Christmas Crafting

I have been megga busy doing lots of Christmas crafting for various things of late so I haven't had much time for blogging.  Last weekend I was teaching at a Christmas Craft Workshop at our church (Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church) and will be there for another workshop on 8th December if anyone cares to join us.  We crafted from 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm but as you can imagine my day was much longer than that.  For starters Jilly and I went along early to set up tables and chairs and to lay everything out but I had been cutting and stamping for days ahead of time.  I had a helpful crew of gals that took bits home to stamp up or cut out for me too.  Boy is there a whole lot of work involved in this kinda thing!

This was one of my samples for the workshop and was probably the easier of the two cards we made.

And here are a few of the cards that everyone made.  We used a Waltzing mouse wreath stamp, a 'Season's Greetings' sentiment, a 'hand stamped the old fashioned way' stamp and even a further sentiment inside the card (all WMS) which read:

'May Christmas at your house in goodness abound and may health and good cheer live there all the year round.'  You can find the set here - it's called 'Compliments of the Season'.

I thought it was just perfect for a 'house' type card.  We also used real music sheets to make square envelopes and then made a mini square card to match using the WMS 'sleigh bells' sentiment also from the same stamp set.

Our next workshop will feature a paper craft gift basket, tag and bow if anyone is interested - same time on the 8th and just one round pound to play!

I am also running a make 'n' take at Rosina's shop 'Parlour Crafts & Collectables' in Risbygate Street this coming Saturday if anyone wishes to make this front door card - again it's just one round pound to play.  If you're in town between 10 am and 3 pm why not pop in to see us.  here will be a couple of other projects to choose from too.

And then of course there are the adorable snowman baskets we've been making at my mother's house on Wednesday evenings.  These were made by my sister for the residents in the nursing home where she works.  I think she plans to fill them with chocolates or something similar.  She's always looking for quick, easy projects to make that will put a smile on their faces.  It's hard to see from this shot but the handles are actually ear muffs with round scallop muffs down the sides.

My mother has made a few of these (as well as some nativity scene cards that you stamp and colour in). I will also be teaching them to the 5yr to 9yr olds at the church youth group real soon too.  I made a couple up with Rosina today to show her as well.  Plus I played around with a 'Santa hat' box design with her and Kay that I am working on for a  Sunday School project.  Who'd have thought I'd be teaching the kids how to craft?  It's been a while since I did that but I am loving the simple projects you can create.

So far I've done no crafting for myself to date and Christmas is fast approaching but I'm not taking on anything else after the 8th!  My friend's wedding is on 22nd December - boy that's rolled around quick! and I have cupcakes and boxes still to make for that plus I have booked the week before Christmas off so I can relax and do my own crafting then.

All my crafting lately has been for very worthy causes but I'm starting the New Year with a calendar so I can keep track and not let things get out of hand!  Plus I can squeeze some of my own crafting in their too - like the WM Sketch Challenge that I keep missing out on lately.  For now I'm off to my mother's house for dinner and crafting.  I think it's time she put the snowmen aside and tried her hand at some front door cards.  I find it really heart warming that my mother has put away her knitting to join us these past few weeks and that we get to spend this special time together.  We always have fun together!

Hope you've all been crafting something lovely lately.

Blessings to all

Suezie

A Berry Sweet Card Tutorial

I was in need of a whole stack of cards to donate for fund raising after listening to a lovely couple speak at our church the other evening.  They were talking about their work with Caring for Life which is a Christian charity that helps care for people with all manner of physical, emotional or social difficulties.  You should check it out here.

Their talk was very thought provoking and I genuinely admire them for their commitment so it was only natural that anyone would come away wondering what could be done to help.  My mind was pondering if I could do anything even before they'd finished so I felt as though Debbie might be speaking to me individually when she jumped back up at the very last minute and added as a last thought 'Oh and if anyone wants to make handmade cards that we could sell, we can really use some'.  That was all the prompting I needed - this was definitely something I could do!

I chose today to get busy on these cards since I'm desperately waiting for Mr Postie to deliver my latest Waltzing Mouse stamp order.  I was in hope it would come today as it's my day off but nothing so far.  Still I have spent the entire morning playing with stamps so it's cool and besides I know me.  I would've been very distracted if they had arrived so I might not have gotten these cards done.  See how good God is to me?  He knows me sooooo well.  My stamps will arrive that's for sure but most likely not until after these are finished LOL.  Just a s well I think cos I'm hoping to use the new dies I ordered for the WMS sketch challenge this week - well as long as they arrive before Saturday that is.

Since I knew I needed several and I needed them quickly I decided to keep it pretty clean & simple.   I also knew I wanted to use this super sweet berry stamp set and whilst I was about it I decided to take a few shots for a tutorial too.  It's nice to get back to tutorials.

First up I had purchased a pack of 25 pre-made mini card blanks with envelopes for just £3.99 with this project in mind.  I usually make my own card blanks and envelopes but doing it this way wasn't really any more expensive and it was a fantastic time saver too.  I started off by stamping one of the Waltzing Mouse handmade stamps on the back of each card.

Next up I used my pattern tracing wheel and ruler to run a faux stitch line around the front of the card.  I just love this technique.  Hopefully you can just about see it in this shot but click on it to enlarge it if not.  Maybe that will help.

Once that was done I cut a square measuring the same as my card front (4" x 4") and die-cut a heart from the centre.  I then used the relief by centring it over the card front and shading in an area using distress ink.

Then I stamped my sentiment where I thought I wanted it to be.

And after that I decided to stamp up all my strawberries - don't they just look yummilicious?   I'm gonna try this card again as a gift set and maybe do some fun colours like pink berries and lime green leaves, plus I think I might try the WMS gingham stamp instead of shading next time too.  Ooooo and I can see a shade heart with the text stamp over the top too - endless possibilities!

Then I used the same heart shaped die, traced it onto a scrap of card stock and stamped the sentiment in about the same place as I had on my card front.

After cutting out my strawberries I was then able to position them onto this scrap piece where I thought they would appear on my card.......

....and then re-stamp my sentiment to get just a portion onto my strawberry.  I set my strawberries aside for a moment to do the next step.

I love to doodle so I used the heart die to trace around my inked heart with a black fine line marker.

But because this fine line was too neat and because I also wanted a kinda hand stitched pen detail I traced around the pen line freehand weaving in and out and then added a few stitch strokes so it created a piece of patchwork.  On reflection it kinda looks like barbed wire too but what the hey!

All that was left to do was adhere my strawberry taking care to line it up to the stamped sentiment.  After that I inked the edges of my card - yes I love this technique too.  It's kinda like adding another layer without actually doing that. 

Finally I finished it off with a few doodled pen dots (which you can't see in this shot so go back up to the first shot) which again I love to add.  And there you have it!  One quick, easy, pretty card - ten down and only 15 more to go!  Then all I have to do is line them, bag them up and pop them into the post.

I am at my mother's house for dinner and crafting this evening so no prizes for guessing what I'll be doing tonight huh? LOL.

And as an added bonus keeping myself occupied today has helped keep me on track with the diet.  Can you believe I kept my weight steady and maintained the entire time I was out of action with Labyrinthitis and NOW I gain a couple of pounds?  Aaarrgghhhhh!!  I'm hoping it's back off when I see the nurse this Saturday and that I'm getting back on track.  Jessy has been out walking with me plus I played on the Wii fit board this week too - first time ever and it was a blast.  I don't usually do any computer games but I about pee'd my pants laughing when I tried to hoola hoop and then when Dave got on to try it I nearly pee'd em' again laughing at him!  In the new year I plan to join a Salsa class or something but I'll keep plugging away at what I can when I can until then.  I'm still just a bit too giddy to put myself out there in public LOL.

Blessings

Suezie

P.S.  I will be running a couple of Christmas workshops at my church before Christmas if anyone's interested in coming along.  I'd love to catch up with you all.

October Class

Well I don't quite know how I managed to do it but I was full of cough and cold for this months class.  Is this like 'deja vous' ?  I was poorly at last month's class too.  I'm putting this latest episode down to my hubby - HE SHARED!  Some things are best kept to yourself huh? LOL - well at least I'm still smiling :-)

It's a real shame too as we've both started attending a really cool new church and we have to miss it today.  He actually got up, went downstairs and propped himself up on the couch in the middle of the night to get about 2 hours sleep so you know it's bad when that happens!  Lack of good sleep is catching up with us I think so we may both 'flake out' this afternoon - we have to get to work on Monday somehow and that might be the only way we'll do it.

All this just makes me sorry we didn't get our cordial made up this year.  We were both going to be away so we threw the berries in the freezer intending to do them the following week.  Well you know where good intentions end up don't you?  We're down to our last 2 bottles and I believe winter is fast upon us.

This stuff is supposed to be very good for you - full of anti-oxidents and it's said that regular doses willl stave off a cold.  That's clearly our problem - we've been hanging on to the last couple of bottles, afraid to open them cos when they're gone - they're gone!  I think we'd best see if the berries are still any good and get some more made up pretty quick. 

These were some I prettied up for gift giving one year.  I just love the deep colour.  The preservatives we use are cloves which means you're either gonna love this stuff or hate it.  Dave likes it hot or cold.  Me I like it hot!

And here are a few pictures of class.  I love to get shots of Jilly working away.  We've been best friends for coming up for 35 years and I've gathered a nice collection of photos of her over the past fews years and I treasure them all.  Love that girl!

She decided to get to grips with a patchwork cushion and here she is doing a bit of machine quilting.  I offered two projects in this class same as last month and since Jilly made cushions for the first time last Christmas she decided to build on these skills and make a quilted patchwork cushion. 

There were 4 variations included in this pattern and I made up the last one (right) earlier this week.  I think I might add a pretty ruffled fabric flower to this and gift it for Christmas.  I want one or two with CK fabric for myself but I will make more later.

One of the delights of class was seeing all the pretty fabrics everyone chose to work with.  I forgot to get my camera out sooner or I'd have more pictures to share.  Jilly recycled and used curtains which makes me think of 'make do & mend' and which I just love.  That's the kind of thing that got me so hooked on sewing in the first place.  Pauline had a scrummy red apple fabric which she paried with my all time favourite - red & white polka dot!  I sooooo love that fabric and I'm only sorry I didn't get to see it completed - I bet it looks stunning. 

Susan was megga clever and used a duvet cover that already had a pretty patchwork thing going on and we mixed up the various pieces to make it look really cool - again it didn't get finished but it was looking fab!

And then of course there was Sara who'd purposely chosen this adorable scottie dog fabric by Clarke & Clarke - a bit more expensive but if you're treating yourself then why not?

There are certainly no flies on this girlie!  She always means business and gets to work straight away so it's no surprise that she finished her apron - and in good time too.  She was also a megga good sport and allowed me to take photos of her wearing her fabby 3/4 apron - fully lined and with a 'triple' pocket feature to it.  Sorry - not a bit proud of my pattern & design LOL - MUCH!

I have to laugh when I see this photo tho'.  I knew she'd look fab posing by the stove in the little kitchen at the hall and when she said 'pitty we haven't got a sauce pan or something' well - you know I went digging through cupboards don't ya LOL!  I came up trumps with this stove top kettle and got a great shot as a result.  She looks fab in her new apron too.

Next class (5 November) is a rag quilted bag so I'm keen to get to work on that and then the last one in December will be a rag quilt - something to keep you warm this winter.  For anyone who can't make it to class or who prefers to do their sewing at home; patterns are available.

Each pattern comes with a 'pictorial' - a photo CD with step by step instructions full of shots like the one above and below.

It takes a lot of time and effort to make these as I have to create samples for each project and then pain stakingly photograph each step of the process; some several times and from various angles just to get a good view.

 Once I've generated the written instructions for the pattern I then use these in excerpts along with as many photos as I can possibly cram in as a pictorial.  Short of sitting beside you it's the best I can do.  I go to all this trouble because I think it's worth doing.  I ADORE sewing but am almost entirely self taught and it never ceases to amaze me the wealth of projects that can be made if you only know how to sew in a straight line!

For now I'm off to nurse my cold some more and take it easy today.  A long soak in a nice hot tub sounds like good medicine I think.

Blessings to one and all - enjoy! 

Oh and thanks girls for a really enjoyable class yesterday.  Sometimes I do wonder why I do it - especially when I'm still up past midnight to finish things off only to get up at 6 am and get right back to it just to make it all happen.

Suezie

P.S  Kay - I missed you yesterday - hope you're okay :-)

A Class, an Apron and some Christmas Shopping

On Friday I managed to finish my apron for the class next Saturday, October 8th so I thought I'd share a quick picture.  I've tried several times to get a good shot of this apron but short of wearing it myself and having someone take my picture it's just not happening. 

Somehow I'd managed to get a good shot of Jilly's one when I made it and gifted it to her last Christmas so that's the one I used on the pattern cover.  This is as much of a shot of mine as you're gonna get.  I used up scraps of blue strawberry CK fabric and a red and white polka dot fabric that's NOT one of CK's but it fits in nicely with her style.  For anyone that's interested I pay about £6 a metre in the sewing shop in St John's street.  They have the same polka dot fabric in several colours as a regular stock item.  At about half the price of CK as a co-ordinating fabric it makes your expensive fabric go that little bit further.  I'm all into that!

Anyhow I knew we had to babysit the grandkids today - at least until 12.00 pm when daddy was due to come pick them up so I hadn't expected to do much. After they'd gone hubby was up for a drive so I decided to take my CK fabric that was stained back to the store.  No way could I go back to London to exchange it so I did the next best thing.  I went to the CK outlet store in Eaton Socon, St Neots.

Now this branch is an outlet store - one that Sara's told me about more than once - I just never took the time to go check it out.  All I can say is 'sorry Sara, I should've paid more attention to you'.  I will DEFINATELY be a regular visitor from now on - for sure!

First off I seriously lucked out at this branch!  They weren't supposed to exchange fabric at all and definately not at an outlet store but the sales assistant decided she could check and they agreed to do it just this once.  They only deal with 'end of line' stuff at the outlets so aren't supposed to take back stuff from the regular stores. 

On top of that they'd just had a delivery this week which more than tripled their fabric supply so I was able to exchange my white strawberry fabric for the blue version (which I wanted all along) AND it was a whopping £8 cheaper per metre so I had money left over!  I picked up a few extra prints plus grabbed a stripey duvet cover for a mere £15 - there is method to my madness, trust me.  The duvet cover is the same on both sides so look at all that lovely CK fabric I can use for any number of projects.  I just lurve sheeting!  I couldn't buy that much fabric for that price so it makes great economical sense, believe me.

Oh but they still tore the fabric rather than cut it.  I am still sooooooo gonna write CK about this - outlet or not!

And then because I couldn't resist - and because the prices were seriously hard to beat - I picked up another Christmas present.  I am getting pretty much done with my shopping for this year.  Well, I did start in January this year LOL!  A few more bits for the kids and then my hand sewing gifts and I'm done.

This fabby bag was originally £55 and reduced to just half price!  It was the absolute last one so I think I was doubly lucky to get it at all.  The pom poms are a really fun touch and those oversized roses are devine.

I tend to shy away from CK bags cos I simply refuse to pay the high prices, I know, I know, I will spend a ridiculous amount of money on her fabric and turn my nose up at her bags.  I can't explain it so I don't even try.  This bag however, is gonna be a great pressie.  The only trouble is I think I may have to visit this store again since I have more than one person I could give this to and I can't decide who gets it.  I think I need to find another bargain bag so I don't have to decide at all.

Well technically I did get another bag but I fell in love with this one and at less than £20 with a colour combo of red (my fave colour) and green and in a lush velvet no less -  I couldn't resist treating myself.  This is my new best friend.  It's BIG and square-ish, fits on the shoulder nicely so I shall be taking it everywhere from here on.

AND because the sales assistant was sooooo helpful, because of the AMAZING bargains to be had in the entire store - this was not just a small sales section ladies - it was EVERYTHING in the store reduced so well worth a visit, AND because a second sales assistant gave me a bunch of large bags, gift tags and strip of stickers for wrapping my pressie - I swear I never so much as asked, honest!  Because of this and more I am giving this store a 10/10 rating.

The delivery day is Thursday so I'm guessing the afternoon or following day is the best time to go.  The sales assistant said fabric flies off the shelf and it wouldn't be there long, plus it was heaving today (Saturday) so I think a Friday might be a better day anyhow.  If you don't mind a drive of about an hour then this one's well worth visiting.  I for one will be going back a few more times this year I think.

Oh and Bedford is just 10 more miles down the road - nothing particularly interesting there but I did pick up another SERIOUSLY retro, yellow floral vintage sheet to add to my collection at the Sally Army charity store.  Can't imagine what I'll make with it but I've decided NOT to pass them up when I see them.  This latest one has never been used either so I knew I was gonna have it.

AND I am getting excited about class next week.  I have tomorrow after church to sit and cut out all the pattern pieces for it.  I have 4 ladies booked on to class so far so do let me know if you want on - there is still space.  Looks like it's gonna be just the apron pattern but that's fine by me. 

Enjoy!

Suezie

I'm Not a Quilter

To me a quilter is someone who pain-stakingly pieces all kinds of fabrics together and then sets about hand quilting them in a hoop or frame.  Maybe that definition is wrong but that's how MY mind sees it.  I have only ever made a quilt in this way once in my life and it now belongs to my darling God-daughter Natasha.  I think I have a photograph of it buried somewhere in my photo stash so if I ever run across it I promise I will share.  I know it's now an heirloom to be handed down so it was worth all the effort that went into it.

Patchwork on the other hand is something I see as different entirely and is something I regularly do so I'm keen to add it to my sewing classes.  There are probably a wealth of tips and techniques out there but as I am 'self taught' I can only share those I know of or have picked up along the way.  Still I think I have a lot to share on this subject and I hope some of the girls will agree.

To help me design for a pattern - cos let's face it - it's not worth buying for just a couple of square templates now is it?  And to get me in the mood I whipped up a cushion this morning using a clever technique to speed up the process.  I'm reasonably happy with it but I never like the first much - it's the same with card making - it often takes a few until I get on a roll.  The choice of fabric probably has a lot to do with it I imagine.

Right now I'm just creating 'proto-types' so I'm using up scraps which is another good reason to offer this class - who among us doesn't have scraps?  I am soooooo going to do a Cath Kidston one before the weekends out just for lil' ol' me LOL!  I'm getting my stride first and then I'll do that one :-)  I like the idea of changing up our bedroom which is pink & cream with larger roses and a somewhat vintage look to a a bit more CK so I can add in some blue and polka dots and a variety of 'multi-rose' patterns.  I like that ecclectic mix that CK usually has going on.

Complete beginners can choose 'to machine quilt' or 'not at all' - I plan assist either way.  It's not just about personal taste or what's right or wrong with patchwork, mostly it's about whatever you're comfortable with, but secretly I hope people will give it a go if they can.

Straight stitching I can do 'no problem' so I pretty much machine quilt in rows of some kind.  For this first example I repeated stitched squares across the entire project from the smallest at the centre working right the way out to the outer edges.  My cushion inner is a bit fat and full (sorry) so it's difficult to see.  I raided one of the cushions on the daybed to stuff just so I could share a picture here on my blog.

I have a few variations to make up so I can share several techniques and I want to have a chair full to take a pretty picture for the front of the pattern.  I'm also going to break into my Christmas stash of brand new CK fabrics to make up the apron which is the other class project.  Just wait until you see that made up!  It's gonna be hard to choose which to make but hey - the beauty of doing these classes myself is that as long as I don't try teaching more than a couple projects at one go, I can teach the same thing in another class along side a whole new project if there's demand.

For now I'll leave you with another parting shot of this pretty thing.  I might share another one later today or tomorrow or I might not (such a tease huh?)  It's church in the am and Downton Abbey in the pm so I just might not get time to share. LOL!

If you want on the next class please let me know as early as possible - some places are already taken -  and also which project you wish to do.  I know a few of you had both patterns last time so I hope to make up a half dozen of each just in case.

I still have a couple patterns for the turbie and box bags left over (£6.50 each) if anyone wants one - just email me or post a comment.  I considered an Etsy store but I'm still undecided so they can be purchased direct for now.  I'm only selling spares if I have any for now - first come, first serve.  I'm sending one to my darling daughter along with some fabric to get her in the mood for sewing.  Would soooooo love to have her join us for a class before Christmas if I can get her up here.  My pictorial CD won't quite be the same as having her mummy there but I can pop a picture or two of myself on her CD and make her feel I'm there too.

Oh and I HAVE TO SAY this is the best way yet I've found to get my Christmas sewing done!  I have to have samples to photograph and display and I know just where some of those samples are headed after class!  Can't be bad huh?

BTW next class is on 5 November, 1.00 - 4.00 pm at Fornham St Martin village hall - yes ladies, there will be easy parking this time around.  The mystery around the hall is solved - I'll explain next class.  And did you see my sneak peek earlier?  I have lots of lovely projects in mind :-)  There are just sooooooo not enough hours in my day darn it!

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Blessings

Suezie

Putting on the Glitz!

I know you may not be able to see it clearly from these shots and they're still a work in progress in these photos but I have been playing with those fab embossing glitters that Amanda turned me on to.  I am just loving the things you can do with them - so much so I had to have a newer, quicker heat gun cos I got fed up waitin for my old thing (you now the kind that looks like a hair dryer) to heat the powders up. 

I usually figure if it's not broken and it still works then why change it? - but it has been sooooo nice bringing myself up to date with a new one - makes such a difference!  Plus I sold a whole bunch of surplus craft items this weekend that it was nice to put something back by way of new crafting gear.

I was surprised a t the colour scheme - not usually my colours but these BoBunny papers were sooooo pretty.  They're from a design called Jazmyne and are part of their glittered range.  That's important as it happens cos I glitzed up the chipboard, die-cut accents with glittered embossing powder. I think we'll have fun with these in this class so I can't wait!

You might just be able to make out the glitter in this shot.  I have since added green embroidery floss stitches to the flower stems plus changed the title frame - finally used one of my new Waltzing Mouse Stamps from Jessy for Christmas (about time!!) - to a glittering lush purple so it 'pops' out of the page.

Since I've already taken my samples in to the store I can't re-photograph it until someone takes me there again.  I saw my doc today and I'm still a health and safety hazard (LOL) so I'm still not allowed back to work let alone able to walk on my own yet.

I also made up the handmade card kit but the photo I did in a hurry was not up to scratch but it's in store if you want to see it and I promise I'll eventually post a picture here.  These classes don't run until March and I sure hope I'm better by then!  I don't want to be a lady of leisure anymore - it's getting BORING!!!

Blessings

Suezie

Love is in the Air!

I'm not quite sure how I've managed to do some crafting this week being so poorly an all but I am finally on some anti-biotics so once I get to feelin better there'll be NO stoppin me!  Right now I feel like I'm falling off my chair and leaning to one side when I stand so hopefully that'll go by the end of the weekend. 

BUT I do know that having my new desk area cleared and well organised is having an impact on my crafting already and I am really enjoying being up here in my room.  I can't wait until the rest of the room is just as organised!  IT's going to be the kind of craft room I should've had all along so I'm getting really excited now!!!

Okay, okay I'm waffling so on with the page.

I still have a finishing touch for the title to work out but otherwise the page is complete.  I took time out to select several papers for classes for 2011 and I really like how things are shaping up so far.  I need to be inspired to create same as anyone else so it was great to just 'pick & choose' what to play with.

Besides some lovely papers from Basdic Grey called 'Olivia' I also used the Bo Bunny polka dot papers in two shades of pink and a lovely light green.  I love that you get a range of each colour and all with these cute polka dots that add an overall detail.  I played on the polka dot theme by adding swirls of dots and I think everyone will have fun doing this in class.  I know I did so I may bring this technique out of the basket a few more times during 2011.  Swirls of gems are stunning, granted but they're so costly and this is a nice, easy (and cheaper) alternative.

There's some punching with Martha Stewart border punches - I purchased this heart one on a whim around February last year.  I had to have it even though I didn't think I'd use it but I used it last year and I've already used it this year so I'm glad I got it.  There's also a little bit of stamping, some good ol' Sizzix die-cutting going on and even some free-hand cutting.

As this is the class sample and therefore belongs to YTOC I've decided to re-create one for myself and maybe a further one for gift giving.  I am also challenging myself to do this throughout 2011 so that I'll have a collection of lovely scrapbooking pages for me and for friends and family (or even for my store?) by years end.  I challenge those of you who take my classes to join me.  Are you up for it?

Well crafting is on my agenda this weekend for sure but so is house work - I have been too poorly to do much at all (funny how I managed to craft tho' huh?) and laundry plus of course a bit more work in my craft room.  There's still lots of re-organising, painting 3 remaining walls and a bit more 'built in' to do before I can even think of dressing it up with curtains and things and there are just 5 weeks left to delivery day LOL!  Best keep busy I guess.

Blessings

Suezie

Last class for 2010

Tonight I taught my last class for 2010 and it was full of laughter and fun.  There are often regulars and even though it's a class it's also a bit like a 'social gathering' as we get to know each other really well.

Now that I've taught the class I can show you a bit more of the projects I made.  I have been desperate to teach these paper lunch sack gift pockets ever since I first made one and as last minute Christmas gift ideas they're perfect! (even if I do say so myself LOL!)  I took these shots right after I made them and before I added ribbon.  I added that later once I stopped in at YTOC to drop them off.

I actually tucked a pretty frame from Laura Ashley inside this one to demonstrate just what sort of things they can be used for.  Like I said earlier - half the fun is finding things to tuck inside pretty packaging like this.

I made sure to leave enough of the paper lunch sack showing so you could still see just what it was made from and I love using pretty lace on these gift pockets too.

Because we had time to make more than one and because my first one was kinda 'traditional Christmas' I decided the second one should be bright, more modern and fun - something more suited to kids or candy.

These pockets are just perfect for filling with candy canes or other yummy chocolates but they're not just for Christmas.  Imagine how they'd look throughout the year with recipes & yummy cookies in or seeds for the garden.  How about a set of clear stamps, an ink pad and die-cut shapes to stamp on to?  Or maybe a couple of fat quarters, scissors and some pretty pins?  Even a pack of tissues, sachet of soup and cough drops for someone who's feeling poorly.  There are no limits on fillings and since they drop quite nicely through a letterbox (well here in the UK anyhow) they're perfect for dropping off to a neighbour or friend as a nice surprise on the door mat.

Now if only I could remember where I put the rest of my paper lunch sacks?  I know I have some somewhere!

Hopefully I will be doing a tutorial for these for December's Project Tuesday so you may want to check back in a week or two.  For now I'm gonna get my DT stuff done, plus my Christmas projects and hopefully be ready in time for the holiday season that's fast approaching!  Oh and of course there's always work but I've had a very productive day off today I'd say. Back to the office tomorrow!

Class Sneak Peeks!

Just wanted to stop in and post a couple of sneak peeks for the last class of 2010 coming up on 1st December!  THEN and only then can I really begin to focus on my own Christmas projects (except for a few more DT projects that is).

I promise I will post full shots some time next week but for now this is all your gonna get.

We get to make two of these - one that is colourful and fun (above) and one that's more traditrional but still equally pretty.

Best of all I get to teach something that I have been desperately wanting to teach ever since I first made one earlier this year.  I just love this idea and hopefully you will too.

Sorry to you girls over the pond who can't be here to take the class.  I might have to do something especially for you all further down the line.

Enjoy!

Christmas Classes

I decided the only way to get back into crafting was to book myself in to teach some classes at YTOC and with Christmas fast approaching they were destined to be seasonal projects.  This was a good move - a step in the right direction for sure.

Class 1 was this Tuesday and featured an easel topped drawer complete with a presentation box.  It was a lot to get done in a single 2 hour class so we worked on getting the various components made and left the decoration till last.  I was keen to use one of the Christmas collections from Craftwork Cards and Kay chose this design for me to work with.

The class was smaller than usual and we all knew each other so it turned out to be real fun and it was good to be back teaching again especially since I've missed everyone.  These photos were taken in store after class rather than my usual 'posed' shots at home so they're not my best I'm afraid but hopefully you get the picture LOL! 

Once opened up another entire box lifts out revealing a sweet little drawer - perfect for a sweet gift (yum) -  topped by an easel card making it a card and gift in one.  The drawer is just under 5" x 5" and nearly 1" deep so it'll take quite a few small gift items if you give it some thought.

I even decorated the inside of the drawer some - why not?  Besides the more you 'bulk up' the drawer the sturdier it becomes.  My samples have to take a lot of abuse like opening and closing numerous times and even though these shots were taken on the night of the class I think it's held up pretty good.

As this one belongs to the store I decided to make one for myself (mine's green and purple) but with so much work involved I didn't get a chance to finish it.  If I can I'll tinker with it this weekend and post it later but I really must get into my DT work again too.  I have completely gotten out of my routine as well as my crafting so I need to be super disciplined with myself and get back to it especially as I have chosen the projects for December over at Project Tuesday.  I just need to remind myself what I chose, find the rest of my mojo and get crafting so I can get excited about it!  I'm sure once I get started I will.

The next class at YTOC is on 17 November and features the purple and silver Christmas page using Craftwork products that I featured earlier here on my blog.  We'll be stamping, heat embossing, punching out and generally having some scrapbooking fun.  I like that I can squeeze in a scrapbook page every now and then to mix it up a bit.  The last class of the year is on 1 December and is one I'm REALLY looking forward to teaching.  I have been desperate to teach my little paper sack gift pocket project (my sample still needs making).  I just have to play around with the Bo Bunny papers I picked out to get inspired. 

My mojo is there somewhere it's just proving slow to return to me I'm afraid. My eldest daughter is going to be stopping in on Wednesdays from here on so I can help her craft up a bunch of Christmas pressies (plus do my own too) so maybe that'll get me back on track.  Certainly can't hurt huh?  Anyhow I am looking forward to spending time with her.  I just love my girls and I miss hanging out with them more.  We are planning to all be together for Christmas this year so I'm really looking forward to having them both around for a few days even if it will prove noisy, busy and hectic - who cares - it's worth it and I can't wait!  Now that's something I CAN get excited about :-)!