Even more Easter baskets ..........

Another batch of Easter baskets, all of these were made with papers from Maja Design 6x6 paper packs, 'Coffee in the Arbour' and 'Spring Basics' one has handmade flower with 11mm flatback pearl centre, 10mm ivory daisy flatback trim and Mauve Rose seam binding.  The other three have 30mm blue wild rose, white lily, ivory/white beaded stamens, pale ivory organza rose trim, blue/white beaded stamens and Limoges blue seam binding bows

More baskets using flowers and trims from the store.  I think I have made enough baskets to give as Easter treats, back to the cards soon!

thanks for looking, Mary x

How to make a paper basket

There are various tutorials available on the web for making little baskets, this is how I make mine from 2 pieces of 6x6 paper, a strip of card and staples

the complete basket filled with tissue and chocolate eggs. This was decorated with 30mm blue and pink wild roses, 20mm pink paper roses, white lily and pink/pink beaded berries.  The ribbon on the handle is hot pink and white 16mm saddlestitch and the bow is Summer Rose vintage style seam binding, all from The Ribbon Girl

Easter basket with orange lillies ...

I made this little basket with paper from the Galeria 'Love takes Wing' 12x12 paper pad.  I used a 6 inch square plus an 8inch strip of card covered with paper for the handle.  For extra strength I stapled the handle to the basket as it would carry chocolate eggs, the staple cant be seen when the outside of the basket is decorated and the inside has tissue and eggs.  I used die-cut rose leaves and added the last of the hand made paper lillies which I made last week when the electricity was off.

I also decorated the basket with a bow of 15mm cream satin ribbon, ivory double row flatback pearl trim on the handle, a pink/cream lily flower, peaches/cream ballerina blossom and a peach cherry blossom all from

Paper, trims and mulberry flowers are all from The Ribbon Girl

A z-fold card ....

I was inspired by a card featured in Heartfelt Creations newsletter and made this z-fold card which I found so much easier than making a stepped card!  I used a mix of Maja Design Vintage Spring' papers and 'Enjoying Outdoors' 6x6 paper pads

I made the orange lillies and lilly leaves using Heartfelt Creations stamps/dies, coloured them with chalk inks, made the stamens then glittered the tips of them.

I added 15mm satin edge ivory ribbon, peach 20mm open roses, peach cherry blossoms, paper rose leaves,  ivory beaded twirls, 10mm ivory daisy flatback trim, a piece of Scrapiniec mesh cut to shape.  The sentiment is by LOTV

Maja Design papers, Roses, miniature blossoms, cherry blossoms, ribbon, Scrapiniec chipboard and pearl trim are all from The Ribbon Girl

thanks for looking and see you soon

Mary x

The Potters Wheel .........

We had a great time at a ceramics workshop at Sunderland Uni on Saturday - me and Andrea and my sister Jackie and her daughter Joanne threw pots all day, well that's what we tried to do but it's much harder than it looks!! Sitting on a very hard seat, bending forward and 'controlling' the clay is not only uncomfortable for the back, but jolly hard work!  I think I might just stick to paper crafting but take my hat off to all who can slap a lump of clay onto the centre of the wheel and produce a beautiful bowl, cup or vase in a no time!

Sitting on the floor is James our tutor (a giant of a lad, about 6ft 6" tall).  James, who was very entertaining, is currently doing his Masters at Sunderland, and was a contestant on the recent Great Pottery Throwdown Challenge on television - unfortunately he didnt make the final - he was an excellent tutor.  This photo shows me in the naughty corner (I wonder why) then Andrea then my sister Jackie

Woohoo, look what we made, mine is the second row along, not hard for me to decide which 3 pieces to choose to be fired!

We were very attentive students!

My neice Joanne is helping me choose which pots to throw in the slurry bin

If my 3 pieces are still OK after being fired then glazed and fired again I'll put a photo on here, will take a couple of weeks

thanks for looking, see you soon, Mary x

A corsage for the choir performance ......

As you know my little sister Jackie and I usually do something crafty on a Friday night, and last night we made our corsage ready to wear for our choir performance on 8th April (Take Note Community Choir)    We made our own paper flower by stamping with Heartfelt Creations stamp and embossing with gold shimmer then diecut with the matching die.   We coloured our main flower with chalk inks, shaped and added a 15mm diamante embellishment, Spring Green sugar sprinkles ribbon, green leaves and a couple of medium yellow gold rosebuds

Thanks for looking ladies, see you soon

Mary x