Make it: Kate Spade Inspired Glitter Accessories

It is without doubt the time of year to add some sparkle to your accessories.  Today I have three simple DIY's that are inspired by one of my favourite designers Kate Spade.  Not only are they are so simple and look amazing but they are also budget friendly.  One A4 sheet of glitter fabric is more than enough to make all three accessories,  I am going to show you how to make simple shoe bows, earnings and a statement clutch bag.  I have used an old clutch bag but you could easily make a simple zip-topped pouch using our make-up bag tutorial. 

You will need: Glitter fabric, shoe clips, earring backs, pink ribbon 3mm and 15mm wide, a black clutch bag, glue, chalk pencil, a scrap of felt and scissors. 

For the shoe clips:

Step 1. Cut two strips of glitter fabric approximately 3.5cm wide by 25cm and fold the two short ends into the centre and glue them in place.

Step 2. Take a short length of 15mm pink ribbon and wrap it around the centre of the glitter bow. 

Step 3. Glue a shoe clip in place on the back, to the bow at the top.

Step 4. To make it more secure glue a small piece of felt over the top of the clip. 

These bows are so simple to make and they would make really cute brooches too, or you could attach them to gifts to make your Christmas wrapping look extra special.

For the bow earrings:

Step 1. As with the shoe clips you want to cut two strips of glitter fabric approx 4.5cm long by 1cm wide. Fold the edges to the middle and glue them in place. 

Step 2. Wrap a small length of 3mm ribbon twice around the centre of the glitter bow and glue the ends. 

Step 3. Glue a small earring post (or clip) to the centre back of each bow. 

For the statement clutch bag:

Step 1. Decide what word or phrase you want to have on your bag, then using a chalk pencil mark out the letters you need on the reverse of the fabric with a chalk pencil. Remember to flip the letters so they are the right way round when you turn the fabric back over. 

Step 2. Cut out each letter.

Step 3. Glue the letters to your clutch bag.

And that's it, a simple and fun way to sparkle up any outfit this holiday season especially if you are on a budget, as the supplies for all of these DIY's cost under £10. 

What holiday parties are you going to this year? Are you throwing a holiday party? If not don't worry because these would also make great gifts for your party animal friends! Don't forget to #livelovemake to show us your DIY's from our blog, 

Sammy xxx


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Summer Garden Party Wishlist

Cushions from h&m home  /  Hanging planter from h&m home  /  Drinks jar with tap from The Hut  /  Easy peasy ice tray from The Hut  /  Garden table from Oliver Bonas  /  Colourful glassware from Tiger  /  Drinking straws from Amazon

Now that the UK weather has finally decided to behave itself and give us some sunshine, it is the perfect time to head out into the garden and invite round some friends for drinks. If yours is anything like mine you might need to give it a little T.L.C. before you send out those invites though. I have been pinning away and built myself a little mood board/wishlist for my much needed summer shopping trip. Here are just some of things I will be using to bring the indoors outdoors just in time for cocktail hour!

Hope you have a lovely sunny weekend
Sammy xxx

Pineapple photo via Brides.com/ lemon drinks photo from love-the-day.com/ cosy cushions image via 100layercake.com


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Make it: Birthday Fun DIY's

1/ Honeycomb Garland  2/ Cake Topper  3/ Party Hats  4/  Invitations  5/ Paper Streamers  6/ Ombre Cake   7/  Pompom Topper

Everyone loves a party, and there is no better reason to celebrate than a birthday! It is our blogs 3rd birthday tomorrow and we are celebrating the only way we know how, with cake and crafts! Here is a quick round-up of some of our favourite party DIY's.  I am so having a go at those party hats over the weekend, How about you?

Sammy xxx

Make it: Pompom's 3 Ways

It is celebration central round here this month, one reason is our blogs 3rd Birthday! (check out tomorrows bonus post to find out what else we are celebrating). We are thinking ahead and trying to decide how to celebrate... probably a little party! My favourite thing about a party (after cake of course) are decorations. We thought we would show you how to DIY some of our fave party decorations, Pom poms! We have an epic three different options to show you today using paper, wool and net.

Paper Pom poms

Paper pompoms are just everywhere these days, I have been making them for a long time, you probably saw them here when we did decorations for my friend Kelly's Barbie party a couple of years ago. You can buy them in lots of places now but they are super easy to make, then you can have any colour you like.

To make these small ones you will need: Two sheets of tissue paper, some wire, Scissors and thread.

Cut each of your tissue paper sheets into four strips, so you will have eight strips all together and pile them up on top of each-other. Start to make small folds back and forth until you reach the end. It should look like a fan. Find the centre point and cut two small slits in either side of your fan being careful not to cut all the way through.

Take your wire and wrap it around the centre of your fan shape, making sure the wire sits in the cuts you have made. Twist it around to make a loop, which you can hang it by later. Next is the fun part, start to separate the layers out one by one. Work you way around until you get to four layers down, then flip it over and peel away from the other side until you reach the centre, you may need to fluff it a little to even it out once you are done. Then attach your string to the loop you made and hang it up somewhere to look pretty.

Wool Pompoms

There is a long story behind my love of the Clover Pompom maker, it is a serious game changer if you like making wool pompoms, it means you can make a garland at lightning speed. If you are off to The Handmade Fair in September you might want to get involved in #worldpomination A record attempt to make the world longest PomPom garland! Head over to the site to find out more.

For style number two, wool pompoms you will need: Clover Pompom maker (or go old-school and use cardboard) Wool and Scissors.

Open out one side of your pompom maker and start wrapping your yarn around the double arm until it is full. Don't be tempted to over-full the tool, it works better if you just fill it to the edges. Then wrap the other side to match. Cut yourself a length of yarn to wrap around the centre, then start to snip the wrapped yarn in the groove of the tool.

Wrap the length of yarn around the centre and tie it firmly into a knot around the pompom. You can then remove the tool and you have a perfect pompom. To make it into a garland just use the yarn and tie it to a long length of wool to create a garland. 

Net Pompoms

The third and my personal favourite type of pompom are nylon netting pompoms. They are made in a similar way to paper pompoms but you can be a little more haphazard, oh and they are waterproof so you can hang them outside!

You will need: 75cm x 140cm of dress net, Scissors and wire.

Cut yourself a length of wire and eight strips of netting and layer all of them up. Start to scrunch the layers up in the centre, like we did for the tissue ones, but you don't have to be too neat about it. Grab a hold of it nice and tight in the centre and wrap your wire around the middle.

Once you have secured the netting, make a loop so you can hang up your pompom later. Then, as with the tissue paper style, pull the layers apart until your pompom is full and fluffed. Attach a length of string to the loop you made and hang it up wherever you need a pop of colour. 

 There you have it, three different but equally fun pompom techniques for you to try this weekend.

What are you celebrating at the moment? big or small, let us know in the comments below. There is no occasion too small for a pompom party! Right?! Don't forget to pop back for an extra special post tomorrow and don't forget to make a few extra wool pompoms to be a part of #worldpomination !

Sammy xxx

We would love to see if you have a go at this. Like with all our DIY's if you do, take a picture and share it with us on Twitter or instagram with the hashtag #livelovemake

Make it: Hen Party workshops

We are getting right into Wedding season now, as it is H has 6 to go to this year - she is a seasoned pro!

So, we thought that it would be a good idea to let you know what crafty things you can get up to with us for your Hen Party, or if you are planning that special weekend for your friend, then lets make it a bit easier for you by sorting one of your activities.

We can turn up at your place - or chosen venue with our trusty suitcase full of crafty goodies in tow. Look below, isn't it beautiful!

If you have an idea of what you would like to make, then do let us know or you can choose from our selection. Over two to three hours you and your Hens will make something for you all to take home the same day, or get you started with skills to complete some of the details for your big day. 

Now onto some fun ideas of what you can do, but remember you can choose your own, so please don't think these are exhaustive.

The Hen Party workshops we already offer are: 

Vintage Headbands, Memento frames, Shoe clips, Wedding favours (options on request), Ribbon rose bouquets and corsages, Bridal garters, Wedding decorations - including personalised bunting, Tissue paper pompoms and tassel's, Bridal headpieces and veils.  Phew!

We can also tailor our standard workshops to fit your theme.  We can offer jewellery 101, Embroidery hoop art,  Flowers, hearts and bows, Bunting, t-shirt decorating, Denim up-cycling and Clothes customisation.

If you let us know the wedding or hen party theme we can adjust these classes to work with it.  Easy as that.

For more information, prices or to discuss ideas email us at liveitloveitmakeit@gmail.com

Live it.  Love it.  Make it

H & Sammy

Live it: Company Magazine #StyleBloggerAwards

This week (as some of you may already know) we where invited to the Company Magazine #Style Blogger Awards because we had been nominated for best blogging duo and best craft blog.

We didn't come home with either award this year but we had an amazing time at the party and met some pretty awesome people, some we already knew and we also made some new friends too.

H wears dress by New Look, cardigan from H&M, belt from Dorothy Perkins and shoes from River Island.   Sammy wears dress by Very.com, cardigan from M&S, necklace from Etsy.com and shoes from Primark.

We even made it onto the Bloggers style pages on the Company website! (go us) and check out a video of the evening here.

Some of our lovely fellow bloggers, Laura one half of The Afternoon Tea Club (these are our kind of girls) also up for blogging duo and the gorgeous Ann from A Quirky Lifestyle a fellow craft blogger nominee.

Aside from the awards ceremony itself there was lots of fun things to keep us bloggers interested throughout the night. From a lesson in fake eyelash application from The Vintage Cosmetic Company, to hair advice and a new do from the team at Paul Mitchell. There was a fun Photobooth from Dreambooth (what happened to our third picture we will never know!) and a selection of Newlook's (the event sponsors) finest summer fashion picks. 

Our favourite activity though, was of course the crafty option of decorating sunglasses with the lovely girls from Pinned it. Made it. who had a familiar helper on the night, our friend from Craft Candy, Zoe (you can check out the App launch party here).  We also grabbed some cute lollipops from the girls from Candy Kittens, a really cute clothing line, if you like Victoria secrets PINK collection, you will LOVE this brand. Sammy is already planning her wish list!

As we didn't win an award we consoled ourselves with pudding after the party at Spitalfields Giraffe. Well, it was on our way home and it gave us a chance to have a quick look in our goodie bags!  It is also becoming a bit of a tradition with us when we are in Spitalfields.

The venue was the uber trendy Corbet Place Bar in Shoreditch, London. You know your in a cool place when they have a bar half the length of the room. We were treated to Champagne and signature cocktails which we tried Bloggers Delight and Blue Eyed Blogs, both super yummy! 

Food for the evening was provided by All About Wasabi Yummy sushi! 

Now to the Goody bag (always a favourite!) Goodies included... Propercorn (a current obsession of both of ours), Batiste dry shampoo, Earrings from Glitz and Glam, A beanie hat from Candy Kittens, Nail varnish from OPI, Products from Elemis, Yuko and Soap and Glory. A nail file from the girls at The Vintage Cosmetic Company, A voucher from Pinned it, Made it, Self Tanning mousse and mit from Lauren's Way, and the cutest fabric covered button brooch from The New Craft Society (fellow craft blog nominees).  Also shown are Sammy's D.I.Y. studded glasses and our Lollipop from Candy Kittens. Not shown is a copy of Company mag, which went straight in Sammy's handbag and Candy Box blue bonbons which went straight in Sammy's mouth on the train ride home!

We want to say a massive thank you to all our friends, Family and of course our readers for voting for us, without you would we have never been short-listed and although we didn't win, we thank you for all your support, now and always!

Thank you also to the guys at Company Magazine, and Newlook for throwing an amazing bash for all us bloggers.

So you probably want to know who won?? Well here is a list of not only the winners but all the amazing blogs in both our categories, We insist that you go a pay them all a visit right now and show them the support you show us every day, go on you know you want to!!

 Winners in the Blogging Duo Category were www.londons-closet.com these Gorgeous girls wore the most envy worthy neon dresses! 

Highly commended were www.littlewinter.net 

Runners up were... www.thestylerawr.com, www.thesarahsstyleblog.wordpress.com,  www.theafternoonteaclub.com, www.thesugarspunsisters.blogspot.co.uk, www.prettyposhohmygosh.com, www.lwofficial.blogspot.co.uk, www.thestrawberrysisters.com and us of course.

Winners for Crafty Blog were www.trendswb.blogspot.co.uk a fab-u-lous Crafty blog Trends With Benefits, with loads of fun D.I.Y's. 

Highly commended were www.fashionisourplayground.com

Runners up were www.thisfashionismine.com, www.thenewcraftsociety.wordpress.com, www.dreamsthatglitterxoxo.com, www.vintagefollie.blogspot.co.uk, www.angelinthenorth.com, www.quirkylifestyle.com, www.evenartichokeshavehearts.co.uk oh yes and us (just in case you forgot)

You can check out the winners of all the categories on Company's HQ page

Thank you again, and again!

H and Sammy xxx

Love it: Live it Vintage

I can't believe it was three weeks ago that H, Anna, Carly and Myself stood on an empty Maidenhead High Street at 6.30 am with butterflies in our tummies, waiting to see if our first event would be a success!

Our team had done all we could, months of planning had come down to one day...What a Day!! 

There was sunshine and rain (the torrential kind) singing and dancing, furniture and clothes, Hair and make-up, cakes and buns, photography and cars, a fashion show and a dance lesson. We could not have hoped for a better day. Our traders were all lovely, our performers professional and our visitors happy.

  photos are courtesy of the Maidenhead Advertiser

Here are just some of the Awesome Photo-booth shots from Laura Broken Logic Photography

 The Wayward Sisters

 Carly and the Wayward Sisters

 Sammy and the Wayward Sisters

The 'Live it events' team

Carly, Sammy, Anna and H

Photo-booth photos courtesy of the lovely Laura @  Broken Logic Photography 

Thank you again to everyone that came along and took part, it was an honour! We all had a really lovely day and we hope that all you guys that came along had a great time too, If you couldn't make it this time, we are looking forward to meeting you another time.

Still 'Living it Vintage'

Sammy xxx

Live it: Party like a Barbie Doll!

For the last few months my 'make it' time has been dedicated to everything Black White and Barbie pink. This is the year that most of my friends as well as myself have done or will be turning thirty, none of us with more glamour and sparkle than our friend Kelly.

When Kelly came to me last year with the plans for her big 30, with the words 'Barbie' and 'bigger than her wedding' I knew this was going to be fun! After almost a year in the planning last Sunday was the big day, and if I do say so myself it was by far the party of the year! Everyone who came made such a great effort with costumes and was really up for a good night.  We headed over to Foxhills Resort in Surrey in the early afternoon to start setting up.

From the giant rose covered 'K' to the matching table centre trees Barbie pink is a colour I'm not going to miss using for a while. Black and white striped table clothes with bows and delicious confetti. The 30 Balloons and a star balloon arch were provided by Lynn of Linley Enterprises.

Cute little 'Kelly' banners adorned the serving desks and net sashes and' Kelly' sign at the bar. Glammed up sweetie jars beside the dance floor filled with yummy goodies.

This amazing cake I cannot take credit for, was created to Kelly's design by Catherine of  Catherine's Cakes and it was YUMMY!

 

Kelly's 30 sucks lolly pop display was very popular!

No self respecting theme party would have ladies and gents bathrooms, we had Barbie's and Ken's rooms!

Kelly herself was responsible for the life size Barbie box, which was a massive hit with all the guests.

 A gorgeous little display of Kelly through her 30 years

This Amazing Pink chocolate fountain was provided by Annee of Chocolate Tickly Treats

and Cheese boards provided by the resort.

We all had an amazing night, I want to say thank you to H, Verity, Steve Claire and Katie for helping me set up all the decorations, and to Kelly for letting me help her with such a fun project.

Here are some pics of the night itself, H and I having our moment in the Box, Verity and Paul helping themselves to the fountain.

The Birthday girl in her Barbie box, Me and H looking gorgeous. Popular opinion says that I should always wear my glasses and that H needs to wear red lipstick everyday!

Myself, Fashion designer Barbie, My Husband Steve, Heavy Metal Ken, H, Vintage Barbie and Disco Barbie Katie!

Most importantly Kelly had a lovely evening surrounded by family and friends as she turned 30 in true Barbie style!

Living it, Loving it, Making it in Barbie Pink!

Sammy xxx