Glass Pebble Love

A while ago I pinned a really cute project onto my craft board from Claire at Craft Addiction and I FINALLY got my hands on some clear glass pebbles for cheap; 89p for a whole bag. I bought two bags of clear, one of green and two different blues I was so excited by them...

It was an amazing find, and I have plans for the other colourful ones as well as being open to ideas for the clear ones I haven't used yet! Basically Claire, aka Canadian Blonde had the genius idea of making them glittery and boy am I sucker for glitter. My other half often refers to me as different birds, the two I get most regularly are 'You're not exactly a homing pigeon huh Kayleigh?' when I get lost frequently and call him asking to Google map my location and direct me. The other is 'YOU are a magpie' when it of course comes to sparkly things...


So I grabbed my PVA glue, glitter and pebbles and had a sudden inspiration realising I could do something else with them. My sister gets books from working for Easyjet (people read the book and leave it on the return flight when they are finished!) most of which are trashy holiday novels with sappy endings. We read them and the good ones I donate to a charity shop in Liverpool that give free books away to stop them getting pulped. Then oddly, I sacrifice the other books to my crafting obsession.


So here are the tools:

It is so simple you don't need a step by step but just in case refer to Claire!


Polish the pebbles so they are clear and shiny. Some will stay a little tarnished but that is the price I pay getting them so cheap!

Then laying them curved side down, put down a layer of PVA followed by a tonne of glitter. When dry, add another blob of PVA to seal it! 


And as for the book inspiration I had, cut around a word you like so it is kind of pebble shaped (trashy love novels with happy endings have the best words) and do the glue, page, glue layering.


So this is how I started.

I loved how the word pebble turned out I made one or two more...

I think the word pebbles are great for mantras or giving to your friends and family as a compliment or mini loving gift to brighten their day. I have a few project ideas for the pebbles, for now they can sit in this cute little tea cup as a tea light holder.

Though I am thinking rings, brooches, edging my mirror, magnets (of course), maybe even a mosaic, but the 'with love' one is reserved for a special gift!


Happy Crafting!

Are You Worrying?

I saw this on my facebook feed today and it made me really happy. After an hour call with my best friend in major panic mode after finishing her Psychology degree and having no clue what to do with her working life whilst struggling to get interviews for just about anything she needs this... Its a Buddhist rule about worrying.

Basically; Don't.

"If it can be fixed; why worry?

If it can’t be fixed, what’s the point of worrying?"

Thanks Shantideva and elephantjournal for the enlightenment today.

Easy Paper Bunting

I finally made some paper bunting for my drab looking university room. Turns out it takes less than an hour and is SO easy!


I got pretty paper from a gifted magazine from my house mates Mum who is craft crazy too.

I had a tonne of pretty paper but thought the freebies with simply homemade should be put to use.

So I collected the paper I wanted to use (its a nice thick paper) from my stash and also got my pretty tape the same friend bought me in Japan.

With scrap paper I cut out a template of a large elongated 'bunting flag' shaped triangle with a slim rectangle included above it, trimming until I was happy with the size. 

Tracing it onto one sheet of paper I then grabbed a handful and some very sharp paper scissors to bulk cut them out. EASY!

Using my pretty tape I taped along the slim rectangles at the top of each flag...

Joining them as I went. This was the only only tricky part as the tape likes to stick to EVERYTHING and you have to double it up behind the flag to ensure it is a strong hold whilst aligning the tape and un-sticking it from everything.Also leave a little at each end for hanging/pinning.

Then hang it! 

See, easy and pretty :) Oh and a sneaky look at my 5 ft map too.

Happy Crafting.

Fathers Day

So being at university in Liverpool and working over the summer means I have to post my Fathers day card to other side of the country and make do with seeing my family in a months time when I can afford the trip home and time off. I have been struggling to find the card perfect for my Daddy and in the end decided to make one. I don't think he reads my blog so thought I would share it with you all.


Now being the youngest of three I consider myself quite spoilt my Daddy does everything he can to help me achieve what I want through his care, love and the 'youngest child support' I get... I hate to say that I am not a self sufficient grown up yet whilst studying my degree and I cannot wait to one day repay my parents all their kindness (I don't think they will accept actual money, it isn't their style). 


Through travelling to South Africa for a month where I was hospitalised; he was ready to jump on a plane to rescue me (it really wasn't as serious as google claimed, so him reassured, I finished the trekking and charity work I was there for), when I quit my first University course whilst working in America to travel he remained supportive. I also moved five hours away from home to study Art History after that. He knows it makes me happy so he accepts I am where I have to be even though he would rather I was closer to home. I know that when it comes to getting a house, opening my own gallery, and when I have children that he will be there too.  I am headstrong, erratic, impulsive, VERY trying and a big dreamer; it takes a lot of patience and restraint having me as a child and I love him for managing so well.


But anyway here is the card I posted today, I hope he likes it. With about 4 stamps as I fear the wrath of the Royal Mail for not paying enough in postage...


I chose this paper of a parent giraffe and a baby giraffe, I like knowing at 22 I am still his little girl.

Then I got some white card, some pretty paper for inside and some paper cut hearts to disguise my scruffy gluing as I had a bit of an argument with the pritt stick. 

Fold and cut as required. I made a really awkward shaped card so wrapped it in book pages to post it! 

And this is the inside, its a bit crinkled from the glue drying in the picture and I got a bit glitter happy, I love glitter and sequins falling into peoples laps when they open my cards.

OH! If you just want to make a shop bought card more personal try adding pretty paper inside or/and a ribbon/ ribbon-rope around  the middle like a little book.

 I wish I had put my blog link into the card now so he can see how much he means to me and how much I appreciate everything he and my Mum do for me.

I think the moments I most look forward to are him walking me down the aisle one day, and the Father/Daughter dance we will have that day. I know I will cry. A lot.

Bargain Hunting - ReLoved Boot Fair Finds.

Time for a mini recap to show why I love boot fairs.


So after a few mornings at boot fairs, these lovely finds and a winter of rain and frost, I have a few pictures of how my purchases are being put to use in our university house. There are also little tutorials for one or two of them in previous posts; linked of course.

I picked up some chalk in a home bargains for 69p especially for these babies (two packs of white, two of pretty colours AND a mini chalkboard eraser that makes me want to now get a chalkboard for the kitchen too!) The boyfriend got at a jar I had nothing for yet...These are chalkboard stickers but a bit of chalkboard paint in a nice shape on any jar would work!

These candle holders are for outside as the wax will get very messy. They were rusting somewhat so I took them apart, sanded off the rust and got spray paint happy with silver paint. I used spray paint that is for cars... Mainly because it was in the shed, free from dads work and also it helps that it will be weather proof!

These 'Victorian' lampshades are now garden tea light holders thanks to some garden wire, pliers and simple when doing but complicated sounding instructions. TUTORIAL

And I used the fruit bowl as a planter for a miniature garden in our concrete jungle yard, in hindsight I wish I have drilled holes into it as it now has pond life...

I am looking forward to a few more boot fairs this season.

Happy Summer!

Twitter

So I finally got me a Twitter account! 


Gotta get used to these hash tag things but hopefully once I get the hang of it I can be posting all sorts: creative and inspiring images, upcoming arty and crafty events I know of / am desperate to go to / am attending, useful and inspiring crafty links and blog updates too! How exciting.


If you are on Twitter follow me! If you use it for arty and crafty things I will follow you back :)


Happy Tweeting!