Friday, 20 December 2013

Feature Friday with Kaitlyn @ isavirtue


Today marks #2 in my mini series featuring bloggers and/or shop owner posts in hope to introduce some new "eye candy" and inspiration. Please join me to welcome Kaitlyn @isavirtue







What Inspires You ??

I am inspired by so many things! Colours, typography and artwork. When I don't visit a gallery for an extended period of time, I feel lackadaisical and uninspired. A day at a gallery can enliven me and reinvigorate me to continue creating.




Share an interesting fact about yourself :

I have ideaesthesia (also known as synaesthesia) so most of the time I don't really question the way I put text, colours and papers together. To me the letter "S" is red, and the month of "February" is green simply because it conceptually *feels* right to me. I craft the same way - I just do things because they feel right, and they make my heart at ease. 



List a few favourite past times : 

Crafting! My love of creating and handmade stationery was developed in my youth. As a young girl I was often of the mindset "Why buy it when you can make it!" (Which may also be interpreted as "I only get a dollar for allowance each week so I guess I'll have to make it!" I also began letter-writing at the tender age of nine. My best friend moved to the other side of the country so we wrote letters and decorated envelopes for each other. As you can tell, I'm still a fan of both of these past times today!



What's your favourite Movie ??

My favourite movie is the Thomas Crown Affair (newer version). It's sexy, intriguing, and depicts the story of a man who cleverly steals a valuable piece of artwork from a museum. It's one of those films you have to watch a few times in order to catch all the clues and subtle references. It features Renee Russo and Pierce Brosnan and at one point somebody may or may not throw an original Rembrandt painting in a fire!


What is your prized Possession ?
This is a difficult one. It always makes me think of the question "What would you grab if your house was on fire?" Well, my answer would probably be a bathrobe in order to cover up and keep warm. So instead I'll tell you about my favourite piece of art. It's called "Doll Un" and it's a shadow box fortune doll created by artist Lara Scarr using collage, embroidery, lace and paint. She has an innocent charm...until you look closer at the frightening imagery she is made up of.






What would you like to learn to do ??

I have taught myself so many techniques in the past year or two including book binding, knitting, embroidery, sewing and needle felting. But what I really want to learn is calligraphy. I did try once and was disappointed when I didn't immediately excel at it...so I'll have to revisit that at some point in the future!


Visit Kaitlyn here : 



Thank you Kaitlyn, for being part of this series :) (All images and products you can find in kaitlyns cute shop, stop by and check it out ) 

Thursday, 19 December 2013

:: Thought For Thursday


Just as you get into the flow of blogging and feeling like you are on top of your to-do list. Life happens and throws things off balance ..

My baby girl has been sick for almost a week, there have been consistent nights of no sleep and hours in the morning of "wideawakness" at hours that you should be in dreamland , resulting in 1 tired mommy with constant headache, throw in a mix of Consultant appointments and  school concerts , not getting home til 10pm two nights in a row...

My blogging schedule kinda took a back seat so todays post is totally unplanned and I am enjoying a morning off , baby girl is now well and is at nursery until lunch , husband is a work and the other 3 girls are at school, its last day before the school holidays, I am glad these cold mornings are no fun..

So here is my thought for Thursday....



I am hoping to make some time this holiday to make these ...




Sugar Cookies ~ I can teach my child 
Vanilla Cupcakes ~ Bakegirl
Carrot Cake Cheesecake ~ Sifting Focus 


Claire xo

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Project Life Tuesday ..


Another week gone by, another project life spread :)




This spread is made using the "Midnight" collection, which is perfect for adding pops of colours hear and there..

I embellished using Amy Tangerine stickers and Die Cuts ..

This was a fun week too and it included a rare photos of my girlies all together !!







I am looking forward to starting a fresh, Project Life in January !!! I think I have a good system going that works for me , will you be changing how you Project Life next year ??







Monday, 16 December 2013

Peppermint Hot Chocolate ...




This weekend was the perfect excuse to make home made hot chocolate. It turned out yummy !! so I thought I would share the simple recipe ...

It leaves the house smelling good too !!!!

You Will Need 

  • 1/3 cup of Cocoa Powder 
  • 1 Pint of Milk
  • Handful of Chocolate Chips
  • 3-4 Candy Canes Crushed (1 for serving)
  • Pinch of salt 

Method 

Place cocoa in a medium none-stick  saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until cocoa has dissolved. Add chocolate chips and crushed peppermint; simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate and peppermint have melted. And the mixture has thickened.
Add salt.  

Use a sieve and a measuring jug to pour the mixture into. Then use the jug to pour the hot chocolate into mugs. serve each with a Candy cane.

Me and the girls liked to dip our candy canes into the hot chocolate ... yummy :)

Now all you need to do is watch a Christmas Movie and your all set !!

Claire xo





Adapted from Martha Stewart

Saturday, 14 December 2013

Craft, Create & Inspire Linky Party #10

 
How has your week been?   It’s  hard to believe that Christmas is less than two weeks away.  I’ve started some shopping but still a lot to do !.
So, whose ready to party? I am so glad you have stopped by to join us!  It’s so much fun to browse through your projects each week. 
 
 
Featured Projects from last week :)
 
 
One, Peppermint Hot Chocolate in a Jar @ Sewlicious Home Décor
Two, Pretty Gift Wrapping Ideas @ The Casual Craftlete
Three, Christmas Mini Cakes @ Say it with Cake
 
Be sure to Grab your Featured Button (html code on right hand sidebar)
 
 
Ready to get this weeks party started ???
 
 
 
  • Feel free to link up just about anything. Recipes, Tutorials,  Inspiration, Crafts, Printables
  •  I would {love} for you to follow my blog.
  • Please link to your specific post and not your entire blog.
  • Please add this party to your linky party list.
  • Take a few extra minutes to visit some of the bloggy goodness that has been linked up.
  • Most importantly: HAVE FUN! Feel free to grab my button from my and spread the linky fun.

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    Friday, 13 December 2013

    Christmas Gift Tags ...


    So last week I shared with you some Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas, this week I am going to share some ideas for Gift Tags ..










    
     I hope that this little round up has inspired you to add a little cute touch onto your gifts ..

    Happy Friday 

    Claire xo








    

    Thursday, 12 December 2013

    DIY Glitter Canvas




    Today I am sharing this fun and quick Canvas tutorial ..


    What you will need .




    • Canvas (if your in the UK check out The Works)
    • Mod Podge
    • Glitter , colour of your choice
    • Paint brush
    • Pencil
    
    How to ...

    Draw or use a stencil of your chosen image onto the canvas


    

    Use the paint brush to apply glue onto your drawn image , apply it generously.

    Sprinkle on glitter.




    Continue until your image is completely cover in glitter, leave to dry for at least 3-4 hours ..

     Once it has completely dried tip the loose glitter off .

    You now need to seal the glitter, I re-coated with Mod Podge , but you could use hair spray ..




     


    Finished, Hope you enjoyed this tutorial :)

    Claire