CRAFTY DAY 20 - DOCUMENT HOLDER

Todays crafty offering is a document holder. Perfect for letters, cards, photos etc.  Super easy and will look great when in use.

MATERIALS

Old thick book
Glue



Remove front pages of the book til you get to the first page of text, repeats for back of book. Glue first page down onto cover and repeat for the back.  Now you need to start folding each page in half.  When you get to the end that is it The End - you have now completed a recycled book project that will be used everyday. Experiment with different types of books, atlas, dictionary road map books etc.  Now all you ned to do is load it up with pics cards and mail etc. The book I used was over 100 yo and really poor condition. The paper is super thick and cracked and split along the folds, I like how the ragged edges of the folds looks, but if you want crisper folds use a book that doesn't have such thick, brittle paper.  You could also decorate the inside cover with fabrics instead of the book pages.  Or trim the covers back to the same width as the folded pages

CRAFTY DAY 19 - EASY NO COOK PLONKY RUM BALLS

Every Christmas we have a table of nibblies that last through out the day and this is one of our favourites.  Preferably I would use a stale cake, but left it til the last minute this year.  Stale cake means you can put more plonk in.  Onto the goodness

INGREDIENTS

Cheap fruit cake ( purchase  a week  before hand and allow to go stale)
Coconut
Chocolate sprinkles
Rum





METHOD


Cut your fruit cake into chunks and put them in your food processor.  Process them to a crumb.  Add about a half cup coconut.  Slowly add your rum until it forms a firm dough.  Take dough out and wrap in gladwrap, and place in fridge for 1 hour.  Remove from fridge and form into balls, roll in chocolate sprinkles, and your done.  Store in a single layer in fridge until required

CRAFTY DAY 18 - VINTAGE PAPER GARLAND

This beautiful garland is soooo simple to put together and looks fantastic hanging across the top of my little girls bedroom door.  It would be lovely also if the flowers where cut out of scrapbooking paper, wrapping paper or even childrens old story books. I am fortunate enough to own a Sizzix die cutter so that part of the job was alot easier. I made a gingerbread man one for christmas.

MATERIALS

Old book, paper etc
Die cutter - or you can cut them out by hand
two jump rings
Sewing machine








Cut out your preferred shapes.  Thread your machine with a contrasting or complimentary thread colour.  Leave yourself a good length of tail on your machine before starting.  start sewing across the top of your cutout.  Try to avoid sewing across any open centres in your cutouts as the machine will tend to gather it.  Whilst feeding your flowers into the machine keep a tension on the thread out the back with your other hand.  You will feel the bobbin feed out a length of thread (things will loosen up) this is when you should feed in your next flower.  This allows for a nice spacing between flowers.  When finished leave a good length of tail thread.  Tie a jump ring to each end of the garland and trim of excess tail threads.  And you are done.

This was the first garland I made and you can see where sewing across the spaces of the cutouts in some places has caused gathering.  I had also not worked out the spacing issue.  Will be definatly making this one again.

CRAFTY DAY 17 - TIE BELT

I have been getting into the tie crafting thing lately and will share a quick and easy one with you all here today.

MATERIALS

Mens tie
Buckle
Scissors
Needle and thread






Measure your waist and add 12 inchs. Starting from the widest end of your tie measure off and cut to size at the narrow end.  Wrap cut end of tie around the centre bar of your buckle, making sure the right side of fabric is facing the front.  Sew with a few stitches to secure.  It will also pay to secure the centre back seam of the tie with stitching as well, as this is usually only held together with a loose tack stitch. Just make sure you are not sstitching through to the front of the tie.  And that is it you are done and now have a one of a kind fashion accesory that will look great in any wardrobe.  Make a whole bunch to give to friends, experiment with this basic design by adding buttons etc.

CRAFTY DAY 16 - UP MARKET ENVELOPES

A nice, quick and easy craft for you today.  I have been making these envelopes for years and have had heaps of compliments for them.  You will enjoy making them so much you will be begging everyone for there old calanders. The ones I am making today are ironically made from a childrens book called Every Monday In The Mailbox - perfect for envelopes I think.

MATERIALS

Old calenders, large books etc
Envelope
Heavy card
Scissors
Double sided tape
Pen or pencil
Sticky labels





Carefully undo all seams on your envelope, I have used a business size envelope here which has a nice square shape. You could even create your own pattern if you wish.  Open your envelope out flat and trace around it onto the heavy card.  Cut the card out - this is your template.  Place yout template on your choosen material (calender etc) and trace around it.  Fold all edges firmly and unfold flat.  Place tape on tabs and  re-fold.  Turn to the front and place an address sticky label. and your done.  Just use double sided tape to close before posting.  And you are done. No excuses now not to send a good old fashioned letter.

CRAFTY DAY 15 - BOYS BEDSIDE LAMP REVAMP

So I saw these lamps, and I knew I just had to give it a go for my young mans room.  I picked up the lamp at the local opshop for $5-, all the little toys came from the toys box.  Dad was informed that Mum was stealing all the toys.  Dad explained why I needed them which allowed me to get to it.  Make sure you use plastic toys, do not use soft toys. So onto the fun

MATERIALS

Lamp Base
Assorted toys
Base spray paint
Spray gloss paint
Masking tape
Plastic bag
Hot glue
Lamp shade

Give lamp a wipe down and wash and dry toys if required.  I started with my big toys first, glueing as you go. Arranging and glue the other toys til you are pleased with the look.  Cover the top section where the connections for the bulb are with masking tape, place power cord in plastic bag and tape close to base of lamp.  Spray the entire lamp with the base paint spray - I didn't do this and it took heaps of coats of colour to cover the darker sections of toys, this wouldn't be an issue if using a darker colout, but with lighter colours it may pay to undercoat first - Allow to dry and then spray with the main colour. Do several light coats to make sure paint doesn't run or drip also use short bursts of the nozzle directed at the hard to get at places, all the nooks and crannies that you will have.  Allow to dry well before coats.  This lamp has about 8 seperate light coats, and in some places ( the darker areas) more.  The lamp shade I had was the wrong colour (coffee cream) so I also sprayed this lightly as well with a couple of coats.  Put it all together and you have an amazing piece of lighting for your young one

CRAFTY DAYS 11 / 14 - BEDROOM MAKEOVER FOR $23

BEFORE

AFTER

Yes thats correct your eyes are not playing tricks on you. A bedroom makeover for $23- is possible.  My daughters room was so bland.  The walls had been painted over three years ago, way before she was born, and nothing else had been done to the room. So it was well overdue for her to have something special in there.  So I started by collecting the big stuff she would need.  From the tip I got a lovely timber and black metal framed bed, a gorgeous thick white rug, a vintage birdcage and two beautiful vintage looking tables, and a small lamp all for FREE.  From the op-shop I picked up the absolutely perfect vintage bedspread for $3- and they gave two sheets one light pink and one dark pink from their rag bags for nothing.  Down to the cheap shop to buy some carnival beads for $2-50 and spray paint in pink, black and silver.  And that is it, anything else I needed I already had in the craft room.

Needless to say the bed, the rug and the lamp where the easy bits as I needed to do nothing to them, they where used as is.

The tables had a good sand down and scrub and where then painted.  The body of them and the handles where done in gloss black and the drawers in gloss hot pink.  So pleased and proud of how they turned out.  My hubby gave me that "I don't know about that idea" look - but he is also pleased with how they turned out.

The bedspread and the dark pink sheet where made into a doona cover and pillowcase.  This is a simple task, get your measurements from existing linen that you are using and simple straight sewing will hold it all together.  I didn't have enough of one fabric to make a solid pillow case so patched the scraps from the bedspread and sheet together for a matching pillowcase, again easily done by taking measurements from existing linen.

For the light covering I used the birdcage. I removed the base, sprayed it silver and hot glued the carnival beads to it, the cap at the bottom is an old enamel tin lid that I sprayed pink and hot glued to the bottom to cover the untidy bead ends. It is suspended from the ceiling using four cup hooks.

 And VOILA that is it.
 Put it all together for a beautiful stunning girls room. 

CRAFTY DAY 10 - TAPE MEASURE BRACELETS

Okay so I have several tape measures that don't quite measure up anymore.  You know the ones that get caught under the rotary cutter etc.  I have seen bracelets made from them on various sights but have always thought they looked a bit simple.  Today I have upped the ante on tape measure bracelets my friends.

MATERIALS

Tape measure
Large split rings or similair
Necklace end/clip/finding (sure they have a techy name)
Hot glue
Buttons,
needle and thread
Sewing machine
grommets (optional)


Remove the metal tab from the end of tape, thread on ring and turn over 1/2 inch, catching the ring in the turned over section.  Sew this turned over section down with the sewing machine. Alternatively you can secure with a couple of small grommets.  Measure wrist and cut tape to size, allowing an extra 1/2 inch. Open other split ring and thread on the clip, close ring and thread onto tape measure, turn end over 1.2 inch and sew down the same as the other end.  This is your basic tape measure bracelet.  To fancy it up add a couple of buttons, sew them on and glue final button on top to cover thread.  Alternatively you can make a flower from some of the remaining tape and glue to the basic bracelet.  You will get heaps of basic bracelets out of one tape measure.  Perfect quick gifts for crafty friends

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CRAFTY DAY 9 - AWESOME EASY RINGS

OK so I have a rather large button collection, and have always wondered what to do with them.  I have always loved playing with them especially as a child there was nothing like mums button tin to keep you busy for a while.  I know my little ones love playing in mine.  I found some cheap adjustable ring mounts in the craft store today and  todays crafty awesomeness was born. I was going to make some earring as well but in my eagerness I only bought the backing bit and not the stud bit, so that will have to wait for another day.  But feel free to try earrings as well they are just as easy.

MATERIALS

Buttons - in various sizes and colours
Adjustable ring mounts
Glue gun / or epoxy glue
Pliers
Felt






Use the pliers to snip of any shanks on the backs of buttons.  Layer the buttons into pleasing colour combinations.  Glue together then glue to ring mount.  Cut a small circle of felt to colour match the bottom of your base ring, cut a slit 3/4 way across the middle and glue this over the ring mount to cover and neaten the look on the back.  And you are done and for next to no $$$ you have some fashionable quick accessories.

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CRAFTY DAY 8 - CROCHET CANDY CANE DECORATIONS

I have been making these little candy cane cosies  for years.  A little treat to hang on the tree and reusable every year.  Simple to make and whip up in about ten 15 mins

MATERIALS

Candy Cane lollies
Yarn
Crochet hook
Large eyed needle
Scissors
Large eyed needle





Make a chain as long as the length of your candy cane and add ten more chain. *One  Double crochet and one chain into third chain from hook, skip one chain into next chain one double crochet and one chain* repeat *-* to the end. Do not turn work. Now this is where it might get a bit confusing.  You will now be working along the otherside of this ladder (your base chain). On the top of the ladder where you finished crochet 1 single crochet, 3 double crochet one single crochet, 3 double crochet 1 single crochet. Thats the end done, now into each gap in the ladder *1 single crochet, 3 double crochet, 1 single crochet* to the end.  Finish off and sew in tails.  Crochet a string of 30 chain finish off, this will be for hanging.  Now weave your candy cane through the rungs of the ladder.  A dab of glue at each end will keep everything in place. Tie your chain to the top of cane.  And you are done.

CRAFT DAY 7 - SANTA'S MAGIC KEY

So my kiddies are at that age where they question everything, so planning to pip them at the post with this one.  How is Santa going to get inside to leave presents when we don't have a chimney?  Good question and I have an answer - Santa's Magic Key - now I know there are alot of these on the market, but I wanted to make ours special.  We have two keys, the large magic key that gets left hanging on the front door, and a smaller regular sized key that Santa leaves next to his plate.  I explain to the kiddies that the magic key got smaller so Santa could come inside and that by next year it will have become a big magic key again.  Just be sure to not leave both keys out - kind of spoils the magic part.

Materials

Large decorative key
Smaller regular key
Ribbon
Gold paint
Card
scissors
Note to Santa x 2
Glue



SANTA NOTE - Add your childrens name at the bottom and print x 2

Dear Santa,

We don’t have a chimney

As you can plainly see

But we would still like you to visit us

And leave gifts beneath our tree

Our Mum says this is a

“Magic Key”

Which will let you visit us

There is cake and milk inside for you,

 And if you wouldn’t mind to much

Please leave the key beside the plate,

So next year you can come again

Love

Spray your keys with the gold paint and allow to dry.  In the mean time cut out your Dear Santa notes. Cut your card a 1/4 inch larger all round than your notes, you will need two of these.  Spray the back of your card gold and allow to dry.  When dry turn over and spray the front.  When dry glue your notes to the front, punch a hole in the corner of your card and thread a piece of ribbon through then your key, tie off. This ribbon needs to be long enough to go over your door handle .  Add more ribbon and tie to your key.  Repeat for the second key.

CRAFTY DAY 6 - HOME MADE CHRISTMAS CHEER

Every year and only at Christmas time I make my Christmas tipple.  It has become a family (grown ups only) tradition.  So as Christmas is for giving I am sharing my favourite Christmas dish with you all.  And by dish I don't mean you drink it out of a bowl - but feel free if you want to. This will make 1.125 litres, but I warn you you will have to make more as it is very moorish

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whisky
300ml cream
400g can condensed milk
3 eggs
3 tblsp chocolate sauce
1/2 tsp coconut essence

Blend together condensed milk, cream, eggs and coconut essence. Blend well. Add chocolate sauce and whisky.  Blend well.  Bottle and store in refrigerator.  Will keep for up to 2 months - if you can keep away from it for that long

CRAFTY DAY 5 - CROCHETED CACTUS

This crafty idea came to me in the middle of the night - as all good crafty ideas do - and whipped it up in a couple of hours.

MATERIALS

Crochet hook
Green yarn
Pink yard (small amount)
Stuffing
Bottle brush
Small pot
Cardboard
Needle
small pebbles
Glue gun
scissors
ruler
pen



With your green yarn crochet 25 chain and join to form a loop.  Crochet 20 single crochet onto loop. continue singe crochet to form a tube.  When at the desired length decrease crochet to close the tube. With the pink yarn make a six stitch chain, join to form a loop. into loop make 1 single crochet, 1 double crochet, repeat four times. Secure end and weave in tails.  Stuff the green tube, leave end open.  Glue flower to the top.  Cut some of the bristle of the bottle brush. Dip end of bristle into nozzle of glue gun and place a bristle in each single crochet of the green tube. Trim to length. Measure your container/pot and make a carboard stand to fit inside, glue your cactus to the top of the stand and place it into the pot.  Glue small pebbles around the cactus to cover the cardboard.  And there you have a beautiful cactus that no-one can kill.  Experiment with size, shape and colour to make a colourful cactus collection

CRAFTY DAY 4 - CROCHETED NECKLACE

While going through my large button bucket I found a heap of metal rings that I had recycled from old bags and todays crafty offering was born.  And of course a couple of hours of no housework

For this crafty goodness you will need
Crochet hook
yarn or cotton
metal rings in various sizes
large eyed needle
and a couple of hours

1. Single crochet through your metal ring until the ring is tightly covered and cannot be seen.
2. Tie the ends together and leave long tails for easy joining
3. Arrange your rings in a pleasing design, and using the tails tie them together. Weave in loose ends and cut of excess
4. Crochet a length of chain. making sure it is long enough to go over your head. and join to your rings.  Alternativly make two chains and use jewellry findings to make closure at back
5. Enjoy your home made accessory

CRAFTY DAY 3 - EASY CHRISTMAS WREATH

This easy Christmas wreath will take you less than 30 mins and less than $5 to make.  A great way to re-use those broken decorations.

Materials
length of poly pipe and joiner (mine was approx 60cm long)
1 x 2m length tinsel
assorted mini decorations ( I picked these up at the op-shop for $1)
1/2 meter ribbon or fishing line (for an invisible hang)
glue gun

NOTE : the crepe paper in the pic didn't end up getting used

1. Join the poly pipe into a circle with joiner.  
2. Wrap the tinsel firmly and evenly around the polypipe secure with glue
3. Remove the tops from the decorations, apply glue to top of decoration and glue onto tinsel
4. Attach a loop of ribbon or fishing line for hanging

CRAFTY DAY 2 - TEENS "T" TO TOT'S NIGHTIE / DRESS

With the weather warming up my beautiful 3yo daughter needed some nighties for those warmish nights.  Checking out the prices of new nightwear $10- and upwards put me on the path of finding a cheaper alternative. I had been given a bag of clothing with a few teens t shirts in it, with great little designs on the front.  And with minimal time - 10 minutes - and a little stitching on the machine she now has three new nighties to see her through the summer season.  And could easily double as a summer dress.

Materials
Old t shirt
Hat elastic
Large eyed needle
sewing machine

Thread elastic onto needle and thread through the neckline binding - tie in  a knot, Repeat on the sleeves.  Turning your t shirt inside out, mark where you would like your waist line to be.  Holding shirt upside down and inside out fold over top (bottom) section useing your marked line as your fold line. The shirt at this stage should be a tube with right sides together.  Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the fold to make a casing, leave a space to thread elastic through.  Thread elastic throught the casing and secure with a knot.  Turn in the right way and Voila you have a for a low or no cost a cute nightie or dress all ready for summer. A little ribbon bow on the sleeves and at centre front on the neckline would really dress it up.

CRAFTY DAY ONE - FOR THE XMAS TABLE

Ok, so this year we are having a girlie Christmas.  Pink and Purple tree, decorations, paper etc.  So I decided that we needed some yummy looking table wear.  Of to the hardware for spray paint and the op-shops for old crockery, and we have some girlie stuff for the table. The bowl will hold lollies and the jug will have something in it (not food)

Wash and dry your items well, and spray. Easy peasy

For the jug I sprayed it pink first them put on some sticky dots - sorry forgot to get a pic of that stage - then sprayed purple.  Make sure your item is well dry and then carefully remove the labels.  I was a little impatient and some of my pink paint came off, must not off let it dry properly.  You will also see in the pic that the purple spray is not very even on the insIde top of the jug.  Just take your time and let it dry well between coats.

WELCOME TO A CRAFT A DAY

As you can probably deduct from the title of this blog, I would rather be crafting than doing housework.  If you look in your dictionary CRAFT comes before HOUSEWORK, and this is how I think it should be in life as well. Any avid crafter will understand that the mess made when crafting is easier to clean up afterwards and use it as an excuse to do the housework. I have been an avid crafter for years.  My earliest recollection is making a HUGE robot out of cardboard boxes and a patchwork skirt when I was 10yrs old.  Needless to say I have done a tonne more crafting since then.  I have worked in many mediums, beads, scrapbooking, sewing and patchwork, stained glass, recycled and just general crafts.  I hope to post on here everyday a craft that I am working on, even if  it is an ongoing  project or a quick one that can be done in a couple of hours.  There are heaps of quick, easy and cheap crafts out there that I have been wanting to try so will post them here as I do them.