VANILLA IVY CRAFTS

I'm a Little Bit in Love With...

2012-01-02T10:27:00.002Z

... Clay!

It's my new craft affair for the coming year; I always like to try a new craft each year.

In the lull between Christmas and New Year, I dragged Mr Vanilla Ivy and our brood to Hobby Craft. Poor Mr Vanilla Ivy breaks out in a sweat at the prospect of taking me there, he'd much rather give me his wallet and send me into a diamond shop than a craft shop!

I came away with air drying clay and a head full of ideas.

I'm not usually one for sculpture as I struggle with finer, realistic details but after seeing Mr Vanilla Ivy's stuff I've always been inspired...

Check out this model of our dear friend Kim he made for her 21st birthday....

Here is the original picture he worked off:

Kim.

And here is the model he made. She stands at about 10cm tall from the bottom of her trainers to the tip of her dreadlocks:

Polymer clay Kim.

The finished model was mounted on a wooden bock that he sanded and varnished. It was made using 'Polymer Clay' (Fimo).

I had a play and made some beads for my dreads...

My hand made dread lock beads.

We finish all our work with Fimo in varnish to seal and give a gloss finish.

I think the model of Kim proves that One doesn't have to be a master sculptor to produce a nice finish. If One isn't confident with facial features or finer details, then do work that doesn't require it! :)

And so began my foray into 'air drying clay' last week. It's cheaper than polymer clay so I thought, why not? My first attempts are these toadstools. I've made some tiny ones with hanging hooks that can be added to gift wrapping and some larger ones that can be stood as a group as ornaments.

Toadstools.

My first attempts with air drying clay.

I can't wait to make more stuff; name and message tags for gifts are next on my list.

If you don't already, then get yourself some air drying clay; at £3 for a 500g block it's cheap as chips and loads of fun! :D

Oh and Happy New Year by the way! May You and Yours have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.

Loads of smiles, trees and stars,
Lu. Xx

I Suspect I Give a Hoot About Christmas

2011-12-11T12:23:00.003Z

This years additions to my Christmas Tree.

Owls are very popular, they are all over the place at the moment; on fabrics, crockery, paintings etc. I adore owls (as most folk do I'm sure). So, I couldn't resist making these little guys with bits and pieces from my 'rag bag' of fabrics...

I've been loving the new episodes of 'Kirstie's Homemade Christmas' on Channel 4 this year. She said on Wednesday's episode that "A Christmas Tree is like a scrap book of your life, with bits and pieces collected along the way that hold lots of memories".

This is very true of our tree; I still have decorations I inherited from my parents that hold very dear memories. I hope my children look back at these owls and anything else we make for our tree with fond memories.

Lucy. Xx

Christmas Cards 2011

2011-12-01T13:12:00.001Z

Wow. What a crazy, busy, wonderful time of year for paper craft; all those Christmas cards!

I had originally planned a snowy owl design on white, scalloped cards this year, but to be frank, the sample card went tits up and I wasn't at all happy with it.

So, I scrapped that idea and gave myself a new theme of 'A Rustic Christmas'. So far things are going well...

I really like the gingham and wooden star buttons against the brown card. The twine is butchers twine! it's really cheap and great to have in your craft stash for gift wrapping or projects like these cards.

My favourite 'pre made' card I've seen this year has to be this one...

Winter's Sentinel.

Isn't it gorgeous? I love it's Pagan influenced design. I found it in this delightful shop >HERE<

Lucy. Xx

Painting a Gift

2011-11-25T08:15:00.000Z

I've recently been working on a birthday gift for a very dear friend.

I say 'I've' but should really say 'we've' as this was a joint project between myself and Mr Vanilla Ivy.

Our friend wanted a stone with a 'purple' colour scheme. She didn't stipulate a design so we based it around a 'night' theme.

I sketched out a design idea...

And my husband brought it to life in paint...

I like the stars; the constellation of 'Orion' is on there at the back; the stars, fence and vegetation silhouettes carry on all around the stone.
You can find more about stone painting on my tutorial >HERE<

Lucy. Xx

Making to Order

2011-11-16T16:06:00.001Z

My sister has requested a blanket. Something to throw over the back of her sofa ready to snuggle under on cooler evenings.

My Sister and Me.

Although there is a little bit of added pressure to get it just right, I'm always thrilled when someone asks me to specifically make something.

We had a trip to town so she could choose the yarn colours. This obviously couldn't be done without a visit to a local cafe for a a hot chocolate and cherry scone with jam and cream....nom nom nom :D

I love the colours she chose. Although this picture doesn't do them justice, she chose a lovely deep burgundy, a chocolate brown and a pale oatmeal...

Start of a blanket for my sister.

I'm looking forward to finishing it and getting it wrapped for Christmas. I hope she likes it!

Lucy. Xx

Christmas Inspiration from Tilda

2011-11-12T20:11:00.005Z

This afternoon, while my son was out at a birthday party and my daughter was sleeping, I made myself a cup of hot chocolate and curled up on the sofa with this...

'Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle'.

I actually sighed happily out loud and smiled to myself at the thoughts of leafing through this book.

As Christmas is fast approaching, it provided me with seriously gorgeous inspiration.

My collection of Tilda books is growing...

More books from Tilda

The range is owned and designed by the very talented Tone Finnanger...

Tone Finnanger.

I get so much use out of these books, I highly recommend them for novice or seasoned crafters and anyone else interested in making pretty things.

The main focus is sewing but they also touch on jewellery, paper craft and clothing accessories. They are packed full of ideas. The chapters are usually split up into 'room by room' projects which is very handy.

Here are some more pictures from my copy of 'Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle'.

The Entrance Hall.

The Living Room.

Table Decorations.

Tree Decorations.

Christmas Hearts.

Cards.

Cake Table

Christmas Birds.

Festive Angels.

Gift Wrapping.

Beautiful Patterns.

If you adore a Shabby Chic, Folk Art, Shaker or Nordic twist to home styling, you'll love Tilda!
You can find more info on the website >HERE<

Lucy. Xx

Wire Work

2011-11-06T07:56:00.007Z

Today I have mostly been playing with wire, pliers and beads.

Lucy. Xx

My Home in Pictures

2011-11-02T20:45:00.014Z

I like having a nose at other people's homes.

It's always interesting to me that it's either completely what you expect or a total surprise.

Here's a sneaky peak at mine....

Fireplace

Ask Mr Vanilla Ivy to build and he will, even awkward scalloped shelves!

The purchase of this dresser caused an argument. I won :D

I adore artwork by Amy Brown!

I swapped a bed frame for this battered old bedding box.

Mr Vanilla Ivy with our Boy.

Smallest Vanilla Ivy's room.

My Boy's room.

I wish! Although I do a mean apple crumble.

Engaged in Ibiza.

Veggies & Chickens.

My Mum left this note in my packed lunch years ago :)

Lucy. Xx

Granny Square Love

2011-11-01T12:16:00.005Z

There's something rather nice about a project that keeps you warm and cosy while you make it....

Lucy. Xx

New Pumpkin Carving Tutorial

2011-10-30T00:13:00.026+01:00

October. Such a brilliant month; slow, mellow fruitfulness with the odd blustery day that brings whispers of winter.

One of the things we really enjoy at our house at this time of year is carving pumpkins (any excuse to get crafty!). It's become very competitive; every year, my husband, friends and I try to out-do each other....

In the spirit of All Hallows Eve this month, I’ve added our pumpkin carving tutorial, which you can find >HERE<

Happy Halloween!
Lucy. Xx

Welcome

2011-10-28T15:15:00.009+01:00

Welcome to the Vanilla Ivy Crafts website, a little place to share crafty tutorials, creative inspiration and the odd blog post.

Vanilla Ivy Crafts was started in 2005. Most of my 'makes' are given to family and friends but can also be found on my little stall at summer festivals and local table top sales.

I love to paint, draw, crochet, stitch and generally partake in lots of crafty pursuits, I just can’t seem to stop making stuff!

I have a penchant for buttons, bits, bobs and sparkly things. I adore folk art and have a particular love of pagan and mystically inspired art and craft.

Tutorials are on the tabs located under the main header and blog posts can be found on the home page.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by.
Smiles, stars and trees, Lucy. Xx

VANILLA IVY CRAFTS

*I'm a Little Bit in Love With...*

*I Suspect I Give a Hoot About Christmas*

*Christmas Cards 2011*

*Painting a Gift*

*Making to Order*

*Christmas Inspiration from Tilda*

*Wire Work*

*My Home in Pictures*

*Granny Square Love*

*New Pumpkin Carving Tutorial*

*Welcome*

I'm a Little Bit in Love With...

I Suspect I Give a Hoot About Christmas

Christmas Cards 2011

Painting a Gift

Making to Order

Christmas Inspiration from Tilda

Wire Work

My Home in Pictures

Granny Square Love

New Pumpkin Carving Tutorial

Welcome