Happy May Day

I can’t believe that it is the 1st of May already, this year is just flying by with the end of my undergraduate course zooming towards me faster and faster. This weekend I have been researching and concluding the work on two of my academic essays and because I get so absorbed I find that the hours just disappear and I nearly forgot to put my post on. So rather than bore you all with the intricacies of my essays I wanted instead to share with you one of the craft projects that I started last time I was at home. I find the distraction of doing something totally different takes my mind off my studies for a while, then when I return to college I find that I am better able to push on and tackle new projects with extra energy and focus.

I wanted to create some gifts for friends that were a little different from the thank you cards that I would usually make at home. I flicked through some magazines and discussed some ideas with my Mum and decided to create some hanging hearts as they seemed an ideal way of saying thank you 🙂

I started with MDF hearts about 20cm by 20cm

MDF-Heart

Then with the trusty essentials, PVA glue, foam risers, double sided tape and a hot glue gun it was time to get started.

Equipment

The first job is to select scraps of paper in colours and designs that you think will go together.

Paper-Scraps

For the first heart I cut out the backing paper with scissors, glued it down and finished off with a scalpel to fit.

Paper-Cut-Out-And-Stuck-Down

Stick it on to the MDF with PVA glue.

Cutting-and-Sticking

To decorate I used chalk to dust the torn edges of pictures I had chosen. A torn map and a car I cut out of a sheet of men’s toppers you can get from craft shops.

Chalking

I finished off with a some musical accents, an mdf clock and a little ribbon to hang it with 🙂

Journey

For the next heart I layered scraps of paper in strips and stuck them to the heart using PVA glue. Once dry I turned it over and cut off the excess paper with the scalpel.

Sticking-On-The-Scraps

I wanted to use an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme for this heart using some decoupage images.

Alice-In-Wonderland-Decoupage

Cutting them out and building up the picture with foam pads can be fiddly work.

Cutting-Out-The-Decoupage

After putting together the rest of the items and glueing them down here is the finished article.  Playing cards from a set out of a Christmas cracker, a ‘drink me’ bottle from craft supplies from The Works, I cut out the teapot and china cup from a craft book and added hot glue to make the tea and coloured it when it was dry. Hope you enjoyed my craft day.

Alice-In-Wonderland

 

69 thoughts on “Happy May Day”

    1. Merci Pascal, I also enjoyed your May 1st photograph montage today. Hope you enjoyed Labor Day, do you get a public holiday in France tomorrow?
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  3. That is a really lovely unique idea, they look amazing. Something extra special 😊

    Reply

    1. I find giving these sorts of gifts more personal. I still make lots of cards but it’s a shame because they usually end not being kept once the celebration is over.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  4. Happy MayDay to you Charlotte, and as we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day, my wishes to your Mother for a happy Mother’s Day as well. We will celebrate with our daughter who had our first grandson. What a blessing children and grandchildren are. Continue to make your parents happy for all of your studies and may the Lord bless you to do well on your essays.

    Reply

    1. Congratulations on your first Grandson how lovely in time for Mother’s Day. Thank you for your blessing on the essays I wish they were as straight forward as my craft hearts 🙂
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. I’m a bit depleted of energy now after a weekend of typing, refining, re-typing! I’ve got a busy week ahead that I’m looking forward to though. Cheers 🙂
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  7. I love the crafting! Sweet. We used to make Holly Hobbies and glue multiple layers for an effect. I think I should like to make my kids a real scrapbook of sorts. Carry on Charlotte!

    Reply

    1. I have a lot of people that help me out and collaborate with me on musical projects and I like to give them something a little more personal like a thank you card, or these mdf gifts now I’ve discovered them, if I have time to make them.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  9. Happy May Day Charlotte. You would get along famously with my sister – she is also super creative and makes all her own cards. Much more personal and a beautiful gift in their own right.

    Reply

    1. Happy May Day, yay we’re approaching summer here. Your photographs are beautiful a craft in itself. When I work in the office over summer break, during the lunch break we craft and Gill teaches me new skills I love it.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  12. I look forward to each of your posts, because they are all so different. It’s fun to see what it’s going to be. These are great gift projects … you have lucky friends! Remember to schedule a little nap here and there in that busy schedule.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Cheryl that’s good to read. I will schedule in rest, I’m an early bird and find it quite easy to nod off to sleep 😊.
      My best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  17. You are so talented with arts & crafts, Charlotte! Lucky are the ones who will be on the receiving end of youe gifts. All the best! Hugs!

    Reply

  21. I love these, Charlotte! Anyone would love to be a recipient of your creativity and vision. Clearly your artistic abilities are not limited to voice! And as for the end of your current studies, it seems like yesterday I was reading your post on starting your last year and looking forward to it.. Brava!.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Noelle, I’ve learnt so much this year, I was writing my reflective essay and got up to 5000 words and realised it needs condensing to half that ✂️.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  22. That’a a lovely portrait, Charlotte; one of the best that you’ve published. Mind you, I shudder to think what the black blob is over your left shoulder.

    I admire your AiW decoupage heart; very creative. I have no spell to cast over your essays but I wish you well as you prepare to submit them. I’m sure you will be rewarded for the hard work that you do.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Terry, I wasn’t very aware of that camera😮 😊 I’ve finished my essays now, I just need to condense them 😄.
      Lovely to hear from you, all my best wishes,
      Charlotte

      Reply

      1. Ah, the dreaded word count. A very worthwhile discipline. I help a young trainee teacher to pare her work occasionally. Done well, it usually produces a better piece of work.

      2. I always tend to over write, fingers crossed I don’t cut the best bits 😊. I actually really enjoy studying, researching and soaking up information it’s a shame I can’t be interviewed and give a verbal presentation instead.

  29. These are terrific and inventive. You have hit a great truth – real relaxation is rarely found in doing nothing and almost always enjoyed by doing something different.

    Reply

  30. Multi-talented, but then I already knew that. I think the cards look great. It’s always better receiving a handmade card than something bought at a store.

    Reply

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