lynsay's idiots guide to crafts...

janeawej

Have you got any ideas for making small pressies that can be slipped inside a card? apart from bookmarks that is!!

lynsayjane

here is the stocking instructions, as with previous if you don't understand anything or have questions give me a shout. i have got one of these made no photos on pc as yet.

What you need,

 30cm red felt (150 cm wide)
 white felt square at least 25cm/10” wide
 felt squares as required to decorate

Tools you need,

 sewing machine/needle and thread
 fabric scissors
 dressmakers chalk/pencil
 pins
 strong fabric glue (optional, I prefer sewing decorations on)

How to do it,

1. Fold red felt in half lengthwise to give you a double rectangle 30cm by 75 cm. Draw your stocking shape on the topmost one and pin round the outline through both layers and cut out.


2. Take your top piece and stitch on any detailing you wish (i.e. lettering of child’s name etc) then replace second layer and stitch round the outline with the outside faces showing. Stitching will be seen but adds to effect and if you use a close shade of thread will be near invisible.


3. Place white felt square over the top of the stocking as if it were a cuff and trim round edges to fit. Sew this piece on and you’re finished!!!

lynsayjane

janeawej wrote:

Have you got any ideas for making small pressies that can be slipped inside a card? apart from bookmarks that is!!

nowt jumping to mind but let me check my list of patterns etc and see what i can come up with. is ther someone in particular this is for (ie male/female age?) or just in general?

janeawej

Thanks just in general (hto most of my freinds and colleagues are female) maybe a decoration for the tree?

lynsayjane

hi folks,

done another wee project tonight, perfect for xmas or any other occasion. it's a hanging photo frame! took about five minutes over all (not including time for paint to dry) and would only cost a few pounds.

anyway here's the info...

What you need,

- three photo frames, these are available in ikea for £1.29 for the three, asda did them for a bit as well how much for tho...?
- wooden dowling, i used 50cm but would prob use 60cm in the next one, depends on your frames, however it only costs £1odds for a huge length
- 1.2mt of ribbon, i used imt of one colour and 20cm of another, you can use more if you want them to hang lower etc, i also used grossgrain to give it more strength and it cost 55p/mt
-emulsion paint, only need a small bit so good for using up ends of pots, again i used two colours, but you can use one or more

Tools you will need,

-staple gun
-clear nail polish
-paintbrushes
-needle and thread

How to make it,

1- paint your frames and dowelling to your required colour and leave to dry totally, i recomend overnight, but as long as possible. put a second coat on if needed. then cut your ribbons to the sizes required. i used 10cm for each loop and 60cm for the main part, again you can use whatever size you wish.



2- i used clear nail varnish to finish the ends of the ribbons to prevent any fraying. take your long ribbon and make a loop at the ends big enough for dowelling to pass easily through, sew the loops on place.

3- once they have dried place your frames and dowelling face down on a table in the positions you want them to hang. pass your long ribbon onto the dowelling in the approximate place you want it to lie, remember to place it evenly so your frame doesnt hang squint!!!

4- place your small pieces of ribbon around the dowelling and staple onto the back of the frames. remember to chek that each ribbon will hang evenly to prevent squint frame, unless you want a quirkly look!!!

5- once they are stapled hang them up on the wall and your done! you may need to move the ribbons along the dowelling slightly to hang it straight.

Teresita_2

Hi there

I am looking to make my own xmas cards and have no idea where to start or what i need to start with. I went in to a hobbeycraft store and could have bought the shop.

Any tips on what to start with and where is cheap.

Thanks in anticipation

Teresa

lynsayjane

hiya, good for you on wanting to try! i warn you it can become adictive!!!

i tried card making last year, it can be a bit fidly but if you have patience (unlike me) you can do it.

i'd start with ones for family, they tend to be a bit more easy going if it isn't perfect! i found card motifs in poundland, you get quite a few, too many for one card imho. these things can be kinda handy when you start, it's just a wee sticky pic of birthday cake etc, they tend to be 3d and have diamanties etc on.

try cheap book stores rather than hobby shops, i found red and green cards there last year for xmas cards, tho i found their other craft bits a wee bit overpriced. i'm afraid without being in the area you are it's difficult to say where is cheapest/best etc. i'd suggest taking a notebook out one day and leaving your purse at home, take a wander past all the places that do these bits, john lewis, cheap book stores, hobby shops and compare prices fo all the bits you want/need.

one thing i bought which i find handy is a paper cutter machine thingy (technical term ) mine has an attachment for creating the crease on your card, and has scales so you can measure it etc. i got mine for £7 ish so i presume i bought the best/cheapest at the time i have the memory of a goldfish!

i'd also suggest laying out your cards to start with till your happy wiht the layout before sticking anythign etc.

sorry i can't be more help, cards arent really my thing...

kittiwoz

I expect a lot of people will disagree with me on this but I hate hobbycraft. I think it's an evil chain selling overpriced kits that are the scourge of genuine creativity. Also it is killing off independent art shops who can offer so much more in terms of advice and experience in the same way that DIY superstores have killed off most proper hardware stores.

MIRRY_2

Hi lyndsay

Id love to see the Handbag patterns if possible ?
Ive been making some out of wool and am now selling them in a local craft shop along with my scarfs and jewellery !

Queenie

kittiwoz wrote:

I expect a lot of people will disagree with me on this but I hate hobbycraft. I think it's an evil chain selling overpriced kits that are the scourge of genuine creativity. Also it is killing off independent art shops who can offer so much more in terms of advice and experience in the same way that DIY superstores have killed off most proper hardware stores.

I'll agree with you on that :T