Sunday 4 January 2015

Coming up for air........

Good evening folks.
It has been a long time since I've been around hasn't it?  It wasn't really intended that way; just a combination of new job, full time hours; trying to work with the dreaded lurgy too and Christmas planning left very little time for crafting other than a little bit which I couldn't share until after Christmas. So, today I had finally a moment to myself and wandered myself off down to the studio for a little sorting out time.......oh how I had missed it.
I didn't have much time today so I was just clearing the decks ready but I thought I could share a couple of bits with you from my pre Christmas crafting. I didn't have time to make my crackers from scratch this year so had to content myself with tarting up some store bought ones. I wrapped each cracker with  mesh and ribbon before adding a chipboard sled which I had coloured with Distress Ink (Gathered Twigs) and embossed with Faded Ivory Frantage powder.
 Inside each cracker I placed one of these little decorative matchboxes
 Pull the bell to open and inside of each box there is a small journal....
 The basic journal consists of blank pages and a decorative cover made from inked paper and a piece of Washi Tape to cover the staple and create a spine.

 To make the closures for the book I glued a piece from a bracelet onto the front
 Threaded some baker's twine through as seen and knotted off to form a loop  through which the other end could be pulled through and back to wrap around the front to secure
 That's my little bit of creativity up till Christmas.
 I hope that you all had a good Christmas too. I had a lovely time, Both my daughters were home and I had 2 days off in a row; a real treat let me tell you LOL. I was spoiled with a delightful and quirky pile of gifts from the family. They know me so well. Loving my new Instamatic camera and all the other treats.
 And yes; that is a dragon LOL. Destined to be transformed.......
 It's been good to catch up and I'll be back soon again.
Take care everyone.


5 comments:

Michelle said...

Great to see some of your work Neil. Hope this year brings you peace and happiness
X Michelle

Kirsten said...

Happy New Year Neil, hope you're feeling better. I love your altered crackers & the gifts inside are wonderful, so much better than the usual tat you find. Have fun altering that amazing dragon.

JoZart Designs said...

Good to see you back in your creative niche and best wishes for a perfect New Year. Super makes too.
Jo x

Sandie said...

I know the problem of juggling full time work and the need to create. Hope you are feeling better from the lurgy, we had it here too, really knocks the stuffing out of you!! LOVED the tiny handmade books - they must have delivered some big smiles.
Happy New Year!

Mickie said...

Happy New Year Neil glad to se you back on the blog! Loved the crackers and the little gifts inside. Have you transformed the dragon yet?