Peachy's Top 5 Celebs We Wish We Were Friends With....

Just for fun!  Well, we can all dream can't we...here's this month's top 5!

5. Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor

Feisty model cum DJ Atlanta, not only gains hundreds of kudos points for her edgy style and grungy attitude, to rival the Riot Grrrl movement of the 90s; she's also the offspring of all-time bass GOD John Taylor, of Duran Duran! Potential conversations would be a little like this:
E: 'Hi Atlanta'
A: 'Hi'
E: 'How's the modelling?'
A: 'Good'
E: 'How's the DJ-ing?'
A: 'Yeah, good'
E: 'Cool...um...I love your Dad'. *'A' promptly hangs up phone*

4. Camilla 'Millie' Mackintosh

Millie did this, for all womankind

Poster girl for Bafta-winning guilty pleasure reality/unreality show Made in Chelsea.  Millie confirmed last week that she will be leaving the show to pursue her career, including her own YouTube make-up artistry channel.  The very picture of Chelsea sophistication, Millie is beautiful, has pins to die for and an immaculate sense of style.

But perhaps what we most love about her, is the unforgettable moment on MIC, in which, Millie finally took the reins and gave idiot posh-boy and world class David Brent lookalike, Spencer Matthews what-for with a massive slap around the chops.  In that moment alone, we all wished we had been her.  Millie, we want you on our side!

3. Deborah Ann Woll

The redhead, better known to most as Jessica (or 'Jeschka', as Stephen Moyer would say), the teenage vampiric tearaway from HBO's finest, True Blood, plays an unpredictable yet lovable and loyal character in TB. 

In real life, Deborah is even more of an inspiration, as she uses her celebrity status to raise awareness of a condition called Choroideremia, suffered by her boyfriend EJ Scott, which eventually results in blindness.  Fangs of steel, heart of gold, that's why Deborah belongs in the top 5.

2. Stacey Stewart

The beehive, the sixties dresses, the cakes.  Nobody says 'new best friend' more than Food Glorious Food's Stacey Stewart.  Much like myself, Stacey is self-styled in the wardrobe department as well as self-taught in the kitchen department; proof that a little self-discipline, and self-promotion can go a very long way.

Unique, talented and good for a chinwag over a steaming vintage teapot and a slice of Maple and Pecan cake!  Stacey and I could have mini bake-offs and hair-offs, plus I get the feeling she's a dab hand in the charity shop rummage department!  Enough said, Stacey Stewart joins the imaginery friend club!

1. Christina Hendricks 

Just when you thought the luscious Mad Men heroine couldn't get anymore inspiring - other than practically single-handedly bringing TV land to its knees with her curves, encouraging the re-evaluation of the fuller figured woman's representation in the media and being named 'The Body' - Hendricks KNITS!

Yes indeed, Hendricks forewards this wonderful

knitting book with tales of how she, along with her lucky friends, like nothing more than sitting around, knitting and gossiping.  Rumour has it, she takes her knitting bag on set at Mad Men HQ.  Could this woman be any more perfect?  Could we want to be her friend any more than we already do? No?  Thought not!  Well Christina, congratulations, your love of knitting awards you the top spot in the fickle world of imaginary celebrity friends!

Christina's Our Top Spot!

Agree or Disagree?  Who would you choose as your top 5 celebrities you wish you were friends with? www.facebook.com/lifeispeachytales

The Handmade Home: Knitting in a Free World!

A few days ago, my beau's younger brother made an off-the-cuff comment about knitting.  I can't remember exactly how it was termed, but the particulars included something to do with knitting being for both the 'sad' and the 'old'.  I perked up at this, defending us young, hip knitters and I was temporarily excused for my knitting obsession as I was now a 'mum'.  I started knitting when I was at University.

 

I don't think a lot of us crafters, knitters etc would be able to pin point a moment in life that we decided to put our intrigued fingers to work, neither could we give a reason why we do it.  I've only ever answered this sort of question to one thing; writing.  I said I write because I can't not write.  I suppose I knit for the same reason; I can't not do it.

 

Earlier in the month, I published a short beginner's tutorial to knitting, in the lovely online magazine for Peta's Vintage Boutique.  It was difficult to put these actions into words, as it's been a long time since I completed my first few stitched under the watchful eye of my Nan, a keen and talented knitter for many years.  That was where I got the bug, fast forward to present day and now, I have even more reason to go 'handmade'; there is nothing quite like watching Daisy man-handling (baby-handling) the sensory blanket I made for her.

You can find the original knitting tutorial here ---> http://www.petasvintageboutique.com/issue-2.html

I chose this Val Pierce-inspired sensory patchwork blanket as my first baby-project.  The different knitted textures and the daisies are great for little grabbing fingers and will, hopefully, become something of a comfort blanket for Daisy when she is a little older.  I chose to work with pastel, light colours to fit the Beatrix Potter theme in Daisy's nursery.  I was really pleased with how the colours blended together - Peter Rabbit's Blue, Jemima's Pink and Lilac and a soft baby Cream.   It worked wonders for the first few weeks after Daisy's birth, as we were hit with such cold, snowy weather and now it's great as a sensory object that remains familiar to her.

As an intermediate knitter, I found this blanket quite easy, the bulk of the blanket is made with simple garter and stocking stitches; these make for a very classic patchwork look.  The challenge lay in creating the daisies but I'm always up for a crafting challenge!  It's a great pattern for sitting in front of the TV, especially when I needed my mind taking off impending childbirth.  I'm now looking at adapting this pattern with different sensory objects and colours.  Results to follow!


I've got the handmade bug!  More posts to follow on 'handmaking' your home and nursery on Life is Peachy!

Are you interested in commissioning a sensory baby blanket?  Email missemmaberry@gmail.com for further information, costs etc.  I would love to hear from you!

Wednesday Wishlist: Say YES to Gnomes!

Every month, I gather together a collection of things for my 'Wednesday Wishlist', a basic collection of anything high on my 'wants' or 'love' lists right now.  This month...say YES to gnomes!

Some people dream big, others dream small; at the moment I'm dreaming small as we are starting to put together our little front and back gardens and I can't help but feel we are missing one or two colourful, cheeky additions!  My fascination with gnomes stems from an early childhood love of the animated series David the Gnome; a small gnome Doctor who dwelt secretly in an un-named forest with his wife, Lisa and spent most episodes curing sick animals and escaping the clutches of three fearsome and pesky trolls! 
 
There is something distinctly British about gnome culture and, love them or hate them, even the Chelsea Flower Show decided to relax it's age-old gnome ban this year.  By all accounts the amount of gnomes more than made up for the previous gnome-free years.

So here is my gnome inspired wants and wishlist, I'm ignoring IKEA's Summer campaign and simply saying YES to gnomes!  First of all, why not try a Life is Peachy Summer delight in the form of Strawberry and Vanilla Cupcakes with Strawberry Gnome toppers?

Look out for my 'Friday's Kitchen Recipe' for more information.

Despite the sunshine we are having, I'm looking forward to getting stuck back in to knitting these Swedish Gnomes ready for the Autumn/Winter.  This was an amazing Alan Dart pattern I discovered not so long ago and knitted several for Christmas presents.  These rustic gnomes come in several colour ways and make perfect gifts!  I will eventually be selling these through my store; if you are interested in commissioning one or would like more information please email missemmaberry@gmail.com.  I can't wait to start creating these little guys again!

 

One of my hand-knitted gnomes

When it comes to fabric, I admit I can be something of a hoarder.  I've got beautiful fabrics I have yet to start working with, partly because they look too beautiful to touch.  eBay is always a great source for all my crafting needs and I have often found incredibly reasonable fabric sellers on there too.  This lovely piece (below) is from a great eBay seller, 'The Original Wind the Bobbin' and at £3.25 per FQ, it would make a beautiful quirky cushion cover for our red-themed lounge.

Alternatively, this would look great as a simple tablecloth at a themed Birthday party or even a sewing machine cover.  

There are fabulous gnome-inspired fabrics available from other sellers too.  Check out this beautiful pink fabric - slightly more cutesy and intricate - from 'ohsewcraftsyuk'.  A steal at £1.75 per FQ and a lovely Summer pattern for a little girl's dress or a light quilt cover.  This fabric is available in several colours.

After trawling, somewhat, through Amazon's wares, I came across these little gnome candles (below, right) - practically irresistible for the home or even to light a garden table at an evening barbeque.  Available for £6.95 each from www.amazon.co.uk.

Only available in this colour way - but perfect as a kitsch ornament and almost too sweet to actually light!

Gnome candle, £6.95

Of course, no gnome-inspired wishlist would be complete without the appearance of the tradition garden gnome itself.  Woodland Wilf Feeds the Birds (below, left) is an absolute favourite of mine, with his toadstool bird feeder, he would make a perfect addtion to my miniature back garden.  There are several characters available in the 'Woodland Wilf' range, they are currently available* at a reduced price of £9.00 at www.amazon.co.uk (price correct at time of publishing).

So that's my Wednesday Wishlist for June - it's all about gnomes and brightening up my interiors with the cheeky fellows, as well as adding character to a small garden space with colour and cuteness, this Summer, I'm saying YES to gnomes.