I'm Back!!!

Well after a long and very busy summer, I'm back to my blogging. I've only just been able to find time to craft recently, but unfortionately had no time to blog, so I have lots to post about in the next few weeks. I've recently been focusing on card-making, getting ready for Christmas in particular, but this week I'm going to start making some little felt decorations too, yes thats right I've caught the sewing bug!

Although busy, I have managed to fit in a couple of craft shows.... I went to Alexandra Palace for the The Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show on 25th September. I came away with some fabulous papers, cardblanks, foam tape,  embellishments and a lovely little elephant template which I've used so much already. Then on 3rd October we went to Hatfield house for the Rock Gem 'n' Bead show, I got some lovely gemstones which I intend to wrap in wire cages as pendants for my necklaces, and earings.

My jewellery making has been great through the summer as I've been able to squeeze in half an hour here and there without having to unpack lots of craft things, I enjoyed sitting in the garden for a while after work creating beaded gifts for people, while trying (and failing) to get a summer tan.

Buttons are also high on my agenda this month. I'm intending to try out some button covered favour boxes for my wedding with some little boxes I brought on sale for 10p each, and some more button jewellery too. We'll see how that goes......

Anyway off to work for me, there will be some pictures and crafts posted tomorrow. xxx

Bracelets

I've been really enjoying making bracelets at the moment. These are so easy to make, just pick your beads, thread onto elastic and tie the ends off. I've made these ones with wooden beads and shell beads for a natural theme.

In March.....

• Make and send your Mothers day cards. Try a bunch of homemade paper daffodils as a unique gift.
• Brighten up your look for spring with some handmade jewellery. Try pretty pastels for a beautiful spring look.
• Start packing away your thick wooly jumpers and unpacking your summer dresses.
• Visit the Hobby crafts show in Birmingham 21-28. (Advanced tickets are £8.50.)
• Get ready for Easter by crafting Easter cards, decoration and gifts.

In January.....

I'm going to start giving you my top hints tips and ideas in a post each and every month on the first of the month (I know that Januarys is late....)

So, In January..............

• Pack away all your Christmas cardmaking products and start focusing on the New Year.
• Get those Christmas pictures printed out and ready to scrapbook. It's a good idea to write down all the things you remember about Christmas now (whether funny stories or lists of presents, anything you might want to include in your scrapbook layouts), before you forget.
• Buy the latest Docrafts Creativity. The free gift this time is a CD rom which is a perfect introduction into crafting on the computer for beginners or for adding to your stash for more experienced crafters.
• Give jewellery making a try. It's great thing to do sat infront of the TV when the weathers cold and the snow just won't go away.

Earings!!!

Just a few pairs of my handmade earings to give you a few ideas. I used these as table presents for my sisters when they came round for a meal last week.  I tend to start by deciding on my colour scheme, then I pick my main bead before deciding on the particular design and subsequent beads to finish the project off. All you need to have a go yourself is round nosed pliers, earing findings, beads, and head pins. Try it yourself!!!!

Jewellery for Tor!!

Check out my very talented sisters fashion blog http://fabfrocks.blogspot.com/ the post is called keeping it in the family to see the beautiful necklace I made her to say thankyou for hosting a wonderful festive weekend for the family, and also for some hints and tips on what to wear for that special Christmas party. I've also made both my sisters some lovely pieces for Christmas but I won't post the pictures yet because I know they'll take a peek and ruin the suprise.

Earings for crackers!

As I was browsing the internet for inspiration I came across this beautiful pair of earings on Gypsy's Ramblings (http://gypsysramblings.blogspot.com). I tried them myself and made up several pairs to put in Christmas crackers this year. I decided to make them in several different colours so everyone got a slightly different gift too.