Re-use...Re-cycle...Re-purpose...

...what ever you call it, it's making use of something you would normally throw away.

Food store cupboard items tend to come in all sorts of packaging. From the simple cello-wrap (as the item is intended to be decanted into your own storage) to the landfill nightmare of multi-layered but sturdy tubs & boxes.

Tubs like this...

...are far too useful to throw out and I have to admit that I do have a bit of a stock of this type of item. They make great gift containers or useful storage in their own right.
Just by covering in something pretty they take on a completely different look.

Anything can be used to cover these containers but the fairly recent trend of sticky-backed fabric in crafting has brought this type of re-purposing into the very quick and easy category.
They can be decorated with all manner of 'stuff' - this one has some double knit cotton that looks a bit like Baker's twine wrapped around...

...and a nice big button stuck on.
I have a variety of the cotton yarns as I've been using them for my Kumihimo braid making and they have been very handy for these pieces.

I also have a selection of the sticky-backed fabric - both of these are from DoCrafts Christmas ranges (Home for Christmas and the Christmas Boofle ranges). The sticky-backed fabric comes in 12x12 and these tubs are just the right size - one strip cut to the right height goes round and meets perfectly. The yarn is applied using DST. A row of tape wrapped around the tub is easily covered by wrapping the yarn around carefully to ensure all the 'sticky' is covered and then it can be knotted, tied in a bow or have an embellie stuck on to hide the ends.
The patchwork one will be for my desk at work to hold instant coffee sachets...

...the Christmas tree one will be filled with sweeties (nearer the time) and given as a Christmas gift - I'll probably add a tag and/or ribbon around the top.

So go on, take a look in those kitchen cupboards. What can you find to play with and make into something much prettier and far mor useful..............................................

What glues...

...do I use?

I've been asked what adhesives I use in my crafting so I thought I'd give you a peek at what I normally have to hand - I would say that I am not advocating any particular products, I'm just saying what works for me.
This pick is a general selection of what I normally use. One item missing is my Collall photoglue - I've just finished a tube and I know I have a new tube somewhere but where? that's the question LOL
For attaching flowers and most of my 3D embellies I tend to use 3D gel dots or Pinflair glue gel.
For most of my general sticking I use DST - normal white backing or the redline extra sticky stuff or my ATG. Glue pens are normally around in a number of formats - the Tombow that looks like a biro or the two-way zig pens. You will always find a bottle of Glossy Accents close to hand for 3D construction as it holds firm very quickly and can also be used as a glaze. There will also be a roll or sheets of DS foam to use when giving dimension to matting & layering.

As I said at the start, I'm not saying that any of these products are any better than others that you find in the stores but these seem to meet my needs. I do use other adhesives from time to time (prittstick, PVA, those mouse/snail tape runners) but on the whole, if I have a variety of widths in DST and this collection of goodies...I can normally cope with most sticking requirements.

Like many aspects of crafting there is an element of personal preferance when it comes to sticky stuffs - if you find something that works for you don't be afraid to try other things too but also don't be bullied into using something just because it is the 'latest thing' or someone tells you that you should.

If it works, stick with it (sorry, pun not intentional LOL).........................

Let's play...

...Bingo!

If you hop over to the "Just Magnolia and hAnglar & sTanglar" site you will see what I'm talking about.

The bingo line I chose to use was - Gems/Flowers/Ribbon & Lace
The base card is smooth white CS and all the PPs are scraps from my stash so I have no idea what makes/designs they are (sorry). I used this little Tilda bearing gifts as she can be coloured to suit any occasion (this time I've used fairly traditional Christmas colours)and there is lace on her pinny. Colouring is with Copics.
The image and matt were cut using the largest two scalloped ovals from my Nesties. I used some satin edged organza ribbon that blends with the colours on the PPs and some self-adhesive gems.
The flowers are a single spray of roses mixed with some white fronds (Martha Stewart punch).

Another Christmas card to add to my collection LOL

Thanks for looking..............................

How do I...

...answer your questions?

It would seem that my last post has sparked a few enquiries about my flowers so I thought I'd try and cover them all here.

1. How do I store my flowers?
These little snap-top boxes are ideal for the smaller blooms - they can be boxed by colour and it is easy to see what I have. These were a super bargain at 10 boxes for 99p in the '99p Store'.
Glass coffee jars are also a great way of storing stuff, especially larger quantities of flowers and of course they have an even better advantage - they are free.
Another storage solution for larger blooms & larger quantities are more storage containers - this was one of a set of 3 from 'Poundland'.

2. How do I decide what flowers I'm going to use?
Once I have decided upon my colour scheme I will collect together all the blooms that I have in suitable colours and sizes (these were the items I used for the card in the previous post). I might not end up using them all but they are there and to hand so that I can have a play around, I will normally pull out a few flowers and just lay them on the card to get an idea of placement. Once I know where I will be putting them I have a 'dry-run' of putting the blooms together to get an arrangement that I'm happy with...then I stick them down. Quite often as I'm doing this I will change my mind and take away or add blooms.

3. What do I use to stick them down?
This can depend on the surface I am sticking the blooms to - glitter card can be a bit of a trial at times so the Pinflair glue will come out for that. Sometimes I use Glossy Accents but I would say that most of the time I use Glue Dots and mainly the 3D ones (a bit like a circular blob of sticky clear jelly). They are about a 1/4 inch across so great for the larger blooms but they can also be pulled into smaller pieces for the smaller flowers.

4. Where do I get my flowers from?
For some reason, whilst I'm happy to 'make' flowers for my scrapbooking and altered art, I tend to use bought blooms on my cards...I think it is probably a time thing. When I'm making cards I don't want to be spending loads of time on the flowers (unless that is the feature) and I want the card to come together as quickly as possible...yep, I know; LAZINESS! but that's me I'm affraid and it's what works for me. I know flowers can be quite expensive (I can drool over some of those Prima blooms and sprays along with the rest of you LOL) but I try to keep a stock of assorted blooms that aren't too costly and that way I don't I have to scrimp on what I use. DoCraft promotions can be a great source of Anita's & Papermania and they are often on BOGOF or 3for2. The 99pStore, Poundland and The Works are also great places to pick up bargains but you have to grab them when you see them as you can't be sure they will have them next time you visit. Another great source of flowers that I discovered when I was really into my larger blooms on my scrap pages (remember those large Junkitz blooms that were all the rage...) is bunches of silk flowers. There are lots of varieties of flowers that can be pulled to pieces and you then have a selection of sizes that you can layer or use for different projects. Sprays of cherry blossom & daisies provide a surprising number of blooms. The 99pStore & Poundland is a fabulous source for these.

I also have lots of odds & ends - I was lucky enough to be given a bag full of Wild Orchid Crafts blooms & gems by a friend who no longer crafts and I am merrily working my way through them. Packs of kiddies felt flowers from the Early Learning Centre were a surprising find a couple of years ago (in their sale).

If you are willing to have a look around you will be surprised just what can be found and they don't have to cost the earth....................

A stamp-free post...

...coming up.

I have been so enjoying my colouring-in that it is a while since I made any cards that didn't involve stamps. Yesterday was the craft day run by Dawn (Bareham) and I made these 4 lovely cards...
This trio of Elegant Ladies involved decoupage, doodling, matt & layering and...
...gold leafing. The gold leaf didn't want to behave and a couple of the ladies there ended up 'wearing' nearly as much as they applied to their cards LOL and that wasn't all - trimming the feathers to decorate the cards ended up with us covered in those too...we certainly had a giggle - a great way to start the day.
This twisted easel card was decorated with more decoupage and some Glossy accents but there was more to come...
...the panels were edged with glitter so you can imagine by this stage we were all sporting a mix of gold-leaf, feathers & glitter and sticky/gluey fingers.
Next came a 'Magic slider' card. I made one of these a while back of a Christmas tree but I think I like this one even better. Here we have the outline of a sailing ship...
...and here we have the image in full colour - I do so love the way these work.
To round off the day we made a 'Penny Rocker'. The card is a folded circle so it can rock and on the front is a flower attached to a penny-slider so it can spin and move back & forth as the card is rocked.

I really enjoyed making all of these cards - such a lovely way to spend a day.

All the PPs & decoupage used on these cards came from a variety of CDs.

As we were leaving, Dawn reminded us that next month would be...Christmas in July..........................................

What do I think of my...

...ATG.

Having now had a chance to sit and have a play I can see why folk rave about this gadget. I wouldn't say I am at the 'love it' stage yet...but we are getting there LOL.

Despite its size and the fact that I have dodgy wrists I had no problem holding it - it is surprisingly light even with a full reel of tape inside. I'm not yet wizzing away with it but I am achieving smooth strokes which result in quicker crafting COS THERE IS NO BACKING PAPER TO HAVE TO TAKE OFF...Yeh!!!

The thing that took me a little bit of time to get used to was the trigger action. You place the ATG on the surface you want to apply 'sticky' to, squeeze the trigger and pull towards you. You then release the trigger and pull up from the item to 'break' the run of tape. This was the bit I kept forgetting and ended up with a few stringy messes of tape cos the ATG was still delivering. I think I have it sussed - SQUEEZE...PULL...RELEASE...LIFT.

After playing for a bit I used it to make a start on a Birthday Card book - quick, easy and no bits of tape backing everywhere. I'm still getting used to how close to the edge the tape delivers but that will come with practice and it will follow gentle curves without too much of a problem.

Would I have paid full price for this...not sure (still getting used to it).

Am I glad I have it...yes!

Recommendations; if you are thinking about one of these but are still uncertain - after all, it is a lot of money for a DST gun - try and find someone who has one so you can have a go. I think you will be plesantly surprised by the weight and handling of the item but it is still a case of how it feels for the individual when actually crafting. If you can 'try before you buy' that is great otherwise if you are able to treat yourself...go on, go for it..............................

I think I got a bargain...

...don't you?

For just £15 I got myself one of these...

So many crafters rave about these tape guns that I thought I would give it a go and started having a look around. Boy the prices varied - anything from £25 to nearly £40. At those prices I was tempted to give it a miss.

Chatting in my local craft store the other day I mentioned ATGs and Helen said she had one somewhere that she had never taken out of the box - a bit of rummaging and this ATG700 came to light...the box still sealed. She said if I was interested I could have it for £15...well, what could I say (LOL)...................