Children's Handmade Birthday Card - Boys

If you are not new to my blog, you have probably noticed that I keep getting lots of my craft supplies from Hobbycraft store. Well, not long ago I visited Hobbycraft yet again and I saw this incredibly cute stamp. I knew straight away that this is going to be in my next cardmaking project.

Let's make a birthday card in blue - for a boy.

This is another quick and easy handmade birthday card. The part I spent most time on was the actual colouring in the picture. If you cannot get exactly the same stamp, it does not matter. Just use any cute animal stamp you like. And if there is no present or balloon in the picture, you can always draw it yourself using a black gel pen.

For this design you will need:

• White card paper (15 x 30cm)
• Gel pens - various colours (You do not have to spend a fortune on these - all colours I used were from a pack of 30 gel pens that I purchased from Asda and it cost me only £3. The only additional gel pen I used was a coconut colour from WH Smith - I used it to colour in the dog, cat and giraffe's hooves)
• Rubber Stamp
• Black ink pad
• Paper edger scissors (here are some links if you would like to buy some; http://www.madaboutcards.com/product.php/23376/0 or http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-HobbyCraft-Set-of-Ten-Paper-Edgers_293530.htm)
• Light blue card paper (15 x 15cm)
• Piece of white card (I used 9.5 x 9.5 cm - but that depends on the size of your stamp)
• Darker blue card paper (I used 10.5 x 10.5 cm - again, that depends on the size of your stamp and the white card with the picture - just cut it 1cm wider and taller than the size of the white card with the picture) 
• Double sided tape
• "Happy Birthday" outline sticker
• Craft foam pads (I used Stix 2mm thick)

  

 Now for some instructions on how to make this card.

 Stamp the picture on to the white card and let it dry. Then colour in the picture using the gel pens. Using paper edger scissors cut a square shape around the picture - it affords a nice crinkle effect that really offsets the square edges of the card. Attach the white card with the picture to the darker blue card using the foam pads.

In this design I used the white card to stamp the picture on. I also used a very pale yellow card paper as a variation of the design - see "variations" further bellow.

Take white card 15cm x 30cm and fold it in half. Take a light blue card paper (size 15 x 15cm) and using a double sided tape attach it to the front of the folded white card. Attach the darker blue card to the light blue card using foam pads.  Add a "Happy Birthday " outline sticker to the card.

Here are some variations for the same card:

In these designs I did not use the paper edger scissors.

Variation 1

Variation 2

Instead stamping the picture on a white card I used a very pale yellow card which gives a nice contrast. Also I coloured the giraffe with a sparkly gold gel pen instead of a yellow one that I used on the white card.

 

Handmade Celebrations card - variation 2 - A Glass Flute and gems

And here is that promised 2nd variation in handmade celebrations card design using glass outline stickers. If you do not have a sticker with 2 crossed glasses, just use 2 glasses stickers and cross them over each other on the card paper.

For this design you will need:

• Anita’s Wine and Glasses outline sticker (You can use following link to order outline sticker similar to the one I used - http://www.madaboutcards.com/product.php/23587/379)
• 6 Adhesive gems in silver (I used Hobbycraft 4 gems size 2mm and 2 gems size 1 mm)
• White card paper (15 x 30cm)
• Sage Green card paper (10 x 10cm)
• Medium brown card paper (large enough to fit the glass outline stickers on)
• Cream card paper (15 x 15cm)
• "Happy Anniversary " or "Celebrations" outline sticker
• Double sided tape
• Craft foam pads (I used Stix 2mm thick)

Take white card 15cm x 30cm and fold it in half. Take a cream card paper (size 15 x 15cm) and using a double sided tape attach it to the front of the folded white card. Take medium brown card paper and attach  glass outline sticker to its centre, then tear off the edge of the medium brown paper around the glass outline stickers to create an uneven edge. Using double sided tape, attach the medium brown piece with the glass stickers to the sage green card. Attach the adhesive gems above the glasses stickers (attach some gems on the brown card and some on the sage green card). Attach the sage green card to the cream card (15 x 15 cm) using foam pads. Add "Happy Anniversary" or "Celebrations " outline sticker to the card. And it's done.

Handmade Celebrations Card - variation 1 - a Glass Flute and Gems

This design is a variation on a previous one that I posted on my blog couple of days ago. It is probably the quickest and easiest of all my handmade card designs so far. Yet, it does not compromise on originality and the fact that if you do make the card yourself it will give that extra special meaning to the card you are giving to your loved one. 
Additionally, if you have purchased the Wine and Glasses outline sticker set that you needed making the previously published card design, you will have some spare glasses stickers to use on this card as well.

To make this card I would like to suggest using following card paper, even though any other types would go just well too.

My favourite card papers are Papermania Solid Cardstock Assorted Colours (6” x 6”) and Matchmakers Textured Cardstock with white core sizes 6” x 6” and 3.875” x 3.875” in Neutrals or Brights.

For this design you will need:

• Anita’s Wine and Glasses outline sticker (You can use following link to order outline sticker similar to the one I used - http://www.madaboutcards.com/product.php/23587/379)
• 4 Adhesive gems in silver (I used Hobbycraft 3 gems size 2mm and 1 gem size 3mm)
• White card paper (15 x 30cm)
• Dark brown card paper (apprx.10 x 10cm - same size as medium brown card paper)
• Medium brown card paper (appx. 10 x 10 cm - large enough to fit the glass outline stickers on)
• Light brown card paper (15 x 15cm)
• "Happy Anniversary " or "Celebrations" outline sticker
• Double sided tape
• Craft foam pads (I used Stix 2mm thick)

Take white card 15cm x 30cm and fold it in half. Take a light brown card paper (size 15 x 15cm) and using a double sided tape attach it to the front of the folded white card. Take medium brown card paper and attach 2 glass outline stickers to its centre. Attach some of the bubbles outline stickers above the glass sticker as well as 4 adhesive gems, then tear off the edge of the medium brown paper around the glass outline stickers and gems to create an uneven edge. Using double sided tape, attach the medium brown piece with the glass stickers to the dark brown card (dark brown card should just show from underneath the medium brown card). Attach the dark brown card to the centre of the light brown card (15 x 15 cm) using foam pads. Add "Happy Anniversary" or "Celebrations " outline sticker to the card.

Easy. Wasn't it?

In the next few days I am going to show you another variation in design on the handmade celebrations card using the glasses outline stickers. So if you liked the designs so far, keep checking my blog for more handmade card designs and an occasional sewing project.

Handmade Celebration Card - a Glass Flute and Gems

Let's put more meaning into your congratulations wishes by making the card yourself. I have made another design for a very easy to make and quick handmade card. 

 I like to mix and match various colours of textured card paper.

My favourite card papers are Papermania Solid Cardstock Assorted Colours (6” x 6”) and Matchmakers Textured Cardstock with white core sizes 6” x 6” and 3.875” x 3.875” in Neutrals or Brights.

For this design you will need:

• Anita’s Wine and Glasses outline sticker (You can use following link to order outline sticker similar to the one I used - http://www.madaboutcards.com/product.php/23587/379)
• 6 Adhesive gems in silver (I used Hobbycraft gems size 2mm)
• White card paper (15 x 30cm)
• Cream card paper (9 x 6cm)
• Brown card paper (appx. 7 x 5 cm - large enough to fit the glass outline sticker on)
• Brown card paper (15 x 15cm)
• “Celebrations” outline sticker
• Double sided tape
• Craft foam pads (I used Stix 2mm thick)
• Craft corner punch (I have had mine for a very long time so you might not be able to purchase the same one, however I found couple of nice craft punchers that would also work well with this design - see pictures bellow - link is added with the pictures)

Ahttp://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-HobbyCraft-1%E2%80%9D-Daisy-Design-Craft-Corner-Punch_296849.htm

http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-HobbyCraft-1%E2%80%9D-Tulip-Design-Craft-Corner-Punch_296847.htm

Take white card 15cm x 30cm and fold it in half. Take brown card paper (size 15 x 15cm) and using a double sided tape attach it to the front of the folded white card. Take brown card paper (7 x 5cm) and attach a glass outline sticker to its centre. Attach some of the bubbles outline stickers above the glass sticker as well as 3 adhesive gems, then tear off the edge of the brown paper around the sticker and gems to create an uneven edge of an oval shape. Using double sided tape, attach the brown piece with the glass sticker to the centre of the cream card (9 x 6cm). Cut corners of the cream card paper with the craft punch and attach the cream card to the centre of the brown card (15 x 15 cm) using foam pads. Add “Celebrations ” outline sticker to the card and add remaining 3 adhesive gems to the right.

And the card is done.

Handmade Happy Anniversary card - Red Heart and butterfly

You will need:

• Anita’s Dimensions Wings in Brown (butterfly)
• Large red heart (I used one from a packet of 20 hearts by Craft For Occasions - purchased from Hobbycraf - thttp://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/products-Craft-For-Occasions-Red-Outline-Heart-Shapes_246011.htm) 
• 3 Adhesive gems in red (I used Hobbycraft gems sizes 3 mm)
• Pale yellow card paper (9 x 9 cm)
• Charcoal card paper (10 x 10cm)
• White card paper (15 x 30cm)
• Red card paper (15 x 15cm)
• “Happy Anniversary” outline sticker
• Double sided tape
• Craft foam pads (I used Stix 2mm thick)

Take white card 15cm x 30cm and fold it in half. Take a red card paper (size 15cm x 15cm) and using double sided tape attach it to the white card. Attach yellow card paper (9cm x 9cm), again using double sided tape, to the charcoal card paper (10 x 10cm) and then attach the heart (using foam pads cut to size to fit the thickness of the heart) to the middle of the yellow card paper. Attach the butterfly to the heart (wings will overlap onto the yellow card). Attach 3 3mm red gems onto the yellow card next to the heart. Attach the charcoal card paper to the red card using foam pads. Add “Happy Anniversary” sticker to the card. 

Now, after all this crafting, it it time to celebrate. Cheers.

Variations in design

You do not have to use the same colours. I have done some variations on this design using different butterflies and instead of the charcoal card paper I used brown card. Brown worked very well as well as the butterfly is brown.

Handmade Celebration Cards

Let's make some handmade happy anniversary and celebration cards.

I made some new designs of handmade anniversary and celebrations cards and would like to share them with you.

Over the next few days I will give you full instructions on how to make new handmade cards for that someone special in your life. As previously, all the cards are very quick and easy to make.

Keep checking my blog. Lots more new handmade card designs are coming.

Dancing Shoes Bag - part 3

Welcome back to the final part of the sewing project Dancing Shoes Bag.

This project is great for beginners who are learning to sew. Or you can use this project to keep your kids busy and entertained for a few hours; however they will need your help and supervision when making this bag.
If you are already well experienced and have done a lot of sewing already maybe you will like this project simply as an idea on what to do next or to create something that you could give as a present to your little girl who loves dancing and needs something to carry her shoes in. Or of course you can use different materials and make it a bag for your boy to carry his stuff in.

Once again, here are pictures of this easy sewing project in its finished state.

Previously, I described where I got the idea for this sewing project from, even though I was not the one who actually made it. It was made by my friend's 11 year old daughter Emma, who let me advise her and check that she was doing well. Not only she did all the sewing by herself but it was all done and completed in 1 day. This bag is really quick and easy to sew and very rewarding for the child.

The templates for this sewing project, the list of materials that you will require and the relevant measurements for all of the parts are shown in the previous blog - part 2.

In this final part, I am going to share the step by step pictorial instructions with you so that even if you are a beginner you should have no difficulties in making this bag.

A little note: when using the machine to sew, always sew 1 cm in from the edge of your material. This is called a 1cm seam allowance. After every sewing run, make sure you press the sewn seam flat with your iron  in order to make the stitched line flat. This will make the next sewing step that much easier and more accurate.


And now the final set of instructions:

Cut all the materials to size as instructed in the sewing project - part 2.

1 - Prepare the pair of pockets
These are the decorative pockets that will be stitched onto the front and back of the bag.

Cut 2 small pieces of material to make pockets.

fold in about 1 cm off the edges and secure with pins

sew the top edge of each pocket (1cm in from the edge) at this stage - this edge will become the pocket opening - see the next picture

The top edge (shown on the left ) has its 1cm seam folded over and is sewn up 1cm from the same top edge, providing a clean top edge of the pocket. The picture on the right shows the reverse side view of the pocket - see the sewn edge at the top.

2 - Prepare the front of the bag
You have already cut all the pieces of the materials as described in the part 2 of this sewing project.

Put strip of green material (20 x 3 cm) to the left edge of butterfly material (20 x 20cm) the right sides together, secure them with pins and sew them together taking 1 cm seam allowance. Repeat again with the second strip of green material (20 x 3cm) but attach it to the right edge of the butterfly material - then iron flat

secure the other 2 strips (22 x 3cm) of the green material to the butterfly material with pins- top and bottom - and sew 1 cm from the edges- thus creating a frame round the butterfly material

now you have sewn all 4 pieces of green material to the butterfly centre material - remember to iron flat

take the 2 pieces of blue material (22 x 9cm) and secure them with pins to the right and left edges of the green frame

sew the 2 pieces of a blue material to the right and left edges taking 1cm seam allowance

iron flat

secure with pins 36 x 11cm piece of blue material to the bottom as shown on the picture and sew along the edge taking 1cm seam allowance - do the same with the 36 x 16cm piece of the blue material attaching it to the top (36cm is the width) - and then iron flat.
Sew one of the pockets on to the butterfly material to the centre (sew as close to the edge of the pocket as possible) and the front of the bag is done.

3 - Prepare the back of the bag

You have already cut all the pieces of the materials as described in the part 2 of this sewing project.

This part is very easy - just sew the 3 cut pieces of materials together. The 36 x 12 cm piece of the blue material is at the bottom and the 36 x 17 cm piece of the blue material is at the top of the butterfly centre material. Then again iron flat and sew the other pocket on to the centre of the butterfly material. When sewing the pocket onto the butterfly material try to ensure that you are making the seam as close to the edge of the pocket piece as possible.

Put the 2 parts of the bag (front and the back) the right sides together and secure them with pins. Sew together left, bottom and right. Do not sew along the whole length of the right side but stop about 7 from the top end. Fold the 2 unstitched edges in and sew to prevent fraying.

And at least, fold the top edge of the bag 2.5 cm in and sew 2 cm from the edge. This will create an opening for your string. Then, using a safety pin, pull the string through the opening at the top edge of the bag. Sew the two ends of the string together and the bag is done.

 I really hope that you enjoyed sewing this bag and will get a lot of use out of it.