Bonny Scotland!

Hi Everyone

The sun is shining and all's well with the world... I spent a lovely day in the sunshine yesterday (hope you did too!). I arrived in Scotland and ended up driving over the Forth Bridge in glorious weather (which makes a change).

I had fun playing with some of Resonate's jewellery bits and pieces with Angela the owner...

Pendant Set

Butterfly Book Embellishment

...and then today went off to Culross to help Donna McGee (Artist & Venue Manager for Resonate) teach a Modrock class for a toddlers' group creating flowers for the Culross Festival - it was a lot of fun... and quite messy... a definite hit with the toddlers and also their mums! They are very creative in Culross...

...even their coffee is a work of art!

Apart from working with the community on various projects, Resonate also runs assorted art and jewellery workshops and has a fab Aladdin's Cave of an art shop. So, if you're in the neighbourhood they are well worth a visit! (Starting in June, their new opening hours are 10am to 4pm Wednesday-Saturday.)

Happy Crafting!

Fee x

Beginners Needle Felting Kits from Efco

Hi Everyone

Efco have brought out 4 Beginners Needle Felting Kits which, if you've never done it before, are a great way for you to have a go at needle felting. There is a donkey, polar bear, sheep and rabbit to choose from and each one will end up unique with its own expression.

Because of the nature of the needle felting, and because there are small parts, the finished projects cannot be used as toys, however you could hang one on a piece of elastic as a room decoration or, if you make all four, I think they make a great mobile for a child's room!

So, if you've never tried needle felting and fancy giving it a go, you could try one of these new Efco Felting Kits!

Happy Crafting

Fee x

Efcolor Enamelling at The Craft Patch

Hi All

I had a lovely day yesterday with Sarah and everyone at The Craft Patch! What a wonderful group of crafters you all are...

Thank you all for making me feel so welcome... and what yummy homemade cakes - such talented bakers as well as crafters... is there no end to your talents! You certainly all took to the Efcolor enamelling like ducks to water. I'm really looking forward to seeing all your wonderful creations so do please send in photos of your work to gallery@projects4crafters.com.

Happy Crafting one and all

Fee x

Congratulations to Sidonie!

Hi Everyone

Congratulations to Sidonie from Kent for being April's Prize Draw Winner. There's a selection of Efcolor powders and Collage blanks winging their way to you as I type!

Also, there's good news on the back front - at last, it's business as usual, and I've got some great new projects lined up. I'll be getting them produced and online as soon as possible.

Happy Crafting!

Fee x

Bad Back Stops Play!

Hi Everyone

I'm sorry to have to say that a badly strained back has meant that I've been unable to get the project sheets finished for April's Product of the Month feature. I'm definitely suffering withdrawal symptoms from not being able to sit and craft! Hopefully normal service will resume shortly. So April's Product of the Month will become May's instead. I've got loads of crafty ideas buzzing around in my head so watch out for some innovative projects coming soon...

Happy Crafting

Fee x

Jewellery Top Tip

Hi Everyone

With my jewellery demo at Colmans' Craft Warehouse this coming Saturday I thought I'd share a top tip with you all...

This homemade beading tray not only makes working with beads easier as they can't run away but also makes storing your work whilst in the middle of a project easier too as you can leave everything on the tray, move it to a safe place and cover it with a cloth if necessary. It is also very easy to make and cheap too!

Take an old frame and remove the glass and backing. Discard the glass as it is no longer needed (or better still give it to a glass painter to decorate!). Cover the backing with an offcut of velvet, dralon, velour or similar fabric. Fold the fabric over the edges, pulling it taut. Staple it on the reverse to fix it and trim the excess. Then replace the backing in the frame and secure in position. (You will find that it is a tight fit with the fabric.)

If you use a tray like this you will find that you spend less time crawling around on your knees looking for stray beads as they will not roll away as easily on the fabric and the frame will stop anything falling off the edge!

I look forward to seeing whoever manages to make it to the Big Demo Day at Colmans' on the 31st!

Happy Crafting to one and all!

Fee x

Big Demo Day at Colmans Craft Warehouse

Hi Everyone

Anyone who lives in the Northampton/Wellingborough area might be interested to know that Colemans Craft Warehouse is running one of their fabulous Big Demo Days on 31st March. There is always so much going on and the staff are really helpful if you have any craftying queries. Suzie Candlin will be stamping her heart out demonstrating the latest range of stamps for mens' cards from Little Claire and Neil Burley will be running ceramic make 'n' takes using Martha Stewart Acrylics for the bargain price of £5. I will also be there demonstrating Jewellery Making with Efco's gorgeous range of beads and jewellery bits etc so do pop down if you get the chance.

Hope to see you there!

Fee x