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
Then with the trusty essentials, PVA glue, foam risers, double sided tape and a hot glue gun it was time to get started.
The first job is to select scraps of paper in colours and designs that you think will go together.
For the first heart I cut out the backing paper with scissors, glued it down and finished off with a scalpel to fit.
Stick it on to the MDF with PVA glue.
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.
I finished off with a some musical accents, an mdf clock and a little ribbon to hang it with 🙂
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.
I wanted to use an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme for this heart using some decoupage images.
Cutting them out and building up the picture with foam pads can be fiddly work.
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.
Very nice and lovely – Congratulation Charlotte, nice share, nice art work !! Take care of you, and all the best ! 🙂
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
Thanks Charlotte – Not public holliday Monday 🙂 When holiday is on a Sunday, not catching the next day 🙂
Totally enjoyed your craft day. Did you have a favorite?
Oh yes the Alice in Wonderland heart it took a lot longer to make because of the decoupage, the car one was very quick to make though.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That is a really lovely unique idea, they look amazing. Something extra special 😊
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
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.
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
Blimey those look great, you certainly are multi-talented, well done!
Thanks Jack you’re too kind, I love all creative subjects.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What fun! Thank you for sharing the terrific energy in artwork and you ebullient self! Cheers!! <3
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
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!
I love scrapbooking Kim I think it’s a great idea to do them for your kids.
Best wishes
Charlotte
SO clever and lovely Charlotte. The recipients will be delighted with your gifts! Happy May Day! Cheryl x
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
Charlotte they are special as the lovely gifts you so carefully made them-wonderfully creative! x Cheryl
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.
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
Thanks – unfortunately I can’t lay claim to the photos – they’re Hubbys, I just do the writing.
Lovely. I’ll bet the recipients were delighted.
I gave two others as gifts and my friends were pleased with them 😊.
Best wishes John,
Charlotte
🙂
Indeed, time flies. I just thought about that recently too. Soon, it will be half year.. That is a nice work!
Thank you, I’m looking forward to Summer 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
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.
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
What lovely cards! You are so clever, Charlotte.
Thank you Clare I love all crafts.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Oh my God those are all kinds of special 💜💛💚 I want one 😍
Thanks Tam, I made a couple more, I had quite a production line going 😆.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow, you are very talented!
I’m glad you liked them 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
Love them, dear Charlotte… Well done 💗💕 have a great week ahead. Aquileana
Thank you 😊, I had a read again of your Orpheus research last week great work thanks again 💞
Best wishes
Charlotte
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!
Thank you Janice it’s a great way to relax and wind down, I’ve been so busy my Mum reminds me to play too 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Always a joy to see what you’re doing.
Thank you Dan and it’s always lovely to hear from you 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful! Handmade gifts are always the best.
I think so too Karen 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
I can’t say which I like best – they are both so creative!
Thanks GP, they look quite nice and cheer up college pin boards I think😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
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!.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
These are lovely. You are one talented young lady.
Ah thank you, I’m glad you liked them I really enjoyed making them.
Best wishes
Charlotte 😊
Those are so cool! 🙂
Thanks Stephanie, they do these cutouts in horse shoes too you should have a go 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Those cards would be great for a special Valentine. Is one of your white rabbits looking for his ears?
Yes they would be great for valentines 💕. Yes each stage of the decoupage the picture loses parts 😄.
Best wishes
Charlotte
They are beautiful!!!!
Congrats.
Thank you, have you ever done any Alice in Wonderland themed cakes?
Best wishes
Charlotte
Not yet… but maybe soon 😉
Good golly, Charlotte. This is awesome! Creative Imagination at work. Well executed.
Thanks Eric, I’ve made a couple for surprises too, I had quite a production line going 🙂.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely work!
Thank you Leya 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
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.
Definitely, it’s a good break and very relaxing.
Best wishes
Charlotte
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.
I think so Trent, I have a craft box in Glasgow but I love crafting at home because Mum has so much great stuff to use 😀.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful idea! It is incredibly beautiful! Congratulations to you & to your mother Charlotte! 🙂
Your creativity knows no bounds 🙂 And I think you probably brought a tear or two to your mum on her special day.