Hand printed gift tags
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Hand printed gift tags

I’ve been working with my Gelli plates to produce some prints for various uses. The first set have been used for making a fun multi-colour collection of all-occasion gift tags which will add a spark of interest even to the plainest gift packaging! They are up on my Etsy store and are selling in sets…

Santa’s washing line
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Santa’s washing line

This is a fun project which involves simple skills. Suitable for youngsters with a little assistance, but equally appropriate for adults. Personally I have used this decoration in several ways — as a unique Christmas greetings gift to friends — as a decoration for the tree and as a festive fridge magnet. I have created…

Pattern
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Pattern

So what is intended by the word ‘pattern’? You can find several definitions of this word on internet, and here are just a couple of them: A pattern is a regularity in the world, in human-made design, or in abstract ideas. As such, the elements of a pattern repeat in a predictable manner. Definition from…

Inspiration
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Inspiration

It can be a bit of a challenge to find inspiration — not everyone is brilliant at free-hand drawing and so when it comes to finding images for embroidery or card making (just to mention two possible situations) I believe many people turn to internet for suitable material. Something I have found to be useful…

Let’s share a simple skill
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Let’s share a simple skill

‘ojo de dios’ — Standalone tutorial — suitable for kids If you are looking for relaxation, but are hopeless at knitting or crochet, this very simple craft might be of interest to you. I have led a couple of workshops suitable for all ages, in the art of the traditional ‘Ojo de Dios’ (God’s Eye)…

Cross-stitch charts info
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Cross-stitch charts info

Downloadable patterns & charts for all levels of ability All cross-stitch patterns are created from my own designs or photographs — each pattern is supplied with a detailed colour chart for thread picking and suggestions for canvas type. The default chart uses DMC thread colourways as standard, but you can of course substitute with the…

New colours
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New colours

We have recently added some new colours for the multi-strand recycled textile necklaces which have proved so popular this year. You can now find them in purple, cream, coral, turquoise, mid-brown, black, olive green and dark red. Contact us via Etsy if you are interested and we will put your preferred colour up for you…

Large papier maché baubles
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Large papier maché baubles

Managed to get the tutorial done for the papier maché baubles if anyone is interested. You will see that I have suggested inexpensive toilet paper to create the paper base, but of course other paper, preferably from recycled sources is a good alternative. Just be aware that the build up of thicker paper is going…

Using fancy yarn & ribbons
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Using fancy yarn & ribbons

Using fancy yarns, ribbons and woving will add interesting movement and texture to your finished piece. In contemporary weaving, the use of unexpected fibres has become very popular in recent years, and the results achieved have been surprising to say the least. In the blue & moon weaving project, you will see that there are…

Folk style houses cross-stitch pattern
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Folk style houses cross-stitch pattern

Folk houses — for medium level stitchers Downloadable PDF cross-stitch pattern & colour chart Description:A simple cross-stitch pattern suitable for novices and youngsters, (for the latter, preferably with some help from an adult or capable stitcher), this downloadable PDF file includes a simple chart with colour key to create a single design or border strip…

Miss Pumpkin cross-stitch pattern
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Miss Pumpkin cross-stitch pattern

Miss Pumpkin in orange & black [easy level] Downloadable PDF cross-stitch pattern & colour chart Description:A simple cross-stitch pattern suitable for novices and youngsters, this downloadable PDF file includes a simple chart with colour key to create a cute Halloween witch in the traditional spooky colours, black and orange. The chart includes a thread named…

Christmas elf in traditional red & green (easy level)
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Christmas elf in traditional red & green (easy level)

Downloadable PDF cross-stitch pattern & colour chart Description:A simple cross-stitch pattern suitable for novices and youngsters, this downloadable PDF file includes a simple chart with colour key to create a Christmas elf in the traditionally festive colours, red and green.The chart includes a DMC colour chart, but of course you can use any brand of…

Interlacing colours [11]
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Interlacing colours [11]

Let’s get started — twining (or twisted ‘header’) in place, you can begin to weave, using the comb to ‘knock down’ your work against the twining as you proceed. The knocking down process is necessary to keep your work as neat and compact as possible.According to your chosen design, you might be planning on using…