Crafty What Nots Review

So this is a post I've been planning to write for ages, however I've needed a little break from blogging in the last few weeks. At the beginning of the month we had just moved house and I was just starting a new job, never mind adding to the family with a very demanding little kitten who behaves like a princess! It's been a busy few weeks, but I'm hoping to blog more now things have settled down.

Way back at the end of September Jenny from Jennysis Crafts got in touch with me about a new subscription box she was setting up. The idea was that the boxes would contain a range of craft supplies, inspirational ideas, instructions for a project and a personalised handmade gift, all with a value of around £20 for the price of jut £12.50 per monthly box (even less with a subscription!). It's no secret I'm a bit of a fan of crafty type subscription boxes, and having tried a few I was interested in seeing how Crafty What Nots (named after Eeyore's pot of 'what nots and etcs') was different. The box sent to me had the theme Floral Pavillion.

The box reminded me a little of the Linky boxes I've seen popping up on blogs, with its emphasis on papercrafts, but also a little like the old style Crafty Creatives boxes with a selection of bits and pieces in (although I've heard they are bringing out a papercrafting box too). When I opened my Crafty What Nots box (which, by the way, was HUGE) I was greeted with absolutely loads of items, all beautifully packaged. The first thing I saw was a little package with my name on, and Jenny had also included a cute little card to introduce herself.

Inside the wrapping was a personalised notebook Jenny had made for me. A personalised handmade gift is something Jenny plans to include in all boxes, which is a great idea. 

Some of the huge selection of goodies included wooden and card embellishments, buttons, stamps and ink, and a little stack of blank cards for card making. I like that these can be used for anything, really, as they are quite general - I've already been using some of the above embellishments when I was decorating packaging for a recent craft swap, and I'm planning on making some Christmas cards soon so the card blank will certainly be used. All these little bits and pieces could be used to pretty up any wrapping on gifts too. 

There was also a selection of textured craft papers in pretty floral patterns, my favourite bit of the box! I do love cute printed paper, you can use it for making cards, gift tags or boxes, which is exactly what Jenny suggested in her DIY instructions for a gift box in the design of a miniature handbag! 

Jenny's instructions were very easy to follow and with lots of detailed measurements, although it was a nice simple quick craft. and it looks pretty cute! I'd happily put together a few more of these to give people gifts in. 

Jenny also included a leaflet of other ideas of what to make with the box contents - I think some floral bunting to decorate my new craft room desk space might be next! 

If you're interested in subscribing to Crafty What Nots, or just reading more, head over to the Jennysis shop. Thanks Jenny for letting me try it out!

Lucky Dip Club Box - Tutti Frutti

So today my first Lucky Dip Club box arrived! I didn't think it would come over the weekend so I was surprised to find it waiting for me on my way to work this afternoon. I took it with me to open at work, I was too excited to wait till I got back home. Here's what I found inside.. (If you haven't received yours yet and want it to be a surprise, look away now!)

It was lovely to find a little handwritten note inside from Leona, who puts together the boxes. I was very impressed with all the little personal touches included. The goodies included an 'A-OK' apple coaster and a bright cherry keyring, as well as a watermelon postcard...

 ...a vintage apple patch to add to a shirt, super cute post-it notes, an 'Enjoy Today' badge and my favourite - a personalised pineapple necklace! As I'm off on my holidays next week I'll be wearing this <3

This is my first Lucky Dip Club box and I was really impressed with it. I had previously subscribed to Crafty Creatives boxes, but when it stopped including lots of little things in favour of one large craft kit, plus increased in price, I couldn't really justify accumulating stuff I'd never use. This box satisfies my want of lots of little cute bits and pieces and is well thought out and a lovely surprise through the door - who doesn't like happy mail days?!

Described as 'personalised packages filled with surprises', and including vintage and handmade items, it costs £15 (but no extra postage charge, yay!), and you can get next month's box here from the 1st of July - The theme will be Pet Parade, sounds perfect for me!