A Craft Blogging Journey

 Crafting Your Way to Creative Bliss: 

A Craft Blogging Journey**

 Hey there, fellow crafters! 

Today, I want to invite you on a delightful journey

 where we can explore the wonderful world of crafting

 together. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just

 starting out, this blog post is all about encouraging

 your creativity, igniting your imagination, 

and suggesting some exciting ideas to elevate your

 craft game. 

** Embrace Your Creativity Crafting as more than 

just a hobby; it’s a form of self-expression that 

allows us to connect with our inner selves.

 So, take a moment to pause and think about what 

crafting means to you. Perhaps it’s a way to unwind,

 a method to showcase your unique style, or even a 

way to create thoughtful gifts for loved ones.

Whatever it is, embrace it wholeheartedly! 

** Dive Into New Techniques One of the best ways

 to reignite your passion for crafting is by trying out

 new techniques. Here are a few suggestions to 

get those creative juices flowing:

 1. **Mixed Media Magic**: 

Combining different materials such as paper,

 fabric, and paint? Mixed media art allows you to

 layer textures and colours, resulting in 

eye-catching pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind.

 Junk Journaling is one option for combining textures. 

The gathering of these items is just as much fun. 

Pages from old books or magazines, Pressed Dried 

flowers, Art Drawings, Sketches, Memorabilia,

 Photos, Tickets, Poems, Quotes, Laces, trims,

 ribbons, buttons, charms, jewellery pieces.

Remnants of special clothing, wedding dress.

2. **Upcycling Crafts**:

A low-cost way of Creating. Look around your home 

for items that you can transform.

 Old jars, scraps of fabric, and cardboard boxes

 can all be repurposed into beautiful decor or 

functional items. 

It’s not only creative but also sustainable! 

Those doily finds at thrift stores or in your linen 

cupboard can be transformed in so many ways,

not hidden away. Not to ignore the latest Craze of 

Journaling, so many fantastic Crafters are giving

these and other Linens new life. 

3 ** Needlecrafts ** 

From basic to fine detailed stitches, so many styles

 to choose from. Silk Ribbon Embroidery was an early

 feature of this Blog. Tutorials & Free Designs are listed

 on the side bar.

For the beginners, children or adults, a few basic easy

 stitches will give you results and hopefully lead you

 on the journey to discover more.

4  *** Macrame ***

Everything old is new again. Took my interest in the 70's

 with numerous projects of pot displays mainly,

 has made a major resurgence as a decorative

feature. I have a desire to get back into this Craft. 

A few basic Knots to Master and it's full steam ahead. 

 5 *** Knitting & Crochet: 

A craft to pick up when you have a few spare moments.

 Keeps your hands busy and relaxes the Mind.

 It can be a basic stitch for both styles and work your 

way up to the more complicated with confidence. 

Ongoing Posts

Would love if you would join through Comments

what craft projects are you working on?

Is there a craft you would like to learn? 

Textile Art? Discovery, Design, Creativity

 Finding our Joy in Crafting 
Carol Daisy

If you pay a visit to my Etsy Store you will 

discover that a major feature is the constantly

 changing stocks of Mixed Textile, Journaling 

Inspiration and Slow Stitching Packs, Along

with a constant new range of  Fabric Prints. 

Putting these together and Designing Fabric, 

my Creativity is in full flow. 

We all need a purpose and some me time

that will make our hearts sing. 

The goal of this Store is to highlight the 

advantages of hands-on art creation.

As I work on Projects when time permits, my

true passion lies in experimenting with textures.

colours and designs, creating packs for customers.

The time spent on sourcing materials, especially

given the scarcity of local craft suppliers, often 

hampers the creative process. 

The Packs offered in the store cover a range of 

crafts From Journaling and Slow Stitching to

 Textile Arts and Crazy Quilting. 

 

FRENCH TAGS - MIXED MEDIA - FREE TUTORIAL

 

These are just great as Gifts.

Do you have hidden away in your sewing stash pieces

of lace that are just too small to put to use, but you

 cannot bear to part with them. This is a way to have

 it on show. Bring out such items as:

Small remnants of lace (vintage or modern), 

Doilies – damaged but precious, odd buttons. 

Charms, Ribbons, Hand-dyed Lace Trim / Motifs.

Broken pieces of jewellery, Art images on Fabric 

or fabric pieces.

For this illustrated tag, you will need:-

1 Backing Piece 12 x 22 cm.

 1 Fabric Stiffening, 10 x 20 cm.

1 image (8 x 6 cm) 

Small pieces of fabric to frame the image.

Front panel: add pieces of fabric around the image.

Layering is a plus with this type of craft; 

the more, the better. 

Add stiffening to the back.

For this example lace frames the image.

Overlapping where necessary. Making it wider than

 the fabric. Hand tack in matching thread to keep the

 lace in position. At the base I have added a hand-dyed

 lace motif with a slight touch of blue in the centre, 

which I feel complements the blue in the maid's dress.

Pearls stitched into the lace flower centres. 

With seed beads I have framed the image.

stitching them to the edge of the lace with a 

beading needle and thread.

Rosette:  

Base – Is a gathered rosette in lace.

2nd Layer - Constructed from 13 mm silk ribbon.

Pearl Button covering the stitching as the centre. 

Placed over a layer of fine lace leaves. 

Backing:

Press the seams down to make it the required size, 

then edge this with a fine 1 cm lace trim to give an

attractive edge. If machine sewing it may be best to 

do some hand tacking first to make it easier to handle

under the pressure foot with such a narrow lace.

Place it to the back of the French Tag and slip stitch

the two pieces together.

Add an eyelet to the top of the tag.

The opening for this, believe it or not, I have made

 with an ordinary office whole punch. Should you

 have the proper tool it will be simple to do.

 As an alternative the ribbon could be stitched to the 

tag, maybe with a few pleats for disguise.

Themes for your tags:-

Colourful, Christmas, Birthday, Modern, Vintage,

 Embroidered, Shabby, Boho. 

Much prettier than being hidden away in a Cabinet

don't you agree?

So pull out your sewing baskets and get inspired.

Craft Gossip - The best in "How To" crafts and handmade ideas

 

Craft Gossip

                                             Independent craft blog since 2007

Take your creativity and craft knowledge and soar.

This is the website where you can accomplish that.

The variety of crafts displayed on this website is endless.

Knitting, crocheting, and sewing,

Recycled crafts, edible crafts, and scrapbooking,

Plus so much more. With many wonderful contributors.

Designs for free Hand and Machine embroidery

It's time to return to a previous era where the pleasure and 

reward was in the self-satisfaction of our own creations.

Just a small sample of what can be found in Craft Gossip.

If you are already a visitor, you will be aware of the possibilities. 

Design Creation - Needle Books

Design featuring Vintage Fashion Prints

Needle Books with Vintage Illustrations

A Needle Book based on Vintage Fashion Illustrations

photos taken from sold stocks in the Etsy Store.

Something special to have in your craft room

or as a gift for a fellow crafter. 

Book cover with a layer of bone lace and

 Front and back page images added.

Inside Pages for Needles and Pins

Hand Dyed Laces

No images at present in store but will in the future.

Pintangle - Link in Header

 

Slow Stitching - Crazy Quilting - Textile Art

Looking for a complementary stitch for your slow stitching project? 

or a more fancy way of embellishing your

Crazy Quilting Seams, the Stitch Dictionary has an extensive choice.

Or maybe just wishing to broaden your knowledge.

This is the place to come.

Sharon Boggon is an internationally recognised Australian textile artist.

 teacher and author and generously has set up this site to share her

 knowledge and love of embroidery. 

Based in Canberra, Australia, she trained in visual arts and fine arts 

and successfully combined structural design elements with traditional

 textile practices.

A big thank you to Sharon.

Crafting, Music and Creative Chaos

 Craft Music and Creative Chaos

Getting in the Zone

Are there days when you wish the worries of the world would 

 fade away, and stress takes a backseat? 

Picture this: 

You find yourself in a cosy craft room, surrounded by a delightful mess, tunes that match your mood filling the air. If you're a devoted crafter, you might just nod knowingly. Today, as I assemble packs for the store, I dwell on the journey that led me to this point.

My recipe for diving into the creative zone? A restful slumber to kickstart the day, coffee, a touch of chaos in my workspace (because who doesn't love a bit of mess?), and the perfect playlist blaring in the background. The ever-changing rhythm of my favourite songs sets the tone for what's to come.  

In the Chaos the drawers brim

with possibilities – fabric art in

my unique designs, colour,

textures, embellishments

hopefully to encourage my clients

creativity. Sometimes, my canvas

is digital, taking my thoughts and 

designing an image to inspire a 

project. Other times, it's the joy of

bringing a project to life and totally

immersing myself in the moment. 

Crafting is not just a process; it's a journey. Each snip, each stitch, each stroke of the needle adds a layer to the narrative. It's here, in this space of organised chaos, that I find solace. The outside world fades away, leaving room for inspiration to reign supreme.

As I immerse myself in the colours & textures, times seem to drift by.

All stress and concerns are pushed far into the back of my mind. Your Passion may be Embroidery, Quilting,  Scrapbooking, and Mixed Media.

Slow Stitching, Journaling, Knitting or Crochet – the therapy is the same: taking our minds and souls to a happier place.

So, to all the fellow crafters out there, embrace the chaos, dance to the rhythm of your favourite tunes, and let your creativity soar. Let the worries melt away as you lose yourself in the magic of crafting. For in this unknown narrative of getting in the zone lies the true essence of the crafter's soul – a place where chaos and creativity collide to form something truly beautiful.

If this strikes a chord with you and your Crafting time. I would  love to hear in the comments what your interests are. 

Let's find our Happy Place – Carol Daisy