Merry and Bright

One week of school left.

One week until we fly to France.

One last bunch of Christmas gifts to wrap.

Remember these little babies?

 I made a heap of chocolates at the time, knowing full well Mr Frog would change his mind about not giving gifts to the teachers in his office at the last minute.

As it turns out, the teachers in Mr Frogs office, teach Japanese. So, having also studied Japanese at school (for six years!) I was a little inspired.

Today we practice the Japanese art of Furoshiki.

First, pop your choccies in a little plastic bag and seal.

 Next, cut a rough square out of your chosen fabric. Mine are about 15x15cm, but it'll depend on the size of your pressie. Place the packet on top of the wrong side of fabric. I put it at the opposite angle so I didn't need to use too much fabric, and so it would look a bit neater.

 Take two opposite corners and tie a knot.

 Then take the remaining corners and tie another knot. If you have enough fabric, tie another knot to secure. I was being frugal.
 

 Voila! Or should I say dozo.

  I had exactly four plain chocolates left, so I made this up, just because.
 A bit of Kikki K twine, some Washi Tape (did you know it's Japanese?) from Kaisercraft, and that is a very cute little parcel.

That's it from me for the year. I mean it this time.

I hope the holiday period is just fabulous,

Merry and Bright,

and keeping praying my Christmas is WHITE!

MC

Lamp Re-vamp

My original plan for my plain jane lamp was to cover it in cream linen with a teal coloured damask print on it. Of course, when you have such a specific idea in mind, and you're still on a budget, you'll never find it.

So, after another fabric choice was vetoed by Mr Frog for being too girly (he was right, but I already had it which means it's free!), I settled on a cream and white fat quarter I already had in my stash. Still free.

After trimming the fabric, I folded over the edges and ironed them flat.

Most instructions for covering a lamp, suggest using spray adhesive over the entire lamp. Being an indecisive lass I used my glue gun along the seam...

...and then around the top and bottom edge, figuring it'll be easier to rip off if I hate it, now or down the track.

I used a silicone mat to help press the fabric down, without burning my hands. Learnt that the hard way.

Looks pretty, but needs a little something. After much faffing, after weeks of thinking about it, and after a few trial runs... I decided to add a little ribbon.

Once again, I've covered my bases by not gluing the ribbon to the actual lamp, but gluing the ribbon to the ribbon... this way, I can slip it off.

I then needed some colour. After ditching the hand making of a damask print idea, I tried making a Fleur De Lys out of Fimo. Fail. So, I followed my heart...

Conveniently, I was able to mix a couple of colours I had already mixed (trying to match a colour I can't remember) to come up with the perfect colour.

A little more hot glue, and there you have it... a Re-vamped Lamp.

Five weeks till my due date... and counting.

MC





Pretty Flowers

My fabric flowers turned out beautifully!

Although cutting out the fabric was a tad time consuming, it wasn't very hard, and the results are totally worth it.
You can find the how-to details here where I did. Just keep in mind that for really "full" flowers you'll need more fabric than you think. Also, instead of paper lanterns, I used Styrofoam balls, which is the cheaper option. ($2.99 for a pack of 12 or so, all different sizes)

Lots of hot glue and a little patience...

The finished product

These should look fabulous in bubs' room. They were really easy to make.... I was on such a roll I could've made more, but easy does it!

Now onto canvas # 2.

Back soon :)

MC

Keeping My Hand In

January has been all over the place when it comes to craft. With no major events coming up there hasn't been a pressing need to make anything... other than my itchy fingers and busy brain. I have a million ideas of things to make, some fabulous bag designs in my head, and a bunch of things that need doing around the house.... that is, as soon as Mr Frog goes back to work!

Don't get me wrong, being together these last few months has been great (mostly), especially given the horrendous year we just survived, and the wonderful yet crazy year we have ahead of us.
I just find it impossible to get anything done when he's here!

Anyhoo, here's what I've busied myself with the last few weeks.

A little sparkle to add to a special little girls bedroom door.



I made this door hanger, thingy as a christening gift because A) I'm spiritual, not religious and I think it's healthy to believe in Fairies, B) I usually buy books for kids, but I'm poor, and C) I like making stuff!

Please ignore the slightly dodgy handwriting, not the message!



I've totally gotten into making cards, so this was a great excuse to use more sparkle!

Meanwhile, as I've collected various utensils over the years, yet am running out of space to store them (despite Mr Frogs' attempts to organise the kitchen drawers), I took inspiration from my mums' purpose built utensil holder and "made" this:

A can of Milo gets a second chance at life



I didn't have a big enough piece of paper, so I used some of my favourite fabric.

Next week I have birthday cards and gifts to make... and Mr Frog goes back to work... can't wait to get may craft on!

A bientot!

MC

Xmas Spirit

I spent today being very excited about xmas. Usually, I'm bah humbugging all over the place, but as I am ,as yet, not working in retail this xmas, I'm really beginning to feel the xmas spirit. For the  first time in years.

The main reason for my enthusiasm this year is the fact that my family; mum,dad, sister and her new hubby, are all coming from interstate to spend three days with us! Originally, mum arranged this so we could all have xmas together for the first time in forever. The idea was for everyone to come to us so we could continue working mental shifts in a shop, but at the very least have xmas day together. Now it's just too late to change plans and I'm GLAD!!! They're travelling a long way, and spending a lot of money on accommodation ( they figured it would be a bit squishy in this little apartment, and rightly so!) so this year I'm going all out! On a budget. (Budget ideas coming your way soon!)
I'm planning the menus, the drinks, the events, the decorations... this will be a xmas worth the trip.

So apart from faffing about on Pinterest looking for xmas ideas, I actually made some xmas cards today. I'm a little embarrassed at how easy they were, and how cheap, but they've turned out pretty well so far.
I bought a pack of red cards and envelopes for $2. I bought a little book of Xmas for $1.

I then proceeded to cut/rip/pull out all the cool pictures in the book and stuck them on the cards. Voila!

I am yet to add glitter (I'm deciding if I like the less is more approach), and I haven't put anything inside yet... but so far so good! I'll post before and after pics if/when I change them.

Tomorrow I start cutting out some fabrics for some very important Cocktail bags. I really must leave xmas alone for a little while... I may send myself round the bend!

Have you started your xmas shopping/crafting yet?

MC

A Creative Mess

Some people have designated craft rooms, with shelving and cupboards and a big beautiful workspace. Some people have a studio, which is basically the same thing only cooler.
I have a corner.



Bits & Bobs piled high

  A corner in which I keep my supplies... most of them anyway. There are other things under the dresser, and ongoing projects hide under the bed or in a bag that leans as inconspicuously as possible against my chest of drawers.

As I mentioned the other day, my work bench is the loungeroom floor, or coffee table or kitchen bench or all of the above. Today, I pulled out some fabric and the odd and ends I use to make my Cocktail Bags and got to fiddling and faffing trying to find fabulous combinations.


An artist at work

The result of this, as you can see from the pic is a bit of a mess, to put it mildly! I long for the day when I have a space all my own to create and make a mess and not clean up!! Aaah to dream.
Coming soon: Pics of said supplies. The ones I took today while half asleep were blurry... much like my vision at the time.

A bientot

MC