Warm fuzzies

 Hello peeps, just a quick update for a couple of cards I made recently.

The top one is using pre-die cut red felt and I thought it went really well with the "warm fuzzies" sentiment (since the felt is fuzzy).  I thought this would be ideal for anything from Valentines, anniversaries, birthdays or even just sending a 'hug in the post' to a friend.

The next card uses patterned paper, a die cut satin ribbon along the edge and a couple of glass hearts.

Nice and simple cards this week, though for a change these didn't use anything from my scrap box (I need to remedy that with my next makes!).

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

Twofer

A twofer, two cards for the price of one (well sort of).

The backing paper was a 12x12 sheet that I no longer needed so decided to use it for cards.

The card on the left has bakers twine, a couple of tags that I stamped Mr and Mrs on and added a small gemstone on each.

I added some lace to the bottom of the card, and there you have it a wedding card!

The card on the right has a repurposed black felt coaster cut up and a stamped sentiment which I matted and layered.  Sympathy cards are difficult to make so I was pleased I was able to make this one.  It was also timely as not only did we find out fellow WOYWWers Janet sadly died recently but also my cousin, only  2 yrs older than me died suddenly 2 weeks ago so I was able to send this to my Uncle.

Kyla

 

Truly unique at 90

 Hello peeps.  I hope the weekend is treating you well.

The other week it was my Nan's 90th Birthday!!  I know, she is totally amazing.  She lives in New Zealand so I wanted to be 100% sure that she had opened the package before I blogged about it!

This is the card I made her, I used some vintage paper from an old finance book (in old money!) and stamped some butterflies.

I then mounted this on a patterned background and added a hand stamped and coloured butterfly.  I distressed the edges of the card adding some paper brads from craftworks which I coloured to match the card.

Finally I gold embossed the 90 twice and added them to the page.

Now the present was a real dilemma. I had NO idea what to make Nan.  It had to be something I made as I have been making gifts for my Nan since I was about 7 years old and made her a felt pincushion.  I made her a hand painted and stitched wall hanging for Christmas so that was no good, I made her jewelry recently too...what to do?

Then it hit me...I could cover a notebook with a felt and machine stitched embellished cover.

  So that is what I did.  I took a day off work and spent the day at the sewing machine, a fabulous day and I was really proud with what I achieved (as well as putting doing the ironing off again!!).

 

I layered different colour sheer fabrics, ribbon and hand dyed wool and first used a blue then gold thread to over stitch.

I also used a blue thread to edge the book cover so it was all nice and neat.

There you have it, a one off and truly unique gift for a one off and truly unique Nan.

Happy Crafting

Kyla

Ho Ho Ho....

 I hope you all had a wonderful festive period, with 4 trips to different family homes on Christmas day alone I am really looking forward to some time at home (not to relax....but to craft, I am having withdrawal symptoms!).

One of my recent makes was this delightful deer I made out of felt.

 On the back I embroidered "Ethan 1st Christmas 2011", why I hear you cry?  No, it wasn't some random thought, this was made especially for my new nephew (only 4 months old and cute as a button) to be hung on their tree.

 Isn't he a bonnie lad, only 4 months old but already with a little personality!

My next make was this folder I made for my Nan in New Zealand.  I have no idea what to buy a 87 yr old for Christmas so I decided to make her a folder and a dozen mixed cards.....I even included a 'with sympathy' card (well I wanted to cover all occasions!).

 The final make is the Christmas card I made for my hubby.  I used my stampotique stamp, stamping him on a vintage page and colouring him with inks.  I added a party hat and some stickles for a little festive bling!  I coloured the background with stains and painted some sequin waste with picket fence stains and used this to transfer the print to the page.

I finally added a strip of music score to the bottom and added a Ho, Ho, Ho-I think he's sweet!

I took this final photo in my new photo light box that my parents bought me for Christmas-no more shadowy photos or having to wait until I am at home during daylight to take the shots (once I have sussed the proper way of using it!!).

Happy Crafting

Li'l pidge x

Finally my mojo is back (and I'm skint)

After killing my sewing machine AGAIN last week (thank goodness it was only £25), rumour was there was a bounty hunter after me for 4 needless slaughters of machines! Coupled with the fact that my mojo up and went (probably travelling round warmer climes!) after I produced some cards that were SO ugly they went in the recycling bin and a bag charm I made my mum that just didnt look right, add to this tooth ache (STILL havent plucked up the courage to have it pulled out as the dentist suggested, I will, I just have to work up to it!!) and some other bits and pieces I had just about had enough (my poor OH, what he has to put up with! The sewing machine nearly landed on him as he walked through the door last Friday!). But, my mojo is back-I managed to make several cards in one night...look!
During the week I girded my loins and went to a new crafting night at the local Cath Kidson shop. They run craft classes for free a couple of times a month, so I thought even though I didn't know anyone I decided to go along, and I am so glad I did. This week they were making egg cosies. The other ladies made some lovely ones decorated with flowers, gems etc....me? Well, what did you expect?
Yep,a mexican day of the dead skull!

They were also making drawstring bags, or as we say in the west country,Dap bags!. I ran out of time so brought the fabric and ribbon home to make it.....

Dah-dah!
"How did I make it?" I hear you cry? Well, that'll be on my new sewing machine.......Yep, I decided 4 killings were not enough!! I bought it 2nd hand from a great shop in town and they will throw in a free lesson in using it after Easter-its electronic and has several stitches-I love my new machine! I used it for the first time today to make this bag. I have even managed to change the thread colour-basic I know, but for me that is good!!
Look, Isn't it beautiful...
Fingers crossed it lasts my a LONG time (as it cost me a lot of money).

A few weeks ago I made my Nan a birthday pressie of a scrap book of photos of my nan (and departed grand dad) and me as I grew up. I couldn't post a photo before in case my nan looked at this blog-but she has opened her gift now so the coast is clear!
Boy, did it bring back memories making it, and a few tears.
I have also made a tag book for my pen friend in NYC (we became pen friends in our early teens and have stayed good friends ever since) of his vist more than 20 years ago!! Hopefully Josh would have received it by now so I am taking the gamble and posting a photo...
And then I have made one final card with one of my new stamps from Crafty Individuals, I hope you like it.Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

ooh, a few new makes and a win

I can't believe it, I am gushing. The Happy New Year card I submitted to the Crafts Beautiful forum challenge won, along with Maggie (another great entry, as were they all!). Its my first challenge and has spurred me onto look for some more challenges to enter, and to top it all Draytonlady (who ran the challenge) says there is a goody bag as a prize-double bonus!

Well, I have been busy over the past week or so, the cold weather helps as the craft room is easily the warmest in the house, and the dulcid tones of Radcliff and Machonie on Radio 2 of an evening helps me craft along nicely. So, the first of my new makes:

These are my submission for the January CB Forum ATC swap. The theme is fantasy and the middle is one of my sticky notlets as a RAK (Random act of kindness) for Cambiel who is organising it (as is feeling under the weather at the moment, get well soon).

The next one is my triumph, its my scarf! Its taken ages and finally finished just in time for the cold snap to break! But I don't care even if its hot and sunny, I will wear it, because I made it all myself. Knitting, sewing and all those sort of things do not come naturally to me (I prefer a hammer or glue gun!) but against all the odds I have made a purple striped scarf, and all for £2.49 - a bargain (its a good job I don't charge for labour). I managed to buy some wool in the charity shop, grey and black so I am now on the look out for my next project, if you have any ideas, feel free to let me know (so long as they are easy!).

Since wool and needles are not my best of friends I went back to the heat gun and make myself another shrink plastic necklace. This time I used a design from an old tattoo book, colouring it with sakura pens and markers, adding a couple of jump rings at each side and using a double thickness of cording with a lobster clasp at the end:

Having said that me and sewing don't make happy bedfellows (well, I'm sure it was summit like that!) I have finally finished my first handbag. The felt bag is bought as a blank and I traced flower chipboard shapes onto purple felt and cut these out. These I glued onto the bag and added leaves and stitched glitter buttons as the flower centres (stictched to hold it all together at bit more secure in case the glue came away). I was going to use a large popper to secure the bag (living in a city I do like a bit of additional security rather than an open invitation to every scally) but after a trip to the local fabric shop and a chat to the very helpful staff I found out that there is actually a handbag closure for sale. Its magnetic and cost 99p (I am now seeing why handbags do cost a bit, the raw materials alone do add up, but then I have a unique piece). To cover the fixture I used a punch to stamp out a couple of pieces of felt and added a decorative button to add detail. I am really please with the result and am now waiting for my OH to take me out so it can have its first official outing (hubby-if you are reading this, a nice meal out would be a good outing for a bag of this standing!).
One final note, as we are both into 1940-50's style and the whole rockabilly alternative scene (hence my earlier blogs about carving tikki stamps from erasers and hibiscus style flowers in some of my makes and items like the mexican sugar skull necklaces and skull hair flowers to anem a few) we have just managed to locate Sailor Jerry rum, a spiced golden rum-wow, a sweet deliciousness that warms the cockles of ones heart! Yum.

Enjoy x

Li'l Pidge

Crafty Stash and an Owl!

Another week is finally over, and with rain forcast for the weekend I am hoping I can get some more crafting done (it feels like a guilty pleasure crafting when the sun is shining, mind you making the felt outside in the garden did solve the problem!).

This week I visited my parents and managed to come away with a variety of stash that I am hoping I can have a go at altering, some boxes, metal locks and a whole host of bits and pieces that I hope to give a second chance to.

Also, we both had a day off this week so ventured into town and whilst my OH did a "poster run" (he is in 2 bands and puts on gigs, so often looks for places to put his posters up) I went to a great craft shop in town, Craft Works, a large craft shop that covers all sorts of crafts - I couldn't resist a few bits and pieces,including some sheet metal that they explained how to use - I am looking forward to having a go at altering that!

Then my lovely husband met me and knowing my love of owls bought me a money box to save for crafty stash, in the shape of an owl, make with beautiful Kimono Silks.

I just need to think of a name for him now, if anyone has any ideas...?

The only crafting I have managed to do is to incorporate my handmade felt into a brooch. I used bought felt and my own felt, a large button for the centre adding blanket stitching and sequins (I am not very good with a needle - even as a child I struggled and things havent got much better!).

I am quite pleased with it and will probably wear it on my handbag and maybe a black jacket - I could get hooked on this felting (sorry, bad pun).

I hope you have all had a good week, happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

The sun is shining and I'm feeling inspired

This weekend me and my fabulous husband, Lee, went down to Devon for the Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey organised by the Devon Guild of Craftsmen. Over 160 exhibitors and workshops set in the wonderful Devon countryside.

There were some amazing pieces for sale, and after watching a demo on felting I decided to have a go at it this evening, whilst the sun was shining - so off I went into the garden with my bamboo place mat from the dining room( it was all I had to roll the felt in!), wool, kettle and detergent (goodness knows what the neighbours must have thought I was up to!).

I was surprised how few steps there were to turn the wool into felt - I have no idea what I am going to use it for, but I am sure I will think of something and I will definitely have another go.

I also had a go at using alcohol inks, not sure if I am a fan of the effect yet, early days. But I will finish the project off over the next week and post the results - let me know what you think.

So many new techniques to try, so few hours in a day.

Hapy crafting

Li'l Pidge