Where is my pencil?

Melts Monthly Subscription Box- June

2016-06-13T23:00:00.000+01:00

I realise it has been almost a month since I last posted! I promise I haven't been abandoning the blog, but I have had a few bulky home improvements going on, and I'm now decorating, so have been rushed off my feet between that and working. I'd love to say its nearly done, but there are a few rooms yet to go! Anyway, I thought I would pop on and let you know what I thought of my latest subscription box!

As we all know, I absolutely love receiving things in the mail. Whether it be postcards, letters or packages, I am always keen to see what the Postman has brought me. I also LOVE candles and having my home smell amazing.

Well, Last week I received my June Melts Monthly Subscription Box! Yay!!! I had subscribed near the end of May and this was done on the website as a pre-approved payment on Paypal. A kind of Direct Debit. Almost. And I can cancel any time.

Costing just £10 per month, you receive 8 full size wax tarts which usually cost £2 each, and from what I have seen a little bonus too! Great bargain as postage is included in your payment, so I had to give them a go!

The box was made up of 8 full size wax tarts as well as a little tester package of mini melts. For those who have missed a trick, wax melts can be used in an oil burner or electric wax warmer and release a strong scent around the home. You can find out more about melts and how to use them here.

Packaging was cute and quirky, and it all arrived intact. It also contained a little description of each scent which was rather useful when trying to figure out exactly what made these melts different from other brands. There are some wonderful combinations happening in this box! The scents were all really summery and gorgeous- Im sure this will change along with the seasons. Of all of the scents, there was only one that I wasn't as keen on, but thats just personal preference.

As the melts are made of soy wax, they melt very quickly compared with, for example, yankee melts, but I am glad to say the scent lingers for hours. From just 1/4 of a melt, I got 3 hours of a well scented burn! And, even after the scent had died down, there was no awful burning wax smell that is typical when you have burned normal wax melts. They are really easy to break into quarters, which I like to do so I can use the same scent in different rooms and also because I want as much out of them as possible!

I will be keeping this subscription going and hopefully manage to resist burning them all straight away so I can have a nice wee collection! I have already taken advantage of the discount code included in the package and ordered another 10 melts- oops! I would love to be able to buy the Lime, Basil and Mandarin scent as a candle, but I haven''t been able to find this on the website so far. Fingers crossed it will become available soon.

The scents included in the box were:

1- Lime, Basil and Mandarin
"Top notes of Sicilian lime and zesty bergamot blend into a juicy heart of nursting ripe mandarins, basil and sharp green velvet"

This was my partners favourite as it was a very citrusy smell, which was quite strong and it is a lovely fresh and vibrant smell- perfect for the season.

2- Chocolate Macaroons
"Chocolate Macaroons with hints of spice makes this scent almost good enough to eat"

This is the scent i'm not actually too keen on as I don't like "foody" smells, but I will definitely use it as I'm sure it will be pleasant when it burns. It is a very sweet smell, and definitely chocolatey.

3- Sweet Pea
"Sweet floral fragrance with notes of sweet pea, rose and hyacinth"

Such a lovely floral scent that it feels as though you are still sitting in the garden. It actually smells of flowers. Not in a fake way at all.

4- Verveine
"A lovely uplifting scent, Verveine blends the fresh citrus notes of sparkling verbena, orange and lemon."

Another Zesty little number, this is one of my favourites and was absolutely perfect after having had a spring clean.

5- Rhubarb & Blackberry
"Based on a classic English crumble of custard, vanilla, rhubarb and blackberries, this scent is a sweet and fruity delight"

Another sweet smelling foody-inspired scent, but this one is much more to my taste. I think the berries help to even out the vanilla tones, and it definitely make for a lovely scent when it burns.

6- Lavender
"A luxurious and relaxing fragrance capturing the distinctive and soothing smell of fresh lavender"

Quite a cool, almost masculine scent. Even though you can definitely smell the lavender, it isn't an overly floral fragrance.

7- Japanese Zen
"A fresh blend of cucumber, wasabi, grapefruit, guava and lime"

A more subtle zesty scent, but it was definitely there along with another fruity scent which is identified on the card as grapefruit. This scent could easily be put into shower gel! Its so fresh!

8- Night Jasmine
"A seductively lush perfume of water jasmine, sweet honeysuckle, neroli, gardenia and orange blossom."

A complex floral scent as there are definitely a few flowers to identify in there, but the combination is perfect. Not too strong and very natural smelling.

9- (Bonus Melts) Strawberry Rhubarb
"A perfect fruity fragrance combines freshly picked strawberries and pink rhubarb"

These gorgeous little shaped individual melts are set with glitter and they are my favourite scent of the batch. So sweet and smell like candy, I'm saving these for best!

If, like me, you love candles and you also love a little monthly treat, check out the Simple Candle Co website here. I've heard that all new subscribers in July will receive a free wax warmer! And just incase you happen to want a flame free warmer, heres a link.

This has been an unpaid, unaffiliated review and I purchased the items myself. The review is based purely on my own experiences.

Yoohoo! Mail Subscription Box- May

2016-05-17T11:08:00.000+01:00

Apologies that I haven't shared this post sooner- I have been a little under the weather, but on the mend now, thankfully!

Today I am going to reveal the contents of the wonderful Yoohoo! Mail subscription box that I received for May. It had an incredible 29 pieces in it! OK, it may not be officially 29, but one of the items was a gorgeous 10 piece writing set, so I have included that in my count.

As you all know, I received the Yoohoo! Mail box in April and was so pleased with it, I have decided to keep ordering. I must point out that I have bought these items myself, and I am blogging about them purely because I love them, as is always the case (so far) on my blog!

So the theme for May was "Wanderlust" and it is easy to see the correlation across all of the items. I was surprised to see that the designs were not necessarily a typical mismatch of "holiday" items such as buckets and spades, beaches and air-planes, but I was really pleased that the designer has taken a different approach.

This box contained 3 gorgeous little Typographical postcards. Really simple black and white background patterns with bold circles of pastel colours and "hello" written in 3 different languages- Can you tell what they are?

As we all know, I love sending letters and postcards, so these will definitely come in handy!

There are also 2 fabulous prints in the box, one which is a kitsch illustration of a hot air balloon and will tie in beautifully with my craft room- yay! And another which is really simple handwriting with some highly detailed floral illustrations on a white background. I was surprised to receive 2 prints, and I really like them both.

There were some lovely little list cards- I would use them while travelling to write the day's itinerary on- I'm hoping that was their purpose, but you can use them however you like. There is another little list- a packing list- and I will definitely use this for my next trip!

As usual, there are 5 greeting cards with corresponding envelopes and on great quality cardstock and papers. My favourite design this month has to be the unicorn, but it is closely followed by the "bon voyage" card that shows the vintage suitcases.

To finish it off, we have a lovely little writing set that I will be using soon when writing to my penpals- yes, I have penpals, and no it's not sad! #SnailMailRevival If you are thinking "what would I do with a writing set, then please see this hub.

Sugar Skull Lino Prints

2016-05-04T22:27:00.000+01:00

So as we saw in my latest Work in Progress... Post, I have been working on a lino print of a sugar skull. Well, it isnt lino exactly, but a much more futuristic and fabulous material called adigraff- it cuts so simply and is a dream to work with- I would recommend you give it a try if your into printmaking.

I underestimated just how long the print would take to carve out, but I am really glad I took my time with it. I have printed at the moment just in black and white and have experimented with a few nice colours for the background. I will be experimenting digitally later on, as well as trying some prints onto patterned paper and collage prints, but for now I want to share my favourite simple colour print. It is perfect for my craft room, and ties in the skull theme from the lounge in a gentle way.

I'm not quite sure where to hang it, but the blue wall is winning ever so slightly...

I also done a simple black on white print onto a canvas that I had nearby, and I really love the little imperfections that are shown from the printing process. My mind has been running with what to do with it now. I'm torn between colouring it with bright acrylic paints or really sparkly, brightly coloured glitters! What do you think? Sparkly or bright? Spaaaarkly??? or Briiiiight? Time will tell!

I really like the way the print has transferred onto the fabric that I may just have to try printing it onto a top or even a little shopping bag... Watch this space....

Craftseller Focus: Ash Beads

2016-05-01T14:31:00.003+01:00

I have had to sit on this post for some time as I was buying as a present for my Mum. Since my Gran died, we have been unable to let go of her ashes, so I thought it would be nice to put them to some use and get a little keepsake made for Mum's birthday. This also means that if we do decide to spread the remaining ashes anywhere, my mum will still have a little part of her close-by. It may seem a little sombre, but I think it is a really lovely way to hold someone close to you after they have passed.

I had never thought anything like this existed and it wasn't until Ash Beads were recommended by a friend that I even looked into the idea.

What I found was absolutely stunning bespoke jewellery made from ashes- be that human or pet remains, you can actually have a gorgeous pendant or bead made. I also found that the prices were very reasonable when compared to other ash jewellery makers out there, and the quality and workmanship truly spoke for itself. Even if Ash Beads were more expensive, I would still buy from them rather than competitors, who charge 6 times as much for what looks like costume jewellery.

Anyway, I digress.

There are lots of options on the website. You can get beads made for Pandora style bracelets, or cabochon setting pendants, or the simple globe style bead pendants. The round pendant I chose for Mum was a medium size. Surprisingly, the price is the same for a small, medium or large pendant and you can opt to include a matching chain. I didn't buy the chain simply because my mum has a fairly strong neck, so we went for a thicker, more robust chain from elsewhere to prevent her losing it.

The pendant itself looks like a little mini earth, which is quite fitting really- your world around your neck. The colours are gorgeous- aqua blues, greens and the texture is added with the ashes themselves, all sealed in glass to keep them safe.

The owner of Ash Beads, Merry, treats the whole process with the utmost respect, consideration and love. The overall impression of this lovely lady is that she really wants to help people with her talent. She asks that you send a little story about the person or furry friend in question, along with a photo, and even some music so that she can channel all of her energy into making the best beads possible after getting to know the person behind the bead a little better. She is also very careful throughout the whole process to ensure that the remains are treated with care and consideration, and any leftovers are returned.

Overall, the process was quite simple. Merry kept me informed the whole way through, and even despite a delay with me posting the ashes, I received the bead in plenty of time for Mum's birthday. She also included a little extra gift in there, which was so thoughtful! I really didn't expect it, and can only think it was maybe a trial run or a slight misfire?- Merry really is a perfectionist with her art. Either way, I was more than pleased with my little extra! It also gave an interesting view of how differently these beads can turn out- the different thickness of swirls and the different colourings. Both are beautiful, though.

There were some additional charges from customs, so I would bear this in mind if using the service- allow an extra £35-40 for VAT charges on receipt of the item.

All of the organisation and forward planning was definitely worth it as my Mum absolutely loved her present! She actually has not taken it off since she received it.

I would highly recommend Merry's service to anyone looking for a unique memento of their loved one. There are also options of having bulk batches made, so if you wanted a fitting gift for family at a memorial, these would be ideal. Or if there were a lot of siblings who couldn't agree on a location for the spreading of the ashes etc, they could each have their own little trinket. I think this would especially be great for families spread across the world.

You can order your very own Ash Beads on the website here.

You can also find the business FBpage by searching "Ash Beads" on Facebook.

Yoohoo Mail Subscription Box- April

2016-04-14T15:07:00.000+01:00

Warning: Spoilers!!! Look away now if you do not want to see April's Yoohoo! Mail box.

As you may or may not know, stationery is one of my weaknesses. To the point where I get excited about going to a stationery or craft store. I remind myself of Pauline on Little Britain with her pens sometimes! Anyway, the idea of a delivered monthly subscription of unique, quirky stationary really appeals to me.

So after months of seeing the little adverts for Yoohoo Mail on my Facebook feed, I finally gave in and ordered a Yoohoo! box. I was so intrigued with the new theme that I decided to buy one. Just a little one off. Maybe.

The Yoohoo box comes with up to 20 items of stationery, and includes things like cards, list pads, menu cards, art prints- really any printable paper based stationary items. So many to choose from!

My intentions were really just to test the feel and quality of the materials inside before committing to a full 3 month subscription, and I think that it really is a great idea that you can buy as a one off. Although, I already had in mind that as long as the card-stock wasn't terrible, I would probably subscribe anyway- a little monthly treat while saving up some gorgeous stationery.

The contents of the box are a complete secret until you unwrap them (or read a spoiler-oops!) I quite like the element of surprise, especially when I know I will be getting some rather unique designs that not many people will have seen.

In Aprils box, there were 19 items, including envelopes. One of the items was a simple A4 black and white typography print that makes you sing the words each time you see it. I think it would look nice in a modern frame on the wall. While I won't necessarily use it myself, I'm sure I will get some use out of it in a project in future.

There were a selection of 5 gorgeous cards in the box too. One is a birthday card, the others are for no particular occasion and all of them are blank inside so that you can leave your own message. I already have an idea of who I will

The designs on the cards are very bright, colourful and quirky, and the envelopes all match perfectly. Even the yellow of the envelope on the pac man card matches pac man exactly. I must say I'm very impressed!!

The quality of the card-stock is great- definitely not cheap and flimsy feeling, and will definitely not slump over when upstanding. Even the quality of the envelopes is very high- there are a variety of smooth and textured papers used for the envelopes, but again they feel quite rich and you couldn't see through them either. These are definitely not the cards you can buy from Card Factory on the high street at 10 for £1!

I will definitely be adding these to my little box of cards so I can pull out a showstopper when the time is right!

There are also some gorgeous little postcards. I'm not sure I can even bring myself to use these as they would look amazing framed in some little box frames from Ikea. I might just have to do that instead.

Again, the quality of the postcards are great. Not flimsy or see- through, you are definitely buying quality in the Yoohoo! mail box.

I am already looking forward to the May edition and I haven't even ordered it yet! I wonder what the theme will be!

As you can see, the running theme for April is "Retro Baby" and this is detailed very well, right down to the nostalgic bubblegum thrown in!

The weekly meal planner that is included is also done in a "Happy Days" Diner style. It is so cute I can't bring myself to write on it so I am thinking of laminating the page so I can keep reusing it. It would look great in my kitchen, stuck on the fridge- and useful too!

Theres a handy phone numbers list- I always love a list, as well as some funky little happy face stickers. So many littly funky bits and pieces in such a little box!

The last little novelty gift in the box is one of the magic Fortune Teller fish. You can usually get these in christmas crackers, but I haven't seen them in years, and definitely not to this standard.

As you can see, it's pretty accurate as it indicates that I am passionate! Well then!

Overall, I am really happy with my Yoohoo! Mail box. The quality is great and really, the cost is pretty good too. If you think about how much it costs you to buy a card in Asda, you couldn't get many for a tenner! Especially of such great quality. If I continue to get these boxes (which I plan on), I will very quickly be getting a lovely collection of cards, and the rest of the stationary really will go into my stash as a bonus!

If you like what you see, you can order your own Yoohoo! Mail box here.

Do you have any monthly mail subscription boxes?? I am thinking of trying out another few- maybe candles or wax melts? I do love a good scent! Any you would recommend?

Work In Progress- Lino Print and Key Holder

2016-04-05T22:20:00.001+01:00

So I thought I would keep you updated on some little projects I have been working on since I shared with you last. I am determined not to let my creativity die away, so I am deliberately making myself create some gorgeous things!

I have been toying with the idea of quick makes for the sake of a shiny new blog post, but figured it would be good to just show you my progress to date.

If you follow my Facebook fanpage, you will probably have already seen these snippets. If not, you may want to get liking for sneak peaks in future!

Firstly, I have been working on a little lino print. Well, it's not actually lino, but adigraff- it's much easier to cut, which creates a much nicer finish. Well, that is if you have better coordination than I do!

The design is a little more complicated than I'm used to and I haven't used this technique in a good few years (you can see my some of my previous Lino print examples here) But I think if I go slow and steady, I'll be able to get something pretty out of it in the end.

I'm not completely sure what I will do with it as a final piece- I do know I want to feature whatever I create in my living room, but the creative process is quite young on this one! I'll be sure to share the results with you as I try to decide on the finish and combination that I would like for the finished piece. Any suggestions? Please feel free to leave a comment!

Secondly, I have been working on a pretty sparkley key holder. This was really just to give me a break from carving the adigraff and let me loose with some super sparkley holographic glitter! The photos really don't do the finish any justice, but I will be sure to share a how to post, with a little video in it so you can see the dazzle for yourself!

The wooden letters were bought from poundland and this really is a super easy- glue and glitter type of make, but the results really are gorgeous! I can't wait to add hooks and see it hanging in it's sparkley glory!

I'm looking into making more of these to sell on etsy or even a facebook sellers page, but I'm still considering the options there. I will also be doing a DIY post for those of you that want to make one for yourself so you can be as proud as me when I'm showing it off!

So what projects are you currently working on? Or are you more of an admirer than a DIY trier? Share the love and leave a comment!

Craft Haul At Poundland!

2016-03-30T22:36:00.001+01:00

I always love a crafty bargain, and I regularly go to Poundland to have a rummage for anything craft related. Or anything pretty for the house really. I was delighted when I went in this week to find this great stash!

Imagine my amazement when I see that Poundland are doing Dovecraft items! I had to obviously buy every colour of the 3D Pearl effects paint- I think it will give some lovely touches to cards and other papercrafts.

Unfortunately, the photo doesn't really do the wool much justice, but it is sparkley! I am determined to at least make a start on crocheting this year, so a nice stash of wool to play with is essential! 3 balls for just £2!

The little sewing book wasn't an essential, as I do know how to sew, but I like to learn little tips along the way and this included some pretty patterns for bags and a lovely cami top, so I had to buy it.

Where else could you get this bounty for under £15??? I can't wait to get started on using them, and I have actually already started on a little crafty project so will be sure to update you with it soon.

Here is a little article of how else to save cash while crafting. Where do you buy your craft supplies? Any tips on keeping your crafting budget down? Please comment with your suggestions x

I'm Back!

2016-03-28T14:30:00.000+01:00

So it seems that I have been concentrating a lot of my efforts on my other blog, which was totally not the intention! I had started a beauty- home- wine type blog, but have quickly realised that it takes up too much time from my first love.

I love being creative. Whether doing some DIY at home, making jewellery, or even doing a bit of gardening- if I can make something look pretty, I feel great.

Unfortunately, I have been blind sighted as the beauty blog seemed to get more views, so I started to concentrate on it a little more, until I realised I was only concentrating on it. I realise that I haven't really made anything in months, and my craft room has turned into more of a nail room. This was never my intention.

I have now began the process of taking down my beauty blog. I think that the whole beauty blog thing has been done to death, and I doubt I can really add much more to it. I can, however unleash my creativity onto the world, and I think it would be a whole lot more "me."

So, over the next month or two, I will be working away at re-launching Where's My Pencil. I will be trying to make it better and prettier than ever. I intend to spend much more time being creative, and if I can share the prettiness with you, then all the better.

I look forward to getting creative again, and I hope you will continue to follow my ramblings.

Fabric Findings- Skulls And Roses

2016-02-21T17:24:00.000+00:00

So I just wanted to share the beginnings of my next little project with you all. I had bought this with the intention of making a skirt to wear to a party at the weekend, but Royal Mail had other ideas. At least it means I can take my time with it and ensure the best possible results.

I really don't blog on here too much, but that's mainly because my crafting gets interrupted by other tasks and general adulting- it really sucks. I am slowly adding more items to my collection of crafty tools, so I will be sure to share with you shortly what I'm planning, and hopefully have some finished products soon enough!

I am going to make a 50s style circle skirt. You know the type- Marilyn Monroe on the fan type flouncyness? Adding a little twist with this gorgeous skull fabric. I have got a little pencil case made from the same fabric and I have always wanted to make a skirt or dress from it, so now is the time! I can't wait to start on this- but I want to make sure I have the right button for it so that I have everything in the one place before starting.

I've added the Amazon links below, just incase you are loving the idea or the fabric.

What little projects are you all working towards at the moment? How do you find time to fit everything in around work and general grown up life?

2016 Crafty Resolutions

2016-01-02T17:49:00.000+00:00

Ok, so I will confess that I have posted a very similar post over on my other blog, but I thought I would make this version more relevant to my crafty goals!

I have a few crafty goals for 2016, and I hope that I can make it one of my most creative years ever! Of course, I will be sharing my creations with you, so I hope that my blog posting will become much more frequent as I create more.

I want to try out at least 5 different artsy/ craftsy techniques over the year. I have my eye on cross stitch and crochet perhaps, and I'm thinking of making some nice quilted type illustrations, but I haven't totally settled on my choices yet. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment with them.

I want to get reacquainted with photoshop and illustrator and create more digitally. Ideally, I'd love to design my own blogs.

I want to be better organised. Less procrastination, more productivity! If I can set aside even a little more time each day to focus on something arty, then I will be able to create so much more this year.

I want to get back into drawing. It really is something that is easy to get rusty with, and I know I have to practice. Sometimes, I'm convinced that my sketches are little more than a child's artwork, so I really have to work hard to get back into the swing of it all.

Do You have any craft- related resolutions? How do you hope to achieve these? What is your top craft resolution for 2016?

Berlin Break

2015-10-27T22:17:00.002+00:00

So I have been venturing on my travels over the last couple of weeks, and despite my best efforts, I hadn't scheduled any posts for the blog in my time away- I do apologise for that. However, I did manage to get a lot of very pretty pictures from my time there, which I will be sure to share with you over the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled! I now challenge you to name all of the places shown on the photos I have shared on this post. You can comment with your answers, and if they are right I will add them!

Witchcraft and Felt Crafts

2015-09-24T20:33:00.001+01:00

I am in heaven at the moment- all of the Halloween stuff is out in the shops, and I can get my fill of freaky crafting items everywhere, and all nice and cheap too!

After previously discovering the felt zombies kit, I have been keeping a keen eye out for more scary felting kits- and I figured that the run up to Halloween would be the best time to find them... In no time at all, I have stumbled across the Wonderfully Wicked Witches felting kit which contains everything you need to make a felt witch, as well as a book of designs you can use in future.

How amazing! The book contains lots of characters- old hag witches, good witches and even the black cat, so there is plenty to keep you busy on the run up to Halloween. Wouldn't one of these be a great sugar free alternative for your special trick or treaters?

Sewing Bundle

2015-08-17T22:24:00.000+01:00

So I have recently been getting reacquainted with my sewing machine, putting together some bits and pieces and getting used to my machine again. It had lived under my bed for a few years, and now that my craft room is set up, I have been able to make use of it.

The only thing is that as I haven't really been concentrating on sewing, I haven't had much of a collection of threads, and often relied on my mum's collection for any projects. I was looking around online, and was quite surprised at the price of standard threads, and also knew that the quality of online sewing materials could be questionable.

Thankfully, my weekly shop saved the day when, again in Lidl, I came across these thread collections. Each box had a variety of colours, which are the perfect base for any thread collection. One box had 20 spools of 500m, the other, 40 spools of 20m. Priced at just £3.99 per box, I had to buy one of each! The great thing about the box of 40, is it includes specialist threads, such as invisible and metallic, so you really do get a great collection.

There are other sewing packs available, including needles, webbing, hemming tape and elastics, but I limited myself to just the threads. If you are a budding seamstress, or just like to have lots of choice for repairs and other tasks, I would recommend that you get down to Lidl and get your threads while you can!

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Crafting... At Lidl?

2015-07-29T22:15:00.000+01:00

Who knew that Lidl have started to do craft items!?!? I didn't, that's for sure. Ok, so I knew about the stationary- coloured paper and guillotines etc they bring out around about term start time, but actual craft materials are another thing all together!

I was doing my weekly shop in my local Lidl recently when I found these gorgeous Washi papers and stickers in the bargain bin. 6 sheets of paper, and 3 sheets of stickers, all colour coordinated, reduced to just £2.09. Amazing!

These would be perfect for upcycling cans and other small items. Plus, there are 2 sheets of labels- perfect for jars and organising. I love the fact that they all self adhesive- perfect for quick crafts. I wish I had picked up more than 1 pack, but I will definitely be scanning the patterns onto my digital collection for use later.

I will definitely be keeping my eyes open in future while in Lidl, as well as the obvious places to get cheap craft supplies!

For more crafty updates, Follow my blog with Bloglovin or click the follow button on the sidebar!

The Works Craft Haul

2015-07-08T21:34:00.001+01:00

Since setting up my craft room, my mind has been a hive of creativity and I have an ever growing list of crafty projects to get done. As my list of ideas increase, I have to invest in more little bits and bobs to make them happen... My favourite way to get everything is online, and one of my favourite online retailers is theworks.co.uk

Not only do they do arts and craft craft materials, they also do books (primarily a bookstore, you can also go to actual stores if you prefer) as well as interior design items, collectables, stationary. There is something for everyone, and you can use buying a gift for someone an excuse to buy crafty stuff- if you spend more than £20 you get free delivery, so buying an extra couple of things are technically free! Plus, I received my items within about 3 days, which is quite typical in my experience. Perfect!

Anyway. To the point. Everything in my haul today cost me less than £20! Those gorgeous little stacking storage cases were 2 sets for £10! They look great in my craft room and fit in well with the colour scheme. Obviously there is a tonne more choice in colours and patterns available.

The Papermania Chipboard album was £2!! That sells on ebay for more! I intend to use it for a mini album of my trip to Germany.

As you can see, the small wooden items- desk tidy, wooden letters and heart were all £1 each! I have great plans for all of those- just watch this space!

Finally, the little key cabinet was just £3! I can't wait to paint it up, perhaps etch some tattoo designs onto the front? I haven't quite decided yet, but it will be tying in with the Sailor Jerry Framed Prints I put together. Suggestions are welcome...

To top everything off, I got a discount applied, 10% I think and free postage with it, so I got everything for about £16! I could spend that very quickly in any craft store, but I managed to get quite a lot of value in this haul! The discounts are in no way exclusive, and you are usually offered a code within a couple of minutes of entering the site. For more crafty updates, Follow my blog with Bloglovin or click the follow button on the sidebar!

Felting Zombies!

2015-07-07T21:19:00.001+01:00

I just had to share these with everyone! I found this Gorgeously Gruesome Zombies felting kit while out shopping. How CUTE are those lil guys!!!! You can make your own little felt stuffed zombies, and it looks quite simple, which I like! And who says they need to be stuffed- you could make a little army of squashed zombies to be at your disposal- cue cute pics and other such mischief!

I actually can't wait to try out some of these ideas- Not only is there a kit to get you started, but also a book that you can use time and time again- we all know how much extra felt you can accumulate!

I'll be sure to add these to my crafty "to-do" list, and will definitely post the results! Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Stud Skull Canvas

2015-07-06T20:33:00.000+01:00

I have been working on this for ages... I'm glad to say it is finally finished! While this wasn't particularly hard to do, running out of studs halfway through definitely slowed things down. It doesn't look like it, but there are around 500 studs on this canvas! I simply used emulsion paint as my base colour- I wanted it to match my feature wall in my lounge- then stuck the studs in to form a skull shape. Not much more to it- I didn't even flatten the studs at the back. Oops.

Still, I don't expect many people to try picking at the studs, so it should hold up nicely on my wall!

I know the design is a tad irregular and uneven, but I quite like that because the human skull is never even anyway. I also like the overall use of metal- it has been likened to the Terminator skull already, I can live with that.

My aim is to have an array of skully decorations in my lounge. I will get there, one skull at a time!

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Sea Life Aquarium in Balloch

2015-07-05T20:47:00.001+01:00

So this week has been spent mainly relaxing, enjoying the sunshine, doing a little shopping and also going out and about exploring.

One such exploration was to Balloch where we went to the Sea Life Centre on the shores of Loch Lomond.

The weather was perfect for a stroll, and an ice-cream afterwards!

As you know,wherever I roam, my camera usually comes with me. This trip was no exception. Balloch itself is around 45 minutes from Glasgow on the train and is a lovely place to visit on its own merit. You can go on a cruise of the loch fairly cheaply, and there are plenty of nice eateries if you get peckish. The main reason we went though, was the Sea Life Centre.

I knew there would be plenty of opportunities to expand my collection of images and I was not disappointed with the results. I will be sure to use these images in the future. Here is a small snippet of what I managed to capture- quite pleased with the results, and this was without using a flash. Looking quite professional, even if I do say so myself!

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View from Loch Lomond Shores

Jelly Fish- Loving The Colour!

Artsy- Perfect Composition For A Still-life

Cute Seahorses!

Starfish

DIY Framed Sailor Jerry Prints

2015-06-21T20:15:00.001+01:00

Today I created some little pieces for my hallway. My grand plan for my hallway is for it to be almost a museum of tattoo art and tattoo paraphernalia- mainly inspired by the Tattoo Museum that I visited in Amsterdam a few years ago. It will be in contrast to the organised, tidy nature of the rest of the house and it is a long way off... but in the meantime I am going to continue creating and collecting some little pieces to adorn the walls.

To create these little prints, I simply sourced some postcard sized Sailor Jerry prints- you can get them off of eBay if you like the style, or you could print onto photo paper at home. I'm sure a google search will get plenty of choices! I also used Ikea Raket frames just because they were cheap and cheerful (from a second hand shop) and because I was unsure whether my plan for painting them would work very well. They also happened to fit the little prints perfectly.

I decided to use acrylic paint to colour the frames red, as my colour scheme will be red and cream in the hallway. I think they look rather professional and cost about £2 each to make. Not bad!

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Sugar Skull Glitter Glasses

2015-06-20T12:35:00.000+01:00

Now, I don't usually promote crafts that I haven't made myself, but these are just far too irresistible not to show everyone! I received them as a leaving gift when I got a new job at work, and I was absolutely over the moon with them! So much so that I MUST practice how to make these- I'm pretty sure there are at least 5 people around me that want a set and the girl who created these for me doesn't sell commercially- although I totally think she should! Who else thinks that would be a good idea?

I'm so impressed as I believe these were here first attempt at making glitter glasses, and they are the first set I have had where the glitter doesn't cover you and become ingested. Yum. The secret to fully sealing glitter? Wood sealant, apparently! There's another thing to add to my craft stash!

So I definitely think these are quite unique, and I look forward to experimenting with glitter and wood sealant myself! What other designs could I experiement with...?

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Bathroom Crafts

2015-06-14T18:29:00.001+01:00

So I wanted some unique accessories for my bathroom. I liked the sparkly letters I saw in places like Asda, but the words that were available didn't quite fit our home's personality. So I decided to buy some wooden letters from eBay, and bling them up so that they tied in with my other accessories in the bathroom... The great thing is, the letters are individual so can spell out anything you like!

Blinging the Throne...

Letters in situ, pride of place in the bathroom.

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DIY Music Memorabilia- Ticket Collection

2015-06-09T23:36:00.002+01:00

I have collected gig tickets as souvenirs over the years and usually just kept them pinned on the wall, or in a file to look at when I'm feeling nostalgic. In moving into our home, it was decided that one of the rooms would be used as a Music room, as my partner is a drummer, so I had to think quickly about some nice artwork for the walls. Vinyls in frames were obvious additions, but I wanted something a tad more personal and unique. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I decided to create a ticket frame. Both myself and my partner have one each, displaying the gigs we have went to over the years, and we also plan to make a third, in time, of those gigs we have went to together. It is surprisingly easy to create your own ticket frame art, and it looks very professional.

You Will Need:

Glue dots (acid free)

Frame- size to reflect number of tickets. I used A3.

Collection of used gig tickets

Method:

1- Choose the tickets you would like to use. I decided on music only, and i removed any doublers. If you go to a lot of gigs, you may also want to choose the "best" gigs, or even favorite bands.

2-Use the liner in the frame as a base(turned around), or just get a piece of paper which fits inside. Lay the tickets over the paper until you are happy with the layout. I overlapped mine in a random order, as I think this reflects the activity at a gig, but it is up-to yourself how you position these. You may have to fold the corners behind for framing.

3- Once you are happy with the layout, you can then start sticking the tickets to the liner/ paper. Use glue dots- please don't be tempted to use blu-tack as this will, over time, break down and cause oil stains on the tickets. Gently remove the ticket you want to stick, affix the dot, then replace in position. It is best to do any tickets beneath any overlapping first, as it makes it easier to achieve your desired layout.

4- Ensure all corners which are sticking out over the sides of the liner/ paper are folded behind or cut off. I want my tickets to remain intact, so opt for folding at all times.

5- Replace the frame as normal, and hang in your desired location. you will now have unique, personalized wall art that is a great talking point for any room!

Crafty Freebies!

2015-06-07T23:19:00.001+01:00

I'm all one for getting a bargain, and it is even better when it's free!!! So I was delighted this weekend when I got this from The Works, and was able to get this for free by redeeming some of my "Together" reward card points.

Like any reward card, you get points when you spend in store, but unlike other cards, these ones rank up pretty fast!! You don't have to spend much nor particularly often to be able to reap the rewards! I worked it out and I have spent only £20 to have enough points to claim a free craft book, and 2 rolls of funky Space Invaders" wrapping paper.

Ok, it may not be the full works of Dickens, but It was free! And will add nicely to my crafty library! Plus, how cool is that wrapping paper!? I'll tell you, it was so cool that I had to get 2 rolls! Free!!!!!

If you want some free stuff as cool as this, register a reward card with The Works and reap the rewards. They do books, stationary, arts and craft materials and even storage boxes and toys! Tonnes to spend your money on, and then your points! Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Smart Garden Photography

2015-06-03T22:45:00.001+01:00

So I have been trying out the new smart camera I got for Christmas- a Samsung WB1100F- and I must say I have been quite impressed. I was definitely due an upgrade to my previous camera, but I was comfortable with the settings, so was a little reluctant to upgrade. The choice was made for me when my partner bough the camera as a gift, and I really haven't had much time before now to test it out, what with decorating and unpacking and other adult life in general!

The photos were taken in my garden, which has turned out to be a little gem of wildflowers as each season develops- the last owners definitely liked the country look. I can't wait to see the Summer fully come in, and discover what Autumn holds...

These lovely little blooms are Bluebells! I have hundreds of them dotted over my back garden...

After a quick google search, I believe these are Perennials. I love how striking they are!

And these.... ok I have absolutely no idea! They are tiny, part of a little bush that was growing

in a pot that I was sure was dead until it started to flower! Any suggestions as to the identity of

these, or how to find out, would be welcome! Answers on a postcard! (or a comment)
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Sparkle Skull

2015-05-31T15:19:00.000+01:00

This was a quick piece of kitsch art I made for my living room, which is skull themed. It was really easy to make as I bought the MDF shape from ebay, and simply painted then stuck lots of crystals on with mod podge. Took about an hour and a half to do, and I think it gives a nice bit of sparkle in the room. I would say if you are going to try it yourself to get a pick up pencil, as it helps position the little crystals perfectly without getting the covered in glue and dulling the shine. Follow my blog with Bloglovin