No Tools needed Mothers Day Make

Hi Crafters

I came across an early craft make while tidying one of the craft boxes.
It was a Brag Book that I had used to put in a friends daughters wedding pictures.

As usual I had to have a go and see if I could still do it, and I had just tidied my desk, so I set myself the challenge of making it without any tools from the cupboard. You do need a pair of sissors but everything else can be done by hand, It makes a lovely gift for mum or grandma with family photos in, and the children can help make it.

Take a piece of 12 x 12 paper and fold in half and then each half into the middle so you have four sections
Then turn 180 degrees and fold in half again
Then fold the open edge in approx 5cm this does not have to be exact

Open up the paper and with the small folds on the left and right cut along the middle fold the first 3 sections

Turn 180 degrees, fold up the bottom part and starting from the rigt hand side fold in , as if closing a book fold the next section back and then in again.

Now tuck the top piece under the bottom piece and fold back the other way until you have a mini book.

This is your mini brag book base.

Glue the centre pieces together and either glue or use extra strong double sided tape at the outer edge folds to makke the pockets on each page 

Decorate as you want.

I made tags for all the inner sections ready to add photographs and then made a cover for the front to make it sturdier but you do not need to do this if you want it to be a very quick project, just decorate and add some ribbon to tie it together, slip some photographs and a little message to make a personal gift.

      

Bargain Stash

Hi Crafters 

Just had to post this today.
I buy from CraftyDevils, who are based in Barnstaple, North Devon, and today had notification of their sale items from Tonic Dies.
Well I have many many dies, but still had to look.
There were some great dies available many with 50-70% off.
Postage in the UK is free for orders over £25.

I have bought 10 dies for a grant total of £32.66
They range from a 6cm dragonfly for £1.75 down from £6
to a patterned panel of Sunflowers £4.99 down from £17

When the stash arrives I will post more details and some projects using them, but thought I would let you know about the bargains before they all go. 
The website is www.craftydevilspapercraft.co.uk

Let me know if you buy any, and what you make, and if anyone would like a swap I would love to try one. 

Denise

Envelope Files

Hi Crafters

I came across this idea on YouTube 

A great way of using up the thinner papers from your 12 x 12 packs. I had a couple of large pads which showcased a collection such as K & Co or My Minds Eye. These pads have 90 or 140 sheets in, but they are much lighter than the standard pads. 

The method is very simple.

Cut the bottom end of and then score approximately half way down. 

Then cover all the sections in your papers

The only tricky part is making the piece that covers the flap end. For this I made a template by drawing around the outside of the envelope and cutting a fraction inside the pencil line so it will layer and also slip inside to line the folder

Decorate the outside and either add a button fastening or ribbon around the pack

I used A4 manilla envelopes so my two storage areas are approximately 22.5cm by 15cm 

They make pretty storage for pictures, newspaper clippings, coupons, photos etc.

You could also store your homemade embellishments in them adding a label to categorise them.

Being a frugal crafter I used the leftover pieces of paper to make an envelope mini album, and when I have decorated it I will post the finished item. 

  

Making an Index Box without a die

Hi Crafters

I flick in and out of the craft channels occasionally to see if there are any new products or ideas for my paper crafts, and the other night there was a great die from Tonic that made Boxes to store recipes cards, seeds, pictures etc. The die was the Oxford Box die and there were also tab dies to make the index cards for the inside. 

I was sorely tempted as the samples were lovely and they had put 2 boxes together to build a larger store box, so it seemed very useful. I checked prices on Ebay and several on-line stores and basically the £24.99 plus £2.95 p&p on Create and Craft was a good average price. 

Then I had a eureka moment, I make boxes and bags all the time could I not make a similar box, as surely the restriction for making such boxes is about the card size as much as the die size.
So I took my pen and pad and started working out some dimensions

It took a couple of trials but by joining 2 pieces of card along the back spine it is possible to make a similar box for storage. 

Here is the result 

All I need now are some index cards

The Box can be used for recipes, I will make a more manly version for seed storage, and will probably make some to give away with Birthday cards in, as the box takes A6 cards and envelopes 

Envelope Cards

Hi Crafters

When I first discovered these Iwas told they were addictive and sure enough I just found myself making more the other day.
Si I have another 6 in my stash now. But I am sure they will come in handy.

To make:
Take a 12 x 12 double sided paper
Fold in half and then fold all four corners to the middle
Turn over and fold in half
Then bring the flap from the back over to the front and stick down 
You then have a flap to the front with a compartment underneath and an open compartment in the back to place your message or gift card etc

Great PaperClips and Pin ideas

Hi Crafters

Another item spotted in my nocturnal viewing of YouTube are these decorated paperclips.

I have made decorated paperclips before and sold them at craft shows quite successfully, mostly ribbon flowers and buttons, but there were some neat ideas shown on the Tube and I flicked from channel to channel before deciding on the ones shown below

These were made on giant paperclips, using K & Co Flowers from an embellishment pack 

I also used wooden buttons with owls and sailing ships and other paper embellishments from scrapbooking papers placed back to back on medium paperclips 

And lastly a selection

Another Large Leather Flower

Hi Crafters

Hubby took tohis bed yesterday with the cold I had last week, I had the craft room to myself and the day to do anything . Bless him,!!!

Clearing out the craft room, whilst not feeling well enough to venture outside, I came across a large leather Chrysanthemum style flower that I had cut by hand some time ago. I had cut 2 large petal layers and 3 medium size. They were put together with a lovely shaped leaf, but laid flat and rather dull looking.

I took the flower apart and using a method of wrapping the petals in thread and baking them on a low heat I finished up with a lovely shaped and full looking flower. I put it all back together and will make it into a brooch for summer wear.
Or perhaps put a clip on the back to use it as a bag decoration or a hat adornment.

New Paper Craft Ideas

Hi Crafters

Had a dreadful cold for a week or so now. The only good thing to come from it were several late night views of You Tube.

One inspirational lady I keep going back to is MayMay, her YouTube name is May May makes, and I love most of her makes. The one I just had to try was the Stationary gift set, and here I checked out a couple of other makers of the same item to get an idea of sizing using 12 x 12 papers rather than restrict to A4 card

I love the idea and will be making several sets to give away to friends and family.

This one was made using First Editions Paradise pad

As you can see the box opens to reveal 10 cards, A6 size ( I have used embossed card)
6 3" square card to add to gifts or add a quick note, 6 tags 
The front panel holds a memo pad, a little folder that takes stamps and a pen.
Such a cute idea. 

You should note that none of the instructions allow you to add envelopes to the gift set. As the cards are A6 size I suppose you have to assume that most people have the envelopes to hand, or adjust the size of the box to take the extra half inch required.

For the single box of notelets that MayMay makes I have adjusted the box to take envelopes for the notelets I wanted to use and I did this by reducing the score lines to side. 
I will add these to another post when I have finsihed them.

Here is another one, once you get the hang of them you will find them addictive.

This one was used making First Editions Noir et Chic
Dee

New Boxes and Bags

Hi Crafters

After Christmas I  came across these lovely boxes and bags on You Tube. 
The bags seemed large whilst the boxes were cute and made using origami folds and A4 card
It got me to thinking about sizing up the boxes and bags I make and I started to loom around for some pretty wall paper that woudl do the job.

At last I came across this roll that as a one off was finally reduced from £19.95 to £5.

Great redirection for the roll and plenty for me to play with and get my sizing right.

I had already worked out the bag sizes when I saw the boxes with the flower tops, so sized them up and after a couple of trials this is what I ended up with. I think the large one has probably gone too large to  make a smart top, but practice has also improved the method to make the folds, so I may try something in the middle.

Great Way to Store Knitting Needles

Hi Crafters

I continue to enjoy sewing and have recently made a couple of knitting needle rolls to store the needles. I made myself one to start with and omitted to include a top flap which resulted in the needles sliding out the end so have remedied that on the next couple I made.
They will store needles up to 17" long and I have also made fewer pockets than the others I have seen for sale as they store more if you group them rather than individual pockets, especially as the recent fashion is for very chunky knitting.

As you can see you can also get your circular needle and crochet hooks in and I am thinking of adding a some felt to the back of the top flap to enable a couple of darning needles 

I would be happy to hear any comments 

ORIGAMI BAGS

Hi Crafters 

Well here is a finished origami bag. Not sure if I have mentioned them before in my blog but I saw them some time ago and wanted to try them.

They are very cute and surprisingly useful as they have a good size middle section and six pockets, so can be used as a bag or as pretty storage for your cosmetics. I have one I take to craft sessions to carry my small tools, tape and ribbons, bone-folder etc 

This one has been made from 2 cottons squares 16". One with a music theme print and the other plain black.
Folded and decorated with matching buttons and threaded with cotton cord 
The pattern came from You Tube and the demonstrator did warn they are addictive, I know what she means, as I have now made 3.

Dee