Clever Keyring tutorial

I thought I should show you how to make those keyrings from my latest fab challenge!  I know I hadn't finished them then, but now I have!

I made 4 in the challenge but only made up two key rings so far.

Step 1.  I used a small wooden heart.  I got a pack of them free with a magazine once but they are easy enough to find in the shops.  Wooden shapes are ever so popular.  I would go for simple shapes though, you will see why soon.

               

2 Using runny glue such as PVA or Modge Podge glue your wooden heart to your chosen paper.  Once this has dry cut it out carefully and then repeat on the other side.  Before sticking the second side on I recommend that you push the hole through.  I didn't on my first go and it was ever so difficult to find through the paper.  Once other side is dry and cut out take some sand paper or a nail file and file around the edges so that they are smooth and there are no loose bits of paper overhanging.

3.  You need to cover your piece in glue.  I pin them to a cork board to do this (you can see previous drip marks from the varnish stage!) I use pins through the holes to attach them so there is as little surface area as possible in contact.  I don't want them sticking to the board.  Once dry I suggest varnishing.  It makes it far more weather proof.

4.  This picture shows you what you will need.  I found some very thin cord (again a free gift with something) and a keyring.  I bought a pack of cheap keyrings for £1 and jut removed the split rings.

 

5.  I threaded 2 thirds of the cord (around 20cm) through the hole and tied a tight knot.

6. Keeping the shorter part of the cord pulled straight I used the longer thread to make the knot.  I looped it under the short piece and then took it over and back down through the loop I had made.  

7.  I then went on to repeat the same knot again and again.  as you go on the knots twist around in a nice way.  I kept going until both lengths were the same.

     

8. I tied one last strong knot, this time not keeping the shorter length straight.

9. I put the ring over one of the lengths and tied a strong knot

10.  After knotting the ring on I then did several knots under the ring around the knots I did earlier.

11.  Lastly I put a few knots in the ends and trimmed them to a length I wanted.  You could thread some beads on (I couldn't find any easily) or you could do some clever inventive knot so you disguise the ends.  Alternatively you could use some jewellery findings and not do any knotting at all.

Here are my finished keyrings.  I ended up layering two together which I really like.  For that one i just did random knots and didn't worry about a pattern at all.

Well it's over to you! your turn to give it a go.

happy crafting everyone 

xxx

If you would like to make these for yourself  I used :

Desert Blooms paper pad click here to see shop

I also used free gift wooden blanks and mod podge.

Smash book tutorial

Well after all the excitement with my last post I really didn't know what to write today.  I decided to give you more of a sneaky peak at my smash book.  The book itself is 7" x 6"  which is lovely size, usually I create books a little bigger but due to the constraints of the 8x8" paper size I had chosen I had to compromise.

Smash Book

I firstly started off by cutting all my pages to the size I wanted.  All but 2 of these sheets are double sided, this saves on paper ultimately so you don't need to double your paper in order to make them double sided.

I saved all the offcuts from my paper, I used these later on to decorate my book.

On the two pieces that were single sided I cut a semi circle in the top.  I then attached double sided tape down the two sides and along the bottom and stuck each one to another sheet of paper.  This makes a pocket and the semi circle helps you to pull out a tab or whatever you have decided to put in there.

I cut out various sized shaped from 1 sheet of cream card, these will be used to journal later on or to stick photos to.

Here are all my pages decorated!  I had put journalling squares on most of the pages and a couple of narrow strips and then jazzed them up with some beautiful flowers.

Next I created my front and back covers, These were made by cutting some thick card a little larger than my paper and then covering them with paper.  I then added a journal square and some flowers!

Lastly I put them all in the order I wanted and ran them through my 'Bind it all', You could just punch your own holes in and thread through them or put in rings.

All I need to do now is fill it with wonderful memories!

xx

Crafty challenge

 Well happy Monday to all you crafty people, and if your not crafty... well lets face it we are all a little creative!  It may not be with paper and card, glitter or fabric but everyone has a bit hidden in there somewhere!  This week I decided to set myself a creative challenge.  I bought this lovely pad of first edition papers and wondered what could I use it for!  I am sure I not alone in this, often I buy things thinking 'I can't live without that'  but when I get it home I am not at all sure what to do with it.  Crucial craft items get saved for a rainy day and end up collecting dust in the ever expanding universe, that is my craft room!

Here is the pad I bought, 'Desert Blooms'  isn't it just gorgeous!

Well my challenge was to see how many things I could create from this one pack!  Here is what I made....What do you think?  

I made a total of 23 items.  I even had a load of scraps left over so I am sure I could have made a few other bits.  

Here are close up's of my creations. 

               1, Smash book                                  2. Note pad                                  3.  Sticky note folder

   4 Box

 5. Handbag gift box

6-11.  5 mini greeting cards in a box

12.  Pyramid card

Here is another view and below is how it looks flat for posting.

13.  Origami box

14.  Exploding box

Inside box and detail.  The inner flowers bounce around as the box is handled!

15.  Mini album.  Once opened it opens out like below and leave space for 4 mini photos, or some journalling.

16.  Box card.  Here it is open.  It can be folded flat so it can be posted.

Folding the box card flat 

17.  Origami mini album

the album opens up to reveal spaces to journal as well as tabs for photos.

18.  Origami secret note.  Here it is totally folded and secure

open the first layer to reveal a pattern

open it further to reveal the secret note!

19.  Treat pouch.  I didn't take a close up pic of this one or 20-23 heart keyrings.  The keyrings are the only thing that weren't quite finished but I was far too impatient to take a photo and blog!

Below is all the paper I have left!  There are 3 full sheets in there and the rest is mainly just scraps. 

Anyone fancy a challenge like this???