handmade gifts for christmas and celebrations 2011

cuddles123

Mary - try using copper fuse wire. Makes them sit better without turning over.

Tina - thanks. I'll have a look. I've ordered some transfer paper from ebay so will see how it goes. I want to do personalised things with it, so suppose it will be a bit like putting a sheet of labels through the printer, but only printing 1 or 2.

Bobbykins

just popping out from lurkdom to ask a question, hope you don't mind?
Cuddles, your necklaces are gorgeous! - I see you've recommended using fuse wire to thread them but how do you fasten it off at the ends without there being a sharp bit sticking in to you?
I tried using wire and turning it back on itself in a little loop, IYSWIM, but there was still the sharp bit where I cut it - just couldn't find a way of finishing it off nicely.
any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Off back to lurkdom now!

esmer

Fabbie makes everyone, thats some amount of necklaces that you have made there, Welldone! I have made nothing so far! Love the signs Tina. I have not made nothing, just cupcakes............ but they dont keep for very long lol.

Now your out of lurking Bobbykins, you cant go back in :rotfl: its the rules!

Im off to get a cup of T, and jammies on. Its WILD up here just now, horizontal rain, and bad winds....... I had to dodge several blue bins, pot holes, huge puddles on the drive home.......

Bobbykins

Thanks esmer but I really have very little to contribute for the time being. I've always done home made edibles for gifts but really wanted to start making other things. The only thing I've tried so far is button necklaces and didn't do very well at those!:o:o

Be warned though, I am due to take early retirement soon and have all sorts of lovely crafting plans to try, mainly gleaned from this board :T:T

Hopefully there'll be no stopping me then..........................:D

Laura_D_3

Caseyface wrote: »

I bought 40 battery operated candles on impulse :eek:

Oooh that made me feel better....

And then I went back on ebay and bought 50 meters of cotton twill tape!!! Do I really need it :rotfl:

cuddles123

Bobbykins wrote: »

just popping out from lurkdom to ask a question, hope you don't mind?
Cuddles, your necklaces are gorgeous! - I see you've recommended using fuse wire to thread them but how do you fasten it off at the ends without there being a sharp bit sticking in to you?
I tried using wire and turning it back on itself in a little loop, IYSWIM, but there was still the sharp bit where I cut it - just couldn't find a way of finishing it off nicely.
any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Off back to lurkdom now!

Not sure, but I twist the wire around right to the end, and make sure the end is between buttons. The thongs I used to attach them to are suede, so quite soft. I used another length of wire to whip the buttons to the suede and I then used double thread and did a blanket stitch to further attach the wire to the suede.
This keeps the buttons firm so that they don't turn over.

The other way is to use velvet ribbon as the necklace part and make sure every end of the wire is sewn in.

Would a picture of the back of the necklace be useful?

Loads of tutorials, but I found this one the best

http://scrappyfairy.blogspot.com/2010/01/quick-button-necklace-tutorial.html

Bobbykins

Thanks for the link cuddles, I've had a look and that's just about the same as I did mine but I didn't tuck the buttons under each other like in the tutorial. Will have to give that a go as it will probably make them a bit firmer.
She seems to have wrapped the wire around itself at the ends a few more times than I did, so I'll try that and then maybe I can try sanding down the sharp end somehow.
Did you do yours in exactly the same way as on the tutorial? It would be really kind of you if you could post a picture of the back of yours, if it wouldn't be to much trouble?

cuddles123

Not sure how much you will be able to see

Miss_Piggy_2

Morning all

Just discovered this thread - think I may be reading it most of today!!:rotfl:

Decided that this year I'm going to make christmas presents for people. Have already knitted a scarf for my SIL and am just starting knitting granny squares to make a throw for my elderly Nan. Need some inspiration for other gifts so will be reading avidly to try and nick some ideas!:D

Miss P
x

esmer

Welcome to the thread, there was a handmade one for last year, and LOTS of makes in that too Challenge 2010