A couple of gifts

My sister-in-law had a birthday just recently. Okay, maybe two weeks ago. Maybe I'm a little behind. 

Tutorial for the make up bag here, I just glued on a huge ruffle flower. (Make a ruffle and use this tutorial, but make it looser and don't twist.)

The necklace in the box is the 'peas in a pod' necklace. I featured Amy from Positively Splendid with here tutorial last month. And she made it SO easy!

My SIL and her husband recently had their first child, so I love the symbolism of the necklace for them (and thankfully so did she!). 

I even started another one as I was feeling so confident. Then realised I know no one else who has only three members of their family...

At least I'll have a nice gift for a couple with a new baby. Check out the tutorial here. All you need is beads, craft wire and a chain (or old necklace). Plus you can make it as small or big as you want.

(The box is just an old business card box with some tissue paper inside, my husband scored it from work knowing I'm a packaging hoarder.)

One Day Monday

It's been a little while since I've done one of these, though if you follow me on Pinterest you'll know I've been pinning a LOT of ideas!

This one I need to do before the summer is out. The height difference between me and my husband is over a foot (I'm 5"1 and he's 6"3), so a nice, easy to walk in pair of heels is essential. Sibylle (who is an awesome photographer as well as crafter) from funky time has a really easy to follow tutorial for revamping an old pair of heels (which I have a few of!) into something pretty cute!

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you'll know i love flowers. And this is such a cute way of dressing up a gift (though Stephanie used it on a wreath too which looked gorgeous!)

Check out the tutorial at Under the Table and Dreaming.

I love the peekaboo cushion featured on see kate sew's pleat week. The tutorial by Delia from Delia creates is so clear too, which is the reason I think even I could give it a go! 

And for a really fun one to end on...

I LOVE this idea! I've even bought some tiny silicone cupcake cases (for £1.50 at The Yorkshire Trading Co.) and am ready to mod podge scrapbook paper to the front of an egg box and gift them! 

I'm trying something new tomorrow. This cake...

found here

But...two layers! Not sure it will stand up to being layered but I'll soon find out, I promised the hubs I'd try, and also with a white choc fudge topping. Plus it's a favourite of my SIL's husband who we are seeing tomorrow. 

Once I surprised him with one and I seriously have not seen him that happy before! (and I've seen him on his wedding day! ;) )

I'll let you know how it goes (though I'm prepared for a complete fail!). Enjoy your week.

A few better pictures

So I thought that after this post I had better share a couple of better pictures so you don't think I'm really that dis-proportioned. 

Here's the wedges I got for my brother's wedding. They're about five inches. I love that it nearly half the height difference between me and my husband, and that I am 'average height' with them on (I'm usually 5"1).

I can now see how badly I need to clean my mirror. But lets face it, what's more exciting to a one year old than licking his own reflection? 

Though at least I tidied moved things out of the way this time! It was pretty rainy and I was on my way to the doctors to take Izzy for her jabs, and I must admit I was pretty nervous. 

I hate holding my babies when they're crying and confused getting injections. But to have my toddler, who can understand so much...I wasn't sure how I was going to do it.

So I distracted myself by making sure she had a new magazine and some special plasters for after. And the nurse was fantastic! She told her to give me a cuddle and I would give her a tight one (and held her arm still), and then she closed her eyes while she had a little scratch. 

She cried, but only while it was being done and was so brave, I was really proud. And as soon as it was over and we'd cuddled I gave her the special owl plasters we'd bought. 

But the thing that really caught me off guard was that the nurse praised me. She said I was a great mum and so prepared. (a few times!) Now I'm not normally prepared and don't think that about myself, in fact I often feel that I'm barely coping with two little children, a house, work and having some time for my husband. 

I was surprised that her words had such a big effects on me, I was smiling like an idiot at her sweet honest words. But it got me to thinking that I really should mention he positive things I think about others, especially mums, because maybe they don't think it about themselves. 

I often think I don't need to mention things like:

"Your home is beautiful."

source

"Your hair looks gorgeous."

source

"You're so great with your children."

source

Because it seems too obvious. But maybe it's exactly what someone needs to hear.

And maybe it could make a difference. 

Have a great week.

p.s. You're awesome!

Officially versatile

Guess what?!

Emily from mirrors, metaphors and kaleidoscopes gave me this award! Thank you so much! 


After accepting the Versatile Blogger Award, the blogger must

1. Thank the person who gave the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to 10 recently discovered blogs.

So seven things...

1. I can make balloon animals.

2. I got married at 19! (which makes it nearly half a decade married!)

3. I have seven brothers and sisters.

4. I have never been out of the UK.

5. I have only ever been in a plane once, and it was piloted by my husband.

6. I LOVE chocolate.

7. I am the worst dancer! I love to dance, but I suck. My little sister's had this terrible dance that I thought was so funny. Til I found out it was called the 'Rhiannon dance'.

I'm passing the award on to blogs who are smaller like me (although I think I'm the smallest of them all!), check them out if you get the chance:

1. Boxoftrix (A fellow UK blogger!)

2. I heart crafty things (Gives me some amazing ideas of things to do with my kids)

3. I create (This girl is awesome and only 15!)

4. Life in the Motherhood (Tips, projects, beauty and reviews)

5. Mommy by day, crafter by night (This girl has some serious sewing skill!)

6. Preschool Alphabet (Some really amazing ideas for younger children)

7. Southern Lovely (Lindsay really is sweet!)

8. The Junk House (Clever DIY)

9. The Overhaul (Another UK blogger!)

10. Little Wonders' Days (Cute kids and awesome ideas for fun activities)