LITTLE THINGS

Not been very creative this past few weeks with other things taking priority, any crafting has been pushed back in my mind.

Have had a little play though this weekend with some socks and came up with this Little Pig which was in the book Stray Sock Sewing.

I used baby socks 0 - 3 months size I think they were, so this little piggy is small compared to the other stuff I have made.

I did add the little tale to his behind as the instructions in the book didn't say anything about adding a tail.

Also last week whilst having some time to myself I altered another photo frame and mirror - but at the moment I haven't actually decorated them - and I do think they are missing some sort of decoration.

I actually went to my local craft shop that I haven't been to in over a year and found the paper that I just loved and knew that I wanted to use it for a frame and mirror.  I ran out of Mod Podge so had to use PVA glue instead but I also sprayed them with a clear lacquer to give them some protection.

PAPER FLOWER POWER

I've had a lovely chilled weekend with Anthony with a little bit of crafting thrown in for good measure and even Anthony had a go.

Sat and made the flowers last night whilst watching The Voice and then today sat and altered 2 frames.  I do love the paper I used and I'm not looking forward to running out of it :(.

And here is Anthony's crafting creation that he did whilst sat watching the football today.  He got the pattern and inspiration from Stray Sock Sewing then added a little stripy top to it.

I think he did an excellent job and he was so happy with the little bunny.

HAPPY FRIDAY

At last Friday is here and the sun is all big and shiny - yippeeeeeee! Its been a long week even though I only worked 2 days - but at last its the weekend.

I managed to alter another frame during the past few days and I really do love this one.

The frame was in a sale and I got it half price for £2.50 - which to me is still expensive seeing that the frames I usually alter only cost me £1.00.  But I thought it was a great shape with plenty of space around the edge to alter.



I made the flowers from pages out of an old book that I've had laying around for ages.  I used different sized punches to create the circles and then just layered them on top of each other.  I inked the edges with a dark brown ink pad and then went over the petals with a lighter shade of brown to age the paper a bit.

Thanks for looking and I hope everyone has a great weekend. Byeeeeeeeeee!

HI PEOPLE

Sorry for not posting for a few days but I've had some chill time with Anthony.  I have managed to do some crafting, but nothing too hard or taxing for my brain haha.

Had another go at using Mod Podge and came up with a covered mirror and picture frame to match.  They are for Anthony's mum as she loves the colours blue and green, and she did ask me to make something just for her.

The mirror frame was from Ikea (£1.25-bargain) and was just plain untreated pine.  I treated the frame to a couple coats of MP and placed the paper over the top.  I've had this paper for years in my paper stash and lucky I had 2 sheets of it - the mirror frame is nearly 12in x 12in so one sheet was used just for that.

I placed a few small glass bead type things that I got ages ago just to give the paper some dimension as it seemed very flat.  I'm happy with the end result and I know she will love it.

I had some paper left from the other frame that I made the other day so I made another set.  The ink I used for round the edges is darker than the last one I used as my trusty little chocolate ink pad dried up - gutted!  But I have to say I prefer this set to my first.

So thank you for visiting and I will be back soon with hopefully more crafty blogging.

I'M BACK AND NOT A SOCK IN SIGHT

Sorry for not blogging for a while, but I've been back at work and the tiredness bug set in.  I think hitting the big 40 in December is really having its affect on me.

The past couple of days I decided I needed a break from socks and turned my 'creative side' to picture frames.

I bought a couple of cheap frames from our local Poundland as I didn't want to spend too much money just in case they never turned out right.  I'm really chuffed with the way this one turned out, that I went and bought coasters so that I could make a gift set.

This frame was a plain cherry wood colour and was really boring so out came the Mod Podge and some scrap book papers that I've had for ages.  I covered the frame in 2 coats of MP then covered it with the paper.  I used a small nail file to file away at the edges to distress it and then edged it with a chocolate colour ink pad to give it an aged look.  I let the ink dry then gave it 2 more coats of MP.  I cut out some flowers from the paper that was left over to decorate the corners.

I think it turned out great and would make a great gift set for someone.

This next one was actually my first attempt.  The frame is made from a very pale bleached wood and using the chocolate ink pad really gave it a great aged look.  I don't know the name of the paper but I wish I had more of it - but maybe when time permits and money, I will get around to searching for some more papers like this one.





ALTERED NOTEPAD

BEFORE - very pink (well the cover) notebook from TESCO.
This book holds a list of all my fav blogs, quotes, sketches, doodles etc.



And the finished product!



I started this today - as in cutting the paper for it and that was it - but finally finished tonight.

Couldnt decide what to put on the cover and then the flowers that I got in my prize stash came to mind! I also used some paper twine that I got from IKEA ages ago and threaded it through the flowers and the buttons.



I have added an envelope on the inside to store bits and bobs (more bits than bobs as its not that big) and covered it in paper and inked the edges like I have done with the front cover. The back cover is in the same paper.

I am really happy with this because its for me and nobody else! The only problem I had was after I stuck the paper on the front I realised that I covered the holes and I had to sit and cut out each one (quite annoying it was). But I'm happy now!!!

ALTERED FRAME

I couldnt go anywhere today as my eldest has been running a very high temp, and the little one has been her nurse.
So seeing that I couldnt take the kids out i thought I would do something 'CRAFTY'.
So here it is - I found this old frame that used to be in my bedroom when it was green and cream (sooo glad i changed it) and have been dying to do something with it.



So here is my latest creation. Ta Da!!!!



The frame measures 15in x 11in. I used HOTP papers that I got in my prize stash and happily ripped strips and edged them using my brown chalk ink pad. I used just ordinary PVA glue and set about layering the strips on the frame (very messy). I then went over it with the brown chalk pad again to really age it and voila here it is. I will either use a clear varnish on it or PVA to seal it.



I have a picture in my mind about which photo will go in it - its one i took of my eldest a couple of days ago. So when I have that blown up, changed from colour to sepia and printed - it has a nice new home to sit in and will have pride of place in my dining room.

JUST BEX CHALLENGE 9
A PRESENT
You have a massive choice here - we would like you to make a presetn for someone - anyone!
Well i did - for me!!!!