HOW DID MY NAME COME ABOUT ??

I have joined a link that requires you to explain how your business name came about. Goodness me, that was a lot of years ago !!! I began my business approx 20 years ago after my husband, children and myself had been to W.A. for long service leave. I had discovered a "new" craft while I was away and couldnt find anyone in Adelaide that was teaching it, so thought why not ! The last famous words, so her I am 20 years later! When we were trying to think of names I was only doing paper tole, which is building pictures up to become 3d. The tinier the pieces were and the more intricate they were the more I loved doing them. All the pieces back then had to be cut out by hand!! So I decided Quaint described what I hoped to achieve in my finished product. I hoped that the business would become very crafty and give myself and my students pleasure, enjoyment, satisfaction and down time. So that is how Quaint 'N' Crafty came about all those years ago. Hopefully the business has given lots of people enjoyment over the years. I know that I have certainly loved every minute of it, and gained many, many lifelong friends over the years,  that are like our family.

Debbie

BACK AGAIN!

Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the absence blogging, but we have been away on holidays in our new caravan for 3 weeks. We had the best time, visiting two very special friends at Fraser Range Station Caravan Park in W.A.
Due to lots of hours drivingl, particularly across the Nullabour, I got loads of stitching done, and quite a few cards when we were stopped and time allowed. Over the next few posts I will share with you some of the beautiful scenery we experienced and also the craft I got done.

I set my machine up outside one day at Port Lincoln and this is one of my projects I completed. I had already done all of the hand embroidery so just had to piece the stocking together. I had previously vlisofixed the felt to the stocking and then blanket stitched it down with silver metallic thread around the white, and matching thread around the other coloured felt. I used a couple of black beads for the snowmans eyes, and a bit of blush for his cheeks! Once I had machined the stocking together I hand stitched the braid to the top of the stocking.

I hand stitched the christmas tree and words onto calico using 2 strands of thread. I then stitched small star sequins, held on with green seed beads, onto the christmas trees. I stitched some bright "oval" beads onto the branches of the tree. The outer fabric is red stars and the inner and tie for the bag are a lime green colourwash fabric. Once the bag was stitched up, I then hand sewed the ric rac on ( I find this easier to do than on the machine) and also stitched a button to each corner and a ribbon bow.

This is a kit, with everything included in it. I thought it was nice not having the "traditional" colours, and the blue is nice and soft. In the kit you get a dark blue, background lantern, the cream front piece, an easel stand, envelope and the sheet for the 3d section. I found the easiest method with these kits is to put the pattern sheet against a window with the cream section lined up on top of it, and just use a lead pencil to put a few dots to get the rough placing for the stickers. The finished card can then be displayed on the little stand.

I thought I would share with you the beautiful view I had over the Port Lincoln harbour from my "out door" sewing room!! It was hard work sitting in the sunshine with this beautiful view sewing, but I guess someone has to do it!!
I hope you have enjoyed sharing some of my "holiday" things I made, and I will continue to share these with you over the next few posts. Have a great day.

Debbie

  SPECIAL FATHERS DAY CARDS

We had a very special Fathers Day this year. It was our beautiful sons first Fathers Day with his gorgeous son Tyler. Also my Dads first Great "Parpys" Day, my husbands first "Pa" day, and our daughter in laws Dads first "Opars" Day with Tyler. So I thought it appropriate to make a special card for Christopher, my husband and Dad.

I Decided to make waterfall cards with photos of Tyler and the appropriate person. I tried to have the top photo the oldest photo (when he was new born), and then as you open the "waterfall" older photos of him appear. For Christophers card I used some "old fashioned" looking space paper, and was lucky enough to have the words "Journey" positioned up the top. For the brads I used baby boy clothes.

For My husbands card, I used a rustic look paper, with the contrasting green cardstock for the mounting and slide device. I had some fabric covered brads which fitted in really well. Once again I tried to have the youngest photos of  Tyler on the first waterfall.

 For my Dads card I used a green card with earthy toned paper, that I distressed and inked the edges with. I used a brown cardstock for the mounting and slide device, the brads were a orange/brown glass look ones. On the slide device, I stamped have a wonderful day.

I hope these have inspired you to make some waterfall cards using photos. These can be altered to fit any occasion, Christmas, birthday, anniversary etc. I have a student who is going to make a Christmas card with various photos of her little Granddaughter to send overseas, so these would also be good to send to rellies, friends etc.

Thanks for looking at my latest cards. Have a great day.

Debbie

            MORE NEW CARD KITS

This is a new card kit that is a quick, easy one. In the kit you get the red and cream cut out sections, a sheet that you use for the 3d bauble section and a sheet of stickers. There is also a pattern that you trace onto the cream top section. This is the guide for where the stickers are placed on the top and botton section of the front piece. For this I just placed pencil dots as guides as the pattern sheet was fairly self explanatory. In the kit was also a little stand so as the card can be displayed. You could also put some ribbon through the top hole and use the card as a hanger for the Christmas tree. I just think they are really different, but quick and easy at the same time, and could be displayed every Christmas. There is heaps of stickers left over for future projects as well which is always a bonus!!

Just a sneek peek at another of my "Secret" kris kringle gifts I am making. This is a hanging pouch/bag. The problem is that now I have to come up with something to fill it with! So all suggestions greatly received! I had thought I might fill it with some nice Christmas decorations that can be used by the "receiver". Hmm ..... I will have to keep thinking.

This is another card set that I made up as samples from one 3d sheet. Any one would think I am getting organized for Christmas!! For the top left hand card I did two strips of ribbon, and then mounted the panda cut outs on some card stock and attatched these to the cards with foam squares. I then used some thin silver border stickers as hangers for the transparent glitter sticker snowflakes. I mounted a greeting on card stock and once again attatched this with foam squares. Finally I just added some bling with red glitter glue for the berrys in the tree.

For the top card on the right I mounted some spotty blue paper to the card with double sided tape with a border sticker along the bottom edge. I then mounted the polar bear paper onto cardstock and attatched the entire thing with foam squares. I stuck the greeting to cardstock and double side taped this to the card. To finish the card of I added 2 small snowflakes, some diamentes and more glitter glue.

The last card was just done using the 3d paper and using foam squares to attatch the top layers. The only other thing I have done is added red glitter glue and also clear sparkly glitter glue to the snow.

The 3d sheet was great "value for Money as the 3 cards came from the one sheet, and were just kept really quick and simple.

To end of this blog entry I thought I would share with you one of my beautiful orchids in the garden. I dont have a green thumb in my entire body so every year when I have 2-3 stems of beautiful orchids it is a miracle!!

Thanks for taking the time to share these things with me. Have a great day.

Debbie

SPRING IS NEARLY HERE!!

A rare occurance happened a couple of weeks ago! It had actually stopped raining and there were blue skys, so I was able to hang the washing out on the clothes line. While I was doing this I could smell something beautiful
and sweet and glanced over at my jasmine and YES there were tiny bunches of flowers just coming out. To me that is alway my sign that spring is on the way. YAY this has to be one of my favourite times of the year, blue skys, warmish breeze and the beautiful smell of jasmine. Hopefully we will start to have less cold, wet, windy days. I find that I have more energy and motivation when the days are like that.
As a result I have been quite busy crafting and designing. I even unearthed the sewing machine! I have finished the set of Christmas cards that will go as a kit with the waterfall card that is in the last blog entry.

In this set of cards I have used 4 12x12" pieces of cardstock. Red, light green, dark green and cream. There is also a sheet of Bo Bunny christmas paper, 3 sticker sheets, and a packet of red diamentes, with a bit of organza ribbon.
My aim with this kit is to teach the girls the waterfall card, but then show them how to use the leftovers to create quick , effective cards. I was quite frugal with the leftovers, using up all the little bits to make the tags, and also to put the transparent stickers onto and cut out.

I also used a TORN, yes girls, you have to go out side the comfort zone and not be precise and actually take a risk and tear something, music sheet. I think I brought the old music book at an op shop while on our travels at Whyalla! You can sometimes find great crafting things in op shops, much to my daughters disgust !! (she hates op shops). I have also done a bit of stamping and used a lot of red and green tim holtz distress inks. On a couple of the cards I have distressed the edges and inked them. The sheet of Bo Bunny paper is great for cardmaking as the pieces are all in blocks and only neet to be cut and placed. I even made 4 tag cards from the sheet, so it is definately a very economical piece of paper. Hopefully the classes will enjoy making this set of cards and learn some new tecniques. You better come home Irene so you can do this set of cards!!

This is just a sneak peak at a christmas stocking I am making at the moment, it just has to be sewn up now. Last year I suggested to my classes that we each make a small christmas item and exchange it as a kris kringle on the last lesson of the year. The only criteria rule is that it has to have a christmas theme. Sounds like a good idea .....Hmm ....... I forgot they all only have to make one and I have to make 8 !!! One for each class. I remember the rush and stress I was under last year, so thought I would get a head start !! I can only give you peaks of each one as it is supposed to be a surprise.
I loved the colours of this fabric, as they are not the traditional christmas colours and really pretty. As I love doing crazy patchwork I decided to use that for the design of the stocking. Along with lots of stitching, beading and sparkly,  frilly bits and pieces. Sorry about the photos they are quite dark when I look at them. I think my photographic skills could do with some improvement, but it is hard when it is to wet outside to take photos!
Well I think that is all for now, I had better get on with the other 7 suprise gifts ! In the next blog I will hopefully be able to share with you the Fathers Day cards I have made. Have a great weekend wherever you may be.

Debbie

RELAXATION AND CRAFTING

Last week we went and stayed at a friends shack while my husband recuperated from surgery, and this is the view I had while sitting and crafting!! It is the most beautiful view of the ocean, beach etc. Very relaxing and calming and the perfect situation to sit craft and relax.

I made a card that I had been meaning to do for quite some time, and was really pleased with the result, so will probably make it into a class kit. It is never to early to start Christmas!! This is a waterfall card that is a 'mechanical' card. When the ribbon to the right of the card is pulled the squares open up.

So as you pull the ribbon the second square is revealed and then the final square, as the pulling mechanism is extended I stamped Merry Christmas on it. This would be a good design if you wanted to add small passport photos to it as well. Infact mind is now working overtime and thinking Fathers Day card, tiny photos, New Dad, Pa, and Great Parpys first Fathers Day!!! Hmm... can see I had better start designing quickly.

Another card that I finally got around to doing is called a rocking card. You build the card on a half circle rocking section, so that it actually does rock slightly! I used foam squares to build the card up with but you could use silicone as it is just like a paper tole card. There is a lot of different designs in these series, plus in the kit you get several little tags with greetings on them and an envelope.  I double sided taped these to the back of the rocking device which is where you could write your greeting.
It just goes to show that when you have the right relaxed environment and some spare time, you can create anything!
Well that is all for this blog. Thankyou for taking time to look at my latest creations. Feel free to leave a comment if you want, as I think I have finally fixed the problem and can now view the comments!! Have a great day.

Debbie

A LITTLE BIT OF QUIRKINESS!

I thought I would share these quirky sheep with you (expecially you Robyn!!). My daughter brought them in Burra. They are an outdoor garden decoration made from old corrogated iron fences! The head is an attatched piece to the body along with two little legs. Bottle top lids have been used for the eyes. There is a wooden stake at the back of the sheep that goes into the ground. Such a simple thing but looks great.

MORE CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Last week I made two iris folded christmas cards. These are a quick easy card technique, that look quite effective. I have used a red card, and embossed a piece of white card with the cuttlebug folder snowflakes and inked it in gold. For the iris folding I have only used two different papers, just alternating them, with a gold sparkly piece of card stock in the centre. Around the edge of the white cardstock I used a green holly border sticker.

For the bauble card I used five different pink papers with a sparkly pink for the centre as well as the hanger on the top. To add sparkle to the card I have added a clear border and matching corners and merry christmas greeting. For a hanger I used the same border sticker with some pink organza ribbon.

I hope you enjoyed looking at a little bit of "quirkeness" and some christmas cards. Happy crafting.

Debbie