Craft Calendars

Now is the time I start to think about next years calendars, I print out a calendar on the lower half of an A4 sheet of card and put a frame in the top half. These are great for kids and were popular last year at the craft fair. I put one together using velvet paper and a tractor die cut.
Unfortunately prices for velvet paper will have to rise on 1st August by 5% as the suppliers have increased their prices  If you are thinking about velvet paper for your Christmas projects now is the time to buy. http://www.fificraft.co.uk/

Passport Photos

I needed a new passport, so I filled in the form online, and I was sent the completed form to sign. I needed 2 photos and decided to have a go at producing my own, I had the leaflet that came with the completed form with very specific instructions about photo size, expression and other details and some sample pictures.
 I decided that if I followed the instructions to the letter I could produce a reasonable photo. I had heard tales of even so called professional pictures being rejected and I had plenty of time to have another go if I was unsucessful..
I got my husband to take the pictures with our camea against a cream wall, and after a couple of attempts had something to work with. I used Microsoft Publisher to crop my chosen picture to look like the samples and printed onto scrap paper at first to check the size when printed.  I then  printed 2 copies onto photo paper and cut them to the required size.
I sent the signed form off with the pictures and a large cheque and a week later received my new biometric passport.  Lanzarotte here we come! and no I am not going tpo upload the picture, it is not very flattering but it does look like me.

Furry animals with velvet paper

http://fificraft.co.uk/

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/the-velvet-paper-shop

To make velvet paper animal die cuts 3d, they need shading. I first used an old felt pen, that was dried up so it was fuzzy. It left subtle marks on the velvet paper, and could be shaded and smudged with a finger. Crayons are a bit too subtle, but new felt tips need to be used carefully or they can be overpowering. Just go round the outside and follow the perforated lines for definition. I have added these animals to cards and have coloured them like the dogs of different family members .Bill is a brown and white spaniel, Holly is a golden retriever, Fifi is a yorkshire terrier. A little bit of snipping was needed to make the feathery tails and Fifi needed snipping all over to make her long hair.Velvet paper is absaubent so it takes felt tip and printing well on the lighter colours.

Tractor diecuts cards

This diecut is a hit for male birthday cards. The 540gsm diecut tractors are cut and layered to reveal different coloured parts. The base tractor is black, the second is green, the exhaust pipe, wheels, top and inside of the cab are cut away to reveal the black layer.Then yellow wheels are added and some metalic pieces for effect.

http://fificraft.co.uk/

These cards went down a storm at the craft fair, so I made several.

Velvet paper website

This week Fifi Craft Supplies has launched a new website, featuring velvet paper and other unusual crafting papers. Now you do not have to belong to eBay to get the best deals on velvet paper. As well as sizes A4, and 12 x 12. velvet paper is now available by the metre.
As well as velvet paper, the site also has Pellaq, an easy to use plastic coated paper with a glossy finish and an embossed pattern. Another favorite is double sided adhesive sheets, a dry way to stick in A4 size, stick almost anything without mess.
For those who have not used Fifi velvet paper before there is a free swatch card, available from
http://fificraft.co.uk

Ramsey Crafts and Collectables Fair

On Sunday 13th December the first of the bimonthly Ramsey Town Centre Partnership Crafts and Collectables Fairs will be held at the New Community Hall, Stocking Fen Road in Ramsey Cambridgeshire. Opening at 10 am until 4pm, Fifi Craft Supplies will be there with velvet paper, diecuts, gift boxes and bags and lots more.

A chance to see the new range of bespoke printed boxes for parties and micro business. Velvet and other craft papers not seen at your ordinary craft shop, as well as hand made gift boxes for Christmas.

boxes for earrings

Many crafters make and sell jewellery at craft and boot fairs. Small pieces like earrings need more than just a plastic bag, especially if they are bought as a gift. Now available are small pillow boxes with your business name printed on the front. Make sure your customer knows where to find you and remembers your name, to pass on to friends. Order your boxes from the Boxes category at http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/the-velvet-paper-shop