Paper embroidery

My cross stitch ‘to do’ list is huge but I had to try this basket of flowers before any of the bigger ones because I am trying cure myself of a YouTube addiction!

My vow to stop mindless watching is to try out a crafty project if I watch a crafty video (and to cook a recipe if I watch yet another foodie video etc.).

So when the lovely Sarah Homfrey demonstrated basket weaving stitch in her May embroidery upload I had to try it.

I have a paper die that creates cross stitch panels so used that rather than load a hoop for stitching a more detailed basket on fabric.

I freestyled the pansies and fixed the finished panel on some craft foam before mounting it on a card base. I found some matching brads to embellish and tied some embroidery thread around the spine.

Rustic but at least the project is done and I can tackle some other UFOs (un finished projects).

Travel kit

Quick personalised, laminated luggage tag and book mark

A quick make as a gesture for a traveler.

I like the matt laminating sheets I have. They create a subtler effect without the gloss.

To use up the laminating sheets I made a storage pouch (slipping a second sheet inside and turning it inside out) and extra book marks for another day …

Which came first?

In this case it was the chicken.

A pair of paper cut outs (calligraphy paper aplenty in my drawer) were sewn to sandwich a crème egg inside. Ready for little Easter gifts and tucked away so we don’t inadvertently nibble them.

Then a few eggs were made using up magazine papers and washi tape (will I never use it up?) again sewn shut and packed away for Easter.

The basic shapes were cut from my scan and cut to the maximum size of my papers. I can see this working with other stock shapes for single sweet treats throughout the year – hearts, cars, stockings …

Must remember to keep the sewing machine needle with my papercraft projects as the paper blunts the needle quickly.

Little wins

Couldn’t find a holder for tooth picks, which arrived in a big bag, so I made one with card that was out on my desk.

A simple box of four equal scored sides plus a small scored flap for adhesive and bottom flaps also stuck with adhesive tape. Decorated with die cut ric rac strips and some stickles, this was a 5 minute project done and in use.

cracker crazy

Traditionally for Christmas but great table decorations at any time of year, home made crackers will contain goodies right for your gathering and you won’t feel guilty about the plastic ‘gifts’ that go straight in the bin. Why not make Easter lunch special?

Easy to make I trimmed quality paper to 12” x 8.5” but standard A4 would work as well with a little tweaking.

For the round version, I scored at 2”,2.5” and 3” in from each side and also 0.5” at the bottom. For the rectangular barrel version I added three more width-way scores at 2.5”,4.5” and 6.5”

Fold the 2, 2.5 and 3” scores into a ‘w’ ie mountain, valley, mountain then clip out v shapes as shown.

Cut out the bit of the 0.5” score as shown, then tape the rest of it. Stick in a tube or fold and stick as a rectangle for the square version.

Then poke in a purchased snap if you want a ‘bang’. I tape the ends to the inside of the cracker as well. Finally slide in your goodies then tie string, ribbon or raffia around the concertina cut edges.

Ideas for contents: beauty samples, packets of seeds, miniature bottles, sweeties, memory sticks, rolled up money, printed messages, jokes, photos and of course a daft paper crown. I made mine on the scan and cut using the offcuts from the paper.