design

Friday 7 December 2012

Lace, lace and yet more lace

Today a huge parcel of lace arrived on my doorstep. Well, it is so much better than bills. It is soft and pretty and will help to make your cards and sewing projects out of this world.  To tempt you to have a look here are some of the wonderful laces styles that we have added to the lace section:






Now all that you have to do is make something beautiful.

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Chocolate .... Who can resist?


Mock Kanzashi Flower

I've entitled this entry a mock kanzashi flower, because It looks rather like a kanzashi flower, but it is made from ribbon rather than from fabric.


I've not shown you how to make a ribbon flower in a while and, truthfully. I made and photographed this one a while ago. You have seen a version of this on the jute bag.



So, if you want to make one of these then read on.

Take a length of strong thread and put a large knot at one end. Beware the small knot as it will not hold!

Start by cutting several pieces of ribbon. I used 23mm wide ribbon so the measurements below are for that type of ribbon. You will need to adjust the measurements if you use a wider or narrower ribbon.



Fold the ribbon over to make the shape shown below. Using the thread with the knot, begin to make small running stitches along the bottom edge of the folded petal as shown below.

When you get to the end of the first petal continue threading onto the next. Do not break the thread.



When you have threaded at least 5 petals on the thread, you can begin to pull the thread tight and as you pull, the petals will start to form a circle.


 Pull very tight and stitch the first petal to the last one and your basic flower is formed and ready to embellish. Below is what you should get.




Now all that you need to do is sew a button or bead onto the centre.



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Tuesday 4 December 2012

Latest free quotation

Here's the most recent quotation that I've added to the ever growing list of free quotations on the Craft Fairy web site. Lots more to see there so pop on over and grab yourself some handy words.

Thursday 22 November 2012

Special Offer on the Web Site

Just gone live is an unmissable special offer on the Craft Fairy web site.

A free copy of the Drawing Flowers with Calligraphy Pens book will be sent out with every purchase of the  Drawing Flowers with Calligraphy Pens DVD. 

Click onto the image below and you will go straight to the offer.



Stock is limited so be quick.

This set will make an ideal Christmas gift that will give hours of pleasure all year round. You may even get a card made with the flowers as a thank you.


Wednesday 14 November 2012

Pompom Trim so pretty

I'm glad to say that we've had lots of new stock in today and the prettiest by far is this wonderful pom pom trim in fab new colours.

In now for the Christmas season are both red, and white. So what are you waiting for? Hurry on over to Craft Fairy before it all sells out.

Thursday 18 October 2012

Ribbon wreath for inspiration

Today I have a ribbon wreath for a little Christmas inspiration. I don't have a photo tutorial for you as I forgot to photograph it as I went along but I can give you written instructions instead.



Basically what I used for this was a 20 cm polystyrene wreath that came from a twin pack that I bought in the Range for a £1. Yes, you did read that right, 2 for a £1. I was shocked that they could be so cheap.

I stuck a piece short (about 6cm), of double sided ribbon to the outside edge of the wreath and stuck the end of the ribbon to it and started winding until I reached the end of the piece of double sided. The I stuck the next piece onto it. I continued to wind and stick until I got to the end and then I stuck the end to the back of the wreath.

Now take a piece of the wired tartan ribbon and create a loop at the top of the ribbon. Tie a bow to the loop with a couple of extra tails to make it look fuller.

Finish with a couple of really large roses to create a colourful Christmas ribbon wreath.

All items used for this wreath are available here at Craft Fairy.

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Fab new stock

I just have to share all of these new ribbons with you as they are too lovely to keep to myself. Unfortunately, I am no good at all at positioning them!






Sunday 7 October 2012

Cardiff City Show all over.


Wow, what a great weekend at the Cardiff City Stadium Craft Show. Craft Fairy met lots of old friends and made many new ones.
It is so good to see that Cardiff can have a successful craft show at last. Much better then the one in the CIA!

Did you come and visit us? If you did, leave a comment to let me know.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

For my Demo at Dandie Crafts

On the 13th October, I will be demoing at Dandie Crafts on the Treforest Trading Estate.


So I am busily making cards to demo on the day. This is the first one that I came up with as I was specifically asked to demo ribbon weaving. I hope that you like it and will come along to look, learn and chat.
I will post the other things that I will demo as I make them so keep on checking back with me.

Thursday 28 June 2012

My new DVD

How to draw flowers with calligraphy pens -- the movie

Well perhaps it's not that great but the DVD of How to draw Flowers with Calligraphy pens has arrived on my doorstep and I am well and truly excited.







This is my first ever DVD and it has been filmed to compliment the booklet that many of you have already bought.


This DVD is a step-by-step guide to drawing flowers and gives you lots of ideas for making cards and bags with your drawings. 

My watercolours

Some time ago I went on a watercolour course and we had some free inspiration time, so this is what I came up with. It's a rose hip in an autumn hedge much of which was created by the negative painting technique.
I rather like the effect as, even if I say so myself, I think that it glows.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Bags of Fun

I've decided to go back to my recent obsession of sewing and I've decorated another bag. I wanted something quick and simple that would also be effective and have everyone asking. 'Where did you buy that bag?'
I hope that this fits the bill on all counts.
To make the bag, get the Summer bag kit from Craft Fairy.

Simply take:
1 jute bag, this one measures   Jute bag size 250x100x280mm
I piece of 6mm apple green ribbon
1 piece of flower ribbon 23mm wide
Some buttons from the summer flower pack
needle and green thread.

First make your flowers
Cut three lengths of ribbon in varying lengths and sew to front of bag. I used a couching stitch
Sew your ribbon flowers to the top of each length of ribbon.
Sew a button to the center of each ribbon flower and swing your bag. as it is now ready to use.

Friday 15 June 2012

Rose Hairband for a Summer Wedding

Flower hairbands seem to be making a complete comeback recently. They remind me of my flower power days in the late 60's. I wish. I was too young for that, but I really did think that it was just so romantic to wander round with flowers in your hair. I loved them so much though that I decided to use these roses in stock for a while as they are a beautiful flower. They are quite large at 45mm per flower, but they are so right for this hairband where the small roses will just get lost.

This is simplicity itself to make.

Products used:

Really large paper roses
Barrel roses
Celadon ribbon
6mm red spotty ribbon

Measure the head of the child that is to wear the hairband. Use three or four pieces of florist wire twisted together to make a wire circle to go around the head.

Space the roses equally around the wire and twist into place. Interspace with the cream barrel roses.

Use some 6mm ribbon to twist around the florist wire. This will cove the wire and the stems from the paper roses. Glue in place as you go along.

Take a length of 16mm celadon ribbon and tie in a bow at the back of the headdress and you have finished.

Sunday 3 June 2012

Lilacs have it

I'm sure that many of you that follow this blog will have noticed that I've not posted for a while. This has not been out of choice. I have been having internet and computer problems. Most of them caused by not reading the instructions. I know we all do it, but it took me so long to work out what the problem was that I sort of got myself out of the loop of blogging.

To celebrate my return (no groaning, please) I thought that I would start with a card. I haven't made a card in a while either but we have just had a huge delivery of paper roses and lace so I chose them both to inspire me today.
This card uses a selection of flowers and lace that you can get from my lovely web site, Craft Fairy.

Do let me know what you think as I don't seem to have had a comment in a very long time. Makes you think that no one cares! Or perhaps they think that the things that I do are so bad that they'd rather not say anything.

Thursday 24 May 2012

Craft Show at Cardiff City football ground

Whoops, I forgot to let everyone know that Craft Fairy will be exhibiting at the brand new Craft Show at the City grounds in Cardiff. Please come along and say hello.

Sunday 1 April 2012

Simple Little Daisy Card

One of the things that customers always say to me at the shows is that my cards are clean. I rather like that as, while I can do fussy, the things that really attract me are the simple cards that have a big impact. I think that I've achieved this here. What do you think?

To Make this card all you need to do is stick a piece of the new funky flower ribbon to the centre of the card with double sided tape.

Stamp the sunshine sentiment and mount on to pink card.

Colour up and stamp the Leaning Daisy image, cut out and stick to the card with foam page.

Stick on  a few buttons and your card is finished.

How simple was that!

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Damask Ribbon Rose

Some time ago I posted the instructions for making a ribbon rose. The ribbon that I used at the time was a fairly wide 23mm ribbon. I've made this rose as I wanted to show everyone that it is possible to make a rose from thin ribbon. I used this beautiful thin wine damasks ribbon to show you what you can do.

The instructions for making this rose can be found here. The principles are the same just the size of the ribbon has changed.

Saturday 17 March 2012

How to Decorate a Fabric Bag

Don't you just love it when something turns out right? Well, I do at least, and this latest bag is a 'just right' for me.

The kit is available from Craft Fairy at an offer price until the 25th March.

Everything can be bought separately if you would prefer.

To be honest this bag is simplicity itself to make.

Attached the green ribbon to the bag with Bondaweb. Occasionally put in a loop to look like leaves.

Attach the pink flower ribbon over the bottom of the flower stalks with Bondaweb.

Sew the buttons in place and the bag is done. How easy is that?

OK .... alert:

You can use double sided tape too.


Sunday 11 March 2012

Cupcake Hair Bows

In my last blog entry, I showed you the new cupcake ribbons that have just arrived here with us at Craft Fairy. This time I am going to be far more proactive (don't you just love that word) and show you a simple bow project.

I've put in a picture right away as I always find it annoying if you have to wait until the very end until you find out what it is. 

So, to make this bow you will need:
Strong thread
a needle
Double sided tape.

C
Cut two 24cm pieces of 16mm brown ribbon 
Cut two 24cm pieces of 16mm pink ribbon 

Put a piece of double sided tape in the centre of each of the 4 pieces of ribbon. Make sure to put it on the wrong side of the cupcake ribbon.
When you've done this, remove the covering from the double sided ribbon and fold the outer edges to the centres that they touch and are held in place by the tape. 



Sick all 4 pieces as shown in the picture above. 
Cross the two pieces of brown grosgrain as shown and sew the two pieces together with a running stitch. 



Pull the thread tight and loop it around the ribbons so that they bunch up in the centre. Repeat this stage with the cupcake ribbon.   

Now, sew the cupcake ribbon onto the brown ribbon and finish with a button in the centre. You can add a pin or a barrette to the back if you like.

Thursday 8 March 2012

Cupcake Crazy

Everyone seems to be going cupcake crazy these days and not just for eating either. We have had a delivery of fabulous cupcake ribbon and I couldn't wait to get it on the web site for all to see. i thought that I'd give everyone on the blog a quick peek at the fabulous, and oh so hot ribbon.

 The first one is a 9mm grosgrain cupcake ribbon with really cute tickled pink cupcakes that seem to just dance across the ribbon.
 The second is every little girl's dream ribbon. Pink and cakes, what more could you ask for. Yumm!
For the last one, we couldn't leave the chocolate aside and so here it is in the fantastic 16mm chocolate brown grosgrain ribbon. Even more yumm!

Sunday 4 March 2012

Newsletter question

I sent the newsletter out this afternoon and strangely enough, even though I am on the mailing list, I didn't get mine. So can you see if your has turned up? Please leave a comment to tell me one way or the other. It costs a lot to send the mail out so I want to know that it's working.

Vintage Colours for This Weeks Special Craft Fairy Offer

I know that all of you fellow crafters will be well into your vintage cards so that's why this weeks offer on the Craft Fairy site is one that has lovely soft vintage colours. I also think that varying the tones creates a luxury look and so that is what I have put together. The feathers are there because that are beautiful and because I love them.


So I used some of the elements in the offer pack to make a card for you as inspiration. Here it is:


I thought that I would vary the card a bit by using a ribbon flower to add a different finish. So here is an alternative for you:


The flower is a sneak peek of the latest ribbon flower invention that I have come up with. I really, really hope that you like it.

Sunday 22 January 2012

Pull Treat for a Small Flattish Gift

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and, while we want that special gift from the one that we love, we also want it to be beautifully packaged. So here is an idea for making the packaging look superb and the treat inside it will seem so much better too!


This pretty pink package is made with:

a heart die cut

pink calligraphy pens

9mm pink saddle stitch ribbon

3mm saddle stitch ribbon

a sheet of heavy paper

1 sheet of medium weight card

1 flat gift a bar of chocolate is perfect.

The tutorial for making this gift wrap is to be found on splitcoast stampers resource page.

The flower making and pen blending technique can be seen here.

Once you have mastered the technique you can make the package bigger or smaller to suit the gift.


I would love to receive this. Now, how can I persuade my husband to make it? I'll let you know if I am successful

Monday 16 January 2012

Craft Fairy Newsletter

Have you signed up for the newsletter? It is sent out weekly (or as often as I can remember) and includes discounts and projects. Just go to www.craftfairy.co.uk to sign up for the newsletter.

Sunday 15 January 2012

Stained Glass Stamp for a Winter Card

I've had this stamp for quite a while now and it is a truly lovely stamp.

It is the Stained glass Stamp from the 'I Brake for Stamps' clollection on Craft Fairy and a must have for all stampers. I've chosen it for the weekly special offer and along with the pens used for making it.

The special offer includes a 20% discount. It really is too good to miss.
So, you will need:
Stained glass rubber stamp
Stazon, I used Stone Grey
Card
buttons
Foam pads
Art graphic pens in colours: 56, 2, 38
Offer available here

Stamp the image with stazon and using the blue pen and water colour in the glass pieces of the image. Leave to dry.
Now use the olive green and colour with a light touch the petals. For the stems use a more concentrated colour.
Colour the centres of the flowers in yellow.
Layer up the card with paper and buttones for a beautiful finish.

 

Friday 13 January 2012

The winner is....

The winner is....

I am pleased to announce that ther winner of the blog candy give away is 

Jennie, The Crafty Wife.

If Jennie can get in touch I will post her goodies out to her.

Thank you to all those who took part and please come back soon as there will be regular give aways on this blog for the Next Year.

Thursday 12 January 2012

New Button Tree - Shades of Autumn

I've made another button tree. I made this one as I gave a talk to a local WI and I wanted to show them fairly economical ways that you could craft. This picture is made from just half a pack of our Autumn Shades buttons and a couple of twigs from the garden.


As with the other button tree, it is sewn together and that way it will not fall apart. 
The hardest part of this is finding suitable twigs.
Happy Crafting.

Wednesday 4 January 2012

I'm turning my attention to buttons



Осенняя ветка из пуговиц

You may all have noticed that  I have done a lot of sewing lately but now the time has come to turn my attention to buttons. So I have been looking around the internet for inspiration and I have found lots. I saw these on a site called Craft-Craft. Now the idea here is not to copy but to be inspired and these are some of the things that I have found inspiring.

Пуговичная картина "Осенний Дуб"
Now all I need to hope for is that I come up with something new and unique that you will all like too.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Pinterest

Have you visited Pinterest lately?

Do you know what it is?

I must admit, that until quite recently I'd never heard of it. Now, though, I use it all of the time.

Basically it's an online pin board that allows you to pin ideas if things that you see and admire. I use mine for inspining craft ideas. I pin my things, but gasp...I pin those of other people too. Lots of things.

You can pin things that you see on Pinterest and things that you see odd the site. Whatever takes your fancy really.

Best of all are the bords that other people have as they are truly amazing. Food, decorating style, craft, Christmas  ......  I could go on and on.

So, why not click on to my Pinterst bar at the side of this blog and go explore.

Sunday 1 January 2012

Craft Fairy Blog Candy

Please post a link to this giveaway on your blog or Twitter. 

 

To celebrate the New Year Craft Fairy are holding a give away.