Wow I know you can do so many wonderful things with paper but have you checked out Sarah from Quilt Fabric Delights Blog, she is one Crafty Mumma.

I am yet to venture out into the world of fabric, I haven’t even used it in any of my layouts yet but never say never. My first experiences with sewing weren’t the greatest. Remember the old home ec room and having to make a pencil case and other little nic nacs which were in anticipation of the big one…the big end of year creation. I chose a skirt, a full length skirt at that, with buttons right down the front and a pleated waist area. It seemed to take a lifetime to finish, which is why I think I was completely turned off by sewing however I did wear that skirt for quite awhile so it can’t of been that bad!

But you really need to have a look at some of the wonderful things that Sarah has done with fabric. I’ve borrowed one of her images just to show you but you really need to go take a look for yourself.

After the birth of my niece in December, it took me quite a while to complete her gift, but complete it I did, and this is how it turned out.

 I am really pleased with it, and it was quite a learning curve for me too, with the rounded edges etc.  I also  made this matching photo frame and both were very well received.

When my girlfriend gave birth to her first baby on Saturday night, I immediately went into action, creating this box and card in a very short space of time (I had two boxes painted – one in girl colours, the other in boy colours – just wating to be covered!!).  I was really pleased with the way it turned out, and so was my girlfriend and her husband.

It’s made me get the creative bug back, something that I haven’t had in some time!  I’m looking forward to completing another couple of “off the page” projects soon (I have a bookmark to make for our She-essence Creative RAK as well as a matching photo frame for this box) and completing some long overdue LO’s.

Where is your scrapping at present?  Have you created any OTP projects lately? And what inspires you?  We’d love to hear about it

It makes sense really, don’t you think?  To measure things twice, and to cut once?  But what about when you’re doing something for the fist time, and you measure it twice, and cut it once, only to find out that you’ve still managed to cut it short and can’t make it work? 

That’s what I did last week, working on a new shape Keepsake box for my newborn niece.  It’s a cigar box shape, so it’s got rounded ends… and I forgot to leave the extra room for the radius edge (I cut it to the flat edge)!  As I’m big on papers (who isn’t really!), I usually buy twice as much as I need, however in this instance, the LSS shop only had just enough of what I needed.  So yep, you guessed it; I’ve had to wait for more stock to come in!

So why am I telling you this?  Because I wanted to share with you what I’ve since learned, and that some of you may already know.  When working with something new, use old stock, or even blank paper.  That way you can make yourself a template and write all the dimensions onto it for easy reference next time!  Then when you go to use your lovely printed (and often expensive) papers, you’ll know the measurements are going to be right. 

What about you?  Do you make templates first so that you’ve got a reference point for the future?   A little bit of extra work in the beginning means less heartache and the chance of fewer mistakes in the long-run.  I’ve certainly learned my lesson!!

Dannielle

Hi there

My name is Dannielle, and I just wanted to introduce myself as the resident “off the page” freak   I love altered items; tins, notepads, boxes, photo frames… I’ll try anything once   If I like it, I’ll do it again!!  I love the satisfaction of decorating something quite ordinary and creating something a little extraordinary

My latest project was a small trinket box for a RAK…  I purchased a simple mdf box from Riot Art and Craft, removed the hinges and latch, painted it, lined it with foam, then covered it with some gorgeous scrapbooking paper I had on hand and sanded all the edges.  I put the hinges and latch back on, and completed the box with some stickers and a rub-on.  I was really pleased with the outcome, and so was the recipient!!

I’m definitely doing this again!!!  I’m off to Riot tomorrow to pick up a few more boxes   Catch you when I’m done!