Craftseller free papers challenge

Well I thought I would set myself an Easter challenge.  I was given a subscription to Craftseller (a fantastic mag) for Christmas and this months issue came with some lovely free papers.  So rather than stashing them away for a rainy day I decided to challenge myself to see how many projects I could create with the papers.  Here is a picture of the things I have made so far.  Believe it or not there is plenty of paper left to create some more things!

I created a flower exploding box card, a 5" smash book, a mini book and a photo box!

This mini book uses one peace of 6"x12"  paper.  I have used thin card to make the cover, then covered with one of the lovely papers.

This little box comprises of two oragami folded boxes hinged together.  There is a magnetic strip around it.

Once opened ...

... there is a concertina mini photo album!

Here is the smash book I made.

Some pages contain tabs.  

There are even some little pockets!

Well what do you think??? I loved this challenge and has been a lovely way to spend a few hours!

I wonder what else I could make with the left overs?!?

xxx

A Craftea Afternoon

Well the sun was shining and the door flung wide for our Craf-tea afternoon.  The wind didn't enable us to enjoy it outdoors unfortunately but we still had great fun.  Today we made Easter Baskets and Easy Peasy boxes! Not to mention eating cake and drinking tea! (it's amazing what you can do in two hours!)
Here are some photos, they seem a bit dark i'm afraid, as despite the sun, the shades I had put up outside cast quite a shadow.

Some of the creative chaos...

... but look what we made!

Thank you so much girls for coming along.  Hope the bingo winners enjoy their kits!

BOOM!

I am really loving these exploding boxes!  Here is another exploding experiment. 

Inside the innocent looking box is ...

...another little box and inside...

boom! 

This exploding box has 8 opening layers, each one is rotated slightly to add an interesting effect!  The box in the middle could reveal an Easter treat! Maybe a chick or a small egg! Mmmmmm  (there isn't one here because if I bought one I would more than likely eat it before it got to having its photo taken!) 

Latest crafty endeavours!

Well the creative juices have been flowing in our house today and being that it is the school holidays I have had a very willing assistant.  Today's task was to create as few different samples for upcoming workshops!  I think I have unleashed a demon in the process however.... paper creations everywhere!

Exploding Photo box

Inside the box are a selection of pages to flip forward and back, each containing photos or journalling.

6"x 6" variety boxes

Each of these three boxes are created using the same 6" x 6" card stock!  Just to show you the variety of sizes that can be created when you start with the same size card.

Small accordion photo box

Take off the lid ...

Open the sides to reveal two tabs ...

Pull them out to reveal an accordion photo album in each half!

There will be more coming soon I expect so keep checking back for more!!

Exploding Boxes!

Well I have been slowly preparing another workshop!  It isn't quite ready to test on willing crafters but here is a preview of some of the exploding boxes I have made!

Here is an unexploded, exploding box!  You lift the lid off and ....

The inside pings open to reveal a bunch of flowers.

This exploded box contains a 3D Christmas tree.

I do have a few more ideas for a few other designs so  watch this space and don't forget if you are Dorset  based and wish to book a workshop please don't hesitate to contact me.

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!!!!

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.