New stock - recycled magazine bowls!

I'm slowly and steadily extending my range, and currently focussing on recycling everyday items. First stop - magazines! This technique of folding pieces of paper into thin strips, and then winding them into spirals to create bowls, plates, coasters, placemats is being used more and more frequently. So, naturally, I had to give it a try!
The bowl pictured here is my first attempt, and was made from 2 Gardeners World magazines. I'd already pulled out the important information I wanted to keep, so the rest was ready to be recycled. This bowl I made took probably an entire day in total.
 I used the technique of first creating a giant spiral, completely flat. I used sticky tape to attach each new strip of paper to continue the spiral (some online how-to guides such as this one suggest using a glue gun for this, however I don't have one of these!). Once you've got a large enough spiral (mine was 24 cm when I ran out of magazine) you shape it into the bowl shape you're after. I used a large mixing bowl from my kitchen cupboard and shaped my bowl around that.
Then I coated the bowl with 2 coats of PVA glue, so it is now hard and shiny and ready for storing fruit, or whatever else someone might choose to store in it!

This bowl is for sale in my Folksy shop for £25, although I'd be happy to create a personalised bowl to your specifications if you get in contact.

Happy re-crafting!

Brownie x

The wait is over! The rug is finished!

Yes that's right, I actually finished a project I started. And I'm very happy with it. I took a few photos as evidence because I'm not even sure I believe it myself...

Here's me about to put the last piece of wool in (that's number 20,304!). I felt this moment deserved a photo really.

So this is with all the pieces done, but the edges not turned under:

And here is the finished item, edges turned under, hanging loops sewn on and dowling inserted for hanging!

And a close up...

Ed loves it. Which is just as well as it's the longest I've ever taken to make anyone a present. Ever. 

So the next project, which won't take nearly as long, is to make Ed some cushion covers for those naked cushion pads you can see on that photo above. I intend to make 2 black ones, out of an odd curtain, and 2 oranges ones from an old towel. That will be Ed's new office completely complete!

So yes folks, I will be accepting commissions now, if anyone would like one making. Just get in contact and I'll see how much I need to charge for supplies and labour etc. 

Thanks for looking

Brownie x

Wondering what to do with junkmail?

We all hate it, those piles and piles of junkmail that come through our doors. I wonder how much business companies actually get in return for spending money on the printing and delivery of all this colourful, shiny paper? Surely it's not worth it when everyone automatically throws it straight in the recycling bin don't we?
Well, unless we're planning on making something pretty out of it instead....

Today, my big sister and her friends are holding a festival in their back garden, a perfect time for me to take my "Jazzed up Junkmail" supplies, and get people re-crafting. Here's how the preparations have gone so far.....
I made a banner, with paper bunting spelling out "Actonbury":

Hanging round it you can see the examples I've made of what people can choose to make. There's the customary paper windmill, very easy to make and great for the younger children. Here's a little tutorial on how to make them. Below is a big origami star, and you can find out how to make them here

Next is an origami wreath, which can be made in a variety of sizes. I love how they don't use any glue, but holds itself together when the pieces tuck inside each other. Find out how to make them here

And last but not least we have paper beads. These are so simple and yet look stunning. I love how each bead turns out differently depending on the pattern of the paper used, the and the thickness of the paper. You can find out how to make a variety of different beads here, and once you've got the basics, it's best to just play around with your own designs and see what comes out!

So I'm really looking forward to seeing how everyone gets on making "Jazzed up Junkmail" items today! I'll make sure to take lots of photos so you can all have a look and see what went on.

More progress! Latch hook rug is 2/3 complete

So this is at 72 rows done! I love how the 3D logo is turning out. We've made the decision that partly due to lack of space, but also partly because I don't want people walking over all my hard work, it's going to be hung up on the wall. Hopefully a company logo wall hanging that anyone would be proud to have visiting clients see. Now I am meant to be revising for a physiotherapy job interview I've got coming up in a few weeks, but I'm getting a bit too excited about finishing this! I hope it doesn't jeopardise my chances of getting the job....

Next photo.....the finished thing!

Latch Hook update!

So I've not posted for a while.....because I've been busy doing the latch-hook rug I'm making for Ed's birthday. Just thought I'd post a little progress photo, to show everyone. I'm really pleased with how it's turning out so far.

This was taken at exactly 1/3 of the way through. That's 36 rows of the full 108. And it took 2 weeks to get here. I'm at 44 rows now, so getting closer to the half-way mark. I love doing it, but it does take up a lot of time. I'm really keen to get it done quickly, as Ed's birthday was nearly 2 weeks ago now, so pretty much all my spare moments are spent latching and hooking, or whatever the latch-hook related verbs are!

I'll try to post again at 2/3 complete, and then obviously the finished thing. Not looking forward to the finishings required, backing it etc. But can't wait to see it in its new home. Ed's home office is almost finished now, a little bit of sorting out to do but then it'll be up and running, and just waiting for its new rug. Perhaps I'll try to get a photo of it in its new home for you.

What does everyone think of it so far?

Books books books!

Today's post is about books.....if the title didn't give it away! But more specifically, it's about books being reused as book shelves.

While searching for some pictures of books for a task I was doing at work, I came across this wonderful bookcase made out of recycled books. Don't ask why I needed to search for pictures of books during work....long story....

Not tom - recycled book shelf

I love how it looks, although I'm fairly sure these books were still readable, and had good life left in them. Book murder aside, here are some other bookcases made out of books that I like:

Floating pile of books!

This one's made from encyclopedias that have been repainted in bright colours

I think these are recycled National Geographic Magazines, which are a slightly more acceptable recycling material than books.

Recommended webpage - Leftsource

Well I've not written anything on here for quite a while! I've been moving house, so my spare time in the past few months has been filled with searching for a new place to rent, house viewing, packing, moving, and settling in. We're all settled now, and very happy with our decision!

This post isn't so much information about recycled crafts, as just a recommendation for a fantastic website I came across yesterday. My boyfriend's birthday is coming up this month, and my plan is to give him a hand-made latch hook rug, with his company logo on (our new house is big enough that he can have a lovely home office up in the attic!). I'd got as far as printing out lots of squared paper, and sticking them together, with a view to drawing out my own pattern on it, and following that. Then I found leftsource.com. It allows you to upload any photo or picture of your choice, and transform it instantly into a latch hook pattern. A few clicks and you can change the dimensions, the wool count per inch, and other details around colour. Then it just turns it into a pdf and you can print it off! It even works out how much of each colour you're going to need. Brilliant.

So I've ordered all my wool, canvas, and trusty latch hook tool (mine has gone walkies somewhere...) and am just waiting for everything to arrive so I can get started! Ed won't have it for his birthday, but I'll go as fast as I can! This is the picture I uploaded...

...and it's going to be a rug that's 50"x30". Exciting stuff. I'll have to post photos of it once I make some progress.

Anyway, more recycled craft posts coming soon. Until then......

Brownie x