Barnsley Bath Bombs

Along my crafting journey I have 

tried more than a few different 

ones from time to time. 

About a month ago I had my first go 

at attempting to make homemade bath bombs.

I found what I thought was a good recipe 

on the holy grail, that is pinterest, 

and eagerly bought all the ingredients to have a go.

It was hit and miss as to how they turned out.

 I'd either get the mix too dry,

 and they'd crumble up, 

or I'd get the mix to what I thought was too wet.

I felt like I couldn't win.

But I've kept on doing some now and again. 

A friend asked me to make her some

 spar hampers up that she could give to

 her friends and family as Christmas gifts, 

so I had another bash today.

I was convinced that I had the mix wrong, 

so added a little bit more bicarbonate of soda, 

and a little more cornflour. 

More than the 2 bicarb/1 cornflour/1 citric acid 

ratio's that the recipe required.

 In truth I played around with it until 

I got the desired effect. 

By having the mix a little damper than my previous attempts,

 I found it worked so much better. 

It stayed compacted and as a whole bomb, 

rather than the two halves I had tended to be left with,

in my other attempts.

So perseverance does pay off.

I molded them using some of those clear baubles,

 the kind that splits in two so you can add a photo or some treats.

I used lavender and strawberry scents 

and added a little bit of cake decorating, 

confetti type stuff for a bit of sweet detail.

I was sooooooo pleased with how they turned out.

My sixteen year old daughter managed

 to haggle with me to let her have

 a spare one for her bath tonight. 

Thank's to Zoe Sugg and her Lush bath Bomb hauls, 

my daughter is now obsessed with the 

pleasantly smelly, orbs of bath time loveliness. 

Needless to say, 

the fact that I have been making 

some at home has gone down a storm, 

especially as she hasn't had to pay the 

extortionate price tags of the more expensive 'brands'.

I had to go check out the fizz factor when she added it to her bath, and was very pleased with how much effervescing occurred.


link to fizzy footage

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152372170553597&l=5720993154683073143

Hampers, made for my friend 

I'm hoping my friend likes the hampers 

I have made up for her, but only time will tell

If you've liked this post then give it a like 

and leave a comment if you feel you'd like to.

Don't forget to look me up over 

on instagram at #lindsiloolabell79

And maybe subscribe to my youtube channel, 

which is linked in the side bar of this page.

Please bare in mind though, 

that I'm new to all this youtube video malarky 

and have yet to get to grips with editing and all that shiz.

Anyway, thanks for reading.

XOXO

Tat To Terrific

I was looking for something earlier on today 

when I came across a lid for a 

Douwe Egbert's coffee jar.

 It's only the small kind, 

from one of the flavored varieties, 

however the larger ones will work fab too. 

You might think it's a strange thing to come 

across in a drawer, 

but I had a spell at recycling wax and making new candles, 

so I kept the jar and lid, 

with the intention of using it for that purpose. 

I believe I did actually use the jar part, 

but for some reason, kept the lid. 

That's when I thought of a good use for it, 

seeing as I'm all for frugality and thrifty crafting.

It turned out to be the perfect size to 

accommodate some of my smaller clear stamps,

 the kind that naturally cling to a smooth surface.

Armed with my stamps and an ink pad, 

I put my theory to the test.

They have the slightest lip to the edge, 

but it didn't interfere with the image transfer at all.

Douwe Egbert's coffee jar, lid, stamping block.

I also made some promarker daubers, 

by using the little replacement pads,

 the ones you have under things that could potentially

scratch your surfaces.

I stuck the little foam pads on the lids of my markers,

inked them up with that colour, and dobbed it onto 

card to create cute little polka dots.

And the bonus now is, I get to see the true shade of the pens,

so I can choose which one I need better!

WIN WIN

Promarker Daubers  

If you like my  ideas, or just want to share your work

Tag me over on instagram

at #lindsiloolabell79

or in the comments below.

XOXO

Odd Bit of Tat...Could Be a Gold Mine of Inspiration

Have you ever been cleaning up, picked 

something up and had a 'Ooooh' moment?

This happened to me a couple of weeks ago. 

For some reason there was some of those 

annoying bits of cardboard, 

that are always left when you buy something new. 

I was just about to toss it out with the rest of it, 

when I stopped in my tracks and thought 'oooooooh,

 I could use that!'. 

Those of you that have read my other posts

 know that I don't own a die cutting system. 

Certain shapes are hard to achieve without one, 

such as ellipses, and circles.

 Yes there are punches and things like the

 Fiskars shape cutters. 

But seeing as I have had to start from scratch,

 building my stash back up, means I haven't yet got such things.

I cut around the shape the best I could until I was 

left with what I wanted.

An ellipse.

I Thought I  had got myself something to use, 

simply to draw around and cut out.

But I got so much more!

This little piece of cardboard became 

my measuring tool for designing some of 

my digi images, 

and was the base template for their heads, 

as well as being a fantastic stencil.

One of my Gigi Images, using my bit of scrap 

card as a template for the heads

So I decided to see how many ways I could use 

this new crafting tool while making a card

I used it as a stencil to edge the card,

 as well as my makeshift stamp 

(which is all for another post)

I also utilised it to mat and layer, 

as well as the use of it to create the digi I used.

Other techniques included torn edges and inking, 

using promarkers instead of ink pads

finished card

This then made me think about other 

ways of utilising what I have.

Card making is such a versatile craft. 

There are so many styles of card and there 

is no wrong ways to do it really.

So I had a go at incorporating the art of 

Zentagle, 

and a simple addition of a colour accent.

I drew out a couple of basic shapes and lines

Then started doodling in the spaces I had created

Before cutting out the two red hearts

 and adding them with foam pads to add a 

little bit of dimension.

The simple sentiment was added to finish it of

If you've liked this post then give it a like 

and don't forget to share your ideas

 and and pictures with me over on instagram 

at #lindsiloolabell79

And leave a comment...you know...If you want to 

XOXO

Poundland Haul and Challenge

When I started this blog last week, one of the things

 I wanted to concentrate on was affordable crafting 

and crafting on a budget.

I had an idea for a post that I wanted to do 

and today has been my opportunity to do it. 

There are so many expensive 

and overpriced craft items on the market these days, and 

many opinions that you have to have 

all these gadgets and tools in order

 to make good cards and enjoy crafting.

What a load of old Pooh'y!

Crafting is about being resourceful and finding ways to make

 things from very little.

Yes having die cutters, embossing folders, 

alcohol inks and the likes are nice to have.

But is it all really necessary?

CAN you craft and make nice things for very little?

The answer is YES.

If you're prepared to think outside the box, and dig 

around in bargain shops, you can 

actually find some real gems.

Today I went in to Poundland.

Everyone knows that they sell some good stuff,

 and some utter tat.

However, their crafting section is actually really good!

My purchase list included:

A small heart paper punch, yes you read that right.

Dozens of colour sorted buttons, in little packets.

A pre die cut toppers sheet, 

with very pretty country chic images.

A pack of Jute/Hessian flowers and butterflys,

 in natural tones.

A multi pack of die cut flowers, some glittery

 and all with a little gem in the middle

A sheet of glittery gold Letters, which sell in the range

 for an extra 19p (yes it does add up)

A pack of 8 different kinds of ribbon, 

both solid colour and polka dotted, 

each one a metre long.

And a littel pack of Tilly Daydream clear stamps 

(which I have seen on Create and Craft a year or so ago, 

selling for a lot more than a quid!)

The thing I liked about the things I bought,

 was the fact that they were all done with a 

matching color scheme in mind. 

The buttons matched with the colours of the ribbons

and the flowers.

I personally think I have purchased a few bargiains in that lot,

 especially with the punch and the stamps.

The stash haul I got from Poundland

Anyway, I set myself a challenge tonight.

To make a card from nothing but the craft

items that I bought in Poundland, 

basic card stock, tapes, glues and tools that I already had, 

and I also used some of my gold peel off lines.

I decided to do a simple thank you card, 

using a few matting and layering techniques.

I used the heart punch and flowers to create accents,

 added ribbon and even used the gold full stops, 

from the glittery letter sheet, to add extra spotted detail.

please feel free to leave a comment, 

if you've liked this post or anything specific from in it.

Don't forget to tag me if you try the design yourself.

And if you instagram it, then tag me  

at #lindsiloolabell79 so I can take a look. 

XOXO

.

Healthy, Hearty Spiced Winter Vegetable Soup, On a Budget.

Ok, I decided to make this blog into craft and cooking one,

 as now and again I cook things that go 

down well with my family. I'm also living on a budget, 

so everything I cook has to be mindful of that. 

I joined a facebook page that's all about food on a budget, 

and making it go further, 

called Feed Your Family For About £20 A Week.

It's full of great ideas to make food and money 

stretch that bit further. 

I will leave a link at the bottom of this post.

This Spicy Winter Veg soup has been a family favourite for a

 few years now and my oldest daughter 

always requests it when she's feeling ill.

This week she has been off it with a bit of a stomach bug, 

and the usual request got made.

I made a huge pan up, that kept in the fridge has done for three days meals,

 or in between meal 

snacks, in the case of my husband.

 I promise to work on getting new batteries for my Fuji so I can take better picture.

This soup is super healthy.

Or you can add that bit of naughtyness with crispy bacon lardons sprinkled 

on top for that extra bit of texture, and smokey flavour.

To make this soup you will need:

6 large carrots or 9 smaller ones.

1 large white onion.

1 medium Swede.

1 teaspoon of mild curry powder.

1 teaspoon of Garlic Salt.

3 Chicken stock cubes.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

150g Smokey Bacon Lardons, fried off until crispy

Chop and peel all the veg and cut up into roughly 1 inch pieces.

put them in a LARGE non stick pan and saute off for a few minutes 

before covering the veg with 

water, and then add a cup or two of extra water in too.

Add the Stock Cubes, Garlic Salt and Curry Powder and boil. 

Once it's started to boil, reduce the heat to low and leave to simmer, until the veg is tender.

When the Veg is cooked and nice and soft, blend until a smooth, 

thick soup is achieved. 

You can use a stick blender, which is the easiest option, 

or do as I did and add so much at a time to my food processor.

Taste and season accordingly before serving with some nice warm crusty bread.

Add the Smokey bacon at this point and enjoy.

I'm being hounded already to make another batch of this soup up, 

so I'm going to do a huge batch and freeze it.

If yo give this recipe a try, don't forget to tag me in your instagram pictures at

 #lindsiloolabell79.

XoXo

link to my favourite fabebook page

Crafting with Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic Illnesses

I am one of millions of crafters who live with a debilitating chronic pain illness.

 Mine is fibromyalgia.

I posted on a craft page a few days ago, asking how people managed 

with things like the big shot, 

and other craft techniques, when dexterity and chronic pain can be 

brought on by such things.

There were over 190 comments all from people, 

saying how they had also got things like 

Fibromyalgia, and ME, MS etc.

Many of them commented that in a nice-yet upsetting-way, 

they were glad they weren't the only ones coping with such things. 

They shared their views on the kind of crafts that they liked, the kind they'd 

had to give up, and spoke of how isolated they felt, and misunderstood.

For those of you that haven't heard of Fibromyalgia, it's a debilitating condition, 

that causes widespread pain throughout the body. 

The pain can be severe, sharp stabbing, burning or shooting, 

and often occurs in more than one place in the body at any one time. 

Other symptoms can include, terrible memory and cognitive problems,

 tinitus and sleep deprivation, 

It can also cause extreme sensitivity to light, sounds, smells and even touch.

The slightest touch can cause pain.

It causes stiffness, like 'makes you feel like a 90 year old' stiffness.

 Fatigue can come on at the drop of a hat, and be swift and relentlessness.  

Headaches, Irritable Bowl and dizziness often occurs as well as anxiety, and are all things to 'not' look forward to.

It can also cause server depression.

This is because we have to suffer, not just from pain, but from other people's opinions on or 

illnesses. 

They see us with no physical evidence of what's wrong with us, so they judge...and tell us ridiclous 

things like 'Well you look fine' and 'maybe if you just got a decent night's sleep'.

The thing is, that's not even a possibility.

There are three levels of sleep, the last being, full, deep sleep. 

The one our bodies need to regenerate and heal.

And unfortunately, it's a stage of sleep that those of us with Fibro can't achieve.

We are told that the pain is all in our heads, that it's not a real illness and other things 

that can bring us down.

Being met with such things causes a lot of sufferers to keep quite and suffer alone.

 They become isolated and that's when the depression can set in worse. 

I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people that do actually get it, 

and give the support needed.

I'm also part of a local support group in my home town for Fibro, 

and we meet up on a regular basis 

to try and help people in our area, so other sufferers know they are not alone.

Anyway, back to the top...

The post I put on the craft group got pulled, because Admin felt it had gotten of topic of craft 

(even though it didn't).

This upset me a little, as all those people that had been

 suffering alone, had seemed hopeful for once.

 As a result of my post,

 I received a few friends requests. But I was disappointed that so 

many others were obviously 

suffering in silence and needed a place to convene.

So I decided to set up my own Group.

 A craft group for those with fibro and other illnesses, where 

they don't have to feel alone but can still share their crafts and ideas. 

So here it is, for if any of you out there that are suffering, and just want a place to hang out,

 share ideas and be able to talk, form friendships and just be able to feel human, 

without judgement.

                             

My little craft group for those with illnesses and need to know they aren't alone.

That's the link above, should any of you that suffer, want to pop over and join

XOXO