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Friday 15 March 2013

Crafty Creatives - Box 9

SPOILER ALERT!
(if you're a bit slow like me!)
 
I have to say, this isn't my favourite. I'm not a massive fan of Steampunk and some of the things in this months box are not to my taste. BUT, saying that, the last few boxes have been amazing so I'm not jaded in anyway and from the tweets I've seen there are many many people for whom this is their favourite so far, just goes to show you can't please everyone!
 
Apologies for the very rushed and badly lit photo's!
 
 
 
I am in love with the tweed and leather, and will definitely be decoupaging my box with some bits I've already got. It still amazes me how they fit this much in each box, I can never re-pack it!
 
 
What did you think of Box 9 and have you made anything yet?

Friday 8 March 2013

Kitsch Devine by Amy Gaston

This is the second of what I hope will be many product reviews. Having scoured the internet for great products, that are quirky, handmade and affordable that would make the perfect gift for your loved ones, or more than likely, yourself! The first was featuring the amazingly talented Alexandra Snowdon and can be found Here
 
 
 
Kitsch Devine is run by Amy Gaston who lives in Buxton in the Peak District. 
Her shop features so many gorgeous accessories, from pencil cases, messenger bags , phone cases, keyrings and hanging decorations, all hand made by Amy. 

This is Amy's story in her own words:
'I started sewing about 4 years ago after my parents brought me my first sewing machine for Christmas, I didn't actually start making things until about a year later. I had bought myself a handmade phone case from Etsy and remember thinking how well made and professional it looked and how much I wished I could make things like that. So I set to and trawled the internet for free sewing patterns. After hundreds (or what felt like it!) attempts, me and my mum finally came up with something that looked pretty good - our first phone case! Kitsch Devine was born!

Since then over the last two years I have improved at sewing and I'm now designing my own products and making my own patterns. I use everyday items as inspiration, like what items do I need, and how can I make them as functional as possible. For example, my Iphone wallets that allow you to carry all of your essentials in one place.

At the moment I run Kitsch Devine alongside my day job, using evenings and weekends to get my orders done, which can be tough at busy times such as Christmas. Fingers crossed one day I will be able to run it full time.

I'm currently working on some new travel accessories for 2013 which I can't wait to get up in the shop, and I've got some gorgeous new fabrics heading this way from Japan!'
 
When she offered to send me one of her items I knew it had to be the Cakes and Sweets Pencil Case which can be found here. It's made of water resistant fabric and fully lined, with the sweetest (literally!) pink printed fabric. It arrived beautifully packaged and I couldn't be more chuffed. Considering Amy has 100% positive feedback I'm certainly not the only one!
 
One of the things I really like about Kitsch Devine now that I've received a product for real is the photography. That might sound a bit silly but her items are so well photographed you can clearly see every detail of each item including the lining, zips etc. You know exactly what you're getting which is a massive bonus when you're buying handmade goods online.
 
 
Nothing that comes in hot pink tissue paper can be bad can it?
 
 
It most definitely wasn't! I'm so pleased with it, the colours are bright and the fabric is a wonderful quality, not too thin and I think it will take alot for even me (serial zip breaker) to break this bad boy.
 
 
 
The lining is gorgeous and the colour fits the outer fabric perfectly. The corners are incredibly neat and there are no stray threads anywhere!
 
 
It's already been put to good use!
 
Here's a few of my favourite products available at Kitsch Devine;
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So a massive thank you to Amy, and to the rest of you please please check out Kitsch Devine for yourself.

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Catch-Up

Just a quick one to catch-up on the last week or so! The last few days have consisted of..
 
Spray painting furniture..
 
....Picking up bargains in the Body Shop
Moisturiser, body scrub, 2 x lip balms and shower gel for £9! 
 
...and starting my Open University Course!
 
 

Saturday 2 March 2013

30 Day Shred... Ouch!

Those who know me will know that me and exercise are not the best of friends. I drive everywhere, literally. I sit at a desk all day and don't really see the outdoors unless its a pub garden. I always used the excuse that I had no time to fit in proper exercise. But recently travelling with my job has slowed right down so I've found myself with a lot of spare time.

A couple of years ago I bought Max and Paddy (comedian Peter Kay's characters) Power of Two workout. I honestly thought it was a comedy programme so imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a hilarious, slightly rude, but very real workout DVD. It made exercise fun and I've done it regularly ever since. I've seen various other celebrity work out DVDs but nothing has really appealed to me, until now!

I've recently seen The 30 Day Shred a lot in the blogging world (although it came out in 2007!) and thought I would give it a go. It's fronted by Jillian Michaels who is the trainer from the Australian and American versions of The Biggest Loser. Each workout is 20 minutes long (everyone has a spare 20 minutes if they're honest) and consists of: a 2 minute warm up, 3 circuits of the 3-2-1 interval system and a 2 minute cool down. The 3-2-1 system is 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of Cardio and 1 minute of abs. The workouts start at Level 1 and go up to 3. You can progress whenever you are ready, in my head 10 days on each sounds right but I will move up if I feel ready before that.

I'm currently on Day 2 of the programme on Level 1 and it's safe to say I can feel it working! The first one made me feel like I was about to die, apparently that's a good sign! The steps are logical, well explained and on screen is always a beginner, normal and advanced version of every move so you never feel out of your depth.

I was a little worried it would be too American for my taste, but it's not over the top and if anything a little over enthusiasm doesn't really go amiss when you're considering turning off the tv and going to get a chocolate bar!

I'll let you know how I get on but at the moment it feels good, my stomach muscles hurt and my thighs ache so it must be working!