Friday 20 December 2013

Mulberry paper from Thailand: Happy Birthday Mum!

No, I didn't forget! Happy Birthday Mum...


...all the way from Thailand!

Being on the road (see my travel site for more about my trip) really doesn't make it easy to find opportunities to get creative and crafty. However, with my mum's birthday approaching and being in Bangkok (Thailand) last week, I had to get my hands on some crafting stash. 

Fortunately, there were many places where I could stock up on a few bits to make a card and I found some lovely mulberry paper flowers and silk flowers at the weekend market in Chatuchak.

There are also numerous shopping centres around the city, which almost made me feel like I was back in Singapore or even the UK, so getting my hands on some card and ribbon was no problem.





Thursday 21 November 2013

Making Krathong - banana leaves boat

If you have been following my travel blog (here), you will know that I am currently back in Thailand.

Every opportunity I get I'm trying to do or see something crafty, to fill the empty hole created by being on the road and without my craft stash ;).

Last weekend, I experienced 3 days of Thai celebrations for the festivals of Yi Peng and Loi Krathong. 

When my Thai friend offered to show me how to make something traditional myself, to join the celebrations, I jumped at the chance!

'Krathong' is a small raft made from a section of banana tree trunk. Today specially made bread 'flowers' or even Styrofoam are also used. Thai people decorate their Krathongs with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense sticks. Some people also add hair or fingernail clippings.

The act of floating Krathongs on rivers, canals or any other body of water symbolises letting go of grudges, problems and anger so that one can start life afresh – a cleansing tradition of sorts. The idea being that all people should prepare suitable offerings to present to the river spirits in order to obtain pardon and the absolution of their sins. In doing so the Thais are also welcoming the spirit of good fun or 'sanook' – something they know a lot about.

Here's my finished Krathong:



There are lots of tutorials on the web that show you how to make the different pieces from banana leaves to decorate a Krathong, but I thought I'd create a quick one of my own to show you just how easy it it was to make something similar to the one I made.

I think, with a bit of tweaking this would work with paper and card too. Some DSP would create some beautiful pieces, and these would be great for table decorations or small dishes maybe.

Materials:

You will need 1 or two fresh banana leaves, a stapler, pair of scissors and some pins.

1. Tear or cut the banana leaf down the centre and then cut into strips of approximately 2 or 3 inches; any excess can be trimmed later.



2. Take each strip lengthways and fold in one side to create a corner.


3. Then repeat the fold on the opposite side.



4. Fold each side inwards again to create a sharper point. Fix with staples.





5. Once you have made a few, they can be trimmed and then used to layer up.





6. For the upright pieces step 2 and 3 are the same, then take the folded piece and pull one side towards you to create a petal shape. Fasten with a staple since you have created the desired size. These will also need to be trimmed a little before fixing to the base.






7. Cut a piece of leaf to fix to the banana trunk base and pin this in place.




8. Then you can start to decorate with the other pieces. I chose to fix each piece in layers to create a star shape.






9. I also cut some brown leaves and created some pieces to fill the gaps a little.




10. Once I finished the base I added the petal shapes to create the centre piece.




11. Have a play and arrange your pieces differently, just lay them out until you are happy and then pin in place. Once you have finished, add a couple of strips of banana leaf around the base to cover it and then you can decorate with flowers.



Here are the finished Krathong from our little craft session. We then headed off to the river to release them with thousands of others.



Friday 8 November 2013

Limited stash, personalised baby card

What do you do when a very good friend has a new baby and you're out of the country and have no craft stash to hand?

You search out a craft or stationery shop and do your best to ensure the occasion doesn't go without a handmade card.

I'm not sure whether it ever arrived in the post as I sent it from Singapore, but it's the thought that counts.

Here is what I came up with...


... I hope they liked it :S!

Monday 28 October 2013

Witches hat, made on the road

OK, so it's not a card but it is my latest attempt at being crafty.

I've been taking a few days of rest in Labuan, just off the coast of Malaysian Borneo. At the weekend we were invited to a Halloween party. So of course I had to make my costume.

Keeping it simple and with just some black paper/card' scissors and sticky rape here's what I came up with.



It was reasonably quick to make so I thought I'd share a little tutorial in case you have a party to attend and still need a last minute costume idea.

1. Take a large piece of black card/paper, I think I used an A3 sized piece and cut it down to a square to make cutting easier. Draw a circle in the centre using a small plate or other circular object and the cut out. Note: you may need to trim the edge to fit your head, do this and check it fits before the next step.



2. Roll a sheet of card/paper to create a cone, ensuring the base fits inside the hole you cut for step 1. Fix with a small piece of tape.




3. Mark the base of the cone to allow for surplus paper/card to be hidden inside the hat rim, cut into the base and fold back.



4. Fold back and stick the flaps to the underneath of the rim, using sticky tape.



5. Trim the rim to suit.



Your completed hat can now be decorated. I chose to hide the sticky tape with a belt and then added a couple of bats and a spider.





I'd love to see what you come up with for Halloween this year - have a good one!

PS if you're interested don't forget to check out my travel blog for the latest on my travels and other travel info http://tiggerbird.blogspot.com

Thursday 10 October 2013

Mr and Mrs wedding album

I made this for my friends Tori and Macca for their 1st Wedding Anniversary which they will celebrate today.

I've used Stampin' Up! Colours: Gumball Green, Primrose Petals and Daffodil Delight, together, to create this little waterfall album.  It's the same style as one I made sometime ago (see here) which a demonstrator, Diane, showed me how to create.

Top Note with Boho Blossoms

Scallop Trim Border punch and an Antique Brad

You will find instructions to make these on the web if you search for 'waterfall album'.

Mr and Mrs Macca will have to wait until I'm back in the UK to get the album however as I put it safely into storage assuming I would be back by now to give it to them. Happy anniversary anyway x

Saturday 5 October 2013

Happy World card making day

I was scratching around a bit for something to post today to celebrate... And then realised I hadn't shared this with you from August! It's the card I made for my dad's birthday, using the Zoo Review stamp set from Stampin' Up! 


I've used Stampin' Up! card in Gumball Green, More Mustard and Early Espresso.

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Using peel offs

Today I have a card too share with you that uses just the 1 inch square punch from the Stampin' Up! main catalogue. The cute cat silhouette is actually a peel off.


I've used Melon Mambo, Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White for this card, which was very quick and simple... 

Saturday 31 August 2013

New Autumn/Winter catalogue

The new Autumn/Winter catalogue has arrived!


There is also a bundle offer available, whereby if you buy both the Papillon Potpourri stamp set and co-ordinating punch together before 30th September you will get 15% off. Details below:


Place an order with me today, just email me at jadedcrafter@gmail.com

Saturday 27 July 2013

Crafting with turtles, in Malaysia

Sorry for  the lack of crafty projects again, it's been quite difficult to find opportunities to get crafting whilst travelling in Malaysia and I'm fast running out of projects that I made before I left...

Its not Stampin' Up! related but I have done something a bit crafty recently...

I spent a week volunteering off the East coast of Malaysia on the island of Perhentian Besar.

The project focuses on turtle conservation and tasks assigned to volunteers vary depending on needs. The main responsibility is daily night shifts patrolling the beach for nesting turtles and poachers. 

During my time there I found some opportunities to get crafty, making ash trays by recycling cans, hopefully to be put to use and reduce the cigarette butts on the beach which can harm the turtles :). Read more about the project and what you can do to help here on my travel blog.



I seriously miss the opportunity to make cards and scrapbook, although I've been collecting all sorts to smash when I am eventually back in the UK.

In the meantime I'll keep looking for opportunities to get crafty and keep you posted. If you are interested in my travels do stop by at my other blog and see what I've been up to.

Don't forget, if you would like to place an order from the new Stampin' Up! catalogue, just drop me an email at jadedcrafter@gmail.com.

Saturday 6 July 2013

Happy Birthday MHD

Even though I'm away travelling I planned ahead cards for friends and family as best I could, so that they aren't forgotten.

Today is my friend Michelle's birthday - Happy Birthday mate!


I used Raspberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit from the 2012-14 In Colours range and the Make a Cake stamp set, but the papers are now retired. There are many new papers in the new catalogue that you could use instead, just check out page 150 onwards.

If you would like to place an order for many Stampin' Up! products just contact me via email at jadedcrafter@gmail.com

Tuesday 2 July 2013

New catalogue out now

Finally it's here!



If you would like to place an order just contact me at jadedcrafter@gmail.com.


Sunday 30 June 2013

Happy Birthday Kat

My friend Kat is celebrating a big birthday today, but I avoided rubbing it in and putting the number on her card ;)!

Happy birthday mate, I hope you have a great day and sorry I'm not there to celebrate.

I've used the Occasions Alphabet stamp set that will remain in the main catalogue along with the Postage, 1" Square and Boho Blossoms punches. Colours are Raspberry Ripple and Pink Pirouette.


Don't forget the new catalogue will be released on Tuesday so check back then.