tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72815131282548342772024-03-18T09:47:54.660+00:00Unfortunately Oh!Looking for how to make jewellery, accessories and decor? Want tutorials, craft inspiration and photography? Unfortunately Oh has all this along with thrifty tips for saving money and recycling, repurposing, reusing, DIY and upcycling! The cheaper the better!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger409125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-31822697163711891632016-09-08T20:27:00.000+01:002016-09-08T20:27:26.084+01:00Repurposed Wood Bug Hotel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For some time now, I've wanted to make a bug hotel. But I could never quite get my hands on the right materials. Though I could have quite easily gone out and bought wood to make one (or bought a ready made one), I wanted to go the upcycled route and use something that had outlived its original purpose.<br />
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So this rather worn-out little wooden sleeve ironing board, which I found at the charity shop, was perfect!<br />
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I started off by pulling off the old covering. Originally I was going to undo all the staples that held the fabric on, but that proved nearly impossible, so I just ripped it all off in the end.<br />
Then I took out the little insert from the middle, which was held in by two screws.<br />
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After pestering Dad for use of his tools (thanks Dad!), I chopped the board and the little wooden insert down to the size I needed.<br />
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I reattched the wooden insert a little further out, so that it would act like a 'shelf', and added a roof made from one of the offcuts.<br />
I pre-drilled the holes that I put the nails into, as Dad advised that the wood might split otherwise. <br />
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I then took a timber offcut and drilled holes of several different sizes into it (I added some even smaller ones after taking this picture)<br />
Fortunately this offcut fit in the space allowed by the bug hotel frame, hurrah! <br />
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Added two nails in the back for attaching the hanging wire...<br />
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Then I attached some wire. ...Okay, I asked Dad 'do you have some wire I can use for this please?' and he attached it for me. Yay Dad!<br />
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The top half of the bug hotel is stuffed with dried, broken cow parsley stalks and some chopped-up bamboo (Dad helped with the cutting again...don't think he trusted me with his electric saw, which is just as well because <i>I</i> don't trust me with it either)<br />
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All that was left to do after that was to hang it up!<br />
I put my bug hotel in a place near where lots of bugs like to hang out - in the flight path of bees and near a bunch of spiders - so hopefully they'll get nice and cosy here! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-1010885076356402512016-07-23T12:30:00.000+01:002016-07-24T16:49:29.485+01:00Vintage-Style Leather Cuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the past few days I've brought you leather cuffs of several different styles. Leather & chain, painted leather, and even leather using spacer bars as decoration. <br />
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This is the final post of the set (for now) and can once again make use of upcycled materials! <br />
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If you've got an old brooch knocking about that you never wear, this is the craft for using it!<br />
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<b>You'll need:</b><br />
Leather or suede scrap<br />
Silk or ribbon<br />
Brooch<br />
Eyelet kit<br />
Scissors, ruler and pen<br />
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1. Cut out a piece of leather, wrist measurement -1" long x 1.75" wide.<br />
Fold width-ways, and trim the middle of the cuff to make an hourglass shape. <br />
(Ignore the little buckle in this picture; I changed my mind on what I was going to do!)<br />
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2. Attach 3-4 eyelets on each end of the cuff (depending on what size eyelets you're using)<br />
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3. Lace with ribbon, or a long strip of silk for a more 'worn' appearance, and knot the ends<br />
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4. To finish, pin a brooch to the narrower part of the cuff. <br />
If your brooch has lost its pin, fix it to the cuff using strong, multi-purpose glue.<br />
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Hope you've been inspired by my trio of leather cuff posts! I have some other ideas, so may be crafting and sharing them in the future!<br />
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Here's some quick links to the previous posts:<br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/leather-chain-cuff-diy.html" target="_blank">Leather & Chain Cuff</a><br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/painted-leather-cuffs-plus-paint-free_10.html" target="_blank">Painted Leather Cuffs</a> (plus bonus paint-free version!) Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-65505966638614886852016-07-22T11:30:00.001+01:002016-07-24T16:48:21.788+01:00Painted Leather Cuffs (Plus a Paint-Free Bonus DIY!)Yesterday, I posted a tutorial for a <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2016/07/leather-chain-cuff-diy.html" target="_blank">leather & chain cuff</a>, and said I'd post more ideas. <br />
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Today I'm bringing you painted leather cuffs, in two styles--plus a bonus, paint-free style, for those who don't trust themselves with a paintbrush! <br />
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These can look a little daintier, and you can <b>go wild with colour combinations</b>--your only limit is the colours of leather/paint you can get your hands on! <br />
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As I mentioned yesterday, this is a good <b>upcycling project</b> for bags/garments no longer usable, and <b>you can use faux leathe</b>r too. <br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>Version One</b><br />
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<b>You'll need:</b><br />
Leather scraps<br />
Acrylic paint & paintbrush<br />
Clasp*<br />
Jump rings<br />
Jewellery pliers<br />
Hole punching tool<br />
Rotary cutter, quilting ruler & cutting mat OR scissors, ruler and pen**<br />
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*I used a lobster clasp here, but toggle clasps are easier to fasten one-handed, so if you're shopping for new clasps, go for those!<br />
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**Alternatively, you could cut out the cuff using pinking shears, for a cool zig-zag edge! <br />
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1. Cut leather strip to the size you want the cuff:<br />
Loose cuff: length to match your wrist measurement<br />
Fit to wrist: wrist measurement minus clasp size<br />
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2. Mix up your acrylic paint with a couple of drops of water, and carefully paint on your design. <br />
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3. Once the paint is dry, punch a small hole either end of the cuff and attach the clasp, using jump rings. <br />
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And you're done! It's possible to make a batch of these in 30 minutes, because the process is really simple. They'd make good gifts for friendship groups!<br />
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<b>Version Two</b><br />
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<b>You'll need:</b><br />
<b>As listed above, plus:</b><br />
Scrap of chain<br />
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1. Cut a small piece of leather. The one in the picture is approx 2 .75" x 0.75"<br />
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2. Paint on your design and leave it to dry<br />
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3. Punch a small hole either end of the leather, and attach a piece of chain to each end, using jump rings. (I used 2" for a loose fit, though 1.75" would have been better).<br />
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4. To finish, add a clasp to the loose chain ends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHyk5CqOFaOI-4ZEFV6-Iq0Qf-Kj4NWE48xBOUym-Nolt9fAaqf5OSbTF9Qr3ID5xKMfUblp1SJ5OkceuYStLqQAipj5i_IjsajnokLf3hYNC2PvUP_WbxCZ9nHlqqVzp0kAeoeGRbaM/s1600/leathercuffs_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to make a leather cuff" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHyk5CqOFaOI-4ZEFV6-Iq0Qf-Kj4NWE48xBOUym-Nolt9fAaqf5OSbTF9Qr3ID5xKMfUblp1SJ5OkceuYStLqQAipj5i_IjsajnokLf3hYNC2PvUP_WbxCZ9nHlqqVzp0kAeoeGRbaM/s1600/leathercuffs_02.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Bonus:</b><br />
<br />
<b>You'll need:</b><br />
Leather scrap<br />
Flat spacer bars<br />
Clasp<br />
Jump rings<br />
Eyelet kit<br />
Jewellery pliers<br />
Multipurpose glue (E6000 is good!)<br />
Rotary cutter, quilting ruler & cutting mat OR scissors, ruler and pen<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN9-xvpcg6nPoBJSMoyRKk6eeuRwEpUZIljDzq0V13ebx-8X4q5MUhXC8RgTLoPlPeqjeMBFmEgCrVPjV8YDCQN-2grcI0GQ809oo2L_qOzQtnz9N9zJrKb3NWFiizBj2T1X6H3YKI2E/s1600/leathercuffs_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="leather fashion cuff" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN9-xvpcg6nPoBJSMoyRKk6eeuRwEpUZIljDzq0V13ebx-8X4q5MUhXC8RgTLoPlPeqjeMBFmEgCrVPjV8YDCQN-2grcI0GQ809oo2L_qOzQtnz9N9zJrKb3NWFiizBj2T1X6H3YKI2E/s1600/leathercuffs_01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
1. Cut a piece of leather, wrist measurement x desired cuff width.<br />
Remember if you're going for a wider cuff, you'll need to measure the wider part of your wrist!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv55m1DrRVQf_KnBth3Kf_MwpDmCPtXuPfKWq0MoXfuSghIkrCpmZapssQtwazrB9NAfe5meD5Kkxz8uCHk2qGgtteCSCy6OddA6cvHkwayat3pGxsdgzkryoS5-vg_6sIfQ0-Xob584/s1600/leathercuffs_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY leather cuff" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv55m1DrRVQf_KnBth3Kf_MwpDmCPtXuPfKWq0MoXfuSghIkrCpmZapssQtwazrB9NAfe5meD5Kkxz8uCHk2qGgtteCSCy6OddA6cvHkwayat3pGxsdgzkryoS5-vg_6sIfQ0-Xob584/s1600/leathercuffs_03.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
2. Glue on the spacer bars as decoration, wiping off excess glue asap. <br />
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3. Attach an eyelet either end of the cuff, and use jump rings to attach the clasp. <br />
<br />
<br />
That's it for today! I have one more cuff DIY left to share (though more ideas that I haven't got around to making yet) which I'll post at the weekend! <br />
<br />
I hope this post has inspired you!<br />
<br />
Others:<br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/leather-chain-cuff-diy.html" target="_blank">Leather & Chain Cuff</a><br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/vintage-style-leather-cuff.html" target="_blank">Vintage-Style Leather Cuff </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-70516282492094234832016-07-21T15:21:00.000+01:002016-07-24T16:47:39.435+01:00Leather & Chain Cuff DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL1napc6FfXGXPE6hiC_JZL0XE0ZvoxRxc40TyyR4g50279j1hsXoA3jXpipN2sTKt2ZeWrG5iDO_NOzNAvWTd_D6IrKl7R93LAdzJV8xbsyM6KX6URsnIXMDLlKpcidLz6bD5ieHBxs/s1600/chaincuff_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL1napc6FfXGXPE6hiC_JZL0XE0ZvoxRxc40TyyR4g50279j1hsXoA3jXpipN2sTKt2ZeWrG5iDO_NOzNAvWTd_D6IrKl7R93LAdzJV8xbsyM6KX6URsnIXMDLlKpcidLz6bD5ieHBxs/s1600/chaincuff_00.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I started making leather and suede cuffs when I was a kid. Mum bought some suede scraps and some eyelets, and showed me an old choker one of her old work colleagues had made. Then we made our own!<br />
<br />
This is an updated version of our DIYs. I made it back in April along with some others, after finding some leather scraps at a local market (and then I forgot to post about them...oops!) <br />
<br />
Leather cuffs - or suede ones! - would make a great <b>upcycling project</b> if you have an old and knackered leather/suede handbag or garment that's outlived its original use. <br />
Of course, you can also use faux leather for this!<br />
<br />
These are relatively <b>simple</b> to make. In fact, this one is the most complicated of the bunch I ended up making. Which isn't really that complicated at all.<br />
<br />
Here comes the tutorial!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrDG-ECvQ3Rgjzl1F1jYUyX4SqZe4vC2GvIqeinRO2Z57xexoEOLj_ndCTEv78oH87wSq__ssOqqarSM2U8U0SL0QpQxAmbriwvsJGCaJWL9arcxKS5k_S9OJwnlolrlv00P7b-ACkck/s1600/chaincuff_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="leather cuff DIY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrDG-ECvQ3Rgjzl1F1jYUyX4SqZe4vC2GvIqeinRO2Z57xexoEOLj_ndCTEv78oH87wSq__ssOqqarSM2U8U0SL0QpQxAmbriwvsJGCaJWL9arcxKS5k_S9OJwnlolrlv00P7b-ACkck/s1600/chaincuff_01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>You'll need:</b><br />
Leather scrap (or vegan alternative; just make sure it's lovely and soft!)<br />
Chain scrap<br />
Scissors/rotary cutter<br />
Ruler<br />
Eyelet kit & tools<br />
Multipurpose glue (I used E6000)<br />
Jewellery pliers<br />
Jump rings<br />
Toggle clasp*<br />
<br />
<b>Optional:</b><br />
Pen (for marking out leather size--do this on the wrong side of the leather!)<br />
<br />
*You could use a lobster clasp - which is in the picture because I'm an idiot - but toggle clasps are a <i>lot</i> easier to do up with one hand!<br />
<br />
1. Cut a piece of soft leather long enough to fit around your wrist, and twice the width you want it to be (e.g 7"x3"). <br />
<i>If you want a cuff that fits snugly to your wrist, trim off half an inch to make allowance for the size of the clasp.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsboYX-lhxGLCZ9BNF0lLJvyKXXBzBUxC3FkSStW5SgFuL85zAn6bKGMmFYFxFIBMQZEpRsAfaEGxq6RVucSZtkjakA15W2xxcQst6ry3aUvMeHQ0f0tMJy8606PF8EnvR1WjXBZBD04/s1600/chaincuff_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="leather bracelet tutorial" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsboYX-lhxGLCZ9BNF0lLJvyKXXBzBUxC3FkSStW5SgFuL85zAn6bKGMmFYFxFIBMQZEpRsAfaEGxq6RVucSZtkjakA15W2xxcQst6ry3aUvMeHQ0f0tMJy8606PF8EnvR1WjXBZBD04/s1600/chaincuff_02.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
2. Turn the leather right side down, glue along the two long edges and fold into the centre. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUnMTN7l0y6awKckaITQUWBujWX7nHojU6faz_SNEWgOZk4ix6RqlqlPwAuwunzd-2fWr_Un4dyKfVFnGSo4Mo9rg1XHWn2VlQN-EvmOb6NlE4DpsY6_i5CyK7HZwKnlzY0QDiaMZUxo/s1600/chaincuff_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="leather and chain cuff" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUnMTN7l0y6awKckaITQUWBujWX7nHojU6faz_SNEWgOZk4ix6RqlqlPwAuwunzd-2fWr_Un4dyKfVFnGSo4Mo9rg1XHWn2VlQN-EvmOb6NlE4DpsY6_i5CyK7HZwKnlzY0QDiaMZUxo/s1600/chaincuff_03.jpg" /></a></div>
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3. Add an eyelet either end<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga95jj4uURVrVXZnX-nEfBceN0BJFfa4KZT-L1sp1-8At-tj43SXYu8nzhJFSN1SiLUlJ5LlyhCnBdPu4kG0-tH8bBTxhOzmf_QtvieZBnYMoeSDhl9IC93FZ52berTP77zfuVIYfyMic/s1600/chaincuff_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="leather cuff" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga95jj4uURVrVXZnX-nEfBceN0BJFfa4KZT-L1sp1-8At-tj43SXYu8nzhJFSN1SiLUlJ5LlyhCnBdPu4kG0-tH8bBTxhOzmf_QtvieZBnYMoeSDhl9IC93FZ52berTP77zfuVIYfyMic/s1600/chaincuff_04.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Attach a jump ring through one of the eyelets, over the end of the cuff. Fix the toggle clasp one side using another jump ring, and the end of the chain the other side. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LRLTWOLfYY_HLkXwnyLl3DKffwW2748ulOAnnw8C9LWKIdwqpiCYDcl2vxHgixdbKel6eGDEhYTkSxTZoo5b_-WVUz9JTw6VVWZtTvKUfU9i3zXb8qmZDN_ZxojnAL58lZczUxuP_TY/s1600/chaincuff_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="leather chain cuff DIY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LRLTWOLfYY_HLkXwnyLl3DKffwW2748ulOAnnw8C9LWKIdwqpiCYDcl2vxHgixdbKel6eGDEhYTkSxTZoo5b_-WVUz9JTw6VVWZtTvKUfU9i3zXb8qmZDN_ZxojnAL58lZczUxuP_TY/s1600/chaincuff_05.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
5. Trim chain to length before attaching the opposite end--you'll need to cut it down to a little more than the space between the two eyelets. For mine, this was the same length as the leather. <br />
<i>The simplest way to find the length you need is to wrap it around your wrist, and find where the end of the chain meets the outer end of the eyelet :) </i><br />
<br />
6. To finish, attach the other end of chain and the other part of the clasp with a jump ring, as explained in step 4.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL1napc6FfXGXPE6hiC_JZL0XE0ZvoxRxc40TyyR4g50279j1hsXoA3jXpipN2sTKt2ZeWrG5iDO_NOzNAvWTd_D6IrKl7R93LAdzJV8xbsyM6KX6URsnIXMDLlKpcidLz6bD5ieHBxs/s1600/chaincuff_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="leather cuff howto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL1napc6FfXGXPE6hiC_JZL0XE0ZvoxRxc40TyyR4g50279j1hsXoA3jXpipN2sTKt2ZeWrG5iDO_NOzNAvWTd_D6IrKl7R93LAdzJV8xbsyM6KX6URsnIXMDLlKpcidLz6bD5ieHBxs/s1600/chaincuff_00.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And you're done! <br />
<br />
<strike><b>Tomorrow,</b> I'll post some more <b>super-simple leather cuff ideas</b>, so keep those tools and glue at the ready!</strike><br />
Check out these other designs: <br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/painted-leather-cuffs-plus-paint-free_10.html" target="_blank">Painted Leather Cuffs </a>(Plus an easy, paint-free bonus DIY)<br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/vintage-style-leather-cuff.html" target="_blank">Vintage-Style Leather Cuff </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-70607942901676585032016-05-21T11:30:00.000+01:002016-05-21T11:30:25.267+01:00DIY Striped Shoes<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckf_0fgYSczUwI8GMm-ffatWFFVfE4TMGhNB9w8WzyRznzP968X_qJpaZgK0t3WsJ_tWq-fcH-_YgoeI-GHcvDcDV5o0LPfrt-cPVsho2zzC7tT3ZpxpPJ1Joa6d0Qjd7Ad5brG42glA/s1600/paintedshoes_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckf_0fgYSczUwI8GMm-ffatWFFVfE4TMGhNB9w8WzyRznzP968X_qJpaZgK0t3WsJ_tWq-fcH-_YgoeI-GHcvDcDV5o0LPfrt-cPVsho2zzC7tT3ZpxpPJ1Joa6d0Qjd7Ad5brG42glA/s1600/paintedshoes_00.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Summer is coming, and you're probably breaking out the
spring/summer footwear, which is what I did recently--only to discover that all
my lovely canvas shoes were totally beaten up and in need of replacement! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The frustrating part of shoe shopping for me has always been
finding shoes that were a) Nice b) In my size (UK8.5-9) c) Affordable. Having
big feet severely limits what I can get my hands on, and so far I have
bought...men's shoes.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Men's shoes are boring. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I jazzed up my navy canvas slip-ons with some gold paint
to give myself something a little more interesting! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is an easy little DIY that I did sitting on the floor
one evening.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTciB5aArMBnBCsktPfQ8covhIPJYszJqQIDvJDd7Js8VV475lAWs1G1IwxVAvZIzzRLipcH1fFf969VzIddcszW11FxiVsW_UeXLD3bsi9SAMKQl0xJSl-SHepu6ribg4TuxkWK7xA98/s1600/paintedshoes_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTciB5aArMBnBCsktPfQ8covhIPJYszJqQIDvJDd7Js8VV475lAWs1G1IwxVAvZIzzRLipcH1fFf969VzIddcszW11FxiVsW_UeXLD3bsi9SAMKQl0xJSl-SHepu6ribg4TuxkWK7xA98/s1600/paintedshoes_01.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You'll need:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shoes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Masking tape </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Acrylic paint or fabric paint</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paintbrush</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Optional, for cutting
down masking tape (if needed):</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cutting mat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Craft knife</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ruler (I used a quilting ruler as it makes it easier
to cut squarely!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTYnRFqv1CG0ZFkcyYqVVcFRREF1vwXVro_3wfNxgzN4aFTW2rHeIff7XP0_mlNfzf6udSUHU7ZIV-JZkJ1_Fcp7xFwWoJFlK6OtwnEtwl9GUmFSEA6v_0Tp9aQKSfngCnNl6xonlHms/s1600/paintedshoes_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTYnRFqv1CG0ZFkcyYqVVcFRREF1vwXVro_3wfNxgzN4aFTW2rHeIff7XP0_mlNfzf6udSUHU7ZIV-JZkJ1_Fcp7xFwWoJFlK6OtwnEtwl9GUmFSEA6v_0Tp9aQKSfngCnNl6xonlHms/s1600/paintedshoes_02.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. If your masking tape is wider than you want your stripes
to be, you'll need to cut it down to size. Stick several strip of it to a cutting
mat and use a ruler to mark out/cut each strip to the desired width. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I shaved off 0.5" from the tape I had, though I've seen
narrower (and wider) masking tape in the hardware store.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fA68icd9uQcXRi3cKDQAUYnSBEULfPiqDUOeEOWDgGgyL5_QmN5yuj9kfQ5P1eaUQP4R9wO4e5ZX4-FVESQSUDT3bHyESFtWC7TYsrr0Z3pGqQJMFpn1xXeOoqo5eHF58SD2Spl1e7Q/s1600/paintedshoes_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fA68icd9uQcXRi3cKDQAUYnSBEULfPiqDUOeEOWDgGgyL5_QmN5yuj9kfQ5P1eaUQP4R9wO4e5ZX4-FVESQSUDT3bHyESFtWC7TYsrr0Z3pGqQJMFpn1xXeOoqo5eHF58SD2Spl1e7Q/s1600/paintedshoes_03.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Tape off the sections of the shoe you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don't</i> want to get paint on. Use an extra
piece of tape to help you space the stripes out evenly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIlsk-4huWU0tv9dcHMU0ASSajK-0NY8qWrEnET8KCqd30-g6FU_9o46fQ0UYE9jMZWgzxtTZmjntBJ_xPGoKacImJYgAeDu5cSrrUkd33Dcxv5U8Mfrc0URA9vI0C6NP8WySP3gPBqA/s1600/paintedshoes_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIlsk-4huWU0tv9dcHMU0ASSajK-0NY8qWrEnET8KCqd30-g6FU_9o46fQ0UYE9jMZWgzxtTZmjntBJ_xPGoKacImJYgAeDu5cSrrUkd33Dcxv5U8Mfrc0URA9vI0C6NP8WySP3gPBqA/s1600/paintedshoes_04.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. I had to apply the tape at an angle around the heel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">IMPORTANT: Make sure
the tape is really well pressed down or you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i>
get bleed when you paint<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2W6Y2CXq3kJbceCKBqkoutPoptVQGuFavh-yPCyXfy_Rq-BlWkEut_GPgSPQ9rudtKTpd2Y1KV-GHoDqpbzLVV9PzTZrub273zhT80UgNlxgBS5tnxGg7dg6ixypp4z76dfqg561da4/s1600/paintedshoes_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2W6Y2CXq3kJbceCKBqkoutPoptVQGuFavh-yPCyXfy_Rq-BlWkEut_GPgSPQ9rudtKTpd2Y1KV-GHoDqpbzLVV9PzTZrub273zhT80UgNlxgBS5tnxGg7dg6ixypp4z76dfqg561da4/s1600/paintedshoes_05.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Paint up those shoes! Depending on the colour you're
using, you might need a couple of coats. I used gold acrylic paint (£1 at a charity shop) and the teeniest bit of water. This paint really doesn't need much dilution for painting onto fabric!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm73jTsLWOk9H11L8ZTLXPZHuz7LKXDt8fb60b2aM8-7t7WnZ7rxxRpB-82L2ik549CSk8cJH1eHQCkYOudAfX7oD11Hz3MymyYd2ZRiceoSUQnBn870kP91XBO-B_VEvNzHnqOjhijyk/s1600/paintedshoes_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm73jTsLWOk9H11L8ZTLXPZHuz7LKXDt8fb60b2aM8-7t7WnZ7rxxRpB-82L2ik549CSk8cJH1eHQCkYOudAfX7oD11Hz3MymyYd2ZRiceoSUQnBn870kP91XBO-B_VEvNzHnqOjhijyk/s1600/paintedshoes_06.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Leave to dry and then carefully pull off the masking
tape. I ended up with a tiny bit of bleed where I didn't press the tape down
properly. That'll teach me to rush.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite the tiny bit of bleed, this project was really effective
for transforming my shoes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nice</i>
shoes for the season and can stop stuffing my feet into winter boots ;) Yay!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-49784329753552993032016-02-16T19:14:00.001+00:002016-02-16T19:14:55.524+00:00Free Printable: Easter Egg HuntWhen I was a child, we never had Easter Egg Hunts. Instead, my Mum would cut out different coloured teddy bears, and my sisters and I would each have to seek out the bears of the colour we were given. Once we'd found all the bears of our chosen colour, we would get a prize.<br />
<br />
Taking inspiration from this, I've created this alternative Easter Egg Hunt printable!<br />
Rather
than hunting for eggs, each participant can hunt for a
specific-coloured chick, and then cash them in for their chocolate egg
once they've found them all! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-MHeDQx9aMtnmz1qwURAs6oFVEs5A74jHC6o4-qJV3QKUpqBOzb2KwQ2nV9KlSWnIVzNOyCPeoQPeKttRWOKAWlv5VQGkDKAuBY7OCfsYQ3FHoIkdWlVHajH4YVrjdUvw1IElmT1GIw/s1600/easter-chick-coloured.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="free easter egg hunt printable easter chick" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-MHeDQx9aMtnmz1qwURAs6oFVEs5A74jHC6o4-qJV3QKUpqBOzb2KwQ2nV9KlSWnIVzNOyCPeoQPeKttRWOKAWlv5VQGkDKAuBY7OCfsYQ3FHoIkdWlVHajH4YVrjdUvw1IElmT1GIw/s640/easter-chick-coloured.png" title="" width="451" /></a></div>
<br />
This is great if you only gift your kids one egg each at Easter, but want to give them the fun experience of an Easter egg hunt.<br />
It also solves the problem of one child ending up with more eggs than the other!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnMeKyvb7F6EYwiFCTKo4YftPE5i25jiUyU8szknESfjFgN7PGYfZjtZpTKJWWme4GFD8OoOvzRvJKNmDk_Pr4pDyt-sNAWQ38B9pTzNQ9bDx0ySGKK6KJ6tsZf5tAVDlugfCE65Ar7o/s1600/easter-chick-black.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="free easter chick colouring printable" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnMeKyvb7F6EYwiFCTKo4YftPE5i25jiUyU8szknESfjFgN7PGYfZjtZpTKJWWme4GFD8OoOvzRvJKNmDk_Pr4pDyt-sNAWQ38B9pTzNQ9bDx0ySGKK6KJ6tsZf5tAVDlugfCE65Ar7o/s640/easter-chick-black.png" title="" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
I've included two versions of the same printable in this post: one coloured, one black and white.<br />
The black and white version is here in case you'd rather print straight onto coloured card, or want to expand on the Easter activities with a colouring-in session before the hunt begins!<br />
<br />
<b>Looking for Easter Egg Hunt signs? </b><br />
Find my other Easter printables <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/free-easter-egg-hunt-printable.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/printable-easter-egg-hunt-signs.html" target="_blank">here</a><b> </b> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-90797775136862456062016-02-13T12:32:00.000+00:002016-02-13T12:32:34.574+00:00Beach Pouch DIY<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKtcC_AvyMviwd92k_ylDYq3V0ytKDB0tWdbW8LBSxJvmJP-hXJPIc02aIwW0JcFfhesqRJLMVGqzcXBi_30hNnVipvB9AULW7vHDb_bh2gvwGfLfdXDEnTaik1IWKojfPBI86C9tC4s/s1600/pouch_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beachy zipper pouch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKtcC_AvyMviwd92k_ylDYq3V0ytKDB0tWdbW8LBSxJvmJP-hXJPIc02aIwW0JcFfhesqRJLMVGqzcXBi_30hNnVipvB9AULW7vHDb_bh2gvwGfLfdXDEnTaik1IWKojfPBI86C9tC4s/s1600/pouch_01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Remember how, back in November, I posted about <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2015/11/in-case-of-hoarding-smash-stash.html" target="_blank">destashing</a>?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That I claimed to have a list of project ideas to work on?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, my friends, I finally used some of that fabric, and
made this cute stripy pouch with an embroidered nautical design. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Summer might be months away, but dreaming of those warm and dry days is a nice way to forget about the grey skies and damp air, don't you think?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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There are a zillion and one zipper pouch tutorials out there, but
here's another. ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhZNbvZ_khrkeG4p_PcEgwplQM25z-hwNVkqFhprt7GzyHHYDCR9YuG74xzUPF2tR3R3Hiqxb7aDMVpljG8kjN84twjgvvwaBuIG1tNWMzu7gYbknaB4a3liWTIyKE3zocFF4nsrzPeE/s1600/pouch_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="zip pouch tute" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhZNbvZ_khrkeG4p_PcEgwplQM25z-hwNVkqFhprt7GzyHHYDCR9YuG74xzUPF2tR3R3Hiqxb7aDMVpljG8kjN84twjgvvwaBuIG1tNWMzu7gYbknaB4a3liWTIyKE3zocFF4nsrzPeE/s1600/pouch_02.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You'll need:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stripy fabric</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neutral fabric*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fabric for lining (I used thin polycotton)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5"-6" Zip (mine was old and a weird size)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Embroidery thread</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sewing thread</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Optional: thin ribbon</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tools:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sewing needles</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sewing machine</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zipper foot</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ruler</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scissors/rotary cutter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dressmaking pins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Optional:</i> pinking
shears</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*I used some loose-woven neutral fabric, but it was a total
pain in the butt to sew. I could have done with some interfacing on it! Lesson:
take care in your fabric choices!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, on with the tutorial!<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXgQAHC6w3xFfjXLrouXS45aduLg_R53sfuvg1KV0Qb7DK_jGPBfkI2egGA4uEAH_1GqEXw_D75kQ412hJAzhyphenhyphenFi6JHu8YnIwQHB-Cm4q1_viir0Uc9a5qXK8fzOeql6m1og7fYQMLos/s1600/pouch_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to make a zipper pouch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXgQAHC6w3xFfjXLrouXS45aduLg_R53sfuvg1KV0Qb7DK_jGPBfkI2egGA4uEAH_1GqEXw_D75kQ412hJAzhyphenhyphenFi6JHu8YnIwQHB-Cm4q1_viir0Uc9a5qXK8fzOeql6m1og7fYQMLos/s1600/pouch_03.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Cut <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">two lots</b>
of each:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lining: 19 x 20 cm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stripe: 19 x 15 cm</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neutral: (A) 19 x 6 cm, (B) 7 x 3 cm</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMH6tktv09jxr9Rl5zMQ4KfqB2L4up6tWqgIv2eIMmfwrkczsMCyqhF8bHT98iR4-b13pvjas8aYXxBykHFHGoDeIFTcb0thseU1zP9BbVISsaeGix8FW-ikTcLYCfLpQRU10SwZktRI/s1600/pouch_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="contrastic fabric zipper pouch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMH6tktv09jxr9Rl5zMQ4KfqB2L4up6tWqgIv2eIMmfwrkczsMCyqhF8bHT98iR4-b13pvjas8aYXxBykHFHGoDeIFTcb0thseU1zP9BbVISsaeGix8FW-ikTcLYCfLpQRU10SwZktRI/s1600/pouch_04.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Align piece A of neutral fabric against edge of stripe
fabric, right sides facing, and stitch together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ44-y8BbZwUcIUCmWs8jKcp5y_JT2ZONzMaD94F4GV5WGxePUjKnCX9_zvEWWxcUp0wuiNjeXuU7TxPLP2oLrMUYf5gZ76aIbzO8GgvfOA4I3vpn00XEoAMdEG5YI9qU9_9iebOoM9c/s1600/pouch_05.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="zip pouch DIY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ44-y8BbZwUcIUCmWs8jKcp5y_JT2ZONzMaD94F4GV5WGxePUjKnCX9_zvEWWxcUp0wuiNjeXuU7TxPLP2oLrMUYf5gZ76aIbzO8GgvfOA4I3vpn00XEoAMdEG5YI9qU9_9iebOoM9c/s1600/pouch_05.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Fold/press neutral fabric down and topstitch. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From this point, I'll
refer to this combined stripe-and-neutral fabric piece as 'outer' or 'outer
fabric'</i></blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqq8Y2adaStf00xd24gKyz12CdSnRzuOmLaQTVH8BPjLdJ_okCcsCv2HCQ-LYNV68P1TfvrQMTSrbluC8o3_9EPZModJIxR_hkSLDPJs80qr8v3vScgzSeletr_I9ThNit8QrYUUsIxQ/s1600/pouch_06.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="summer project for beach" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqq8Y2adaStf00xd24gKyz12CdSnRzuOmLaQTVH8BPjLdJ_okCcsCv2HCQ-LYNV68P1TfvrQMTSrbluC8o3_9EPZModJIxR_hkSLDPJs80qr8v3vScgzSeletr_I9ThNit8QrYUUsIxQ/s1600/pouch_06.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Fold piece B of neutral fabric in half width-wise and
topstitch along the fold to make a tab.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W7hyphenhyphentLXU4y7ueMu72CRyRk8PBu5uEyWX9zXblbMY-1APEZhcfDVom90YH9uwQh9pGLjbbHoSH00WeXgj3GSsEDVRmuULjrGIo1N6IS8i-6gSPamtNbHDhmpktY42gvZWI26TdCpn0pE/s1600/pouch_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="zipper pouch how to" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W7hyphenhyphentLXU4y7ueMu72CRyRk8PBu5uEyWX9zXblbMY-1APEZhcfDVom90YH9uwQh9pGLjbbHoSH00WeXgj3GSsEDVRmuULjrGIo1N6IS8i-6gSPamtNbHDhmpktY42gvZWI26TdCpn0pE/s1600/pouch_07.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Align the tabs in the top corners of one piece of the outer
fabric and tack down at the edges.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDitrYckw6gbbQUOUc5_RMDTUqbin5kVkEN8P65cq8ce8Ug4TpoYZU4PaXOBkzjIU6fcxkqMVfcwE7Rp5bts3VvFaHd2GyuNDxeagDVIb3gFpNuAjuciM-b5U1wD0XuhL0ALhHbcvpG8/s1600/pouch_08.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="scrapbusting project" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDitrYckw6gbbQUOUc5_RMDTUqbin5kVkEN8P65cq8ce8Ug4TpoYZU4PaXOBkzjIU6fcxkqMVfcwE7Rp5bts3VvFaHd2GyuNDxeagDVIb3gFpNuAjuciM-b5U1wD0XuhL0ALhHbcvpG8/s1600/pouch_08.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Time to make a sandwich! Lay the zip face down on the outer
fabric and tabs, and lay a piece of lining over the top. Ensure all pieces are
aligned, pin down and stitch with a zipper foot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24h4NmG8iWjQ0FjcP2GO4WkguBq20-DQTb2PuEgpVeTPIAyRFXCbRjWdROOXJ-ZlYuSAgwZH357wkMay0ir_RNZnvo1c8MjaKLPnHKoFmLF3wSaLYIsanTw4JuINeIPCKByKQvUGk2Ao/s1600/pouch_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="does anybody ever look at the alt text anyway" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24h4NmG8iWjQ0FjcP2GO4WkguBq20-DQTb2PuEgpVeTPIAyRFXCbRjWdROOXJ-ZlYuSAgwZH357wkMay0ir_RNZnvo1c8MjaKLPnHKoFmLF3wSaLYIsanTw4JuINeIPCKByKQvUGk2Ao/s1600/pouch_09.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
7. Sandwich part 2! Fold down the fabrics you just stitched,
to reveal the zip.<br />
Layer the other piece of outer fabric (right side up), then
the pieces you sewed together in step 6 (outer side facing down--align the zip
with the top edge), and finally the second piece of lining fabric (right side
down). Stitch the top edge with a zipper foot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEDuHlOdrKUKxNI7FYpF34P1xa5eTx55CvgxAn3t32-ZcdMzrUGFirssiVacXF_TtzoARgqvdiSsSQSAZFmmf2Dzyx9xkQGR2xxk8dHKmuPaYVtApbCDjBqVqa-1cgWQefJ-45Vu2Btk/s1600/pouch_10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="i'll probably forget i put that there and be confused" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEDuHlOdrKUKxNI7FYpF34P1xa5eTx55CvgxAn3t32-ZcdMzrUGFirssiVacXF_TtzoARgqvdiSsSQSAZFmmf2Dzyx9xkQGR2xxk8dHKmuPaYVtApbCDjBqVqa-1cgWQefJ-45Vu2Btk/s1600/pouch_10.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. Open your work out so that the zip is in the centre, with
a outer piece and lining piece each side. Press down and topstitch either side
of the zip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1JQG5LLq5UHI_oNVI8E-uS2TmusNJ2EWcc8ZFUyAKMyF0pQA8rGuMccZFx9uv7SdmV3oBXX-oRY1aV-RpBybcNfKRD67h5Y1eXCeAac661phpb55UXiPMoXp9te1Jdzln0l1Hhhp7YU/s1600/pouch_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="my embroidery leaves a lot to be desired" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1JQG5LLq5UHI_oNVI8E-uS2TmusNJ2EWcc8ZFUyAKMyF0pQA8rGuMccZFx9uv7SdmV3oBXX-oRY1aV-RpBybcNfKRD67h5Y1eXCeAac661phpb55UXiPMoXp9te1Jdzln0l1Hhhp7YU/s1600/pouch_16.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. Stitch on the embroidered design at this point, paying
heed to seam allowances. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As the combination of
red and white stripes alongside the neutral coloured fabric reminded me of a
deck chair on a sandy beach, I opted for an anchor design for the embroidery,
but you could change it up according to what inspires you! </i></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdqBgt303IpMA9wynCNUuLfyanOvxjEz5drGsiWl-l-V2FUS1RwhpALH1FGBdFF9CH6g0-ySsIJlyyuZbCUoDBdVX87G-Xlwn8xgjLesGJfNOn4V7Tks6X4-7tQqetDZWCnZvtNgxBFg/s1600/pouch_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY beach themed zipper pouch tutorial" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdqBgt303IpMA9wynCNUuLfyanOvxjEz5drGsiWl-l-V2FUS1RwhpALH1FGBdFF9CH6g0-ySsIJlyyuZbCUoDBdVX87G-Xlwn8xgjLesGJfNOn4V7Tks6X4-7tQqetDZWCnZvtNgxBFg/s1600/pouch_11.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10. Undo the zip about half-way, so you can turn the project once the seams are sewn.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorYrToFsew8Ng0ykV86dl1Yu4SE-WlntYj0Nijb66_kfZlueIY0RZqll296c6DNNztRRJZw-h1V1Hg4cJNHunJYBMNTFUTlrkJe9Cn9U6XwV1RDPDbAgd4kisD4snvVvhWpMze_C9338/s1600/pouch_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beach-themed pouch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorYrToFsew8Ng0ykV86dl1Yu4SE-WlntYj0Nijb66_kfZlueIY0RZqll296c6DNNztRRJZw-h1V1Hg4cJNHunJYBMNTFUTlrkJe9Cn9U6XwV1RDPDbAgd4kisD4snvVvhWpMze_C9338/s1600/pouch_12.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11. Open out the work so the two sides of outer fabric, and
the two sides of lining fabric, are together, right sides facing. Pin around
the edges, leaving a gap in the bottom edge of the lining for turning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5LvWN2FML-rmz6ecmdXj6xUue293-rBpjCNtAzHyRqfHGn08fIjUaywj2DmvVk5c-Kq0rt-doRkSm4PwsYiewcXVbxbxj7R87bBC2NZEwNgkJYpCfxczHMQLUdN95avcHYLOjcchQ4Y/s1600/pouch_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="titanium sewing machine needles are my friend" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5LvWN2FML-rmz6ecmdXj6xUue293-rBpjCNtAzHyRqfHGn08fIjUaywj2DmvVk5c-Kq0rt-doRkSm4PwsYiewcXVbxbxj7R87bBC2NZEwNgkJYpCfxczHMQLUdN95avcHYLOjcchQ4Y/s1600/pouch_13.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12. Sew around the edges, remembering to leave that gap! I
added a line of zigzag stitching on the neutral fabrics.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Important note:</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> When you get
to the tabs, make sure the edges are folded down over the stripe fabric, not
over the lining as seen in the picture. I did this part wrong because I wasn't
paying attention, so the top corners of my pouch turned out a bit messy. Booo.</i></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1Ktd6XhnfOpFHfzbxAq7pDHKzUQGQEw_bVXQ7TflQv0wnl4LG_1Pw4lncyxV9hGHkZfyd-bwY_Uk-d-fhO7CIfc_5n6ZW1MD2ClJbtffqajhesjE-VnuxPmGlLXaR5Tkl-1ACdutmkk/s1600/pouch_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="zipper pouch DIY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1Ktd6XhnfOpFHfzbxAq7pDHKzUQGQEw_bVXQ7TflQv0wnl4LG_1Pw4lncyxV9hGHkZfyd-bwY_Uk-d-fhO7CIfc_5n6ZW1MD2ClJbtffqajhesjE-VnuxPmGlLXaR5Tkl-1ACdutmkk/s1600/pouch_14.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Optional:</i> For
squared-off corners at the bottom of the pouch. At each corner, align the
bottom and side seams and stitch across, a couple of centimetres from the
corner. Trim off the point--I used pinking shears to reduce fraying.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_isZzY5RH9eu9f2sFIPv6Fz6vN8EaO6xBvpantWJQL4xZsK_gJbt2HGipB_sN9kVvwq1l_HGwi9pIKv0x8op8AWUSawNbNumOEt7mLQcLhLnlSuetq0jch3SxIxo4UO5yKC8-7lFq_o8/s1600/pouch_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY zipper pouch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_isZzY5RH9eu9f2sFIPv6Fz6vN8EaO6xBvpantWJQL4xZsK_gJbt2HGipB_sN9kVvwq1l_HGwi9pIKv0x8op8AWUSawNbNumOEt7mLQcLhLnlSuetq0jch3SxIxo4UO5yKC8-7lFq_o8/s1600/pouch_15.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14. Turn the pouch the right way around, through the gap left
in the lining.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD1OGVgTVlB_tRocohxTEv_iK0mlKGd4Mc_pAvorpSSkEg06AyKRHq5CdDDvpfUviBZGMSMWkvVWLR2IeS9FGT2lBKE4JJo2BtTUK7ycZWeeV7rZuzoythZDPi2oEf25eodVpbdqyZ4M/s1600/pouch_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="you're nearly there" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD1OGVgTVlB_tRocohxTEv_iK0mlKGd4Mc_pAvorpSSkEg06AyKRHq5CdDDvpfUviBZGMSMWkvVWLR2IeS9FGT2lBKE4JJo2BtTUK7ycZWeeV7rZuzoythZDPi2oEf25eodVpbdqyZ4M/s1600/pouch_17.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15. Hand-stitch the lining closed and push inside the pouch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrU8oFL05JnJRVlysQyoy9NVsUQ6smTdSYJwIwg27lOR3gKqT-5BEohsEK4Ih6kmd7HG-BN7WvyRVyabNCNwta5cVzXfZIUh7wcZ-jSa5jyU2HlPJ41Op8Tdg-jfsV7zwDgwiqnWD5qUw/s1600/pouch_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="see you're done now nice zipper pouch friend" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrU8oFL05JnJRVlysQyoy9NVsUQ6smTdSYJwIwg27lOR3gKqT-5BEohsEK4Ih6kmd7HG-BN7WvyRVyabNCNwta5cVzXfZIUh7wcZ-jSa5jyU2HlPJ41Op8Tdg-jfsV7zwDgwiqnWD5qUw/s1600/pouch_18.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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16. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Optional: </i>For
a finishing touch, add a piece of narrow ribbon to the zip pull, and you're
done!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was definitely on a roll the day that I made this! Other
scrap-busting projects included:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouzj-mmAdxsoqooGDf54B2Ej83S7A936PRP-7fTEjsSbkSVlU_UUhwomIqgvhe3afXHro71RkwdbkmlVApvij1LqR71nUA1l1HH1INddnYu1A7I_S19-IJ1iN8gRBB9cb2_w1lV327vQ/s1600/pouch_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tissue pouch thingy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouzj-mmAdxsoqooGDf54B2Ej83S7A936PRP-7fTEjsSbkSVlU_UUhwomIqgvhe3afXHro71RkwdbkmlVApvij1LqR71nUA1l1HH1INddnYu1A7I_S19-IJ1iN8gRBB9cb2_w1lV327vQ/s1600/pouch_19.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This tissue pouch, made from a scrap of pink gingham and
more of the white polycotton that I used for the beach pouch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL2Fr1oTgPuK-jE6BCNekSxM4IZy2i_kfQ9OeAZR0VerizTl-d3oQcDHhuP8Iexe9q9NggKRYLBfD3u3qOzWB90r0l8zhyFnsTKUOnHS8I-MSNTl6qiqHXtAzfTMUn_XkUxO_i8-8xQ4/s1600/pouch_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lavender sachets are good and easy to make" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL2Fr1oTgPuK-jE6BCNekSxM4IZy2i_kfQ9OeAZR0VerizTl-d3oQcDHhuP8Iexe9q9NggKRYLBfD3u3qOzWB90r0l8zhyFnsTKUOnHS8I-MSNTl6qiqHXtAzfTMUn_XkUxO_i8-8xQ4/s1600/pouch_20.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A whole bunch of lavender sachets, because I still have
lavender left over from two years ago, and it still smells divine!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok1HUc6N4aftY1JgeSNsH21L0AhsnpYzL8BeJH7VT6HV2gINMR8AZlBXnMBRAsWO32VAz1_hyphenhyphenQ_DrSr4OSJUJG0379iNZ6tLk390w0WneV1cPaCh6G6XsMsbt4nv-jqxVIxaIzBvRI2o/s1600/pouch_21.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="and so we reach the end thank you for reading" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok1HUc6N4aftY1JgeSNsH21L0AhsnpYzL8BeJH7VT6HV2gINMR8AZlBXnMBRAsWO32VAz1_hyphenhyphenQ_DrSr4OSJUJG0379iNZ6tLk390w0WneV1cPaCh6G6XsMsbt4nv-jqxVIxaIzBvRI2o/s1600/pouch_21.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another pouch, using fabric left over from a skirt I
remade. I made this one before the beach pouch, and now I use it as a
purse!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you might expect, I've still got a ton of fabric that
remains unused! One day, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> get
to sewing it, though I might have another bout of destashing: I'm not sure that
I really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> all of this fabric...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-13287757037539516822016-01-16T12:49:00.000+00:002016-01-16T12:49:29.616+00:00Crystal & Thread Choker DIY<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YSQcOWoMOahU8mWZ6dptzwsIFuQkC9jY5iHmfMUVVpQHOM6xJRjChfb9wleZhLkKPqmwiP1dDCMjrFhN8ncGVgR-0ooHUNn2THJ4lPtmbuYJbv-cOnIXpSAzqwy1T0a4APmG4hugTHE/s1600/choker00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YSQcOWoMOahU8mWZ6dptzwsIFuQkC9jY5iHmfMUVVpQHOM6xJRjChfb9wleZhLkKPqmwiP1dDCMjrFhN8ncGVgR-0ooHUNn2THJ4lPtmbuYJbv-cOnIXpSAzqwy1T0a4APmG4hugTHE/s1600/choker00.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Today I want to share this crystal and thread choker, which I made recently. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the crystal pieces I make use bold colours, but this
time I wanted to go for something a that incorporated cool tones, for more of a
wintry look. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a really simple DIY and you don't need any
jewellery-making skills to do it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj175Zeg8Xe6xXiDVb86D1Ynfs5aAmm0rGxjLufVLPT-xdCpObOZZRQxYK0AgQDEly43V3ZlLv2Tg_-AlM45hCURGk5515S86fNpqI614Q1w02K9ZnnxYgQzrPDNb69x4BzFfSOnmuREGA/s1600/choker01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj175Zeg8Xe6xXiDVb86D1Ynfs5aAmm0rGxjLufVLPT-xdCpObOZZRQxYK0AgQDEly43V3ZlLv2Tg_-AlM45hCURGk5515S86fNpqI614Q1w02K9ZnnxYgQzrPDNb69x4BzFfSOnmuREGA/s1600/choker01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You'll need:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plain metal choker/collar</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Small crystals (I used quartz)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Embroidery thread in chosen colours</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Strong glue (I used E6000)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scissors</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Optional:</i> Tape
measure</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHRlCqwUrMezonT03S1tlOj9pdJmDyZip3MIsFj2TEUVlHjj5DdYfz0AnuuZLtkMdeLCrMB3GF00ZsoFlQGHGlS5C3M1cluY0uVZfmFoCXf695O0__DoOeFBgTwkEb24_PXg3labUrmw/s1600/choker02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHRlCqwUrMezonT03S1tlOj9pdJmDyZip3MIsFj2TEUVlHjj5DdYfz0AnuuZLtkMdeLCrMB3GF00ZsoFlQGHGlS5C3M1cluY0uVZfmFoCXf695O0__DoOeFBgTwkEb24_PXg3labUrmw/s1600/choker02.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Find the
centre of the choker (measure it or eyeball it). Choose crystals to fit the
space and then glue them on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If your glue takes a while to dry, prop the choker up on
something to stop the crystals sliding/falling off before the glue has set. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the centre crystals are firmly stuck, leave a gap
either side and add more crystals. Glue and leave to dry, as before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You could repeat this
all the way around the choker. I just decorated the front.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslkDL91yisX0xyjwVcGIYCXAEUGF7xxCrN8JfxVIYOuvmya426x7nLt7zrjuhV2ZNuhE1YwSLy-EIjs66ABZebrwj59Rm0ZEfXMY3MV9dg1mbAKhOJ3jZqN56xJhfHBttTb29Fy6wQvg/s1600/choker03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslkDL91yisX0xyjwVcGIYCXAEUGF7xxCrN8JfxVIYOuvmya426x7nLt7zrjuhV2ZNuhE1YwSLy-EIjs66ABZebrwj59Rm0ZEfXMY3MV9dg1mbAKhOJ3jZqN56xJhfHBttTb29Fy6wQvg/s1600/choker03.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Leaving a couple of inches spare, wrap the first colour
of embroidery thread around the collar, starting next to the crystals and
continuing until 1/3 of the way to the next set of crystals. Knot the ends at
the back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLGukm1DA7oyEFar_aEC86nQN-iB2vNEsIfLqW6lKxIfu4scqO9aKkBLu0NGHbhwaD8rJ6_8VojDKp9wVN8pzjU84UeWUbnX8VqX0z_FaFfI3BDHqZtqiPcSkpReJeUok76TAbXZbvyU/s1600/choker04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLGukm1DA7oyEFar_aEC86nQN-iB2vNEsIfLqW6lKxIfu4scqO9aKkBLu0NGHbhwaD8rJ6_8VojDKp9wVN8pzjU84UeWUbnX8VqX0z_FaFfI3BDHqZtqiPcSkpReJeUok76TAbXZbvyU/s1600/choker04.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Repeat step 2 with the second colour, then with the first
colour again. Fill in the gap on the other side of the choker the same way. And
then you're done!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Note:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though the glue may be touch dry, it's usually advisable to
leave your project for 24 hours before use. (I've learnt this the hard way when
I glued together a hair clip, used it because I thought it was dry, and later
discovered it was stuck in my hair!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<center>
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/amethyst-collar-diy.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpgG7YXk3Sdatf4Y9QdOX_MC-YpbcFtFJH0x14JZNtZWEHtC1hZ-nmfqBV4KwLKADVMg9t8m0JJes6lJ2qQb3j2ZEYt_RgovCYOoquf1JAXUc2qq6L-G4kQR0BnLGWSZZulUhwHObEC0/s320/amecollar_00.jpg" /></a>
</center>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
If you like the idea of this choker but would prefer less
embroidery thread and more crystals, check out my <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/amethyst-collar-diy.html" target="_blank">Amethyst Collar DIY...</a><br />
<br />
You can find other jewellery tutorials for all abilities under my <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/jewellery" target="_blank">jewellery tag</a>! :) </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-45483744182642046002016-01-11T20:30:00.000+00:002016-01-11T20:30:59.074+00:00Letterzines Inspiration<div class="MsoNormal">
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When I shared <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2016/01/6-ways-to-repurpose-old-christmas-cards.html" target="_blank">6 Ways to Repurpose Old Christmas Cards</a>, one
of the methods I mentioned was Letterzines.</div>
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If you like writing letters but want to get more creative
with what you send, this post is for you! </div>
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A letterzine is a cross between a letter and a magazine.
Along with the usual hellos and how-are-yous found in a letter, a letterzine is
filled with images and information, hand-decorated and tailored to each
individual recipient! This is a fun way to reuse or repurpose wrapping paper, magazines, or any other paper-based imagery. </div>
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This post is intended to give some inspiration for what you
could include in yours.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOFbLpRIRP8bQU85o1cZJH69WILkdikqkcgpndHQpoyqJoVgDQjhPjbvHi8dVFMfIiPnlTfg1QuqJqslZdlq3zvm9VxscIrntGNhUSY5GM-PZwNCCRqHldxPlhKTnbYL_pRxg61S9hxU/s1600/letterzines02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOFbLpRIRP8bQU85o1cZJH69WILkdikqkcgpndHQpoyqJoVgDQjhPjbvHi8dVFMfIiPnlTfg1QuqJqslZdlq3zvm9VxscIrntGNhUSY5GM-PZwNCCRqHldxPlhKTnbYL_pRxg61S9hxU/s1600/letterzines02.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Front Cover</b></span></div>
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Spend time thinking about the cover. </div>
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Do you want it to match the content? Do you want it to
reflect the personality of the person you're making it for? Do you have some
really awesome cut-outs that you're desperate to use? </div>
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I made the two in the post header for my friends, Rina (<a href="http://rina-wird-kreativ.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">K re a t i v</a>) and Lilia (<a href="http://paracosmoflilies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paracosm of Lilies</a>). The one just above was made by
Lilia, for me! </div>
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As you can see, the styles are all very different! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBJRgNNBLEToo2PkYQkjINnZera7DWe5Woo-LM3N8TQCqk2X95J0JXww5w8Cq85A0cBV0ny2P6kvLgmnbuQ6_Te-vinmFc67o__CVrUL12J97fvtEok2XKJYp-eGDJpu_NXF7Y7rqMnE/s1600/letterzines17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBJRgNNBLEToo2PkYQkjINnZera7DWe5Woo-LM3N8TQCqk2X95J0JXww5w8Cq85A0cBV0ny2P6kvLgmnbuQ6_Te-vinmFc67o__CVrUL12J97fvtEok2XKJYp-eGDJpu_NXF7Y7rqMnE/s1600/letterzines17.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Binding</b></span></div>
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There are numerous methods you can use to bind the pages
together; it's best to choose one appropriate to the number of pages you're
putting in.</div>
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Here are just a few ideas:</div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stitching</b> is good for up to 20
pages (5 sheets of paper, folded in half) <br />
Use a drawing pin to make 2-3 evenly-spaced holes in the fold, then stitch
together with ordinary needle and thread/embroidery silk. <br />
(Lilia made 4 holes and bound with ribbon, to give two bows on the spine!)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stab-binding</b> is good for any
number of pages, and you don't need to fold them! <br />
There's a great tutorial on <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2013/03/bookbinding-101-japanese-four-hold-binding.html" target="_blank">Design*Sponge</a>--I made the above notebook this way,
using a pin to make the holes.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stapling</b> is another option, and
needs no explanation!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Folding</b> is the least stress-free
method. <br />
<a href="http://www.fimp.net/makeabook.html" target="_blank">The Fiji Island Mermaid Press</a> has a good tutorial on how to fold a single piece of paper to
make an 8-page book. </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Content</b></span></div>
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Here are some ideas for what to include in your letterzine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09toDCRlDz7hRhKkuZTkewF4EMvYNS_4BqCTwOLiSg8Cr-FSu3nyFFypfth7vRvUdBbz7fltyHEMYLZnHR4_9EbgTpxEQv8ouGsBteKwo6GGJT-V0K-TpLNLsCPWg214MdSJwsS6IGj0/s1600/letterzines03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09toDCRlDz7hRhKkuZTkewF4EMvYNS_4BqCTwOLiSg8Cr-FSu3nyFFypfth7vRvUdBbz7fltyHEMYLZnHR4_9EbgTpxEQv8ouGsBteKwo6GGJT-V0K-TpLNLsCPWg214MdSJwsS6IGj0/s1600/letterzines03.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Contents Page</b> </div>
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So the recipient knows what they're getting (and also to
make it more magazine-like!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEwUbxiiIvAUMaaeDxzPVOSSgsZ84ZYTOO4U0pgZdsSddNPJjF-ToAjiSbT6xcYWvA2dRwfAkPPpS-HzrPyq9VcHRIP7VVwqJOPIAJpTgEBCtvWhHceWUjliGUTF0VnEGmMrFU21oqGw/s1600/letterzines04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEwUbxiiIvAUMaaeDxzPVOSSgsZ84ZYTOO4U0pgZdsSddNPJjF-ToAjiSbT6xcYWvA2dRwfAkPPpS-HzrPyq9VcHRIP7VVwqJOPIAJpTgEBCtvWhHceWUjliGUTF0VnEGmMrFU21oqGw/s1600/letterzines04.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Postcards and Clippings</b>
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These are a fun way of decorating the letter portions of a
letterzine, and also a topic for you to write about! </div>
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I made them removable so that my friend could take them out
and use them if she wanted, but this is also a way of putting in secret
messages! </div>
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If you want to do this but would prefer a tidier method than
I used, you can buy photo corners to hold them in place (try Amazon, Ebay, or
an art store).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOI0KQnij97pPTlGvQ4qy8b_ZtL2zIK5Uh0QMdy8zagQG2Ur0l1FjpD63PxdL1ylP-Y4cKW2C5XZXZf2z56ZTKXARysnV9RJ0Yme6UaMSKz8OIry1t5fPH0hL5lIrulAry9Di3Gg_8EqA/s1600/letterzines05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOI0KQnij97pPTlGvQ4qy8b_ZtL2zIK5Uh0QMdy8zagQG2Ur0l1FjpD63PxdL1ylP-Y4cKW2C5XZXZf2z56ZTKXARysnV9RJ0Yme6UaMSKz8OIry1t5fPH0hL5lIrulAry9Di3Gg_8EqA/s1600/letterzines05.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Short Stories</b></div>
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Include a short (possibly silly) story for the recipient.</div>
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I decorated this page with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">pressed flowers</b>, wrapping paper and an illustration</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgDuZOuiroqbIig3pyCDczPdBiqAWQHtFsYE3mDlo6md_i4HjmrpULcG1bz7UNrpAMhdXWwajvRZ1kz2pkq5UGoF0EOMlnzSUzmFNTb_AvydzRfMleGJaFPHKOVmdmRim8CaCsZr1Tu8/s1600/letterzines12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgDuZOuiroqbIig3pyCDczPdBiqAWQHtFsYE3mDlo6md_i4HjmrpULcG1bz7UNrpAMhdXWwajvRZ1kz2pkq5UGoF0EOMlnzSUzmFNTb_AvydzRfMleGJaFPHKOVmdmRim8CaCsZr1Tu8/s1600/letterzines12.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Craft Tutorials</b></div>
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Got a crafty friend? How about including a little how-to in
their letterzine? </div>
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In Rina's letterzine, I included a tried and tested method
of taking a pattern from an existing garment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7MdLxA9jEMlG3IlSAvqnrxTMbA3SorJiiXrj0-oSTu7nB_YKXT1NdqxhQiQR9DxU78r291_kSWRk7D_-2XaS3ynDEoeviawtgsgEsx4nZRDIRYvd11jXkY8S0OR-UY2XbhupdI_fRkM/s1600/letterzines06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7MdLxA9jEMlG3IlSAvqnrxTMbA3SorJiiXrj0-oSTu7nB_YKXT1NdqxhQiQR9DxU78r291_kSWRk7D_-2XaS3ynDEoeviawtgsgEsx4nZRDIRYvd11jXkY8S0OR-UY2XbhupdI_fRkM/s1600/letterzines06.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Themed Facts</b></div>
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Pick a theme you know your friend will enjoy, research some
facts, and fill a couple of pages with information! </div>
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This beautiful Japan-themed spread was made by Lilia.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL9khgg8NDoLShl4E9aAvcRRYB4pmM00HR3PCfYZN1KfgCk7tOxN9b2pS1sExcq5KbXZdGYljh6xy0s6VtPCITdYhbBZWzlPWOxXkBkXdmG6Jv7lwnalLv73AYTP9BoA4B6SVXyAA_-k/s1600/letterzines07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL9khgg8NDoLShl4E9aAvcRRYB4pmM00HR3PCfYZN1KfgCk7tOxN9b2pS1sExcq5KbXZdGYljh6xy0s6VtPCITdYhbBZWzlPWOxXkBkXdmG6Jv7lwnalLv73AYTP9BoA4B6SVXyAA_-k/s1600/letterzines07.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Quotes</b></div>
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Whether funny, inspirational, or thought-provoking, create a
collection perfect for the person the letterzine is for! </div>
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How about quotes from your friend's <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">favourite movie or celebrity?</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Recipes</b></div>
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Include a recipe for something tasty that your friend might
enjoy! </div>
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I sent Rina a recipe given to me by a neighbour, and - as it
uses Rosemary - included a little drawing and some facts on Rosemary on the
next page.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKOg36ybxlpisyCHTZSstoeaq5lMHBWVm-3vC8MdDj2ZluUcjTqYCpagyqmEgQc7Kn_6o34FvvcYknh-LO26RqvhMI5uGJVNj5EevzzNjbNISFlnvA8KEckuld-jdBDWoLJhOLG5rzns/s1600/letterzines08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKOg36ybxlpisyCHTZSstoeaq5lMHBWVm-3vC8MdDj2ZluUcjTqYCpagyqmEgQc7Kn_6o34FvvcYknh-LO26RqvhMI5uGJVNj5EevzzNjbNISFlnvA8KEckuld-jdBDWoLJhOLG5rzns/s1600/letterzines08.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Images, Images, Everywhere!</b></div>
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Cover a page or two in pictures relevant to the recipient's
interests. The pages in the picture were in the letterzine that Lilia sent me,
and feature some of my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">favourite movies,
favourite characters and favourite musicians</b>, along with a few little
comments! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiwh_bdUZklv1S0z-117E7LZ5E6xK2lPSS5MRcNSeNUfav_fydoW1efqT-pSAA3kDgWxYee1pI4CqJFtB_8HrwMejkswveZ8M3FGtII2dcgGH-dJFY7DnSMZv-A_DNL8qXToxEST00FQ/s1600/letterzines09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiwh_bdUZklv1S0z-117E7LZ5E6xK2lPSS5MRcNSeNUfav_fydoW1efqT-pSAA3kDgWxYee1pI4CqJFtB_8HrwMejkswveZ8M3FGtII2dcgGH-dJFY7DnSMZv-A_DNL8qXToxEST00FQ/s1600/letterzines09.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fill the Page</b></div>
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Pages don't have to be equally balanced between text and
images. This is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">letter</i>zine after
all! You could fill pages with text and just decorate the top and bottom with
washi tape (as I did, above), OR...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpCD6zs0aps58Unati6fj8Q0zfnlpdPoknZidYY_clZB3iinkEunna9l7GJ4iFwACurQsCuelQNJdzKcKN3Hlzpe8VZUZ9WEOuZt_9EvxLw_QhJ7WTmzGyENJcfE0u12kTSY5cAklQlk/s1600/letterzines10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpCD6zs0aps58Unati6fj8Q0zfnlpdPoknZidYY_clZB3iinkEunna9l7GJ4iFwACurQsCuelQNJdzKcKN3Hlzpe8VZUZ9WEOuZt_9EvxLw_QhJ7WTmzGyENJcfE0u12kTSY5cAklQlk/s1600/letterzines10.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
...write on some awesome paper, with just a
couple of decorations (as Lilia did, above. As you can see, we both like mini
playing cards!)</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be Untidy</b></div>
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You don't have to make all your content follow a straight
line. What about wrapping your text around a cut- or ripped-out image, or
writing in wavy lines? </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be Tidy</b></div>
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A word or two on a page with a plain or decorative
background is as good as anything else! Here's a page from the letterzine I
sent to Rina, made with a scrap of awesome wrapping paper and a little quote I
found on a flyer.</div>
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<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5KHV9E0rXi4Q-KkJlRYk7QpOcU2DWEgXpeGCWBF1JUf0OONF12xF6yzjT7MKtl2UcDCxNc55SGvDQsLbLsodzUf6Ojgar4BBIdO3GDaqnOu3vAtNtVkNRpvkrLAawcw7g9yd3redE0c/s1600/letterzines11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5KHV9E0rXi4Q-KkJlRYk7QpOcU2DWEgXpeGCWBF1JUf0OONF12xF6yzjT7MKtl2UcDCxNc55SGvDQsLbLsodzUf6Ojgar4BBIdO3GDaqnOu3vAtNtVkNRpvkrLAawcw7g9yd3redE0c/s1600/letterzines11.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Back Cover</b></div>
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Don't forget the back cover!</div>
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Either decorate it the same as the front cover, use it for a
final few notes, or completely differently to the front!</div>
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<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R8s5UcOkqDxoAm3k2o1c4HfMsHMh7FzdNzPfsU_M7ndoc9A_PUf5Fj-5NJg00rLYckMw8UyK9aSHEsZhkVX5jhljjtv_YXz66JFln0X-viJcX6Om78E5Qg1OqEmy75i9RdTVGMTXdPI/s1600/letterzines14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R8s5UcOkqDxoAm3k2o1c4HfMsHMh7FzdNzPfsU_M7ndoc9A_PUf5Fj-5NJg00rLYckMw8UyK9aSHEsZhkVX5jhljjtv_YXz66JFln0X-viJcX6Om78E5Qg1OqEmy75i9RdTVGMTXdPI/s1600/letterzines14.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Other content:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are a few more suggestions:</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Song
lyrics</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Recommendations
for films/music/books/etc</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Poems</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Original
artwork</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Encouragement!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Top
Ten lists</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Brain
teasers</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Puzzles</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Flat
things collected by the recipient (e.g. train tickets, stamps, postcards)</li>
</ul>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Of course, there are plenty of other things you could
include, and you could decorate the pages with all kinds of media. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope this post gave you some inspiration!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-63035095520852834462016-01-04T15:52:00.002+00:002016-01-04T15:52:50.130+00:006 Ways to Repurpose Old Christmas Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjOwWZiSUnOkiU2cQIRRgk5FskhqZiuyhfOwlGILqJJZEuAYwWvGwuZul1IfAOro_gNHqt5dC5IvEIUZz9BC-y0ohxegadvUsct4YIBJQliwUThieUslXATEGXEw79ZHhH8cwtWWPW3c/s1600/repurposedxmascards00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjOwWZiSUnOkiU2cQIRRgk5FskhqZiuyhfOwlGILqJJZEuAYwWvGwuZul1IfAOro_gNHqt5dC5IvEIUZz9BC-y0ohxegadvUsct4YIBJQliwUThieUslXATEGXEw79ZHhH8cwtWWPW3c/s1600/repurposedxmascards00.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It's the New Year, and you're probably taking down Christmas decorations, and amassing a huge pile of Christmas cards to go into the recycling.<br />
Maybe you're looking at some of the artwork reluctantly, thinking, <i>"It seems such a waste to just throw these away..."</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqr0h2WLtawNeBNuNLz3xHY97kR-8-rUo02woO-H_e-xU-EghQMZLQnJyFaay4ZV5ifwwa4DlKqCPXvZvBc0jxY94d6Z9UfKEdmFRAwKHHOEO8IQHBNUyCqu2boff7v8MOKeZw7KvJpg/s1600/repurposedxmascards01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqr0h2WLtawNeBNuNLz3xHY97kR-8-rUo02woO-H_e-xU-EghQMZLQnJyFaay4ZV5ifwwa4DlKqCPXvZvBc0jxY94d6Z9UfKEdmFRAwKHHOEO8IQHBNUyCqu2boff7v8MOKeZw7KvJpg/s400/repurposedxmascards01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>You're right.</b><i> </i><br />
Which is why I've been beavering away to put together this post of <b>6 Ways to Repurpose Old Christmas Cards</b>.<br />
For the most part, these little crafts are <i>easy</i>--if you can cut and stick, you can do these!<br />
Some of these will also <b>help you save some time next Christmas</b>. <br />
Some are best done now, whilst some are worth leaving until closer to the festive season, when - provided you've dedicatd some time to chopping up old cards this January - you'll have all you need to crack on with some Christmas crafting (without having to fork out for expensive store-bought stuff).<br />
<br />
So, starting with the most obvious...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CqGTj8Rfpg6jf7CwiT440ZMqZHlhaBd8hYQWTHW2fCJ-qSGxs25SOAgXHopqVYVTSEy5BXi4GTsGNvSNpIbnyjwhambz9143sdkvt6THETY8oYB0xVFeDSTD0FrxX-B4o66VbQC4Qmo/s1600/repurposedxmascards02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CqGTj8Rfpg6jf7CwiT440ZMqZHlhaBd8hYQWTHW2fCJ-qSGxs25SOAgXHopqVYVTSEy5BXi4GTsGNvSNpIbnyjwhambz9143sdkvt6THETY8oYB0xVFeDSTD0FrxX-B4o66VbQC4Qmo/s400/repurposedxmascards02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Make Gift Tags for Next Christmas</b></span><br />
Simply cut graphics and/or text from the cards, use a hole punch on one corner, and tie on a piece of ribbon or twine (I used jute string).<br />
<ul>
<li>If pictures have something on the back, glue to coloured card first</li>
<li>Cut with pinking shears to get a zig-zag effect (you can buy craft scissors that will cut different shaped lines from paper)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDr4w64Y9jBmMPyWr_A8_Qk0fVN_VwBM8_biWVopAfEG9kUXDBE5LW2OR54VVbv6zRREa2sBN5JhzP7mnY9FkgJfOsERtUJuvXlOrBV7-KkAd5kF1Ftymgga0Q2zcLMMGQH9VZMpAz6s/s1600/repurposedxmascards03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDr4w64Y9jBmMPyWr_A8_Qk0fVN_VwBM8_biWVopAfEG9kUXDBE5LW2OR54VVbv6zRREa2sBN5JhzP7mnY9FkgJfOsERtUJuvXlOrBV7-KkAd5kF1Ftymgga0Q2zcLMMGQH9VZMpAz6s/s400/repurposedxmascards03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Make Decorations for Next Year's Tree</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Decorate images with ribbon, sequins, cabochons, or anything else you fancy, and add a loop of ribbon</span> to the back in order to hang. (I glued everything on using a glue gun)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlAlCwd-Nd5UQ3itTUnzMl6B654MauxUAwYALb3VavFcJo_qunehoSF_TWq7zNN0nePDjGYHP4RnwQXuVJinhwv799TNpIIJiYQt-MzAadRtujyqVRI8nrs6syy5BzEL5Ku5hzTy52i8/s1600/repurposedxmascards04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlAlCwd-Nd5UQ3itTUnzMl6B654MauxUAwYALb3VavFcJo_qunehoSF_TWq7zNN0nePDjGYHP4RnwQXuVJinhwv799TNpIIJiYQt-MzAadRtujyqVRI8nrs6syy5BzEL5Ku5hzTy52i8/s400/repurposedxmascards04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Frame Arty Cards for Seasonal Decoration</b></span><br />
There's always someone (or several someones) who sends out greetings cards featuring amazing art prints, isn't there?<br />
Keep them, and frame them to put out on display when the festive season rolls back around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2BenPSZirn6_FJ0Y6-b8-kg19Z3ch_CAbJtPm3QwW2kTN45R6yMiB2whmhbYMgucgAVGJxK4prgFx-9bC8zsjLFM4HZrnE3hmcCzf64N6rp7gRMmINVipH6cih7a4gv2eN88NDX1mWA/s1600/repurposedxmascards05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2BenPSZirn6_FJ0Y6-b8-kg19Z3ch_CAbJtPm3QwW2kTN45R6yMiB2whmhbYMgucgAVGJxK4prgFx-9bC8zsjLFM4HZrnE3hmcCzf64N6rp7gRMmINVipH6cih7a4gv2eN88NDX1mWA/s400/repurposedxmascards05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Make New Greetings Cards</b></span><br />
Either reuse the entire image from an old card, or snip out aspects of other cards to create something entirely unique.<br />
Glue to good quality card stock, or invest in a card-making kit, which will have completely blank cards ready-folded for you to decorate, along with matching envelopes.<br />
Add further decoration with sequins, washi tape, etc.<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Festive Letters and Poems</b></span><br />
Use sections of old cards to make your Christmas missives look more tailor-made and seasonal, or handwrite a poem/quote on good quality card stock, and use your cut-up Christmas cards to decorate.<br />
I think this 'Peace' text will lend itself well to a nice poem. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIKS0W3HEZkiPUwvlCVKPvVzi1f4EBmYq2-6g-R0y1t44K9RTX7yjI50GIdaPMfjUx7IR3l00jTy1kHoj-oQzut3mZnd83sD2D0VcuNEJPKz2BGYtw06F868TotwaEIyKy725hD8DTmg/s1600/repurposedxmascards07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIKS0W3HEZkiPUwvlCVKPvVzi1f4EBmYq2-6g-R0y1t44K9RTX7yjI50GIdaPMfjUx7IR3l00jTy1kHoj-oQzut3mZnd83sD2D0VcuNEJPKz2BGYtw06F868TotwaEIyKy725hD8DTmg/s400/repurposedxmascards07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Decorate a 'Letterzine'</b></span><br />
Okay, so this is similar to #5, and I've got to be honest here in that the one in the picture wasn't made especially for this post, but something I sent to my lovely friend Lilia, who blogs over at <a href="http://paracosmoflilies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paracosm of Lilies</a>, somewhen last year.<br />
I may write more specifically about letterzines in a future post, but <b>this is where you use all those tiny pieces of christmas card</b>, like painstakingly snipped-out robins and stockings and wreaths.<br />
A letterzine is basically a combination of a letter ('Hey, how are you doing?') and a magazine ('A Recipe for Flapjacks') that is decorated to within an inch of its life. <br />
Why not use Christmas card scraps on a page about little-known Christmas traditions, or wait until the festive season is upon us and make an entirely Christmas-themed letterzine?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bonus Craft: Bunting! </b></span><br />
Cut out all the similar shapes (Christmas trees would work brilliantly!) and glue or staple to ribbon. There you have more decor for next Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />
I don't think I've used the word 'Christmas' so often in a post before!<br />
I hope you found these ideas inspiring. I still have a stack of cards to work through, and a nice little pile of Christmassy imagery for my festive crafting come the end of the year.<br />
<br />
Well, it's better than just popping them in a recycling bin, isn't it!<br />
For more recycling projects, check out my <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/recycle" target="_blank">recycling tag</a>.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-41588644156677237122015-12-21T21:02:00.002+00:002015-12-21T21:02:42.496+00:0011 Jewellery DIYs to Start Your Year with StyleChristmas and New Year may be looming, with mulled wine and turkey still to go, but it's never too early to plan your crafts for <i>next</i> year.<br />
After all, there's only 10 days left of 2015...<br />
<br />
I've dug into the archives for this roundup of past tutorials.<br />
Here are 11 DIYs to start <i>your</i> 2016 with style (or at least a trip to your favourite crafting store!)<br />
<br />
Starting with the easiest--if you want more of a challenge, or something more time-consuming scroll to the bottom and check out my Pompom Necklace and Metal Disc Necklace DIYs! <br />
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/amethyst-collar-diy.html" target="_blank"><img alt="amethyst collar DIY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpgG7YXk3Sdatf4Y9QdOX_MC-YpbcFtFJH0x14JZNtZWEHtC1hZ-nmfqBV4KwLKADVMg9t8m0JJes6lJ2qQb3j2ZEYt_RgovCYOoquf1JAXUc2qq6L-G4kQR0BnLGWSZZulUhwHObEC0/s1600/amecollar_00.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/amethyst-collar-diy.html" target="_blank">Amethyst Collar DIY</a><br />Level: </b>Easy</div>
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If you can glue one thing to another thing, this is the craft for you.</div>
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Despite being so easy to make, this is a great statement piece! </div>
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/easy-crystal-necklace.html" target="_blank"><img alt="easy crystal necklace tutorial" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YXpoACrM49Y-PUiM42opixBg2mOMbaoZaUejn_rWkiii5MAejKic5QtH4_NnjtHt73QjuW67y36ZqvHKCn8omIatGe72UkDQTaiBpgPUuwSxp9FJXwiTRrLzXoP1zbIImjWnrokLWAk/s400/easycrystal_00.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/easy-crystal-necklace.html" target="_blank"><b>Easy Crystal Necklace DIY</b></a></div>
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<b>Level</b>: Easy</div>
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Can you tie a knot? Then you can make this necklace. </div>
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Nice gift for an earthy person, or for yourself :) </div>
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/higgledy-piggledy-bracelets.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwPier2OjDrnsDoOR-Bnd0G5C7dMEha0l-I93isifR61Jm3M4oxkk-hj8fqZEMv37KUeSCE6FZdGVpIVxXSkPDDvGu0HeonZ3yrZY_uR78ROGSoTsdFtvjr-8nUCRknydRLxkTQMN_AM/s400/bb_00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/higgledy-piggledy-bracelets.html" target="_blank"><b>Higgledy-Piggledy Bracelets</b></a><br />
<b>Level</b>: Easy<br />
So long as you can loop a piece of wire, you're good.<br />
This is a good one to do on a rainy day. Bored children optional!<br />
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/decorated-cuff.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTYEV8o0k2YH9B24FtrUiu3j7N2iEjUxsIgOtZh2MkJwRoM1fJDI5ACLkp_Sm27j6fSENGLq01QIg0W3WtpoTZHuapxzA4jEEnJ4YPxMNclcj4WOarS91nkHOEfCRwCgZwt7BrSJ5YRs/s400/deco_00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/decorated-cuff.html" target="_blank"><b>Decorated Cuff</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Level</b>: Easy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More cutting and sticking!<br />
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/metal-lace-flowers-earrings.html" target="_blank"><img alt="DIY metal and lace earrings" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLs7_va9Lgl-mw6_aW4NY2hbGwFVhB1IIffH6A4HKz4Qx-cUmA3XquXffjlGv_jhnGmTMwgSSuqeDty11pfgT0c6b6utkf0ZIsnYfjFzEtBxyp_ROj6g8exQXAQlQ3D2AQgNUWJl1ZuU/s400/metallace_00.jpg" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/metal-lace-flowers-earrings.html" target="_blank"><b>Metal & Lace Flower Earrings</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Level</b>: Easy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Requires basic jewellery-making knowledge. And glue.<br />
Designer-inspired, on a budget. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/bottle-necklace.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Bottle necklace tutorial" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yNNJS5qLxJ26PDTBmP0R0hBFYV2BjPXoDXxkhezh1BEgK9L4vNBw5tz5cx3EgFnjVAOE-SDgyKujXm2MJKakkj6dByejRQEjPX2sB_iZeS6ccFYhm2ZCMCfpCGopaaACKTiqhgkgFdg/s1600/bottle_000.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/bottle-necklace.html" target="_blank"><b>Bottle Necklace</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Level: </b>Easy/Intermediate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Slightly fiddly at first, but overall pretty easy!<br />
Plus you can customise it for the wearer.<br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a blank="" href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/swarovski-inspired-bracelet.html" target=""><img alt="swarovski inspired bracelet" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LlbpfxiQooN48QnmKKlBs8OOyXdTRNPudBLKhXcG4u8bqKer5d-KlRr7-doPXmy-8IEJ6-fogMr1Y152WVycuHt0rtHCLhnPQ86yK40FhV1LsZt4AWF5RlnDBwQke8gGrNqAWaEXFyY/s400/friend_00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/swarovski-inspired-bracelet.html" target="_blank"><b>Swarovski-Inspired Bracelet</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Level:</b> Easy/Intermediate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Intermediate mainly because some is a little fiddly!<br />
I'd encourage anyone who feels they're at 'easy' level to give this a try.<br />
You might surprise yourself!<br />
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/beaded-tassel-earrings.html" target="_blank"><img alt="beaded tassel earring tutorial" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJA7L68w398xpocoYPNFQ28rGfMExvS2JOjecr-SejfiUgE3LelJgeXifYy9s9A4HUvZdhaoOyfwqFRLKxyhu7Ir1YuFjHufjCaLp5dsC7bLgu6NQNScB7u_E6w6AkO_v2eA9FvoFsCc/s400/beadtass_00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/beaded-tassel-earrings.html" target="_blank"><b>Beaded Tassel Earrings</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Level: </b>Intermediate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Patience required. And lots of eye-pins.<br />
These days I don't wear earrings often, but these always get positive comments!<br />
(Usually people don't believe I made them...)<br />
</div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiqcX6vFpa3-yLQirm6JE4TICjcSNg-YyGeQMPHBMXM2Wef-gLlE7581Le-0GT59Qicejc5-ptOGtksK31ajmT3_SwiInzVcp2EUtj5kjnjy9OZVrcdSCBDIwiebDT-pY2Kx3YPCAepU/s1600/cchain00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiqcX6vFpa3-yLQirm6JE4TICjcSNg-YyGeQMPHBMXM2Wef-gLlE7581Le-0GT59Qicejc5-ptOGtksK31ajmT3_SwiInzVcp2EUtj5kjnjy9OZVrcdSCBDIwiebDT-pY2Kx3YPCAepU/s1600/cchain00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/cord-chain-necklace.html" target="_blank"><b>Cord & Chain Necklace</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Level: </b>Intermediate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can you thread a needle? Got lots of jump rings? Great!<br />
This is my go-to necklace when I want to make a <i>small</i> statement ;) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/sweetlime-inspired-pompom-necklace.html" target="_blank"><img alt="pompom necklace tutorial" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DTKvCP-OVr2H-CfJ1syHZAW95wEurXOCGIA-_tJ9mPQf17TNoyT8W7Yl3MgyRWmCGz1kLlymPoPApClHSOSPG9kkBsjlLDtKQOvdkkjm1MINpljSu2SlR-jKTa0mAG8PZC0rzANI_AI/s400/pompom_000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/sweetlime-inspired-pompom-necklace.html" target="_blank"><b>Pompom Necklace</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Level:</b> Hard</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Needs time and patience for the fiddly bits! <br />
...a <i>lot </i>of this is 'fiddly bits'.<br />
This DIY is worth it, because the necklace is <i>always</i> a talking-point.<br />
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/tutorial-ethnic-disc-necklace.html" target="_blank"><img alt="coins necklace" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTWK7G0MTaFYNAapgRs0D78su5M6JDv-bV5W2oh85YyDlFaRLnLfmpRssOtHU5JJlwf4SooVS9fycFogoZqoWFCJ9W9BI-L4SK3j-5Rewrebt_Y_pIWtJH6by67uaE-SVJRwt6AHEY0Ir/s400/coins_00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/tutorial-ethnic-disc-necklace.html" target="_blank"><b>Metal Disc Necklace</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Level:</b> Hard</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An ooooooooold tutorial (you can tell by the photo haha)<br />
In theory this is a straightforward make.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In practise it's pretty darn fiddly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it looks good and goes with everything!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
That's it for this roundup. Remember, you can check out other posts in the <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/tutorial" target="_blank">tutorials</a> tag, and of course the <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/jewellery" target="_blank">jewellery</a> tag.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here's to a crafty 2016!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(Where I may update this blog more than a handful of times...)</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-91191313686586567602015-11-05T22:47:00.002+00:002015-11-05T22:47:34.172+00:00In Case of Hoarding, Smash Stash.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zCJK6A6ZIDrnK0T6iqfzyX3vXMrXfbXTvjqra10TGsbaa8BXGHyQVwjJvBBsOTa0DsazL7NuAbV1_IG0_OI4eA3JsZtdGd2tOVts8uhnFxEzwnbHfTSYXC46ijh4_ps9SB0IZJtqLvs/s1600/destash01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zCJK6A6ZIDrnK0T6iqfzyX3vXMrXfbXTvjqra10TGsbaa8BXGHyQVwjJvBBsOTa0DsazL7NuAbV1_IG0_OI4eA3JsZtdGd2tOVts8uhnFxEzwnbHfTSYXC46ijh4_ps9SB0IZJtqLvs/s1600/destash01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Recently, Samantha of At Home With Mrs H began '<a href="http://handmadebymrsh.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/the-big-november-destashing-week-1.html" target="_blank">The Big November Destashing</a>', in which she encourages us fabric hoarders to destash and - radical idea - <i>use</i> some of that fabric!<br />
<br />
Considering the frightening mess that is my scraps collection (above), it sounded like a great idea, so I rolled up my sleeves and set to work!<br />
<br />
You wouldn't believe the amount of stuff I had ferreted away!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUAKxGUDq3h6yVn3olkU_ALkPNVskUInyqtsxX9Sq5zBGbiK8rgpBb1mGNyYDgo4T88Dv7s95UnMxEuzD4602Ckeb0gn3WEeYrlsGcQHq9JRA_8XPeiYBUF-pfo1gAuGBm4MivaSPma8/s1600/destash02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUAKxGUDq3h6yVn3olkU_ALkPNVskUInyqtsxX9Sq5zBGbiK8rgpBb1mGNyYDgo4T88Dv7s95UnMxEuzD4602Ckeb0gn3WEeYrlsGcQHq9JRA_8XPeiYBUF-pfo1gAuGBm4MivaSPma8/s1600/destash02.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
My fabrics live in these vintage suitcases, which I <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/attic-treasure-vintage-suitcases.html" target="_blank">wrote about before</a>. (If you're wondering, I ended up going for the draw liner option!)<br />
The <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/embroidered-tags.html" target="_blank">embroidered tags</a> are a scrap-busting project posted here a few years ago. They still look pretty good, huh?<br />
<br />
Of all the cases, it was my 'Scraps' case that was the biggest headache. It was <i>crammed</i> with stuff! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1scvXXS5-z0PdMpn-npTlouBp-X1yjE1AiLdw_lAEMr_ZSlXV6JF8TYGT-Bu19gWTI9e_Hojfwj_5z7iaMit1OT96QF5zoWWmDdLotfgObtuHhMkB7eT9TAzoqx478DfFBE526AX38M/s1600/destash03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1scvXXS5-z0PdMpn-npTlouBp-X1yjE1AiLdw_lAEMr_ZSlXV6JF8TYGT-Bu19gWTI9e_Hojfwj_5z7iaMit1OT96QF5zoWWmDdLotfgObtuHhMkB7eT9TAzoqx478DfFBE526AX38M/s1600/destash03.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I had the tiniest snippets of fabric stashed away!<br />
I ended up setting myself a rule: if it's not big enough to make a lavender sachet, it goes!<br />
<br />
...alright, so I kept the orange and blue flowery fabric above. It would make a nice decorative stripe or strap on a future project!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7ghyHqpVrqkZ6CfOiWqvdyPQNQsF9GG48bibIjcWbj_IoKYlldm-7DMIDRXOUniX7KaEdomIwWkOdNmPBfcs8jktIz60OSp3c9q0zRULEYznYEsVjzn0TCOgA0MSmcmGZYyKFoJVg8o/s1600/destash04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7ghyHqpVrqkZ6CfOiWqvdyPQNQsF9GG48bibIjcWbj_IoKYlldm-7DMIDRXOUniX7KaEdomIwWkOdNmPBfcs8jktIz60OSp3c9q0zRULEYznYEsVjzn0TCOgA0MSmcmGZYyKFoJVg8o/s1600/destash04.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
After much toiling, my scraps case is now organised and tidy! I separated out the larger and smaller scraps. Felt lives in the pocket along with some scraps of vinyl, and the plastic bag contains toy eyes.<br />
I use some of this stuff for making <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/monstars.html" target="_blank">Monstars</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqD0xxdjh4pxbD1caHQTpcAg1YovDanbUiGw4iEWplL6fK6UF8T0deW8awj8PCuNyXWAXJBIuaftQfi7sfcksdWWZ9vrMWUmkIiwL4bC7Rczbt09CJcqaKmh5FGjhCNMwphCEFrkR50k/s1600/destash05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqD0xxdjh4pxbD1caHQTpcAg1YovDanbUiGw4iEWplL6fK6UF8T0deW8awj8PCuNyXWAXJBIuaftQfi7sfcksdWWZ9vrMWUmkIiwL4bC7Rczbt09CJcqaKmh5FGjhCNMwphCEFrkR50k/s1600/destash05.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It was much easier to sort the rest of the fabrics. On her blog, Samantha suggested making piles for fabric you love, fabric that's uninspiring, and fabric you doubt you'll use.<br />
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I tried to stick to this, but ended up with 'Fabric I love', 'Fabric I don't know what to do with', 'Projects that need finishing or unpicking' and 'I don't even know anymore'!<br />
<br />
...after a while, the latter became a 'This <i>has</i> to go!' pile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG3D4vyF1TzXADbt9WviLtgwwcZgSKKRDRO3PfxEkfsJCzlBqcID6mW4qahKs7suasApuYDL-ND3E1y52l-DEm5pWvfbXqrcalRexMZRU9EKMof_OejtTN922xMALROQeGxGHyDeTr58/s1600/destash07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG3D4vyF1TzXADbt9WviLtgwwcZgSKKRDRO3PfxEkfsJCzlBqcID6mW4qahKs7suasApuYDL-ND3E1y52l-DEm5pWvfbXqrcalRexMZRU9EKMof_OejtTN922xMALROQeGxGHyDeTr58/s1600/destash07.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
The destash worked reasonably well--I have a pile for the charity shop and a pile for the bin (I'd recycle it, but the textile recycling companies only want clothing... That's a rant for another day.)<br />
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Now I have a better idea of the fabrics I own! Hurrah! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjg47kwWWP0axqm1GfWdhnlU7n5ZTxRdCK-uysNN1Ueb63SVodwpVwxeU6Us_PFs91O4yuh5sbz7e1JceZYa7Pqc5zsl6zoNQFZFQwF0FWUhNta36WqaRJYWliE-l5RPFVKx77KHQRR8/s1600/destash06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjg47kwWWP0axqm1GfWdhnlU7n5ZTxRdCK-uysNN1Ueb63SVodwpVwxeU6Us_PFs91O4yuh5sbz7e1JceZYa7Pqc5zsl6zoNQFZFQwF0FWUhNta36WqaRJYWliE-l5RPFVKx77KHQRR8/s320/destash06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
During my destash, I discovered lots of old treasures, such as this piece of fabric that I 'Bedazzled' when I was a child. Back then, our local charity shop sold bags of fabric scraps. Sometimes my Mum bought them for my sisters and I. Most of it ended up as skirts or superhero capes for Barbie, but I had the foresight to keep (and Bedazzle) this piece.<br />
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One day I might even decide what to do with it!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUIsoK2-2GE24RGW4fHedQRf6ds9ReBXpqnKePMUmIcvyOvSPetwMhtoi4X5V0nkOUZXfJJnJaRtaD5PW46fjKC7BGIjbORYTErVL-PNfMDNxzrjbIsKENynoa81zHMnvac-KTFNPKmw/s1600/destash08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUIsoK2-2GE24RGW4fHedQRf6ds9ReBXpqnKePMUmIcvyOvSPetwMhtoi4X5V0nkOUZXfJJnJaRtaD5PW46fjKC7BGIjbORYTErVL-PNfMDNxzrjbIsKENynoa81zHMnvac-KTFNPKmw/s1600/destash08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how tidy it is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next up is to do the 'using' part of this destashing thing.<br />
<br />
For some of my stash, at least, I have ideas--I kept a notebook and pen beside me as I destashed, and ended up with a fifteen-strong bulleted list of things I could make. Some of them involve buying more fabric... I think those projects can wait!<br />
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Erm...watch this space?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-48650795974123693012015-11-02T12:52:00.001+00:002015-11-02T12:52:37.816+00:00DIY Vintage Buckle Pendants<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2mYw-9P8-0YCbyi7AzcKD6SUQIJu-F8F1o9cwneeegZHU7wKdzKoLIw7fMTWXRm3nZyRHi-cw8IKm4D2c27HNrtgk0E1lJM6-z4KROm2B1MrOuiaW0O5LeqQEsGu0ytEcNhQ1mo9O6s/s1600/bucklependants01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to make a pendant from a buckle" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2mYw-9P8-0YCbyi7AzcKD6SUQIJu-F8F1o9cwneeegZHU7wKdzKoLIw7fMTWXRm3nZyRHi-cw8IKm4D2c27HNrtgk0E1lJM6-z4KROm2B1MrOuiaW0O5LeqQEsGu0ytEcNhQ1mo9O6s/s1600/bucklependants01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Today I want to share this really straightforward DIY for
making pendants from buckles! </div>
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You could incorporate these into a great gift for any vintage
fan or family history nut--see below for how I used mine!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZKLUjd-IHWfV5fgmXYZoY928LBbwM35JaJWnMKuc4wpDmqksBwVaUR62tEHrhgzHxQkii6WlRexTLLD41IBQikFtaiFsp8IieFnOaWCKZiFKLpMxuN_JYAknpzroLeIcHfB-DKf7oqk/s1600/bucklependants02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage photographs and diamante buckles" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZKLUjd-IHWfV5fgmXYZoY928LBbwM35JaJWnMKuc4wpDmqksBwVaUR62tEHrhgzHxQkii6WlRexTLLD41IBQikFtaiFsp8IieFnOaWCKZiFKLpMxuN_JYAknpzroLeIcHfB-DKf7oqk/s1600/bucklependants02.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You'll need:</b></div>
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Vintage photographs </div>
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Vintage tri-glide buckles</div>
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Jump rings</div>
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Multi-purpose glue</div>
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Scrap of paper</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Optional: </i>Photo
paper, scanner, image editing software</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tools:</b></div>
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Ruler</div>
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Flat-nosed jewellery pliers</div>
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Scissors</div>
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Toothpick or disposable cocktail stick</div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrJld0ZtQlCgkeJMTKXFKkEhyI5jmT-4HNBtu327Y0b3GV0zaKGXcdCN9tz7xKXBuS-xzYpsICFzMxYPGm0ynHNT1XoutNLJTlWgMreToPm35Y-iTRzu1l3HE-QiAq_8rfKmuG_WIbAY/s1600/bucklependants03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY buckle jewelry" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrJld0ZtQlCgkeJMTKXFKkEhyI5jmT-4HNBtu327Y0b3GV0zaKGXcdCN9tz7xKXBuS-xzYpsICFzMxYPGm0ynHNT1XoutNLJTlWgMreToPm35Y-iTRzu1l3HE-QiAq_8rfKmuG_WIbAY/s1600/bucklependants03.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. </b>Measure the
buckles. Either cut the photos down to size, or use image editing software to
crop them as you want, so you don't damage the originals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tip: Print onto photo paper rather than normal printer paper.</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In the picture above, I've compared ordinary paper (top) to photo paper
(bottom).</i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See the difference in quality between the two! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzTPp4KYr-gc0ofdk6-XWrQv38eWpmOOrhC4tA-DFC5DMSFM6MgOsJZ4X6z5zmCiZun8pDPSt6RYIRfDViZ9fj2AeNzTq2r6KTGyoXsMgc57JY1jEgiXPMY8hkWMOyV4TgzEKLoTzRac/s1600/bucklependants04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage style jewellery tutorial" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzTPp4KYr-gc0ofdk6-XWrQv38eWpmOOrhC4tA-DFC5DMSFM6MgOsJZ4X6z5zmCiZun8pDPSt6RYIRfDViZ9fj2AeNzTq2r6KTGyoXsMgc57JY1jEgiXPMY8hkWMOyV4TgzEKLoTzRac/s1600/bucklependants04.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. </b>Trim the edges
of the photo to match the buckle size, and use a toothpick to apply glue around
the back of the buckle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I squirted a blob of
glue onto scrap paper and applied it with a pin, because I didn't have a
toothpick to hand!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVEu7Bh9yYllaICal1cRiv-Qdod-DgcDIstVSwKIJFDwgMR5TD9ma-mHGB2pyNCZf519Ux8Y2dP2zBX5xs1iyyTsYWx_gnbwVMiqsBo3e__sajjMHyVZb7l1vmIfHrRTvjC5ofR_ZE1U/s1600/bucklependants05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to make vintage inspired jewellery" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVEu7Bh9yYllaICal1cRiv-Qdod-DgcDIstVSwKIJFDwgMR5TD9ma-mHGB2pyNCZf519Ux8Y2dP2zBX5xs1iyyTsYWx_gnbwVMiqsBo3e__sajjMHyVZb7l1vmIfHrRTvjC5ofR_ZE1U/s1600/bucklependants05.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. </b>Attach a jump
ring to the central bar of the buckle, at the back. Join a second jump ring to
the first to make it easier to attach to other things!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You're done! Time to make it into something beautiful! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAPCVnlpYJ1fpHBBNmRFFC8puIzhF7AhuXghhlqdg9jFeR745-7Qphr6ZpAHrhUU7yVxquCqL5OcryI2Uy-xBflMiu34fkj2csD1N7EKP_YdXm9oGdRJBk2gHpwK9Nago3fUG4Yfazi0/s1600/bucklependants06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage style necklace" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAPCVnlpYJ1fpHBBNmRFFC8puIzhF7AhuXghhlqdg9jFeR745-7Qphr6ZpAHrhUU7yVxquCqL5OcryI2Uy-xBflMiu34fkj2csD1N7EKP_YdXm9oGdRJBk2gHpwK9Nago3fUG4Yfazi0/s1600/bucklependants06.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I used my pendants to make this necklace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Almost all decorative parts have some link to family--the
buckles belonged to a great-grandma, the photos are of family, the watch keys
belonged to my grandad and the threepenny bits came from my nan! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYPw_F_FaKXBu8gFV4EmDg2e7aQZMZ-IQ96CyW23HlCKdrrXoqpWpUY2Oqw4zOsX598EXEBXpiB9LmgV6JSGGOwjlWRim6-SSYi-AxTrIWUVdH4xX3vXxd1KukX1cPyFtlvJ8n0mxZ00/s1600/bucklependants07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage photo pendant" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYPw_F_FaKXBu8gFV4EmDg2e7aQZMZ-IQ96CyW23HlCKdrrXoqpWpUY2Oqw4zOsX598EXEBXpiB9LmgV6JSGGOwjlWRim6-SSYi-AxTrIWUVdH4xX3vXxd1KukX1cPyFtlvJ8n0mxZ00/s1600/bucklependants07.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The chandelier crystal at the bottom was from an antiques
shop - I use them for items on my <a href="http://littledeerdaydreams.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy store</a> - and the small, plastic
ones have been in my stash for ages, along with the little watch gear. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope this tutorial was helpful/inspiring! Check the
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/tutorial" target="_blank">tutorials</a> tag or the <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/jewellery" target="_blank">jewellery</a> tag for more. :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-68537203104017214312015-07-16T16:04:00.000+01:002015-08-15T20:48:40.453+01:00DIY Boot Covers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvLnvW95GTmInGXReCmFcwb7JJnLuxr8NjpQNZ1tKBCVxSBtYxnBVWVMNQyhqoEyIm5Mg6G-MxaaHD-OBqr9Mq97KvDg4tf6xN1QCG7VHuGLRa9bNZgRU-dFwl6pu_Ns_7_3krDqqnAQ/s1600/spats00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY boot covers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvLnvW95GTmInGXReCmFcwb7JJnLuxr8NjpQNZ1tKBCVxSBtYxnBVWVMNQyhqoEyIm5Mg6G-MxaaHD-OBqr9Mq97KvDg4tf6xN1QCG7VHuGLRa9bNZgRU-dFwl6pu_Ns_7_3krDqqnAQ/s1600/spats00.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently I've been sewing cosplays for a future event, and
realised, "Hey, if I take photos whilst I make this, I can post a
tutorial!" Radical idea, huh? ;)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So after a long (long long long) break, you lovely readers
of Unfortunately Oh are getting a new DIY! Thanks to everyone who stuck with
the blog (and doubly thanks to everyone who followed me over to <a href="http://doingathing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doing A Thing</a>,
where I post about books, chocolate, cafes and...doing things!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without further ado, here it is: <b>How To Make Boot Covers</b> (or
spats. Or even gaiters. I don't know. I'm going to keep calling them 'boot covers').</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a great method for fancy dress or cosplay, to make existing footwear more appropriate to the costume. Plus, it doesn't
damage your boots :) It's especially good if modifying cheap footwear isn't an
option due to your shoe size or medical conditions that restrict the sorts of
footwear you're able to wear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc1ckxNBarLAE0MqyUIosvm0rkeO60uFMIqYkbYAdvg-prrEqybBTcL-DMdgWW2LKZ1_Lx1VZjT3ABOjZRJsEbioelWvLzuNMwYwuggAWFviAoIWt7gGyPgnojiCDyCiVAmm9PJTACBw/s1600/spats01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to make bootcovers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc1ckxNBarLAE0MqyUIosvm0rkeO60uFMIqYkbYAdvg-prrEqybBTcL-DMdgWW2LKZ1_Lx1VZjT3ABOjZRJsEbioelWvLzuNMwYwuggAWFviAoIWt7gGyPgnojiCDyCiVAmm9PJTACBw/s1600/spats01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You'll need:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For the pattern:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Your boots/shoes</li>
<li>(If applicable) the trousers you'll wear the boots over</li>
<li>Cling film (plastic wrap!)</li>
<li>Sticky tape or packing tape</li>
<li>Marker pen</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>A friend to help (optional)</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For the boot covers:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Pattern (see above!) </li>
<li>Fabric</li>
<li>Zip for each cover*</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Matching thread</li>
<li>Elastic (approx 1/2" wide)</li>
<li>Dressmakers pen/pencil/chalk</li>
<li>Dressmaking pins</li>
<li>Sewing machine (or a needle for hand-sewing and lots of
patience)</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Either open or closed-ended zips, dependent on how long
you intend the boot covers to be. In the past I've used open-ended ones the
length of the covers, but this time I used shorter ones as I was making
over-the-knee covers and didn't think I'd find zips that long!<br />
<b>Edit: Seriously use long zips. Zips that let you unzip the cover entirely, if possible. It makes these so much easier to get on/off!</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Note:</b> This is a
LONG tutorial, though it's relatively easy to make these. So I've put in
headings:</div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/diy-boot-covers.html#pattern">Making the Pattern</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/diy-boot-covers.html#bootcovers">Making the Boot Covers</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/diy-boot-covers.html#puton">Putting Them On</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/diy-boot-covers.html#examples">Other Examples</a></b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can click these to skip to the necessary section :)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="pattern"></a>Making the Pattern</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgIvjLE1MHx_bywtbjIYp65uRF5pXltXn2Urg1qiMeLukwRVwVJrY3yvCk73yUJ_HvgSYiZTnKXH_lGQ9TvgPV9wIM8pwOYUBfvrAvinASA5A3XsurpJd0LVpcD8gKA55jppppP-f5pY/s1600/spats02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="boot covers tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgIvjLE1MHx_bywtbjIYp65uRF5pXltXn2Urg1qiMeLukwRVwVJrY3yvCk73yUJ_HvgSYiZTnKXH_lGQ9TvgPV9wIM8pwOYUBfvrAvinASA5A3XsurpJd0LVpcD8gKA55jppppP-f5pY/s640/spats02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. If you're wearing trousers under the boots, put them on,
along with the boots you plan to recover (if the trousers are baggy, tuck them
into your existing boots.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then cover your boot and leg in cling film, up as far as
where you want the top of the boot cover to be. Don't do this too tightly--you
want to be comfortable!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once you're cling-filmed up, wrap tape around to cover the
cling film. Again, don't wrap too tightly, but make sure the cling film is
covered.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">*If you're making over
the knee boot covers like I am here, a second pair of hands would be really
helpful! </i></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkoPTd7DdHgMEceIfT1h0NZ9LDebyQzh9GnrxLkD57WFW0Z4X9ETSg7dPgN7eMHVhF6h6DNjG6fnJQSdr6tKJBxkLY0dMKCTu1A67pkefH_ANJ5r-9rKn3zXIWCkpV98aUbCdcGLPH38/s1600/spats03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="spats DIY" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkoPTd7DdHgMEceIfT1h0NZ9LDebyQzh9GnrxLkD57WFW0Z4X9ETSg7dPgN7eMHVhF6h6DNjG6fnJQSdr6tKJBxkLY0dMKCTu1A67pkefH_ANJ5r-9rKn3zXIWCkpV98aUbCdcGLPH38/s640/spats03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Using a marker pen, draw the seams and edges of the boot
covers: </div>
<ul>
<li>A&B: Front and back seams</li>
<li>C: A curve where the boot cover crosses the toe of your
shoe/boot</li>
<li>D: A curve at the heel</li>
<li>E: Bottom edge: lines following the sole, to join up the two
curves C and D<br />(If this doesn't make sense, check out the next picture)</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once your lines are drawn, cut them, starting with the front
seam (and being careful not to damage your boots!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rLEoGNn_z4TjXVAq8dJTYiq99T-XVJj6besrplmFWfO1lolPMyuSlamexwYl-Aamp3r5cLFG6ZBtcSiX5_UWUvDUk6piu31Knr5ja3qfP6RGgvjdRzbSOuofRabA91VN3iUCHqa6LDU/s1600/spats04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cosplay boot covers DIY" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rLEoGNn_z4TjXVAq8dJTYiq99T-XVJj6besrplmFWfO1lolPMyuSlamexwYl-Aamp3r5cLFG6ZBtcSiX5_UWUvDUk6piu31Knr5ja3qfP6RGgvjdRzbSOuofRabA91VN3iUCHqa6LDU/s640/spats04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. This is what you should end up with! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you can see, I experimented a little with where I wanted
the boot cover to cross the toe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've annotated the image to help make sense of where the
seams/edges should be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the back seam (B), working from the bottom, mark where
the zip will go (skip this if your zip runs the length of the boot covers)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And there you have your pattern! </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Next step, the boot covers themselves...</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="bootcovers"></a>Making the Boot Covers</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD2ZwKPGO82lKgtg_arsESa4kpdV34f9xp9-0nj1W1UA93y-oqN3NapEH3AG9RagXrdA0G5-9QE3BVa6Pm4iIeJ6n_4eOiGQC5hMC7Iut_naQP8Z0pxSPwAsvGENYpl4G4tAKj61WRks/s1600/spats05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to make boot covers for cosplay" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD2ZwKPGO82lKgtg_arsESa4kpdV34f9xp9-0nj1W1UA93y-oqN3NapEH3AG9RagXrdA0G5-9QE3BVa6Pm4iIeJ6n_4eOiGQC5hMC7Iut_naQP8Z0pxSPwAsvGENYpl4G4tAKj61WRks/s1600/spats05.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Draw out the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric and
cut out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note that I widened the top part of the pattern beyond the
knee, because my pattern ended up with a curve in it (<i>seriously, if you're
making OTK boot covers, get someone to help you make a pattern so it comes out
straighter!</i>) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Honestly, I could've done with making the top part a little
wider, as I forgot to account for movement.<br />
Add a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">big</b> seam allowance--you can cut off excess, but you can't add on
extra without making a mess! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I'm using leather-look vinyl, I cut where the zip would
go right at the seam line, to avoid having too thick a section of fabric. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVZunMo3YaBIgMLxdglAMs3zqt6nwIlfoyVjrog7dsmUiJd2_RnrYqwMG4Crncyf1y6RUGL1OeNX-02BUGgL0LR_3i6LX3EgMzR_MIDPT_Ptyx31vosULBDnD_uPudonDACN4S4fUytY/s1600/spats06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cosplay bootcovers DIY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVZunMo3YaBIgMLxdglAMs3zqt6nwIlfoyVjrog7dsmUiJd2_RnrYqwMG4Crncyf1y6RUGL1OeNX-02BUGgL0LR_3i6LX3EgMzR_MIDPT_Ptyx31vosULBDnD_uPudonDACN4S4fUytY/s1600/spats06.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Pin and sew the back seam (B) from the top, to the point
where the zip will be attached, and trim off excess seam allowance. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Skip this step</b> if your zip is going all
the way up!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPT8izNNoAyrydI47HGNZ0owGdX7DskATzzNLIN6QUchfI2Bg3NUEU1vymr1NPoDk7mrsiGRvyYOKmBF1ccSj8CYKOSic7H4eLUp9utE-72ZFqlO-p4H2u6AU7O6EK2IhXG60Hb2yKio/s1600/spats06b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="boot covers tutorial" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPT8izNNoAyrydI47HGNZ0owGdX7DskATzzNLIN6QUchfI2Bg3NUEU1vymr1NPoDk7mrsiGRvyYOKmBF1ccSj8CYKOSic7H4eLUp9utE-72ZFqlO-p4H2u6AU7O6EK2IhXG60Hb2yKio/s1600/spats06b.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: This kind of
sewing machine foot is </i>awesome<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> for
sewing vinyls! The tiny rollers feed the fabric through the machine, whereas an
ordinary foot tends to stick and make the fabric wrinkle and buckle. I even
used this - carefully - for sewing on the zips!</i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41hILrrwAmOOw-aTQOzemSGdhGpcLPrmrFmpZQLn7kVac8qHCFhPCdB5092XUtcEYxVikzVD5hFC1XNNZAQmGSrvhmdz2nUMXJBEOi9hquInI-gPyuPEMmknktYxbfooepi9kl6nPfOA/s1600/spats07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="making boot covers" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41hILrrwAmOOw-aTQOzemSGdhGpcLPrmrFmpZQLn7kVac8qHCFhPCdB5092XUtcEYxVikzVD5hFC1XNNZAQmGSrvhmdz2nUMXJBEOi9hquInI-gPyuPEMmknktYxbfooepi9kl6nPfOA/s640/spats07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Pin the zip into place. Snip a curve into the seam at the
top of the zip, to prevent the fabric ripping under stress (I made the mistake
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> doing this the first time
around...). Sew on the zip and trim off any ends protruding from the bottom
edge of the boot cover (D)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJu9E5mS1yW1DGCrmhssOBTglL7Bedt-cnDqjBf0-sD_LceGM1fT-4biRa_whaEXXnll7kZcVls_R-Q6sHrh3bQnaplw-YGgN9fwyzWWImO4TfMNEy49TgtD16m-eg3p5OA1VaJ4Su7g/s1600/spats08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="boot covers DIY tutorial how to" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJu9E5mS1yW1DGCrmhssOBTglL7Bedt-cnDqjBf0-sD_LceGM1fT-4biRa_whaEXXnll7kZcVls_R-Q6sHrh3bQnaplw-YGgN9fwyzWWImO4TfMNEy49TgtD16m-eg3p5OA1VaJ4Su7g/s1600/spats08.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Cut a piece of elastic that fits across the bottom of
your boots, just in front of the heel. Attach the ends to the bottom edge (E). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you're making boot covers that cover the entire boot (see
examples at <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/diy-boot-covers.html#examples">end of post</a>), you'll need to attach a second length of elastic to
go across the sole, beneath the toe of the boot (roughly where your big toe
joint is).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyUVwz8DhOdnrrh0CaYvWSnwCLdfelEqXxovdXQ1uDEVXWG7Qk5hRVPiVCSm_1fiZI5qMsHpkRmJ6dAkwe7Ks3vHIlNj_O6xbJ2C7kbskkrAD9Av6p6stwsYn_TmAW34rm99sqhx_5Fc/s1600/spats09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="easy boot covers DIY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyUVwz8DhOdnrrh0CaYvWSnwCLdfelEqXxovdXQ1uDEVXWG7Qk5hRVPiVCSm_1fiZI5qMsHpkRmJ6dAkwe7Ks3vHIlNj_O6xbJ2C7kbskkrAD9Av6p6stwsYn_TmAW34rm99sqhx_5Fc/s1600/spats09.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Test the boot cover for size, and remark the front seam
(A) if needed (I had to add some space at the top, to allow for movement--thank
goodness for big seam allowances!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once satisfied, pin and stitch the seam (A). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turn the right way in and try on to check sizing, adjusting
if necessary. Once it fits comfortably, trim away excess seam allowance and
make some little cuts in the curve of the front seam (this helps the fabric
curve properly when the boot cover is the right way around). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9dzFKmHVx4TX90SHwmubTJ4z4L-3rbK7nmlG14uLHt3FhnADNW2q31grrtLptTDW9HWcuIxOKN1ARs4-A2IrRhcvUCUGMDJFgadFLupNIcC0xTfDZm-Uch4zyx0MihNtc9SMzN8NhN4/s1600/spats10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY cosplay costume boot covers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9dzFKmHVx4TX90SHwmubTJ4z4L-3rbK7nmlG14uLHt3FhnADNW2q31grrtLptTDW9HWcuIxOKN1ARs4-A2IrRhcvUCUGMDJFgadFLupNIcC0xTfDZm-Uch4zyx0MihNtc9SMzN8NhN4/s1600/spats10.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Either hem the top of the boot covers (if you're using
fabric that frays) or trim off the excess and add a row of stitching to give
the appearance of being hemmed (I did this, as I used leather-look vinyl). You
can do this on the other edges too--if the fabric is a match/near-match to your
boots, it gives more of an authentic boot-like appearance. (I didn't do this,
as I'm lazy).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. Stitch/glue on any extra decoration to finish.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="puton"></a>Putting Them On</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you've made boot covers that open completely at the back,
this is simple and obvious! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I made life difficult for myself by using zips I had to
hand, which were a little short. If you're like me and too lazy to haul ass to
the shops for longer zips / are too impatient to wait / don't want to spend more
money / can't find longer zips, here's how I get into the over-the-knee boot
covers I made:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1ll7tklUuCrhN0XnMKgAtz3R7mDR3RCjrGxNdn3BejZR251EE439Bvi0xUSgjSSJxhZxbdEQ-T8SVLn0cpGliZwNk0a-LdXLKE7_zhQO0H0g42RXkaAFUm5QD5wdIgFgDJdcrsFf6LI/s1600/spats11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="spats for cosplay" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1ll7tklUuCrhN0XnMKgAtz3R7mDR3RCjrGxNdn3BejZR251EE439Bvi0xUSgjSSJxhZxbdEQ-T8SVLn0cpGliZwNk0a-LdXLKE7_zhQO0H0g42RXkaAFUm5QD5wdIgFgDJdcrsFf6LI/s1600/spats11.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Unzip boot and slip it inside the unzipped boot cover (do
you see how ridiculously short that zip is?!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3YynkOo7byk8WPnt2F4183whrpiGG5UCUkuSYFZvk8PgbM40TfrVutWhXGyv2e3tWnoJWthoDUt8ld4YPPiVBoEfjpHYOo79QkFcGIVPCmoblPLtsKTUDRcfdwa-ttnhTY97nv9b3bU/s1600/spats12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY spats tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3YynkOo7byk8WPnt2F4183whrpiGG5UCUkuSYFZvk8PgbM40TfrVutWhXGyv2e3tWnoJWthoDUt8ld4YPPiVBoEfjpHYOo79QkFcGIVPCmoblPLtsKTUDRcfdwa-ttnhTY97nv9b3bU/s640/spats12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Slip boot and boot cover on together, and pull the boot
cover down enough that you have room to zip the boot up part way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbwj47utxHJNnmrQPFU-2gF9ZKtmp6RmgZQNtdDkq_eGUV12lWKlEmPEXQYQZjUREoyjnn93gN9k-CHHE5r_YKFlcp5zHNm9L2znYHjqTlptNjgt6VFjXb4DHXWc2dveokbkrupmrOb0/s1600/spats13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="how to make spats" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbwj47utxHJNnmrQPFU-2gF9ZKtmp6RmgZQNtdDkq_eGUV12lWKlEmPEXQYQZjUREoyjnn93gN9k-CHHE5r_YKFlcp5zHNm9L2znYHjqTlptNjgt6VFjXb4DHXWc2dveokbkrupmrOb0/s640/spats13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Pull the boot cover up your leg to give yourself room to
zip the boot up the rest of the way. Loop the elastic over the bottom of the
boot (not shown) and zip up the boot cover (also not shown--why didn't I take a
picture of this?!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">To Remove:</b> Do the
above steps, in reverse :) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="examples"></a>Other Examples</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Here are a couple of shorter boot covers I've made for
previous cosplays. I've shown them here alongside the boots I used. Sorry about
the image quality, these are old pics.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcsJSf3yUw09T6dhcRmv-XZmHRKj_hfjcCH4g3hWSiNeZ7POHgwXcqhHTyUprfYemuUeedYKfTW_Q2JB-7I3KVfrgy7wBmS_cFRoZQpUj0airffHfBN10RLbb-u-R98a9wQKRnXT5aXY/s1600/spats14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="boot covers for undertaker cosplay" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcsJSf3yUw09T6dhcRmv-XZmHRKj_hfjcCH4g3hWSiNeZ7POHgwXcqhHTyUprfYemuUeedYKfTW_Q2JB-7I3KVfrgy7wBmS_cFRoZQpUj0airffHfBN10RLbb-u-R98a9wQKRnXT5aXY/s1600/spats14.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First ever attempt</b>
at boot covers, using a velcro fastening at the back. I added the straps after
making the first part <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">seriously don't do
this</b>, add them as you go. It's really difficult to sew straps at the toes
on a sewing machine when you have elastic getting in the way! It will also look
messy if your zips only go part-way up the back of the boot cover, as mine do. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you're adding straps, sew the front seam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">first</i>, then check the sizing at the back
seam (instead of the front), adjust if needed, sew on straps, add zip, and
finally sew the back seam!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Basically, some modifications need alterations to
the method I used here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the way, the buckles were cut from the back of a pad of
lined paper, and coloured silver with marker pen :)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoCkbeuhbzOYcEDsHObtdukiaGbreh6VslgcHx8Q6CGM-PdLv1RSOHhkp8iUHrIOSD4ygYKhTmSxnjvLf8hHU9-BV71lHhnhRt13Y_oamQAHuwbqsKrAJkHqDYM7kG04wNuegj4wRHQA/s1600/spats15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="undertaker kuroshitsuji boot covers ciel in wonderland" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoCkbeuhbzOYcEDsHObtdukiaGbreh6VslgcHx8Q6CGM-PdLv1RSOHhkp8iUHrIOSD4ygYKhTmSxnjvLf8hHU9-BV71lHhnhRt13Y_oamQAHuwbqsKrAJkHqDYM7kG04wNuegj4wRHQA/s1600/spats15.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second attempt</b>
where I had learnt my lesson about velcro, attempted a curved-up toe, but
forgot to change the foot on the machine and ended up with a wrinkly bumpy zip.
Bah! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I attached the zip at the side on these ones :) As
they opened completely, the buckles were easy to add at the end. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To make the curved-up toe, I redrew my pattern onto tissue
paper and added the curve. It was an experiment, to be honest! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sewed on a triangle of fabric underneath, long enough that
the toe of the boots tucked into the space to hold it in. Not the greatest
idea, as the fabric wore a little over the course of the day! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2Km5HpePYf-w3rAgAh2I9nap-Nui5WJdGjbvyfOIPlZELgDVlNVkB3ZPryO3ZR8qDSBTPnIi42-AaguuHM2lHCB_YKy0dG-15wIg1sUOPjXzco0h_ZGN3HTjqsN5LFDkqntlt4d7wgU/s1600/spats10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I'm sick of seeing this picture too." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2Km5HpePYf-w3rAgAh2I9nap-Nui5WJdGjbvyfOIPlZELgDVlNVkB3ZPryO3ZR8qDSBTPnIi42-AaguuHM2lHCB_YKy0dG-15wIg1sUOPjXzco0h_ZGN3HTjqsN5LFDkqntlt4d7wgU/s1600/spats10.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And now I have these
ones</b> and you're probably sick of seeing this photo by now. I added some
straps around the top of these, which I partly machine-stitched and partly
hand-stitched on. The style I needed meant I couldn't sew them in with the back
seam, otherwise I'd have done that! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So that's it</b>, how
to make boot covers. I hope this is helpful to you! Bear in mind that I've only
figured this stuff out by trial and error, and there is always room for
improvement. If you know an easier way of doing this, please let me know! :D</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-21420262345310577612015-07-13T17:24:00.001+01:002015-07-13T17:24:46.400+01:00Vintage Picnic Window Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKmdGYUogfXs3_yMuu00wibMikI-BFe92p239cVcdK1wCbkZYlH-f5DzmkePKYny4gvFaTKaYovNhSZFgX2aCKUK2prJmrr1TxEHXgOcKu7GSw1tT9kA6y46hy51tFFwRmgJJ9_Dfmeg/s1600/picnic01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKmdGYUogfXs3_yMuu00wibMikI-BFe92p239cVcdK1wCbkZYlH-f5DzmkePKYny4gvFaTKaYovNhSZFgX2aCKUK2prJmrr1TxEHXgOcKu7GSw1tT9kA6y46hy51tFFwRmgJJ9_Dfmeg/s1600/picnic01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Today I pulled together yet another charity shop window display, for <a href="http://humanityatheart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Humanity at Heart</a>. <br />
This is another one that has been planned for a while, which gave me time to make a few things to enhance the finished 'look'.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmtUlk1QQ7CxOefXS0S9BZ8OVXW6W3CaGuJY2a0NG1MJFB3-4VVCe3T27mMhjMvnaToXt48dtzbnKo3M2preL49U0kcexJazGcWOiYgJgY4gZRwTKauzyHKKyaSwIJa-M-5ZoDLoBzqg/s1600/picnic02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmtUlk1QQ7CxOefXS0S9BZ8OVXW6W3CaGuJY2a0NG1MJFB3-4VVCe3T27mMhjMvnaToXt48dtzbnKo3M2preL49U0kcexJazGcWOiYgJgY4gZRwTKauzyHKKyaSwIJa-M-5ZoDLoBzqg/s1600/picnic02.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The theme this time was 'Vintage Summer Picnic'. The manager and I envisioned chintzy china, picnic baskets, pom poms and flowers a plenty!<br />
Over the past months, the shop has collected donations specifically for the window, so there were plenty of items to put in the display. I particularly loved the big basket, and some adorable Minton cups and saucers (which sold before I had a chance to take photos!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJwC52MBHjdddz3gmN6qF0aeAHIVlGDkpePf0Q8tFoPS4nDWny7JOJE47d-Tl4lWDqJZKZ_acdmHRszZbDsVaS3MoP7VOhCcEH2y7FJBXx8xLsHerf4vg1X61vBtB-E-pFNr7cOCaCas/s1600/picnic03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJwC52MBHjdddz3gmN6qF0aeAHIVlGDkpePf0Q8tFoPS4nDWny7JOJE47d-Tl4lWDqJZKZ_acdmHRszZbDsVaS3MoP7VOhCcEH2y7FJBXx8xLsHerf4vg1X61vBtB-E-pFNr7cOCaCas/s1600/picnic03.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The yarn pom pom garland was put together a few weeks ago on a day that I found myself at a bit of a loose end. The pom poms were from a massive batch that Samantha (<a href="http://handmadebymrsh.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">At home with Mrs H</a>) sent me forever ago! (I finally used them!!!) I simply used a darning needle to thread them onto jute string.<br />
<br />
I spent an evening last week making the tissue paper flowers/pom poms,
which I hung from pink ribbon left over from another project. It was no
good for sewing with, but perfect for this! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxTevEEhdNp7O6ZJW_Ay-x8pvfq_48CvaSO-_sNwmpM9WKASD9dH65__YH9uyoxuqFQ2LG2w1GTu8sGa2lGbmRNFQPbXpxbBev7zx48MhPRAXGOwA-47VRVWbL87gC5evjkB8KbHVQE4/s1600/picnic04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxTevEEhdNp7O6ZJW_Ay-x8pvfq_48CvaSO-_sNwmpM9WKASD9dH65__YH9uyoxuqFQ2LG2w1GTu8sGa2lGbmRNFQPbXpxbBev7zx48MhPRAXGOwA-47VRVWbL87gC5evjkB8KbHVQE4/s1600/picnic04.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I hung another of the tissue paper flowers in the entrance of the teepee.<br />
The teepee was constructed using bamboo sourced from the shop's garden and donated fabrics. I decorated it with some retro-styled felt flowers, which I made using donated and leftover felt.<br />
I also made the self-standing retro flowers using the felt and some old wire coathangers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBk3hyphenhyphenBi0sJ95V-nD-f9qUCPGMikVrChJPQbuPF5RGAmVde-DOa5cVMpZxCs9X_rlDhYj7srZ0EounI3mfIM1bOdTHkk2jrAiCz2VUGPPa9iV13w1LB8fcUtZFuZz-Jc2Ci3AIPut2sE/s1600/picnic05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBk3hyphenhyphenBi0sJ95V-nD-f9qUCPGMikVrChJPQbuPF5RGAmVde-DOa5cVMpZxCs9X_rlDhYj7srZ0EounI3mfIM1bOdTHkk2jrAiCz2VUGPPa9iV13w1LB8fcUtZFuZz-Jc2Ci3AIPut2sE/s1600/picnic05.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This window turned out really nicely, and shows what a difference it makes to plan ahead.<br />
Hopefully it will encourage more people into the shop, to look at all the lovely stock available!<br />
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To see some of my past window displays, check the <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/window%20display" target="_blank">window display tag</a>. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-3201342786342011112015-06-26T20:16:00.000+01:002015-06-26T20:23:50.103+01:00Anyone for Tennis? (Or Pimms?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3qsZ2Fu24rYolzCwSf2reARykok3NtDiYyBlPkIhrPdgvIx4naPMZ5TDyYgLk8JnrZ5b4nHWRWTVkIARIDwmb3l8_FGBSIGOo1CY7J6mPmKJn3nDQ_fnoVtNwA3PecVvQkZa_LJiuTs/s1600/tennis01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3qsZ2Fu24rYolzCwSf2reARykok3NtDiYyBlPkIhrPdgvIx4naPMZ5TDyYgLk8JnrZ5b4nHWRWTVkIARIDwmb3l8_FGBSIGOo1CY7J6mPmKJn3nDQ_fnoVtNwA3PecVvQkZa_LJiuTs/s1600/tennis01.jpg" /></a></div>
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Summer is the time for tennis, and with Wimbledon just around the corner, I ended up creating a tennis-themed display for the charity shop!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixupNnKF5u8589T00mg3Yd73CoWlvYf9eypwDsH51Sb-GxTOc9mgcMcnXb7W5fhGW5aeV3Qqc3p0rK83KO_iTOA7QDQvSyoA84b91lb2zpC8bNoWwA4a8HnBJt_msSkwuDS748gP27R0Q/s1600/tennis05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixupNnKF5u8589T00mg3Yd73CoWlvYf9eypwDsH51Sb-GxTOc9mgcMcnXb7W5fhGW5aeV3Qqc3p0rK83KO_iTOA7QDQvSyoA84b91lb2zpC8bNoWwA4a8HnBJt_msSkwuDS748gP27R0Q/s1600/tennis05.jpg" /></a></div>
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It seemed like a fun idea to set up the window as if it were a tennis match, so I got to work with sports gear, and lots and lots of balls...<br />
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All the tennis balls were scrounged from local tennis players, with some
being strung up as a background--with the exception of the ball in
play, of course!<br />
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This time the display was more minimal in content, as I set up a tiny tennis court on the ground! The green used for the court is an Ikea throw, which was donated at the perfect moment. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXBtJlekOHsPxl9KoboqqRvGkW7mNVj_RQrWlOly8I5EWWOCIMxRsf26H9zIkiFvF9O4RjZPOm49dqAOiqLPEbA6QnKCmBIdu48eTNx6aCfO7gIArm-SAozKnKbR7xsURNBUNn-EcAM0/s1600/tennis03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXBtJlekOHsPxl9KoboqqRvGkW7mNVj_RQrWlOly8I5EWWOCIMxRsf26H9zIkiFvF9O4RjZPOm49dqAOiqLPEbA6QnKCmBIdu48eTNx6aCfO7gIArm-SAozKnKbR7xsURNBUNn-EcAM0/s1600/tennis03.jpg" /></a></div>
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For added fun, I created some bunting with pictures of famous tennis stars. I know very little about tennis, but luckily the shop manager is a fan, so was able to provide pictures of stars across several decades!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqABMI0IYTOgCa8WjmL-O-dM6dgNaHDB0Panwh7ziMNPTj5ipHTNo3Jhcy1RY4uZfToPRIZfI7de5aZHOmh6yl_46P5tk8o_kzZlNMRvO3aO4HT-MxvF1p0jJuKr_QPzkQPI_TmFWawaY/s1600/tennis02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqABMI0IYTOgCa8WjmL-O-dM6dgNaHDB0Panwh7ziMNPTj5ipHTNo3Jhcy1RY4uZfToPRIZfI7de5aZHOmh6yl_46P5tk8o_kzZlNMRvO3aO4HT-MxvF1p0jJuKr_QPzkQPI_TmFWawaY/s1600/tennis02.jpg" /></a></div>
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And what would tennis be without refreshments?<br />
Strawberries and cream are the tennis fan's choice, and of course Pimm's is definitely the drink of the season. Since it isn't an option to put food and drink in the window, I made cut-outs using Photoshop Elements.<br />
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Considering I started off wondering how on earth I'd put together a tennis-themed window, I think this one turned out pretty well!<br />
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Next display will be summer...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-76828882021386006482015-04-12T14:31:00.000+01:002015-06-26T20:23:50.123+01:00Green Gardens - A Window for Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QETieW4qtXZT48JVSe5ZczeCOJ2HcTfan8LEFlCizBr5oIMH4nCHLWk4yB7kl4qRPh-l8WeSMiHLSBnoEnsySTZLmtSxmUTdu_A-f414ImvLgRN3JA2BFSUnCNOh161XcO_6O8nxFoM/s1600/2015-spring-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QETieW4qtXZT48JVSe5ZczeCOJ2HcTfan8LEFlCizBr5oIMH4nCHLWk4yB7kl4qRPh-l8WeSMiHLSBnoEnsySTZLmtSxmUTdu_A-f414ImvLgRN3JA2BFSUnCNOh161XcO_6O8nxFoM/s1600/2015-spring-01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
...This has become something of a 'window displays' blog, hasn't it?<br />
<br />
Here is the latest display that I created for <a href="http://humanityatheart.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Humanity at Heart</a>, a small charity based in Sussex. This time the theme was 'spring gardens', and the spring weather came along just at the right time for it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrbWY6EtB1sh-jP4-d2elpZFPszn7ycd_shCRV5DKxWGrF2JXoovStPyp6HrTZ8KMF9pRyFHfcVgRAGdjApC84PfjKotR3Bu1mIg88B3CiVGwROgBL2Odd5ETZQ91huqIN1WoV23YLIY/s1600/2015-spring-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrbWY6EtB1sh-jP4-d2elpZFPszn7ycd_shCRV5DKxWGrF2JXoovStPyp6HrTZ8KMF9pRyFHfcVgRAGdjApC84PfjKotR3Bu1mIg88B3CiVGwROgBL2Odd5ETZQ91huqIN1WoV23YLIY/s1600/2015-spring-02.jpg" /></a></div>
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Some of the flowers from our plants section bloomed at the perfect time for the window display. Spring has truly sprung!<br />
I made the little flowers that can be seen amongst the daffodils, using
the sleeves of an old jumper, disposable chopsticks and ribbon leftover
from other projects. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAK5_r3lwbdn9BXSeDIJBC63ekF8Fxx82wKkwEAw5dLtvv6Awywp_kOld_dJsKJcL3-YVRmlT739hZQjLp0-o_chiiwJFJi53LKiC1MDCoLAuUmEh9JIf8Axn9S1RUmInObkmiy9lHr0/s1600/2015-spring-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAK5_r3lwbdn9BXSeDIJBC63ekF8Fxx82wKkwEAw5dLtvv6Awywp_kOld_dJsKJcL3-YVRmlT739hZQjLp0-o_chiiwJFJi53LKiC1MDCoLAuUmEh9JIf8Axn9S1RUmInObkmiy9lHr0/s1600/2015-spring-03.jpg" /></a></div>
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The window has been filled with lovely plant and garden-related items, including a gardener's journal, solar lights, and a retro floral apron, which can be seen by the wellies.<br />
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I placed a piece of expandable trellis against the wall to add to the 'garden' feel, and hung some floral scarves from in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC10GBz4FC0rpu0MPw-MbeplGTx5TGBC8Ijz7Cllh6AfB5o0fVGa0w0IyZ02aSF7Dy8C1I8TuUBvGT7HgfZGLnHy0n5TVgUHr_Nxt598cU4ezhoD3ASEuSHOHc8V5d1EhfcgDFS0nz3U/s1600/2015-spring-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC10GBz4FC0rpu0MPw-MbeplGTx5TGBC8Ijz7Cllh6AfB5o0fVGa0w0IyZ02aSF7Dy8C1I8TuUBvGT7HgfZGLnHy0n5TVgUHr_Nxt598cU4ezhoD3ASEuSHOHc8V5d1EhfcgDFS0nz3U/s1600/2015-spring-05.jpg" /></a></div>
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The mannequin isn't particularly dressed to do her gardening, but is sporting a green hemp t-shirt, a floral skirt, green hip belt and a lightweight floral raincoat, just in case she gets caught in one of those spring showers!<br />
Ideally, I'd have dressed her in something more colourful and appropriate, but as it's a charity shop we only have what is donated.<br />
Though it is a very nice raincoat. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2mbTFe3mgdWbR3zIIStPzQ9_Dpx4tuGTFFrjC9uPhP3o1RMUHOOjupFq9eQ3D9LSduXZcYtxrArAzOAJBwR2wuVKzdVKXDLOiXcEKSpUamU-y-yYmWcmAzFLJMduUW24KlhKtqUWE98/s1600/2015-spring-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2mbTFe3mgdWbR3zIIStPzQ9_Dpx4tuGTFFrjC9uPhP3o1RMUHOOjupFq9eQ3D9LSduXZcYtxrArAzOAJBwR2wuVKzdVKXDLOiXcEKSpUamU-y-yYmWcmAzFLJMduUW24KlhKtqUWE98/s1600/2015-spring-04.jpg" /></a></div>
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We were fortunate to receive this wheelbarrow-shaped planter recently, so of course that went into the window, along with a little garden gnome.<br />
The pom pom flowers were made with the body of the jumper I used for the other flowers. I ended up getting absolutely covered in yellow fluff, and was still wiping away yellow dust a week afterwards!<br />
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Once again, this window was made on a budget of £0.00, using solely donated items. Even the sheet in the bottom of the window was donated!<br />
Many thanks to everyone who takes the time to donate goods to charity shops, and even bigger thanks to the shop manager for letting me run amok in the window again!<br />
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Previous window displays:<br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2015/03/easter-window-display.html" target="_blank">Easter Egg Hunt</a><br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-window-display.html" target="_blank">A Victorian Christmas</a><br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2015/01/autumn-window-display.html" target="_blank">Autumn Woodlands</a><br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2015/03/sun-sea-and-sand-summer-window-display.html" target="_blank">Sun, Sea and Sand</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-90493247512527493002015-03-25T21:43:00.001+00:002015-06-26T20:23:50.129+01:00Easter Window Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z2WuCsb08nGaidvRs_Q3YmdS8LRMO2-PiK0QVu7m4x7cAXx3hqeP0THIt6ODj9jIP7HXNxd0OCu_F8F7-Pe-h_6kjfkTso_e1MxPag57plLNxiUBp1o4tGpvAqj_qJtU_VJqRMYd3Tg/s1600/easter_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z2WuCsb08nGaidvRs_Q3YmdS8LRMO2-PiK0QVu7m4x7cAXx3hqeP0THIt6ODj9jIP7HXNxd0OCu_F8F7-Pe-h_6kjfkTso_e1MxPag57plLNxiUBp1o4tGpvAqj_qJtU_VJqRMYd3Tg/s1600/easter_00.jpg" /></a></div>
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Last week was the window display changeover at the charity shop where I volunteer. The manager and I had decided in advance to have an Easter theme, as Easter is on its way!<br />
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After giving it some thought, and looking at the stock we had for the display, the theme ended up being along the lines of an Easter Egg Hunt!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34mT25LIbz5Q1BuGK72rgp4Av1C6cnNdmMhyphenhyphenaiAUrejC4uqoU9OQMWDU80hv1rnQdEKQNCSGbnzJyNhTi-4B-n8MmYVDYNoC7NyUOIj6ot56C22J1JZKNe171cPfDhKXmr_IyC_7vVg/s1600/easter_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34mT25LIbz5Q1BuGK72rgp4Av1C6cnNdmMhyphenhyphenaiAUrejC4uqoU9OQMWDU80hv1rnQdEKQNCSGbnzJyNhTi-4B-n8MmYVDYNoC7NyUOIj6ot56C22J1JZKNe171cPfDhKXmr_IyC_7vVg/s1600/easter_02.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I used lots of chicks, baskets, and straw hats (Easter bonnets!)<br />
The duckling shower curtain was a fantastic added bonus, and a very luckily gained donation!<br />
I set about groups of Easter-related animals, including rabbit jelly molds (just seen above)... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPzTfF0ZGc6unhyzu3ccvj06zH4zSUqFHpgCLClX4kWNA2KBxHkimNKj_cw4_kWT1XQdj3pmuyfuRWfIGWcY_CkiZgC0KQc6dFUvdjvO5_YYq-p1F4pD4bkqlKTOHISxYlo5k9kDMT7Y/s1600/easter_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPzTfF0ZGc6unhyzu3ccvj06zH4zSUqFHpgCLClX4kWNA2KBxHkimNKj_cw4_kWT1XQdj3pmuyfuRWfIGWcY_CkiZgC0KQc6dFUvdjvO5_YYq-p1F4pD4bkqlKTOHISxYlo5k9kDMT7Y/s1600/easter_03.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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...and ducks (before the eggs). <br />
I made the large, pastel-striped/dotted eggs using cardboard. They were a really simple construction but have a good effect in the display.<br />
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Long-time readers may recognise the little Easter egg hunt signs, which I posted as a <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/printable-easter-egg-hunt-signs.html" target="_blank">free printable</a> a few years back. For the display, I edited the colours to pastel shades.<br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/free-easter-egg-hunt-printable.html" target="_blank">Find another free Easter egg hunt printable here</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMdyFbxrHucBB7s5tTV5_jd8dJjDdWxyk93HFdCKwUtsjYWNO_IVDnOuakxXuAMYx0WR_Emq9FievZgmogQQxXSzxW5e_nU98WMn29Yb-q6PlTPLWYiMTlWt_UDXbegnjr7TYKtRuIaE/s1600/easter_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMdyFbxrHucBB7s5tTV5_jd8dJjDdWxyk93HFdCKwUtsjYWNO_IVDnOuakxXuAMYx0WR_Emq9FievZgmogQQxXSzxW5e_nU98WMn29Yb-q6PlTPLWYiMTlWt_UDXbegnjr7TYKtRuIaE/s1600/easter_04.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Along with eggs, I also hid lots of little chicks amongst the goods in the window. This one is chilling out amongst his yet-to-hatch brothers and sisters ;)<br />
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This was a fun yet simple display to put together and has turned out pretty nicely! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-58099393452232663032015-03-05T22:29:00.000+00:002015-06-26T20:23:50.110+01:00Sun, Sea and Sand: A Summer Window Display<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQGA8zKS9YgzCQL7xC9nBfIs3rGtLS7P9ubr1XDyBFpQCdDjAWol0yyZBtlQ_ugC2maQpQbtR5-_44_O1PoMqBfKqDNaNek2o25es6SiwU2UK03bUv-i7tZdyBIFNp4bQTh-kE8FkSL4/s1600/summer14_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQGA8zKS9YgzCQL7xC9nBfIs3rGtLS7P9ubr1XDyBFpQCdDjAWol0yyZBtlQ_ugC2maQpQbtR5-_44_O1PoMqBfKqDNaNek2o25es6SiwU2UK03bUv-i7tZdyBIFNp4bQTh-kE8FkSL4/s1600/summer14_01.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've previously written about the <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-window-display.html" target="_blank">Christmas</a> and <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2015/01/autumn-window-display.html" target="_blank">autumn</a>
window displays I created for a charity shop, and promised to update about this
months ago. The weather has been sunny lately (I think spring is finally here!) so today I want to share photos of the summer window I created last June! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ3kGQk5N46RqPgWYiocqzDGlLhSM6GXIgKQFTUAtQTS9KSiFEbe21sM_LUKViIRsOZkDSQSJXFQorp6JxZDUD_wMGtAAR_tL03QF55-9vMy43nNKI65-ZaAuLR_hrpms6Fj0OLJWETU/s1600/summer14_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ3kGQk5N46RqPgWYiocqzDGlLhSM6GXIgKQFTUAtQTS9KSiFEbe21sM_LUKViIRsOZkDSQSJXFQorp6JxZDUD_wMGtAAR_tL03QF55-9vMy43nNKI65-ZaAuLR_hrpms6Fj0OLJWETU/s1600/summer14_02.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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This was my first more challenging display, in that I
decided to turn the display table into an ice cream cart. </div>
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<a name='more'></a>I also made a 'fishermen's net' of gold mesh fabric and
shells, which you can see in the top picture, and a fishing net (scrap of
tulle, wire coat hanger and bamboo stick) which you can just about see leaning
against the cabinet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDlXj55SPxJxTpjZi5Fbh3RXFYJZKCt_c3GgCE4pNLv5Vwsy4hwvTYe1H0fa252Sj8BHYqwkRIQxjg0f_2XHXQSaxGormGU23ai67hGfOJk8QlUqo4ejS4606zOHEJO2ftrwh3lvhr6g/s1600/summer14_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDlXj55SPxJxTpjZi5Fbh3RXFYJZKCt_c3GgCE4pNLv5Vwsy4hwvTYe1H0fa252Sj8BHYqwkRIQxjg0f_2XHXQSaxGormGU23ai67hGfOJk8QlUqo4ejS4606zOHEJO2ftrwh3lvhr6g/s1600/summer14_03.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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The ice cream cart was constructed using bamboo, fabric, and
pins, with handles and wheels made from a cardboard box. </div>
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I made a lot of things for this window, including the 'Catch
of the Day' and 'Beach' signs. The wooden 'Beach' sign was made from scrap
wood. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGhVZc115XHZueveOVys3CdRAb1YQclEIild50vfQo4H83zwN2cPahlvaKjv3kYtRgF7o9-BEvnFOXFBokthLi35sOdR-ZUq5vnOro3V8WR9r1bO9XCcnkTj7QRwBqUDgQS5P2ZCCKLk/s1600/summer14_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGhVZc115XHZueveOVys3CdRAb1YQclEIild50vfQo4H83zwN2cPahlvaKjv3kYtRgF7o9-BEvnFOXFBokthLi35sOdR-ZUq5vnOro3V8WR9r1bO9XCcnkTj7QRwBqUDgQS5P2ZCCKLk/s1600/summer14_04.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I couldn't resist making a silly sign for behind the ice
cream cart: 'Summer may be short, so get them while you can!'</div>
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We had loads of shorts in stock, and they sold like hot
cakes! </div>
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Also seen on the table are some sticks of rock (paper bag,
card and cellophane), ice creams (pompoms, scrap wood, old ring binder
dividers) and pinwheels (old map, pins and old chopsticks). I made all of these
with otherwise unusable items! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTtnOqrpcoZJreDv0oEjP3tkES27F93IzJxSxsZtdAusIG9zp_vrCP_vBjAq3n6mSp0VGiZYtYqKkGCAGGCMqIuXpdtwea9Z7BDPxarQZMjMnl-YNXu1CD7eKHZ5NZPPrtTLFpt4cfLU/s1600/summer14_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTtnOqrpcoZJreDv0oEjP3tkES27F93IzJxSxsZtdAusIG9zp_vrCP_vBjAq3n6mSp0VGiZYtYqKkGCAGGCMqIuXpdtwea9Z7BDPxarQZMjMnl-YNXu1CD7eKHZ5NZPPrtTLFpt4cfLU/s1600/summer14_05.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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In a moment of insanity, I also decided to cut out tonnes of
'seagulls'. Once again this was using scrap paper--mainly those annoying
one-line pages that print out on some documents or e-tickets. Taping thread
onto the birds and pinning them to the ceiling was time-consuming, and in true
seagull fashion a couple of them dive-bombed people who reached into the window
;) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2SyATJm1kezoFgIUmILG8AbE5tmzGAq70ANxR-LTrO4h38FFtw3n36ea-_NkJBt10xxlouc335z0sM0q4mLSC2au8R0CzpmCJKX0f8_35EyKUHBooGtjKfzwuszPOnGTX-3W8tSlmnQ/s1600/rock_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2SyATJm1kezoFgIUmILG8AbE5tmzGAq70ANxR-LTrO4h38FFtw3n36ea-_NkJBt10xxlouc335z0sM0q4mLSC2au8R0CzpmCJKX0f8_35EyKUHBooGtjKfzwuszPOnGTX-3W8tSlmnQ/s1600/rock_09.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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You might have recognised the sticks of rock from a previous
post of mine: <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/06/paper-sticks-of-rock-or-beach-themed.html" target="_blank">Paper Sticks of Rock, or Beach Themed Party Favours</a>.</div>
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These turned out pretty well and once the window was
dismantled for a new display, somebody bought them! </div>
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Being a charity, there is no money for creating window
displays, so we have to work with what we've got! </div>
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This display was created using only items that were donated,
recycled, and handmade--so our summer shop window was entirely free. :)<br />
<br />
There will be more window displays to come--this time I'll post them as I create them, rather than backwards! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-1661077662535377692015-01-18T14:41:00.000+00:002015-06-26T20:23:50.098+01:00Autumn Window Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXRl9t452r22W7Gur36c9Yx3veWtvZ7kxSzMgAX7MaOWAcqxKaEBsAg9rWxrb-w3jZhskAieOFSsi5OD6BoHQSvc-FAIzOBydWFzPQvuv-rFcepLWamlTqwDSrBKn-ekjRo0CPTFOYeo/s1600/autumn14_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXRl9t452r22W7Gur36c9Yx3veWtvZ7kxSzMgAX7MaOWAcqxKaEBsAg9rWxrb-w3jZhskAieOFSsi5OD6BoHQSvc-FAIzOBydWFzPQvuv-rFcepLWamlTqwDSrBKn-ekjRo0CPTFOYeo/s1600/autumn14_01.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not long ago, I shared photos of the <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/christmas-window-display.html" target="_blank">Christmas windowdisplay</a> that I put together for a charity shop. </div>
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As I wrote previously, I'd intended to post about some other
displays that I never got around to writing about.</div>
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Today's post is about the autumn-themed window, created in
September.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU57ai_hAXqQGKpatdmfnuHi4e3WqIUXciW9D8RxfvnWfvCPkCbeuDwgnd9SBic1Ibn9XD2QGtUhuLW1mtKm9Fhq6a0a68nXlQjodGjAQs-oqzPzgL5dQyT1NoZjvupPoIcqs6iQ8L3g/s1600/autumn14_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU57ai_hAXqQGKpatdmfnuHi4e3WqIUXciW9D8RxfvnWfvCPkCbeuDwgnd9SBic1Ibn9XD2QGtUhuLW1mtKm9Fhq6a0a68nXlQjodGjAQs-oqzPzgL5dQyT1NoZjvupPoIcqs6iQ8L3g/s1600/autumn14_02.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once again, some of the photos here have unfortunate
reflections of the buildings opposite, so the most 'complete' image also
depicts the other side of the high street! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QlSa89LA8yksUh7Nh1Y0EDqU4Kv_M4MqUBBZF3tzUcYsu39dYqZ6_JnV6j_ttVYVOTCFComlxvenTbqGIRPg2EcT1O1-IAGpmYQCePYHgDGFZX4PGBw1VarIdaEfba8FApjKOnGHRWI/s1600/autumn14_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QlSa89LA8yksUh7Nh1Y0EDqU4Kv_M4MqUBBZF3tzUcYsu39dYqZ6_JnV6j_ttVYVOTCFComlxvenTbqGIRPg2EcT1O1-IAGpmYQCePYHgDGFZX4PGBw1VarIdaEfba8FApjKOnGHRWI/s1600/autumn14_03.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sometimes, window displays are changed on the spur of the
moment, other times they are planned out in advance, enabling me to look around
for inspiration. </div>
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I decided to hang a long twig in front of an old net curtain
after finding a photograph of autumn tree branches in the fog. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5PWxzXakcqkYVSwu2DHJSUnLJWZq2uIpz7KmAVytr1e6tmhx6GspT4eHxl3jyHNZEQ2OGLNs-q-wOjSOhKKf1eYt63NLk9fPSeeFxdBPMmzbDd0MzXfPDOqLY6kX2yPQo7taRJV5GZw/s1600/autumn14_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5PWxzXakcqkYVSwu2DHJSUnLJWZq2uIpz7KmAVytr1e6tmhx6GspT4eHxl3jyHNZEQ2OGLNs-q-wOjSOhKKf1eYt63NLk9fPSeeFxdBPMmzbDd0MzXfPDOqLY6kX2yPQo7taRJV5GZw/s1600/autumn14_04.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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...and the 'tree' was inspired by a table centrepiece I saw
online. I also saw a newspaper owl and decided to make one with brown paper to
sit in the tree! </div>
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The tree itself is a collection of twigs and small branches
that I gathered, tied together with jute (which is cunningly hidden by tissue
paper leaves). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn7T9i8VDyxUe1dku1eKMAzvOEqEzo-CSjkYeWSDScXWnI4RFctDE9eAXlYDyQ35mu6GrIvwre5BL4xJWMakUz5KECbw5qeIMhBPSEywJyvHA6SeVOpRb6lBsLFBZFD6r8LcHg1vaSX4/s1600/autumn14_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn7T9i8VDyxUe1dku1eKMAzvOEqEzo-CSjkYeWSDScXWnI4RFctDE9eAXlYDyQ35mu6GrIvwre5BL4xJWMakUz5KECbw5qeIMhBPSEywJyvHA6SeVOpRb6lBsLFBZFD6r8LcHg1vaSX4/s1600/autumn14_05.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Planning in advance also meant extra time to collect
together stock for the window. A basket full of lovely soft autumnal yarns,
nature prints, and not forgetting the lovely old lantern!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q7BZKXcn0U-tRZ7jkDqpcytjixwBk43vq5XmB_Sz45u_mE7_c5bJUeiI3OFvO1nky-r0wZ2ILz2L6Lc7Iy9Z_Y9VhxCt5JBQkWf1bDU83JTo_1jKjnXD9uIoYb-nlXhsggFqdhDWMjc/s1600/autumn14_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q7BZKXcn0U-tRZ7jkDqpcytjixwBk43vq5XmB_Sz45u_mE7_c5bJUeiI3OFvO1nky-r0wZ2ILz2L6Lc7Iy9Z_Y9VhxCt5JBQkWf1bDU83JTo_1jKjnXD9uIoYb-nlXhsggFqdhDWMjc/s1600/autumn14_06.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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These cute mice were made by another volunteer (you might
recognise them from the Christmas window, when they became carol singers!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H_IZ4Uxf7CAa3zph_9E-kCdkgB3SpAnfx6rfo6v9HaFKPX1twFVy4gBYScfRx8tdYgiKgzmtlzlbNr0-G2Ky7An5SGAgg370mnp9VKBXsAk2e9zJxlUcPO-jzaxxMYv9u2731R2H_YE/s1600/autumn14_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H_IZ4Uxf7CAa3zph_9E-kCdkgB3SpAnfx6rfo6v9HaFKPX1twFVy4gBYScfRx8tdYgiKgzmtlzlbNr0-G2Ky7An5SGAgg370mnp9VKBXsAk2e9zJxlUcPO-jzaxxMYv9u2731R2H_YE/s1600/autumn14_07.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I collected tonnes of conkers for this window, some of which
I hung on coloured yarns in the window, but most of them ended up in baskets or
scattered on the floor.</div>
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I also made leaves out of newspaper, which I painted red and
yellow. Some of these were made into a garland, but I couldn't get a decent
photograph.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdsaZ5bSf95Ux1_wtwLD409wQEiQMNnhKVqoBcT08moBv6nYdvPrcm63QddFFv3UtRJNAsxFqEsP_Cac_V4dvu_4oOFpKJqdw2nJgNyfEsxi6HMm2HelM3xleK_8H8i5Zv5DsWVyhe5c/s1600/autumn14_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdsaZ5bSf95Ux1_wtwLD409wQEiQMNnhKVqoBcT08moBv6nYdvPrcm63QddFFv3UtRJNAsxFqEsP_Cac_V4dvu_4oOFpKJqdw2nJgNyfEsxi6HMm2HelM3xleK_8H8i5Zv5DsWVyhe5c/s1600/autumn14_08.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here's another one of the mice, peeping out from a basket of
conkers! The log came from the lovely mouse-making volunteer, and I made the
toadstools using toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, a scrap of fabric, and
some acrylic paint from my stash. </div>
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Of course, no autumn window would be complete without some
good old Beatrix Potter--needless to say someone snapped up those cute little
books in no time!</div>
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The next display I'll post about will be the
summer window. Hopefully it will make you feel warm and toasty, even if it is
pouring outside. :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-75168987205347834572014-12-22T17:39:00.000+00:002014-12-22T17:39:41.274+00:002014 Crafting Recap2014 may have been a quiet year on the craft blogging front, as I became rather distracted with <a href="http://doingathing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doing A Thing</a>, but here's a recap of some of my posts from the past year...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/vintage-measuring-tape-belt.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="measuring tape belt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uSy67_psxcm_OjIp82PmlW3IUUaRykvSwY1nwX_eLCnqFt9IZbj7niQtfkHRaa6YAnzllZHerKofunDQxscH04YVIK8jEyRGQum_R-0B7jsPD0xIgmwe7gAK8Grn77y0EbqwVMC5DI0/s1600/tapebelt_00.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/vintage-measuring-tape-belt.html" target="_blank">Vintage Measuring Tape Belt</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Made using an old measuring tape, a buckle, eyelets and glue.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/paper-sticks-of-rock-or-beach-themed.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="paper sticks of rock" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbabZIQCYQ2-WmxEe9wPX1lJ3oL-76CvqoYinnCGBRdlkSdLmZ1nEH0zPEwHUU3PB9sVlCcRc2_yDqaAtYZDmVU6Qj9lwTjWIYE8bJyLavRYUE7Sx2nSLOJ5CJ_sbi-zcRZgJRMQ12BFI/s1600/rock_09.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/paper-sticks-of-rock-or-beach-themed.html" target="_blank">Paper Sticks of Rock / Beach-Themed Party Favours</a></b><br />
Made from paper, card and cellophane.<br />
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<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/easiest-christmas-pine-cone-ornaments.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="pine cone christmas ornaments" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcdSYcTnW9MjGUu-_T0OwpECTYyGaukF-AfNG9gZCEFpoHDJzHVAYs9RqRzp0ahwc7mkgb8IjnylETKvXpbZRfwOT3wxLwP9mi0OGRpxPFg_EpXkDv7oHQUw1BZgLGO9Zfk7IAX4z7Qg/s1600/cones_03.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/easiest-christmas-pine-cone-ornaments.html" target="_blank">Easiest Christmas Pine Cone Ornaments</a></b><br />
Made with pine cones, pins and ribbon<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/wire-wrapped-beaded-leather-bracelets.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wire-wrapped leather bracelets" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwC4QKIFF_7gBK9FFkNoKY23HBAjABMYbJsivwe68nXxpEAA_VM2UZKODUhSb7fbUjcxNjJliQz2ZD_oI9l9KFYmjuQdLAQzuxJ1mcc6ZcG_YyjNXJdgVlqo5GeSezAQZWhRH8frxXjI/s1600/wirebead_00.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/wire-wrapped-beaded-leather-bracelets.html">Wire-Wrapped Beaded Leather Bracelets</a></b><br />
Made with leather cord, wire, beads and basic findings<br />
A project to use up some <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/11/adventures-in-leather-cord.html" target="_blank">accidentally-bought leather cord.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/pearl-leather-wrap-bracelet.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="pearl and leather wrap bracelet" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTrf0zZuDaoGY-_Hz7_rlkngZEaH0Gvim12jp_fTam0x3MhESm0nYzhIfKqOVkvYluf-f_MTmXHzjPjwrkmFJWfnNyvBt3o2JbemiKCKyGSh-VqEp3ZXquAwk9kjaMG-oRzcnGe0tVdw/s1600/pearleather_00.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/pearl-leather-wrap-bracelet.html" target="_blank">Pearl & Leather Wrap Bracelet</a></b><br />
Made with leather cord, faux pearls, and basic findings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/cord-chain-necklace.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="cord and chain necklace DIY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieertn14Rjxhs2ek2iRpzkqI3pbI4gGS8b1LjIcWmhtud-V55_2E5c8TEj7cJhk8FXqJKuWva1xsoOXAt05w1lA9hC9y1dzz9XE2KpcD5z5K1ncqXiwoobOvzTcKFs6hkVzqz_IAckouk/s1600/cchain00.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/cord-chain-necklace.html" target="_blank">Cord & Chain Necklace</a></b><br />
Made with cord, chain, beads, embroidery thread and basic findings<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/12/upcycled-festive-heart-decorations.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="scandi christmas heart decorations" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSop5A-PDL11mhMtchvPqVQPMGDvjeGJUkZDQgMg7fG75X-7GE9fNiT6lr5cO6BBn43rr2xAbjci8lE9KQO4T1qfLpepF4nP9nooB_AwPOdUK7hEfCnZ-WL-EeSINq-P4r4nA2Ld3AAsI/s1600/hearts.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/12/upcycled-festive-heart-decorations.html" target="_blank">Upcycled Festive Heart Decorations</a></b><br />
Made with an old pillow case, pillow stuffing and embroidery thread<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-window-display.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="christmas window display" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHFsUCzVFCkLZpxJsoYFpyZMFBr6kmSIbB_-4esnVpvPE-15V7fkgw_vdeM8MsWj-OYGX2jFzwBzcTTNwMHpeMtQOrz6ZGbZ6MuqKQvbvYjUVWFLXxDscqNs__IVwMeC3AHeCA0BK6kI/s1600/xmas14_01.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-window-display.html" target="_blank">Charity Christmas Window Display</a></b><br />
Created from donated, handmade and recycled/upcycled items!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, that's probably about it for this year. I'll post more leather cord crafts as I make them, and some others along the way. Until then, seasons greetings to you all. :) </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-15859623941166635262014-12-19T23:56:00.000+00:002014-12-19T23:56:46.476+00:00Cord & Chain Necklace<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiqcX6vFpa3-yLQirm6JE4TICjcSNg-YyGeQMPHBMXM2Wef-gLlE7581Le-0GT59Qicejc5-ptOGtksK31ajmT3_SwiInzVcp2EUtj5kjnjy9OZVrcdSCBDIwiebDT-pY2Kx3YPCAepU/s1600/cchain00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiqcX6vFpa3-yLQirm6JE4TICjcSNg-YyGeQMPHBMXM2Wef-gLlE7581Le-0GT59Qicejc5-ptOGtksK31ajmT3_SwiInzVcp2EUtj5kjnjy9OZVrcdSCBDIwiebDT-pY2Kx3YPCAepU/s1600/cchain00.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Though I had some hassle getting cord ends that would fit my
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/adventures-in-leather-cord.html" target="_blank">reams of leather cord</a>, I finally settled for some coil end springs (which are
slightly too big, but close enough). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, armed with my shiny new pack of cord ends, I began
experimenting and now I have this cord & chain necklace tutorial to share
with you! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This project will take 1-2 hours; it took me a while because
I made a couple of mistakes during the process. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here comes the how to! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDVjxM-y6CfUEadhUjDtICdirfjbvThDwYd17ZB9uIRvID_Enuc_i7Wove2X0lSmS2u50FAovJmicITkfWKsUJ6a2aYS5r1kH6I-4dcD-hqMVMeuxvXIGk-iW45towPsl52vrUbIf53M/s1600/cchain01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDVjxM-y6CfUEadhUjDtICdirfjbvThDwYd17ZB9uIRvID_Enuc_i7Wove2X0lSmS2u50FAovJmicITkfWKsUJ6a2aYS5r1kH6I-4dcD-hqMVMeuxvXIGk-iW45towPsl52vrUbIf53M/s1600/cchain01.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You'll need:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leather cord</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twist rope cord</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chain</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Embroidery thread</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Selection of beads</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring coil ends to fit your cord </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jump rings (big enough to link cord and chain; I used 6mm
and 8mm rings)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Head pins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clasp</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tools:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scissors</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wire cutters</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Round nosed pliers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flat nosed pliers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tape measure</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sellotape</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long needle (darning needle or similar)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_W6juCLCImKGL2Jt2k19GdOo1ImoTIiSDkQ_Lmr_aTyxQEHYzKW5ETVkeqOJRbYojBbB-wXcLo0P2y7KuNlQdUO8LjnK49jO04EgFEqUmqI1t1UwxBXjff7MCQ6Cn2PkFJxFNb2_ht3c/s1600/cchain02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_W6juCLCImKGL2Jt2k19GdOo1ImoTIiSDkQ_Lmr_aTyxQEHYzKW5ETVkeqOJRbYojBbB-wXcLo0P2y7KuNlQdUO8LjnK49jO04EgFEqUmqI1t1UwxBXjff7MCQ6Cn2PkFJxFNb2_ht3c/s1600/cchain02.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Cut 18 inches of leather cord (more/less if you want a
longer/shorter necklace). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is the cheat's way of working out the amount of cord
and chain needed: Lay the leather cord flat, in a circle. Trail the rope cord around
the inside of that circle, and the chain around the outside, and trim/cut off
where the ends are level with those of the leather cord. (For those interested,
I used about 17.5 inches of rope cord and 18.75-19 inches of chain)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcJ3MwMLcKpm5emFBNQZ8dfj-Y8oCROUAH8w-EIRLpXfjWASkpfjQ9Fe_GwCtmnMWGcRjqySP2tiKw6nAwdWkTEKVKf9G05BBdj7r66M0q4IuOJuK3ZZ4Tgq3m9DBPWV7E0U9cvo-eeo/s1600/cchain03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcJ3MwMLcKpm5emFBNQZ8dfj-Y8oCROUAH8w-EIRLpXfjWASkpfjQ9Fe_GwCtmnMWGcRjqySP2tiKw6nAwdWkTEKVKf9G05BBdj7r66M0q4IuOJuK3ZZ4Tgq3m9DBPWV7E0U9cvo-eeo/s1600/cchain03.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Cut off a thin piece of tape and wrap it tightly around
the end of the rope cord. This will stop it from fraying and unwinding, and
also make it a lot easier to get into the coil end!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34PiinLaPEKhJhDqXV6O1CHDI1aghajXUvy3x0eMv8qnJqy66C5esEtz9KRjLsOVQwKJJclKXjA76dvuQRUMlijrbJoZe4z7WkiUznuIuYw4Ge4ICPLI5BQiETdxUqQwmnaMnGcVGlbk/s1600/cchain04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34PiinLaPEKhJhDqXV6O1CHDI1aghajXUvy3x0eMv8qnJqy66C5esEtz9KRjLsOVQwKJJclKXjA76dvuQRUMlijrbJoZe4z7WkiUznuIuYw4Ge4ICPLI5BQiETdxUqQwmnaMnGcVGlbk/s1600/cchain04.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Fix the spring coil ends to the ends of the two lengths
of cord, using flat-nosed pliers to close the ends onto the cord.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiavcI9kaqhBNshCbKr83fsti07sj36MlEXfy3nDwU5jf1pW4mg9tTulgye4T8Qztn0Wu26v7spLcj14UVL2w6wVETUO5d4uIl1orwMJnzogBvJqe6UjOhZKpfs856t6gBY7xRdZJfdYM/s1600/cchain05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiavcI9kaqhBNshCbKr83fsti07sj36MlEXfy3nDwU5jf1pW4mg9tTulgye4T8Qztn0Wu26v7spLcj14UVL2w6wVETUO5d4uIl1orwMJnzogBvJqe6UjOhZKpfs856t6gBY7xRdZJfdYM/s1600/cchain05.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Thread a needle with embroidery thread. Make a
couple of stitches in one end of the rope cord, and wind the thread around it a
few times, placing one last stitch to secure.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>Note: </b>I used about 88
inches altogether and had to be very careful not to knot it up! I did it in one length, but you may find it easier to use shorter lengths and do steps 4-5 in sections.</i></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfBEkqHIctwpC_XJaMGxzFvSpV6a24HyV3vEOm46Q-sjLwWJ_XwxYdOHsQjZK_B6oizZHomqtaVRMIUzpsLxPzBt2GQvkdJ8WSv0RX0ZtYyglCWPHxQHjhjpL-i87ZNIdvMRWSUgw60E/s1600/cchain06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfBEkqHIctwpC_XJaMGxzFvSpV6a24HyV3vEOm46Q-sjLwWJ_XwxYdOHsQjZK_B6oizZHomqtaVRMIUzpsLxPzBt2GQvkdJ8WSv0RX0ZtYyglCWPHxQHjhjpL-i87ZNIdvMRWSUgw60E/s1600/cchain06.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Push the needle through the rope cord at a diagonal, to
draw the thread further along the length of cord. Wrap the thread around both
lengths of cord three times, then push the needle through the rope cord again
and on to the next section. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Note: </b>I started
out adding the chain first. Halfway through adding the rope cord I realised
this was a very bad idea. So ignore
the presence of the chain in the above picture ;)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Note 2: </b>To ensure
the necklace gains the necessary curve at this point, it helps to lay it flat
with every section you stitch/wrap to make any necessary adjustments before
your nice cord and chain necklace becomes a cord and chain bookmark!</i></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFwHasDbAe-v9Qn97qHhqsyueqJvJfG5HuwCigIdb2BjuLUAvEz3LfEPt-me5zKhvtNCTUUYWPkVXypr8KO8YQ_JSJlblslk9qXm_cMyVPXATr8YZ61DA8H1-mHhDNv1g5SLpqOPF3_Q/s1600/cchain07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFwHasDbAe-v9Qn97qHhqsyueqJvJfG5HuwCigIdb2BjuLUAvEz3LfEPt-me5zKhvtNCTUUYWPkVXypr8KO8YQ_JSJlblslk9qXm_cMyVPXATr8YZ61DA8H1-mHhDNv1g5SLpqOPF3_Q/s1600/cchain07.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Once you've reached the other ends of the cord, finish
with a couple of stitches and some wrapping on the rope cord end, as in step 4.
Trim off the ends--this is what it should look like so far! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Open a bunch of large jump rings because you're about to use
a whole heap of them...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jlnwpqtNk8BtfvWfaRvypZT9JUvFUPwMEqdNoMoNt0f9BVWe8OcjjVSva_Dc1dlVghWQA2fjgI73lXC08nDCU0WiCa6yu1krwHrAIjVrGKcd6-nDucM80McKtuPFJWNG-orvaWuZ8f4/s1600/cchain08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jlnwpqtNk8BtfvWfaRvypZT9JUvFUPwMEqdNoMoNt0f9BVWe8OcjjVSva_Dc1dlVghWQA2fjgI73lXC08nDCU0WiCa6yu1krwHrAIjVrGKcd6-nDucM80McKtuPFJWNG-orvaWuZ8f4/s1600/cchain08.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. Join together the cord ends with a jump ring. Use another
jump ring to attach one end of the chain to the coil end of the leather cord
(don't attach the other end yet).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0wcWdCggMr9-R4seCoPN4N4xeiD3P5FEXsGdTk6u3odXpuJ99C6yGucePfu0giWqni7eQRJDK9dq48mgkr6nX_brFHLJ9IDCBc9Z47YYF8ktV07zghGjWMVoLugIWvnTSLHDZ_-FWz8/s1600/cchain09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0wcWdCggMr9-R4seCoPN4N4xeiD3P5FEXsGdTk6u3odXpuJ99C6yGucePfu0giWqni7eQRJDK9dq48mgkr6nX_brFHLJ9IDCBc9Z47YYF8ktV07zghGjWMVoLugIWvnTSLHDZ_-FWz8/s1600/cchain09.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. Working in a circle (see Note 2, above) attach the chain
to the leather cord using jump rings. Choose your spacing according to the
size/type of chain--I went for every 4th link. Once you've worked your way
around the necklace, join the loose end of the chain onto the coil end of the
leather cord. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jOKJUn06SLjt6gvdn42EJyauT2rJMI2WZOf79dQ2tBc8-Xm2pK3wsnNRMgPqI-wJj3HDiNbWO6wEkheTzREEvUpYzcSwbSQQtIXMwLEEyyYLknb65qqL998Zq-cSqzFyu8ACCMVST4A/s1600/cchain10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jOKJUn06SLjt6gvdn42EJyauT2rJMI2WZOf79dQ2tBc8-Xm2pK3wsnNRMgPqI-wJj3HDiNbWO6wEkheTzREEvUpYzcSwbSQQtIXMwLEEyyYLknb65qqL998Zq-cSqzFyu8ACCMVST4A/s1600/cchain10.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. Use two more jump rings (are you sick of them yet?) to
add a clasp to the necklace, fixing onto the jump rings joining the cord ends.
(I really hope you're not sick of them...)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You could stop at
this point. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your necklace may look something like this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinM3szaf59nnUQsWg6uOc70ycGrXSfTUTFex46PcgVhSXM0Wy-XxxHrGsLLSTkggMSoJuf9ixy2WhllQ_5PQjd7SuEAmMWatFLFj2WdV22DjpPGd86Um4Gch3_kGaCDC968ykScOhLEq0/s1600/cchain11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinM3szaf59nnUQsWg6uOc70ycGrXSfTUTFex46PcgVhSXM0Wy-XxxHrGsLLSTkggMSoJuf9ixy2WhllQ_5PQjd7SuEAmMWatFLFj2WdV22DjpPGd86Um4Gch3_kGaCDC968ykScOhLEq0/s1600/cchain11.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not bad, huh? Colourful but not over the top. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But hey, more is more! Why not add some beads...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OxDcndy_WCzbOf05NOkSkGc1mC8u-6CXJlQ3iiK0Hm4onnNNG_odGUp2uD1G6VGExHTqNDcoPZdxQm7iawFYiQtwsZNZruMQu2nwg2vAyB6pCXLi2mCmoyza6-UJit2Okfi08MqqqWE/s1600/cchain12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OxDcndy_WCzbOf05NOkSkGc1mC8u-6CXJlQ3iiK0Hm4onnNNG_odGUp2uD1G6VGExHTqNDcoPZdxQm7iawFYiQtwsZNZruMQu2nwg2vAyB6pCXLi2mCmoyza6-UJit2Okfi08MqqqWE/s1600/cchain12.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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10. Thread your beads onto head pins. Use flat nosed pliers
to make a bend in the pin, above the beads. Then, use round nosed pliers to
curl the pin in a small loop. Trim off excess with wire cutters and tidy
up/close the loop with your pliers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_USjNz3DguIiL_6k833Vgto3ICWDIcjbjooktyBqd0q4fj9f1uOwe4DAig7Uh1O8wYo5hUUXbz7huxXLpot4FuvfFa6fVSz2ynLA8sEJSp4jTLYR0TaC2HcOycWGVbXx1fCUN3RJ59g/s1600/cchain13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_USjNz3DguIiL_6k833Vgto3ICWDIcjbjooktyBqd0q4fj9f1uOwe4DAig7Uh1O8wYo5hUUXbz7huxXLpot4FuvfFa6fVSz2ynLA8sEJSp4jTLYR0TaC2HcOycWGVbXx1fCUN3RJ59g/s1600/cchain13.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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11. Use jump rings (this is the last time you'll use them in
this tutorial, I swear) to attach the beads to the chain, spacing them out as
you see fit. </div>
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You're finished! (See, I said no more of those infernal jump
rings, didn't I!) </div>
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Other leather cord crafts:<br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/11/wire-wrapped-beaded-leather-bracelets.html" target="_blank">Wire-Wrapped Beaded Leather Bracelets</a><br />
<a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/12/pearl-leather-wrap-bracelet.html" target="_blank">Pearl & Leather Wrap Bracelet</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-13917347077989610862014-12-17T14:26:00.000+00:002014-12-17T14:26:39.217+00:00Brown Paper Packages...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlww871Nq-_a68jEqoXiUFXB2Ma5M2Rpieo35k83wDGjh6H1Ur9QVhzKY-vNwJGf_-PEz0CXBIHa8HbHJVSFCQsqq9o8f-y5CSytTfwgAAAz4Oae9_1wK78qSIU_vbMe-oMfZvGKicQdk/s1600/wrap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cheap giftwrap idea" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlww871Nq-_a68jEqoXiUFXB2Ma5M2Rpieo35k83wDGjh6H1Ur9QVhzKY-vNwJGf_-PEz0CXBIHa8HbHJVSFCQsqq9o8f-y5CSytTfwgAAAz4Oae9_1wK78qSIU_vbMe-oMfZvGKicQdk/s1600/wrap1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
'Tis the season when the makers of gift-wrapping products are rubbing their hands in glee.<br />
Well, sorry rich dudes, but I wrapped all my presents for the grand sum of 89p.<br />
<br />
(Yes, 89p!)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>...which was the cost of a roll of brown paper from the Post Office.<br />
<br />
Admittedly I used some of the brown paper left over from last year, but one roll alone probably would have done it. <br />
<br />
Last year, I wrapped some gifts in <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/merry-christmas.html" target="_blank">brown paper with jute string and pine cones</a>.<br />
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This year I opted to use brown paper for all of them! No gift tags here--simply the names stamped onto the presents with an alphabet stamp set (bought in Tiger earlier this year for a few pounds).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5hNS4TjsczP7UXmLn8zi_WxQiXMPA4A-dNobT6gBuOpYXXlASJMlLG-XJN8ugfZAqtMWpW9dNXHy4uVtcu0VaH6QVWICpTWNuuKfi_6zZzmcByCXZWgy2kp67r0-fdqu3j4g_KAY5F8/s1600/wrap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="brown paper gift wrap" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5hNS4TjsczP7UXmLn8zi_WxQiXMPA4A-dNobT6gBuOpYXXlASJMlLG-XJN8ugfZAqtMWpW9dNXHy4uVtcu0VaH6QVWICpTWNuuKfi_6zZzmcByCXZWgy2kp67r0-fdqu3j4g_KAY5F8/s1600/wrap2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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For gifts too small to stamp a name on, I stamped an initial. <br />
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This year's presents are finished off with satin ribbon. I bought a huge reel of it at a charity shop a year or two ago, for the grand sum of £1. Realistically if buying all this stuff from new, I would have stuck with cheap plastic gift ribbon instead, but as I had this in my stash it made the option 'free' (and I still have tonnes of it left).<br />
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Brown paper is often overlooked as gift wrap, but with the right extras - be it a bow, a stencilled name, or potato-stamped print - it can look just as great as an expensive wrapping paper.<br />
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P.S. Dear Family, <b>no peeking!</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-59110739782289170502014-12-15T20:06:00.000+00:002015-06-26T20:23:50.118+01:00Christmas Window Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7yNGGCTEdYz8oT5jKat7Q8imWRuRTxdqG4fDFbKDt3IUr75KTCKTjCOZGRxU6NF-dfslPqJUu19SGSgigmKtBM9DnDxcgbOQ2fcdS45AFbNQBbj1WHA9Vr0h-Me7jw1xnmki2kHRT2E/s1600/xmas14_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7yNGGCTEdYz8oT5jKat7Q8imWRuRTxdqG4fDFbKDt3IUr75KTCKTjCOZGRxU6NF-dfslPqJUu19SGSgigmKtBM9DnDxcgbOQ2fcdS45AFbNQBbj1WHA9Vr0h-Me7jw1xnmki2kHRT2E/s1600/xmas14_01.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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As I've mentioned here previously, I volunteer at a charity shop. One of the great perks of volunteering is that I get to flex my creative fingers in putting together window displays!<br />
Being a charity, we don't have a huge budget to play with (or any budget, really) so it's a case of being super-inventive with reams of donated stuff and scrap card/paper/etc. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n1rTUbGxs2VWpZtmaad-x-3tcUQQcr0XFtLgIJiVbjuhbkVTGadySAW6y84hf_cv0pbV_ISt2JcZJymJErHW0XVDqz7afXVZ3fI4VTy6_tRX1wkyn31Hv95Ibtzu6dCFdvIk48vGKSY/s1600/xmas14_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n1rTUbGxs2VWpZtmaad-x-3tcUQQcr0XFtLgIJiVbjuhbkVTGadySAW6y84hf_cv0pbV_ISt2JcZJymJErHW0XVDqz7afXVZ3fI4VTy6_tRX1wkyn31Hv95Ibtzu6dCFdvIk48vGKSY/s1600/xmas14_05.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get your skates on and grab that charity bargain before someone else does!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This year in particular, I've tried to make some displays that are more visually interesting! I've intended to post about some of them for a while, so will eventually share pictues of the summer and autumn-themed windows I created.<br />
For now, here is our Victorian Christmas-themed display! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3_3o4zVjLCY0bZ03mm7BQpsOuE7opCBNzFtpLrotGS4ujW3wZvQcxSZMYzjY8qNP_fwq0su2Znz9Ejqn1F1IUbgjfo3LajcijquFH6l1_AaHoehyphenhyphenFyQj7EuadShwXfLa9kOOeQeD6N8/s1600/xmas14_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3_3o4zVjLCY0bZ03mm7BQpsOuE7opCBNzFtpLrotGS4ujW3wZvQcxSZMYzjY8qNP_fwq0su2Znz9Ejqn1F1IUbgjfo3LajcijquFH6l1_AaHoehyphenhyphenFyQj7EuadShwXfLa9kOOeQeD6N8/s1600/xmas14_02.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Everything in the display is donated, with the exception of the mantelpiece, which I made from the box Mum's vacuum cleaner came in! I also made the stockings, using some scraps of fabric from my stash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6tAxCOZUDNr6psUv8p4IhkBIbdOGIk-fd0i0w9-io4dkskqVI6otb6XyAjv4qCEK4UaRaBnCDXHnkNDUIhtgrcBeQZD2TgBSAycZlR7mcDCEWeYSoPbfFm1otP-tq-wA4nhTuGH8yEw/s1600/mantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6tAxCOZUDNr6psUv8p4IhkBIbdOGIk-fd0i0w9-io4dkskqVI6otb6XyAjv4qCEK4UaRaBnCDXHnkNDUIhtgrcBeQZD2TgBSAycZlR7mcDCEWeYSoPbfFm1otP-tq-wA4nhTuGH8yEw/s1600/mantel.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a photo of the cardboard mantelpiece taken by the manager of the shop, before I adorned it with ribbons and added the fire (logs and paper leaves recycled from our autumn display). The mantelpiece and fire are attached to the bottom of a folding table donated earlier this year. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiNSvPrGomhx9lg9ZYxpuQwazGMjdBJMUjFOs7vxzs_NvnQKs0BpJRjnLazCZr-QdkluiFi3rJN3eFlXtNnLewkwFJVN-NSZ0C-c6VzI2Mc9t978NHtoLANULdRAbJIZ7lI9CnNNmTH0/s1600/xmas14_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiNSvPrGomhx9lg9ZYxpuQwazGMjdBJMUjFOs7vxzs_NvnQKs0BpJRjnLazCZr-QdkluiFi3rJN3eFlXtNnLewkwFJVN-NSZ0C-c6VzI2Mc9t978NHtoLANULdRAbJIZ7lI9CnNNmTH0/s1600/xmas14_03.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm not the only crafty one at the shop (there's quite a few of us!) These adorable carol-singing mice were made by another volunteer. They were made with fabric that was donated to the shop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRvhf0pjobFUeDXO38hN-Vt10mhThIXCuCXLEuT1Ug-nTRIkb-KueLjxHB-_lOHxc-Mt-YSiwnmkHvaAg7r4v0uMpB8mm_3j6vP5T8ghGOWH00gctwIlG0-KnxGkGaY-z7_RVViuikfA/s1600/xmas14_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRvhf0pjobFUeDXO38hN-Vt10mhThIXCuCXLEuT1Ug-nTRIkb-KueLjxHB-_lOHxc-Mt-YSiwnmkHvaAg7r4v0uMpB8mm_3j6vP5T8ghGOWH00gctwIlG0-KnxGkGaY-z7_RVViuikfA/s1600/xmas14_04.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's difficult to get photos of the display due to all the reflections of the outside, but here you can see the presents beneath the tree (boxes from recycling wrapped in donated paper and ribbon) and the 'present' display case (donated ribbon again). The top shelf of the display case holds a very Ebeneezer Scrooge top hat!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xjybPYzsMdy5vzqtuteHJRvfQr6tOUZaJ_nbjL2wVmg3LttQmf0G4-usZqE-bGhkQnCFoJus09PU3bgCcWeoehVfeMzF_RwRlZvqaCOng7rdt3bVtupQ3wZT3h0OKFwkRKSPCgYU3RQ/s1600/xmas14_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xjybPYzsMdy5vzqtuteHJRvfQr6tOUZaJ_nbjL2wVmg3LttQmf0G4-usZqE-bGhkQnCFoJus09PU3bgCcWeoehVfeMzF_RwRlZvqaCOng7rdt3bVtupQ3wZT3h0OKFwkRKSPCgYU3RQ/s1600/xmas14_06.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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And here is our much-adorned tree! Once again, the tree was donated. The majority of the decorations were also donated, with the exception of the pine cones and stick stars, which I made...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulYou90_zATpxgWESVfcBevLgKYFdmVVLkZhTu_ymRoXEMOzQ3H1rHVugDUxXzUoS8XuhSbF7V3T1tSmzKG97xJkKNJyMQD2WvNKi5MAcmvGAn9eKlcNsmRoiBTvMGOzHla1oa3OloZc/s1600/xmas14_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulYou90_zATpxgWESVfcBevLgKYFdmVVLkZhTu_ymRoXEMOzQ3H1rHVugDUxXzUoS8XuhSbF7V3T1tSmzKG97xJkKNJyMQD2WvNKi5MAcmvGAn9eKlcNsmRoiBTvMGOzHla1oa3OloZc/s1600/xmas14_07.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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You might remember that I <a href="http://unfortunatelyoh.blogspot.com/2014/11/easiest-christmas-pine-cone-ornaments.html" target="_blank">posted a tutorial</a> for these pine cone decorations a few weeks ago! (They're really simple. Even people with zero crafting ability can make these!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8s1YCAkTAfkSdEmZTmc83xF2Qv92_gDZLU7zWMoC9bZUgIrJqcp8bisajwFmfZtwfde-oXz8ewMCsadB1uJMPQKxFXGhrz5NqJXl0Lci_ngu_TnUrbf3oFZtLZp0qpa69M6V5w6j30U/s1600/xmas14_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8s1YCAkTAfkSdEmZTmc83xF2Qv92_gDZLU7zWMoC9bZUgIrJqcp8bisajwFmfZtwfde-oXz8ewMCsadB1uJMPQKxFXGhrz5NqJXl0Lci_ngu_TnUrbf3oFZtLZp0qpa69M6V5w6j30U/s1600/xmas14_08.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a close-up of one of the stick stars. I used sticks originally collected for our autumn window, and some jute string left over from our summer window. Again, I'll post about these at a later date. I know I'm getting this horribly back to front, but since we're in the Christmas season, I wanted to post this one first!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD9-_Zah8X1qw92I9XcGFoFFgKUQmPBhWhleDEOXNZul8NjSzkz4PHiBftwMbLjkoSr_KnhOaZj3BgFjZK4YFJ455QEsz9sO3dNmvgZceoyw8zIMC7X8SshRXiwbAqkvNAnJP6mImzpc/s1600/xmas14_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD9-_Zah8X1qw92I9XcGFoFFgKUQmPBhWhleDEOXNZul8NjSzkz4PHiBftwMbLjkoSr_KnhOaZj3BgFjZK4YFJ455QEsz9sO3dNmvgZceoyw8zIMC7X8SshRXiwbAqkvNAnJP6mImzpc/s1600/xmas14_09.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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So there we have it. One shop window display, and the only expenditure was the weekend I spent making the mantelpiece and fireplace. A week or so after this was taken, someone brought in a brass fender for us to borrow, and we were also lent a rather Victorian-looking Santa Claus, so this display ended up looking even better after that! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg2tOh9UoEsSu5ueTHu1mkzveGSUKMapvnFPts9QDTn0nm8c3vBAxCQp_n-v4wo1_RwTswifg9EoZPw84uNlsJAneXx7WSHqH3ufWLYK44HO2K_A0QYLug0BsLF9UmI7VDi8qRXDICFU/s1600/hermajesty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg2tOh9UoEsSu5ueTHu1mkzveGSUKMapvnFPts9QDTn0nm8c3vBAxCQp_n-v4wo1_RwTswifg9EoZPw84uNlsJAneXx7WSHqH3ufWLYK44HO2K_A0QYLug0BsLF9UmI7VDi8qRXDICFU/s1600/hermajesty.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Of course, no Victorian Christmas-themed window display would be complete without a photograph of Her Majesty Queen Victoria Herself!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7281513128254834277.post-70341503776126691392014-12-12T20:03:00.000+00:002014-12-12T20:03:03.949+00:00Ivy & Pine Cone Wreath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vdrplLjT1dlFHXsqpqt8kUoNpWPnTaR7YmRyTH3ng9Dnm9m3Oytzr3upGma_UfXpFTV63AG2YeIJ9O_53hk0ukGiHr24k87xy-oDOssnsdTB3HxxRmkPiq6by1cIbU4nCR9wkk2OSwc/s1600/wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vdrplLjT1dlFHXsqpqt8kUoNpWPnTaR7YmRyTH3ng9Dnm9m3Oytzr3upGma_UfXpFTV63AG2YeIJ9O_53hk0ukGiHr24k87xy-oDOssnsdTB3HxxRmkPiq6by1cIbU4nCR9wkk2OSwc/s1600/wreath.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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With Christmas in just a couple of weeks, Channel 4 have gifted us with more <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/kirsties-handmade-christmas" target="_blank">Kirstie's Handmade Christmas</a>. One of the features on this week's episode was an ivy wreath. It was made to be hung up horizontally, and was adorned with candles and little paper stars in true Scandinavian style.<br />
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I was inspired to make one myself, but opted for one to hang vertically on the door. I ended up with the wreath in the picture above, which I decorated with some ribbon, baubles, and good old pine cones.<br />
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Hopefully this will hold together during Christmas--the ivy is remarkably easy to manipulate and holds itself in shape, but last night we had really strong winds (luckily I'd seen the forecast and brought the wreath indoors!) For a first attempt, I'm pleased with how this turned out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2