Best of AGT- One of my Favourite Things!

 Okay, we need to revisit this little treasure AGAIN! 

In 2011, I wrote about the humble Bobbi Pin. 

In 2016, I included that post in the Best of AGT, with a bit of an update. 

It's 2022 and now, it's time.  Let's look back to my 2011 thoughts on this mordern marvel. 

A favourite accessory of mine!  Earlier this week, I was doing my hair and I just wanted to get it off my face and my neck and I wanted to look cute and effortless.  A few well placed bobby pins and I was done!  Although there is also something to be said for good quality hairspray.  

The humble bobby pin has been around for a long time and has been credited for many famous hairdos.  It has been portrayed in films as the magic item that can hold an entire bun in place for 5 days then break-in to the back door in seconds.  One can only imagine what MacGyver could do with one.

I wonder if you really can pick a lock with a hair pin?

Whether it's a glam-do for a night out on the town, a messy bun for work or holding back the locks while you are touching up the make up, a good quality bobby pin (and maybe a few of its mates) are a girl's best friend!

But Be Warned:
1. Don't skimp or you might as well put twigs in your hair! This is one item where, even I (cheapskate queen), must purchase quality.
2. They are precious and have a habit of "disappearing" under the bed, between the couch cushions and at the bottom of your hand bag.  You paid good money for these magical little treasures, take care of them.  
3. A single Bobby Pin can't hold all your hair in place for a week of Kung Fu fighting.  Bobby Pins work best in groups. 

11 years later, let's take a look at how the 'kids' are using bobbi pins. 

3 ways to add bobbi pins to your hair - tips from Brit Co  - includes dressing up a braid with pins and some simple twists.  There are even some for short hair! 

All Women's Talk has a bunch of different hair dos using bobby pins.  These two have to be My Favourites!

It's an Arrow! 

It's a triangle!

Brit Co also shows how to "trick out" your bobbi pins too. 

Now, let me leave you with this awesome tip.... 

Sticky Pins- lay all your bobby pins on a tissue or paper towel and spray them with hair spray.  This way, they will stick to your hair when you slide them in to your latest "up-do". 

Source

What is your favourite hair accessory? Let me know in the comments. 

Okay, Stick a Pin in it and See you next time! ;)

Gel Press for Cardmaking!

 I am usually very slow to jump on the wagon of the latest card making trend.  I've been watching cardmakers use a Gel Press for (literally) years.  The whole idea of purchasing paint and using different paper to make backgrounds felt a bit much.  Then, I gradually got more and more comfortable with my card making skills and media and I wanted to try something new.  I saw that many card makers were finding the joy of just playing with the Gel Press and making some beautiful brackgrounds for cards. 

Then, I saw Jennifer McGuire make some gorgeous cards using ink on her Gel Press.  OMGGM!  You mean I don't have to buy paint?!  You mean I can stretch my supplies and use them in different ways to make different and interesting cards?!  Okay, I gotta get on board with this! So, I bought a round Gel Press to do some experimenting and then I had to get a rectangular one.  I am hooked!  Check out the beautiful cards I've made since buying a Gel Press.  I have more backgrounds in my file too.  :) 

Using some die cut circles to mask off the Gel Press before 
laying down ink, meant that I had the beginning of a beautiful 
bokeh background.  Overlapping circles and adding extra layers
means that this background has so much depth.
I finished off the background by using stencil and some silver pigment ink. 
So pretty! 

A stencil and some paint for this background. Texture and depth
without adding too much bulk to the actual card.  So cool. 
I die cut the background using a rounded rectangle die. 
A glitter die cut word and a glitter butterfly tops off this card. 

The background on this card was a huge experiment. 
A single stencil, some bubble wrap and only two colours
of ink, used on the Gel Press and there is so much dimension
on this card!  All this needed was a big stamped sentiment
and a black mat.  Of course, I added sequins, because... sequins! 

I still find it hard to believe that this card started with two 
pages out of an old visual diary. These colours are so vibrant. 
A bit of old fashioned 'stripping' and paper weaving takes this 
card to the next level. Some simple stamping to make it all
into a celebration card. 

Just ink on a stencil, then card stock laid over the Gel Press. 
Use a brayer to get good coverage and all of a sudden you
have a great background ready for a quick card. I didn't get 
the best coverage on this background, but an offset  wonky card panel
covers the gaps and no one will ever know.  Except you guys! 

The Gel Press, a stencil and one ink colour,
created this quirky card.  The background wasn't quite right
to fit properly on the card base straight.  Wrapping the paper around the card base this way, 
looks so cool with the black behind it.  A 'hero' image and a sentiment.  
I love this card! 

As crafters, we don't need every new product and every new tool. There is no way we can possibly keep up with all the trends.  The most important thing is that creating brings you joy.  Don't feel the peer pressure to buy more stuff.  Then again, buying the Gel Press has allowed me to stretch the supplies I already have and make some awesome cards.  Sometimes, it's worth the cost of the new tool.  I also bought a Brayer... something I was wanting to buy anyway, which is perfect for the Gel Press and can be used for so many more techniques.  If you are wanting to invest in something new, you might as well choose something that can be used for lots of things.  The Gel Press is also easy to store, clean and use.  Totally worth it! 

Gratitude Journal Entries and TIps

 Last week I mentioned that I am using a gratitude journal this year. I also promised that I would share some snippets from it.  If you are thinking about starting a gratitude journal, there really aren't any rules, but I'm going to share some tips for getting started and sticking with it. 

Tip #1 - Date every entry.  

Even if you don't write in it everyday, it's good to know when you felt grateful for what.  It makes reflection more meaningful. 

Tip #2 - Dot Points are Delightful    

It's okay if you can't write paragraphs about everything that happened that day.  You don't even have to write in full sentences. Dot points and single words are just fine.  

Tip #3- It's okay to repeat an item. 

If you include something on your gratitude list every single day, that's totally okay.  

Tip #4 - No Such Thing as Too Big or Too Small

You can be grateful for new shoes, the 5 minute sleep in, a parent, a friend or world peace.  It's about appreciating what you have. Sometimes we have to FIND something to appreciate, so if you find it, just write it down. 

Tip #5 - Be Creative

If you like to draw or colour, then do it in your gratitude journal.  No pressure to make it perfect, because it's all about you enjoying the process of sitting down and thinking positively about your day and indeed your life. I like to use stickers in mine - stars, smiley's, quotes and icons.  It's fun.  I also use emoji's from time to time. 

Tip #6 - Use Prompts

I get mine from Pinterest, but you can get yours anywhere you like. Some of these have 30 days worth of prompts or a month at a time.  I don't follow these ones in order.  I pick out ones that speak to me. Some examples?

Write three that you are grateful for: 

• people 

• products 

• memories 

• skills 

• items you can't live without 

• services (e.g. hair dresser, trash collection, post office) 

•  places 

• technology 

Now a peek at some of the things I have been grateful for this year... in no particular order...

1. Clean sheets- there is something wonderful about falling into a bed with clean sheets. 
2. Air Conditioning
3. Ice packs and Heat packs
4. My medical team (I listed all the names and what they do, but I'm not including that here).
5. Medication
6. Shelly (my cat)
7. My Mum
8. The BFF (and several others in my life)
9. The microwave
10. Crafting Videos on You Tube- I learn from them and they have a calming effect on me when I can't actually craft. 

Next time: I will share some more cards with you that I have made. :) 

Thanks for visiting! I appreciate you.