Christmas Craft Parties

Well it is coming up that time of year.  Argggg some would say, and to be honest, when the first Christmas craft displays started showing themselves in the local shops in late August I had to immediately text everyone I knew to demonstrate my disgust at how early Christmas had started...However!!!!! I have decided there is too little time, when now in October, I have far too much to do!  I declared this year there would be 'NO MORE' Handmade Christmas cards for anyone and so far all the card making items are still safely stashed away in their respective boxes.  Don't let me fool you  though, there is Christmas everywhere in my craft room!

This year I am branching out into giving crafty parties and workshops.  After my very successful demo to the lovely WI from Dorchester I now have a party and another workshop booked.  As Christmas is nearing the theme for these will be ..... (wait for it).....CHRISTMAS (surprised?). 

Here are some of my creations, I will be making them into kits to buy so you can make them yourself or if your local you could always book a party and you and your friends can make some while having a glass of wine and friendly banter.  

Here we have two handbag boxes, lidded box, exploding box and a treat pocket.

Here is a close up of the treat  pocket.  An easy little craft which can be used for teacher gifts, friend gifts, tree decorations or even advent calendars.

This is the exploding Box close up.  Once the lid is removed the sides fall down to reveal a card and 3D Christmas tree.

Here are some of the creations the ladies at my last party created! We had a wonderful time and I was so impressed at all those creative juices flowing around!

Everyone got the chance to make a Handbag box with card and a treat pouch.  There was also time for some tea and cake and a raffle!  What a wonderful afternoon.  Thank you ladies.

If you would be interested in a party or demonstration don't hesitate to contact me on bouncytigglet@hotmail.com.  Keep checking here as new courses will be added soon.

Handbags at dawn!

Well it was nearly handbags at dawn! I was up early enough preparing some of these beauties for a craft demo I gave today for the lovely ladies of the Dorchester WI.  

What a fantastic few hours with a lovely bunch of ladies making these bags.  I really wish I had taken photos of their creations as there were some truly wonderful bags made.  These humble offerings were mine.  The larger ones are made from 12x12" scrapbook heavyweight papers, the middle sized one was 9x9" and the baby one 6x6".  The card you can see was an example of the cards we made to go inside!

Also hidden among these luscious girly bags is a 'man bag' (without a handle!) it is meant to look like a mans shirt, the tie lifts with the collar to reveal the box inside.  The paper I used for this was 12x11".

'But what could I do with them? I mean they look nice but...' I might hear you say.  Well in the past I have bought large tins of sweets and split them up between the bags so my daughter can give them as thank you presents to her teachers.  (that is if there are any sweets left I have tested a few out...wouldn't want to give them gone off sweets would I!)  Other ideas? maybe you could roll up a pair of socks, or pop in a lipstick and a mini tube of hand cream.  I occasionally sell my jewellery in them as they provide a good open space inside and look fab.

If you would like to see how to make these bags I did a tutorial a few years ago which you can find on this blog under tutorials, or follow this link http://alltcrafty.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/handbag-tutorial.html there are a few differences as I have developed the design since creating this video.

Happy bagging!!!!

Crafty Snowday!

Good afternoon ~ Hope you are all wrapped up warm out of the cold, I just can't believe how chilly it is out there, I think snow would be much more fun if a little more heat were involved and a lot less ice!  

It does make me laugh at how panicky people get when they think there is a chance they won't be able to get to the shops for a couple of days   Thursday night, on a quest for buy a few essentials, I stumbled into Tesco. I admit I had totally forgotten it was due to snow that eve, and although I had heard rumours I didn't really believe it would happen!  As I wandered the aisles I noticed how busy it was, there were far more staff out, filling the avenues of shelves with produce.  It took a while for the penny to drop as to why it was so busy, the SNOW!  Oh my word, the shop was heaving, people rushing around filling their trollies with necessities such as toilet rolls and beans.  The thing that made me laugh however amongst all the madness was that of all the things for people to feel essential to buy in such a situation were custard tarts! I mean honestly, have you ever been stuck in the house for a whole day and thought you were going to slit your wrists if you could't get your hands on a custard tart? Well??  I confess that I have never felt this worried, I have never felt the need  to sink my teeth into the custardy tart, in fact I have never really liked them.  A strange thing over came me all of a sudden, the immediate need to own a custard tart!  I must be missing out,  All those shoppers must know something I don't, Maybe they have healing or calming powers, maybe they de-ice your garden?  I will put it on my list the next time snow is forecast  Toilet rolls, beans and custard tarts!

We did get out and enjoy the snow, (without any custard tarts)  We even managed a walk through our local forest, it was so beautiful, and barely touched out there.  It was tremendously inspiring aswell!  

I managed a little crafting in between snowy adventures.  Here is a SnowBob!  He is so friendly and an awful lot warmer than a real snowman!!

I have also been busy creating AlphaBobs! They are learning to spell right now, here is a small band of Bobs who have managed to arrange themselves correctly without loosing their letters!

Believe me it took a long time to organise them!!!

If you would like to follow any Bob related news their facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bobs/411736175550743

My latest creative achievement however is this fab bag! I love it!  It is made from upcycling my daughters old jeans.  She grew out of them years ago and i saved them as I loved the decoration so much, so glad I did.  All the pockets are useable and it even has a large one inside.  The strap is extendable and even the buckles are recycled!

xx 

Red Flower bag commission

Well nearly the end of yet another week and a week closer to my due date! arghhhhh!  Still managed to get a little crafting done this week!  Here is my latest bag, a commission for a very good friend.  

 This two tone flap over bag is so great! I am just so pleased!  The bag is all padded with adjustable straps and as always recycled from reusing fabric!  Even the buckles and buttons are recycled.





This is the inside, showing the pocket detail and the two tone effect with the fabric!

This is my second go at a flap over bag and I have been so pleased with the results.  The only thing I really need to combat now is the fastening, It really needs to be adjustable so it can fasten no matter how much is in the bag! That will have to be my mission for the day!

My main intention for this lovely Thursday is to relax and play with my new birthday present! a Sizzix! something I have had my eye on for years! I am so excited! I def need a slow day so a quite crafty one will be ideal!  I am sure I will post some more creations soon!

New ReJenisis bags

Well I realise I have been totally terrible in keeping my blog up to date! thought I would post a couple of new pics. I have been busy experimenting with new bag designs and here are two of my latest creations!

Both these bags are made from upcycling unloved fabrics! the top bag has such a lovely soft lining with inside pocket and safety clip to attach your keys or phone (or child if you so wish!)

the bottom bag I have adopted as my work bag! I love it!  Whenever i make something new I try to use a sample to make sure the design is right and comfortable.  This bag has been great but I have learnt that the handles need to be a little longer, I like to get a bag over my shoulder sometimes and these are a little small!  The top bag has longer handles and is much more comfortable.

Top bag is currently for sale.  I will set up a new ReJenisis page soon so include everything available for sale and prices!

ReJenisis

Sorry I haven't blogged in such a long while! creativity left me for a while but is now back with attitude (hopefully for good, LOL)
I have been inspired by my original recycling challenge and been creating more items, all using upcycled materials.  I have a new name for my upcycled range ...ReJenisis.  Hope you like!

All these bags are made using clean upcycled fabrics and upcycled buttons.  Most bags have an inside pocket and a security clip to attach your keys or inner bag too.

All these lovely designs are created from upcycling water bottles!  Recycling doesn't have to mean ugly results!!

Christmas Goodies

Goodie Handbags

These adorable little handbags are ideal to fill with treat sized sweets for your little ones to give to their teachers this Christmas.

Each bag is £2.00 each and comes with a small card.

Christmas cards

These three cards are 15x15cm and each one has a raised embellishment.  Each card is individual and hand stamped and coloured.

Each card is £2.00 each

Mini Christmas Cards

These five mini cards are totally adorable and can be bought individually or in a pack of five.

Each car £1.20 each or 5 for £5.00

Round Robins Christmas Cards

Each card sports a different Robin theme.

Each Robin card £2.00

If you would like to purchase any of my Christmas goodies then please contact me, the sooner the better as far as getting orders out to you in time.  

Handbag tutorial

Hey there crafty people! I am afraid the quality of this video isn't very good, I think I need a new camera! still I hope it is helpful and shows you how easy it is to make one of these fantastic bags!!!!