Oo, boy! I’ve been waiting to share this one with you for a while. So happy it’s finally seeing the light of day!

I created it for a wedding shoot to be used as a ring bearer bowl, but the rest of us can use it as a catch-all for our jewellery or keys. It would make a make a great handmade Christmas gift too!

Get the how-to here.

Photography: Shona Henderson Photography
Styling: ByGabrielle
Ring: The Vintage Bride

Get the best of both worlds with these table numbers. Print the free template then customise it yourself with an easy watercolour technique in your wedding colours.

Head over to Polka Dot Bride for the how-to.

I was most pleased to hear from Shivani of My Owl Barn who let me know that the Owl Lover calendar was back for another year!

Now in its third year, the 2013 calendar features illustrations from 43 artists fom all over the world. You can customise it to your favourite 12, which has the added bonus for us antipodeans that we don’t have to put up with looking at wintery forest scenes when it’s 40°C outside!

I’m thinking it would make a sweet little gift for your children’s teachers (trust me, they get enough chocolate) or as a stocking stuffer for family members.

You can cutomise and download your free Owl Lover 2013 calendar here.

Nina Montenegro via Houzz

This made me laugh! How many are you guilty of?

It’s been a good while since I’ve done any baking, so I definitely had fun with this one!

Go to Polka Dot Bride to check out the full tutorial for the cake toppers, as well as my fave recipe for hummingbird cake with cream cheese icing. Nom nom.

Craft tools and supplies illustration by Block Party Prints

You, there! Put down the Mod Podge for a minute. We need to talk.

It started with Etsy and the rise of the handmade movement. Suddenly the hipster kids were knitting and homemade gifts began to be cool not cheap.

With the phenomenal explosion of Pinterest and every girl and her mum having a blog, suddenly it seems that craft is no longer a relaxing hobby but a twisted version of keeping up with the Joneses. Now you’re taking a macaron-making class just to cater for your one-year-old’s birthday party or crafting your entire wedding even though you’ve never been in a craft store in your life. And don’t even get me started on the madness that is Halloween.

Before you call me on it, I’ll say I’m not oblivious to the potential irony of a DIY blogger questioning the craft movement. Yes, I love craft, doing DIY projects around our home and cooking from scratch when entertaining guests. I’m truly happy to see a return to values placed on the handmade and homemade.

The problem occurs when it becomes some kind of obligation that you don’t remember signing up for. I worry that the chevron handcuffs have become some new kind of 1950s expectation for women (except that you now have to fit in a career and daily yoga).

I just want us all to stop for a moment, think about what we’re doing and why.

The DIY culture should not be about calling in sick to work so that you can make that 7-layer rainbow cake for tonight’s party even though you hate baking. It’s not about feeling like a failure as a mother because your baby’s nursery isn’t styled to magazine-worthy perfection.

It’s about rediscovering the value in handmade. It’s about:

• having a go at something new and the satisfaction of accomplishing it
• buying one beautiful artisan-made vase instead of five mass-produced cheapies
• taking the time to select a thoughtful gift from an independent artist or designer
• knowing that if you can’t find an item you’re looking for you can make it yourself
• the enjoyment of the process of using your hands
• delighting in the imperfections of a handmade item

If there are tasks and crafts that you enjoy doing yourself: keep them, cherish them.

For everything else: use what you have, buy what you need and forget the rest.

It’s time to lose the guilt.

Finishing touches can make all the difference to your wedding. Here are some oh-so-pretty bride & groom signs for your reception.

Find them over on Polka Dot Bride today!

Styling by White Room Events

Photography by Eon Images | Styling by byGabrielle | Flowers by Poppies Flowers

It’s Thursday which means it’s time to get your craft on! Not interested in wedding bouquets? Still make sure you check out the stamped clay tutorial over on Polka Dot Bride as it’s a technique that can be used for many more craft ideas.

Cheap? Tick. Easy? Tick. Versatile? Tick.

Head over to Polka Dot Bride for this crafty trifecta in time for your next celebration.

Here’s a fun and easy project for your next party. Head over to Polka Dot Bride to download the free printable drink flag.

Thanks to Little Sweet Styling for the straw. Bottle from Emerald & Ella.