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Thursday 27 April 2017

My First Dabble At Sewing




Today we hosted our first sewing workshop with the lovely Debbie from The Stitch Workshop.  I haven't even looked at a sewing machine since school (30ish years!!) and really wasn't planning to get involved. I stroked and admired the pretty fabrics and eyed the sewing machines up...



The ladies were keen for me to have a go and eventually the lure of the fabric won. I am so very pleased it did!




Debbie is an excellent teacher, she is very calm and wasn't phased by my beginners ability.  I didn't even think I would be able to sew in a straight line, but Debbie went through the project step by step,  and to say I am thrilled with my finished pot is an understatement!

 

 I can't wait to see what Debbie has up her sleeve for next time, I think I may be getting the sewing bug (you were right Mum!).



We look forward to welcoming Debbie back in a couple of weeks for her next workshop...watch this space!



Monday 10 April 2017

How To Make A Tissue Paper Carnation

Have you seen the pretty tissue paper flowers that Nicky has made for our counter area recently...they are soo pretty!


We've had lots of enquiries about how to make them, so Nicky has done us a brilliant picture tutorial to show you just how easy they are to make!


Hello, Nicky here!
 You will need tissue paper, I had a pile of 5 sheets that I folded a couple of times to give me 15 layers, which I then die cut with a scalloped circle die.  You will also need a stamen, a die cut star in green, pierce-it tool, pricking mat and PVA glue.


Keeping all the layers together poke a hole through the centre.


Feed the stamen through the hole, then add a tiny blob of PVA glue and push the tissue paper up.


Next holding the tissue tight against the stamen head, scrunch one layer of tissue, being careful not to tear the paper.


Keep scrunching each layer separately until you reach the end, don't be tempted to do two layers, patience will be rewarded! If you find the layers hard to separate, lick your thumb and forefinger and grab the paper, pull your fingers apart and hopefully this should separate the layers.


Now that you have done that, start unraveling them! Again one layer at a time, if you get two layers they will create a funny looking ridge in the flower, again be patient!


Keep going! if you need to, a pair of tweezers can help at this stage. You may also wish to add a drop of glue to the stamen occasionally, but be sparing with it, no-one wants soggy flowers!


Hopefully you will end up with something that looks like this!


To finish the flowers, pierce a hole in the star, then feed it onto the stem and add some PVA.  Push it all the way up to the base of the tissue paper and hold for a few moments to secure.


If you wish to add these flowers to cards or scrapbook pages, wait until they are completely dry before cutting the stamen with wire cutters as close to the base of the flower as possible, You can hot glue them to your projects, or keep them on the stems and arrange in bunches in jam jars or on flower garlands.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch or come and see us in store.

Thanks for joining us today,
Cate and Nicky
xx
Tuesday 4 April 2017

Stix2 Demonstration Day at The Mulberry Bush


Last weekend we hosted a fab demo day with Michelle Johnson and Stix2. What this lady doesn’t know about Hot Glue, Glitter and Spray Paint, quite frankly isn’t worth knowing!


 Michelle is overflowing with brilliant ideas and the inspiration flowed all day (with just a quick break for lunch).

   The ladies that braved the traffic (and it really was dreadful due to a motorway closure) stayed all day and went home with lots of new goodies to play with…I hope they can remember how to use them!
 The fabric sprays are amazing and such beautiful vibrant colours, Michelle was keen to demonstrate that they are not just for fabric crafting. Oh no… they can be used on card and paper too, and Michelle had lots of techniques to show us with stamps, various sticky ‘stuff’ and lots of glitter!

 

I was most impressed to learn that making your own stamps is easy with Dies and Mount & Stamp foam…what a genius idea and so versatile!

 The mixed media iron is pretty nifty too and Michelle demonstrated lots of techniques using dies, sticky stuff and foils. We were all so inspired that Michelle has promised to come back and hold a workshop for us in May.

Thank you so much for a wonderful day!