Tutorial Tuesday - A6 Quinoa and Toilet Roll Journal

 Today we focus on the A6 Journal made out of Toilet roll for inner pockets and quinoa for decoration, I showed you on Saturday the journal with lots of pockets for tags, and cards to write on HERE

Because the journal is made pretty much in the same way as the chunky toilet roll journal you can go HERE to get the instructions and what I will show you is how I used the quinoa to decorate the front of the journal.

When you get to this point of making the journal you need to add a larger piece of cardboard covered in your favorite paper, or paint.  You then need to proceed to the next stage with tools that you have in your stash.

So this is what my finished journal looked like.  On the front I used a glue gun to write the words and make the outline around the front and back of the journal. and used a number which had been recycled from scrap paper with paint from other projects.

 Here is a closer look at the glue gun detail.  When applying the glue gun you need to work fast as it dries really quickly.

 These are the tools I used below and will be making a couple a tags but using the same techniques.

 On a couple of pieces of card, stamped and with some hearts punched at the bottom.

 Taking the glue gun on one of the tags I wrote out the word Joy and drew two hearts and on the other one I stuck the number 7 made from recycled paper.

Around the number 7 tag I drew a border around the edge using the  glue gun, and allowed both tags to dry.

Filling the selected spaces with pva glue I got the quinoa ready

 My plain quinoa was passed its' sell by date for consumption, so I thought it would be great to add a bit of texture on some of my pieces.  The one above has a few linseeds in them from an earlier experiment, you can use them in their natural state, or as in the little bags you can colour the quinoa using acrylic paint.

 Pour the quinoa onto the glue and allow to dry.

After they both had dried I used goldfinger metallic paste around the dried glue words and borders and on some of the quinoa in the spaces.

I then attached some ribbon to finish off.

So you can see, we can use the quinoa to add texture within quite a few projects, it is very versatile and holds well once glued.  For a high used journal I would coat the quinoa with an additional layer of pva glue which would seal it.  Looking forward to sharing next weeks recycled project.

Material Mondays - Crochet Baby Hat

Crochet Baby Hat

So I've been out with the crochet needles again, trying my hand at perfecting hats.  This time though on a smaller scale for a baby!

At some point I will follow a pattern....

This one though was done free style, I knew how wide the head should be, so using this as a guide and knowing how I wanted the hat to look I carried on.

The hat with accompanying flower can be worn to the side or to the front, I personally like it worn to the side.  The baby that it is intended for was born last week and I contemplated attempting a pair of booties, got a bit carried away trying to do it without a pattern and ended up with quite a few oddly shaped samples. So for now we will have to do with the hat!

If you are considering learning how to crochet, or any other creative activity check out Craftsy online courses, at the moment they are doing a special offer on some of their classes, and they are offering some free mini courses. Click here.

Have a blessed day, see you tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday.

Creating in Faith - Fruit, what do you want to be known by?

But the Fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22

They shall be known by their fruit

What is motivating you when you get up in the morning?  When you think of the life you are living what do you feel is your contribution? Are you contributing in a positive way to the world you live in?

Listen to the Podcast

This wasn't a question that bothered me much up to my early 30’s, but after that I began to feel that there must be more to my life than the one I was living, I had things I wanted to achieve, new things I wanted to try and places to travel to, I knew that I had to step up and make changes and my drive to be more creative couldn't be contained.

When you look at an apple seed, you don’t know how many apples will grow on the tree that the apple will later go on to be, neither do you know how many trees the seeds that are in each apple that will eventually grow and develop.  But you can be guaranteed that with the right conditions, temperature and soil nutrients, you generally should get a fairly good harvest.  Year after year the tree will get bigger and produce more and more fruit, and the cycle will continue with each seed that is produced.  There will be more fruit in its 10^th year than was in its 2^nd year.  That said you know that a plum tree will never bear apples no matter how much you talk to the tree, change the fertilizer you’ll get plums.  I give you this example because I think we are all blessed to produce fruit of our own, and there are the gifts and talents we possess that can and should be expressed into the. 

No two gifts are the same.  The gifts’ you have are like no other, think about the gifts you possess, the ones that come naturally and those that with a bit of extra study, training or practice can be put to use.  Identifying the fruit – the scripture says we will be known by our fruit so there is an expectation that we will be producing something from what we have.  What have you been sitting on for such a long time that needs to be express, and what about ‘that thing’ that you always promised yourself you would do when you had time, when will that be exactly?   

Our fruit ultimately should be a blessing to someone else, it’s no good keeping them to ourselves they are to edify and encourage others to grow and develop the gifts and fruit yet to be birthed.

Recycled Projects - A6 Quinoa and Toilet Roll Journal

OK what do you do with those grains you have in your cupboard that are out of date?

....recycle them - right!  We are not going to put them in the compost bin, we are going to use them in a creative project.  You would have seen me use quinoa in one of the capturing moments mini journal that I showed you a couple of weeks back.

Capturing Moments mini Journal - Quinoa adds texture to the front of the journal

I've made another journal using the toilet roll inner tubes as pockets to write on but also use to hold tags to add your own journalling.  The quinoa is glued and allowed to dry, you can paint over it or leave it in its natural state.

This A6 journal also uses a glue gun to write some of the words that are on the front and the back panels and is also added as a border.

You can choose to do a number of things on the pages and have some inspiring messages, photographs or quotes

In the pockets you can have a range of tags in which you can journal, putting your thoughts..

On the front and back covers you can see how I have used the quinoa for decoration.

There is no end to what you can do with the quinoa, and over the next few weeks I will be sharing quite a few ideas...

I hope you have a blessed weekend, and allow your creativity to push back the boundaries in order to allow yourself to really soar! 

Come back on Tuesday to see how I made the Journal in Tutorial Tuesday. Do share creative ways in which you have used recycled materials and leave a comment below.

Gratitude's and Celebrations Week 18 - Happiness

Gratitude's and Celebration - Happiness

You deserve happiness

Do you go around thinking that you don't deserve to be happy, that the silver lining in the cloud wasn't meant for you?  We can often allow those throw-away comments that sometimes fall out of the mouths of others affect our journey.

Are you listening to the naysayers.....

Get out your tool kit and bat away all those comments that won't contribute to your growth and disturbs your peace, you might even need to work on some of the thoughts that you hold about yourself that you haven't addressed.  Give yourself a make over, it's time to get some of that happiness that has been storing up for you!

Today I celebrate the many blessings that will come out of the tough times I have been through and those yet to come. I strive for peace, and I am grateful for the nuggets of insight that will help push me towards the things I know I deserve.

Peace - Gratitude's and Celebration Journal

As this week draws to a close can you think of where you need to find some peace. Do leave a comment and have a blessed weekend!

If you want to see how I made the journal (click here)

Relaxation - Memories of Home

Relaxation - Memories of Home

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here 

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

Relaxation

Being able to feel relaxed at home is important.  It is the place where you can come back and not only unwind, but be yourself.  You step out of a world where you are judged by the way you look, car you drive, clothes you wear or whatever and into a world of total acceptance.  You can be yourself and let the cares of the world stay outside the door for another day. 

When I was younger the thought of having a candle lit bath was the thing that we saw in films and was reserved for grown-ups to enjoy, or something they did in the blackouts when all the power went out!  As I got older I understood that it was something that I could do for myself – run a hot bath, put on some soothing music and light a few candles as it promoted relaxation and a sense of well-being and peace. 

Luxury locations - Barbados

There are many other ways in which you can promote relaxation – going out for a stroll and taking a look at your environment, spending time in the garden, putting on your favorite piece of music can be relaxing or you could decide to read a book taking that 5 minutes of alone time to gather your thoughts before you launch yourself into the evenings activities.  

Frangipani Flower - Barbados

And where would we be without a deck of cards?  When all the homework is done, the food cooked and eaten, spending time playing a card or board game has always been something to create great memories and encourage the whole family to relax.

I would love to hear what creative ways you have come up with to help you relax I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

Tutorial Tuesday - Handmade Stamps

Handmade Stamps

I shared with you on Saturday the Handmade stamps that I had made out of sleeping bag mattress foam, and here are some that I made,  It is really easy to create your own stamps and I hope you have as much fun as I did in coming up with your own creations.

Stamp collection made from foam

Get yourself a piece of the foam, this one is approximately 1.5 cm thick. Cut to the size that you require.

I cut mine 3x3 inches as this fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to stamp

Select tools that you are going to make marks, shapes and patterns with

Selection of tools to make marks on the foam

Look through some magazines, books, textiles or around your home for inspiration to create a pattern, I chose this heart paperweight.

Once you have chosen your pattern and shape, cut to size begin to mark the foam as required

Cut a piece of card that will act as the backing for the stamp, I covered the edges of mine with home made washi tape (will show you how I made these in a few weeks:)

Cut a piece a paper the same size as the cardboard and stamp your design onto it.  Stick this onto the back of the cardboard,It will act as a guide to the stamp.  

Stick your creation onto the other side of the cardboard, and let dry

Your stamp is ready to be used!

Do leave your comments and share with me what you decide to create! 

Material Mondays - Crochet Wrist Cuffs

Beaded Wrist Cuff

Crocheting is one of those things you can do almost anywhere, it can be soothing and relaxing.  While I have been nursing a cold, alongside a internet connection that didn't feel like being connected, I have been finding making the stitches and adding the beads quite therapeutic. 

I am quite pleased with my chunky wrist cuff.

it is essentially made with crochet flowers, using cotton twine which is quite economical and very versatile

 I attached the flowers to a base, and then I have used a selection of beads to decorate.

There was no specific pattern or style, I wanted to follow the flow of the flowers, the circular shape 

and I guess this is one of those wrist cuffs that makes a statement all on its own - you need very little jewelry if any

If you are considering learning how to crochet, or any other creative activity check out Craftsy online courses, at the moment they are doing a special offer on some of their classes, and they are offering some free mini courses.Click here.