My valentines gift

I've been meaning to write this post ever since Friday when my boyfriend gave me my wonderful valentines gift. I'm writing this post in case you get any inspiration from what he gave me (because I know I would never have come up with this idea myself). On Friday afternoon he presented me with this beautiful hand made rose. Yes I do mean to say handmade, the rose was an origami paper rose.

 I am definitely appreciating the fact that it's handmade because I know he's taken the time to not only think about me but to make something for me. This feeling has definitely inspiring me to make handmade gifts for those I hold dear more often.

 I hope this has inspired you!

Valentines day

With valentines day coming up I thought I'd share my ideas for what I'm giving to my valentines this year. The first thing you definitely need is a card. I was looking for a card that wasn't completely cheesy. When looking on Pintrest for craft ideas I found these perfect FREE printables. Here are a couple are printables I absolutely love. The first is from Artsy-fartsy mama with you're a hoot, for any star wars lovers, harry potter lovers and many more themed sets look here and finally for that extra touch on the envelop why not use these amazing monogram stickers.
My next item on my valentines list is a home-made one. I really struggled to come up with something to make that wouldn't be too girly and I finally decided to make a cake. Who doesn't like food? and more importantly, who doesn't like sharing cake?!

My cake was an almond one smothered in chocolate with a hidden heart centre (come on it is valentines day).

Finally I got him a super cool valentines day themed coaster from the here. This company make amazing slate/ house hold items. They do all kinds of themes, at Christmas they had wonderful table mats that had little reindeer's on them and they also currently have a great range of valentines gifts. It's well worth a look :) The item I bought can be seen bellow.
 

I hope this has inspired you!

Quick beaded friendship bracelet

I know this new year post is well over due but 2014 has so far been unbelievably busy, meaning that until now I've not been able to do anything crafty. But last weekend I made  a super cute blue friendship bracelet. If you want to make one yourself the instructions are further on in this post.

You will need:

• 3x 160cm embroidery strands
• 3 to 5 large beads
• scissors

Instructions

1. Fold the 3 strands in half and knot leaving a loop at the above the knot as seen bellow. You should now have 6 strands.
2. Next groups the strands into twos, making 3 strands. Now start platting.
3. Platt for 1.5cms then thread the middle strand through your first bead. Cross the two remaining threats bellow the bead and carry on platting.
4. Repeat step three until your bracelet is the required length.
5. Platt for a bit longer, to make a the clasp, and knot off.
6. Finally cut the strands place round your wrist and use the extra length to knot to tie round the loop.

I hope this has inspired you! 

Christmas eve (final gift rapping)

If you're anything like me you always leave rapping until the very last minute. I have done that again this year :)  and so while I was at it wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas. And finally I will leave you with a Christmas duck.

 Once again I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

Count down to christmas (week 3)- Really last minute pressents

If you still haven't got a present yet (then you've left it very late this year :) ) but still want to make something personal for your friend, family member or anyone who you want to give a gift to, then I have the perfect video for you, which I found on YouTube!

I thought this may be useful for you, even though some of the ideas are not as crafty as I usually do for Christmas as I believe they are very easy to do as last minute gifts.

I hope this has inspired you!

Count down to christmas (week 2)- Pot of Love

This one is a very simple but time consuming present all you need is:

• Paper
• Jam jar
• Ribbon
• Scrap piece of square fabric

How to make your pot of love:

1. First write 52 (one for every week of the year) loving, inspiring or just simply nice and cute  massages on your paper and cut them up.
2. Now fold your messages in your jam jar.
3. Next screw on the lid and place your piece of fabric on the top of the jam jar.
4. Finally secure your fabric in place by tying the ribbon around the bottom of the lid. 

I hope this has inspired you!

Count down to christmas (week 1)- home made soap

There's nothing more personal than giving a home made item. My first home made item of my christmas pressies is soap. You may remember that I blogged about making my first ever bar of soap here. I made them using this video tutorial.

From there I started to come up with designs as shown bellow. These are great as a centre piece of a present or as a present on it's own. However I should warn you that it takes 3-4 weeks to be ready for giving, so if you want to make them as pressies get making now!

 I hope this has inspired you!