Live it . Love it . Make it.: Paperchase

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A day trip to ... London

We thought that as we have been to a fair few cities across the country and the globe over the years, it might be great to share with you some places and things we love to do while travelling around and you may even have been to them all, never been there or think, now why would I go there! Now, not all of these will be quick one day stops, there may be 24 hour versions, a quick hop over the water versions and of course home grown, things to do with your day off in your nearest city versions. But isn't that the beauty of adventures, they can be as long or short and as near or far as you like.

It's 2016! How did that happen hey! We thought we would reflect on our 2015 using our #2015bestnine as a starting point. You may have seen many of these posts on instagram and so we were no different in wanting to find out what you guys thought were our best nine instagram posts of 2015.

What better time then to share some of our highlights of the year!

First up would have to be working with Mollie Makes on some great projects this year including Hot air balloons and fabric houses and Sammy got to do some great stuff with Simply Sewing for her shop Sew Crafty, did you see her Quick gifts to sew booklet? and look out for something else great soon - no spoilers!

Getting to go to Renegade twice this year was pretty cool too, all the craft fairs we go to are pretty ace, but I think I can speak for both of us when I say that Renegade has a special place in both of our hearts. Just seeing all the very cool designer/makers work out there is brilliant and a great excuse for a few presents for us! You seem to really enjoy our haul posts on instagram and so this just gives us the best excuse to keep shopping!

Our tutorials are also a highlight for the year, we have made some amazing things, even if we do say so ourselves, Unicorn hobby horse and Yoga Mat seem to be a couple of favourites. We love to come up with new ideas and help you to make things of your own. We have got some great ideas coming up too, so again, watch this space!

Our holiday to Barcelona was pretty epic too. We had been as students way back in the 90's and so it was great to go back and explore. Next up would definitely have to be a bit more of a relax holiday though I think. We love cities, but sometimes you need a bit of time with a good book or 5!

We worked with some great brands this year too, from Paperchase and Zazzle through to B&Q and Turtle Mat to name but a few. Some great bloggers worked with us too and these are all things that we want to do more of in 2016.

So, it looks like some of your favourite instagram posts match our highlights for the year, lets roll on 2016 and see what is in store for us. Do let us know if you would like us to feature something in particular as we are always happy to find out what you want to learn more about.

H, xxx

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Simple Styling: Workspace

I thought I would come back to a bit of simple styling this week for another nosey into my house and hopefully a bit of inspiration. I am nearly there with my workspace and so I thought this would be a good time to show a bit of simple styling. The rest of the workspace involves shelving and hiding things away in boxes and so not much to show there. To start with the Table was given to me by my folks and it does extend out so a great thing to have around and the chair is from the local charity shop.

1. Planner 2. Note books 3. Sticky notes 4. Tags 5. Labels 6. Tags 7. Drawers 8. Baskets 9. Box

January is the month for getting our lives in order right!? Well here are a few of the things I have been stocking up on to get myself organised.

Write stuff: I love this planner from one of my fave stationery places online the Fox and Star, and these little notebooks from the lovely Oh No Rachio, Sticky notes, as you may know are my bag and this yummy set from Paperchase are not only stylish but essential.

Label stuff: It's all very well tidying up but if you don't make a note of where it all goes how on earth are you going to find it mid April when you need it? Labels don't have to be dull either, these heart shaped ones from Mail Box Happiness on Etsy are fun and cute but you can never go wrong with Kraft tags, these ones from Wilkos are perfect. Along with these neon tags from Knot and Bow, that will bring a splash of colour to the dullest of filing systems.

File stuff: If you want to jazz up your filing system whilst you are at it, think about this acrylic drawer unit from Ryman, or these yummy wire trays from another fave of mine Papermash. This colourful filing boxes from H&M would be a great disguise for all your boring paperwork if you prefer to keep those bills hidden away until absolutely necessary.

How are you getting yourself organised this year? Are you a naturally organised person like our H or do you need more help like me? Let us know in the comments and thank you to all of you who filled in our survey last week, the results have been very helpful in our blog planning for this year, so hopefully we can bring you even more of what you love from us in 2015.

Sammy xxx

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Gift Wrapped 3 ways

One of my very favourite things about buying gifts, especially at this time of year is getting to wrap them up. I love paper-crafts and for me wrapping presents is just an extension of my favourite hobby. You may remember last year we even held a gift wrapping workshop! Getting to play with embellishments and glitter is just the best part of the gift buying process for me. It can make even the most mundane gift voucher that little bit more exciting to open.

Most of my family have asked either for money or vouchers this year so for a bit of fun I have taken some kraft gift boxes and decorated them up to put their vouchers and money in, to make them a little more exciting than just a card. I got a little carried away and whilst I was at it I thought I would make some extras to share with you all. I went with three themes to help inspire you to have a go at some different wrapping ideas this Christmas.

All That Glitters

Use mini Christmas decorations to embellish, I also love wooden decals often sold for card making and sequins sprinkled like glitter. Copper and rose gold make a luxury statement, I used copper flakes on double sided tape and copper tape. Use even the smallest scraps of expensive gift wrap to make tags or add strips to basic papers to give a splash of glitz.

Merry and Bright
Why not make your gifts stand out from the crowd by using a neon theme. By using simple tools like paper punches, fine liner pens and washi tape you can create simple but stunning wrapping that will have your family and friends reaching for the sunglasses. Hand write little phrases onto scraps of card or stickers to create funky gift tags. These star ones were 'sale' price tags from Ryman.

Trendy Traditional
A classic colour combination with a twist, red and white paired with aqua blue freshens up the traditional colour pallet. Use playful motifs like reindeer, penguins and gingerbread men to add a touch cuteness for kiddos or adults. Doilies look lovely as a classic pairing with good old bakers twine. Use fun fabrics to wrap gifts, it doubles as part of the gift if you are giving them to a crafty friend.

Do you like wrapping gifts or are you a last minute bung it in a bag kind of person? I have a last minute stash of tissue paper and gift bags at the ready just in case too! Which theme do you like the best? Which wrapping idea's will you be using this year?

Sammy xxx

This post is not sponsored.
Supplies from Hobbycraft, Marks and Spencer, Card Department, Sew Crafty, Amazon, Papercutz, Sainsbury's, Studio Calico, Ryman, Paperchase and Fox and Star.

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Live it: Paperchase SS15 Event

H and I have worshipped at the doors of Paperchase Tottenham Court Road for more than 15 years. Four floors of stationary, pens, paper and gifts who would not want to be a paper chaser? You can imagine our delight when an invite hit our inbox to head over to TCR and view their Spring/Summer 2015 line and have some Christmas crafting fun, we literally squealed.

Last Tuesday evening we made our way up to the crafting area at the top of the store and were met by the PR and some of the design team. after a welcome drink we headed over to have fun with glitter with the lovely Martine Arty. They have a bunch of workshops going on in the lead up to Christmas at the flagship store, head over to the #imadethis page on their website for more details.

We got to make Christmas decorations, basically we got to play with amazing paper, glue and glitter for an hour, it was awesome!

Then they let us loose on the new collections. The lovely Puja took us around and talked us through some of the pieces. We are so excited to get our hands on some of these goodies. We don't want to spoil the surprise as we will be doing a post all about the collections when they are released so we have just given you a little teaser below...

Cockatoo tankard and it takes two to Mango! Yes!

A trip to the store would not be complete without a little shopping spree, so we headed down to check out the Christmas goodies and picked up more than a few supplies to keep us going until the next time we come and visit.

We would just like to say a massive THANK YOU to the guys at Paperchase for having us along, and for the awesome goodie bag!

Are you a Paperchase fan? What is your favourite piece of paperchasery? Or piece of stationary that you last bought?

Let us know, as usual in the comments below or on twitter @livelovemake

H and Sammy xxx

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Friday Favourites: Sticky notes

Paperchase kraft notes

I have a bit of a crush on post-it notes, or sticky notes if you prefer. I have quite a few scattered around my desk in my craft room and at work. They have always been super helpful but these days they can also be super pretty! My top places to buy them are Paperchase, Etsy, and of course the original Post-it notes.