Crafting for Christmas 2010, lets begin again......

susan42

Thxs for the links candy, love the reindeer, must have a go at that ..........

amancalledmartin

Hi guys

It is quiet on here atm but I guess the closer we get to Christmas the more it will hot up. Just wanted to share this site with you all - www.craftshapes.co.uk - which sells unfinished wood shaped, tags, rings, etc for craft. Best prices for wood napkin rings I'd found outside of Susan's recommendations (which were sadly either too far away from me or didn't have any in stock), and if you sign up for their newsletter you get 5% off.

I'm now trying to find the right sort of thread for button bracelets. What's everyone else using? I made one with string elastic, which worked but looks a bit more amateur than I was hoping for cos I'd like to sell some on our church stall. I got some clear plastic elastic thread which the girl in the shop recommended to me and which looks great but I can't knot the damn stuff so it keeps coming undone. Cotton is too thin and string and wool too think. I want some heavy duty thread, like embroidery thread but that doesn't separate in the same way. Anyone know what I mean?!

mary-op

amancalledmartin - I know what you mean with button bracelets.........I've had several goes and found with some elastic cotton it was too thick to go through the needle(at least the one I could see to thread) or through a bigger needle it wouldn't thread through the buttons. I got in quite a pickle. Tried it with watch straps (the swatch sort) and gave up in the end. I think there's a tutorial somewhere on line -if you google button bracelets it should come up.
Good luck:rotfl:

Elrith

Hi everyone! I'm a long time lurker but new member and i love this thread!!

Just thought I'd say thank you or all the great ideas! And also perhaps give a lil something back... I've been calling these lil guys monsters but they are just the cutest things



I made them out of old jeans and a patterned shirt and top, the lady one still needs some eyes though lol. They took about 6 hours each to make, i was hand sewing as i haven't got a sewing machine YET! (my bday is coming up so hopefully the OH has got the hint! lol)
There actually really handy as well as they have little pockets in the mouth (i tried to show it with the remote lol)!

Anyhows let me know what you think as im making quite a few for xmas prezzies and it would be nice to get another persons opinion before i hand them out as gifts.

oh and if anyone wants to know how to make them let me know and i'll give you the info!

Elrith x:o


Whoops i cant post the pics if you'd like to see them pm me and i can mail them across x

susan42

Hi Elrith, i pm`d you, as I would like to see your little monsters please

Amancalledmartin -thats a great site i`ve added to my favourites....thank you

Also with regard the button braclets, i have used the elastic and tied a double knot and put a dab of superglue on it .

Giggle

Been making some bits for christmas for my stall have put a photo on my blog but im not happy with the box so off to start again

susan42

Hi elrith,

I got your email, i love those monsters, they look great fun, i could do with some grandchildren now to make them for:)

Giggle I love those reindeer boxes on your blog, i went away for a few days to staveley and in morrissons there was a craft shop i forget the name of it but the chap in there was showing me how to make boxes, I think I`ll have a go if you dont mind me using your idea, I`d like the boxes to put some sweets in

Mary - hows your christmas cards going? Are they doing ok? I really must sort some things out, I got a few cards to make for birthdays....:T

Jo4

Can I ask how do you make the boxes or where do you purchase them from?

mary-op

susan -Christmas cards all done :j (well apart from two sons and grandchildren..........have to make there's a bit special) so in truth -all done except 5 !

Been too bogged down with cards and scrapbook to do anything else ............made some little envelope type things for the phone charms -still need to make something to put bag charms in -plus gravy tub to cover and two empty boxes I had some medication in.........not sure what'll go in them but they're a reasonable size -about 8" x 3". Maybe a flannel snowman ?
Still haven't done anything with the woollen tassle I'd got nor the velvet rose or little velvet bud/flower...........???? Mind is boggling what to do.
Plus I've got a pair of gloves (brand new but dirt cheap at boot fair) -they're a sort of camel colour and I want to stitch something on them and don't know what...........can't find anythinhg round the house...........only thing I can think of is something with ribbon and buttons.......any ideas ??

AJFan

Hi there,

I'm planning on making various wooden shabby chick painted gifts for Christmas. E.g. wooden tree decorations/ door hangers/ ummm and more things when I think of them. Anyhoo, my problem is this...having painted the items (two coats with wat layer in middle where I don't want 2nd layer to stick after sanding) and then sanded a bit to give a shabby chick look I am wanting to write on them, but can't get a nice pen to write on them. Tried generic permanent marker and Sharpies and they just refuse to work after the 1st letter I write GRRRRRrrrr.

Is there a special paint I should be using (used emulsion on some and acrylic on others - both with terrible results) or is there an idiot proof pen that will write on these.

I'll try and find an example of the type of thing I'm trying to make...