Etsy feature: Tiilly Bloom

Since revision has stalled but the boy is playing computer games so I can't be a nerd and be in bed before 10pm, I thought I'd pick up where I left off in May with the featured etsy store corner.

Today's featured store is the lovely Tilly Bloom, a fellow Scot (if I'm allowed to call myself that, being born here and lived here for the past 5 years, I'm still not sure I qualify!) but now inhabiting Brooklyn in the good old US of A. I bought some earrings and hair slides off her over a year ago now for Frances' birthday (check them out here) and they are so unique, she does all her own illustrations then transfers them to shrinkle or acrylic to make them into jewellery. She does a lot of anatomical pictures, which I especially like, or illustrations inspired by Victorian Era literature, making a lot of it quite marvelously surreal.

When I have money, which will be no time soon the way my student debt is developing *sigh*, I plan to buy myself this rib cage pendant or the gorgeous broken heart pendant below it. I might ask if she can make them into brooches though...





She also keeps a blog over at Tilly Types. I wish I knew more about HTML, I love her layout. I'm still struggling to work out the best dimensions of my pictures to line them up in this blog *sigh*

Drawer scenters - not the old lady kind, promise!

I made these a while back on a whim, they're such a good way to use up little scraps of pretty fabric that are too nice to just throw away. They're also a good way to use up bath bombs, I'm given quite a lot of these as presents because I'm unashamedly in love with Lush ♥ but I can't really use them as they irritate my skin. They smell so lovely though, I can't bear to give them away (how selfish is that!) so I crumbled them up and put them inside these little pouches to make my clothes smell nice. They work really well, my socks smell like cinnamon now! They're also pretty good for soap boxes as presents, I've given them away to a few folk now and they're always well received.











Yes, I know it's a lot of unnecessary photos but they're so pretty, I can't help myself!

In other non-craft related news, the Taylor-Dyce household gained a new addition today, another African pygmy hedgehog called Viola. She is adorable, though rather hyperactive but we're hoping she'll calm down once she's settled in. She was introduced to Hobbes and he instantly took to her, making these really sweet little squeaking sounds. She was less impressed however, especially since he kept trying to sniff her bottom and push his nose underneath her. I swear, you bring them up to the best of your ability...*rolls eyes*...

Stuffies

Just a quick post in between past paper exam questions (2 and a half weeks till exam time, eeep).

I made a knitted basket of cupcakes and non-edible delights for Vicky last christmas, I should get some photos of the finished items, I thought I'd taken one already...*searches*...

Anyways, here's 2 that I did manage to take photos of. The cupcakes are super-cute, I just made a jar of them as part of Frances' christmas present so I'll have to take a photo of them to show you before I parcel them off to Devonia.



I'm especially proud of the oreo. Such a good stash-bust as well!

Pin cushions

Since I've got another ten minutes to spare before my next lecture, I thought I'd write a wee something about my new pin cushions. So far I've just made 2 for my own personal use, but eventually these will be an etsy store item I think. I'm going to make the next batch a bit bigger and mount them inside some vintage teacups I've got in storage, teacup pin cushions, how lovely would that be?

Anyway, here's my new addition to my sewing box. Cath Kidson eat your heart out!

Thrifting at the Bethany Shop

Well, studying continues as normal, plodding away in the library every day. I've got my favourite seat downstairs by the hot radiator for when I want to study alone and my second favourite seat upstairs by the tepid radiator and the window for when I want to study with other people around. Fun times eh?

Anyway, in between becoming a social hermit, I ventured into the Bethany Shop, conveniently and dangerously located right next door to Summerhall, where I go to uni. Well, what a treasure trove!

So far I have bought far too many things to list, it would just be too embarrassing, but I had to share this one with you. It's so sunny and yellow, I can't help but be cheered a little when I spread my butter on my toast in the morning. Also, made in England!! How often does that happen these days? Unfortunately winter-spread has occurred in the thigh region and so butter is being restricted these days, but still, it's such a lovely little thing to have in the kitchen.





Sunflower is definitely the right word.

Wow, it's been a while!

So it would seem I took a bit of a break from the blogging world. Apologies dear readers, I am now officially back!

In the last 6 months I've moved house, moved city, graduated, started uni again, broken up with my boyfriend, got back with my boyfriend, been to Sweden, cried at a wedding, seen the festival, lived with internationals and studied. It's been a rock 'n' roll 6 months!

I am now deep in revision mode for up-coming exams (4 weeks and counting!) so photo posts may be scanty as I'm pretty much living in the library.

I'm busy crafting away for christmas though and have the following projects on the go:
♥ quilted placemats for mum
♥ crocheted blankets for Frances (who just got engaged!) and Vicky
♥ a quilt for Andrew
♥ fingerless gloves for Alethia
♥ a cabled scarf for Elisa
♥ a collage and christmas decoration for Andrew's stocking
♥ 3 cushion covers and a crocheted blanket for Danny

Don't fret if you don't know who I'm talking about, it'll all become clear I'm sure and if it doesn't, you can imagine they're all my glamorous celebrity friends or something...