Frosty Festivities - A Little Giveaway!

This weekend, I'm sponsoring a little giveaway, as part of the Frosty Festivities Weekend at Jennifer Grace Creates. One lucky winner will receive a £12.50 ($20.00) voucher to spend in my etsy store, Obstinate Pursuit, and will be able to choose from my little range of charms, beaded jewellery and beading tutorials. 

And, for this weekend only, I’m also offering a 15% discount on everything in store – just use the voucher code FROSTY15. (Don't worry, if you buy something and then you win the giveaway, I'll give you the choice of an extra little 'something' or a refund on any items that you've purchased!)

Now, head on over to Jennifer Grace Creates for details of how to enter the giveaway - and to join in some of this weekend's Frosty Festivities.

Frosty Festivities

If you’re joining me from Annie at ArtyFartyAnnie then you will already know that today (in fact, the whole weekend) is dedicated to Frosty Festivities, but if you aren’t familiar with festivities of the frosty variety, then let me tell you what we have in store for you this weekend. Frosty Festivities is an annual weekend event, organised by the lovely Jennifer Grace. Over the course of the weekend Jennifer’s blog, Jennifer Grace Creates, will be home to seasonal craft projects, articles and lots of sponsored giveaways!

 

There’s also a seasonally inspired blog-hop (which includes this post from me!) full of craft projects, tutorials and giveaways. If you comment on all the blogs in the hop, finishing at Jennifer Graces Creates  (to let Jennifer know you've been all the way around) then you'll be in with a chance to win an amazing  prize of Simple Stories 'December Documented' and Elle’s Studio 'Noel' goodies, worth over £28! I’ll make sure that you know where to head to next, as soon as I’ve shown off my own little craft project!

 

These little 'mini-cards' are my favourite way to make a little something from the mess that's sat on my desk after a scrapbooking session. It's much more fun than tidying away all of those random little leftover strips of paper, stickers and die-cuts - and it's an excellent way to stretch your stash!

My favourite size for mini-card bases is 3x3. It's cute and dinky, but it's also makes it easy to find leftover pieces of cardstock large enough to turn into a card base. Alternatively, pull out a new sheet of cardstock and make eight 3x3 bases all at once. It's my favourite for such well rounded reasons! :)

 

Usually, I'll start by finding a few co-ordinating pieces of patterned paper, cutting them down into strips approximately 1cm wide. Then, using a simple old glue stick, I'll add them to the front of my mini-cards. I don't worry about lining them up with the edges of the card, as long as they look 'level-ish' then I'm happy enough. It all adds to the charm!
 

When the glue has dried, I'll run each card through my sewing machine to add a little bit of extra texture. I like the simple look of a straight stitch, but more decorative stitches do look awesome, so experiment a little. 

Once the stitching is done, it's onto the fun bit - decoration. I like to find all of the little random, leftover stickers, die-cuts and bits of bling that are left on my desk - the ones that would be such a chore to put away - and stick them on my cards. And honestly, I try not to think about it too much. There's not a lot of space to fill, so keeping it simple seems to work!

 

I've finished off this little set of cards by stamping a simple, holiday sentiment from Dear Lizzy's 'Wonderland Collection' on the inside but, most of the time, I'll be making these little cards at the end of a scrapbooking session and I won't necessarily have an occasion in mind for using them. There's no need to add sentiments until you need to send a little card - just leave them blank and add a sentiment when you're ready!

 

So, before I send you onto the next blog in the Frosty Festivities blog-hop, I just want to mention that I’m sponsoring a giveaway as part of the festivities – where you could win a £12.50 ($20.00) voucher to spend in my little etsy shop, Obstinate Pursuit. You’ll be able to use the voucher on anything in store. And, for this weekend only, I’m also offering a 15% discount on everything in store – just use the voucher code FROSTY15. Now, head on over to Dapfnie Designs for more Frosty Festivities fun!

My Very Own Etsy Store (And A Couple Of Giveaways!)

Hello! Hello! I'll fully admit it, it's been a little bit quiet around here recently. I've been busy working on a couple of 'hush, hush' projects (that I promise to share with you all soon) and I have finally taken the plunge and opened my own little etsy store, Obstinate Pursuit.

It's been a long, long time coming! In celebration, I'm sponsoring this month's giveaway over at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash - and giving you a little preview of a bracelet tutorial that will be available for sale in the shop this weekend.*

I'll be choosing one winner at random to receive a copy of the tutorial and all of the materials that you need to make a bracelet - including Miyuki Seed Beads and Swarovski Pearls - and will announce the winner on the 31st July. Just head over to Operation Tackle That Bead Stash and leave a comment on The July Giveaway.

* And, just in case you're wondering. It's not available at the moment, because I still haven't chosen a name. So, if you'd like an extra chance to win the tutorial, please leave a name suggestion on this very post! If I choose your suggestion, I'll send you a copy of the tutorial too! How simple is that?

Blue Moon Beads Giveaway!!!

Just stopping by to let you all know that Blue Moon Beads are having a little bit of a giveaway on their blog, with a full box of jewellery making product up for grabs. And it really will be full, those ladies really do cram stuff into the bead boxes they send us on the Design Team! In fact, they've sent us so much recently that I've had to invest in some more bead storage, see?

To be in with a chance of winning some amazing product, leave a comment on Happy Heart Day - and then share on Facebook for an extra entry. Good luck!

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By String Art

In today's installment of Stitching On Paper - Inspired By String Art, I'm joined by Guest Designer Jemma Sharrock, who has created the most amazing layout using nothing more than some shimmery thread as an embellishment. It's phenomenal, here's a sneak peek!

Check out the Stitching On Paper - Introduction to see some of the projects that have been linked up so far, or link your up your own project using stitching to have the chance of winning a pretty little package of paper-crafting supplies. I'll be randomly drawing a winner on Saturday 8th September, which gives you another couple of weeks to start putting your stitching talents to the test!

And one last thing, I'd really appreciate some feedback so that I can make future classes even better. Please take this small survey to let me know what you've thought of the prompts and the class as a whole.

Thanks once again to everyone who has contributed, visited, commented - and especially to everyone who has linked up a project -  it’s made all the hard work worth it! Clair x

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Cross Stitch

After spending most of the evening fiddling around with manuals, plug sockets and wiring, I have internet again. Hurrah! How did anyone cope before Google, Twitter and Facebook? Maybe I have a little bit of a problem?

And, moving on! Who's ready for some more Stitching On Paper? In today's installment, Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Cross Stitch, I'm joined by Guest Designer Sian Fair, as we take a look a contemporary twist on a traditional craft. 

I've been so amazed and gratified to see people starting to create their own Stitching On Paper projects this week, based on some of the earlier lessons in the class. It really makes all of my hard work seem worthwhile, so thank you so much!

Check out the Stitching On Paper - Introduction to see some of the projects that have been linked up so far, or link your up your own project using stitching to have the chance of winning a pretty little package of paper-crafting supplies.

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Quilting

Hello! Hello! I'm so sorry that today's prompt is coming to you a little later than normal! First I spilt a cup of tea on my own projects for this weekend's classes (at least they were mine) and then our internet went out! So, I'm currently sat in an internet cafe with a cup of tea (no paper projects are close by) waiting for today's downloads to upload. That sounds a little weird, right? 

Anyway. Can you believe that we’re over half-way through the Stitching On Paper Series? Today we’re going to be Inspired By Quilting, with Guest Designers Lisa Hausman, Kim Dellow and Tricia Simmons. You are going to love their amazing projects!

If  you are only just joining in with Stitching On Paper, you can find all of the class materials in the Stitching On Paper Collection over on Scribd. And, while I'm on the subject of downloads, a few of you have let me know that Scribd doesn't support downloads for the I-Pad. So, I've happily set up a little 'mailing list' of people that would prefer me to e-mail the downloads. Let me know if you'd like to be included. I promise that I won't spam you, but I will let you know if you've won the lottery in another country without buying a ticket or if a random prince would like to send you some money.

Remember that if you've been inspired by the class, I'd love to see what you've created. You could win a little something! It's rather wonderful to see that people are starting to link up their projects - thank you so much for joining in! 

All being well, tomorrow's prompt will be with you bright and early, but whatever happens have a lovely weekend! x

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Stamping

Morning! Ready for some more Stitching On Paper? We've learnt the basics of hand and machine stitching, but now we're going to start looking at how our stitching can be inspired by some more familiar crafts like stamping, embroidery and cross stitch. 

In today's part of the class, Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Stamping, I'm joined by Guest Designers Julie Kirk and Mel H. We've all interpreted our use of stamping and stitching a little differently, so there's plenty of inspiration. 

Remember that if you've been inspired by the class, I'd love to see what you've created. You could win a little something! Have a lovely weekend! x

PS Last week's Guest Designer, Jennifer Grace, has a little stitching template available on her blog. It's the cute cloud from last week's layout. Go get it!

Stitching On Paper - Inspired To Stitch By Machine

Hello! Hello! Are you ready for a little bit more Stitching On Paper? Today's element of the class, Stitching On Paper - Inspired To Stitch By Machine, we look at the basics of machine stitching, with lots of tips and techniques for getting started and a perfect finish. There are also inspirational projects from Guest Designers Jennifer Grace, Jemma Sharrock and Mel H - and let me tell you, they blew me away!

If you’re inspired by any of the techniques and tutorials featured in Stitching On Paper, please feel free to post your projects on your own blog, in your own online communities, anywhere! You can post a link to your projects using the Mr. Linky in the Stitching On Paper – Introduction - I would love to see them! And at the end of the month, I'll be randomly choosing one lucky participant to receive this rather pretty collection of papers, embellishments and stamps.

And one last note, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has commented, e-mailed, downloaded or joined me as a follower recently. It really does mean so much to me and makes all of my hard work (and endless worrying) worthwhile. I hope that you're enjoying the class! x

Stitching On Paper - Inspired To Stitch By Hand

Well, it's a little later than I expected but I'm having a little bit of a manic weekend - and am busy juggling house guests, far too many loads of laundry and ... um, a craft class. When I over-commit myself I really like to do it properly. Let's move on swiftly, shall we?

This morning’s Stitching On Paper - Introduction looked at all of the tools and supplies that you’ll need to start hand stitching. Hopefully, by now, you’ll have rummaged through your craft stash and will have everything that you need to hand.

If stitching on paper is something new to you, you might still be feeling a little apprehensive – so how about a little bit of inspiration to whet the appetite? In the next part of our class - Inspired To Stitch By Hand - you'll find projects from Guest Designers Jennifer Grace and Lara Watson. There's also a tutorial and template for creating your own hand stitched card. 

If you’re inspired by any of the techniques and tutorials featured in Stitching On Paper, please feel free to post your projects on your own blog, in your own online communities, anywhere!

You can post a link to your projects using the Mr. Linky in the Stitching On Paper – Introduction so that I, and all of the other class participants, can ‘ooh and ahh’ over your project.

And – just in case the recognition of your fellow classmates isn’t enough of an incentive to share – at the end of the class, I’ll be picking one participant at random to receive the rather splendid prize pictured above. The prize includes patterned papers from Crate Paper, Prima, American Crafts and We Are Memory Keepers,; American Crafts 'Fellow' Thickers; Elle's Studio Pink Pennants; Embroidery Threads; Organza Ribbon; Doilies; K & Co. Diecuts; A Clear Mini Frame; Floral Embellishment - and the latest edition of Scrap 365. 


Also included (but not pictured) is this super cute, Papersmooches Stamp Set - Summer Grooves - kindly sponsored by my lovely Design Team Co-ordinator, Emily from Make The Day Special.

So, what are you waiting for, get stitching!

Stitching On Paper Class - Introduction

Welcome to the first day of class! I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response already. Thank you so to all of my followers - new and old - for all of the comments and well wishes that you've left me this week! It's so very much appreciated!

All of the class materials will be available via the Stitching On Paper Collection over on Scribd. You should be able to view all of the class materials without an account, though you may need to create a (free) account to print or download. I hope this suits everyone - there just seemed to be too much material for each part of the class to pack into one or two blog posts!

The first part of the class, Stitching On Paper - Introduction is a simple hunting and gathering exercise, to help you ease into the weekend - and the idea of learning - gently. I'll be back later on today with the first tutorial, some inspirational projects and the details of that prize I mentioned! Enjoy x

The Story Within {Precocious Paper Birthday Bash Blog Hop}

Hello! Hello! Welcome to the Precocious Paper Birthday Bash Blog Hop! If you’ve been following along the hop and have just arrived from Rebecca's blog My Cluttered Corner then you’re heading in the right direction. If you’ve only just joined us, then you might want to start at the beginning by visiting Perfectly Precocious. Need an incentive? Then how about the chance to win your share of $100.00 worth of gorgeous hand-rolled roses, fantastic felt flowers or delicious paper embellishments? Hmmm. I thought that might get your attention!


So, what’s all this in aid of? Well, the super lovely Tessa Buys is turning 30 and she’s celebrating with a Birthday Bash Blog Hop, sponsored by her rather delectable Precocious Paper Etsy Shop. I’ve long been a fan of Tessa’s handmade embellishments and you’ll have seen them appearing in lots of my scrapbooking layouts and paper projects.So, when Tessa asked if I'd like to contribute to her birthday celebrations, I did a little "whoop, whoop."

When I received these beautiful, fabric flowers I was so enthused by the gorgeous yellow colour that I really wanted to scrapbook something fun! It has a much brighter, lighthearted feel than my usual pages and I love it! Along with the fabric flowers, I've added a felt leaf, a wired leaf, some polka dot ribbon and a gorgeously dinky blue pin - which came in one of my samplers earlier this year. (Everything else is from my Counterfeit Kit.)

So, do you think you might like some Precocious Paper goodies to create with? Yes? Good stuff. Here’s how you can win your share of $100 worth of beauties...

1. Complete the entire blog hop and leave a comment on each of the blogs and you might just win the grand prize – the September, October, November & December Monthly Samplers – worth $54!
2. Follow Tessa’s Blog Perfectly Precocious and you might just win a $20 credit to the Precocious Paper Etsy Shop.
3. Like the Precocious Paper Facebook Page and get another chance to win a $20 credit to the Precocious Paper Etsy Shop.
4. And, be sure to leave a comment on this post, because Tessa will also be giving away credits to random participants throughout the Big Birthday Blog Hop.

And, even if you don’t win, you can use this checkout code - CRBBHFREE – until the 5th September to receive free shipping and a thank you gift. Not bad, eh?

Your next stop on the blog hop is Yara's blog It's Summer Everyday. Happy hopping! x

All Packaged Up {Giveaway Winner!}

I just wanted to say a really big thank you to everyone who took the time last week to visit Make The Day Special and join in our Get 'Em While You Can Blog Hop. All of the DT Girls were thrilled with the extra love!

I've had a little giveaway planned for one lucky follower of the Make The Day Special Blog and thought it was about time that I put you all out of your misery. I used Random.Org and then checked the blog's followers....

....which means Louise, you're a winner! I'll be contacting you later on today to ask for your address and then I'll be packaging up this little pretty.

It's decorated with a combination of embellishments from The Girl's Paperie, Precocious Paper, John Lewis' Haberdashery - and, of course, some stamped images from Blissful Botanicals and Harvest Of Memories. Inside there's a little packet of tickets I stamped using Admit One, plus the Sweet Little Notes I showed you yesterday. There's also some handmade flowers, jars of teeny tiny embellishments and some pretty, pink lace.

Remember, if you entered any of the other competitions along the way, you'll need to visit everyone's blogs to check whether you've won. You never know what could be waiting for you!

Cobwebs Cache Jewellery Giveaway

Louise Goodchild, of Cobwebs Cache, is having a bit of a giveaway over on her blog to celebrate 50,000 views of her Flickr Stream. And believe me, once you've visited Louise's Flickr Stream, you'll understand why people keep going back.

Blossom Hill Tree Of Life from Cobwebs Cache

Louise's creations are - undoubtedly - beautifully executed, but I know there are many other talented wire artists out there. What sets Louise apart is her playful imagination and whimsical designs. Each and every one of them takes my breath away.

Golden Tree Of Life from Cobwebs Cache

Honestly, I can't really believe that I'm telling you all this - because all I'm doing is reducing my own chances of winning! But hey, I'm a just 'good deed' kind of person.

Have a good week folks x

PS Don't forget about my own giveaway which is open until Saturday 16th July.

Get 'Em While You Can {Make The Day Special Blog Hop}

Hello! Hello! Welcome to Make The Day Special's Blog Hop! Today, we're all showcasing some of the beautiful stamp sets that, unfortunately, are running low and *sob* won't be re-stocked.

We'll soon be seeing the last of Smeared Ink, QKR Stampede; Unity Mounted Singles; and Unity Co-Brands - Cosmo Cricket, Samantha Walker and Iron Orchid Designs. You can't buy these ranges in other UK stores, so it really is a case of first come, first served on these stamp sets. Get 'em while you can!

If you're a regular visitor, then you'll know that stamping is a fairly new addiction for me. I was only a semi-serious stamper when I joined the DT for Make The Day Special, but since then I have become devoted to learning new techniques and trying new styles.

However, I must admit that when Emily sent me the - undoubtedly beautiful - Paris Stamp Set from the Iron Orchid Design range, I went into a little panic. They just weren't a style that I'm used to creating with. Not to be defeated though, I sat down to create a 'shabby chic' style card and, you know what? I have never loved a card more. The stamps look delicious - and, let's face it, they've done most of the hard work for me!

Frame and Butterfly - Paris Stamp Set from the Iron Orchid Design range and Enjoy This Day Sentiment - Life Becoming from the Unity Store Kits range.

***So, to celebrate the blog hop - and the fact that I've embraced a new style - I'm going to have a bit of a giveway.*** I'll be sending the lucky winner a set of these shabby chic style cards, along with a little package of handmade embellishments - some stamped, of course. And you all know I do Pretty Packaging, right? To have a chance of winning, you'll need to make sure that you're a follower of the Make The Day Special Blog. How simple could that be?

I'll announce the winner's name next Sunday. So, you have plenty of time to visit the rest of the DT Girls, starting with Jo over at Here I Go Again, who have more lovely designs and giveaways planned for today. Yay!

Winners!!!

It appears that this is my 100th post! And, though most people seem to organise giveaways for their 100th post, it's snuck up on me and I seem to have a couple of giveaway winners to announce instead. (Both winners were chosen using The Random Number Generator, but could I figure out how to save the images? Um. No. So sorry!)

So, I promised a little 'something, something' to someone who participated in the first month of Fashion Forward and that someone is - Emily! Emily, please e-mail me with your postal address and I'll send this cute little kilt pin over to you - I hope you like it!

I also promised to send a customised cuff along to someone who commented on my Hallowe'en Blog Party Tutorial. And that someone is - Kylie! Kylie, I'll be in touch soon to talk to you about customising a cuff just for you!

Fashion Forward!

Oh, oh, I am so excited to bring you my very first Fashion Forward Collection. It's a small one, but I actually think that I might be on trend with this one, so don't hassle me about adding more items, okay?

I used Polyvore to put my collection together, so that I could easily pick and choose my items, re-size them and add an arty-farty background. It's absolutely fantastic for this kind of thing, but it's highly addictive. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Free Love by OPCreative featuring Rebecca Taylor dresses

Anyway, onto the drool-worthy items that I've chosen -

A Rebecca Taylor Metallic Party Dress; a Beautiful Boyfriend Blazer from Topshop; Ballet Flats from La Garconne; and a super cute kilt pin brooch from a selection at MyWardrobe.com. Could someone please see fit to add these to my wardrobe by the end of the week? Thank you so much.

For more information about how Fashion Forward is going to work, please pop over to see Katherine from Paper Pocket who is our lovely host for October. And just to give you a little bit of an incentive to join in, at the end of the month I'll be choosing a participant at random from October's entries and will be sending them a little surprise.

Leonie!

Just enough time to pop in and let you know that following my tutorial and giveway from Friday, the first name out of my little hat was Leonie and she is the winner of a little flower brooch - handmade by me!

Leonie, would you be kind enough to e-mail me with your address and let me know if you'd like a particular colour or colour combination? :)

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Fabric Flower Tutorial

Drumroll please...I now bring to you my very first on-line tutorial. I hope that the photographs and instructions are clear and simple for you to follow, but there are some additional tips at the end of the post (along with a little givewaway) and if you have any questions please pop them into the comments so that I can answer them for everyone else as well.

You will need:

Scrap Material - I used an old shirt;
A little scrap of felt or extra scrap of fabric;
Needle & Thread - Mine is red to show you the stitches. You may want yours to match; A Pen;
Scissors;
Buttons;
Iron - optional, see tips at the end.
A Tumbler - to draw around;
And a shot glass - Have your vodka on stand by in case it all goes tits up!

Start by drawing around the tumble to make five circles on your scrap fabric. Now cut them out - easy enough so far right? Note: I should note here, that this project isn't an exact science. Draw on your fabric in biro if you want and don't worry if your cut edges are a little bit wonky. No-one will see this part of the fabric once the flower is complete.

Take your little circles over to the iron and fold in half, then press. Watch your fingers! Fold in half again (so that you have a quarter circle) and press again. Do this for all five circles.

Thread your needle, doubling your thread and knotting the ends together. Pick up your first quarter circle and, starting at one corner of the rounded edge, run a few long stitches (not neat, little ones) across to the other corner. Then pull/push the fabric together creating some little folds. This forms your first petal.

Pick up the next quarter circle and pop a stitch into one corner of the rounded edge, then push against the previous petal before continuing to stitch across to the other corner. Push/pull to create your next petal. Repeat until you have five petals on your thread. You'll see that they have started to curve around into a flower shape all by themselves. Use a couple of little stitches to join it to the first petal and that's the base of your flower.

To cover the hole in the front, middle of your flower you can either use a little bit more of your scrap fabric, or some cute, little buttons. Either way, make sure you do this step before you cover the back. This is not maths class and you do not need to show your workings. It does make it a bit harder to sew buttons on, but take your thread through the fabric at the edges of the gap - this will be covered and won't be on show.

Cut a little circle out of your scrap felt and secure it to the back, covering my working. If your sewing is neat and perfect then I don't like you because I'm jealous you can secure the felt with stitches or, if you're a scruffy sewer - like me - use a little bit of fabric glue.

And, voila! That's your flower finished! You can either add a brooch back so you can wear your little lovely on your jacket, or you could stitch to your bag, scarf or sock!

A Few Tips To Make Things Easier

Material - Cotton and linen are perfect materials for this little project - old shirts, pillow cases and sheets would be fabulous. The material draws together so nicely and only leave a little gap to be covered by your buttons and felt. Thinner fabrics draw together easily, but don't hold their shape as well. Heavier fabrics hold their shape well, but don't draw together easily. (See the denim flower below.) If you do use a heavy fabric, use extra fabric to cover the gap instead of using buttons - much easier.

Pressing The Circles - Pressing makes the corners of each flower petal stay in form and it's a little easier to sew the fabric without trying to hold everything in place - but, if you hate ironing and are nimble fingered, you can skip this step.

Production Line - If you think you might make more than the odd one of these little cuties, draw and cut out all your circles in one go; then take them all to the iron; then sit and sew them all. It's quicker and easier!

I took a few sewing lessons a while ago, to increase my confidence with a needle and thread and with machine sewing. I was taught how to make this little brooch by my tutor, who said she had no problems with anyone passing it on - she couldn't remember where she learnt it! Please don't abuse me if you think this method has been in your family since time immemorial! Thanks :)

The Giveaway

Leave a comment, letting me know what you think of the tutorial and tell me your favourite colour or colour combination. On Monday, I'll choose a name at random and the lucky winner will receive a brooch in their favourite colour or colour combination. Looking forward to your feedback. Have a good weekend!