Love and Kisses

Occasionally a craft kit comes along where you can see lots of potential.  A kit by Kanban called "Love and Kisses" gave me that feeling due to the enormity of it and the opportunity to make 6 pop-up boxes, which I have yet to try.

This 100 piece collection features pastel summer time colours with floral designs, wood drift sentiments and pop up boxes.

My favourite elements have been the hand painted watercolour florals and this is where I started.  

Here are the cards I have made over the weekend.  The first being a stepper card.























The second, an A5 card using my Spellbinders Die "Majestic Elements" and cut out the roses.

The third, I cut an aperture and put acetate behind.  Again, I cut out the flowers for the front of the card.























The fifth, I used a die by Tattered Lace.

The sixth is my favourite so far.  I used my new Tonic Trailing Blossom set die to frame the sentiment.

The card set came with some pre cut aperture cards so I embossed this 8x8" mirri card blank with an embossing folder with roses on which I found to match the inner liner of the card. 

The final card I made I also embossed the front, added an acetate window and fitted the card insert.  I may add some flowers to this once I have a bit more inspiration.

Handmade Slippers

I have finally finished making some slippers. They were a bit of trial and error and have taken a while to complete.  I really wanted to make them in some needle cord but the material frayed terribly and I abandoned it and started again.

The slippers were made from a pair of old recycled jeans and some scraps of fabric that I really adore.  The pattern came from Debbie Shore's Spring Projects Hearts and Flowers Twin CD Set.  

Here is the final result and my husband is very pleased with them.

Decorative White Tree Ideas

I have this tree which came from Hobbycraft.  It was purchased with the intention of providing all year round interest by hanging different things on there according to the seasons.  At Easter I adorned it with hand decorated Easter Eggs and a crochet Easter chick and chicken and since then I have been busy making little bird houses to hang from the branches.

Here are the houses: 

I used a template of the bird house that came from the Hobby House Bird House Wreath Kit.  

When Christmas comes around again I have the option of hanging my handmade felt reindeers, gingerbread man etc or making some more houses but this time in red and white to create a nordic theme.   
 

Ten top tips for the Hobbycraft White Tree

1. Hang themed and yummy treats from the branches at kids parties.
2. Use it as a reward for the little ones to hang stars from when they're good!
3. Craft the perfect centre piece to your wedding or baby shower and ask guests to hang wishes from the branches.
4. Add festive treats for Halloween or Christmas.
5. Make a unique advent calendar at Christmas.
6. Peg family photographs - and make an actual family tree!
7. Hang your dazzling jewellery collection from it.
8. Deco mache words and hang their warmly-themed sentiments from the branches.
9. Get messy with the kids! Make handprints and cut them out to use as leaves.
10. Craft origami or quilled flowers from paper to prettily nestle among the branches.
11. Wrap coloured wool around it to reflect the change in season or room theme.

Discover more great ideas  for your  White Tree on Pinterest

However you choose to decorate your tree, have fun!