It's All Fiddle Fart

Chocolate Valentine Love Bugs

2012-02-02T00:01:00.000Z

I always like to have a box of Elizabeth Shaw mints handy just in case I have an idea on new ways to use them.

And, as I can’t find any love bugs for Valentines Day this year I decided to make my own, using the aforementioned chocolate mints and some black and red glitter card cut using my 1 3/8 Stampin’Up circle punch.

I stuck a black circle on the top and bottom of the mint and then trimmed the red circle slightly for make the head and wings.

A couple of wobbly eyes, a line down the centre and a few small punched circles for spots finishes the idea! Simples.

Wooden Heart Card

2012-02-01T00:01:00.002Z

This card measures 5ins x 5ins and is made using ribbed effect Kraft card.

Nothing fancy today, just a very simple, less is more design using wooden hearts from a box of 45 I got from Handy Hippo:- http://www.handyhippo.co.uk/p7274-wooden-shapes-hearts-45-pieces.html.

I punched 1in scalloped squares from a Creative Paper Strips gingham print pack http://www.handyhippo.co.uk/s253-1-paper-pads-and-packs.html and then added a heart to each one, simples!

Valentine Chocolate Bars

2012-01-31T00:01:00.001Z

Valentines sweets are often over priced for what they are, and this year, as I said yesterday, good quality chocolate items such as chocolate hearts to put into sweetie bags etc. are few and far between. Last week I saw packs of mini chocolate bars with Valentine wrappings and thought I would "Pinch" the idea.

…. by just wrapping Cadbury bars (pack of 6 from Home Bargains for £1.69) in scraps of heart patterned paper, which match the end of the chocolate bar perfectly.

Just right for popping into someone's pocket or lunchbox for a Valentines Day surprise without costing the earth!

Stripy Hearts Card

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 12.5cm x 12.5cm and is made using white linen effect card.

I am not usually a stripy paper person so this card was a bit of an experiment. When I stuck down the punched hearts it all looked a bit flat, so I punched another set, folded them in half and then stuck them down the middle of the first hearts fluffing them up a bit.

I thought the hearts still needed a little bit of something else …. hence a final scattering of tiny punched hearts on the inside and outside of them … done and dusted!

Valentine Bags Of Love

2012-01-29T00:01:00.003Z

It’s been really hard to find good quality Valentines sweets in the shops this year, I had been really hoping that Tesco would do their nets of Love Bugs again this year …. but unfortunately they haven’t …. so I have really had to scratch about for bits and pieces. There are a few nets of chocolates about but there are not enough contents to justify buying them to split up for the price. I think that I may struggle at Easter too to keep prices down, as I only like to use recognised brands of chocolates.

Anyway, I managed to find bags of chocolate hearts in Marks and Spencer at £2.50 for about 25 chocolates and bags of 16 small packets of Love Hearts and Thorntons Love Rocks in Poundworld…..

I’ve bulked up my bags with a mix of small lollies, chocolate coins, a milky way and strawberry chews.

I simply put them in a cello bags, with a ribbon and wooden tags (which were a present from my Crafty friend Carly). I find that people at work like to buy “Penny Bags ” like these for their children …..I now all I have to do is cross my fingers and hope they will go down well ……

Wooden Baby Tags

2012-01-28T00:01:00.002Z

The base of these tags have been made using children’s wooden dominoes with the holes being made using a PowerCraft hobby drill.

I thought these tags would be ideal for tags on baby presents.
I’ve used Creative Gingham Paper Strips and and wooden heart embellishments both from Handy Hippo
http://www.handyhippo.co.uk/p7246-creative-paper-strips-pastel-gingham-20-pack.html
http://www.handyhippo.co.uk/p7274-wooden-shapes-hearts-45-pieces.html

Decopatch Heart Keyrings

2012-01-27T00:01:00.003Z

Aghhhh, covering the hearts on these keyrings was such a fiddle fart!

I’ve had these large wooden heart beads for a couple of years and decided that with Valentines Day approaching a few of them must be used up and so I decided (fool hardily) to try covering them with tiny pieces of Decopatch paper, talk about fiddly!

But, I wouldn’t be beaten and after several coats of Ronseal quick drying glossy varnish and adding keyring attachments from Hobbycraft they were soon done.

Guest Blogger – My Daughter Lucy

2012-01-26T00:01:00.001Z

My daughter Lucy made me and others in the family some beautiful cross stitch and embroidered presents this Christmas and so I thought I would use a bit of nepotism and make her my Guest Crafter for today …..

I just do not have any patience with sewing, especially cross stitch and embroidery, to be honest my eyes are rubbish and I can barely thread a needle without my tongue hanging out and going cross eyed …..

….. and then if I get any further all my crisp material and threads start to look grubby and crumpled within seconds!

But as you can see Lucy doesn’t share any of my foibles!

Even her gift tags were cross stitched.

She treated herself to this book on doodle stitching by Aimee Ray and some of the stuff she has done already is just beautiful, I am so jealous!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doodle-Stitching-Collection-Aimee-Ray/dp/1600595812

…. And I almost forgot these ribbon corsages!

Gingham Valentine Baskets

2012-01-25T00:01:00.001Z

I am finding all sorts of forgotten treasure in my efforts to use up existing “stuff” rather than buying even more new bits and pieces, ……. like these papier mache baskets (£1.69 HobbyCraft).

Using a gingham print paper I drew round the baskets to get the shape and size right. I then cut out the shapes and went round the edges with a black pen to give a faux stitching effect, and finally glued the paper to the baskets, leaving to dry overnight.

Next followed several coats of Ronseal glossy, clear, quick drying varnish.

The finishing touches include a small tag made using a tag and heart shaped punch and a small wooden heart embellishment in the corner at the bottom of the basket.

I am going to fill these baskets with jelly shaped sweets for Valentines Day and see how they go.

Bunting Birthday Card

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000Z

Bunting is so on trend at the moment (hark at me, such a fashionista!!!)), so I thought I had better have a go too

I’ve used my triangle punch for the bunting, using an assortment of paper scraps. Originally I was going to leave them plain, but found that by edging them roughly with a black fine liner it made the flags stand out more. The writing is my own.

Gingham Tags

2012-01-23T00:01:00.004Z

I just LOVE gingham …..

….. and as soon as I saw the Creative Paper Strips (below) – in pastel colours(£1.99 pack 20) they just screamed Spring, Easter and Mothers Day at me. The colours are beautiful and quite subtle, and the paper quality is lovely and packs are available from http://www.handyhippo.co.uk/p7246-creative-paper-strips-pastel-gingham-20-pack.html
….. And following on from the success of all the wooden tags I made for Christmas, I am really keen to keep them coming in a wide of variety of designs for all sorts of occasions. These wooden flower jug embellishments were ideal for continuing the idea and a perfect match for the orange gingham in the paper pack http://www.handyhippo.co.uk/p6194-wooden-flower-jugs.html

I covered children’s wooden dominoes with the paper and then took the red dot pattern on the watering can onto the edge of the tag. I know I could use card for the tags, but the domino really makes them feel that bit more special, and I reckon that each domino (bought from e-bay) costs just 10p each, which is a bargain!
To carry the theme through I made two 4.5in x 4.5ins cards using white linen card, with the gingham paper mat and layered on Kraft and red card, the largest of the watering cans and a good dollop of faux stitching for good measure.

I was determined that I was going to use up all the embellishments, but have plenty of the gingham paper left …. which I think you will be seeing quite a bit of in the coming weeks because as I said the colours are so right for Easter etc.

If you're not as keen on gingham as I am Handy Hippo also have Creative Paper Strips in pastel and bold stripes and dots, which I also purchased for other projects in the future http://www.handyhippo.co.uk/s253-1-paper-pads-and-packs.html

Wooden Toadstool Gift Tags

2012-01-22T00:01:00.002Z

I adore toadstools and ladybirds and thought that these old wooden embellishments I’ve had for ages should finally be all used up and would be ideal for putting on gift tags for a gardener.

I just love the effect of the gingham sky …. and when I have a bit more time will try and replicate the design on a small card. The bases for the tags are made from children’s dominoes.

Toadstool Cards and Tags

2012-01-21T00:01:00.000Z

These are the sort of things I would like to receive.

They are bit quirky but if I may say so myself I love them! The cards measure 3ins x 3ins and are made using ivory linen effect card, a Stampin’Up text paper and wooden toadstool embellishments that I’ve had forever.

The tags use the same materials, with the base made using wooden children’s dominoes.

90th Newspaper Birthday Card.

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000Z

I’m not sure if this is pink overkill and a bit too busy, but the lady who asked me to make this card for her mum was very pleased.

I looked on Google for ideas and to be honest the majority were pretty sombre. If the lady’s eyesight isn’t too good I’ve made sure that there are plenty of texture and layers for her to feel.

New House Cards

2012-01-19T00:01:00.002Z

I have a real thing about Kraft card and text print paper at the moment.

Each of these cards is made using a Kraft ribbed card and measure 4ins x 4ins, a Stampin’Up text paper, a green polka dot textured paper and house buttons I have had for more years than I care to remember.

All I’ve added is a touch of red permanent marker to the hearts and flowers on the houses. Very simple and very me!

Wooden Heart Tags

2012-01-18T00:01:00.003Z

These tags are used using children’s wooden dominoes as the base.

I made the above tag first and didn’t like it …. I think it’s the wooden heart … it’s just too round and fat …. I much prefer the shape of a primitive heart and so I didn’t make any more like it … but I still mithered about making some more tags with Valentines Day in mind.

Then I had an Ulrika..ka..ka moment … I covered some more dominoes with a text print paper from Stampin’Up, and coloured the small primitive wooden hearts, that I have had forever, with a red Whisper pen and then just glued them on…… much more me!

Easter Sweetie Box

2012-01-17T00:01:00.005Z

All the dominoes I use for my wooden tags come in lovely slide lid boxes also made from wood, so it’s a challenge to use them up too.

This box measures 6.5in x 3.5in x 1.5in and I’ve just covered it with gingham and green paper, adding a bit of faux stitching and several coats of Ronseal clear gloss, quick drying varnish and a knob, if you’ll pardon the expression!

When completely dry I’ve then added a few wooden ladybird embellishments that I have had for more years than I care to remember. I am hoping that Tesco will be having their nets of chocolate ladybirds in again this year as that is what I would like to fill the box with to then give as an Easter present.

Check out my followers gallery as I have just added a project sent to me this morning that was done by Linda using the Tesco chocolate ladybirds I am praying they have again this year.

Union Flag Tags

2012-01-16T00:01:00.004Z

We seems to be awash with the Union Flag on absolutely everything on at the moment what with the Olympics and Queen’s Jubilee.

So I thought I would make some tags from kraft card and using some of the left over paper chains I bought for the Royal Wedding.

I even managed to find some blue reinforcement rings at the bottom of one of my drawers to add the finishing touch. They took seconds to make and I am chuffed with the end result. I am thinking that they might look good on sweetie bags containing red, white and blue wrapped sweets nearer the Olympics/Jubilee.

I love the new Do-Crafts Portobello Road range, but am sitting on my hands at the moment so that I can’t reach for my purse!!

http://www.docrafts.com/article/PapermaniaPortobelloRoad/AID882

Ribbed Kraft Card from http://www.pdacardandcraft.co.uk/ribbed-kraft-recycled-card.html

My Guest Crafter Today –Rebecca And Her Nativity Blocks

2012-01-15T00:01:00.000Z

I am handing todays post over to my crafty friend Rebecca. We e-mail now and again and I was overwhelmed when she sent me a set of her Nativity Blocks. They were too good to keep to myself so I asked if she would be one of my “ Guest Crafters” do a “write up” on how she made them, because I knew how popular they would be. I shall also repeat this post at the beginning of October as a reminder of the idea …. And now it’s over to Rebecca ……..

“I found this link from a blog called ‘I Am Momma Hear Me’ - http://www.iammommahearmeroar.net/2010/12/fifth-day-of-christmas-nativity-blocks.html%20on on Boxing Day 2010 and waited patiently until Christmas 2011 to have a go. I knew that these would make ideal Christmas presents for my little boys friends. We are not religious neither are my friends but I felt it was important that the little ones understood the true meaning of Christmas.

I searched for free images on Google but nothing leapt out at me and screamed ‘CUTE!’, plus the images needed to be single images as they were to go on individual blocks, however the images I eventually chose were from:-

http://digiwebstudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=ddcf731f01a36b2a662d202c2bd6084f&keyword=nativity

And here are a few other nice links:-

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76938548/nativity-clipart-christmas-clip-art-buy

http://digidoodledoo.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=125

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85959157/christmas-nativity-cute-digital-clipart

After many weeks of bargain hunting on the net and in shops I eventually found the wooden building blocks I had been looking for in The Works (BookSale) for £7.99 for 50 pieces. I wanted the blocks to be natural colour as the images would look better; I bought two tubs of which was enough to make six nativity sets.

I resized the images to fit the blocks and printed them with a colour laser printer, as my intention was to varnish over them and I was not sure if the varnish would smudge the images if I had printed them on an inkjet printer.

I carefully cut around the images (this was time consuming and I used nail scissors to get all the fiddly bits) and glued them onto the blocks. I covered the whole surface area in PVA glue to start so I could slide the images around to get them in just the right place. Once dry I varnished over the image.

I read on FiddleFart about Rangers Glossy Accents and using it on my nativity blocks was my first ever attempt (hence the small air bubbles if you were to have a closer look). I was very impressed with the outcome as the Rangers Glossy Accents made the images look like stickers and gave them extra dimension.

I had been collecting Christmas tins from charity shops and car boots sales over the summer as I knew exactly what I would be using them for.

I then carefully placed the nativity blocks in the tins. In the sets I gave to my little boys friends I copied the images into a word document and labelled each character like a reference card for them. This was printed in colour, laminated and added to the tin.

Simple but so effective!”

Cute As A Button

2012-01-14T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 10.5 cm x 10.5 cm and is made using white linen effect card.

This is card looks deceptively easy, but getting the writing centred above and below the button was a nightmare, I must have done it at least seven times!

SPAM MAIL/HACKERS

2012-01-13T06:07:00.001Z

PLEASE ..... IF YOU GET AN EMAIL FROM ME .... DON'T OPEN IT ... IT WILL BE SPAM .... MY EMAIL ADDRESS WAS HACKED YESTERDAY ... AGAIN.... !!! I HAVE CHANGED PASSWORDS ETC. AND THE ####ERS STILL GET IN!!!

Plain and Simple Kraft Tags

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000Z

Nothing fancy today, just some quick parcel tags.

My sister lent me this beautiful box of stamps. As they were so plain and simple I decided to make a huge pile of tags using Kraft card (as I never seem to have any ready made) and not fiddle fart too much with them. The only thing I added was to rub them over with brown and orange coloured craft chalk to give them an old worn look.

Gift wrapping is not my forte but I just love the effect of parcels wrapped in plain brown paper.

Decopatch Teapot Flowerpots

2012-01-12T00:01:00.001Z

I was given this book for Christmas and some of the ideas are just too wonderful for words!

It was this idea for a fabric covered teapot/plant pot that got me thinking …. wondering if I could substitute the fabric for Decopatch paper.

….. And how fortuitous that I have a huge box of brown teapots in the shed already! I used to buy them up at 50p a go at car boots years ago because I wanted to paint them to look like Christmas puddings (but that, as of yet has not happened).

Anyway they Decopatched a treat and didn’t take that long but the 5/6 layers of clear varnish took a few days to complete.

I am putting them (and all the others I hope to make) aside until Mother’s day when I plan to plant a pansy etc. in them.

http://everythingalicebook.blogspot.com/

Newspaper Leaving Card

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000Z

This card is A5 in size and is made using white linen effect card.

The brief for this card was that it was for Alison, she likes to play darts, drinks cider and is moving on to a new school. I think I ticked all those boxes. I found a picture of her new school by Googling it. I’ve been quite restrained in my embellishment for a change, only using Ranger Glossy Accents on the darts, eyes, sign and cider glass. The cartoon is mounted on a couple of foam pads for a bit of dimension.

Wooden Heart Tags

2012-01-10T00:01:00.002Z

I’ve had the tag (above) on my pin board for ages and with Valentines Day not too far away I thought of the box of wooden hearts I have that needed using up …. and this is what I cam up with.

I coloured the hearts in red, and then stuck them onto kraft tags that I cut out from Papermania kraft card.

I’ve put two tags back to back on each cord, handwriting the back of the one, to be filled in by the giver. I’ve never been that keen on making tags before, but the success of my Christmas ones has given me the incentive to try some more ideas …… so I expect you’ll be seeing a quite a few more in the coming months.

Wooden Birthday Tags

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000Z

These wooden tags take me back to my very early forays into crafting, so I reckon I must have had them for at least 5/6 years. They seem so old fashioned now, and it’s about time they were used!

The base of the tags are made using old children’s dominoes found on e-bay with the picture side covered with a patterned paper. Finding a a matching paper was a nightmare but I think this subtle gingham has worked out OK.

I have handwritten the sentiment and added my signature faux stitching! Et Voila … a pile of ancient wooden embellishments finally all used up!

Decopatched Jugs

2012-01-08T00:01:00.000Z

I am really trying to keep my New Years resolution of spending a lot less and working my way through all the stuff in my craft room cupboards and drawers instead!

So ….. I’ve had these large metal jugs, which stand about 8ins tall for about two years now, I found them in a sale and think I got them for no more than £1.50 each, but never knew quite what to do with them …. however inspired by some Christmas reading I decided throw caution to the wind and Decopatch them to an inch of their lives using all my little bits …..

…….. plus one of two watering cans I also have. At first I applied several coats of clear mat varnish, but in the end I decided I prefer a glossy finish so applied a few more coats. I am sooooo chuffed with the results!

Jar Of Hearts

2012-01-07T00:01:00.002Z

Is it too early for Valentines Day yet?

A very simple idea no real skill involved other than resisting eating one or two sweets before they go into the jar!

My sister found the jelly hearts 100gms for 99p in her local sweet shop. The containers are small kilner type spice jars bought in a set of six for about £2.99, and 100gms of sweets fills one jar perfectly. All I have done is add a handwritten tag!

And …. My Guest Crafter Today Is …… Marc, Back By Popular Demand!

2012-01-06T00:01:00.002Z

Christmas bought me an unbelievable parcel from Marc containing so many crafted goodies that I just had to share them with you, he is just too talented for words …..

I don’t think I will ever be able to use any of these pins …. attached to a lavender filled cushion, they not only looked beautiful, they smelt wonderful too!

Stunning!

Can you believe Marc also “blew” these pendants on a visit to Venice with the assistance of a … and I quote “a very sweaty, good looking, topless Italian man who was to die for” ??!!!

Marc also, like me, loves sea glass and made me these pendants, which I wear in turns on a plain leather thong.

And can you imagine the girlie squeals I emitted when I saw these ……

…… and these? All hand painted, my very favourite present of all! I just wouldn’t have the patience! I have filled the pots with my Dazzling Diamonds micro glitter, so much more magical than a plastic pot!

And the cabochons? I have made into small brooches to give to special people and share the love. Mine is on my jacket collar.

Just how do you say thank you for a parcel containing these and other such beautiful and thoughtful gifts? xxxx THANK YOU xxxx

My Quote A Day Calendar

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000Z

I treated myself to a “Quote a Day” calendar (99p), as a source of inspiration for cards ….

The quote made me laugh as the photocopier always seems to break down when we have urgent photocopying to do!

I handwrote the quote after tinkering with the words a little, then mat and layered it. The spanner came from a Fireman Sam tool set that came off the front of a comic. Our paper shop removes the free gifts from the comics and then sells them for 30p a pop and I snaffle them up for my crafts.

This card measures 5ins x 5ins and is made using Papermill white linen effect card.

Using My Brad Maker Set At LONG Last

2012-01-04T00:01:00.005Z

I don’t use brads a lot …. if ever, so whatever possessed me to want a brad maker set goodness only knows! When I first saw one it was far to expensive for what it was ….. so I waited and waited until I saw one marked at half price, bought it …… and have never used it, until now …. about three years later!! What am I like?!!

However, my friend asked me at Christmas if I could “tart” up some small organza bags for her festive table, she wanted some way of putting names on them …. at first I was stumped …. then I “wondered” about making some brads …..

I chose the biggest brads for the bags, punched out the circles and hand wrote the names, then very carefully put the plastic domed sticker over it, a dab of glue stuck them all together. However they looked a bit dull.

So I got out the Ranger Glossy Accents and stuck tiny pearls and black domed stickers round the edges of the brad and a tiny weeny clear flat backed gem just by the name.

But now the confession ….. I cut the brad fittings off as they didn’t hang right …. and stuck the “brad” on using my glue gun.

I know that I am a little behind at the moment with what’s new in the crafting world (since I gave up buying craft magazines and thus temptation) …. but I understand that there is a new all singing, all dancing brad maker on the block called the I-Top from Imaginisce, which makes my set look positively prehistoric!

Attention To Detail

2012-01-04T00:00:00.002Z

I am very partial to a sugared almond or two, in fact if they made a perfume that smelt exactly the same I would definitely wear it as my signature whiff of choice!

But why I am showing you this is you may be asking? Well it’s to show you my sisters attention to detail when she made up this Christmas present for me, she has only matched the almonds, including the silver ones to perfectly to the bowl, magic!!

New Year Fairing Gift

2012-01-03T00:01:00.000Z

As you know I like to start and end each school term with a small fairing gift that I pop into colleagues pigeon holes ready for the first/last day.

Well, I decided to go very small this term, as no doubt half the people I will give one to will have started a new diet ….. so one teeny, weeny Ferrero Rocher won’t hurt will it?

And, as I feel all crafted out after Christmas, I have used some pre-made, cut and scored wedding favour boxes (from Hobbycraft) that I’ve had for years, all I’ve had to do is to make them up. A bit of faux stitching, handwriting and a tiny gift bow on the top and that’s it, done and dusted!

Very Simple Calendars Made On the Cusp Of The New Year!

2012-01-02T00:01:00.004Z

I woke up on 30th December and remembered that I had a pack of unused 2012 calendar tabs languishing in one of my drawers, which, if I didn’t do something with them that day they would most likely stay there all year and be wasted!

So I dug out some old beer mats, and some DCWV adhesive cardstock to cover the backs of the calendars, a free (from Quick Cards) Pink Petticoat Wild Blossom paper pad, a pack of bubble type bird stickers from The Range and finally some self adhesive magnetic tape to hang the calendars up by.

Simples!

I kept one calendar tab for my Smash Book, as I plan to use separate pages from it to use to mark special days/trips etc..

Woooo Hooooo It’s 2012!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.002Z

To make a Crafty New Years Resolution or not to make a Crafty New Years Resolution that is the question!

I start 2012 with very few cello bags and envelopes after all my Christmas crafting, as I do every year, and they will need replenishing pretty quickly.

But, like most crafters that I have far toooooooo much stuff and if I crafted for the next 100 years I would still be saying the same thing. However, in my defence I have already cut down an awful lot in 2011. Most of my Christmas ideas were made using stuff I have had for years.

So my first and probably only resolution is to reduce greatly what I spend in the coming year …. it’s hard to put a figure on it, but I really am going to try and keep a tight rein on things and mainly invest in embellishments etc. for seasonal crafting such as Valentines Day and Easter (and aghhh dare I say it Christmas 2012).

Having said that, some of my budget will be going on “stuff” from Handy Hippo, who approached me shortly before Christmas asking if I would like to work with them by regularly posting ideas/projects where I have incorporated some items from their online shop. It is only fair to tell you that I will be receiving a discount from Happy Hippo on the products I use but the ideas will be my own and I will only use items that I trust and am happy to recommend. I am really hoping that this will be a happy and successful alliance.

As a “Thank You” to all my regular followers and commenters I am also planning on doing random giveaways throughout the year.

Marc sent me a huge pile of stuff before Christmas to do with what I wanted and so instead of asking for comments or people to become followers in order for them to “win some blog candy”, I am just going to choose someone out of the blue, who has left a comment or said something “nice” in the “chatbox” and send them a small surprise … no strings attached!!

I also hope I will be asked to do a few more reviews during the year …. requests are always a complete surprise and usually feature something completely new to me, and so keep my brain cells working.

Finally I shall maintain that there is always an ample and sufficient supply of confectionary comestibles on my work desk (and not just on Wednesdays)!!!!

So as Ethel Merman once said “Let’s get on with the show…….” and embrace 2012!

2012 Jar Lantern

2011-12-31T00:01:00.007Z

It’s New Years Eve and I have a spooky sort of Derek Acorah type feeling it’s going to be quite a year!

And for my final post of 2011 I have made this lantern for my sister Jan who has been working so hard for many years towards being part of the 2012 Olympics Games in London as a Games Maker.

She is going to be part of the "Swimming Team" at the Pool, Village and Swimming Training Centre and then followed by a stint at the Paralympics. It has been made with love to show that her dream will burn brighter and brighter with each passing day until the time for her to shine is finally arrives!

LIVE THE DREAM!

For Auld Lang Syne – New Years Cards

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000Z

I have never made New Years cards before, but with the ever growing popularity of the characters in my other blog Mum’s Monkey, I needed something to send to a few of their top fans, and when one of those top fans sent them a Scottish outfit each, I knew exactly what to do!

The cards are A5 in size and the blank is made using white linen effect card. I’ve had the A4 tartan papers for years and have never really been inspired to use them, they have nearly been given away so many times, but I am so glad I kept hold of them as they are perfect for this project.

I’ve mixed and matched them in a couple of cards, I wasn’t sure if it would work, but it has. A bit of mat and layering on silver and a bit of faux stitching …… it’s sporrans away!

Little Bird Calendar

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000Z

With Christmas done and dusted I have turned my thoughts to making a few small calendars to give to friends as small New Years gifts.

…. but I think this one is mine! Very less is more, I’ve used a bird sticker from K & Co’s Poppy Seed Range and a branch using my Stampin’ Up bird punch, plus a few flowers. I've attached a ribbon, but have also applied a few foam sticky pads on the back, as I think I will probably stick it to my computer at work.

Mermaid Peg Doll Calendar

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000Z

Remember the peg doll mermaid I made back in the summer? Well I didn’t want her to stay in the cupboard used, so I’ve put her on a calendar so that she can be with me all this year ……

I love the crab … I got it along with a few lobsters from a seashell shop in Brixham while I was on holiday for 20p each.

A Bit of Fun, A Bit About Me And A Bit About How I Blog ....

2011-12-27T00:01:00.005Z

Writing up a post can either be a quick affair when it obvious what I have done or take ages when the devil is in the detail!.

First I copy all the photos from my camera onto the computer, select the best, edit and crop them and finally name them (which makes them more easily accessible on a Google search etc.and help bring new people to the blog) . I do all this using Microsoft Picture Manager.

Although I could write my posts directly into BLOGGER I don’t find it at all user friendly so I prefer use Window’s Live Writer http://explore.live.com/windows-live-writer?os=other

I am sorry but I cannot answer any technical questions about Live Writer and don’t pretend to understand it … but I’ve just learnt to use it through trial and error and I know it works for me. I can position text and pictures far more easier than in Blogger. When I have finished editing a post I just press the send button and it somehow miraculously appears in the drafts section of my blog, all I then need to do is schedule it! Live Writer also backs up all posts so if Blogger went down (and it sure has been playing up lately) or I decide to change my blog provider I have all my posts saved.

The things that take time when writing a post are all the details, the size of a card, the name, maker, code, price of a paper/embellishment/material used, where a product came from, putting in links, etc etc. I try my best to include everything because as sure as eggs is eggs someone will ask about the one thing I haven’t put in.

My sister is my proof reader, once a post is published she will text to tell me of any spelling mistakes/errors I have made. I’m glad she does, because nothing annoys me more than seeing mistakes on other peoples blogs … it just looks shonky!

You may have noticed that on a lot of these pictures I have black smudges on my face and my make up looks decidedly dodgy ….. the truth is that I laughed so much while we were taking them, via a webcam, I couldn’t stop crying with laughter and was having serious trouble breathing, as a result my make up ran everywhere! It a miracle that any of these pictures actually catch me in vaguely serious light, oh my life! You should see the ones I deleted.

A Bit of Fun, A Bit About Me And A Bit About How I Blog

2011-12-26T00:01:00.006Z

I think most craft bloggers have a day or two off over Christmas, but I’m such a creature of habit, I don’t like the thought of an empty page on my blog, so I thought I might open up a little and tell you a bit about how I blog.

I started “Fiddle Fart” on 20th August 2009 http://itsallfiddlefart.blogspot.com/2009/08/wecome-to-my-craft-room.html , after a few false starts, (though I had blogged Mum’s Monkey for a year or so before that, in fits and starts, for my own amusement). It was my old pal Craft Fairy Lisa who kept on nagging me to do something and in the end I relented and have been hooked ever since …. (I see my craft room was a lot neater back in 2009)

However, I soon discovered what a time consuming activity blogging was and realised that I couldn’t keep it up a daily basis without being very organised and always one step ahead, so the greatest thing I ever got to grips with was the “scheduling” facility on Blogger, which I also use on Mum’s Monkey, although not so far ahead, as I have to keep their activities more current with the news, TV, special days etc. But for Fiddle Fart I always make sure I have at least a month of ideas in “the can”, allowing me time off for holidays, and crafters block etc.

I do most of my “making” at weekends and the school holidays, (a lot of my Christmas posts were done in August!). Sometimes, when I am on a real roll, I can come up with 8/10 ideas in a day, so it’s not too hard to stay ahead. Once scheduled I can jiggle the days for a post around, for example, I might have all my posts done for October, but then all the Halloween stuff arrives in the shops … so I’ll move some of the ideas I’ve scheduled to a later date in order to accommodate my Halloween ideas (if that makes sense).

Some posts I have scheduled are always being moved about …. mostly because I’m not that happy with them, I have some fiftieth birthday cards that have been moved constantly for about a year and have still not been published!

I photograph everything I make from all angles and then post the best. Until about three months ago I used a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W310 which was very simple to use but unfortunately died on me in September and though Sony offered to repair it for me under guarantee, the cost was an awful lot more than I had actually paid for the camera, plus I had to pay up front for the repair and then invoice Sony, which I just couldn’t afford at the time, it all seemed a lot of trouble, for a camera that was already “dated”, so I decided to bring out my old faithful Olympus FE-120 out of mothballs until Santa bought me something new. (of that, more later) …… it may be old, but it has taken some cracking pictures since it has been out of retirement!

My big problem is taking good photos during the dark winter nights and dull days in a craft room where the lighting isn’t wonderful, all my photos seem to take on a yellow tinge! I would like a really good (photography) lamp/light, but at the moment I don’t have a clue what I am talking about or what I would need, so that’s on the back burner until I have done some more research.

The pictures of me are a just bit of festive fun … I wanted something to break up all the text and thought it would give you a good laugh to see how this mad woman looks when working on her ‘puter!

Happy Christmas

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000Z

Well, he's been to us ...... hope he has been to you too! HAPPY CHRISTMAS

It’s Christmas Eve ….

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000Z

….. and I’m done crafting! I started making stuff way back in June/July and after 80+ Christmas posts to quote Bugs Bunny “That’s All Folks!” for another year. To celebrate I have planned a small indulgence ….. and yes, for the eagled eyed amongst you ….. I do like to mix my normal Maltesers with packet of white ones!! Nom, nom, nom!

If I were truthful I haven’t done everything I had hoped to …. like the Christmas tea light chandelier, made from a round cooling rack and baby food jars …..I just didn’t have the time …. and there were a lot of card ideas that again just didn’t get done ……

Thank you for all your cards and presents for me and those Monkeys, they all mean an awful lot and will be treasured for always xxxxx

I shall be taking tomorrow off, but over the next week I have some posts planned that you might like ……

Have a wonderful Christmas ….. with much love Helen xxxx

Sewn Christmas Card

2011-12-23T00:01:00.001Z

This card measures 5ins x 5ins. I know it’s an awful photograph, but the main colours are quite a subtle green but no matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t get a good shot.

I’ve had the parcel embellishments for a couple of years, they are the leftovers from packs and this year, with my economy run, I am determined to finally use them all. It’s very simple mat and layering, but instead of my usual faux stitching I’ve gone for the real thing!

Sorry

2011-12-22T17:54:00.000Z

I hate to look rude and ungrateful but at the moment I am using a computer that takes an hour to do the simpliest thing and I've lost so much stuff lot including e-mail addresses .... so can I say Paula ... thank you so much for your parcel ... I haven't opened it, its under the tree and I am so sorry I haven't been able to e-mail you personally as yours is one of the addresses I have lost.

And another Thank You to Donna (again another address lost) for your card and beautiful christmas beading .... I just love them xxxx

What with my computer and dodgy camera I am blogging on a wing and a prayer .... but fingers crossed I will be able to show you some of the lovely cards I have recieved in the next day or so.

It’s Christmas ….. And I’m In A Frivolous Frame Of Mind …..

2011-12-22T00:02:00.001Z

……at Chateau Fiddle Fart it’s a family tradition that we have new pyjamas to wear on Christmas Eve ….

…. well yesterday I popped into town to get mine …. (Primark £7)

I’m a bit gutted that me and my sister missed out on the reindeer jumper (also from Primark) …. however I think I have located a very similar pattern …. so guess what I’m planning on knitting sometime next year!!!

Christmas Teabag Card

2011-12-22T00:01:00.003Z

Not a new idea, but this is the first time I have made my own Christmas “cup of tea” cards.

I’ve made the card using my Sizzix Gift Card Holder die and a strong double sided paper I found in Paperchase a couple of years ago.

I think double sided paper is perfect for this idea. I’ve mat and layered the verse on silver and the patterned side of the paper.

And then just added a bit of faux stitching.

I couldn’t decide whether to embellish the front of the card, and in the end decided not, the pattern was enough, less is more!

Guest Crafters Spot – My Brother Stephen - Bulbs, Soil and Baskets Akimbo

2011-12-21T06:56:00.001Z

Is it the most beautiful Christmas hyacinths arrangement in the World?

As most of you know my brother Stephen is very profoundly handicapped and looked after by my 78 year old mum. He goes to a Day Centre and at special times like Christmas he brings something home for my mum that he has made. Now we know that his only contribution was probably holding a bulb for a second or two before throwing it, but he sat at the table and watched while the staff put it together with/for him and of all the presents in the world ….. this is the best and most wonderful of them all!

Tasting Snowflakes Card

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000Z

This card is A5 and is made using a fine white ribbed card.

I can soooo remember doing this when I was little. The image I’ve used is a actually the letter M from a font from Two Peas In A Bucket by David Walker called Let It Snow.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/david-walker/23711-font-dw-let-it-snow/?filters=_let_it+snow_

I’ve blown it up to a huge font size and then saved it as a jpeg, so that I can insert it into various projects without all the fiddle fart!

(This picture was taken before the dimensional paint had dried)

I’ve coloured the image with Promarker pens and then added some snow effect dimensional paint to the bottom and a touch of Stampin’Up Dazzling Diamonds on the snowflakes. This is the sort of card I would love to get.

Baby’s First Christmas Card

2011-12-20T00:01:00.001Z

I made a very similar card to this a couple of Christmas’s ago, but when an idea turns out so well, it’s always worth trying it again using slightly different colours/papers etc.

The papers are from a download called Little Joys by Zoe Pearn. I’ve certainly had my moneys worth, as I have used papers and elements from the set over and over again - but sadly no longer available. It’s the simplicity and cuteness of the snowman that I love.

I’ve added a simple decoupage layer for the snowmen’s scarves, small black Glitterati stickers for their eyes and mouth, and a bit of Anita’s 3D clear gloss finish (about £2.99) to add dimension to the buttons and noses. The self adhesive letters are Forever Friends “Cosy Christmas” alphabet stock (FFS 803100) bought in a sale a while back.

As this was a special card, I have also decorated the front and inside of the envelope too.

Monkey Christmas Card 2011

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000Z

With the ever growing popularity of my other blog, Mum’s Monkey, I now make Christmas cards for the “Boys” to send to their fans, who have been so kind to them throughout the year! I haven’t been able to show this years card until now when they have all been sent out, as I didn’t want to spoil anyone’s surprise. I must be mad!! Mad enough to think about making a set of birthdays card to send out too!

My Nativity Scene

2011-12-18T00:01:00.001Z

I found this tiny old suitcase on a market stall a while back and just had to have it. It was marked up at £3 but I haggled and got it for £2. It has sat on my shelf doing nothing until my mum sent me a little nativity set ……perfect!

Alphabet Block Names

2011-12-18T00:01:00.000Z

Remember the alphabet blocks I got for 50p at the village carnival in the summer? Well I have finally used some of them.

I went through them and made up a few names and a 2012 which I then glued together. When they were dry I gave them three coats of paint to cover the other pictures that were on them and then went over them with a bit of sandpaper to shabby them up a bit.

I’m going to give them as silly presents on New Years Eve.

I have quite a few letters and numbers left over so I thought that if I see any more similar blocks at other carboots etc. I would buy them and see if I could do a bit of mix and match and make up a few more names, random words etc.

Patchwork Christmas Card

2011-12-17T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 5ins x 5ins and is made using white linen effect card.

This card is such a mismatch of bits but I think it works. I’ve cut 1.25in squares from three different scraps of paper and then doodled some faux stitching round each one. All the chipboard shapes came from a parcel from my lovely follower Carly, so I don’t know what make they are, but they are so brilliant on a card like this. I’ve added small, clear flat backed gems on the middle of the snowflakes and on the trees.

Red Gingham Christmas Tree Tags

2011-12-16T00:01:00.004Z

More wooden tags today made using children’s wooden dominoes found on e-bay. I’ve added gingham Christmas trees from Craft for Christmas embellishments (Hobbycraft).

The red was a nightmare to match up, so in the end I decided to go for something completely different and have used a green spotty paper which works really well giving a modern, fresh look.

Wooden Christmas Tags With Angels

2011-12-15T00:01:00.002Z

Wooden gift tags today made using old children’s wooden dominoes found on e-bay. I have covered over the domino pictures and have left the back blank except for tiny faux stitching round the edges so that a message can be added.

The background paper is gift wrap that I have had for years and never found quite the right project for. The same goes for the angels, also bought several years ago, I've tried using them before on various cards etc. but nothing seemed to gel, plus all the wings dropped off, which didn't help things!! But now all 30 of the little blighters are used up and adorning Christmas parcels left right and centre ..... hooray!!

Santa Door Hangers/Signs

2011-12-14T00:01:00.002Z

This year I am having a crafty Christmas where I am really trying to use up all the Christmas bits I’ve had for a couple of years, money is tight and it seems daft to buy new stuff, no matter how tempting, when I have a couple of boxes crammed with embellishments I haven’t used yet.

So these festive door hangers are made using Darice wooden blanks squirreled away for ages …….

……. plus some large printed, self adhesive fabric type stickers from Poundworld. I’ve used a denim effect paper for the sky on which I have added faux stitching and snowflakes using a white gel pen.

I don’t think either of them took me more than 20 minutes to make … they are destined to grace my festive bedroom door knobs on Christmas Eve, so Santa knows where to leave our presents!!!!

Marc's Guest Spot ......

2011-12-13T10:30:00.000Z

On Saturday the postman bought me two wondrous parcels from Marc …. one I am forbidden to open until Christmas Day and it’s now hidden at the bottom of my wardrobe emitting wonderful lavender smells, the other was full of crafty stuff, it was like Pandora's Box (but more of that in a later post in the New Year ….)

But I was allowed to open the box that my Christmas card was in, just how beautiful is it? I admit I went all unnecessary and had to blow my nose several times ... to maintain a certain level of dignity!

It’s more than a card, its a labour of love……. …. and after Christmas I shall have it framed so it will be with me everyday on my desk at work.

I can’t believe the detail ….. the papers, the lace and the beautiful, beautiful handmade pins …….

...... and I thought I was the Queen of the Flat Backed Gem but Marc has positively usurped me!

Even the inside is exquisite, but the silly whatsit wouldn’t write inside it because he says his writing is pants! What is he like …..? Thank you Marc, I adore it xxxxx

Gingerbread Man Calendar

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000Z

I just love gingerbread men and felt I had to make myself a little calendar to hang up in my craft room. The shapes are made of foam with a self adhesive backing, and are so cute, especially the moggy.

All I’ve done is add “cherry” noses to all the figures using flat backed gems, plus a few for buttons here and there and a bit of faux stitching.

A Christmas Keyring Experiment, Plus Another for Luck!

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000Z

……This keyring drove me mad, I should have binned it, but instead it niggled at me and I niggled back!

It’s the same on both sides, and is made using scraps of paper, two Christmas tree stickers and a sprinkling of glitter, all covered in a thick layer of Ranger Glossy Accents. To be honest it does look a lot better in the flesh, and I shall be using it all through the festive season. for my work keys.

I got the keyrings for 5p each with the intention of removing the middle, however the cover was rammed in and immoveable, but me being me, I thought I could salvage something from them….

The keyring above was another experiment using scraps and illustrations from a very old illustrated dictionary and a layer of varnish! Hmmm, perhaps they need a bit of colour…….

A bit better but as my old teacher would have said … “Could do better!”

Tarted Up Fluffy Felt Cards

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000Z

These cards measure 11.5cm x 11.5cm.

These fluffy/fuzzy felt cards came originally from Asda a couple of years ago and as part of my crafty economy drive this Christmas I thought it was about time I used them up, but the background looked a little plain and bare …. (see below)

……. so I added a few ho, ho, ho’s and a little faux stitching round the edges, I shall send these to the younger ones in the family as they rearrange the felt pieces!

Baby Socks Christmas Stockings

2011-12-10T00:02:00.001Z

As I keep saying (and I am sorry you must be so bored of it by now!) I am really trying to use up as much of the stuff that I have had for ages this Christmas rather than buy new.

These socks were bought last year, sets of three pairs for 99p from B & M Bargains. I have used all the ones with a Christmas motif on first, filled them with assorted festive sweets and then added a bow and tag. I have 4 pairs of stripey socks left over and I shall probably fill them the same if these all go, but add a more elaborate festive tag to make up for the lack of motif.

Patchwork Christmas Card

2011-12-10T00:01:00.002Z

This card measures 5ins x 5ins and is made using white linen effect card.

I’ve used Dovecraft Back to Basics Christmas 6 x 6 papers for this card plus a snowman from a pack of 6 from Docrafts Hot Picks range of toppers (30p the pack) and finally the sentiment is an Anita’s Message Tag (75p). A bit of faux stitching finishes off the card.

Let It Snow Card

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 11cm x 11cm and is made using white linen effect card.

The snowman on this card is a taken from a Cuttlebug embossing folder “Sledding” from the Winter Collection.

I’ve just mat and layered it several times on white, blue gingham and silver card, adding a bit of faux running and cross stitch. plus a snow flake embellishment.

The sentiment is in my own handwriting.

Book Review: Kids’ Crafternoon Felting by Kathreen Ricketson

2011-12-08T00:01:00.013Z

ISBN 9781742700441 (Felting) - Publishing date: 1^st December 2011 – cost £14.99 Hardback

This is my second book review for hardie grant books which has made all the more exciting because I was given this Kids’ Carfternoon Felting to peruse several months before it’s actual release date, so I was one of the first people to get my little mitts on it!

As is my usual way when writing a review, rather than rewrite the publishers blurb which was sent to me and which also covers the Crafternoon series of books I’ve just copied and pasted it, so that I don’t miss out any of the important details.

“The Kids’ Crafternoon series puts the fun back into a kid’s afternoon – turn off the TV and get crafting! Each title contains 25 appealing projects from specialist crafters across the globe. The projects vary in complexity and the time required for completion (though never longer than a whole afternoon), while the books are structured by project themes designed to appeal to young crafters. The four titles in the series are Papercraft, Sewing, Beading and Felting.

The author Kathreen Ricketson is the founder of the phenomenally successful website WhipUp.net, which receives over 10,000 visitors each day. The projects in the Kids’ Crafternoon titles have been carefully selected by Kathreen from crafters around the world. Each book features 25 fun projects that can be completed in an afternoon With step-by-step instructions and illustrations, the projects will appeal to both boys and girls, and they range from quick and easy projects to ones that will occupy kids for a few hours Modern, colourful, appealing design”

….. And, so what did I think of the book? ………. Well, I really liked it, especially as the projects are pretty simple and can be completed in an afternoon, which is just right for me because I am pretty hopeless at following things through if they take too long.

I love the quality and feel of the book and the paper it is made from, plus the template pocket in the front cover containing all the templates you will need for the projects, the ring binding and the beautiful coloured photos, page borders and simple diagrams that illustrate the instructions. There is something for all abilities from the Eraser Heads (my level) …..

….to an Upcycled Sherpa Hat (above) made from an old jumper and the Zombie Critter Charms, there is something for all ages and interests, all using either felted wool or felt.

For the purposes of this review I decided to tackle the Eraser Head pencil toppers ….. done in four simple steps, but I substituted button eyes for googly ones and small ric rac braid for the mouth … as my hand sewing is pants!

For more information about this and other books from hardie grant please check out these links

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kids-Crafternoon-Felting-Kathreen-Ricketson/dp/1742700446

http://twitter.com/HardieGrantUK

http://www.facebook.com/HardieGrantBooksLondon

*Please note that this review is only my opinion

Do You Have A Penchant For Men In Uniform .... ...???

2011-12-07T06:58:00.005Z

Louise sent me this link ..... and it NEEDS to be shared!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDZcGz4vmJc&feature=youtu.be

Nom, nom, nom!

Little Angels Christmas Cards

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000Z

Each of these cards measures 5 x 5 ins and one is made using white linen effect card and the other ivory.

I’ve had these resin angels for about 4 years from a QVC sale, every year I’ve got them out and every year they’ve gone back in my Christmas box …in fact I got so fed up with them I gave a lot away.

However, this year I’ve finally done it and used them! I’ve cut a small square from a snowy blue 12 x 12 paper and mat and layered it on silver/gold. Then I’ve added an angel and a few doodles using a white gel pen.

They are quite thick, so I am thinking that these are cards I would give personally rather than put in the post.

Are you like me, do you have a thing about which way an embellishment faces? I always look for embellishments that face both ways …. but they are few and far between, it’s just that on some cards it’s nice to have the characters facing one another…. or am I just anal?

Christmas Tree Card

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 15.5 x 11cms and is made using white linen effect card.

As I have said before, the grounds of the school where I work are stunning, especially after a frost or in the snow. It was when we had snow earlier on in the year that I went out and took lots of photographs with Christmas cards 2011 in mind.

This tree is right next to the Geography block, which is one of the departments I work for, and as soon as I saw it’s shape I thought Christmas tree, so with this in mind I have made this card is for the Head of Geography, I wonder if she will recognise it?

After printing the picture I’ve simply added a bit of Stampin’Up Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the branches and on the ground, I was going to add some flat backed gems for baubles but they didn’t add anything and just made the card look tacky.

I Love Santa

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 14cm x 14cm and is made using white linen effect card.

This card looks deceptively easy, and it is now that I have got the spacings right. The font I’ve used is 2peas High Tide, font size 80. The glitter heart is made using a large heart punch.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/fonts/

Festive Takeaway Favor Box

2011-12-04T00:10:00.002Z

I’ve had a pile of packs of these takeaway boxes for a couple of years after I finding them in The Works and thinking I could do “something” with them! I’ve forgotten how much they were, but they were either 99p or £1.99 and still available in some shops.

Anyway this year I finally decided that they were no good languishing at the back of the cupboard, they HAD to be used and gone by Christmas!

I’ve stuck a snow line on each side of the box using white glitter card and then used a varitey of stickers that also needed to be used up to embellish them.

Because the boxes are made of plastic I was unsure about what pens to use on them but I used a permenamt black pen for the faux stitching and a white Posca pen for the snowflakes and they look pretty ok!

I’ve filled them with Tesco chocolate Christmas puddings and money, Kinder bars, chuppa pops and chocolate Santa's. My cupboards are slowly emptying BUT I could craft for the next twenty years, twenty four hours a day and there would still be a pile to use up!

Top Tip To Tart Up A Quick Card?

2011-12-04T00:01:00.000Z

No crafting today just a top tip ….. with Christmas fast approaching perhaps like me you just haven’t got the time now to whip up yet another card, but have a few shop bought cards that you could tart up just a little and make your own ……

I found this pack of Charity bird cards in an Oxfam shop reduced to 99p in the summer …… birds do it for me every time! All I’ve done is add twinkly clear flat backed gems to the centre of the larger snowflakes for extra festive sparkle……. sorted!

With Love At Christmas Card

2011-12-03T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 4ins x 4ins.

No faux stitching today … it’s the real thing! The heart embellishment is from a pack from Paper Bliss with a bit of mat and layering and the background paper is from Stampin’Up. It’s funny how just a bit of stitching changes the whole tactile feel of a card.

Dove Christmas Card

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 5ins x 5ins and is made using a darkish blue linen effect card.

This was a bit of an experiment and to be honest I’m not entirely struck on it, so perhaps next year I could fine tune it …(next year, we haven’t done this year yet … have I lost my mind?)

The dove is from a small pack from PaperCellar (EMB/WD/013)). I drew a circle round the dove directly onto the card and then added the holly leaf confetti and berries as evenly as I could with a white dot using a Signo Uni Ball gel pen.

It’s Christmas ……And I'm Flashing Like A Good 'Un!

2011-12-01T00:02:00.002Z

It’s Advent Calendars akimbo and I can finally use my new shopping bag from Tesco (£3)

Hmmmm pretty but nothing special you may say …….. but … wait for this....

How brilliant is that????!!! You can see me coming a mile off!! There are little lights in middle of eight of the snowflakes which flash alternately

Old Wooden Brick Box

2011-12-01T00:01:00.002Z

I have made my mum a pile her favourite cards as a small Christmas present, but I wanted to put them in a nice box too … and then remembered this old brick box I had leftover from another project, it was just the right fit for the cards measuring 19cm x 14cm x 6.5cm deep.

I decided to cover it with some paper from Limetree Craft that I got at NEC the Hobby Craft Show last year, there were 10 sheets in a pack for £1. I thought it was perfect for the box as it just looks like a woodcut pattern.

Before I covered it, I went round all the edges with a Promaker pen as I had cut the paper just short of the sides. I did the top in the same way, mindful that after a couple of coats of varnish it needed to slide smoothly in and out of the box. I also lined the bottom of the box. And that’s all there was to it. I loved seeing how the tones of the box changed under the varnish and I am so pleased with how classy it looks.

All I need is to do now is add the cards, a nice pen and a book of stamps and hope my mum likes it.

Snowman Card

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 5ins by 5ins and is made using white linen effect card.

Not much to this card today. The papers are 8 x 8 papers from Pepper’s Christmas Party from Trimcraft, to which I have added a little faux stitching to try to give the card a patchwork effect. The embellishments were part of a RAK from my lovely follower Carly, to which I’ve added a few clear flat backed gems and a little Ranger Glossy Accents on the snowman's eyes, nose and snowballs.

A HUGE Thank You

2011-11-30T00:00:00.001Z

A HUGE “Thank You” to Tracy for sending me a glorious parcel full of wonderful bits and pieces. I cannot believe the kindness of my readers and when I saw who the parcel was addressed to it made me howl! Soooo funny.

Amongst all the treasure was a box filled with all sorts of die cuts, including lots of hearts (and ….. I’m thinking Valentines Day already!) I can’t wait to get stuck into it all once Christmas is over.

Tracy also put in this lovely card in the parcel which is now on my craftroom window sill…. I will also add it to our blog gallery when I have five minutes. Thank you, thank you, thank you, your kindness and thoughtfulness is very much appreciated and treasured xxxx

Forever Friends Cards

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000Z

These cards measure 5ins x 5ins and are made using white linen effect card.

I quite like the Forever Friends range of toppers as they are well made and good quality but for doing a batch of cards they are a little expensive, so I only tend to buy them in the sales or when they are on offer.

I’ve teamed them up with 6 x 6 papers from the Papermania Back to Basics pack and Anita’s Happy Christmas message tags.

Mini Christmas Button Wreath

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000Z

This was a bit of an experiment that has turned out pretty well.

I’ve used a bracelet (part of a set of six for £1 bought from a funny discount shop in Wolverhampton) and buttons that I have found at various car boot sales.

I attached the wire hanger before I started gluing on the buttons. I only intended putting one layer of buttons on, but as I delved in my various boxes I found I have various other sizes that fit perfectly over the original ones and it progressed from there. Dead chuffed!

Microscope Slide Pendant/Christmas Decoration

2011-11-27T00:01:00.000Z

Remember in the summer when I finally got round to experimenting with my microscope slides? Well, I made this as well, but wanted to keep it until I started my Christmas blogging.

I’ve used paper from Basic Grey’s Blitzen Collection, Jack Frost (BL1-337) for the background with added punched snowflakes, prisma micro glitter, and tiny pale blue metallic stars. I’ve put glass flat back gems to the front of the pendant for extra dimension along with the metal Christmas tree, which is from Crafting for Christmas range. It really is very twinkly and magical, but it’s so hard to capture in a photo. I will be wearing it throughout December with a couple of others I have made.

Christmas Wish Bottle Tree Decoration.

2011-11-26T00:01:00.000Z

This bottle came from a child’s bead/jewellery making set of 12 bottles all filled with beads for 99p. I’d tried looking for similar empty bottles on e-bay but the prices were stupid, so I’ve emptied the beads into a big pot for another project, and just used the bottles.

The bottle is approximately 4cms tall (not including the stopper). I’ve put a piece of paper into it with “wish” written on both sides and then added a few punched silver snowflakes. On the outside I have stuck some small silver glittery self adhesive snowflakes (Anita’s I think). Finally I’ve put an eye with a screw end (not sure what they are really called) into the cork, all it needs now is a thread to hang it on a Christmas tree branch.

Doodled Christmas Tree Card

2011-11-25T00:01:00.003Z

This card measures 7ins x 5ins and is made using Kraft ribbed effect card.

Hmmmmm not sure about this card …. I went a bit berserk on the doodling! I think it has a sort of ethnicy feel to it.

Christmas Bucket Tea Light Holder

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000Z

This is probably a VERY naughty thing for me to do, but I have always have my camera with me and in January I was in a gift shop when I saw this festive bucket in the sale, I was too mean to buy it, but I took a sneaky pic because I liked the idea. Shhhhh!

Below is my version ….

I got home and was looking through my bits and stumbled upon the little green bucket I had forgotten I had, which is almost an identical colour, ‘twas fate.

I set about making the fringe using white felt and sewing small jingle bells on it.

And then used some red Dylon 3D glitter paint for the lines. When the paint was dried I stuck the fringe onto the bucket using a strong PVA glue. To be honest I think the 3D paint is too thick and blobby and if I were to have another go, I think I would just use a red micro glitter and PVA glue.

Christmas Hearts Card

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 15 cm x 10.5 cm and is made using white linen effect card and Basic Grey – Blitzen – Jack Frost BL1 –377 12 x 12 scrapbook paper

I love Christmas cards that are simple and unfussy, less is more. I’ve just punched out two 2in scalloped hearts and stuck them down using foam pads for extra dimension. The centre panel, mat and layered on silver is stuck down in the same way too.

I’ve added two small snowflake punches to each heart with a silver nail head in the middle and a scattering of tiny clear flat back gems. It took not time at all to make, but is so effective.

Pepper’s Christmas Party

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000Z

Each of these cards measure 5ins x 5 ins and is made using white linen effect card.

I got this box of Pepper’s Christmas Party (Trimcraft) chipboard shapes and a pack of matching 8ins x 8ins papers (also reduced) to go with them in a sale at the Range.

I am hoping to get about 6 plus cards from the box, 36 shapes sounds a lot, but some of the shapes are quite small and not so easy to use and some of the larger ones just didn’t appeal, like festive carol singing frogs …. which I just don’t get, but perhaps frog lovers might???

Anyway, these are the first three cards I’ve made from the pack.

Perhaps not my taste but I have learnt that the cards that I I really like don’t necessarily disappear from my box in the staffroom first!

Cat Christmas Card

2011-11-21T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 16cms x 11cms and is made using a ribbed Kraft card.

I’ve made this card for a friend at work who is mad about cats. I’ve had the wooden embellishment for a couple of years and as I am on a real mission to use a lot of my existing Christmas stash this year I was determined to use it.

The embellishment was from http://designsonpine.co.uk/categories.php – they have a cracking craft section – and worth a visit, especially when they have a sale!

Decorated Wooden Child’s Domino Box.

2011-11-20T00:01:00.002Z

This box, which measures 9cm x 16cm x 5.5 cm deep was left over after I had made all my festive wooden tags, I didn’t want to throw it away, so I thought I would make a little desk tidy/trinket box with it.

I’ve covered the sides, top and inside bottom with K & Co. Classic Margo Patchwork Stripes paper (643077 645776), and couple of layers of clear gloss varnish. A small wooden knob finishes it off. I think I put a few sweets in it and give it to a colleague as a small Christmas present.

Have You Seen These ? Jars of Thornton’s Smiles

2011-11-19T18:01:00.004Z

I first ~~saw~~ sampled these in Thornton’s during Chocolate Week in October and have been looking for them again ever since. I was just about to give up thinking they were a “one off” …. when I found them in the Wolverhampton branch ….. woo hooooo!

They should be £3.99 a jar but at the moment Thornton’s have a 3 for 2 offer on! Chocolatebuttontastic!!! I can think of so many people to give a jar to!

Have a look at Qwiksave's blog - Creative Flourishes ..... she had this idea way back in May !!! http://creativeflourishes.blogspot.com/2011/05/jar-of-smiles.html

Papermania Bauble Card

2011-11-19T00:01:00.000Z

I’ll be honest with you, I am not 100% happy with this card. I think the blank is too big and should be in cream and not white, and the baubles are too far apart, but it doesn’t do any harm to show you my “mistakes” now and again.

I’m not sure if these Papermania toppers are still available, as they were given to me last Christmas. All I’ve done is add a few red flat backed gems to bling them up a bit, drawn a thread and bow on the card and stuck on a few tiny gold stars. But as I said, there is definitely room for improvement.

Papermania Christmas Tree Topper Card

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000Z

This is a very simple design using cream linen card and measures 12.5 cm x 12.5 cm.

The trees are from Papermania, a gift from a friend last Christmas.

I love the way they have little notches on the sides, brilliant for winding a gold thread round. I have also added a few clear flat backed gems for extra bling and dimension.

I have made a cream card blank, because I think it looks better with gold and have also used it to make the snowdrifts right across the card to form a very simple winter scene.

Teddy – With Love At Christmas Card

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000Z

This card measures 5ins x 5ins and is made using white linen effect card.

I am really, really trying to use up all my old Christmas stash this year, there’s some really lovely new stuff out there in the shops that is soooooo tempting, but I must be strong! I think the 3D effect teddy sticker was from Hobbycraft last year in packs of 6 or 8. I’ve kept things very simple because, to be honest, at this time of year I need to knock out a lot of cards, very quickly!

Mini Handbags

2011-11-16T00:02:00.003Z

In case you missed these first time round, I've jiggled with past posts and added them again today ......... a friend showed me how to make these little handbags, so I cannot claim the idea as my own, but I loved them so much, I thought I would put my own spin on her idea.

They are so simple to make. Just take a strip of paper 4cm wide by 12cm long. Score the strip into 4 sections, measuring 2cm, 4cm, 2cm, 4cm.

The first 2cm makes the flap of the bag, the next 4cm makes the back, the next 2cm is the bottom of the bag and the final 4cm makes the front.

I have used 4 Twilight mints inside my bags , just tape them together so they don’t fall out, and secure them to the bottom of the bag with a sticky pad. Add a short length of ribbon at the crease of the flap for the handle, and then use another sticky pad to fasten the bag together. Finish off with an embellishment of your choice for the fastener, I have used gems. Simples!

Since I first posted these bags back in 2009 they have changed the wrappings on the Twilight mints - to plastic instead of foil and paper (not so classy!!!) but you could use Cadbury minatures instead. The basic template & dimensions can easily be tweaked to suit whatever confectionary you want to put in them.

Pamper Jar

2011-11-16T00:01:00.000Z

Usually at Christmas I make up a little basket of goodies like bubble bath, face packs etc. to put in my guest bedrooms but when I saw this idea for “Pampering in a Jar” on the brilliant blog below, I just had to have a go …..

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2011/10/everything-in-jar-handmade-gifts.html

I’ve been saving large Douwe Egberts coffee jars for ages as they are just to decorative to throw away. All I’ve added is a very simple label using an A4 sheet of printable canvas and a bit of bling.

I haven’t filled it completely yet, but when I am on my travels I will be looking for miniature versions of popular products in Boots, Superdrug and Asda, especially if they have a 3 for 2 offer on.

As an extra touch I’ve popped a Yankee Candle tea light into the lid of the jar, so that when my guests are having a little pamper they are also surrounded with beautiful wafts of perfume!

It’s well worth having a look at Tonia’s blog as she has a lot of other brilliant ideas for gifts in jars along with a lot of other ideas too

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2011/10/everything-in-jar-handmade-gifts.html

Jars are really versatile for crafting ideas but I HATE trying to remove all the sticky stuff off them ….. until I found this in Aldi - £2.99 a bottle ….. its brilliant!

A Book Review – Make Hey! While The Sun Shines by Pip Lincolne

2011-11-15T00:01:00.004Z

ISBN 978-1742701131-8 – hardie grant books
Disclaimer: Occasionally I do receive free products to review from companies. However I do not allow this to influence my opinion; I will always share my honest opinion.

A while back I had an e-mail from Helena from hardie grant books, a company, to be honest, I had not come across before, she offered me the opportunity to review two of their craft books (one in November and the other in December)….. well it would have been most rude not to have a little gander wouldn’t it?

Rather than put all the blurb about the book in my own words it’s easier to just cut and paste and then I won’t miss anything out ……. and then I’ll tell you what I think!

“The crafty Pip Lincolne is back with her third book of sweet and whimsical projects. In Make Hey While the Sun Shines, she shows you 20 gorgeous things to make for the summertime, holiday time, or any time! There are bike seat covers made from vintage fabric, crocheted baubles to decorate your house (or car!), hand-printed gift bags and pretty hand illustrated plates to customise your own ceramics. More adventurous crafters might like to try the Chatty Tote or the handy bottle tote to store your drinks when you head out for the day. Making hey isn't just about sewing and craft though - there are also 5 pull-out recipe cards with delicious goodies to take on a picnic or just enjoy at home. All of the projects have step-by-step instructions and illustrations to guide you through, and with comprehensive sections on sewing, crochet and knitting basics, Make Hey While the Sun Shines is perfect for anyone who is interested in handmaking their own beautiful things.”

I love it, it’s a sturdy book with a hard cover but is ring bound inside. In the front cover is a pocket containing five recipe cards, with room to add a few more of your own. It’s quirky, but my sort of quirky, and will be a constant source of inspiration for years to come, not only because of the projects it contains, but also the because of the composition of photographs and pages, there is so much to look at, I find them fascinating and a further source of inspiration, in away it reminds me of a sort of smash book.

The book is divided into four parts, Projects, Crafty How-Tos, Extra Good Ideas and the Recipe Cards, all of which are detailed but easy to read and follow, using the simple illustrations and above all interesting.
The book is available from Amazon priced at £12.09 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Hey-While-Sun-Shines/dp/1742701310/

The project I most wanted to try was “Mix Tape A La Pip”, such a simple idea …. ideas/instructions on how to make your own sticky tapes, something that I had never thought of before, but now I am hooked.

Pip says this idea can be used on print or plain fabric scraps, which can be embroidered or drawn on, ….. using the principles of the idea, this is what I came up with A La Fiddle Fart …

In Publisher I created a series of tapes using fonts from Two Peas in Bucket (2Peas DW Meow font size 36, 2Peas Tis The Season font size 14 and 2Peas DW Bow Wow) http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/fonts/ . The snowmen are from a digi set called Little Joys by Zoe Pearn which I printed on an A4 sheet of canvas paper in Landscape. When printed, to use up all the canvas, I added two of my own doodled designs using Promarker pens. ……. and then simply cut them out and put double sided tape on the back ….. voila!

I used one of the tapes on this Sizzix gift card holder …..

To sum up, an inspiring book, that I will refer to and read often and with a great deal of pleasure, however please can I stress that this is only my opinion of the book.
http://www.facebook.com/HardieGrantBooksLondon
http://twitter.com/#!/HardieGrantUK

Snowmen Keyrings

2011-11-14T00:01:00.003Z

As soon as December starts out come all my little Christmassy things …. to use through 'till New Years Eve, and this will be my festive keyring of choice!

The blank is part of a pack of twelve oblong keyrings from Hobbycraft from the “Make It!” Create and Play range (£2.99) that I got when they were on a 3 for 2 offer in the summer.

I created a sheet images in Publisher (above) using a digi set from Sweet Shoppe Designs called Little Joys by Zoe Pearn (which unfortunately seems to have been deleted now). It’s a set I have used over and over again for the past three years. I have a thing about the perfect snowman and this design ticks all the boxes for me.

Once printed, I cut out the images and glittered them using Stampin’Up Dazzling Diamonds and a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen.

I then put two of the designs back to back in a keyring and added three small jingle bells on a jump ring to finish the whole thing off (I’m not sure how long the bells will last though!).

For keyring blanks and a lot of other stuff as well: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/PC3721?_trksid=p4340.l2563

A Weekend Away From It All

2011-11-14T00:00:00.002Z

I’ve just got back from a weekend near Christchurch in Dorset …. and my current object of desire is …..

…… a beach hut at Hengistbury Head ….. soooooo beautiful and peaceful …… making work and real life just melt away and seem a million miles away.

…… Later on in the day, fancying a coffee, we popped into a lovely Coffeehouse and Smoothie Bar called Blend, (74 High St, Christchurch, BH23 1BN) …….

…… where on a table, I found a ball of wool attached to a huge length of knitting and the invitation to knit a few rows ……

……. how could I resist? And so, between sips of my posh coffee, I added about another three inches. The scarf is being knitted to raise funds for a local hospice, so if you are passing by why not add a few more rows!

While in the New Forest I spotted this beautiful mushroom, …. mushrooms always make me feel all magical and mystical, goodness knows why….

……. and I got a picture of the Duke amongst the ponies. The weather was glorious…. the weekend was perfect ….. bliss!

Ingredients Lists …..

2011-11-13T20:06:00.002Z

Sorry, I’ve been away for the weekend and was unable to reply to a couple of questions left in the “chatbox” until now. My answers are a little long for the “chatbox”, so I’ve answered them here.

I have never sold my “stuff” at a public event/school fayre etc., so my experience on labelling is limited. Knowing that it can be a contentious issue, if I did, I think I might steer clear of selling anything that I thought might cause problems re: listing ingredients etc. purely for the reasons that Diane encountered.

However, think about this …. when I buy my quarter (100 gms) of sweets from my local Olde Sweete Shoppe in town, as often is my want, the sweets are weighed out and put in a plain paper bag, the same applies for when I indulge myself with a mahoooosive bag of Pick n Mix, again I have no clue to the ingredients ………

I have found this PDF which may be of use http://www.cibsouthandwest.org.uk/uploads/publications/60.pdf ….. but there are a lot of other sites from which you can get information.

If you really want to “cover” yourself, it wouldn’t hurt to type up the ingredients of whatever you are using onto a self adhesive label and put it on the back of your packets. As I have said I have a limited knowledge on the subject but I am sure there may be others here who may be able to add to what I have suggested.

Lest We Forget

2011-11-13T00:02:00.000Z

Mini Christmas Printers Tray Decoration

2011-11-13T00:01:00.000Z

This is just pure Fiddle Fart Fiddlefartness just for the festive sake of it ….

The tray was a container for little wooden shapes and it seemed a shame to throw it away …. so I had a very happy and indulgent time filling each square with all the little Christmassy leftover bits I’ve had lingering from Christmases past..

And I made such a mess … looking for things that would fit, as you can see.

…. As to what I am going to do with this piece of frivolity …. I don’t have a clue!

Snowflake Jar Lantern

2011-11-12T00:01:00.001Z

I was a bit disappointed with my first attempt at a Christmas jar lantern a while back so I’ve had another go.

I’ve used white tissue paper, which proved to be quite delicate and fiddle farty to use. I applied one layer as evenly as I could, and then, when it was dry, put a packet of Anita’s Snowflake Glitterations on top. This may seem a bit of an extravagance, but I bought them last year and was never inspired to use them. Next followed another layer of tissue and then several coats of Ronseal Quick Drying Clear glossy varnish.