It's a Creative World

Quick and easy knitted scarf

Hi from Caz!

This little scarf takes 2 nights in front of the telly to knit up and would make a lovely gift for that special friend.

 

It's knitted in Rowan Kidsilk Haze, and is so soft and warm.

You will need:
2 balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn
1 pair size 10 (UK) knitting needles

Using 10mm needles, cast on 30 stitches using a double strand (ie you are knitting from each ball of yarn at the same time). And simply knit each row until you have a meter of yarn left. Cast off.

The yarn is 210 meters a ball so it goes a long way!

Happy knitting!
Caz
xx

Cupcake Birthday Card

Hello!

I hope you've all had a great week and are ready for the weekend? 

Lets hope for some nice weather!

I sat down and made this little card for my friend yesterday and think it looks very pretty and it was very easy to do.

I covered a blank card in some stripy paper(Chatterbox) and then used a piece of pink bazzill cardstock and placed in the centre.

I used a piece of white bazzill cardstock to stamp my cupcake image and title on to. These are from the Crazy for Cupcakes Stampin Up! set. To colour in the stamped image i used the Watercolor wonder crayons again from Stampin Up! because they are just so easy to work with. You can basically use them as paints so i used a wet brush and rubbed it onto the crayon and then painted, so i never even took the crayons out of the box.

 

I had stamped two images so i could use one of them to cut the single cupcakes out.

I mounted the image and quote onto some paler pink cardstock and adhered to the card using 3D foam pads as i also did with the individual cakes.

Just to finish it off i attached a little Clip on the top which is from the KI Memories Festive range(yes it's supposed to be a Christmas gift but i thought it matched!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Cath xx

An interview with Ginger

We are a real nosey bunch here at It's a creative world and we love finding out what makes creative people tick.

Today we are excited to get into the artbox of the fabulously talented Ginger aka Claire.

  
 

IACW - We heard on the craftyvine that you've been gallivanting around CHA. So, what did you get up to in sunny So Cal?

GINGER: The craftyvine is right.  I was out there but as I was working, on the Crafter's Companion booth, I didn't get much time for gallivanting.  I did get to meet lots of our US customers and loved demonstrating and taking on-stand classes.
 
IACW: Did you spot an absolute favourite need to have it now item at CHA?
 
GINGER: Seeing as our Ultimate Crafter's Companion 10 in 1 tool won the CHA Innovations Award for Scrapbooking and Papercraft, it would have to be that, if I didn't already have one.  Other than that it was mainly patterned paper that caught my eye.  Two of my favourites but very different in style were Pebbles Inc - bright and clean cut (check out their new metallic chalks - more like creme eyeshadows) and Graphic 45 - vintage style.
 
Ok, back to reality
 
IACW: Did you have a particularly ‘crafty’ childhood, and what is your earliest crafty memory?

GINGER: I've always enjoyed making things.  I can remember being chosen to colour in a large robin at primary school to go on the wall.  It eventually came home and went up every year until I left home at 20!

I wasn't always successful though.  I had a few problems with cross stitch.  I used to sew it to my skirt and have to be cut out of it and the end of the lesson!

IACW: How did you get into cardmaking, and how long have you been creating up a storm?

GINGER: I blame my Dad for getting me into card making and the large amounts of stash I now own!  I needed a card for his 60th birthday and when I couldn't find anything appropriate I made one and was hooked.

IACW: What crafts do you currently enjoy besides cardmaking?

GINGER: I love scrapbboking and making gifts and mini books.  I darent take anything other than papercraft up, there's no more room in the house.
 
IACW: From where do you draw your inspiration, and do you have any unusual sources of inspiration?

GINGER: I draw inspiration from lots of different places - magazines, clothes, home decor and advertisments.  It only needs a colour, shape or contrast to get me thinking.
 
IACW: Have you had any cardmaking/craft disasters, and, if so, are you prepared to share the details with us?!!

GINGER: Too many!  I'm a messy crafter.  However my favourite one is when I was away on a scrapbooking weekend.  I'd nearly finished a layout I'd been working on and managed to spill a glass of white wine on it.  Luckily a friend reminde me it was only paper and glue and we laughed about it.  The layout was dried out and the photo was reprinted and ta dah all was well.
 
IACW: What tools/products/embellishments are you using most at the moment? Is there a line of papers you’re particularly fond of? What’s currently at the top of your ‘wanted’ list?

GINGER: As I've been living in hotels for the last couple of weeks I've been creating cards with minimum tools.  I really wanted the new Crate paper ranges and was lucky enough to get my hands on them at CHA.  They were in the booth next to us and very lovely.

IACW: Do you have a blog?

GINGER: Erm, seeing as I haven't updated it since the middle of last year I'd have to say not really.  I just don't get the time to update it.

IACW: Who are your craft heroes/heroines?

GINGER: The list is long but my favourites are those that inspire me and share their crafting space with me.

Anna Davenport (Beautiful Cards and Quick Cards Made Easy) has always been one of my favourite designers, I love the way she uses colour.  I'm now lucky enough to call her one of my best friends and share many a weekend of scrapping with her.

 

Gwyneth who I run a crop with is another constant inspiration, her cards are amazing.

 

Debbie Nicholas - how she finds time to make all the amazing things she does whilst bringing up 4 adorable boys is a huge inspiration. 

IACW: On average, how much time do you spend crafting in a typical week?

GINGER: Never enough!  But I squeeze in as much as I can and always have a basic tool kit in my car.

IACW: Are you working on a particular project right now? Can you share any details with us?!

GINGER: Crafter's Companion have a new release out on the 7th March, so I'm currently making cards and display boards.  Unfortuantely I'm not allowed to tell you more than that, although it's fabulous. 

IACW: And now for a bit of fluff!! What’s your favourite perfume?

GINGER: Gucci II

IACW: Who is your favourite artist? Have you ever worked a particular artist’s style into YOUR work?

GINGER: Monet - I love the colours and Degas - I love the subject.

IACW: What music do you enjoy listening to?

GINGER: I love music and listen to all kinds.  I have the radio on all the time in the car and I love Radio 2 - I know that makes me old but it makes me happy.  I love swing music as I also love swing dancing.

IACW: What was the last book you read?

GINGER: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff and it was delightful. 

IACW: What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

GINGER: I honestly can't remember.  I tend to fall asleep at the cinema.  I'm not good sitting down doing nothing.

IACW: Do you have a big screen heart-throb?

GINGER: I love old films and Gene Kelly is a massive favourite.

IACW: You’re out to dinner at a restaurant where nothing is off the menu; what would be your dishes of choice (starter, main, dessert), and what would you be drinking?

GINGER: I love French food and there's a restaurant in the South of France that actually serves my ideal meal - fish soup, duck breast cooked in a wood oven served with dauphinous potatoes with creme brulee for dessert.  To drink?  Champagne of course.

IACW: Tell us a joke!!

GINGER: what do you call a deer with no eye - no idea (eyed-dear)!

IACW: Describe yourself in three words…

GINGER: Mad Ginger Claire :)

 

Thank you so much for sharing some tidbits of what makes you, you!!!

 

"Dressing up" your cards

Hi all from Di

I had such fun making these "simple" cards and there are loads of variations on the theme of making cards in the shape of clothes or hats or bags or shoes!!!.

 

 

 

For the dess card this is what I started with - a scribble!

And some stash:

 

My dress shape was real simple so this is what I cut:

2 pieces of PP - one for the back of the skirt and one for the front.

1 piece of card stock shaped as per the photo below.

The top of the dress consisted of 1 layer of cardstock and 2 layers of PP (one for the back and 1 for the front.

 

Then I just assembled the dress and decorated with ribbon round the waist.  The shoulder straps are made from ribbon attached inside the bodice.

From the scraps of PP I cut out some of the flowers and just stuck them with foam onto the dress

The 'shirt card is just as easy:

 

We would love to see what you come up with using this idea!

Love from Di and thanks for visiting us X

Papercrafts - Easter Baskets

Hi from Jakey

Just a quick and simple post today, with a few links for some downloadable/printable basket templates.  I’m sure many of you are thinking ahead to Easter and planning small gifts for the kiddies, friends and family and little baskets such as these can be filled with sweets, small toys, chocolate eggs or other tiny gifts.

Some of you may know that I work with the elderly and buying gifts for all my resi’s on seasonal occasions is quite beyond my purse, however, we enjoy making things together – especially if it involves a treat for them!

These little baskets we made today were a great hit, and very quick and simple to create - even for hands which are less dextrous than they once were.

If you work with a group... brownies, cubs, after school club, or indeed in a care home, you may find these sites useful:

Some of the baskets appear to be designed for other occasions – just get altering!

 

http://www.allfreeprintables.com/valentine/printable-baskets.shtml

http://pecuniarities.com/free-printable-templates-miniature-flower-treat-gift-or-decorative-baskets/775

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11094

http://a.familyfun.go.com/Resources/global/printables/0306_Easter_Basket_Template.pdf

http://www.art4crafts.com/files6/html/projects/proj14.php

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328014

There should be something there for everyone!

Have fun :-)

Jakey x

 

Its "theme" day again and its a "Simple" theme...

Hi from the cReative giRls who today have been challenged with the word "'SIMPLE". OOPS, the meaning(s) of "SIMPLE" seems very complicated!!!

1.	easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools.

2.	not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.

3.	not ornate or luxurious; unadorned: a simple gown.

4.	unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.

5.	not complicated: a simple design.

6.	not complex or compound; single.

7.	occurring or considered alone; mere; bare: the simple truth; a simple fact.

8.	free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional: a frank, simple answer.

9.	common or ordinary: a simple soldier.

10.	not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious: a simple way of life.

11.	humble or lowly: simple folk.

12.	inconsequential or rudimentary.

13.	unlearned; ignorant.

14.	lacking mental acuteness or sense: a simple way of thinking.

15.	unsophisticated; naive; credulous.

Hi from Di - and here is my take on "simple". I love simple clothes. Because they are never in fashion they never go out of fashion. My style of dressing is simple, often white, mostly natural fibres and I have  very few problems co-ordinating! here is my VERY simple layout!

 

and not being  in fashion I am mostly timeless!

 

Hi from Caz

Living in 2009 can certainly be complicated. We rush about, getting from A to B and most of the time we forget about the 'simple' things in life. Stopping to admire the flowers or spending time with loved ones.
This year and making a HUGE effort to go back to the simple things in life. And i'm starting in my bedroom. I want a room that is plain and clutter free, a space to relax and sleep well.

We have a major storage issue in our bedroom, so with my bonus I am going out to buy a decent chest of drawers. I want a tall unit with deep wide drawers that I can pack away all the clean laundry and get it off the floor, hich is where it spends alot of time.
I am also working on decluttering side tables, both on top and inside.
Once I have cleared away the junk, I will need storage for my jewelery and trinkets, and to start this off I have covered a tin very simply...

 

Organisation is the key. Once you have 'a place for everything', you tend to keep 'everything in it's place'. I've been a bad blogger so far in 2009 but I plan to cover my progress on my blog, feel free to pop over and see if I manage this 'simple life'.

Thanks for visiting IACW and please let us see your take on "Simple"

XXX

It's all about YOU

When we scrap our family we tend to miss out the most important member…YOU.

 

We are so busy recording what everyone else did and what they are like etc that we forget about ourselves.

If we don’t record ourselves then when future generations look back they won’t know anything about the person who made the items.

 

I made this quirky frame to show my sense of humour but you could easily adapt it to a lo or even do a mini book about, as long as it is about YOU.

 

 

I painted scrabble tiles black and then used white rubons.

I got out my old Dymo machine and my brotherP-touch for the words and aligned them by putting a ruler over the frame.

 

Everything I used I had in and it was quick and easy to do.

So go on….scrap yourself for a change.

 

Lemon xx

Mounting Rubber Stamps

Here's a quick tip for mounting rubber stamps onto EZ Mount which I find helps with the job no end!

In the past, I've hated this job.  You end up covered in the tacky glue from the EZ Mount and so do your scissors.  You and your scissors end up sticking to everything!  Well, here's my tip.

 

First of all mount your stamps as normal onto your EZ Mount.

 

Next (and this is the trick!) cover the whole thing with talcum powder.  Doesn't matter what sort, any will do.  I find it best to do this in the bathroom or else I have a terrible mess to clean up!

 

Shake off the excess and there you have it - all your stamps ready to cut out, but because of the talcum powder, the excess sticky goo is gone!  It doesn't make it perfect, but it makes it much easier to cut your images out and as you can see, it doesn't damage your stamps at all.

Hope you enjoyed this tip!

TFL and take care, Joanne x

Spring is in the air

It is, it really is.  It's Maria here with a spring in her step and a bunch of daffs under her arm.  The birds are singing and all is good with the world.  Ok, maybe not but it's a lovely idea.

My girlies love all sorts of crafts and it's always nice to have something planned for those special times of the year.

Now, I'm sure that you're all far more organised than I am but I need to get prepared for Easter about now or it just passes me by.

I thought that I would share one of my favourite crafty sites who never let me down when when I'm looking for activities.

Activity village is an absolute goldmine of craftiness and I really can't recomend them enough. 

Older children will love making these felt Easter eggs.  Just click on the linkie dink for the full instructions.

Younger children will adore these polystyrene egg bunnies.  Again, just click on the linkie dink for the instructions. 

Activity village really is a fabulous site and has something for parents and children of  all ages.  Pop over there and be amazed.

Have a fabulous Easter and don't eat too much choccie ....... As if that is possible!!!

Toodle pip

Ooh, if you like the vintage postcard of the chicks you must check out Graphics fairy.  She has the most amazing vintage images and they are all FREE!!!

Tin Shrine.

My Mother was born in India in 1933. Throughout my life she told me tales of her boarding school life (nine months of the year) of catching Moon Moths, seeing tigers and elephants, traveling on trains and rickety buses up mountains and about playing dress-up with her Ayah (her child minder). Mum taught me Hindi and we sang songs her Ayah had sung to her. My Mother's childhood was from a different era and from a different culture and all these stories fired my imagination and and has had a profound effect on me, I loved them.

  

I have very few pictures of my Mother as a girl but those I have are precious. In these pictures I see a serious faced four year old, the fourth of a family of five and very different from the 'Mum' I knew. She is on the far right in the photo above (taken in about 1937).

I love using images of her and so that her legacy won't be lost I regularly try to record aspects of her time in India with layouts and altered art.

I decided therefore to make a 'Shrine' based on my Ma's childhood in India.

I used a mint tin as the basis of my shrine.

It had a loose lid which I cut into to make an aperture for a Maya Road lid. I used the Maya Road lid as it had a nice edge and would form a 'window frame' to look through into the shrine.

 I have to say cutting the hole in the tin lid and inserting the Maya frame took a lot of faffing and squidging (a technical metal working term there!!) but I was pleased with the effect so it was worth it! 

Next I decorated the tin and lid, inside and out. I used the tin as a template, drawing around them onto the various patterned papers (mostly 7 gypsies and a little Basic Grey) then fitting them and trimming as they needed it.

I used 7gypsies Gaffer tape and Prima tapes to help cover the tin and to hide any less than perfect trimming!

I used some Tim Holtz Pins, a Spinner, Tags and a Key from his Idea-ology range as well as a Making Memories metal tag and an elephant charm. All these pieces were chosen to create a sense of the feelings I have about Mum's childhood in India and they were in the same small scale as the Shrine. I also used flowers and fabric.

I used a picture of my Ma and mounted it into the tin using foam tape so that it was forward of the background. I added wings from a Moon Moth to her as I love the story of her finding a Moon Moth when she was about three!

It was fun to experiment with this project and to let my imagination run free. I loved spending time recalling some of Mum's stories, remember to have fun with your Art it can be a very healing experience!

Love GlitteryKatie x