British Rag Rug Tutorial

Friday Thoughts and a Tutorial

It took me forever to find out how to add a tutorial to a stand alone page on the blog.  Anyway, I finally cracked it and if you would like to have a go at making the pincushion in the previous post then click on to the 'Dinky Pin Cushion' tab above and you will be taken straight there.  The instructions are by no means comprehensive but I have tried to be as informative as I can. 

It has been a strange week of mixed emotions.  I just want to make things but sometimes other people's needs come first.  I can get so wrapped up with creative projects that I think that if I lived alone I would just make things until I lost consciousness!

There are some jolly bluebells in the garden right now.  Alas, not the wild native Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta but the Spanish Hyacinthoides hispanica which is threatening to take over our native species.  They are pretty all the same and I will pick them later and put into a jam jar.

I hope your Friday is going well and that you have a cheery weekend.  If you do decide to make a pincushion from the tutorial above let me know how you got on.

Happy Weekend!

Hand Made Sticky Labels

I am a little disappointed with myself for rushing this project through but I really wanted to share the idea with you so here goes!  I love to use sticky labels for gift wrapping or putting on envelopes etc; but have noticed how expensive they seem to be recently so decided to have a go at making my own bespoke labels! 

I used an A4 Universal label (289mm x 205mm) from a pack of 25 used for laser and ink jet copiers and printers.  I started to draw on pictures with a pencil and then going over them with a black pen but this got fiddly as I didn't have an eraser.  It was easier to draw directly with pen onto the paper so that's what I did. 

I think I need to practise this a lot more until I am satisfied with my images and to utilise the paper so as not to leave a lot of white space.  In my haste I forgot to colour in the images too so that will be my next 'thing' to do.  In a bid to be more methodical and organised I may divide the paper up into squares next time and draw within the border of each square.  This would make cutting out a lot easier too!

The ideas are whizzing around at the moment..... you could scan the images and print multiple copies  (with the other sheets in the pack) or photocopy them or if you do not draw you could rubber stamp images onto the sticky backed paper or write words or use different shaped punches to cut out the paper etc..........

I do hope you like this mini 'how to' tutorial of sorts!  Let me know if you try it too!

Have a great weekend!