Lake District

Mum & Dad took me to the Lakes today. It was so pretty, what with the low sun and the frozen lake water. I've taken loads of photos and I was sorry to leave, but I think we were all tired by the end. There was a really great waterfall near Ullswater, with a rainbow present due to the position of the sun and the spray from the water.

Birthday

Well, it's my sister's birthday today, and I am in the process of making her present. I won't see her until Easter, when I go home for a week, but my parents are visiting me tomorrow, so I can sent the present back with them. I really miss my family at the moment, especially as I have had news that my Grandmother is very ill. Still, I am trying to remain positive, and hopefully all shall be well.

Potions Bottles

Today I decided to engrave some more bottles, but this time to make hem Harry Potter themed, as Professor Snape's potion bottles. I had to carve some corks slightly to make them fit, and I think they look more 'authentic' that way. I used all recycled bottles, which means that there is a lot of variety in the shape, size and colour of the individual bottles. I'm pleased with how they came out, and I have put the first 3 on Etsy...

Canal

So, I was giving out leaflets around our university campus today for the events week held by the Christian Union with my friends, and we went for a walk afterwards. I have been living in his house for about 5 months now, and I can't believe that I never realised that there was a canal a few streets away! It' really not that pretty, but still- a canal! It goes all the way to Kendal (although it would take days to walk it) and that is cool. When we got there it was dusk, so the photo isn't great. here again I think it looks better in the dark- you can't see how grim it actually is! Lol

Beaded lizards

I have just put 2 more beaded lizards up for sale at my Etsy shop. They are really cute and remind me of the lizards we saw next to the train station when my family were on holiday in Switzerland last summer.



Speaking of summer, it has been yet another lovely day today (bearing in mind that it was freezing cold last week and we were bombarded with hail on the way home from lectures). It almost seems as if spring has arrived early. I hope it lasts! This is a picture taken yesterday at the park.

Chicken Recipe

Today I want to post a craft of a different kind- food!

A few days ago, I was running out of interesting meal ideas, when I looked at some recipe idea cards from Sainsbury's. I really liked the look of the chicken recipe (one of the few types of meat I will actually eat).

Instead of making the pictured chicken though, I made one of the other suggestions on the card:

"Mix some lemon juice & zest & thyme into softened butter, then rub into the skin of a chicken for a delicious combination of flavours"

I must admit that I slightly altered this recipe- I added mixed herbs instead of just thyme, I missed out the zest as I didn't have any & if I make this again (which is very likely to happen), I thin I'll lightly cover the chicken breasts with some plain flour first, then rub the butter mixture on.

It was extremely delicious, and really succulent. The chicken was full of flavour, and I served it up with vegetables and rice. I'm looking forward to making this dish again soon :)

First Sale!

I am really happy today, as I have had my first sale on Etsy! (actually it was yesterday, but I only found out today when I checked my e-mails). This surprised me, as it was listed for less than a week, but it shows how much advertising really does work. :D

I also want to share with you the two users on Etsy that I first bought items from. I really like their products, and I want to share them with you...

The first is JessicaSharrah's shop which sells Ceramic Beads, Ceramic Pendants and Ceramic Jewelry. Jessica is really friendly and sells great products. I love the earrings that she sells and they are great for people with sensitive ears, as they are made using surgical steel.

The second is RoyalCoquette's shop which sells handmade bath and body products. If you have any queries about any of the products, or want something customised, then she will help. Some of her items look good enough to eat!

First Post!

This is the first post of my new blog- hurrah!

I hope to use this blog as a place to collect and save all my craft thoughts in one place. Whether that be new craft items I have recently made, or an interesting item I have seen, or something inspiring.

I have a new Etsy shop also where I can sell my handmade wares: misticraven's shop

Here is a photo of one of my lastest items- a recycled green glass bottle that I engraved on Thursday 7th. It is for sale on Etsy for $18, and I hope it goes to a great new home.