Homemade: DIY Frankenstein Bunting Tutorial

It feels like forever since I posted anything on here and to thank you all for sticking around I thought that I'd reward you all with tutorial. Since it's Halloween in just over a week, what better tutorial than Frankenstein bunting?!

I love halloween but unfortunately in England we just don't celebrate it that much, and finding decent decorations is almost impossible. We managed to get a few bits and pieces, but before long we looked around our living room and all we found were pumpkin decorations, so a bit of Frankenstein was in order.

Items Needed:
 Felt in Green, Black and White
 Template
 Scissors
 Ribbon
 Scoring tools (I used pencils and pens, but it would be best to use tailors chalk)

I made a basic template for each section. These are very easy to create, just a rounded rectangle for the head, an oval for the eyes and whatever hair shape you desire. 

Cut out the pieces and glue them in place. You could stitch them, and if I was making them to sell I would, but for personal use it's much quicker to plug in the glue gun and go.

Than cut out some letters. For these I decided to wing it, but you could always use a template for a more accurate design. I choose 'Boo' for a more comical effect, seen as the little Frankenstein heads are supper cute, but anything would do.

Then use the ribbon to attach all the pieces together to create your butting. Last and most definitely not least hang wherever you wish. Personally I love mine across the fireplace along with my pumpkin fairy lights. 

I loved making this. It's been quite a while since I made anything to be honest so it was nice to break out the crafting boxes again.

Expect some more tutorials soon as my mind is bursting with ideas. Oh how I love Halloween. 

Hope you all have a Spooky Halloween! 

Katie 

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What I Wore

My first day off of EIGHT! How exciting! I love weeks off from work. No matter how much I love my job, and I really do, a week off is always necessary, and a lovely treat. So to kick start the week we headed off to a local craft fair. It was nice to just wander around and I hoped to gain a little inspiration, unfortunately the majority of stalls sold homemade cards and the few that did have felt items we're all very similar. I did see some button bags which I fell in love with but resisted because I knew that I would never use it.  And here's what I wore:

Top - Primark

Cardigan - Primark 

Skirt - H&M

Shoes - Matalan

Book - True Blood Dead and Gone

Speak Soon,

Katie 

x

Happy He's Home...

We headed off to the folks today. We missed Sunday lunch as my Mum phoned to tell us that she 'knew how much I liked my sleep' so instead we were invited to 'tea', which was ham and homemade chips. Nom Nom. It turned out that the ham was orange ham. Yes you read that correctly, 'orange ham.' It was awful. I originally thought that it had been laced with washing-up liquid which clearly was a stupid thought. My Dad's home by the way. He's back for about a week to recuperate then off over-seas again. I think when it comes to missing someone you learn to cope, but then when they are back home you are suddenly hit with all those feelings that you fought back. I can definitely say that I missed my Dad. I'm not looking forward to him going again but I'm going to enjoy the time I have. At the end of the day people have it a hell of a lot worse.

On a brighter note, what do you think about the new bow. I rustled this one up this afternoon and I'm in love. I'm now about to open up my crafting boxes and create a few more for every outfit. How sad?! But totally fun. (*cough* Geek *cough*)

Speak Soon, 

Katie 

x

P.S Today I finished Lindsey Kelk's The Single Girl's To-Do List, so the review will be up in my monthly reads posts. But as a pre-warning it's not that good. In fact I didn't even force it upon my Mum which I usually do with all my favourite books. 

Homemade: Felt Bunting

I made this bunting the other night. I wanted something cute for our bedroom, but unfortunately it's found a home above our fire. Pretty much like anything else that will hang nicely on our fire place, like the MR & MRS sign we were given as a wedding gift for example.

This is sure to be a new addition to my shop, which is almost ready. Exciting news! I've made the site, which is actually a new blog for now, the layout is almost there, the name is finalised, I've just got to finish up. I need a little quality time to put solely toward the site before I can say that it's up and running, but I'd say it will be up for my birthday in August. Fingers Crossed.

Speak Soon,

Katie 

x

Cute Crafty Supplies

After a very relaxing movie watching day we headed to the range and this is what I wore... cue very uncomfortable picture...

We needed to make the trip to pick up some mini buttons as my supply was running very low, but as usual we ended up picking up more than expected.

These are the buttons that I previously mentioned. They are a little expensive but I just love them so much. They didn't have the plain ones, which to be honest are the ones I went in for so I will still have to scour the internet for them. Ah well.

I also picked up a huge tub of cookie cutters. 101 pieces to be precise. These are mainly for my felting designs, but I'm sure I could also use them for actual cookies. Yum Yum.

Finally I bought these cute book marks. As you know by now I'm definitely a bookworm, so when it comes to bookmarks it's a case of 'the more the merrier.' I fell in love with these immediately, and they were only £1.50. Ah-mazing!

Meet the new George. Is it just me that gives all Giraffe's the same name?

Anyhow, Speak Soon,

Katie 

x

Felt Moustaches... Obviously

For our wedding 'way' back in May we were consumed by the idea of props, from 'Just Married' signs to moustaches, but encountered problems along the way. In the end we ended up making cardboard moustaches two nights before the wedding which worked perfectly on the day...

but it wasn't until last night that the obvious idea occurred to me,

Why did I struggle with thick cardboard and messy permanent markers when I could have just used felt?

A softer, more handmade feel would have just perfect, but I guess that a bride has so much to think about just days before her wedding that practicalities are the lasts thoughts to be had. 

Which lead me to think, just because I couldn't make them for my own wedding, why can't I make them for other people's? Plus they would be just perfect for birthdays, hen do's, stag do's, or even just a great night out. So I got my little cogs turning and created a rough plan, all I need now are a few bits and pieces and my felt moustaches will be my newest of creations. 

What's more, with these designs I can also create the juicy pink lips I so much desired for my own wedding. 

Hope you're looking forward to seeing these as much as I am.

Speak Soon,

Katie 

x

Katie's Friday Night In

I'm sat having a lovely night in. Michael and I cooked dinner together, which consisted of minted lamb and chicken (odd combination I know) and homemade potato wedges... ahh-mazing! And now we're sat enjoying a nice relaxing evening in. I'm currently catching up on my youtube addiction, with a blob of sudocrem hopefully drying out a volcano of a spot, whilst cutting out many felt petals, and Mike's playing Xbox. Seriously I can probably sing each and every song on FIFA 11 from memory. 

Mike always says, 'I know when I've played too long because you start to sing along to the game!' haha. And it's so true. 

It's only whist writting this that I've realised that it's Friday night, and what  boring activites for a young married couple to get up to but, well that's just us. We hate the hustle and bustle of 'out  round town,' and would much prefer a few drinks 'down the local.' It's nice to actually hear what the other person is talking about you see. Though at the moment money is tight (car and tap troubles... grrr) and we've just had to make do with the venue of our home, which shhh, don't tell anyone... is our favourite place to be. 

How are you spending this lovely rainy evening?

Speak Soon,

Katie 

x

Homemade: Bookmark

I've spent the last few hours stitching away to create this lovely (if I do say so myself) bookmark. For a friend's birthday. I had planned on giving her a set of books, well what could be better than books but books and a bookmark? Obviously knowing Katie, this had to be handmade. So I got my thinking cap on a this is what I came up with. 

On the back I stitched... 'I'm handmade.'

I really hope that she like's if, but if not I could happily take it off her hands. haha.

♥ ♥ ♥

I'm going to make many more of these now, and will be adding them to my shop once I set it all up. I cannot wait to set up my shop up but I want to have a collection of ideas and pre-made items before I start my venture. I'm so excited and loving every minute of the 'making' process.

Hope that you are all as excited as I am

Speak Soon, 

Katie

x

OOTD: Pretty Prints

Firstly I would like to start this blog post by thanking everyone who left a comment on my dress to impress blog post. It was loving to log on to such lovely, heartfelt comments. They made my day. It's lovely to know that we're all going through the same body image issues. That doesn't sound right. What I mean as it's nice to know that we're not alone. I'd also like to add that I try to respond to every comment so please check back because more than likely I've responded. I wish that blogger would make it easier to respond to comments but until then please check back.

On to the actual post: 

Yesterday I wore one of the h&m dresses which featured in my previous post, and I loved it. I felt super girly, and it was just so blooming comfy. It could possibly have become my new favourite outfit. I was unsure about teaming it up with the cardigan at first, in fear of a pattern overload, but I feel that it worked pretty well. I picked up the cardigan from New Look in the sale for only £10. It has 3/4 length sleeves which is perfect for me as I'm constantly rolling mine up. 

I french braided my hair and added one of my new homemade, DIY clips which I am also in love with. I don't know about selling these beauties... I end up wearing them before I get a chance! Never mind try before you buy, it's more like try before you sell! Well at least it's free advertisement.

I love wearing my hair like this. French plaits are kind of my go to hair style when I don't want to use any heat on my hair, or if I need something quick but pretty. I love how plaiting the hair to the side gives it a more relaxed, casual yet summery feel. 

Finally before I left the house I remembered my bird necklace and needed wanted to wear it. I bought this about a year ago now but only came across it the other day whilst clearing out a cupboard. I also found some other bits and pieces, so keep an eye out for those in an up coming post. Oh and I always wear the silver necklace, so I didn't feel the need to take it off just because I was wearing another one. That's just me! 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Speak Soon, 

Katie

x

P.S. Before I forget the leggings are from Asda, and they are the most comfortable leggings I have ever worn. They did not fall down once all day! I really recommend them. And for only £6 a pair, a complete and utter bargain! 

If it's broke... fix it!

I picked up this dress in Primark a couple of weeks ago. Now I don't know if it's just me but these dresses are a nightmare to get hold of. Don't get me wrong, they always have plenty in stock which is great.. if you're a size 6 or 8, but unfortunately I was not bless with a high metabolism. So when I spotted this lurking at the back I jumped with joy. 

Now yes, as you can see by the picture (professionally modelled by me. haha) the strap is broken. The look on the ladies face was a picture when she realised that I wanted to buy a broken item of clothing, but come on it's only a strap. 

Today I decided that I wanted to wear it, so out came the needle and thread, and of course the camera for my lovely blog. 

And you can't let this post go by without Katie's concentration face. haha. Thank you Mike for that one. 

And there we have it, my bargain £4.50 dress. I love it. And what better way to finish this post of than with an outfit of the day.

Dress - Primark 

Cardigan - Primark years ago (originally bought for work when I workes as a waitress)

Shoes - Primark 

Leggings - Primark 

Belt - Tesco (wow something that's not from Primark)

Headband - wait and see..

Speak Soon,

Katie 

x

P.S Mike had to poke a new hole in my belt for me. Best idea really seen as I was going to try and do it with an electric drill. haha. 

Wedding: Wedding Favours

This whole wedding planning and organising is extremely tiring. We've been up since 9:30am and have been non-stop crafting. I have enjoyed it, but right now I can feel my eye lids getting heavier, and we've still got tons more to do. It's amazing once I finish a task, because the more I finish the more I can see all my ideas coming together. It is rather satisfying. 

I probably won't be posting much this weekend for obvious reasons, though I would love to, so I'll leave you with this post, and also leave you all with the 'carrot' of my wedding photos. (If you didn't get that reference - carrot on a stick + donkey... though that sounds like I refer to you all as donkeys, so on second thoughts that's probably not the best example.) 

My wedding favours - For my wedding we planned right from the word go on having a BBQ, plus I have been a ketchup lover for many, many, many years, so what better wedding favour than personalised ketchup bottles? 

Originally I scoured the internet for genuine ones, but unfortunately heinz only personalise their products in America and don't ship to the UK, so the only option was to create my own. And here we have it. 

 I used photo sticker paper, which is fantastic. It was so easy to do, though creating the perfect size proved to be a bit of a nightmare. 

The finished product. I love them so much. The large bottles are for the couples, and the small ones are for the singles. We've still got a few more to do, but a trip to Asda is needed as we ate some. haha.

Fingers crossed I'll be able to post a bit more before the big day, if not I will see you all very soon as Mrs Cahill. 

Speak Soon, 

Katie 

x

P.S I went for my hair trial yesterday, and it looked beautiful. Though she did burn my nose with the curling tongs, so I'm hoping that Rudolph will be in fashion by Saturday. haha.

Wedding: Finally Finished Invites

Blurred on purpose

So with just a week to go before the wedding tomorrow I will hand out our wedding invites. I know, I know. Most people look at me in utter shock when I say that to them, but it's not as though I'm having a huge wedding where hundreds of people need to be informed. There will roughly be about 25 - 30 guests attending our wedding, but to be honest if the only people that were there were Me, Mike, my parents, and my Nanna, we'd both be happy, as these are the people that mean the most to us. We're lucky then as these are the people we know that will definitely be attending, even without an official invite. 

I keep making myself believe that Mike and I are on an episode of BBC THREE's Don't tell the Bride without the massive budget, where they only get 2 weeks to plan the wedding, as their guest generally get their invites the day before the wedding. haha. So I'm doing quite well then. 

We'll all keep our fingers crossed that people actually show up to our wedding and it's not too short notice. I'm sure I'd have all my lovely followers as guest if all else fails. haha. 

Katie 

x

Homemade: Wedding Mobile/Signs

Oh look another wedding post. Though it is to be expected with our wedding less than 2 weeks away, so bare with me, and get excited that these posts are almost over, or get increasingly more excited as 14th May gets closer. 

Another creation with the salt dough. I'm really enjoying using salt dough. So far all my creations are pretty basic, but I'm planning on making some miniature and more intricate designs soon. My most recent designs are these mobile/signs. I'm not really sure what to call them yet. Any ideas? I've still got a friendship one left to make, and maybe more if I think of any. 

Katie

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