Welcome to my crib #1

So this is a post some of you requested, here it is!

I moved in a house with my 3 best friends this year of Uni, and I have to say, I just love the house. It feels like home and I couldn't be happier with it. In this post I will show you my room. It is not fully decorated yet, although I keep adding a little to it every now on then.

My room:

So mine is the smallest out of 4 bedrooms, but it is a reasonable size still. This is what you see when you stand in the doorway. I have one huge window, and although for lighting purposes I opened the curtains now, they are usually closed, because the neighbours can see in very easily. Also, you can see a double bed, which has a smaller size mattress on it, I had to get used to that sometimes the edge of the bed is out and I hit my legs in the first few days on it. I have a built in wardrobe, first I was afraid my clothes won't fit in, but fortunately I managed it somehow.

Just next to the door, there is a desk with chair and a drawer for more storage space.

This is how my desk surface looks like when it is tidied up, but I have to admit, it gets messy easily. Here I keep my books for Uni, my everyday hygienic products. I love that the room came with a pin board, it is always useful. On the right hand side of the desk there is a tall hole, which I assume is originally a disc holder, but I placed my nail vanishes there. I absolutely adore this way of packaging, I bought these containers from Poundland. I think they were meant to use as ice cream boxes, but hey, creativity! The slightly smaller one on the top has all my pink and blue shades, the bigger one contains all my other nail vanishes. Yes, I think I have too many pink and blue. On the top of the drawer in the corner I have all my make up stuff, and hair dryer. I keep all my eye shadows in a pencil case. You are right, they have cows on them. The only thing I am not happy about the room is the lighting, it is very blurry, so make up usually ends up being done in the bathroom, which is just next door.

I would love to say this is my working surface as well, but I am one of those who prefer working on the bed, no matter if that is Uni work or crafting. Even if my bed gets messy after a while. Last year I ended up with stains on my duvet cover such as hot glue and paint. But for you, I have clean sheets on!

Above the bed there are two long bookshelves where I keep my jewellery, hair accessories, my cow collection, some books and a watermelon scented candle for romantic times.

I keep my crafting stuff on the top of the wardrobe. It is good, that it's not all over the floor as last year, but sometimes it is hard to keep track where is what.

 And this is it, my small, cosy and girlie room! Next time when the rest of the house is clean enough, I will have a tour of that as well!

Moo:)

Academic Diary Cover

Having an Academic Diary at University is essential and you can get hold of them very easily. Some people go for the more creative and nice ones from proper stationery stores, some do not mind to have the simple, more official, blank covers. Prices vary in both kind.

As for me, I decided to buy a simple, cheap one from Poundland, and decorate it myself (what a surprise!). Here is the way, how you can do it yourself!

1. I planned my design, and decided with 3 different papers.

2. I measured, did some maths, cut and ended up 3 equally sized paper sheets,
that covers the front entirely and also overlaps a little bit.

3. When I was happy with the sheets, I secured them on with double sided tape. As I said,
the papers overlap each other, therefore I had to tape those parts down as well.

4. After that I folded the sides in, so the outside looked nice and clean. As long as it holds,
it doesn't matter how it looks like on the inner side, but make sure you leave at least half inch to fold.

5. Then I turned it around and folded them in. Notice, how the paper overlaps again.

6. Again, I used tape, and a tool to press it down properly, so air won't get under the paper.
Make sure to fold the corners in nicely, if you didn't succeed, cut off the excess that hangs off the corner.

7. To have a proper inside as well, I taped a blank blue paper on the page, so it covers the dodgy edges.
As for the back of the diary, I covered it with the same technique, however I only used one patterned sheet on the outside.

8. I made a little brand label on the back...

9. And a tag on the front using blank paper, wavy scissors, a ribbon and a small pink button.

10. At the end, I just added the year and my name on the front tag.

So here is the finished cover, I hope you like it, I am absolutely satisfied with this project, and it really wasn't a hard job! I am sure you will see more of this kind!

Moo:)

Room Decorating: Picture "hangers"

Hello, here I am again, I am not going to line up excuses why I haven't posted for such a long time. So many things happened, I am back at Uni, moving in, work, birthday... But this isn't a blog about me. It is a blog about crafting. Therefore I present you my new room's first decorative object that I made, hopefully it is the first of many...

Picture hangers

This project doesn't really require a specific method, only creativity. It is really good to use up old leftovers from earlier projects. 

I couldn't tell you when I became a girlie girl, but lately I really wanted fairy lights over my bed, so I purchased these from Primark: 

Also through the last months I bought a disposable camera and took pictures from different memories, and I wanted to give them a special place. Therefore I hang up a strong string along with the lights just above my bed. 

I figured that using clothes pegs is a good way to attach the pictures without damaging them. We bought a whole set with the girls from Poundland. I used 7 c. pegs, and tried to make all of them a bit different. So here they are:

1. On this one I kept it simple and only attached a purple paper flower and some purple thread. I used double sided tape on all the pegs. Here both the ends of the thread are taped down.

2. This is the most girlie one, since it is pink with glitter and a purple bow I made out of FIMO (clay) ages ago. I also added tiny beads (never do it on your bed...), those were originally for nail decorating but they are perfect for everything else as well.

3. This must be one of my favourits, also a little girlish,  but really simple and pure. I used 2 confetti pieces (Poundland) that I secured on with tape. I filled out the heart shaped gap in the middle with blue glitter glue and left it dry. I also added a little white heart on the top.

4.-5. I kept little mirror pieces from a broken disco ball from last year, and used them on one of the pegs. Plus nice party glass confetti was added to them and the whole party vibe feeling was created!

The other one is also a favourite with colourful buttons on it. You know I just LOVE buttons...

6. On this peg I wanted to represent the things I love the most such as Dancing, My boyfriend, My friends and of course: cows. Therefore I just cut some paper lines and wrote these on them with a fine marker. It is no surprise that this peg holds on to the picture of me with my cows.

7. And last but not least, what else, than LOOM BANDS. I didn't even have to use tape or glue, this was the easiest to make, I simply created a rainbow pattern. At the end I put 2 see through ones on the top. 

So there you have it, I absolutely adore it, I am really happy with the outcome and I have a nice feeling every night when I go to sleep, that my friends are around me, the lights are really romantic and relaxing.

Moo:)

I CAN'T STOP!

My previous post was about loom bands, and sorry for not changing the topic, but this is AWESOME.

Here you can see some of my new creations!

1. What else than COW?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KlQChupz7w&index=14&list=LLuUnpxbt03Cn-Df0ghZK8zQ

The only downside of making these cute little animals or charms or anything, is that they require a large amount of bands.

2. Simple Butterfly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JugieRfLIOQ&list=LLuUnpxbt03Cn-Df0ghZK8zQ&index=7

This butterfly on the other hand is cute, small, and very easy to make. Plus, you don't even need a loom!

3. And last but not least, this cheeky Monkey :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJaMoh8itog

This design suffers the same problem as the cow, in which it requires 145 rubber bands to create. That's a lot of bands!The monkey's hands can be connected with a C/S clip to hug something, for example a pen. It can also be stuffed, I stuffed mine with cotton balls, but many people use excess rubber bands.

Moo:)

The new craziness, LOOM BANDS

I think everyone has seen them, heard them and maybe made them. These are little elastic bands that people use to make bracelets, charms, or even, crazy things like belts.

To make bigger creations, you can use the so called looms, and an other item of the process is the hooker. It is that as that!

I am lucky to own a starting kit, and meanwhile first I thought it is only fun for little kids making friendship-bracelets, I got hooked on it (no pun intended, or maybe?) after making 2 or 3 things.

However, none of them is my design and creativity, therefore the credit goes to the original makers I spied on YouTube. Also there is no point giving you a written "How to" because they have long and detailed steps, so I just decided to show you them and direct you to the links!

I hope you will like them!

1. Rainbow Twisted Bracelet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPq_OxjLqu8

2. Heart Link Bracelet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgkt4W8fWVA

3. Double Capped Dragon Scale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6yHV2ImN6c

Moo:)

Keys in Ears

Sometimes boredom and creativity can overcome us and inspire us to create some new pair of earrings.

I looked around at home to find two identical small keys. Suddenly occurred to me to make earrings with them. 

I also used:

• thin wire,
• 2 different kind of beads,
• nail vanish
• earring wires
• the keys

For the first step I painted over the keys with the nail vanish, because it needed time to dry. For me it took 2 coats on both sides to achieve the desired look.

Meanwhile I cut from the wire, brought it through the loop and then both ends through the two bigger beads. It should look like this:

I applied one more coat on one side of the keys' head, so when the nail vanish was still sticky I could decorate it with the smaller beads. I went for the messy look, but nice lines or patterns are achievable with quick hands and maybe the help of tweezers.

When it was dry I connected the wires with the keys. This is the step where I could decide the length of them. To make sure it stays still, I twisted the 4 wires together and let them through the lower bead.

And there you go, your new, bit different and very unique pair of earrings.

Moo:)

Cows... Cows everywhere!

I am a huge fan of cows. Obsessed? Yes. I am crazy about them and if I can, I get everything that has something to do with cows. Obviously it is not a secret, therefore I often get little presents from friends and family with cow design. I spent a week at my parents' place, and collected 3 new cow-items. It is not a shopping haul, but would be a pleasure to share them with you!

Cow slippers

These lovely slippers form Peacock have cow heads on the front. The inside reminds me of the wool of a sheep, absolutely comfortable. Even with thicker socks it is possible to wear them. They are really like if you wouldn't wear slippers but sock with a thicker sole.

Cow figure

We had a look around the garden centre near to us, and couldn't resist, this little guy had to come with me. Fortunately it was on sale, so I can't say it wasn't a good deal! Her speciality is a spring which is where her legs and torso meet, causing her body vibrate when it is flicked. Her tail is really soft. From the yellow dots on her I named her Eggsie. Logic!

Cow mug

The last item this time is a mug. I am originally a mug collector, but if it has a cow design, then I am absolute in love. This one has a white basic background and 2 cows painted on. The style is drawing-like, and on the corner with some more colours there is 'cow' written on it (just to make it clear this is the real deal). I can't wait to drink my tea from it in the mornings!

Moo :)

Long time no see

Dear Everyone,

I apologise for disappearing for such a long time, but I am currently on holiday, therefore I don't have my crafting set (too much!) with me.

But don't worry for even a second! I will still post, fashion hauls and short DIY posts, just not that often. I return to England on the first week of September, and from there, a new year of crafting, creating, shopping and styling starts again. Oh, and University as well, of course... >__< '' 

Craftseller, £4.99; Crafts Beautiful, £4.99

Also, my lovely Dad surprised me with 2 crafts magazines, so I will have more and more projects to make and be inspired by!

So, please be patient, I will do my best to keep you entertained! 

Moo:)

Button collar Jumper

Yes, yes, it has a collar. I made it. Isn't that great? Well it is really not complicated, so why not do it yourself?

So I had this vision of a nice pink jumper with button collar. I know you can easily buy attachable collars even the ones with buttons on, but in my mind it was sewed on, so I decided to make it. Fortunately I found the perfect sweater for this, you guessed it, in the Charity shop, but I was lucky enough to find one which originates from Topshop. So first of all, what you need: Paper, scissors, pen, buttons, sewing kit, jumper.

To get symmetric sides for the collar, I cut out one side from a piece of paper, placed it on the neck part and marked the spots lightly with a pen where I wanted the buttons. turn the paper to the other side and repeat it on the same places.

So now you have the marks (11 for me each side), fish out your buttons you want on the collar. I decided not to mix colours much, so my collection included different shades of pink, purple and light blue. However, I chose different sizes, mixing bigger ones and really tiny ones. To make sure you will like the outcome, plan the pattern and then place them beside you in the right order.

You can obviously do the easier way and glue them up with a hot glue gun, but that will eventually fall off in my opinion. I sewed them up individually, one by one, so even if one of them falls off, the rest will stay secure. To sew up a button I usually just tie a knot on the end of the thread, bring the needle through from the inside first, so the knot is hidden. Bring the thread through the button on the outside and go back in the other hole, going through the textile again, making "loops". When it is secured down enough, just finish with a knot on the inside. Get rid of the excess thread. Now repeat it, until every one of them is on the jumper!

As for the middle, I left a quite big gap, so I can add something else. I played with the idea of a really big button, a small heart-shaped button, but ended up with a light purple bow, which added to the girlie style. Sew (or glue) it up!

And here I have it, my very own jumper, styled by me, made by me. I couldn't be happier with the outcome!

TopShop jumper, Charity Shop, £4.00 + BlueCow design; Lip and Cheek Tint, New Cid Cosmetics, £4.99; Felt Eyeliner Pen, P.S.Love..., £2.50; Sunglasses, New Look, £7.99

Moo:)