Magpie Monday - A Magpie's Haul

Thankfully this week was much better in terms of thrifting opportunities.  I had several hours of browsing charity shops in the week, and dragged my disgruntled family round the boot sale on Sunday in the freezing cold.

The fact that it was bitterly cold meant there were lots of bargains to be had - the sellers were desperate to pack up and go home, so seemed to be taking any offers.

When I spotted this laid out on a table, it was literally calling my name!

Yeah sorry, I haven't ironed it yet!  It's a skirt with this gorgeous magpie and blossom embroidery on the front.

At least, I think they're meant to be magpies.  I'm not sure the designer is much of an ornithologist.  It's by Dee V - that's the failed talent show gal Diane Vickers to you and me.  Who knew that's what happens to these people after their 15 minutes of fame - they get their own clothing label with a catalogue clothing company?!!  Still, I'm more than happy with my £2 skirt.

At the same boot sale I spotted this pretty little clock and haggled the girl down to £1.50.

It's a modern, battery operated clock, but it has a lovely vintage feel to it.  I had a tough time convincing the Other Half that it's not an alarm clock, it's just made to look that way.  Why was that so difficult to understand??

And the final thing I'm going to share with you this week is this gorgeous little pair of vintage opera glasses.

I got them for the princely sum of £2 because the bone/bakelite/plastic is very cracked.  These are a 'put it on a high shelf' item.  To explain, this has become my catchphrase to describe anything that's damaged after I once used it in an Ebay listing description.  Whatever works!

Hope you've had a good week bargain-hunting.  I'd love you to grab the badge and share your second-hand finds.


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The Day is Here - Charity Single

Many of you may be familiar with Monkey Music - the lively pre-school musical classes.  Perhaps your child is one of the 10,000 children who attend their groups?

They have exciting news, and even if your child doesn't attend, you can still help support a great cause and enjoy their fabulous music.

In the next few days they are to release a charity single called 'The Day is Here' which will be used in their sessions and sold online to raise funds for the Nordoff Robbins charity.

A specialist organisation, Nordoff Robbins deliver 50,000 music therapy sessions per year to a wide range of schools; care homes and hospitals in the UK.  Qualified music technicians work with those suffering the challenges of autism; dementia, mental health problems; stroke; brain injuries; learning difficulties, depression and terminal illnesses.

The single is written specifically for Monkey Music, is performed by youngsters and tells the story of a thrilling running race - perfect for this year of sporting activity.

Angie Coates, founder of Monkey Music said:

"Both Monkey Music and Nordoff Robbins offer children fresh opportunities and life changing experiences through music.  We believe that by working together we can raise awareness of the benefits of music for everyone.  It's lovely to use 2012 and the summer of sport to engage the very youngest of children in the excitement of sport and the joy of music."

Read all about the latest news and excitement surrounding the single on their news page, and for up to date info on release date and where to buy.

Hey Mr Tambourine Ma'am

I'm ridiculously pleased with this make.  Ever since I saw some stunning hand painted tambourines in a gift shop with a rather hefty price tag, I knew I wanted to recreate them for myself.  Trouble is, the limit of my painting abilities is probably my toe nails.

Anyway, it was one of those crafty ideas stored away in my personal Pinterest board deep inside my mind.  When I stumbled upon Crafty Computer Paper's water-slide decal paper I had a eureka moment!

The printer paper is so easy and clean to use, and it was a doddle to make this vintage style tambourine.

You will need:

• a printed image from your computer
• water-slide decal paper available from Crafty Computer Paper (choose inkjet or laser depending on printer)
• clear acrylic spray (also available from Crafty Computer Paper)
• your chosen item to decorate - works on a huge range of surfaces - wood; plastic; soap; candles; melamine; china etc etc or have fun experimenting

The paper comes with full instructions, but you simply spray with acrylic to seal the image, soak in water then slide off the backing paper and attach to your surface.

I used the clear paper, and as it picks up the background colour of the tambourine skin, it's resulted in a beautiful muted sepia colour.  The camera seems to have picked up the outline of the transfer much more than you can actually see it in real life.

I added black and white ribbons to finish off and now we have a souvenir of the Jubilee that I'll be proud to hang on the wall for years to come.

I have so many ideas and images I want to try out.  You can even use these decals on your nails!

This isn't a sponsored post, but I contacted the company to let them know how pleased I was with their service and products and they've kindly given me a discount code to share with you guys.  If you enter code CL05 you will get 15% off any order of £30 or more until 31st May 2012.

There are tonnes of amazing products to try.  Have fun with your printer using shrinkie paper; acetate; freezer paper; magnetic paper...

The website also offers lots of inspirational ideas and how-tos.

Linking up with the fabulous Ta-Dah Tuesday.

Jubilee Celebrations on a budget

Most of us will will no doubt get swept along in the celebrations of all things regal and red, white and blue this year.

If you're looking to save money, but still have a right royal knees-up, I've put together a few frugal finds.

(left) cupcake cases & toppers: Waitrose £6
(right) cupcake cases and toppers: Poundland £1

(left) Dunoon mug: John Lewis £15
(right) Jubilee mug: Cancer Reasearch & Shelter shops £3

(left) Stainless steel water bottle: Zen Shop: £10
(right) Aluminium water bottle: Poundland £1

(left) T Shirt: M&Co £15
(right) T Shirt: George at Asda £8 with £2.50 to charity

(left) Crown necklace: Anna Lou at NOTHS £25
(right)  Ditsy crown necklace: Topshop £7.50

And finally, I know it's probably not in your budget (certainly not in mine!), but I couldn't resist.

(left) Long ball dress: Vivienne Westwood  £2,320
(right) Union Jack 50s inspired dress: Hayley Jayne Designs, Etsy £60

Happy money saving partying!  If you spot any Jubilee bargains, please feel free to share them in the comments section and let me know what you think of my picks.

How to make doll's fairy wands

Who needs clothes when you have a wand?

Ruby already has a fairy wand (naturally!) but she wanted some diminutive ones for her dollies and set me the challenge.

A couple of weeks back I picked up these two brilliant fairy craft books in my local charity shop, so I knew I had to join in with Red Ted Art's Fairy Round-up.

These wands are based on those shown in the Usborne book.  You'll need:

Wooden coffee stirrers (I can't be the only one who steals accidentally picks up more than I need of these)
Card (won't be seen so you can use cereal box type card)
Wool or string (again, won't be seen so you can use any colour)
Glue
Scissors
Shiny foil paper/tin foil (we used Easter Egg wrapping that I'd saved)
Sparkly embellishments and ribbon (optional)

1. Cut out 2 identical star shapes per wand you wish to make.

3. Glue on string/wool in any design or pattern you choose.  This will add a three-dimensional shape to the finished wand - but this part is optional.

4. Once dry, glue or tape the wooden coffee stirrer to the back.

5. Sandwich the matching star on, so the stick is in between and your wool pattern is on the outside.  Then carefully cover it with the foil paper.  Smooth over to reveal the wool patterns underneath.

6. Finish by tying  ribbons to the stick and gluing on sparkles.

Let the magic commence!

Magpie Monday - Slim Pickings

Phew what a busy week!  I was away at the weekend too at Cybher - the blogging conference - so my thrifting opportunities were severely limited.

After last week's boot sale I'm itching to get back to another one, but I guess that will have to wait til next weekend.

On a whistle-stop visit to my local charity shop, I did manage to find these two items which I'm very happy with - providing I can get into the skirt.  I think I may be in denial about my waist line - especially after this weekend's excesses!

Abstract print linen skirt in burnt umber by Minuet - £2.99

Bead and fabric ribbon necklace - £1.75

What second-hand gems have you unearthed lately?  Please grab the badge and link up.


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Cybher - my musings

This weekend, thanks to my lovely sponsors DYLON, I attended Cybher - the UK's first all genre blogger conference for females.

Due to absolute technology failure on the day (both my phone and my ipad went loopy with the excitement of it all) I was unable to share many thoughts via the medium of Twitter.  So instead, I'm writing them down here so I have a record of my time and a reference to come back to so I can keep focused on what's important to me.

Firstly, I think Sian did a monumental job - what a Herculean task.  Her and her team have every right to feel proud.

Secondly, what I enjoyed most was the chance to meet up with blogging friends old and new.  To finally meet in the flesh people I've spoken to for donkey's on Twitter.  People who have shared their highs and lows through their blog.

It may seem odd that I shared a room with someone I'd never even met before, but Amanda felt like a dear friend, and now we've met in person I'm sure we'll remain close friends in real life.

I found the talks from Di Coke (competitions and the law) fascinating and really interesting.  The presentation by A Thrifty Mrs on incorporating money-saving into your blog was also very entertaining and her personality shone through.

However, I was let a little deflated by some of the sessions.  I guess it's the world we're in now but there seemed to be a fair amount of doom and gloom - you can't do this; you mustn't do this; be careful if you do that; don't do this or you'll get your ass sued...

I also found the idea that not everyone can blog a little arrogant.  I strongly disagree - the tools are there, they are freely available to anyone and everyone who wants to write a blog.  True, not everyone can write an award-winning blog, a blog that will be top of the charts or a blog that will give them commercial success, fame and fortune.  But that makes assumptions about an individual's motivation to blog.

We all have different reasons for doing what we do.  Yes it takes hard work, effort and skill to come up with entertaining, engaging and regular new material, but it doesn't mean anyone can't try.  If we perpetuate the idea that bloggers are an elite bunch then how are we to encourage and motivate the next new wave of blog writers?

There was also a lot of talk about finding your 'niche'.  I agree that to be top of your game and achieve sucess you do need to be focused and stand out from the crowd, but again this is making assumptions that that's what we all aspire to.  The reality is there are millions of blogs out there in cyberspace - how many niches are there?  Yes, I could write a blog about owning a smelly Labrador with an underactive thyroid - I may even win an award for the best blog about a smelly Labrador with an underactive thyroid - but how dull would that be?

I am more than one thing.  I am mother; partner; friend; crafter; thrifter.  I wear clothes; I eat; I drink; I go out; I buy stuff; I do stuff.  That is me and that's what I write about.  A blogger's real USP is their self.  

I write my blog because I enjoy it.  It's fun.  I don't want to lose sight of that.  I want to enjoy the fantastic benefits of being part of a motivating; supportive and diverse community.  I want to continue to write with integrity; fairness and passion about what interests me.  To support brands I respect and small businesses I admire.  To make more friends and meet like-minded people.  Above all, to not get hung up on the competitiveness and the politics.

Keep calm and carry on blogging!