Thursday 30 April 2015

Thursday Thoughts #20

Happy Thursday!

And Happy National Stationery Week - Yup, this is a thing!

My name is Zoe & I have an unhealthy addiction to stationery. There I said it. Now who's with me...?

 
ZoFlo

Sunday 26 April 2015

The Creative Crafts Show

On Friday I went to The Creative Craft Show with my Mum as it was at The Bath & West Showground, which is relatively close to where I live - Woohoo! I was really excited as my Mum had been before & said how great it was, but I wasn't quite prepared for how amazing it really would be! Cross-stitch, Card Making, Jewellery Making, Sewing, Knitting...there was something on offer for pretty much any craft you could think of!


We decided to do a lap of the show first, to see what stands were there & compare prices before committing to any purchases. This kind of didn't really work as we were easily distracted by everything & kept going off in the wrong direction! I did make sure I compared all of the fabric stands first though & ended up purchasing some beautiful Polka Dot cotton fabric from a stand called Fabric Time - 2m for £10. Absolute bargain! There was plenty to choose from though & I was definitely in some kind of Sewing Heaven...

 

There were so many "Make & Take" sessions happening throughout the day & I really wanted to give something new a go. As we were walking along the Decopatch Workshop stand really caught my eye. There were lots of other ladies having a go & it only cost £3 to try it for yourself. So I pursuaded my Mum to give it a go with me! We both chose to cover a bauble & it was really fun. It's quite theraputic & you can cover pretty much anything. The idea of covering old glass bottles really appealled to me as I thought it would be a great idea for the home, so I gave in to their "show deal" & got 2 sheets of paper, 1 pot of glue, 1 brush & 3 items to cover, all for just £10. My Mum was a little more enthusiastic about it than I was (I think shes found a new hobby) so went crazy & got lots of different sheets of the paper too to keep her going!


There was so much to see & do, it's hard for me to remember everything...even if it was only 2 days ago! But there really was something for everyone, so if you're an avid crafter then you must go. You will definitely be able to pick up some fantastic deals for crafts that you already do & you may even discover a new crafting hobby whilst you're there. The yummiest stand was The Meditteranean Deli Company - everything was massive & only £2.50. I was super good & managed to resist, but I did pick up a gigantic Orea Cupcake for Nick (which he really appreciated)!


So all in all, it was a really great day. I will definitely be going again next year, but will perhaps take lot's more spending money so I can stock up on fabric! I will upload a Craft Haul next week, which will include the bits I purchased from the show - so keep your eyes peeled! Have you been to The Creative Craft Show before?

 
ZoFlo

P.S. Don't forget, you can like my Facebook Page!

Thursday 23 April 2015

Thursday Thoughts #19

Happy Thursday!

Although today it is basically Friday for me as I have a day off tomorrow - Yippeee - and this weeks Thursday Thoughts is very fitting, as I am off to The Creative Craft Show tomorrow!

Photo Source

I will be sure to upload a post to let you know how I got on / what I purchased!! Enjoy the rest of your week!

 
ZoFlo

Thursday 16 April 2015

101 Things in 1001 Days #24

Bet on a Horse

 So in recent years, I spend my Boxing Days at our local racecourse. It is always a really great atmosphere & the perfect place to catch up with old friends, as everyone seems to go! Usually, I pick the horse with the best name & then Nick will put money on it. So I have never officially bet on a horse with my own money! So as many of you will know, last weekend was the Grand National. Nick was going to place some bets so I thought I would tag along too and have a go. I didn't study anything, although I probably should have. Just picked the one I liked the sound of - Balthazar King. For some reason, I felt really strongly that he was going to do well, so I went wild & put £10 on him to win. Not that wild to some I know, but if he came in I would of got £100!

We went to our local pub for a few drinks in the beer garden before watching the race on their TV. It was actually so much more tense when you have put your own money on a horse. I was also completely oblivious to the fact that Balthazar King fell at the 8th fence, so for the whole race I had my fingers crossed for my £100 win! (Lol). I had an inkling is wasn't going well though as I don't think the commentator mentioned his name once! Even though I was £10 down, it was still a really great evening. I drowned my sorrows in some Baked Camembert, had a few more Strawberry Ciders then we tottled on home. I think next time I will probably do a little more research though...instead of just picking one at random.


 
ZoFlo

Thursday Thoughts #18

Happy Thursday!

I found this the other day - I can't remember where but just thought it was really lovely.


Photo Source

It's a positive way of looking at things if you have had quite a bad day!

Enjoy the rest of your week & have a lush weekend.

 
ZoFlo

Sunday 12 April 2015

Whats in My Sewing Box?

As many bloggers to the "What's in My Handbag" tag, I thought I would adapt this slightly to do a "What's in My Sewing Box"! First things first, here's my Sewing Box...

  
It was a graduation gift from my parents so am not sure where it came from. Can you tell I love Owls? This has two sections, so I'll begin with the top section. This holds the more important things, like needles (for hand sewing), taylor's chalk, my Chako Ace Pen, pins, an unpicker, tape measure & of course my dressmaking scissors. These are my go to items, that I can quickly grab if I'm in a hurry or having some kind of sewing crisis! There are also some random bits like Nicks collar inserts, spare rotary blades, wooden hearts, a spare Sewing Machine foot & 2 Tiddlers cross stitch kits! 


Bottom section - along with my trusty pinking shears (couldn't live without these) & my new rotary cutter, I have lots of other random bits in here too! I have 2 small containers, one that holds beads, sequins & felt hearts & another that holds different coloured buttons (colour coded, of course), safety pins, googly eyes (not sure why these are in here actually...) & another tape measure! Can never have enough tape measures! I also have 2 reels of Christmas ribbon, a bag of random buttons & 2 different widths of elastic. Let's not forget my floral mouse pin cushion that sits in there too! 

 
I'm actually quite impressed with what I have managed to fit in my Sewing Box! And it's relatively handy things (bar the googly eyes perhaps but you never know). What do you keep in your Sewing Box? Do you have any go to items?

 
ZoFlo

Thursday 9 April 2015

Thursday Thoughts #17

Happy Thursday!

 I have been lucky enough to enjoy another 4 day week thanks to the Easter Weekend, so this working week has flown by for me. Anyway, this weeks Thursday Thoughts is a childhood favourite of mine...

Photo Source

As we all know, "It means no worries"(!) which is how I am feeling right now. Especially with all of this lovely sunshine! So basically, just be happy & don't worry about anything else...

 
ZoFlo

Monday 6 April 2015

Smoothie Making // Tooty Frooty

 For a little while I have wanted to invest in a smoothie maker as I think they are an easy & healthy option for breakfast / post workout treat. Also our blender has had it's day really. I haven't attempted to make a smoothie in a long time so thought I would have a go, as a little practice run before commiting to a smoothy maker! It was so yummy that I thought I would share my Tooty Frooty Smoothie Recipe with you!


 2 x Strawberries (large ones & 2 extra for decoration if you like)
150g of Blueberries
1 x Kiwi (peeled, of course)
3 x Petits Filous (I used Raspberry ones but don't think it matters too much)

I literally chopped it all up and chucked it in. That was enough to make two small smoothies...as I had to share it with Nick...but it would probably be enough for one on its own. Do you have any yummy smoothie recipes?

 
ZoFlo



Thursday 2 April 2015

101 Things in 1001 Days #30

Fill up a photo frame with people I care about...

Over the past year or so that me & Nick have lived together (Wow, that long already) we have accumilated a few photo frames with photos of people that we both care about - both friends & family! I thought I would share these with you as one of my 101 Things in 1001 Days!




I love having photos around the house. It's a great way to remind yourself of some amazing memories & is also a great conversation starter if you have guests around. Pretty much all of the photos we have around the house always remind me of something amazing & always makes me smile when I look back & think about it. What photos do you have up in your home that make you smile the most?

 
ZoFlo

Thursday Thoughts #16

Happy Thursday!

It's basically the weekend now - unless you are one of those unlucky ones who still has to work Bank Holidays! But for me, as of 5:30pm today I will be indulging in a long 4 day weekend (sorry). And here is todays Thursday Thoughts...


Ever compared what you have to what others have? Many times I'm sure; we are all guilty of it. But I think it's time that we were all grateful for what we have managed to achieve in life & think of those who are less fortunate. And don't forget, sometimes the grass isn't always greener...

 
ZoFlo

 P.S. Have a fantastic Easter!