Week round up

I know I have been a little remis this week, not that I haven't been crafting but I had planed to post at least a couple of tutorials a week and really not managed it this week.  Oh well, in  my defense I havan't been idle!  There has been lots on industrial crafting going on.

Here are a few things I have been making and having a go at.

Recycled keyrings.  I started making these little heart keyrings nearly a year ago and like so many things was left at the bottom of the creative ironing pile.  a little while ago I started creating upcycled and recycled Jewellery under the name ReJenisis.  Since having my little one however I ran out of time.  These are def an example of that.  Was so great to complete these and have already found new homes for them!  Each one is made from cardboard destined for the green bin, the beads were oddments left over from past commissions.

Here are a few recycled blanks ready to be made into necklaces and keyrings!

A new make for me was to have a go at these sweet little buttons, the patterns were paper scraps so fantastically recycled!  the tops are clear plastic buttons.  This little batch of 6 were my first attempt!

I have been having a play with my stamp maker this week and created my logo and  a few birds.  I have created a set of digi stamps (yet to be released) and these little birdies are part of it.

And last but not least!! Yes you guessed it! Another paper cut!  I thought I would give the alphabet a bash!  So far I have decided that the alphabet should only have one letter 'A'. 

Have you all had a creative week?? What wonders have you been up to?

xxx

Smashing Fun! Paper cuts and books!

What a week!

Well it has been a crafty week!  I have made wooden and also recycled keyrings, taught a friend to make a box, tried paper cutting again and done lots of Smash booking!  Oh and created a teachers set of story stones.  (It has been busy, not sure where the energy came from, just hope it lasts)

I thought I would quickly show you my little paper cut.  I am so pleased with it, mainly because I didn't make any mistakes and that I didn't try to challenge myself too far which has been part of my down fall in the past I think.  Any how, what you do you reckon?  I love it in black, that may be my new thing!

I don't know if you remember my big crafty challenge last week, but I made a smashbook in the process and even gave a tutorial on how to make it.  Well I thought I should use it, so I made a start filling it with memories from our recent adventure to Scotland.  We only stayed a couple of days, but did do a lot.  I thought I would give you a sneaky peak at some of the pages I have done.  I haven't done any journalling yet but I have managed to sort out photos and memorabilia from our visits.

         

     

Hope you can see the layouts alright, I have filled the book.  The thing I particularity like about Smashbooking is that there are just no rules!  I used to love to scrapbook, but it would take hours to decide on layouts and colours and embellishments to go with them etc.

  

Smash books are just fab!  

I know I am using a brand name here and I am using my own book, does this matter?  I am not sure.  There are several different type of journalling book like these, Smash is one, La de dah another and even Stampin up have jumped on the wagon and created their own.  I love all the accessories that go with these but to be honest I love making the books and using them, They are far more personalised.  My other bug bear with the commercial book, is that often you like the page picture so much, you don't want to put anything on it.  No matter what you would call it, the thing that is clear is that it is exactly how scrapbooking used to be, before the posh papers and special albums.  Scrapbooking has evolved and is now a no holes barred, no rules way of sticking memories or interesting items collected on your journey through life into a book quickly.

If you are interested in starting having a go at journalling like this then I found loads of videos online, there are lots of images to see on Pinterest, I even have a board all about it so feel free to pop by and have a browse.

Well I think maybe I have gone on enough and am off to go and see what wonders are to be found at Handmade Harbour (my fav Sun/Mon hangout!)  Hope to see you there.

xxx

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.