Gingerbread House Building

A long standing tradition in my household for the holiday season, passed down from my grandfather, who was a baker, to my Dad is Gingerbread houses, or Peppakakor as we say in Swedish. And not those candy covered creations that, though adorable, never have the same authenticity to them. We create not just a gingerbread structure, but a whole display with figurines, trees and cotton wool for snow.

I recall many Christmases where Dad spent hours drafting and baking his model, which turned out to be an exact replica of our home in Sweden! As a growing crafter, Dad eventually passed the mantle to me. At first my creations were simple-a barn for a nativity scene etc. But then I got the buzz and since then am determined every year to produce something original and exciting, like my popular Polar Express and ship. Drawing on my theatrical background I want a structure that creates an entire winter wonderland scene around. Check out my gingerbread portfolio!

This year, determined to go that extra mile and make something really new, I’ve decided to play with levels and height, shaping a more vertical landscape. I considered castles and two famous ones came to mind; first, the castle of the Taunting Frenchmen in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Hogwarts. 

The spacing, the levels, the variation in landscape...yep, one of my best!

Alternative Wrapping

Two years ago my idea of gift presentation was changed forever after reading an article on alternative gift wrapping in the Sunday Times Style magazine. I know we all love our beautiful packages tied up with strings, but honestly to think that we spend tons on t I know, I geek out a lot about going green, but seriously, in the smallest ways anything can make a difference. Therefor I’m doing a whole post on magazine page gift wrapping.

Last Christmas I wrapped all my gifts in perfume and watch ads, topped with ribbons in complimenting tones to the color scheme of the page. It was fun, refreshing, and didn’t cost a penny. 

This year I wanted to have a more unified theme to my gifts-you know, how someone uses the same wrapping paper so you know it’s from them! At first I thought of using festive ads, saving pages like the Jo Malone christmas ad and Cartier (that leopard cub is adorable!!) But when the How To Spend It seasonal editorial spread came out, it was perfect. The red and black color scheme was a refreshing contrast to the festive shades, and the pages were large enough in size and quantity. Because there weren’t enough pages to wrap all my presents, I divided them into sections for my family and friends, identified by which pages I used.

Now, magazine pages can be thin, and tear easily on sharp edged gifts in boxes and so on, so I recommend holding onto some sheets of tissue paper (I save all the ones from shopping) to wrap the gift in first as a precaution. However the covers of magazines are printed are sturdier paper and way more durable.

Second, I recommend measuring your gifts to their allocated pages first (larger gifts to double page spreads etc.) to avoid panic when some gifts are left bare after your paper stash is gone.

Finally give your gift it a decorative flare at the end with a complimenting colored bow that compliments a detail on the page (the color of the model’s lipstick etc), for a more artistic and even professional touch. 

I guarantee that your efforts to greenify your Christmas will be noted and much praised compared to the store-wrapped corporate clones under the tree. 

December Book Review: Tattered Layered and Stitched; A Fabric Art Workshop by Ruth Rae

This book is a gem for anyone who, like me, just can’t seem to throw out even the smallest remnant of fabric in hopes of it contributing to something amazing. Here Rae really celebrates the possibility of texture that fabric offers in collage art. This title I wished to review for the Christmas season in particular because it’s triggered several different crafting projects for the holiday season, from Tree ornaments to place settings.

I had a motto for a while as a craft-add, don’t subtract. The more different materials you pack on and manage to bend together on one blank slate, the better! It was the reason one summer I got really into making these mixed media collages, consisting of a watercolor character I’d painted, on a colored paper base and embellished with different things from magazine clippings to nail varnish strokes. Here, Rae has a similar approach to fabric crafting, but not merely for art, like her beautiful Wall Tree Art, but also ideas for gifts. Some projects are easier, like her scraps card, while others like her Ancestry album call for more time and call.

Her biggest strength is in the treatment of the fabric. For one, I loved her technique of machine stitching uneven stitches in non-matching thread onto the fabric. It’s got a real homemade quality to it, but in this case, it works! However I’m nervous about attempting her technique of sewing paper and fabric together-I’m terrified of screwing up my beloved machine. 

None the less, I recommend this title if you nuts about fabric and upcycling and wanna make something authentic and cool to touch, and are willing to go that extra mile to expand your creative horizons, go for it! For example, I’m thinking of making an alt-fabric scrap book for my sister’s wedding next summer with some of Rae’s suggestions. And, if I have any time, will be stitching up some cool ornaments to hang on my tree next week. 

Final Score: 4/5

There's a Blizzard in my Bathroom!

Since I heard her interview on Craftypod, I’ve been intrigued by the idea of recycled materials always providing materials for all your crafting needs. Michelle Pacey’s blog Michelle Made Me offers some amazing projects that won’t cost a penny. I’ve been getting great ideas for the holiday season, especially with her twig wreath and her junk mail ‘Blizzard’ for the holiday season. This time of year people tend to go a little consumer crazy, and it’s refreshing to see simple, homemade ways to celebrate the holidays.

Like, for instance, that project I’m sure you did in Kindergarten, yet never gets old, paper snowflakes. Drawing some Michelle’s junkmail Blizzard, inspired by the idea of how easily this craft supple is constantly being replenished, especially this time of the year when your mail boxes are probably overflowing with pamphlets and such. 

For this project, I chose my bathroom window as a locale to set the end results up-a window free of any blinds or curtains is ideal and a perfect blank slate. Instead of a mash up of colors, for this cleansing setting I thought of choosing a soothly color tone as a theme. What I’ve been noticing that makes certain holiday decorations stir clear of being festively ‘dull’ is the use of non traditional colors. Instead of your typical greens and reds, use blue, oranges, pinks etc! So I took perfume ads and such that all share a blue tone.

An fun, cheap and easy project that makes your home festive for the holidays and enjoyable for all ages. Another nice touch I considered was painting the outer edges of the snowflakes with glittery nail polish to give it a colourful 'frosted' look. A top coat type varnish would be better, like Essie's new glittery top coat collection so you won't pick up the brush strokes. 

Cookies N' Cream Earrings

As well as my Ben n’ Jerry’s guilty pleasure, cream and chocolate brown are some of my favorite color palettes. It’s warm, soft and very chic. Another project inspired by Tarantino’s Sparkle Factory, I loved the use of buttons and beads together. True, I had to purchase the buttons to get the exact shape and shade I wanted, but any excuse to expand my button collection is great! Tarantino is right-buttons do have a lovely shine, and when crafting with them one can’t help but be cheerful, remembering those first sewing projects.

My wirework could use a little work-the whole shape of the earring is a little lopsided not quite as chandelier like as Tarantino’s. But for my first earrings, I’d say they’re deliciously pretty!

Mould Making Phase 2

It’s official-I may been becoming a bit of a Premo-clay fiend! After how easy these moulds were to make, I’ve got the bug!

It’s amazing to think I made this many moulds out of two small packets of Premo. Though I’m more drawn to the matt shade of the black clay and was annoyed when some of the sparkles from the pearl clay were left on the moulds. The cameo was by far my favorite, since the clay picked up the details beautifully.

And some of the moulds didn’t work out. For example the mouse had too many details to be picked up on a 2D mould. But I still gave the hedgehog a shot, which I plan to make into a broach. Not sure yet what I’ll use the butterflies for, but the clock faces will be amazing for some themed necklaces, like Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland. 

Premo clay itself was super simple and fun to work with as well. True you gotta condition it for a while for max flexibility, but it makes me wanna experiment with different meshing techniques I’ve read about. If you haven’t experimented with this wonderful material yet, I urge you to do so.

Project Budget: £6 (for mould clay and 2 Premo packets)

November Book Review: Debbie Stoller 'Stitch N' Bitch'

Seriously, this is the Magna Carta of the knitting world. When my sister gave me this for Christmas years ago, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Here, Debbie Stoller unleashed the Stitch N’ Bitch culture, reincarnating knitting into a fun and funky past time for us crafters today.

Learner’s steps, tips and patterns, and even some handy ideas for putting together a knitting bee of your own, this title is an essential for all ‘chicks with sticks’. The layout is fresh and innovating, the pictures inspiring, and does a great job in kick starting the knitting buzz that’s arisen in the last ten years. No matter what level you’re at, there will always be a time when you need to refer back to this book. Over the years I’ve constantly returned to it, and probably done about 50% of the projects in my knitting career; including ‘To Dye For’ sweater and the Chinese Charm bag. Some of the projects are more challenging, like the Pinup Queen sweater, while others seem a bit boring, but none the less remain the tried-and-true of knitting, like the ever adorable Techno-Cozy cover.  

Fun and funky, if you’re a newb at knitting, look no further than this title to get you started. If you're a devoted knitter, get this book. It won't be long before the contents become dog eared, believe me.

Final Score: 5/5