Tuesday 29 July 2014

Pinterest!

Hello Everyone!
I've been using Pinterest for quite some time now. (In case you do not know what it is) Pinterest is a site whereby people(pinners) upload images(called pins) to boards(like a kind of mood board), in order to share them around the online community. The site covers many topics, like art, hobbies and crafts, fashion, architecture, sci-fi, and more!
 
I think that it is a really quick way to get inspiration for projects and to even see what others have completed!
 
Recently I have found loads of really crafty projects involving lace and fabrics:
http://www.pinterest.com/ccraftylicious/lace-craft-ideas/
 
why not follow me?
 
 
Keep the Creative Juices Flowing! Enjoy!x
 
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with this site and I am posting my own views and opinions.


Thursday 24 July 2014

DIY Vintage Sewing Machine Polymer Clay Tutorial


 
Hi everyone!
Recently I have grown a love for old sewing machines- in particular the famous Singer sewing machine. This inspiration lead to this treasure of an idea! In this tutorial I will show you how to make your own polymer clay model which can be adapted into a piece of jewellery or an ornament.
 
Before we start you will need a few things;
~Black, Brown and Silver effect polymer clay,
~Eye Pins,
~Permanent Marker Gold and Silver Pens,
~Printed Logo,
~Super Glue.
 
(click to enlarge images)
 
To begin take your black clay and roll in a ball to soften(1) for this tutorial you will need slightly more than in other tutorials.
 
Next roll the ball into a thick sausage shape(2) and bend around 1/4 from the right hand side to make a shape that looks a bit like a gun(3), and slightly flatten the end facing downwards.
 
Take the left end of the sausage and pinch upwards and downwards (looking at an image helps with this step)(4) .
 
After that take another, smaller piece of black clay, roll into a sausage and then flatten into a long pancake shape(5).
 
Place the main sewing machine on top(6) and gently push to secure into place. Add eye pins and details and then bake for the time and temperature stated on the packaging of your polymer clay.
 
Once baked use your paint pens to add smaller details and print off the labels below (save the image below, then insert and resize as an a4 sheet of paper into word) and then varnish to complete.
 
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial as I haven't done a polymer clay post in some time! Keep the Creative Juices flowing! New posts will be added regularly through the holidays so keep checking back!x

Wednesday 23 July 2014

DIY Vintage Camera Phone Case



Hello everyone!
This post will show you how to make your very own vintage camera phone/gadget case to match along side my very popular polymer clay camera tutorial!
 
Before we get started there is just a few things you will need;
~A range of pretty fabrics,
~any extras you wish to add,
~sewing machine (or needle and thread if you wish to sew by hand),
~The printed pattern which can be found in the link below
 

 
To begin gather all of your equipment and cut out the pattern, and pin to your chosen fabrics. Then accurately cut out your shapes.

 
Sew the decoration onto the front side of the main phone sock, using the first image as a guide. Remember to pin, in order to stop the fabric moving and to ensure straight seams and lines of stitching.

 
Once all of your decoration is sewn, place the two sides of fabric on top of each other back to front and pin. Sew around 3 sides and then hem the top, add a strap to the top and voila!
 

 
Hope you enjoyed this really quick, simple tutorial! Its the holidays meaning loads more crafty DIYs coming soon. I also aim to focus on the quality of my content as I know that recently it hasn't been the best!
 
Keep the Creative Juices Flowing! Enjoy!x

Thursday 17 July 2014

Belgium Battlefields and Cemeteries WW1 Trip

 
Hello everyone!
 
So sorry that this post is up late! I have no excuses! There is a small crafty DIY at the bottom of this post that relates to my recent trip to Belgium, where I visited many landmarks, cemeteries and battlefields remembering all those who lost their lives during WW1.
Without any of those brave courageous soldiers we would not be living the same lives as we do today. Here are a couple of the places that I visited.

 
First off is the Menin Gate where all the names of the missing are engraves into the walls, arranged in regiments and ranks. This was also a moving visit as we watched the Last Post Ceremony, which is held every night, to honour all soldiers.



Next is Vimy Ridge, where Canadian tour guides show us around the memorial which holds cemeteries, trenches and tunnels. The image above illustrates an area of Canadian trench along the front line on Vimy Ridge.
 

 
Thiepval shown above and below is the memorial commemorating all the French and British soldiers who where missing in action during the battle of The Somme, (Unfortunately it was raining that day),in this particular cemetery British Soldiers have been remembered through curved top grave stones, and French soldiers with crosses.
 

 
Here in Britain on 11:00am on the 11th day of the 11th month we participate in a minute silence remembering those who lost their lives in honour of their country- Not only those of past wars, but those of present too. Poppies are a symbol of our remembrance at this time of year, and have been inspired by the poem In Flanders Field, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae .

DIY Poppy Jewellery

This inspired me to create a quick DIY, poppy jewellery. In particular I made a poppy ring(seen in picture below), using two circles of red polymer clay, a smaller circle of black polymer clay
and a green polymer clay leaf.
 
Then follow the baking instructions on the clay packaging. Add your chosen findings, and voila! This can be easily manipulated to create a pendant of charm by simply adding an eye pin.
 
Sorry that there is only a few images, these were the ones on my phone, the rest are on my camera and were visits to German Cemeteries, memorials and also museum.
Hope you enjoyed this post even though it's not what I would normally post! New Tutorials coming soon over the holidays! Yay!
 
For the mean time, Keep the Creative Juices Flowing!x
 

Friday 11 July 2014

DIY Hearts Wire Ring


 
Hello everyone!
This is just another quick wire ring tutorial before my main weekend one. This tutorial will help you to create your own hearts adjustable wire ring-and its really simple and easy to do!
 
There are a few main pieces of equipment that you will need in order to begin(1);
~Wire of any colour you wish (mine is a 0.6mm thickness),
~Round Nose Pliers,
~Scissors
 
 
To begin, cut approximately 15-20cm worth of wire and position your pliers about 1cm from the end(2)(this will make the one side of your first heart).
 
Then begin to make a medium sized half loop by bending the wire around your pliers(3).
Then bend the wire backwards so that it is facing the opposite direction to step3, and squeeze into place (4). 

 
Make another half loop to create the other bend in a heart and join the first end to the other wire with a slight twist using the pliers (5).
Next take the end of the wire that you have been working on and bend it around a makeup lid or something curved(6).
 
Make the second heart using the previous steps(7) and cut off the excess wire.
Now you have a ready-to-wear ring that looks fabulous!(8)
 
Hope you enjoyed this really quick post! Keep the Creative Juices Flowing! Enjoy!x
 
Feel free to like or share any of my posts and follow me on my social media! Much appreciated! Thank you for making this blog a success!x
 
 

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Belgium Battlefields of WW1

Hello everybody,
just wanted to inform you that there will not be any new posts this weekend because I will be away on my travels off to Belgium for tours around cemeteries commemorating the fallen of WW1 and visiting a range of battlefields (such as the Somme) and also a couple of trenches!
 
As you can imagine I am quite excited. But this means no crafty projects :( . I am looking forward to a lot of piccy opportunities and sharing them with you next week- but for the meantime bon voyage!
 
Keep the Creative Juices Flowing! Enjoy!x