Anjie's Blog -

How to Make an Easter Basket from Cleaning Cloths!

Anjie Davison — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:15:54 -0600

For this Easter basket I bought a 99p packet of cleaning cloths, the pastel colours are perfect for this Easter project. In The 99p Shop I found a packet of 15 pearlized eggs, they open up, you can put sweets of your choice inside. Alternatively you could put chocolate or decorated eggs in the basket . For the basic basket I found this comprehensive tutorial on Maya Made Maya has made a beautiful basket, I have just tweaked it a bit for this project.

Chalkboard Plant Pot

Anjie Davison — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:59:43 -0600

This is another idea for painting terracotta pots, Laine at Lanie J. and Co. has cleverly painted the body of the terracotta pot with black paint. A greeting, in chalk, can be written on the pot, a perfect present for a favourite teacher, maybe.

Paint a Plant Pot for a Mother's Day Gift

Anjie Davison — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:25:06 -0600

This couldn't be easier, children can do it. Take a common or garden terracotta pot (I bought mine from Wilkinson's for 29p and 49p) The paint I used was household emulsion for the kitchen/bathroom (I bought tester pots from Wilkinson's). Apply the paint, by dabbing with a sponge, this doesn't leave brush marks. Let the paint dry. I chose to decorate my pots with spots, I applied white paint with the end of a piece of doweling to give me the polka dot effect. Children might want to paint a pot for grandma, let them do it in their own style, it adds to the charm!

Book Bag

Anjie Davison — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:27 -0600

I have just completed Thing-a-day, it's an online creative community that comes together for a month. In the 'not-much-going-on' month of February it stretches the creative muscle ready for the year ahead. On the final day one of the contributors, Hungry Panda, posted this Book Bag. I think it's an amusing idea, Annie has put a full and comprehensive tutorial on her website Hungry Panda,a great make for a bookish friend.

How to Make a Fabric Flower Using Suffolk Puffs (yo-yo's)

Anjie Davison — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:18:42 -0600

After doing previous projects using the Suffolk puff (yo-yo's), and being pleased with the effect they give, I wanted to try something else. I liked a brooch I saw on The Eternal Magpie it was another twist on the Suffolk puff. This is my version of the flower.

I used a fine cotton lawn fabric, from this I cut out six circles for the petals and one in a contrasting colour for the centre.

Chinese Lanterns made from Cupcake Cases

Anjie Davison — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:02:38 -0600

I saw this idea for a card on Frugal Family Fun Blog, Valerie has created a lovely tutorial, showing children making the cards. I just like the clever way she has not only utilised the concertina effect but also the curve of the cupcake case, to such good effect.

How to Make Flowers from I-cord or French Knitting

Anjie Davison — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:00:51 -0600

These flowers are so simple to make and look as fresh as spring!

Basic Flower

I knitted a length of i-cord 25cm (10") long, you could make it from French knitting. From this I formed a five looped petal flower then attached a button for the centre, piece of cake!

Flower Hair Band

How to Make Fabric Flowers from Organza

Anjie Davison — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:17:45 -0600

My theme this week has been flowers made from fabric, I think I'm looking forward to spring, wishing away these cold winter days.

These flowers are so easy to make but I think look spectacular. I bought organza made from polyester, silk organza won't work, from the local market, only £2 a metre. I chose a few plain colours but also found a couple that were multi coloured, these are particularly good for depth and colour variation when constructing a flower.

For the pattern I cut out three concentric circles, I just drew round drinking glasses and a lid.