Scrapbook layout with Maggie Holmes Confetti & Heidi Swapp September Skies (and a giraffe!)

I wanted to share with you this quick layout I did after my fiancée and I visited the Cotswold Wildlife Park a few weeks ago. I had ordered the Maggie Holmes Confetti ephemera collection months ago and while I loved the vellum giraffe I was at a bit of a loss over what to actually do with it. Then when we met this adorable young giraffe who was out and about enjoying a rare sunny Spring day, it seemed like fate that they should meet!

The backing paper is just some plain grey cardstock I had in a box, with the fab ombre chevrons from a Docrafts paper pack I picked up at The Range. Then I used Heidi Swapp September Skies papers for the layering and a 3x4 Project Life card I had in my stash – I have absolutely no idea who the designer is but I have loads of these and they’re adorable.

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How to make: Suffolk puffs

I love Suffolk puffs (also known as yo yo puffs in America). They're an easy way to make a pretty brooch, are a great embellishment for bags, an easy way to make a pretty scarf by stitching several together and have 101 other uses. Here are just a few ideas...

Headpiece with net and Suffolk puffs by Ark Designs

Christmas puff ball from Maximum Rabbit Designs

Bib necklace with Suffolk puffs from Pom Pom Emporium
The good news is, they genuinely could not be easier to make yourself. Here's how...
You will need: Fabric, thread, needle, scissors, plus embellishments such as cabochons, buttons, ribbon etc.
Step one:

Cut out a circle of fabric approximately twice as large as you would like your finished puff. Tie a knot in the end of your thread, stitch through the fabric a few times to secure, then sew running stitch around the edge of the circle.
Step two:

Gently pull the thread to bring the edges of the circle in together to the centre.
Step three:

Tightly stitch through the fabric in the c…

How to make: A book page brooch

A cute little book page brooch like this gives a literary edge to any outfit - and is really easy to make.

You will need: An old book page, thick card, varnish, craft glue, a brooch pin, superglue.
Step one:

Draw a circle around something the right size onto a piece of thick card and the book page - I used a corkscrew! Cut out carefully.
Step two:

Using the craft glue, stick the circles together. Make sure the glue goes right to the edge, but that it is not too wet or it will show through. Wipe away any excess before sticking together. Leave to dry.
Step three:
Once the glue has dried, apply several layers of varnish to both sides and the edge. You will need to do this over a period of time, allowing each layer to set.
Step four:

Once the varnish is dry, carefully glue a brooch pin to the back with the superglue. And voila! As easy as that!

10 things journalists wish PRs knew

A while ago I read a blog post via Comms2Point0 on Twitter, based on "things PRs wished journalists knew". Mostly it was whingeing about being asked to get quotes with three minutes notice, and I was rather incensed - for a start, if I worked in PR, thanks to my journalism background (which the author said did not necessarily make good PRs - I've never met a non-journo PR that's been any good I'm afraid) I would like to think I would be able to anticipate stories and have quotes ready. But maybe that's just me. Anyway, a rather tongue-in-cheek spat ensued, and at some point I promised to write a counter post on "things journalists wish PRs knew." So here it is...
1. Journalists work to tight deadlines, and if we have to spend all morning chasing you around for a one-line quote that should have been provided in your press release we'll remember and not bother in future.
2. London PRs in particular take note: Do not lump everything North of Birmingh…

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