Wooden Spool Crafts

Before Christmas I purchased some large wooden spools from the USA - I had a lot of trouble trying to source them in Australia, so I purchased in bulk so that I could add them to my online store.

Today I played with lots of different sized wooden spools, but firstly the new larger size

Pixies

The above photo shows the size and the shape of the new larger spools which I have added to the online store.  They would also be great for storing twine, cord, embroidery thread and ribbon.

The wooden balls for the heads were pre-printed wooden balls that have been in my stash for ages.

More pixies, this time using a variety of different sized spools

Aren't the above faces, mischievous?

In the packet of pre-printed wooden balls there were cat and dog faces, well, I found a use for the cat faces, still working on what to make with the dog faces

I will be taking all these to my next market, on May 16th, prices for the pixies $2.00 and the cats $1.00 each

All good fun

Judy

Reindeers - As promised

OK - a day late, but it was too rainy and overcast yesterday to take any photos.  Much better day today, although I am not complaining about the rain as it was badly needed.

Four little reindeers made, although I am classifying two as Woodland Deer so that you could leave them out all year round, not just display them for Christmas

Woodland Deer 1

Woodland Deer 2

Reindeer 1

Reindeer 2

All the above reindeer / deer were made from the same pattern (Cat 'n Cart Crafts CCC0903 Reindeer), so you can certainly create your own unique look.  Each one different.

These were made using my pattern which is available in the online store for only $5.00 - 50% off

Click here to purchase the pattern  - it is available as a PDF pattern or paper pattern

Judy

Red Carpet Market Day - Postponed

It is with great disappointment that due to the inclement weather that we are currently experiencing in Leeton today and the downpour expected during our event timeslot tomorrow, that we are regretfully POSTPONING the Leeton Tourism RED CARPET DAY..the event will now take place on Saturday 16th May..we are now in the process of reconfirming all the stallholders that we had locked in..this soaking rain is much needed though which is a real positive for our town, look forward to now seeing you all on Saturday 16th May smile emoticon

The above is the announcement from Leeton Tourism - it is a shame, but the rain is badly needed. I was actually organised for this event (for a change), and also had a friend visiting that was going to help.

Lots of sewing has been happening in the last week ... it is inspirational having a sewing friend visiting.  We enlarged a reindeer pattern - see original here - this was a hanging ornament and we wanted to make one that stands - success

 

I apologise for the quality and background of the photos as they were not staged, just taken in my very messy, well loved craft studio.

 

A lovely group of cats, these could be used as pin cushions as well as a cute little accessory.  They are weighted in the bottom, so sit very well

 

 

A better close-up, you can just see the little wooden mouse sewn to his tail on the bottom left hand side.

 

 

Flower fridge magnets

 

 

 

and a new idea - stamping on clothes pegs

 

I just white washed the pegs, and then stamped the words using Black Staz-On ink.  Attached a magnet to the back, and packaged them up.  I like the idea, and the finished items, however I would like to source more sturdy pegs.  As they were a trial I will be selling them for only $2.00 for a pack of 4, bargain....

 

Here they are before they were packed.

 

 

As packaged

 

 

I also finished off four more reindeers, using my Cat 'n Cart Crafts pattern, as the market was to promote local talent (?)  however the photo was too blurry to upload, so I will take more photos tomorrow

 

Have you been sewing?

 

Judy

Red Carpet Market Day sewing / crafting

The next Red Carpet Market Day at the Leeton Visitors Centre is being held on Saturday 18th April. Just over a week away, and they are starting to promote the event on their Facebook page, and requested a couple of photos.    As I took a couple of little snapshots today, I thought I would share them with you.

Blue polka dot - small tea wallet

Red floral - large tea wallet

Pink birdies - card holder

Cream floral - top opening tissue cover

Key Fob

Blue polka dot - inside

Red floral - inside

Card holder inside

Card holder keyrings - a favourite seller

Flower Clip Bookmarks

I made lots of fun gifts - here is one - PMS survival kit 

I have been busy, but it was really great to be back in the craft studio.

This weekend, I am attending a paper-craft retreat in Leeton.  Everyone takes whatever they wish to work on, no set project, just the opportunity to be with like-minded craft artisans and to dedicate the time to your crafts.

I am unsure what to take, as with my card making, I am still a novice and I need to take all my supplies so I can decide what I need!  That is not going to happen, so I think I will take my cuttlebug, embossing folders and dies, and of course my stamps and ink pads, and see where that leads me.

Just to be with others will be a great learning experience for me.  Looking forward to it immensely.

Take care

Judy

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all - I hope you find a little time for crafting during this holiday break.  I have been sewing for another Red Carpet Market day, however I always forget to take photos to share.  I usually remember after I have priced them and packed them away.

An overcast day today, and the finish of daylight savings (hooray).  Most of my family are working (yes I know, Easter Sunday, it should not be allowed), so I am not sure what I will get up to today.  I have some little tea wallets to finish, but may venture out to the Narrandera Farmers Market for a little road trip

Have a great day with family and friends

Judy

Using a Brayer

What fun!  A simple and effective way to add colour to your embossed cards.  I have read of some people inking their embossing folders before they put them through the machine, however I have found this a much easier way.

Emboss your card, as normal and then ink up your brayer on your stamp pad .... and just roll it over the embossed surface

When you colour them, like this, there is little need for any further embellishments.  These were all originally embossed on white card stock and the colour is from the inks.  I am going to try one in the new Kaleidacolor Ink Pad to see the results.  This is a multi-coloured pad, so should be interesting.

This next card is one I made for a friend, lovely and fresh with the flowers, paper doily and border accent.

I am starting to get a stock of cards now, although I must admit not all of them have verses in the centre yet.  Must do that, so that they are ready for giving at any time.

Judy

Little Owls

These little owls have been made in preparation for the next Red Carpet Market Day which is scheduled for Saturday 18th April, in the middle of school holidays.

They are only about 3" tall and can be placed in any random area.  Filled with teddy bear pellets they are very malleable.  The eyes were all sewn on by hand, and let me tell you, trying to cut out tiny circles in felt is rather difficult.  I know there must be a machine available, but I do not have one (yet)

A little close-up of three of the owls

Oh, so cute

Judy

Sue's card

Here is the card that I made for my sister Sue's birthday.

I really liked the colours and the simplicity of the card with using just a few elements. 

I started out with a Kraft card base, lined that with chocolate card stock.  To this I added a aged printed piece of vintage music.  The vintage lace was a lovely find at the local op shop.  The flowers are in two parts, the back section is hand gathered tea stained lace, which when I first tried on the card was too stark, so I added a hessian / burlap centre, much better.  The Happy Birthday stamp (freebie with a Card magazine) was stamped onto fawn coloured card stock with the Momento Toffee Crunch ink pad.  A small chocolate brown chiffon ribbon completes the card.

I had a one little flower left over, so I added it to the gift wrapping on her present.  As you can see, I kept it all in theme.

Looking at the next photo, I could have done more with the outside of the envelope for the card ...  I must admit, all I did was add a little strip of music washi tape across the corner.  

I am now working on some little owls for a market, so will show you the results when finished. 

Judy

Stamping Techniques

I have not had a lot of time to "play" lately, but when I do, I have been playing with different stamping techniques for my cards.  Now I am going to show you the good, bad and ugly, but it is all a learning curve, and I must admit a lot of fun.

Painters Tape
The first one uses painters tape to get the background, just place your strip of painters tape on the stamp pad, rub lightly and then place on your card stock.  Easy but effective

Washi Tape
The next one was OK, I tried to weave the washi tape for a different effect, which is good, although I will need to ensure the lines are straight in future.  More ink was needed on the stamp to ensure a good crisp image.

Perfect Pearls Powder
This one, I used a VersaMagic ink in Eggplant and then brushed Pewter Perfect Pearls over, it does not really show up in the photo, but it gave the leaves a lovely shimmery shine

Reflection

Using just the stamps I had on hand, I tried the technique of stamping on acetate to create a water reflection.  I like how this turned out, and I would like to try it again with a better stamp.

Sanded Embossing

After embossing the card, I lightly sanded the raised surface.  This gives the card a totally different look, nice and weathered!

The last card does not come under the stamping technique umbrella, however it is just another quick and simple card I have made.

Using just a round heart die, with a stamped image, crisp and clean

I have one more card to show you, but will have to post it later tonight.  I have made this one for my sister Sue's birthday, and I will be seeing her tonight to deliver it.  Sue is my card making teacher, so the pressure was on .... but I liked how it turned out, so that is good

Have you had any time for craft, I wish I had more

Until later this evening

Judy

Finally Ready

The button boards are dusted, the buttons chosen, I am ready!

I have a trade table at the Murrumbidgee Country Quilters Quilt Exhibition at Griffith this weekend. It is always a dilemma trying to decide which items to take, however I am fortunate to live close enough that I can come home each evening, and restock if necessary.

Tomorrow is "setup" day, so a big day planned.  The quilters will be hanging their quilts and I will be trying to stay out of the way, while I set up my own display.

Details of the exhibition are as follows, taken from Griffith City Council's Events Calendar

Murrumbidgee Country Quilters Exhibition

The popular Bi-annual quilt exhibition hosted by the Murrumbidgee Country Quilters will showcase the talents of local fabric artists. Light refreshments including morning and afternoon tea will be available, along with patchwork products made by the members of the group. Local patchwork and craft suppliers will also be trading during the exhibition. The magnificent quilt raffle will be drawn on the day. Proceeds of the event will go to Post School Options.

Venue:    St Mary's Hall, Edon St, Yoogali via Griffith
Date:      Saturday 7th March & Sunday 8th March 2015
Tine:       9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Cost:       $5.00 entry
Contact:  Karen 6962 6960  or Annette  6962 5308

Hope to see you there
Judy

Another member of the family

Our family has increased with the arrival of my Great Nephew Finn Lucas Lonergan

He is the first child for my niece Kate and her husband Matt, and also the first grandchild for my sister Sue and her husband Wayne.  So a lot of firsts.  I may be biased, but he looks so cute, I hope it will not be too long before I see him in person.  

Another photo, his first sleep in his own bed ..

Still no craft, but exciting news on the online store.  I am now stocking new product ranges for cardmakers, scrapbookers and stampers.  Pop across and look at all the new products here.

Have fun

Judy

Babysitting

I have been busy babysitting various animals/pets lately as well as looking after gardens in the hot summer, therefore not much (or not any) craft time.

These lovely brown hens are waiting for me every morning to let them out - 9 in total.  They are great layers, and one of the benefits of caring for them is fresh eggs!

Then these cute little silkie hens, one mother hen and three chicks, although the chicks are growing quickly.

Next comes the blue budgerigar, I must admit he is a favourite, although he is a little cranky.  Not sure of his age, but he loves his apple treat each morning.

Then the cockatiel, he did not want to have his photo taken this morning, fluffed up his feathers as if to say, "get out of here"!

He loves to be hand fed sunflower seeds, and gives me a "wolf whistle" every now and then.  Good for the ego!

Now for a funny sight this morning, when I went out to change my dogs water, a little frog was taking a swim.  I do not know where he come from, but he was set free in the garden

He is a little hard to see in the dirty bowl, and it was only 6:00 am, but it was such a surprise I had to get my camera.

I will be having a trade table at the Murrumbidgee Quilters Exhibition at Griffith on Saturday and Sunday 7th and 8th March, so if you are in the area, come and check out all the great quilts as well as saying Hi!

Until then

Judy

Stamping

With a new stamp set (Serene Silhouettes) from "Stampin-Up" I have made the following cards, just using the stamps.

This next card, is a favourite using the Lotus Flower stamp, it was impossible to photograph, because it was so pale, but I hope you can see it.    The actual flower component of this stamp is made up of three stamps, so you can get great detail

I think my next investment will need to be some stamps with sentiments, I have so few.  If anyone can recommend some, it would be appreciated.

Until next time

Judy

Little Wallets - Finished

These little wallets have been waiting for weeks to have the stud closures installed... for about 15 minutes work, they are completed

It is so long since I have done any sewing, although that is about to change as my little craft group are meeting for the first time in 2015 on Monday night.  Would you believe it, we are going to be making more of these little wallets.  I think I will prepare some bright and colourful fun fabric for the next lot

My card making adventure is continuing, lots of new toys to play with.   Starting with this one, a Brayer ... fun!  Wait until I show you the results

Bye for now

Judy