I like... #11

It's getting harder to write these posts now, trying to think of things that I like to share with you. I hope they're helping you to see behind the scenes and get to know me a little!

Something that you might have guessed if you've read many of my blog posts is that I love all things paper. I think that pen and paper is far superior to any form of electronic note taking. My husband adds reminders to his phone; I write notes on little pieces of paper and leave them in places I'll come across.

Leave a message monster
by Samuel Lindup

Most people probably have some sort of electronic to do list; I have tried this on several occasions but always revert back to writing lists on pieces of paper. I think it's something to do with actually getting to cross things off when they are done.

Personalised memo pad
by Doodledah

A friend reminded me this weekend how important it is to write letters, and how much this is a dwindling art nowadays. She is excellent at keeping in touch by sending little notes through the post. It's definitely something I should do more of.

Vintage typewriter notecards
by Arbee Cards

I also prefer to use an actual paper diary. I can't imagine ever getting the hang of google calendar or similar. I actually have three diaries at the moment - two for work and one for everything else. They are so helpful for planning and scheduling things, and I can access them without needing to grab a gadget and log on.

2014 fabric covered diary
by Handmade Books

So there you go. Paper wins hands down every time for me. Which do you prefer? Are you passionate about paper or do you like to grab a gadget?

I like... #10

Today I'd like to share with you one of my favourite brands.

The Bright Side design stationery and home products that totally match my sense of humour. A couple of years ago my mum bought me one of their desktop calendars, which introduced me to the amazingness of The Bright Side.

As a stationery lover I am particularly fond of their notebooks with covers saying "Let there be lists" and "Hold on people I'm having an idea". They even have a coat hook that says "Hello Mr Coat"! My husband totally doesn't get it though, so I think you have to have a certain sense of humour!

Pop over to The Bright Side website, or purchase some of their witty products in the Really Good shop.

I like... #9 - IKEA Paper Shop

I spotted something very exciting on the Origami Chicken blog the other day - IKEA have introduced a paper shop!

Look at the bright colours and shelves of wonderful paper goodies. Sadly, the new IKEA paper shop products are not available online yet and I live a little too far from an IKEA shop to justify making a trip just to buy stationery :-( So, for now, I have to satisfy myself with window shopping. I've chosen some of my favourite new products to share with you. You can see the full range on the IKEA paper shop website.

I like... #8

Continuing my series of posts sharing with you things I like, this week I'll let you into a little secret... I may be slightly obsessed with buttons!

I found a little shop when I was on holiday that had a large jar full of vintage buttons, which they sold by the scoop full. My husband actually left me rummaging through the buttons and went off in search of more interesting entertainment. I may have spent a few pennies...

I like searching for fun and unusual buttons. Love Craft have some fantastic patterned buttons:

And the Bead and Button Company sell an amazing range of buttons in all shapes and sizes.

I find it hard to sell the things I make from beautiful buttons, but the ones I can part with mostly get turned into button magnets.

I like... #7

I like... the deer who visit the field at the bottom of my garden.

One of the things I love about my new house is that we live on the edge of a village and look out onto farmland. It's wonderful not to be overlooked and to have such a green view. This is what I see when I look out of my craft room:

I like... #6

I'm back from my hols in the rather wet and windy Northumberland. Had a great time though and it was lovely to have a proper break. And just look what I found in a fab second hand bookshop in Berwick...

This vintage atlas from 1942 was an absolute bargain at just £2! It's funny looking at all the old countries and seeing how much has changed. It's pretty tatty and some pages are falling out, which means that I don't feel quite so bad about cutting it up. Watch out for some new notebooks soon, giving this old tired atlas a new life and chance to be loved again!

Do you like reading craft related blogs? Looking for a few more bloggers to follow? Pop over to Handmade Monday and you'll find a great collection of blogs you might be interested in. 

I like... #5

This week I'm liking my corner punch.

I have a few craft punches. Probably not as many as most card makers. Just the basic heart, star, flower shapes. They all get used occasionally, but my x-cut corner punch stays permanently on my desk.

I'm not sure why, but things with rounded corners just look so much nicer. Square corners are very ordinary, and somehow rounded corners just give that extra special touch. I'm thinking I might even use it to round the corners of my new business cards. Perhaps not all 200 though, that could take a while!

~

Just a little note to say that my shop is now shut until Saturday 18 May as I am off on my holidays. I also won't be blogging as I'm taking a proper break, so you won't hear from me next week.

I like... #4

I shouldn't go on the Fred Aldous website. It's just too tempting. But I needed some more red and white bakers twine, and I had monkey points to use. (Don't know what monkey points are? Think nectar points, only cooler). As I popped the twine in my basket I noticed this amazingly coloured stringy stuff.

It may have just found its way into my basket... The colours are so bright. I can't wait to make something with it.

If you're looking for excellent quality craft supplies, pop over to Fred Aldous and be prepared to lose a few hours (and pennies!).

I like... #3

You probably all know by now that Google Reader will be closing down. After some minor panicking that I will lose all the blogs I follow and resisting the urge to write them all down in a notebook (if in doubt reject technology and return to pen and paper) I have discovered a Google Reader alternative: Blog Lovin.

It turns out that Google Reader isn't the only way to follow your favourite blogs! It was super simple to get set up on Blog Lovin and it automatically imported all the blogs I follow. I'm loving Blog Lovin!

Why not sign up if you haven't already, and you can use my new follow me button on the left hand side to quickly add this blog to your list of ones you want to read.

I like... #2

This week I'm loving my new Pricing in Proportion letter size guide. Since Royal Mail started charging based on size and weight it has become increasingly difficult to know how much a parcel would cost to post. It's significantly cheaper if your parcel is less than 2.5cm thick; so I have spent many hours creatively packaging things to try and make them thinner.

I like...

I'm starting a new blog series called "I like..." and it's about, well, things I like! Each week I want to share with you something that I've particularly been enjoying that week. It might be a website or blog, a craft tool, something I've bought or a new product that's caught my eye. This week, it's a new magazine.

I heard about Crafty Magazine through twitter. I saw a few pics and was intrigued enough to look for it in the supermarket. I'm not a massive magazine fan, I tend to prefer to read things online. But after a quick flick through Crafty I had to buy a copy. Just look at it. It doesn't even look like the other craft magazines.