Just a quick note...

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to say hi... hope everyone has enjoyed their Summer Holidays!

With the holidays drawing to a close and some children already back at school (at least Norwegian children are, so I believe) the temperature is starting to drop and the are nights slowly beginning to draw in. I don't know about you but my thoughts are turning to... dare I say it... Christmas crafts. 

Yes, it's that time of year when, if you haven't already started making you Christmas cards yet, you better get a move on or else it will be the usual last minute panic! And I've promised myself that this year will be different... I will be prepared, like the good girl guide I used to be!

So to ease everyone into the dreaded build up to 'you-know-what' I've started off with a simple little Snowflake Lantern project...

This is an easy project, a great one to do with kids too - hope you like it. 

Efco also do the cutout lanterns with stars and hearts, so you could make themed lighting for any occasion!

As always... Happy Crafting!

Fee x

theartgirljackie-tutorials: Tie Dye T-Shirts with Sharpie Markers!

I was surfing the web checking out Pinterest boards when I found a link to this blogspot. It's such a fabulous fun idea to do with kids! It's so simple but I would advise adult supervision as alcohol is needed to make the colours bleed, but the finished effect is amazing and I think kids would find it magical. So check it out:

theartgirljackie-tutorials: Tie Dye T-Shirts with Sharpie Markers!: It was Red Ribbon week at my daughter's school this week and their first dress up day was tie dye t-shirts and wouldn't you know she didn't have anything tie dye in her closet ...

Thank you Jane @ Fired 4 U

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to share Jane's wonderful Efco Efcolor enamelling samples with you all. Jane, who runs the Fired 4 U Pottery Studio in Preston, teaches pottery painting and enamelling to both children and adults. She very kindly sent me the following photos of her latest enamelling projects:

Notebook Covers

 

The Finished Notebook

Post-it Note Book

If you're in the Preston area it's well worth popping into Jane's Studio to paint a pot or enamel a notebook! For more details check out her website at www.Fired4U.co.uk.

Thank you Jane for sharing your fabulous creations!

Happy Crafting to one and all

Fee x

August Product of the Month

Hi Everyone

August's Product of the Month is Pébéo's Fantasy Prisme and Moon paints. You can see the effects you get from the Moon paints straight away but the Prisme paint effects materialize like magic as the paint dries. (The thicker the coat of Prisme paint, the larger the pattern effect.)

They're fabulous paints which can be used on a variety of surfaces including glass, terracotta, acetate, ceramic, canvas, metal, wood and coated card. (They can even withstand light washing.) Pébéo also do a range of accessories including jewellery findings which, when combined with the Fantasy paints and Efco's Efcolor enamelling, produce wonderful necklaces, bracelets etc.

They're well worth checking out, especially if you're into jewellery making, card making or home decor! For a little inspiration check out this month's Product of the Month page at Projects4Crafters.com.

Happy Crafting!

Fee x

Tyvek® Kite

Hi Everyone

Just thought you might like to see the Tyvek® Kite in action. Not only is it easy to make but it is also so easy to fly! You don't need a lot of wind as it is such a light kite... a great one for the kids!

I've come up with a slight modification to the original project just because I hate having to waste even a couple of minutes having to untangle kite strings. Instead of using a split ring to attach the kite string I suggest that you attach a jewellery rotating mechanism (97 632 95) to the kite string loop and another one to the end of your kite string (or button thread in this case). Then use a strong jump ring or eye (92 462 95) to connect a rotating carabineer (97 454 95) to the mechanism on the end of your kite string. (See photo below.) That way you can attach and detach your string to your kite, making the flying string available for other kites should you wish. It also will allow your kite to twist and turn without twisting or knotting your string! (Efco product codes are in brackets. Codes are for gold ones but silver are also available.)

Happy flying!

Fee x

June/July Catch up!

Hi Everyone

Sorry I've not posted on the blog recently. It's been a really busy few weeks with the family visiting from Belgium and then me dislocating my little toe (you would not believe how painful and incapacitating a wounded toe can be!) I must also confess to absent mindedness (signs of old age creeping in!) as I've been managing to update the Projects4Crafters.com facebook page but forgetting to update the blog at the same time - duh! Sorry to all those of you who don't 'do' facebook, I completely understand and will try to keep the blog up-to-date too.

For those of you who haven't seen the latest news and updates here's a quick catch up:

If you like the idea of creating your own no-maintenance fish tank but don't have the wall space for the large frame used in Project: '1, 2, 3 4 5...' then why not consider using Efco's small square frame (no.14 339 01).

June's Product of the Month was Efco's Papp Art - they have such a wonderful range of papier Mâché, you're spoilt for choice! I especially love their money boxes...

The Efco Efcolor range of Aluminium Collage Blanks is so versatile - you can use them in all sorts of ways. Whether it's as embellishments on a Papp Art money box (as above) or as a hanger or on a card (see below Card CO/0001), the possibilities are endless.

On 30th June I was at Colemans' Craft Warehouse demonstrating napkin decoupage and what a fabulous day it was too! Everyone was so enthusiastic, the only problem was that we sold out of Mod Podge half way through the demo. Do check out my little ebooklet if you want to know more or if you're in need of a little inspiration.

July's Product of the Month is Efco's Tyvek®. It's such a versatile material which can not only be punched, stitched and decorated but it is also tear and weather proof and recyclable.

As Tyvek® doesn't warp or wrinkle when it gets wet it's perfect for colour washes such as the Cling Film Technique (TDP/0004M). It has been used as a background for the silhouette stamped card below...

Well, that's about it for now.

As always... Happy Crafting...

Fee x

Happy Jubilee Weekend!

Hi Everyone

I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend - hope it's a good one despite the weather!

And just in case it does rain how about making this patriotic badge in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. I created it using Efcolor white, red and dark blue powders on a 49 x 25mm collage blank. I basecoated the blank in white and made my own stencil, from thin card using a craft knife and ruler, which I used to add the red and blue. When cool I stuck a self-adhesive brooch pin on the back.

 

Whatever happens hope you enjoy yourselves!

As always... Happy Crafting!

Fee x