Day 22 - A Walk In the Rain

I'm quite lucky to live near a river so a lovely scenic walk is only 5 minutes away. I often like to go for a walk down there and see the wildlife. There are quite a few herons as well as other birds. 

Even though it has been a miserable rainy day I still fancied a walk down there, and luckily enough I even got to see a heron! 

There is a heron in this picture!

Talking of herons a few months ago I took my SLR on a walk with me and took some photos. I'll have to share these with you sometime. 

Now time to splash in some puddles! 

Day 21 - Washi Tape Frames - The Experiment Begins

After my post on Washi tape I thought I should really try and do something with the tape I bought! After rooting around in my things I found a pack of photo frames I bought to cover stamps in, so it was decided, the frames would be donated for my experiment. 

See the results for yourself, quite a quick and quirky way to jazz up a boring frame don't you think??? 

Frame before the revamp

The first frame midway 

Work in progress

The finished frames

Ta-da

Day 20 - Crochet Part 3 - Pretty Lace Collar

My latest crochet project was from a pattern I found in Simply Crochet. http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/

Simply Crochet

I've been admiring for a while all the pretty Peter Pan style removable collars that have been selling in the shops, so when I saw a pattern for a lace crochet collar I thought I might as well give it a go! 

Lace collar

All in all it was fairly simple, the only problem I had was an issue with my tension. I must crochet quite tight as after doing the foundation chain and row one my collar was still about 10cm too short! I had to creatively figure how to encorporate more stitches. This has resulted in the finished item being slightly uneven at the ends so it may be best to hide the join at the back of the neck rather than wear to the front as intended. No big deal, ill get number 2 right!! 

Anyway enjoy the photos, ill upload another one when it is 100% finished! 

Work in progress 

Day 19 - I've Fallen In Love With Stencil Rollers

Last year I came across an article in a craft magazine about an alternative way to decorate your walls. It is like a stencil but its applied through the use of a roller! 

These rollers are available from The Painted House and were first discovered by the founder in markets in Romania. Since then the rollers have been adapted slightly from the old design. The applicators come in 2 different types, one suitable for fabric printing and the other for walls and wood.

http://the-painted-house.co.uk/applicators-and-designs/applicators/

There are various designs all of which look fantastic when painted onto a wall or furniture or fabric for that matter!!  Here are some of my favourite roller designs. 

http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/109883586/no-1-patterned-paint-roller-from-the

http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/109883546/no-2-patterned-paint-roller-from-the?ref=cat_gallery_8

http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/109883377/no-6-patterned-paint-roller-from-the?ref=cat_gallery_4

All of these rollers are available on The Painted House Etsy shop to buy! 

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/patternedpaintroller

Have a look at their website for some fab ideas on what you can do with the rollers. http://the-painted-house.co.uk/

I can't wait to buy one, I'm thinking maybe a door or chest of drawers but which design to choose?! Definitely looking forward to seeing the new designs next month.  Watch this space and see! 

Day 18 - Shopping on notonthehighstreet.com

Recently the women in my office have been going nuts for the shopping website notonthehighstreet.com for wedding gifts, christening gifts, birthdays and baby gifts! 

Although I have never bought anything I have had a snoop and found some gorgeous stuff. It is ideal if you are looking for a personalised gift too as many items have the ability to be personalised, even better!! 

The website aims to bring you the work of independent designers and small businesses so it is more unique than buying from the high street.  

I thought I'd have a look at the prints available and this is what I have found which I thought was cool. 

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/modocreative/product/personalised-framed-heart-christening-print

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/bombusoffthepeg/product/amalfi-map-heart

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/kirstym/

product/the-harbour-print

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/pogofandango/product/laser-cut-family-tree-a4-unframed

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/hannahlloyd/product/personalised-heart-passport-stamp-print

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/thelittleboysroom

/product/stitch-a-journey

I could probably keep going and listing more!

Have a look for yourself, there are so many items

to choose from and if you are buying a gift you 

are bound to find something here! 

Http://www.notonthehighstreet.com

Day 17 - Crochet Part 2- The Jellyfish Has Landed

Whilst exploring my crochet self I came  across the idea of crochet jellyfish from Kirstie Allsopps "Kirstie's Vintage Home" book. 

Kirstie Allsopp book

Crochet jellyfish project

As I want to create a seaside inspired bathroom I thought these jellyfish would add something funky to the room. 

Here is how I got on:

Close up of jellyfish

Close up of jellyfish

The tentacles!!!

The tentacles are escaping......

Not the best of photographs but you get the idea! This project was really fun and easy for beginners. 

Why not give it a go and crochet your own Jellyfish friend!

Day 16 - Pom Pom Galore

Today's blog post is just a quick one. I've been looking at Pom Poms on Pinterest to find some new project ideas. 

I've not made Pom poms in a while but a few years back I took part in some yarn bombing. Here are some I've made before. 

Pom Pom in the park

Pom Pom in a tree

Pom Pom heart

Pom poms are quite quick to make and is a great way of using up old scraps of wool. I'm loving some of these Pom Pom ideas I've found on Pinterest and may even need to try a few!

Pom Pom lamp http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/3-quirky-lamps-to-try-at-home-96597

Paper Pom poms

http://theeclecticlife.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/a-walk-through-the-party/

Pom Pom garland 

http://juneberry-lane.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/fantastique-colorful-poms.html?m=1

Pom Pom wreath

So it's time to dig out the cardboard, get cutting and make some pom poms!! Very simple yet very effective!!