It’s been a little while since I’ve posted anything on craft, but that’s not to say I’m not doing things. I’ve been learning some new skills, with plans in the pipeline for workshops with the Women’s Institute and I have a backlog of knitting I am determined to get finished in the next few weeks!
One of the workshops I attended recently was run by Danielle of Rubbish Revamped, where we were taught that simple things, such as junk mail or newspaper can be turned into useful and fun things, with a touch of imagination and a little effort.
So when she asked if I’d review one of her craft books for Christmas, I was more than happy to do so.
Festive Craft Projects, is exactly what it says on the cover, a series of projects that are perfect for the festive season. Whether you fancy a wreath for the door, or something pretty for the tree, you’re bound to find some way to get creative. But rather than just tell you about it, how about a couple of demonstrations?
I chose two projects from the book – ones I hadn’t seen before or indeed tried, just to give you an idea of how easy they are.
First up, festive bunting.
Tracing the templates provided in the book onto some notepaper (I got a bit carried away, as you can see and copied them all) I selected three for my bunting.
I then traced the templates for the bells, stars and baubles onto waste card that would normally just head into the recycle bin, and cut them out.
I then took some thread from one of my craft tins (you could use wool, cord, string – all would look effective) I strung them into a garland and finding some glitter glue in blue, jazzed up the bells (cut from an old frozen blueberry carton).
How easy? And effective? I’ve even got a spot in the living room ready for it!
But what about a second one, just to make sure?
This time I selected a the petal ring. This would look lovely as a decoration on top of a present, hung from the tree, or as I think I’m going to use it, sitting on my front door instead of a wreath. And again, it’s easy peasy.
Using more scraps – this time from a wine brochure and a piece of junk mail, I traced out the petals from the templates in the book.
Adding in a circular ring (I traced around a cup for this) it was simply a case of gluing the petals onto the ring.
And here you go! I could easily add a bit of glitter or glue on some buttons to fancy it up, but I’m going to wait until I find some green junk mail and add in some more petals for a Christmassy contrast.
Then I can attach a ribbon and hang it on the front door.
So all in all? I love this book. It’s great for grown ups like me who just want to spend an afternoon using up their scraps of paper, card, plastic and fabric without just throwing it in the recycle bin. But where I think this really comes into it’s own is with children.
Grab yourself a copy of this book – it’s a bargain at £5 (plus P&P) or £4 for the electronic version – and spend those days where the kids are bored making things for the tree, or if you’re feeling thrifty, make some gifts for family and friends.
It and Danielle’s other books such as Blissed out with Buttons, How to Make Monsters and Monkeys and Craft Smart: RECYCLING are the perfect antidote to a commercial Christmas time.
As mentioned above, this book was provided for free for me to review, however, this is no guarantee of a positive review (if anything I tend to be a harsher critic). However, having tried several of the projects myself, I am more than happy to recommend this book and the other titles.