Wishlist 14 - July Edition

Earrings / Tote / Tee / Mugs / Postcards / Tea Towel / Bracelet / Dress

Thank you weather for making it sunny more than one day in a row, and I think this makes it officially summer (yay!) 

There is definitely a lot in store for you all over the summer, and I am making a few changes around here, and also- it is nearly my blog's 1st Birthday- I can't remember when I didn't blog at the weekends (and occasionally in the week) and I really do hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it.

Caroline xxx

Wishlist 13 - June Edition

Bracelet / Bracelet / Scarf / Headband / Dress / Phone case / Dress / Flats / Top / Bottle / Bag / Blazer

Oh dear- it seems as though my wishlists have become apology posts... I've been a little (okay, very) busy this month- revision, revision, exams and err... revision, so it has generally not been so interesting, and I wish I could have spent more time blogging :(. 

Luckily, it is nearly the summer holidays and I have planned some posts and it is also my blog's first birthday soon, and I have some exciting celebrations planned- keep an eye out! 

Caroline xxx

A Peek into my Sewing kit...

Another slightly different post today- I thought it would be nice to show you not necessarily what is in my 'sewing' kit, but more the things I use on a day-to-day basis for general crafty and arty stuff (mmm... good description Caroline...)

So, to start off, I'll show you the things I keep in this little handmade bag (you'll notice, quite a few of the things I have in my sewing box are handmade- if you haven't already seen my illustrated DIY for the pin cushion (below), it's here)

- I have some really pretty fat quarters my sister got for me that are from here, 

- a pencil case with my craft knife, a pencil, spare blades for my craft knife, a thin paintbrush, a glue stick and a pair of dress-making scissors, 

- a wooden board to paint/glue/rest my cutting mat on, 

- my cutting mat (looking a bit worse for wear now!), 

- papercuts that I haven't finished or don't know what to do with...

- paper to scribble down ideas.

I also have a jar full of beads, buttons, thimbles and an assortment of slightly random things... this jar fills up alarmingly fast!

In my biscuit tin (from Borough market), I keep an assortment of useful bits and bobs:

- Firstly, I have a big jar of lace, ribbon, leftover scraps of sari fabric (sooo pretttyyyy!) 

- old cotton thread, which is the strongest I have come across, and is perfect for both hand and machine sewing. 

- an old tape measure

- tiny bottles of beads, and embroidery thread, to prevent tangling/mixing of colours, and of course because they are cute!

- various types of washi tape (most of mine are by a company called 'mt'- they supply a lot of stationery shops, or you can buy them on etsy)

- an old pack of watercolour paints that is surprisingly good- it's lasted me for absolutely ages! 

-A tiny hand-sewn envelope that holds a miniature needle book

-a jar and pin cushion, all in one! DIY here

- and finally, a tiny jar full of jewellery making supplies- earring,, brooch and ring backs, beading wire, standard wire, green wire (?), beads in tiny packets, collected from various bead shops and metal spacer beads.  

I hope you enjoyed that- I realised it is quite a long post (sorry!) so well done if you are still reading :) 

Caroline xxx

Wishlist 8 - Yellow / Cream

Bag / Shirt / Blazer / Lip Balm / Tee /  Shirt / Bag / Sunglasses / Clock / 

Nail Polish / Flats / Bracelet / Vans / Cardigan

Alice Inspired Notebook DIY

I mentioned Everything Alice in a post a while ago, and before I did a full review of it, I wanted to do a DIY inspired by the lovely ideas in the book, and the pretty vintage furniture and fabrics that were used. I decided to make a tiny notebook with vintage playing cards on it.

 I decided to use a copy of a vintage playing card that I found here. I then printed a few copies onto white card, making sure the cards were next to each other, with a little white space between each one (see below.) 

Then I cut them out in pairs, using a craft knife and mat- look at the picture below to see what I'm on about...

I cut my paper to the correct size, making sure it was a little smaller than the cover (I decided to use squared paper, to make my notebook a little more interesting)

Then I paper clipped the cover to the pages, making sure they were all in line. I then poked a hole along the spine every 1/2 centimetre. I then backstitched all the way down.

And you are done! They are just the right size to fit in your purse and take along with you wherever you go, or you could make them into gorgeous little necklaces! 

Enjoy! Caroline xxx

Vintage Bead Necklace

I found these pretty beads in the odds-and-ends box in a bead shop. 

I bought them, but I wasn't sure what to do with them.

I thought I would do something really simple, so here is the DIY! 

All you need are some glass seed beads, some vintage beads, an old chain necklace 

(mine is just from accessorize) and some wire (roughly the same colour as the chain.)

You fold the wire in half and thread on one seed bead. Then thread both ends of the wire through 

the big bead. 

Bend one end of the wire round and make a loop. 

Thread it through the bead and wrap it round the wire. Cut the end as close to the bead as possible! (excuse my nails... I poked myself many times in the making of this DIY!)

Use the other to wrap around the loop (see above) and make it look all pretty and neat!

Then I threaded the bead on the chain.

I snipped off the end of the wire, and pushed all the ends of the wire in, so I don't poke myself :)

So  I did keep going until I had about 7 necklaces......

Happy necklace making! 

Caroline xx

Christmas Present Tips

I spent a LONG time the other day looking for Christmas presents,

and I thought I would share a few of my last-minute-Christmas-shopping tips!

Tip 1- Look in places other people wouldn't

It's always tricky finding nice presents in places EVERYONE shops,

especially as you don't know whether they already have it, or something similar.

My solution: avoid those shops! 

An example of  an ideal Christmas shop is Waterstones, who do really good,

mini-presents (see above) but it is known as a bookshop 

so you wouldn't expect it!

  

Tip 2- Get UNIQUE presents

This is a bit trickier and requires a bit of patience,

but you can try charity shops and crafty markets, 

as sometimes you can find really pretty presents, 

like old silk scarves and vintage jewellery.

For a bit less effort, you can try online places like Etsy.

Tip 3- Put a bit of thought into it!

This is a bit (!) similar to tip 2, but if you think about the person you are 

buying for, and think about where you are likely to find the perfect 

present, it will help you loads, 

and save a lot of frustration!!!

try places like Little Moose, Tatty Devine,

Love from Hetty & Dave, and Modcloth (although mind out

because modcloth is american- shipping would take longer.)

Tip 4- DIY it!

There is nothing that is as special as a handmade

present, and the time you put in really pays off! 

My absolute favourite is this embroidered top (see above)

for ABM by Kelli Murray. Soooo cute!

Or this adorable hot air balloon mobile 

(in christmassy colours they would look amazing on the tree!)from how joyful.

A pretty lampshade from Honestly WTF, and the liberty fabric (©!)

Or an unusual cupcake from mingmakescupcakes! 

These would always be very welcome!

Happy Christmas!!!!

Caroline xxx

Wishlist 5...

I spotted a few of these things the other day (Christmas shopping already!!!)

and I thought I'd do a little wishlist for you :)

1. Coconut macaroon scented candle.... yes please!!! From anthropologie

2. This is possibly the cutest necklace EVER!!! From modcloth

3. I love this toothbrush holder (from urban outfitters), reminds me 

of the coffee and TV blur video- here

4. These gorgeous earmuffs are from modcloth

5. This is possibly my dream present, from urban outfitters

6. This Swedish- inspired dala horse from possibly the cutest shop ever-

little moose

7. This bag is very cute and pretty, again from little moose

8. Finally, I think this origami necklace would work well

stacked up with a few other simple pendants- from etsy

just a few ideas if you are stuck for Christmas shopping inspiration!!!

Caroline xxx

DIY Kitchen Sink Bracelet

This is a really simple bracelet that I really love,

and can be personalised as much as you want!

You will need:

Charms (see below), beads, jump rings, simple chain bracelet and wire.

The charms can be almost anything! I chose beads, buttons,

old pendants and charms (like the cute knife, fork and spoon ones here

that I found at a little market stall in London.)

For beads, thread them on to some wire along with a small glass bead. 

Attach to a jump ring, and twist it until it is secure.  

Lay out your charms along the bracelet in the order you want,

spreading them evenly. You can put as many or as little on as you want.

And yay! This is definitely one of my favourite bracelets, 

and it goes with absolutely anything.

Bird's nest ring DIY

This is an easy 10 minute DIY that is excellent for last- minute gifts,

or just as a cute addition to your jewellery collection!

You need: thin wire, beads, a ring back, needle and thread,

and a small piece of felt so the wire doesn't scratch you.

Thread the beads onto the wire and start to twist round into a loop

to keep them secure.

Start to wrap round the beads, going in circles and in between

as well to keep it secure.

 Sew the finished nest onto the felt, and trim off any excess 

felt or wire. Sew (or if you want it more secure, glue) it to the ring back.

Yay! That's all! If you want to, you can make more with 

different coloured beads to match what you are wearing! Have fun!