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September 12, 2009

Scrapbooking – The Teen Years

Filed under: Scrapbooking — Tags: , , , , , — @ 7:33 am

Progressing throught the years we are now up to the  awesome teens. Again you don’t need a lot of crowded photos you want to try and capture a little bit about who they are. A single photo can work beautifully especially in the right setting.

Depending on the effect you want and  the era of the teenager you might want to use black and white or sepia photography. Old photos can be scanned onto your computer and touched up using a photo shopping program. If you scan on high resolution you can modify the image by cropping, removing unwanted backgrounds or foregrounds. Using a clone stamp tool you can remove marks or blemishes.

Decide on your theme or setting that has a connection to the teenager, for example a memory page. What were/are they into at the time, what were/are their hobbies or past times?   Choose a colour scheme or style to match the personality look around for ideas in magazines and ask yourself what your objective is with this stage. Use words to describe the person, their personality or their interests, ask friends or family for help.

So everyone knows a scrapbook is more than a photo album, it can also be more than a photo album with decorations, it can be a window to who we are, a cherished gift to ourselves and the people we love.

Enjoy :)

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September 4, 2009

Make your own Creams and Lotions

Filed under: Hand made gifts — Tags: , , , , — @ 3:02 pm

Making your own beauty treatments is easy and fun plus using natural ingredients is beneficial on your pocket as well as your skin. There are no preservatives so shelf life is short, keep in a cool place and don’t make large amounts unless you plan to give as gifts.

Avocado Body Cream

  • 10g beeswax
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 6 drops jasmine oil
  • 2 tablespoons rosewater
  • 1/4 teaspoon borax

Gently heat beeswax, avocado oil and jasmine oil in a double saucepan over simmering water. Stir until beeswax melts and mixture has a smooth consistency. Remove from heat. Blend rosewater and borax together, stir into beeswax mixture. Continue stirring till the mixture is cool then place into an airtight glass jar. This should give you about 1/4 cup of cream.

Honeysuckle Foot Balm

  • 1/3 cup lanolin
  • 3 tablespoons almond oil
  • 3 tablespoons glycerine
  • 1/4 teaspoon honeysuckle oil

Heat lanolin, almond oil, and glycerine in top of a double saucepan over simmering water, stir until combined and consistency is smooth. Add honeysuckle oil and remove from heat, stir continually until mixture has cooled . Pour into airtight glass jars and seal. Mixture makes about 1/2 cup.

Rose Petal Bath Oil

  • 1 cup fresh rose petals
  • 1 1/2 cups sunflower oil

Pack rose petals into a glass jar. Gently warm oil in a saucepan on very low heat. Pour the warm oil over petals and seal jar. Stand in a sunny spot for 2 weeks, shaking each day.

After 2 weeks re-warm the mixture on avery low heat, then strain through a fine strainer, muslin is best. Discard petals, pour oil into air tight glass bottle and seal. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

September 3, 2009

Handmade Book

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: , , , , , , , , — @ 3:44 am

Making your own notebook gives your journalling a lovely personal touch, they also make very special gifts.

What you will need:-

  • Heavy card or paper for front and back covers – decorate, paint or stain
  • A4 writing paper, drawing paper, craft paper or decorative paper as desired.
  • Embroidery thread
  • Large darning needle or punch
  • Blunt knife
  • Pegs or clips

Cut paper to the desired size for A4 paper in half is good. Cut the covers to match. Mark holes by measuring even spaces along the edge about 1cm in, to fit paper size and making sure you have an odd number of holes. For an interesting touch you can punch holes in a zig zag pattern instead of a straight line.

So the covers will open easily you will need to score the front and back with the knife being careful not to cut into the card. Score just to the right of the holes and fold over and back gently. Place the pages inside the covers and secure with clip or peg. Punch the holes in the marked spots with the darning needle then you are ready to thread.

Cut the thread four times the length of the book plus a little more to allow for tying off. Start threading from the top, put the threaded needle through the hole from the back through to the front then around and through the back again. From the front move down to the next hole and repeat all the way to the bottom. Once you have reached the bottom hole do a running stitch back to the top and tie both ends together.

September 2, 2009

Making Cards and Presents

Filed under: Kids Painting and Crafts — Tags: , , , , , , , — @ 4:48 am

If you give them the opportunity and a few supplies children will love making cards for their family and friends. They will get in and enjoy gluing and adding glitter or stickers, pictures or scrapbooking decorations. Build a little kit and keep everything together in a box ready to pull out for the next upcoming birthday or celebration.

Contents for you card making kit:-

Scissors, felt pens, glitter or/and gel pens, ccraft glue, stickers, glitter in a variety of colours, sheets of coloured cardboard ( I also keep any suitable card that might be in the packaging of purchases eg. sheets, shirts etc.), sheets of decorative or coloured paper, doilies, sequins, old cards, scraps, ribbons, paint, alphabet templates.

These items can also be packaged together in a presentation box and given as a gift. Presentation gifts packaged in boxes or baskets can solve the dilemma of what present to give when your never sure what to give.

A fairy basket for a little girls birthday makes a delightful present. Spray a basket pink or silver. Decorate the handle with flowers or/and ribbons and pack the basket with little girl gifts. A dainty necklace, ring or bracelet wrapped sweets in pink organza or satin and tied with a ribbon, flowered headbands all make perfect additions.

A pirate basket for a little boy can contain pirate goodies including a treasure map, gold chocolate coins, a pirate head scarf and eye patch. Many other present packs can be made themed to colours, letters, books and art.

You’ll never be stuck again.

Happy Parties :)

July 11, 2009

Checklist for Sewing

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — @ 10:01 pm

Choose the right fabric for the article and its use…

In order to make successful items it is important to select the fabric to suit the purpose you are making it for. So that you can choose suitable material, check the features of fabrics.

Whatever you decide to make its a good idea to ask yourself a few questions first.

  • Why are you making it? Is it for yourself or a gift?
  • What skills do you need? Can you cut out, pin, make the pattern and use the machine? Do you need to sew in a zipper? Can you nick and trim seam allowances?
  • What materials do you need? How much will they cost? Is the cost worth the time and effort?
  • What type of fabric do you need?
  • Carefully read all the instructions. Do you have everything you need? Can you do all that’s required?
  • Solve any problems before you start.
  • Now you’re ready to start. Carefully work through each stage. Solve new problems as you come to them. Adjust your plan if necessary. Work conscientiously to finish your item as efficiently as possible.
  • Evaluate your work. Did you learn some new skills? Do you need to improve some areas of your work? Are you happy with the quality of your item?
  • Consider what changes or improvements you would make if you made the same thing again.

Suggestions for simple articles to make to get you started…

Toiletry Bag, Cushion Cover, Tote bags, Oven Mitt,  Apron,  Pillow Case, Pencil Case, Beach Bag, Summer Tops and Skirts.

Have Fun:)

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