Hidden Gems

For some years now I've really wanted to own a gadget where I could create those embossed plastic labels. I've always thought about it but never done anything to get one. It wasn't until I created a couple of things lately that I thought I really need one.

 

The problem was I didn't know what it was called to go in search of it and that's where Yahoo Answers came in handy as I was told about Dymo. I looked it up, choose one and then asked my younger brother about whether they had anything like it at work. He checked and said 2 of their suppliers sold them so will have a look when he went to work. Only he got to work and someone recommended this.. 

Looking at the cartridge prices etc... this worked out cheaper. It only came with a paper tape at the moment but after searching online on Wednesday I came across a seller that lives a couple of street away on eBay. When I asked about collection they were so rude and said no, yesterday we had no internet due to the company doing some work which meant I didn't see that e-mail until today. I started looking around to see if it would be worth it for me to buy from there. It was my lucky day as my younger brothers work place came up as supplying it.  I texted him with all the details, he's ordered it and now I need to wait patiently to get them. If you decide to get this I recommend buying a charger for it as other wise you need 6 AAA batteries. I've got some rechargeable batteries but I'm waiting for an adaptor. It's much bigger then I thought so I know the batteries won't last long. 

 

This label maker is a present from my older sister.

When I went to collect my label maker that my brother had reserved, I visited a couple of shops and came across these shoes that look like slippers and feel like it too. They are completely bliss on my now slightly swollen feet. They are from Wallis even though we only have a tiny Outlet with a couple of the high street names selling there.

 

Whilst I was there I suddenly felt like going to Saltaire, its not really somewhere I visit or feel a need to go to but for some weird reason I did that day so I went as I thought I could pick up some postcards too.

I visited the gallery, then only picked up that one postcard as last time I went (about 3 years ago) they had postcard booklets but this time they only had individual ones which weren't my thing. As well as buying these 2....

I bought a wrapping paper book from Yozocrafts which I loved and mostly use it to wrap my graze boxes when sending packages. I really wanted some more but the price put me off a little as the sheets are small. I came across a table full of booklets that I couldn't decide which ones to get and in the end I choose these 2. The first is a Turkish theme one the 2nd paisleys as I usually like them but this booklet I didn't like at all once I took the plastic off. I'll still use it though and I'm sure it will look nicer when covering my packages.

 

I left the gallery and visited two shops opposite, the first I bought this...

I just knew as soon as I saw it that it was for me. The lady tried to get me to buy the bigger one as it was only slightly more but I preferred the smaller one. I just love it.

In the next shop...

I could have gone insane but I'd already spent a fortune that day. They had fluorescent  plain tapes and giant ones. They also had a label maker with neon tapes but it was a small plastic thing so I was relieved I didn't see it earlier as I may have bought it.

 

After that I decided not to visit anymore shops as it was getting quite lethal.

 

Have you had some fun shopping sprees lately?

oh my!

This year with not feeling so great, things just don't seem to get done around the house but there are 4 other people who can deal with that but my bedroom was something else. I had orders sitting on the bedroom floor waiting to be put away. Things I'd put down on my desk were growing so it ended up looking something like this....

Yikes! I know. I couldn't cope with it being like this so yesterday morning I got up and put all the clothes in the washing machine. Dumped everything on the bed so it looked quite similar to my desk and got sorting it out... that it eventually looked like this.

My desk was always as tidy as this so I need to get back into that routine again. I only have my stickers, pens, envelopes, a letter I've made a start on and some decoupages for cards I need to make as well as some other bits. At least my desk can breath now. I usually have a plain sheet of paper on my cutting mat as whilst I write letters I tend to doodle a bit too.

 

I also organised all my tapes and as someone asked to see them I took a photo of all my tapes.

I put all my washi, paper and fabric tapes in to this box which I received my yozocraft order in. The diddl are the smallest tapes that I have.

I only had one draw full before my last purchase from angoo-mart but now I have 2. I decided to organise the tapes in to themes... hearts, stars etc... because that is how I tend to choose my tapes when decorating my letters and envelopes anyway so its best to have them all together so that I can see exactly what I have.

I have got 2 of some tapes and most of these are still closed so some of them may end up as gifts or in giveaways. Also quite a few of them are almost finished especially the transparent ones as they don't have much on them but they were from my very first order 4 years ago and I don't like the designs all that much which is probably why I still have them. I will try and use them more often though so that I can clear some space.

I have put some of my tapes with my letter sets also and that was already organised as I think it was in December my younger brother and I went to the local store and bought lots of boxes as my previous boxes had no lids so all the dust was collecting in them. I have one for envelopes, craft supplies, letters, rubber stamps but need to get one more for my craft paper.

Here is what my letter set/pad and now my big rolls of deco tape are kept.

Do you always have a tidy desk and are you organised?

All Taped Up!

I received a voucher from Angoo-Mart in the new year and had to spend it by a certain time so I decided to take advantage of it now. I made the most amazing purchase as always and I couldn't help drooling over everything. The only downside was that as I was photographing everything the sun set and my photos ended up not being the greatest.

Here's what I bought...

Washi Tape

I just love sunny yellows, pinks and purples as well as greens and I can't wait to use all these super cute washi tape. I'm still in awe of the cute designs and colours.

 

3 Set Tapes

I really wanted some alphabet tapes so bought 2 of these. I have many letter sets that contain stars and lace but I don't have all that many tapes with either on. The last one was just something I liked and I'm sure I'll find just the right set to use it on.

Deco Tape

These ones I had actually forgotten what I'd chosen, I had assumed that I hadn't bought any character themed tapes this time but that of course was a lie in my mind as I had bought these sentimental circus ones and Rilakkuma one which I really liked. I didn't want any themed ones due to the fact that they are so hard to use up with there being so much on a roll and I don't have all that many sets but never mind, I can at least use them.  The thing I did remember though was the collage ones as I really loved the designs and I just loved the collage tapes that I have already. Everything else I just loved.

I won't be buying from angoo-mart now for a long time as I have so much tape I could probably decorate the house with it. I may however still buy the odd washi tape from the craft store but it will have to be something I really like.

The only other purchases I'm waiting for now is a box full of tippex, I know its a weird thing to buy but I use a lot of it and it was so much cheaper to buy online then at the shop.... also for some reason the supermarket and the store next door just don't seem to sell it. I like the tape one as its dried already.

Are you having good mail days?

Snoopy Card...

Last week a friend e-mailed me some sad news. I wanted to surprise her with a little cheer me up even though I know it would have made only a small dent in lifting her spirit but its the only sad thing about having letter/e-mail communication with friends abroad as you can't just pop around and be there for them.

 

Luckily that day my niece had gone home early so I sat down and crafted this card for her as she's one of the many people that loves Charlie Brown Characters especially Woodstock.

I used my A-Z again as part of the background. The page I've used is of a village called Haworth which is part of Bradford but known as a place in its own right. It is the home of the Bronte sisters and their family and you can visit the areas they walked in etc... as well as their home but also it has one of the only active steam trains which you can take a ride in.

Oxenhope is also a village featured on this page and the only thing I can tell you about it is that it no longer has a Post Office with in the village. I can not imagine living in a place with no Post Office! I've grown so used to having one almost on my doorstep that to have to go in to Haworth/Keighley to post my letters would be so weird as they are some distances apart. They did have one once but it was forced to close when Royal Mail made many of its cut backs.



I had to put woodstock somewhere and it seemed right to put him on the back like you find with manufactured cards. It adds a little something to the card I think. I just didn't find the right place for him on the envelope...

but I do love how it turned out also. I used washi tape that I received from the Lovely Letters swap and I can't wait to find other ways of using it too.

 

Did you enjoy watching Charlie Brown as a child?

You can never have enough...

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Angoo-Mart were offering 20% off and I just couldn't ignore it as I've bought tapes like mad this year so when I had the chance to get a little money off I couldn't let it pass by...

The package arrived this week and I did attempt to blog about it but my photos at the time were first being a pain in having to many shiny bits on and then would not transfer over from Flickr properly in that they weren't rotated the right way. Something just clicked in my mind to stick them all in a collage and show you that way and its worked so finally you have a blog post....

Isn't there just something fascinating about postmarks and foreign language text that makes no sense at all? Well I think so anyway! I also got a little free gift which was really nice of them to send.

I wanted deco tapes with the theme of hearts, flowers and fruit to match the many letter sets that I own a long with a hint of Paris. I would have loved more star tapes but I just didn't see anything that caught my eye. As for the Washi Tape which all came in plastic boxes I just wanted all of them but narrowed it down to these and I can't wait to now start crafting with them mostly but occasionally using them on my letters. I now need to be good and not buy anymore tapes... lets see if I can!

 

Did you end up putting in an order also?

I've shopped again!

Yesterday I came home to find not one but two boxes waiting for me. I knew what one contained but not the others. If you're curious why not take a look....

I know its unbelievable that I ordered more tape but I gave away some of my last lot and what got me so tempted into buying more were some of the washi tapes that I saw for way more on Etsy and Modes4u so I decided to buy them. These are all from Angoo-Mart which I can highly recommend.

I really needed some lace style tape as so many of my letter sets have images of lace on as well as flowers of course. The other set I have the top one of and really wanted the rest so I couldn't resist when I saw these mini version.

I've never come across silk tapes before so I decided to try them out as they'll go with almost anything and then of course the washi tape that tempted me into buying in the first place. I'm really tempted to go back now and buy some more but I won't just yet. I'll wait a couple of months now before buying even more tape.

As soon as I saw these I fell in love and they only cost £9 for the whole lot which is why I decided to buy the complete set regardless of there being a piggy in it. I will probably give it away at some point on make my day, the rest I'm afraid are just too cute to part with. Of course they sell each one individually too. I'm already thinking I will need some Rilakkuma letter sets in order to use these tapes as I don't have all that many to be able to use these and my other ones, I guess its an excuse to buy some stationery, so watch this space!

I don't know what it is about elephants but they always tempt me into buying them. The stamp tape of course I had to have and have already used a fair bit of it anyway and teddies always come in handy. The sweetie rubbers were a free gift. My niece wanted me to open them to eat!

I'm so pleased with my mini purchase this time too. I now need to write even more letters in order to be able to use them.

I will be showing some more of my delights tomorrow.
 Have a great weekend!