Christmas Crafting Ideas by Flyingpig - Its Good To Share.

flyingpig58

As Promised this is a short and hopefully simple tutorial for making beer mat calendars

You will need a beer mat, a covering paper, a couple of magnets/magnet strip, a calendar tab, mini bulldog clips (not essential, but look cute), glue, and some embellishments like stickers and oddments of ribbon.




First, cover both sides of the beer mat, any thickish paper paper will do. I have used DCWV self adhesive paper which can be expensive, but I got it half price in a Dunelm Mill Sale. But because it is self adhesive it’s quick and I don’t have to use any glue.



Take your calendar tab (Anita’s do packs of 6 for 99p from most craft shops at this time of year) and make a little backing for it, to add a bit of colour, glue together and trim to fit covered beer mat.



I have decided not to glue my backed calendar tab down, but hold it together with mini bulldogs clips (these were from e-bay, but are available in most craft and stationary shops and they don’t cost a lot for a pack). By not sticking it down I can use the base again next year if I want.



Turn the mat over and stick on the magnets, I’ve used magnetic strip from HobbyCraft, they also sell A4 sheets of magnetic foam and packs of small magnets, all are equally suitable. Use a strong glue to fix them with.



Next is all the lovely twiddly fiddly stuff. I’ve used a scrap of Anita’s self adhesive ribbon (99p a pack from craft shops, in lots of different designs) along the bottom and some butterfly stickers (a bargain 60p at pack from an indoor market) and some flat backed gems.



As a finishing touch I have done faux stitching round the edges with a black gel pen.



Phew!!!!! I’ll be making quite a few of these as stocking fillers.

craftygranny

RebekahR wrote: »

Feel free to post the list I can play guess my present! :rotfl:

Lol so you're her sister . There's one thing there's plenty of choice.


I make my mil's cards to send and can even guess which one i'll get. one from the shop cos she doesn't think i'd like to make my own.

RebekahR

I can't remember what I sent her this forum for now. Wish I hadn't as I have a big christmas list too! LOL. Whats the betting we making each other the same thing!!:o:)

Keiss_21

Yet another wonderful tutorial flyingpig58, a great idea.

You are such an inspiration. :T Ofcourse lots of others have come up with marvelous ideas too...thank you all!!! :T

Can I ask a simple question...not done much paper craft for years...what glue do you use? I always used to used PVA for everything...but now there seems to be loads of different kinds, and the choice is baffling!

Do you use a spray adhesive on paper for cards?? I have re-positional stuff (somewhere!!), but suspect I ought to use something more permanent.

Still stick at home with bad asthma and sinusitis (on second lot of steroids and antibiotics), so not able to make much yet, but doing lots of planning! I am unable to wear my glasses for any length of time as it hurts too much...this rules out close up work, but I am able to keep knitting, unless I drop a stitch!!

Off to cozy up in my favourite chair and get some knitting done...cold and wet outside .

Keep on crafting

tranmererovers

Flyingpig, thanks for your fab peg tutorial, can I ask please, how many do you usually package together to sell 3 or 4? and what size cello bags do you use for that. Thanks

elysia2003

Hiya Keiss, I hope you feel better soon.

When you're applying paper to something, I always use Double sided tape as If you put too much wet glue on, the paper goes all wrinkly. I use pva, extra strong pritt stick (in the silver tube) or my hot glue gun (only costs about a fiver) for everything else.

ZMHoward

craftygranny wrote: »

Lol so you're her sister . There's one thing there's plenty of choice.


I make my mil's cards to send and can even guess which one i'll get. one from the shop cos she doesn't think i'd like to make my own.

Teach her how to make cards, then she can make yours

craftygranny

I have an atg gun for glueing and use that but before i got that i used double sided tape for sticking all my papers and things and tacky glue for sticking gems etc on.

RebekahR

craftygranny wrote: »

Lol so you're her sister . There's one thing there's plenty of choice.


I make my mil's cards to send and can even guess which one i'll get. one from the shop cos she doesn't think i'd like to make my own.

Ha! The only thing my MIL will be getting is a present with rubbish wrapped up inside. She is so stuck up about a perfect house she goes around picking up little bits off fluff off the carpet :eek: I would love to see her face opening a present with lots of bits of paper and fluff that come out all over the floor :rotfl:Good thing is she would prob see the funny side of it to. :T

craftygranny

ZMHoward wrote: »

Teach her how to make cards, then she can make yours

I tried but she's totally blind so couldn't do it. The guide dog she's got is useless too he just wanted to chew the papers not stick them.lol