Crochet Tea Cosy Handmade Christmas Present

Morning guys

This is to show you the crochet teapot tea cosy I made the parents-in-law for Christmas.  I found the basic pattern on Pinterest and thought it was adorable as it looked like a little sack (which reminded me of Christmas time). 

I used a chunky yarn and an 8mm crochet hook as the pattern suggested.

What do you think? Do you like to use a teapot?

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My Filofax Themed Christmas Presents

Hey guys

Just wanted to quickly show you my Filofax themed goodies I got for Christmas. Luckily my sister is a planner lover too so she totally knew what to get me!

I'm just in the process of getting myself setup for 2015 with some new printable inserts from Etsy and then shall put all these to use and will be filming a 2015 planner setup.

Did you get any planner goodies for Christmas?

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Lazy Saturday Chit Chat

I write this post to you whilst sat on my sofa, crochet v stitch blanket over my lap, dog's head perched on me, hubby & brother playing Fifa on his new Christmas gift whilst eating shortbread biscuits! Oh, what a life!

I haven't really been committed to blogging for a while, I have been super duper busy with Christmas prep (we hosted both Christmas day and Boxing day at ours this year including two full meals!) busy with work and a home learning course, crocheting some Christmas gifts which I shall post about over the next week and life is just running away with me.

I feel like today is the first day in quite a while that I have done nothing and am enjoying it tbh!

I have used my time today to research two different things. No. 1 is finding myself some Dr Martens to order as I need some waterproof boots (Ugg's do not fit this requirement). Lucky for me, I have small size 3 feet which I have discovered means that I can order junior DM's for around £30 less, woop woop! 

No.2 has been researching sock knitting again.  I did successfully cast on two at a time socks on one circular needle but dropped a couple of stitches and ditched the whole attempt.  I don't really like the look of using DPN's I think that will confuse me no end so I am trying to find a beginners easy sock knitting pattern to knit an entire sock on a short / mini 9 or 19 inch circular needle.  If any of you guys could point me in the direction of a good easy beginners pattern I would be really grateful.

Anywho, I am going to have a read on my new Kindle and allow myself to have a Saturday afternoon doze.  I promise to be back next week with lots of photos of all the crochet Christmas presents I made and get back on my blogging quest.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and see you soon!

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Real Tree Cat Tree Cattree Indoor Home Installation

Today's big reveal is a little something myself and husband spent some more time working on.

About a year or so ago we made our cat a cat tree, the original post can be found by clicking here.  Anyway, in that post I think I mentioned we had also obtained a real tree that we were going to turn into a cat tree once we had the time and means to do so.  We spent time de-barking it last summer and then it just sat in the garden for almost a year.

Well, Sunday we pulled our fingers out and decided to finally do something about the cat tree.  The reason why? We were putting up our Christmas tree and we didn't want the cat to climb that! Haha.

So, we grabbed our sisal rope, some snap hooks and brackets and set to work!

I have uploaded a video to my YouTube channel showing the process which you can watching by clicking here.

What do you think?!  I know not everyone would want a tree in their home but I love it, it is almost like a funky art installation as well as serving a purpose as a cat tree.  It also has a couple of platforms on it so that he can survey his land from up high.  You can tell who rules the roost can't you?!

Sorry about the unfinished plastering / walls in the background, we had an accident, they will be fixed soon!

Let me know what you think in the comments below, I would love to know :0)

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Crochet Baby Ripple Wave Blanket - Buy yours now!

Hey all

I am pleased to announce that after the positive feedback I received regarding my recent post of the ripple wave baby blanket I had crocheted for my friends baby, I have listed this on my Etsy shop, you can order yours now by clicking here.

You can choose what colours your blanket is made with so it really is unique for you.

If you missed it, here is the link to my original post regarding my ripple wave crochet baby blanket.

Thanks for stopping by.

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The Craft Club - Crochet Snowman Swap Yarnbomb

Hey guys

My friends at The Craft Club are at it again, this time it is a Christmas themed yarnbomb.  They have decorated a post box with the most gorgeous hat, The Snowman themed scene which truly is remarkable.

What I also love is that it has been there a few days now and no one has stolen it or ruined it, people just seem to stop and take their photos and appreciate it for it's Christmas cheer and respect what The Craft Club have done.

I think it really looks amazing and it certainly made me feel Christmassy.  What do you think?

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Primark Wish List

Today I popped in Primark on my lunch break and was really surprised to see that there was actually so much stuff I wanted to get.  The photos above are of three of my most wanted items which I sent to my family to let them know ;0) Subtle hints help haha!

What do you want for Christmas this year?

I would also like to take this opportunity to point out that this post is my 100th post this year! That means that I succeeded in completing one of my New Years Resolutions (blimey this year has gone fast) at posting 100 blog posts this year, and we still have December to go! You can refer to my New Years Resolutions Blog Post by clicking here.  I will do a blog post for an end of year recap on all my New Years Resolutions 2014 next month so watch out for that in the near future!

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Night out in London Town - Wicked Theatre Show and Wagamama's

Friday night was date night for me and the hubby.  I got the train up to London after work and we got the tube to Victoria station.

We dropped in for a quick Wagamamas before arriving just in time for the show. Our show of choice that evening; Wicked!  

We saw Wicked on New Years Eve three years ago and I absolutely loved it, it immediately became one of my all time favourite theatre shows. The music is just brilliant and the singing gives me goose bumps every time.

Now I must admit, although it was still brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and do not regret going again whatsoever, it wasn't quite AS good as the first time we saw it. This is possibly due to the fact that we were sitting up in the gods this time whereas last time we were close to the front in the stalls and could make out every facial expression.

All in all, it is a tremendous show and if you haven't seen it, it honestly should be added to your must see list.  It is a really clever twist on the traditional Wizard of Oz story and one which I personally prefer.

Have you seen Wicked? If so, what did you think?

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My Filofax Decorated Pages: Week 47

Hey guys

Here is a quick look at my week 47 in my Filofax Finsbury Personal Raspberry.  Not much by way of decoration but I did make use of my Studio L2E stamps a little bit.  

I am getting back into blogging now and being organised by planning my blog posts each week which is really helping.

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Crochet Baby Blanket - Ripple Wave Blanket with Border

Hey crochet fans!

This post is to show you a crochet baby blanket I recently made for a friend at work.  She is having a baby girl who is due in February 2015 and I wanted to make something for her special little bundles arrival.

I had seen some ripple / wave crochet blankets knocking around instagram for a while and decided this was the perfect reason to make one.  I used the Attic24 pattern for my ripple / wave blanket.  I then found a couple of useful blog posts which explained how best to straighten off the ripple / wave edges for a border.

I have made this blanket to match the colour scheme in the nursery.  I am going to give it to her this week and I hope she loves it as much as I loved making it.

Let me know what you think in the comments below, I would love to hear from you.

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Guitar Heaven - Learning to play acoustic guitar

Hey guys

Last week I ventured somewhere new, a local music shop.

I am a huge fan of the television programme Nashville and do have a musical background.  I used to play flute and saxophone when I was at school and my siblings and parents also played instrument, "music is in my blood" haha.

Anywho, as I said I love the programme Nashville and there has been an urge festering inside me to learn to play acoustic guitar.

I knew of this local shop so thought what the hell, lets go down and check it out. I just wanted to go down there and check out what was available, ask some advice on what I might need, thinking I would put it on my Christmas list.

When I walked into the room with all the acoustic guitars I was in heaven, they are so so beautiful and I love all the different stains on the wood.  A really helpful acoustic guitar specialist / sales guy had a chat with me.  He showed me a few different guitars in different price brackets and also showed me a couple of 3/4 size guitars which were a better size and weight for me considering I am only 5ft2" tall!  

Anywho, he was blooming good as I left my window shopping session having put down a deposit on a Baby Taylor in mahogany. I told my husband who, as expected, wasn't best pleased I had done this, especially right before Christmas.  He felt I should start with a beginners guitar as opposed to going all out on "the guitar" and possibly finding that I do not like it and do not wish to carry on with it.

As it stands, the deposit is still on the guitar and I haven't made a decision.  What should I do?! Do any of my readers play Taylor guitars? Opinions on different acoustic guitars out there? I would love to hear from anyone with advice in the comments below.

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Snowboarding lesson on a dry slope

Hey guys

I just wanted to quickly share this photo with you.  A couple of months ago I went for a snowboarding lesson at a dry slope about 45 minutes away from where I live and it was friggin' awesome.  I totally loved doing it and definitely need to have a snowboarding holiday now!  I am a very active person and always like trying new sports / activities that test me.

The instructor told me that it is 10 times easier to snowboard on real snow too so that is very reassuring.  I even managed to use the ski lift which apparently means I am now allowed to use the lifts at any slopes in the world!  Woop woop go me!

Have you ever tried snowboarding before? If so, what do you think?

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Big Comfy Sneaker Slippers from USA

Hey guys

Today I wanted to tell you about a recent purchase I made of these awesome giant sneaker slippers all the way from USA.  

I purchased them from buyhappyfeet.com  and altogether for both pairs including postage they only cost be around £45.00.  I don't think that is too bad all things consider, plus did I already mention that they are AWESOME.  So so comfy and bouncy too.  Don't you just love that new slipper feeling?!

I got myself the Sacramento Kings (purely and simply because they were purple) and I got the hubby Pittsburgh Steelers as he used to support them when he used to stay up late and watch American football with his dad when he was younger (bless!). 

Did you used to have giant sneaker slippers when you were a kid?

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Halloween Pup - belated!

Hey guys

I realise this is a little belated and some of you won't be very interested, but for those of you that are, look at my little pumpkin on Halloween a couple of weeks ago!  Admittedly she has had the same costume since she was a puppy (she is now 5.5 years) but it still fits her (other than needing a safety pin to extend the waistband haha) and I always find it adorable.  It is always a hit when the trick or treaters come to the door.

I hope my little piece of happiness brings you a smile today :0)

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Crochet V Stitch Travel Blanket - Update II

Hey lovely people

Today I wanted to show you an update on my crochet V stitch travel blanket that I have been working on, on and off for the last few months.  It has grown somewhat since you last saw it!

I must say, it is blooming heavy so I am starting to question whether it would make a good "travel blanket" might have to be a stay at home blanket instead!

I am also undecided whether to border it yet, and if so, what to do?! Do my fellow crocheters have any suggestions? Border or no border?

I am really pleased with my straight edges, this is the first time I have attempted this stitch and I also used different thickness of wools so yay, go me!

I am also considering filming a YouTube video of how I do my V stitch as I know there are lots of different variations out there so let me know in the comments below if this is something you would be interested in.

Let me know what you think in the comments below, I would love to hear from you.  Have you tried this stitch yet?

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Early Christmas present idea for the gaming geeks

Hey guys

I just wanted to quickly tell you about this amazing Tetris light I recently bought a friend of mine for his birthday.  

The most amazing thing about this, you can stack the blocks in any combination you like and they will light up, so long as the blue one is at the bottom.  It is soooo much fun and looks really effective too.  I just love it and secretly want one for Christmas for myself!

I am sure we all know a gaming geek or two that would just love this light and I really was so impressed with it I just had to share it.

The Tetris lamp was £24.99 from Argos.  It is available at Debenhams also but at £34.99 so I would definitely say shop at Argos!

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My (small) Filofax Collection

Yep, this is my Filofax collection albeit small in comparison to some out there.  However, I am proud of it all the same and although there are a tonne of Filofax's I would love to own and I think look pretty, I am not in a position to justify having 20 Filofax's sitting on my shelf right now!

My collection consists of:

Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Pocket Filofax

This was my first filofax I ever got whilst I was at University.  I used to make note of all my lectures and classes and I also had a part-time job so used to keep track of my shifts in there too.  It was invaluable to me and I soon recorded every single life plan that I made in it.

Black Identity Pocket Filofax

My pink breast cancer pocket filofax started to get a bit grubby carrying it around in my handbag etc, but at the time didn't feel like I wanted/needed anything bigger.  Therefore I opted to get a black (dirt resistant!) pocket identity filofax.  This served me well for a couple more years until I finally decided that I was using my filofax so much and getting into decorating the pages that I possibly might finally need something slightly bigger.

Raspberry Finsbury Personal Filofax

I got this Filofax to give me the bigger pages I was after.  I also liked all the pockets and zip pocket that is within this filofax.  The problem with this one for me is I want to keep it perfect, which doesn't make for a daily filofax for me to carry around in my handbag.  It is also a bit big for some of my handbags which is a shame.  I mentioned in my YouTube video that I hadn't really bonded with this filofax yet and I think I still feel this way although maybe I haven't given it a chance.  The filofax is a nightmare to "train" it wants to shut all the time which also puts me off I think.

Patent Purple Original A5 Filofax

I got this filofax for my home renovation planning and I would say that this is my most happiest purchase to date.  The size of the pages are perfect for what I am using it for and the colour is to die for.  Very very pleased that I opted for this gorgeous filofax and that I am lucky enough to have it sitting on my shelf.

So there it is, my little collection.  Do you have any of the Filofax's I have?  What is your favourite Filofax? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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Dogs funny reactions to going through a car wash!

Hey Guys

Check out my latest video over on my YouTube channel, it is of my beloved pooch going through the car wash with me and her cute ears circulating around picking up each different sound.  Then at the end she decides it is boring and sleeps! Haha.

Hope it is a light hearted little something to cheer up your day or make you smile.

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