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

            CHRISTMAS IN JULY

I thought it appropriate, as it is so cold in Adelaide at the moment, to share with you some Christmas in July projects that I have done. At least if I start now I might have enough things done by christmas time!!

Both of these cards are done from a kit that makes 6 cards that I sell. The cream card front is a die cut, so all the beautiful fine snowflakes have already been cut out. This has to be a bonus! I have cut some red card stock on an angle and double side taped it to a green card, the card front is then attatched to the card. The white poinsetia is a 3d piece that I have cut out and attatched with silicone to give it the depth. To finish the card of I have added a red holly border and glued two of the snowflakes to the red cardstock. A quick and easy card.

This card is done in a similar way, but attatching red card stock behind the cut out section of the cream card front. This is then mounted onto a green card. The flowers are done in the same way. I have attatched a small red star border around the flowers, and a glittery gold star in each corner. I used red and light green diamentes on the bauble section.

The two applique/stitchery hangers are quick easy projects that are good for Christmas presents, decorations or even a chris kringle present. I have used cream homespun for both the centre panels, and blanket stitched around the applique pieces. For the writing I have used sparkly gold thread. I stitched the pieces together with iron on pellon in between to give them some body. I stitched gold ribbon to them to use as hangers. Once the pieces were turned in the right way I top stitched a 1/4" away from the edges to give them a nice finish.

So that is my Christmas in july edition! I am trying out some new designs, so will share them with you when they are finished.
At the moment the weather in Adelaide is perfect to be in the warm crafting, so enjoy.

Debbie

IT'S BEEN A WHILE !!

Hi everyone, Sorry I havn't updated the blog, but things have been busy, and I have spent time trying to fix up a few things with the blog site, but am not getting anywhere fast!! People are telling me they are leaving comments but I am not receiving them, and cant seem to fix the problem, so if anyone has a suggestion, all suggestions greatly appreciated!!

Thought I would share with you some stitching that I am doing at the moment. It will eventually be a little house to keep all of my embroidery projects in (should probably realistically be the size of a 3 foot room!!).

I am enjoying this piece, and it is
rather challenging as the majority of it
is done in a single strand of thread.
Each side and end of the house has a
different design, this one has the
crinoline lady, with windows that have
different flowers around them.
Along the ground are watering cans,
flower pots, a barrel and lots more
flowers,  The lid of the house opens
and there is pockets etc inside the house for all my sewing bits 'n' pieces.
It should be lovely when it is finished, but is certainly a long term project!



I thought I would share with you a card that I made for for a lovely friend of mine, Leanne, for her birthday.
Hopefully she enjoyed it as much as I did making it.

I used a cream piece of 12" cardstock and cut it 4" wide by the width, then made 3 folds at 4" intervals. The right hand side fold was folded down first, with the left hand one on the top. With this one though I folded the top right hand corner inside the card, double side taping it down. I then cut the aqua paper triangle for the front of the card and also the inside square. I used a flower template to trace of two flowers from some plain aqua paper. I attatched these together with a button. I tied knots in the threads of the button. Before attatching the flower I double sided some organza ribbon along the back of the card and across the front triangle of the card. This is then tied to close the card. I used glue to attatch the flower to the front of the card, and curled the petals of the top flower. I used rub ons on cream cardstock and then mounted this onto the same aqua card that the flowers were made from. Of course I had to add some bling to the front of the card!!
For the inside of the card, I made a pocket from the aqua fancy paper. I then made some cream tags with slightly smaller ones in the plain aqua paper attatched ontop. I then used rubons and diamentes to decorate these, with some ribbon threaded through the top. Around the edges of the other two sections I used a white velvet border that I inked in aqua. On the left hand side I used a few white flower rub ons, with of course some diamentes!! For the middle section I used a journalling tag that I had.
I hoped you enjoyed looking at these two new things. I will try and blog a bit more regularly!! Even if I find the whole computer thingy a bit frustrating and daunting!!
Happy crafting everyone.
Debbie

NEW CARD TECHNIQUE

I made this card using a new technique. The sheet that the flower is cut from is like thick acetate that has the flowers and leaves printed on it. They are fairly shiny like acetate is. I just cut these out with scissors, then the fun begins!! You hold the individual pieces over a tea light candle. This softens the flower and then you can use a shaping mat and shaping tool to mould and shape the flower. The same is done with the leaves, paying particular attention to the veins . I then used a new die cut card called a pyramid card. I attatched the flower and leaves with silicone. You dont get the full affect of the flower from the photo, because as you heat it up it becomes really glossy.

The above card is done with the same technique, but I used the orchid from the sheet. The card is called a box card so that when the side pieces are shut it becomes a little box. I used Martha Stewarts lattice border punch for the two sides. I sell a acetate sheet that has gold butterflys printed onto it, so I cut one of these out and attatched it with tiny foam squares along the body only so as the wings are "fluttering".  Behind the orchid is a piece of embossed "butterfly trail" cardstsock that I have inked, double side taped this to the back of the card and attatched the orchid to this with the silicone.
I hope you enjoyed these two cards and got some inspiration from them. Happy Crafting.

Debbie

LONG WEEKENDS.....

We have just had a long weekend and decided to not go away as it was just going to be to cold, so as a compromise went on a couple of day trips. The beautiful gum tree photo was taken at Worlds End Creek that is about 25 kms from Burra. It was a lovely sentimental journey for us all as a family as we used to go camping there and our children had been camping there with their Grandparents. Our son enjoyed introducing his new baby son to all his favourite memorable places, but at 4 weeks old I dont quite know how many of those he will remember!! We are so lucky in S.A. to have so many beautiful spots that are not that far from Adelaide.
Thanks for reading this. Have a great weekend.

Debbie

APPLES, APPLES, APPLES
AND MORE CARDS

Good morning everyone, Thought I would share a couple of cards I made on the weekend and my apple story!!

The two cards above were done from a kit that I sell. The kit contains enough to make four cards and includes the cards, die cut sheets (you only have to push the pieces out), and envelopes. These are nice, quick and easy to make. For the left hand card I have used some ribbon from my stash and threaded a diamente heart buckle through it, this just added some bling and sparkle. I have tied a bow up in the left hand corner. For three of the layered pieces I added a heart shaped split pin and lastly some diamentes and then gold glitter glue around the edges of the pieces.

For the right hand side card I added a strip of ribbon on the bottom page and a couple of bows. Once again finishing it of with sparkly diamentes and silver glitter glue.

I think both of these cards would be suitable for wedding, engagement or a special birthday card.

For The people lucky enough to be living in Adelaide, we discovered a real gem on the weekend (thanks to my sister who shared this with us). We drove up Greenhill Road to Summertown where we went apple picking. You could not get much fresher than picking apples of of a tree youself yum, yum .......... and the bonus is they were only $1.20 per kilo. I thought this would be a good, fun and cheap weekend outing for people with children. Go and pick your own apples and then go home and bake apple pie or apple crumble double yum, yum............!! There were lots of varietys of apples, and also pears. My only advice would be to go soon as the trees were starting to look well picked and also to wear rubber boots.

I hope you enjoyed this read, if you are in a cold area ,like us at themoment, keep warm.

Debbie

SEWING DAY TODAY !!! I found this fabric in my travels the other day, and thought it was lovely, I think it is called paper doll. I reminds me OF when I was younger and had those paper doll books where you pushed out the dolls and their clothes and accessories and dressed the dolls. I found a different range of paper doll fabric about 12 months ago, but loved this range as it had 2 boy dolls in the piece as well as the variety of girl dolls. Some of my students have been working on the other range for a while and they look great. We ironed thick interfacing to the back of the dolls and their clothes and then embellished the pieces with embroidery, ribbon, beads, buttons etc. Once that is completed we then vlisofix the finished pieces to felt and trimmed right around the various shapes. The dolls dresses, hats etc are attatched and changed with velcro. It makes a lovely gift for little girls that love dolls.,

I had to buy some flannelette fabric to make more fitted bassinette sheets and thought these were very cute and "boyee!!". Flanelette is such a soft cuddly fabric to work with so hopefully these will keep our new Grandson nice and warm and cosy, and he might sleep longer at night. Well that is the theory any way!! We are having such cold nights here in Adelaide, but I guess there will be worse to come. At least everything is looking nice and green.

I hope you enjoyed catching up. Have a great weekend everyone, and for those in a cold climate, I hope you can keep nice and warm.

Debbie

TWO NEW CARD DESIGNS

I thought I would share with you the two cards that I have recently designed to be used as kits for my classes.

For the top card I cut and folded it as a gatefold card but then cut the 2 front sections away on an angle to add a bit more interest. I used Bo Bunny and Graphic paper, cutting it to the card front shape, and then embellished it with some fussy cut primroses and butterflys, I stamped words on pricing tags that I had inked and threaded these onto some organza ribbon. To add some sparkle and bling to the card I used the matching Bo Bunny self adhesive diamentes.

I used the same Bo bunny and Graphic 45 paper for the card on the right. It has multi folds to add to the dimention and interest. The centre panel I have cut out the round centre and then placed acetate behind it and mounted it with foam squares. I like using dimensional magic to give cards a nice shine, so have used this on a primrose that I fussy cut out. The gathered flower in the left hand bottom corner was done by gathering along the short, long and then short end then gathering it up to form a circle.

I have used some of the matching Bo Bunny diamentes and scattered them over the card (butterfly trails, centres of flowers and in corners etc).

NEW CARD DESIGNS

LETS GET STARTED!!

Hi,
My name is Debbie, and this is something that I have been wanting to do for a while, so here goes. You will all have to be patient while I learn how this is done!!
I have a craft business in Adelaide, where I teach 9 classes a week. I teach a large variety of classes that keeps me on my toes. Some of them being cardmaking, paper tole, lots of different embroidery, ribbon, silk panel, wool, brazillian, quilting, applique, off the pages items.
Like most craft people I always seem to have a large ammount of projects on the go. I have just finished 2 cards that I will be making into kits that will be for my classes, so hopefully the ladies will like them! When I become more proficient I will put photos of these on the site. I am almost finished an ABC cloth book for our new (7 day old) Grandson. I have decided it can be a Christmas present, to take the "finishing" pressure of of me! A few weeks ago I finished the baby quilt that was done in blocks with appliqued pictures, and had a scalloped border. I did find this a bit of a challenge, but it does all of us good to get out of our comfort zone!
I hope you have enjoyed sharing in my FIRST post and I look forward to getting to know all my new blogging friends.
Debbie