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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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 

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Homemade: Personalised Felt Bunting

Today I wanted to crack on with my felt moustaches, instead I found myself creating personalised felt bunting. I've made these as a gift for a friend but I'm definitely going to add these to my shop once it's up and running because, well I blooming love them. 

I think that these would be perfect for children, either on bedroom doors, bed frames, or even over babies cots/cribs. I also think they're great fun for adults too, I'm definitely going to be making one for myself. Ooh and wouldn't Bride and Groom ones be just the perfect cute addition to any wedding reception?! Obviously not in such bright vibrant colours though. 

I also picked up these stencils (well cookie cutters.. shhh!) a few weeks ago but never really got around to using them, but they are great. Perfect sizes, and I don't know if it's just me but getting a perfect symmetrical star shape is a nightmare. Oooh and today I found all the bits for my felt moustaches, who knew that doweling was so expensive? Well I do now. Hopefully I'll be able to get it a little cheaper next time, but for now I'm just going to have fun. 

Speak Soon, 

Katie 

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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 

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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

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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

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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! 

Baking for my Husband

After my thank you cupcakes from yesterday's post I decided to bake a cake for my husband as he felt slightly left out. So he got his very own special cake. 

 This turned out 100% better than I imagined. I can bake amazing cupcakes until them come out of my ears, but cakes have never really been my forte. I may not look amazing, but I love using buttercream, and I love the messy effect it gives the cake. Good job really. haha.

We had to have a picture of the boy cutting his cake. He cut right through the centre of the heart, luckily not through mine. I love this man more than anything on the face of this earth, and nothing says I love you more than a homemade cake. Like they say, 'the way to a mans heart is through his stomach.' haha. I'm becoming a right little housewife. Shame it only extends to baking and not the cooking and cleaning. 

Speak Soon, 

Katie 

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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 

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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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Wedding: DIY Hair clips

I decided a long time ago that when I got married I wanted long hair. A few years ago I decided that now was the time to grow it. Never in my life have I had long hair, it's always been so short as my hair just looked awful once it got past a certain length. For some reason all that has changed. I don't know if it's because I take much greater care with it, or that it's just the way it goes. Either way I'm so happy with it. I'm still growing it, but I'm happy with the length in regards to my wedding day. 

Because of the length of my hair I always wanted it down for my wedding day. Why spend years growing it just to have an up do? 

I decided upon half up/half down, for no other reason than that is what I've wanted. I've never really looked into any other hair styles, this is just the one that stuck. 

Then came the issue of what to hold my hair back with on my big day? I originally bought a clip with more of a diamante design to it, then I thought that this may clash with the faux pearl head band I want to wear (which I'm yet to buy, tomorrow I promise.) Then in boots the other day I came across these beauties. 

The only problem is the pink. The earring I'm wearing which is my something old, is a white rose  broken earring that my Mum's had for years. Do you get extra points for having a 'something broken' as well as the compulsory old, new, borrowed blue? As you can tell the roses on the clip are pink. 

So out comes the trusty white Barry M Nail Paint:

And tad-dar two coats later I have white not pink roses. 

My camera clearly doesn't like them as much as I do, they look amazing in real life

It still needs another coat as I can still see a slight tinge of pink, but I'm just too impatient to wait to take a picture once it's complete. haha. 

Katie

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♫ Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work 

Homemade: Budget Wedding Flower Arrangements

In my last post I wrote about all my Ikea purchases. Well I then had a play around with some ideas for our Wedding flower arrangements, and I think I’ve decided on the following, which I will have dotted around the wedding reception venue (my parents house.)

1. This first idea I had had in mind for months. Is it wrong to admit that the inspiration for this came from my own living room? I hope not.

I just love the simplicity of this arrangement, and how the stems bend so easily so that the followers can be arranged perfectly.

2. I love these also. The jars originally came with lids, which whist still in Ikea I checked that they could be removed, which they can very easily.

3. And finally these lovely glass vases were just so cute. I’m not sure which I prefer more, the flower wrapped around the outside or wrapped around the inside.

The prices for all these were fantastic. Each flower was only 39p, so in total £19.11 for the job lot. Less than £20 is just fantastic for the quality and versatility of the flower. 

The glass jars were £1.01 each, so I picked up 6, which I can use again and again and again. For what, I’m not sure yet, but I will find out soon.  These I think would look so cute as a centerpiece in a larger, more traditional venue.

The glass vases were £1.83 each.

And the mini cute vases (as I like to call them) were also only £1.83. I think these are my favourites.

In total all are flower arrangements for our budget wedding came to a grand total of £32.49 if my calculations are correct (knowing me they aren't. What a complete bargain, and I didn’t compromise on quality. I’m rather chuffed with myself. 

Speak Soon, 

Katie 

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Wedding: Ikea buys

I mentioned in yesterdays post that we made a trip to Ikea. We’d been planning to go for weeks to pick up a few items for our wedding, and finally made the time two Saturdays before the wedding day.

The flowers that I have picked for my bouquet and the buttonholes are gerberas, or as I like to call them, gerbils, and I knew from previous purchases that IKEA sold artificial ones for less that 50p each, with bendy stems.  So a trip to Ikea was an obvious choice.

We also picked up a few jars and vases for the flowers to be arranged in, along with a few candles to scatter around to create the perfect atmosphere on the day.

In Ikea I did think, ‘what am I going to do with all these flowers once the wedding is over?’ I knew I wanted to keep a few as I already have one set in the living room and a few more scattered around the house would look great, but I had just bought over 40. The as I was taking all the tags off each individual flower (which took forever) I placed them all in one plant pot to keep organized… and I loved it.

So there we have it, all of the flowers for our wedding day and a lovely center piece for our coffee table once the wedding day is over. Dual purpose items rule.

 I love Ikea, and I'm so glad that all my ideas are finally coming together. 

Speak Soon, 

Katie

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Homemade: Just Married Garland

I've been after a 'Just Married' garland/sign ever since I came across the one I posted here. This one was far too expensive for what it was, and I was determined to create my own. And last night I finally finished it.

It's probably well known from my previous posts that we are planning our wedding on a shoe string budget, so a lot of homemade decorations are a must. Though I should admit that even if money was no object I probably would have still have made a lot myself. I just think weddings are more personal and fun that way.

I have so many more fun little creations to add here, so expect to see more, seen as our wedding is less than three weeks away. All day today I have had sudden and unexpected waves of butterflies that shudder all the way through my body from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. It's such a strange sensation, but I guess it means I'm finally getting nervous when I think of our Big Day... there they go again. 

Speak Soon,

Katie

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Day In The Life: Easter Sunday

On an Easter Monday what better way to spend the day than remembering Easter Sunday? 

♥ This year we had a very different start to the day than usual, as we went to Church with my Nanna. We are getting married in three weeks and we wanted to hear our Bans being read for the third and final time. Now I wouldn't say that I am the most religious person, but I also would not say that I don't believe. I just haven't fully made my mind up yet. It was a very emotional start to the day as it made me happy to see people drawn together by their faith, but it also made me sad to see such a small congregation. Half of me expected to see the Church packed, and that we would have to go early to make sure that we got a seat. I was wrong. Most people were old, and the thought that the faith was dying out scared me. I wish that I had taken photos as we attended the Church where we will be married... which gave both Michael and I butterflies. It was also nice for once to celebrate Easter in the way it was meant and how it originated. I for one believe that the true sense of Easter has been almost forgotten with Easter eggs, and the Easter Bunny. I think from now on I will celebrate both ways, and pass this onto our future children.

Easter Bonnets and Rice Crispies made by Nanna, and the Nicer Dicer from my Mum... I wanted this for so long.

♥  We then all went round to my parents house for Easter Sunday Lunch. We do this every year. We like to celebrate special occasions like Christmas, New Year, Easter, in the same way, with family, food and laughter. The food was divine as usual. My Mum truly is the best cook on this planet, and her roast potatoes are to die for. 

And this was BEFORE dinner. Haha.

I love watching these two wait for dinner, I just wish our Millie could have shared in with the smell.

Of course the puppies need their own Easter Meal.

My love these dogs has been shared many times before

♥ For years we used to play cards when we had the family over, but through unforeseen circumstances we have not done this for quite some time. I think you forget how much you enjoy something, until you do it again... and a game (or games) reminds you of how much fun it really is. 

Jaspa brought his Doggie Beer as my  Dad tormented my Nanna. I love our family.

♥ We called it a night at close to 10pm, as we all could have swallowed the room with each yawn. We dropped my Nanna off at home, then Mike and I only stayed up for another hour then had to go to bed. 

Obviously we need the last pictures of the day... Que. PJ shot

♥ All in all it was a fantastic day. The following points made it even more special and also brought a tear to my eyes:
               ♥ Hearing our Bans being read, and realising how close our wedding day really is
               ♥ Sharing the day with such wonderful people
               ♥ After dinner my Dad ending a phone call and telling us that he has arranged us a honeymoon. We don't have much money, and could not afford a honeymoon. He has now arranged for us to spend the weekend in Skegness, in a caravan. I cannot wait. 
               ♥ Coming home to our Millie and Jake, and knowing I have Monday off from work. 

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter.

Speak Soon, 

Katie 

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