Vintage doilies garland

I am still adding little touches of festive to the flat in preparation for the big day, when both our families will come round here to celebrate together.
Latest entry is a sweet garland I made a few things I found in my crafty stash. Lately I am in love with doilies and I am using them everywhere: to decorate wrapped presents, on cards and now this garland. I apologise the pics aren't great, I will take them again as soon as I have a better light!

Holidays Tags - Free Printable

Happy Friday everyone!
I hope you still have some gift wrapping to do before Christmas so you can use some of these gorgeous freebies. If instead you have been very organized ( unlike me this year!) then just save for next year.  Today I am sharing a round up of my favourite ones: just click on the link in the photo capture, download, print and enjoy! 

Christmas Tags from The Caroline Johansson

Christmas Tags from Hey Look

Christmas Tags from Living Locurto

Holiday Tags from Love vs. Design

Yuletide Christmas Gift Tags from Kelli Murray 

With so much choice, which ones will you choose? I'd say, don't choose, just get them all!

Happy Holidays!

P.S. if you missed last year's freebies then check them out here and here.

Recycled Christmas Cards Tutorial

Hello my dear darlings!
I am excited because today I am going to share with you my first tutorial! How to make your own Christmas cards by recycling old ones, it's so easy and quick! If you have already got your Christmas cards for this year, why not save this year's cards and use them for this project?

If you remember, last Christmas I used Christmas catalogues I received for free in the post and cut out pretty images to stick on my cards, then embellished them with gems and stickers, you can take a look at last year's post here.

This year I wanted to do something similar and since I keep all the greeting cards I receive (yes, all of them!) I decided to have a look at them for inspiration and suddenly I realised I could recycle the smaller ones by cutting the front and sticking them on some blank cards.

So here is what you'll need:
blank cards and envelopes ( I used Papermania square cards, made from recycled paper, bonus!)
some old Christmas cards
ruler
scalpel (or scissors will do just fine)
cutting matt
round corner punch
sticky pads

I realise some of this material can be quite craft-specific however you can easily substitute items, for example if you do not have a cutting mat just use a thick piece of card or cardboard or even an old chopping board ;-)

Start by cutting the front off your chosen Christmas card. I used a scalpel however a pair of scissors would do just fine as you just cut through the crease of the card.

I then round off the edges, I just prefer it that way as I think it's gives it a more finished look, ( it's become a sort of trademark for me!), but you don't have to if you don't want or do not want to invest in a punch.

Then stick enough pads on the back of your piece of card.

Now it's time to stick it on your blank card. Press it down gently so the pads adhere to the card.

To finish it off I just round the card edges as well.

Simply fold and ta dah! Here is your card.

I made 50 the other day in no time. Here are some of my favourites. I am so chuffed as now I have such a big selection of cards, from traditional to modern to funny. 

If you were going to recycle your cards anyway you may as well use them for this project instead!

I am looking forward to hear from you if you ever give this a go, let me know!
Happy crafting!

Monday Rocks

Monday Rocks - Have fun!

gnihciew.tumblr.com

RSVP idea: what we did for our wedding

In this post I wanted to share with you what my husband and me did in terms of RSVPs. I wanted something quite quirky and most of all interactive. Together we came up with this idea of a "fill in the blanks" postcard which we included in the invitation, pre-stamped, so all our guests had to do was to fill it in and send it back. If any of our wedding guests are reading, I hope you all had fun with that!

This is the blank copy of the RSVP:

I still remember how exciting it was every time we received an RSVP back and how much they made us laugh. Now I keep them all in a pretty photo album, ready to flick through them every time we feel like it.

Here are all the replies we received, all so original and funny!

 Hope your day rocks!

"Ask Your Bridesmaid" Ideas

So the time has come to tell your bridesmaid/s your decision: here are some really cute ways of doing so if you are up for something a bit different. 

A simple but effective card personalised with a picture of you two during a holiday you spent together.

A card with a cute rhyme and an added gift, personalised with the bridesmaid initial, which she can wear on the day.

breeze

An alternative to a card why not give this vintage hankerchief, it will come useful on the day when the tears start flowing!

BHLDN

If you are really looking for something extra special, why not put together a box full of mementos like pictures, keepsakes, and instructions about the day.

wedding chicks

I remember asking my bridesmaid Emma at Christmas, I gave her a copy of the book  "The Girls' Book of Friendship" by Gemma Reece and left a bookmark on the chapter where it talks about being bridesmaid. Once she unwrapped the gift I asked her to open the book where the bookmark was. I still remember that moment as it was very emotional and I am so very happy she said yes!

I'd love to hear how you have "proposed" or are you planning to propose to your bridesmaid/s, please leave a comment below.

Hope your day rocks!

Monday Rocks- - Happy Monday!

Save the Date Ideas

Today I would like to start a series of posts on all things "weddingy" to give you all a lot of inspiration about your wedding stationery, props, wedding themes and much more.

And what better way to start than from quirky and original ideas to use as save the date?

blow your guests away with a balloon!

a cute illustration & keepsake 

a box of matches, could also be a cute idea for favours 

a fun idea with ribbon 

a sticker your guest can stick directly on their diary or calendar

Pics by Martha Stewart