It's a Creative World

Run, run as fast as you can...

You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man.

Hello, Eleanor here, with not one but 3 gingerbread men. One to send in the post, one to hang on the tree, and one to munch.

First, a card:

Then a softie tree deco, to perch on a branch of the Christmas tree, but before I could stop him, he ran out into the garden to the holly tree:

He's about 5 inches tall, and made with the fleece I had left over from making hoodies for Richard last Christmas, plus a few buttons and some ricrac.

And lastly, a sweet chappie... head first, or an arm, or maybe a leg?

250g plain flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground ginger

75g butter

50g caster sugar

30ml millk

2 Tbsp treacle

Put flour, baking powder and ginger in bowl, add butter and rub in until resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Mix in sugar, milk and warmed treacle. I didn't have any treacle left so I used maple syrup! Knead until smooth and roll out to 6mm or so thick.

Cut out men and transfer to lined baking sheet.

Into fridge for 30 mins.

Bake at 180C for 15 mins or until pale golden (yours will be darker if you use treacle, so, dark golden).

Cool on rack and ice as liked.

Wishing you sweetness and joy this festive season.

Speedy Christmas decoration

Christmas Hanging Decoration

Hi everyone – Dolly here

I bet homes around the country are starting to get all dressed up and fancy for the Christmas festivities, but it is not too late to make a quick decoration to showcase some of the photos from the year and make them all Christmassy.

This hanging heart decoration is quick and simple and so cute to add a touch of festive flair to the house.

 

 

 

I cut three different sizes of hearts for this project. Hearts are a really really easy shape to cut free hand.  Just draw a template on a scrap of paper folded in half. Draw just half a heart and cut it out so the central line of the heart is on the folded seam and voila, once cut you have a perfect symmetrical heart. Easy as anything.

You can go for any size that works for you. Huge hearts would make a lovely wall hanging. Tiny hearts, either strung together like this or hung individually, would make lovely tree decorations. Mine hangs over a handle along the length of a cupboard and my largest heart is about 3” at its widest point.

I cut the hearts from thick chipboard, but you could get away with thinner card and just stick two together.

I covered them with patterned papers on both sides, using the fabulous Basic Grey Wassail papers. I sanded all the edges. This serves two purposes. It gives a lovely worn finish and also helps the layers bond together well.

 

 

 
 

I suggest the next thing you do is punch the holes for the ribbon as you will then know where they will be and not put a picture over the crucial spot.

After all, a hole through a loved ones head is never a good thing, even if fastened with a pretty piece of ribbon!

 

It is then just a question of adding the pictures, phrases and embellishments.

You see, I told you it was a really quick and simple decoration to make….. you have plenty of time for a couple of these for this Christmas.

 

Scrapbooked Ornaments!

I've always enjoyed making little Christmas ornaments and keepsakes incorporating different photos of my son and family. In the past this has always been time consuming, involving glass and metal tape and soldering.

I know I'm way behind the times, but recently I went to a lovely craft store which is local to me, The Craft Den, and I picked up some of these lovely little frames.

I had a play with them today and they are fab - you just unhinge them, put your artwork inside and clip them up.  No burnishing, no soldering, nothing! They make the whole job so quick and easy.  Here's what you need to do if you want to have a go.

Make two layouts or pieces of artwork measuring approximately 1 3/4" x 1 3/4".  You could use favourite snaps of your children, your wedding, or just make a little collage. 

I cut two pieces of acetate measuring 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" from a 12" x 12" sheet of Stampin' Up! thick acetate and sandwiched my layouts between them, back to back.

Attach a lovely matching ribbon to the top and there you have it!

I love this idea.  Using these frames makes the whole process so quick and easy, and yet they make such wonderful, thoughtful and yet inexpensive presents.  They could be used as ornaments for Christmas or just as general keepsakes for decoration all year round.

I hope you like this idea and it gives you a bit more inspiration for your Christmas gifts!

TFL! Joanne x
 

Display your art

Perhaps I ought to start this post with a photo of my 'stuff cupboard' or should that be 'stuffed too full cupboard'?

I have taken the challenge to use the 'stuff' in this cupboard and if I really can't feel the inspiration then i'm afraid it HAS TO GO!

I bought 2 12 x12 canvasses YEARS AGO. And my intention was to make them into canvas layouts for my brother and sister in law for Christmas. Obviously using photos of their girls. This just didn't ever happen and actually I didn't know how they would be received. I love my artwork but does anyone else ;)

So I decided to use them for me :) And I love the result.

(crappy photo - sorry!) I started with two layers of red MM acrylic paint. Then using a plastic water bottle top I 'stamped' circles. Thankfully the paint doesn't take too long to dry!

I used some plain chipboard letters which I painted white and hand drew an outline just to give them a bit of definition. A script stamped (thanks for the great idea Lems!!) flower layered with a smaller red flower and brad finished off the embellishment.

I was keen to ensure I rounded off the pattern and didn't just use the front.

The second canvas is a less in your face. For this one I used some distress ink and dry brushed paint for the background. Some painted chipboard letters again and for the 'dots' the back of my paintbrush :)

 
 
I have proudly displayed them in my house and smile each time I pass by.

Lets use our stash and proudly show off our art work!
Caz
xx
 

Barn Star.

 

Ali here;

for ages and ages i have wanted a barn star to hang on my wall,but have given up any hope of finding one the right size,so i was thrilled to come across a template for a cardboard barn star.

side A

    FLAPS side B

  here i must apologize for not crediting the designer of the template,as there was no designers name where i found it-so if it is your design I'm sorry for not asking your permission to use it.

This template is great,you just need to decide the size you want your star to be,and then cut out 5 identical shapes-i cut them out of plain card and then out of patterned paper,which i then glue to the plain shape,this gives a little extra strength to the structure

When you have cut out the five shapes and have covered them with patterned paper,if you are doing so,you need to score and fold all the lines of the template

Fold the little flap on side B under and using very strong glue,or preferably double sided tape,glue   side  A to the little flap on side B. Repeat this 5 times,and then make sure all the FLAPS are pulled out.

here is the tricky-ish part,glue the star together using tape on the FLAPS ,ensuring that the center seam from the join from side A and B is to the rear of the star.it is easier to glue two together,then another two,join these two pairs together,and then add in the last remaining ''point'',it may take a little 'jiggling' to get a nice snug fit,but so worth it!

Decorate your star anyway you like

Festive Napkin rings

Hi from Jo!

I hope you've been enjoying this month of Christmas projects as much as I have - there have been some inspirational ideas from everyone!

My project was originally going to be something else but halfway through making it I changed my mind and it became the felt napkin rings here.

I found some Queen & Co felt poinsettia border that I had bought for scrapbooking/cardmaking but thought it would work just as well on a sewing project. I started by placing a sheet of green felt in my embroidery hoop to hold it taut and then cut a short length of the die-cut felt and placed it on the green base.

I then used a fine Kreinik gold thread to the felt to hold it on the base and also embellish the holly leaves and add beads to the holly berries and poinsettia centres. I then used a long running stitch on either edge of the design as a border.

 

The next step was to remove the felt from the hoop and cut it down to the correct size before turning it inside out to sew the 2 edges together.

(Unfortunately I had no clean napkins to use in the photo so had to make do with a roll of paper but you can get the idea LOL!) 

I now have plans to make a set of these and also some in lilac, white and silver.

Thanks for visiting us at IACW!!

Jo x

Decorated birdhouse

Hi, it's Jo here and can I start by saying "Mum, if you're reading this - LOOK AWAY NOW!"

While trawling around a garden centre recently I came across some really cute birdboxes and bought one to decorate:

I started by painting the box with white acrylic paint and when this was dry I then added splodges of Milled Lavender crackle paint.

When the paint had dried I added various stickers and then covered these with Ranger's crackle glaze before sticking on some buttons and then using glue dots to fix lace around the bottom. I also added a few Prima flowers of varying sizes with pearls, beads or rhinestone centres.

I then finished off by threading a lilac ribbon through the chain and adding a few more different small lilac ribbon bows at the top.

This is going to be given to my Mum when filled with a lilac/purple pot pourri so it co-ordinates with her bedlinen. I hope she likes it!!

Thanks for visiting IACW!

Jo xx

Fairy mini canvas

While out shopping I came across these cute canvasses and mini easels:

 

To give you an idea of size the canvasses are 7cm square.

I wanted to make something to go in my 2 year old daughter's room so decided to go for a pretty pink and green theme. I started by dry-brushing the canvas with pink acrylic paint then when it was dry I stuck a piece of lace across the bottom using glue dots. The fairy image was one I cut out of a HOTP creative images book and I mounted it on the canvas with foam. I then cut the back off a star shaped button before adding this and some rhinestones to the canvas and then stamping with tiny alphabet stamps.

The final touch was to adhere ribbon all around the edges of the canvas and then add a bow in the corner:

 

I'm happy to report that my daughter loves it and has requested more "pwetty tings" for her bedroom!!

Thanks for visiting!

Jo xx

Lavender's Blue, and WELCOME ALI!

 Lavender’s blue,

Dilly Dilly,

Lavender’s green.....

I’m really honoured to have been asked to join the It’s A Creative World team, they are an amazing bunch of artists and the variety of things showcased on the blog is astounding.

For my first day I would like to offer my take on something i saw a while ago in a magazine by an artist called Heather Crossley.These little hanging envelopes can be filled with pot pouri or, in this case lavender from the bush in my garden. These can then be hung in wardrobes, slid in drawers, or even hung on walls.

 

What I used.

·         Images-I downloaded images off the computer and printed them on watercolour paper-but you could use photos or pictures from a magazine.

·         Backing paper, I used pages from an old paperback book.

·         Double sided tape, or glue stick or wet glue.

·         Ribbon, lace scraps.

·         Beads, glitter and general embellishments.

 

How to assemble your bags.

·         Print out your image and cut out.

  

  

·         Cut a piece of backing paper that is 1.5 cm larger than the chosen image

·         Run a line of glue over the back side of the image round the edges of the left, bottom and right sides-leave the top side unglued.

 

·         At this stage I placed the lace/ribbon on the glue, pleating it randomly.

·         Take the backing paper and mark of the size of the image in the center, now cut off the 1.5 cm over hang on the top.

·         Now fold the 1.5 cm inwards over on the three other sides, snip of the bottom two corners.

·         Run a line of glue along the 1.5 cm strips.

·         Glue this backing piece onto the reverse of the front image-you should have a loose pocket with an open top.

·         Make holes in the backing paper with a needle or sharp scissors.

·         Embellish the bags.

·         Make two holes in the top two corners and thread ribbon through the holes and tie off to make a hanger.

·         Stuff the bags with the lavender, pot pouri.

I am not an electrician BUT.....

... Woo Hoo I have a sister who can do more than change a plug!

Hi all from Di in a sunny but chilly Johannesburg.

I recently found these ceramic thingies on sale and thought I could make two lamps for my crafty studio! (Well I thought my wonderful sister Linda could help me make them!)

  

We did a little shopping and came back with this:

 

We bought about 4 metres of flex but you will need as much as from the plug point to where the lamp will be positioned (rather too long than too short).

My sister can also use a DRILL so using a drill bit for ceramics she drilled a hole at the back of the lamp near the bottom.

 

(I later used a permanent black pen to disguise the white exposed by the drill.)

Thread the flex through this hole and up through the neck of your lamp base.

Then we found that the lamp 'sockety bulb thingy' was a bit small so I found a tap swirly thing and we used this. (You may also need a little glue to keep everything in position)

This is where you may need a little help!!! Do all the wiring stuff! Linda is a flippin genius - I have no idea how she learnt to do this!

 

Finally attach the switch. the plug, the bulb and a shade. Voila Viola you are done.

I am so happy with my lovely new lamps!

 

Here are some sites to visit which may help you find the parts you need.

http://budgetdecorating.about.com/od/youruniquedecor/ht/Making-a-lamp.htm

http://www.nationalartcraft.com/group1.htm

Lamp making Kits 

This little lamp Bottle Lamp Kit works with most any bottle or jug. Comes with 3 rubber adapters, (1/2", 3/4", 15/16" x 3/4"H) and necessary hardware. Pre-assembled socket.6' brown or 8' gold cord.

PS Is it cheaper to make rather than buy?

I am not sure - all I know is that I have lamps that I really like as opposed to what was available in the shops!

Thanks for visiting IACW and love from Di X