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

susan946

Has anyone else tried to make the wire ribbon roses from Kirstie Allsopp's Homemade Christmas programme? I had a go this afternoon but found them soooo fiddly. She wasn't clear about how you hold them together - tried stitching mine - or about how to finish off the lengths of wire left from gathering it up. If it's not finished off securely the gathers could slip back off the wire....... if you see what I mean.

I was disappointed with the result. I'll perhaps try again with wider ribbon but does anyone have any tips to hand on?

liesauk

I am also going to have a go at making some rag rugs this year, I would love to sell these at a craft fair and think I could get enough old sheets etc together to start practising.

Liesa
xx

Savvybunny2009

Thanks everyone for all the info on how to make the gift bows, looks like lots of fun and slightly addictive so I might have a go with them once I can get some of those pins (cant remember there name for the life of me!). Lovely designs princesspoppypops, would I be correct in thinking you do jewellery and tiaras?

Regarding craft fayres, would anyone know how you go about applyin for stall space, I have never done anything like this before but I definately want to give it a go later this year

stardrops42

Hi :hello:

I always love this thread it's so inspiring and everyone is so helpful:T

This year I really fancied making soap as gifts but I haven't got a clue where to start Do we have have any soap makers on here who could give me tips/advice and maybe point me in the right direction, thanks

[Deleted User]

I have managed to make 9 more cards today and I have posted them in my blog.

castafiore41

Oh, count me in!
This thread is so what I am looking for.
I have been making stuff for years but have always worried that it would be -and were- considered as naff or cheap by potential recipients. I have only this year started to give out my own what I make-mainly jams, pickles, jellies and chutneys, and they have been recieved well. Things are changing and people are now aknowledging the value of home-made goods as they start to realise that the quality ,time and effort that went into producing them is by far superior to anything mass produced.
There, that was my little rant against consumerism...

Trow

susan946 wrote: »

Has anyone else tried to make the wire ribbon roses from Kirstie Allsopp's Homemade Christmas programme? I had a go this afternoon but found them soooo fiddly. She wasn't clear about how you hold them together - tried stitching mine - or about how to finish off the lengths of wire left from gathering it up. If it's not finished off securely the gathers could slip back off the wire....... if you see what I mean.

I have only made one, but was quite please with it. I wrapped the wire around and around the base to hold it together, then tucked the wire through the wraps and cut the end as close to the wraps as possible. What width was your ribbon? Mine was about 2 inches wide, at a guess.

Trow

stardrops42 wrote: »

Hi :hello:

I always love this thread it's so inspiring and everyone is so helpful:T

This year I really fancied making soap as gifts but I haven't got a clue where to start Do we have have any soap makers on here who could give me tips/advice and maybe point me in the right direction, thanks

I have made soap before, and it is really simple BUT you have to be really careful about your quantities of caustic soda, to make sure the end result is not harmful. A great beginners guide is here: http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/A_sustainable_home/Soap_Making%3A_a_beginners_guide/ with a 'recipe'. but don't replace the type of fat in teh recipe without looking at the amount of caustic soda, as the amount required varies from fat to fat.

Downsizer is full of really helpful people though, and if you look through the forums you will find links to lye calculators to work out the caustic soda for different types of fat.

I hope this helps! Please don't let me warnings put you off, as it is so simple, but (just like with breadmaking) you have to get the quantities right.

susan946

Trow wrote: »

I have only made one, but was quite please with it. I wrapped the wire around and around the base to hold it together, then tucked the wire through the wraps and cut the end as close to the wraps as possible. What width was your ribbon? Mine was about 2 inches wide, at a guess.

Thank you Trow. I think the width of the ribbon I used was part of the problem - it was only 1 1/4 inches so I'll have another go with something wider - shall have to trawl through ebay to find something suitable, I think!!!

Just found these instructions http://www.save-on-crafts.com/howtomakribr.html. These seem a bit easier to follow.

Trow

I got mine in Tesco, half price because Christmas is over. It might be worth a look (having said that I luuurv ebay for the small bitty things that you can't be bothered to figure out which shops might stock it....)