New Book! Making an Impression, by Geninne

I *love* getting new craft books. Whether its in the mail, or from the library, there is something cosy and exciting about snuggling up on the sofa and opening the pages to what you know will be a massive source of projects and a haven of inspiration.

I picked up my latest find from the post office on the way to work last week (and then had to spend the rest of the day reeeally wanting to to go home so I could read it!). Making an Impression, by Geninne Zlatkis:

It's such a beautiful book, and whereas usually I only see one or two things I want to make myself in books, I turned the pages in this one wanting to quit my day job and make EVERYthing.

My fave project ideas:

Love the idea of taking all of the stamps in your collection, theming the colours of ink, and making a piece of artwork for the wall.

This bird cushion is beautiful. I love the colours. I think they would be really nice as a picture on the wall as well (ooh, matching?!)

There is also a cool little section too about design and what makes up a great stamp. It's something I'd never thought about before and I feel like I can graduate now to more themed sets of images on my stamps.

Will show you my attempts once I get started!!! :-D

Stamp out the heat!

Brriiing on the heat of the summer. We are hitting a high of 31C this week and I am wondering if I really am in England or have entered some weird parallel universe. Who knew it would be the middle of july and I'd be looking forward to going to work?! One bonus to sitting in an office 9 to 5? Air conditioning! :-D

I've taken a bit of a break lately from writing because a) I was a bit discouraged about blogging and b) after getting back from holiday my mind has been abuzz with Etsy shop-opening and an obsessive desire to find my *one true* craft. I've made up my mind (after opening 2 shops, applylane.etsy.com & lemonadeletterpress.etsy.com) that I. just. like. everything. And. I. can't. stop. making. things. Ever. And I can't stop trying new things.

My new new attempt this week is more stamp-making! Tee hee! Which ties hand in hand with my recent card making attempts. I have ordered this new book on stamp-making to hone my skills:

It has some really good techniques on carving stamps and I can't wait to try it out, and to make some bright colourful summer stamps.

There are so many great stamp shops on Etsy that I've also been drooling over. A few of my faves:

So cute! address stamp (katiegreen.etsy.com)

Obsessed with this shop (brownpigeon.etsy.com)

Would have to vote this as the cutest Etsy shop ever! (talktothesun.etsy.com)