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!

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

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!

Thanks A Bunch!

 

 

Get the mini ones involved with turning trash to treasure for their special teacher. Americana Chalky Finish for Glass will transform any jar or bottle that was headed for the recycling into a pretty vase!

 

 

 

 

 The stunning new Diamond Press dies and stamps have been used to make a special tag. I love these sets, they are amazingly versatile and so easy to use.  The sentiment has been stamped in coloured ink to give it an extra wow!

 

 

 

Tie the tag to your jar with twine add a button and fill with flowers for a special gift.

 

 

 

 

It really is that easy!

Thanks for popping by

 

Cate x

Hand Stamped Wedding Favours

It's that time of year when we are making all things 'weddingy' and brides are busy putting the finishing touches to their special day.

Combining favours and place settings is a great idea, and means you can get really creative with creating special handcrafted keepsakes.  Our corrugated Kraft boxes are perfect for decorating and filling with the gift of your choice ( my favourite is wild flower seeds...a lasting memory for your guests!)

 

I painted my wooden heart blank using Refreshing Americana chalk paint...one coat was enough!

 

 

 

 

I always find it easier to start in the middle of my word when stamping as there is nothing worse than it being off centre when you have carefully stamped it all!

 

 

 

I tied the gorgeous lilac polka dot ribbon around my box first and then tied the heart to the bow using natural twine (I like to make life easy!)

 

Thanks for popping by!

Cate x

 

 

Glass Chalk Paint Bottle

 

Whilst browsing Pinterest recently I found a host of inspiration for decorating glass bottles and jars. Americana Chalky Finish for Glass paint is one of my favourite products ever...it's so easy to transform a jar or bottle that would have found it's way into the recycling bin, into something beautiful with next to no effort.

 

 

I dusted off my paint and used Collall glue to stick the twine in a heart shape on the glass bottle.

 

 

 

I painted the bottle and string with the chalky finish for glass paint, and hey presto I have a pretty rustic vase for my Peony...it really is that easy!

 

Thank for popping by

Cate x

Shabby Chic Tray

The papers in the Kaisercraft Cottage Rose collection are so pretty and can be used on all sorts of crafty projects. I quite often love the papers so much, that I can't bear to cut into them, or stick things on them...using this gorgeous paper on my tray was the perfect solution!

I usually use a crackle medium between my chalk paint layers, but this time decided to try something a little different.  I first painted the tray with Primitive Americana chalk paint and when it was completely dry painted over it with Promise Americana chalk paint (I was going to use my faithful white, but as I was trying something a little different...). I love these paints as no prep is necessary, they are so easy to apply, and leave a smooth brush free surface when dry.

I then used a sanding block to reveal the base coat of paint in places, I think it creates a lovely worn rustic look and shall be doing it again.  I wound some rustic twine around the handles and finished my tray by applying the beautiful paper to the base.  The tray has a glass panel so the paper will be protected.

I have to say I am quite pleased with the finished result! We are holding a workshop on the 9th July if you would like to make one yourself.

Thanks for popping by

Cate x