stuck for a cheap,but lovely birthday pressie try this!! :

I found this great idea in my book called Making Stuff:The Alternative Craft Book, published by Black dog. Its a great book for anyone that gets inspired by making eco friendly craft objects, for in and around the house! This particular idea is called Chai Bath Teabags.They are basically teabags you make full of lovely smelling salts and spices that make your bath smell lovely, and your love for tea goes a step further!! hah.
I'd say they would be perfect for a friend, or Mothers Day pressie!!I'm not sure if its really a guy thing, but how knows some might just love it!

For those that can't read my hand writing here is the ingredients again:!
*stapler
*glue
*3 tbsp loose green tea
*1 tbsp ginger            
*1 tbsp cinnamon
*1 tsp cardamom
*1 tsp cloves
*Remnant of white cotton fabric - try using an old (but clean)pillowcase
*White string
* Colourful felt squares
* Old tea box or tin

Please note this is what the book ingredients says so if you don't for instance have an old pillowcase, use a scrap of fabric - charity shops always have some sort of old cloth etc. etc!! ok.

All you need do now is add the ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, loose green tea all together, then pile it into the cloth. Stitch together into a teabag shape, and hay presto your pressie is all made!!*note* for extra cuteness you can cut out some little felt heart shapes and sew/staple them on the end of the teabag!!like this:

My brand spanking new home made I pod case !

 

Few sketches for ideas on ipod cases and teacosies, house styley!!

Theses are just a few images from my i pod collection. It was a gift I made for my sister for Christmas to fit her new i phone. I hope to make different size cases for different size i pods and can take orders for anyone that would like one for a gift!

My vintage button necklace!

My homemade bags!!!

 My sketchbook - little sketches of ideas of bags...

When 

    I studied my NCFE course in part-time textiles, I found this amazing material and thought that would just make a great looking bag. So I set to it, cutting the material out to make a bag shape and choosing a textile that would look nice as the handle.I then sewed it all together and hay presto it was made!! The handle is made out of vintage cream material with little antique roses all over it. I chose it because I love the contrast between the retro graphics and the vintage flower pattern.

I made this lovely bag by hand, from scratch. The pattern that is on this bag is my own design especially designed for Button and Bows. I sketched and designed the pattern myself, then screen printed the pattern onto the material! I love screen printing lots and lots!! then I found some vintage buttons and decided to sew them on the top and add a silk bow to add with the whole Buttons and Bows theme. I've used this bag quite a lot myself and love it!!

Great websites!

http://www.coastalcreatives.co.uk/categories/15-Coastal-Art/products
really nice shop in south borne high street, Bournemouth.

http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/t-homepage4.aspx
Inspirational, I love Cath Kidston, creating such a great look and feel to their products.

http://www.boden.co.uk/#bc
Just love the quirkiness, they always have great fashion photography emphasising lifestyle in their magazine!

http://www.gemmabooth.com/#/fashion
I love gemma boths work...I hope to become as good as her when I am a little older!!,defo worth a look at!

http://www.folksy.com/
amzing little craft space with alot of different craft! Looks all pretty cool!

Inspiration ...

The things in life that inspire me and that I love the most are vintage shops, amazing friends, the countryside, the seaside, really good graphic designers. I love being creative, making and designing my own artwork, sunny happy days and running and dancing around grassy meadows at festivals. Also old records, people that can make the most fun with the littlest money, textiles (mainly English and American) and mixing contemporary cool with vintage inspired. And here's just a few more:

French love.

Sophie Cox's image. Summer 2010. Fashion shoot!

All the cream tea has gone! Now let's write about our summer ..

Just talking some time out! I love going out taking pictures on my AE1 film camera my dad gave me. He has had it since he was 23, so it means a lot to me to have it. I love to photograph everything that inspires me and keeping a nice memory of it!

Sophie Cox Photography. S/S 

High Fashion. English countryside, adding a new quirky side to the high fashion bunny ears! 

"This is my world, come and join me if you wish"

Sophie Cox Photography.

French and true British inspired. Fashion S/S 2010.

 I love this mix between antique and contemporary graphics! lush.



Vintage shopping in Bethnal Green, its sooo lovely!!

Loving the way these buttons have been reused, soo pretty!

I heart Oxford canal boats, how people live there, and that idea of just being able to escape to wherever your heart desires, finding more lovely British countryside. So chilled and beautiful furniture/styles.

Inspiration ...

YUMMY! so beautiful! home made goodness!!

I love visiting flea markets and sourcing out such beautiful objects,there is something so beautiful. I love reusing other peoples unwanted vintage possessions. I always like to imagine the type of character that owned the object before and how and where the objects have been in the world and where and what the object will be used for!