It's a Creative World

More Than Photos?

 

Ali here,

Two weeks ago i went out for a birthday meal to The Hellfire Club in Manchester, which is an amazing place,based on a horror theme,it has a magician/entertainer to make the evening even more fun!

He spent ages with us doing magic tricks,including a bent two pence piece,a folded card in a locked box,and making a card that I'd signed appear in a full bottle of juice!

We were given the ''props'' to take home,but how do you 'scrap' something so big?

and then,yesterday,in the supermarket i bought a wooden crate of satsumas that gave me an idea.

I lined the crate with a piece of patterned paper and collaged a few stickers,tickets and a tag into the box

and added a lace frill,and placed in my momentoes and viola!

That left a gap in the box frame though,and i had loads of photos too,so i raided my stash for one of my stashed 7 Gypsies books ,and decorated the cover to match the box-this i will fill with the photos and the story of our night out.

Thanks for looking.

Handy recipe book for students

Hi Debbie here with an idea for Students.

My son is in his first year at university and I am really hoping he might start cooking himself something reasonable to eat rather than relying on pot noodles.

Knowing how messy the kitchen will probably be I decided a plastic cover (cut from a large box) and laminated recipes was probably the way forward so that all the mess could be wiped clean.

I have chosen simple recipes, the ones that were more complicated like the curry I have already made him up a few spice bags, so all he needs to do is add them to his recipe.

He still hasn't cooked a curry but has promised he will try soon!

I am going to make my own little book of the receipes we use time and time again, much easier than ploughing through a few books for that receipe you are looking for.

Debbie x

 

 

When I am old

 

so the poem goes, I shall wear purple, and red hats and stuff, and maybe I will, however, to the point...

Back in December, I saw a journalling idea on Design*Sponge, that I wish I'd begun many years ago, but since late is better than never, I've begun it now.

Life seems to be getting faster and busier, and often there is only time to jot down a few words a day, maybe just a trivial household event, or something we thought about, something someone said or did, or a comment on listening to the news.(My mum used to write in the margins of her newspaper, or magazine, often not many words, just a remark on an article, and it always made me smile, her replies to journalists.)

So, the basic idea (and happily it doesn't get complicated hereafter) is to write a few words each day, year after year, on the same daily index cards/lined paper/whatever kind of paper you like, divided by monthly picture postcards/photos/anything stiffish.You move that day to the back of the stack and the next day you do the same. Each day's date is stamped or written on the lined paper/index card, you just add the year.

I've made a mock index card, as if I had been doing this for 9 years, just to give you the idea. (The entries are all true, I have all our old family diaries in a box in the attic and I dug them out to look up the day - golly did I lose a few hours that afternoon!)

For all I know, there are hundreds of people out there already doing this, but it's new to me, and I love that eventually each day, as I make an entry, I will look back on the last however many years on that one card, and smile/grimace/ponder/raise my eyebrows at what I wrote that day.

Imagine reading, in 30 years time, all those fascinating snippets! (I realise my own snippets are of no interest to anyone but myself, but would you indulge me, just for today?)

As the index cards proved impossible to purchase locally, and ridiculously expensive to buy online, I decided to bust my stash. I sorted through all my old 12 x 12 papers, picking out the sheets I wasn't too fond of, and which were of a decent weight, and, most importantly, which had a white reverse. I trimmed them into 5" by 3" rectangles, dated them (all 366 days worth) and stacked them in a pretty box, interleaved with postcards.

Write a daily entry:

Move it to the back, and you're ready for tomorrow, repeat on and on forever:

Of course you can always change the postcards when you get bored with them; these are my favourite kind, together with the saucy seaside ones :)

I'm sure I can keep this up, it's only a few words each day, wish me luck!

Eleanor

x

Oh, the fabric is Persian Vase by Kaffe Fassett, from Rainbow Silks, watch this space, it will re-appear in another guise in the summer.

 

I would put my recycling in it if any paper was left to recycle

Hi Kel here, with a lovely idea for a sick day, a snow day or a rainy day. I was off last week and weary to my bones, so I made myself a nest of quilts, lined up a couple of recorded shows and a movie and got to work on my basket. I've been meaning to try this for weeks, but you know what it's like, it's hard to find a big block of time to work on one thing.

It's an idea I saw on one of my favourite blogs; Live from Tormville is funny, blogs daily and has lots of great ideas too. Her family pull names from a hat and do a handmade present for the recipient. She made a newspaper basket for her sister-in-law. The link to her blog goes straight to the basket post and the tutorial she used is on craftystylish.

I used the same tutorial and my basket took something very like the 96 strips used in the tutorial. It took about half of a Sunday Times. And it took me about 5 hours! I was quite surprised at that. I needed more hands than I had to keep everything nice and tight, so I caved and went to find pegs pretty early on once I started weaving up the sides.

I didn't fancy the ribbon edging, although I do think it looks nice, so I went for some spotted navy masking tape. Inside and out, it also works to disguise some glued down edges. It's quite big, maybe even big enough to fit two stacks of magazines side by side. You can adapt yours to any size, pretty easily.

I can't wait to make another one. I might use this tutorial to make a firmer, smaller one.

I haven't quite decided what to use it for. Any ideas?

Thanks for stopping by.

Kel x

SIMPLE THINGS - A final round up

Just over twelve months ago, the girls on It’s A Creative World started on an extended project that would run all year.
Like all embryonic ideas, we were not sure quite how it would run until we started it, but knew that the aim was to record, each in our own unique way, a project based on simple little words.
We had great fun coming up with words that were at the same time simple and yet terrifically complex in the ideas they portrayed. The words were emotive and conjured up all sorts of different feelings and memories, inspiring each of us to create in different ways.
And create we did; some made albums, some made art journals, some used paper and paint, some used fabric and stitchery magic, some created boxes of treasure in different forms. The talents that the girls of IACW have are so varied, which is why you will always find something here to inspire you, no matter what you enjoy doing.
It was such fun to see, each month, how everyone interpreted the words in different ways and then expressed that interpretation creatively.
Although the year is up I know many of use will continue with the project in our time and our own ways, adding to the albums or journals or quilts as words move us and ideas come to us.

However, whilst we may continue individual projects it is time to wrap up the project as a whole and what better way to do it than each of us showing our favourite creation from the past twelve months of Simple Things.

Here are our own favourites.

I have to say I am loving my little album and I will carry on doing other words throughout this year too so I end up with a good sized book at the end.

I am glad I went with a floral theme and picking my favourite entry was hard, but in the end I have gone with this one....

 
I selected this one because gratitude means a great deal to me plus I loved the photo and the colours.

Dolly x

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I loved that entry of Dolly's as well, but I didn't actually manage to make my own Gratitude square yet, not because I am not grateful, but precisely because the things I am so grateful for just now, our new home, new jobs and new life, mean that I am so busy, I haven't as much time for crafting as I used to have.

However, I did manage time to stitch many squares, and even though they will not now be a quilt, but individual items like wall hangings, I am glad I chose fabric as my medium. My favourite of all my 'words' was honesty, and this was my interpretation of it.

Eleanor

xx

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It is really hard to pick a favourite page as I have really enjoyed the challenge every month. I never fail to be amazed  by the entries every month by the other girls. My personal favourite was inspire because I got so many different techniques on my page.

Debbie  x

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When I started the 'Simple Things'  year long project, one of my aims was to try out new products and techniques.  The word back in May was 'CREATE' and I really really enjoyed creating this page.  I played with mists, gesso, alcohol inks, wire and beads.  I layered up loads of texture and drilled dominoes for the first time.  This all went on a page made of felt to go into my fabric book.  I had a blast and that's why it's my favourite page.

Thanks for following along.

Mandy.

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Hi, Kel here. I hesitated to post today, because for me this project has been a rocky road. It reminds me of the difficulty I used to have with circle journals. I love the idea, and I love seeing the incredible variety in everyone's take on a theme. I have trouble though, it seems, working to the timetable and the theme. The posting day (whether project or CJ) always seems to come in a week of craziness. I feel intimidated by the quality of the other work, and my inspiration seems to flee when it comes to crunch time. My work ends up feeling flat and mediocre. I decided to share these thoughts today, in case some of you have felt the same sometimes - I wanted you to know that you're not alone!

My first page is still my favourite, and like some others, part of the reason is my attachment to the word itself. It's also a page I did before I got hung up and started to find the project so hard. What I have learned about CJs and projects like this, is to push through (and try to relax). I am excited about spending some time with this journal and completing the words I had to miss out. Today has rekindled my initial excitement and I feel challenged to tie it up into something that I will love to revisit.

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 Hiya Claireliz here...

I've loved the Simple Things project & seeing the different ways in which we all interpret the words each month & then created something in our own crafty styles, we have had a huge range of different ideas on this project & all from a few little words. My favourite page from my simple things album was this one...

 

for me this was when my album statred to come together & I found my groove, paper, ink, fabric & messiness.

Thanks for joining us in our Simple Things project & for stopping by to see us on Its A Creative World.

Hope to see you soon

C xx

If You Go Down To The Sea.............

Ali here,

I am still having trouble with my fingers,so decided to re-visit one of my favourite pieces

 
 

   

Sometimes,you want more than a layout to remind you of a special time,and sometimes,even an album or mini book falls short too.

This is a memory box i made of our first trip to Whitby.

 

it started life as a wooden box that held Prima flowers,and has a wonderful glass front and dinky catch on the side.

After emptying the box i painted it with an off white paint,waited for it to dry,and then inked the edges with a contrasting ink pad.

The back of the box inside was lined with a complimenting piece of patterned paper,and various pieces of 
ephemera were attached with a strong glue,

i included,driftwood,a penny,a fossil found on the beach,pebbles and sea glass,some corn and a seagull feather.

The front picture is printed onto a transparency and fitted under the glass

   

 

i finished the front with some letter tiles,pebbles and sea glass and some random charms.

The SEA was in card letters which had been painted and roughly edged with a gold pen.

This little box sits on a shelf in our lounge and is always being admired,and Niall is very fond of it.

   

   

Just a simple question ...

Hello! Alexa here, pursuing all things simple in scrapbooking and life ...

Reaching a new stage in our family  life has afforded a great opportunity for thinking about ...

• what we need, as opposed to what we might hanker after
• how to restructure our time, as opposed to going along unthinkingly with familiar routines
• what our priorities are, as opposed to commitments we've continued to observe without wondering whether they are really appropriate or possible any longer

Here in the blogosphere, I'm sensing a shift in some places from eager and enthusiastic consumption in the direction of a simpler make-do-and-mend, use-and repurpose, make-do-with-what-I've-got ethic. And in my own mental and physical spring-cleaning, a page of simple questions have shaped themselves. Some I have come to through reading and thinking, some have been gifted to me by Eleanor (here at it's a Creative World), Melissa, Darcy and Cheri. I've taped mine beside my computer screen; perhaps I need to print a small version for inside my purse too! I'm sharing them here, on a pdf (see below the picture) in case they're of use to you too. (The stamping and doodling is mine but don't look too close because you'll discover that I haven't quite mastered the art of not going over the llines yet.)

 

Download BeforeA4
Download Before8.5x11

Hoping this list might be useful for pondering whenever anything new is on the threshold of your life - whether it's a purchase, an activity or a commitment (or, as DH suggested, tongue-in-cheek, a relationship!). And thank-you for popping in today!

Wave Your Pom-Poms!

Hello Joy here,

I am very excited because I have a new toy to play with, A pom-pom maker!  As a child I used to spend hours threading wool through small holes in circles of cardboard.  I thought with all the crafty gadgets out there, there must be an easier way,

A quick google and I found what I was looking for.

 
They come in all different sizes and are quick and easy to use,  I found this video on YouTube that shows very nicely how to use them.

here

But I felt untold joy when I found out they also do a heart- shaped pom-pom maker!

 

I have been looking at different types of yarn and ribbon to use with my new toy. It is amazing the different types of look you can get,  If you are a keen upcycler you can use old t-shirts or plastic bags, cut into strips.  I am taking my toys on holiday with me. I am hoping to make a pom-pom scarf and a pom-pom wreath.  I am off to St. Ives for a week and the weather report is not looking good.  I may have to wrestle with the kids so that I can have a go myself.  I will show the results in my next posting.

 
This is the view I will be waking up to today. Bliss!

Take care Joy xxxx

Crafting Apron

I have been told by my husband that NOTHING else is to go into our loft or the ceilings will collapse.  I really am a hoarder so have been busy going through all the "Treasure" in the loft.  I have cleared several empty card board boxes, saved incase whatever was in them broke whilst in warranty.  Some have been up there a long time.

I came across a piece of unbleached calico and as I am a very messy person decided to make myself a craft apron.

I got out some masks and my mica sprays.

 

I have ironed it to set the sprays but am not sure washable it will be.  I'm not planning to wash it as think it will be a nice record of my crafting journey.

Close up of Clock

 

Close up of cogs and gears

 
you can see where I hadn't made sure all the little bits had been removed. (Next time I will read the instructions about preparing the masks for the first use.)

I decided that blotting the masks on the apron might make a nice effect

 
To be honest it loooks a bit of a mess, but after wearing it a few times there will be more sploges on it.  I was going to stamp as well but like the effect as it is.

I did make another one for a friend, but forgot to photograph it before I posted it.  I didn't blot the masks on the apron for hers.

We will be wearing them next week as we were lucky and got tickets for one of Tim Holtz  Artsycraft classes.  It's two classes one with Tim and the other with Lin and Leandra.

I am really looking forward to it.

I hope to share what I made at the classes with you soon.

I shall keep decluttering the loft, one to make space for more stuff and two because of finding things I'd forgotten I had.

Lynne x

I'm bored ..........

Yep, it's half term next week for my lot. DS should be revising (I need to drag him away from the XBox for that) but the girls will be wanting ideas for things to do to keep them busy. And I'm sure mine aren't the only ones.

Things I have definitely got planned are baking and knitting using the Sirdar Loopa system. There will of course be lots of cutting and gluing and maybe also another garden treasure hunt.

 

I'll have a wander around the garden and yard and see what needs tidying up and write them on the list, together with other things such as so many different types of leaves, 5 things that are yellow and so on. I print out the list and give them a clipboard, pen and carrier bag and off they go. Of course, ticking everything off the list does win them some type of treasure too.

 

Given that I have a room full of supplies, crafting often features heavily in boredom busting sessions. Here's some ideas of previous crafting projects we've done together (though I think it's important to let the kids have freedom in their creations so I will tend to be nearby to help but not hovering as I tend to take over and tell them what to do!). Also I will ask if they have any specific colour or pattern in mind and gather a selection of suppllies I don't mind sharing, together with basics such as adhesive, flowers, ribbon, gems, trimmer, scissors and punches. I put a wipe clean pvc tablecloth on to protect the table and they crafter either in the conservatory or kitchen as the floors in those rooms are easier to clean messes up from!

 

This one is using some cork backed coasters that were on sale for something like 70p for the set of 4. Covered with papers, stickers and diecuts from a Poundland scrapping pack. I used a Cropadile to punch the holes and ribbon to join the coasters together.

 

Using a selection of fabric die cut using my Big Shot and Sizzix dies and a variety of fabric pens and fabric texture paints. Any plain t-shirt will do and you will need to follow the instructions for setting the pens and paints. A sheet of cardboard inside the t-shirt saves any bleed through to the back and provides a solid base to create on.

 

Choose a simple image (Chiara googled on the clip art), print out several times (we printed it out twice, once for the body and once for the face and legs). Cut down the templates and decoupage scraps of co-ordinating patterned papers (here we used a freebie paper pad that came with a magazine). It's not necessary to glue within the shape as the edges are trimmed afterwards. Here the face was created with die cut felt flowers and stick on jewels for the eyes, a cut out flower for the nose and a stitched mouth.

 

It you've got any of the oversized pegs lying around, this is a simple project that is useful as well. The pegs were painted with acrylic paint and allowed to dry before gluing on the paper base then decorating with punched shapes and chipboard letters. A strong magnet was attached to the back of each and they hold the notes from school for each of the girls on the fridge.

 

This one requires a bit more planning. I created a cube template to fit on a 12x12 sheet (there are plenty of templates available on the web, but I don't have a large format printer and wanted the cube to be as large as was possible from a 12x12 sheet). A heavy weight patterned cardstock is easiest to use as it just needs embellishments adding. Some beads were strung through the top and bottom before gluing shut and a ribbon added to hang it from.

 

These oversized foam flowers were bought in a multi-pack from Hobbycraft. The girls simply cut pieces of patterned papers and stuck them down and used some die cut and punched butterflies and gems. Again I used my Cropadile and ribbon to create the hanger.

 

Some simple beaded necklaces are also fun to make, though you will need to have some basic tools and materials (beading wire, crimp beads, pliers, a fastening and selection of beads).

 

Well, I hope that's given you lots of ideas and I'd love to hear of your favourite crafty boredom busters too.

xxx's

Suzanne