Designer Keepsake

Well I have lots of photos to share with you  this week.  This is not one of my designs, and therefore I cannot share the patterns, but hopefully the photographs will give you an idea of the mechanics of the project, and you will be able to create something along similar lines.  It's great fun, it allows our inner designer diva to emerge, and it is well received...and treasured...by the lucky recipient.

This first appeared in Creative Card Making magazine, I guess about 9 years ago, by the fabulous, inspiring designer called Carol Kaczor.  In her published handbag, she also incorporated an open box/pouch section in the base, which she had filled with lots of goodies.  Her's was also Christmas themed.  

I immediately had to make one !!!  I will show you my original a little later.  For this particular bag I used the fabulous First Edition Noir et Chic papers.  As these are 'monochrome' of black and ivory, any accent colour can just set them off - so I chose a gorgeous pink, very girly.

The main handbag sections are from three double sided papers, graduated down in size.  There are also two pockets, two handles, a flap and a tuck tab, plus two side gussets to hold it all together.  You will also need 4 large brads (these are for the feet...you know like 'posh bags have - sorry not photographed these), 2 mini brads, 4 eyelets, and a chain and charm or something to dangle.  You could add extra things into the front pockets too.  You will notice that the side gussets have some self adhesive hook and loop attached, to close it and hold it in shape.  As the handles are attached using eyelets, you will need to consider what you will put inside to cover the back of these...same with the mini brads (the 4 in the base are added before you join the middle 'bag' shape to the large one).  Do also remember to slot your chain on the front handle before you set the eyelets, unless it is one you can re open.  I found an old key chain, but I have used curtain rings and old bits of jewellery in the past.

Here is a close up of the dangling charm.  Whilst I have only used three graduating layers for the bag, as the original was, there is nothing to stop you having more.  Although, you may have to be quite a poet if you have more space to fill.  I made one about 5 years ago for a 21st and wrote a poem about this particular person and thier place in our family.  I made sure I could divide the poem down into 10 sections, printing each one and cutting and inking mats, so that when each section (page) was

turned, the poem flowed.  You could leave the last section for you to write your message, or alternatively, add a tag to the pocket.

The one to the right was the very first one I made for my mum for Mother's day - still stored safely and treasured by her...nine years later !!!

I appear to have filled it with quotes about Mother's and punched flowers, gems & card candi.

The dangly was a curtain ring with a novelty from some Easter chooclate, if I remember correctly.  We crafters are very frugal :)

I am ashamed, although they were probably the 'in thing' all that time ago, but I also included wooden bees and dragon flies hovering over the punched flowers.  My, how times and fashions change.

Above all, have fun...it is quite therapeutic as well as exciting designing a handbag.

It is sure to please that special person, worthy of such a memorable keepsake.

Christine

Fun with Fabric

Well I decided to have a play with the fabulous So Soft Fabric paints by DecoArt...only £1.45 each in the webshop !!!! They are super soft brush-on acrylic fabric paints that are opaque and give excellent coverage and washing durability and don't require heat setting. Brilliant for brushing-on, stamping, sponging, or stencil painting.

These are the colours I stock which I feel is a good colour palette.  I made the flesh colour by simply mixing the pale pink, orange and white, and the browns by red/orange and a little black, and sometimes yellow to create a warmer, lighter tone.  There are so many possibilities to custom make an abundance of other colours just from these twelve.

If you don't feel confident drawing free hand - I would draw my design in pencil first and then go over it in a fabric pen - you could always use your stamps and either a fabric or a dye based ink.  The baby design I stamped using fabric ink, but the bag...and an apron reading 'Domestic Goddess' (not shown)  were stamped in a dye ink and have remained permanent after washing.  Because I was colour mixing, I felt it best to complete all that colour before moving onto the next.  Those paints were beautiful and fluid and painted on with a brush easily.  Whilst I have painted the baby design on a square of fabric, this easily could be incorporated into a patchwork project.  The dots were simply created with with the point on the brush handle.  The only other tips, besides working in one colour before moving onto the next, would be to think about what lies furthest away or underneath, when you  begin painting.  So I began with the flesh because it is 'underneath' and the clothes are on top. And be careful not to smudge your work.  Recommended drying time is 48-72 hours, although I washed mine in just over 40 hours and the colours remained fixed.

The possibilities of what you can personalise are infinite.  When painting on canvas you will find that you may need to stipple your paint into the grooves of the weave, and as a precaution, just in case the colour went through onto the inside of the back of the bag, I placed some scrap paper between the layers.  These paints are suitable for all ages and abilities....what fun you could have with children painting on plain T-shirts, it could even be a party activity.  So what are you waiting for ?????  Don't forget to email me photos of your creations :)

Christine

Gone Fishing

Here is a simple card I made and thought I would share with you.  We don't always have to produce elaborate creations, sometimes the simplest can be just as effective.

I began by making a card to approximately 6" square (this is just slightly under if you are using an A4 sheet of card as I had done).  I then cut diagonally on the front face, from the top left (spine) down to the bottom right.  I didn't waste this piece, as you can see in the photo below, I reduced the size and used it to make a mat on which to stamp my verse.

I cut paper mats for my front diagonal panel and the inside of the the back face.  I inked all my edges with a brown ink.

The image of the boy was stamped onto a piece of white card, and cut to a shape using a die.  The signpost was stamped and cut out.  Whilst you may not have the signpost stamp, most crafters will have something, even if it is just a flower than can be cut out to add dimension and interest to the front face of the card.  The 'Gone Fishing' sign was mounted in a book plate die shape, but this also could simply be double matted to stand proud.

I tied a length of twine around the back face before I added my verse mat, and tied a fish charm to it.  Just adding something to dangle adds interest.....oooh, now that sounds like I might be saying something rude !!!! 

On that note...I will be back next week :)
Christine

Wonderful Words

Words, and quotes, can be a wonderful inspiration.  There must be a quote or some words of wisdom for every eventuality or situation, be it good or bad, happy or sad.  I frequently use quotes in my card making, art journalling and scrapbooking.  They can sum up what I want to say far more eloquently than I can, or even be a source - a starting point from which my art emerges.

I created this book of words using two beer mats for the covers (new...and not pilfered !!) .  I cut the pages to the same size and rounded all the corners to match.  This is a great way of using up all those oddments of paper that would otherwise go ragged and become unusable.  Perhaps even include some of your favourite paper so you can keep some of it....if you are anything like me that has a paper fetish, I find it extremely difficult parting with favourites.  I generally have to have two lots, one to use and one to 'stroke' and cherish :)

I found an abundance of quotes on line and copied and pasted them into a Word document, that I had set up in columns, but a table would also work, just remember to remove the grid lines before printing.  This was to ensure that the quotes would fit onto my beer mat sized pages.  I played about changing fonts then printed them off.  Remember to credit the author of the quote, if there is one.

 I then cut them out, some with fancy scissors and border punches, others just straight and some with decorative or rounded corners.  I inked some, and others not. On some I collaged punched elements, others added peel offs, others I used border punches.  Some of the papers were busy enough and I decided to do very little with them.  You can play and embellish to your hearts content.  There are no restrictions, it is purely personal choice.

I then punched a hole in one cover, and used this to mark the position of the hole in the other cover, and then the pages.  I chose to do it this way and fasten together with a book ring so that I could add more pages should I wish.  Alternatively you might chose to Zutter bind it.  Whatever you decide, enjoy making it and using it for inspiration.

Christine

Envelope Card 2 (Wallet)

This card is made using the length of an A4 sheet of card, cut to 5" wide.  From the bottom of the card, and moving upwards, score at :   2 3/4"; 3"; 6"; 9"; 9 1/2".

I made two cards, long thin ones to sit on the upper two sections of the card when it is unfolded.  Don't fix the centre section card just yet, just in case you decide to add brads as the card will cover the brad wings. Try using contrasting colours.... it adds so much more interest.  The lower section, when opened, I matted a piece of white, giving me an area to write my own personal message.

There are many areas where you can add mats and embellishments.  Fold up from the bottom.  I added two flower brads, which  I could tuck the flap under to close the envelope.  Alternatively, you may use a magnet, or ribbon to tie it closed. 

Have fun :)

Christine 

Envelope Card 1

 This delightful project is an envelope and card all rolled into one.  The width is 11.5 cms cut down the length of an A4 sheet of card.  Rotate the card and score at 11cms and 22 cms, and use the remainder to cut a shape that creates a 5.5 - 6 cms flap.  You may choose to draw around a mug or a saucer, or alternatively use a die and run it through your die cutting machine.  You will notice from the first two photos on your  left that there is a turn, fixed with a brad, that moves over a 'plaque' in order to secure the envelope closed.  You will need to take the brad into consideration when decorating the sections with paper mats, as the lower inside section, will have to be added after the brad, in order to cover the brad wings and neaten your project.  The 'plaque' was made from a punched shape using a complimentary colour card and a disc of my chosen patterned paper.

My front face mat was also matted onto a piece of the complimentary card, to tie all of the frontal features together...gosh that sounds almost rude!!  The brad and turn (a shape of card that can rotate to form an anchor or 'stop' over the plaque) were then added.

 Inside, the upper section houses the card which sits on a mat in the complimentary colour measuring 10.5 x 10 cms.  
The card was made from a piece measuring  19 x 9 cms, folded in half to make a card 9.5 x 9 cms.  Other mats and decorations were added, staying within my chosen theme and a lining or insert, added in the matching papers.  It's a simple but effective project that won't take you long to make, but will greatly reward you when the recipient sings your praises :)
 

Have a go...it only takes 2 pieces of card, a brad and some patterned paper.

Keep Crafting !!!

Christine

Box of Cards

 Today I wanted to share a natty little box that houses 6,  4" square cards and envelopes.  It was something a friend shared in Thursday craft group a few weeks ago.

 I believe it was from a magazine that she had purchased.  The main body of the box is made from a sheet of A4 card, cut to 17 x 25 cms.  The score lines are marked with the dashed line, and the solid pieces are to be cut away.  Use a reasonable strength of card to protect the contents within.  Fold into shape and use a good adhesive to secure the sides.

The lid is oddly sized, as you need the extra couple of millimetres to allow for it to slot over the box body.  So a piece measuring 9.2 x 17.2 cms, scored at 3 cms from each edge, and solid notches removed.  Again make up into shape using a strong adhesive.  Make sure the lid correctly fits the box body before you start decorating it.

I kept it simple, using the fabulous Floral Pavillion papers by First Edition.  I measured each of my exposed surfaces, and made a mat for each which was slightly smaller.  You may decide to ink the edges, or....before you stick it together, in it's flat position, you may decide to ink it all and decorate with stamps instead.


Using the same card as that of the box itself, I cut 6 cards measuring 10 x 20 cms and scored them in half making 10 cms square.  I kept it quite simple, as these papers speak for themselves.  I made a slightly smaller mat for each, rounded the corners and trimmed each with different peel-offs. ( I aren't a peel-offs lover, but they do have their place now and again.  Plus I have an abundance that seem to just sit collecting dust  !!!!)  I used a die to punch a small shape to add to each, and just selected 2 complimentary colour inks that worked  with my chosen papers.  I kept my

 sentiments quite generic, as I felt this would make a nice gift for someone to have cards handy when they just want to let someone else know they are thinking about them, for whatever reason.....'Thank You', 'Just to Say', 'With Love'.  I happened to have these amongst my vast array of stamps, but didn't have one for the front of the box, so I chose a similar (not quite) coloured pen to the pink ink, and wrote 'Cards', mimicking the font as best I could..


I then made 6, 4" square envelopes, using 120gsm bright white copier paper.  It's a good enough weight for an envelope.  I started with pieces measuring 6 1/2" square (easily cut from A4 sheets) and used the Crafters Companion enveloper board.  You can make envelopes by simply folding in all your points of the square, making sure you centre area measures the required amount, rounding the corners, and fixing the bottom up and over the two sides.
Have fun !!!  
Christine