The 'Original' Creative Crafting Magazine written by Crafters, for Crafters

Creative Crafting magazine began in August/September 2009, when a group of crafting friends on the Creative Connections network decided that it would be a good idea to raise awareness of the crafting community. From this point they started work and the first issue of Creative Crafting was published in October 2009 and the last was June 2014.
Now we are bringing you everything crafty from the home and beyond.

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Own a printed copy of Creative Crafting

Bound copies of Creative Crafting can be purchased via the HP Magcloud site for $8.80. This is cost price as we do not add a mark up to it of any kind. We like to offer this service to those readers who like to read an old fashioned magazine and also for our contributors so that they can keep it and send as gifts to their families.

Creative Crafting August 2012
44 pages, published 8/1/2012
Welcome to the Creative Crafting August Issue 2012. This is issue 18 and we have some wonderful articles and features for you. New pieces from your favourite regular contributors as well as some new faces for you to meet. Quick projects, regular writers, craft information and lots, lots more. Look out for our 3rd Anniversary issue in October 2012

An Interview with - Beads by Design


Published in issue 18, August 2012

And Interview with


Tell us about the lady behind Beads by Design 

My name is Karen Clark.  I live in a beautiful village called South Cave in East Yorkshire.  I am a professionally qualified interior designer who has moved into the creative arts field.  Previously I trained as a nurse, worked as a childminder and I now work full time as a creative designer and produce jewellery, tiaras, acrylic paintings, papier mache, fabric goods, polymer clay, mixed media, cards, wedding stationery, notebooks etc.  I am a free style crafter.  I prefer to use my own approach to using materials rather than working from traditional method or instruction.  I am inventive in my approaches.
I am a mum of three children, married and juggle family life with the crafting.  I work in creative clutter!

When did first begin creating your designs, and why? 

When I qualified as an interior designer, I wanted to get my self out in to the community to show what I do. I applied for a stall at the local farmers market and was turned down because “they didn’t do interior design”.  I met the challenge head on, got a copy of the requirements for the market which stated that products had “to be made by hand, use local ingredients etc”
I went around local hedgerows collecting berries, bark, twigs and pine cones, dried them and made pot pourri, gathered drift wood from the banks of the Humber and made clocks, mirrors and lamps.  I also made some jewellery items.  I was given a stall.  The creations were well received and so I made more.
It was after this that I set up my website http://beadsbydesign.co.uk


What is it that you enjoy about your work?

Work?  I don’t work in the traditional sense as everything I do, be it actively creating, designing, writing, researching etc is delving into a world of fun.  I feel like I’m on a journey of exploration finding and discovering new ideas.
I think along with many crafters, the most enjoyable part is assembly and creation.  Ideas sketched out, planned, components ordered and then the item finally comes together and I can share it with other people.

What is your biggest crafting achievement, and why? 

I think the biggest achievement for me was having the courage to actually get out there, doing craft demonstrations and public speaking and teaching as naturally I am a quiet and shy person.
Having my first project published in a magazine was a big moment and gave me a real confidence boost.


Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do?

I love music and sing in a local worship band.  I grow my own vegetables and have gradually dug up my front garden to grow more.  
A large part of my non-crafting life is spent playing mum taxi for two of my three children who are gifted musicians and are forever needing to be taken to rehearsals.  The upside is that we get to go to a lot of concerts and hear some wonderful talent.
I am a prolific blogger and write four 

If you had to choose your favourite from your creations which one would it be?

My Memory Quilts:   I think it’s a fantastic thing to take someone’s treasured clothing and turn them into a lasting memento.  I’ve made quilts from babies clothing, children’s clothing and a  granddad’s shirts  and ties.  Often these are emotionally charged creations and it’s a honour to create them.
I love my Nativity story bracelets which tell the Christmas story.  I wrote a poem and created the representative beads for the various characters.  The reception I get for these is lovely and I know they are going to be treasured.  Each bracelet is different and unique and I like this approach rather than mass producing them.


Where does your inspiration come from? 

As an interior designer I specialised in the use of colour.  I get a lot of my inspiration from colour.  I love brave colour schemes and see potential in sunsets, floral borders etc.  South Cave is a lovely village set in rolling hills with woods, fields and so much colour to take in and use in creations.
My favourite place is Northumberland’s vast wild beaches.  I have so many memories stored up in my head that provide me with starting points for new idea.
I always have stones, twigs and leaves in my bags because every time I venture out of the house, I pick up bits and pieces.

If you could change one thing about what you do, what would it be?

I would love to have a permanent workshop, so that I could leave my half done projects out.  My current workshop doubles as a dining room /music practice room and so I have to share. (Still, it does make me tidier than my own personal workshop would be)

Do you have a favourite website?

Craft Juice. ( http://craftjuice.com)  It is a fantastic resource for crafters to be able to showcase their creations and for others to admire them.  It’s great for those who just want to share with other people what they have created and to receive feedback.  I’ve had lots of work come through Craft Juice and so it’s always worth popping my latest design on there.  It’s free and has some amazing work and designs to look at and be inspired.


Has any person helped or supported you more than any other?

My Grandma treasured each item I ever made for her as a child / teenager.  She  would store up my handmade Christmas cards and bring them all out every Christmas. I made her a plaster cast Peter Rabbit as a child, it was painted with garish colours and stood brash on her sideboard along with her “proper” ornaments.  I quilled (paper curling) an egg and it was placed into her fine china cabinet.  These things were her treasures, but seeing them there gave me a wonderful warm feeling.  
It’s only as an adult and too late that I fully appreciated her belief in me.  I hope that now I make her proud.


Tell us a random fact about yourself!

I hate cooking.  I often boil pans dry because I get distracted making and doing crafty things!!  There is currently proof sitting outside my back door!



Make your own Paper Beads



Published in issue 18, August 2012
Written by Elderberry Arts



You will need:
Pencil
Craft knife
Metal ruler
Cutting board
Glue stick
Needle or similar (this will determine the size of the beads hole)
Paper - these beads can be made with pretty much any paper you chose, even old magazines, leaflets etc. Great for recycling!

Step 1.  Mark the paper at 1/2 inch intervals along one side. Repeat along the opposite side.


Step 2. Align your ruler with one corner of the paper and draw a line from here to the second 1/2 inch pencil mark.


Step 3. Continue to mark out the triangles until your paper is filled.


Step 4.  Now cut out each triangle with the knife. You can also just cut the triangle without marking them first if preferred.


Step 5. I prefer to put a sheet of scrap paper on my board for this step as it stops it getting covered in glue but this is not essential. Take one of your paper triangles and cover the back with glue leaving about an inch at the top (the widest point) without glue. Roll paper around the needle until you reach the end. Press the paper end down firmly, adding more glue if needed.


Step 6. Continue with the remaining paper triangles.
Beads can now be used for a variety of projects and can also be glazed to
make them shiny and more durable. Though they are surprisingly strong just as they are.
If you wanted to make larger or smaller beads, the width of the widest end
of the triangle determines the finished length.




An Interview with - noodleBubble


Published in issue 18, August 2012

And Interview with


Tell us about the lady behind Noodle Bubble.


Crafty sort that possibly spends rather too long on Twitter to be properly productive. Very fond of vintage fabric, utterly addicted to buttons, she could (and does) fiddle with felt till the cows come home. noodleBubble pieces are sold in a few shops in the UK and are also available online at Folksy~ http://noodleBubble.folksy.com. noodleBubble pieces are handsewn so each piece is quite unique. When she's not sewing (Or on Twitter) Miss noodleBubble is usually to be found with her head in a book. Predominantly inspired by the natural world, occasionally ideas pop out of books for her to sew.


When did first begin creating your designs, and why?

I've always made things for friends & family. A friend suggested I have a stall at a fair 5 years ago... noodleBubble grew from there - I began to sell on Folksy. Did more fairs, then approached a few shops. Although I still do the occasional fair I now predominantly make to sell through shops.

What is it that you enjoy about your work? 

I like being able to do the school run and generally be able to move my work around school and family. To be honest, it's not like work... I drop off at school get home & pop on a film, sit in front of the fire stitching OR Spend the day in a deckchair sewing. Please don't print that I like to perpetuate the myth that my work is HARD. (Oops, sorry Lisa)

What is your biggest crafting achievement, and why?

For me my greatest achievement is being able to earn money from what I love to do.

Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do?

I enjoy being outdoors and I like a rummage through a junk shop (Old appeals so much more to me than new) If I'm not out, sewing or on Twitter, you can guarantee I'll have my head in a book. I’m a regular at the local library and always have a list I want to read and a teetering pile by my bed.


If you had to choose your favourite from your creations which one would it be? 


I think my Cheshire cat brooch- He has a great many teeth and makes everyone smile!

Where does your inspiration come from?

Most of my inspiration is from nature - flowers in particular. The occasional creation has been known to leap out to be sewn straight from the covers of a book i.e. my favourite Cheshire Cat or as a result of junk shopping... Dala horses. I can't walk past a charity shop without going in for a ferret... and can't pass a box of stuff marked £1 without buying something...Anything! What is it? "I don't know It's a POUND!''

If you could change one thing about what you do, what would it be? 


Probably NOTHING! One part of me would like a studio somewhere - Working at home on my own I miss human contact & consequently I spend a lot of time on Twitter - it's my water cooler during the day. There's ALWAYS someone on Twitter that can pass 5 minutes while the kettle boils. Indeed, I am answering these questions in response to a Tweet. The good side is that being at home I can nip to get washing in etc (although I do try to be strict about 'working hours' during the day. Luckily I'm not house proud so am rarely tempted away by household chores.) My family would probably want me to get a studio - all too often my workroom is 'too full of creativity' so I end up spreading felt, buttons... etc...over the dining table....


Do you have a favourite website? 

I (like so many others) find Pinterest amazing. I've always pulled pics and articles from mags (OK I still do) and this is a way of A. storing them neatly *glances at teetering pile on desk* and more importantly it's a way of finding all your reference material immediately. http://pinterest.com/noodlebubble/
Has any person helped or supported you more than any other?
I've found Hilary Pullen that runs the Craft Blog UK an infinite supplier of online craft wisdom & life saver. She's fantastic http://www.ukcraftblog.com/

Tell us a random fact about yourself! 

I find it VERY difficult to talk about myself, am squirming as I answer these questions and honestly? I wish I hadn't said I'd do it! *blushes*
We are very pleased that you agreed to be interviewed Lisa. :)




Millie-Mae and Mummy makes .... An Olympic Kite



Published in issue 18, August 2012
Written by Tracey Kifford


Expecting the Summer holidays to be full of blue skies and heatwaves and picnics we thought a good activity for this issue would be to make a kite! Alas it has yet to stop raining so we’ve not yet ventured outdoors for the maiden flight … but any day now …
Truthfully this wasn’t just a Millie-Mae and Mummy activity, but Daddy and Toby joined in too …

You will need:
Canes (I had a pack of indoor plant canes)

Tape (opaque tape as well as masking/‘gaffer’ tape)

Sail material (we used old PVC party tablecloths)
Ribbon for the tail
String
Scissors
Pen/Pencil
Hacksaw/knife to trim canes
Stapler
Measuring tape

Instructions:
1. To make a traditional ‘diamond-shaped’ kite you first need to get two lengths of cane – one that’s 36” and the other 33”. Our canes were shorter than this, so we carefully bound two together using the masking tape.


2. Position the 33” cane across the longer one 10” down from the top. Secure them together using the masking tape following a figure of eight pattern until it is securely held in place.







3. Using the knife or small saw, cut a small notch into the ends of each cane (if you are worried about them splitting, first wrap a small piece of tape around the top) – this is to attach string around the outside to attach the sail to. Make sure the notches are in line …

4. Take your string, and starting at the top feed the string into the notch and then run it round the outside of the frame. Keep it taut, while making sure the diamond shape is maintained. When you’ve gone all the way around, snip the top of the string – you should now be left with the kite skeleton.



5. Lay out your sail. We used old thin PVC party tablecloths that you can buy in most supermarkets, but you can use a dustbin bag, strong wrapping paper, or even newspaper (it just needs to be light). Lay the kite skeleton over the sail and then draw around it, leaving a margin of 1-1.5”. I found it easier to tape the frame to the sail to prevent it from slipping.




6. Take your clear tape. Fold the sail over the string and tape down. Repeat all the way around – now it looks like a kite! 

7. To attach the tail, we used 3 ribbons each of 2 metres long. We stapled the ribbon to the end of the kite to secure it, and then taped over it.







8. If you are serious about flying the kite (which we are), you will need to carry out in situ adjustments in the field – as it all comes down to balance. We attached some string 2” above the cross-piece and approximately 4” below it. We then tied our single line to this loop. The kite is now finished and is ready to fly!! 

As you can see we made two kites, which the children are excited about taking outdoors to fly. They are so light, we’re optimistically confident that (with a bit of patience) we’ll get them airborne on a breezy, dry day. Until then, they take pride of place in our dining room and have become the ‘must see’ items for any unsuspecting visitors!





Millie-Mae is the nearly 6 year old daughter of Tracey Kifford, founder and owner of the marketplace WowThankYou (www.wowthankyou.co.uk). Toby is 3¾.

Happy flying!
xxx 


An Interview with - My Small World


Published in issue 18, August 2012






Tell us about the lady behind My Small World 

My name is Katie and I live in Chester with my husband Stephen. We’re both originally from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, but moved to Cheshire around fourteen years ago when my husband had a job offer up here. I’ve always had a passion for making things and crafting as far back as I can remember. I currently have an Etsy shop called My Small World and I make and sell traditional hand sewn collectable bears, freemotion embroidered and appliqué brooches, felt card and needle cases and also badges, jewellery and anything else that takes my fancy.This year I decided to turn my crafting obsession into my full time day job. This wasn’t really planned but happened when I heard that the office I worked at in Chester, was closing. After quite a bit of thought, I decided that I didn’t want to relocate to their office in Wales and so I took a huge scary leap and left my job. It’s hard work but I love being my own boss and it’s given my crafting a whole new sense of freedom.

When did first begin creating your designs, and why?

I’ve always been messing about with some sort of creative hobby and I’ve tried a number of different crafts over the years, to see what I really like doing. These include card making, making earrings, knitting and painting, to name a few. I still have the embroidered felt handkerchief case I made when I was around 7 or 8 and when I started making things from felt again a few years ago, I discovered that I really love working with it. It’s really versatile, comes in lots of colours, it takes embroidery really well and it doesn’t fray when cut. I’ve noticed a definite style change in what I’ve been making recently, especially since I bought a new sewing machine and started to do free-motion embroidery. Free-motion embroidery is really enjoyable and I get a lot out of doing it, at the moment it’s my favourite craft of choice. As a result, I’m not doing as many hand-embroidered pieces as I used to and I’ve been trying out more complicated designs, like my tattoo inspired pieces. I’ve also recently started to make miniature picture canvases, which combine free-motion embroidery and appliqué and I’m thinking of adding more mixed media to some of my canvases, to give them a slightly different look.

What is it that you enjoy about your work?

Apart from the actual creative process, I enjoy having the freedom to create what I like, and being able to work how and when I like. There are no rules to follow, I can work in total peace and quiet, or have some music on in the background while I work, and there aren’t any of the usual distractions of a professional office environment. The only boss (and employee) is myself, which is really great; although this can have it’s down side, especially if you’re the only one motivating yourself. You also have to be pretty flexible because you’ll need to be able to do quite a few different jobs, such as be your own office staff, IT and publicity officer. 

What is your biggest crafting achievement, and why?

Without a doubt I’d have to say making our wedding cake and invitations. When we got married in 2008, I designed and made all our booklet style invitations by hand and made and decorated a three tier, vegan ‘chocolate raspberry blackout’ cake. I’m still really proud of that cake but I don’t have plans to repeat making another one soon, as it was the hardest and most nerve wracking thing I’ve ever made. Taking the cake to the venue in the back of our car was really scary and we had to construct it ourselves when we got there. I was terrified we would drop one of the cake boxes and couldn’t relax until I saw it at the reception the next day. The cake got rave reviews, even from guests who weren’t big chocolate lovers and it’s still talked about today. 

Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do?

My biggest obsession has to be Blythe dolls and since getting into the hobby (yes I know some people find the dolls weird or creepy!), I’ve made lots of new friends from around the world. Some I’ve actually met in person, which has been really amazing. I’m hoping to meet another friend I made on the Internet soon. She lives in Japan and is hopefully coming to England for the annual Blythecon UK charity event, which this year is held in Manchester. Last year it was held at Baden Powell house in London and we raised over £3,000 for charity. I also love visiting proper teashops when we are out and about and I’ve discovered a love of gardening, now that I’m no longer working in an office. Our garden is a bit on the wild side and weeds are sometimes left to grow but the wildlife gets the benefit of them. I’m hoping for lots of home grown courgettes, squash and beans this year (fingers crossed we start getting better weather!) My husband and myself are both Vegetarian and so I like cooking. Last year I added foraging to the list of things I like to do and made lots of edible and drinkable things for our store cupboard. At the moment I have a cupboard full of jams and marmalades and some sloe and some wild damson gin maturing, all made from our own homegrown and foraged fruit. 

If you had to choose your favorite from your creations which one would it be?

Apart from my wedding cake, I’d have to say one of my collectable bears. He’s called Theakston (or Theakie for short) and my husband got attached to him before we were due to go to a bear fair in Wales. There was no way I could put Theakie up for adoption once my husband had named and got attached to him, so he was an additional surprise Christmas present for my husband. Theakie has been part of our family of bears and Blythe dolls ever since, and he’s had a few adventures. He’s been with us on our honeymoon to Brighton (apparently he stowed away in my husband’s bag!) and he’s also been away on a weekend motorbike trip with my husband. 


Where does your inspiration come from? 

It’s hard to say where my inspiration actually comes from. Sometimes colours give me inspiration and sometimes ideas just pop into my head or things ‘happen’ when I’m sewing. I like looking through books for ideas and I also like to have a good sit and think about what I would love to buy for myself. As for my free-motion embroidery designs, once I have a rough idea of what design I’d like to sew, I sit down with my sketchbook and do some rough sketches, or if it’s a small flower or leaf design I’ll just sit down at my machine and sew it without a pre-drawn design.

If you could change one thing about what you do, what would it be?

I think I would give myself a lot more drive and motivation, sometimes it’s really hard to get the motivation to do something when you’re working on your own and the Internet can be such a lovely distraction sometimes. 
Do you have a favourite website?There are so many I visit, that it’s been hard to choose a favourite, but I’ll choose Flickr.com. I’ve chosen it for a few reasons, firstly, because I visit it the most, the second reason is because I have made a lot of really good friends on there, mostly through collecting Blythe dolls. The third is because it’s also a really good way to find out about other peoples lives and cultures and fourth, it’s lovely to see other peoples creations and I’ve seen some amazing handmade items on there. 

Has any person helped or supported you more than any other?

I’d have to say my husband Stephen, he’s always told me to “go for it” and has always encouraged me to make new things and be creative. He’s been really supportive from the beginning and especially now I’m working at home. He also helps me at craft fairs, as my ‘assistant’. Luckily he has very reasonable demands, I just have to pay him in tea and cake! 

Tell us a random fact about yourself!

You can find me at various vintage motorcycle events throughout the year (usually crouched down or on my knees) taking photos of old engines and gear boxes, which are for the bike club magazine my husband edits. Some of my bike photos are hopefully going to be published in a Wolverhampton based glossy magazine this year, in an article promoting the centenary celebrations of the Marston Sunbeam motorcycle.My husband also uses quite a few of my photos on his website (also Sunbeam related) and for the MSCR club magazine. I sometimes ‘help out’ at events such as the annual Cosford bike meeting – I manned the magazine stand one year while my husband had to go out in the rescue van, to find a club member who’d broken down (something quite common with bikes that old). 


Shop link for My Small World: http://www.etsy.com/shop/mysmallworld

I can also be found at Creative Connections here: http://creative-connections.ning.com/profile/KatieC


In the Spotlight with Mr X Stitch August 2012


Published in issue 18, August 2012
Written by Jamie from Mr X Stitch


Jamie Chalmers, also known as Mr X Stitch is on a mission is to bring the world of cross stitch and embroidery to a whole new audience.He has been cross stitching for years and really believes in the benefits of stitching, both from a relaxation and a sustainability perspective.
Many of you may have seen Jamie on ‘Kirstie’s Handmade Britain’.

Each issue, Jamie introduces us to a fascinating member of the crafting community. If you have missed out on any of Jamies interviews you can find them online for FREE from the Creative Crafting website back issues page.

Name: Lord Libidan
Medium: Cross stitch and embroidery

What’s your story?
I'm best known for my 3D transforming transformers, but to put it shortly, I like to push the boundaries and do something no one else has done, whilst centring it around video games and pop culture. Oh, and pretending I'm an aristocrat.

This isn’t just a fantastic piece of cross stitch. It actually TRANSFORMS!!


What’s your favourite piece of work 

thus far?
I'd have to say my stereoscopic Pokemon stitch. When making it I wasn't sure it would work, but afterwards I realised just how awesome it was.

You’ll need 3D specs for this one 

What do you find challenging?
I find a fair bit challenging. As I work in the edge of possible I usually have ideas which are impossible to do, but if I had to put it down to just one thing, it would be sticking to an idea. As a perfectionist every idea I have changes drastically during planning, and I think it might not be for the best sometimes.


Any advice for newbies?
Stick with it. Cross stitching can take a mammoth time to complete, but it's not until you finish it that you get that elated feeling of doing something awesome and can be proud of.
Also never be afraid to ask. I get people emailing me all the time asking for help, and I don't know anyone that wouldn't be happy to give it.

You can also visit Lord Libidan at his Etsy Store http://www.etsy.com/shop/LordLibidan