Craft Caddy Decorating

Hello friends

As promised I'm posting today some details/instructions as to how I

decorated my Charity Craft Caddy.

You will have received your greyboard pieces and in addition three sheets of

12 x 12 paper and three vintage metal handles.  

The very first step I chose to do was some painting - purely optional but I did not 

fancy cutting fiddly bits of paper to fit the inside tray.

I used some regular household paint.

It isn't perfect but I was looking for a distressed/aged look anyway! 

Best to leave to dry overnight and then you can start cutting paper.

To make the most of your paper, I have shown below how I calculated the cutting of two 

pieces of the 12 x 12 (by the time you reach the third piece it is a case of using what is left

and it all makes sense).  Use your caddy as a guide, lay it onto the pieces of paper and

mark where it should be cut, a paper trimmer is best unless you are brilliant at cutting

straight lines (I am not!)  

I have not allowed for you covering the base of the box as it is not visible.

Here you can see how the side section is going to be attached, 

you cover the sides in two pieces otherwise the lid will not open.

I've chosen to use Glue n' Seal, this enabled me to really seal the edges of the paper and

it doesn't matter if it oozes out as it dries clear. Cosmic Shimmer will also work and

I'm now stocking this is super large size bottles. You can see them here.

 Details of how I cut the second sheet.

Much like the sides of the caddy, the back section must be attached in two pieces.

Lower back - align the top of the paper with the crease that is the hinge

and repeat this for the upper back section.

Drawer Fronts: to achieve perfect sizing, position your drawer so you can mark on 

your paper where to cut.

Glue to front - much like with assembling the caddy, best to wait for the glue to dry 

before the following optional steps.

Using a sanding block/file/paper I've distressed the edges slightly,

this also discards any paper you may have slightly over-cut. 

 I then inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink - available here.

Attaching the knob handles:  there is 1 large and two small.

I thought it would be nice to have the lid knob slightly different.

Position the knob and grab a ruler. 

 Mark where the centre is and make a hole to fit the screw.

(note the very nice pokey tool I have, my Dad makes these, turns them on his lathe.

Each one is different - they are available to purchase, just let me know).

Once the hole is big enough push the screw through from the inside of the box, screw on the

knob and tighten - a pair of pliers works well.

 Here you can see the before and after of the drawer fronts.

Here is an image of a corner of the caddy covered but not yet distressed and inked.  

 You will be left with quite a few scraps. 

You can if you wish, use them to cover the inner drawer sections. 

And inside, I've used the same distress ink on the edges of the tray.

I found a piece of pretty paper in my scrap box that fitted and of 

course there is always the option of a wallpaper sample...

shhh you didn't hear that from me though! 

Your box is decorated but empty... we will address that in future kits :)

At Stitches the company that assisted me in creating the Craft Caddy

had their version on display, they had chosen to paint and decorate it.

I love how different it looks just by the application of paint and

different handles.   

 

Lovely idea inside the lid.

Wouldn't a line of these be useful on our crafty desks, or make up as a gift for someone.

Charity Kits are still available to purchase here.

I must mention Sue Yorkshire, I hope all went well yesterday

with the birth of your grandson - how lovely, newborns are always gorgeous

and need constant spoiling.  Teenagers...well that's a different matter!

Have a lovely Thursday, I'm back in London.

Take care friends.

Home!

 Hello friends

I'm back home and I had a very excitable Bella to greet me!  

I missed her, and the boys of course!

I was thrilled to attend the Craft Awards, it was all set up very nicely

and, as you know, Spellbinders did incredibly well.  

In total they received three awards, the final one being for 

Best Gadget/Machine Investment for 2013 - all good stuff! 

There was an array of crafting delights, just by the entrance a knitted deck chair...

complete with cute knitted dog.

Spellbinders were displaying their new in'spire range of dies,

such a wonderful selection.  As with all their dies, I am happy to pre-order

and some of these are already on the website.

 The Tool n' One was on display, this was a bit of a show stealer,

everyone was interested - a true answer to all our die cutting prayers!

These are available to pre-order on my website either alone or with foam

- a bundle offer.

At the show I got to meet Carole Zorzo - we have been emailing for some
time and it was wonderful to meet her in real life!
Carole had organised a gift for Elliott - a Gromit mug - he loves it!
There was also chocolates...they are not pictured..wonder why!
Elliott still looking tired...this was after about 12 hours sleep apparently.

Incredibly kind, thank you so much Carole,
hope to see you again.

I went along to a seminar at the show, they offer various business talks.

I came out of one very enthused - optimising your website and to my 

boys' amazement once home, I said I needed a QR code.  

That's the funny square barcode thingy on the side of my blog.

If you have a smart phone you can scan it and it takes you straight to my website.

Clever eh...and it works! 

I promise to not let too much techy stuff interfere with crafting!

I haven't forgotten about posting instructions for decorating your Craft Caddy -

apologies it has been delayed but I will be getting on to it very very soon.

Right I had better unpack, in Birmingham I shared a room with the lovely Yvonne from

the Spellbinders Design Team and I've managed to come home with some

yummy chocolate from The Netherlands ..

perhaps unpacking can wait while I just test it...! 

Take care friends.

Celebrating!

Hello friends

A quick post today all the way from ....Birmingham!

If you haven't already seen photos on my Facebook page I would like to share them here.

At the British Craft Awards Spellbinders won two awards, Craft Die Cutting Range to Die For and Craft Gadget Our Readers Couldn't Live Without (for the Grand Calibur) - as you can imagine, big smiles and celebrating.




And the celebrating continued at the hotel....



I am seeing so many wonderful goodies at the show, today I'm going to attempt to narrow it down to the definite new suppliers - it's not going to be easy!

Take care friends - normal blog posting resuming soon.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

And off I go!

Hello friends

An exciting day for me today as I head out of the door for Stitches in Birmingham.

I was rushing around like a mad thing yesterday so I will enjoy the train 

journey - a chance to relax.

Fingers crossed the weather isn't too bad - trees on the line as opposed to leaves!

Something else that is going to be very enjoyable is that I have been invited

to attend The British Craft Awards to represent Spellbinders!  

Kim Hupke, Education Manager and Yvonne Van de Grijp a fellow

DT member are also attending so I'm going to be in great company.

I will be sure to try and take some photos to share.

I can't help but think this time last year when I visited Stitches I had such great plans for the 

studio/shop, never for a second could I have imagined what was around the corner

with Elliott becoming unwell. 

But I will not dwell, this is my re-run, a chance to do it all again.

Already my plans are blossoming and I am very happy. 

Patricia - I like your idea that I should do videos of my class projects -

I will liaise with my Video Production Manager (aka Elliott!)

As for joining the pom poms to make bunting - really easy,

thread a darning needle with a length of wool/string and just push it through the middle of

each pom pom, it enables you to move them along to the desired position

It is such fun to do and really brightens up the home.

This is not my photo but I thought I would share because it is lovely...

I will be returning home on Tuesday evening, the website will still be in full swing 

(I've left plenty of instructions!)

Another batch of Charity Kits went out yesterday so I'm completely up to date

now but please, if you haven't already ordered they are still available here.

Take care friends and keep safe in this extreme weather.

News and Knit and Natter...for Charity!

Hello friends

A newsy chatty blog post today.

Lovely to hear that the Charity Kits are beginning to arrive, don't forget
there is the link on the sidebar which shows all the construction
instructions.  Coming very soon is some handy notes and photos on how I used
the patterned paper to decorate.

Kits are available to purchase here, I have one lady who had emailed to say

she is using hers as a sewing caddy as she does quilting - lovely idea. 

Are you a knitter?  Would you like to learn to knit?

I am hosting a Knit and Natter at my studio/shop - it is all completely free!

All that I ask is you come along and knit a square for charity.

Needles, wool, tea/coffee and homemade cake provided.

This isn't happening until 3 May which is Yarn Shop Day
so a date for your diaries! Details here.

I am going to be planning further Knit and Natter sessions so if you live locally
please keep an eye on that Classes tab.

And talking of classes ....
More classes are being uploaded each week, the Silver Clay Workshop now has a date,
there is Introduction to Scrapbooking, Altering a Cotton Tote bag and more...

I feel this is all unfair to those of you who live far away but I promise
to keep up with kits, videos and tutorials.
And...really good news the Pom Pom makers are now in stock!!
Yipee, Hurrah!!
If you have pre-ordered they are on their way, soon you can be
pom pom mad just like me!

Finally....oh yes Pinterest - if you hover over my pictures you will now see that the

Pinterest symbol appears.

Feel free to pin away!

I am secretly proud of myself - with no help from anyone techy in the house

I was able to not only add this symbol to my Blogger template but change

the colour and position too!  I did inform my family of my computer wizardry but

they were not that impressed.  Boys eh!

I hope you are all holding onto your hats - the gale force winds are truly
bad here right now!
Take care friends.

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

Today's Friday Die Day is a Valentine's theme...well it had to be!

The featured die is Lace Hearts.

You receive four heart die templates in this set along with a key and accent.

Please note you can use the two larger hearts as solids or interchange

with the two lacy centres.  

 This is how they look cut/embossed.

 An idea for the key is to use Engraving Foil/Card -

I have this available in copper, silver or gold here.

You only need a small piece, cut/emboss and then use a sanding block lightly. 

The result is a nice old fashioned copper key.  

Love the tiny heart cut out from the key handle. 

Today it is a card. 

Using A2 Matting Basics B, I nested a smaller die horizontally inside a larger vertical die.

A postbox design as I call it.

 Once cut/embossed I chose a kraft card base.

I have not adhered it yet, just looking at size...

I stamped a sentiment in the bottom right hand corner.

Delving down my scrap box I found some appropriate patterned paper

and adhered a piece to the card base.

 

Attached Crafty Foam Tape to the reverse of my white 'post box' die cut

and adhered to the kraft card base so the patterned paper showed through the window.

 Really simple to finish - attach a die cut Lace Heart with a little black peg.

 

Some close up shots that show how beautiful the heart is.

 Wishing you all a love-filled Valentine's Day.

Take care friends - have a brilliant weekend.