Make a Valentine's Day Wreath...

It's not too late!  Still time to make  Valentine's Day décor.  You can make this Valentine's Day wreath, learn how in issue 204 of Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine.
Or for more inspiration check out my Pinterest board.

Upcycled Denim Storage Bag

We've all got old jeans clogging up the wardrobe.  Free up some space, do your bit for the environment and upcycle!  Turn the legs into handy storage bags. 
It's easy, not much sewing involved and you can sew by hand if you don't have a sewing machine.

First cut off about 30cm from the bottom of the leg.

How to make a gift Box with a heart...

Show someone you love them with a handmade box full of their favourite treat.
My box has dividers inside designed to hold four chocolates, but you could do without the dividers and fill it with your chosen gift.

New year, new organised you!

Planning to get organised in 2018.  Keep your handmade cards in order with my handy concertina file
featured in issue 172 of Quick Cards magazine.

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

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.

Massive craft pack just arrived from @OASISHomeHobby thank you @VentureStreamUK #craftblogger #papercraft pic.twitter.com/7itzdZXnzf

— Vicky Sheridan (@BlushCrafts) June 28, 2017

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

How to make Tartan baubles...

Bored with last years baubles?  Tree looking bare?  Here's a quick and easy bauble idea.  Cut 2 cm wide strips of fabric.  Preferably cut diagonally across the bias of the fabric to make them stretchy.
Then simply wrap the strips around a polystyrene foam ball until it's completely covered, securing each end of the strip with glue.
Make a hanger with a length of narrow ribbon pinned into the foam ball with a pin.

The tartan I've used is Culloden Ancient Light Weight from Lochcarron of Scotland .   You can visit their website on this link and feast your eyes on their huge range of tartans on their tartan finder page.

Disclaimer:  I was gifted the tartan by Lochcarron of Scotland but wasn't paid to write this post.   Opinions and content are my own.

Tartan Tablet sleeve...

Looking for a handmade gift idea?  How about a quick and easy padded tablet/gadget sleeve?  It's so easy to make.  All you need is a lovely fabric, a bit of felt/fleece and some basic sewing skills,  Takes just minutes to stitch on a sewing machine but you could stitch it by hand.

I've added a tab closure with a button and buttonhole and used the selvedge edge of the fabric as a feature .  But a closure isn't absolutely necessary if it's a snug fit the gadget won't slip out.
I've not had time to photograph a step-by-step tutorial to make my sleeve but I'm planning to add it later.  In the meantime there's a link to a very similar one on this Pin

The tartan I've used is Culloden Ancient Light Weight from Lochcarron of Scotland .   You can visit their website on this link and feast your eyes on their huge range of tartans on their tartan finder page.

Disclaimer:  I was gifted the tartan by Lochcarron of Scotland but wasn't paid to write this post.   Opinions and content are my own.

I love a She - Shed ...

Especially this one, it's been designed by Sophie Robinson from the BBC's Great Interior Design Challenge - love that programme !

For inspiration, tips and tricks to design your own visit Sophie's Blog here and for details on how you could win this She-Shed and all it's contents visit the competition page on the Hillary's website here

Embroidery Hoop and Button Clock DIY...

Pinspiration:  I made a clock for my craft studio using this fab tutorial but instead of stitching the numbers I used vintage buttons!

Materials required:

Ivory cotton fabric
8" Embroidery Hoop

Vintage pearl, glass and horn buttons

Clock mechanism 

Needle and thread

All About Buttons..

A new challenge launches today over on the Let's Craft and Create blog and our theme is buttons.  All you have to do to enter is use buttons in your card or project and you could win a crafty prize.
For my project I've threaded mother of pearl shell buttons on to craft wire to create this simple button heart to hang on the Christmas tree.
Do check out the blog for some more button projects from the rest of the team.  As this is a very busy time of year we've given you until Tuesday 8th January 2012 to enter.  I do hope you can join us this time.

A Splash of Colour...

We've launched another challenge over on Let's Craft and Create and the theme this fortnight is a splash of colour...
I've gone for a splash of red to make these embroidered Christmas gift tags.  It's one of those ideas you see in a magazine and think 'I wish I'd thought of that'.  But sadly no, I dind't think of this one.  It caught my eye in one of the many Christmas craft magazines on the newsagent's shelves this month.
An opportunity to use some of  the many embroidery stitches on my sewing machine.  Up until now I'd only used straight stitch and zigzag. I would recommend trying each the stitch pattern out on scrap card first and adjusting the stitch length and width to ensure the stitches are not too close together.  Otherwise, you'll just create a tear or hole on the card.
The kraft paper bags were made from parcel wrap and the gingham ribbon is from The Ribbon Girl.

Check out the blog to see some gorgeous splash of colour designs from the rest of the team and the prize for one lucky entry.  The challenge closes on 11th December.

Getting ready for Christmas...

Have you started getting ready for Christmas yet?  Our new challenge over on the Let's Craft and Create blog is the perfect place to start because that's our theme Getting Ready for Christmas. You'll find loads of inspiration for those Christmas makes over on the blog.  All you have to do to enter is post a photo of what you're making in preparation for the big day, couldn't be simpler!

I thought I'd taken the pressure off this year by buying most of my cards.  But now I've got it into my head, thanks to the Cosmo Cricket blog, to make all the tree decorations by hand.

These baubles, although a bit tricky to start with, get easier the more you make!  Took one whole evening to make the first but I've got a system now.  Ideal to make with one eye on the TV!

 I'll be back with a tutorial showing you how to make them tomorrow.

Edited to add:  The tutorial is HERE

Storage Idea...

Time for another challenge over at Let's Craft and Create and the theme this fortnight is

Decoupage

For my DT project I've decoupaged a washing tablet box with scraps of vintage book paper. It's the perfect size to store my embossing folders.
Check out the Blog for some inspiring projects from the Let's Craft and Create designers and the fabulous prize on offer for one lucky winner.  I do hope you can join in the fun with us this time.

Mod Podge - Matte finish
Vintage Book
Hodge Podge hardware - Stampin Up
Stampendous Alphabet Stamps

Keep Calm and Carry On...

It's time for another challenge over at Let's Craft and Create. and the theme is a recipe. All you need to do to enter is use the following on your card or project - new projects please.

a button

a piece of fabric or similar

a stamped sentiment

I've made a lavender bag, I stamped the 'Keep Calm' sentiment, onto white fabric using Versacraft ink, and added a twill ribbon bow and vintage button to pretty it up a bit. If I made another I'd add a lace edging for a bit more prettiness!  It now sits on my craft bench as a gentle reminder!


Would be great to see you join in this time.  Check out the Let's Craft and Create Blog for all the details, some fabulous inspiration from the Design Team and the prize up for grabs for one lucky winner.

What's Cookin' ...

Just stopped by today to share my latest make for the Bubbly Scrumptious blog.  I've a lot of recipes cut from magazines my favourites are these recipes from Style At Home magazine.  I love this mag, as well as recipes it's full of home décor ideas to buy and to make, all for just £1.99.  

The recipes are quick and easy, ideal for weekday meals.  The only problem for me is once you cut them out of the magazine they're pretty small and easily lost so I came up with a solution.  I created some recipe cards and a giant wooden peg holder.  I've tested it out in the kitchen and it works perfectly.  The peg is really stable and I no longer have to hunt around for a teeny tiny recipe amongst the veg peelings!

There's a Step by Step guide to make the set over HERE on the Bubbly Scrumptious Blog.

Cardboard Wall Hanging...

It's Saturday so it's my turn to post over on the Bubbly Scrumptious blog.  This week I've made a wall hanging using mainly Prima products. Lovin' all things Prima at the moment, can't get enough of their beautiful designs.
As always there's a Step by Step guide to make it plus a full supplies list over HERE on the blog.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Magnetic Memo Board...

Today I'm sharing this quick and easy magnetic memo board I made for my craft room.  Somewhere to keep together all those to do lists and shopping lists.  No excuse for missing deadlines now!

Take a cheap baking tray, I got mine from Poundland, it's about 8" x 12 ".   Cover and decorate the base with patterned paper.
For the labels and memo holders I used accent stickers and brads, but you could use buttons or punched shapes as well
The magnets are from the website www.first4magnets.com  - they very kindly sent me some free samples to use and review here on my blog.

I've used both the flexible self adhesive dots for the labels

and some small neodymium magnets from my selection box.  Just stick the magnet to the back of the accent with a  blob of quick dry epoxy glue.  I used 'super glue'.

These magnets although tiny are very strong, no sliding down the board even with a few layers of paper between the base and the magnet.
If like me you haven't used magnets before in your crafting projects.  The  first4magnets website is well worth a browse.  It has every type of magnet you could imagine and is jammed packed with information on how to use them.  There's a whole section devoted to Craft and a vast selection of Adhesive magnets too.

Enjoy!

Basic Grey Oxford - Papers, Stickers and Brads.
Tea Dyed Check Ribbon - The Ribbon Girl

Home Decor with Prima Iron-ons...

Here's the project I've made for the Bubbly Scrumptious blog using our featured product - Prima Iron-ons.  I've never used anything like this before and thought I would mess it up, but it was easy peasy!  The quality is amazing, you get such a professional finish.
The tea cosy, I've created from scratch and there's a simple step-by-step guide to make it over on this page.  But, you could easily customise a ready made tea cosy, tea towel, tote bag, t-shirt, the list goes on...
Check out the blog to see what all the Daily Designers have created and the website to see all the designs available in the range.
I've used fabric this time to 'iron on' to but they also 'iron on' to card stock, and next week I'll be sharing another project where I do just that.