Catching “One Below” While I Can

Woo hoo, I managed to fit a cheeky trip to Wolverhampton in before Christmas and my main port of call was the One Below shop in the Mander Centre, knowing that I won’t be anywhere near another One Below until goodness only knows when and when any trace of Christmas will be long gone. 

I was like a woman possessed as I wanted to stock up while I could because, unbelievably,  I still have a few festive crafty ideas whirling around in my head.

I started with a couple of LED flash slap bands for Iris and Bertie …….

…… a little something to amuse them on our “midnight walks” on the days they came to me before the BIG day.

I bought a few packs of extra large jingle bells. It’s been a while since I used bells for small fairing gifts and at £1 a pack it would be rude not too. I have ordered some small box dies from China, no hurry for them to arrive, which I thought the bells might fit well in.  I also found the tag (above) in a charity shop for 50p which I bought as food/inspiration for another idea.

I used most of the small reindeer treat bags I got on my first trip to One Below, so I stocked up again, but this time with the Santa design ones.  I sort of have a little buyers remorse for not buying a few of the matching snowman bags as well, but hey ho ……. there’s enough here for a few bits and pieces.

These bubble moulded stickers are an awful lot bigger than I usually use, but I am thinking extra large wooden tags?????

The candy stripe pipe cleaners were a bit of an impulse buy, but could come in very useful when inspiration strikes ……. reindeer antlers?

I also popped three packs of these do it yourself crackers in my basket, chosen because the pattern doesn’t necessarily say Christmas and could be used for birthdays instead perhaps?  A pack of 6 was £1, coming with hats, jokes and ties.  Something I am sure Iris and Bertie would love to help me fill.

Once again no considered purchases were made in Wolverhampton’s Poundland.  Prices on almost everything have soared and things no longer seem to be such good  value.  I had been desperate to find their tin, light up houses for £3 but when compared with the houses I eventually bought in M & S for just £4, with lights and a pack of teabags there was no comparison in quality. 

So, as you can see I am pretty well stocked up for 2022 crafting ……. now to make the time!