Crochet stars

Another quick and simple decoration idea to fill the tree or decorate cards and gifts.  I used this 

Simple Crochet star pattern  from www.stitching-together.com.  

The pattern uses US stitch terms, for UK readers there's a useful conversion table and abbreviation list here on www.gathered.how.

The site also has a complete guide to crochet for beginners here.

How to make Christmas woven paper stars...

Materials

Patterned paper
Ribbon
PVA Glue
Red and green ink pads
Geetings stamps
Bakers twine
Adhesive gems
Single hole punch

Instructions

These instructions are for the large star, to make the smaller sized star use paper strips 1.5cm wide and 15cm long.

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.

Easel Card Vintage Style...

Featured in Issue 99 of PaperCrafter

Supplies List

Bo Bunny Soiree 12" x 12” Paper Collection
Bo Bunny Soiree  Sticker Sheet
Ivory cardstock
A6 Ivory card blank
Corrugated Card
Ink pads:  Grey
Hampton Art Sentiment Stamps
Button/Brad

1. Take an A6 (10.5 x 14.8 cm) tent fold card blank and fold the front panel in half.  Now adhere the ‘antique chair’ paper panel to a 10.5 x 14.8cm piece of card and add a stamped greeting and a border sticker near the top edge.
2. Make three rolled paper flowers and secure them to the card panel together with 2 leaves cut from corrugated card. 
3. Stick the panel to the bottom section of the folded front of the card blank.  
4. Cover the inner panel with paper and glue a button/brad in the centre to support the easel.

See my tutorial to make these rolled paper flowers on this page

For more card inspiration using this paper collection check out my home sweet home card here .

Next week we'll be having fun with glitter card with this bright and funky 'scrap buster' card.

How to make tartan Christmas decorations...

These rustic Christmas tree decorations are so simple to make. Stitch them by hand, with a sewing machine or for the no-sew option, stick them with fabric glue or iron-on hemming tape.

First make a triangular template from card, lay it on your fabric and cut out two triangles.

Place one on top of the other and pin in place trapping a short piece of ribbon at the top for a hanger.

Stitch/stick together leaving a small opening to put in the stuffing and cinnamon stick. Cut back the seam allowance with pinking shears.

Place a small amount of stuffing and a cinnamon stick inside and stitch up the opening.

This beautiful tartan fabric 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.

For more tartan craft ideas check out my Tartan Talk Pinterest board

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

How to make a centre step card...

Give your handmade cards the wow factor with my favourite card fold - the centre step card.  It's oh so easy to create using just one piece of card and stands up beautifully for display.
Finished card measures 14 x 14 cm and folds flat for posting.

How to make a Centre Step card

Cut card to measure 28 x 14 cm.  

Make a 2 cm long score line at 2, 4 and 16 cm then turnover and repeat along the opposite side.

Cut from the tip of the 16 cm to the 2 cm score line.  Repeat on the opposite side.  

Now score in half (at 14 cm) between the two cut lines.

Fold all score lines and there you have a centre step card blank.

Sizzix Bigz Die -Tribal Florals
Sizzix Thinlits - Intricate Tribal Florals
First Edition 12 x 12 Paper Pad - Love Story

How to make a Double Dutch fold card...

Here's a step-by-step tutorial for my take on the Double Dutch fold card.  It's so much easier to make than it looks!

First cut card to measure 25 x 20 cm then score on the longer side at 10 and 20 cm and the shorter side at 5 and 15 cm.

Cut away the two side panels to leave just the two 5 x 5 cm panels at the bottom of the card.

Now fold down the top centre panel and crease along the folds with a bone folder.

Mr Mister A4 Ultimate Die-cut & Paper Pack
Denim Blue Large Ribbon Bows
Papermill Direct Smooth Card (Buff)

How to make a Stay Closed Box...

Here's a step-by step guide to make my take on the stay closed box.  Fill it with sweets and treats for a quick and easy gift idea for Father's Day.

First cut card to measure 18 x 21cm then score at 10 and 20 cm on the long side and at 2.5 and 15 cm on the short side.

Now, on the bottom score line, mark at 5 and 15 cm (the centre of each of the two 10 cm panels) and score diagonally from this centre point to the top corners of both panels as marked in pencil above.

Fold all the score lines, cut away the top and bottom section of the 1 cm flap and cut from the top and bottom edge to the apex of each of the three scored triangles.

Fold up to form the box, securing the side flap and four base flaps with extra strong double sided tape.

Supplies List:
Mr Mister A4 Ultimate Die-cut & Paper Pack
Denim Blue Large Ribbon Bows
Papermill Direct Smooth Card (Buff)

Stair Step Card for Father's Day...

The new Mr Mister range from Docrafts. is just perfect for the men in your life and it's arrived in time for Father's Day!  I'm always on the lookout for an on-trend 'man' themed collection and this range with it's eclectic mix of iconic prints, geometric patterns and typography ticks all the boxes for me!
Here I've made a stair step card using papers and elements from the A4 Ultimate Die-cut and Paper Pack.  The finished card is 15 x 15 cm  with a depth of 5 cm but folds flat for posting.

How to make a Stair Step card

Cut 2 pieces of card  to measure 25 x 15 cm and score along both sides at 5 cm intervals so that you have a scored grid of 15 squares on each piece of card.

At the top of each piece cut away 3 squares as shown by the shaded area.

Cut along these two score lines marked in pencil.  Do the same on the second piece of card.

Now fold up the bottom score line on both pieces of card and stick together with strong glue or double sided tape.

Fold over the top score line on all three steps and secure with tape or glue and decorate!

What do you think?  Have you tried this card fold before?  If I've inspired you to give it a go please come back and link to it in the comments..

Supplies List:
Mr Mister A4 Ultimate Die-cut & Paper Pack
Denim Blue Large Ribbon Bows
Denim Blue Fabric Covered Buttons
Buff Smooth Card

Stuck for DIY Easter treat ideas?

Here's the answer, quick and easy origami bunny baskets,  aren't they cute?
Here’s a link to the Youtube video by Leyla Torres on how to fold them

For more Easter craft ideas check out my DIY Easter Pinterest board.

Follow Vicky Sheridan's board DIY Easter on Pinterest.

Paper Moustache - How to...

Whatever way you spell it, a moustache/mustache makes a fun card, and you can create a DIY 'tache' quite simply using some black card and two different sized circular punches, one should be slightly smaller than the other.  I used a 2 inch and 1 1/2 inch punch for my 'tache',

1.  Cut or punch a circle of card.

2. With scissors cut away a small strip from the centre of the circle

3. With the smaller circle punch or template cut a semi circle from each piece.

4.  Overlap the two halves and secure in the centre with glue

How to make a confetti envelope card

All you need to make a simple confetti envelope card is your pc and a few simple supplies

Table confetti or small punched shapes
White cardstock - 300 gsm
C6 See -through envelope
Parcel tie, twine or narrow ribbon

1. Cut white card to 105 x 148 mm (A6) and print a greeting using a handwriting/calligraphy style font on you pc.  Write your message on the reverse of the card
2. Tuck the card inside a see-through envelope add confetti and seal.  
3. Then finish with twine tied in a bow

My translucent envelopes were  from a sample of   C6 white translucent envelopes from All Colour Envelopes

Paper Bow Tie - How To...

Forget the fancy dies and punch boards you can make a simple paper bow with just the standard tools any card maker or paper crafter has in their tool kit.  A trimmer, scoring board and bone folder.

1. Trim patterned paper to measure 14 x 6 cm.
2.  Score and concertina fold along the longest side at 1 cm intervals.
3.  Trim a small strip of paper 1 cm wide and wrap around the centre of the bow securing with strong glue.

Use to decorate cards and gift wrapping.



Stampin Up Top Note Die; First Edition Neroli paper pad; vintage pearl buttons

Patchwork frame with washi tape...

I love patchwork and one day I will make myself a 'Cath Kidston' style quilt.  But in the meantime I'll settle for a card.  I've found an easy way to make a patchwork frame with washi tape.
Here's how I made it.

Cut a piece of card slightly smaller than the card front and stick different size pieces of coordinating washi tape around the outside edge.  The beauty of washi tape is that you can reposition it if you make a mistake!

Cut out a rectangle from the centre and there you have a patchwork frame.

This is my card for the 'Anything Goes' challenge that launches today over on Let's Craft and Create blog.  I do hope you can join us for this challenge, check out the blog for the details, some fabulous designs from the team and news of our guest designer.

The Power of Pinterest...

Way back in 2010 I made a card in the shape of a handbag,  I don't have the card any more just a rather fuzzy photo of it back HERE on this blog.   It wasn't a favourite make, and I'd completely forgotten all about it until I noticed from the blog stats it was getting a lot of hits via Pinterest.   It's been pinned and repinned by folks all over the US.   I've had several  lovely emails too asking how I put the card together.  So here's how I made it.

You'll need:-

• a card blank, the front covered with patterned paper and angled at each side
• a die cut shape for the front flap
• a circle cut from cardstock about an inch wide
• 2 'D' rings
• 2 strips of cardstock the same width as the 'D' rings