Christmas Greetings

Hi, it's been a while I know. December (and most of November!) seems to have passed in a flurry of crafty activity which left no time for visiting blogland. I've missed it for sure but sometimes you have to spend a bit of time actually 'doing' rather than 'perusing', sad but true.

I didn't have much time for photographing either but here are a few photos of some of the things I created in a frenzy of stitching, gluing and knitting.

And you know it hasn't ended yet I have one or two projects to finish and I have plans to find time to fit in making Christmas Panna Cotta, Egg Nog, and Christmas Biscuits and I might even manage to squeeze in some Last Minute Christmas Chutney

So I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Creative New Year. I've made some brilliant friendships in blogland and made lots of interesting discoveries (especially Pinterest!) so here's to lots more in 2012.

The Holly and The .........

Hi. Today I thought I'd share some very simple and quick instructions to make some holly leaves. Now I know some of you are not thinking about Christmas just yet it's just that I am trying to get organised and have many projects in the making. To be honest you could use the instructions to make any sort of leaf you like.

So you will need.....

A leaf template to draw around (or you can go freestyle), some strong thin double sided tape, some glue, book pages or any type of paper you fancy using and some thin floristry wire.

For each leaf you will need to cut out two identical shapes. Secure a bit of tape down the centre of the leaf shape and fix your wire on top. Glue the second leaf on top with the wire sandwiched in the middle.

You can then ink them, add glitter, doodle around the edges or whatever takes your fancy. You could even make them out of felt or fabric. They would be great for Christmas journals or layouts, Christmas cards and 3D projects.

In my stash I found some small flat back red pearls perfect for berries and as they are wired you shape them however you want. So now I have some holly ready to go.

Cloth

Have you discovered Cloth magazine? I hadn't until the weekend and believe me I really don't need to discover another but I'm glad I did.

Inside I found a great bag project. The one in the magazine had been made from an old tweed coat and the lining reused as the lining for the bag and a scarf for the handle.

Which got me thinking......

....and after a rummage in my fabric pile I made one. I feel very pleased with myself that I didn't buy anything new and in fact the fabric was either reused or an offcut. The scarf may be a temporary addition I quite like it but I'm going to keep my eyes open for a better suited one. That's the beauty of this bag you can change the scarf handle to suit your mood or outfit.

And when I came to photograph my bag I realised that the lining was a pretty good match to my hall wallpaper. Both are a William Morris print, the lining is a repurposed piece of Chrysanthemum Minor by Sanderson.

Now that I have a new bag I'm glad I made that discovery.

Preserves, Twigs and Owls

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to win a limited edition seasonal distress ink set. I forgot all about it until a parcel dropped though my letterbox and I ripped open the packaging. I ripped right through the label (oops) it's one of the Tim Holtz Fall 2011 sets.

The colours are very rich, I inked up some circles of white cardstock in Ripe Persimmon, Seedless Preserves and Gathered Twigs to try and demonstrate. 

Around the same time I had a birthday card to make so I put them to good use and inked up some card and turned it into a owl perched on a branch using a template from Craftwork Cards. The centre of the owl eyes and the flowers are some of their card candi popped on some foam pads.

The template was also good for a bit of doodling on the back of the envelope which I hope will put a smile on my friend's face.

Which brings me last but not least to another owl cushion. In fact the whole reason I wanted to create one was because my friend pointed one out while we were out together and I made a mental note to try and create one for her - for her birthday. So he is the original :-)

Pretty Paper Party - Collaged Background

Today I'm taking inspiration from a combination of things from Shimelle's prompts, paper scraps collaged into a colourful background, a splash of paint and some pretty handmade embellishments.....plus a bit of doodling that I just couldn't resist.

Even if I don't do another thing I'm happy to have kickstarted some creative scrapbooking and every time I look at this layout it will put a smile on my face.

Pretty Paper Party - Paper Pieced Patchwork

As you can see it's all the 'Ps' here today. I had great fun piecing this layout together. It involved a lot of cutting and sticking but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. A great way to use some of your favourite patterned paper.

Crunchy outside, soft inside, the treats cats crave

One of my cats, Purdey goes absolutely mad for her favourite cat treats. I'm beginning to think they have something everso slightly addictive in them. She's developed quite a habit and turns into the most demanding cat if she thinks there is even a sniff of a Dreamie snack. In fact she only has to see you in the kitchen and she thinks it's Dreamie time. Oh what have I started?

I don't know why I suddenly thought about it but I remembered how when I young there was a craze for shrinking empty crisp packets. You might not be aware of it, I know Mr P looked like I was mad when I asked him about it. I'd just thrown away an empty packet, it came free with something else, just a little freebie to get your cat hooked.  I hoped I might be able to shrink it small enough to make a embellishment and luckily it worked.

If you would like a template to make the perfect sized hexagons for a layout or card let me know and I'll happily send you one.

.......now to venture into the kitchen.

Pretty Paper Party - Strips and Scraps

I'm still partying and look I have another layout completed. I've wanted to scrap this photo for ages as I love the colours of the hydrangeas. It was taken in the Garden Cafe on a visit to the V&A.

I'm feeling good about not using new supplies and pleased to be showing off some favourite paper, although I still have quite a few sheets of the Noteworthy design. I know, I'm guilty of panic buying. Please tell me you've done the same.

I'm not entirely happy with this layout and I can't decide if I should add some stalks (stitched maybe?) to the flowers on the righthand side or if I should leave it as it is. They look like they're floating to me and need to be anchored.

I'll stop fretting about it for now and just feel satisfied that I've done some scrapping.