• Cut it Out! by Poppy Chancellor
    crafts - Paper craft

    Cut it Out! by Poppy Chancellor

    October 4, 2016 - By 

    A few weeks ago I treated myself to a copy of Cut It Out! Featuring 30 highly original and stylish designs by cutting edge illustrator and renowned paper cut artist Poppy Chancellor, transform a blank sheet of paper into a stunning work of art. Forget complicated step-by-step instructions, no need for lots of expensive equipment, all you need is a sharp scalpel, craft mat, Poppy’s imaginative designs and a bit of creativity, and you can make cards, masks, invitations, partyware and presents for birthdays, hen dos, weddings, Halloween and Christmas. I’ve owned Cut It Out! for a few weeks but…

  • vintage playing card bookmarks
    crafts - Kids crafts - Paper craft - Recycled crafts - tutorial

    DIY paper clip bookmarks

    July 29, 2016 - By 

    We really enjoy taking part in the monthly Project: recycle and create blog hop as it gives us the chance to try different things. This month the theme was Scrap Paper and we decided to make bookmarks. Both children are taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge so this was a fun craft for them to make their own bookmarks. Equipment to make DIY paper clip bookmarks: Large paper clips Scrap paper Scissors Sticky tape How to make DIY paper clip bookmarks: We have lots of scrap paper from magazines, old games as well as vintage papers I’ve found in…

  • paper weaving at West Elm
    crafts - days out - London - Paper craft

    Paper Party at West Elm ({Blogtacular Part II}

    July 8, 2016 - By 

    It’s time for me to finally sit down and write my second post about Blogtacular and the opening night Paper Party at West Elm. Last year I didn’t go to the Paper Party as I was just too tired from being up at 5 to go on the Photowalk before the conference. I was so envious of all the pictures being posted that I knew I wanted to go this year. The venue was West Elm, an interiors shop on Tottenham Court Road. Paper Makers took over West Elm to bring you hand lettering, paper flower making, colouring, origami, weaving…

  • Easy teacher appreciation card with badge
    crafts - die cutting - Paper craft - Sizzix crafts

    Easy teacher appreciation card with badge

    July 8, 2016 - By 

    Yesterday I shared the hama bead apple my son made. This is a sweet little handmade gift he’ll be giving to his teacher on his last day. Today I’m sharing our Teacher Appreciation card we made using two of my favourite dies – the Sizzix Bigz Die Award and Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Delicate Letters. The card is made in two parts – a separate rosette and card. We made the rosette into a badge which means it can be taken off and worn. You’ll find the full tutorial over on the Sizzix blog now! You may be interested in…

  • DIY flamingo drinking straws
    crafts - die cutting - Paper craft - Sizzix crafts

    DIY flamingo drinking straws

    April 29, 2016 - By 

    Have you noticed the trend for flamingo decor recently? Along with monstera leaves they seem to be everywhere. So I was pretty happy to discover Sizzix had sent me their latest Funky Flamingo Thinlits die to craft with. The Funky Flamingo die by Sophie Guilar features 3 dies which means you can use a variety of papers to give it some depth. I found some pretty pink patterned papers in my stash to cut 5 flamingo shapes. You can find my full tutorial over on the Sizzix blog. Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 3PK – Funky Flamingo (661246) You may be interested in…

  • Easy heart shaped wooden pegs
    crafts - die cutting - Paper craft

    Easy heart shaped wooden pegs

    April 8, 2016 - By 

    I’ve recently started playing the 30-Day Minimalism Game with my sister. I’ve been hearing a lot about people decluttering recently, think Marie Condo and  the cult of tidying up. Now I haven’t read the book myself, just the thought of buying another book for my overstuffed shelves sends shivers down my spine! However the idea of decluttering and keeping things which are useful or meaningful strikes a chord. I know I need to start tidying and decluttering so loved the idea of the 30-Day Minimalism Game. Basically, first you find someone to buddy up with. Then pick a day to start. On…

  • DIY sandcastle flags
    die cutting - holidays - Paper craft - Sizzix crafts

    DIY sandcastle flags

    April 1, 2016 - By 

    We’re currently away enjoying a week at the seaside and we’ve been having so much fun thinking of ways to explore and craft with our new surroundings. Our little cottage  is on the beach which makes it super quick and easy to get the children dressed and out playing on the beach every morning! We’ve been on a boat out on the water, walked along the tide lines and watched boats come and go. We’ve tried to remember how far the tide comes up and watched it disappear back down the beach again. There’s something very soothing about looking out…

  • how to create dipped paper feathers
    Paper craft - Sizzix crafts

    Dipped paper feathers

    March 4, 2016 - By 

    Every Friday I write a project for the Sizzix blog. Today I’m sharing a snippet of my 3rd project for them – how to create dipped paper feathers and create a fun wall hanging. It seems a long time since I last played around with dipped feathers, looking back through my blog it was last July that I created some dipped glitter feathers. Dipped paper feathers This week I’ve been playing around with the Sizzix Bigz Feather Duo which not only cuts out beautiful feather shapes, but the embossing folder helps create realistic feathers too. I’ve used metallic paints and…

  • Paper craft - subscription box

    Brimbles Stationery Subscription Box

    February 15, 2016 - By 

    I’ve been really enjoying using my Life Planner this year. I know we’re only a few weeks into 2016 but I’ve been pretty good at using it every day and keeping on top of my to do list. Now I have a Planner I seem to be more addicted to stationery than usual. Over the last few weeks I’ve been buying lots of stationery from Hema and Kikki.K so I thought I would try a Brimbles Stationery Box. Brimbles Stationery subscription box There are lots of options available to purchase but I chose the Brimbles Stationery Box. I only wanted…