Winter Weddings

A covering of snow provides a magical backdrop for photographs and sun reflecting off snow creates a very flattering light...in fact in our house we call it natures airbrush!
I know I'm not alone in loving the sheer romance of winter; with gentle snowflakes, sparkling icicles and rosy cheeks. It's little wonder therefore that winter weddings are proving a popular choice for many couples.
Ah..I hear the cynics amongst you shaking your heads.
Well, obviously here in the UK there's the potential downside of just a lot of rain and grey skies but let's just ignore such negative thoughts for now and concentrate on the concept of a winter wonderland instead!

I have been making my little birds for quite some time now and have recently added custom birds to my repetoire. I can make these as gifts for new babies, christenings, birthdays, anniversaries...and particularly.. WEDDINGS!

This little couple were for a Scottish wedding..








and these two are very elegant I think..








I have been looking at lots of Folksy items suitable for a romantic winter wedding. As you can imagine there are lots and lots of wonderful wares to see! For this weeks Folksy Friday selection I have focussed on bridal wear and accessories; for this one special day the bride is truly the star of the show!


The bride will want to sparkle in the winter sun and this crystal and silver tiara from IfIwasarichgirl is exactly what's needed! It is wonderfully elegant with a series of graduated czech stones mounted on a silver-plated band.


Equally gorgeous and glitzy in the most chic way possible are Becky Leigh's hair combs. I love their vintage style and charm.








How to be glamorous, elegant and warm can pose a tricky mix for any bride...and bridesmaid. Here are Folksy solutions for all the ladies in the bridal party...

This delicate shawl from Draped In Lace is so feminine and pretty! Made from 100% Shetland Wool handspun and dyed in 1953, it has 3,700 Japanese glass beads incorporated into it and is a wonderfully soft moss green colour. It is very special indeed! There are lots more in this fabulous shop and in maker Julia Blakeman's other shop The Crafty Bride!



For an alternative style have a look at the sumptuously stylish and super cute capelets on offer at Gaia Noir. These are made from eco-frindly, organic fair traded cotton velvet and come in a variety of classy colours! The bride and bridesmaids could all wear them...I'm imagining them all in dark red capes against ivory dresses in a country setting in the snow! How romantic and affordably so at just £32 each!







Handbag designer Linda Wilde from Folksy shop WildRoseDesigns has a beautiful selection of bags for all ocassions. This ivory clutch is the must have bag for a winter wedding. The luxurious silk dupion fabric is complimented perfectly by a sophisticated faux pearl trim.






Of course a wedding is the most special of occasions..however, if you would like to keep a bit of fun in the proceedings whilst maintaining your glamour and style then Folksy seller Imogen's Imagination has the most gorgeous of solutions. Taking my selection full circle here is milliner Sophie's take on a wedding bird! Sophie can even offer a custom version with longer length veil! I think it's fantastic!

Hoop Hoop!

I've recently discovered the joy of embroidery hoops! They make wonderful frames for all kinds of fabric art. They make a curvy change from the hard cornered edges of traditional frames and I love that I can make the back look just as beautiful as the front!
I've begun a series of animal hoops...so far I 've got mouse, fox and badger but fawn,and maybe mole are soon to follow!



Motivated by my new hoop addiction I have been on a Folksy quest to see what other sellers have made using these versatile frames..

I love Jennie Sandford's lyric hoops! Jennie uses vintage metal hoops as well as wooden ones to present her work. I've chosen to feature this metal framed embroidery of lyrics by venerable wit Morrissey from The Smiths. The back of the hoop is finished neatly in grey felt.Jennie has added a signed piece of muslin which also credits The Smiths lyrics. A black satin ribbon means the hoop is easy to hang wherever you choose!







I love this version of a decorative hoop found in Folksy shop The Grimm Exhibition. This shop sells a glorious array of wares using darkly vintage prints and printed textiles. This hoop features an image of a vintage fairy complete with delicate wings. The hoop is bound in cotton printed with old french script and the piece is finished with a layer of pretty tulle. The edges of the fabric are allowed to spill out from the hoop creating a frilled appearance. The hoop hangs from a length of french scripted cotton and as the piece de resistance a muslin sachet of magnolia scent has been stitched to the reverse so this hoop doesn't just look gorgeous but smells delightful too!








Of course, hoops don't have to be round. This hoop by Athene Noctua is oval. Re purposing a piece of vintage embroidery, maker Rebecca has further embellished the piece using bits of vintage lace and ribbon, a pastel button and glass beads. This work is also backed neatly in a bright green felt.








Serious lovers of hoop decoration will find their oasis in Folksy shop Bella Bobbin. Amanda and Sarah are the brains - and the fingers - behind Bella Bobbin and together they have created a shop full to the brim with the cutest characters and prettiest patterns in paper and textiles! I really like this sweet hoop. The two trees on a pretty polka dot background is made special by the addition a little string of bright bunting. Deceptively simple and immpecably cute! Bella Bobbin also offer gorgeous personalised hoops - perfect to mark any special occassion! Why not take a look for yourself?







I have a daughter who favours bright red lipstick and seems to think it appropriate to smudge this all over my bathroom towels! So this next hoop rings bells for me! I have to say creator Sam Gibson makes red lip marks seem much more artisitic and beautiful than the random smears on my hand towels! The careful embroidery allows Sam's lips to jump out at you - could you resist planting a return smacker on these? Unique and funky you have to visit Sam'shop of original stitched illustrations!







If you feel inspired to create a little hooped wall art of your own then Folksy seller Lupin sells these adorable mini hoops at the very reasonable £8 for 6. At just 3" diameter these would make sweet Christmas decorations for your home and tree - you could even create unqiue gift-tags with them!






...and that's what I love about hoops - they create so many wonderful possibilities....