Whilst trying to find something to do with the heaps and heaps of old videos I have and can’t watch (yet can’t bring myself to throw away- because I NEED to own copies of Airheads, Empire Records and China Town) I discovered the happy world of upcycling. It’s not that it’s a new concept to me, I’d just never thought of doing it myself. I’ve found lots of great websites to help inspire me to make useless stuff I have into useful stuff.
I’m currently working on a few DIY upcycling projects of my own- origami crane mobiles made from paper bags and little Japanese stab binding notebooks with old video covers.
That’s right people, the next Sunday Arts Market is nearly upon us and The Craft Fanstastic team are busy busy busy crafting away to make lovely products for you lovely people to buy:
We’ll be there from 11am to 5pm, hopefully see you there!
Of course everybody knows how cute bunting is, but it does appear to have grown in popularity of late. There was a point when it seemed like it was everywhere and I actually thought I had seen enough bunting- but never fear, I have been cured of that thanks to this website. Strangely more appealing due to the word ‘kitten’, there is nothing on the Little Kitten Homemade website that isn’t 100% adorable. I officially love bunting once again. I highly recommend a visit.
Due to inclement weather, the heart bunting from the last Craft Fantastic stall got so soggy it had to be thrown away. New Bunting is needed.
Check out the following websites for some top tips on how to make your own bunting:
Back to school stationery shopping was always fun for me. There’s just something satisfying about writing in a brand new notebook with brand new pens. That feeling that perhaps this notebook will be the one that contains only good ideas and actually stays neat; no crossing out, no scribbles, no mess. Sadly that was never the case!
The Jpop range at Paperchase is just way too cute- if I was going back to school, I would want everything.
I’m sure I would have remembered things more at school if they were highlighted with these:
Homework would not be a chore if everything was in this handy planner:
I would convince my mum that if I had this, I would never want for another ring binder again:
I’ve had it today, I really have. I’ve inexplicably enjoyed listneing to Beyoncé and The Wanted, drank more wine at lunch than is sensible and subsequently decided to organise lots of nights out in town that seemed like a good idea at the time but will probably never happen.
So here, in no particular order, is my list of top 10 reasons why Fridays are a joy:
The knowledge that you don’t have to get up the next day. An obvious one, but there really is nothing better than a Saturday morning lie-in.
The knowledge that you don’t have to go to work for two whole days. Along the same lines as the first point, but worth mentioning separately.
Looking forward to whatever you have planned that weekend. Because even though you can look forward to something all week, on Friday it’s so close you can almost taste it.
Nothing need be that serious. Even those deadlines at work.
Having time to spend the time. Although I see my husband every day, it’s just somehow different on a Friday evening; no worries, no cares, no troubles, no bedtime.
You can dance around and be silly. This one was my husband’s contribution.
Friday lunch. I don’t know about you, but Friday lunch to me is always ‘treat lunch’. That means I can get a Prêt or go out for lunch with collegues and not feel guilty about a) spending too much and b) being late back to the office.
After-work events. Goes hand in hand with the joyful knowledge that you don’t have to get up for work the next morning.
Everyone buys into the hype. Everyone thinks Fridays are awesome, thus, Fridays are awesome. People just tend to be a little bit happier, more relaxed and carefree; because it’s Friday and that’s what happens on a Friday, right?
Pressing the off switch. On anything and everything.
I’ll be somewhere in Wales this weekend, possibly in some kind of big tent, possibly near some big expanse of water in which there is the possibility of swimming. Thus I won’t be doing much crafting or much baking. Have a good weekend 🙂
I miss having an excuse to write a proper letter to someone. Everyone loves getting post, don’t they? Being newly-weds, my husband and I are currently ploughing through the task of writing our thank you cards. Personally I have relished having to write long notes to people, having actually got something important to write about; something to say.
All this has got me thinking that I should write more letters. Everyone should write more letters. You should definitely write a letter. You can write one to me if you like.
After a bit of digging around on the internet (though I really feel I should’ve gone to my local library and sat making notes surrounded by a huge pile of old books- let’s pretend I did that) I discovered a whole heap of stuff that has inspired me to write letters even more:
The Letter-Writing Project, Boston: Writing stations, complete with stationery, where people could sit and write letters, then either leave them to be posted or leave them there to be read.
Letters To The Dead: In ancient Eygpt, there was a custom of writing letters to dead relatives; usually asking for help with problems. Well it can’t hurt to ask…
Round Robin: Yes, I have actually discovered what this means! “It’s a letter where you have a group of people and you basically write letters in a circle — Person 1 sends her letter to Person 2. That person writes a letter and then sends his letter AND Person 1’s letter to Person 3 who writes a letter and sends ALL the letters on to Person 4. The pattern continues until all the letters make it back to Person 1. She then removes her original letter and replaces it with a new one, then sends the whole batch on to Person 2 again. Ad infinitum.” Thanks to Passion For Letters for that.
Quotes on letter-writing: “Letter-writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company.” Lord Byron
“One good thing about not seeing you is that I can write you letters.” Svetlana Alliluveya
“Please write again soon. Though my own life is filled with activity, letters encourage momentary escape into others lives and I come back to my own with greater contentment.” Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey
“There must be millions of people all over the world who never get any love letters… I could be their leader.” Charlie Brown
