Flea Market Finds

Today trip to the Flea market resulted in only a few little finds, but since I've decided to resist buying any more suitcases or type trays the usual buys were off limits! There were chairs galore today for some reason, but I don't really need any more of those. Also it has been a bitterly cold day so a lot of the stallholders were packing up at lunch time.

 I got another green bottle to add to my collection, some numbers letterpress type for stamping onto price labels, a lovely old Christmas card and some Hornsea egg cups, which I am going to use to plant some tiny plants in.

Framed Moustache Artwork

My latest creation! This cute little unique framed artwork features a bushy moustache made from shrink plastic, and decorated with fun retro stripes.

The moustache is mounted on a brown kraft paper background and is framed by mountboard. The white wooden frame measures 11cm wide x 10cm high x 3.5cm deep. The moustache itself measures 3.5cm.

This would be an ideal little humorous gift for any male, especially if they're striving for a bushy moustache! Available here in my Love Local shop for £15.

Fabric covered notebooks

Having come across some rather dull and boring A6 and A5 hard backed notebooks I decided to brighten them up  using some of the fabric left over from making my Lampshades. I used some bondaweb to affix the fabric to the covers of the notebooks, and them I stuck in some colourful endpapers to neaten the look.

If you'd like to buy one they can be found on my Folksy shop. :)

New Lampshades

I have been working hard to create this little collection of lampshades!

I've made a selection of different sizes and patterns with some beautiful fabrics. I've listed details of each Lampshade beneath its photo, so if you're interested in purchasing one please get in touch with me via the link above. All my shades can be used as either a shade for a base or a ceiling pendant, as all the patterns will work equally well either way up.

I'm also happy to take commissions, so if you've got some fabric you would like making into a lovely shade please let me know! Claire :)

 

 

   

 

 Mint Green Medallions Lampshade

made with Metro Dot Medallions fabric in Sky by Cosmo Cricket 

from the Odds and Ends range by Moda.

Diameter 305mm (12") Height 240mm (9 1/2")

 

Green Circles Lampshade

made with Share The Joy fabric in Frosty Green 

by Deb Starin for Moda 

Diameter 255mm (10") Height 180mm (7")

  

Green Ladybugs Lampshade

made with Lady Bugs fabric in Storm by Tula Pink

 Diameter 205mm (8") Height 200mm (7 7/8")

   

Teal Bicycle Lampshade

made with Cruiser fabric from Lucy's Crab Shack range

by Sweetwater for Moda

 Diameter 155mm (6") Height 178mm (7")

 

 

Stripy Lampshade

made with Metro Bias Stripe fabric in by Cosmo Cricket

from the Odds and Ends range by Moda.

 Diameter 230mm (9") Height 250mm (9 7/8")

I made another Lampshade!

Happy New Year!

For my first proper project of 2013 I made another lampshade. I chose a tiny striped green fabric as I just love green and I thought a smallish pattern would look good on this lampshade, and it's always easier when the pattern can go either way up!

How to make a Christmas Gift Box

A couple of years ago I shared on Folksy this tutorial about how to make a Christmas (or any other) gift box, I just remembered about it as I want to make a little box for one of my Christmas gifts, so I thought I'd share with you here :)

How to make a gift box:
You need: A square piece of coloured card or an old greetings card (front and back)
A Ruler, a pencil, some scissors or a scalpel.

Stage 1
Find an old Christmas card and cut off the front page and put aside the back. Crop it to a square shape (if not already). Try to use a card larger than about 12cm square otherwise your box will be very fiddly and small! The finished box will be about a third the width of your card size. You can use any sheet or card if you want to or a large piece for a bigger box.

Stage1

 

Stage 2
Draw a line from corner to corner on the back of the card (dont worry this wont be seen) and then from the other corners. There shouldn't be any need to measure anything on the card. Now that you have found the middle of your square you can draw a vertical and a horizontal line. Draw from the corners of these lines some vertical lines, carry on until the back of your card looks like that of the photo.

Stage 2

Stage 3
Now cut and score the lines as shown in the image, using scissors or a scalpel 

Stage 3

Stage 4

Fold the corner triangles backwards. Then fold the two that are on the square sections into the middle. (you can fold them back again in a minute).

Stage 4

 Stage 5
Fold other sides into the middle as shown. Tuck the triangle edges inwards.

Stage 5

 

Stage 6
Fold the square sections over the top of the tucked in bits and the top of your box is ready. There should be no to stick it but you can if you want to. Repeat the whole process again using the back of the card to make the bottom of the box. It's a good idea to make the square in stage one a little smaller so that your finished bottom half will fit inside the top. Now you have a festive gift box and you can make any size you want!

Ideal Christmas Presents!

Are you still looking for a Christmas gift for a hard to buy for loved-one? how about an original screen print that hardly anyone else will have!

Here are some of my prints that are still available in my shop, just put one in a frame and it will make a lovely present :)