Inexpensive Christmas gift ideas

This faux leather photo frame was from B & M on the retail park near me. It's really nice quality. I added the rub on definition and the flower, and now it would make a nice gift, but I'm keeping it!! The cost? A mere £1.48!!!!

B & M again. These are heavy glass coasters which have and etched leaf image on them. I have decorated them by adding papers, photos etc and glued them underneath the glass. The challenge is attaching the papers so the glue doesn't show through. I'm pleased with he results. It's started me thinking about loads of other designs. My daughter Becky made a set of 2 to go on her bedside tables and they looked fab. These coaster cost 99p for a set of 6! Bargain :-)

Things I love!

What do you love about your home? It's easy to look around and think "this needs painting and I hate that" etc etc, but it's good to sometimes reflect on what works. Have a look around your home and acknowledge the things you love! In the spirit of Thanksgiving (one celebration I think we could adopt) lets be grateful for what we have. Here's my favourite bit in my home. It just makes me happy to look at it. One of the books is an old photo album I adore. Its not my family, unfortunately- but the photos are an amazing view into the lives of Victorian England. The watch is a German pocket watch given to me by my son. The others are books I got from a charity shop. They sit on a pine trunk in my bedroom and give me a sense of history every day.

Smoke and Mirrors

This picture better shows what I mean by the mirror effect!

Lazy blogger!

It's been a while! Lots of pics for you today. I can't believe I have finally finished a project!! My 'babies' board book is done! I used a mirror inside the back cover, and cut out some of the pages so that you can see through to it. The idea is that the grandchildren can look at pictures of them as a baby, and compare how they look now by seeing their reflection right next to the photos. I have also made a Christmas puzzle piece. This was made with a bob the builder puzzle (from my own personal collection - ha!) I put it together, and its supposed to be suitable for a 3 year old, but I struggled!! Then drew a Christmas stocking shape on it and cut away the bits outside of the shape. I covered each piece with some left over pretty papers, edged them with a gold leafing pen, and highlighted little bits with a Ranger glitter glue. It looks pretty when the light catches it.

NEC Hobbycrafts

I have had a fab morning exploring at the NEC. My amazing hubby drove me there so I could save my energy for shopping : ) I managed to spend a fair bit. Good thing its only on twice a year! My fave find was this inkssentials white pen by Ranger. It looked so good I got 2! So far, it seems to write in bright white, very opaque. That will be perfect for doodling. I heard you can use it on lots of different surfaces, including Fimo before its baked. I also got a flexible mould of keys and locks for friendly plastic, fimo etc. Can't wait to try it. The guy I watched doing the demo heated the friendly plastic and rolled it in to a sausage shape, then pressed it into the mould and let it cool for 30 seconds. He then took it out, dabbed some ink from his gold leafing pen onto his non stick craft sheet and used ranger foam to pick it up. He wiped it over the key and it looked really good. He then used some alcohol inks to distress it. He should win the prize for using the most products in one demo!!! I would have had to have them all, but thankfully I already had most of them : ) Hobby Horse crafts was another favourite, with all the very up to date stash and lots and lots of gorgeous projects on display. Rachel web site is http://www.hobbyhorsecrafts.co.uk/ and if ever you get a chance to visit its so worth it! Is a tiny shop, packed with goodies. The other product I am loving right now is the Heidi Swapp butterfly mirrors. I bought some from Jules at the last crop and used them all, so had to get some more today! Hopefully she will have more at the next crop. Check out Jules blog http://www.capturelifecreateart.blogspot.com/

Free Class!

If you are interested in hybrid scrapbooking, here's an opportunity you won't want to miss! Hybrid uses a mix of traditional scrapbooking and digital. Jessica Sprague is offering a free on-line class called 'stories in hand'. It sounds exciting- and I am going to have a go at this one. Be brave and join me on an adventure! Here's the link : http://www.jessicasprague.com/

Loving these....

Just think of the potential! But don't worry, there is no expensive price tag to this. I found tons of great down loadable templates on the Maya Road web site for FREE! There are some fab shapes, all you have to do is print the pattern, trace onto chipboard (cereal packets work well) and cut them out. You could then use the Bind It All or some jump rings as shown to hold it all together. Here's the link: http://www.mayaroad.net/index.php?main_page=creative_templates

Enjoy!

Yeh! Saturday's Crop !

It's that time again! Saturday it's our 2nd crop in our new lush venue, the Huntington Community Centre in Cannock. I hope to be doing a demo on some Christmas ideas. Just need to get the stuff together. I am planning to get some serious scrapping done and finish my 'babies' book at the crop. Don't forget to bring some lunch with you, and whatever you want to drink. We will provide the milk. Look forward to seeing you there: )

Inspiring stuff

Loving this mini book- I have to have one!There's some cool Christmas mini books on Teresa's website if you are looking for some inspiration! Keep scrolling down on this page - there's a lot to see! http://www.teresacollins.typepad.com/