FATHER'S DAY CARD

Peeps.....I've got to tell you something.....I've started a new relationship. A new, amazingly awesome relationship. You see, I've got a Cricut. Well, a Cricut Mini to be specific. If you've read my blog before and seen the Sonic the Hedgehog stuff or the Mario or Mushroom templates, you know that I've had to do all of this stuff for YEARS by hand. I have always wanted a Cricut....AND NOW I HAVE ONE!!

Hey Gorgeous!!

 Theo was so incredibly excited for this too! He's seen lego "skins" being made using a vinyl template and he is convinced that the Cricut can do this. I need to look it up but as this beaut can do EVERYTHING else, I wouldn't be surprised if she can make these "skins" too. *super excited*

I couldn't wait to try it out. But with purpose. Not just anything....a project. Father's Day seemed to be the best reason to get a project started.

Theo and I downloaded the software from the Cricut website. Plugged in the machine and seriously that's it. After less than 5 minutes, we were ready to go.

You get this amazing sticky mat that keeps the material in place. The gridlines match the gridlines in the software. So basically, what you have on the mat on screen, prints out on the mat in the machine. Super cool.

Add caption

You have access to free content within the basics library but you can buy downloadable stuff online through the Cricut Craftroom website. 

We decided that we wanted to make 2 cards for Dad. One dedicated to Theo and Dad's fav passtime; video games. 

£0.99?? How can you beat that???

You pick the image from your library in the software (you can search by keyword too) and bring the image up on your on screen mat. 

With the measurements on screen and on the mat you have a perfect idea of how big the project is going to be. We loaded up the paper onto the sticky mat and followed the on screen directions.

 

It's done. All you have to do is peel it back from the sticky mat. 

Someone's pretty pleased with himself

My choice was a Super Dad card. Again, on sale on the website!

Super easy. Same process. Load the paper on to the sticky mat, follow the 3 steps on screen and you're done. Peel back and you have yourself a fab card for the special Dad in your life.

I went back and printed the insert on yellow paper to make the image pop. What'd you think??

 

I can't stress enough how easy this was! I can't wait to see everything it can do!! There is over 80,000 images to chose from.......amazing. 

TELEPHONE TABLE

I gotta say, its been a while since I had the chance to do a furniture piece. Don't get me wrong, I HAVE a ton of furniture pieces to do.....but I just don't have the time these days...

My Sister and Brother-In-Law have just bought a beautiful new house. Their entrance / porch is massive, and full of light. So when I was given a vintage telephone table, I knew exactly who it would go to!

First step was to sand it all down. Then I used a couple coats of Dulux Satinwood in Caramel Sand.

I bought a remnant piece of fabric from a local fabric store and recovered the cushion. *My staple gun is my best friend*

 

So, here she is, with her new look! I really hope my Sis-in-Law likes her!! 

What do you think? ;-)

PICKING THE RIGHT TOASTER??

When we bought the house 6 years ago, I fell in love with the kitchen. Not specifically the decor, but the size. I miss the large open-plan style of my old house in Canada. I know everything is much smaller and relative here in the UK, but I still miss SPACE. So, when I saw the kitchen in this house, I knew it was for me. I have enough space for a 6 seater dinning table and if the space was used better, I could have more cabinets installed.....*kitchen daydreaming*

Mum-in-law helping with Christmas dinner

Truth is, its kinda bland. Boring even. The sun doesn't come through until much later in the day and to be honest, coupled with the greys and neutral colouring, it feels cold. The fridge, microwave and dishwasher are all grey and the stove is black. Can't really afford to change any of these guys, so thats out of the question.

I've been toying with the idea of changing the tiles and the cabinets. Thats alot of cash though...which we don't have. SO, how do I breathe some life into my boring and dull kitchen???

This is what I started with. Ikea has these cute prints and I thought the rainbow palette was cute and non-offensive. I think that it does brighten up the solid grey wall but still, it doesn't really help the overall look....

Next on my hit-list are the small appliances. Toaster; Im looking at you!!

Check out all of these amazing toasters. I think I need something as bold as some of these beauts. There are some models that come in 6 or 7 different colours. Some of them have a real retro feel and others are more modern. Decisions, decisions....

My question is; How bold can you go with your small appliances without looking garish? And, if you were in my position, which one would you choose???

HELP PEEPS!!  I need colour....

DE-CLUTTER YOUR LIFE

Confession time.....I'm a hoarder. Well, I'm trying to get over it and use the standard "Have you used this in 6 months?" rule. Sometimes I stick to it, sometimes I don't. The thing is.....I LOVE stuff. All kinds of stuff. Now that I have the blog and my craft obsession....I have even more STUFF. My spare room / craft room is currently over run with clothing, craft supplies and furniture thats on the upcycle waiting list.

I can't help myself.

It's gotten a little out of hand though......and there is very little space left.

What can a girl do????? Not too long ago, I used Music Magpie for the first time. I sold unwanted cds and dvds. It was a great way to get rid of some of the clutter in the house and also, make some cash! I think I go about £50 for all of the stuff. PLUS, they pay the postage. Pretty sweet.

SO, In my quest for the best way to get rid of some more of my unwanteds, I thought I should check out MusicMagpie again.....They've gotten even better!! Now, they take clothing. *happy days*

All you have to do is go to their clothing section and type in the brand of clothing you're looking to get rid of. Then the clothing type (from the drop down menu) and then the details (material, size, gender, etc) then click ADD and they give you a price. Once you're done filling in all of the information, you can finish the session and then send them the stuff (for free using their courier service) and GET PAID!! *they can pay you by cheque, bank transfer or in vouchers*

On top of the clothing, you can still sell all of the cds, dvds, tech and electronic stuff you want.

Old, unwanted clothes for cash?!?!? Amazing.

I'm excited to go through and get de-cluttered now!! Go check out MusicMagpie too! Just think of the crafty stuff you can buy with the CASH!!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WEDNESDAY #5

Oh I am so excited!!!

Sometimes in life, you get dealt a bad hand. I'm sure we all have had our share of those, right??? But sometimes, for no reason at all other than the universe is in tune with you, something great happens. Yes, peeps, something awesome.

I've gone on and on about Freecycle before. Some of you didn't know what it was all about, some of you thought it wasn't worth it. Mock, if you will, the idea of virtually "trawling" through peoples unwanted items...mock me alllllll you want, because I hit the mother load!

Look at this??!?!?!?!?

 

  

And she was FREE too!! All thanks to a lovely lady named Flora. *hugs* 

Now, here it comes guys; WHAT WOULD YOU DO?? 

(feel free to link posts in the comments if you have any ideas) 

MORE SONIC BIRTHDAY!!!

I don't know if I'm a rotten mother or whether I'm just done but I think (nope actually, Im sure) that this last birthday party for Theo will be the last. Well, you know, the last on a large scale.

Kids are hardcore....and hard work. And *slight rant* when did it become acceptable to just drop off your kids and their younger siblings AND not RSVP??? Okay, rant over.

Needless to say, we've seen the end of the birthday parties. For #8, we'll go to the movies or organize a few friends to go do something special.....Not 15-25 kids in a rented hall.

We put a lot of effort in to things for Theo. The invites were a great start and then the party bags (which I can send the templates for, if anyone wants). As well as the cupcakes and cake. The one thing we didn't end up doing is the matching tableware. We thought about it and, to be honest, its so wasteful. Im not knocking it, if thats what you really want to do BUT, there is so much wastage at a party to begin with, I just couldn't see the sense in adding to it.

Now, Im sure you're asking - how did she manage to serve food at the party??? Well, Im one lucky girl!! I have a great friend that works for an amazing company, that I am really proud to tell you about!
Green Man Packaging is one amazing company. Everything is not only environmentally friendly, its 100% compostable! Check it out:

• 100% compostable and biodegradable
• Made from natural renewable fibres
• Suitable for hot, wet and oily foods
• Economic and more durable than paper tableware

These are the items that she so generously provided me for Theo's party.

I have to say, I've never seen anything so cool as the palm leaf platter! Theo thought they were amazing too! And, most importantly, I didn't feel bad throwing the half eaten food and plates away!

Go check out the website (http://www.greenmanpackaging.com/). See whats available as alternatives for your kids parties, events, etc. Do you make cupcakes? Go check out their fully compostable cupcake cases. the range of products is incredible.

I want to say thank you again to my dear friend Marta and the wonderful Adam at Greenman Packaging. You helped me create a great, eco-friendly party, that we're all proud of!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WEDNESDAY # 4

Welcome back to the triumphant return of What Would You Do Wednesday! (I know its Friday....I had serious Blogger issues the last 2 days)

I meant to keep up with this feature but life keeps getting in the way *sigh*

For those of you that are new to this, here's the deal:

I post pics of stuff (maybe a piece or some materials) that I would like to make in to something and you guys tell me what YOU would do, if you had the opportunity.

Then I'll hopefully pick from your wonderful wellspring of ideas and suggestions and post the final completed project when completed.

Sound good? Hope so! I totally need your help with this one!

Help! What would you do????

Thanks peeps xx