Two Become One

Just a quick post today to let you know about the wedding card I designed and made in the last 2 days!

I used an image I found on google images which I then added some text to to personalise it for the newly weds!!

 

As I had a limited time to make it I stuck to one colour for the hearts but outlined them in a contrasting backstitch.

The text was then sewn in the same colours using backstitch with 2 threads rather than 1 to make the letters stand out more.

 I finished the card off using a dark purple aperture frame with a matching envelope from Hobby Craft!!

Just as I was finishing this card we received another wedding invitation in the post....better get designing another one then!! :)

Have a lovely weekend, I hope you don't get too much rain!!

Happy crafting! xx

Shabby Chic Patio Set

Sorry to have been away for so long! I've been tied up with everything from school placements to assignment deadlines!

This Easter, however, has thrown me into a whole new crafting adventure....

We acquired a sorry looking patio set from the OH's Dad and are currently attempting to revamp it! We saw these really lovely images from Cuprinol in Homebase which lead us to choosing to paint the set blue and white.

I love the stenciling on the cream table so we have decided to do this on the top slat of each chair and also on the outer slats on the table....we've yet to decide what words or images to do!! :)

The chairs will be similar to the one inside this shed, blue frame with blue and white slats. Once I get my sewing machine I'm going to make some seat covers with matching material....maybe light blue gingham (see above).

Speaking of sewing machines, the OH seems to be making a list of things for me to make including table cloths and napkins!!! I best get loosing the weight...8lbs down, 22lbs to go!!

Sorry, back on topic....I'll post some pictures of the finished patio set once it's done...hopefully by the weekend!

Take Care,

Happy Crafting!

         

Recycled Gift Bows

I was browsing on Pinterest the other day and came across these beautiful bows from Whole Living.

They looked stunning so I thought I would give them a go myself! They were a bit fiddly to start with but I think I am getting the hang of them now! (The trick i have found is to fold the strips in half before curling them then you make sure that every curl is the same size!)

The pink one was my first, hence it's more haphazard appearance but the 2nd and 3rd turned out a bit more uniform!! I only used three layers rather than the four layers in the images above. I used some patterned paper for the first 2 and then wrapping paper for the final one to match the paper I used to wrap up the gift.

Once I get a bit better at these they're going to end up popping up all over the place!!

I also found some similar ones on EcoLizzie which are super cool as well. I especially love the green one at the bottom!!

 

I'll post some more bows once I get a bit better at them!! 

On a slightly different note, I have been researching the Fiskars ShapeCutter. I really want to start making my own aperture cards and this looks like an ideal tool. Does anyone have one or have used one before. Any advice would be great!!

Well have a fantastic evening,

Happy Crafting!

Finished!!

So here it is people! My finished card...

I decided to back it onto lovely pale purple art paper before attaching it to a white textured card.

I fell in love with these cards in Hobby Craft. Usually I go for the regular rectangle ones but I love this slim line look! they also have a lovely texture too.

Here is the final card!! I hope she likes it!

Finally, I used one of my new stickers on the back!! :)

Now I need to decide what to do next. I am thinking maybe a Mother's Day card or something for my OHs birthday?

Well have a lovely evening,

Happy crafting!

Happy Buntday!

Almost finished making my Nan's card. Unfortunately the design ended up too big for the card I bought so need to pop out later to get another one.

This design was taken from an old issue of Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine (and therefore is not for sale).

All it needs now is an iron and a new card....oh and one of my funky new stickers!!

I made a range of small ones and a range of slightly longer ones too.

I'll post later when I've finished the card!!

Enjoy your afternoon,

Happy crafting!

Bunting!

I am currently half way through a birthday card for my Nan which is bunting inspired so I thought it would be nice to make a post with all the different beautiful bunting ideas I have come across. I can't wait to start making these when I get a sewing machine (only 22lbs to go!! see Sewing Myself Thin)!!

This bunting from Bouf looks simple but so cute. I love the mix of chequered material and stripes. This would look super cute in a nursery or in a summer house in the garden.

This is one of my favourite bunting designs from Not On The Highstreet. For those of you who know me you'll know I LOVE nautical designs and beach designs. I love the fact the material itself has bunting on too!! If I ever have a son this will be going in his bedroom!!!

And finally, this beautiful embellished bunting from Folksy is stunning. Each flag just looks gorgeous!

So there are some ideas to keep me going until the sewing machine comes my way....talking of sewing machines...which one should I go for....

 

Mini Yellow   

Or

 

Regular Sized Pink          

Anyways!! Happy crafting, see you all later with a finished card for my Nan xxx

Happy Birthday!

Just put the finishing touches to my first birthday card. As quite a few of my friends turn 25 this year I thought it would be appropriate to start with one for them!!

This design was based on the "Copper Black" font and I jazzed it up a bit with some spots and a really great bright yellow card and envelope. The card itself is approximately 11cm x 16cm in size.

At this rate I'm never going to have to buy a card again!

Just about to stick this onto Etsy so if you like it, or would like something similar made please send me a message and we can sort something out! Most fonts can be used, any digits and any pattern style. I also, have a range of card colours which all come with matching envelopes.

Off to start another design now, see you back here soon,

Happy Crafting!

I ♥ H4H

Here it is, the first of my line of Help 4 Heroes Valentines Day Cards.

This card, plus others from the line, will be available for purchase from my Etsy shop for £4.50. £2 from every card sold will go straight to H4H. For those of you who know me, you will know that Help for Heroes is a charity which is very close to my heart. I come from a military family (mum, dad, both sets of grand parents and most of my aunts and uncles too) and spent the past 3 years working for the MOD with the great fortune of working with our troops in Afghanistan.

(Please note that the H4H wrist band is not included with the card but can be purchased from the H4H website).

Also, here is one of my generic valentines day cards, which will also be available for purchase from Etsy very soon!

Right, I'm off to the cinema now but please come back soon to see more of my valentines card designs!!

Happy Crafting!

Help for Heroes Valentines Cards

Good Evening!

I'm sat here designing my line of Help for Heroes Valentines Day cards! I'm very excited about them and can't wait to raise some money for such an awesome charity. Each card will be selling for between £4 and £5, depending on the size, but £2 from every sale will go straight to H4H. I should have a few made by tomorrow evening so pop back then too see them!

I've not had a chance to do any crafting for about 10 days now and I miss it so much so making the most of having the house to myself....and the tv...so going to sew my facebook and twitter inspired designs!

Right, I'm going to go and dig my needle and thread out! See you all tomorrow!

Take Care,

Happy Crafting!

First BBBUK Cross Stitch Design

A very quick blog to show you my first cross stitch design!

It is the first of a line of Valentines designs that I have designed completely by myself!!

and here it is.....

I'll post again when the card it finished!

Have a good evening,

Happy crafting :)

Crafting with Mum!

Hi Everyone!

I've had a super busy crafting weekend at my parents house! Where to start....

Firstly we designed and made a fab laptop cover. It's not 100% perfect but I am very happy with the finished results. After some tweaking of the design and making a few further prototypes they will be up for sale on Etsy from Summer 2012....so keep an eye out!

This case is made of pink spotty PVC with a blanket style lining and it also has a velcro fastening.

Next we made two lovely cushion covers to replace so very old and faded ones in my flat! My OH and I are obsessed with the "St. Ives" look and therefore we went for this great beach hut style fabric. These are so easy to make as they are literally fabric envelopes!

And finally, I cross stitched a picture for my friends baby for his 1st birthday....which is in September, bit too organised, even for me!!! It's a similar style to the R which I sewed just before Christmas (see "Cross Stitch Letters" post).

As I don't want his Mum or Dad to see it, it is being kept a secret but I will post a photo after his birthday so you can all have a look!

So that was the extent of my crafting weekend! I have a number of designs ready to sew over the next few weeks to pop on Etsy so that will keep me busy. I start my teaching placement tomorrow so I apologise if my blog goes quiet for a few days (also see Diary of a PGCE).

Have a wonderful evening and if you have a spare minute please check out my Etsy store - BBBUK, more stock coming very very soon!!! 

Happy Crafting!

Cushion Crush!

Good Morning Everyone!

I was so excited about some of these cushion ideas, which I found yesterday, that I couldn't wait until tonight to blog!!

These patchwork cushions (bottom left) are so beautiful. I love the way the designer used the patches to make pictures on the cushions rather than making a cushion out of patches!! Also, I LOVE letter cushions! These ones (bottom right) look so effective and I will defiantly be making some for my classroom ready for September!

My boyfriend is a Scout Leader and I am sure he would love a map cushion....not sure where to get the material from but I am going to make it my personal mission to find some!!

Who doesn't like Harry Potter??? These are amazing cushions representing each of the main characters, Harry, Ron and Hermione. To be honest I didn't realise what they were to start but now I'm totally in love with them!

Last, but not least, these stunning leaf cushions. They look so simple but so elegant at the same time.

All of these images came from the online pinboard, pinterest, which is officially my new favourite website, there are so many amazing ideas on there!

Right I best get off to uni!

Have a wonderful day,

Happy Crafting!! xx

First Sewing Projects of 2012

Evening Everyone!

I'm currently sat here deciding on my first sewing project of 2012. Last year my friend Simone (Bluebell Stitches) sewed this amazing camper van inspired design onto even weave to make it into a cushion.

In the new Cross Stitch Crazy magazine there are some awesome nautical designs and a very cool VW campevan picture so I may have to try my hand at making a cushion too. I was thinking of using waste canvas and sewing it onto linen rather than using even weave.

Also, I have almost finished my first laptop case design. I'll be making it next weekend when I have the use of my Mum's sewing machine which gives me time to make my mind up on the fabric....there are just too many to choose from.

These fabrics are from John Lewis but they're a little bit pricey at £15 per metre.

The Range have a similar selection for a fraction of the cost (£3-£5 per metre) as does Fabric Land so i'll probably end up getting some from there. I'm going to use PVC or oil cloth for the outside and either fleece or brushed cotton for the inside. Still need to decide on buttons, poppers or velcro for the fastening too!!

I'll post photos once I've finished it! Also going to make the bag which came with my new Cath Kidson book - Sew! It comes with all of the material pre-cut so shouldn't take too long to make.

   

Anyways, I think that's enough from me tonight. Back to uni tomorrow so will not have a huge amount of time to do any crafting other than sewing cards in the evening so i'll have to save up all of my ideas for weekends and half term (6 weeks and counting!!!).

Stay safe in the wind and rain,

Happy Crafting :)