Versatile Blogger Award

So here's the thing - last week three lovely people awarded me with this here award. Now I can't win a game of noughts and crosses, let alone something a funky as this award. There's a bunch of cool rules that you have to follow so in order to make this fair I am only doing this the once - but with a huge THANK YOU to Polly Polkadot, Maria and Little Harriet. You guys totally rock, so cheers guys! I never knew people actually enjoyed reading my somewhat random posts. That's flattery of the highest degree!

So rule number one: Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award.


Hey - ahead of the game for once! 


Rule number two: Share 7 random things about yourself.


Ummmmmmmmm....


1. I hate food shopping. The way people stand in the middle of the aisle trying to work out if they want low fat or full fat yoghurt. It makes me want to scream. Food is food. Some is good for you, some, not so much. But here's the deal, we only live this life once so if you want to waste it checking out the nutritional value of celery, please do it where I can't walk into you. 


2. I believe spiders are from out of space. No really, I do!


3. My favourite author has got to be David Eddings. Anyone who can write a book that is that easy to read, and have such loveable character in it deserves God status!


4. The only other colour in my wardrobe other than black is currently red. I would have black paint on my walls if I could - however I think the landlord might just kick my butt into next year if I did. 


5. If I am not buying handmade one of the few other stores you'll find me in is Londons 'Forbidden Planet'. My credit card always gets a bashing when I go there. And the best part is... most of the time I can't tell you what I actually bought.


6. Alice Cooper is my idol. His albums rule the rock world.


7. I plan on making a whole bunch of bat cushions when I get back from my honeymoon. Big enough so that they wrap around your shoulders and makes vegging that little bit more comfortable. And right in time for the winter creeping up too!


And rule number three: Award seven recently discovered bloggers with this award and contact them to let them know they have won.

(This is really hard by the way - and two I would have awarded already awarded me so I had to think some on this!)

1. Dorset Girl - That's some nifty work on those letters, and I love the tooth fairy boxes!

2. Goblin Dreams - Mix fairies and steam punk and you have my attention.

3. Itsamistry designs - Always a pleasure to read and some lovely designs.

4. Gifts by Jenny - Great blog... that and her creations are the cutest!

5. Curious Cat Creative - A talent I wish I had.

6. Ros Made Me - I love reading her posts, a truly versatile blogger :)

7. 1st Unique gifts - How could I miss the inventor of Handmade Monday out? 'sides, I want a hedgehog too.

The thing is that was real hard... because I couldn't decide on the 7 for ages. All the blogs I read I enjoy...otherwise I wouldn't read them. So to everyone I didn't get to mention... You're all spectacular! 

And finally... to contact everyone I have awarded!

Handmade Monday - 23 already?

Wow week 23 for Handmade Monday already? Where has the time gone??

However as usual full of loads of interesting reads and great blogs so I insist you all go over and check it out! 1st unique gifts

I am getting closer to a mental break down of nerves now. I have less than a month and I am beginning to feel strain that I think most women only feel during child birth. I have spent so much time redecorating the house that I have seen enough emulsion to last me a life time. Which means everything crafty has been sat on the back bench :( Way not good for the soul this cleaning thing!

I did find time to nip over to Wendy's to pick up a couple of gifts (okay - two were for me but gifts to myself are just fine right?). I was so happy with the items and I can't wait to give one to my mum. But that's an 'after wedding, once you've driven me to the airport and look after my house for a week' gift, so I'll have to wait.

 The other is sitting on my bathroom door ready for the big day - I can't be doing with the 'where is your bathroom' question... especially since it's right next to the back door, by the garden, where weather permitting everyone will be.

I also asked the lovely Lucie at Angels and Diamonds to commission a bracelet for me - mainly for the honeymoon. However I am so happy with the result I think it will be worn before then! Nip over a have a peek at the excellent goth bracelet! Angels and Diamonds - soooooo excited about it ;)

So in-between my shopping and repainting everything in sight, I knocked together yet more wreaths the other day. I have so many now my lounge looks like its being invaded. It's like day of the Triffids, only with artificial ivy and roses. Might make for a B Movie blockbuster... However, worst of all is the fact that they all look really random now. I know what the finished look should be, but right now its just a load of 'stuff'.

I tried my hand at some sugar craft yesterday. Thought I would get some practice in before the wedding cake it done. I have to state I took no photos because I was so ashamed at my attempts. The good news is I have a friend that is gonna show me the ins and outs. I never thought that making an ivy leaf in icing would be hard - but if you don't have a clue...don't touch the sugar and leave it to the experts!

And finally...

...I would also like to thank the lovely people that awarded me last week!! I will spend some time tomorrow and complete the do by actually doing the awards in return. I was so flattered. I was all bouncy at the time. I think my other half thought I had O.D.ed on Haribo or something. Which in retrospect I can't blame him. Haribo after all is like the food of the gods!

So I reply in kind tomorrow!
Until then I will blog hop to my hearts content!

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...