Mood Board Monday: Breakfast at Tiffany's

I was inspired by this post by Alissa at Grace's Birdcage Wedding to make this Breakfast at Tiffany's themed mood board as it's also one of my favourite films:


[click to view larger]

Centre image: flickr
1. Earrings by PamperingBeki on Etsy 2. Budget Dream Weddings 3. Budget Dream Weddings 4. Earrings by HeadsTwogether on Etsy 5. Invitations by paperandink on Etsy 6. Tiara by chicallure on Etsy 7. Flickr 8. & 9. The Knot 10. A wedding less ordinary 11. Cold Porcelain Creations 12. Budget Dream Weddings

Hope you've enjoyed this board, there'll be another one next week.

More sewing and glueing

Yesterday was a wedding day- we visited a potential venue and I went and tried on some dresses. I'm off to try on some more dresses today and whilst I have no intention of choosing one just yet, it's fun to get dressed up. Or at least I thought it would be. I didn't really enjoy myself as much as I thought I would. Standing around in my underwear and being fussed over by shop assistants wasn't that great to be honest. Maybe I'll be in a better mood for it today.

I'm really getting into sewing and I may well start stocking bags etc. in my shop soon, I just need to get some more made and photographed when I have some time.

Here's another bag I made the other day:



And a cute new house card:



The card is in the shop now along with a new Bird Bingo ACEO and a new Wedding section.

Some of my wedding lovelies...

As some of you probably know, I make and sell stationery. Here's a little selection of what's on offer. I can make completely custom invitations, save the dates, thank yous or anything else made of paper if so if you have something in mind, don't hesitate to get in touch or raise an alchemy request.

Etsy Buy Handmade pinkangel

Mood Board Monday (um, Tuesday): Mad Hatter Tea Party

This is a bit of a mini mood board as I'm short on time...



1. Dress by Johanna Hehir 2. Cupcakes by Be Cherry on flickr 3. Cake from flickr 4. Roses from flickr 5. Fab teacup and tag from flickr

Hope you enjoy it, there'll be another one next Monday!

Pretty bag

If I do say so myself, this is a very pretty bag...


[click to see larger photo]

It's based on the Charming Handbag in Amy Karol's book "Bend the Rules Sewing".

I've also made the Artsy Clutch from the book but I haven't photographed that one yet. I'm sure there'll be some more sewing over the Easter weekend as I'm rather in the mood for it at the moment!

Have a lovely Easter. x

Pink and Gold Mood Board (the first "Mood Board Monday")

I'm in love with this colour combination, here's some inspiration:



1. Martha Stewart 2. Martha Stewart 3. via The Knot 4. via Bridalwave 5. via The Knot 6. via Bridalwave 7. via flickr 8. via Flickr 9. via The Knot

What do you think? Have you seen any other great colour combinations or themes I can feature next Monday?

Recycle 2008: Idea 2

Well a little later than originally planned, here's Idea 2 of my 2008 Recycling project- you can see idea 1 here. As I didn't manage to publish one in February, I will try to fit two in this month.

This project is about re-using something I always have a lot of- glass jars.

I use them for lots of things already- tea light holders, water for painting, vases for flowers like these:



And here are just a few of the ideas I found on the Thrifty Fun website:

Craft storage, Gifts in a jar, Mix recipes, glass paint, Terrariums and a change jar.

In the past I've also made a memory jar as a cheap and easy Valentine's Day present for my fiancé. I filled it full of little bits of paper with memories written on them like the moment he proposed and the skydive we did a few years ago.

Idea 2
I took some of my favourite fabric scraps, cut them to size (the circumference of the jar plus a bit) and ran them through my trusty Xyron sticker maker. I stuck them on the jar et voila, a pretty candle holder! You could go a little further and add pretty trims and buttons.
You could also use ribbon, lace and how about fabric selvedges?

Here's how it looks with a tea light inside:



Let me know if you make any yourselves and share the picture in the comments. And tell me what other ideas do you have to reuse glass jars?

Note: Be careful when using these as tea-light holders. Use the same caution you would whenever you use candles- don't leave them unattended and place them on a suitable surface.

Book Review: DIY Bride

I've borrowed quite a few wedding craft books from the library and frankly, they haven't been very inspiring. Most of the projects were a bit too flowery or overly fussy for my liking and they were nearly all in various shades of cream.

However, after discovering the DIY bride website, I knew this book would be different. And I wasn't disappointed. From the "Best Dog" collar to the Bird cage veil, there's something to personalise every part of your wedding. I love how Kris Cochran details if the project is best for you to do on your own or whether it's suitable for a group to work on with different "stations" for each element of the project.
There are lots of things I'm planning to make from the book- don't you think Toby would look adorable with a best dog collar?

Blog love

I was lucky enough to be featured on not one but two blogs yesterday.

The first one was cuteable, run by the lovely Lynsey of Swirlyarts.

And the second mention was by Emilia of Auburn & Ivory. She featured me as one of her "Greenies".
This reminded me of my pledge to make a recycled project every month. I didn't manage to do one in February but there will definitely be one this month, I might even try to fit two in.

I'm also really excited as etsy are running a huge series on weddings so there's going to be lots of amazing inspiration over there. I plan to link to their Storque articles from The Crafty Bride later today.

Just a little self promotion... and a freebie

I'm trying to make way for some new lines in my shop so I've reduced the prices on lots of my cards and art, here's just a selection:

Triptych of Bird Collages Was $35 now $30


Sweet apple- blank greetings card Was $6 now $4


Women Like Smart Men Original Collage Was $15 now $12



Card set- Sunshine Girls Was $14 now $12


There's lots more in my shop.

Here endeth the shameless self promotion. As a reward for reading this far, you can download my self-designed backing paper for free from flickr. There are going to be many more of these papers that you can print or use digitally coming soon. Let me know your favourite colour combinations in the comments and I may use them.

Washing day

It was washing day for Toby yesterday...





[photos clickable to view larger]

Poor boy, I think he's forgiven me now!

Hope you've all had a good weekend. If you want to see some wedding stuff, there's a couple of new posts up over on my other blog.

A Vintage Etsy Wedding

I love etsy and I plan to buy anything I can't make from there (except my dress) so here's my first "mood board" for a Vintage style wedding.


1. Katarine Vintage Inspired Earrings by Gingeroni1 2. Loretta by UmbrellaHeaven 3. recycled poppy corsage--ivory by foundling 4. Victorian Wedding v3 - Vintage Hair Pin Set by OriginalsByLynnette 5. French Russian netting BIRDCAGE WEDDING VEIL with Swarovski Crystals by SomethingBold 6. Vintage Rhinestone Bridal Princess Tiara Headpiece by graceartandantiques 7. gold beaded goodness by erstwhilevintage 8. fleur fatale- real orchid and swarovski fascinator by annabronwyn 9. Cream Lace Pillow Boxes - 4 Mini Boxes by fieldandsea 10. Set of 6 - Vintage Wedding Bridal Cards by KeepsakeCouture 11. LOVE IN THE MIST by joanshum 12. Truly Vintage Inspired Necklace, Oxidized Sterling Silver with White Topaz Teardrop by hazelnutcottage

Hope you get some inspiration from my selections!

7 facts about me

Yes I've been tagged- thank you debsmuddle :)

Here's a picture of me to start with, it's my latest self portrait:



Okay on with the facts (I've done this a few times so sorry if I repeat any)...

1. I had to wear a brace on my teeth for about four years when I was a teenager. Hence I really hate smiling and when I do smile, my friends call it my "Gromit" smile. Charming.
2. I have new thoughts on business ideas and future careers all the time. My latest idea (literally today) was that I'd like to be a "Wedding Consultant". Think that's a result of my brain combining the Consulting course I've been on today for my job with my almost constant thoughts about our wedding. Previous ideas have included (in no particular order): Pharmacist, Journalist, Interior Designer, Graphic Designer, Virtual Assistant and Teacher. These have all been in my "adult" life. The list from when I was a child is almost endless. One day I might figure out what I want to be!
3. I used to be terrified of big dogs. I have no particular reason for this- as far as I know I've never been bitten or chased by one. Luckily I'm over this now as Toby's best friend is a Lurcher.
4. My favourite dinner is Roast Beef with Yorkshire Puddings, Roast Potatoes and Onion Gravy.
5. I have to sleep wearing ear plugs. Especially if I'm home alone as otherwise I hear every little noise and think the worst.
6. I've just finished reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Amazing. I wonder if the film lives up to the book?
7. Talking of reading and of sleep. I have to read before going to sleep. My fiance argues I don't have to at all but I honestly think I sleep better if I do.

On that note, I'm off to bed. I'm not going to tag anyone but if you do write 7 facts about yourself on your blog, let me know by leaving a comment.

Making Wedding Stationery with Print Gocco

If you read my other blog you'll know I have a Print Gocco. It's really going to be useful when it comes to making our wedding stationery and in fact I've been using it for just that to make some invitations for a friends wedding in July.



Of course it doesn't stop with invites. You can print almost anything- RSVPs, envelopes, menus, favours, thank you cards, save the dates and so on. Once you have a design, it's pretty quick to print up a big batch.

For some inspiration see these links:
Printing Wedding Stationery
DIY Definitions: Print Gocco
Gocco'd Wedding Invites by Groovy Inclinations
GOCCO FAQ: Part 1 at Weddingbee

I'd love to see your Wedding projects using a Gocco- post them in the comments!