Getting Into Paper Cutting?

You know when your just scrolling through your Facebook feed and businesses pop up on there because your friends have liked them or there sponsored, well one day I came across 'Paper Panda' a woman who does some pretty amazing paper cutting! Honestly, check her out. 

Ive always been a bit crafty since I was little and I love intricate things and attention to detail, do you remember those foil engraving/stencily picture things? I would always get them for my birthday or xmas as I loved them! 

So I looked on her website and noticed she did a beginners pack so I asked Nath to get me it for xmas :) It included everything I needed to get started with paper cutting even a practice sheet so I wasn't jumping in at the deep end! (Think I need 6 more of these before I do a full A4 sheet one!) As it has a VERY sharp blade within the pack it is for over 18's only.

I'm not going to lie its definitely harder than what I thought it was going to be!

As you can see I started with the lines at the top, oh dear!
Then the circles, bird and stars. Stars are my best friend haha, whether its because I'd got better at paper cutting or they are the easiest I don't know haha.
You cut on the opposite side of paper then flip it when your finished so it looks a bit neater. Like I said it was hard but I did enjoy it, I'll complete the whole kit and you can follow me on my paper cutting journey! I definitely recommend you having a go at this if its what your into and you get a nice sense of accomplishment when you finish a shape haha.

What crafty projects do you like doing?

My Basic Manicure

Well hello everyone! How has the first month of the new new year gone for you? All good I hope?

This is how I do my basic manicure that should be done weekly but to be honest I struggle to do monthly! But if you stick to it, it'll pay off, well for my nails it does I notice they grow quicker and makes them stronger (when I'm off work at least).

1. Remove any old polish from your nails.

2. File your nails how you'd like them and as we should all know in one direction, from the outside to the middle haha, to prevent nail damage.

3. Soak your nails in warm water to soften your cuticles and push them back with an orange stick or hoof stick, whatever you have, I also put The Body Shop's - Almond nail & Cuticle oil on before pushing them back it also comes with a hoof stick on the tip but its a bit too soft for me. Wash your hands again and dry.

4. You don't have to do this step but I like to if I'm not doing step 6, I use a 4-way nail buffing block from eBay two of them for £1.39 you cant go wrong! Just to leave a nice shine on my nail when I can't paint them.

5. Put on hand cream and don't forget to rub it around your nails too, wipe off the excess around your nails with a tissue.

6. Then paint your nails, use a base coat if your using a dark colour so it doesn't stain your nails and finish with a top coat, I use Seche Vite Dry Fast, its well worth the money and the shine you get off it is amazing, I can see myself in my nails haha.

New Year, New Nail Shape?

For as long I can remember I've always just shaped my nails a simple rounded shape probably because its the easiest and just out of routine its what I've always done. Since being off work for two weeks I've left them to grow out and decided to try a square nail edge, I've tried before using a Tweezerman straight edged clipper but I think I over filed them after cutting them making them look nothing like how I wanted so I gave up and went back to what I know - the rounded shape.
A few years ago for Christmas or my birthday I cant remember which I was given the Rio UV Gel Nail Extension Kit, I'm sure most of you will know what it is. Inside it, to cut the extensions was a C-shape nail cutter, now my nails are long enough to use it I tried it out.

These are both the nail clippers....
                                                        

 

                                                                                                 



The C-shape clippers worked so well, the trick definitely is to not file much just to tidy up the nail. I love them, when I paint my nails I personally think this shape makes them look so much better and professional, how they'll last when I get back to work is another question though!











What is your favourite nail shape?

#NailArtJan Day 2 - Fresh

When I read 'fresh' for the first day of #NailArtJan to me it could be two things
1. A fresh new manicure or 2. A colour you find fresh, this is probably because I over think things quite often! So I did both and went for a French manicure, white is probably the most freshest colour for me, it symbolises clean, bright and to some people clinical like a hospital haha, but if they mean a fresh new manicure then here it is.

Sorry its not my best as I was in a bit of a rush but hay ho.
I don't think you can ever go wrong with a French manicure, you can keep it basic with just white tips or use a different colour. You can add glitter, nail decals, crystals, even stamp over the tip. The list is endless.

What would be you choice for a fresh colour?

#NailArtJan

                                

Just a quick message as I've just seen this on Instagram, will definitely be following through with this one! I will post them on here and my Instagram - mypetitespace.
Come join in!