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Make your own Custard Cream biscuit!

Sunday 28 December 2014
It seems that we have not had a free crafty pattern in a while :( -Boooooo! So I came up with this quick one for you crocheters to whip up! 

Are you looking for a quick and easy project to use up those yarn scraps? Then this one might just be for you. These simple crochet biscuits are made in just 5 simple steps. Add a brooch back to your badges to create a tasty accessory or make a few for your children's toy box!

So here it is....
I LOVE how fast these are to do! With my patience of a goldfish these are a super quick project.  You can grab the pattern for FREE on Craftsy right here

If you do make up these little biccies be sure to spam us with all of your awesome pictures!

Happy crocheting little Wonderlanders!

Tess x

A new pattern...

Saturday 27 December 2014
Well, firstly I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas?  Ours was fantastic, hectic and busy! Here are some of our highlights...

We have been back in the office today slowly getting back to work... and we have a brand new crochet pattern just for you! (whooo hooo!!)  So here it is a pattern to make these....
1. 2. 3. Awwwwwwww.... How completely sweet are these?  These adorable crochet baby booties are the perfect gift for that special new arrival. They are simple and quick to make and you'll find yourself with a collection quite quickly! Customize your shoes in different colours for either a girl or boy or use our suggested yarn to create a unisex bootie. You can find the pattern in our etsy pattern store right here for just £2!
If you do make these we would LOVE to see your pictures so send them over!! 
Happy crocheting little Wonderlanders!

Tess x



It's nearly Christmas!!!

Tuesday 23 December 2014
It's been completely manic over the past month or so.  I can't wait to have a little rest and get on with some drawing and crocheting/knitting again! And it's already begun! You may have spotted my little baby booties about and a few of you have asked for the pattern for them which I will share below... So here are the little baby booties in question... 
Aren't they just adorable?  They are made for ages 0-3 months and are knitted in Sirdar Simply Recycled Aran yarn which is made up of 51% recycled cotton.  Fancy making your own? I found the pattern for these on Ravelry right here.  It took just one evening to do to! So is great if you need a 'quick fix'!

So before I head off and get on with my endless list of things to do I thought I'd remind you that over the festive holiday's we will be operating a limited service.  See the picture below for opening times :)  
^ ^ ^ It's during these times we will be here at HOW HQ cracking on with your orders, answering messages and making up pieces.  So don't fear if you don't get a reply instantly to your messages this is why ;) 

From everyone at HOW HQ we wish you a truly magical and glitter filled Christmas and a happy healthy new year.  Thank you so much for sticking with us!


Tess x



Tuesday 16 December 2014

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH HOUSE OF WONDERLAND

Christmas shopping and all the stresses it brings is in full force for most of us now! For those struggling to get that item which is perfect for your friend, family member or significant other HOW can recommend several individual and stylish pieces from our wide range of jewellery. 





                                                                                                          For more ideas why not check out our Pinterest ideas for unique  jewellery, adorable accessories and other fabulous ideas? Follow us at https://www.pinterest.com/howonderland/

This year im sporting the 'Christmas Geek' look....

Friday 5 December 2014

After discovering a truly wonderful shop by the name of Laquerdaisical I knew I had to have some! And after spending way, way, way too long browsing all of the awesome nail polishes available I finally settled on....
Top left: Frosted Fancy, Top right: Candy Caned
Bottom Left: Tannenboom, Bottom right: Holoday Pud
I was so excited when they arrived and even more so to discover they are a pretty damn good size! This lady doesn't scrimp! So I decided to use all of these festive varnishes along with a few I had at home and some HOW geek heart nail decals. So here is the result....
So I also used a couple of bits I should mention.  Under the Holoday Pud I used a Nails Inc in Victoria as a base.  On the Candy Caned I used Révérence de Bastien in No8.  I applied 2 coats of all of my Laquerdaisical varnishes and then applied 3 HOW geek hearts the my nails.  I secured all of this with a top coat of Maxfactor Glossfinity.

I am very impressed with how easy it was to all apply and love my glittery Christmasy geek nails! I urge you to check out the full range of Laquerdaisical polishes and of course our HOW Rockin Claws.

Tess


Santa Paws is coming to town....

Thursday 4 December 2014
With Christmas just around the corner Santa Paws has begun the EPIC search of perrrrrrfect gifts for one's feline companion.  Whist hunting around for the best gift it has come to my attention that gifts for cat's are hard to find! There seems to be so much aimed at dog lovers and not enough for our fluffy friends... So with that in mind I begun the great hunt for the most superb gift for a certain little playmate!

As an independent shop my first stop was other British designers.  Here are a few I discovered along the way...
Top left: Custom made cat dish from here
Top right: Candy Cane collar from here
Bottom left: Pack of 2 catnip mice from here
Bottom right: Hello Kitty cat bowl from here

And after discovering petplanet.co.uk I may have gotten a little tiny ikkle bit carried away and went on a spree! So I did manage to find some gifts for Dinah (I say some.... hummm... a few....) Well our little fluffball has been well and truly spoilt! BUT! I did find some other mention-worthy goodies that I have to share with you!.... Feathers & Tails... now they make the most ADORABLE little bows, collars and harnesses for cats and dogs! Be sure to check out their sale price for half price offers ;) Zukie Style is also a great stop for pet bandannas, collars and leads.  The Natural Pet toy company has the sweetest little gifts for your loveable friend.With a page dedicated to Christmas bits as well as stocking items for Cats, Dogs and even Rabbits! AND finally Norsvana have fantastic handmade pet toys made in the UK.  Go check them out!

So that concludes my great search.  I hope that helps.  If you know of an awesome pet gift give us a comment below!

Tess




Christmas in other Countries

Christmas in other Countries

Now that the month of December is fastly approaching, HOW takes a look at how Christmas is celebrated around the world.

Sweden = In Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is St Lucia’s Day (or St Lucy’s Day) on December 13th, which comes from stories told by monks who brought Christianity to Sweden. St Lucia was a martyred Christian girl killed for her faith in 304 AD. Legend has it that she would bring food to persecuted Christians living in Rome, hiding in the catacombs underneath the city. The event was preceded by a Pagan festival of lights and is now celebrated by a girl in a white dress (with a red sash around her waist and a crown of candles on her head.

Spain = The most important aspect of a Spanish Christmas is Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, which is preceded by the main Christmas meal. A traditional Spanish Christmas dinner consists of turkey stuffed with truffles. After the midnight service, a procession takes place through the streets involving people carrying torches and playing various instruments.

Russia = Christmas in Russia is now celebrated on the 7th of January, as the date is different because the Russian Orthodox Church uses the old calendar for religious celebrations. Russians also celebrated Advent, which runs from the 28th November to the 6th of January.

Poland = In Poland, Christmas starts with Advent. Excess is prohibited during this time, and people often give up their favourite food and drinks and parties are also scarce during this time. Christmas Eve in Poland is traditionally a day of fasting, although a special meal is eaten after the first star appears in the sky. Meat cannot be eaten on this day and the meal usually consists of beetroot soup, pasta and fish.

The Netherlands = Dutch children traditionally receive presents on the 5th of December and major celebrations are also held on this day. St Nicholas’ Day takes place on the 6th and involves St Nicholas travelling around the country – sometimes he even travels to the Palace in Amsterdam!

Mexico = Christmas is celebrated from the 12th of December to the 6th of January in Mexico. During this time many “Posadas” (processions) are held, celebrating the part of the Christmas story where Mary and Joseph are looking for room in an inn. This involves several children calling at the homes of neighbours and friends, they then sing a song and are told there is no room and that they must leave. Eventually they come to a house where they are told there is room and they go in to say a prayer of thanks and they then have a party with food, games and fireworks.

France = In France, Nativity scenes are widely used to decorate houses. They also burn Yule Logs (usually made of Cherry Wood), which are sprinkled with red wine to make them smell nice when burning. They are kept burning during the night with food and drinks left out in case Mary and the baby Jesus visit during the night. In French tradition, Santa is dressed in black. Rather than the traditional Christmas pudding served in the UK, the French tend to eat chocolate yule log cake.

China = China is a mostly secular country with only a small minority of Christians. When Christmas is celebrated it is usually in the major cities and in a similar fashion to Western society, with Christmas trees, lights and Santa’s grottos on display. Giving apples on Christmas Eve is becoming a popular tradition (this is because Christmas Eve in Chinese is known as “Ping An Ye” – meaning silent night – and the Chinese word for apple is “Ping Guo” so they sound similar).