Fun & Quirky Greetings Cards - UK

This business has been a looonnnng time in the making, but The Card Connoisseur is finally here!

I have started selling greetings cards (just in the UK at first) that feature original illustrations by me and are all printed on quality card. I'm really excited about concentrating on this business, and can't wait to add more and more designs... as well as some handcrafted cards too later on.

Thanks to everyone who has a browse :)

Harry Potter Quiet Book

I absolutely love this Harry Potter themed quiet book - it's so creative and the interactive pages display everything from flying cars to Quidditch matches. Be sure to check out the other quiet book projects on the website too!

Harry Potter Acceptance Letter

You can either buy this awesome Hogwarts letter yourself (with really authentic details), or you can try to make your own using the generous information on this page. Imagine a child getting this for their 11th birthday!

Huge Collection of Budget Gift Guides for Men, Women, Teens & Kids

Photo by Erin Kohlenberg.

In preparation for Christmas gift giving, I've made some budget based gift guides, plus lots of gift guides for other occasions. I've included a wide range of price points whilst trying to only pick those products with very high ratings on Amazon. I've also tried to be a bit creative and think outside the box so the choices aren't the same as always:)

I hope you find them useful!

Gift ideas for women - under $15

Gift ideas for men - under $10

Stocking stuffers under $10 - for kids

Gift ideas for aunts and uncles

Best pop-up books for kids & adults

Fun interactive books and kits for kids

And here are a few which are aimed at certain hobbies or other special occasions:

Gifts for keen photographers

Best housewarming gift ideas

Harry Potter Monopoly

I LOVE this idea and the execution is fantastic! Harry Potter is crying out to be made into a Monopoly game (Azkaban as the prison, fines for blowing up your aunt etc) but until it is I am seriously considering making me one of these. The game shown above was made by sticking new printed designs on top of an old game board and box - check out the fab details here, and find free printables here.

I also like this version, especially the golden snitch and sorting hat playing pieces made out of clay :)

Science Kit Gift Idea

I think this is a creative, educational and -most importantly- fun gift to give to older kids, and I know I certainly would have appreciated when I was younger! Click here to see what products to include and to find a free printout of experiments.

Amazing Decorative Candles



Seriously you've got to watch this video - it shows the steps of making a decorative candle by dipping in wax and carving, and it's just so satisfying to watch the craftswoman at work.

Real-Life Lichtenstein

I've always loved Roy Lichtenstein's comic-book-style art (and he shares my birthday too yay!) so I was impressed when I saw this blog post from Helen Glory where his artworks were turned into real holdable items using foam board and acrylics - how cool?!

And if you're a fan of Lichtenstein too, you have to look at these photos taken at the current exhibition going on in London.

Vellum Gems

These fantastic art installations by Kirsten Hassenfeld look stunning, and yet they are made from simply wire and vellum! To see more photos, and to see a bonus tutorial on how to create your own vellum diamond, click here.

Izziyana Suhaimi

I always enjoy embroidery added to photos or illustrations, but these ones are particularly special I think - click here for more amazing examples.

Building a Gypsy Wagon

Such an impressive DIY project - I would love to have my own little home to tow around! And the whole style and painting of it is so charming. Go here to see the building process.

Cartoon Bags

These eye-catchingly cool bags look like they've been drawn on the photos, but they are actually real 3D messenger bags!

Click here to buy them at Jump From Paper.

Tapestry Creatures

Frederique Morrel creates the most amazing tapestry-covered fibreglass sculptures, I just think they look amazing and are a great way of reusing old tapestries and making them contemporary.

Stuffed Animal Rugs

These aammmaaazing rugs by Agustina Woodgate are made from the 'skins' of stuffed animals and teddies! It's half barbaric, half hilarious and I LOVE the result :-)

Victorian Toy Theatre

If you want to make a brilliant traditional toy theatre, download the instructions and templates from this page (I think only Brits can see the video though, sorry!)

Best Graphic T-Shirts in the U.S.

Another online t-shirt store top 10 - but this time it's for U.S. shops :-)

Top 10 T-Shirt Shops in the UK

I've put a list of my favourite 10 online t-shirt shops together on this page, all of which are based in the UK. I often find it hard to find cool t-shirts which I don't have to pay high shipping costs on and can get quickly, so I hope UK people find it handy :-)

Jane Perkins' Art

This brilliant piece of craft heaven is made up mainly of buttons and beads, and you see a few more photos here.

Epic Win

This is a homemade Porsche. Yep...a homemade Porsche. For photos of the car manufacture, click here.

I want it!

Summer Water Game Ideas

Source: Geoff McClelland.
It's not summer yet, but I personally can't wait for some hot weather over here! I've put this page together which lists the best water toys available, the best ideas for outdoor water games, plus DIY tutorials for making your own water toys like foam makers and water balloon catapults... Enjoy :-)