Softies for Christchurch

I have several Softies stored away to use as gifts or to try to sell one day, so I am going to donate a few to the children of Christchurch. I have a couple of elephants and a scotty dog ready to brighten someones day. If you have a handmade softie, or the time to make one, click on the link and join in.


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Happy Mail

Today the book I ordered from the book depository arrived.



Delight in the Details
Lisa M. Price

I am in love with this book, it was love at first sight when I saw it at the library. While I had it out from the library I looked through it just about every day, and every time I looked through it I found something new that I wanted to try. This book is full of eye candy of the vintage/shabby chic flavour.
To buy this book here would have cost me about $40-$50, and I had heard lots of people in blogland talking about how cheap it was to order books from the book depository, so I thought I would give it a go. I am totally happy about my purchase! The book cost £10.95, which worked out to around $22nz, so about half the price of buying it here. I had my doubts about the free shipping, I thought I might be waiting months to get my book, but it arrived 7 working days after ordering, which is the minimum time the website said to expect. I will totally be buying books this way again.

The other happy mail was an unexpected package which arrived a few weeks ago, but the little princess "borrowed" it as soon as I opened it, then misplaced it, so it has been MIA until now.



This gorgeous patchwork purse and card was from Nadine, because I signed up for her "pay it forward" last year. I love unexpected packages, it really brightens the day. I'm going to have to get on to sending out my pay it forward packages from last year, time is just flying by so before you know it I will be running out of time.

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I just can't stop

My latest addiction is watching craft tutorials on YouTube. I can't stop. If you have ever watched a YouTube video before, you will know that after watching one video it comes up with a bunch of related videos you might be interested in. This is a dangerous cycle which is hard to get out of, when there are so many great craft videos available.

Anyway, I found one particular video which I think is great, because it appeals to my whole philosophy of upcycling junk into Junque. My favourite materials to use in crafting are basically rubbish, things that other people have thrown away, stuff that would otherwise go to landfill.

This video shows how to make sturdy, grungy looking pages for mini scrapbooks out of plastic bags. But this idea can be used for lots of things, I have seen fused plastic bags made into a kind of fabric to make reusable tote bags, purses, and all kinds of things.



You can also see the video of the finished scrapbook here, and you wouldn't believe some of the junk she has reused to make this gorgeous mini scrapbook. You should also check out her other videos, she has so many fantastic tutorials.

Pay it Forward 2011

I promise something handmade to the FIRST 5 people who leave a comment here. However, to be eligible, you must re-post this message, offering something handmade to 5 other people. The rules are that it must be handmade by you, and it must be sent to your 5 giftees sometime in 2011.
Ready, set, GO!
(via Mummyzilla)

*remember to leave me your email address, if it's not linked from your comment profile.

**I haven't forgotten about the pay it forward gifts I still owe from last year, I'm still deciding what they will be.


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And The Winner Is....

In case you can't read that little love heart, the winner of my Valentines Day giveaway is mummyzilla. But everyone who entered will be getting a little something from me, so could the other three (Nikki Noo, Lattejunkie & Leonie) please email me their addresses so I can get all the packages posted out to arrive on time for valentines day.



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Giveaway Package Revealed

My Valentines Day giveaway is closing on Wednesday morning, so if you want to enter you need to comment on my last post. This picture shows what I have found to put in the package so far. I'm still adding things as I find them/think of them/make them. Everything in there so far is handmade by me. I'm also planning to include something for the little ones, depending on who wins of course.

I've just had the most amazing weekend camping trip with the in-laws. We didn't go far, just to papamoa, but the camping ground was great, the weather was awesome and the kids really enjoyed it. Little man got to have his first beach visit, which didn't really go well, but the rest of us had fun swimming and digging for pipis. I wish we could do it every weekend, but that might have to wait until little man is a bit older and not putting everything he gets his hands on into his mouth. So, if you are looking for somewhere to take the family camping, I highly recommend Pacific Park Christian Holiday Camp in Papamoa.











They have trampolines, a miniputt course, an awesome playground, a hotpool, shops right next door and the beach just across the road. Plus, the ladies toilet block has a pretty decent sized bath for bathing kids under the age of 6, which was very handy.
(please note: I am not religious at all, you do not have to be Christian to stay here, or do anything even remotely religious during your stay, except stick to their rules of no alcohol or smoking in the grounds.)

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Latest Creations

So I've been a bit slack with my new years resolutions, but things have only just started getting back to normal in my household, so the year is just starting.



This brooch was made by crocheting a flower the same way I normally do, using the pattern from Attic24, but with a huge crochet hook and some string/twine I found in the hardware section of my local dollar store. Then I added a piece of doily and a vintage button. I love it. I included my hand in the photo so you get an idea of the size, it's pretty big.



I usually make cards for people, but then thinking about them throwing away my creations a few days later makes me cringe, so I thought I would try tags instead, and hopefully people will be more likely to reuse or display them, because they are a mini work of art. It could turn out to be just as pointless as fancy cards, but it was fun making them. I almost like them too much to give away.

Speaking of giveaway, I've been thinking about it for a while, and what better occasion for a giveaway than valentines day. It's gonna be a surprise package (because I haven't decided what's going in it yet) but I can guarantee it'll be good. There will be jewellery, some tags, some chocolate, and any extra goodies I can find. I'm only going to be able to post within NZ because I can't afford huge shipping costs at the moment, so if you live in NZ or know someone here who would appreciate a special package for valentines day, leave a comment on this post. Giveaway will be drawn on the morning of the 9th of Feb, so I can post it out in time for it to hopefully arrive on valentines day.
Note: you don't have to be a follower or become one, but if you would like to, please feel free :)

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