All aboard...

I did a post on Ann Wood's lovely birds ages ago but was drawn to her fairytale-like boats today, after visiting another blog. I just love these boats and best of all, on Ann's blog (via reloveprojects!) there is a tutorial on how to make yourself one of these beauties. Bank Holiday is coming up and I think I might try and tackle on one these beautiful vessels!

How neat is this?

I found this lovely craft organiser via greylikesnesting. Its so cool, I could take that suitcase on holiday with me to do my crafty work on the beach or by the pool. Forget mobile hairdressing, mobile crafting is the next big thing! Realistically though, I think i would 50 suitcases to contain all my crafty wares! Time to destash and minimalise!

Update: Cherry Pancakes kindly contacted me to let me know she has a tutorial on her blog for just this type of suitcase revamp. Here it is.

Dedicated followers of ....

...Bettyjoy - I just want to thank you all as I've made it to the grand old total of 100 followers of the Bettyjoy blog today. Its lovely to know that the work of all the talented people I feature on Bettyjoy, is inspiring to you all too. For today's post, a new find (for me anyway!) which I stumbled across over at DesignSponge, is Under The Sycamore, a blog run by the talented photographer, Ashley Ann. This lady is so creative, I could spend hours looking at her DIY projects and her lovely photography just makes me want to buy a decent camera and go to some classes to make my pics just 5% as good as hers!!

Thank heavens...

for Crafty Angels! I've found such a lovely blog with so many lovely images on it, I could look at it all day. Crafty Angel has really sniffed out some gorgeous images for the home. Check out more here and I bet you a chocolate mouse, you'll be hooked like me!!

Oops a daisy!!

I've meant to post about Boopsie Daisy's incredible bright and pretty dolls ages ago but totally forgot, tonight I came across them again by accident, so before I lose my train of thought I'm gonna post some pics of these lovely dolls, and be sure to check them out. I just love the eyes and the colors.

Back...

...... I'm back with a brand new adventure (Vanilla Ice fans, you know what I'm talking about, right??). I'm on a bit of a workshop mission at the moment. I did a shoe customisation workshop at Jam Jar Beads last weekend, it was a lovely morning and went well, so I am planning some more and adding some new workshops to the list in the next week or so, so keep checking back for more details if you fancy crafting up some crazy styles.

I'd love to hear what ideas you think would be great for crafty workshops and what sort of workshops you love going to too?

Ooh! I almost forgot, Yvonne (owner of fabulous Jam Jar Beads) and myself were on Radio Sheffield last week promoting her shop and my workshops, we were both so nervous, but it was fairly painless, guess it gives us experience for when we are rich and famous and sitting on the This Morning sofa (he he!)

Hallelujah!

KColine Dress
Scout and Catalogue Bag

Sea Urchin Ring

...I finally have internet again!! I felt as though my left arm had been cut off without my daily dose of inspiration via the 'net (sad, i know, but so true!). Now hopefully I will be back to a bit of normality. Today's post is just a quick hello to say i haven't forgotten you and here is a bit of inspiration for you while I get back up to speed.

Blog of the Week

This week's blog of the week is Decor8. I'm pretty sure you will all have heard of this blog as its one of the big hitters, design-wise, but just in case you haven't, then make Decor8 your next port of call. I can pretty much guarantee it will instantly become one of your daily reads, as it has mine for the last few years and also many thousands of other people too, all eager to see what lovely finds Holly will have unearthed each day.

Peeeuwww!

(image via craftyangel)

I've got a stinking cold at the moment, which is pretty useful when I need to spend this weekend lugging furniture across the country and manically packing for the move next week, hence the sporadic posting I'm afraid. I am hoping to also hear back from the insurers soon as to whether I can get a replacement laptop for the one which was stolen, which will make posting a lot easier too so after the move I'm hoping to get back to normal and post lots of lovely things every day.

Lizzie Thomas

Came across the work of Lizzie Thomas yesterday, via Design Tavern. I love what she has done with those wooden vintage fold-up rules!

Blog of the Week

link (So many mouthwatering recipes, its making me hungry!)

link - (I just love that lampshade!)

link (what a great idea!)

This week's blog of the week is the fabulous Design Sponge. I've been a regular reader of this blog for a good couple of years now. I can't believe it has been going since 2004. Well, its certainly earned its great reputation for offering up great inspiration every day. It certainly cheers me up and makes me feel inspired again when i go and check it out after a hard day at work.

This blog, which i'm sure you will already be familiar with, is choc full of great DIY ideas, amazing furniture revamps with before and after snaps, detailed city guides for the craftily curious, gorgeous recipes, sneak peeks around some lovely homes and much much more.

Furniture frenzy

via Bloesem
via Design Milk

via Poppytalk

Moving house soon and I've gone a bit potty for new furniture which i can't afford. Here is some of it, in case any of you lucky bods can! I am particularly smitten with the dark wood pieces, especially the posh pallettes!!

The Ship Inn at Rye

Spent a lovely but rather bracing weekend (It was very very chilly) in Rye to celebrate my boyfriend's 30th. We stayed at The Ship Inn, a wonderfully decorated inn serving fantastic food. I haven't uploaded my pics of the place yet, but will do soon and pop them on here. Rye is an old smuggling port and the The Ship Inn was built back in 1592.It was built in 1592, originally as a warehouse to store contraband seized from smugglers. It is now a characterful countryside pub, with old beams and wooden floors and various areas to sit in and relax - the sunny end in the mornings to eat breakfast and read the papers, big tables for group Sunday lunches that last all afternoon or cups of tea by the fireplace after a long walk on the beach.

The decor and mix of old and new and retro styles works sooo well and I loved the fact there was constantly a roaring fire to keep you toasty after long walks in the cold. Rye is home to some very old pubs, the mermaid being the oldest, I think, with norman cellars dating from 1156 and the rest of the pub built in 1420!! Rye also boasts over 30 antique shops which is great for a nosey in too.

On the buses

I really really love these vintage bus roll graphics and am pining after one for our new house, but with finances pretty tight you can imagine my delight when I came across this fab tutorial by the ever fantastic GoGoAbigail. If you have a few pennies to spend you can have a customised one made just for you by Hirondelle's Rustique.

Love Life

I was trawling through Flickr the other day, which I haven't done for ages, I've been so busy and what a treat when I came across these gorgeous hand-stitched pillows from Three Red Apples who has an etsy shop and is based in Devon, UK. The perfect place to lay a weary head!

Tea's Made

Rosy Little Things
Belle Maison
Fair Light Day
Decor8

OK, trying to get back to a bit of normality after last week's crisis .....and what do the English do best in a crisis? Drink tea, of course! So today's post is looking at a few alternative uses for those pretty charity shop rejects!