Mini Lovin', Card Makin' {August's Counterfeit Kit}

It might seem a little late, but my Counterfeit Kit is finally ready for it's reveal. I've had hugely hectic month - and my little craft room looks like the four riders of the apocalypse stopped by for a spot of fun - so trying to find the time (and, um, find the supplies under all the mess) has made putting my kit together a little more difficult this month.

As Stitching On Paper (my very first paper-crafting class!) will wind down next weekend, I'm looking forward to starting Shimelle's annual class - Learn Something New Everyday - at the beginning of September. Having taken the class for the past two or three years now, I know that the best way for my to finish the class - with a complete album - is to prepare everything in advance. So, I've designed this month's Counterfeit Kit with that in mind.

I've once again pulled out my (now dwindling) box of scraps and have chosen papers from American Crafts, Echo Park, We Are Memory Keepers, Crate Paper and Bazill which echoed the colours and patterns from the inspiration kit - Summer Lovin'. I've then cut these papers down to 3x5 inches, chomped the corners and punched a hole in the end - creating the base for a mini album.

I've saved all of the scraps from cutting the pages for my mini-album and, as I'm hoping to have a card making session with a good friend very soon, I've added in some extra cardstock and that beautiful, chevron fabric paper from American Crafts. *swoon*

In order to choose my extras I made a small list of the embellishments in the inspiration kit and then set to with my stamp sets from Make The Day Special. I've used stamps from Say Cheese Too, Admit One,  Learning Year By Year and Blossom Stackers to create stars, circles, cameras and tickets. Then added a healthy dose of alphas, sequins, ric rac, sentiments, ribbon and twine. 

All based on the inspiration kit, but with my own little twists! You know how it is, right?

Learn Something New Every Day {Finally Finished Fridays}

After categorising some of my works in progress at the beginning of November and promising to complete at least one project each week - a promise which I managed to keep for all of three weeks before I became ill - it looked as though the pile of unfinished, unloved projects would once again be forgotten. But the sense of satisfaction that came from finally finishing a project that has been sat gathering dust was hard to forget and I've decided that the idea of Finally Finished Fridays is worth continuing on into the New Year.

I admit that it will be hard to pick up those old, unfinished items when new projects are beckoning but, thankfully, I have you - my lovely blogreaders - to keep me on track and tell me off when I don't post something each week. You will help me, won't you?

Anyway, just to prove that I'll be following through on my promise this time around, here's a completed project to round off 2010. (There's so many photographs of it, I've had to pop them into a slideshow!)

I started this mini-album in September, when Shimelle's annual Learn Something New Every Day project began in earnest. I was determined to keep up with the project but, I had some extremely bad news not long into the project, and although I continued to keep notes, take pictures and jot down my journalling, it was too difficult to complete the actual album at the time. (And it's easy to see why once you start scrolling through the photographs.)

I'd made a start on putting together some of the pages at the beginning of November, because I felt that since I'd managed to keep on journalling and taking photographs, that I should be able to finish the album without too much trouble. But, because there were some very hard lessons for me in September, looking back was difficult - and a little overwhelming, and I only managed a few pages at a time. I finally finished today (though the photograph from Day 18 seems to have gone missing!) and it feels just a little bittersweet.

But, if I can finish this little album, I can finish anything and I feel as though I can let go of the events of 2010 and move forward into 2011.

Have a Happy New Year x

Monday, Monday. So Good To Me.

This morning feels good. I've only been out of bed for an hour - long weeekends and lie-ins are good for the soul - and I've taken delivery of two parcels, emptied and filled the dishwasher, started the clothes washing and finished my ironing.

Now, if I could manage to finish off some of those projects that are lying around the house, whispering 'finish me, finish me', then the day would be even better. I've been working on a couple of tutorials for what feels like weeks and I've got a few things that I would love to share with you, but I can't until they've found their way to their new homes (as presents!)

So I suppose that it's time to make myself a large pot of tea and settle down to the serious business of crafting....

Quick & Easy Ribbon Roses {Waste Not Wednesday}

Every crafter that I know has an absolutely massive stash of ribbons. It doesn't matter if they're a scrapbooker, a card maker, a jewellery designer or even a ceramicist, there is something about being a crafter that make us hoard pieces of ribbon as though the world depended on it. So, whether you have a stash of beautiful rolls of ribbons or a few choice pieces saved from the gifts you received at Christmas, this quick and easy tutorial is made with you in mind.

You'll Need:

Ribbon - That's it! Honestly!

While many of the tutorials covering how to make traditional ribbon roses require a needle and thread, craft wire or florist's tape, none of these are necessary.

A variety of lengths can be used, but for your first few attempts use a piece at least 20 inches long. Once you are used to the technique, you'll be able to make roses from smaller pieces of ribbon.

1. Start with the ribbon flat in front of you with the shiny or patterned side face down.
2. Fold one edge of the ribbon over the other to form a right angle in the centre of the ribbon.

3. Fold each end of the ribbon across the right angle fold to build a stack of folded squares. There's no need to keep this stack perfectly neat. (Perfectionists, you know who you are!)

4. Stop folding when you have about an inch of folded ribbon squares and a couple of inches of unfolded ribbon on each end.

5. Let go of the folded squares and you will see that the ribbon forms a 'spring' shape. You're doing well!

6. Hold on to one end of the ribbon firmly and gently (very gently) begin to pull the other end of the ribbon. The folded squares will start to bunch together and you'll see that the ribbon starts to form a rose shape.

7. When the rose is a satisfactory shape and size, stop pulling on the ribbon.

Tip - You might find that the first couple of times you pull on the ribbon too hard. The ribbon rose will unfold and you'll be left with a length of ribbon. Although it's a little annoying, you've not really lost anything. Start again and pull a little less hard. No problem!

8. Keeping hold of the centre of the rose, turn it over so that the loose ends of the ribbon are facing upwards. Press firmly in the centre of the rose and, with your other hand tie a small knot in the back. Again, don't pull your knot too firmly or you may pull your rose out of shape. Tie another knot to secure the rose form. That's it!

This is ideal for adding a little something to your gift wrap quickly and easily, but if you'd like your ribbon to be a little more robust then simply stitch through the centre of rose to secure - this is the perfect time to add a few beads or sequins.

Ways To Use Your Roses -

I've made a whole jar full of these roses, using a variety of different ribbons and organzas and keep them on hand to add to gifts, mini-albums and scrapbook layouts. You could also add brooch back, use them to embellish some old shirts or add them to a pearl necklace for a fresh look.

Whatever you choose to do, you now have no excuse to leave those poor, neglected pieces of ribbon stuffed into your craft closet! As always, I'd be grateful for any feedback or questions about the tutorial and if you do have a go at making something I feature let me know, I'd love to stop by and have a look x