Happy St George’s Day!
Here are two cute SIzzix characters dressed as bold and brave Knights! No dragons in sight though… Available to buy from TipTopToppers (look under Sizzix People category)
Posted In: Paper Crafts
Equipment: Pre cut Shaker Box and Acetate – available from www.tiptoptoppers.co.uk ruler, small scissors, pencil, craft knife, card stock, background card / paper, glue, double sided tape, gems and sequins (for shaking)
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
1. Cut small thin strips of double sided tape and add to the window edge of the inside of the shaker box so the acetate can be added which stops the contents of the box from falling out! You could use glue but you may get some overspill after attaching the acetate window which looks unsightly and messy. Plus, if you use glue, you must allow for drying time.
2. Once the acetate window has been added, turn over the flat shaker box and add double sided tape to the edges as shown. I have removed the tiny little flaps from the top edge of the box as I find them too fiddly to use! Do not take off the double sided tape backing just yet.
3. Turn the box over so you are looking at the inside. Attach a small random selection of gems and sequins or beads etc to the back of the box. Take care not to add anything too close to the edges as it will be partly obscured by the edge of the window. By attaching some of the decoration to the inside of the box, it will show that the box does have something in it, as sometimes the contents will fall to the bottom and will not be seen!
4. Now unpeel the backing from the tape and stick the sides together – take care when doing this as it’s not always easy to unstick them! I find it easier to push the little middle flaps in first and then bring the untaped sides to meet the taped sides. Press together gently without crushing the box. The top edge of the box will stay open and you can then drop in the rest of your gems, sequins and beads. Add double sided tape to the top edge of the box and seal it shut. Your box is now complete!
5. For the card background I have printed two complementary sheets from a colour collection from the Funky Seasons CD by www.funkyhand.com I have also used a slightly larger square cut from silver card to create a layered effect behind the shaker box.
6. The backing papers have been printed onto A4 white card and I’ve cut the white border edges off so I know how much card I actually have to use. I use a scalpel or craft knife and a ruler to do this – scissors have a tendency to wander a little and I need straight crisp lines.
7. A small section of the wording backing paper has been cut and layered onto the front of the bold striped card, leaving a thin white edge for effect.
8. I made three similar cards from the two sheets of backing paper and still had some left over!
This tutorial will also be available shortly to download from www.tiptoptoppers.co.uk
Posted In: Craft Tutorials
These are a new prototype of my latest creation: barefoot sandals. Initiallly I created them for beach weddings using pearls, crystals etc but these are for more every day use. Can be made in any colour and size to suit.
Equipment: Pin Wheel Template – available from www.Lakeland.co.uk, Small Scissors, Pencil, Craft Knife, Eraser, Card Stock, Brad x 2, Glue, Ribbon, Vellum, Pre Printed Birthday Sentiment (optional), Glitter Glue (optional), Metallic pen ink (optional)
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
1. Using the largest of the three pin wheel templates, draw round it with a soft pencil onto the vellum. Repeat for the middle sized template.
2. Carefully cut along the pencil lines. You now have two flat pin wheels. Rub out any pencil marks.
3. On the thinner ‘leg’ of each sail, and by using the craft knife, make a small hole large enough for the brad. Repeat this for all 4 ‘legs’ and in the centre for both pin wheels.
4. Hold the smaller pin wheel and gently push the brad through the hole so the head of the brad is facing down.
5. Bring each ‘leg’ of the sail to the brad point and push the brad through the hole, continue until complete and then push the brad through the centre hole, thus making a complete pin wheel.
6. Repeat for the larger pin wheel. I found it easier to have the smaller completed pin wheel on top with the brad still open whilst I made the larger pin wheel as it was easier to keep the two together. However, this may be fiddly and you may find it easier to make each pin wheel separately and then glue together at the end.
7. Attach the pin wheel to your card, either by using the existing brad or by glue. To add the organza ribbon, mark its width on the fold of the card and gently make an incision with the craft knife so the ribbon can pass round the card.
8. Add a dot and dash running stitch with the metallic ink pen around the edge of the card and pre printed Birthday sentiment to add a boundary to your card. Tie the Birthday sentiment to the organza ribbon (I’ve used thinner ribbon to do this) and then tie the organza ribbon, cutting the edges at an angle. To give the card a little bit of a sparkle, I’ve added a tiny dot of pink glitter glue to the edges of each sail.
A J Home crafts offers “Home-crafted items for the home and small children”
Services offered include:
Homewares
Knitwear
Nursery Quilts
Craft item offered for sale on the site include:
Bags
Cushions
Kitchen Range
Table Mats & Runners
Knitwear
Scarves
Quilts & Throws
Examples include this funky handbag for only £8 wow:
To find out more visit ajhomecrafts.co.uk
For other UK fabric crafts try http://www.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/fabric.php
A new creation to coincide with the revamped website. I have increased my range of 100% natural Soy Wax candles and this is the newest little addition. This candle is scented juicy sweet cherry and has 3 little cherries to compliment the scent.
Posted In: General crafts
Hot off the jellybelly sewing table is this Funky Cow! set.
I adore the hottest of pink fabric alongside the black and white cow print - funky as funky can be!
Just one of the new sets I have been madly designing, making, photographing and slowly uploading to the website!
Also finished : Cowboy, Dinosaur, Nautical, Space, Pirate and Natural Calico … but this set is my favourite!
Hope you guys enjoyed the last 2 fun competitions..
Well the latest comp is regarding easter crafts..
Full details on how to enter are here: http://www.craftjuice.com/easter-crafts-competition.php
Good luck!
Posted In: Craft competitions
With Valentines day tomorrow I thought I’d post a few of my cards > Lots of red, lots of hearts and a couple of sheep!
So simple - I just love this card with its heart hanger and button detail. i love you - Crochet heart hanger with beads.
i love ewe -Valentines card with hanger. Two little french knot sheep with rubber stamp wording.
HAPPY VALENTINES x
Posted In: General crafts
I have had some pretty lilac cotton for about 3 years and have never known what to use it for. It has a large print at the bottom, gradually lessening to a pattern of tiny flowers.
I’ve never wanted to get rid of it as I knew one day, I would have just the perfect thing.
And here it is :
The ribbon has been in my stash for ages, and I think I took the buttons off a baby’s cardigan from a jumble sale.
(I shall be adding more styles of this bucket bag to my website.)
