Wednesday 4 December 2013

Christmas Crafting - Crackers!

My next crafting mission was to create a personal favourite... Crackers!!



You will need:
  • Some penguin wrapping paper
  • A cracker pattern, like this one: http://www.birdscards.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ChristmasCrackerTemplate2byBird.gif
  • A printer
  • Scissors, or a craft knife and cutting mat
  • A ruler
  • A blunt instrument to score with, like a butter knife
  • Ribbon to tie the ends
  • Cracker snaps
  • Treats or confetti to fill your crackers with
1) Print out your cracker pattern and lay it on top of the wrapping paper. Carefully cut out the template using scissors or a craft knife and ruler. You can decide whether or not to chop into the ends. I made one with zig-zag edges and one without.



2) Use a scoring tool or a butter knife and ruler to score the fold lines on the template. Gently fold the cracker into shape.


3) Align a cracker snap with the middle of your cracker, and tape it into position. Glue or tape the bottom edge of the cracker and attach it to the other edge, forming the cracker body.

4) Fill your cracker with goodies, then tie up the ends.


5) Finished! Go forth and pop!


And just to round off today's post... another customised card design!



Tuesday 3 December 2013

Christmas Crafting... Gift Bags and Favours!

Next up for some more crafty ideas... how about turning some penguin wrapping paper into a cute gift bag??




You will need:

  • Some penguin wrapping paper
  • A gift bag template, like this one: http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/gift-bag-template.html#simple
  • A printer
  • Some scissors or a craft knife and cutting mat
  • A ruler (metal is best for using with a craft knife)
  • Glue or double sided tape
  • A blunt instrument to score with, like a butter knife
  • Anything you want to decorate the bag with, like a gift tag or some ribbon



1) Print your template onto an A4 piece of paper, and lay it on top of the penguin wrap. You could tape it into place if it helps for cutting it out. I used a craft knife, ruler and cutting mat to cut the shape out, and scissors to round the edges of the flaps.





2) Use a ruler and a blunt knife or a scoring tool to score the dotted fold lines on the template. Gently fold them to shape the gift bag.

3) Glue or tape the edge of the gift bag. 




4) Next, fold the bottom tabs into place and glue the base of the bag closed.




5) Finally, close the top of the bag and slide the tab into the slot to secure it. Add any ribbons or labels that you want to decorate with.




Bingo! One stylish gift bag complete.

The gift tags can also make nice name labels for festive favours. How about some candy canes for example?




Lastly, I'd just like to share another customised card design that I was sent today:




Ooooh I love a bit of collage :) Thank you!

Christmas Crafting - Customise your cards!

Oooooh I do love a bit of crafting I do, and what better time of year to get creative than Christmas? I love creating personalised gifts and adding little touches to make things extra special (and totally unique!)

This week at Clo's Line I've been experimenting with some crafty ideas for the festive penguin range.
First up... Customised Christmas cards!


You will need:
  • A Clo's Line penguin card (Design 1 works particularly well!)
  • A fineliner, or good quality inky black pen (plus any colours you fancy!)
  • Some ideas from your noggin.


This idea was suggested at one of the craft fairs I attended. Someone thought that several of the penguins looked like they would suit a nice hat, and I couldn't agree more.

Here is the interior of my customised card:


And here are is another crafty Clo's Line customer's card:





Fabulous, no?

If you would like to submit your own customised card, then I'd love to feature it!