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?

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?

My week...

Its another week already and my holidays are over... I'm going to miss the fact I don't have to wake up with the alarm clock but most of all that it was lightish when I woke up in the morning... I of course did a couple of times wake up about 6.30am and was convinced it was in the middle of the night due to it being pitch black outside but just rolled over and went to sleep... no chance of me doing that now but the great thing is knowing spring is just around the corner!

In my last week of the holidays I...

Crafted a little, I had imagined I'd do so much more but my mind just wouldn't allow it. Hopefully I'll get a chance in the next couple of weeks even if its just with my niece.

I did way too much shopping, I bought a new bag, some things for my husband, niece, younger brother and friends.... as well as a new duvet for the bed as I've had mine way before I even got married and its almost falling to bits due to the type of material its made from. Of course I bought plenty of food too!

I asked someone to buy me a bun, they bought this delicious looking one that I couldn't help taking a photo of... I ate it, it was delicious with gooey chocolate in the middle also but then someone  else told me Smarties are not Suitable for Vegetarians which surprised me as we used to gobble these by the bucket loads but haven't had any for years... it turned out to be true as the chocolate contains animal rennet... How could you Nestle! Still its my own fault as one of the reasons I hardly eat chocolate anymore is because of Nestles and Mars the company, in about 2010 there was a huge outcry about majority of their products not being suitable for vegetarians and some shops even went to the extreme of taking those products off the shelf. Can you imagine not eating any M&M peanuts, my siblings were gutted as they loved them. I am usually so careful when shopping to check for signs but this day because I didn't buy the bun I didn't even think about it. This is also another reason why I've stopped eating yogurts as so many of them aren't either.

 

Bakewell tarts which I love and I had to try this new flavour of kit kat, cookie and creams. Apparently there is an oreo one too but that isn't suitable for vegetarians.

 

By the way I'm not vegetarian, I just have to eat meat products that are slaughtered in the Islamic way. Also no pig products or alcohol. My pen-friends are great in checking products before sending them to me to make sure it contains no animal fats, beef or pork gelatins, animal anything really...

I will have a healthy year despite all this sweet stuff because I hardly eat any chocolates/cakes when I'm working.

I was looking at the vitamin one day whilst waiting for my mums medication. I was surprised to see all the varieties available but the best one for me was these cranberry tablets. I love the juice but a whole carton is too much for me and you have to consume them within 2 days. I did start buying the small ones but they cost more then a bigger carton considering you probably got less also. So I'm giving these a try now and I hope they work.

I haven't read as much as I would have liked to. If anything I've been reading the same book all week and I'm only still 50% into it but I've been going out more, writing a letter and making the most of my time... Still it didn't stop me from ordering this kindle case online which I loved but the packaging added a little something else to it.

 

Oh! that's just reminded me that I bought this...

I've always wanted one so couldn't resist when I saw it.

It definitely has been a relaxing two weeks, even though things haven't always gone quite to plan...

Window shopping...

Usually when I go to a shopping area in the city I pass 2 sofa stores and can never help taking a peek at what they have available as I'm walking past. In one of the stores these and a few others have caught my eye...

 shout at DFS

Nikita at DFS

I tried looking up sofas at the other store but they didn't have the one that I saw and loved. In reality my husband would really put his foot down if I tried buying something like either of these especially the first. Its sad to think we'd end up with plain block colours and probably leather but we'll see when the time comes...

soft knit cardigan from Asda

I tried this jumper on yesterday and absolutely loved it especially the colour as its something different and I do have clothes in this colour too. I didn't buy it though  as I bought a cardigan in the same type of wool before and it bubbled pretty much straight away which was a shame as I loved it especially the feel. So this one had to stay where it was.

As you know I can't help popping in and looking in at the craft section in a store when going or having been to the supermarket. This range has to be my absolute favourite from Papermania at the moment. Everything fits in so nicely with my Paper Artsy stamps. This is actually sold as a goody bag and I'm so tempted to buy it even though I couldn't resist the paper pad so far and that's considering I need to stop buying paper. The thing that swayed me though was that there were only 2 of each design rather then the 4-6 which never seem to finish.  I also love 2 different ranges  but haven't bought anything from them.

I can only find this one. I love the big button packs which I've stopped myself from buying as I haven't used buttons in my crafts for a long time now, I don't know why as I do actually love using buttons on my work.

Have you seen any nice things lately that you like but wouldn't quite want to own?

A Fetish for Red....

Lotus boots from Barratts shoes

I think I may have an addiction to red things at the moment even though its a colour I've never really liked much but you wouldn't think it from these....

I bought a pair of red boots because I wanted something a little different....

from ebay

and then came this red polka dot phone cover case....

Its now resulted in me choosing this red bag...



ouch bag from TKMaxx



 

 

 

 

 

I tend to buy a new bag once a year along with my shoes so I don't mind spending a little bit of money in order for them to last since I use them pretty much every day. The bag I'm using at the moment I've had for a couple of years. I think I had one in between it but I'm not sure... It a little worn around the edges and the fabric inside has bubbled but otherwise its not too bad. The thing with that bag though is that 3 of us at work bought one at exactly the same price. Myself and one of the ladies continued to use ours as we'd also bought the same shoe design but I decided this time I'd like to get something completely different. I've looked for a while but haven't really seen anything new and exciting as most of the shops sell pretty much the same thing for years. Anyway it was my husbands birthday, I never know what to get him as he just isn't in to anything...sports, food, technology etc... I usually end up getting him a gift bag full of junk food which he is happy with or clothes. This time I decided to get him some jumpers but having wondered around as many shops as possible I decided to try TKMaxx which I hardly ever venture into and I did find him 2 there. They have a bag section where everything is stored by colour... I really wanted a purple bag but didn't see any I liked. I then spotted this and a green bag but decided not to be hasty and continued wondering around a few shops before coming and buying this one. I picked up this bag without checking to make sure a strap was in it, the sales assistant started wittering on at me that I wasn't focusing on the bag to realise it had no strap in it. I came home to see if my kindle fit in it which it did (yes!). Only then did I realise the strap wasn't there, I went back but was refused in the store because they were going to close, I was told they were open the next day which surprised me as I never realised a single shop was open in Bradford on New Years Day! I've never ventured out on this day to find out anyway. I did end up going back the next day, the other bag was still there but what baffled me is that I asked the sales assistant just to let me take the strap out of the other bag and she said no... I could have a deduction instead but the whole reason I bought it was because it had a longer strap so I could put it on my shoulder or across my body but with tonnes of shopping the last thing I want to do is worry about my handbag as well.

from Asda Living

I said I'd rather have a refund unless I could swap it for the other bag which she agreed... the other bag was covered in plastic except the zip bit where I could get the strap out and this one I bought was not because the sales assistant the day before had taken it off... so would it not have been better to let me keep the bag I had, give me the strap and reduced or left the other bag at the same price with plastic covering still on? Hopefully you are still following that and can also understand why I was baffled. Well anyway I have this bag still and love the fact it is so different but its also weird having something colourful as colourful is something I like!

I even ended up getting something red for my niece. I encouraged my sister to buy my niece pumps for school as they are so cheap which means you don't care if they step in playdough, paint and in my nieces case sand.... but also they are comfortable and easy for her to move around. My sister did this but the school once insisted that a pair she was wearing was theres and on another occasion they swapped them for a really disgusting pair which we knew were not hers as I'd only bought them the week before. My sister has let her wear some of her home shoes but they aren't lasting long. She keeps also trying to buy her black shoes but once she starts school full time and has to wear a uniform its all she will really wear. I've been looking out for a pair like this for some months now and was over the moon when I saw them and they only cost £6. I showed them to my sister on video link and she just went but they are red... last time I saw your daughter she was such a girly girl. I think these maybe a little big though as every shop sizes are different.

from the supermarket

And I ended the day with a red velvet cake. This wasn't a choose I made but the sales assistant came up to me with it and asked me if I wanted a cake for 19p! I thought he said 90p so nearly laughed when he repeated it. I've never tried it before but have to admit I didn't enjoy it. The sponge was nice but the white chocolate butter cream was too rich... I can't complain at that price though can I?

I'm now thinking of getting a red kindle cover to match everything. I was debating between plain red or polka dot but theres no need to think about it as polka dot is the only one available.

What colour are you into this year with out intending to go for it?

A snippet of life...

So far I've had a week of my holidays, I've no idea where it has gone but here are some snippets of it...

Some great mail to cheer me up...

My constant addiction to buying craft supplies, a friend and I have talked about Boofle but there are no stickers but these stamps were so cute not to resist even though I'm in 2 minds about giving them away maybe on make my day! Its so tempting but I'll see :). (maybe Amy you'd like them?)

A trip down memory lane... I loved these as a child so couldn't resist when I saw them at the supermarket. I think it tastes even better now then it did then, usually things I've tried as a child I don't as an adult.

With these cold, windy and rainy days, I couldn't resist having a cup of hot chocolate after discussing it with someone on Instagram.

I've so far completed one letter, I'm going to start another tonight but I'm in no rush really as I only have 2 letters to reply to... maybe I'll get others during the week but those will probably be replied to after my holidays.

I've also read a lot of books this week but none that have blown me away. These are ones I've read years ago which my sister left with me to give to a charity shop but instead they've been sitting in a bag on my bedroom floor. I was going to list them all together on eBay but came to my senses when I realised it would cost a fortune to post so no one will want them. I'll just have to take them somewhere even though they would be nice stories to re-read.

 

I've also went into the city but didn't find anything worth buying for myself in the sales, I would have loved to have gone to one of the shopping centers in another city but those would be insanely busy and right now is not the right time for me as my health is still suffering.

 

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was having some blood tests done, the first lot I had done came back as me having a lack of vitamin D, they called me in for 3 more one of which was diabetes. I knew I didn't have it with doing a test on my mum's machine over the last couple of years on the odd occasion when I've thought maybe its that. Still when I sat down and checked the symptoms on the internet I was shocked to find that all my symptoms were listed, it was like reading about myself. I got told on Friday I don't have it so that's a relief but its also weird to have come across that and think I was so close to maybe finding out what it could be. I have a 6 month course of vitamin D and I really hope after that majority of my symptoms will be gone especially the stomach pains and nausea. The only other thing is IBS....

 

It is so incredibly quiet without my niece here but its nice to just sit and do very little....

 

How has your week been so far?

Ladybird, Ladybird....

Last night I had planned on writing a letter but I was so cold that I decided to just curl up in bed and read my kindle instead which is when I finished the book that I reviewed for you yesterday. When I picked up my kindle a little ladybird came running from underneath it... ok so it was a ladybird but when I looked closer I was amazed to see how many spots it had (compared to the one I blogged about a while back). I tried taking a photo but the lighting is just so bad in my room as you can tell so in the end I decided to video it but I've no idea how to rotate the video so that it fits properly in to the box. I just thought since I've made it I might as well share it with you.

 

I ended up doing a video call to my sister so my niece could see it but before it had even connected it had flown away so was somewhere in my room all night. It didn't matter in the end that it flew away as my sister had already put her to bed. So its now a good job that I did make the video as she can watch it when she comes today.

 

As for today its another day of my holiday and I honestly as always can't believe how quickly it is going. I hope to though spend my day sorting my bedroom out as it has turned into a complete mess with craft stuff and other things all over the place. I ended up buying 4 big storage boxes yesterday to get rid of the 2 collapsible ones that I have which are rubbish and fall to bits every time I pull them out from under my bed.

 

1. For envelopes, brown wrapping parcel paper, boxes and clear/double sided tapes.

2. For random craft stuff

3. For my letters (as the box I use now is too small and this I will use for either my tapes or to fill it up with craft supplies for my niece to use as she always tells me she wants to make things. I've bought her a set of children's scissors which my sister said wasn't allowed but how else is she going to learn so I bought them anyway!).

4. My letter sets or books.

 

I've already sorted through all my clothes and gave 3 bin bags full to one of the many recycle shops that have popped up. Basically you take your bags, they weigh them and give you money in return for them depending on the weight. They either sell them or give them away.  I needed to do this as my husband has spent a small fortune on clothes in Pakistan so I will need to have room for them. Also many are from when I got married 6 years ago and do actually still wear but it was time for them to go... I also threw away all my night clothes as those I've had since before I've got married too and ended up buying 3 sets from Primarks. He will be back next week after spending 2 months there... I'm so going to miss having the time to do my own things and having the time to do them.

Another thing I want to organise is my flickr, I want to remove all the sets and start again... its going to be one long tasks but hopefully I'll feel better about it afterwards. Especially if I have the energy to tag everything properly too.

 

October has been a bad month money wise as I've spent a small fortune so November I'll not buy anything else unless its to do with postage. I've decided to order my postage stamps online for my Christmas postcards as they will all need the same one so I really need to get a move on and order them.

 

Lastly I know this blog has turned out to be so dull, I keep trying to pull it back up but with having so much leisure time I'm spending it concentrating more on my crafts and projects as its so much easier as I mentioned with my husband not being here to have the bedroom to myself and going to bed at a stupid time because I've lost track of the time.

 

Hopefully next month I'll be able to pull it up again as I was thinking yesterday I need to get back into doing some of my cultural posts even if it means using pictures from around the web.

 

Hope your having a good mid week!

 

I changed the video from the original one as the ladybird reappeared in the evening crashing in to the ceiling. I got up to do something and then almost sat on it. I decided to make this video, show my niece and then throw it out of the window!

Are you ready for winter?

This year at work everyday I have to do lunch time duty, its quite a walk up to the canteen and back down but also to stand outside when the wind it blowing and the drizzle is coming down is not great. We are provided with a jacket anyway with the school logo on which we must wear but it isn't at all warm or comfortable so they say we can wear our coat underneath and that on top....

 

I first went in search of some flat shoes which I bought from Clarks and have been wearing since September and love them. They are just so comfortable and everyone always asks me where I got them from. I get vouchers for Clarks so got quite a bit of money off too.

 

My next step was a coat and boots which turned in to such a nasty task of looking for something as I wanted flat boots and a coat with a hat and no fur on. I went to every shop I could think of but found nothing, my sister and I went to M&S but found nothing, the following day my brother and I went to the White Rose center and yes you guessed it found nothing! Majority of the coats are hatless but those that were with hats had fur on them but in the end I told my brother there was no point in spending £80- £100 on a coat there when Matalan had many for half the price so I might as well just get one from there. Which is where I got my coat from along with my hat which someone described me as cute when I wear it which I don't know if I was meant to be flattered with or not. I love the hats with ears but think I'd look insane with them on but I hate hats with bobbles as they remind me of my childhood (along with the duffle coats that seem to be making the rounds again, I hated them then and hate them even more now). Thankfully this hat fits me nicely and covers my ears as I've had some that don't.

 

I got another voucher for Clarks but I did not find a pair of flat boots there which was so disappointing as after all I could get 20% off. Also I could have bought a bag but didn't see any that were my style but loads that I liked of course. I ended up going to the White Rose Centre again but this time with my sister as she wanted to buy my niece a dress for a few weddings coming up and its gorgeous. Whilst there I looked at shoes and ended up buying these from Barrats which we used to have in Bradford but don't anymore. I could have got a black pair but decided I wanted something different as I always get black. The price made me think twice I know they will last me at least this and next winter (I hope so anyway).  

 

I've bought myself some gloves too from Primarks and will get another pair so that I can keep one at work and one at home.

 

I hate the fact that I can never find what I want but once I've bought it the shelves are filled with that thing. Do you have a similar luck to me?

 

So are you ready for Winter? (Jo-Anne are you ready for Summer?)

Autumn is in the air....

During the week I have got up around 6.30am, done all the things you usually do in the morning but there have been days when I haven't opened the curtain or if I have its just been pitch black outside that I haven't paid attention to whats going on until this morning...

 

I pulled back the curtains and thought wow! The sun was shinning so brightly but the tree right outside my window looked amazing with all the Autumn colours, it really made me smile and started my day in such a positive way. I really need to start using my camera again to capture moments as my phone isn't always ideal when I needed to zoom in etc... but its just so convenient.

 

I can't remember the last time we experienced Autumn as usually we go from Summer straight in to Winter so its weird to have the Spring like weather (cold morning/nights and warm day times with rainy days in between) but with amazing colours all around. I could get used to the weather being like this and skipping winter all together as its just right for me. Its weird to think that people at work were shouting about snow storms in early October but then they said the same last year and we had a heatwave instead.

 

Today I went to the post office and then the post office sorting office. The postman had left a card to say there were two packages which I assumed were for both my brothers but was the one who ended up going down as they only used initials... it was such a surprise to find that one of them was for me from a friend containing labels I asked her to make me and craft supplies as well as some other bits and pieces. My friends sure know how to spoil me :).

 

From there I went to M&S and oh my! I could really have bought a lot of clothes from there as they had some gorgeous Cardigans, Jumpers and Coats but I have to admit I loved a lot of the English styled clothes but I don't know if I will ever go back to wearing them now as I haven't worn English clothes since leaving college. Bradford's M&S is nasty, its the store you would go to if you were shopping for your gran but to be honest all the grandmothers I know dress trendy so even they wouldn't buy from there. When people told me how great M&S was I just thought they were mad and it was just an over hyped store due to the crappy one we have here. Also at work they gave £50 (now £75) vouchers when a member of staff has 100% attendance every term and I didn't want it as I didn't know what I'd buy there. My sister told me if I gave it away she'd chop my hands off as she loves the childrens range there... saying that though today it wasn't all that good. This M&S is between Leeds and Bradford and is known as the OwlCotes Centre (M&S and Asda).

 

I also went to the supermarket, Staples and then to my aunties before coming home and ordering a take away.... so it has been such a relaxing day. Tomorrow though I've told my younger brother he's taking me to the White Rose Centre in Leeds as I really need a winter coat with a hat for work as I do lunch duty every day so would appreciate something warmer even though work have provided up with jackets but they just aren't appropriate for the winter weather. Hopefully I'll find something as I haven't had any luck here.

 

How has your weekend been so far?

Its Me...

I'm still around barely... I spent most of last week at my aunties house which is why I haven't posted all that many blog posts or commented much on your blogs. Also though it doesn't feel like I ever had holidays as I am still truly shattered and work is super hectic but I'm still in the easy two week period. From next week I'll find out truly what the work of my new role will be like....

 

One thing for sure though is that I have had the best weekend with the most amazing sunshine which seems to have disappeared today as we're back into rain again.... still I managed to get all my washing done and dried so I don't care....

 

Here is a little snippet of what I've done....

I follow Goodnight Little Spoon's blog and watched the transformation of these silhouettes in to postcards that when she listed them in her Etsy shop I just couldn't help buying a set to use. I waited so impatiently to receive them and absolutely love them. I could never create anything like this as I'm hopeless at doing anything to do with people.

I replied to a super cute sesame street letter with a simple letter pad....

I ate way too many of these Netherlands apple rounds as they were so delicious and almost as thin as a biscuit.

I showed off my Care Bear Tape collection, I just couldn't help it as I just love the brightness and fun side of them.

I went to the supermarket on Sunday but decided to check out the craft section at The Range first as I haven't been for some weeks and they have quite a few new ranges in from Docrafts that were so tempting to buy. In the end I only bought these because I have been drooling over them since they came out earlier this year but refused to pay the over the top prices for them due to the Olympics and Jubilee celebrations. These were reduced to about half price so I decided to finally buy them. I didn't even notice these stickers had borders on the back until I sat to craft last night and should hopefully have something to list on make my day soon.

 

After going to the supermarket I went out for a meal with someone from work. It was such a nice day/time but mostly it was nice just to get out and enjoy the sunshine. The day before I also went in to the city and bought myself a pair of shoes from Clarks for work as its not long until the weather gets worse. I always need new shoes as when the weather gets bad I only wear the one pair all day everyday and they don't seem to last long. I'm going to buy a pair of boots too when I get another Clark Voucher...

 

Now I need to make the most of my husband not being here to craft as late as possible as usually I couldn't as he was in bed about 8pm! As well as making the most of the last bit of lighter evenings as even though as you can see from my photos I'm already struggling with lighting.

 

How did you spend your weekend?