A secret valentines’ love message

Published in Issue 20, December 2012

Written by Nicola from Cutie and The Feast

A secret valentines’ love message 

What you will need

Some cardstock to use as the base of your card

Scraps of card or other embellishments as decoration

A long match

Double sided tape/glue to assemble your card. 

Pilot  Frixon pen

Ordinary biro (in a colour that matches the Frixon pen).

Single hole punch

Step 1. You’ll need to decide on what you want your hidden message to be and then the text that will hide the message. 

For  example, my hidden message will be “ I Love You” The text that I’m going to hide this in will be:

The principle is that anything you write with the Frixon pen will disappear when exposed to heat as this is an erasable pen. 

You will need to write your hidden message with an ordinary biro and the surrounding text with the Frixon. The text in red should be written with the biro and the text in black written with the Frixon. But remember to use the same colour pen otherwise it won’t be a secret message!

When you think about hiding your message you can use whole words, letters or just parts of letters to make up the text. 

Step 2. Decide on the size of your text. If you want to include a cupid’s arrow match then you’ll need to make your text a little bit smaller than the diagonal length of the match. 

Step 3. Write out your message and remember to swap pens! 

I’ve used a piece of white card cut into the shape of a heart and mounted on some red glitter card.  Its quite simple but I want the focus to be the magic text. 

Step 4. Make a cupid’s arrow match by cutting a small piece of red card into the same of a heart and gluing to the end of the match.  Lay your match diagonally across the heart and mark where you are going to punch holes. Using a single hole punch, awl or anything you can make a hole with punch two holes so that you can slot your match through. 

Step 5. Assemble your card and add any additional embellishment. You will need to hold the card a little way above a flame so it’s best not to use anything that could get in the way and catch fire. 

Millie - Mae, Toby and Mummy Makes - Rocky Road and Chocolate Truffles

Published in Issue 21, February 2013

Written by Tracey from WowThankYou
www.wowthankyou.co.uk

Rocky Road

You will need:

150g Unsalted butter

200g Dark chocolate

2-3 tbs Golden syrup

100g Mini marshmallows

100g Milk chocolate chips

100g Raisins

100g Mixed nuts

200g Shortbread biscuits

Step 1. Place 100g of mixed nuts into a pan and lightly toast them until roasted. Remove from heat

Step 2. Break the chocolate block into small pieces and place in a bowl. Cut the butter into cubes and add to the bowl. Heat over a pan of boiling water until totally melted. Set aside to cool a little.

Step 3. Add 2-3 tablespoons of golden syrup.

Step 4. Place the roasted nuts into a sandwich bag, and give them a bash with a rolling pin to break up. 

Step 5. Crush the shortbread biscuits into small pieces, and then add to the chocolate mix. 

Step 6. Add all remaining ingredients and stir well. 

Step 7. Wet some greaseproof paper and wring out – this makes it nice and pliable. Line a square tin or glass dish with the paper.

Step 8. Pour the chocolate mixture into the tin/dish. 

Step 9. Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

Step 10. Remove from dish and with a sharp knife slice into fingers or squares. 

Step 11. Arrange on a plate and lightly dust with icing sugar.

Step 12. Enjoy!

Chocolate Truffles

You will need:

100g Unsalted butter

100g Dark chocolate

2 tbs Golden syrup

200g Icing sugar

Few drops of vanilla essence

Chocolate strands/sprinkles

Step 1. Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of boiling water. Leave to cool for 10 minutes.

Step 2. Add 2 tablespoons of golden syrup. 

Step 3. Add 3-4 drops of vanilla essence.

Step 4. Add icing sugar while continually mixing. Keep adding until the mixture thickens and has a consistency that will allow you to roll into balls. 

Step 5. Take a teaspoon sized lump of mixture and roll into a ball. Roll the ball in the chocolate sprinkles and place on a plate to set. Continue until all the mixture has been used up.

Step 6. Place the truffles in the fridge to set for at least 2 hours.
Place in a decorative box lined with a pretty paper napkin and offer around the grandparents when they visit. Guaranteed to impress!

Millie-Mae (6) and Toby (4) are the children of Tracey Kifford, founder and owner of the online marketplace WowThankYou.

Chunky Cable Tea Cosy

Published in Issue 20, December 2012

Nicola from trulyscrumptiousknittedfood

http://www.trulyscrumptiousknittedfood.co.uk

Chunky Cable Tea Cosy

Abbreviations
K—-knit
P—-purl
C6b—-place next 3 stitches on a cable needle and hold at back of work.
Knit next 3 stitches then knit 3 stitches from cable needle
Materials needed
Approximately 150g chunky yarn us bulky weight yarn
2 straight needles 6mm uk 10 us
Cable needle

Instructions
Make 2
Cast on 34sts
Row 1 p2 k6 p2 k6 p2 k6 p2 k6 p2
Row 2 k2 p6 k2 p6 k2 p6 k2 p6 k2
Row 3 as 1st row
Row 4 as 2nd row
Row 5 as1st row
Row 6 as 2nd row
Row 7 p2 c6b p2 c6b p2 c6b p2 c6b p2
Row 8 as 2nd row
Repeat these 8 rows 3 times more

Shape Top
Dec row K2TOG to end(17STS)
K2 TOG 4 times Knit 1 KNIT 2TOG 4 times (9STS)
K2TOG 2 times Knit1 K2 TOG 2 times (5STS)

Thread yarn through remaining stitches and fasten off. 

Make a second piece the same

To make up
Sew seams top and bottom leaving enough gap for the handle and spout of the tea pot.

Make a Pom Pom and Sew to top.

Easter Bunny Ears

Published in Issue 20, December 2012

Written by Claire from  Elderberry Arts

http://www.elderberryarts.co.uk/

Easter Bunny Ears

What you will need
Two A4 sheet of White card Pink Card
Scissors

Pencil

Glue stick

Tape or stapler

Small Easter stickers and decorations, glitter or die cuts

Crayons, coloured pencils or felt pens

Step 1.  Cut one sheet of white card into three strips 2 inches wide.

Step 2. Join together the strips using tape or staples. Trim the strip to fit your child’s head but do not join the ends yet. 

Step 3. Draw a rabbit ear onto one end of the second sheet of white card. 

Step 4. Fold the card over and cut through both layers around the ear outline. Repeat this step using the pink card to create two smaller ear shapes. Glue these to the white card ears.

Step 5. Decorate the ears and headband with stickers, die cuts, crayons etc. 

Step 6.  Once decorated, attach the ears to the headband using tape or staples. Join the two ends of the headband and your ears are ready to wear.  

Forme Millinery

Published in Issue 21, February 2013

Written by Forme Millinery 

www.formeonlineshop.com

Hat Blocking (block·ing) v.

A mold or form on which an item is shaped or displayed: a hat block. The term used to describe the action of molding a hat shape

I am an Award Winning Couture Milliner and have been making handmade hats for the past 5. It all started when I collected vintage hats as a child and years later when I learned one could have a career making Couture Hats, I went for it. My collections always have a vintage feel whether it is using a vintage hat block I found from the late 1800’s, or finding that perfect vintage embellishment hidden in the corner of an antique store. When it comes to making hats, I love working with my hands and have gone back to the basics by learning the ancient techniques of blocking hats on old wooden hat blocks. It is a process that takes a lot of patience, but having the reward of a spectacular hat that you can call your own is worth all of the hard work. My hats represent a creative journey which allows me to keep this craft alive. Being able to give new life to a hat block that was once used many years ago, or with a vintage embellishment that was once loved by many, it gives me great joy to share my love of hats with all of you. 

Jenny Pfanenstiel

Couture Milliner of Formé Millinery

www.formemillinery.com 

Photography by: Rick Stewart Photograph

The Art of Hat Blocking

I gaze at my wall of old wooden hat blocks determining which hat I am going to make today. Will it be a cloche, a large brim, or maybe a fascinator? Today… I will make a variation of a cloche hat out of recycled wool.

Step 1: Soak

I begin by filling up a small tub of hot water. I take the wool that I will be molding with and place it into the water until the wool is completed saturated (this process can take a while depending on the thickness of the material - steaming can also be applied if necessary to insure that the material is very pliable).

Step 2: Stretch

Once the wool is ready to be formed, I take it and stretch it over the crown of the hat block. This takes a lot of patience and elbow grease to get every wrinkle, pleat or bubble smoothed out. A spray bottle may be needed to keep the wool wet. I do this process over and over until I can feel the fibers in the wool stretch apart enough, so when it dries, it will dry into the shape of the form. I repeat this process for the brim of the hat.

Step 3: Secure

To complete the blocking, I tie down the wool to the block in the “rope line” using a slip knot. In some cases, I will also nail the wool in place to insure it does not move around and lose its shape. It will then dry in this position for at least 24 hours until completely dry.

Step 4: Cut

The hat is now ready to be assembled. I start with the crown, trimming the access wool, but leaving just enough to turn under at the crown line to make a nice finished edge. Then, I cut a hole into the top of the brim where the crown will eventually be hand sewn on top. I trim back the unused wool to about a ½ inch seam allowance which will be sewn inside the crown. 

Step 5: Sew

Now the crown is ready to be attached to the brim. I start by folding over a small edge of the crown line to create a finished look. I then take the prepared crown and place it over the brim matching up the front and back and making sure that the brim seam allowance is laying nicely on the inside of the crown. I pin in place and begin to hand sew the crown to the brim. I use small loop stitches in the edge of the crown so they cannot be seen - I have found this to be the best and most secure way to attach the two together. 

Step 6: Wire

Wiring the brim of a hat is sometimes optional depending on the thickness of the material you are using and how well it holds its shape. For this example, I will be putting a wire into the brim to insure it holds its shape. I first measure how much wire I will need by laying it gently around the brim. I cut it carefully with a wire cutter. With the wire, I “break the back”. Essentially, I am taking the curve out of the wire so I am working with as straight of a wire as I can so I can then create my own curve while I am sewing. I attach the wire joiner on one end and then begin sewing it to the brim of the hat. Once I have sewed the wire around the whole brim of the hat, I attach the other end of the wire joiner and complete the final stitch on the brim. Now the brim has a nice, sturdy shape.

Step 7: Sweat Band

The sweat band provides a finished look on the inside of the hat. It also provides comfort where the hat meets the head and provides protection from makeup and perspiration. I measure the sweat band to fit where the crown meets the brim. I hand sew the sweat band in place.

Step 8: Embellish

The hat is almost completed. It needs the last finishing touch of an embellishment. This can include a flower, button or beads – whatever your imagination brings.

Now you have a completed hat that is beautiful and you can wear with pride.

Shabby Chic Heart Cushion

Published in Issue 21, February 2013

Written by Katie from old skool retro kitsch boutique

Shabby Chic Heart Cushion

You will need:
Scissors
Pins
Measuring Tape
Chalk
Cushion Inner (18inch)
Lace 18 inches in length x 2 (if required)
Fabric enough for 18inches by 18 inches for the front panel
Fabric enough for 18inches across by 27 inches down for the back piece
Fabric - for heart detail on front
Sewing Machine

1. Decide on the fabric that you would like to use for the front of your cushion then measure 18 inches by 18 inches square and cut this out.

2. Next choose the fabric that you would like your heart in, fold it in half and draw half a heart so that when you open it out it will feature a full symmetrical heart, then cut this out.

3. Then place your heart and lace (if required) on the square that you are using for the front.

                                 

4. Next, pin the lace and the heart in place, remembering to leave approx 1cm gap to allow for seam allowance.

5. Place the front piece of fabric on the fabric that you want to use for the back of the cushion and use this as a guide, measure the back piece of fabric 9 inches longer than the front piece and cut out.

Then cut the piece of fabric for the back part of the cushion in half and put to one side for the moment.

6. Now you need to sew the lace (if required) on to the front panel, using a straight stitch along the top and bottom, then change the stitch to zigzag stitch and sew on the heart.

7. Lay the front piece of fabric flat, and take one half of the back pieces and lay it on top, front sides facing, making a fold over at the bottom to hide the raw edge, then do the same with the other piece starting at the bottom and folding over the raw edge that is in the middle. 

8. Pin into place. Turn the cushion over and pin from this side as this is the side we will be sewing from.

Sew all the way round using a straight stitch, then trim down the excess and cut the corners as shown in the picture.

9. Using zigzag stitch all the way round to stop the fabric from fraying and trim any loose cotton. 

10. Using a straight stitch, stitch along the edge of the folded fabric that is hiding the raw edges to secure them in place.

                         

11. Then finally turn it all the right way around and add the cushion inner!