origami gift boxes...

So now you've seen the little crafty gifts we gave at the party (clay stamped magnets, felt heart bookmark and fancy paperclips) all you need now is the box to put them in!

These boxes have got to be my favourite piece of origami yet - they are so simple to make but paired with pretty paper they make perfect gift boxes! I love that it is a closed box but only uses one piece of card - I always dread finding out that the separate lids to boxes don't fit - even after I supposedly measured it carefully! To open you just pull out one of the triangles that are tucked in to the top and the box opens before your eyes :)

I followed this tutorial over at Homemade Gifts Made Easy so do head over there to find out how to make these beautiful boxes. After a couple of boxes I didn't have to use the instructions any more, don't be daunted by the amount of folding involved, it really is very simple!

Happy folding :)

d.i.y. pretty fabric paperclips...

This is a really unessential piece of crafting, it's crafting for crafting's sake. I mean, these paperclips will work just as well without fabric...but when paperclips are involved in my life it normally means hours of boring organisation is also involved. So anything that makes it a little more bearable is always welcome :)

These were the final d.i.y. addition to the gift boxes (see here, here and here) for the party. Since everyone receiving the boxes are soon to be moving house I figured these pretty paper clips might help bring a smile when surrounded by the inevitable paperwork that comes with sorting things out for moving!

This is perfect for using up scraps of fabric and is so simple. I got the idea for these paper clips from Amanda Rydell's instagram feed, I recommend her for crafty inspiration, her photos are lovely!

Just cut a strip of fabric (mine was about 2cm wide) and tie it into a single knot around the top of a paper clip. Trim to your desired length by cutting the fabric at a diagonal angle.

Now all I have left to share are the pretty origami boxes for it all to go in to!

D.I.Y. felt heart bookmark...

I'm a chronic page folder...I know some consider it a crime but I like my books to look read so I don't mind. Not that I would dare do it to any books I borrow - the problem is I can never find a bookmark so I always end up spending time trying to remember where I last got up to! I saved this bookmark idea a while ago as a simple solution to my night time reading woes but then decided they would also make great additions to the party gift boxes.

As with the clay magnets I have no step by step photos but the instructions are really simple! Here's how I made them:

What you need -
Felt
Contrasting embroidery thread and needle
Scissors
Paper
Pencil

1) Firstly draw out a heart template on paper, making sure the point of the heart is 90 degrees. Cut out the template and pin to the felt.

2) Cut out a heart from the felt and repeat to make an identical second heart. Pin the two felt hearts together and trim if any sides mismatch.

3) Cut a length of embroidery thread and thread through the needle. Knot the end of the thread and pull through one heart (see photo below for a guide on placement) so the knot will lie on the inside of the bookmark.

4) Sew the two hearts together along the two straight sides of the heart. Next continue to sew around the edge of one of the hearts for the front of the bookmark until you reach the first stitch. Tie a small knot on the inside of the bookmark to secure the thread. The back will look like the heart on the right in the photo above.

And you're done! I thought it might not be obvious that these were bookmarks so I added a little explanation to help people out!

I have the practice one in my current book of choice and it's holding up well! I did worry that it might fall off the page but it hasn't so far!

For more on the gift boxes you can see an overview here and a clay magnet project here.

Happy sewing!

D.I.Y. printed clay magnets...

In the last post I shared the little gift boxes that we put together for one of the parties we had last week. It was so much fun thinking of what to put inside but also a little tricky. It had to be things that were small,  inexpensive, easy to replicate but also practical because, whilst pretty things are lovely, I didn't want to just create things that would add clutter to people's homes!

Thank you Pinterest! I don't claim any of these gifts as original ideas, pinterest was hugely helpful and inspiring (as always!). Except for the gift boxes, I didn't actually use any of the tutorials so I'll share on here how I made them. Although please excuse the lack of step by step photos - everything was made 17 times and there was a process to making it as time efficient as possible and that process did not include my normal over-the-top camera action! I'm just amazed we finished them in time for me to even take any photos!

First up I thought I would share these pretty clay magnets which were inspired by these Easter ornaments. These are a very sweet gift idea as you could personalise them and give them as a set, and if I dared bring up Christmas at the start of summer, I would suggest they would make great stocking fillers too. But of course I wouldn't dare do that ;)

What you need:

White air drying clay

Clingfilm

Rolling pin

Round cookie cutter

Alphabet stamps
Tissue paper
PVA glue

Magnetic strip

1. Take a small chunk of clay and place between two pieces of clingfilm (I found this gave the smoothest surface for the clay) and roll out the clay until it is about 5mm thick. You can of course vary the thickness, I tried slightly thicker but personally preferred them on the thin side. 

2. Cut out the clay with the cookie cutters, I suggest only doing a couple at a time so that the clay doesn't dry out before stamping your wording.

3. Stamp out your phrase, and place the magnets on a cling film lined baking tray. Smooth out any marks or rough edges with a slightly wet cloth and leave to dry according to the pack instructions. It can take up to four days for the clay to fully dry. Note: the thinner magnets have a tendency to curl up as they dry so keep an eye on them and flatten them out if they start to curl up. I made a couple of 1cm thick magnets - these didn't curl up at all.

4. Cut out strips of tissue paper and glue to the magnet, trim any excess and flatten the edges to the back of the magnet. Next paint a thin layer of glue over the tissue paper. I like the contrast of the matte clay against the glossy tissue paper but you could gloss the whole magnet if you prefer. Leave to dry.

5. Cut small strips from the magnet strip and adhere to the back of the clay.

This is a really easy but very effective DIY, I love the colour the tissue brings to the magnet - forget these as gifts, I want to make set for my own fridge!

It's that time of year again...

Almost exactly a year ago I shared this post about our first year in Cambridge. Now our second year is coming to an end and the reality is setting in that this time next year I will be surrounded by boxes and chaos as we move on to a new venture. It's bitter sweet how time flies - whilst in so many ways I relish change, we have come to call people we didn't even know two years ago some of our dearest friends and I'm in denial about the fact that I can't pack them up and move them with me next year! I talked last year about our first year here being sweet but, compared to that, this year has been like a triple decker chocolate brownie sundae with honeycomb sprinkles and dash of golden syrup for good measure. Not to say it hasn't been without struggles and tears but even within those times I've been able to grasp out for the beauty found in the fragility of this life. I have grown so much and owe a lot of that to my wonderful friends, they really are an incredible and beautiful bunch. Yet some of these friends are already moving this year - my baking and crafting buddies are taking their talent across the country! I'll miss them but this has been a week of celebrating friendship together at various leaving parties, including an epic Hollywood themed ball (there might just be a craft tutorial coming related to that!) - I'm so excited for all that God holds for them as they move on to curacies.

For one of the parties, like last year (remember these paper gift bags?), I put together little party bags for each person leaving. I loved the chance to spoil each of them a little and show them how much they're loved! This year we went with origami gift boxes and, wait for it, I was actually organised enough to photograph the contents beforehand! Which means I'll be sharing a few projects over the coming weeks...despite the silence on the blog I've had a really crafty couple of months and am so happy I can finally share it with you!

So here is a taster of what's to come. I'm happy to say that I've found another origami project which doesn't leave me tearing my hair out (I'm slowly adding to my repertoire!), felt bookmarks, pretty stationary and clay magnets. Along with these DIYs my friend Martha made some pretty cross necklaces and we popped in a sweet treat for each leaver and also a prayer card (not pictured as obviously they were very personal).

So stay tuned!

Mini origami love notes...

Valentine's day isn't a particularly big deal in our house, we're that typical couple that moans about the commercial nature of it...but then still exchange cards! Although often my cards end up being handmade because I leave it too late to go out to buy one - but don't tell Andrew that, I'm happy for him to think it's because I just really wanted to put the time and love into making something ;) 

But this year I've actually already bought a card and made these super cute love notes. Although Andrew saw me making them so they're not going to be that much of a surprise! And although these notes are perfect for being soppy with your partner, they are also perfect surprises for friends and family. I know I would love to get one of these!

Whilst I don't have an issue with Valentine's day, I personally think little notes or gifts on random days of the year mean even more. Why not fill in one of these sweet cards and send them to a friend or family in the mail or leave it somewhere they will find it...a little sweet word telling them why they're so great. An uplifting word really brightens the day.

I feel like I'm constantly saying this but these are so easy. I'm an origamiphobe so when I'm successful with origami I know anybody can be!

I was initially making the squares one evening and then I awoke the next morning thinking about how sweet it would be if they would work as hearts. When your first thought in the morning is craft related you know it's going to be a good day :) I was still in my pj's when I took to the paper and, lo and behold, they do make super cute hearts!

For decoration I used a mix of washi tape, paint, twine, thread, raffia and paper. The options are endless :)

The origami squares and hearts pictured were cut from A4 paper and result in the square notes being 7x7cm. I'll give the measurements for recreating these but you can make then in any size, the only rule is that the length of the paper must be double the width. If you're making it with patterned paper then start with the pattern facing you so that it ends up on the outside of the note.

Let's get started!

Square love notes.

1. Each A4 paper will yield 3 notes. Cut the paper into three equal 10 x 20cm strips - although to be exact the strips are actually 9.9cm! Put the other two strips aside.

2&3. Lightly mark the centre of the long side of paper and fold each end in to form a square. Score the edges with the ruler.

4. Open out and turn over

5&6. Fold the top right corner of the paper down to the middle of the bottom edge to form a triangle. Repeat on the other side and score both edges with the ruler.

7&8. Open out and turn the paper 180 degrees so that point of the triangle is facing you. Repeat steps 5&6.

9, 10 &11. Open out and fold the short sides of the rectangle into the middle, the card should fold in on itself making a diamond. To help the card lie a little flatter you might want to slide the ruler along the top side of the diamond to make the folds sharper.

12. For the lining, cut out a 6 x 6cm piece of plain paper and glue onto the inside of the note.

Now for the fun part!  You can simply wrap it with twine or go as creative as you like.

For the spotty purple note: Dip the rubber end of a pencil into paint and lightly print over the card (like this wrapping paper I shared a while back)

For the stripes: Make a note from plain paper and stick strips of washi tape over the back of the note, trimming the ends.

For the 'open me' card: Seal the opening shut with a strip of washi tape, using the tape to adhere your little message.

Heart love notes

Complete all the steps for the square love note. The only difference is that you need to cut the lining paper just short of 7cm x 7cm so that it covers the whole of inside square.

1. Draw a template of the square onto plain paper and draw out your heart shape. The important part of this step is to make sure that all the edges have at least one part left intact. You can see how I've used the edges to form part of the curve of the top of the heart and then the sides.

2. Cut out the heart template and place onto the square note, making sure the opening of the square lines up with the middle of the heart. lightly draw around the template.

3. Cut out and trim as needed until you're happy with the shape.

4. No step needed here, I just love how this looks opened out!

Again these look so sweet decorated.

For the scattered hearts: Cut out small hearts freehand from plain paper and glue onto the note, using twine to hold the heart shut.

For the wrapped heart: Wrap thread repeatedly around the heart, securing with a knot. Cut out a small heart to write a message and use a needle to make a hole and thread the thread through, finish with a bow.

For the decorated edge: Cut a strip of washi tape and stick over the opening. Use a craft knife to cut down the middle of the tape. Make a hole with either the knife or a needle and use the needle to feed the thread through, tie with a bow.

Who would you send these to? I'm planning on making a stash so I always have some on hand to send an encouraging little word to somebody!

Happy Monday!

Last minute gift ideas - Hot Chocolate Spoons...

One of my first ever pins on Pinterest were some hot chocolate spoons, I'd never seen them before and they looked such a fun idea. Since then I've seen all sorts of varying ideas for these crop up but I've never got round to making them...until now :)

I love giving little home made presents, last year I made a selection of truffles. Chocolate is always a good option at Christmas (Andrew knows to always shower me in it!) but I wanted to make something different this year so I finally made me some hot chocolate spoons! I've never been organised enough to give wholly homemade gifts but these make a great stocking filler or little additions to gifts.

They're equally great if you're in need of a last minute gift idea as you can source all you need from the supermarket! If you can't find wooden spoons then plastic or metal ones would be equally suitable.

These weren't a last minute dash for me, I actually ordered these spoons in ages ago for a craft event at which we made these exact spoons. When they arrived I realised that the spoons were far too shallow to hold adequate chocolate for a decent hot chocolate (who wants hot milk with a dash of chocolate?)...my friend Lizzie came up with the genius solution of using plastic shot glasses.

Using shot glasses results in delicious ultra-chocolatey hot chocolate, yes I tried them out, quality control and all ;)

Simply melt your chocolate with your preferred method and spoon into a shot glass, add a spoon and decorate with chocolate drops or flakes. You can either keep them simple with one type of chocolate or mix it up by layering or marbling contrasting chocolate.

Once you've finished pop the spoons into the fridge for an hour or until set (they set really quickly).

To remove from the shot glass simply dip each spoon into a cup of hot water for a couple of seconds, this should melt the chocolate sufficiently to remove from the glass without ruining the design.

Then pop into a plastic bag and decorate with a label and instructions!

Some practical notes: I got 4-5 spoons per 200g chocolate. Also, two of my chocolates split as I pulled them out of the glass. I'm not sure why this happened but it could have been because I was a little late in adding the spoon to the melted chocolate for these ones. If this happens, don't despair! Simply heat up a metal spoon in hot water, dry and rub over the inside of the chocolate, stick back together and then run the spoon over the seam to secure it back together and leave to set.

I used a range of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and orange chocolate (I was thinking of a Terry's Orange in a mug, oh yum). My test spoons were made with cheap chocolate, I nearly always use Value chocolate for baking, Sainsburys and Tescos are both really great and you can hardly ever tell with cakes etc...but I would advise on good quality chocolate for these drinks as you can definitely taste the difference.

This is probably it now for me before New Year...I did have plans to post about some pretty wrapping ideas but I'm working right up to Christmas and frantically finishing wrapping the rest of the time...so I'm going to be realistic and wish you all a Merry Christmas now! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with loved ones and build some truly fun and joyful memories as this year draws to a close.

Merry Christmas!

D.I.Y. wrapped twine coaster and jewellery tray...

I'm forever forgetting to remove my earrings until just before I'm about to go to sleep...and by then I'm feeling far too lazy to make the 2 metre walk to the jewellery box, so the earrings always just get dumped on the nearest surface. So this is where this project came into play. I wanted a little tray to put on my bedside table to keep those earrings safe...and then I thought, why not make a matching coaster as well?! Our bedroom has definitely been neglected in the decorating stakes but I'm gradually adding little touches to make it a little more homely and personal.

I first saw this idea in a little shop on the pier of Southwold and then was reminded again with these cute pots on Pinterest from The Gilded Hare. I only had thin twine to hand so I think it would have been too flimsy to build the tray up into a pot. The same principle applies though for whatever type of twine or rope you use, the thicker the sturdier! All I will say about this project is be prepared for tacky fingers!

1) Tie a knot at the end of the twine.

2) Add glue to the edge of the knot and wrap the twine around the knot to start the spiral.

3) Continue to add a thin layer of glue to the outer edge of the twine, tightly wrapping the twine around itself. To make it secure it's best to add a pretty much continuous line of glue, otherwise there will be weak spots.

and keep going...

and going...

and it will feel like you're 'going' forever but stop once you get to the size you desire!

4. For the coaster: Add a dab of glue to the underside of the coaster (the side where the end of the knot is protruding) right where the loose end of twine is. Push the twine down onto the glue and trim the end. Also trim the knot.

and you have yourself a rather lovely handmade coaster! I might revisit mine to make it fabric backed, you could do this or leave it plain.

For the tray: Move to adding the glue onto the top side of the outer twine and push the twine down tightly as you wrap it around on top of the base. I had the end of the knot sticking up into the pot as it will be completely hidden once the fabric is added. If you plan to leave it plain, then I'd suggest having the knot end on the base of tray.

5. Keep adding the glue to the top of the twine and wrapping the twine around until you reach the height you want. This would work for a taller pot as well. Finish it off in the same way as the coaster - add a dab of glue to the inner side of the tray where the loose end of the twine lies, push it down and trim.

6. The next step is completely optional but I like the pop of colour the fabric brings to the project! Cut out a circle of fabric the same size as the base of the tray.

7. And simply push into the base. You could use a spot of glue if you wanted to secure it but it could bleed through the fabric. As the fabric is the same size as the base it fits snugly and should be pretty secure!

And then it's ready to adorn your bedside table or wherever you fancy it!

One thing I loved about this project is that it is so simple and repetitive you can lose yourself in your thoughts as you make it...I find that so therapeutic! I hope you enjoy making it :)

5 handmade card ideas...

I saw one of my closest friends last month for this first time in over year...how does that happen? Time just seems to run away sometimes. As always it never felt like we had spent any time apart...except for when we traded birthday and Christmas presents (her birthday was in October!). Donna is amazing at sending cards, she never forgets birthdays and is always sending little thank you notes. We spent a lot of time as teenagers trading notes on our love for a certain boy band (*cough* westlife *cough*...don't judge) and our boredom of whatever class we were in at the time, so a handwritten note from her always brings back fun memories! Anyway, I wanted to make a pack of handmade cards to supplement her supply...and since I finally got to give them to her, I can also finally post about them!

So here are five ideas if you fancy having a go at making your own cards!

1. Simply wrap decorative string around the card with both ends meeting in the middle on the outer side, tie a knot to secure. Cut out a luggage tag from craft paper and adhere your message, punch a hole at the end of the tag and feed through the string, securing with a bow. Add a little glue to the top edge of the tag and position on the card as you like.

2. Simply use a punch to stamp out your chosen shape from a different craft papers and add a small amount of glue to adhere to the card!

3. Cut out a rectangle of craft paper, a smaller rectangle of fabric and a smaller rectangle again with your printed message. Layer on the card with a small amount of glue.

4. Cut out small triangles from different craft paper (you can make a template but it worked fine just cutting free hand from a strip of paper). Glue onto the card in an arc. Make two small bows from decorative string and adhere to each end.

5. Add any embellishment you wish to a mini peg. Cut out a rectangle of craft paper and add your printed message. Add to the peg and glue the peg to the card.

Looking back over these has reminded me how much I enjoyed making them! My husband gave me a set of wooden alphabet stamps for my birthday (which I may have been hinting at for a while), the bunting card would look so sweet with a little message stamped on the bunting!

Do you make your own cards? I'd love to see your favourite designs!
Happy Thursday :)

4 gift wrap ideas fit for a bloke (maybe!)...

Whenever I feel like I've finally found a regular blogging routine, something always seems too happen to disrupt it! Sorry my posts have been on the bare side lately, realistically it's probably going to stay this way over summer - funny how my motivation to stay indoors on the computer wains when the sun comes out! I hope you're all enjoying Summer though, this last week has been just beautiful here in the UK!

I hope it stays this way because Andrew's birthday is coming up, it's always so much more fun when you can party outdoors! It's also fun for me because it means I have some gifts to wrap. Maybe I'm a bit strange but I love wrapping gifts, I love making cute little decorations to pretty up the package. I know it's going to get ripped of in ten seconds flat...but it just looks so pretty in that brief moment! But I do have a tendency to go all floral and bows with my wrapping...which isn't exactly his style. In fact, let's be honest here, fancy schmancy gift wrap probably isn't his style full stop...but hey I'm wrapping the gifts so I say I get to have my fun! But I figure I should at least try  to make it slightly more 'blokey' :) .

So here are four ideas I came up with for 'bloke - fit' gift wrap...we'll have to wait until his birthday to see if it's 'bloke-approved'!

Circle garland

 I pinned this idea yonks ago, here's my version of it! What you need: craft paper, scissors, circle template (I used lids), string, sellotape. How to: Simply use circular items as a template to draw and cut out circles of your preferred size from craft paper. Wrap the string round the package a couple of times then bring the string to the front and lay out your first line of circles. Once you've decided their position, add a little tape to secure it to the string. Continue to wrap the string round, adding circles as you go, then tie with a bow at the back.

Go plaid

 

What you need: Plaid fabric, scissors, sellotape. How to: This is self explanatory but cut out a strip of fabric, wrap round and secure at the back with tape!

Polka dot stamps

I've been wanting to try this ever since Danni shared this idea at Oh Hello Friend. What you need: paint, pencil with a rubber top (I tried without rubber and it didn't work so well). How to: Pour out a little paint, dip the rubber end of the pencil into the paint, remove any excess paint and stamp onto the paper.

Washi tape

What you need: washi tape, scissors, craft paper. How to: Again, pretty self explanatory! Just wrap the washi tape around the gift and cut out a tag from the craft paper!

I'd love to hear how you decorate your gifts, I'm always looking for new ideas :)

Happy Saturday!