Never won any thing like this before

On Friday I recieved a royal mail-could not be delivered card on my door mat when I returned home from work. I honestly had no idea what it was, so was very curious.
Well... you might ask!

I had won a magazine giveaway competition - I have never won anything before not even a raffle. I am now the proud owner of a £10 voucher for Simple Way, the leatherkit people. I feel a new project brewing. Woh Hoh Hoh!(menacing laugh)

Making magazine, which I feel is definitely one of the best UK craft mags currently on the market (and not just because I won something). Although relatively new to the market it sets a new standard for multi-disciplary craft mags.

Project: Reborn

If this is the start of my challenge to craft/sew for one hour per day, than I think that I should atleast be documenting it. No?!
Reborn is what I'm calling this project.
This is a bag that I think I was given as a present, cant really remember, I love it's colourful and cute which is defineatley me. But I have never used it - why because it's just not really my style. Which is why it's being upcycled into a pair of earrings, necklace and clutch bag.

These are the earrings which I wore today and yesterday, and in this hot weather they are just what to doctor ordered as they are so light, it hardly feels like your wearing anything.
They were made using a couple of the felt beads, with some penny beads, some earing findings and some other beading bits that are part of my crafty stash.

I am currently redoing making the necklace as my chocker idea, didn't look right on me and the necklace is some thing I plan to wear.
The sac part of the bag is slowly morphing into a clutch which will be fun to use this summer. I hope to finish it all by the weekend. so I can move on to new ideas.
TTNF, MagpieSpirit

12 Sew

For 12 months, 12 days a month, I will sew, craft or generally be creative for 1 hour that's the pledge and I have chickpea sewing studio to thank. Yes I realise that I'm not sticking to original plegde but ... my aims are alittle different.

Chiyogami Paper Lavender Envelopes - Tutorial

This is my first tutorial and my full thanks go to Martha Stewart for the idea and direction.

1. I would suggest you make your own pattern, for two reasons. First, it's just more personal and second there is nothing worse than the pattern not looking like you want it to.

2. Paper choice - Chiyogami paper is excellent for crafting and is generally available in craft and art shops, but I'm bias because I love the stuff. On a more even note patterned paper can also be used and should work just fine.

3. Draw or trace your template pattern onto your selected paper.

4. Carefully!! Cut out your envelope - I'm a stickler for sharp folded edges, so if you're like me I would suggest that you fold and gently press along internal seams.

5. With a glue stick, seal the seams.

6. Fill the envelope with Lavender or as Martha suggests ... blends of scented ingredients, like the following combinations: cedar tips, cedar shavings, and lavender; orange tea and dried roses; and lemon verbena, chamomile and dried lemon peel. (Vary the amount depending on the envelope size; we used 1 tablespoon in the gift-card envelope.)

7. With a glue stick, seal the envelope.

8. With a thick pin, punch holes through the envelope until there are enough to release the scent, I followed the design on the envelop to mask the holes.

9. Poke whimsical designs in your paper envelopes and then add your choice of aromatic blends.

Shower for Baby G

Yesterday was the shower for Baby G - the commission that I have been working on for the last few weeks. It was a commission close to my heart as it was for one of my closet friends.

The entire shower theme was based on Giraffes and the associated colours of orange, yellow and brown, the giant paper poms poms and giraffe shaped cake to the giraffe toys we gave away as mementos of the day.

Chiyogami Paper Lavender Envelopes

Today, I opened one of my chest of draws and pulled out a black vest, instant problem. A giant moth hole just below my left ribs and along the collar, to my horror two other tops and a pair of leggings have a similar affliction. My current protection must have worn off, but this is the new me - a crafting goddess!
While in Japan, I bought some beautiful Chiyogami paper (Japanese folding paper) which I had never used. I needed something that had a repeating pattern and this stuff fit the bill perfectly.

To cut a long story short, my drawers now have some moth protection.

I will be making the tutorial available shortly, it's a simple project that even a beginner can manage.

Before the baby comes

Just so you know that I'm not the one currently expecting.

Today, we (me and my friend E)hosted a handmade babyshower for one of my bestfriends - the showers theme was Giraffes (which turned out to be one of the mum-to-be's favourite animals), the colour palette oranges, yellows and browns.

As shower favors for the guests I made soft fabric Giraffe toys. E was the creative genius behind the entire event, and between us we made all and everything from the toys, giant pompoms to the nappy cake and quiz cards.

I can tell you one thing, after tasting baby food as part of the party games, I now understand why babies spit up so much. Aarrgghhh! My favourite activity was DIY designer babygrows, just another chance to be creative.

All in all, it was a great day.

TTFN,
MagpieSpirit

Commissions Work has been taking up my time

Apologies for the long absense, but I have been doing a large piece of commission work for a baby shower and it has taken up alot of my spare time reccently. I will be able to post photos of much of it in the next few weeks and as well as designs for my upcoming christmas collection.

Yes!

I did mention christmas in May, but it takes alot of time designing and making for christmas as it can be one of the most busy times in the calendar. Look out for fresh and funky advent calendars, cards and more.

If you are looking to commission something special for yourself, loved one or friend I am able available for consultations so feel free to email me.

TTFN!

Laura's Handmade Life - my first book review

So it's a strange story but I was randomly asked to read and review a book by someone at one of the craft groups that I try to attend. So I thought that I should atleast share the experience and my insights with you who read this blog. This is what I sent to the publisher.

Laura's Handmade Life by Amanda Addison
Due out for release 23rd June 2011.

I absolutly loved this book, it is relevent to the times we all find ourselves in, ie trying to find the time to do things we love, and as a Craft-Design-Maker it felt almost like I was reading about myself trying to find my way to creative freedom. I found that I learnt aliitle more about my craft with each new chapter with the different stitch descriptions that introduce each chapter. The phrase coined "inside Architecture" is an extremely apt way to describe how we construct our homes. Laura's life challenges and successes are genuine and extremely funny and I will be be heading to the bookshop to find some of Amanda Addison's other creations. And speaking of other creations I will be trying out some of Laura's Projects at the back of the book and doing them laura's way.

I will definitely be using the "inside architecture" concept as I continue my journey.

Fascinating new skill

Make your own Fascinator - is the two hour evening course offered at Craft London that I took this Monday. Although it wasn't a traditionally structured course, I enjoyedd the way it was presented, Katherine the instructor started by showing us examples of looks and some of the creative possibilities available to us. She then quickly went through what fabrics, beads, and other stuff then let us loose. She and her helpers made themselves available throughout the time. I really enjoyed the freedom of be creative. I think I will be wearing my new handmade fascinator out this weekend.