Another new toy....

I know I already have a label maker but I realised quickly its not one that emboses. It didn't matter though as I still really like it and can use it. However I decided I could have 2 label makers and bought this Motex one which is brilliant and so much fun to use. I have found so many different ways to use it like on this postcard....

I decided to use a dutch quote to go with this series of Dutch Kawaii items. These labels add a fun twist to an already fun postcard.

 

Have you got a Motex Label Maker?

All Aboard...

I haven't been to look at the craft supplies at the local store for a long time but I really needed some pens to draw with as I used up all the ink in the decent one I had for my doodle a day project which I'm blogging about on my bubbles blog.

I managed to buy some pens and browsed the aisle and came across this range...

I want everything but the only thing I came away with is the washi tape. I wasn't even going to get that as the last one I bought in a different collection is now reduced by half price along with half the other items that I didn't buy and I feel really stupid for buying what I did The reason I did this one though is that I think it might be quite popular so whilst I can get one I might as well. I've left everything else and will go back in a couple of months as I'm sure those will then be half price,

 

I only really want the rubber stamps set in the map and the washi tape style one, the ribbon paper clips, twine, the alphabet sticker and I absolutely love the journal even though I have no where to travel to. Of course this is just a wish list as I imagine when the time comes I may decide I don't want any of them but right now I just can't help drooling. I love it when collections come out that are just my thing.

 

Have you seen anything lately that is exactly what you want?

Only in Wilkos

Today I needed to go into the city to sort some things out at the bank again. So on the way back to my car I decided to go in and have a look at wilkinsons stationery for some gift ideas and I ended up falling in love with all their ranges that I could have bought the whole lot back home. I really need to find some journal projects so I've got an excuse to buy some note books at least.

Here are the ranges they have on offer...

Photography

I bought the playing cards as they will be great for ATCs if I ever make any as you'll have that image on the back of each card.

Sweet Shop

Nostalgia

Skyline

I even liked the Cats and Dog Range

Have I got you tempted too? Like I said I wanted it all but thankfully I was good. I wish these were there when I was looking for a journal a couple of weeks ago even if I would have been spoilt for choice.

Stuffed Envelope: Crafting Supply

I took part in a stuffed envelope supply swap last week and hopefully my partner should have received her things by now. I received mine today...

1. The Envelope
2. Note Card: The images are so delicious looking I may end up taking a bite out of the card.
3. Fabric
4. Dream Catcher, apple post its, ribbon, confetti, stickers, notepaper....

I'll show you what I sent again just incase you're curious. I also added in a pro-marker pen as I had 2 of the same colour for some reason..

I just hope my partner likes everything I selected for her.

Have you had some good mail days recently?

It's for you....

I never usually give people at work any type of gift but this year and last I worked with 2 ladies who have really spoiled me with things. One of them I am currently working with but we will both face big changes in September so will no longer work together but may still see a bit of each other considering the location I'll be in. The other has been offered the chance to work in another school for a year and I'm so happy for her to have this experience. I wanted to get them both a little something and I've really struggled to find the right gift, I went yesterday to the supermarket to buy chocolates in the end but just looking at the selection I felt bored and came away having bought nothing. It wasn't until I was trying to sleep last night that I decided to create a feel good relaxtion package of hot chocolates, chocolate biscuits and a cup.... I thought it would be so easy as both stores near here always have tonnes of novelty mugs/cups but typically because I wanted one they had nothing. It was such a struggle to decide which cup to buy as all were plain coloured, clay looking type or really just your average cup... in the end I forced myself to buy this one which I actually really like but it wasn't quite the type of cup I had in mind.

When shopping a couple of weeks ago I saw this style of bag in a few different sizes and really liked them but didn't buy any. I then had the thought to buy one of the ladies daughter the bag and fill it with craft kits etc.... I got as far as buying the bag but just haven't had the energy to do anything more with it, I just seem to lack motivation which is probably why that right present never surfaced for anyone as my mind and heart just aren't in it. I had a look through what I had and came up with these things, I will be giving lots of loose notepaper but decided to photograph just this one as it was a present for me.

The little Miffy a friend in The Netherlands sent me and she told me they bring good luck, she sent me one and 3 to pass on. I really need some luck in so many areas of my life so hopefully it will work for me.

I came across a UK craft supply swap on swapbot over the weekend and decided to take part as I have so many supplies and some I've had for so long that I wanted to pass them on in order to get something fresh and new. Only problem is that I stupidily thought the swap was going to be posted on the 21st which is the first day of my holidays and I thought I could take my time sorting through my things to send. So imagine the shock I got the next day when I got an e-mail to start swapping and the deadline was actually the 21st. So in the end I had to go through my box for make my day to gather some things together. I just hope the person receiving this will like it. (the paper selection are actually a pile of one sheet each from the paper pads I own so all of these together will make one pad).

I have so far received some chocolate from the children at work myself and may get some more tomorrow. Then with it being my birthday next week I have a huge box full of presents to open which I have been adding to as letters and packages are flowing in. It's all so thoughtful.

Have you been celebrating anything lately?

I love this range....

I went to the store on Saturday and came across this Happy Days Range and loved it, they also have a bag. I thought about getting some of the other things but know I won't use them often enough so there isn't much point. I always drool over the flowers but I have tonnes mainly in beige, pink, green and maroon so its not like I can use them that often. I'm glad I have a store right on the doorstep as when ever I need something I can just pop down, this has also stopped me picking up random things most of the time.

Of course though I'd still love to move into my own place, this time I've left it up to my husband to make an offer on a house we both loved but he hasn't had much luck with it... I phoned up to sign up for a maths course and was told to try again at the end of the month (which will probably result in most of their workers being on holiday!)... so lets see what August will bring.

Anyway I was in the craft store, I always look at the sale items and some how ended up chatting to a random lady it was like we were old friends, so funny and I could have actually stood chatting to her all day she was so nice. It actually reminded me of my childhood when we used to get the bus or train and I would end up talking to complete strangers whilst travelling.

Are you working on any craft projects at the moment?

Paper Muses.....

My sister is currently making Good Luck cards for the children she has worked with that are leaving this year after their exams. She was complaining that my niece will be happily playing and the minute she would take her things out she'd tell her she has finished and wanders over to investigate what she's doing. So I guess to keep her entertained she encouraged her to make a card for me which I got on Monday morning with a lovely message on the back. The little bunnies remind me of her as she gallops, skips and glides around where ever we are walking and people stop to look at her.

The wreck this journal finally arrived and I was surprised by the size at first as I imagined it to be a little bit bigger then it was but also some of the things in it were quite childish. I'd bought it as a gift and was in 2 minds in giving it as that person might wonder if I was insane or something. In the end I decided I'll ask her to have a look at it and decide whether she wanted it. I'm so glad I did as the reaction was exactly what I'd hoped it would be. I had the card at home just in case she didn't want the book so I'll give that tomorrow.

From what I'd seen on the Internet I created this insane, wrecked card.... use one word continuously (I know that's 2....), make holes in your page, fill a page with circles, colour outside the lines, rip this page..... I kind of forgot the card needed to stand up when getting over excited ripping it, it would have been better doing it along the sides.

I would still like one for the silliness of it.

I also bought a little present for me too....

I mentioned a while back that I wanted some collage pieces for my next project and I really struggled to find what I wanted until I came across the pack thats in the 3rd image. I had it in my basket for a week as I wasn't sure what exactly it contained but I'm glad I did buy it as I love it. The thing that I don't understand is that these images are on the inside of the card and not one seller took a photograph of it to make it easir to shop. I definately wouldn't have bought the 5th photographed one as I'm not into words but it would have meant that I'd have bought something else. I've ended up with a flower overload when I wanted something neutral but its ok as I really like everything and can't wait to use them in some way. I'd really recommended these K&Co packs. I've already created something using the old fashioned bicycle.

What kind of styles are you into?

As you will have noticed mine is more ecentric/vintage with the odd floral and cutesy things.

Shop until you drop.....

This weekend I went to another Bazaar called Tradex Bazaar. Its weird thinking of it as Tradex as there was an English company called this selling all kinds of items which eventually went burst and closed so this bazaar owner bought the name and the signing in card system. It has a lot more then Bradford Bazaar but mostly the same stuff.

I hadn't planned on going here but I needed a present for 2 ladies at work for their birthdays. I had come across a bag in a shop and loved it but it looked like it was used so left it and then it came to my mind to go here and buy them both clutches. One turned 50 years old (purple) and another turned 60 (blue), eventually we will probably go out for a meal but I have no idea when as we were meant to go in the holidays but things came up. I had wanted neutral black or white but they didn't stand out as much as these 2 and a emerald green one.

I have bought a third present online but nearly 2 weeks later its still not here so I hope that persons not put out when they find out I've bought these 2 something.

We went to one of the original markets Cannon Mills, it sells all the things both these markets sell, plus loose fabric, bedding, fruit/vegetables, food etc... but its not somewhere I feel comfortable taking photos because its so busy but that could be because its only open on a Sunday. We bought a lot of things but one of the things my mum bought was

mangoes I love traditional honey mangoes... juicy and occasionally hairy!

Years and years ago my mum bought some bowls from one of the first £1 shops we had here, it was run by an East Asian family so most items were from that side of the world. Only one day they just disappeared.... As those bowls were so old and needed throwing away my mum has been searching for some new ones when I saw these....

I bought 4 in this design. My brothers are refusing to switch because they like the other bowls but don't tell them I've managed to throw one out so far and will eventually sneak the other one in to the bin too. They are from Asda for £2 a big bowl, great for cereals, rice and pastas. If I'd had a house I would have got myself some too but I'm on a house item ban as  my bedroom makes me so cross with looking junkie.

I really wanted to craft with brown paper lately so I bought this pack and its been so much fun. So far I've decorated some envelopes but eventually I hope to decorate some postcards too. Its so sweet how these are wrapped in ribbon to make them more attractive, I've never had that with packs before. I can't wait to show you what I've created when the time comes.

Its a good job the holidays are over as it means I'll stop spending money, I hope!

How was your weekend?

Oh my! I want Everything!

Exquisite Papers

ismoyo

miss pink robin

I wanted some collage pieces so decided to go in search of them on Etsy. Oh my! I want everything as its all so cute but in reality I haven't seen exactly the right thing yet as I just want lots of little images and not book pages, buttons and other little bits and pieces.

It's all in preparation for my Project Wonderful!

Have you had the chance to be creative lately?

London Line

I saw this along time ago but haven't yet posted about this range. I really like it but have only bought the brads as I couldn't resist and I imagine the rest will be reduced after the Olympics or the Jubilee celebrations. I love the yarn colours too but I have the last set I bought and haven't had the chance to use them even though I have so many ideas. Its great having all the options of the wonderful ranges of craft items available right now.

Have you seen anything nice lately that you'd like to buy?