Merry Upcycled Xmas Tree

I was inspired to make this tree after seeing the tree that the lovely girls in the Library here at work made. For those in the know it's on display here at cafeteria.

I made this tree from a Xmas magazine/catalogue. The next one I make, I think I'll be using a much thicker magazine to make it.

(It's currently on display in our office ^_^)

recycled magazine necklace

I have far too many magazines lying about the place. Surely there is a use for them rather than sending them to the recycle bin. As my first love is jewellery I decided to try and make a pendant necklace using a magazine

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here's what you will need:

1 magazine

Sticky tape (or glue)

Scissors or craft knife/craft mat

Ruler (optional)

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instructions:

Rip 5 to 6 pages out of a magazine

 

Trim off jagged edge of the magazine sheets with a craft knife (or scissors)

Fold sheet in half and cut (lengthways)

Fold sheet in half length ways – repeat two more times

Fasten with sticky tape (or glue)

Repeat process with each magazine strip

Join strips together to create one long strip using sticky tape or glue

Get a pencil, chopstick, or any other stick that you can find. Wrap the long strip around the pencil moderately tight. Secure with tape or glue at the end. Remove pencil

You can choose to keep the pendant in the round shape, or bend it to a particular shape

Insert string (I used several strands of wool) and voilà

cute pieces of art

after procrastinating for so long I've finally gotten onto the swivel chair and behind the computer screen to create these cute prints

let me know who you think!

TUTORIAL: no sew tutu

items you will need:

1.5 to 2m polyester netting (or tulle if you want to spend the extra $$)

you can have multiple colours to your tutu, just be sure to have a min 1.5m all up of fabric

scissors

elastic

Step 1

measure your waist (or the waist of the person who's lucky enough to have a tutu made for them)

cut the elastic to fit comfortably (and without the fear of the tutu falling down)

Step 2

secure the ends of you elastic. 

I chose to use my sewing machine to sew the ends, it's your choice to sew it or to fasten it with a pin, or even just knot it securely

Step 3

cut your netting into approx 20-30cm wide strips

Step 4

place elastic around a chair or another structure that will hold the elastic taut

Step 5

fold strip of netting in half and loop through elastic

Step 6

continue adding strips of netting to the elastic until the entire length of the elastic is covered

Voilà 

the finished tutu

^_^

handmade 2nd birthday

my friend's daughter Jade had her 2nd birthday on the weekend. Aunty Trish was thinking, what can I make this young girl? I was aiming for something that wasn't disposable, and something that wasn't the next toy fad.

After racking my brain, I decided to make a pictorial depiction of her name:

Ikea RIBBA frame:
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/70179513

I also made an accompanying birthday card as well (morning of the party too! - talk about cutting it fine):

Prince should sing: ribbon and pearls

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/01/craft-1-ribbon-and-pearl-neclace_04.html

I saw this tutorial a while ago about making a pearl necklace using ribbon. So I've decided to make one for myself. 

Here's the finished result, using organza ribbon and some faux pearls. I will be sourcing some freshwater pearls soon and trying this out as well.

(apologies for the poor quality photo - only had my mobile phone to take the photo with)

i ♥ cute rings

I've listed 3 new rings on etsy. Ultra cute plastic rose rings in 3 colours - yellow, black, and purple/mauve.

Here's the link to my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebyTrishM