FiddleFart Top Tip Look Out For Reduced Chocolate Coins ….

I am buying up all the good quality chocolate coins I find reduced in the shops at the moment …. these bags cost me 25p each from the Co-Op and contain either 90g of white or milk chocolate …. with a best before date for the end of August 2013.  I bought 8 bags for just £2 and have managed to make 37 “Start of the New Term” favours with them (sorry, you’ll have to wait ‘till next week for me to post them) … but I have a couple of other ideas up my sleeve on how to use them ….. so watch this space!

Robust Excitement ….. Experimenting With Wedding Invitations

As you know my son Tom and The Lovely Laura are getting married in the summer (2013) and as Christmas  had a strange sort of feel to it this year, and, to be honest, the TV was flipping awful I decided to put some of my energies into working on a few simple ideas for wedding invitations during the quiet times,   ….. nothing concrete … just something that Tom and Laura could look at and think about …….

(For obvious security reasons I have removed the date)

I have told them that there is nothing that can’t be changed and that the colours are simply to show them what can be done …. and so can be altered to suit any colour scheme. 

I know which style I like best …. but it’ll be interesting to see which idea they will go for and how it will evolve over the coming weeks,  so that it will be exactly as they want.  Watch this space!!

Two More Jewelled Mirrors … And Another Labour Of Love In the Making…..

What have I done? ….. Every time I have shown someone my “boudoir” mirror, they have immediately wanted one too …. but because of the work (and expense) involved, I will only make them for very, very special people ….. like my daughter Lucy and my sister-in-law Sarah,  both of whom I cannot thank enough for all they have done for me over the past seven months and still continue to do, I would be so lost without either of them!

Sarah’s mirror (above) measures 51.5cms x 35.5cms and, as with Lucy’s, was a charity shop find for £3.99.
I bought copious amounts of suitable jewellery to disassemble from Primark and large acrylic flat back gem flowers from e-bay. 

Lucy’s mirror is slightly smaller,  measuring 45.5cms x 34.5cms and cost just a bargain £2.99.

The frames of these mirrors are narrower that on my first two projects, which in some ways proved a little more fiddly to get gems/jewels to fit.  However with each batch of gems and Primark jewels I dismember I am also beginning to build up a reserve ….. which is quite fortuitous …..

….. because I am about to start on a new project for my boudoir ….. the re-decoration of which starts on 7th January ….. I wanted two fancy narrow mirrors for either side of my bed, I thought I had found them online, only to be told they were unavailable, after which I stopped looking for a while, until, I found these two gold framed mirrors in a new BM Bargains type shop, that has just opened in Wolverhampton.  They measure approx. 35ins x 12ins and only cost £3.99 each (saving over £60 on the original ones I wanted)  I knew if I didn’t buy them there and then I would regret it as they would disappear ….. I didn’t care how, but I was determined to get them on the bus and home!!!!

I am going to marry them up with these nightlight holders that have been in my boudoir for years but are now tired and dated ….. gluing them to the mirror and frame with E6000 glue, which is strong enough to take the weight, and then I plan to bejewelled and bedazzle them robustly as befits my new lady boudoir! I have ordered some more flat backed flower gems, but just need a “small” spree, curtsey of Primark,  for a few extra bits and pieces …. with an eye for something big and sparkly,  particularly for the corners.

It’s going to be a challenge as I shall be “encrusting” both mirrors at the same time, I don’t want them to be completely identical, but I would like them to look like a matching pair……. so watch this space! 

New Years Resolutions ….. ???

I spent yesterday, the last day of 2012, cleaning and tidying upstairs (in preparation for my decorators) with a thick beauty mask on my face and my hair stewing under my Primark turban …. ready for an evening out at my favourite Indian restaurant.
I’m not sure about making any resolutions  ….. on a personal level I just want 2013 to be a “good, kind, gentle and safe” year for me,  and  my family and special friends,  I think that’s ALL I can/should wish for……

…. 2013 brings so much to look forward to, what with my trip of a lifetime to Las Vegas with Lucy and then Tom and Laura’s wedding …. so, if resolutions are to be made, the main one should be to lose weight, because I shall be wanting some mega gorrrrrrrgeous outfits  ….. but,  Lucy and I have already set that ball in motion by joining Weightwatchers ahead of the New Year scramble in October …. we are doing really well and are supporting each other,  so all I can say is look out shops in June/July ….. because by then we will both be a size 12 and ready to shop till we drop!

I have learnt from last year that you should live for each day and never put off anything that you can possibly find the time to squeeze in today …. so on Sunday I booked two bargain £7.50 tickets to and from London, so that I can spend a few more days with Marc in a month or so’s time …. and I promise that if we make anything,  I will take plenty of photographs to put a few tutorials/post together. I don’t know where I would be without Marc’s encouragement and it’s thanks to him that this blog is still going, all be it for just a couple of times a week, but I know that if I stopped completely he would never, ever forgive me!

As for fiddle farting …… Tom and Laura’s impending wedding has given me lots to keep busy, the wedding invitations are almost sorted, (as you will see later this week) … so blog wise … there will be plenty of wedding stuff, from the invitations, place cards, bunting, Elizabeth Shaw mints, sweetie bag favours …. to name but a few!! In the coming months Wednesday nights will be crafting night chez moi, with all hands to the pump, as I want to share the joy of making the “bits” Tom and Laura’s with as many family members as want to be involved …..

As I have already recently featured,  I want to “doodle” a lot more too, sharing the end results in the form of free downloads …. hopefully, in time,  changing the style of my cards quite a lot, still using some of the thousands of embellishments I have,  but pared down and very  less is more.

I don’t know what offers I might receive with regards to reviews etc.  in 2013, I turned quite a few down in 2012, some I now regret,  but at the time I didn’t think I could do them justice, but I really am looking forward to working with WholePort, unfortunately,  their first parcel to me (sent in early November) found its way to Customs Control …… goodness knows what they thought it contained as I only asked for an assortment of decorative tapes! I am hoping that when I get back to work it will have arrived ….. I am also hoping to renew my relationship with Dunelm Mill, which also fell sadly by the wayside a bit.

Anyway, let’s just see how it all pans out ….. wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Years Eve 2012 – Out With The Old ……

OMG,  you must be thinking, what on earth has possessed the Duch ? …… Well, this is how I shall be ending 2012 ….. with a very empty looking Craft Room!

Things were looking very tired …. so I have got the decorators in over the next couple of weeks to freshen things up, in my upstairs regions, nothing major ….

….. but as I am preferring the minimalist look at the moment, it will give me a chance to have a really ruthless sort out of all my crafty bits and pieces …. and then hopefully with a lot less clutter and stuff I will never use …. I will feel a lot less bogged down and  inspired to spend a lot more time in my “new look” work area!

Happy Christmas ….

Mahooosive and robust festivities of a Very Happy Christmas type nature …..

…… from Chateau Castle Greyskull

To Chez Vous!

xx A Huge Thank You And A Very Happy Christmas To You All xx

Oh my, what can I say ……

….. except for a MAHOOOOOSIVE “Thank You” for all the lovely Christmas cards you have sent to me.
It’s been quite overwhelming when I have come in knackered from work to find such beautiful cards waiting for me on the doormat.
I have appreciated each and every one for all the work that has gone into them …….
….. and the wonderful heartfelt messages inside them …..
…. it really, really has meant so very much to me …. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart…….

…. as the Monkeys are so oft heard to say “I feel very blessed in a Hello Magazine type way!”
Talking of whom ……  a very robust THANK YOU from Monkey, Darrell and Nigel too …. for all their little presents and cards …..
…… it never ceases to amaze me how they have been embraced and taken into the hearts and bosoms of their followers!They have kept me sane, if that’s the right word……

……. forcing me to go out and do things, even when I really wanted to stay under the sheets,  and to look at the world through their innocent and whimsical eyes ….. to find something funny to photograph and write about.

Marc said that his partner Rick had commented, after meeting me that he realised that each monkey was (loosely) based on a different characteristic of my personality ….. so that’s my straight jacket ordered and in the post then …..!!!!  Oh my life! – Anyway THANK YOU again on behalf of The Boys …. (who will, hopefully, be posting each day, over the holiday)

I don’t “think” there will be any Fiddle Fart blog posts in the week leading up to New Years Eve/New Years Day, but hopefully I can use part of my time off work to get a few posts scheduled, because at the moment, I confess,  there is very little in the pot.

xxxxx Once again, can I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your kindness and thoughts and wish you all a VERY, VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS xxxxx

Hip Hip Hooray!!

Jewelled Mirror No. 2…. But Shhhhh…… It’s A Christmas Present!

I use E6000 glue on all my mirrors.

As soon as she saw it “The Lovely Laura” wanted a jewelled mirror just like the one I made for my boudoir ….. and it was most fortunate that I had acquired this old mirror measuring approximately 40cm x 40cm from a local charity shop for £3.99 …… the frame was originally dark green, but I sprayed it gold before the gluing fest commenced!

Unfortunately, the mirror was not as cheap to make as my first one, because the original had used up most of my old jewellery ……..

….. so I am afraid that to get it done in time for Christmas I spent a fair few pounds in Primark on pieces of jewellery that I could disassemble!!

…. but I did have quite a few acrylic flowers, pearls and other gems to fill in the gaps.  Not a cheap present by any means …. but something very unique and special present for Laura.  However,  I have enough bits to start (but probably not finish, another mirror) and I will no doubt now be found prowling the aisles of Primark in the sales ready to snaffle up any reduced items that can be used to finish off the project.

…… Forget All The Top Crafters and DT Designers ….. They Will All Pale Into Insignificance Once You’ve Seen This ……

The most anticipated and cherished Christmas gift in all the world has finally arrived …… this is what my mum was presented with by the coach guides when my multiply disabled brother Stephen arrived home on Thursday.  I could fiddle about ‘till kingdom come, using the very best and latest materials,  but I could NEVER make anything as beautiful as this ….

Stephen was 50 in November … and my mum at 79 still cares for him at home, so we cannot thank the staff at his centre enough for the love, care and respite they give her and Stephen during the year.We know that Stephen probably only sat at the table and hummed as he watched the staff put his Christmas tree together for him.  They may have put a paint brush in his hand,  but he’d have just chucked it, as he does with everything you hand him (except for his cups of tea and chocolate buttons!!!!! ) ….. but as I said above, we can NEVER thank these wonderful people enough for working with him and making our Christmas so special with this irreplaceable gift …… they really are unsung heroes!

Christmas Snowflake Penny Bags

These are the other “Penny Bags” I made for the school Choir …. again using Christmas tree decorations from Poundland, bought for half price, working at 5p each I think.

Whenever I go shopping and see a “bargain” or a something that’s bit different, I will always stand a while and think about “what else” I can do with it. By just adding a little extra sparkle, no matter how simple, something ordinary can be turned into something that looks extra special.

Santa Penny Bags

I’ve only made two lots of sweet bags this year,  both for my Music Dept. as a “Thank You” to the choir who are always very busy at this time of year.

I tied Poundshop Santa Christmas tree decorations round the tops of cello bags that I had filled with an assortment of Christmas money and santas, lollies and chews.  I got the Santas in the Poundshop sale last year for 50p a pack, purchasing all they had left, knowing that they would probably come in useful for this year.  I notice that they are still available this year, but at full price!

Not a lot of work I know, but I priced them at costing me 60p each to put together, you couldn’t buy a chocolate bar for that! Hopefully,  for a just a little effort the girls will go home feeling that they have been given something a bit different in appreciation for all their hard work.

Bare Tree And Heart Christmas Card

This card measures 15.5cms x 11cms and is made using white linen effect card. (sorry about my shadow hanging over it!)

I have not made many cards to send this year, but this card is the one that will be sent to all the special people who have been with me over the past few months …. it’s very simple but reflects how I am feeling as Christmas approaches.

I’ve used a stamp from Art Impressions (no. G-1277), mat and layered on silver mirror card, with a dusting of Hunkydory Diamond Sparkles, Butterfly Trails and the tiniest heart flat backed gem I could find. 

Two Tatty Teddy Christmas Cards

Both these cards measure 13cm x 13cm and are made using a blank of white linen effect card.

For me, these cards are quite fancy!  They are made using the Tatty Teddy decoupage sheets I found in a sale for £1.74 a pack of 4. After I had  assembled them I added a little Ranger Glossy Accents to the bear’s noses and an extra  sprinkling of Stampin’Up Dazzling Diamonds micro glitter here and there for extra bling.   I’ve teamed them up with grey gingham and pink polka dot paper strips from Handy Hippo and glitter photo corners from Papercellar.

To finish them off I’ve also added a bit of faux stitching, small punched snowflakes and flat back gems.

Fame At Last …… And My Favourite Festive Bargain!

Oh my life …. I didn’t expect this …. I was really trying to get the Monkeys faces up in lights in Oxford Street via Marmite,  as it would have caused a festive flurry of robust excitement for chez nous ….. but all the pictures I uploaded of them on Facebook were rejected, so I thought I would see if my picture would be acceptable …… and so that’s how my little chubby cheeks got their moment of fame!!! Sooooo funny!   Why not have a go yourself:-

http://www.facebook.com/Marmite/app_478792335486805

I haven’t done much shopping this year and to be honest anything of a crafty type nature in my favourite Poundshop hunting grounds has been pretty much the same as last year (and the year before!) so there is very little that I haven’t seen or used before ….. but this are my favourite purchase of this year, to be put away for next year …… because all my presents were wrapped up ages ago …..

..... this little bag measures 8.25ins across by 6ins,and is gusseted and embroidered ….. I have seen similar ones in very expensive shops …. take away the tag, perhaps add a few small sparkly gems and no one would know it had only cost £1, bargaintastic!! 

Very Simple Christmas Card

This card measures 3.75ins x 3.75ins and is made using an ivory linen effect card.

The centre panel for this card started life as a gift tag, but the pattern made me think of mistletoe so I turned it into a card. All I have added are a few very small flat back pearls.  The circle Christmas sentiment is a die cut from CraftWork Cards.