And summer is over...well, almost!

It is time to think of the upcoming autumn/winter months now and now is the perfect time to knit.
I learnt the basics of knitting when I was in P.5 (year 5 of Primary school), they called it 'Needlework' back then...here is a scarf I recently made. 

I used PomPom turquoise wool bought from a discount store, I find such stores can sometimes stock quite high quality makes of wool....and they are easier on the pocket too!

My own personalised fabric labels

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, here is another project I have started:

I used purple glittered double knitting wool and a K2P2 pattern to create the 'ribbed' effect as you can see...watch this space for the end result!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Papercraft competition results:

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the papercraft competition (13th July) is

V. Griffiths from Northants.  Many congratulations Virginia - your prize is winging it's way to you shortly!!

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*****PAPERCRAFTS GIVEAWAY*****

I haven't done any crafting today. So I went and decluttered my cardmaking cupboard.

I bought these on ebay a year ago and never got round to using them.
So, I have a challenge for you.   Simply click on the following link and fill in the poll to be in with a chance of winning the above cute items!

Click here for competition

The winner will receive the following brand new items: 

Cupcakes embellishments/stickers

Smirk Clear stamps - sports themed

Gem embellishments

Pack of Smirk paper strips/backing paper 

Best of luck to you!

Cards to make on a rainy day!!

Materials used:  Cupcake backing paper, Happy Birthday banner, embellishments

Materials used: patterned backing paper, alphabet chipboard embellishments, embellishment

Materials used: embossed paper,  paper flowers & sticker, Mother vellum banner.

Materials used:  Thank you paper words, cute picture, cupcake backing paper

Materials used:  backing paper, lace adhesive paper ribbon, flower embellishment, Congratulations banner

Materials used: Chinese coin charm, Chinese hole punch, fabric flowers, brads, Best wishes sticker, paper ribbon

Paper mache letter holder tutorial

Paper mache letter holder

The letter rack I created above was inspired by my love of letter writing & foreign correspondance in general.   I decided to use up my old used postage stamps that were lying about in the house (recycling helps the environment).          Can you think of any other ways in which we can recycle within our crafts?

Tutorial:

Materials used:
Cardboard box & a rectangular cardboard base; paints; used foreign stamps; strips of newspaper, wallpaper paste; adhesive.

1. Start by cutting the box to give the diagonal 'opening' on the top of the box
2. Paste strips of newspaper to the box using the wallpaper paste and cover all areas on the outside
3. Repeat until four layers have been applied (leaving it to dry thoroughly between layers)
4. Attach the cardboard base
5. Paint the whole box with white paint
6. Paint the inside of the holder with a dark paint
7. Allow to dry, then glue the used stamps on, arrange them so they overlap slightly so no gaps can be seen
8. Once completed decorate the base and the top edges with red & blue paint.

And, voila!!

My mosaics order arrived today;  and how delightful!!     I started dabbling in mosaics about three years ago...and it is a very calming hobby there is no doubt about it.

To make a mosaic art piece, basically you need the following items:

Base (mdf or piece of plywood or a table top for example) , mosaic tiles, goggles, gloves, tile cutter/nipper, grout, grout pigment, silicone glue or adhesive, clean rags or sponges (for cleaning your piece after completing project)

Iridescent effect tiles

Unusual mosaic shapes with words/faces/hearts on them!

                                             

 Boy, what fun could I have with these??!!

 Here's one I made earlier:

This was very simple to make; first I used an apple shaped mdf for it's eye catching shape and arranged the mosaic tiles onto the base. I then glued the pieces on using PVA glue, left it for 24 hours to dry.  Using some ready made grout I filled in the gaps between the mosaics. After ten minutes, I used a damp rag and wiped the tops of the tiles clean.     And, there you have it -  a gorgeous decorative mosaic plaque !!!

For the love of art...

Art is everywhere. Look beyond yourself and you see it in the people , places and things around you.

One artist I know is Canal Cheong-Jagerroos, a professional painter who has done very well for herself.  Married to a Finnish husband, she originated from Macau.  Her father taught her the fundamental techniques of traditional Chinese painting; this can be seen in many of her works past and present. 

I first met Canal in 1996 whilst I was living in Strasbourg, France.   I was a student back then, those memories of my friendship with her were unforgettable...later on after I left France, we sorted of drifted apart.      I am sad about this, but people in life move on....I am honoured to have met her and formed a friendship with her - albeit a short one.        Some of her current paintings have fetched several thousand pounds per piece!

Click here to see info & paintings by Canal

Beading as a hobby

Jewellery-making has only become a recent interest of mine.   Although not a cheap hobby, I find that if you spend a little money to get the best beads, it is worth it!
Tools needed:   Jewellery making elastic ( I find for bracelets, elastic is more reliable than beading wire), & some good quality beads!

I LOVE crackle glass beads!!

                                               

Celestial jewellery

My favourite piece

The moon charm gives this piece character

Millefiori beads were used with this necklace ( I  personally call them 'rock' beads, as they resemble 'cut sticks of rock' with a pattern permeating throughout the bead)

    

I highly recommend the following sites for bead supplies:

www.etsy.com

www.thesilvercorporation.co.uk

www.beadsdirect.co.uk

 Invest in some craft storage boxes and you will be able to organise your beads more easily.

*****BEADS GIVEAWAY******

For your chance to win the bundle of beads you see below, just leave a comment on this beading post & your name will be entered into a draw!!

These unusual beads will be a great addition to any crafter's collection!!

 This is the first of many of giveaways/draws I will be holding - so keep reading!!

Good luck!!