Cacti are seriously on trend at the moment. I've seen so many cactus-related DIY's out there and have been desperate to try one for myself. So after handing in my case study report on Friday, I took most of the weekend off from work and made it my mission (in between enjoying the sunshine!) to find myself a little DIY project. Whilst looking for inspiration, I came across these beautiful cactus wine glasses on Urban Outfitters and just knew that a cactus print, using copper glass paint, would look great on a glass candle votive. Keep reading to find out what I used and how I did it...
As I've mentioned in a previous post, for my sister's hen or bachelorette party I decorated and filled gift bags for each of the hens. I was really pleased with how they turned out and one of the items that the hens were most impressed with was a little keepsake that I made. I'm such a sentimental person that for me a little something to keep from the weekend (aside from a hangover) was essential. So, I decided to go back to my clay-ey roots (I do love a clay craft!) and make some rustic-inspired hanging hearts for everyone; with the bride and groom's initials imprinted on for the bride-to-be and 'hen' imprinted on it for the hens. Keep reading to find out what I used and how I did it...
Being Maid of Honour or Chief Bridesmaid is a big responsibility. For me, one of the biggest responsibilities has been organising my sister's Hen (or Bachelorette) Party. As a bit of a sun seeker, I knew she would really appreciate going abroad and as a huge fan of Spain, Madrid felt like the perfect destination. So a few weekends ago, a group of nine of us jetted off for a long weekend of sun, sangria and tapas! And I'm so pleased (and relieved!) to say that it all went smoothly; she had a brilliant time, the weather was amazing, the apartment was really central and the hen party games and gift bags that I put together went down a treat.
If you caught my Done List May 2016 post, you'll know that in a bid to be a bit healthier and more mindful with my list writing, I've started a monthly 'Done List' sharing snippets of the past month. These snippets might simply be things that made me happy, things I've done, things I've made or things I've achieved. And what a busy month it has been since then! June was super stressful and exhausting; with long long commutes to London (#SouthernFail), clinical case report writing, a persistent sinus infection and frantic hen and wedding art and crafting. Although it was a bit of a struggle (and sadly July isn't looking much easier!) and there were many 'to do' lists written, there were several things worthy of taking a moment to reflect on and add to my June 'done list'...
This is a DIY that I made and photographed absolutely ages ago but never actually got around to posting on here. It's probably one of my favourite, and definitely one of my most elaborate projects, to date. I made it around the time I discovered you could make pom poms with a fork and came about after I found some command hooks
. Renting in a flat is always a bit of an issue when it comes to decorating, but with these little stick on hooks (which promise not to pull paint off when you remove them) you can hang whatever you want, wherever you want. Perfect for filling up those bare walls whilst keeping them nail free and perfect for filling the space above my bed with a DIY project!
. Renting in a flat is always a bit of an issue when it comes to decorating, but with these little stick on hooks (which promise not to pull paint off when you remove them) you can hang whatever you want, wherever you want. Perfect for filling up those bare walls whilst keeping them nail free and perfect for filling the space above my bed with a DIY project! 
I love lists and write them all the time. But the thought occurred to me the other day that most of the lists I write are about things that I need to do or things that I want to achieve. Even blog post ideas - lots and lots of them - that sometimes I don't have the time or energy to actually produce. I write them again and again, either as a reminder of all my 'ideas that are too good to forget' or as a way of motivating myself. And this got me thinking; how helpful is it to consistently make lists of things I have yet to do? How psychologically healthy is that?
2. Balloon Wishes for the Bride by Studio DIY
3. Unicorn Pinata by Oh Happy Day
4. Ribbon and Lace Backdrop by Oh Lovely Day
5. Photo Booth Props by Thinking Closet
It's hen (or bachelorette) party season and so if you're anyone's maid of honour this year, you might be well into hen party planning mode. With just three weeks left until my sister's hen do, I've been frantically searching the internet and pinning ideas almost everyday as inspiration for those final little details (that so often make all the difference!). These five are just some of my favourite, which I picked very carefully, so that I didn't giveaway any spoilers to my sister before her party. Afterwards, I'll be sure to post some of the things I've been up to!
Happy hen party planning!
I know, I know, more pom poms. But following my post on how to make pom poms using a fork my brain has been full to the brim of crafty ways to use them. What with spring supposedly in full swing (it's actually been intermittently sunny, snowing, raining and thundering here in the UK the past week...) I thought it was time to inject some colour into my otherwise completely neutral bedroom and what better way to achieve this than by adding some fun and colourful pom pom cushions!
If you follow this blog, you might remember that back in April 2015, I was asked by a good friend of mine to paint an illustrated map for her wedding invites. After receiving the finished thing, and posting about it on here, another good friend of mine asked me to design and paint her entire wedding invite. I was so privileged to be asked, but it was one of those things that felt so important that I was completely terrified of messing it up. I was so terrified in fact, that it took me quite some time to actually sit down and start it. After some time though, when it really hit home that it wasn't going to paint itself, I did sit down and start painting, and just a few days ago, I received the final invite in the post.
If you follow this blog, you might remember that back in April 2015, I was asked by a good friend of mine to paint an illustrated map for her wedding invites. After receiving the finished thing, and posting about it on here, another good friend of mine asked me to design and paint her entire wedding invite. I was so privileged to be asked, but it was one of those things that felt so important that I was completely terrified of messing it up. I was so terrified in fact, that it took me quite some time to actually sit down and start it. After some time though, when it really hit home that it wasn't going to paint itself, I did sit down and start painting, and just a few days ago, I received the final invite in the post.
Spring has sprung!
And I just love it; not only have the daffodils and bluebells started to pop up but the sun has begun to make (albeit) fleeting appearances and everything (and everyone) just seems refreshed and renewed. In my family, spring is a season full of birthdays (including my own!) and family get togethers. Because of that, I've been out and about with the family quite a bit recently and on my last trip, took my Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens
with me. As it was the first time I had had the chance to use it outside since getting it, I thought I would attempt to get some macro shots of the spring flowers I came across and then share them with you in the hope that they might inspire you as they did me.
with me. As it was the first time I had had the chance to use it outside since getting it, I thought I would attempt to get some macro shots of the spring flowers I came across and then share them with you in the hope that they might inspire you as they did me.
2. Gemstone Soap by Honestly WTF
3. Mini Flower Bouquets by Homey Oh My
4. Faux Healing Crystal Necklace by Isoscella
5. Tinted Mason Jar Candle by Something Turquoise
It was my mums birthday last week, and although I got her something a little more extravagant than usual (it was the big 6-0 after all!), I thought I would share with you some of my favourite DIY's out there that are just perfect as thoughtful little extras! These would be equally great for Mother's Day, which although has already passed here in the UK, is only a few weeks away for many of you in other parts of the world!
What do you think of these ideas?
It's not long until my birthday (yipee!) and although very exciting, I typically hadn't given it much thought until Easter Sunday; when the family gathered and everyone started asking me what I wanted for my birthday. I'm pretty useless when it comes to my birthday, I never know what I want and so after a lot of deflecting, my mum finally pinned me down and we went shopping. Whilst out, I stumbled across a jumper covered in pom poms and it got me thinking about making some of my own.
I just wanted to share this little doodle I did with watercolour paints and a waterproof fine liner, and to wish you all a lovely day. I hope you're all enjoying it wherever you may be, whether you're by yourself, with family or with friends.
Happy Easter everyone!
Happy Easter everyone!
Following my Five Faves Friday DIY Easter Decor post, I was full to the brim of Easter-related craft and DIY ideas but because of all the work I had, very much lacking in time. So, I opted to quench my crafting thirst with the ridiculously easy and spring classic that is the chocolate cornflake cake. You often see them at this time of year with mini eggs on top looking something akin to a birds nest, but for want of being a bit different, I decided to make mine look like flower pots.
Oh, copper. It was after I made my copper dipped candle holder that I truly came to realise that not only was I copper-obsessed, but that with the aid of Hobbycraft, I could make anything in my flat, with the exception of my boyfriend perhaps (though I'm sure there's a way...), copper. So naturally, when I pulled out this poor old mirror, in desperate need of some TLC, I immediately reached for my copper enamel spray paint to give it a copper-infused new lease of life.
1. DIY Bunny Jars by Torie Jayne
2. DIY Easter Clay Ornaments by Mahalolena
3. Table Decorations by Campbell Soup Diary
4. DIY Glitter Easter Eggs by Girl. Inspired
5. Hanging Paper Eggs by Indecora
Easter is such a great time to get creative. Despite this, I don't really remember much easter crafting in my childhood. We've always celebrated Easter; got the family together on Easter Sunday for a roast lunch and the handing out of chocolate eggs. But we've never really decorated the table or painted eggs or done easter egg hunts. I suppose because of that, I find all the easter-related pins and blog posts fascinating. I've found myself recently spending quite some time looking through them, mentally promising myself that when I have the time, I'll decorate my home with lots of DIY lovelies like those above.
What do you think of these easter DIY's?
Link some of your own / favourite DIY's in the comments below!
Link some of your own / favourite DIY's in the comments below!
Happy Friday!
Last week I showed you how to create a faux crystal pendant out of clay which, if I don't say so myself, turned out rather nicely, and yes, that is still surprise you can hear in my voice. So now we have a lovely faux crystal pendant, we can use a technique called wire wrapping (or my make shift easy version, which involves superglue!) to attach it to a chain and create our very own healing stone necklace.
Healing stone and crystal pendants are back in if the collection of Healing Stone Wrap Pendants in Topshop are anything to go by. Although not a big believer in the healing properties of crystals or stones (I just can't get my head around it!), I love how they look and thought I'd have a go at creating my very own faux healing crystal necklace. To keep this post from becoming too long and complicated, I've shown you how I created the crystal out of clay in this post and next week, will share with you how I wire wrapped it and turned it into a necklace.
2. Spread the love by Martha Stewart
3. Valentine's Felt Heart Decor by Isoscella
4. Conversation Heart Macarons by Sugar & Cloth
5. Sweet Heart Earrings by Fall for DIY
Whether you're celebrating valentine's, wanting to give a thoughtful little gift to your nearest and dearest or deservedly making yourself a little treat, these 5 heart-warming DIY's are just the ticket! And although I'm posting these with valentine's in mind, purely because they're heart-shaped, these DIY's make lovely gifts and decorations that aren't eye-wateringly soppy so you can create or use them all year round. Perfect!
I'm having so much fun with my 5 Fave Friday posts at the moment, hence me posting two in such a short period of time!
Let me know what you think of the DIY's above and if you enjoy these kind of posts :)
Happy Fri-yay!
1. 'Like you' card by DoodleLove
2. 'I love that you're as weird as me' card by BettieConfetti
3. 'Anti-social' card by Joanne Hawker
4. 'You complete me' card by Of Life & Lemons
5. 'Annoy the sh*t out of' card by JulieAnnArt
2. 'I love that you're as weird as me' card by BettieConfetti
3. 'Anti-social' card by Joanne Hawker
4. 'You complete me' card by Of Life & Lemons
5. 'Annoy the sh*t out of' card by JulieAnnArt
If you read my valentine's day DIY post earlier in the week, you'll know that me and my boyfriend don't really do valentine's day and consequently, don't get each other valentine's cards. If we did celebrate it though, I would definitely be getting him one of these wonderfully non-cheesy and hilarious greeting cards. I love cards like these; they just feel a touch more personal and real compared to the, what for me feels overly gushy, valentine's cards that you find in card shops. I especially love number 2 and 5 because they not only make me smile, but they're just so true.
What do you think of these cards?
Let me know in the comments below! :)
♥
I'm really not into Valentine's day. Despite being in a long term relationship, every year it comes around and it just annoys me (sorry!). Perhaps it's the pressure it places on couples to make extravagant (and often expensive!) gestures or the unnecessary reminder to singletons that they are, in fact, single. Either way, my boyfriend and I rarely celebrate it; last year, as a good will gesture to the day I bought him a steak and he bought me some chocolate. But in fact, that isn't really that unusual for us, and buying lavish gifts for a day that as far as I'm aware has become popular because of card companies, isn't really my cup of tea.
Copper has taken home decor by storm within the last couple of years and like many others, I fully approve. With it's earthy tones, copper seems to go with everything and adds a little bit of rustic chic. Thankfully, craft stores and craft product companies have jumped on the copper bandwagon and given us lots of different ways to create our own copper accessories. After receiving lots of Yankee votive candles from Santa this year, I realised that I don't have many candle holders suitable for them and so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get my copper on!
It's been a couple of months now since I went to Malaysia (where has the time gone!) and with Christmas so soon after I got back, all of the arts and crafts I was doing were appropriately festive so the blog obviously followed suit. I absolutely love Christmas, and love doing Christmas crafts and then blogging about it, but it does mean that I haven't yet had the chance to share my memories and experiences of the places I visited in Malaysia, like Penang; an island on the north-west coast of Malaysia.
I'm not very good at thinking up new years resolutions OR sticking to them when I do against all odds actually think of them. This year, motivated by reflecting on the past year which has been challenging at times and which I could definitely have made easier for myself, I thought it would do me good to set myself some concrete targets (perhaps calling them 'targets' instead of resolutions will help?!) for both life and blog.
