Heart on a string

As my little boy napped, I took the opportunity to make this card for someone I know who got engaged on Valentine's Day (no, not Lady Gaga!)

I used a digital stamp by Lizzy Love.

My blank greeting card was A5, so I used an A5 page layout in Microsoft Word. By trial and error - printing a couple of times on scrap paper - I found where to place the image so it would start on the fold of the card.

I added my wording using a text box, which enables you to place text anywhere.

Once happy with my design, I printed and folder my card.

 

On some patterned paper, I printed the image again and cut out the hearts - I used blue and pink paper.

I used glue dots to stick on the small hearts and to achieve dimension, foam pads for the larger hearts.

Finally, I finished it off with a simple crystal rhinestone on the middle heart and a white paper inlay.

This design could be used for weddings and anniversaries too.

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Heart of Clay

This is my silver clay heart pendant.

I've had this air dry clay for sometime and I've finally got round to using it.

I started off by rolling out a small ball of the clay. Then using an old craft knife, I cut out a heart shape - if you have a small cutter you could use that, but I did mine freehand. I made a neat hole in the top of the heart using a metal skewer.

The piece took 24 hours to dry out.

I painted both sides of the heart with acrylic paint. It dried quickly, enabling me to add another coat quite soon afterwards.

Although the silver paint was metallic, I felt the heart needed some pizzazz. As I don't have any silver glitter paint, I used a nail varnish.

Once dry, I added a top coat of Mod Podge.

Finally, I used a jump ring to attach some leather cord to the heart, making the cord into a necklace using a sliding knot.

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Tinsel

Here's my really quick, simple and inexpensive Christmas Wreath

For my base, I used a polystyrene hoop. They're very cheap to buy - this one was a £1!

I wrapped two silver tinsel garlands around the hoop (£1 each), securing the ends with a modified paperclip...

Using wire cutters I cut a U shape. I then pushed it into the polystyrene, securing the tinsel.

Once all of the wreath was covered in tinsel, I made a bow out of silver wired ribbon (£2) and secured it by tying it around the wreath.

Total cost: £5 (that's $7.79 or €6.34)

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Stocking Filler 2014

I've just finished off my crochet coaster stocking fillers for this Christmas.

I previously posted about this crochet pattern here

I used some silver ribbon to bundle up my sets of 4 slate coloured coasters and I added a very simple label - made using my trusty tag punch and a christmas tree punch.

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Miracles do happen

Today is the the fourth annual World Prematurity Day - 17th November.

It's an international day to raise awareness of preterm birth - 15 million babies are born prematurely around the world each year.

In October 2013, my baby boy Max was born almost 11 weeks early weighing just 1lb 12oz.

What should have been a joyful occasion was in fact a very frightening time. I had undergone an emergency c-section and my emotions were all over the place.

I feared for my baby. I had no control. I had to put all of my trust in the doctors and nurses to look after him and keep him alive.

I didn't get to hold him until the next day and even then, he was covered in wires and on oxygen. They call it Kangaroo care, placing the baby skin to skin with the mother.

When the nurse placed him on my chest, I could hardly feel him - he was so light in weight. He gripped my finger tight ... he had some strength and that gave me strength.

The work the doctors and nurses did was amazing. My baby was so tiny and they managed to care for him in such a gentle, delicate manner.

Each evening I would leave the neonatal unit in tears, but I knew I was leaving him in safe hands.

After 7 weeks, weighing a mighty 4lb 3oz, Max was allowed to come home.

Of course, all journeys are not as straight forward, so the work charities such as Bliss and Tommy's do is vital.

I know how lucky we are.