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