Made by you, for me!

Well this last week wasn't the best. Some issues within the world of work and then the fact my stupid Blackberry finally gave up the ghost. Which on the whole has left me with little to no time to craft away. But that is what this afternoon is for.

However my lack of making made me want to buy handmade instead!

Going back a month or so I watch 'How To Train Your Dragon' for the first time. Those of you who are parents may be familiar with it. Those of you who are big kids at heart may also be aware of it. I fell in love with this film! So much so, after I finished watching I went straight on line, purchased the DVD, followed by the first book (yes I am aware its meant for kids) and then went on search for a toothless plush. I was so disappointed that I couldn't find one ANYWHERE. This is Dreamworks next big thing - the second movie in pre production and no plush dragons?? Until I searched good old Etsy - and found just what I wanted. A 20" Toothless plush. I know this photo does it no justice (I only had time to take one shot before smaller hands than mine grabbed it and tried to make away with it), but this is a super cool make. Vixenification - Totally worth the visit if you love the 'Toothless'.

Then I started wandering around (in the metaphorical sense) across the internet, looking at other handmade goodies. I knew it would only be a matter of time before I spotted something else I wanted. Something fun and had no relation to weddings or holidays. I wandered over to Ali's Craft Studio and had a nose around. I had every intention of looking for a gift for someone, but as usual, I ended up going 'want one of those, one of those, one of those...' So I limited myself to two gifts - for me...for now...

I should point out I have a huge fear of spiders, and this guy is currently sat on my back door... near the toilet. So if I wake in the middle of the night needing the bathroom I may end up getting a bit of a shock ;) I love these window décors though. They add life to a room without needing to hammer a nail into a wall. Best of all you can move them around if you get bored of where you placed them. Definitely be giving some out as Christmas prezzies. A site totally worth a mooch around and Ali will make sure they get sent to you with speed and carefully protected against possible damage! Can't argue with fantastic service and good quality products. Worth every penny too!

So I've commissioned Lucie at Angels and Diamonds to make me a bracelet for when I go on my Honeymoon. Normally I would make something myself, but a) I am being lazy, b) this girl can make some lovely designs, and c) trying to watch my pennies on beads. Don't have the colours I want so I won't be buying anything at the moment! I'm looking forward to seeing her design, and of course I will post a piccy when it's done!

Now... off to Wendy's 1st Unique Gifts to actually look for a prezzie... and maybe something for myself....

Handmade Monday 20: Yet more wedding decs

Okay so maybe the title of this post isn't entirely fair - I mean last week had been a rather rushed one. Rushed but not much has actually happened. And for once, today, since I am waiting in for a delivery (I love it when they say 'will arrive between 7am and 7pm' - a little more precise information would be much appreciated), I thought I would have a rather relaxing day. Well relaxing...ish...

I have painted half of the lounge, ripped down the curtains so I can wash them, hoovered, had the computer out to clean that mess under there, realised I still can't get the washing outside for fear of rain (and the unwashed pile is nearing the height of my rather ample waist and that's without curtains), baked brownies, currently baking cupcakes, and at some point will sit down to make up some more keyrings. So I guess that's relaxing... if your first name is Martha and you happen to be part of the Stuart family.

But it has meant I could join in with Handmade Monday and it has allowed me my much loved hobby of blog hopping. Thanks to Wendy for keeping the Monday Making going!

I went out some time back to a market and saw someone selling wine glass charms. They were so delicate and fancy looking, and beautifully made. It inspired me last Wednesday morning. Now normally that kinda thing doesn't do much for me, however I did think that since with me more is more and less is less, I figured I would decorate my own glasses for the wedding...just because I can. So whilst I have only done six, and whilst they are not to everyone's taste, I will admit that my currently watching Pirates of the Caribbean may have influenced the style slightly...

Kinda keeps with the goth theme though. Rest assured, the next ones will be pretty and pleasant, but how could I not pay homage to such a kick ass set of films? The first 3 that is!

So after that I figured that I would need tie backs for the door ways. Come the big day, to hide the plain white wood work I will be draping everything in material, from velvet to organza, going over every spare surface. However I don't think it would be practical to have my guests moving material every time they want to enter a room, so tie backs it was!

Yes... I made another wreath...

And then of course... there's the brownies...Out of the oven an hour ago. Not sure they'll last until the end of the day!

...Which did kinda fall apart a bit... but yummy all the same!

On that note I must check my cupcakes. Where I can then make a cup of tea, grab a brownie and blog hop!!

9 weeks and counting

I have finally gotten to that stage where I want everything to return to normal.

I have so many outstanding projects and absolutely noooo time to complete them. When I am at work I am obsessing about the big day, when I am at home I am busy preparing for the big day. I am getting to the point where I need to just chill. I miss my blog. I miss reading other peoples blogs. I miss the real word ;)

That and I hate the Royal Mail. A number of people were charged extra on my wedding invites when they got there - even though I was assured by the person at the counter that they would only need a first class stamp. I even made sure they pushed the letters through those plastic measuring thingys. I am so embarrassed. I keep trying to tell myself "It's only £1.18, not the end of the world" - but I feel so bad for the handful that ended up having to pay to collect their invites. You can rest assured I sent a very scathing email of complaint. I will await the result (but not holding my breath for anything to happen). I guess I could say the money is like a deposit to the free food and drink, but it doesn't help with the guilt.

But onto more pleasant things. I am still struggling through the decoration, favour boxes, and all the rest of the bits and pieces. I decided to make my life complicated further still - I am going to do my own wedding cake... I can't justify spending £360 on a cake. It sits for a few photos, then gets eaten? I don' think so some how. £360 my rear end! So I will keep you posted on the event as it unfolds. My back up plan in M&S - but don't tell anyone :)

So here are a few of my latest piccys. I hope you enjoy them. Make sure you pop round to 1stuniquegifts to check out what other talented people have been doing! I'm headed there right now!

Little gothic Cake Boxes

So I have managed to find time to join in with the Handmade Monday crowd this week, having missed a number due to hectic levels of chaos.

But we love Chaos right? Keeps us on our toes (and gives us headaches but hey, swings and roundabouts).

This week.... well actually this morning, I have been using up what little odds and ends I had left over from finishing my wedding invitations and have started to put together the cake boxes. Yes, I am doing cake boxes and favours. Don't ask me why... just seemed like a good idea at the time. Now I think I could have done without the extra work. However we live and we learn... or so I'm told ;)

I kept it all simple, and since I have 30 to complete I decided I would only do two of each design, that way I don't get bored of just making the same thing again and again. Since the reception is in the garden I plan to get a table and place them in the lounge so people can pick them up as the leave. Some decoration in the house if you like.

I guess that means only 10 more designs to go... ho hum :)

Wreaths and Invites

Wow I can't believe how long it's been since I last blogged. I never knew how much of my time would be eaten up by planning my wedding and trying to cope with all the normal things in life.

So firstly, I hope everyone is well. Enjoying the sort of summer weather (sort of because there is still plenty of cloud around here).

I am actually in a position now that I can cheer about. I have everything sorted. All I have left to do are the things we all enjoy. Craft my decorations and post my invites. Well almost, I still need to buy odds and sods, but that's fine. The bulk has been tackled and completed. So much so I even processed my passport info ready for our honeymoon - which I am dying for! Two weeks and no hassle. It'll be bliss.

So I thought I would take a few snaps of my invites before I pop them in the post and show you 1 of 4 similar wreaths. Gonna have to complete a couple of others and get them posted on here.

There will be four of this design and they will have red and burgundy organza trailing from them when hung - which I can't show you until the day ;) 

The cats are loving the chaos at the moment. I have black bags FULL of silk ivy and flowers. One has taken to sleeping on top of the bags, the other tries to open them and chews at the ends - keep telling him that isn't the way to diet but he never seems to listen :)

I was real impressed with myself over the weekend, I managed to re-gloss the bathroom door. Now look at me, the domestic diy goddess... No really, my trousers looked fantastic after I accidently kicked the tin over and had 10 seconds of nightmare. I laugh now... It might not be crafting in the strictest sense but my trousers would beg to differ. Tracy Emin would pay thousands I tell you!

All I need to do now is find an affordable cake topper and I will be well away... I feel an internet search coming on...

Garden but no plants

Okay so here's the deal. I couldn't find a venue I liked for my wedding so I figured I would cut the cost and just have it at my house, in the garden. However, the garden was more like a jungle and there was no way 30 odd people were gonna fit out there. In fact, it was hard enough trying to get out there to hang the washing up. So I needed to have a revamp. Now, strictly speaking I am not sure this can be called crafting, however the hard work and money that went into the garden this last weekend deserves a mention. So I have given you the before and after photos. Please bear in mind that there is a severe lack of greenery out there, but my credit card has taken all it can handle right now! Hopefully come next pay day I can adjust that minor issue.

lovely path right?

before

hope these make a difference

work in progress

now just for some colour!

So that was the weekend that never ended. Or at least that is how it felt. And I can't believe I have space out there now. Even if it does currently look like the surface of Mars. My neighbours won't stop being nosey and even one of my cats can't believe his eyes...

So with the hard work done, I'm gonna spend this evening blog hopping and seeing what other talented people have been up to on the Handmade Monday set up, hosted by the lovely Wendy. 

Wedding Fever

My poor adoring public, I am not neglecting you... I simply panic.

I have been carefully crafting away, and thanks to a lack of forward thinking I have yet to understand more is more, not less is more. Nearly everything I've turned my hand to I suddenly realised that I hadn't ordered enough material/beads/flowers... so I have about 20 things left unfinished, and I am currently looking at a wilted credit card and waiting for a hundred packages that are in the post.

I really hate those emails that state 'your item is on its way'. Lovely, but can I have it now please??

And to make matters worse I have the mother, sister and brother-in-law coming up on Thursday night. Not for the Royal Wedding - sorry to disappoint any fanatics out there. No, to sort out my jungle just for my wedding. No that isn't code for anything. Here is my proof...

No... I'm not joking. And the reason I post this? Because in two weeks time I hope to god that this whole back garden is going to be transformed. But not like a Transformer coz that would just be plain weird...

I want you all to witness what will be my biggest crafting project ever. Mainly because I can't tell my arse from my elbow when it comes to being green. I can kill of cacti for crying out loud. I hope this project is not doomed before the start.

On an up note - wanna see the cars I have for my wedding transportation? And the best part? I don't have to pay a penny. Completely free!!!

Soooo can't wait for that little gem.

So my next post will be Monday, where I will be joining in with the Handmade Crew... and hopefully I can post some piccys of a half completed garden.

Watch this space, Wedding Fever is better than Bieber Fever (who honestly scares me. Think it's the hair. Different entity from the rest of his body...).