2010 Craft Shows

Papercraft Roadshow - Adelaide Feb 14th, Perth March 14th
and Darwin April 18th
Craft Expo Newcastle Feb 19-21
Paperific Melbourne March 5-7
Craft Expo Sydney March 11-14
Craft Expo Brisbane March 25-28
Craft expo Townsville April 8-11
Australasian Quilt Convention April 29- May 3
Craft & Quilt Fair Perth May 19-23
Scrapbook & Papercraft Expo Brisbane June 12-14
Craft & Quilt Fair Sydney June 16-20
Textile Art Festival Brisbane June 25-27
Craft & Quilt Fair Hobart July 9-11
Craft & Quilt Fair Melbourne July 22-25
Craft & Quilt Fair Canberra August 5-8
Paperific Melbourne August 27-29
Craft Expo Melbourne October 7-10
Craft & Quilt Fair Brisbane October 20-24
Craft & Quilt Fair Adelaide November 7-14

October ScrapIt Now Pack

The October pack is out now and I would love to share the things created with this beautiful kit. I created 3 pages to begin with, filled with images from my recent trip to Melbourne -

I also created this little book -

The book features photo's and journalling about our trip to Melbourne. The cover was created by painting/covering a Kaisercraft wooden journalling cover and on the inside of each cover I also stamped and embossed a flourish design -

Fusing Plastic Bags

I recently found an awesome technique listed on Flickr that involved recycling those old shopping bags that up until recently were amassed on a daily scale. I got to the stage of constantly having a laundry sink filled with them in the hope of using them for something because I didn't want to add to landfill.

The technique can be found here -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soshesews/sets/72157618117519922/
- and is well worth a visit since the tutorial shares photo's and written instructions to follow.

Last week I created this layout using some recycled bags -

I used the plastic bag technique to create the yellow sand for my layout. With the left over piece of yellow fused plastic I created a cover for a mini book and distressed the plastic with alcohol inks, gesso and more alcohol inks then decorated it in a very Tim Holtz inspired fashion -

As you can see this technique is definately stuck with me. For my latest project I decided to fuse the plastic bag my Scrappitpack came in. I even wedged in a flower set between two layers for added appeal -

I have to admit thay I really like the etched glass effect the clear bags give.

Hand Crafted Christmas Cards

Did you make your own Christmas Cards last year? Are you intending to make your own this year?

Despite having good intentions last year - I left making most of my Christmas Cards a little on the late side - something I really don't want to do again!

So, this year I'm getting myself organised a little earlier and I've already made a start!

Before I share some of my creations though, I firstly have to confess that I'm becoming a little addicted to the wonderful array of 6 x 6 pattern paper pads that Scrappit keeps getting in stock because they make card making all that much easier too!

My love of 6 x 6 pattern paper pads began with Basic Grey - Ambosia, Jane Bug, Lemonade and Eva; then came Black Market Paper Society - Vintage Romance; and more recently it has been with the gorgeous collections from Webster's Petite Papers!

The pattern paper featured on all the cards I've created and shared here were taken from Websters Petite Papers Holiday Collection Combo Pack - Home for the Holidays & Winter's Wings. They are just gorgeous and perfect for card making because with a quick trim, maybe a little inking, hand stitching, a touch of ribbon or trim, a greeting sticker and an embellishment or two - Viola! One perfect greeting card!

Whilst some of the designs might look a little on the complicated side, I assure you, they really aren't - the pattern paper does most of the work for you! Aren't they just so very pretty?

Anyway - I hope I inspired you to keep an eye out for 6 x 6 pattern paper pads OR maybe I even inspired you to get creative and make a few greeting cards for the festive season! Whatever the inspiration, I'd love hear from you . . .

Until next time, Shirley