tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76047666079754050382024-03-13T05:44:12.100-07:00Emy's Crafty BlogEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.comBlogger360125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-9928547816501129072014-05-08T06:40:00.000-07:002014-05-08T06:40:35.936-07:00A new start - Project Life pages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jkuv0-SmiU/U2uDnGuGoyI/AAAAAAAADbo/B-Stf26JemU/s1600/project+life+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jkuv0-SmiU/U2uDnGuGoyI/AAAAAAAADbo/B-Stf26JemU/s1600/project+life+1.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></div>
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Wow, it's been ages since I've written a blog post. Things have been busy and complicated as family life usually is. I agree to do things and then other things happen (poorly children etc) and everything can spiral out from there. So, time for a new start.</div>
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I've got lots of things to blog about but this page seems a good place to begin. I love scrapbooking but have been feeling a little uninspired so I decided to give the Project Life style pages a go. I have tried in the past and I did not like how they turned out. I signed up for a "Pocket Pages" class on the <a href="http://www.truestamp2014.com/" target="_blank">True Scrap</a> website, which I found quite interesting to get me started. </div>
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I was also very inspired by the pages from <a href="http://mumkaa.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Magda Bolinska</a>. Her pages are fabulous and vibrant and I love the use of paint.</div>
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So here's my first go. I mostly used supplies from a "Day in the Life" kit from Cocoa Daisy. The page came together really easily and I like how it looks. I will definitely try a few more PL style pages.</div>
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I am currently taking some time to ponder where I am going to be taking my artwork as I'm not sure magazine writing has long term potential. I've taken a few months off writing at the moment, but having said that, a little peek of one of my projects is on the front cover of the latest issue of <a href="http://gb.trapletshop.com/scrap-365-junejuly-2014?productId=25698" target="_blank">Scrap365</a>.</div>
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It's the star in the bottom right hand corner! I'm on the front cover - woohoo! It feels like my very own Mike Wazowski moment... </div>
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Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-85598766371708405532014-02-18T01:00:00.000-08:002014-02-18T01:00:00.967-08:00Playing Poohsticks - a textured page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXzPjPHbARM/Uv-MSB7qQfI/AAAAAAAADaU/1qBFvn8I0_Y/s1600/poohsticks+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXzPjPHbARM/Uv-MSB7qQfI/AAAAAAAADaU/1qBFvn8I0_Y/s1600/poohsticks+4.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></div>
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I've finally finished this scrapbook page which I started sometime last year. I created the textured background using some die cut card and moulding paste and then coloured it with watercolours. I did a whole batch of backgrounds like this and then I have been slowly working back through them.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxlMU3BeX94/Uv-MT9rT0nI/AAAAAAAADac/2YUIfPQjXro/s1600/poohsticks+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxlMU3BeX94/Uv-MT9rT0nI/AAAAAAAADac/2YUIfPQjXro/s1600/poohsticks+3.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used one of my Cocoa Daisy kits to finish the page, including these woodgrain alphabet Thickers (perfect for a page about playing in the woods).<br />
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The kit included the twine, sequins, woodgrain notecard and wooden veneer "page". The packet of embellishments in the kit was sealed with a tiny bit of woodgrain washi tape and I think it looks great on the top right edge of the photo.<br />
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<br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-57596686501107718282014-02-15T07:33:00.000-08:002014-02-15T07:33:25.325-08:00A Sizzix rainbow chevron quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been using my <a href="http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657900/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-powder-blue-teal" target="_blank">Sizzix Big Shot</a> again to help me make a quilt and I absolutely love this one. I made it for a raffle at church as we are having a day for "<a href="http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/" target="_blank">Dress A Girl Around the World</a>" ( a great charity helping to clothe some of the poorest children in the world) and so we wanted to raise money to buy fabric, elastic and bias binding. The great news is that we raised £165 through the quilt raffle. The quilt was so eye-catching that lots of people wanted to win it and , to be honest, I was a little sad to see it go (but I could always make another one!)</div>
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I found <a href="http://thelittlefabricshop.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/halloween-chevron-quilt-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> for a chevron quilt which looks great. It uses strip piecing which would make this quilt even quicker to put together. However, my cutting out is always terrible (I even managed to make a wobbly Log Cabin square once) and so I put my quilt together using a Sizzix rectangle die (2" x 4" finished size). I found that 1 fat quarter can be cut into 24 rectangles but some of my fabric pieces were a little smaller than a fat quarter so my quilt is 22 rectangles wide. </div>
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I started with a stack of rectangles and sewed 11 lilac rectangles to 11 red rectangles. Then I sewed the remaining 11 red rectangles to 11 yellow rectangles in pairs and continued like this through the stack of fabrics. I laid out the fabric pairs on the floor to create the chevron pattern like this.</div>
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Each diagonal row is then sewn together and looks like this.</div>
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Then the rows are sewn together like this.</div>
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Eventually the quilt top looks like this - so pretty!</div>
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I finished the quilt by quilting in the ditch along the zig zag rows which was really effective and used a turquoise fabric to bind the edges.</div>
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One of the problems I had with the original tutorial was that it didn't give the finished dimensions for the quilt. Then ,after I gave the quilt away, I realised I hadn't measured mine either! This quilt has 22 rectangles across the quilt and there are 23 rows. I think the finished quilt measured approximately 40" x 50".</div>
Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-41037312564810427852014-02-10T10:18:00.000-08:002014-02-10T10:18:39.650-08:00Scrapbooking an Imaginary friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyoDRg5d-s0/UvkWahj7rII/AAAAAAAADZE/KDuFA67HQsA/s1600/astronaut+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyoDRg5d-s0/UvkWahj7rII/AAAAAAAADZE/KDuFA67HQsA/s1600/astronaut+3.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></div>
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My little boy has an imaginary friend. Yesterday I asked him to count how many people were in our family. He answered "1...2...3...4...5.......and my friend astronaut,6". As "My friend Astronaut" seems to be part of our family it is only right that he makes an appearance in a scrapbook! </div>
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The boy has a great imagination and tells lots of stories about adventures he has with his friend Astronaut (who is also 4 I have been told), but his drawing skills aren't quite up to recording what Astronaut looks like. Luckily we had a big sister handy who could document him for me.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mrD9BCxk2Zs/UvkWbb1SqEI/AAAAAAAADZI/vV6xes-ES40/s1600/astronaut1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mrD9BCxk2Zs/UvkWbb1SqEI/AAAAAAAADZI/vV6xes-ES40/s1600/astronaut1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I finished off the page with various space themed stickers and rub-ons I had handy in my craft stash.</div>
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I am very happy that the astronaut has made his scrapbook debut.</div>
Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-83270546058553640302014-01-23T04:16:00.001-08:002014-01-23T04:16:19.530-08:00Studio Tekturek pages on Scrap365<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have two scrapbook pages on the<a href="http://scrap365.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/pretty-patterns-from-studio-tekturek.html" target="_blank"> Scrap365 blog</a> today using some lovely patterned papers from<a href="http://www.studiotekturek.com/" target="_blank"> Studio Tekturek</a>. This is one of them, why not pop over to<a href="http://scrap365.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/pretty-patterns-from-studio-tekturek.html" target="_blank"> Scrap365</a> to see the other one...Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-55910968407806754232014-01-20T01:00:00.000-08:002014-01-20T01:00:01.722-08:00A carry everything craft bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Woohoo! My craft bag takes pride of place on the front cover of the month's Sewing World.</div>
Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-68577917663535020502014-01-17T04:24:00.000-08:002014-01-17T04:24:03.127-08:00Ten little rubber ducks quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another cot quilt from me and this one was very over due for a baby born last summer but I was pleased to get it done before Christmas. I made a <a href="http://emyscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/caterpillar-quilts.html" target="_blank">Hungry Caterpillar quilt</a> for the baby's big brother and so I was excited to find more fabric based on illustrations from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Rubber-Ducks-World-Harper/dp/006196428X" target="_blank">other Eric Carle books.</a> However the other ranges don't seem to be available in the UK and so I bought this fabric from the States via a seller on Etsy.<br />
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This quilt is made from 3 different fabrics. The animal panels were on one fabric, the mother duck and ducklings and the numbered duck outlines were on another and then there was the lovely ducks on the water fabric around the border.<br />
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It was a fairly simple quilt to put together with squares and rectangles. I did some free machine embroidery in wavy lines on the white panels and I really like how this turned out.<br />
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I also quilted around each of the animals and each duck. I wasn't looking forward to quilting the octopus with all his wavy legs, but he turned out to be my favourite panel at the end. The quilting really brought him to life!<br />
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<br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-73117242135928481702014-01-14T01:23:00.000-08:002014-02-15T07:33:40.635-08:00A Sizzix tumbler block quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A friend of mine recently had a baby girl and I wanted to make her a cot quilt. Before she was born I started to make one using Dr Seuss fabric but when I saw the photo online of such a beautiful baby girl (with a very pretty name) I felt like I wanted to make something much more girly. I have a few quilt dies for my Sizzix Bigshot, in fact it's the reason I bought the Bigshot in the first place so I could use it for quilts as well as papercrafts. I got out my tumbler block die and the Bigshot machine with a selection of girly fabrics and away we went. My daughter even helped by winding the handle on the machine.<br />
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This is probably the quickest quilt I have ever made as I started cutting it out at 11.30 in the morning and I was quilting it at 10 in the evening. The shape of the tumbler die makes the quilt look far more complicated than it really was. I only bought this die originally because it was on special offer but now I love it.<br />
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I googled three butterfly outlines which I traced onto Bondaweb and used to add the applique shapes.<br />
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I did simple quilting in the ditch with a little free machine stitching around the butterflies. I went around the butterflies three times as I've found that if the stitching line is wobbly but repeated a few times it looks like you've done it on purpose!<br />
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I really enjoyed putting together this quilt and I will definitely be making more Sizzix quilts. Cutting out accurate pieces has never been my strong point but this machine solves that.</div>
<span id="goog_2010071031"></span><span id="goog_2010071032"></span><br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-36578552117276645502013-12-31T02:15:00.001-08:002013-12-31T02:15:42.583-08:002013 - A few of my favourite things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As it's nearly the end of 2013 I thought I would have a little look back at my favourite things of this year....</div>
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<b>My favourite scrapbook page</b></div>
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This was inspired by a tutorial video from Creative Jumpstart 2013. I am very excited that Creative Jumpstart 2014 will be starting tomorrow. I love the comic book look of this page</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://emyscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/scrapbooking-with-mists.html" target="_blank">A Breakfast fit for a superhero</a></td></tr>
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<b> My favourite new craft</b></div>
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I have had fun starting to discover felting this year (and I only managed to stab myself in the finger twice! ). Father Christmas even bought me a lovely new needle felting brush mat, so I won't have to felt into a sponge and peel it off afterwards anymore. I think Father Christmas may have had advice from my Mum.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://emyscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/a-celebration-postcard.html" target="_blank">A celebration postcard</a></td></tr>
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<b>My favourite photo</b></div>
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I took this photo while we were on holiday in Paris and I managed to get all three kids looking at the camera and smiling - hurray! How did we achieve this? My other half was standing behind me and licking my head to make them laugh!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCm8f9sxZqA/UsKTtPNp27I/AAAAAAAADVI/B0vIfllJDgk/s1600/portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCm8f9sxZqA/UsKTtPNp27I/AAAAAAAADVI/B0vIfllJDgk/s320/portrait.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Can you see a resemblance...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKUyuIt71xU/UsKUH2R91WI/AAAAAAAADVo/H03EcUiAzjc/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKUyuIt71xU/UsKUH2R91WI/AAAAAAAADVo/H03EcUiAzjc/s1600/kids.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>My favourite song</b></div>
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My favourite song this year is "Little talks" by "<a href="http://www.ofmonstersandmen.com/" target="_blank">Of Monsters and Men</a>". I love all the different instruments used in this and I think it is definitely a "jangly" song ( This word has been used to describe other music I like).</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ghb6eDopW8I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b>My favourite kids craft</b></div>
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This was the most fun. Paper plates + paint+ salad spinner = spin paintings!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://emyscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-salad-spinner-and-some-paint.html" target="_blank">Spin painting</a></td></tr>
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<b>My favourite book</b></div>
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A perfect blend of modern policing with a large dose of fantasy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vnHKZnXZbc/UsKT2g--NKI/AAAAAAAADVY/bd1459gwP3E/s1600/rivers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vnHKZnXZbc/UsKT2g--NKI/AAAAAAAADVY/bd1459gwP3E/s320/rivers.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rivers-London-1/dp/0575097582" target="_blank">Rivers of London</a></td></tr>
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<b> My favourite quilt</b></div>
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A pirate quilt for a pirate themed nursery, with my own pattern for the paper pieced boats.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://emyscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/a-pirate-quilt.html" target="_blank">A pirate quilt</a></td></tr>
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<b>My favourite film</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.startrekmovie.com/" target="_blank">Star Trek:Into Darkness</a> - A fantastic sci-fi film with the added bonus of Mr Benedict Cumberbatch!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ1SITrBchc/UsKUV2oh6-I/AAAAAAAADVw/RzILiRYIm3Y/s1600/star+trek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ1SITrBchc/UsKUV2oh6-I/AAAAAAAADVw/RzILiRYIm3Y/s320/star+trek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a New Year's Resolution to finish the year... I will try to finish all the online craft workshops I am halfway through!</div>
Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-16755120255172850382013-12-30T01:42:00.000-08:002013-12-30T01:42:51.863-08:00Christmas cookies in a jar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2uW7mLWZsps/UsE9s_2Ss3I/AAAAAAAADUg/xKc3mMGS0os/s1600/cookie+jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2uW7mLWZsps/UsE9s_2Ss3I/AAAAAAAADUg/xKc3mMGS0os/s400/cookie+jars.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I love to give handmade gifts at Christmas but sometimes time runs short. This year I saw the idea of making cookies in a jar and thought it would work well - and it did. I made 6 homemade gifts in half an hour! I found <a href="http://www.culdesaccool.com/2012/11/14/5-diy-holiday-baked-gifts-in-a-jar-with-free-printable-recipe-tags/" target="_blank">this page</a>, which includes recipes and printable tags. I did have to remake the instructions for the jars though as it talked about cup measurements instead of grams or ounces .<br />
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We tried a couple of the recipes out first, just to make sure they were nice and these cranberry cookies were our favourite ( we found the Santa cookies a little too sweet).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGGkKmP4dqU/UsE9t4j6e6I/AAAAAAAADUo/Gba1PpSDH5c/s1600/cookie+jar+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGGkKmP4dqU/UsE9t4j6e6I/AAAAAAAADUo/Gba1PpSDH5c/s320/cookie+jar+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And for my friend who has a wheat and dairy free diet, I found <a href="http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/17439/chocolate-oat-cookies.aspx?o_is=Hub_TopRecipe_5" target="_blank">this recipe here</a>, for chocolate oat cookies, which works perfectly in a jar. She has a wheat free diet, not a gluten free diet, but I think you can get gluten free oats for a gluten free version.Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-81600493698439864262013-12-20T05:34:00.002-08:002013-12-20T05:34:24.509-08:00Felt pebble brooches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrsd2vlvjLA/UrRFmttLQDI/AAAAAAAADT4/yNhmisz5QzY/s1600/pebble+sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrsd2vlvjLA/UrRFmttLQDI/AAAAAAAADT4/yNhmisz5QzY/s400/pebble+sheep.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Continuing on a sheep theme, I wanted to make some sheep brooches to sell at our Christmas Tree festival (if you are curious why there are so many sheep on here check out <a href="http://emyscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/a-christmas-church-banner.html" target="_blank">this post!</a>). I made the brooches using a white felt pebble as a base (<a href="http://www.bloomingfelt.co.uk/100-wool-felt-pebbles/100-wool-felt-pebbles---ivory-w1-1458-p.html" target="_blank">like this)</a>. I have some tiny cookie cutters that I use for Fimo and this time I used them as a felting shape. I placed the cookie cutter onto the pebble and used the felting needle to to felt the coloured shape. I used a heart for the heart brooches and I used a shape a little like a club from a pack of cards upside down as the sheep face.</div>
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I embellished the sheep brooches with pompom legs and bead eyes before stitching on a badge back. I finished the heart brooches with seed beads around the edge. I particularly like how the hearts turned out. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3wvTDf_t38/UrRFpqsy01I/AAAAAAAADUA/iBGXHTn8vus/s1600/pebble+brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3wvTDf_t38/UrRFpqsy01I/AAAAAAAADUA/iBGXHTn8vus/s320/pebble+brooch.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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These all sold well at the craft table for £3 each and I think the background cards make them look even better.</div>
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<br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-54995412515525524312013-12-18T11:34:00.001-08:002013-12-18T11:34:34.600-08:00A Christmas sheep bauble, or should that be Baaaaable!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qE5jSWVFOQ4/UrH1knswZgI/AAAAAAAADTE/9xBUUMy2iaA/s1600/sheep+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qE5jSWVFOQ4/UrH1knswZgI/AAAAAAAADTE/9xBUUMy2iaA/s400/sheep+c.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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Things gave been a little quiet on here as we have been besieged with winter illnesses, but when I wasn't nursing a poorly child, I did manage to get a little crafting done. We had a Christmas tree festival last weekend at church and it included a craft stall selling things for our chosen charity (<a href="http://www.ugandaconcern.com/" target="_blank">UWCM</a>). I decided to try to make some Christmas baubles to sell and came up with these sheep. I love them and I'm a bit sad they all sold - but I can always make some more!<br />
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They are a no-knit woolly decoration. I started with a polystyrene ball and wound some white wool around it. I think I actually used a cotton yarn, but it was just whatever I had left in my wool box. I wrapped the yarn around the ball until it was completely covered and then tied it off and used the same yarn to make a hanging loop. I made the hanging loop now so that I could hold it up and work out where to stick the face.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SL03pEbxPNY/UrH1mYTBz2I/AAAAAAAADTM/C8VpuPcgeXI/s1600/sheep+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SL03pEbxPNY/UrH1mYTBz2I/AAAAAAAADTM/C8VpuPcgeXI/s320/sheep+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The head is made from a ball of black wool just wrapped around itself until it got to the size I liked. I sewed on two tiny white beads for eyes. I could have used small wobbly eyes, but I didn't have any. I cut out a strip of black felt with rounded ends to make the ears and glued the ears to the body with the head stuck on top. I pushed a pin through the head while the glue was drying.<br />
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I used 31/4 needles and knitted a scarf which was 3 stitches wide so didn't take long to knit and stitch around the sheep's neck. The sheep was finished by gluing 4 tiny black pompoms onto the base of the sheep for legs.<br />
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I love how these turned out and I would love to make more. And speaking of the Christmas tree festival, there was a vote to choose the favourite tree and our Brownies tree won - Hurray!<br />
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Around the base of our tree were pinecone hedgehogs in willow baskets that the Brownies made themselves, as well as pompom caterpillars, bead dragonflies and foam owls. I'm so pleased that everyone liked it so much as we had a lot of fun making it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qi8PMWpk84/UrH4KhveVpI/AAAAAAAADTg/FjwHXB6cEMg/s1600/brownie+tree+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qi8PMWpk84/UrH4KhveVpI/AAAAAAAADTg/FjwHXB6cEMg/s320/brownie+tree+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-6956579985413374742013-12-09T01:00:00.000-08:002013-12-09T01:00:03.415-08:00Happy Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HBOY5_lmUA/Up3B1R_EO-I/AAAAAAAADR0/5vjAQFHiP2A/s1600/happy+days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HBOY5_lmUA/Up3B1R_EO-I/AAAAAAAADR0/5vjAQFHiP2A/s400/happy+days.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
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I made this page using my <a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/" target="_blank">Cocoa Daisy</a> kit from September. This kit had the perfect colours to go with photos for redheaded children! </div>
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I used a Crafter's Workshop stencil and Distress Inks to make the background.</div>
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I had to add a little stitching...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqn_NRSrN4Y/Up3CBne_xZI/AAAAAAAADSE/PpQmuA8d96w/s1600/hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqn_NRSrN4Y/Up3CBne_xZI/AAAAAAAADSE/PpQmuA8d96w/s320/hearts.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The fun thing about using a kit is that you end up with items you may not usually have bought, like these cuties cut from a sheet of paper. I think they look at home on this page.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRJaU8gRgjo/Up3CEOh8FWI/AAAAAAAADSM/-iY9mkXIEzs/s1600/cute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRJaU8gRgjo/Up3CEOh8FWI/AAAAAAAADSM/-iY9mkXIEzs/s320/cute.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-42638493166160572412013-12-07T01:00:00.000-08:002013-12-07T01:00:10.174-08:00A Christmas church Banner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6Q5W-1R-jw/Up2_FoQzJyI/AAAAAAAADRQ/4Lm_yO6jECQ/s1600/christmas+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6Q5W-1R-jw/Up2_FoQzJyI/AAAAAAAADRQ/4Lm_yO6jECQ/s400/christmas+banner.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I have started a new craft group at church and together we are working on banners to be hung in the church. This is our first banner from our new group and it has worked so well. We had lots of lovely comments from members of the church on Sunday.<br />
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We used lots of 2" squares of fabric with Bondaweb on the back of each one to create the background, which were all ironed in place. We used a LOT of Bondaweb!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6NHwrJ9Wlo/Up2_HlAqlpI/AAAAAAAADRY/oowEegtfK6Q/s1600/banner+patchwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6NHwrJ9Wlo/Up2_HlAqlpI/AAAAAAAADRY/oowEegtfK6Q/s320/banner+patchwork.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The star is made from gold fabric which was also used to bind the edges of the banner and looks very festive. As we are beginners to making banners there are lessons learned from every one we make. This time I could have used much thicker gold cord as the star's rays.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PY5ZA38DHaY/Up2_IzTOfRI/AAAAAAAADRg/iJa3Cbq2Z2I/s1600/banner+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PY5ZA38DHaY/Up2_IzTOfRI/AAAAAAAADRg/iJa3Cbq2Z2I/s320/banner+star.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVDjQmNW90U/Up2_RAuKUvI/AAAAAAAADRo/1DHgOWR0kmA/s1600/felt+sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVDjQmNW90U/Up2_RAuKUvI/AAAAAAAADRo/1DHgOWR0kmA/s320/felt+sheep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And , of course, we had to have sheep on the banner this year. Why sheep? Our church have a knitted sheep trail around our town to encourage people to come to a Christmas church service. Some of the kids in our church have made a fantastic video to promote the sheep trail. I'm not technically minded and can't get the video to appear on here , but you can see it on Youtube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuV0nji1Ofo" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-83806451090279181612013-12-05T01:00:00.000-08:002013-12-05T01:00:01.805-08:00Craft Stamper news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMNQ3SvuJ9g/Up2-F1dMDyI/AAAAAAAADRE/ZtJHPzp4CZM/s1600/stamper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMNQ3SvuJ9g/Up2-F1dMDyI/AAAAAAAADRE/ZtJHPzp4CZM/s1600/stamper.jpg" /></a></div>
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I have exciting news. I am a new contributor for <a href="http://inspiredtomake.com/zone/craft-stamper/home" target="_blank">Craft Stamper</a>. You can see my first project (technically not my first as I had a scrapbook project in there a few years ago) in the new January issue as I am making some items using that fabulous free feather stamp you can see on the front cover.Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-3410533725097451152013-12-04T01:00:00.001-08:002013-12-04T01:00:07.717-08:00Wednesday Love: Nativity plays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOQrGzqwP9Q/Up2381O0NbI/AAAAAAAADQk/xC95ZyYtQtg/s1600/king.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOQrGzqwP9Q/Up2381O0NbI/AAAAAAAADQk/xC95ZyYtQtg/s400/king.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">We've loved watching the kids in the school nativity plays over the years. This year we have two in the nativity, one "Child" and one "King". We had fun making a sparkly crown with card, tin foil and some sticky jewels - along with a tunic made from curtain lining and decorated with ribbons.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">My favourite costume seen in the school nativity was in last year's play and it wasn't one of our kids - it was the dancing Etch-A-Sketch! The girl's family made a fantastic job of her costume and it looked exactly like a giant version of the toy. We have to hope that there won't be so much illness going around the school this year. Last year Mary was missing in the stable as she was poorly.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">We are definitely getting into the Christmas Spirit in our house now.</span>Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-39534653623686883152013-12-03T03:07:00.001-08:002013-12-03T03:07:37.999-08:00The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXPAWHUIFFs/Up23m1b1DVI/AAAAAAAADQA/00LF1_B19GU/s1600/postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXPAWHUIFFs/Up23m1b1DVI/AAAAAAAADQA/00LF1_B19GU/s400/postcard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A little while ago I made a f<a href="http://emyscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/a-celebration-postcard.html" target="_blank">elted image for a postcard </a>as part of the <a href="http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/swap/" target="_blank">Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap</a>. I was very excited to receive the postcard above from my swapee (is that a real word?) <a href="http://jupiterinloveblog.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank">Eleanor Reilly</a>. </div>
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She has put in so many lovely details (according to her blog, the red headed lady is inspired by me).</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQRqeW57NoU/Up23r_pLnoI/AAAAAAAADQI/Bo_fRl5HZMY/s1600/postcard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQRqeW57NoU/Up23r_pLnoI/AAAAAAAADQI/Bo_fRl5HZMY/s320/postcard1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The theme is "Celebration"and Eleanor has cleverly included a whole miniature book of quotes about celebrating.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzSqz_p-x1w/Up23vHYr8DI/AAAAAAAADQQ/Q8DqXIrK6NE/s1600/postcard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzSqz_p-x1w/Up23vHYr8DI/AAAAAAAADQQ/Q8DqXIrK6NE/s320/postcard2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love the texture elements she included.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmYZKWKZ4Lc/Up23zlnuE0I/AAAAAAAADQY/U-wgEL1rnyE/s1600/postcard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmYZKWKZ4Lc/Up23zlnuE0I/AAAAAAAADQY/U-wgEL1rnyE/s320/postcard3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thank you Eleanor. It looks lovely pinned up on my inspiration board in my craft space xx</div>
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(P.S. I just wanted to add that Eleanor posted this on time for the swap and it's just me who's late adding it to my blog)</div>
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Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-1438126663220532302013-11-28T03:15:00.001-08:002013-11-28T03:15:54.330-08:00A charm pack tote bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkAkCn11NA4/UpcktSg1VVI/AAAAAAAADPo/iXTK0MtIPHU/s1600/kirstie's+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkAkCn11NA4/UpcktSg1VVI/AAAAAAAADPo/iXTK0MtIPHU/s400/kirstie's+bag.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This week it was a friend's 40th birthday and so I thought I would make a bag - we can always use a pretty bag! I found <a href="http://mypatchwork.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/tote-bag-tutorial/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> via <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/emyb/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and so I modified it a bit to make it a little simpler (although I do love the ruffled strip on the original).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdzF2L2p2_U/Upckv1kpAZI/AAAAAAAADPw/oClufEXKZM8/s1600/bag+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdzF2L2p2_U/Upckv1kpAZI/AAAAAAAADPw/oClufEXKZM8/s320/bag+inside.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-7264958970370232402013-11-13T06:27:00.001-08:002013-11-13T06:27:36.479-08:00Castles and Layers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHsnXeqI4oo/UoOLC4Ke57I/AAAAAAAADPI/F9wNtL_EmCw/s1600/castle+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHsnXeqI4oo/UoOLC4Ke57I/AAAAAAAADPI/F9wNtL_EmCw/s400/castle+page.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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More cardboard box castles here, but this time they are on a layout.I created this page for a layers challenge on last week's <a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=32&sid=c1f441870e775138eb46acade13562c2" target="_blank">Cocoa Daisy online crop</a>. It has layers of moulding paste, watercolours, papers, stickers, chipboard and stitching.</div>
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I used a Crafter's Workshop Brick stencil with moulding paste to make this background.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pezr74S5BrU/UoOLHKHu4nI/AAAAAAAADPQ/9pyoMWM6boQ/s1600/bricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pezr74S5BrU/UoOLHKHu4nI/AAAAAAAADPQ/9pyoMWM6boQ/s320/bricks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I continued the layering theme by layering up Maya Road letter rub-ons for my title.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn5xMyvq4pU/UoOLK4HfeVI/AAAAAAAADPY/MjdT6ZsK-UA/s1600/layer+letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn5xMyvq4pU/UoOLK4HfeVI/AAAAAAAADPY/MjdT6ZsK-UA/s320/layer+letters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-70900509993989134492013-11-11T01:00:00.000-08:002013-11-11T01:00:03.733-08:00A journalling challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FRgUXtUmHUE/UnzSq2tIIWI/AAAAAAAADOg/4XpJpMZ2p_8/s1600/on+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FRgUXtUmHUE/UnzSq2tIIWI/AAAAAAAADOg/4XpJpMZ2p_8/s400/on+the+beach.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://scrappyfairies.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lisa Saunders</a> set a<a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=11989" target="_blank"> journalling challenge </a>over on Cocoa Daisy and so here is my page with a thankful theme and lots of journalling. I collected the bits and pieces for this page a little while ago and added the moulding paste but this challenge helped me to bring it all together and with a lot more journalling than I would have included before.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh_NsGiH0G8/UnzSulMNO3I/AAAAAAAADOo/IovZBUzkLmc/s1600/paste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh_NsGiH0G8/UnzSulMNO3I/AAAAAAAADOo/IovZBUzkLmc/s320/paste.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I love this chip board piece from American Crafts and I think it works so well with some papers from Cosmo Cricket's Summer Love collection behind it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UnC152_peJQ/UnzSyROBtWI/AAAAAAAADOw/Uzg_CyscG1w/s1600/die+cut+chip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UnC152_peJQ/UnzSyROBtWI/AAAAAAAADOw/Uzg_CyscG1w/s320/die+cut+chip.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I included journalling around the edge of the page, by the photos, on a ticket and on the wooden hexagons too.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mw_tdqfoduk/UnzS2B7c-2I/AAAAAAAADO4/YFrxKSJ8T3c/s1600/wooden+hexagons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mw_tdqfoduk/UnzS2B7c-2I/AAAAAAAADO4/YFrxKSJ8T3c/s320/wooden+hexagons.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I have really enjoyed following these challenges as it is a great starting point for layouts. <a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=11979" target="_blank">The challenges</a> are well worth a look with lots of fantastic inspiration from a very talented design team.</div>
Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-31012500403155440432013-11-09T01:00:00.000-08:002013-11-09T01:00:00.931-08:00Cardboard box castles - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIGW4Njrsp0/UnzM-e3tmZI/AAAAAAAADNI/zz7qp4xVLWk/s1600/castle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIGW4Njrsp0/UnzM-e3tmZI/AAAAAAAADNI/zz7qp4xVLWk/s400/castle+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My previous post on <a href="http://emyscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/cardboard-box-castles.html" target="_blank">cardboard box castles</a> has proved very popular and now it's time for another one as the ginger one is learning about castles and had to go into school for a day dressed as a princess. Here's our latest castle. We got a bit carried away and it got bigger and bigger. Luckily we could still fit it through the door! We used the book "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Inside-Castles-Usborne-Flap-Books/dp/0746064462/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383910771&sr=1-1&keywords=see+inside+castles" target="_blank">See Inside Castles</a>" as our inspiration - even including a flap so we could "see inside".<br />
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This was how we started out, with boxes and Pringle tubes. My hot glue gun came in very handy to make sure it was all secure. We gave it a layer of papier mache with watered down PVA glue and tissue paper to add extra strength. It would be awful if it fell apart on the way to school! I didn't glue the castle onto the courtyard, which made it all easier to paint and to transport.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QoeUVHZCiA/UnzM__KnB6I/AAAAAAAADNQ/87CNbVpJdqs/s1600/boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QoeUVHZCiA/UnzM__KnB6I/AAAAAAAADNQ/87CNbVpJdqs/s320/boxes.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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Then we painted it, inside and out with grey acrylic paint (and green for the courtyard). I cut out window frames which were painted separately and glued on when it was all dry.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rFISaInwDw/UnzNCNOoZTI/AAAAAAAADNY/5Wby75JZGOY/s1600/painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rFISaInwDw/UnzNCNOoZTI/AAAAAAAADNY/5Wby75JZGOY/s320/painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here it is completed. The ginger one used a black pen to draw on lots of arrow slits and we used a selection of Lego knights (from the castle set I had when I was little), which we glued on with Copydex so it could be easily peeled off later.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjyKnICY7jk/UnzND78LonI/AAAAAAAADNg/qN6ESItNPFk/s1600/castle+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjyKnICY7jk/UnzND78LonI/AAAAAAAADNg/qN6ESItNPFk/s320/castle+1.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
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She wanted a dragon on the roof and so she used a packet of green <a href="http://www.staedtler.co.uk/FIMOair_light_uk" target="_blank">Fimo Air light</a> (with a little bit of white) to make her own dragon.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--IgBWdSxb48/UnzNHheC4gI/AAAAAAAADNo/U8A1owWhdTE/s1600/dragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--IgBWdSxb48/UnzNHheC4gI/AAAAAAAADNo/U8A1owWhdTE/s320/dragon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a garden in the castle picture in the book and here's our version with scrunched up green tissue.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HzAvEE1eoRY/UnzNJ-mSPuI/AAAAAAAADNw/ACId7OCxf3A/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HzAvEE1eoRY/UnzNJ-mSPuI/AAAAAAAADNw/ACId7OCxf3A/s320/garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In a recent school trip to a local castle they learnt how the knights would pour boiling wee onto their enemies. Here is our bucket of wee!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4e62KchhaWY/UnzNMGMvydI/AAAAAAAADN4/iAE6TQlak0M/s1600/wee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4e62KchhaWY/UnzNMGMvydI/AAAAAAAADN4/iAE6TQlak0M/s320/wee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Luckily our pirate ship has lots of small plastic barrels we could use in the cellar</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQD-wkAKCrA/UnzNOmqrBnI/AAAAAAAADOA/Zy0ctOK6OkY/s1600/cellar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQD-wkAKCrA/UnzNOmqrBnI/AAAAAAAADOA/Zy0ctOK6OkY/s320/cellar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We used Lego to make chairs, tables , benches and a fireplace for the banqueting hall.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dM69PSXXhg0/UnzNPxjKzaI/AAAAAAAADOI/PCA-7iv_TRQ/s1600/banqueting+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dM69PSXXhg0/UnzNPxjKzaI/AAAAAAAADOI/PCA-7iv_TRQ/s320/banqueting+hall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What castle would be complete without a princess and her 4 poster bed?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_VlUtAqpLo/UnzNSGuUOsI/AAAAAAAADOQ/s4C-pnYSesk/s1600/princess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_VlUtAqpLo/UnzNSGuUOsI/AAAAAAAADOQ/s4C-pnYSesk/s320/princess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-75743227565606275242013-11-08T03:31:00.000-08:002013-11-08T03:31:57.109-08:00Sunbathing - a stitching challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cQktfda7OI/UnzJbBII1CI/AAAAAAAADMk/d80NKFDbh9Y/s1600/sunbathing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cQktfda7OI/UnzJbBII1CI/AAAAAAAADMk/d80NKFDbh9Y/s400/sunbathing.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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Here's another page I made for the <a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=32" target="_blank">Cocoa Daisy online crop</a> and this time it was a challenge from <a href="http://emilypitts.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Emily Pitts</a> to use sewing on a layout. I sew on my pages quite frequently and so I tried to go with the idea of it being a challenge and I learnt a new decorative stitch.<br />
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I started off by adding some colour to the background. I love patterned paper, but I like it even more when I've added a bit of paint or texture to it. This time I used a Studio Calico hexagon stencil and coloured in some of the shaped with my Neocolor watercolour crayons. Then I blitzed them with a water spray until the colours started to run and left it to dry.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKgqIywe0FI/UnzJebZ3AhI/AAAAAAAADMs/VmsDaznzPrY/s1600/hexagons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKgqIywe0FI/UnzJebZ3AhI/AAAAAAAADMs/VmsDaznzPrY/s320/hexagons.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Part of the challenge was to include a stitched title. I used some Thickers alphabet stickers as a stitching guide and made holes around each letter with a pin before putting the letters back into the packet for another day. You can see here that I stitched on some sequins too.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHMSX0J1s3U/UnzJgkA9kaI/AAAAAAAADM0/2AVZFpnqSr0/s1600/stitch+title+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHMSX0J1s3U/UnzJgkA9kaI/AAAAAAAADM0/2AVZFpnqSr0/s320/stitch+title+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So here's my new decorative stitch. It's called fly stitch and I watched <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oQugwEjngQ" target="_blank">a video on Youtube</a> to learn how to do it. I think it works really well as the sun's rays and definitely adds something to the page.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SizBqDws6LY/UnzJlO006vI/AAAAAAAADM8/Zy8UbLU9WkM/s1600/fly+stitch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SizBqDws6LY/UnzJlO006vI/AAAAAAAADM8/Zy8UbLU9WkM/s320/fly+stitch+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-18563153698477582062013-11-06T03:24:00.001-08:002013-11-06T03:24:31.608-08:00Wednesday Love: Fireworks Crafting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AP7Wf5F17fo/UnolXrkhWwI/AAAAAAAADME/qJVmOXTTt4E/s1600/fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AP7Wf5F17fo/UnolXrkhWwI/AAAAAAAADME/qJVmOXTTt4E/s400/fireworks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tonight at Brownies we are continuing to work on our Bonfire challenge badge. In our last meeting we told the story of Guy Fawkes and then split into groups who learnt the fireworks code, ate S'mores, made scratch art firework magnets and made edible bonfires.<br />
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Mmmmm, edible bonfires....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T8z6BP6Y9m4/UnolbEuLlWI/AAAAAAAADMU/3oMYGrcYBbo/s1600/bonfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T8z6BP6Y9m4/UnolbEuLlWI/AAAAAAAADMU/3oMYGrcYBbo/s1600/bonfire.jpg" /></a></div>
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Tonight we are going to be painting firework pictures, including glow in the dark paint and glitter glue. I love this idea with pipecleaner stamping.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Co7CC2U56qI/UnolZbnMcBI/AAAAAAAADMM/yddt3r98LgE/s1600/fireworks+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Co7CC2U56qI/UnolZbnMcBI/AAAAAAAADMM/yddt3r98LgE/s320/fireworks+1.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jugglingwithkids.com/2012/07/firework-painting.html" target="_blank">From :Juggling with kids</a></td></tr>
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There will also be Glow-in-the-dark Hama beads and making "firework pencils" by twisting glittery pipecleaners and sparkly pompoms onto the end of the a pencil.Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-90868936067263440852013-11-05T04:21:00.000-08:002013-11-05T04:21:02.129-08:00A fabric challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fbjfzMTEXU/UnjgSHVhjQI/AAAAAAAADLc/znsQLU3SgFY/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fbjfzMTEXU/UnjgSHVhjQI/AAAAAAAADLc/znsQLU3SgFY/s400/fabric.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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The pages for the <a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=32" target="_blank">Cocoa Daisy online crop </a>continue with this page for the <a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=11964" target="_blank">challenge</a> from <a href="http://mugsyboo.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Martha Bonneau </a>to use fabric on a layout. I may have one or two pieces of fabric (!!!) in my craft room and so I took a charm pack with me to the crop at the weekend.<br />
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If I had been at home then I would have cut the squares neatly with my rotary cutter and stitched them on the sewing machine. However, as I was away from home, I ripped the fabric into squares and hand stitched them onto the page. This took longer but I love how it's turned out. It definitely adds a cosier touch to page about snuggling in sleeping bags.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht7a8D215d8/UnjgWTA04TI/AAAAAAAADLk/BbmdTsoS3Kc/s1600/fabric+squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht7a8D215d8/UnjgWTA04TI/AAAAAAAADLk/BbmdTsoS3Kc/s320/fabric+squares.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I was very pleased to find a pack of Cosmo Cricket S'more Love chipboard in a sale recently as I have been thinking about buying some just to have this little tent to go on a camping page.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t9EScM1LLOg/UnjgZKTV9DI/AAAAAAAADLs/QWJX1b6HsWM/s1600/tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t9EScM1LLOg/UnjgZKTV9DI/AAAAAAAADLs/QWJX1b6HsWM/s320/tent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604766607975405038.post-33009838040715923392013-11-04T03:17:00.001-08:002013-11-04T03:17:15.379-08:00Cocoa Daisy Crop - A recipe challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4DASYRvmxU/Und_dkyhGII/AAAAAAAADKs/hb6UBBqfSRw/s1600/a+ggod+hair+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4DASYRvmxU/Und_dkyhGII/AAAAAAAADKs/hb6UBBqfSRw/s400/a+ggod+hair+day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last weekend was the <a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=32" target="_blank">Cocoa Daisy online crop.</a> The deadline for the challenges is this Friday and so There is the whole week to play along. You don't have to have a Cocoa Daisy to play along, but I thought it would be a great idea to play along to start using my lovely kits I've already received. I took the kits with me to my local crop on Saturday and found the challenges very inspiring.<br />
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This is my first page and it's for<a href="http://www.cocoadaisy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=11969" target="_blank"> Challenge #2 </a>by <a href="http://mandykoeppen.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mandy Koeppen</a>. Mandy gave us a recipe to work with, which was:<br />
- a splash of colour<br />
- a pinch of sequins<br />
- frills, fluff or feathers<br />
- a spoonful of stamping<br />
- a couple of slices of frames<br />
- vellum or transparency<br />
- wrap it up with twine<br />
- cardstock, title, journalling and layers<br />
- up to two freebies if you like<br />
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Here's some twine around a frame.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPVWP6KfPew/Und_hBLEu7I/AAAAAAAADK0/rtQGv7ixI3w/s1600/twine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPVWP6KfPew/Und_hBLEu7I/AAAAAAAADK0/rtQGv7ixI3w/s320/twine.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I combined vellum and a frill by pleating a little and tucking it onto the page. It's tricky including frills and sequins on a boy page, but I'm happy how it turned out.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXhbI8SBeUY/Und_m_8U8fI/AAAAAAAADK8/-fXusLoc26E/s1600/frill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXhbI8SBeUY/Und_m_8U8fI/AAAAAAAADK8/-fXusLoc26E/s320/frill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's my splash of colour. It's Neocolour crayons over gesso.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NukZLsbZO4/Und_rAxhgFI/AAAAAAAADLE/-CiGJJeeCeo/s1600/splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NukZLsbZO4/Und_rAxhgFI/AAAAAAAADLE/-CiGJJeeCeo/s320/splash.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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And a spoonful of stamping too.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y09vxgg-EAU/Und_tYiU6wI/AAAAAAAADLM/Qs_Y5IWXvPA/s1600/stamping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y09vxgg-EAU/Und_tYiU6wI/AAAAAAAADLM/Qs_Y5IWXvPA/s320/stamping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think I've followed the recipe and I really like the finished page.</div>
Emyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13919240698592726323noreply@blogger.com1