There's a Mouse. Loose. About this House...

I made these little guys after reading about the Guardian's requests for catnip mice for cats at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

All three of our cats are rescue cats - all via the RSPCA - Daria was a single mother from a neglectful home, Headley was found as a feral kitten in a colony by some town centre bins and Monty was in an abandoned litter and reared by hand. So animal rescue is a cause close to our hearts.

I'm a pretty novice knitter but was able to make one of little guys in front of the box in an evening and it feels pretty good to make something that might make a homeless animal happy.

You can find all the instruction to make your own catnip mouse here.

Festival Fever: A 'Why Don't You' Special Edition

Hello lovelies, this is coming to you via the power of a scheduled post, I should be in Cornwall by now, recovering from my exams. A massive thank you to all the guest posters and your fantastic comments. I will get back to you all on my return.

In the meantime Festival Fever continues. Do you want something unique to take to your music festivals this summer? Worried about how you will manage your hair in a field with no plug points? Want to make your tent stand out from all the thousands around it?

Here's a selection of DIYs that might hit the spot...

 Make your own Floral Crown with James from Bleubird Vintage

Never lose your tent again with this Bunting DIY from the Bothered Owl

Suffering from hairdryer and straighteners withdrawal? Elsie's summertime twist would be perfect to see you through.

Or try out these beachy waves from Beth at B.Jones Style 

(I have quite thick hair and when I first tried these twists I did as many as Beth and my hair was less beach babe, more 1980s perm. Not a strong look.

Since then I do larger twists, about four on each side of my head. So try it out and see what works for you, but it does work!)

And I just think this is amazing. if you want a tote bag that will stand out from the crowd, this amazing recycled pouch bag DIY is over on Life After Money

Any great DIYs that I have missed? Please let me know below, I love a good DIY and would love to put together a second edition of this. Have a great weekend x

Inspiration: Dia De Los Muertos

(because Halloween is soooo last month. There is a lovely 'about' the Day of the Dead festival here)

This animation is just wonderful...

¡Viva Calaca! Day of the Dead from Ritxi Ostáriz on Vimeo.

See more at http://www.vivacalaca.com/eng/

Here is some more Day of the Dead inspiration from Etsy:

This fantastic lamp from Crafty Chica. I really want to make something similar to this for the new house, I have already found a red lamp base in my local hospice shop.

Beautiful skulls for your muffins from Mates & Rubbish


This amazing laptop skin from Beepart



And these utterly gorgeous tiny wire skulls by Raw Bone Studio I would love to make these in to a mobile, so their shadows would dance around the room.

And my own little creation - my Day of the Dead skull is a painted Margarita bottle. Pictured here with Zoltan the Magnificent, our balcony garden gnome, who is painted on an old Limoncello bottle.

And if that's not enough skulls for you, check out the amazing 'A Skull A Day' blog, which contains artistic skulls, natural skulls and accidental skulls everyday. It's one of my favourites.

(PS. this isn't a sponsored post, just a collection of things I really like and have found on the interweb. Sorry if my Spanish is awful.)

(PPS. Yesterday I had a rather extraordinary amount of hits on my little part of the doubleudoubleudoubleu. I am absolutely made up and say a massive hi to everyone that is passing by. Thank you for taking the time! x)

(PPSS. I've kind of given up on that 30day favourite things thing. To get to the point, it was boring me, so I'm sure it was probably was boring you too. BUT I have just signed up to a lovely new challenge that involves outfits. Yippee! Watch this space... x)

(PPPSS. Sorry Texans x)

Fabrication

(sleepsuits painted for friends' newborn daughter)


(a make up bag)

Technologic

The Aussie Boy has got a promotion. A source of immense pride:

(A congratulatory card for your favourite geek - Homemade)