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Autumn and Halloween crafts with Bostik!

Posted on by Abi

The nights are closing in and cold air is sweeping through our homes, Autumn is definitely here! There’s no need to be downcast though, less time out playing means more time indoors crafting for all members of the family. Today I’m showing you some fun Autumn and Halloween crafts that your kids are bound to enjoy. As part of the Bostik Craft Bloggers Network I receive a regular box of themed goodies that let my kids and I enjoy a great afternoon coming up with interesting ideas that are fun to make.

DSC_0209This month our box contained:

Pegs

Lolly Sticks

Pipe Cleaners

Faux Leaves

Bostik Glu Dots

Bostik Glu Pen

Ribbon

Polystyrene Balls

Melting Beads

Greaseproof Paper

Here’s what that lovely box turned into:

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Autumn Peg Fairies

A slight twist on the standard peg person, these peg fairies look great standing on a shelf or hung upon a tree.

Autumn Peg Fairies

Using the Bostik Glu dots two leaves are wrapped around a peg to create the fairy’s skirt.IMG_0498

Next cut a lolly stick into a few pieces and secure to both sides of the peg using the Bostik Glu Dots to make arms.IMG_0502

Wrap ribbon around the peg over and under the arms to make the bodice. Secure using the Bostik Glu Pen.IMG_0504

Next two leaves are used to make the wings. Using a Bostik Glu Dot stick part of a leaf down as shown in the following picture.IMG_0505

Stick to the back of your fairy.IMG_0509

We left our fairies looking simple, but of course you could create hair using wool and draw on a face.

Pumpkin & Skeleton Decorations

Made with specially designed beads these pumpkin and skeleton designs are the work of my son and husband. They could also be used as seasonal coasters.

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The beads are arranged in your chosen design upon a board. A piece of greaseproof paper is then laid upon the design and ironed. The iron melts the beads which joins them together.

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Spider Monster and Eyeball Decorations

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My daughter and youngest son made these designs by colouring in polystyrene balls. The spider monster then had pipe cleaners pushed into place and secured using the Bostik glu pen to make legs. They are very proud of their spooky creations.

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Make your own wrapping paper

Posted on by Abi

IMG_5373Wrapping up your carefully selected Christmas presents can often be a bit of an afterthought and that’s before you even think about the added cost of ribbons and bows. This year how about making your own gorgeous wrapping paper for a fraction of the cost. It’s the perfect craft for adults and children alike and the end result is really only limited by your imagination.

What you’ll need:

Brown paper (buy in a roll from a stationary store)

Paint

Stamps

Clean sweetie wrappers

IMG_5345Method

Grab an apron and protect your work surfaces then begin by cutting lengths of brown paper and laying onto a table. Note. You may need to secure the corners if the paper starts rolling up.

The exact design of your wrapping will depend upon your own preferences and whether this is a craft intended for adults or children. As my youngest has an impressive collection of plastic dinosaurs we decided these would make the perfect printing tools.IMG_5366

Many household items make wonderful stamps. Pennies are great for rolling along their edge, old cotton bobbins make interesting circular shapes, even potatoes can be cut in half and a stamp carved out. As long as you’re using washable paint then it’s worth trying out a few things until you achieve an effect that you’re happy with.

Squeeze some paint out onto some plates and then get dipping your stamps! We had dino footprints walking in tandem all over the place. IMG_5354

To add a bit of glitz we stuck clean sweetie wrappers onto our paper but glitter or stickers would also work well.

Leave the paper to dry out completely.

Now you should have some wonderful personalised paper that any recipient would be grateful to receive. It’s especially good for relatives who really appreciate the time and effort that’s involved.IMG_5372

 

 

 

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Boden Place Mat Tutorial!

Posted on by Abi

Family gatherings or dinner parties with friends aren’t just about the food, dressing the table plays a big part in proceedings and this tutorial teaches you how to sew your own placemats! I originally wrote this for the Boden Community which has now become the Boden Blog. You might still be able to find it if you look through the archives, but it’s much quicker to share it direct with my readers over here.

Boden Placemats

Boden Placemats

 

Home-made accessories give a wonderful feeling of accomplishment, plus they make fabulous presents if you’re going home-made this Christmas. Armed with a bundle of gorgeous Boden fabric I’ll show you just how I made mine. It’s a very quick method that will have you whipping up mats in no time at all.

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What You’ll Need (for one Mat)

23cm X 15cm piece of fabric (for the middle panel)

Two 23cm X 6cm pieces of fabric

Two 25cm X 6cm pieces of fabric

Matching Thread

Wadding

Backing Fabric

Step 1

Begin by pinning and sewing the two shorter (23cm X 6cm) pieces of fabric, one to each side of the longer edges of the middle panel. I used a small seam allowance, approximately ½cm.

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Step 2

Iron the seams open and then sew the two longer strips to the side edges (this now includes the middle panel and the two fabric strips from step 1). Iron the seams open.

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Step 3

Cut a piece of wadding and backing fabric the same size as your placemat piece is currently. Put the backing fabric down right side up. Add the placemat piece on top right side down (so the right sides of backing and placemat are facing). Then finally place the wadding on the back of the placemat piece. Sew all three pieces together leaving a 5cm gap in one side, this allows you to turn your mat the right way out. Once sewn, trim the wadding back close to the stitches and cut across the corners.

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Step 4

Turn the mat the right way out and iron. Iron and pin where you left the gap and then machine stitch close to the edge all the way around the mat. I also stitched around the middle panel to keep the three layers neatly in place.

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All you need to do now is repeat the steps above and make as many placemats as you like!

 

Boden Placemats

Boden Placemats

 

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