goodwill - Charitable Christmas Gifts

2011-12-13T10:03:00.002Z

As the time of year when we all dig deep and treat our friends and family, I wanted to highlight some Christmas gift ideas that also help support charity, helping to spread goodwill further. Christie's Charity Collection from the Kate Hamilton-Hunter Studio Kate Hamilton-Hunter Studio has created a new charity collection in memory of Kate's neice, with 10% of the proceeds going to Meningitis

11/12/11 Sunday Stumbles

2011-12-11T15:05:00.000Z

Christmas is creeping not so slowly upon us - how is it only two weeks away? I'm pleased to report that we now have decorations up. Not quite finished as I ran out of the ribbon I was using to tie baubles up on the staircase and create pretty clusters to hang. We're getting there though! On Friday we had our first nativity play, when my little boy was a shepherd. A few fellow mums on Twitter

Snazzy knitted Christmas Jumpers

2011-12-09T06:00:00.000Z

Rudolph the Ryandeer At the risk of sounding odd, I would absolutely love to go to a Christmas Jumper party. Actually, I just want a proper Christmas Jumper. It's something I would have laughed at in my younger years. I had a brief dalliance with Christmas jumpers some years ago, making my inaugural Christmas jumper whilst on my Gap year in North Carolina, America when I decorated a red

{Review} Toft Alpaca Cable Wristwarmer Knit Kit

2011-12-07T11:47:00.000Z

A little while ago I blogged a review of the Toft Pattern book 1 and today I'd like to share my review of the Toft Alpaca Cable wristwarmer knitting kit. The kit itself is presented in a cotton tote bag that has doubled as a handy project bag keeping my knitting safe and clean when I've not been working on it. This was particularly handy for me as I knitted the wristwarmers mostly in my

{Giveaway} Getting started in Jewellery Design + the chance to win a year's subscription to Make Jewellery Magazine CLOSED

2011-12-06T09:22:00.000Z

Today, we catch up with Lorraine Luximon, editor of Make Jewellery magazine, the fabulously on-trend monthly magazine dedicated to jewellery making and all things beady. Here she offers her advice on how to get started in jewellery design. If this spurs you on, or you already love making jewellery, then keep reading to the end and enter to win a year's subscription to Make Jewellery magazine.

03/12/11 Sunday Stumbles

2011-12-04T08:33:00.000Z

Snowflake Macro Photograph from Sounds Like Rain on Etsy Wow! It's the first sunday in December and the countdown to Christmas begins in earnest!A good portion of Christmas present have been bought, but there are still a few to sort. Christmas Cards is the biggest thing to sort. I have made my own cards every year for about 10 years (apart from the year I was pregnant with my eldest as I was

A bumper update from Poppy Sparkles

2011-12-03T06:00:00.000Z

Today I'd like to share an update on Poppy Sparkles - I suddenly realised that some news has slipped under the radar and with Christmas Gift buying happening in ernest, I wanted to ensure I was on your radar ;) BOHO Collection which is available from From the Wilde A little while ago I joined From the Wilde - a beautiful online emporium of gorgeous and unique handcrafted items brought to you

Festive Ceramics, Personalised Gifts + my trip to Glazey Days

2011-12-02T08:45:00.000Z

Handpainted Christmas Decorations I've blogged about visiting Glazey Days before, but some things are too good not to be blogged again. last time I suggested how fab footprints or handprints captured on ceramic would be for a Mother's Day gift idea. And, do you know what? Mums, Grans and other relatives that adore your little ones will love some cute little hand or footprints just as much for

{Giveaway} Washi tape from Washi Tapes CLOSED

2011-12-01T06:20:00.000Z

Washi Tape or Japanese masking tape (MT) is a wonderful addition to your repetoire, especially for giftwrapping. I use it when sending out parcels from Poppy Sparkles to pretty up my packages, as well as for gift wrapping personal gifts I send. It's so easy to use, and like masking tape is more forgiving than sellotape, allowing you to reposition on most papers or surfaces. I had a little play

{Tutorial} Yarn Wrapped Festive Wreath

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000Z

Yarn Wreaths seem to be rather popular this year and being a lover of crafts I just had to have a go myself! Thankfully the only material I didn't have was a styrofoam wreath form and even better was that my local craft shop had some mini ones in stock. I had in my head I was going to make a big door-sized wreath, but actually was relieved to find a smaller wreath form as it was a quicker make!

Christmas Wreaths - traditional, upcycled and quirky cute

2011-11-29T06:00:00.000Z

There is something so welcoming and festive about a wreath hanging from a front door. I remember my mum making them with freshly cut holly from the garden and sadly, I regert to say, I have not managed to follow in her steps. Yet. I have managed to make a small yarn wrapped wreath I will be sharing with you tomorrow and I hope that I might find time to make a larger one for our front door.

{New Sponsor} Ribbons and Tulle

2011-11-28T07:20:00.000Z

Today I'm pleased to welcome my newest sponsor on the blog, Ribbons and Tulle who loves sparkly things as much as me! Hi Lisa, welcome to the fold and my group of lovely sponsors. Can you tell us all a little more about yourself? I'm Lisa with a love of all things sparkly. My business, Ribbons and Tulle, is primarily a wedding orientated business, producing handmade stationery and wedding

27/11/11 Sunday Stumbles

2011-11-27T07:50:00.000Z

Is it me or are Sundays coming round rather fast lately? I can't believe that this week sees the arrival of December and the beginning of Advent.... Christmas is just around the corner! Marie Donn Photography captured the essence of my Mummy Birthstone Necklaces in the middle and right images here The lovely Marie Donn, the lady behind the lens for the gorgeous images of my Mummy Necklaces

{Giveaway} There's no such thing as a Gruffalo... or is there?

2011-11-26T08:00:00.000Z

The Gruffalo My children, especially my little girl, absolutely love the Gruffalo. We have the soft toys, the books and jigsaw puzzles. We did have the animated Gruffalo, until one of the kids decided to have a play with the sky remote and deleted it out of the planner - now lil miss cries when we can't watch it! And, she won't have it that The Gruffalo Sound Book We can't get enough of

Festive Garlands and Bunting

2011-11-25T07:00:00.000Z

Top row - Noel Glass Bunting by Red Brick Glass ~ Christmas Star Bunting by Pink JellyFish ~ Christmas Felt Garland by Jelly Bean Studio Middle Row - Star Garland by Menina Feliz ~ Moose Christmas Bunting by Sew Sweet Violet ~ Festive Bunting by 'by Alex' Bottom Row - Christmas Garland by The Contemporary Home ~ Christmas Holiday Bunting by Sew Realicoul ~ Christmas Star Paper Bunting by

Deck the Halls - Baubles and Bells to decorate your Christmas Tree

2011-11-24T08:10:00.000Z

I wish I could have a Christmas Tree in pretty much every room of the house as I find myself unable to choose from the vast array of gorgeous tree decorations. I also like things to match or compliment and can't choose between different styles or looks. I'd love a bold red and white Scandanavian tree, an icy white one with silver and white decorations, a vintage feel one....... However, just

Dreaming of an Ethical Christmas - Guest post By Charelle of Sadie and Frank

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000Z