Baby Girl Nappy Card

Hello

So yesterday I showed how to put together a "nappy pin" & today, well I am going to show how to put together a nappy card. 

This was not my idea, I came across the template for the card whilst looking for a tutorial for something else and loved it, it was perfect timing for me as I needed to actually make a couple of cards and could definitely put my own stamp on it.  Hence replacing the bow with a pin :o)

You can find the template here;

http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/diaper-card.html

I used my printer to print the template onto a piece of A3 paper.  I then transferred this onto a good quality card and cut around it. 

I then picked out two pretty papers that went together well, using double-sided sticky tape I applied the paper to the front of the card, I then used a craft knife to cut around the outside removing the excess. 

Once this is done, turn over and do the second side as all sides of this card are going to be seen, you should now have something that looks like this;

At this stage I then put the template back over the top and put the slits in the card, these are to hold the ribbon in place or in my case the pin. 

Once this was done I used the crafters companion and a scoring tool to put the creases where the folds were going.  Your card should now look like this;

At the moment it certainly doesn't look finished.  I opened the card back out and used a pink Promarker along the edges to get rid of the white, and used the bow maker to make a pink ribbon to stick above the nappy pin.  This just took the complete newness away from the card and makes such a difference!

At this point I knew that the card would need some stability and so I cut a piece of white card 1inch higher than the card, I scored a line 1 inch in from the top.  I then covered this in the same paper as the front of the nappy, in this case, pink and attached it to the card with double-sided tape as before cutting with the craft knife and edging with the Promarker.

To attach this to the card I then covered the 1inch strip in strong double-sided tape, folded along the score line and attached to the back of the card, it now looks a little like this;

The only thing left to do is to put the sentiment on the inside of the card.  I used individual letter stamps and a Staz-on stamp pad to complete this;

Finally, I made the envelope in matching paper and popped into a cello bag to protect it.  I am pleased with how it turned out and hopefully the recipient will be too.

Night Night All & Happy Crafting!!

Amanda xx

Baby Girl Kilt Pin Handmade Embellishment

Evening Everyone

Its been a busy day for me today, after the usual house stuff I sat down and spent the whole afternoon crafting.  I am going to spilt this over the next 3 blogs as I took plenty of photos to show the steps that were taken, hopefully allowing you to make your own version.

The first thing I wanted to do was create a "nappy pin" for a nappy style card, I wanted to put something together that was a gift aswell as a card, a keepsake if you like. 

Nappy pins are fairly small so I substituted this with a kilt pin;

The girl that is having the baby loves sparkles and since I have decided not to use them on the card, I am going to use plenty as charms.

The first thing I did was make the "new baby" charms, these were made up of coloured acrylic letters place on head pins which were then trimmed with cutters and the ends turned into loops using round nosed pliers;

I also made up the sparkle dangles in the same way, threading the glass beads onto the head pins and then putting loops on the end;

Next I picked some lovely silver coloured metal charms and added jump rings to them so they were also ready to attach, always split the rings by twisting rather than pulling the end apart and mishapping the circle;

I also wanted to add a little personal touch and so I thought about making a couple of shrink plastic charms, this is shrink plastic and it can be found relatively cheaply in any art store or online;

To use this you simply draw your design on the piece of shrink plastic using a permanent ink so that once finished it will not run if it gets wet, I use Promarkers for the outside lines and also for colouring.  Please remember at this stage to punch a hole in the design so that you can attach your jump ring after shrinking;

You can then at this point either use your oven or a heat tool to shrink the plastic, it does some crazy shrinking but I hold it in place with a tooth pick, don't be alarmed by the way it curls up etc, once it has finished shrinking it goes perfectly flat again, at this point you then take it out from under the oven or turn off the heat tool, this is what a heat tool looks like;

The charms after shrinking and with the jump rings attached, they are much thicker and more like a proper charm;

So that's all the charms sorted.  At this stage I got some silver plated chain and started to attach all the charms with jump rings, it is always good to have a selection of different sized rings as all charms and chains are different.

This is the finished pin, all ready to be attached to the card and hopefully mum-to-be will love it!!

Come back tomorrow to see the card that this has been made for.

Sweetdreams Crafters,

Amanda xx

Baby Girl Card using Craft Artist Professional

Evening folks,

Just thought I would check in to say "hi",  I haven't actually done any crafting over the last few days, been studying for driving theory..............boring *yawn*. 

I did manage to visit a new treasure trove that I didn't even know was right on my doorstep!!  Yip you guessed it, a craft shop.  It is magical, I managed to get some HUGE pieces of card that I will be able to get a few A4 sized cards and envelopes out of, I am very pleased about this, also, a lovey pack of smooth snow white card for printing off decoupage from the first actual crafting CD, A-May-Zing by Nigel May, and a versamark stamp pad for embossing. 

Anyway, this place is called, Craft World, what a great name :o) they also have an online store as well, plus a loyalty card thingie, you get a sticker for every £5 you spend, and once you have a whole card you get £25 to spend in the store, win win!!

http://www.craftologyonline.co.uk/index.asp

I am hoping to do a little clear embossing, some shrink plastic things and even some distressing tomorrow.  Having a wee day off from everything, tired and need a day of relaxing craft, plus I have a couple of baby cards to make for my mum.  I am even going to give sewing a go and make some dummy clips if I can.

Here is my latest Craft Artist offering, I wont actually be using this one as I deleted it before saving doh!!  I have done another which is quite similar although I am still trying to work my way around the program. 

The cards & scrap book pages actually look not to bad when printed out, I am printing them just on paper though I am 100% sure they will look fab on actual decent quality card.

This is the front of the card;

This is the inside.  I have changed this, added stitching detail down the left and right side, I also changed the colour of buttons, they are pink to purple working from left to right & changed the writing to a better purple colour, looks much better;



Finally, this is the back.  I have also changed this and added stitching detail, aswell as changing the writing from the harsh black to a lighter purple colour;

I have also updated the website finally with the pictures of some lovely new products, pop on over and have a look, www.freshscentsscotland.com new softening souffles, chill pills, fizzy jars & such.

So that's it, off to bed for me, must be getting old!

Happy crafting everyone,

Much love

Amanda x

All sorts of Info!

Hey Peeps,

Isn't it so funny how time can fly by without even noticing it? I have been busy busy busy looking for new ways to advertise my wee business and new markets to attend to sell the lovely things that I make.  This means that I have neglected this little blog, but no more!!

So far I have booked two markets, if you are in the area, it would be great to see you, please pop by and say hi;

Granny would be proud vintage & craft fair Sunday 6 May 2012  

http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/granny-would-be-proud-vintage-and-craft-fair-glasgow

Finlaystone Country Estate Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 May 2012      

http://www.finlaystone.co.uk/

It will be good to see the set ups and if it suits the product and us we will maybe look at booking up regular events with both. 

The one at Finlaystone will be great, it is indoors but set in just the most loveliest location, a great area for walks and getting back to nature.  At events we usually only take the bath products but for this event we are able to take the jewellery & cards also, something different for us. 

Pamela Randal, a very well known and respected artist,will also be showing her works here.  It will be great to speak with her and to see all her amazing creative paintings, one very talented lady, I am quite excited about this due to my love of art.  http://www.pamelarandal.co.uk/ is Pamela's website where you can view her work and any events that she may be attending.

I have also been applying for jobs aswell, seems like a lifetime ago when I last updated my CV and I have forgotten altogether what its like to be interviewed so this is a worry.  I find it so hard when asked what skills I could bring to the role and why I should be picked out of a selection of other more than worthy candidates.  Not sure my nerves will take it!! Oh! and application forms, the one i filled out was like a novel, the pages were neverending!!

Is anyone else like me and thought when I was at school I would leave and then be in the same job forever and love it, how life is so very different.

After many years of being down in the dumps I am now very much the sort of person who believes "if life throws you lemons......................make lemonade" great saying, makes me smile when I am having a particularly bad lemon moment and probably why I have been working so hard.  Motivation can come from the smallest and strangest of places.

Anyway, one other major thing in my life at the moment is the new skill of driving that I am attempting to learn and quickly, sometimes I think pedestrians would be safer walking on the road................no, I guess I'm really not quite that bad. 

I have been studying the theory side of things which to be honest is a bit hit and miss, the questions are fine, its really just the hazard perception that I am struggling with.  If anyone has any tips I would greatly appreciate a wee heads up, I would be so so so grateful.  To be honest it should have been done when I was seventeen at which point I wouldn't even have had to sit a theory test.  My driving instructor was surprised when I presented him with the old paper style licence, I obviously don't look old enough ;o)

Crafting wise I have completed another few squares for my crochet blanket that is in production but I have had to have the last couple of days off, its a great relaxing pastime but I do occasionally get a bit of an ache in my shoulder, I take it its just from the repetitive nature and also as I just crochet like mad for days straight!!!

So that's the blanket, I now have 10 or 12 squares can't quite remember, I figure if I do 20 in total that should make up a blanket 5x4 and do a few different coloured borders should end up kinda double bed size.  So even though not to many squares to go there is still loads to do, sewing it together then completing the borders, might be done for Christmas!!

I had another go with the Craft Artist package, I seem to have been drawn into the scrap-booking side of it rather than using it for cards which I intended it to be for.  It is great even just for the photo editing part, photo's are a struggle for me, I never can take then just right.  Craftseller the magazine did an article this month on just that, they recommended a portable studio http://www.maplin.co.uk/portable-soft-lighting-studio-38260  I purchased this yesterday and i really do think it will make a huge difference, pictures can be taken at any time in the day which is a great benefit to us crafters who can be crafting through the night instead of sleeping!!

You have met my ferrets so now here's my crazy catz, from top left, Sox my wee black & white kitty, Fiesta a wee tortoise shell, Cash my huge big panther, Buster the boy, he is the boss of the house and Tilly a wee whiskers cat, shes a proper little princess.  Its so great that they all have their own personalities.  All but one of my furries were rescues from the Cats Protection, we got Buster and Fiesta at just 8 weeks old, then 1 year later we got Cash & Sox, they are brother/sister and were feral cats so took alot of love and care.  It was good that we had the two older cats as I believe they helped to settle them in.  We then received Tilly from a lady who was very ill and sadly passed away, we have now had her for a year and a half, luckily she is the same age as my older cats and gets on well with them when she's not being a diva!! 

Can you tell I love my babies?

Also decided to finally colour in the rest of the stamps I printed weeks ago, really pleased with them, definitely getting the hang of Promarkers.  These will just make up some decoupage mini type cards, loads of glitter and ribbon.

I have been asked by my Mum to do a couple of baby cards, I need some ideas of what would be good, maybe an easel card? a card with drawers in it? an aperture card? what about a faux story-book maybe using the Storybook Cricut Cartridge to create different pages? oh there are so many choices................................help anyone? what do you think?

That my lovelies is the major events since my last blog.  Nothing too exciting but all challenging and time consuming. 

Today I had delivered the crafters companion which is on special offer at http://www.createandcraft.tv  Product Number: 203314.  This is going to be my task for tomorrow, watch the DVDs whilst completing some mock driving theory exams.

 Well I am off to bed *yawn*

Sweet-crafty-dreams

Amanda xx

Making Chill Pils with the Bath Bomb Machine

Hey Crafters,

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.  Today we are making up some more stock of our Cherry Bombs which we label as "chill pills".  These are a great seller for wedding favors, and can be done individually by hand but from experience I can tell you it take ages and ages, so we invested in a machine which presses them and takes out the hassle of millions of individual moulds and saves so so much time.

We mix up our basic Bath Bomb mix in the mixer (holds 20ltrs) using the scent and colour required;

We then get the bath bomb press all ready, these can be purchased from http://www.soapequipment.com/bathbomb/ 

We dealt with a lovely lady called Raye based in Texas, she was so lovely, initial enquires are by phone but then everything else can be done via email;

The machine works by attaching a compressor which gives the press its power, we have various moulds, large jumbo, a smaller round, the cherry bomb (chill pill), a plant pot, a heart and a cupcake, they are all really intricate and well made, you can also ask them to do a mould specific to you i.e. with your business name or logo. 

This is a quick demo of how it works;

This is without the cover, you should always have the black cover on when using it to protect your eyes, hands etc, latex or rubber gloves should also always be worn;

Fill the mould with the mix;

Press the mix by toggling the button & switch, this actually is alot harder than it looks to get it right as you have to allow for the pressure to release in the mould to prevent the suction splitting the cherry bomb (chill pill);

All that's left to do is release from the mould and allow to dry, these are very delicate at this stage as the mix used for the machine has little or no witch hazel to bind it, its an almost dry mix not like that that you would use for making them by hand, basically to use the machine you have to forget everything you know about making bath bombs and start all over.

Each batch makes 130 cherry bombs (chill pills);

It is definitely a considered purchase as it is imported and tax must be paid on top of the price that's is paid for the actual product but if you are serious about making bath bombs your business then it is a great accessory.  There are videos/tutorials available on the sellers website, it is good to watch the videos, the user there can churn out many many more in such a short time but with practise we hope to get there also.

We have only been using this since end January this year but hoping it will open up many new doors and allow Fresh Scents Scotland to supply wholesale at competitive prices to local markets & shops.

Hope this inspires all you bath bombers out there,

Much love

Amanda x

How to Handcover Buttons in Fabric

Evening All

I have today again had a day of chatting on the PC, procrastinating to stop me having to do the ironing which I did eventually do, and it does feel better getting things like that out of the way.

So I made some buttons, yip me, I made buttons!! I cant quite believe how easy it was.  I got some free buttons with a magazine, one of those free things that you just file away and was reminded I had them yesterday and thought well whats the harm in trying?

These are the type of buttons that I used, so reasonable and you can then match them with your handmade cushions, your handmade fabric brooches, or handmade garments.  No reason not to have the perfectly matching button ever again!! 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Self-Cover-Buttons-11mm/dp/B0052DK98I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334779027&sr=8-1

The buttons come in acrylic or metal and snap fasten.  You get the big top part that is covered and a small grip part to snap on keeping the fabric in place;

You don't need a HUGE piece of fabric, just the remnants or scraps from your project will do nicely;

Simply cut a rough circle of your chosen fabric, enough to cover the button top & base;

Do a loose tacking type stitch round the edge;

Place the button in the centre and pull the stitch tight, this will gather the fabric around the button hole post, all you do then is do a couple more stitches around the centre and do a finishing knot so that the stitches do not come loose;

To complete the button simply snap the button grip onto the bottom, this will keep the fabric and stitches in place and give a neat finish;

The completed buttons, I am actually pleased with the finished product and they will look great on a finished piece of beige or tan garment/cushion or brooch;

I'm not the best at sewing but I did these in about 20 mins, and I will definitely do my own buttons now rather than buy them.

Enjoy the rest of your night crafters,

Amanda xx

Crochet

Hey Peeps

What a shocking day today weather wise, rain rain rain!! 

So there was nothing else for it, it was a day for housework and crochet.  Relaxed in front of the TV and managed to complete 2 panels for a large patch crochet blanket.

This is the rest of the squares that I have ready, there is still a big bag of wool to go but theres no rush, that's the good thing about crochet, its so relaxing.





Crochet is a very inexpensive pass time to take up, all you need are crochet hooks, yarn and a few good tutorials.  I have looked through many a tutorial to see if I can increase my crochet menu from just doing "granny squares". 

The best tutorial for beginners is this one http://www.planetjune.com/blog/tutorials/magic-ring-right-handed/  there is also a list down the right hand side of this ladies blog which say "crochet" and this takes you to patterns etc.  I find it much easier to learn if I am following pictures.

This is a hook, you can find these in various sizes for beginners it is best to use a 5mm and as you get better then you can move down the sizes, you can also see that these were literally pounds and pence, no expense at all.

Here are some of the blankets that I have completed; this pink one was for my partners niece and was quite big!

These were blankets that were smaller and were for new babies;

I made my sister a blanket that was just a bit bigger than a single bed size as a keepsake, something that she can pass down to any children she may have.  I used loads of different coloured panels to which I attached various Disney Character patches, these squares are great for using up all the odds and ends of wool that you collect;

I also have sock blankets that I have just in case anyone has a baby but usually I offer them as blankets for girls prams as there are so many nice knitted patterns for baby blankets, the blanket below is my favourite one and was made with coloured wool that I received free with a magazine, I just added a ball of white wool and some fluffy wool to edge it;

Crochet & Knitting are becoming a more popular pastime, in times where money is short, and handmade makes a great gift or keepsake, its a great time to learn.  Time is so precious to all of us and so something someone has taken the time to sit and create is special, whether it be for a new baby, or an older member of your family, this is definitely something that should be tried and can be done anywhere, I used to do this on the train to and from work as I worked different shifts and the trains were quiet.  A ball of wool and a hook can fit in most handbags!

Sending you all crafty woolly hugs,

Amanda xx

Ferret Scrapped Page

Hey All

It was a pretty quiet day today, I didn't really get up to much, I sent my sisters entry and my entry off to the Create & Craft TV competition.  I just liked doing it, whether we come anywhere or not we had fun crafting and chatting, guess that's what its all about really!!

My lovely other half purchased a HUGE toolbox for my painting things so spent some time organising all that as well, it feels good to have a tidy area, makes for a tidy mind.

I think that I am addicted to Craft Artist & Daisy Trail though which might become an issue. I have sat tonight and put together a scrapbook page featuring my ferrets. I like it alot and I think a new scrapbooker may have been born :)  Best bit, all the pages can be stored on the PC to be printed out at a later date, they can be emailed to other people as gifts and there is no waste, mistakes can be erased and the results are just amazing.  I love it!!!

These are my babies, from top left; sleepy Anthony, bright eyed Sydney, big boy Charlie, directly under him you have one of my 1st ferrets Oliver, my one little lady in the hammock is JJ, next to her is Toffee and bottom right is Winston my other 1st ferret, they are all rescues from the SSPCA.

So my card entry is the one I did yesterday that I said I wasn't going to use, it was printed out in colour and a lovey satin bow, some glitter and a few sparkles were added to finish;

My sister's card used some of the stamped images that were printed the other day, she coloured these with Promarkers.  Like me she is a novice so I think she did a fab job, I especially love how she has coloured every image different and also that she didn't use regular dog/cat colours like I would have;

This is the card that she put together for the competition, I love it!! It is their 9th birthday so she has the large 9 in the background and has used decoupage to give it some dimension.

Tomorrow will be a better day for crafts, or maybe painting, who knows.

Sweetdreams for now,

Amanda xx

C&C 9th Birthday Card

Evening Crafters

Well today was such a beautiful day that most of it was spent in the garden.  I love the sunshine it brings out the best in people :)

So not much in the way of crafting today, I did receive my copy of Professional Craft Artist yesterday and installed it on my laptop this afternoon.  It is fab, I played for a wee bit but you could lose hours very easily and I fear I may become addicted!!

The package links in with an online community called Daisy Trail, http://www.daisytrail.com/index.html such fab ideas to be found there, and also a small trial package if you want to give it a go.

This was the card I attempted, I needed something to create for so chose the competition that is running on Create & Craft, however, this is not an entry, I have some other ideas for that!!

I would recommend it to anyone PC literate or not, seems really easy to pick up and the results are fab!

That's me for tonight, Sweetdreams,

Amanda xx