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Sunday 29 July 2012

Yeihhhh a Sizzix Eclips machine.... hummmm?!?!!

Hello my wackys how have you lot been?!

Same old same old eih... Yeah I know just how you feel, it is the end of a Sunday here in the UK, in a couple of hours it will be Monday, Yeihhh ( just joking really), another days work...

 Anyway the reason Of this post is to talk about the sizzix eclips machine, I heard so many praises for this little "OK" NOT so little machine, I had so  many high hopes for it I search and read review after review... I must say I am a little bit disappointed, my hubby bought it to me after months of PLease please can we buy this I could make this or that or even this I thought... How stupid could I be, Pathetic, OK so here's the thing I have a manual die cutting machine " the Big Shot" completely love it amazing little thing pros can cut almost anything you could imagine cons small width and the dies are quite costly plus you'll need a good deal of storage for them.... Has I said I love it, so I must admit I reallly reallllllllyyyyy had High expectations for the eclips I mean its electronic cuts 12''x12'' and 12''x24'' IDEAL  I thought; even better the cartridges bring more than one design, are small so don't actually ocupy much space PLUS it has a software where I can actually do whatever designs I wish plug the machine to the computer and voila (ok this one is actually a good one)..... hummmm after getting it and putting it all together, the first blade I used in the machine was crap it was lifting the card and not making clean cuts has it was actually supposed too ( good thing it comes with 2); ok I changed the blade and it now makes clean cuts HURRAY!!I tried the backing board I usually use in my big shot to make my mini albums and I realise I couldn't actually cut the grey backing board, has it was too thick ( a bit like me probably), SO... I discovered the hard way I must say that this little gem is only actually good to cut stuff up to 300 micrograms or gms has you like it, if you use any thicker than this be prepared to make double cut or jamming your sweet machine....

Now onto the cartridges and the handheld remote I'm a complete beginner so I purchased another cartridge the bags boxes and albums one because that's what I wanted the machine for to be honest... it goes in ok a little tricky to remove by hand But if you have the accessory pouch its pretty easy just use the blue bit of the spatula and it will come right of- they have a variety of cartridges with super cool designs and great phrases OK but how the hell can I cut the Box templates instead of the sample that shows on screen ?!!! Humm shall I press this button or that button geeee!!! I discovered I needed to press the FILL button on the remote to cut the box template but that's not what they tell you in the videos is it?! NOP they say just press the ok button to select the image and the press cut ( the scissors image) BOLUX... do you know what happened it just cut the image of the box, not the template to actually make the Dam box  - yes yes I know the instruction manual might say it you say hahaha no it doesn't I know I'm not british but it just says it will cut a bunch of shapes " FILL: takes the selected shape and automatically fills the material with has many as possible. this function can also be used to cut multiple shapes from the queue" WHAT?!!! HUM leaves you wondering doesn't it?! well it sure did me....

Software , well cant really complain much although could be a little bit more user friendly, has I said I'm a complete beginner, and forgive me if I might need to spend much more time on it, but being a mum of 2 , working, cooking & cleaning doesn't leave me much time.

SOOOO, overall if you would like to know if I could go back in time would I buy it?!! Probably not is the answer... Maybe it will become a yes in future when I learn all the tricks to it but for a beginner, I wouldn't recommend, the truth is that it can make beautiful stuff yes I agree but mainly out of card stock or thinner, if you want something thicker you'll need to cut the same shape at least 3 or more times and glue it together ( like to make covers for example)

Sizzix Eclips machine I Give you a 3 out of 5, way to expensive for the materials range that it cuts.

Hope this helps someone out there, that is actually thinking in buying this....

See you lot soon ****


Saturday 28 July 2012

One Chaotic Morning....

Hello my wackys,

I must say today was one really stressful morning, completely my fault and lack of organisation really.... So let me explain, my little girl had a birthday party (2in1 actually) at 12pm (noon) I had all week after work to either buy a present for the b-day girls or make something; but after 10h shifts and cooking dinner baths and putting the girls in bed I felt drained and couldn't really bring myself up to doing nothing at all... RESULT it was Saturday 9am and I still didn't have gifts for the girls it was a costume ( princess) party by the way so on Friday I had to spend a little ££££ to buy 2 princess outfits needless to say I was out of cash for any presents....

 As  I was sayin' it was Saturday 9 am and I decided to make the girls 2 personalised pillows with their favourite characters witch were Hello Kitty, and Mini Mouse, so here I was all ready to start my project; transfer paper in the printer pillow design all done when I noticed my printer ink cartridges actually didn't have any ink at all, SO in a hurry I dressed myself my girls and went to the market shop that refills cartridges, I asked if they were able to refill kodak ones, but guess what  A BIG FAT NO was the answer, so I tried another office supplies store and HUrray finally I had the cartridges, but not without the tantrums from my beautiful and incredibly annoying at times like this children- geeeee.... ok so when I actually got back it was 10.30 am yeahp I was seriously late already....

 Printing done aside I had to cut the pillow shapes Iron it cut the images for both pillows press them and remove backing.... Forget 10.30 it was 30 past eleven by then; The party was suppose to start at 12pm... GOD!!!

Next stage get the girls into the princess dresses, sort out their curly mad hair, putting up with winning, sobbing and God knows what, Sewing up the pillows turning them on the right sides iron them again, fill them up die cut a heart to cover the hole ( used for turning and filling) and VOILA!!!

Now I needed to find proper bags to put them in to give them has gifts, result couldn' find any , had to improvise and use my A4 Cellophane bags....Yes you guessed it I WAS LATE unfortunately...

It was 13pm When we got there the kids were already having their snacks but thankfully hadn't sang happy Birthday and there was still plenty of games for the kids and a BOUNCY CASTLE Yeihhhhhh you may say ( oh noooo!!! I thought, guess what I was so right) My 2 year old wouldn't listen to me or wouldn't even care to be honest it was the longest 1 HOUR of my life .... BUT  hey they loved it they had so much fun running playing bouncing.... I was in such a hurry that I even forgot to take pics of the pillows to post here, BUT I will ask Ker and post it after.... Lets just hope that all my stress was worth it Hopefully they enjoyed their little gift , my  girls surely enjoyed the play time, the good thing is that this doesn't actually happens every day ....

And that's all from me today, for now an incredibly messy and chaotic house awaits me and calls for my services.... see you soon my lovelies 

Sunday 22 July 2012

Pamper Yourself at Home

Hello my sweet wackys,

I know I know its just been too long right....
 Today I'll bring you a couple of tips for you to treat and pamper yourself, cause its never really to much is it?!, in this stressful world nowadays it looks like we don't even have time to breath, we're always in a hurry running around doing this, that and all the rest... It's School Runs, going to work , cooking , cleaning picking them up, kids at each others throats... yeahhh I feel you.... By the time you put that pretty little head on your pillow its just has if there's an off button...

Well then this post is to help all of us that need a little time to ourselves, if you have a partner and kids why not telling them to go to the movies ( fatherly bonding is very important in any child's life), if not leave them with a friend or grandparents, or wait for them to have a little nap so that you can wind down and treat yourself.

FACIAL Care:  

Oily or Acne-Prone Skin:

Egg White Facial
Egg whites tighten the pores and contain proteins that both repair skin and absorb excess oil, making them a powerful tool for dealing with acne. Separate the egg white from the yolk (save the yolk for cooking!). Whisk together the egg white with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for one minute. The mixture will be messy, so apply it to your clean, dry face over a sink. Keep the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes — start whipping up your favourite dessert with that egg yolk while you wait! Once the mask starts cracking, wash away with warm water.

Green Clay Facial
A green clay facial will attack unwelcome breakouts by extracting impurities from your skin. In a glass bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of green clay powder (available at health stores or online) with water to make a thick paste. Add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice — we like rosemary for relaxing. Apply the paste evenly to clean, dry skin. It should take about 15 minutes for the paste to harden, so while you wait, relax with some music or your favourite book. Once the mask is hard, wash it off with warm water and pat dry.

Avocado Facial Mask
The fatty oils in avocado are great for moisturising dry skin. Mash up half an avocado until creamy. Add 1 tablespoon of honey, a cleaning agent, to the mix. If your skin is irritated, add a bit of plain yogurt for a soothing effect. If your skin is cryin’ for extra moisture, add 1/4 cup of pure virgin olive oil. Once all ingredients are well combined, apply the mixture onto your clean face and neck. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. For added relaxation, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the mixture before applying.

Dull Skin 

Papaya Mask:

The enzymes in papaya make it a natural exfoliant that fights free radicals, so say goodbye to dullness with this facial ! Peel and remove the seeds of one papaya, then chop it into small pieces. Add 1/4 cup of honey for a natural cleanser. Using a blender or food processor, mix the ingredients until a paste is formed. Apply the paste to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes then splash off with warm water. Wash thoroughly, or the papaya juice could make your face look orange!

A lemon juice mask:

A lemon juice and sea salt facial not only smells delicious, but it’s simple to make and great for rejuvenating skin! combine 1/4 cup of sea salt with lemon juice. It’s up to you whether you want the mixture to be thick or runny, so add lemon juice accordingly. Apply the paste to your clean, dry face, avoiding sensitive areas. Close your eyes and relax for a few minutes while you let the lemon juice slough off dead skin cells, then wash with warm water.

Oatmeal facial ( its not just for eating) :

The uneven edges of oatmeal make it a gentle exfoliant, ideal for sloughing off dead cells to reveal the bright skin underneath. Combine 2 tablespoons of uncooked and unflavoured oatmeal with 1 cup of whole milk in a small pot, heating them until a thick mixture forms. The lactic acid in milk will also remove dead skin cells. Remove from heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil for moisture. Wait until the mixture is warm but not hot then apply to your clean, dry face. Wash off the mask with warm water after 20 to 30 minutes.

BODY Scrubs

Sugar Body Scrub:
1 cup raw brown sugar (this is the chunky kind)
1 cup avocado oil
teaspoon of aloe vera gel


combine all ingredients in a bowl. The oils and other ingredients will dissolve into the sugar.

take a scoop and massage the sugar mixture onto your skin. Leave on and massage for a few minutes.

Rinse and enjoy your soft skin


Sea Salt Body Scrub:
1 cup Epsom salt
1 cup course sea salt
1/2 cup jojoba oil
  • Gather all your ingredients and measure out the potions you will need.
  • Incorporate the salts together using a spoon or your hands.

    Pour in the jojoba oil along with the drops of essential oil. Smell the scrub as you add the essential oil to determine the desired potency of fragrance.
    Mix all ingredients thoroughly with a spoon to ensure that the essential oil is well distributed throughout the mixture. Spoon the finished product into your airtight containers.

    Add more oil if the mixture appears to be too dry. Too wet? Then add equal parts of the salts.

    Store the scrub in an air-tight container to retain moisture.

    Apply the scrub in the hot shower and allow the scrub to rest on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing. Moisturise with a soothing lotion after the shower.

    Strawberry Body Scrub:

    5 large strawberries (fresh, not frozen)
    1/2 tbsp. fresh ginger (finely grated)
    1/4 cup olive oil (you may also use canola, grape seed or sweet almond oil as well)
    Puree the strawberries to a thin liquid in a blender or food processor.
    Combine fresh strawberry puree, ginger and canola oil in a bowl. Using a fork, mix thoroughly.
    Add the salt and baking soda once the first three ingredients have been thoroughly combined Make sure that the liquid is completely combined with the solid. The salts need to be thoroughly saturated. Set aside and let sit for an hour.

    Check your salt scrub mixture after an hour. There should be about 1/2 inch of oil on the surface, separated from the mixture. If you need to add more oil, do so now. Mix again and set aside.
    Add the fragrance if the ingredients are fully combined. Mix gently with a fork.
    Spoon the mixture into airtight containers and store in the refrigerator when you're not using it.
    Apply the mixture to wet skin and exfoliate in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel.


    ******* Also if you would like to hydrate your body after shower you can rub in some extra virgin olive oil while you're still wet and then pat dry*******

      Go on people enjoy your day, and most important enjoy yourself ;) 

    Sunday 8 July 2012

    Welcome baby

    Hello my sweet wackys, how have you lot been?!! good I hope

    This is just a quick post to show you a card that I've made for sweet Melanie wich was born last Wednesday. For it I used my new sizzix eclipse machine that my sweet hubby bought for me last week, I'm still getting usted to it and had a couple of pressure and speed hicups with it but hopefully with a bit more experimentation and trial and error I'll be able to be up and running in no time, fingers crossed.

    Here's the picture of the embossed card I did for her

    Materials used :

    eclips machine
    holiday cartridge
    starter rockin cartridge
    big shot machine
    flowers embossing folder
    card stock
    pinking shears


    Seee you soon ****