Creative Crafting Easter Edition 2010

EASTER 2010

Issue 4

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By Crafters for Crafters

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Welcome Can you believe that we are here again? Issue 4 of our magazine already! This year is really flying by.

We are pleased to announce the arrival of three new writers from this issue. We are sure that you will love their pieces and hope that they will join us again in June. They are: Trevor from Trev’s Carvings, Amy from Amyorangejuice and Dianne from Heartmade Gifts.

In addition, we also have some competitions. Christine from Sweet Scented Soy has kindly offered to give away the egg cup candles from her project to a lucky winner. You can also win an A5 advert for yourself in our next issue by taking part in our Easter Egg hunt so don’t miss out! March has been quite lean with regard to sales for everyone so let’s hope that things change in the coming months. We are pleased to see the new Misi site finally up and running so good luck to everyone. http://www.misi.co.uk We are looking for ways to get our magazine into print so if anyone knows of reasonable printers please let us know. ng! i t f a y Cr p p a H

This issue of Creative Crafting was brought to you by: Anna - The Crystal Lady Email - thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com http://www.mysticearth.co.uk http://www.radiancecrystals.co.uk Avril - Sprinkles Sparkles Email - sprinks@creative-crafting.com http://www.sprinklessparkles.co.uk Diane - Peggy’s Knits http://www.peggysknits.misi.co.uk Tina - In the Garden Amy - Amyorangejuice http://www.amyorangejuice.co.uk Trevor - Trev’s Carvings https://sites.google.com/site/tl2sculpture Dianne - Heartmade Gifts https://www.heartmadegifts.wordpress.com Guest Contributors Christine - Sweet Scented Soy http://www.sweetscentedsoy.misi.co.uk Mimi - Art by Mimi http://www.misi.co.uk/handmade/artbymimi.html

Interviews Pete - Bodrighy Wood http://www.bodrighy.co.uk Christine - Chocolate Truffle Company http://www.chocolatetrufflecompany.co.uk Joy - Joyknitt http://www.joyknitt.misi.co.uk

Cover Photograph Sparrow Primitives http://www.sparrowprimitives.misi.co.uk

Look out for our new writers!

Creative Thinking Project!

5

Easter Orange Cake

8

Easter Crispies

10

Carve a ‘ten minute mouse’

Carve yourself a “Ten Minute Mouse”

12

Bodrighy Wood

16

Knit an Easter Egg Cosy

18

Make and Win a Candle

20

Guide to Knitting Part 4

22

How to Knit Part 4

Quick Wordsearch

25

Page 22

Quick Crossword

26

In the Garden

28

Crystal Magic

31

Recycled Tile Decorations

32

Chocolate Truffle Company

34

Page 12

Easter Gift Ideas

36

Joyknitt

38

Online Street, Best Picks

40

Budget & Luxury

43

This Months... awards

44

3 more craft Interviews!

Candle Make and Competition Page 20

Knit a Creme Egg Cosy

Creative Thinking Project Page 5

Make a Recycled Tile Decoration Page 32

Bake an Orange and Lemon Easter Cake Page 8

Page 18

Win a FREE A5 Advert in our next issue

Join in our Easter Egg Hunt!

Search through our pages and count how many of our special Easter Eggs you can find.

There are lots of eggs in this issue so make sure that you only count the ones that look like the example below! ( This one is not part of the count!)

When you think you have found them all, send us an email with the amount and the link to your store or website.

To: thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com

All entries must be with us by 10th May 2010 when we will choose a winner by using the random number generator on random.org

We will work with the winner to produce an A5 Advertisement for themselves in our next issue.

The lucky winner will be announced in the following places.

The Creative Crafting Facebook page The Creative Crafting Blog Creative Connections Social Network

GOOD LUCK!!!

Heartmade Gifts Creative Thinking Project!

How many ways can I make a Daisy?

Sometimes we all get creative blocks. And sometimes we don’t love the process of creating as much as usual.

When you feel creatively frustrated or drained, a great way to tap into ~ and nurture ~ your creativity is to choose something you adore and see how many different ways you can make one for yourself.

For example, I love daisies!

Wall Plaque ~ Papier-mâché

Picture ~ Collage

Candle Holder ~ Salt Dough

Wall Hanging ~ Applique/Quilting

Daisy Fairy ~ Salt Dough

Earrings ~ Wire and Beads

Mosaic Tile ~ Salt Dough

Daisy Bath Fizzles

Bag ~ Applique Panel

Daisy Candles

Specs Case ~ Patchwork

Daisy Cookies

But you might choose hearts, or geese, or mountains, or words, or garden gnomes, or strawberries, or saxophones …

You can do it with anything you like. If you specialise in one craft, you might like to stick to it, perhaps drawing a tree in as many different styles as you can, for example. Or using different drawing tools and techniques.

Or you could try as many different crafts as you like. This a great way to try new crafts, because at least one element of it will be something you are very familiar with. As I am a creative jack-of-all-trades, my daisy collection includes papier-mâché , salt dough, applique, beads, mosaic … and I’d like to try macrame and origami.

Most of them are still works in progress and might remain so for a while … but just creating the list made my Muse happy!

Here are a few examples of those I’ve finished, or very nearly finished, so far: Daisy Vase and Daisy Photo Holder

Blessings Daisy

Little Pot of Daisies

Heartmade Gifts I’ve enjoyed making them all, but one of my favourite projects so far has been a simple papier-mâché mobile, easily adaptable in all kinds of ways. So I thought I’d share it with you as a tutorial … my first attempt, so please let me know what does and doesn’t work for you!

(Daisy) Mobile ~ Papier-mâché

Simple shapes (daisies) cut from cardboard boxes Torn strips of newspaper 1 cupful of flour 1 cupful of cold water 1 tablespoon of thick wallpaper paste (optional) Method Mix the flour and water thoroughly in an empty ice cream tub or similar, until the consistency is like thick batter. (You can add wall paper paste if you have it.) You might need to adjust the amount of water slightly.

Use your fingers or a brush (or a sponge) to coat both sides and the edges of a cardboard shape with an even layer of the paste mixture. Put this to one side, leaning it edgeways rather than flat onto a surface, so it doesn’t stick too much. Or you can place it across the corner of your tub.

Run the paper strips through the mixture, using two fingers to get rid of any excess and make sure both sides are evenly covered.

Wrap strips around your shape, covering evenly, smoothing out any bubbles and smoothing edges over as you go. I tend to do this without fussing too much because I like my papier-mâché to look as if it has been made from strips of paper. But you can achieve a very smooth effect with a little patience. (For an extra fine finish, you can rub Your shapes with sandpaper later, when they are dry and hard.)

You can add as many layers as you like, but leave to dry between every two or three layers to discourage bubbles. I have used only one layer here, so the daisies are very thin. Dry them by leaving them in a warm, dry place.

I sometimes put mine in the oven, on the lowest setting and leave the door open. This makes thin papier-mâché shapes curl, which adds to the effect, depending on which shape you are making.

Heartmade Gifts Embellishing Shapes When you have finished all your shapes, paint them if you wish. I actually like leaving the text as it is, sometimes (you could use pages from an old book, or a poem, or printed words of your own, to make it extra special), but I have painted these daisies with magnolia emulsion.

Instead of painting, you might like to finish them in any number of ways, perhaps covering them in fabric, beads, mirrored mosaic or flower seeds, mix paint with other materials …have fun experimenting!

When you have finished decorating them, you can varnish them if you like.

Usually, if kept away from damp conditions, papier-mâché will be fine, but a coat of any sealant is never a bad thing.

Because papier-mâché is so light, the mobile is in almost constant gentle movement and very soothing to watch, I’m going to do one with lots of bright colours for my daughter’s first baby, due later this year.

I’ll probably make hearts for Baby Hope, but this project is adaptable to almost anything you might choose.

Constructing the Mobile Using a thick needle, thread them in ones, twos or threes, onto fine gold thread. Or any colour of thread (or wool, or wire or garden twine …)

Then, depending on how many shapes you choose to make, hang from one or two wooden skewers (or you could use dowelling, or twigs, or thick wires.) If using two, tie them together in a cross shape and hang from a nail or hook, allowing space to hang evenly and swing slightly. I found a window nook was perfect!

You can add your shapes, tying the threads to the skewers in any order you wish, adjusting to balance as you go along, by sliding your threads along the skewers.

I haven’t hung my daisies as a mobile yet, I’m having far too much fun messing around with ideas for the centres! But here’s an example of a papier-mâché mobile with stars instead:

You could also try getting creative with the way you hang your shapes. Try making a bouncy mobile, using gold wire and some beads. Thread the beads onto the wire at intervals, securing the bead by wrapping the wire around and back through the bead again.

Try your own creative challenge. Choose something you love and ask yourself: How many can I make? Have fun just making a list … let your imagination run wild.

Wrap your beaded wire around a pencil or pen and gently slide it off, producing a spiral.

Attach these to top and bottom of your shape by making a small hole with a needle, threading the wire through and twisting to secure.

Use these to hang your shapes as a mobile or just as single shapes:

Then try and make a few. Start a collection of things that make you smile.

Plus, creating things you love will make your Muse sing and dance. All over the place! :O)

Dianne http://heartmadegifts.wordpress.com Heartmade Gifts on Facebook

Easter Orange Cake INGREDIENTS For the sponge · 150g unsalted butter · 150g caster sugar · 200g self­raising flour · 3eggs · 1 large orange , zest and juice For the icing · 1 large lemon , zest and juice · 175g icing sugar · Easter eggs or anything you choose to decorate the cake with.

With Lemon Icing Perfect if you want something light and refreshing after all the chocolate at Easter time.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4.

This recipe was provided by Diane from ‘Peggy’s Knits’

2. Sponge : beat together the butter, caster sugar, flour and eggs until fluffy.

3. Stir in the orange zest and juice then spoon the mixture into a greased and lined cake tin. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until risen and golden and it feels firm to the touch. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes, then take it out, peel off the paper and leave to cool on a wire rack.

4. For the Icing: beat the icing sugar, lemon zest and juice together to make a smooth icing. Spread the icing over the top of the cake and let it drizzle down the sides. Leave to set. Decorate with the other lemon zest and Easter.

http://www.peggysknits.misi.co.uk

If you have a favourite recipe that you that you would like to share, please send it to: Thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com

INGREDIENTS 150g Cooking Chocolate (milk, dark or diabetic) 110g Crispies Mini Eggs

WHAT YOU WILL NEED Mixing Bowl Wooden Spoon Cupcake/Muffin Trays Microwavable Bowl Large Spoon Cupcake/Muffin Cases

Perfect Easter treats that the kids can make.

INSTRUCTIONS Step 1 - Break chocolate down into chunks and place into the microwavable bowl. Put in the microwave and melt the chocolate down for 40 seconds, stir, and repeat until melted.

Step 2 - While the chocolate is melting, put the baking cases in the trays.

Step 3 - Add the crispies to the bowl and add the melted chocolate, stirring carefully with a wooden spoon, trying not to break up the crispies.

Step 4 - Make sure all the crispies are well covered in the chocolate.

Step 5 - With a large spoon, spoon the mixture into the baking cases.

Step 6 - Before cooling in the fridge, add a chocolate mini egg to the centre of each cake. Place trays in the fridge overnight to harden off.

Step 7 - Enjoy!

This recipe was provided by Sprinks from ‘Sprinkles Sparkles’

Carve yourself a “Ten Minute Mouse” I’ve been carving now for a bit more than 30 years, I suppose it started the same way a lot of people carve, when I was a scout. Part of the proficiency badge scheme involved carving things like tent pegs. I suppose I haven’t looked back since then.

I guess I should tell you that I started out having a passion for sharpening knives rather than cutting up bits of wood, but then that would make me sound like some kind of psycho so I won’t say that.

Anyway, the kind of carving I like best is what most people would call whittling. I like to hold a piece of wood in one hand and a knife in the other, put the two together and hopefully I come up with something that people like. I have made many knives over the years and in fact my favourite carving knives are ones I have made myself. The knives on the right are a selection of those I use most often. The top one and the third from top are the only ones I did not make.

When I carve I like to work quickly so that I can try out new shapes, if they don’t come out right then they get thrown in the bin. The wood I use varies according to what I have available, at the moment I have a fair bit of oak because we’ve been doing some work around the house and I’ve got some offcuts left but the piece I’m going to use today is actually a species I don’t recognise, it was a little piece given to me during a trip to Australia.

As you can see, I like to use small pieces of wood. I never like to be without a knife and a piece of wood and often when I walk through the woods I’ll pick up a likely looking stick and carve something in the end. Mice are a favourite of mine and that is exactly what I’m going to show you how to carve today. I call it my “Ten minute mouse” because that is how long it takes me to get something that people recognise as a mouse, today’s carving will take longer though because we are going to make a bit more effort to get it looking not to bad. Anyway here goes.

What you need: Basically all you need to carve something is a knife with a sharp blade (the woodcarvers out there will cringe when I suggest that even a “Stanley knife” will do the job, as long as it has a new blade in it) and a piece of wood. For today’s piece you will also need a saw, any saw. The wood does make a bit of difference and ideally you will want a piece of what is referred to as “hardwood”, there is of course a vast range of hard and softwoods in the world and the correct choice will only really come with practice. A good idea as a newcomer to the hobby is to use Lime which is easy to carve and gives a reasonable finish, personally I like a bit of fruit wood so if you are pruning your apple tree or pear tree then that would be great. As a good rule of thumb try and stick your thumbnail into it, if you can just dent it with your thumbnail without your nail sinking into it then it’s probably about right.

You might also want to wrap some sticking plaster around the thumb of your dominant hand, if you are right handed then your right thumb, left handed, left thumb.

I’ve arranged the instructions into step by step stages each with a photo so you can see how things should look as we go along.

Step 1: The piece of wood needs to be square, this one is approx 20mm x 20mm and about 50mm long. Mark a line all round the wood approx 20mm from the end.

Step 1

Step 2: Make what is called a stop cut all around the pencil line. This is a cut made straight into the wood and will mark the bottom of the mouse.

Step 2

Step 3: Choose one corner of the wood which will be the mouse’s nose.

Step 4a

Step 5a

Step 4: Use a slicing cut to round down the “throat” of the mouse, as your knife gets to the “stop” cut you will find out why it’s called that. The trick here is thin slivers, don’t try to chop out dirty great lumps.

Step 5: Use the same slicing cut to round the back of the mouse’s head.

Step 6a

Step 6b

Step 4b

Step 5b

Step 6c

Step 6: Use four more stop cuts to mark the fronts and backs of the mouse’s ears. In the photo to the left you can clearly see the rounded back of the mouse’s head.

Step 7: Use slicing cuts to shape the top sides of the nose, using the stop cuts at the fronts of the ears to mark the ends.

Step 7a

Step 7b

Step 7c

Step 8: Use slicing cuts to round off the back of the head, you are aiming for a dome shape and ideally this should be lower than the eartops but there’s no need to be too particular yet.

Step 8a Step 8c

Step 8b Step 9: Cut down between the ears and “join” up the top of the nose to the top of the head, the idea is to make a nice smooth slope down the nose and over the back of the head.

Step 10: Use stop cuts to mark out the shape of the ears and add definition to the head shape.

Step 10b

Step 9

Step 10a

Step 11: Cut in under the ears and shape down the sides of the head.

Step 11a Step 11d

Step 11b

Step 11c

Step 12: Using a combination of stop cuts and slicing cuts shape around the ears and start to shape the ears themselves.

Step 12a

Step 12c Step 12b

Step 13: Work all around the mouse smoothing down the sharp corners and getting the shape just the way you want it.

Step 13a

Step 13b

Step 14: Round down the base of the body all the way round.

Step 14a

Step 14b

Step 15: Use a saw to cut the mouse off his block.

Step 16: Round off the base of the Mouse, the bigger the curve, the fatter your mouse will look, of course it will also be more difficult for him to stand straight.

Step 15a

Step 15b

Step 16a

Step 16b

At this point the carving is finished and you have a little sketch of a mouse. You might want to paint it, varnish it, polish it or just leave it as it is. You might want to stick a leather tail on him or you might not.

This is a very rough little carving but you can always carry on carving until you are happy with it, you might even want to use a bit of sandpaper to smooth it off as well.

You can find more of my work at my web- site, feel free to get in touch if you are interested in a commission or if you want to do more carving and want help or advice.

Trevor Leedham https://sites.google.com/site/tl2sculpture/

I am older than I want to be though the advantage is that I at least have experience. I live in the middle of Cornwall surrounded by fields and hedges where a lot of my source material comes from. I was born here and though I have left a few times for work, I have always come back, this time hopefully for good. I am fortunate to be married to a woman who is as craft mad as me so our house seems to always have either bits of material or wool, or shavings on the floor. We get through vacuum cleaners like nobodies business. I am self employed as a wood turner since being made redundant and am endeavouring to find the best market. At present about 70% of my work is for other crafters and so I am specialising a bit in tools, equipment etc for them.

I have been involved in craft work all my life having been brought up by a grandmother whose motto was “why buy if you can make”.

Some of my earliest memories are sitting around a table making rugs or holding my arms out while she unravelled a jumper to wash the wool to reuse. I got into wood crafts at school where I was lucky enough to be allowed to play on the lathe both in woodwork lessons and in breaks. I was hooked. I was in the Merchant Navy for 12 years where I used to do a lot of fancy knotwork for fun as well as some canvas sewing, that and having rather a lot of children (6) tended to put paid to some of my obsession with wood but we still kept on crafting at home whether it was simply making pom poms or making our own Christmas cards and decorations. Making toys for them such as stilts, go carts etc was the most wood working I managed. Since the children have grown up and left home I have been able to indulge my addiction focusing on my first love of wood turning.

Cherry Wood Vase

Mortar & Pestle

I have to say wood as it is so full of surprises. You can never be sure what you will find as you start turning it especially as much of the wood I use is locally sourced and usually still green. I do like fabrics as well though I do not do much with them myself. I think the tactile characteristics of any material are a large part of the attraction for me.

It’s probably a bowl I made from a crotch of laburnum (where several branches join together at the trunk) as it was one of those surprise pieces that could so easily have been a disaster but it all came together.

Laburnum Crotch Bowl

www.bodrighy.co.uk

http://www.misi.co.uk/store_info.php?user_id=2682

www.bodrighy.etsy.com

http://www.folksy.com/shops/bodrighy

This is probably a box I have up for sale at the moment made of hawthorn from the local hedgerows. It’s only a small thing but it appeals to me personally. It can be seen here

I don’t think I have a favourite colour. In nature i.e. wood, all colours seem to be right no matter how gaudy or dull they are.

Hawthorn Box

I do a lot of browsing on the net looking at pottery, glassware etc for shapes. In my own craft of wood turning the artists like Cindy Drozda and Nikos Siragas are very much the type of thing I would like to emulate thought here are so many fantastic turners around to study and learn from it is difficult to pinpoint any one.

I tend to source wood myself as much as possible. Other materials I try and get from a fellow turner who also stocks most of the materials I use. I am a born scrounger though so get things I need from anywhere and everywhere. For example I have basically a lifetime’s supply of natural beeswax polish that I got from someone who had closed down a business. Oils, I often use a supermarket cheap brand. Works just as well and is far cheaper.

Crochet Hooks

For a long time I was working in isolation when I lived on Exmoor and I had a couple of turners on a forum who were massively helpful. We have met up a few times and they are truly great people, very open with their knowledge and good advice.

That’s hard to answer as there are some amazing creations to be found on all three. If I have to choose one it would probably be this one which is the shop of a wood carver.

Something I would love to be able to do but don’t have the patience.

Cindy Drozda also now has an Etsy shop and would come a close second

Probably this one as the owner, Fred Windman has such a quirky sense of humour as well as being a very gifted craftsman. Some of his work is really off the wall but very clever.

Petite Yew Goblet

Knit yourself...

An Easter Egg Cosy...

What you will need 4ply yarn 3.5mm needles Embellishments of your choice

This is a great pattern for anyone wanting to make something for Easter.

Great to keep or give away and you can be as creative as you want to.

Add flowers, beads, ribbons or anything you wish.

Pattern Cast on 21sts Knit 5 rows Stocking stitch for 18 rows k2tog Knit to end p2tog purl to end Repeat the last two rows On the next 6 rows, decrease one stitch at each end of every row. 5sts Cast off Make a second egg cosy side in the same way as above.

Making Up Sew the egg cosy sides together and add any embellishments that you wish. You can also add stripes and do this is any colour you choose.

Easter Egg and Chocolate Egg Cosies from around Misi

Boring egg...

Funky Hat for Easter £2.50 Kims Creative Crafts

Cheerful Chicken Egg Cosy £2.50 Vicky’s Felt Decoration

Knit yourself...

An Easter Egg Hat...

What you will need Any dk yarn 4mm needles Googly eyes Pattern Cast on 30 stitches knit for 27 rows cast off.

Making Up Over sew row ends together and loop through one end of the garter stitches and pull tight.

Turn inside out to make a tube and push half of the tube inside itself. Then add eyes, and other face features that you desire!

A creme egg fits perfectly inside it and you can make chicks, bunnies whatever you want!

Sew the egg cosy sides together and add any embellishments that you wish. You can also add stripes and do this is any colour you choose.

Easter Egg and Chocolate Egg Cosies from around Misi

Felty Floral Egg Cosy £7.00 Linen and Roses Good Friday 2nd April Easter Sunday 4th April Easter Monday 5th April

Violets Egg Cosies £4.00 Buzybee

By Peggy’s Knits

Our guest maker this month is the lovely Christine from Sweet Scented Soy. She has kindly agreed to show us the insight of making some gorgeous Easter egg soy candles!

Win

Win

Win

What you will need: An old saucepan and Pyrex jug to use as a double boiler A thermometer for checking temperature of wax Digital Scales Soy Wax Dye chips (to colour wax) Fragrance oils Pre tabbed wicks Hot glue gun or sticky dots Old spoon to stir in dye and fragrance oils Wooden skewers tied together with elastic bands Old newspaper to cover work area.

1. Fill your old saucepan about 2. In the Pyrex jug place your weighed soy wax. To make 5 third full of water . egg cups you will need 150 grams of wax.

3. While the wax is slowly melting you can prepare the egg cups. Take a pre tabbed wick and apply some heated glue to the base of the wick sustainer and then place in the centre of each egg cup.

4. Once the wax has reached the required temperature, it is time to add the dye chip (colour of your choice) 1 gram of dye is enough for 100 grams of wax

5. Then add the fragrance oil 6. Leave your wax to cool to a this can be anything between temperature of 130 F degrees.

6% and 10%. I added 8% for these cups, once oil is added stir in to make sure it is fully incorporated in the wax.

7. Pour slowly into the egg cups and then place a couple of wooden skewers tied together with an elastic band, place over the wick to keep it centred.

8. Leave the candles for 24 hours to set and wait 3/5 days for the candles to cure. Trim wick to 5 mm before lighting and every relight.

9. Decorate the egg cups with pretty bows and embellishments

Win

Enjoy!

Win

Win

For a chance to win these 5 Egg Cup Candles, all you have to do is guess the fragrance!

The answer can be found on Sweet Scented Soy’s misi and folksy store. You have two guesses each, and answers must reach us by April 7th 2010. Leave your name, and up to two answers, and we will get back to you to let you know if you have won! sprinks@creative-crafting.com Safety Instructions.

Always trim Wicks before burning and upon relighting of your candle.

NEVER leave a lighted candle unattended Keep candles away from draughts curtains children and pets Don’t put under a shelf

By Sweet Scented Soy Extinguish all candles before leaving the house www.sweetscentedsoy.misi.co.uk

Guide to Starting Knitting Part 4 This issue we are looking at how to add embellishments to your finished knitted item.

There are so many that you can add and this is the fun and really creative part of knitting.

A few are beads, buttons, ribbon, pom poms, tassels just to name a few of them.

To add beads to your knitting can really make something quite plain look amazing.

Here is a few ways that it can be done.

Stringing Beads onto Yarn Stringing beads onto yarn before knitting is an easy way to have beads at the ready when you want to use them in your knitting projects. Just string the beads on the yarn, moving them down as you knit, then place a bead wherever you want.

Knitting with Pre strung Beads Knitting with beads is easy when you string the beads onto the yarn before you get started.

How to Add Beads to Knitting as You Go Pre stringing is a common way to add beads to knitting, but if you decide you want to add beads in the middle of a knitting project, you can still do so with the aid of a teeny tiny crochet hook.

You can also add buttons, ribbons, etc but this will be embellishments that will be added after you have finished your item and usually sewn on, although you could use fabric glue to fix them on.

By Peggy’s Knits

Go on be as creative as you can be!

We would love to see any pictures of your work so please send them into us.

Review of Peggy’s Knitting Kits I ordered one of the new Peggy’s Knitting kits as I am a beginner and like easy knits so thought this would be perfect for me. I was right, it was easy to understand and clear instructions including a great bag to store my knitting in.

It is also nice to have a pair of needles to keep for other projects and lovely colourful yarn.

I got the effect shown on the cloth in the picture and didn’t have to change colours as it was in the yarn so great for a beginner.

I like the fact that you can reuse the bag and you have everything you need in the kit and don’t have to buy anything extra and then be able to reuse some of the items afterwards.

Kits are available to buy at http://www.peggysknits.misi.co.uk http://www.peggysknits.folksy.co.uk £10.99 - limited time free postage!

Quality Knitted Items

Made with love and care. http://www.peggysknits.misi.co.uk

Beading and Jewellery Supplies

Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery http://www.radiancecrystals.co.uk

GAMES The Knitting Wordsearch !

All words are in here somewhere!

PURL NEEDLE STITCH BUTTON HOLE SLEEVE

Answers in Issue 5!

Out June 1st 2010 This page is printer friendly

JUMPER KNIT PATTERN TAPE MEASURE WOOL

GAMES The Knitting Crossword!

Every answer to this crossword is knitting related.

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Make fabric by fastening loops of yarn (8 letters) 3. Guide to constructing (7 letters) 4. Fleece, coat of sheep (4 letters) 9. Part of garment that covers the arms (6 letters) 10. Make smaller (8 letters) 12. Giving elasticity to knitted garments (7 letters) 13. Joined by sewing together (4 letters) 14. Needlework pattern ornamental (5 letters)

1. Thin rods of metal of plastic (8 - 6 letters) 2. To remove knitting from needles (4 - 3 letters) 3. Knitting stitch producing ridge (4 letters) 5. Pattern in knitting that looks twisted (5 letters) 6. Close fitting knitted jumper (6 letters) 7. Continuous twisted thread (4 letters) 8. Type of knitwear from the islands (4 letters) 11. Loop edging - raised knot (5 letters)

Answers in Issue 5!

Out June 1st 2010 This page is printer friendly

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in the Garden

Hi! I’m Tina, Well hello, I am so pleased that you have taken the time to visit with me again in So first things first, get com The Garden. yes maybe a biscuit or two fy, put the kettle on, well , but remember we must not over indulge.

I am back now in merry old plane flight, and am so hap England, survived the py to be back again in The Garden.

Spring looks like being a little later this year, but even more beautiful after a hard winter.

The singing their little hearts out, and the birds are flowers show the promise of the beauty to come. The bulbs, which I planted last November as you can see, are coming up well. The photo of the Camellia is beautiful but a lot of the flowers were damaged by the weather, but they are still a joy.

urvived have s is year s b r e h h s but t ley, e! My surpris y usually doe kinds of pars l u f r e wond both semar I had a ter. The Ro , Chives and bonus. e the win Thyme, Sag althy, what a I left a I have y look so he uchsia I do f e h t e d and th pleted. leia an ll e budd is now com growing ta em h t f o it p g h u t t in u t d n b n n u The pr er this year, the bushes e ut if you wa seem t B y , la e t f . h t le p le t , o t t li e them I find if e at the this as e flowers all you can leav more of thes s, bees, e h n e t li e f h r h t h t e it h tt e w ay, and ore bu so muc ll hedg as a ta appy either wu have the m cts which do n to be h ful plants yo y other inse ave also bee e after n r s h a e o d s h m e n t s o d o n w as I did . The r flies, a Hover- The Garden blers though good in, not the ram g. in pruned ished flower in f y the

in the Garden

Here is somethi ng and I would not I do, it is not in the gardening ex bo I prune the shru pect it on Gardeners World, bu oks, bs and roses, I plant the prunin t when discovered this gs w fuchsia to suppor hen using the prunings of budd . I leia and t sp rin g bu lb s, th with rose prunin gs and it worke ey rooted, so I tried it d, win some lose so me. This is just not every time though, give gardening something I do, ad I just enjoy chat vice ever, leave that to the ex I do not pe ting with you ab Garden. out my passion, rts, and The

what else have Now let me see, d the odd lle I done? Well, pu these things g, kin jo am I d, ee w r what the survive no matte ise that a weed al weather. I do re e wrong place th is just a flower in do as they like in to t ge do , and they ters of The Garden at least three quar s and in a few ug but they can be th ouraged. sc di e ar areas they ws through a the stream. This flo ich my better of o ot ph a is re He d I mean boggy, wh very boggy area, an ect. I will keep you informed as proj half is making his I just hope that it will not be easy. as , ss re og pr his ud too often. to ul him out of the m I do not have to ha u can spend g up, so maybe yo ve a walk in m co is er st Ea , ha Well garden, or patio, or g. The rin some time in your sp of y jo e th y jo en in the country and does rain try to o knows, but if it wh ll, we r, he at Well yes, I we and plants need it. think that the trees be hard. ll understand that wi en, and I visit to The Gard ds and ur yo d ye jo en u I hope yo my old frien to chatting with do look forward . again soon the new readers red Friend, Your Green finge

Tina

As y o phot u can s ee I ogra h frien p ds. W h my m ave bee hat, n ab a ell y sco b l dres ut then es, I kn t Charlie e to s se o C a w a nd ct it n lo o k s ha se, and i do not is a sill y ppy. don’ h t yo ave go u th o ink h d e

Join our friendly Social Network And make lots of new Crafting Friends.

Become part of a wonderful Community * Upload photos and videos to promote your creations. * Customise your own Profile page’ * Become part of our Forum’ * Start a blog. * Spend time in our Chat Room and attend Chat Events.. http://www.creative-connections.ning.com

MYSTIC EARTH amethyst

energizing

bloodstone

de-stress

carnelian

revitalize

moonstone

courage

garnet

confidence

peridot

love

hematite

arthritis

lapis lazuli

pain

labradorite

Allergies

quartz

fear

Beautiful Jewellery to help you through life! http://www.mysticearth.co.uk

Crystal Magic Mother Nature has provided us with wonderful Healing Gemstones and Minerals.

For this Issue, discover the beauty of

Carnelian SiO2+(Fe,O,OH)

In the middle ages, Carnelian was assigned a blood-staunching and anger-calming effect.

The Egyptians also used it as a protective stone for the dead.

Mentally - Courage, Emotionally lifting, energizing.

Physically - works with: Organs. Stimulating the absorption of vitamins, nutrients and minerals in the small intestine. Alleviates rheumatism, arthritis and stimulates the metabolism.

Chakra - Base, Sacral.

£20

£30 ‘Scrumptious’ Carnelian Bracelet

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ Steampunk Necklace

£10

Silver Carnelian Cluster Ring

$30 £35

Tree of life with Carnelian Moon Pendant

Shades of Carnelian Necklace

$25 Click the shop name to visit the store

Rising from the Flames Pendant

If you would like more information about Crystal Healing Jewellery, you can contact The Crystal Lady at: thecrystallady@mysticearth.co.uk or visit http://www.mysticearth.co.uk

Hello, my name is Amy (aka amyorangejuice) and I am your new recycled crafts columnist!

I have always loved found objects and had to recycle out of necessity (due to never having much cash).

Added to this my husband is an environmental research scientist and these factors have become incorporated with my artwork over time. I am a stained glass and mixed media artist and much of what I make uses recycled items and waste glass, I am a member of recycled arts collective called TRAIL and I trawl the recycling centres and charity shops of Devon (looking for rubbish which would be perfect for my next idea). My background is in fine art and textiles and I hope to take you through lots of simple and effective projects to recycle stylishly!

Recycled Tile Decorations We are slowly, slowly renovating and restyling our tired 60’s semi and this idea I intend to use in our bathroom to brighten up the cheap white tiles and give the room an individual look. But it is an equally effective way of creating a number plate for the front of the house, coasters for a side table or a garden decoration stuck to the fence or wall.

You will need: ·

· ·

· · ·

An old wall tile.

I found enough in our garage, left over from the last owner, to tile our kitchen! But if you have none lurking about then take a trip to your nearest recycling centre, or use an old plate or piece of wood.

PVA glue and a paint brush All weather silicone glue.

Readily available from DIY stores, again check the shed, it’s the same stuff you use to seal the edge of the bath.

Broken/old crockery, beads, mirror, any thing else you want to stick down.

Pencil or marker pen Rubber/protective gloves, a damp sponge (an old one that is too old for the washing up is good).

Optional: · ·

All weather/waterproof grout. Again, look in the shed first, then the DIY shop. Most grout comes with a spreader, if you can not find one use your fingers (in rubber gloves or an old spatula/lollypop stick).

Empty ice cream tub or margarine tub to mix the grout in.

Stage 1 Turn the tile upside-down and paint the back with diluted PVA glue with a paint brush, this will act as a primer. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Stage 2 Decide on your materials and break them up, taking care to wear hand and eye protection, place in a plastic bag or old pillow case and smash with a hammer. If you have some tile nippers you can further shape your pieces, I don’t! And decide from this what you are going to make, what do the shapes lend themselves to? I have used an old saucer, a mug with the handle broken off and 2 old necklaces

www.amyorangejuice.co.uk

Stage 3 Draw a design the same size and your tile and copy onto the tile with the marker pen. I have done a simple abstract design, allowing the string of beads to act as a border between my other materials. Simple geometric designs also work particularly well. These make very effective house numbers and simple flowers look great too.

Stage 4 Arrange and stick your chosen items with silicone glue and allow to dry.

This is where I have left my piece, I am pleased with the effect and beads are hard to grout around, however, if you want to grout your tile then I have described how below. Make sure there is enough glue on each piece by dipping them in the adhesive; you will know you have enough because it will squidge out from under the piece when pushed down onto the surface.

However, you don’t want so much glue that it is covering the piece, if this happens wipe gently with a damp cloth before it dries.

Stage 5 (optional) Mix up a small amount of grout in the empty plastic container and grout the spaces between the items. Leave the grout for 15 minutes and then gently wipe off the excess with the old sponge and leave to dry. To colour the grout add a small amount of acrylic paint to the grout and mix well.

Stage 6 Stick you tile where you want it to go and admire your handiwork whilst having reduced your carbon foot print!

www.amyorangejuice.co.uk

WARNING!!!! This interview may give you severe chocolate cravings!

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE Co.

My name is Christine and I’m the owner of the Chocolate Truffle Co, based in Chelmsford, Essex. I’m married and have three children. Before chocolate I used to enjoy dancing and classical music. Now I have the radio on 24/7 listening to classical fm while flying about the kitchen making chocolate.

I’ve been making chocolate for over three years and have taught myself mainly through trial and error. It took me nearly six months to make a decent chocolate truffle. I actually started making chocolates over 20 years ago when I left college. When I was young, free and single I ran an outside catering company with some friends. Our premises were based above a pet shop in Shenfield. EHO’s never seemed to get out of their offices in those days! My Mum and Dad actually ran the pet shop and used to take orders and phone us every time a new order came through. In those days we didn’t know anything about chocolate and there was nothing fancy like organic or ethical chocolate. Just milk or white and possibly dark! Before my days of catering I was hooked on knitting and I’d even classify myself as a bit of a seamstress. I can still make my own curtains but haven’t picked up a knitting needle in anger for years as chocolate making has taken over.

Surprisingly chocolate is not my favourite material to work with as it is so temperamental being affected by heat, humidity and time. It can just be plain awkward and has taken me a while to become accustomed to! In terms of chocolate I’d have to say my most pleasing products are my bars as I can produce an endless range of flavours.

I’m particularly pleased with my Chocolate Truffle Tower which is ideal for special functions and weddings. I’d been investigating how this could be done having seen this in South Africa when a customer actually pointed me in the right direction. The tower is made from polystyrene and is cut to size by a sculptor who producers models for some of the biggest films sets you’ve ever seen! This particular tower holds about 145 truffles but any size is possible. Imagine doing one for a 1,000 truffles.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE Co.

My new Rainforest Alliance chocolate bars, Costa Rica 64 and 38, are probably one of my favourite items as the dark chocolate is particularly delicious. I was the first to introduce an ethical chocolate (into the United Kingdom) from a Rainforest Alliance certified farm in Costa Rica. Long before the big nationals started to get in on the act.

Turquoise is my favourite colour and this is why my chocolate boxes are this particular colour.

http://www.thechocolatetrufflecompany.misi.co.uk

There are a lot of great chocolatiers working in the UK including Paul Young and William Curley to name just two. But the prize goes to Chloe Doutre-Roussel who is a serious chocolate connoisseur helping people to understand the process of making and appreciating fine chocolate. http://www.thechocolatetrufflecompany.co.uk

Vantage House as they provide a great range of delicious chocolate to choose from and they are always at the end of the phone if you have a problem.

My husband, as he helps me with all the IT and computer work.

Sending an email is about all I can manage.

I really enjoy Misi and have found it really easy to use and navigate.

Plus, you don’t have to enter prices in $$. Two of my favourite shops are Mad About Bags and Charlotte Macey Textiles but there are loads of others that have excellent goodies for sale.

Misi of course!

Its Easter!!! What can we find that isn’t chocolate?

If like me you would dearly love lots of chocolate but really shouldn’t... This selection of handcrafted goodies could be for you.

£14

£6.99 Decorated Easter Basket

Ceramic Easter Egg

£12.99 Easter Wash cloths & socks

£4.50

£9.99 Easter Animals Finger Puppets

£11.50

Speckled Egg Earrings

Embroidered Childrens Apron Click on shop name to visit store

£14

Chick in an Egg Surprise

All prices correct at time of print

£4

Easter Bunny Bag

£9.95

Happy Easter Bunting

£1.20

£6 £4.50 Felt Cookie Set

Easter Egg Decorations

£6

Easter Creme Egg Cosy

£18

£6 Easter Chicks Candle

£8

Easter Bunny Bag

Easter Bunny Doll

This is only a small selection of the beautifully made items on offer. Lot of clever ideas have been brought to life. See what you can find!

Good places to start hunting are: http://www.misi.co.uk http://www.folksy.com

These beautiful items were discovered by The Crystal Lady Easter Sock Bunnies

By Widget & Friends

HAPPY EASTER! http://www.mysticearth.co.uk http://www.radiancecrystals.co.uk

I am almost 62, married with four grown-up sons and two grandsons. my husband and I recently relocated to Devizes in Wiltshire, from the outer London part of Surrey.

I am a self-employed Phoenix Trader and my husband is a registered home worker for BT. We are currently renovating our house and garden and enjoying the wonderful countryside around us.

I have always been knitting, for as long as I can remember, my mum taught me to knit when I was about 5 years old

I love all the wonderful colours, textures and mixtures of the yarns that are available these days. When I first started we only had real wool, which of course I still love.

My very favourite thing I have ever made was a black sweater with a very complicated round pattern in black, grey and white, knitted on 4 needles around the top of the front, back and both sleeves. I made it about 25 years ago, and sadly no photograph of it exists to the best of my knowledge.

http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/23333/black_and_violet_striped_beret.html

Most of the things I knit are for winter, hats, scarves, gloves etc, so I don’t have a great deal in my shop at the moment. I really love the pink stripy vest/tank top that is currently for sale in my MISI shop

Blue

http://www.joyknitt.misi.co.uk My mum is my inspiration, she always had something knitted on the go, she made all our clothes, sweaters and tank tops (called pullovers in those days) for my dad, sweaters, dresses, cardigans and all sorts for herself and us two girls.

She also sewed skirts and dresses as well, plus curtains and all sorts. Nowadays she has given up knitting and sewing but does a great deal of crochet (at her suggestion I have just taught myself to crochet) and makes lovely blankets which go all over the world through charities to where they are most needed.

No, not a particular favourite. I just love to buy yarn from all sorts of places. I have far more than I need and still keep buying more, markets, ebay, online, wherever.

Since I joined MISI, Mo, of Morniegjewellery "found" me, and encouraged me to join in on the forums etc .She has organised a couple of local MISI meet-ups, which have really helped me to get to know a few people in the area

I have to say that I don’t really know much about Etsy and Folksy. I just stick to MISI, and there are so many lovely shops its hard to pick a favourite. I am not a jewellery wearing person, but there are some wonderful hand-made jewellery shops out there. I just love Mimi's very individual style of artwork and also Rachael's wonderful knitted and stitched items

Susan is an author of self-help books, most of which I have read.

I visit her site everyday for her wonderful affirmations and quotes of the day, which I find very inspirational

Online Street

Favourite finds from around the crafting community, picked from everyone's favourite online craft community web sites.

This months focus is on Easter.

Click on the shops name to take you to their store!

Misi

Organic Cotton Primrose Mary Jane Baby Shoes £10.00 Betty and Todd

Little Chick £8.00 The Seven Seas

Easter Egg Basket Mini tote Handbag £5.00 Mad About Bags

Folksy

Chicken/Hen hairclip, brooch or magnet £1.95 Gingy Snapz Felt Creations

Easter Plant Plot Card £3.50 Crinkled

Easter daffodil hair grip £1.99 Culture Closet

Wow Thank You!

The Crème Egg candle £7.50 inc p&p Cherry Blossom Candles

Amigurumi Easter Yellow Chick £9.75 inc p&p Cute Designs

All prices are correct as to going to print

Easter Bunting £11.50 inc p&p Zigzag Bunting

Best Picks

Favourite finds from around the crafting community, picked from everyone's favourite online craft community web sites.

This months focus is on Easter.

Click on the shops name to take you to their store!

Etsy

Easter Spring Pillow Fun and Decorative Throw Pillow $12.99 Must Love Home Decor

Lady Bug Easter Basket $22.00 Baby Made Boutique

Peter Rabbit Beaded Charm Bracelet $28.00 Just Bead it Design

Artfire

Easter Bunny Pin with Carrot £4.62 Button Willoe

Chocolate Lollipop Easter Egg £7.98 The Bon Bon Babe

4 Easter Bunny Cards £3.63 She’s Batty Designs

DaWanda

Clever Bunnies Stud Earrings €8.90 Innerland

Cute Chicken Felt Cell Phone/Bag Charm €4.20 Lily Handmade

2 Egg-Cup in Olive Wood Egg Cup €12.50 Alentejoazul

All prices are correct as to going to print

The Misi Awards is most importantly just a bit of fun.

Misi (Make It Sell It) has been running now for just over a year and its sense of community is one of its most important strengths.

The Misi Awards is a great way of getting to know each other and also each other’s shops, making a perfectly good excuse to take time having a nose around the many shops available here on Misi.

It is also a great way to give a little boost to those who have either worked hard on their shops and products or even just for making you smile.

Each award is given to those with the most votes, selected by fellow Misians.

Although voting has now closed, we say thank you to everyone that has taken part in voting.

Winners will be announced soon on Misi, and will be listed in the next issue of Creative Crafting Magazine in June!

We hope you have fun choosing whom you think deserves a reward/s.

Good luck!

i Mim

By artbymimi www.artbymimi.misi.co.uk

Budget & Luxury Under £10

Mini Jute Easter Egg Bag £4.00 BeenBags

Above £10

Set of 4 Egg Cosies £18.00 Charlotte Macey

Easter Bunny Tea Cosy £35.00 Caroline Watts Embroidery

Easter Chick £2.00 Rhubarb Gardens

Happy Easter – Easter Card 2 £3.50 Little Silverleaf

Cute Lil Happy Easter Cupcake $1.00 gigglebot

Polymer Clay Easter Bunny Figurine £9.98 sartavia

Chickadee Chick Studs Surgical Steel €3.00 VeryVintage

HARE Glass Art Animal Plate £52.00 Animal Glass

Filigree Gourmet Brownie Favors $44.40 thecatsmeowfavors

Easter Greetings Wreath £19.95 WreathsandMoreDecor

Tunic dress * spring * size 1-2years €29.99 Ra-Mi-Fashion-Dreams All prices are correct as to going to print

awards This months Blog of the Month Award goes to Debbie from Hennie’s Nimble Needles blog called - The Hen Coop.

Debbie, or Hennie, as everyone knows her as, is raising money for the charity, the Sunflower Trust Fund. Debbie is knitting away, raising money and awareness for epilepsy.

You can read more about it here at her blog http://nimbleneedles-hennie.blogspot.com/

This months Shop of the Month Award goes to Sarah Waterhouse Hand Printed Textiles from Folksy.

Sarah makes printed accessories and home textiles, that are environmentally friendly and hand printed using water based inks on unbleached cottons or organic fabrics.

All of Sarah’s fabrics designs are original designs by herself.

Check out her store here: http://www.folksy.com/shops/plainjanetextiles

This months Item of the Month goes to Charlotte Macey for her Set of 4 Egg Cosies. Charlotte’s description of her egg cosies is: Wonderful set of 4 hand made egg cosies, each individually made in the Cotswolds. This set contains one of each of Charlotte's egg cosy designs. With 4 designs for your family members to choose from, everyone can have cosy eggs this Easter! * hand wash only

This months Man of the Month is ‘The Hamster’ Richard Hammond!

Picked by Tasha from MadamSalami. www.madamsalami.com

image from http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/image-library/port/376/r/richard-hammond-1109.jpg

Set of 4 Egg Cosies £18.00 Charlotte Macey

This months Lady of the Month is Summer Glau.

Picked by Ben, Sprinkles Sparkles’s best friend.

Image from img151.imageshack.us/img151/9306/xdelight002.jpg

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Ha edd al W ec i Sp & Recycling ne ay i t ng ~ Baking ~ Crochet ~ Knitting len rs~DSewing ~ Beadi a V he ts t c o e M roj P us and learn, create, discover.

Whatever your craft, join a good time.

Make new friends and have

Will be available to view from 1st June 2010

If you would like to submit an article or have an idea that you think our readers will enjoy, please contact us at: thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com sprinks@creative-crafting.com We offer very reasonably priced advertising both in the magazine and on the website.

If you would like to promote your business to our large reader circulation please contact: thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com

Our 3rd Issue has had over 62,000 views Remember - they are permanently on view unlike printed adverts

Join us again on 1st June 2010

Happy Crafting!