It's a Creative World

Stamped Christmas card

When I saw Joanne's post on a stamped wreath card here, it really got me thinking about masks. I really do like very simple cards and it inspired me to make a Christmas tree card. 

The triange I drew was 3" at the bottom and 4" tall. I cut out half the triangle to make the mask and made a duplicate for the other side.

 

I marked each 'branch' so I would have a guide when stamping and the branches would meet in the middle.

I cut another mask in the shape of a pot, and stamped it with a dark red metallic ink.

The stamps I have used are very plain stitching stamps, and just a sequin star at the top. I have experimented with a few different stamps to get different results. I found a vine type stamp to use for tinsel and kept experimenting.Keep them as plain as you like or add extra stickles pearl drops and bling.

 

I'd love to see any more ideas you have had using masking techniques.

Debbie x

Recycling old jewellery

 Back in the 90's (and the days of being a rock chick!) I used to wear huge dangly earrings and various bracelets and bangles. I kept them all in a tin with various other bits and bobs that I didn't want to throw out.

Today I found that tin again

I decided to try and use some of the jewellery on craft items and first up I made a card and used part of an old earring as an embellishment.

I cut off the dangles from the bottom and also the actual part that goes through the ear before glueing the rest of the earring to the centre of the flower. 

 

For my next project I started with another earring and this time used a variegated perle cotton to cover it in blanket stitch:

 
When this was finished I threaded some more perle cotton through the ring at the top and added beads to it before removing the ear-piece. I then added the earring to a textile ATC I'd made as an embellishment.

Have you got any old costume jewellery lying around that you could use? I'd love to see the results if you do.

Thanks for visiting IACW!!

Jo 

Felted snowballs

My first Christmas-y act this year was to join an ornament exchange over at Small Fox in a Big World. I love Christmas ornaments whether buying, receiving or making them. I was full of ideas, but I decided I wanted to do something with felt balls. You can buy felt balls ready made, but I find them fun and easy to make.

My raw materials: merino tops (easiest material for beginning felters), lampwork glass beads and embroidery floss.

 

First I had to felt the balls. This took a couple of days. The basic science of felting is this: when wool gets warm and wet, little barbs on its surface open up (picture all those split ends and scaly hair they show us in shampoo adverts) and as it cools and dries they lock in together. To make these, I bundle up a bit of the wool, add soap flakes and hot water, and roll it around until it is ball shaped. Then I add layers of the wool at little at the time to build up a smooth shape. Some just go wrong though and the cat gets them for toys! More rolling makes the ball smoother and firmer. Remember, this is hard on the hands, use hand cream when you're done (you can always use Deanne's recipe)!

 

 I played around a little to get the design I wanted. Part of the decision came down to the fact that I couldn't face making any more felt balls, although I had originally planned to thread more of them. I was happy with this design though and like the element of chance thrown in by the variety of beads in my pack. If you wanted more control, of course you could by a packet of matching beads.

 

 The final step was to stitch these simple snowflakes onto opposite sides of each ornament. I hope the recipients like them - I've kept a couple for myself! You can see what everyone else is sharing here.

Kel xx

 

 

 

Digital Christmas!

I have to admit that I am not a fan of digital scrapping- not that I don't love the finished results, but the thought of not using papers and glue is just too scary too for ME to contemplate! 

However even a paperholic like me can use digital elements in papercrafting without having to forgo the gluey fingers!!

I use itkupilli's work on my blog and love her grungey style! I decided to download one of her Christmas digital sheets to use in some Christmas projects, as I loved the great range of colours with the retro twist!

When you purchase you are emailed an A4 high quality jpeg of her images (this is a watermarked example of what you receive). See her designs here.

 

I love the freedom of these digital downloads, I could resize as I liked for my project and print out as many of the images as I needed- how cool!

This is 'Christmas in a Box' :

 I cut down a box until it was 3.5" by 4.5" and covered it with Christmassy papers and paint.

I resized the digital images and printed them out on photo paper. I cut the images out then mounted them on card flaps to make them stand up and stuck in the box. 

Liberal amounts of glitter were added!!

So there's no need to be afraid of digital because it affords you great freedom with sizes and unlike stickers or rub-ons they don't run out!  I for one am a convert!

Have fun crafting!

love,

GlitteryKatie XxX

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
 

Inspiration!!

Hi Julia here and I was wondering where you get your inspiration for your layouts from. Is it sketches, online galleries magazines....or what?

Well the layout I have done for this month was inspired by this picture.

 

Now I just loved the clean lines and colours of this picture, so that gave me my colour pallette. Those gorgeous cushions say squares so ideas began for form in my mind. This is what I came up with.

 

I used the November kit from The Craft Boutique  the Basic Grey Indian summer range gave me the colours I wanted for this layout and I think they work perfectly.

I would love to see what you come up with using this picture, post a link back here so we can share.

Happy scrapping see you next month. Love Julia

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

Taking your craft to market...

Hi from a very excited Di.

I have very recently made some things to sell at a craft market at the German school in Durban! My expectations of selling were low and I think this was a reasonable expectation. I was not going on the market to make money. It was really about the experience and to test the water. However before the market - I discovered another market - local craft shops. Patti from Scrap 'n Patch has taken my goodies!!! Thank you Patti!!! 

I made loads of my little calendar and notebook thingies to attach to the fridge, a few photoframes and a mini album as an example. I thought I could take orders if anyone expressed interest!

The costing is quite important LOL of course it is!!!  I did not cost my time because it is my pleasure to make things and I do not craft for a living. My calendars and notebook thingies worked out selling at 2 pound each. The frames were 3 pounds.

Here are a few examples!

I invested in VERY cheap cellophane bags which really improved the presentation of my stuff BUT I had to buy in bulk LOL.

I also decided to  make a few 'business cards' as handouts. Here they are.

I then copied the small stamp on my 'business cards' to make a sort of 'name' for my goodies, It actually stands like a picture frame. Here it is.

Look for a gap in the market and try it - I had great fun making my bits and pieces, and the money I earn I will spend on more stash.

Thanks for visiting IACW and love from Di XXX

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is edging ever closer and I have been plaguing my children to pose for me so that I can get good Christmas card photos.  I am getting there........slowly.  I have been using a great photo editing site Picnik which is excellent for the Photoshop challenged like myself.  I have used the frosty effect above - and all at the click of a button.  When is the last posting date?

I have also been trying to think of a few ideas for Christmas presents for teachers and teaching assistants. I know most of them enjoy coffee so I decided to make a special envelope to contain a coffee gift card.

 I returned to my current favourites - felt and stamps.  

Cut your felt to just under twice the length of the gift card, and slightly wider than the card.

Cut a semi-circle out of the top edge.  I drew around a 2p coin.

Stamp on the image of the coffee cup.

Embroider around the image and then stitch up the pocket envelope.  Add coffee card.  You can adapt this idea for lots of different gift cards. It is certainly more exciting than an ordinary envelope.

Happy Christmas creating.

Joy xxx