Crafty Haul #4

I think we can all agree that I am not very good at updating you on my crafty purchases, with my last Crafty Haul being in May 2015. As I have treated myself to a couple of bits recently, I thought I would share them with you all.

As you all know, I recently won tickets to the Craft4Crafters Show in Exeter where I picked up some really lovely fabric at a great price. I have some really great projects line up for both of these fabrics, which I can't wait to share with you when they are done. 

I recently saw a project idea that really caught my eye; a cute clutch bag with a purse clasp. So when I popped into Millie Moon & saw this oversized purse clasp, I just had to get it! They had lots of different sizes available, with this one costing £5. It was a bit of an impulse buy, but I have some fabric in my stash that I immediately had in mind for this project so that made it slightly more acceptable. I also picked up a burgundy zip, for a sewing project I am currently working on...

I am yet to receive my next item, but I can't wait for them to arrive; Line Painter Pens! I have a project in mind for these, which I why I purchased them (obviously) so I will be sure to update you all when I use them & let you know what I think of them. I found these on Amazon & they only cost around £10.

I think that is about it for now. Lots of future projects in the pipeline to update you all on which is exciting.

Have you purchased any craft gems recently?

♥ 

ZoFlo

Get Crafty Card & Decoupage Starter Kit // Review

Remember that time last summer when I was lucky enough to win a box of goodies in a competition? Well, I have finally cracked open the Get Crafty Card & Decoupage Starter Kit. Ill be totally honest with you, I wasn't convinced from the look of the designs on the box. It didn't look very "cool" or "fancy" so I just popped it on the shelf & there it stayed. But ya know what? It's lush. I feel really bad & it just proves you shouldn't judge a crafting kit by the box....! 

The kit comes with a pack of plain white cards & envelopes, a pack of 3D Foam Squares & loads of cute decoupage designs to make beautiful handmade cards! It is so simple to do & super quick too. If you ever forget a friend's birthday you could knock them up a lovely homemade card in a flash & they wouldn't know any different! It is the perfect kit for beginners & I actually really enjoyed having a go at it whilst watching TV. 

I only did 2 cards for the time being - I didn't want to get carried away & waste the supplies! I did use some extra patterned card with mine too, just to add a little more colour to my designs. You could really add anything you like to it; buttons, ribbon, even mix the different decoupage designs together. I'm pretty pleased with my designs & can't wait to have an occasion to make another one! 

Beware friends & family - you'll all be getting handmade cards from me this year! 

Have you ever done any card making before? What kits would you recommend? 

♥ 

ZoFlo

The Craft4Crafters Show

A little while ago I entered a competition with Crafts Beautiful to win a pair of tickets to The Craft4Crafters Show. It was one of those times when you totally forget you have entered it until you check your inbox & boom......"Congratulations you have won". I was so excited & thought it would make the perfect girls day out for me & my Mum. 

After a surprisingly quick drive to Exeter in the world's worst driving conditions(!) We went straight to the nearest cafe to grab a cup of tea & plan what we wanted to buy. I had 4 dressmaking patterns with me so we had a look at those to decide on which ones I should go with.

As usual it was difficult to know what way to turn with the many different craft stands to look at. We tried our best to explore the show in some kind of order, but it's so easy to get distracted - particularly by the giant knitting needles...

And this paper cake was just the cutest thing...

I found it so difficult to make a decision on fabric so spent a lot of time going back & forth comparing! I obviously chose some fabric from the cheaper stand (a very girly navy blue floral fabric @ £5 per meter) but also chose to treat myself to a slightly more expensive fabric too (some gorgeous burgundy fabric with dragonflies on @ £8 per meter). I think I was very good at being sensible as I could of spent much much more! 

It was such a great day, I do love a good crafty show. What craft shows would you recommend? 

♥ 

ZoFlo

101 Things in 1001 Days #86

Go for Afternoon Tea

Last year for my birthday I went with a friend to a local spa. It was really lovely to spend the day relaxing & our package also included a Facial followed by Afternoon Tea! I always love the idea of Afternoon Tea, as it is a more ladylike way of stuffing your face with sandwiches & cakes....!! 

It was absolutely delicious & the perfect way to finish off a day of pampering. Have you ever been for Afternoon Tea? What places would you recommend? 

♥ 

ZoFlo

How To // I ♥ U 3D Card

I always think handmade cards are the best - but Valentine's Day can be a tricky one. I have a simple Valentines Day Card idea which is super cute & "cool" (for those that are in new relations & don't want to seem too clingy/loved up)! 

To make your card you all need:

• White Card
• Coloured/Patterned Card 
• Craft knife (with a cutting matt)
• Glue
• Pencil & Rubber

I obviously stumbled across the idea on Pinterest & after much searching, I managed to find the perfect printable template. Once you have printed your template & cut it out....

1. Use your pencil to carefully draw around your template on to the white card, remembering to mark which lines to fold & which ones to cut. 
2. Using your craft knife (& cutting matt) cut along the correct lines. 
3. Gently fold along the correct lines to create a 3D/Pop-up effect.
4. Very carefully rub out any pencil lines that may be showing, taking care not to rip the card.
5.  Once you are happy with the way it looks, glue the back of the white card & carefully stick it to the patterned card (it is easier to do this if you fold both cards in half first & stick down one half at a time)

....and you're done! 

I'm sure you'll agree it is really quite simple & looks really cute! If you do have a go yourself, please share with me on Twitter or Facebook.

♥ 

ZoFlo

Kirstie Allsopp Cosmetic Bag // Review

Last summer I received a box full of goodies in a competition I won. I have been slowly working my way through all of the different sets, so I can review them all for you as well. Before Christmas I was in desperate need of a new make up bag. When I remembered I had the Kirstie Allsopp Cosmetic Bag Kit I was super excited...! 

The kit comes with the most beautiful contrasting fabrics for the outside & lining, along with a matching pink zip, fusible interfacing & a needle & thread. Everything is already measure out correctly so it is just a case of cutting it out - super easy & a major time saver! Measuring our patterns can be a tedious task. The instructions are really simple to follow - I didn't get headloss once (I do sometimes get frustrated when I can get it right)! I pretty much followed the instructions completely, apart from the pocket on the front, which I chose to keep as one big pocket (rather than 3 smaller ones). I really took my time with this project, as I I knew it would be something I would use everyday, so wanted it to be perfect. I did it over two evening's but you could quite easily do it in an afternoon, depending on your ability. 

I would say it is a perfect project for beginners & would make a really nice gift for someone who wants to get into sewing. I am really pleased with my finished Cosmetic Bag, although I do struggle to fit all of my make-up in it! I really love Kirstie Allsopps products & am really looking forward to trying out some of the other sets I won.

What Sewing/Craft sets would you recommend? 

♥  

ZoFlo

101 Things in 1001 Days #74

Buy a pair of Ray Bans

When I wrote my list of 101 Things, I am guessing I imagined myself buying a pair of Ray Ban Sunglasses! Unfortunately I am blessed with having poor eye sight, so prescription glasses are much more essential than a cool pair of "sunnies" these days. My last pair of glasses were a small pair of Red or Dead glasses, which were "on trend" when I purchased them...7 years ago! So it really was time for an upgrade. I always feel really under pressure when I'm trying on new glasses in the shops, so decided to order some from Glasses Direct this time. You can order up to 4 different pairs for a free 7 day home trial. Try them on in the comfort of your own home with no shop assistant bugging you - perfect! I knew I wanted slightly bigger frames this time, so order 3 different pairs - the Ray Bans were immediately my favourite ones! 

Once I had sent back my free trial glasses, I uploaded my prescription on their website. I actually uploaded it totally wrong (as I really don't understand what any of it means) but I emailed Customer Support who were really helpful & input my prescription correctly for me. As I ordered them on Christmas Eve, I wasn't expecting them to arrive any time soon...so when they arrived just before the New Year I was super impressed!

I absolutely love my Ray Bans & would 100% recommend Glasses Direct to anyone wanting to find designer glasses at reasonable prices! Maybe one day I'll have some "cool" Ray Ban Sunglasses too - but as these ones help me see & stop my migraines, I'm happy for now...

♥  

ZoFlo