Birthday cards for the guys in your life

Does everyone struggle  a little with making cards for the guys, or is it just me? There seem to be so many options for ladies cards, or maybe I just need to work on my imagination and creativity a little more with the guys cards.
It took a little bit of delving through the inspiration bank for these cards but came up with what I think are pretty cool cards that are suitable.

With the first one for my dad I worked with just words, deciding on the message I wanted and searching my alphabets to come up with the right fonts and colours. Simple but says it all!
This second one came about from putting away sheets of paper from my desk, the frame paper I have had for a long time. I knew eventually I would find a use for it, took a bit of time to cut out all the frames and to work out the pattern but again another simple but effective card.

Will have some ladies cards and one for the tween to share soon.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Storage for the home

I have been wanting to try out crocheting baskets with jute (string) since I first started making crochet baskets. I had my heart set on making two large ones for a friend's birthday. I did initially want them to be bigger than they are, but after working with the jute and realising how much I would need I settled on this size. They are just a little rounder than a large dinner plate and stand about 15 cm high with the top folded over.
Things I learnt from this project, string is not the easiest to work with, it does not slide or come together all that well, and when you are working with two strands its more difficult. It is also very rough on your hands while you work.

Would I make more ? Probably not, but I love these and so did my friend!



Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Mini Christmas cards

Christmas card making in early November, that's strange and just so not me right? Well don't panic I'm not that organised with my own Christmas preparations.
You would of seen many posts if your a regular reader about my work with Sewing for Charity Australia, these cards are all part of our current project.
We are putting together gifts for two different organisations this year and it was decided to add a handmade card to each of them.

I put my hand up to make some, I'm not much help with the sewing of bags and such my card making is perfect for me.
These are mini cards, just a little something we can write a short message in to let them know someone is thinking of them.
I had a handful of Christmas embellishments that  I used on some of the cards, the rest I used my Christmas stamps and some watercolours. Nice and simple yet look great.

Keep checking back there will be more Christmas themed projects coming soon.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Jot Mood Board challenge - October

Since I started  using the Jot Mood board challenges to create cards rather than scrapbook layouts I have gotten back into the groove of card making. Its definitely inspired me to get my card stash built back up again.
Octobers mood board was so pretty, I was inspired by the soft colours. My trusty water colours got a workout again to create a simple but effective background for a few pattern papers and the pretty butterfly.
Nothing flash or fancy just a card that was easy to put together and (I think) looks great.

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Creative Goals for November

November already, this last few months has gone by so quick, luckily I've  been setting hte4se goals or time would of just gotten away from me altogether.
Last months goals were all complete! First time this year I think, Yay me!!
I did manage to get an amazing amount of charity projects done to, many more than I thought I would be able to. Will be sharing more about that later.

So lets get on to goals for this month. I don't have any birthday's in December to make a gift for so I will be concentrating on Christmas gifts.
I wont be listing those gifts as I don't want those people to read my blog and see what they are getting :)

Jot Mood board challenge
Scrap the boys challenge
Christmas Gifts
Christmas cards
2 x birthday cards

Crochet bags for Sewing for Charity Australia - as many as I can fit in.



Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Scrap the Boys - October challenge

The challenge at Scrap the Boys this month was a sketch, it really played to my 'white space' style of scrapbooking.
I chose some photos of the boys from a few years ago doing what boys do together in the back yard. Using just a few embellishment's and some stencils and paint and let the photos take centre stage.

Head on over to the blog and check out the sketch and all the inspiring design girls creations.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet book closures

I wasn't really sure what to call these, book closures, page markers, maybe even book marks of sorts. The lady who runs Sewing for Charity Australia had a whole heap of address books that she intends to cover and put in our Christmas packs for nursing homes this year. We were originally going to do something pretty with elastic to go around them but then decided it would be easy enough to crochet something pretty.

It took a few goes to work out what was going to be suitable and fit right and in the end were pretty simple to make.
I crocheted a chain long enough (with a little give) to go around the address books, and then with a little fiddling was able to make the flower without having to fasten and start again. Flowers for the ladies and some plain circles for the gentlemen all finished of by tying a button to the centre.

At this stage the books haven't been covered so not able to show how they look finished but as soon as they are I will pop back in with a photo.



Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Art Journal

Over the last few months I have been doing so much crochet, which I love doing, but I just needed a break. Needed to play with paper and get my hands messy a little. I had no inspiration to scrapbook so I grabbed my art journal, paints, glue, papers and stamps and just started playing.
It was just what I needed, no pressure to get anything right, no worry about did it all match or suit the photo, just fun messy creative fun!

I was inspired that much that I did two pages and prepped another couple, all of which I will share when they are complete.
What do you do to get inspired and motivated to keep creating?


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Grandpa's Workshop Collaboration

In the past I have shared project that Grandpas' Workshop has been creating, some amazing and cute kids toys and furniture. I have joined up with him to work on a project and will be collaborating more in the future.
Whilst my woodwork is limited to say the least I am able to help with design and finishing touches. Currently in the workshop he is working on the cloning of a tiny wooden chair for a friends grandchildren.
Grandpa also has some ideas for some cute little ones toys with prototypes in production. Some may even be ready for that perfect kiddies Christmas gift.

If you haven't already then be sure to check out Grandpa's Workshop on the facebook page or follow him on Instagram.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Halloween crafts

Do you get into the spirit of Halloween?
Here in Australia, or at least Queensland it seems that every  year the number of people taking part is growing larger and larger.
Our family don't partake to the extent of decorating or dressing up, although the holiday suits my husband personality very well. He would be awesome at decorating our place.
We do (finances permitting) have treat bags ready for any little dressed up kiddies that knock on our door.

I have been browsing through all the amazing Halloween crafts on pinterest, some people go way out in their Halloween decor.
I have selected a few of my favourites to share here.

bloodshot eye cushion

The cushions are not a  free pattern but are available to purchase on etsy.

 Ghost coasters

Web

Bat bag

Click on the link under each photo and it will take you to the pattern details.


If you trick or treat have fun!


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet bookmarks

All those readers out there will know the importance of a bookmark, I hate the idea of dog earring pages and the damage it does to books. Total personal choice and if anyone does that to their own books then its all good. That's why bookmarks are a must for me, I've tried having paper ones and either lose them or they fall apart easily.

I started making crochet ones awhile ago and they have been the only ones that I don't seem to loose and they definitely last the distance. They also dry easily if you drop them in the bath whilst having that relaxing soak. There are so many cute and pretty patterns you can get access to or if your clever enough design your own.
I have been making a heap up for the charity group I belong to, they will be added to our reading pillow gifts.
Below you will see the three designs Ive chosen along with the links for patterns.
All are made with an 8ply acrylic yarn, just scraps that I had lying around, they don't use up hardly any yarn at all.

 Cat Bookmark

 Scalloped Bookmark

 Flower Bookmark

I have 100 to make and currently have about 30 so I'm going to be a busy for the next few weeks. 

Are you a reader, what do you use as a bookmark? If you have any cool ideas let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for visiting

Lis :)

Old School Letter writing

The art or writing a letter and putting a stamp on and putting in the post box seems to be making a little bit of a comeback. It might be easier and quicker to send an email or text and have a reply instantly or the same day, but there is a simple joy in doing it 'old school'.
I have been handwriting letters for years, penpals that have come and gone, new penpals and dear friends who love the old way as much as me.

I spent some time today writing a couple of letters using some pretty cards I was gifted and a freebie from Frankie magazine. Its not only the card or letter I like to be pretty I very rarely send of mail without the envelope being all pretty too.
I had so much fun with these ones, using the rubber on the end of a pencil and my watercolours to make colourful dots. So easy but looks awesome!

Do you still write letters old school or have you moved with ahead with technology and email ?

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Creative Goals - October

Is anyone else a bit freaked out that  it's already October? It's like I blinked and three months just flew by. On a positive note September's goals were completed except for one scrapbook layout, which wasn't a priority. I also completed quite a few charity projects as well as helping out with labeling and, packing of last months preemie items ready to be delivered.

Let's look at goals for this month,
Scrap the boys challenge
Jot mood board
Jute crochet basket
Market bag
6 birthday cards
Start Christmas lists

Time permitting as many charity projects as possible.

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Pretty packaging - 21st birthday

We put alot of time and though into buying or making the perfect gift, its nice to make the packaging look pretty too.
Last weekend we were invited to a friends daughters 21st, I got her gift and on the day of the party realised I needed a card. After scouring through all my supplies I found this party girl stamp (don't remember which brand it is) and pulled together a few supplies to make a pretty pink party card.

When it came time to wrap I knew I wanted to make it all pretty and girly but was a bit stumped as to what to do. I didn't want to just do the usual wrap in brown paper and use twine or ribbon to pretty it up. I went through my wrapping drawer and found a heap of tissue paper and remembered the nifty scissors that I found awhile back that multiple cut.
That's when the idea of doing the multi fringe came to me. I took a bit of time to measure the right lengths and then cut all the ends, but it all came together really well and looked so pretty.
I added a piece of lace and wooden heat and pom pom to finish it off.

I did end up with a table (and floor) full of bits of tissue paper but it was all worth it for the finished look.
How creative are you when it comes to wrapping your gifts?


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

September Jot Mood Board Challenge

Every month the girls at Jot Magazine put out a mood board that is totally gorgeous and inspiring. I started doing these challenges awhile back now by scrapbooking but have only recently started to create cards instead. Its been a great way to build up my stash of cards.

This month the girls didn't disappoint with an inspiring blend of pinks, teal, green and browns. The minute I saw it I knew that  feathers were going to be my starting point, I had the perfect pattern paper.

I kept it pretty simple and 'me' using alot of paint splatter and just a few other bits and pieces letting the feathers be the stand out.

One of these is now ready to send of with a gift to a special lady and the other has gone into my card stash.
If you haven't checked out the mood boards then you need to they will have inspired to create.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Baby boy C2C crochet blanket

I was sorting out my cupboard of gifts the other day and realised that I hadn't shared this baby blanket, it's the last of my baby crochet for a little while. I have mentioned before how much I love the C2C pattern so it's no surprise thats what stitch I used for this blanket. I wasn't sure what size I wanted it to be so starting from the corner is great for working out size later.
I used Sean Sheep 8ply yarn, it is super soft and comes in various colours I love it for baby items.I also like the easy border and how I don't need to really block once done, it sits quite flat on its own.

Currently im working on lot's of different projects for the charity group I belong to, so will be back to share those soon.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Sewing for Charity Australia - Setpember/October projects

The beginning of a new month brings new projects for Sewing for Charity Australia. Whilst the preemie items from the last project are currently being sorted and packed ready for delivery, all our lovely ladies are starting on our new items.
The group is supporting and donating to a few organisations for this next project, Sundale Rod Voller care Centre, Golden Carers, Cancer Council Australia and Gold Coast Community Christmas Lunch.
Our ladies have already been busy creating amazing items for these groups as you can see by the awesome twiddle mats in the picture below.

If you would like to help out in anyway, by helping to make things or just by donating items or products that can be used to create, we would be extremely appreciative. Just leave me a message or email me and I will help you out with details.
You can check out our amazing group and more details about our current project on our facebook page here.
Every little bit of help goes along way.

Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Flashback Friday - Felt calendar

Recently I was cleaning up all my old photos and came across this felt calendar that I made back in 2010 for my niece. She was just about to start school and I made her this to help with the days and months and the weather was just a fun thing I added.
I hand sewed the whole thing so it was a little time consuming, but pretty simple to make. Using velcro on all the bits and pieces and stitching the days, months and numbers onto felt. She had alot of fun changing all the pieces each day to match what it was like outside.

 

This would be a great idea in a kindy or preschool, maybe on a larger scale. This one is slightly bigger than A3.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Crochet newborn summer sandals

They say the more you do something the better at it you get, Id have to agree. The second time around you iron out all the little things that didn't go to plan the first time.
My second pair of these newborn summer sandals was much easier than the first pair. Practice makes perfect right?
The working out of where to put the toe strap and where to start the back and ankle straps is probably the most difficult part, once you have that down pat then the rest comes together easily.

Made with my own pattern and 8ply lincraft cotton in white and pink, you don't use much cotton at all to make them, maybe half a 50g ball of white and just a tiny amount for the flower.
They are much more practical for Queensland babies than the traditional bootie.


Thanks for visiting
Lis :)

Jot Mood Board - August

The Jot Mood Board for August was amazing and inspired me to create this set of cards. The blacks, whites and grey with a splash of red is really striking. I was drawn to the abstract art print for the background of all my cards, adding a flower and music sheet and violin to complete the looks.

A little bit of grunge with some feminine touches, not my usual style but think they turned out great.


Thanks for visiting
Lis:)