Snowdrops and Daffodils, Butterflies and Bees...

My mammy, like most mothers in Ireland, is a tad obsessed with the Eurovision and particularly that 1970 gem of a song "All kinds of everything" as performed by the beautiful Dana. As soon as my nieces were able to sing she was teaching them the words and now they can sing it in their sleep! For ages, I've been trying to find her a gift related to this song but I couldn't find anything anywhere so, eventually, I decided to make it myself.

Using Photoshop (Oh yes, I've moved on from Microsoft paint!), I put together an image with the title as well as snowdrops, daffodils, butterflies and bees - that famous opening line! I then traced this template off the screen onto the fabric which was tricky but a bit of tape kept the fabric in place!

I then started sewing. I kept the stitches quite small and tight as I felt the small details of the images and font would be lost with longer stitches. I should have mentioned I know nothing about sewing and did not look up how to do any stitches before embarking not his project so I could very well be talking out of my arse!

But that was my plan and eventually I was left with this....

I then popped it into a frame from the awesome Oliver Bonas (sooooo addicted to that shop!) and wrapped it up using nature themed (obviously, I love a theme!) paper and ribbon.

This was in February. I managed to actually give it to my mammy in September. But it's the thought that counts right?

Let her try and make a beehive out of me!

You may not be as evil as the Wicked Witch threatening to make a beehive out of your tin man but you can make many other wonderful things with them and this weeks Tiddlybits is all about just that!

This gorgeous planters from Dos Family courtesy of their April Buddy Deer Dot are simply made by painting your tin cans and adding a few drainage holes with a drill in the bottom and voila! Beautiful, unique plant pots.

As you all know I am obsessed with gift wrap and I love this idea from BlingBling of using tin cans as wrapping for biscuits and sweet things. You can find the tutorial here. It's not in the english but the pictures are great so you should be able to follow it without much difficulty. 

This is a great idea from Design Sponge as part of their DIY Wednesday's for making a perpetual calendar from a tin can. You can also store your pens in it so it's perfect if you haven't got much desk space. 

I love, love, love this idea of making a clock from an old tin can. So easy but absolutely brilliant result and I'm definitely making one of these for my desk. You can find the tutorial here on the Kelli's Kitchen blog. 

As we've not got long until the bad weather of Winter is upon us we need to grab a few more evenings in the garden before it's too late and what better way to set the mood then with these fabulous  tin can lanterns? And thanks to this brilliant tutorial from Grow Creative.

And if you're not satisfied with all of that, maybe you could try make your very own Tinman complete with a heart. 

Photo via Barbs Hackleton

For more tin can inspiration please visit my Pinterest board and happy crafting!

All the leaves are brown...

That familiar chill is back in the air, sensible shoes are walking the streets and cosy jumpers are back on the scene which can only mean one thing - Autumn is here. I love Autumn. In recent years it has definitely taken over as my favourite season. I get to go fruit picking and make delicious jams for tarts, I don't have to worry about my bits being out because they're all wrapped up in comfy tights and woolies again but more importantly the trees turn the most beautiful colours and it's hard not to be inspired by that! So this weeks Tiddlybits is all about things to make and do with those fabulous autumnal leaves that will soon be swimming around your feet.

These gorgeous napkin holders are from the Honest to Nod blog, the collaborative blog presented by The Land of Nod. They are super easy to make but the result is very expensive looking and will make having a ready meal for one a very elegant experience!

Who would I be if I didn't mention a way to use leaves in your gift wrapping? This is a great and super pretty idea from the equally great and super pretty Willowday blog.

A brilliant way to make your house feel all cosy on rainy autumn evenings is to make this lantern using fallen leaves. The tutorial from the Gingerbread Snowflakes blog is really well explained and easy to follow so we should all be able to make one of these.

These clay leaf bowls from Urban Comfort are stunning and would make a beautiful addition to your home. They would be great for holding earrings or soaps or any other delicate items that get lost if you just shove them in any old drawer!

One of the easiest things to do with leaves that fall at this time of year is to paint the textured side of the leaf any colour and then press it down on paper or fabric and then slowly peel away leaving the imprint of the leave behind on the surface. It's really easy but can be used in so many different ways. Just check out these few below of you don't believe me!

Leaf Stamped Gift Wrap

Leaf Printed Plates

Leaf Printed Cushion

Leaf Print Tote Bag

I hope these links have given you a few ideas for what you can do with your Autumn leaves but if you feel you need some more inspiration please check out my Leave Craft Inspiration Board on Pinterest. 

Happy Crafting!

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with String....

Hello my name is Amy and I am addicted to gift wrapping. It's true. I'm completely obsessed. See Exhibit A below. I think it makes a present much more special if you put some time and effort into the wrapping of the gift (super extra bonus points if you hand make the gift!) so this weeks Tiddlybits is all about inspiring you to be a bit more creative in your wrapping escapades!

EXHIBIT A
(I was giving my Mam the Great British Sewing Bee book so decided to use that as a theme for the wrapping!)

This list from Buzzfeed is just a wonderful collection of quirky and different ideas. I will definitely be trying the cereal box idea and will post pics to Tiddlybobs when I do. I also really love the use of chalk paint! So clever!

Everyone has random buttons in random drawers all over the house right? Right?! *cradles buttons* Well you should because buttons are awesome and one of the many things they can be used for is gift wrapping! Check out this awesome tutorial from the Craft and Creativity blog.

I'm pretty sure the only people that love gift wrap more than me are children so why not go all out for their wrapping? I love this monster idea from the Housing a Forest site. My nieces are definitely going to get monster wrapped gifts this year!!

This is just the sweetest idea and I demand all of my friends get married right now so that I can use it. However, should my friends not fulfil my demands I might do a twist on it with Fairytale characters for their birthdays instead!

That's a wrap (PUN!!) on this weeks Tiddlybits! Keep coming back for more crafty inspiration!