All The Live Long Day: February 2012

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

What's Not To Love: Dandelyne (Psst! Giveaway!)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Dandelyne is the brand new embroidery venture of my brand new favourite creative person, Sonia Lyne from Melbourne. Sonia makes beautiful necklaces for which she lovingly creates little stitched people, hearts and animals in miniature embroidery hoops. The tiny hoops are designed and made by Sonia herself and measure 4cm or 5.5 cm across (that's 1 and 9/16 or 2 and 1/8 inches). They are made from pine ply and come with a choice of silver plated or antique bronze plated chains.

Sonia just recently opened shop and has since been working up a storm to fill her virtual shelves. She says “I am a newbie to the ETSY world, opening my shop only last November. My goal was to open it by the end of 2011 which I achieved. Then I closed it down for 6 weeks to take a holiday. My little mini hoops evolved over my break and I must say I AM IN LOVE WITH THEM … is it o.k. to say that about your own stuff?!” It definitely is in your case, Sonia!

Using all kinds of different fabrics and DMK embroidery floss to create her pieces, every necklace is as individual as the cute characters that Sonia thinks up. Just have a look for yourself and make sure to check below the pictures for a special announcement!

Sonia also offers truly personalized items, with initials of your choice or an embroidered image of your loved one. Oh, and the announcement? To celebrate the launch of her business, Sonia has generously offered a giveaway. The prize is a necklace of the winner’s choosing from the selection available at Dandelyne. Lucky winner!

Here is how you can enter:

1) MANDATORY - Visit the Dandelyne shop and leave a comment below, telling me your favourite item.

2) OPTIONAL - For another entry, like Dandelyne on Facebook and leave a comment if you did so.

3) OPTIONAL – Add Sonia’s shop to your Favourites on Etsy and leave a comment after you did.

4) OPTIONAL - For a fourth and final entry, why don't you either blog or tweet about this giveaway? If you do, please leave the link to your blog post or your tweet in another separate comment. You can use this tweet if you like: Win a cute embroidered necklace from Dandelyne! Check out @Live_Long_Day's blog to see how: http://www.allthelivelongday.com/2012/02/whats-not-to-love-dandelyne-psst.html

Please make sure you leave one comment for each action and that you provide some kind of contact detail that I can reach you at in case you win. The giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere in the world.

The giveaway will close at midnight (GMT) on Sunday, 11 March 2012 and I will draw a random comment and announce the winner on Monday, 12 March 2012.

GOOD LUCK!

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Yesterday

Monday, 27 February 2012

Crochet Class Winner

There is a winner for the crochet class giveaway!

Drum roll........!

Out of all the eligible comments, the True Random Number Generator has chosen:

Commenter Number 2!

Congratulations, sydthewyd, I will contact you with the details on how to claim your prize!

Road Trip: Whitstable (Again)

On the weekend, I got to make the first visit to the seaside of the year. Except for me ripping my jeans while crouching down to take a photo and then later cutting my hand on a broken china trinket in a charity shop and needing to go to the hospital to have my finger bandaged, it was a glorious day!

Saturday, 25 February 2012

Last Chance To Enter The Big Crochet Class Giveaway!

If you live in London and would love to win a place at the Make Do Mend crochet workshop in April, make sure you enter the giveaway I'm hosting! Just leave a comment here to be in with a chance. Anyone can enter, you do not have to have a blog! The giveaway will close at midnight (GMT) this Sunday, 26 February 2012. Go on, do it!

Friday, 24 February 2012

Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor - Dance Medley

Today's video is more of a dancey than a singy one. But I have recently really gotten into watching old movies again, and Gene Kelly is one of my favourite actors from older times. This video is the essence of what I adore about classic entertainment. It's goofy, cheeky, and Gene & Donald have mad dancing skills!

{via}

Oh, and while you're here: if you live in London and would love to learn how to crochet, make sure to enter the Make Do Mend giveaway. Or, if you know somebody in London, tell them to enter! It's easy, just leave a comment here! Entry closes Sunday night.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Stitchy Buys

I guess cross stitching is well on its way to becoming fashionable with a wider crowd, judging by these products that I saw and liked recently...

Shoulder Bag from Fossil

Chest of Drawers from Bakery Design via Design Milk

Dress by Mother via Poppytalk

Pyjama Pants from Marks & Spencer

Royal Albert Petit Point Teacup via Classy Option

Tea Towel Set from IKEA

Rug by Charlotte Lancelot via Design Milk

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

Tangy Kale Chips

I've been wanting to try to make kale chips ever since I saw the first recipe for this treat on the internet. I do love vegetable chips, but am slightly wary of the amounts of fat and additives that can be found in the shop-bought varieties.
I had a bunch of curly kale delivered in my last veg box, so the time for experimenting had come. The chips turned out quite delectable, nice and crisp, with a little tang from parmesan, garlic and smoked paprika. The spices were enough to make them taste moreish, so I did not add any salt at all.
Kale chips are a quick and easy snack to make when a craving strikes and definitely healthier than potato chips or roasted nuts.

TANGY KALE CHIPS(serves 2 as a snack)
NEED:
300g kale2 tbsp olive oil30g parmesan, finely grated1/2 tsp garlic powder1/4 tsp smoked paprika
DO:
Preheat the oven to 150°C.
Wash and dry the kale and remove the leaves from the thick stalks. Cut into bite-sized pieces and place into a big bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the kale leaves and toss until well combined. Add parmesan and spices and toss again until all pieces are nicely coated.
Place in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof baking paper or a silicone mat and bake for 45 minutes or until golden and crisp, turning twice during their time in the oven.