Quilled bird card clips from Christmas Crafting in No Time

Pick out your favorite Christmas cards and make a special feature of them with a row of little bird card clips and string. Strung along a mantelshelf, they would make a charming display. Make a few extra to attach to gifts or clip them among the branches of the Christmas tree.

materials

Tracing paper

Pencil

Scissors

Sheet of white card

White quilling strips, 1⁄8 in. (3mm) wide

(or wider if preferred)

Craft knife

Cutting mat

Quilling tool

PVA glue

Hole punch

Wooden clothes pins (pegs)

String

1. Print out the template, copy onto card and cut out the required number of bird shapes.

2. Cut a length of a quilling strip in half. Place the end in the split at the top of the quilling tool. Start winding the strip around the tip of the tool, keeping it tight.

3. When you have finished winding, release the strip of paper, so that it springs loose, and remove it gently from the quilling tool. Place a dab of glue at one end of the quilling paper and stick it down to make a closed circle of spiralled paper approx. 5⁄8in. (1.5cm) in diameter. You do not have to be exact, as it looks charming with slightly different-sized pieces.

4. With your finger and thumb, gently squeeze one side of the circle spiral together to form a teardrop shape. Repeat steps 2–4 to make a total of three teardrop shapes. Arrange as shown and glue in position on the bird.

5. Punch a hole in the bird shape to make an eye. Use a dab of glue to attach the finished bird shape to the clothes pin (peg). Clip onto a length of string and attach your cards to complete the display.

A project from Christmas Crafting In No Time by Clare Youngs, photography by Claire Richardson, James Gardiner, and Kate Davis, CICO Books

How to make a bat brooch from Gothic Jewelry by Harriet Smith

Get in touch with your dark side this Halloween with this gothic jewelry design. A fun piece with a real sense of movement! Using a heat gun will allow you to manipulate the flat plastic form to create curves easily. The edges of the acrylic can be polished up really well to give a high shine and the red crystal eyes will sparkle in the light.



you will need

Materials: 3mm black acrylic sheet, oxidized chain, jump rings, flat-backed red crystals, superglue, brooch finding
Tools: Piercing saw, drill/multi-tool, files, emery paper, heat gun, 2 pairs of flat-nose pliers
Extra: Protective gloves

1 Transfer the Bat template on page 123 onto the protective cover of the acrylic sheet. Use a piercing saw to cut out the shape. Drill a small hole near a point on the wing at either side.




2 File and sand the acrylic edges to smooth all the marks away (see page 24). Remove the protective coverings. Using a heat gun, apply even heat over the whole bat form until the acrylic becomes soft and flexible.


3 Wearing thick protective gloves, shape the acrylic to mirror the bat form as shown. Keep the back flat so that the brooch pin can be fitted. Hold in place to maintain the shape until the acrylic cools and sets.



4 Cut two different short lengths of oxidized chain and hang these from the drilled holes in the bat wings using jump rings. Glue the red crystal eyes to the front face and the brooch finding to the center back.



Do not overheat the acrylic, as it will bubble and spoil. Apply heat gradually; if you are unhappy with the form, allow the piece to cool and then heat up again to reshape. To cool and set the acrylic quickly, quench under running water.

Project from Gothic Jewelry by Harriet Smith, CICO Books, photography by Martin Norris

Meet Fifi O'Neill author of Romantic Prairie Style

Interiors stylist Fifi O'Neill grew up in Paris France. A move to the United States took her to the great plains, where comfort, simplicity, and harmony with the earth became the foundation for her own style, Prairie Style. Here, Fifi explains where she found inspiration for her new book Romantic Prairie Style and what makes the prairie such a special place.


Can you describe romantic prairie style for us?
Romantic prairie style is, above all, unpretentious. It can include some newer items as long as they are on the simple side, but traditional farmhouse-type furnishings and accessories (no fancy antiques) are the best fit. Romantic prairie style encompasses much more than decorating. It highlights the values of an honest lifestyle. It is about family, traditions, respect for the earth and the past, animals – small and large – and the appreciation of handmade and homemade. Keep the palette subdued and accessorize with items with pleasing shapes and harmonious hues. Sometimes an abundance of similar things – like a massive bouquet of one type of flowers in one pitcher, or several vases of varied sizes holding identical flowers – will make a stunning statement. In these cases, repetition (and simplicity) create visual unity and harmony. That said, it doesn’t mean you have to opt for a bare look. Just don’t clutter. Let things stand on their own.

 You say in the introduction to the book that you’ve always been a prairie girl at heart. How and when did you first discover a love of styling in this way?
I have always loved the simplicity inherent to country life. Especially nature and animals. I was born in the city (Paris, France) and enjoyed some of the glitz and glamour, but I am basically a loner and don’t like crowds. So, I can only take big cities in small doses. Show me wide open spaces, pristine ponds, towering mountains and meadows of wild flowers and I come alive. The lifestyle associated with country is also much more attractive to me because it’s real, unlike city life, which is much too often superficial and status-oriented. The romantic prairie style concept came to me while I was in the process of transforming my old garage into a guest house. A friend asked me what the style was and the question triggered memories of the little old houses I had become acquainted with when I lived on the Canadian prairie. That rustic look was the springboard for the style but it morphed into a softer, more romantic look.

What inspired you to write a book about romantic prairie style?
In spite of the numerous (beautiful) decorating books available, none featuring the prairie lifestyle had ever been produced and, for me, it was a logical one to create. I set out to find the homes I had in mind and also demonstrate that, though one cannot always up and move to the country, the style and lifestyle are adaptable wherever one lives.

How can we bring some prairie style into the home on a small budget?
Like many things in life, the way we live is a choice we make. It’s always a matter of values. Romantic prairie style lends itself to beauty on a budget because most of us  already have access to second hand or family pieces that they can easily revamp and re-invent; repaint something, make a new slipcover, use an item in a way that it was not intended for. The possibilities are only limited by one’s imagination and creativity.

Can you give us some tips for bringing prairie style into a city home?
Because decorating is a very personal choice, any interior, regardless of location (and even exterior appearance), can reflect one’s preference. When it comes to infusing elements of prairie style into a city home, it can be as easy as mixing soft fabrics like faded florals with more rugged textiles such as raw linen, wood items with iron ones, pottery with glass, keeping things rustic but a little refined – nothing so beat-up that it feels like it’s ready for the trash.

You describe prairie style as a way of life as well as a way of decorating. How can we incorporate prairie style into other areas of our lives?
For better or for worse, I have never fit in a ‘mold’. I guess you could say I live my life my way, may it be in the way I dress or decorate. It’s always the result of a feeling, never a trend. I happen to love rugged and rustic mixed with soft and feminine, though not the kind of feminine that I’d call ‘chichi-pompon’, which you can translate as overly frilly and busy. However, I must confess that I am also a ‘girly-girl’. I do love to pair faded and relaxed fabrics, such as old jeans, with beautiful ones, such as intricate lace and ethereal organza). The concept is that even if your pocket book won’t allow extravagant purchases, you can find inspiration from many sources and create your own look, both for your home and your wardrobe. And that goes for food as well. Marrying textures and flavors makes for a tasty combination.

What’s next for Fifi O’Neill?
Well, another ‘prairie’ book, of course.  I am also working on a prairie home accessory line as well as a clothing line.

Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neill, CICO Books,  photography by Mark Lohman

Win a signed copy of "The Green Wiccan Herbal" by Silja

Wiccan High Priestess and author, Silja, is giving you a chance to win a signed copy of her book, The Green Wiccan Herbal, with a personal spell or dedication especially for you (or a friend).

This beautiful, insightful compendium is the ultimate guide to herbal magic. Covering magical tools, growing and gathering herbs in the wild, and spell-casting, Silja presents more than 50 enchanting herbs, fruits, and flowers, including their elements, deities, and magical and healing properties, along with spells, kitchen witchery, and more.

To win a copy with a personal dedication from Silja please send us a picture or photo of an everyday magical object and explain why it is magical to you in less than 100 words. Examples could be the tree you pass when you go to work or a kitchen knife which became your magical athame.

Please send your entries to web.team@rps.co.uk. There is a maximum of two entries per person. The winner will be selected at random.

Please send your entries to us by 11.00pm on Wednesday 17th August.

To find out more about Silja and to share thoughts and pictures you can visit Silja's Green Wiccan Facebook page.

Meet the author of "Cute and Easy Quilting and Stitching" textile designer Charlotte Liddle

Charlotte Liddle creates beautiful highly embellished fabric and paper designs, handmade accessories, ballet shoes, peg dolls, and cards which are sold in a number of prestigious retail outlets including Liberty and Designers Guild in London. Here, Charlotte tells us more about how she got started in crafts and her new book Cute and Easy Quilting and Stitching.

When did you first become interested in sewing and stitching?
I’ve always been creative and loved making throughout my childhood. I loved art at school and then went on to study an A level in fashion and textiles, I enjoyed every minute of it and decided that it was definitely the career for me.

Jam pot covers

How would you describe your style?
I would describe my work as being quite girly, quirky, vintage and nostalgic. I love collecting and working with vintage fabrics and creating pieces that make people smile. I tend to use a lot of traditional techniques in my work but give them a bit of a modern twist and these often make people remember techniques they learnt when they were younger and recall happy stories of sewing or patchworking with their favorite grannies.


There are 35 projects in the book, what inspires you when you’re thinking of new designs?
This book was much bigger than my previous two which is why we decided to split the book down into a few chapters. This meant that I could design in smaller collections, concentrating on one at a time. I take inspiration for many different places; the fabric I’m working with can often determine a colour palette. I also visit exhibitions, see what’s happening in shops, have a good look around on the internet to see what’s happening on the craft scene. Blogs are a great place for inspiration. However this particular book was quite heavily influenced by the Quilts exhibition at the V & A.

Coffee pot cozy

What have been you favorite projects to so far?
I loved making the hanging Russian dolls and the Russian doll picture for the book. I’m a bit obsessed with Russian dolls at the moment.

You’ve recently become more involved in educational projects, can you tell us more about those?
Yes, I started doing a lot of workshops and then I applied for a position as an adult education tutor and from there I was also offered a part-time job as a lecturer in fashion and textiles in a college. So at the moment I teach about half the time so two and a half days a week. It’s great to be working around lots of other creative people and it really helps with inspiration when I can share ideas and concepts with like-minded people.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting their career in the craft industry?
I would say that it is essential to be flexible and to be able to manage lots of different projects at the same time. When I set up in business – I found quite quickly that I need to have some understanding of all the different jobs roles within the business. As well as looking after designing and making you also need to market yourself, do your own administration, look after your accounts, answer e-mails and phone calls. At first it can feel quite very overwhelming but you soon pick it up and I particularly love the fact that every day is different and I never get bored!

Baby shoes

What do you like to do when you're not crafting?
Because crafting is my job I often feel that I need to do something that is very different, I love walking my dog Alfie and I have to admit that I’m partial to a game of poker, which isn’t very girly at all! I play in a local pub league which is great fun – we have such a laugh and giggle.

What’s next for Charlotte Liddle?
My next adventure is working as a craft instructor on a cruise ship which I am so excited about. I have my first two-week cruise booked for September, it's on the Oceana ship and its sails around the Canary Islands – can’t wait!

You can find out more about Charlotte and her work on her website www.charlotteliddle.co.uk.
Cute and Easy Quilting and Stitching by Charlotte Liddle (£12.99) published by CICO Books, photography by Penny Wincer.

Meet the authors of "A Green Guide to Country Crafts"

Nicola Gouldsmith and Jacqui Mann met in an old soap factory in July 2009 and quickly realized that they both shared a lifelong passion for making things, growing their own, and making the most of the beautiful rural surroundings in which they life. These shared passions led them to set up Halfpenny Home, an arts and crafts centre where artists and crafters can meet, create and inspire each other.

A Green Guide to Country Crafts is their first book and is full of traditional country craft projects, gorgeous photographs and practical demonstrations.

Can you tell us the story of how you met and started the arts and craft emporium Halfpenny Home?

We met through a mutual friend who thought we’d get on and work well together, and she was right! Lisa described us as a Victoria sponge and raspberries with Greek yogurt - delicious eaten separately but when put together they make a spectacular combination! She didn't say which one of us is the sponge and which is the fruit...

A Green Guide to Country Crafts features projects on soap and candle making, weaving, dying and recycling vintage finds. Why did you decide to write a book about traditional country crafts?

It felt right because we love recycling and making the best use of what we have. It feels great to give unwanted and unloved items a new lease of life. It’s lovely to see the traditional crafts given a new twist.

Dyeing with Woad

Where did you learn your skills?

We both come from ‘crafty’ and thrifty families, used to making things.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to crafting and isn’t sure where to start?

Don’t be afraid to just give it a go, part of the fun is learning! Joining a local craft group is also a great way of meeting like minded people who will provide support and inspiration.

There are 35 projects in A Green Guide to Country Crafts from deckchairs to fire lighters, how do you find your inspiration?

It’s all around us! Beautiful countryside, nature, food……you name it!

Woven egg basket

Which is the item you’ve made that’s most precious to you and why?

Jacqui: For me it has to be the Blue Peter Theatre I made as a child. So much love and care went into it, that it still makes me smile today!

Nicola: There are so many things that I've enjoyed making both for myself and for other people but I have always been particularly pleased with the fancy dress costumes I've produced. My best friend Danda who has been both a great Queen Amidala and Damsel in distress in recent years and the ones that I've made for my son Miles who has been a brilliant Dark Magician and Buzz Lightyear in the past - I still have very fond memories of the Marshall Amplifier dress that I made for myself!

pine cone firelighters

Where do you feel most inspired?

The Suffolk coast and countryside.

What’s next for Halfpenny Home?

We’ve got loads of ideas…..how long have you got?

A preview of A Green Guide to Country Crafts:

You can find out more about Nicola and Jacqui and Halfpenny Home on their website: http://www.halfpennyhome.co.uk and blog: www.halfpennyhome.blogspot.com

Health tips for January from Hazel Courteney

• Natural sunlight helps to suppress production of the hormone melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland at night. This is why we tend to feel more depressed and sleepy during the winter months. therefore, get out into the daylight as much as you possibly can, especially in the mornings, and if you work in an office without full spectrum lighting make sure you use full-spectrum light bulbs at home and where you can at work. Try using Real Sunlight lamps, available at several specialist clinics in the UK. The harmful frequencies of UVA and UVB have been filtered out, making this sunlight safe.
  
  
• If you are suffering from a winter sore throat immediately take Homeopathic Aconite, along with Echinacea and Golden Seal capsules 3-4 times daily. Also take Garlic capsules and gargle with a little Tea Tree Oil in some luke warm water. Increase vitamin C to 3 grams daily with food and suck zinc lozengers. You need to eat really healthily for a couple of days avoiding all dairy and sugar and get some sleep – a great immune booster. You can also try crushing fresh sage into a tea, allow to cool, and gargle. Sage is antiseptic and eases the soreness. If your throat is really sore, soak a cloth in the sage mix and apply to the throat area.
  
  
  If you have a cough eat pineapple to help loosen up mucous and make breathing easier. Fresh pear juice is also good for easing coughs. Tea made from fresh thyme can help ease the cough.
  
  
• If you are craving white foods and comfort foods that tend to be high in fat and sugar – start making biscuits and cakes using Xylitol, a sugar substitute, which has a low glycaemic index. Spread Raw organic coconut butter on your bread- it's one of the only saturated fats that gives you energy but will not cause weight gain. It also helps control blood sugar, is good for your heart and lowers HDL the 'bad' cholesterol. Great in cakes and for cooking.
  
  
• If you have given up smoking this January try eating organic porridge every morning. Oats are a nerve tonic which helps to reduce addictions. Soak in an Epsom-salt or sea-salt bath, which helps remove nicotine through the pores.
  
  These tips are from "500 of the Most Important Health Tips You'll Ever Need" by Hazel Courteney