Simple Hama bead snowflakes for Christmas

I know it's been ages since I shared a new Hama bead craft on my blog, so this week I've been working on some Hama bead snowflakes! They are a great way to add a bit of homemade craftiness to your Christmas decor.

The designs for these snowflakes are mainly based on the snowflake pattern that I came up with for my Hama bead snowflake bunting many years ago. I used designs which are created on the hexagon shaped pegboard. I also experimented with some smaller designs. The hexagon pegboard works really well as it easily divides into six sections, so you can just start by placing beads in the centre, head out towards the corners, and see what you end up with! 

When it comes to ironing the Hama beads, for this particular craft it is especially important to make sure that you iron the beads until they are well fused, and to iron them on both sides. Even though some areas are only one bead wide, as long as they have been well ironed then they will be sturdy enough to stand up to being used in your Christmas decor.

If you are new to crafting with Hama beads then you might find this post helpful - Ironing tips for Hama beads. 

This craft was a bit of a de-stashing exercise for me - I've been lucky enough to hoover up lots of Hama bead collections from friends and family which has left me with small numbers of beads across a huge range of colours. So I mixed in some of the pale blue, transparent and glitter blue beads to add some interest to my Hama bead snowflake collection!

I don't have a final home for these snowflakes yet, but it would be easy to add some festive cord or ribbon so that they can be used as ornaments on the Christmas tree.

I can also imagine them hanging from lengths of cotton in a window or over an unused fireplace. They could be attached to gifts, or enclosed with Christmas cards.

These Hama bead snowflakes were so fun and simple to make, and I loved coming up with different ways to place the beads in order to create new designs.

If you are looking for more snowflake crafts then you might also enjoy these:

Mini Hama bead snowflake embellishments

Free simple cross stitch snowflake designs

Snowflake cross stitch embroidery frame design

Cross stitch felt snowflake bunting

Lollipop stick and button snowflakes

You can also see some of my favourite Hama bead Christmas crafts.

All my free Christmas themed cross stitch designs

Over the last few years I've shared a few simple cross stitch Christmas themed designs, which can also be used for other pixel crafts like Hama beads or diamond painting. I thought I'd gather them all together in one post, along with links to some of the crafts that I've made using these designs!

Mini Christmas cross stitch motifs

These tiny Christmas cross stitch patterns are very simple and use just a few colours, meaning that they are very quick to stitch up. There are 24 designs which makes them perfect to use for an Advent calendar craft - maybe to decorate the front of small gift bags or as part of a larger cross stitch design. You can see the image below, and this pattern is also available as a .pdf to download - Free Mini Christmas Cross Stitch Designs.

My favourite craft using these designs is my cross stitch gift tags. They are a very sweet way to add a personal touch to your gifts.

I also came up with a red and white Scandi inspired version of these motifs, perfect for any Scandi themed Christmas crafts that you might be working on.

Mini cross stitch snowflake designs

I love these tiny snowflakes which are so quick and easy to sew. They work best for cross stitch as they aren't sturdy enough for Hama beads (if you want to use Hama beads then you can use transparent beads for the gaps as seen here Hama bead snowflake designs). They are perfect for cards, or you could use for gift tags or other Christmas embroidery projects. I used them to make some simple cross stitch snowflake bunting.

I combined some of these snowflakes to make a cross stitch snowflake embroidery hoop design which I really love. I've included the pattern below, or you can also download it as a printable .pdf file here Free Snowflake Embroidery Hoop Pattern.

Simple cross stitch bauble designs

Finally I have some little cross stitch Christmas bauble designs, which also work really well for Hama beads as seen in my Hama bead Christmas baubles. There are two shapes of bauble - a round one and an elongated one, and you can come up with lots of different ways to personalise them.

I hope that these come in handy for some festive crafting!

The most common household pests, and how to handle them safely

This is a collaborative post

We all love having guests over — but some creepy-crawly visitors definitely don’t make the list. From uninvited scuttlers to tiny nuisances that pop up when you least expect them, household pests can quickly turn your cosy home into a bit of a headache. The good news? With the right know-how, you can deal with them safely and send them packing in no time. Here’s how to spot the usual suspects and show them the door.

Rodents That Go ‘Bump’ In The Night 

Rodents account for a big chunk of the trouble we encounter with pests. Rats and mice, especially, can cause substantial damage to our homes. If you get this kind of infestation, the bad news is that they’re likely to keep coming back. Ideally, call in a professional to safely get rid of rodents and to find out what was attracting them, how they were getting in, and where they were nesting. This kind of comprehensive approach is much more likely to keep your home rodent-free for longer.

The Unwelcome Cockroach

Cockroaches are more common in warmer areas, like the Southern USA, but they’re not unheard of in the UK. If you see a cockroach in your home, it’s highly likely that there are a lot, lot more lurking in the crevices of your property. Cockroaches pose significant health risks through contamination and allergens, so if you find a roach, it’s imperative to do a deep clean of your home. Again, you might need professional pest control services for more severe infestations.

Wasp Nests: Small but Dangerous 

Wasps are known for being a nuisance at picnics, but if they take up residence around your home, they could put you at risk of painful stings. If you discover a nest, it's important to stay calm. Do not disturb the nest, as this will provoke a defensive swarm to zoom out and attack you. For safe removal, call in professional help. 

Photo credit Tom Sid via Unsplash

Relentless Ants

Ants can be a very determined nuisance, especially during the warmer months. They can invade your home in search of food and shelter, and once they’ve made themselves at home, it’s hard to persuade them to leave. The first course of action includes good hygiene practices like cleaning crumbs swiftly, washing carpets if they get something sugary spilt on them, and securely storing food items. Ant baits, available in most local stores, are an effective secondary measure. However, if the problem persists, consider pest control services. 

Bed Bugs: The Nocturnal Nightmare 

The incidences of bed bug infestations have been rising steeply across the world. They are notorious for their bite, which can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and sleep deprivation. Washing infested fabrics at high temperatures, vacuuming regularly, and utilising commercially available treatments can help control minor infestations. However, professional pest control services are often needed to eradicate these hard-to-kill pests fully. 

Conclusion

Keeping household pests at bay is all about prevention — little habits go a long way. But even the best routines can’t stop every unwanted visitor, and sometimes you’ll need more than DIY tricks. If you’re dealing with a stubborn or growing infestation, don’t hesitate to call in a professional pest control service; they’ve got the tools and expertise to sort the problem safely. While pests are an unwelcome part of family life, a calm approach and the right strategies will help you keep your home exactly as it should be: cosy, comfortable, and pest-free.

Review - A jigsaw puzzle from Stay Weird Puzzle Company using AI generated artwork

I received this puzzle in exchange for a review

I was recently contacted by Stay Weird Puzzle Company and asked if I would like to review one of their jigsaw puzzles. They are a new puzzle company, founded by a couple who use AI generative art to bring their ideas to life. It's aimed at people looking for jigsaw puzzles that are perhaps a little bit strange and a little bit different.

Using AI in jigsaw puzzles is a very controversial topic among puzzlers, especially now some of the most well known puzzle brands covertly use AI in their puzzle designs. Stay Weird Puzzle Company are completely upfront about it, so there is no ambiguity. 

I'm personally not quite sure how I feel about it, but I am very interested in the idea of using AI for artistic purposes and thinking about how this might affect creative pursuits in the future. I definitely feel that there is creativity involved in producing the images. Firstly coming up with an initial idea, then refining the prompts to make it fit what you are after. AI is a great way to bring random ideas to life without any artistic skills.

After spending some time browsing I chose to try Canal at Dusk, Dutch Dreams, which is one of many puzzles in the collection that feature a stained glass effect. The puzzles are available in a range of different piece counts, and I went with 1014 pieces as this is the size of puzzle that I usually work on. I must admit that I did play it safe - it's definitely not as weird as some of the other puzzles on the site! 

The jigsaw artwork depicts twilight descending on an Amsterdam-like canal, featuring tall canal side houses warmly lit from inside, traditional boats, and is framed by trees and tulips. It has a really peaceful feel, and I liked it because it reminds me of my travels.

The puzzle is supplied in a light box with a picture of the design on the front. The picture wasn't huge, but I found that it worked well enough for completing the puzzle. 

I enjoyed working on this puzzle very much. The sturdy pieces fitted together really well, and I liked the stained glass aspect of the design. It was a challenging puzzle because the different lines that add interest to the picture could be quite tricky to work with at the level of individual pieces, and there were some quite dark or textured areas where I needed to shape sort the pieces.

Using AI to generate an image for a jigsaw puzzle does require some care. When you piece together a jigsaw you become very familiar with the image in extreme close up, so there can't be anything that doesn't look quite right, even down to the very small details. As well as needing to stand up to scrutiny, there also needs to be some thought given to make sure that the puzzle is challenging enough to hold interest without being impossible to complete. 

Large areas of one colour, or areas with similar textures, can be difficult to put together, and this is where the piece cut of a jigsaw is really important. I was very pleased to find that the grid piece cut for this puzzle had a range of different piece shapes which really helped on some of the more complicated areas. 

Is it possible to tell that the image is AI generated? 

Yes I think it is, especially if you are familiar with AI images. The reflections in the water aren't right, the texture of the foliage isn't quite what you would expect, and there is a shadowed area in the middle that is a bit too dark. But I think it's possible to overlook this, because it's not intended to be a photorealistic depiction. The art style reminds me very much of urban sketching, and I really like the way it becomes an interpretation of the scene rather than an accurate copy.

I found it interesting to speak with the founder of the company about his process for creating these images. The couple use their life experiences as a basis for their art - for example, Santa in July comes from pondering what Santa might be up to out of the Christmas season, and being stuck in gridlocked traffic led to My GPS Said 10 Minutes, Three Hours Ago. Most of the pictures have a story associated with them, and creating them has allowed them to unleash a creative side that they didn't know they had. 

In terms of the actual process, they start with a broad prompt, then use language descriptors to help narrow down the vision. There's no final image in mind from the beginning, instead they wait and see where they end up.

Stay Weird Puzzle Company designs

I had a lot of enjoyment putting this puzzle together, and I thoroughly enjoyed browsing through all the unusual and varied puzzle designs that Stay Weird Puzzle Company have produced. Although many of them are quite different from the sort of puzzle that I usually work on, I do think that if you hunt around there is something to suit most types of puzzler. 

I've enjoyed thinking about how I feel about using AI in jigsaw puzzles and it has led to some interesting discussions with others. One thing that I do feel certain of is that it's vital for companies to declare the use of AI art in puzzles, even if it's only used for part of the puzzle.

So thank you to Stay Weird Puzzles for both the opportunity to review the puzzle and also the chance to start a debate on how AI could be used for creative purposes.

What do you think of these puzzles? Would you work on a puzzle using completely artwork completely generated by AI?

What I look for when choosing a planner - and which one I ended up buying!

As the end of the year approaches it's time for me to start thinking about buying a planner for next year. I use my planner throughout the day to keep track of the things that I need to get done over a week - housework, keeping track of everyone's activities, planning my exercise, meal planning and so on. I use an online shared calendar for future dates, so I usually only plan week to week, with monthly goals in mind.

My current planner was bought in the US so there's no way that I can buy the same one again. I decided to make a list of the features that I would like before I searched around to see what was available.

Photo credit 2H Media via Unsplash

A whole year calendar page at the beginning - This is so useful to see birthdays and other important dates at a glance, as well as marking out school and family holidays.

Week to view pages - with plenty of space for writing out my daily tasks and goals.

Dated - I like to have the dates written out for me as I'm going to be using it every week.

Monthly dividers - I have found these really useful in my current planner.

Monthly page - This is a really great place to keep track of goals and tasks for the month. I have a monthly list of regular cleaning jobs, boring things like deep cleaning the dishwasher and descaling shower heads, and they all get listed here to complete at some point over the month.

Weekly task list - This is something that is missing from my current planner and something that I would really like. Sometimes there is something that needs to be done at some point during the week but I need to wait and see when I can fit it in.

Blank pages at the front and back - For extra notes like log in details (written in code!), gift ideas, long term projects.

Plenty of space for writing - I need nice large boxes for every day to fit in everything that I want to get done. 

Spiral bound - So that it can lay flat for easy writing. Also a pretty cover is nice to have, although I'm always happy to customise if I'm not 100% keen on it.

A5 size - The perfect size for me to keep out and take with me if I need to.

Not too expensive - Even though it is something that I use every day, I don't want to spend too much.

And some of the things that I don't need...

Inspirational quotes - I love a good quote, but sometimes they are so cheesy!

Daily timings - I need to keep things flexible, I can't commit to planning my day in hourly detail.

Drinking water trackers - These are very popular! But I'm pretty good at staying hydrated, and I can't see myself bothering to tick off each time I have a drink.

Individual tick boxes - Usually there aren't enough for all the things that I have to do!

Obviously it's going to be difficult to find the perfect planner, but I'm pretty happy with the one that I've chosen. After much consideration, this is the planner that I went with - 2026 Planner week to view (affiliate link).

I'll admit that it was the beautiful cover that jumped out at me, but after searching through pictures from the inside I was happy that it covers everything that I need. The monthly planning page is a bit hidden at the end of the month and the boxes don't have many lines for writing, but there is plenty of blank space for customising with stickers, loads of spare pages for notes at the front and back, and a handy pocket for storing any loose items.

Do you use a planner? I'd love to know what features you think are the most important when choosing one for the next year!

How to make your car more appealing to buyers

This is a collaborative post

Selling a vehicle is often a challenging affair. However, with a bit of effort and preparation, you can significantly raise your car's appeal, grab the attention of potential buyers, and fetch a great deal. Here, we will focus on several key steps to make your car more appealing to buyers. 

Improve the Physical Appearance

When selling a car, first impressions count. So, it’s important to get the car’s physical appearance as pristine as possible. A car with chipped paint, dents, rust, or dirty interiors is less likely to sell. Firstly, get your car professionally cleaned and waxed to bring out its original shine. Consider getting minor repairs done and fix obvious issues like broken lights or mirrors. Inside the car, remove personal items and unwanted rubbish, vacuum clean the seats and floor, wipe down surfaces, and consider a good quality air freshener.

Photo credit Francis Painchaud via Unsplash

Maintain your Car properly 

Maintenance history often plays a significant role in making a car appealing. Regular servicing not only enhances the longevity of the car but also cements the trust of prospective buyers. If you cannot provide evidence of regular services, people may think that you have failed to take adequate care of the car. So, make sure that you service your car regularly and keep all related documents handy. 

Highlight Features and Accessories

If your car has any additional features or accessories – such as an advanced navigation system, premium sound system, safety features, wheel covers, parking sensors – make sure that you highlight them to your prospective buyers. These additional aspects can enhance the appeal and perceived value of your car, making it stand out in a crowded market.

Create a detailed, honest ad 

When advertising your car, make sure you  detail all key information including the make, model, mileage, condition, service history, and price. Also, be genuine about any major repairs or incidents such as accidents. Honesty builds trust and potential buyers are more likely to consider a car where all facts are represented transparently, rather than being surprised by hidden flaws later on.

Capture High-Quality Images

High-quality images taken in good light can significantly increase your car's appeal. Take pictures from different angles highlighting the exterior, interior, and special features. Don’t forget to include a shot of the odometer to show the current mileage. Remember, a picture speaks a thousand words and is often the first thing people see when browsing for cars.

Offer a Fair and Competitive Price

Price your car competitively. If your asking price is too high, you will deter potential buyers. But if it’s too low, you risk losing out on potential profit. Research the market well, consider the age of your car, its condition, mileage, and any added features when fixing a price. It’s also advisable to leave a little room for negotiation.

In Conclusion

Making a car more appealing to prospective buyers doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. Simple actions like maintaining cleanliness, capturing good quality images, pricing competitively and being honest can go a long way in making your car stand out from the crowd.

Some of my favourite Hama bead Christmas crafts

If you've been following my blog for a while, then you'll know how much I love crafting with Hama beads. As the children have grown they haven't been used as they used to be, but I still have a Hama bead cupboard in the kitchen and I have some upcoming Hama crafting plans!  

Until then, I'm sharing some of my older Hama bead posts, all with a Christmas theme, in case you are planning some festive crafting for either children or adults.

I love using Hama beads for Christmas decor, and one of my favourite things to make is Hama bead snowflakes. A long time ago I made some Hama bead snowflake bunting, and I'm currently planning some more crafts using the patterns that I created for that post. I've also created some more intricate Hama bead snowflake designs which use transparent beads to keep the structure of the snowflake intact. I've used them as mini embellishments and also to decorate a glass jar lantern.

I really love this colourful Hama bead fairy light bunting. I used a variety of beads from my stash, including a mix of solid and transparent beads, which really makes the fairy lights seem to glow. The pattern is so simple but I think it's really effective, and the finished pieces could also be used as individual hanging decorations as well as bunting.

For a sweet, personalised Hama bead gift I love these little Hama bead Christmas wreath hanging ornaments, which can also be turned into magnets. You just need to make a simple circular frame using a random selection of beads in different shades of green, add a ribbon, and find an image for the centre. I used offcuts from old Christmas cards, or you can also insert a photograph of a loved one.

Another type of ornament are these simple Hama bead bauble tree decorations. I made them with a specially shaped piece at the top which can be used to showcase some festive Christmas ribbon in a large, decorative bow. In the post I have shared the designs for two different shaped baubles.

One of my free Christmas patterns is this collection of mini Christmas themed Hama bead designs which can also be used for other pixel art crafts like cross stitch or diamond painting. I used them to make some tiny embellishments using mini Hama beads which can be used to make pin badges or as decorations for homemade Christmas cards.

I've also shared another take on the Hama bead baubles by using a palette of red and white and some different motifs to create Scandi themed Hama bead baubles. You can find the patterns in the post, and I love how customisable they are. You can make them in any colour you choose to match your decor!

These baubles even went on to inspire a selection of different Scandi themed Hama bead crafts. 

Finally, something from deep in the archives of this blog - my Hama bead Gingerbread House! This project uses the Hama bead house pegboard which is one of my favourite larger boards. You can customise it in so many different ways! This Christmas I definitely need to work on an updated version.

If you would like some more Christmas themed Hama bead craft projects then you may like these older round up posts:

Hama bead Christmas crafts and projects - a selection of festive craft projects using Hama beads for both children and adults.

Hama bead Christmas crafts for adults - more Hama bead festive crafts, but these are particularly aimed at adults with more emphasis given to working with the fiddly mini Hama beads and creating functional and decorative items.

Finally, if you are new to crafting with Hama beads then you might find this post useful - Ironing tips for Hama beads.