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How to make Christmas countdown blocks


Supplies List

Christmas themed red and green patterned paper, like First Edition - The Gift of Christmas
Kraft coloured card
Paper trimmer
Bone folder for scoring
Strong glue


1. For the two number blocks, cut card to measure 25 x 6 cm and score and fold at 6, 12, 18, and 24 cm.  Add glue to the 1cm flap forming 4 sides of the cube.

2. For the top and bottom of the cube, cut 2 squares of card to measure 8 x 8 cm, score at 1 cm on all 4 sides, cut diagonally across each corner, and secure in place by adding glue to all 4 flaps

3. Select a quirky font (I used AR Christy) on your pc and print the numbers for each cube on patterned paper.  You need to have 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on one cube and 0, 1, 2, 7, 8 and either 6 or 9 on the other cube.

4. Trim each number to measure 5.5 x 5.5 cm square, stick to the cubes and ink the edges with a brown coloured ink pad.

5. For the base block cut card to measure 25 x 21 cm, score and fold the long side at 3, 11, 14, and 22 cm, and at 3 and 18 cm at the shortest side.

6. Snip the folds to where they along the long sides and add glue to the flaps to form a box

7. Print ‘Days ‘til Christmas’ on patterned paper, trim to fit the front of the base block and stick in place.

8. Finish by covering the top and sides of the block with patterned paper.


For more Christmas crafting ideas checkout my DIY Xmas board on Pinterest





It's time for some Christmas crafting...

Featured in Quick Cards Issue 172

If you're keen to get crafting for Christmas then you'll be pleased to hear that the special Christmas edition of Quick Cards is in the shops now.  It's packed with over 100 card making ideas, as well as a fancy festive wreath, some gorgeous gift wrapping and a fantastic free gift - a pop-up box card kit.



How to make a spinning dial card...

Featured in PaperCrafter Issue 81

My Mind’s Eye ‘Cambridge Court’ paper stack or any patterned paper stack
White card
Pink and green coloured card
Decorative brad
Nesting Flower die
Circle die
Leaf die
Sticky foam pads
Clear Alphabet stamps


1. Cover the front of the card with grid design paper and a coordinating 1.5cm patterned paper border across the top.

2. Cut a rectangle of striped paper to 4 x 14.5cm, cut at an angle at one end and stick to the left side of card.

3. To make the spin dial, stamp four chosen greetings around a circle of patterned paper 5cm (2”) in diameter.  Then to strengthen the dial stick to a 5cm (2”) circle of white card.

4. Cut a large flower from pink card and attach it to the back of the spin dial with a brad then to the card front with foam pads.

5. Cut a pointer for the dial from blue paper attaching it to the card near the top of the flower with foam pads.

6. Stamp the main greeting on a strip of white card cut to 8cm x 1.5cm and stick to the card front.  Finish by adding leaves cut from green card between the flower petals.


Blooming Hydrangeas for Oasis Floral...



Back at the beginning of the summer I was gifted a selection of products from Oasis Home and Hobby to make something spectacular for my blog.

To be completely honest I'd always thought of Oasis as a supplier for florists and flower arrangers.  But they have a lot to offer us crafters too as I’m learning from my box of craft goodies and a browse on the Oasis Home & Hobby website.
So here I am with my first make, I've filled this pretty glass vase with hydrangeas made with vintage book paper.  A tutorial I found in Folded Book Art by Clare Youngs.

Supplies List

Folded Paper Art by Clare Youngs
Green Glass Gina vase
Floral Stub Wire
Green Floral Tape

The vase is looking splendid in my craft studio. I love how the green glass of the vase echoes the shades of green of the garden through the windows.


I have some other projects on the go with my Oasis Home & Hobby craft pack so watch this space.

Disclaimer:  I was gifted these products to review for free but was under no obligation to write this post. Opinions are my own.

Upcycling with stencils...



Supplies list

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite
Nicolette Tabram Cadiz stencil
Nicolette Tabram Whitstable stencil paint
Stencil brush
Polyvine Dead Flat varnish

Yay, stencilling is back, and I can totally recommend these contemporary stencils by Nicolette Tabram, check out her website  HERE for stencils, paint, workshops and plenty of inspiration.

First I painted my 'cheap as chips' wood effect table with 2 coats of Annie Sloan chalk paint in graphite.  Then used the stencil and stencil paint to completely cover the top of the table with pattern.  I practiced first on paper to get the correct placement of the design.

To protect from water splashes and scuffs, I finished with 2 thin coats of dead flat varnish.

Easy peasy, my table has taken pride of place in the bathroom and I'm looking around the house for my next upcycling project!




Reduce ♥ Reeuse ♥ Recycle


T Shirt Yarn Necklace...


Your favourite T-shirt snagged, stained or worn out?  Don't throw it away, recycle it and make a trendy necklace.

I've used a quick and easy crochet pattern from issue 44 of Reloved magazine to make mine. It takes you through the process of making the yarn and goes on to show you how to make this necklace.  The project is taken from the book Supersize Ccrochet by Sarah Shrimpton.

If you haven't a T-shirt to recycle you can buy ready made fabric yarn online from the T-Shirt Yarn Shop.
There's plenty of free patterns on Pinterest too like this one



Reduce ♥ Reeuse ♥ Recycle

How to make a paper pinwheel card...

Featured in Issue 83 of  PaperCrafer Magazine

A quick and easy card design, ideal for Weddings, Engagements or Anniversaries.

Supplies

White 300gsm card
Patterned paper 
Sizzix 'on the edge' scallops. 
Small white buttons

1. Make a 12 cm square card blank from white card and stamp a greeting at the top edge.
2. Cut a panel of paper to fit the card front and cut/punch a scalloped border along the top and bottom edge and stick to the card front.
3. To make the pinwheels cut two 3.5cm squares of paper.  With scissors cut from each corner half way into the centre of the square, fold 4 alternate points into the centre, secure with glue.
4. Finish each pinwheel with a button in the centre and narrow strips of kraft/buff card as shown.

All about hexagons...


Hexagons first came on the crafting scene about 3 or 4 years ago now and I'm pleased to see that they're here to stay!
I made this card with a 3 piece hexagon die set I got free with Issue 106 of Papercrafter magazine. But, maybe it's time for me to invest in a full nesting die set.
I'm thinking of either the 10 piece Sizzix Framelits Hexagon Die Set or the  Xcut Nesting Dies Hexagonal Set.  I'll probably go for the Sizzix as there are more dies in the set and the largest die is bigger than the Xcut, so I can easily use it to create a hexagonal card blank.
Here are a couple of cards I've picked from Pinterest to showcase the versatility of this geometric shape.


DIY Carrot shaped treat boxes...



Supplies List

Orange, yellow and green card
Alphabet stamps
Fringe Scissors
Paper Crimper

1. Cut a rectangle of card to 11 x 15 cm and use d/s tape along one long edge to join and make a tube
2. Add tape to one end and stick to close.
3. Now put both each end into a paper crimper for a couple of turns.
4. Add a topper of fringed green card and a tag to the open end.
5. Fill with treats before sealing with tape.


For more Easter craft inspiration check out my Pinterest board.





DIY 3D Paper Bird ...


Carrying on the bird theme from the last post.  I just had to give this DIY from Kim Dellow a try.



I've used ready made patterned paper to make my bird. If you 'd like to make your own patterned paper, check out Kim's series of posts showing you how.

Sizzix 'Wonderland Bird' by Craft Asylum Bigz die
Craft wire
Basic Grey Out of Print paper pad similar here and here


How to make a DIY bird card...


Supplies List

White A5 Card Blank
White Hammered Card
Patterned paper, My Minds Eye Cambridge Court similar here
0.6 inch heart punch
Nesting Circle Dies
Black Fineliner Pen
Alphabet Stamps/PC and Printer
Black Adhesive Stone

  1. Cut an A5 white card blank to measure 12 x 14cm and cover the front with striped paper   Add a greeting to the top left hand corner of an 11 x 13cm rectangle of white hammered card and adhere to the card front.
  2. For the body of the bird, make a fold in a circle of double sided patterned paper and stick to the card front as shown then draw on legs with a black fine liner pen and a ruler.
  3. Add a small punched heart for tail feathers, a beak cut from paper and a black adhesive stone for an eye.

For more clean and simple card designs check out my Pinterest board.


Quick and easy Valentine's Day card...


1. Stick a strip of paper across the bottom edge of a 15 cm square card.  Add washi tape to the remaining three edges and a panel of heart design paper in the centre.
2. Die cut a heart from a 14 cm square of orange paper and stamp a greeting near the top left hand corner stick to the card and add two smaller paper hearts mounted on foam pads.Finish with heaart shaped enamel dots.

For more quick and easy Valentine's Day craft ideas check out my Pinterest board.


Recycle your Christmas cards...

Featured in Issue 100 of PaperCrafter magazine

With twelfth night fast approaching you'll probably be wondering what to do with that pile of lovely Christmas cards you've taken down.  Before you throw them in the waste bin how about giving a thought to recycling them.
Pinterest is brimming with ideas from wreaths and banners to tags and gift toppers.
Here are just some of my favourites.







Failing that, find a M&S store near you that's accepting cards to recycle for the Woodland Trust. Read all about the campaign here on the Woodland Trust Blog.

Reduce ♥ Reeuse ♥ Recycle