★ ETSY FRIDAY ★

There is a big trend for diamond imagery around at the moment.  Here are some lovely diamond inspired items from etsy...

...and not a real diamond in sight!

Diamond engraved notebook from Absoloot

Cute diamond brooches from Heartasaurus

Diamond print from The Curious Nickel

Sterling Silver ring from Metalicious

Bag yourself a diamond jubilee bargain with

these cute lavender bags from Corydora

Adorable hand carved rubber stamp set

from MemiTheRainbow

Lovely watercolour diamonds print from LouisestArt

♥ WEDDING WEDNESDAY - Save the Date ♥

Wedding Diary #5 - Save the dates

The Date is set, the amazing venue is booked so now you need to let people know.  It is time to send out your "save the dates!".  Usually sent out at least 6-12 months before the big event so recipients who wish to attend can keep the date free.  This is usually followed by a formal invitation nearer the time.

Here are some fab ideas for save the dates...

Save the date printables from here, just add twine.

These two cards ideas are from in the tree house

How about a photography shoot, here are some clever ideas...

Kyle Hale

diy weddingbee

photobooth

And some really cute DIY ideas which are simple but effective...

You can see how to recreate this idea here

Scratch to reveal the date, you can see how to make this here

OR how about creating your own video to send to all your friends, here are some great ones...

                  

Save the Date from Steve Haslip on Vimeo.

                  

Save the Date from Ryan Leggett on Vimeo.

Rankidoodle Labels

Am just working on some new labels for the pretty bow brooches my mum kindly knitted for my Rankidoodle shop on Etsy.  They will feature these old photographs of my mum in the 70s when her and my dad were just "courting".  The knitted bow brooch will sit in the middle of the card.

I haven't shown her yet!

Hope she likes em...

★ "MAKE IT" MONDAY ★

Welcome to my new blog feature "Make it" Monday where I will be featuring a weekly DIY project.  I LOVE making things and in this feature I will be showing you how to make gifts for friends, fashion items, gifts for children, for the home and much more.

Due to the current financial climate it makes sense to try to save money by making gifts, cards, homewares and with each project I will be revealing how much it costs to make, I think you'll be surprised how much you could save.

The projects range in the time it takes to complete.  I am starting with an easy 10 minute make, there are also 30 minute makes, 100 minute makes and Weekend makes.

#FASHION - Vintage Bow Brooch

These Pretty bow brooches can be worn to liven up any outfit or bag, they would make great gifts for friends.  They only cost 21p(34cents) to make!  Find details of prices and stockists here.  You could add a hair grip instead of brooch pin and wear it in your hair, very vintage darling. x

For this project you will need...

Felt  (21 x 3cm & 6 x 2cm)

Lace  (21cm)

Brooch pin

glue (glue gun shown but all purpose is fine)

Lay the lace over the longer felt piece and fold around so it overlaps itself by approx 2cm, I didn't but you can put a blob of glue here to secure before the next step...

...then fold the felt and lace in half longways and wrap the smaller piece of felt around the centre and put a blob of glue (where my thumbnail is) to secure... 

...then glue the brooch pin on...

...and voila!!!  You have your very own Vintage bow brooch.

My Heart Wanders

I have just bought myself a lovely new book "My heart Wanders" by Pia Jane Bijkerk.  Pia is an internationally acclaimed stylist, photographer and author specialising in interiors, still life and food.  The book is Pias own story about taking risks, letting go and making a home wherever you are.  It is full of beautiful, dreamy photography of Paris, Amsterdam and Sydney...

Pia is also the author of Amsterdam: Made by hand and...

Paris: Made by Hand available here and here

You can visit Pias website here, Blog here and Pinterest page here.

★ ETSY FRIDAY ★

"It's Pretty Old" is my new shop on Etsy where I sell Vintage goods I have collected over the years.

I am a little obsessed with buying pretty vintage books, scarves, crockery etc. and no longer have enough room to store them so am selling them on to better homes, please take a look...

King George V Silver Jubilee jug - 1935

1960s vintage french pop-up anniversary card

Alice in wonderland paperback 1960s penguin book

Lovely retro floral silk scarf

Looking in Junk Shops book - 1968

Please enter 'VINTAGELOVE' at the checkout for 20% discount.

♥ WEDDING WEDNESDAY - Bridesmaids ♥

Wedding Diary #4 - Bridesmaids

So everyone knows that you are getting married, all your closest girlfriends will be being extra nice to you hoping they may be one of the lucky ones to get picked to be a special part of your big day by being a bridesmaid.  How do you choose? How many bridesmaids should you have? Family? Friends?

Only you can answer these questions.  It is hard to choose as you don't want to hurt anyones' feelings.  One way is to ask friends to make a reading or be a witness instead.

When you have decided here are a few really cute ways of asking...

Bold, simple and to the point cards...

 Beautiful, with a personal touch and also a vintage keepsake.
You can buy this handkerchief from here

Love this idea, it's clever, fun and sooo pretty.
DIY guide here

Cute boxes full of goodies and info for the big day...

May have to copy this one as I will be 'Super obsessed' when the time comes 

 here is a 'lookbook' to give to your girlies including styles, colours etc.

A tiny bridesmaid invite inside this gorgeous charm ring

I will be featuring Bridesmaids dresses and gift ideas at a later date.

Homebird House

There is a fabulous new shop opened up in my hometown and I just had to tell you about it. It is called HOMEBIRD HOUSE and if you are familiar with Scarborough it is opposite the entrance to the Market on St. Helens square.

It's a home & body lifestyle store and stocks a wide range of products from window boxed cupcake bath bombs to really pretty lazercut cards, bunting, creative colour in wall paper.  You can get the perfect present for kids, mum, best friend or granny.

The shop is owned by a very friendly interior designer Alex Anderson.  It's a real breath of fresh air for Scarborough, as we are overun with tacky souvenir, charity and poundshops.

There is a great range of Christmas Decorations and gifts...

Love these frames...

...and these fellas...

...and LOOK they also stock my Rankidoodle cards and Teacup candles too!

For more info and pictures visit the website here and the facebook page here