How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Advent Calendar.

I have been asked for some instructions on how to make my little Advent Calendars. I am hoping that the pictures will do most of the work, please bear with me, I'll try my best and hope I get everything in the right order .........

First, design your numbers. I used A4 page setting in Publisher and 2 Peas font "Typo" (download from http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/), font size 16 for December and font size 65 for the number. Each square measures approx. 4.5cm x 4 cm. I managed to get all 25 on one sheet. Cut numbers out.To make the body of the calendar, cut a piece of card (I used dark blue leather effect) approx. 9cm long x 6.5cm wide. Add two wavy strips of white glitter card along the bottom . Put a length of ribbon on top of the "snow", leaving enough to stick behind the card to give a neater finish. Add a bow to the main ribbon by threading a smaller piece underneath and making a single knot. Mat and layer on silver card.

Cut a co-ordinating piece of card approx 5cm x 5cm and mat and layer on silver card and stick onto the snow scene.

Decorate a mini bulldog clip with co-ordinating ribbons and secure the numbers in its grip. Carefully attach the clip to the calendar body.

Add an embellishment to one side of the calendar, I used a "Dress It Up" snowman button. As a finishing touch add several clusters of three dots on the sky area in white pen.

Finally stick a magnet on the back. And voila!!!

Christmas Is Coming ..... Mini Advent Calendar

Here are a couple of pictures of my latest project, itsy bitsy Advent Calendars. I know.... I know, it's too early to be thinking about Christmas, but the idea sort of snook into my head, and I just had to start making.

I used oddments of blue, silver and white glitter card that were too small to use on anything else, East of India gingham ribbon and some Dress It Up snowman buttons I got at a bargain price off E-Bay from a seller in America.

Once I put the design together they didn't take that long to make, but I hated cutting out 25 sets of numbers, next time I might try to print and cut them on my Silhouette Cutter.

I have stuck a magnet on the back so that they can be put on a fridge etc.

Looking at my box you can see that I am not the tidiest of crafters and I still have a few to finish off, but then I have plenty of time ...... ho ho ho!

A Special Australian Engagement Card

I make a lot of cards to order. This has come about by my leaving a box of general cards in the various school staffrooms where I have worked, and then someone coming up to me asking if would make them a "special" card but a bit bigger! From there it has become word of mouth, people show others the card I have made for them and I get asked again, a ripple effect.

I now have lots of "regulars" who send me long lists several months in advance that I can work through. I ask for a name, age, and interests and try to tailor my design around that, making it as personal to that person as I can. Sometimes what I make is not always too my taste, but as long as the giver and reciplicant are happy, I can only be happy too.

This is one of my favourite cards. It was made as an order for Mel, a lovely, lovely girl I used to work with. Her friends had got engaged in Australia and this is what I came up with.

I went on Google and found an outline map of Australia which I cut and pasted and then formatted to burgundy. The font is 2 Peas High Tide, the ribbon is from East of India and the hearts punched from matching paper, all matted on gold with faux stitching in burgundy round the edges.

I hear that it is now framed and hanging on a wall is Aus!

Wecome to My Craft Room

This is my Craft Room, I really appreciate how lucky I am to have such a lovely room to work in, surrounded by my "treasures" and craft materials and tools.

My desk is L shaped and this is the view facing the wall. The picture of the pebbles is one of mine, taken on a beach in Wales when I had my first digital camera.

As you can see I have a thing for stones and wings!

And this is the view from the desk I work from.