A Perk of the Job!

One of the unexpected surprises to my blogging is when out of the blue, I am asked to review something.  It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, I get VERY excited!

Iain from http://newhollandpublishers.com/craft-and-hobbies.asp contacted me and asked if I would like to have a look at some of his craft books ….. how could I resist?

The first book I chose was Furoshiki by  Kumiko Nakayama-Geraerts (£7.99), something I had never heard of before, but the idea of wrapping gifts and other items with fabric and using a few simple knots sounded so brilliant and different. The ideas are pretty easy.  I particularly liked the ball bag idea, which I’ve had a little play with using an old Liberty hankie, perhaps it needs a little tweaking, but  this could be the answer to my prayers when trying to wrap something awkward.

I like the idea that you could wrap a present in a very unique way, and that the wrapping can also be part of the present, like pashmina. 

I will certainly be looking in the charity shops now for squares of interesting material, retro head scarves, old embroidered table clothes, shawls, etc. When you think that some wrapping paper can cost over £2 a sheet …. it’s a no brainer!

Also, in the book are examples of wrapping a bouquet of flowers, a bottle, a potted flower and a shoulder bag.  This is definitely a book I will be going back to for ideas.

The next book Rediscovered Treasures by Ellen Dyrop and Hanna Kristindottir (£9.99), is very much my thing. As I read it I ohhhed ahhhhed aloud. So many ideas …. so little time, using items that can be found at car boot sales and charity shops etc.  My very, very favourite idea was cupcakes in a cup.

You simply bake your cupcakes in a paper case, then pop it into a cup when cool, then ice and decorate …..how cute is that?

I loved this purse idea, made from an old embroidered cloth, something I am always looking for and buying.

And this is such a lovely idea, using a child’s pinafore as a peg holder.  I might attach it to a slightly more decorative hanger, but what a lovely idea to give to Granny for Mother’s Day when clothes are outgrown?

And finally, Street-Chic Jewellery by Susie Johns (£14.99), I dabble with making bits of jewellery and try to keep things pretty simple but quirky, and there are some brilliant ideas in this book.

 

These are three of my favourite ideas, which could be mounted and added to the front of a card.

 

There are lots of ideas, including making paper beads and beadwork to suit a variety of expertise.  Again a book I will be delving in at regular intervals.

There are many other lovely craft books at http://newhollandpublishers.com/default.asp some of which I have earmarked like …..

Iain has offered a discount of 20% plus free P&P. (Free P&P for UK Residents only) to readers on each of the books I have reviewed (Furoshiki, Rediscovered Treasures and Street Chic Jewellery), just use the code Fiddle at the checkout. The offer ends 1^st September 2011 – how brilliant is that?

Easter Shopping

I have started to buy bits and pieces when I see them for the  baskets I am planning to make this Easter. I thought these chocolate coins were a bit different from Morrisons for 99p a net.

First Day at School Card

These cards measure 12.5 cm x 12.5 cm and are made using  white linen effect card.

These Provocraft Stand-Out stickers were perfect for these First Day at School cards and at only 29p a packet (from HobbyCrafts sale), I got two packets, and went the whole hog and used all the embellishments per pack on each card.

I’ve used a red and blue gingham backing paper, so perhaps,  (but not wishing to stereotype) one could be for a girl and the other a boy.

Every year I say that I ought to make more First Day at School cards, as it’s not the sort of card you see in many shops. It’s something I’m sure grandparents etc. would love to send to mark such a special occasion.

My Favourite Photos from The Czech Republic

I had a lovely time in the Czech Republic and managed to get a few hours to myself to go out with my camera.

I know it sounds a bit odd but on Friday I took myself to the tiny cemetery that was near the hotel, and fell in love with this small statue standing on her own in the snow.

Then as I walked around I noticed that the snow/ice had formed into what looked like the feathers of an angels wing.

My photography just doesn’t do justice to the beauty.

It was cold, but it wasn’t that that gave me tingles down my spine.

Modge Podge Altered Bangle

Remember this 10p bangle I got in Primark’s reduced bin?

Well I’ve covered in DecoPatch paper and Modge Podge sparkle finish and now it looks like this:-

I’ve only put one layer of DecoPatch on so the gold leathery effect of the bangle shows through giving a lovely effect.

I’ve only recently started using Modge Podge, I got a starter pack, which had one small bottle of each finish in it to try.  I am hooked, it dries very quickly and doesn’t run and the various finishes it gives are fantastic, much better and easier than some of the varnishes I have used in the past.

Birthday Card for a Walker

This card is A5 in size.

As I have said before, my Birthday Times template is brilliant for making a one off, totally personal card. 

A card like this can take a couple of hours to make because of the research, as my sister would say, “It’s all in the detail!”.  The brief was 60th birthday, walking, red wine, and the Laf Apujarraf mountains, I think I have pulled it off!.

The boots are Quickutz die cuts I got from e-bay, the boot print stickers are from Stickopotamus and I am desperate to get some more, as I have almost run out of them and the bottle and glasses are a clip art image that I have covered with Anita’s 3D clear gloss to give a glass like effect.

The map, boots, bottle and glasses are all stuck on with foam pads for extra dimension.

Rainbow Keyboard Card

I was asked to make a card for a 12 year old boy who plays the piano, mindful of his age, I didn’t want to do anything run of the mill.  I hoped to find a wavy keyboard on Google but no luck, so in the end I had to plump for a dead plain black and white clip art keyboard.

Then I had an “Ulrika Moment” – I found a rainbow background and with a bit of jiggery pokery on Publisher, superimposed the keyboard on top ….. I was so chuffed with the result.

I cut out another set of black keys and used foam sticky pads to hold them in place. Finally I added a good coat of Anita’s 3D Clear Gloss to each key as a finishing touch. Done and dusted!

Deer Watching Thank You Card

I made this card for my sister to give as a “thank you” to a friend, who had taken her deer watching one evening.  Everything came together so well to make it.

 

I love and use googly eyes a lot, they are such a simple way to add character and humour to an image and/or card

Just For Fun …. Tour T-Shirts and Badges!

As you know I’m off on a ski trip soon with work ….. and thought it would be fun to make some tour “merchandise” for the staff who are going.

I can’t believe that I got the first one horribly wrong …(which was mine fortunately) …. first rule of transfer printing …. is to reverse the writing ……. DOH!!!!

This is the design I came up with but unfortunately it didn’t transfer quite as distinctively against the grey  as I had hoped ….. but as the shirts only cost £1.90 each  from Primark and are  probably going to  be worn once as a joke or in bed I am not going to be too precious about the not  so  perfect results.

I made some badges too, that hopefully will be worn a lot of the time.

The Only Way Is Up? That is our theme, a song by Yaz  , which we will play every morning before we hit the slopes to get in the mood!

What’s In My Posh Sweetie Dish …. While I’m Crafting Today?

Haribo’s version of liquorice allsorts ……

Popcorn Tags

These tags were made for friends daughters 16th Birthday Sleepover.

I’ve used a digi download design from http://www.scrappindoodles.com/ for the base of the tags and with a bit of computer jiggery pokery managed to add each girls name on each one.

I’ve used Decocraft Glistening Snow Writer to give the popcorn extra dimension, but to be honest I am a bit disappointed with the texture and would have preferred the more puffier effect that I have had from other similar products.

Decorated Peg Fridge Magnet Tutorial

I made a lot of the peg fridge magnets  a couple of Christmas’s ago, but someone who wasn’t a crafter asked me how to make them, so I thought I would do a little tutorial on them.

 

You’ll need some Poundshop pegs (usually in packs of 100) and some PVA glue.

Some ribbon, for ease I’ve used Anita’s self adhesive ribbon (99p per pack – with careful cutting you should be able to cover 24 pegs with one packet) and some magnets (available from HobbyCraft either in small packs, a foam sheet or self adhesive tape).

Plus anything you like to decorate the pegs with, I’ve used wooden beads from a 99p wooden bead set from Home Bargains.

Cut the ribbon to size and stick down on the peg.

Glue the magnets on the open end of the peg.

When the magnets are dry, turn the peg over and decorate the reverse side (directly over the magnet)

I’ve added a few wibbly wobbly eyes and some flat backed gems as an extra fiddle fart>

Simples!