IACW - Pen and notes gift set

As I've now given this to Mum for her birthday I can show you the items I showed recently on the It's A Creative World blog.

I bought some wooden pen holders and memo block holders quite a while ago and they've been sat waitnig for me to do something with them:

As Mum loves nature especially birds I decided to use the new 7Gypsies Conservatory paper to decorate both items. I used Mod Podge to stick the papers on the items and cut out extra birds from one of the papers to stick randomly over the papers. I also used alphabet stickers to spell out "pens" and "notes". Once the items were decorated I used 3 coats of Mod Podge to cover them.

IACW - A wooden bangle

Here's my It's A Creative World post from last week:

I recently found some fabulous wooden bangle blanks ready for decorating and decided that my first one was going to be an inky one:

I started by using a pale green distress ink over the outside and then a darker one:

I then laid Tim Holtz masks over the inked bangle and added more ink over the top. The next step was to add a darker brown ink along the edges and then tiny rhinestones in the middle of the masked flowers:

I think the next blank is going to be decorated with paper but I'm not sure yet LOL!

IACW - Card and layout

Here's my post from It's A Creative World this week:

Following on from my previous post about templates here I thought I'd blog about a different type namely the Crafter's Workshop ones. I have a number of these fab items and I admit that I haven't used them as much as I could or to their full potential.

I decided to make a couple of projects using the same template but in different ways so started with this gorgeous design:

 

 

For my first project - a scrapbook layout - I used the shape to cut a piece of patterned paper as part of my layout background:

 

For my second project I made a clean and simple card.

I laid the template on the card and used a pencil to lightly draw the pattern on to the card before using a Ranger gold pen to colour the shape.

I also used a pencil to mark the placement of the dots before using Dimensional Pearls here. All that was left after that was to leave the card to dry before adding a ribbon. If necessary I can add a sentiment to the card at a later date:

Why not have a look at any templates you have already and try and use them in a different way.

IACW - Scrap that!

Here's my post from It's A Creative World this week:

When I filled 2 x 10 inch deep drawers with scraps I decided it was time to take the bull by the horns and do something. I had been saving them all to use for die-cutting but since I sold my manual die-cutters I don't use my scraps.

I started by going through and making the largest card possible in varying sizes including 6" x 4", 5" x 5", 4" x4", 5.5" x 3.5" and 3" x 3".

I then used the leftover "scrap scraps" to cut a pile of tags in varying sizes to use for scrapbook journalling, making mini tag books, using as card toppers or tags for presents.

So far I have only been through the red, orange, yellow, green and blue in just one drawer so I still have a way to go LOL!

IACW - Fabric decorations

Here's my post for It's A Creative World today:

You may remember my Resolutions that I posted on New Years Eve. One of them was to use my textile inspiration kits to make some Christmas decorations and I'm pleased to say I've made a start already!

I started by tracing the shape I wanted on to silk. I then sewed on beads:

I then cut a co-ordinating piece of cotton to use on the back and sewed them together using a metallic embroidery thread leaving a small gap to put the stuffing in. (I found an old cushion and used the kapok from that). I then sewed around the remainder after adding a length of ribbon.

For my next one I again traced the shape on to silk and then used free machine stitching to randomly stitch over the design with a metallic thread. I then sewed on sequins and beads before cutting the shape out .

For this decoration I chose a piece of co-ordinating felt for the backing before following the same steps as previously described.

Both of these will work well with our Christmas theme of blue, silver and purple. Alternatively they'll make great little decorations for any time of year!

I wanted to make another and for this one changed to use a yellow-gold silk that I have and some Indian bindi embellishments. I used alcohol ink to change the colour of the metal before sewing them to the silk along with some beads. The machine embroidery was done using a variegated metallic thread and after adding a felt backing this thread was used along the edges.

I really enjoyed making these and can see myself making a few more in the future!

Here's my post for It's A Creative World today:

I wanted to make a layout using a large fabric flower like the Prima Frillies

but didn't have one in the right colour so decided to make my own.

I started by cutting heart shapes from some dyed cotton from a fabric inspiration pack I had. I originally cut 5 but then decided 7 would be better. I then layered the hearts on each other and used an invisible sewing thread to sew them all together:

Having done this I then cut more heart shapes but this time in a dyed pink organza and then layered these on top of the cotton flower. When this was done I added a button to the centre and then sewed beads around this. I attached sequins to the cotton under the organza and then inked the edges of the flower with chalk ink to add some depth:

The next step then was to add it to the layout:

IACW - Resolutions

Here's my post for It's A Creative World today:

So, how many of you have made New Year resolutions? I decided that I'm going to steer clear of the normal everyday resolutions and make some crafty ones instead in the vain hope that I may actually be able to keep them LOL! In 2010 I want to:

Complete more than the 87 scrapbook layouts I managed this year (now 88)

Complete more than the 94 cards I made this year (now 98)

Spend less time on the internet and more time crafting

Spend less money on my supplies and use what I already own first

Use the textile inspiration kits I bought recently by making some Christmas decorations and textile ATCs

Teach myself to crochet

Make at least 3 Christmas cards a month so I don't have a last-minute rush next year!

Use my scrap paper instead of hoarding it

Use my sorely neglected Bind-it-all to make mini-books

Finish cataloguing my rubber/clear stamp collection

Use some of my vast button collection to make jewellery or fond other projects to use them for

Go through the rest of my craft magazines, cut out articles I want to keep and stick them in my inspiration folder

Make a start on using the items I bought to alter

and finally, visit a Craft Show as I've never managed to get to one yet!!!!

So how about you? Have you made any crafty resolutions and so you think you'll keep them?

Recycling old jewellery - IACW

Here's my post from the It's A Creative World blog today:

Back in the 90's (and the days of being a rock chick!) I used to wear huge dangly earrings and various bracelets and bangles. I kept them all in a tin with various other bits and bobs that I didn't want to throw out. Today I found that tin again:

I decided to try and use some of the jewellery on craft items and first up I made a card and used part of an old earring as an embellishment.

I cut off the dangles from the bottom and also the actual part that goes through the ear before glueing the rest of the earring to the centre of the flower. For my next project I started with another earring and this time used a variegated perle cotton to cover it in blanket stitch: When this was finished I threaded some more perle cotton through the ring at the top and added beads to it before removing the ear-piece. I then added the earring to a textile ATC I'd made as an embellishment.

Have you got any old costume jewellery lying around that you could use? I'd love to see the results if you do.

(EDITED TO ADD) Materials used for card: Papermill card, HOTP papers, Delish Designs background stamp, Stampbord, Distress inks - black soot, mustard seed, worn lipstick and dusty concord, black Versafine ink, Crafty Individuals stamp, Prima flowers, Crafty Notions Rainbow Drops. Antique lace, beads and earring from stash.

Materials used for ATC: antique white felt, dyed silk fibres, KARS metallic thread, Anchor variegated perle cotton, old earring and beads.

IACW - Going with the Flow

Here's my post from It's A Creative World this week:

Recently I've found myself being drawn to some of the fantastic textile work on show on the internet particularly the work of Stef Francis which I find inspirational.

All of my previous embroidery ( saying that, I haven't done any for 10 years) has always been fairly "regimented" up until now - cross stitch was always counted, needlepoint was always preprinted or counted from a chart. I decided that I wanted to try some more textile/needlework but without a chart in site.

I started by buying a few "inspiration packs" of threads and fabrics and then sat down with them and a "book of stitches" to see what I could do.

My first item was just a test using a very fine fabric and various threads to get back "into the swing" of having a needle in my hand again!

At the moment this is only about a 3 inch square section of the fabric but my aim is to fill the entire piece (about 12 inches square) with different stitches over the coming months but keeping them in the same colour scheme to make a "sampler".

Using just one skein of a variegated perle cotton I've been working on this piece of evenweave. I started off with the centre "Byzantine stitch" and then added stitches around it. My plan for this piece is to complete a 2 inch square piece and then incorporate it into a fabric ATC.

My final piece I've worked on is this felt ATC:

I cut a piece of felt to ATC size (2.5" x 3.5") and then used gold thread in my sewing machine to attach fused Angelina fibres to the felt base. I then used random hand stitching around the edges and then attached beads and sequins by hand.

Expect to see more needlework from me in the future as I'm really enjoying myself just "going with the flow".

If you have any textile work to show or a blog/site to share be it yours or someone elses' please leave a link either here or on my own blog. I love to see the huge variety of work out there!

IACW - Fairy mini canvas

This is my post from It's A Creative World yesterday:

While out shopping I came across these cute canvasses and mini easels:

To give you an idea of size the canvasses are 7cm square. I wanted to make something to go in my 2 year old daughter's room so decided to go for a pretty pink and green theme. I started by dry-brushing the canvas with pink acrylic paint then when it was dry I stuck a piece of lace across the bottom using glue dots. The fairy image was one I cut out of a HOTP creative images book and I mounted it on the canvas with foam. I then cut the back off a star shaped button before adding this and some rhinestones to the canvas and then stamping with tiny alphabet stamps. The final touch was to adhere ribbon all around the edges of the canvas and then add a bow in the corner:

I'm happy to report that my daughter loves it and has requested more "pwetty tings" for her bedroom!!

I used: Anita's acrylic paint, HOTP image, vintage lace, silver-edged pink ribbon from The Ribbonrie, Studio G alphabet stamps, Brilliance ink, Dress Me Up star button, rhinestones.

Recycled Packaging Souvenir

Here is my post from the It's A Creative World blog yesterday:

I recently revisited a beach I often used to go to as a child with my parents but this time I took my own children. I remember long walks on Seaham Beach and always coming home with bags full of polished glass bits picked up from between the pebbles - a lasting reminder of Sunderland's glassmaking history. This time instead of just leaving my glass bits in a bag I wanted some way of displaying them and loved the packaging from my HOTP creative kit:

I started by taking out the cardboard backing and then placing my favourite pieces of glass in the compartments before using other pieces to fill in the gaps. I then made sure that the packaging was stuck securely using Glossy Accents. The next step was using a black permanent pen to colour the plastic before adhering beaded string around the edge. I then added a ribbon and pin embellishment, stickers and the date before tying on a ribbon to enable it to be hung:

I now have a bargain souvenir to hang above my desk and remind me of a great day with the kids.

Fancy joining the It's A Creative World DT?

Yes, IACW are expanding our creative team and we're looking for exciting, diverse crafters and domestic goddesses to join us.

It starts TODAY and you have until the 30th of June 12midnight GMT to submit your entry. If you want to inspire others then this is the place for you! It's open to all crafters, all over the world! We're looking for 4 new teamies to commit to 2 days a month. And there is also stuff like Project 2009 (and I'm sure a Project 2010) that you can be part of. If you're a keen gardener, then join us for garden time too. So what should you include in your entry?The first bit is to let us know a little about yourself, what crafts you do, what your interests are and how you got interested in crafting. And anything else you may want to tell us. We're a nosey bunch so the juicier the better ;)Link us to your online galleries, blog(s) or website. If you're on any other DTs link us to them too.And finally submit 2 articles. They can be old or new projects. Please lay them out as you would an actual post, in Word is probably the easiest. We're asking for this to get a feel for your writing style.

Please email your entry to acreativeworld@hotmail.co.uk with DT SUBMISSION and YOUR NAME in the subject.

Any questions please shout! haPPy crAFting!!IACW girlsxx

IACW - Scrap your Man Challenge

Hot on the heels of last year's successful "Scrap your boobs" challenge to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness this month we are challenging you to "Scrap your Man" and raise money for men's cancer charity Orchid. Head on over to It's A Creative World and find the details on this post. I used: DCWV cardstock, Chatterbox papers, Magic mesh, Scenic Route alphabet stickers, Heidi Swapp chipboard heart, HOTP button, pin, organza ribbon and gel pens.

Use that stash - IACW

Here's my post from It's A Creative World yesterday: I don't know about you but after nearly 9 years of card making and papercrafts I seem to have accumulated a phenomenal amount of stash and even though some of it is not "the in thing" or what I would normally use I've decided that I do need to use it.

I have a load of pre-folded card blanks in the strangest colours dating back about 7 or 8 years and have challenged myself to use them all so made a start with these cards.

While trawling through one of my stickers files I came across a sheet of Paper Adventures stickers from 2002 and used the crab along with some old alphabet stickers and papers to make this card:

I have tons of these MAMBI threads (fabric labels) that were bought in a job lot on Ebay a while ago and used one to make this card:

See - even old stash can look OK!! Why not drag out some of your old, unloved and forgotten stash and see what you can do with it.

Simple Clay Embellishments

Here's my post from It's A Creative World earlier in the week: I don't know about you but I personally don't like to spend a lot of money on embellishments but prefer to buy them cheaply or make them myself. I had bought some Fimo to try but we didn't get along very well so I decided to try an air-drying clayand also some mini cutting shapes and paperclips.

I started by rolling some of the clay until it was approximately 3mm thick and then cutting out various shapes.

While the clay was still malleable I embedded some paperclips in a few shapes and used a spare piece of clay to keep it stuck together. For the other shapes I used various rubber stamps to deboss the design in the clay and also experimented by pressing an embossing plate into another piece:

Once the clay had dried (I left it 24 hours) I decorated the shapes. The paperclip embellishments were coloured with chalk inks and then a letter sticker added before covering with Diamond Glaze. The other shapes were just inked. Of course paint and other mediums could be used instead of ink:

These could be used for scrapbooking, cardmaking or perhaps you could have personalised paperclips?

Recycling Christmas cards - IACW

Here's my post from It's A Creative World this week:

I usually just throw our Christmas cards in to the recycling bag but this year I decided to recycle them myself by cutting them up and using them to make Christmas cards and tags for next Christmas - well there's nothing like being prepared LOL! I started with a few cards:

My first card was easy as the image of the bears with the snowman was already die-cut and stuck on the card with foam pads so I just removed it: The next card (penguins with a snowman) I used Nestabilities dies to cut out the image, added a stamped greeting, ribbon and an embellishment:

The holly image I cut using a knife and glass mat and then mounted on a Nestabilities cut mount before adding a rub-on: For something a bit different I cut out the lone penguin to go on a tag along with patterned paper, Stickles, mesh, acrylic letters (a free gift from a magazine a while ago!), a sticker, ribbons and a button embellishment:

The last card with Santa I used a Nestabilities die (again!) to cut out the image and then used it to make a simple gift tag by punching a hole and then attaching some ribbon:

Customised bags - IACW

Here's a copy of my It's A Creative World post last week:

I saw some gorgeous decorated cotton shopping bags on a friend's blog and decided to have a go myself using items I had left over from my cross-stitching and sewing days (before papercrafting took over my life!).

I started with some cheap cotton bags like these:

For my first bag I used some stamps and Stazon ink to stamp flower designs on the bag then attached buttons as the flower heads. I then sewed a length of ribbon along three-quarters of the bottom of the bag. Here's a photo of the detail:

For the next bag I used a piece of digital scrapbooking art as inspiration and drew the design on the bag with pencil before using stranded cotton to backstitch the design. I then used sequins and beads to highlight parts of the design:

And here's a photo of the finished item:

I've already given one of these as a gift and the one above is earmarked for another with another three in the pipeline. I'll be using more of my stranded cotton, buttons, beads and sequins and, if I can dig out my sewing machine, some of the fabric scraps I've been hoarding.

Here's my post from yesterday at It's a Creative World:

I don't know about you but I love felt - it's so versatile, comes in loads of colours, is so easy to sew and is great as embellishments for card making and scrapbooking. Here's what I've been making with it recently. First I cut my felt into the shapes I wanted. This was easily done by drawing around some chipboard but you could use any shape or template that you like:

I then started decorating the felt using whatever I had to hand. To begin with I blanket-stitched around the edge of the heart using some fibres that I've had in my stash for years before adding a couple of sequins. For the flower I backstitched all around the inside before sewing beads in the middle and for the star I used beads again but in bright contrasting colours.

You can use anything you have to hand. Here I used eyelets , more beads, strung sequins, buttons and brads. Once you've made your felt embellishments you can add them to anything. Here's a couple of quick examples:

So go on - I hope I've inspired you to dig out those pieces of felt and see what you can make!