This Week I'm Winning...

This week has been a good week…nothing particularly spectacular has happened, its more that lots of little things came together this week.

1. I managed to get my 12 week update live on time

On time…that deserves a smile!

2. I got through the HUGE mound of ironing that has been sitting mocking me for far to long…AND I have managed to keep on top of it

3. I made something…nothing major just a card, but its baby steps towards restocking my ETSY shop (more on that later!)

4. We made it to our baby massage class…on time and Max enjoyed it!

5. The little dude started having his naps in his cots and I worked out there is a pattern to his napping

Nap time...

6. I finally got on top of my finances…essential when trying to budget on statutory maternity pay

7. Celebrated squeezing into my pre-pregnancy jeans by having a sort through and clear out of my wardrobe…it feels great to have only things I love (and fit me!) in my wardrobe now

Clothes to be passed on to my little sis and the charity shop...

8. And last, but not least I finally made a start on our thank you cards…sorry they are so late folks!

Feels good to have made a dent in my to do list…fist bumps all round!

Make A Statement...

With clothing options being slightly limited for me at the moment jewellery is become increasingly important as a way to zhush up my maternity basics…so I got a bit inspired and made a couple of pairs…

Turquoise and Red Bead Chandelier Earrings

Gold Chain and Vintage Red Bead Tassel Earrings

What do you think?  If you like what you see you can buy them on my Etsy Shop…and here are a few of my current favourites from the high street…

Lulu Frost for Whistles Art Deco Earrings - now £35

Topshop Diamond Shape Tassel Earrings - £10 

Mango Triangular Earrings - £14.99

Etsy Loves...

As you know I have my own Etsy shop, but I also really enjoy looking around at other shop.  There are so many talented people sharing their passions on Etsy.

This week I've been drawn to initial necklaces, I love the idea of having one with Baby O's initial.  These are a few of my favourites…

Sideways Initial by Amarilo

Tiny Initial Necklace With Birthstone by Anoushka Designs

Small Silver Star Initial Necklace by Kim McCall Jewellery 

Gold Cursive Initial Necklace by Olive Yew Jewels

Decisions, decisions!

Minding Your Ps & Qs...

I don't know about you, but I love receiving post…I also love sending post, maybe even a bit more than I love receiving it!

When I can I try to make my own cards, a hand-written card is already personal, but for me this extra handmade element just makes it a little more special especially when they are thank you cards.  Last week I pulled out the heat embossing tool I received at Christmas for the first time and set about making thank you cards for all the lovely ladies who came along to my Baby Shower.

After a bit of practice with the embossing, I was pretty pleased with how they turned out…

I used a silver sharpie pen to write the merci

In keeping with the theme of the shower I made the star stamp from a bit of left over lino I had

And just because I don't need any excuse to use this colour  (its the same colour as Laduree boxes!) I stamped all the envelopes to!

I hope the girls like them and know how much I love and appreciate each and everyone of them.

Look out for similar items on my Etsy shop soon…and if you are looking for an Easter card there are some lovely options from my Dad available in the shop!

This Week I've Been...

…busy, hence missing a couple of days blogging

…having an impromptu lunch date with Mr O

…wearing, the only clothes that still fit on repeat!

…getting ready for Baby O, I think he has more clothes than me!

…excited for my sister on getting her new job…yay her!!

…planning next week’s meals in an attempt to save money and cut wastage

…listing new items in my Etsy shop

…eating waaaayy too many Pret Choc Bars!

Wedding Wednesday - Decoration

When it comes to decorations for a wedding there are almost too many options, it is easy to become overwhelmed.   We're pretty lucky in that our venue really doesn't need much dressing...maybe just some candles and a few vases of flowers, but on my searches I couldn't help, but fall for these beauties!

Pinterest

DECO Pom Poms

Party Creative

Not On The High Street

How perfect is that picture....

Inspiration v Motivation

I'm going to be honest I have been struggling the last couple of weeks...I am constantly inspired and have so many ideas of things I want to do, but I am really lacking in motivation to do anything.  Just writing that sentence makes me want to cry...yes I know that sounds dramatic, but every night I go to bed annoyed at how little I have achieved.

I am definitely afraid of failure and I think sometimes I put projects off so I don't fail...if I don't try I can't fail right!?

I need to find a strategy to work through this as at the moment it is making me miserable...

So things I AM going to achieve by the end of this month...

1. Make at least one new cushion for my Etsy shop
2. Design at least 5 new cards
3. Post in the Etsy group I've been invited to join (can you believe it, little old me!)
4. Make candles for the wedding 
5. Blog more!
6. Put either my Etsy or Blog link on Facebook (this is a biggie for me!)

Note to self...

pinterest

Wedding Wednesday...invitations

Yesterday we posted out our invitations.  After working on them for the last couple of months it was a relief to get them out of the door, but also slightly nerve wracking.  We had put our heart into them...what if people didn't like them!?  We do so I guess that is all that really matters!

our invites lined up and ready for their envelopes...

Whilst we designed our own invites there are so many great resources out there to find your perfect match.  Some good places to start are Etsy and Paperless Post

Fingers crossed our guest will love their invites as much as we do!

Stop Being Boring...

I watched this video from Kid President about a month back and it really struck a chord with me.  I find that I regularly allow myself to get stuck in various ruts and then find I'm full of frustration that I am not following my dreams and achieving my full potential.  This past week I have been off work and for the first time in a long time I feel really, truly, completely and utterly relaxed.  Don't get me wrong I have a great job that I love, its just sometimes you need to step off the hamster wheel and gain some perspective.


I've spent the the week seeing friends, working on products for my Etsy store, laughing with my bridesmaids as we tried on their dresses - which I love by the way, thank you so much Katie at Coralie Beatrix - and gernerally reminding myself to not just be me, but to be the very best version of me.  So people....

image from pinterest

Trial and Error

I finally got around to making up one of my tapestry glasses cases...but it didn't quite turn out quite as planned. Overall I was pretty pleased with the outcome, it looks just how I hoped. The only problem was cutting down the extra fabric meant cutting some of the stitching meaning it immediately frayed. Hey ho, live and learn...fingers crossed the next one will turn out better.

Not one for the Etsy store!

Who Knew...

Yikes - its been quite a while! I've had the last couple of days off work in attempt to spend some time working on projects for my etsy store. I am mid way through a cushion cover that has been inspired by a good friend, but seriously, who knew tapestry takes so long!?! I also gave crocheting a go. The idea was to make a beanie, but again, who knew crochet was so complicated!? I am sure it wasn't this difficult when I was a kid! Pictures to follow...