Easy homemade desk calendar

Last week while blog hopping i came across creativemamma website which has some fab free printables on it. One of those was the gorgeous mini calendar sheets above.  Now i have lots of free calendars from Contractors at work but just because i'm an engineer doesn't mean i want to sit and look at drab engineering pics on my calendar everyday.  I decided to use the free printables and make this..

I will do a tutorial for it when i get a minute as its really easy to make using an A4 sheet of card some keyrings, the printables and then any embellishments you like.

While i am doing the tutorial have a sneeky peek at creativemamma for some fab printables.  Here are a few

of my favourites...

      

I will be linking this post up with

Its that time of year again!

Well its new year and that time when i realise that we have far too much clutter in the house (ok usually its mainly in my craft room!) and decide to declutter.  I am part way through clearing out my craft room and when its done I'll post some pictures.  i almost posted some pics of it before i started but it was that bad i couldn't bring myself to do it!!.  While i have been clearing out i have found that i have needed more storage devices for little things.  I decided that instead of rushing out and buying some i would try and recycle some items to make them into storage.  I have started simple with some tin cans.  I wasn't sure if these would turn out ok but I'm really pleased with them.  I am now manically collected tin cans so i can decorate some more!!.

If you want to have a go they only take 5 minutes to do.  Choose some scrapbook paper.  i used 12" x 12".  You will need at least a 10" length to fit fully round most tins. Measure the height from under the rim to the bottom of the tin. Mine where slightly different sizes but the tallest was 10".  Cut out your paper and run round the edges with double sided tape then stick one edge down on the tin and roll the tin round the paper and stick the other edge down.   Embellish with whatever you want and that's it a new storage tin.

Homemade Kitchen Organiser

Last year i went to a Jamie Oliver at home party and when my order was delivered there was a free recipe holder included.  It has been sat in my study since then as i already have a recipe folder.   I have been meaning to transform it into a gift for a friend so this week i have set to it!.  This is what it looked like to start with....

 And this is it revamped...

I still have some parts to do but when finished it will have dividing sections like the one above.  One each for the following :- meal planner (with sheets for weekly and monthly meal plans), Recipes (with blank recipe forms), shopping lists (with blank shopping list forms), Freezer inventory (with blank freezer inventory forms).  My friend is really into cooking so i think i will put it up towards her birthday present.  If you wanted to try making one of these you could always use a ring binder folder instead of what i have used. 

A New Arrival due next week

I'm not sure if i mentioned but we have some exciting family news.  Hopefully next week there will be the pitter patter of tiny feet in the family. Hubby's little brothers (ten years younger!) wife is about to have a baby.  She has had a few complications during her pregnancy so on her visit to hospital last week they have told her they will be taking her in next week and inducing her.  We are all really excited especially Lili who is looking forward to another little girl.  they are soon to move into a house near us as well so it will be nice to be near by.  I thought it would be nice to make some things for them as they knoiw they are having a girl.  i am underway with bunting and some other bits but i thought i would share a really easy make i made in half an hour this morning. 

 My first attempt at making a bib.  I have fancied making some for ages but always thought it might end up looking pants.  I have to say i actually love it and i am now going to make a matching blanket in co-ordinating fabric and some burbing cloths.  If you want to make one it is so easy. I used a real bib (one of Lili's old ones that she uses for her dolls!) and laid it on top of 2 co-ordinating fabrics.  I used the fabric you can see in the pic and the reverse is pink and white dotty fleece which is nice and soft.  Pin the bib on top of the two fabrics and cut round using the bib as a template.  Turn your 2 pieces of fabric print side facing together and stitch all the way round the edge leaving a 2" gap on the bottom edge.  Push the bib the right way out through the gap and iron flat.  Sew round the edge making sure you catch the gap along the bottom. Take 2 pieces of velcro and cut into squares sew one on each end of the bib that fastens round the neck (One piece of velcro on the print side of the end that will be underneath and one on the reverse side of the end that will be ontop). 

Right now i'm off to start the burping cloths....

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year everyone!!!!.  I hope it is a good year for everyone.  Personally last year was a nightmare and i am glad to see the back of it so hopefully this year will be better.  I am not back to work till wednesday so i am hoping to get some crafting done before then so watch this space.  I want to try my hand at soap making and i also want to get myself organised for all the hamdmade gifts i need to make.  I am going to make a magnetic notice board tomorrow so if it goes to plan (i won't hold my breathe!!) i will post some pics and a tutorial.   Back soon x x