School Fete

So I went along to the local school fate today with my lovely mummy and we defiantly got our priorities right hitting the ice cream van and the pimms stand!











While I was there I was in search for lovely crafty people that I could tell the world about!

Well we found the lovely Hayley Boulter of Ceramic Hearts. Hayley started crafting after having three lovely boys. Working from home gives her the flexibility she needs. Hayley sees making these lovely gifts as and excuse to get the glitter out have have a girly time!






She also makes the hearts as wedding favour gifts.







For pricing and special requests please visit her website.

Follow @Rabbitcrafts on Twitter

Follow @Rabbitcrafts on Twitter

School fete two!

So this was the second school fete of the weekend! However this was a fete with a difference as my beautiful niece was performing with her dance troop.

Of course my sister in law and I had our priorities right and headed over the the pimms stand.

We watched my two nieces and my nephew play on the climbing wall and win everything in sight ( including four gold fish!).

However, what sort of craft blogger would I be if I didn't search for amazing hand made creations to tell you about?

All of these morsels of loveliness are made and decorated by Elli from Cupcakes For All Occasions. To see More pictures and contact details you can find her on Facebook.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Follow @Rabbitcrafts on Twitter

Bag Charms/Brooches

Yesterday I was trying to finnish off some old projects and find ways to use up leftovers.

I ended up making a bag charm/brooch out of an old button two crocheted flowers and a lovely bit ribbon.











- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

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Book Review ~ Beads and Buttons, Erika Knight

I was first introduced to Erika Knight's work on Kirstie's Homamade Home, C4.
This beautiful book by Erika Knight contains 25 gorgeous jewellery projects and are split into three sections, natural, playful and vintage.

These items are relatively easy to make and with the helpful introduction guide teaching you the basic techniques needed it is hard to go wrong. Erika has thought of everything in the guide at the beginning, from what the different types of threads are, different beads, how to knit and crochet! Erikas' also has a 'how to' guide on her website for knitting and crochet.

Below are a few of the lovely makes that caught my eye.

Erika Knight’s book is highly recommended by me for those who knit or crochet need some inspiration about where to go next or those who are interested in the alternative world of jewellery and need some help starting out.

The comprehensive help guide allows those who have never used these techniques before to try something new and also opens the world of alternative jewellery making out to those who are used more traditional techniques.

Erika's book is available from Amazon. Her website can be found here. Twitter @knightkraft.

Book Review ~ A Green Guide To Country Crafts, Halfpenny Home

bookI want to thank my lovely sister @frankie1902 for getting me this lovely book for my birthday.

As soon as you see this book the front cover screams "LOVE ME". Look inside and there is a beautiful contents page that lists all of the wonderful things that you can learn to make. From soap making to quilting this book if full of beautiful ideas that can either be made as gifts, things that you can sell or decorate your home with. Either way you will have fun making them and you will fill yourself with a wonderful sense of accomplishment!

This book runs through a step-by-step guide for each craft. Each step is detailed and the wonderful photography should ensure that you don't get lost and wonder what you should do if it all goes wrong.

In the back you will find patterns at you can photo copy to help you with your makes and if you are after anything in particular then there is a really comprehensive index page to help you find what you need.

Overall this is a brilliant book, they seem to of thought of everything. I would say that this is especially good for those that are only just starting out in the crafting world (much like me).

The book is available from Amazon and is written by @halfpennyhome they also have a blog!

Fathers Day Card

What sort of crafter would I be if I didn't post my handmade fathers day card.

I used pre-folded card and envelopes that I got from Hobby Craft as a starting point.

I decided that it would be fun to make a background for these cards. I made a potato stamp with circles.





This is how it looked once I stamped the card.





I decides not to make a stamp saying 'dad' and hand paint it instead.




Rabbit Crafts

Can cooking be a craft? Continued....

I think that I have decided that cooking can defiantly be a craft! just take a look at this beautiful cake that I had in Korea, surly it's healthy...it had fruit in it!

Caught my eye...

...This lamp post in Korea!





It may seem silly but I couldn't believe the detail that had been put into something so everyday.

Love

I am currently in Korea on business and I have been lucky enough to have some time off to see the sights while I am here.


The other day I went to the N Seoul Tower. Under a time limit unfortunately I didn't make it up the actual tower but the view from the base was still breath taking.


To get to the base of the tower you need to take a cable car which give you brilliant views of both Seoul and the Tower.

Along with the Teddy Bear museum and the Cold Stone Creamery the base of the N Seoul Tower is where people to come to profess their undying  love and their new found friendships with pad locks and key chains (on sale in the gift shop!).

Explanation of why...

Our makeshift tag

University of Middlesex Art and Design Show

Recently I had the privilege of visiting the University of Middlesex Art and Design Show. This is a show that highlights the work of all final year art and design students, from photography to architecture.

The show was held at the Old Truman Brewery, just off Brick lane.

I went along to view the photography of Frances Jose (my sister) with some family and friends.




I also had a great chance to look around at the graphic design work and found this craft magazine moc-up. It really caught my eye with the lovely pastel shades and beautiful photography.









I also saw this beautiful display of vintage jewellery, including the most amazing hat pins, by Francesca Samels.









As I walked around I encountered some of the more eccentric work, like this man performing Karioke!




Last but not least I would love to draw your attention to this really inventive furniture designer. Using furniture as a social tool to get people talking Elizabeth Ret has created a bench that really addresses our ideas about social norms.









The bench is big enough for two and when sat on at one end the bench tilts like a sea-saw meaning that you have to get someone to sit with you, brilliant!

Let me know what you think.

Interesting Wall Idea

Hi all,

I know that this might seem like a silly post but I saw this and thought that it was a brilliant idea!

At first I thought that it was a photograph but it is real. Stone set in resin. Great idea if you want to create that sea-side feel at home.

I found this being used as a wall covering but it can be used as a floor covering or a surface, Kitchen work top maybe .

Making Soap!

About 3 weeks ago I decided to try to make soap for the first time, and it was so much fun! A little scary but defiantly fun! Handmade soap can make a great gift, one drawback is that you have to leave it for 6weeks for the ingredients to stabilise before it can be used.

When making soap you have to remember that at the end of the day it is a chemical process and you have to have the right equipment to do this safely. This includes: goggles, long marigolds and an apron (preferably plastic).

The ingredients and steps to making soap can be found here.

Through other research I have found that there are easier ways to make this recipe of soap. To speed up the process you can use a stick blender as whisking can be a very long and drawn-out process (as I found out making it for the first time).

You can also add colour by adding oxide powders, I bought mine on ebay. These can be added straight into the combined mix which means that you can stop as soon as you have your perfect colour. As mentioned on the sellers’ page this can mean that the mix can speckle if not mixed well enough. By mixing the powder to a little bit of oil this can help.

I put my mixture into different shaped silicone moulds. Traditionally wooden moulds lined with greaseproof paper are used, but old ice cream tubs or plastic takeaway tubs can be used too.

Here are some pictures of me looking like an idiot making my soap. I will update you when it is stable and I can test it out.

Adding the caustic soda to the water.

The oils being heated and mixed.

Moulds all ready and waiting.

Mixing the oil and soda/water (lay) togther.

Pouring the mix into the moulds.

Me looking all proud!