A mystery revealed...

So I bought this cute little bird feeder which is basically a pretty yellow saucer mounted on a metal stick. I filled it straight up with bird food and then waited.

And waited.

Not a bird was to be seen. Any yet all of the bird food mysteriously disappeared.

Luckily the mystery is now solved - I caught this little guy (girl?) casting a judging eye on the empty saucer. I quickly filled it up, and the pigeon quickly returned and started working through the stash (and has returned several times since).

I'm honestly just happy that it's being used. I would like to attract a bit of a better selection of birds mind you - I'm turning into a right old bird-watcher recently!

Have you had any surprising visitors in your garden?

Bye for now!

Kat xx

That Friday Feeling

It's Friday lovely people! That means it's time to kick back, enjoy the sunshine (please British weather...stay sunny...please?) and maybe carry on with a bit more work towards my life laundry project.

By 'bit more' I pretty much mean 'start actually doing something'. Just thought I should clear that up.

Photo from handbag.com

So what do I have planned for the weekend? I have some birthday present shopping to do, so a visit to my local town centre is planned. I'm in need of a little pick me up, and my make-up stash is screaming out for an update so I think a trip to the Urban Decay counter. Speaking of which, how utterly amazing is this Pulp Fiction inspired set? I don't think I could carry off that lipstick quite like Mia Wallace but I'm happy to give it a go!

The weekend will also undoubtedly also involve some forest exploration. It's become a weekly ritual now, and I feel totally peaceful and calm when I'm there - until my beloved mentions the Blair Witch and I become all jittery!

I'll also be reading my way through Fat Mum Slim - a blog which I'm sure everyone else in the world already knows, but I've only just discovered, and already love. I also love the photo-a-day project. I've been meaning to use instagram more often, and think this would be a brilliant way to get started!

My last little plan for the weekend is to find my crafty mojo again - I miss crafting so much! I think I may stalk pinterest for some inspiration for little projects...if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

 Whatever you have planned for the weekend I hope it's a happy one!

Bye for now!

Kat xx

Etsy Favourites - Kate Broughton

I have a list of 'go to' Etsy shops when I'm searching for gifts for people (and little pick-me-ups for myself of course) and thought I would start sharing some of them to spread the love.

The first Etsy shop that deserves muchos love is Kate Broughton. Kate is an illustrator and her shop is packed full of some beautiful prints, cards, notebooks, mirrors and nailart - featuring lots of different nature inspired themes including birds, flowers, whales and gardens.

Here are my current top five favourites from the shop...

Whales of the World Print - I'm still obsessing over whales and absolutely love this print! I think it's going to be going on a wishlist!

Woodland themed nail stickers - I have a few sets of Kate's nail stickers and these are next on the list - my nails suddenly feel a bit naked without some woodland magic on them!

Toadstool writing set - Made from recycled paper - I love the retro mushroom-ness of this set!

Mandarin Duck Pocket Mirror - I'm particularly fond of this because a cute family of Mandarin Ducks seem to have taken up residence on a pond near my home

Coastal Birds of Britain Print - another beautiful print, this time with a selection of British coastal birds.

This is my most recent purchase from Kate's shop -  a cute little Garden Notebook for my dad and some nail decals - a bird set for me, and a crafty set for a friend. I haven't used them yet but will take some pictures when I do.

I just wanted to add that I'm not sponsored in any way to make these posts - they're just my opinions on some amazing artists on Etsy - hope you enjoy discovering them!

Collection Crush - Tatty Devine & Rob Ryan

I've been a fan of Tatty Devine's jewelery and Rob Ryan's designs for quite a while now, so the two teaming up for some Rob Ryan jewelery is pretty much heaven for me. I've picked my favourite pieces above, but honestly love each piece in the collection. Sadly it's a little bit out of my budget range for now...but that doesn't mean I can't dream (and drool)!

To see the full collection check out Tatty Devine.

Stationery Haul - Gemma Correll Notebooks at Tesco

I absolutely love Gemma Correll's artwork - I have a couple of her prints brightening up my walls and a couple of necklaces/ brooches featuring her adorable pug design.

Tesco have started stocking a pretty amazing range of stationery, so my weekly shop now pretty much always includes a little browse down the stationery isle (who needs food when there are pretty folders to buy, right?). On my last visit I was so excited to see this little guy staring at me from the shelves:

I love the 'Pugs not Drugs' design and am so happy to have his grumpy yet noble face in notebook form. However, there was also a design I haven't seen before, and I had to buy it as my new notebook for work...because, well, it sums me up very nicely...

Honestly - I think I spend at least 90% of my day with that look on my face. Inside there is an equally cute design on each page...

These notebooks were on sale when I found them - for just £3.75 each - bargain! You can hopefully still find them in-store at Tesco. Alternatively there is a pretty amazing selection of Gemma Correll stationery available at Amazon.  

Motif Monday - Finnick Odair Bookmark

Any Hunger Games fans out there? Anyone else totally fall in love with Finnick's character as the story unfolded? I put this design together for a craft swap a while back and thought I would share it here today. It's possibly one of the more random designs in my collection - Finnick's trident, and then his name spelt out in the Maritime Flag alphabet (I liked the maritime-water-Finnick connection). I thought I'd share it here in case anyone else wants a slightly obscure Finnick bookmark to add to their collection - and also to put it out there that if you would like anything else spelt out in the Maritime alphabet let me know!

I'm about to start another read-through of the books, but think I might make up this bookmark first. I still find myself enjoying reading actual books more than my Kindle - maybe because I've always loved bookmarks?!

Here's the pattern - no particular floss colour requirements - you'll just need a black, white, yellow, blue and red - nice and simple!

Sunday Best - Desk Organisers

Etsy Treasury - Getting Organised

In the spirit of getting organised as part of my Life Laundry project I found myself looking for storage solutions on Etsy - which lead to looking at desk organisers (honestly - my current stationery obsession is starting to worry me). There are too many beautiful organisers on Etsy, and here's a treasury of some of my favourites. I'm drooling over the idea of having a calm and tranquil office space at home at the moment and think that any of the above items would make it a beautiful and calm place to be!

Free Cross-Stich Pattern Mini Mr Distinguished

I have another mini cross stitch design for you today - it's the perfect size for a clear acrylic keyring. Let me introduce you to the mini Mr Distinguished...

This is the last of the mini designs for now - look out for some more Avengers coming soon!

I think I'm going to turn mini Mr Distinguished into some keyrings for Christmas stocking fillers (I'm thinking about Christmas already...what is actually wrong with me?!).

If you do use the pattern let me know - I'd love to see your distinguished projects!

Collection Crush - John Hanna Storage Tins

Photos from http://www.onebrowncow.co.uk/

I love storage tins. I love them so much that I may need a storage box in which to store all of my storage tins if I obtain many more!

It's going to be hard to resist these tins of beauty with genuine 1950s designs by John Hanna which I stumbled across over at http://http://www.onebrowncow.co.uk.

My favourite is definitely the badger, who looks decidedly shifty, but am really in love with the style of all of them. 

Would a few more storage tins really hurt?

Bye for now!

Kat xx

Stationery Haul - Artbox

Hello, my name is Kat and I'm a stationery addict.

Phew, it feels good to admit that.

One of my favourite places to get my stationery fix is ArtBox. I have a sneaky suspicion that I'm not alone with this addiction, so thought I would share some snaps of my recent Artbox haul...

I'm determined to start writing more letters, so I've bought a couple of very cute letter sets...

Hello Panda Letter Set

Happy Animals Letter Set

 

I couldn't resist buying some adorable stickers...to add to my giant stash of stickers which I have literally no idea what to do with (suggestions would be very welcome!)!

I bought some cute Rilakumma tape as part of a birthday present for a friend...

Rilakkuma Tape

 

 

And last, but definitely not least, I bought some sticky notes featuring the ridiculously cute Kapibarasan - the Japanese Capybara (I love Capybara, combine them with Japanese style, and stationery and I'm pretty much as happy as I can be).

The outside...

Kapibarasan Sticky Notes

and all of the notes on the inside...

These will be a huge improvement on the yellow sticky notes I end up sticking around my desk on an average week!

Ok, time to organise my desk with my new supplies...well actually I need to organise my desk full stop - it's a mess!

Bye for now

Kat xx

Motif Monday - The Mini Yeti

I have a little stash of free cross stitch patterns all stored up and ready to share - but have been putting it off because I haven't had a chance to stitch them yet.

I've decided that approach isn't very productive, so I'm going to start posting them anyway - please just excuse the fact that some of them won't have a 'finished item' photo to go with them!

This week's design is a tiny cute yeti - perfect for putting into a key fob or for filling any tiny spaces that are crying out for a miniature mythical creature...

I haven't put a key for this chart - it's so simple that you'll be good to go with an ice blue, a black and a white (optional depending on whether you're using white fabric).

Here he is in virtual stitch form...

If you use this little guy please let me know - and send me a link to the finished item!

Lots more patterns to come over the next few weeks - including some more Marvel characters, a Hunger Games inspired design...and a character from Frozen. If you have any requests please send them my way!

Bye for now!

Kat xx

Sunday Best - Rainbow Unicorn Attacks

Earlier today I turned to my beloved and said that I was in the mood for making an Etsy treasury but wasn't feeling very inspired with a theme.

His response was instant, and slightly worrying.

Unicorns.

I'm telling myself it's because he has recently been playing Robot Unicorn Attack .

I couldn't resist delving into the unicorn related offerings on Etsy...and a little while later this treasury was born.

Rainbow Unicorn Treasury on Etsy

I have now seen enough crafts involving unicorns pooping rainbows to last a lifetime!

Anyway, I hope this treasury brings a smile to your face - is there anything more ridiculous yet awesome than Unicorns?

My abslolute favourite item is this print:

 

 

 

LittleCatDraw on Etsy

 The look on the cat's face is absolutely perfect.

Bye for now!

Kat xx

That Friday Feeling!

I don't have quite the same Friday feeling today because I have to go to work tomorrow - but that's more reason than ever to plan some lovely things to do this weekend that are packed full of rest and relaxation for the times when I've escaped from the office...

A woodland wander is definitely on the 'to do list' - my go-to place if I'm feeling a bit stressed or low on energy (plus there's always the hope of spotting deer!)

I've been testing my restraint by resisting the urge to binge watch Orange is the New Black, but I'm absolutely loving Season 2 so far,so it seems quite likely that I'll fit in an episode ...or two. I have really loved getting to know some of the season 1 characters better through flashbacks, although am finding myself less and less interested in Piper's story and more interested in the other inmates.

Divergent is finished and I LOVED it. I've started Insurgent and although it hasn't got me hooked in the same way as the first instalment I'm still looking forward to some time with Tris this weekend.

Most importantly of all, it's Father's Day, so I'm looking forward to catching up with my Dad...hopefully complete with some sunshine and a BBQ!

I hope your weekend brings lots of fun times your way, wherever it takes you!

Bye for now!

 Kat xx

Sunday Best - Terrarium Love

I've always loved miniature gardens - and even won first prize at primary school for the miniature garden I made with my mum. For that reason I'm so happy that terrariums are currently in trend! To celebrate plants in tiny form, here is my Etsy Treasury for this weekend - Terrarium Love!

Terrarium Treasury on Etsy

 

 

I'm planning to try my hand at making my own terrarium - the challenge will be making one that my cats don't just treat like their own personal salad bar! If you want to find out any more about any of these items then click the link above!

Bye for now!

Kat xx

Forest Adventures

Phew...I needed to take some time to re-charge my batteries this week, which I've succeeded in doing - hurrah! I'm on a mission to improve my fitness at the moment, and in the spirit of that am starting to go for lots of walks - with a view to building up to some jogging at some point - couch potato mode is definitely disengaging now the sun is out!

The only trouble I have is that I have a tendency to stop and take photos when walking! The route I'm taking at the moment is a 5 mile trek through a forest near my home - but when it's this beautiful its kind of hard to resit stopping and taking in the beauty along the way...

At the risk of sounding like a forest-dwelling hippy (which I might just be) I feel completely full of energy after a visit to the forest so I'm vowing to make at least one visit each week.

I'd love to hear about your 'go-to' places for re-charging your batteries - I think they're an important part of survival in the current hectic world!

Bye for now!

Kat xx

Father's Day Gift Ideas

It's almost Father's Day (15th June)! I've just been gift browsing and thought I'd share a few finds from Etsy in case it helps provide any inspiration for anyone suffering from present anxiety (or am I the only person who suffers from that?!).

SeaDrift Soaps

Is there any soap ingredient as perfect for Fathers Day as Hobgoblin Beer? I think not. Check out the link for more handmade toiletries with amazing ingredients (and so beautifully presented).

SweetPetite Shop

I would love to be able to decorate biscuits that look this amazing - I can pretty much only manage weird blobs of icing. Luckily Sweet Petite Shop has got me covered!

Ruby Lewis Designs

 

 

I love this gadget case made from vintage map fabric and have a feeling my dad would too.

Loobie and Boo

My dad is forever losing his glasses and this gorgeous Harris Tweed glasses case would solve that problem perfectly!

Fawn and Thistle

This 100% Recycled notebook is just so awesome - who doesn't love dinosaurs riding trikes? Fawn and Thistle have lots of other quirky designs, and they're eco-friendly to boot! It's a win/win!

A couple of the items from this list will be finding their way to my dad on Father's Day, but I'm going to keep which ones it is a secret, just in case he stumbles across this post! Hope it's helped those in need with some inspiration!

Bye for now

Kat xx

#BEDM - The Final Day

 

So it's the last day of May, which means the end of Rosalilium's Blog Every Day in May challenge - and I made it! I didn't use the prompts every day but I have indeed posted every day - something I honestly wasn't sure I'd achieve!

I thought I'd use this last post for May to talk about what I've learnt from the challenge...

1. That I love writing and want to get better at it - I sort of knew this anyway, but the daily posts have reinforced this. I plan to work more on my style of writing, and I'm looking forward to developing it. I find writing incredibly relaxing, so it's definitely something I want to do more of!

2. That blogging is really hard! As much fun as I've found it, there's no doubt that giving myself the head space to write a post for each day has been a challenge in more ways than one! It's easy to become really overwhelmed by some of the amazing blogs that are already out there, and I admit I had a few 'what's the point?' days. Luckily I worked out that 'the point' is that I enjoy doing it!

3. It's given me lots of ideas for more regular features I want to include as I move forward with my blogging adventures, and I know I need to sit down and give myself some space to think about content. I haven't written much about crafting this month - maybe because I haven't been doing anything very creative - but I know that's something I want to write about more!

A big thank you to Elizabeth at Rosalilium for putting all of the prompts together - and for giving me the motivational kick I needed to really give blogging a try!

See you in June lovely readers! (...can we just pause for a minute to acknowledge that it's almost June already...how did that happen?! Christmas still feel like it was yesterday!)

Bye for now

Kat xx

That Friday Feeling!

It's Friday! Friday evening is my most favourite part of the week - the weekend is stretching in front of me like a mini paradise full of lie-ins, fun times and most importantly - some good old fashioned down time (currently being spent catching up on some Youtube videos).

I have a few things I need to get done this weekend that are of the not-so-much-fun variety but I'm planning on making sure I fit in some awesomeness too!...

I'm having a big stash busting drive at the moment. To use up some of my wool I'm planning to make some of these little guys...

The pattern for these crochet cat nip mice can be found here. I'm planning on donating them to a local cat charity - I thought they could either give them to the rescue kitties, or sell them in their shop. Now I've just to work out how to make them without my cats tearing them to pieces (they go crazy for catnip!)

I'm hoping to visit Totnes - one of my favourite places to be. It's a little market town in Devon and is home to some of the best independent shops and cafes. I always feel peaceful and relaxed when I visit Totnes, so I'm looking forward to some chill out time...and vintage treasure hunting!

Yep - I'm now addicted to Divergent. It's the first book to completely draw me in for a long time, so I'm planning some time curled up with a cup of tea and my Kindle.

I'll also be working on a few cross-stitch patterns so watch this space for some geeky stitching! If you have any requests just let me know!

I hope that your weekend is a good one, whatever you may have planned!

Bye for now

Kat xx