By Crafters for Crafters

Issue 3

Valentines/Mothers Day 2010

HandcraftedWeddingSpecial

Valentine &Mothers Day

Projects

Have youbeen

featured?

Welcome ! This issue of Creative Crafting was brought to you by:

Anna - The Crystal Lady Email - thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com

http://www.mysticearth.co.uk http://www.radiancecrystals.co.uk

Avril - Sprinkles Sparkles Email - sprinks@creative-crafting.com

http://www.sprinklessparkles.co.uk

Diane - Peggy’s Knits

http://www.peggysknits.misi.co.uk

Tina - In the Garden

Guest Contributors

Heather-Louise - Online in No Time http://www.onlineinnotime.co.uk

Mimi - Art by Mimi http://www.littlebookofmisi.blogspot.com

InterviewsJulia - East of the Sun Art http://www.eastofthesunart.misi.co.uk http://www.thefoldedcorner.misi.co.uk

Christine - Salt of the Earth http://www.salt-of-the-earth.misi.me.uk

Ley - Vintage Beadery

http://www.vintage.misi.co.uk

Cover PhotographHippy Mountain Crafts http://www.etsy.com/shop/HippyMountainCrafts

Amy - Ciren’s Call

http://www.cirenscall.misi.co.uk

Helen- The Beading Lady http://www.thebeadinglady.misi.co.uk

Lou- Looby Crafts http://www.loobycrafts.misi.co.uk

Here we are again, yet another issue already.We hope you all had a wonderful Christmasand a Happy New Year.We’ve been very busy at Creative Crafting,looking through all of your wonderfulcreations to find the best one for Valentinesand Mothers Day. Have you been featuredthis time?If you would like to tell us about somethingspecial that you have made or have aninteresting idea for an article, please let usknow. Also, if you like our magazine, we loveto hear from you. We do try to keep up withyour thoughts across the forums but thereare so many that we may miss some.Our team has been somewhat depleted thisIssue as things have been busy. We wouldvery much like to thank Diane from Peggy’sKnits who has written extra articles for us, andalso to our wonderful guest contributors whosome of you know well. Helen, Mimi, Lou andHeather-Louise.Don’t forget to visit our websitehttp://www.creative-crafting.com to catch upwith back issues, read the magazine, see extraarticles etc.We are also setting up a Blog,http://creative-crafting-magazine.blogspot.com.So, please come and follow us and interact.Our Facebook page is also underway; we alljust need a few more hours in the day. Butwe’ll get there.

Once again, thank you for reading and alsofor creating all of the wonderful things thatwe love to feature.

Happy Crafting!

Anna & Avril

Vintage Beadery.................................4East of the Sun Art.............................6Salt of the Earth.................................8Crystal Magic....................................11Crystal Magic....................................11Make a Memory Wire Bracelet...........12Budget or Luxury..............................13What would you like for Valentines thisyear?...............................................14Have you heard of ‘ TheLittle Book of Misi?............................16Blogger & Wordpress........................18Have a Handcrafted Wedding............20Chocolate Biscuit Cake......................24Create a Handmade Valentines Card. . 28Knit a Valentine Heart.......................29In the Garden...................................30Online Street, Best Picks....................32Guide to starting Knitting Part 3.........34Mothers Day Gift Ideas......................36Create a Handmade Mother’s Day Card.......................................................38Kids Mothers Day Flower Project........40This Months.....................................41

Make a ValentineOr

Mothers Day Card

Handcrafted WeddingSpecial

Have you heard about‘The Little Book of Misi’

Mothers DayGift Ideas

Part 3 of our‘How to Knit’

Guide

Make a MemoryWire Bracelet

Page 14

Page 36

Page 10

Page 22

Page 18

Page 38

Sea Bracelet

Georgian Limpet Locket

I'm a recent grandmother, so quite old really. I studied originally as a textiledesigner at West Surrey College of Art & Design, but didn't finish my degreefirst time round. After leaving college, having got married in my foundationyear! I worked in all kinds of jobs including working in saddlery repair. Ihave two kids by adoption and spent years looking after them and workingat home or part time. I made a point of keeping on drawing and painting andended up teaching life drawing to adults. I've dabbled in all sorts of crafts andmade dolls using fimo to make the head hands and feet. I sold a few but it wasvery labour intensive and not viable financially. I went back into study in my late30s intending to just do the free access course to get my skills sharpened. Iended up doing a degree in Image Making, a broad based course with anemphasis on graphic design. After graduating I did a little illustration work,worked in an art shop, as an art technician at a secondary school, andin various jobs in a local small theatre. I went from there to managing a smallarts centre for young people. When the funding was withdrawn and the centreclosed we moved to Devon, where my husband runs a Brass Rubbing Centre. Icurrently work part time in a library and as a steward in the two local theatres.

I've always had some kind of craft in my life, I learnt to do leather carving,did a bit of weaving and dying at college, made toys for my kids. I did quite alot of 3D design at college during my degree, making things to illustrate ideas.I've made books and drawn and painted since I was a child. I was commissionedto do an illustrated map for a walk straight from college. One of the people involvedalso commissioned me to make a sculptural piece for his girlfriend's birthday. I've hadexhibitions in small galleries and sold paintings to complete strangers! Very satisfying.I started making beaded jewellery after borrowing a book on brick stitch in around2006. I then discovered the technique of beading around a cabochon and my firstpiece was being fought over by work colleagues. I made three more similar pieces forthe disappointed customers and then began using sea glass instead of cabochons. I'dbeen collecting vintage beads for years and had never really found a way to use themsatisfactorily until now. I'd also always collected sea glass, putting the two togetherseems to have been the thing I was looking for to express my creativity. It has rathertaken over my life and certainly taken over our tiny cottage.

At the moment sea glass, ceramics from the beach and unusual pebbles. I try to usevintage or recycled beads in every piece. I've experimented with silver clay andalthough I love it I'm not very good yet. I need to be brave enough to really work atlearning how to use it. I did some jewellery a while ago using Fimo to simulate ivoryand I may go back to that, or combine it with the beads.

I'm very pleased with the limpet lockets I started making at the end of last year.Somebody gave me a lovely old shell that I beaded around. When I was finishing it,it occurred to me that there was a lovely hollow space inside that was going to waste,so I cut a 'door' in the backing and fixed a button fastening to it. I sold that piece andhave been trying to find another shell like it ever since. Having picked up a nice limpetshell on the beach, it suddenly occurred to me that they would work. The first onehad a magnetic closure on the compartment but it didn't seem right, not really a jewellerysolution to the problem, effective but not elegant. I recently found some copper locketframes on a site in Canada and they have solved the problem beautifully. I'm still not100% happy with the method of fixing the frame but it's getting better. I like the idea of'secret' compartments and have always made boxes, from tiny ones to a large woodenchest for my final degree piece.

We Meet

Banded Agate

Pale Green Sea Glass

I actually love the necklace called ‘Moonlit Water’. It took ages to do and Irestarted it several times. It started as something else entirely and sat halffinished for a long time. It's a bit off my usual style but I love it.

A sort of of blue green peacock colour. Any shade of that.

Who inspires me? My daughter is my inspiration at the moment. She is soamazingly focused on what she wants to do, always on the look out for newopportunities and totally unafraid to talk to anyone, from Gilbert and George toPrince Charles. She has travelled everywhere including Mount Everest and iscurrently training to be a photo journalist at 25. As for what, The World,especially North Devon.

I don't really have a favourite supplier; I just roam around a few different ones.My local one is The Bead Cellar in Black Torrington, an amazing, tiny village witha Post Office and a bead shop! (Must have at least one pub too I expect.) Theymust rely on web sales and not passing trade. I like e-beads and beadsdirect anda number of ebay shops that sell vintage beads.

My husband, who puts up with a house full of beads and my terrible bead habit,can't resist buying more every now and then! Also me yelling and cursing at thecomputer when I'm trying to load stuff up, never works quite how it should doesit? He even sells the jewellery for me in his centre, and built me some displaystuff for craft fairs. He always likes what I make too.

My favourite shop is on Misi: Annamai jewellery, she makes the kind of jewelleryI'd like to make, very inspired and quite understated. I also love Little Scruffs onMisi, who wouldn't love one of those little bears!

Sea Glass Necklace

Baroque Red HeartNecklace

Victorian Style Necklace

Moonlit Water

Fuschias

I am a 35 yr old artistic dreamer, living on the Cornish coast with my Husband and 'furry’ child'(a 5 yr old Basset Hound). Originally from Cambridgeshire, I moved to Cornwall about 13years ago and can't see myself ever going back.

I have always loved crafting activities and have fond memories of being in Infant schoolmaking paper mache puppets, or learning to sew (I still have a little yellow felt mousethat I named 'cheesy mouse'!). My first love was always Art though, and I told mySecondary school teachers that I was going to paint album covers for a living! I didn'tquite manage that * * but I grew up doing pencil portraits of my favourite musicians,and for a while in my late teens, moved into creating my own comics. I went to ArtCollege after taking A Level Art, and almost fell into a career in Graphic Design. I'm quiteglad I didn't go down that route now though, as I have really enjoyed pushing myself tobecome a better painter, learning more about the 'Fine Art' path and learning how topromote and sell my work through both High Street shops and fabulous online retailoutlets such as MISI. I really enjoy not only the artistic process of painting, but also thecreation of products, such as my bookmarks, art prints & greetings cards. I have alsotaught myself how to hand stitch Journals, so I hope to offer those in my shops verysoon also.

Watercolour & acrylic paints.

Choosing just one would be virtually impossible, but a current favourite would be arecent painting called ' The Dreaming Place'.It is a self-portrait, based on a photograph of a favourite picnic spot my Husband & Ilove to visit.http://eastofthesunart.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-do-you-dream_26.html

I love all my bookmark designs, but I especially love my ' bookmark and card' gift sets. Somany people purchase my bookmarks as gifts that I figured why not buy the present andcard together? I had fun creating these.http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/10456/Greetings_Card_and_Bookmark_Set___'Follow_your_heart'.html

Blues and purples of many different hues ...oh and sage green!

Many different people and places, from the great Oil painters like J.W Waterhouseand Lawrence Alma Tadema, to the magical illustrations of Arthur Rackham, WarwickGoble, & Sulamith Wulfing. Also modern day Artists such as Jackie Morris and Lisa Hunt.I am always inspired by my surroundings and living by the Cornish coast is somethingthat really refreshes and soothes my soul. I am also deeply inspired by the Spiritual/Metaphysical lifestyle I lead and enjoy painting images based on Goddesses, guidesand my own meditations.

“Join me in a World of Myth & Legend, Faerytale Fantasy,Dreams & Reality. Journey to a magical placethat can only be found,East of the Sun & West of the Moon...”

http://www.eco-craft.co.uk/I like being able to buy eco friendly materials at such good wholesale prices.And they are friendly & helpful too!

Anyone who has written to tell me how they have been inspired, or moved insome way by my artwork. Art is a very personal thing and I paint with myemotions on my sleeve, so when a friend or a stranger feels a connectionwith one of my paintings I feel very touched by that.

Right now I am loving the beautiful handmade Journals at ' No Fuzzy Edges'http://www.misi.co.uk/handmade/nofuzzyedges.html

Aside from MISI? I confess I love social networking sites like Facebookand Twitter. I have met some really fantastic people through them. I guessI just like to chat!

Find me online .........www.juliaguthrie.co.uk (Online Gallery)www.eastofthesunart.misi.co.uk (My main Misi shop)www.thefoldedcorner.misi.co.uk (My Bookmark shop)www.eastofthesunart.blogspot.com(My blog... my art inspiration & life in Cornwall)

My name is Christine and I am a forty one year old work at home mum.I live in Largs, a small coastal town in Scotland with my two childrenNicola 20 and my son Andrew who is 17 and profoundly autistic.

I have been crafting almost as long as I can remember, from makingperfume at age eight from bluebells in the garden (not so pleasant !).Though a school friend and I had a small business making block printT-shirts and selling them to a local Chelsea Girl shop. This was duringthe Frankie Goes To Hollywood 'Relax' period, and was fairly lucrativefor 15 year olds.

Through the years I have done many crafts including driedflowers (very messy) and flowers for several friends weddingsfrom the bouquets to topiary trees. I have also worked withmulberry paper on glass that I like to go back to now andthen for a change. I think my favourite material is SaltDough as it is almost like making something from nothing!I discovered this craft about 15 years ago in an old craft bookand started experimenting with it. I started with littlehouses and figures for friends and family then moved on tofairy doors and hippies.

The pictures with the hippies in them are my favouritethings.

I use watercolours sealed with varnish for the Salt Dough and my favouritecolours are green and purple.

My inspiration comes from all around. From children’s books to natureprograms, the hippies I just wanted to do because of the range of coloursand patterns I can use. Fairytale books are good places to get inspirationfor the Fairy Doors.

I don’t use many supplies, just littlecharms and glass nuggets, but I do getmy 100% recycled boxes for the fairy doorsfrom the Tinybox Company, they have awide range of colours and sizes and are veryfriendly people to deal with.

My daughter has supported me through the years,especially at Christmas when she was sat sticking felton to the backs of many angels and doors .... a verytedious and time-consuming job.

One of my favourite shops is Alibali Jewellery, she is asilversmith from Edinburgh and her pieces are lovely.

My favourite websites are Folksy and Misi, bothhave good communities and great shops.

Beautiful Jewellery to help you through life!

energizing

de-stress

revitalize

courage

confidence

love

arthritis

pain

Allergies

fear

amethyst

bloodstone

carnelian

moonstone

garnet

peridot

hematite

lapis lazuli

labradorite

quartz

MYSTIC EARTH

http://www.mysticearth.co.uk

Join our friendly Social NetworkAnd make lots of new Crafting Friends.

Become part of a wonderful Community

* Upload photos and promote your creations.

* Customise your own Profile page’

* Become part of our Forum’

* Start a blog.

* Spend time in our Chat Room.

http://www.creative-connections.ning.com

Crystal MagicMother Nature has provided us with wonderful

Healing Gemstones and Minerals.

Rose QuartzFor this Issue, discover the beauty of

SiO2+Na,Al,Fe,Ti+(Ca,Mg,Mn)

Butterfly in the Rose Garden

Amethyst and Rose Quartz Gem TreeRose Quartz in Sterling Silver

Silver and Gemstone Necklace

£120

3 strand Rose Quartz Bracelet

Rose Quartz and Swarovski Watch

If you would likemore information about

Crystal Healing Jewellery,you can contact

The Crystal Lady at:

thecrystallady@mysticearth.co.uk

http://www.mysticearth.co.ukor visit

For centuries Rose Quartz has been considered to be a fertility crystal.Often also used in ‘love magic’.

Mentally - Empathy, sensitivity, self-love, the ability to love. Liberation from worry.

Physically - Circulation. Fortifies the heart and sexual organs.

Chakra - Heart, higher heart.

£15

£15

£29

£15

£15

Step 1.To begin, curl one end of thememory wire with your round -nosed pliers.

Memory wire bracelets are simple and easyto make. Perfect for a Mother's Day

present made by you.You will need:1 piece of continuous 6cm memory wire - about 3 loopsLots of beadsMemory wire cuttersRound-nosed pliersPatience

Step 2.Now add your beads in whateverpattern you want or just put themon in a totally random fashion.

Step 3.When you get to the end of yourwire, with about a cm left, curlthe end to keep your beads inplace.

The Beading Lady, createsbracelets/handbag charms/bookmarksto order with a variety of colours and canalso make bracelets/handbag charms/bookmarkspersonalised with letter beads

http://www.thebeadinglady.misi.co.uk

Memory wire can come in loops of up to 100 so you may need tocut it to suit your needs. Try, if possible, to use specific memorywire cutters, any other cutters will be blunted very quickly by the

memory wire.However memory wire can be purchased in packs of 3 or 4 loops.

Mother’s Day14th March

Budget or Luxury

Hand Appliqued Button Heart Cushion£19.50 Velvet Paws

www.velvetpaws.misi.co.uk

Crazy Expresso Set£8.00 Magdoolawww.magdoola.misi.co.uk

My Friend Cutie£5.00 Zoe Woods

www.coriandr.com/shop/zoewoods

Polka Dot Surprise -Blank Journal

£20.00 Saynotolineshttp://www.coriandr.com/shop/saynotolines

Imprint Me Silver FingerprintHeart Cufflinks

£50.00 Ali Bali Jewellerywww.folksy.com/shops/alibalijewellery

Soap, sisal bag andlip balm gift box

£7.50 Saffronbarrwww.folksy.com/shops/saffronbarr

Red - Heart Ornaments -Set of 2 - Reversible

£1.82 TheWhatKnotShop_byEmiliewww.artfire.com/users/TheWhatKnotShop_byEmilie

Spring is in the air -Large pleated bag

£43.14 Handbags By Daphnewww.artfire.com/users/HandbagsByDaphne

Be my Valentine CharmBracelet

€ 20.00 bijoux dello stregattohttp://en.dawanda.com/shop/bijouxdellostregatto

Perfectly PinkStrawberry SwirlCupcake Candle€ 6.29 Purple Sparkle

Be My Valentine SweetHeart - Sprinkle ResinRing

$12.00 athinalabellawww.etsy.com/shop/athinalabella

Pink and Purple AsianBird Frame SunglassCase$30.00 Kailo Chicwww.etsy.com/shop/kailochic

It occurred to me that making jewellery as a presentfor someone who can make her own is a bit daft. SoI got to thinking, what is the best present to buy forsomeone who crafts? As usual I appealed to the lovely people of Misi.

Since this article was due for ourValentines Edition, I asked “What wouldpeople prefer, choccies and roses or apractical gift?”

Joanne at Lej Jewellery said she would likeboth please, a box of chocolates and a tripto Hobbycraft.

Amanda at Jewelleryparties has a passion for realflowers and real old fashioned jewellery boxesthat she likes to use as storage for her bead stash.

Lisa at Designs by Isis would like a new set of pliers, handmade lampwork beads and a subscription to a jewellery magazine, and also some peace and quiet for a day with hubby taking the kids so she can craft in peace.

In the run up to Christmas I spent ages trying to decide whatto make my Secret Santa.

subscription to a jewellery magazine, and

Sharon at SPjewllery would like an orchid if shecan persuade her boyfriend, if not a spending spreein a bead shop.Karen at Just K jewellery would like to be given agift voucher for a workshop so she can gain anew skill.

Heather would like a trolley dash around theCookson Gold warehouse. Also a set of Lindstroms,(which I am reliably informed are a set of topnotch pliers)

If I were to draw a conclusion from this is if you want tokeep a crafter happy, keep them supplied with the bits andpieces they use to work with, or failing that chocolate.Also people of whatever craft are a romantic lot andthey appreciate the work that goes into a hand-crafteditem more than most.

Written by Amy from Cirens Callhttp://www.cirenscall.misi.co.uk

The Little Book of Misi or L.B.O.M. for short, started out about a year ago.The idea did not start on Misi but on Etsy about 2 years ago.

When I was on Etsy, I saw that there were a lot of people offering to giveout samples and cards to advertise other people’s shops, at craft fairs, andwhen sending off an order to their customers. I wanted to do my little bitas well, to help others get their business name out there.I felt that giving out samples or cards looked really unprofessional. The waythey were presented, if I were the customer receiving these, I would havethrown the cards away, and be annoyed that I paid extra postage forreceiving all of these advertisements. I knew that there had to be a betterway for both the buyer to be happy and the seller to get noticed in a moreproductive and in a non-intrusive manner.

I always wanted to help other artists and crafters to get noticed. I knewthis could be one way of fulfilling this wish if I could just find a way ofmaking the advertising cost very little as well as effective.While talking to someone about this problem online, lightning struck. Ihad an idea of a booklet where all the business cards are the pages ofthe book, and the samples from the seller would be spilt up equally. Allof which will be presented in a bag and given to potential buyers at craftfairs. I passed this idea along to ETSY for an opinion. I was amazed tofind in a replying email that they liked the idea. So, for the whole year Iwas making The Little Book of Etsy, (L.B.O.E), for sellers around the globe.

I used to make about 80 bags for each edition, but after a while myenthusiasm was slacking. I wanted to help sellers that were more UK basedas well as around the globe.

After moving my shop over to Misi, I knew that this was the answer.I wanted to get Misi and it’s crafters more well known. I felt (and still do),that Misi is a brilliant site and more people should know about it. I wanted togive something back. So, earlier this year (2009) I proposed to make TheLittle Book of Misi. It got the people’s vote, and I was very pleased to seethat sellers were enthusiastic about the idea and wanted to take part. Fromhere on, The Little Book of Misi was born!

Throughout the year I got involved with some large, as well as smaller fairsthroughout Cornwall, which is a large tourist county. By giving this bookletand bag of goodies away at fairs, we were reaching out to lots of potentialbuyers around the UK and even the world!

I was determined to make the L.B.O.M. look even better than the L.B.O.E, to makethem more tempting for potential buyers to come and browse in the shops based onMisi.

The first L.B.O.M., the Easter edition, had around 15 sellers involved, making itenough for me to make about 25 bags. In the summer I thought I would try again,to see if more sellers wanted to get involved. I was astonished to receive samplesand cards from approximately 30 sellers! For The Summer Edition I created 60 bags!I handed them out at craft fairs during this busy time of year. The Christmas editionwas just as successful and I hope it continues to get better and better throughout2010.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF

THE LITTLE BOOK OF MISI?

It never ceases to amaze me every time I come to make the L.B.O.M, that thegifts offered for the L.B.O.M. bags are fantastic! I feel privileged that people trustme to create the L.B.O.M and it drives me on to try my best for them all.I am also thrilled to hear from past members of L.B.O.M. wanting to come back, toget involved time and time again. I have had some responses from people tellingme of their successful sales that they think or knew were generated through theL.B.O.M.It is a bit hit or miss with these sorts of things, but we can only try, and hope itworks for the best! Even if some sellers do not receive a sale right away, hopefullythey will receive a sale from the members of public remembering what they haveseen while looking through the booklet and samples. I have even had some peoplewho have received these bags, approach me in the street thanking me for theirgifts, which they received from the L.B.O.M. I always remind them that it wasn’tme who supplied the gifts but they should check out the sellers shop for more giftideas.

The Little Book Of Misi totally free. It is only possible to create them because ofthe community and their support.

I also offer other ways of getting involved. You can get featured onthe L.B.O.M. blog by:*Sending in your success stories to be posted on the L.B.O.M blog.*Get a free ad spot on the L.B.O.M. blog.

Not only original members but also any new members that have never takenpart in LBOM can get involved also. All I ask is for members of the L.B.O.M. to bea member of Misi and if they wish, send in any advertising material, they mustlead the buyers to their Misi shop/s in some way.

More information on how to get involved is available onhttp://www.littlebookofmisi.blogspot.comor by contacting me through my Misi shop; artbymimi, I don’t bite honest!

http://www.littlebookofmisi.blogspot.com

I feel very honoured when someone thanks ME for the work I do on theL.B.O.M. where I feel it wouldn’t be possible without all the support fromthe seller who take part.

I aim to make another L.B.O.M. for Easter 2010, so if there is anyone fromMisi wanting to take part in any way, you are always welcome to contact methrough my Misi shop.

Thank you for your continuing support.

mimi

A blog a contraction of theterm "web log" is a type ofwebsite where you can postnews about new projects,photos or videos of new artworks, or just keep a journal ofwhat happens to you day inday out.

I have been looking at thedifferent ways of which blogsare used. The main category’s Ilooked at where personalblogs and corporate blogs.

Typically when I think of blogsI think of someone sat at hometyping into a pre set templatesuch as Blogger or Word Press,creating almost an onlinediary. But through looking intodifferent blogs you soon get atrue in sight of what peopleuse them for.They range from onlinetutorials, show casing work,sharing tips, ideas, views andopinions, rating movies andmusic and having onlinediscussions. Three greatexamples of these are LaurenLuke who created video podcasts and posted them onlineof her passion/hobby formakeup and color, she showedexamples and tips through herpod casts so that others couldfollow. She now has 3 millionhits and has been offered herown makeup range.The other great example is of aGary Vaynerchuk who has apassion for wine and so didpod casts and entries aboutdifferent wines, he now has

celebrities featuring in hisblog.And my favorite www.little-people.blogspott.com whichwas created by a guy who goesby the name Slinkachu whouses the Hornby play setpeople (usually found onmodel railways) to producehumorous photographs.

In corporate use blogs areused so that customers canhave more a personal insightnot given by their professionalwebsites, these blogs tend tolook completely different tothe commercial sites wherethey sell products or services.They tend to have links togroups such as twitter andsocial networks which youmay not associate bigcompanies with. And can bereally informal which you maynot find through their mainwebsite, such as a recent blogpost I read reading:‘sometimes we suck’ whichwas an apology to customersafter the company’s serverwent down for the day

A blog can be used as anotherway of promoting yourbusiness and generating brandawareness!

The easiest way of getting ablog is to visit a website suchas Word press or Blogger, theyare the easiest and simplest touse and set up. And now allyou need to do is choose thelayout and design from settemplates before you are up

and running, posting to theworld wide web.

Blogger and word press aren’tthe only two by any means,they are just the quickest andeasiest to set up and startusing. Other forms of blogs canbe on your personal website,or on other websites similar tothe two mentioned earliersuch as tumbler.

To sign up to word presssimply go to:http://en.wordpress.com/signup/ and fill in your details, thiswill only take a moment.

The next page is asking you tochoose a domain name andblog title for your new blog aswell as setting the languagefor your usage.

The Blog Domain name, this isbasically your website/blogaddress, so if someone askedyou where they would findyour blog you would give theaddress i.e.www.onlineinnotime.wordpress.com and the blog title canbe whatever you want the blogto be called for example youcould name it after your shopor latest creation.

Then to complete theregistration just confirm youremail. The message will befrom Word Press and shouldarrive within 30 minutes, you

must activate your accountwithin two days otherwise youwill have to complete the signup process all over again!

Once you have signed intoyour email account, openedthe email and clicked on thelink you will automatically betaken to the word press homepage.

Simply click login and enteryour login details, your username is the name you chosepreviously and not your email.We can now start to designyour blog.

You will be taken to an areacalled the dash board, look tothe left hand side and scrolldown to the button calledappearance, on theappearance page you will findthousands of different themes,to choose one simply clickactivate under the chosenimage.

Well when you login to wordpress you will find an areacalled the dash board, on thedashboard there is a sectionon the right called ‘quickpress’ type the commentwhich you want to publishhere and simply press publishwhen you’ve finished. To viewyour new blog simply look towhere your name is in the topleft corner (quite big whiteletters) to the right of this youwill see a link saying ‘viewblog’

This is only a fraction of whatthis website is capable of.

Well blogger is even easier toset up. Simply follow this linkand fill in your details:

The next page that you will betaken to will ask you to nameyour blog, this should be yourbusiness or the name that youuse to represent yourself. Youthen need to choose yourtemplate to select one simplychoose your design, click on itand click continue at thebottom of the page.

Well once you’ve chosen yourdesign you willautomaticallybe taken the adda post (comment) page, thispage is where you add yourpost to the blog, simply titleyour post and write yourcomment before pressing‘publish post’, the great thingabout this blog is that you canalso choose to save your postsfor later, meaning you can goand have a cup of tea andcome back to editing whenyou feel more relaxed. Withthis editor you can also use thesmall icons on the publish apost page to add photos andvideos.

So if you where to sign outand sign back into blogger, youwould be again taken to anarea called the dashboard, youwill then see the name of your

blog and options underneath itsuch as add a post, layout andview blog. So posting acomment we’ve covered andviewing the blog is pretty selfexplanatory. But under thelayout option you can dragand drop items on your blogaround on the page so you candecide the ordering of areas ofyour blog.

Another thing about blogs isfollowers; followers arepeople who are already usingservices such as blogger andword press who wish to getalerted when you postsomething new which is greatnews if you’re using your blogfor your business.

For screen shots from set upfeel free to visit:

www.onlineinnotimetutorials.t83.net

About us:We are OnlineInNoTime.co.uk the

website design specialists, we regularlyget people asking how they can make

the best of the internet and how to usecertain sites, so here you go!

This issue we talk about blogs, how toget one and how it can help you and

your business!

Are you are holding your special day this year?

If you are, why don’t you have a look at the beautiful handcrafted items that are available to purchase fromtalented crafters and designers. Here is a very small selection of the pieces on offer so don’t forget to checkout Misi, Folksy and Etsy as well as crafters own websites. One of the best features of using a crafter is thatyou can have custom pieces made to your requirements. If you have something specific in mind why not ask!

Lets start with the dressesMost designers and crafters would be happy to make a dress especially foryou in any colour or size. It is always nice to check so that you can findexactly what you want.

Gown by Amilleehttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/24272/gergeous_gown_for_mather.html

Blooming Romancehttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37809296

$699

£112

Chameleon Convertible Wedding Gownhhttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37618766

$360

Shabby Chic RoseBridal Bouquet

http://www.folksy.com/items/64842

Ivory Silk EmbroideredBridal Bag

Beautiful Bridal Bags.Although traditional to hold a bouquet it is far more practical to have asmall bag.

Lace printed silk clutch

http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/31182/Lace_printed_silk_clutch.html

£42

http://www.folksy.com/items/55349-Bridal-bag-ivory-embroidered-pure-silk-?shop=yes

£15£25

White Satin Dolly Bag

hhttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/16312/White_Satin_Dolly_Bag.html

£65

Jewellery is the easiest wedding item to purchase handcrafted. There is an abundance of beautiful pieces tobe found on Misi, Folksy and Etsy and also across the Internet in general.

Bridal Jewellery

Sakura Pearl Bracelethttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/28842/Made_to_order___Sakura_Pearl___Karen_silver,_pearl,_apatite_and_sterli.html

£75

Delphine Triple Swarovski Bracelethttp://radiancecrystals.co.uk/delphinetriplebracelet.html

£28.99

Czech Glass Bridal Sethttp://www.folksy.com/items/64404

£65

Sterling Silver Mendhi Ringhttp://www.folksy.com/items/68040

Ivory Rose Bracelethttp://www.folksy.com/items/106982

£67.99

Crumpled Silver Ringhttp://www.folksy.com/items/64007

£40

9ct Rose Gold Ringhttp://www.folksy.com/items/54785

£65 Crystal Drop Earringshttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/11972/Crystal_drop_earrings.html

£20

Pearl Weave Necklacehttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/6352/April.html

£14

Rose Flower Pinshttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/32392/Rose_Flower_PROM/BRIDE_Hair_Pins_X_6___CHOOSE_UR_COLOUR.html

£1.99 for 6

Flower Hairpinshttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/13540/Flower_Hairpins___Set_of_5.html

Tattered Roses Necklacehttp://www.folksy.com/items/164450

£42

£5 for 5

Swarovski Hair Pinshttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/32854/Sapphire_and_Aquamarine_Swarovski_Hair_Pins.html

£6 per pair

£11.50

Beautiful Bridal Headbands and Tiaras can also be found amongst crafters and designers.

Evenstar Tiara

£100

http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/28677/Evenstar_Tiara.html

Swarovski Crystal Tiarahttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/22894/Swarovski_AB_and_jet_crystal_tiara.html

£60

Queen Mab’s Faery Crownhttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/14361/Queen_Mab%27s_Wedding_Faery_Circlet_Tiara_Crown.html

£50

Titania Steampunk Filigree Tiarahttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/10389/Titania_Steampunk_Filigree_Tiara.html

£95

Crystal and Pearl Bandhttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/14398/Precious_Crystal_and_Pearl_Hair_band_.html

£40

Swarovski Crystal Hair Vinehttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/23214/Hair_vine_with_Swarovski_crystals_plus_white_and_cerise_flowers.html

£24.50

‘Sleeping Beauty’ Vintage Tiarahttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/30586/Vintage_Tiaraband_%27Sleeping_Beauty%27_.html

£120

Wedding Guest Bookhttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/30579/Wedding_Guest_Book_Diamante_Butterfly.html

£12.95

Love Blossoms (personalised) cardhttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/24054/Love_Blossoms_%28personalised%29.html

£5.50

Swarovski Crystal Hairpinhttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/26040/Swarovski_crystal_hair_pin.html

£18

White Cluster Tiarahttp://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/22321/white_cluster.html

£35

You will also find a wealth of other wedding accessories, cards, guest books etc.

Written byThe Crystal Lady

http://www.radiancecrystals.co.uk

Bespoke Bridal and Occasion Jewellery

Beading and Jewellery Supplies

http://www.radiancecrystals.co.uk

Made with love and care.

Quality Knitted Items

http://www.peggysknits.misi.co.uk

Chocolate Biscuit CakeINGREDIENTS125g/4oz dark chocolate,broken into pieces1 tbsp golden syrup125g/4oz butter125g/4oz digestivebiscuits, roughly crushed100g/3½oz ready-to-eatapricots, chopped100g/3½oz raisins100g/3½oz glace cherries60g/2oz hazelnuts

This recipe is good for any occasion, and nocooking what could be better.

Why not make it for someone special onValentines Day, for Mum as part of a special MothersDay Tea, or just for you, we all enjoy a little Chocolatetreat.

For the cake in the pictures I made a few changes tothe original recipe by using dry cherries instead of theglace as they were given to me by a friend. But I didnot think they worked so well and will stick to the glacenext time. The chocolate chips, which I substitutedfor chocolate and the walnuts instead of the hazelnutsworked really well. As you can see this recipe is greatfor using alternatives that you may have in yourcupboard.

Truly scrumptious and no cooking!!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Line a 450g/1lb loaf tin with cling film, leavingenough to fold over the top when the tin if full.

2. Melt the chocolate, syrup and butter in a bowl in the microwave, give it a stir to make sure allthe ingredients are well mixed together.

3. Add the crushed biscuits, fruits and hazelnuts and stir well.4. Tip the mixture into the loaf tin and shake to level it off. Fold over the cling film and put it in the fridge to set - which will take 1-2 hours.5. It will keep for up to two weeks in the fridge - if you can resist temptation for that long. To serve, just turn it out onto a plate, carefully peel off thefilm and slice. The cake is very rich so try thin slicesat first.

NB: Use this recipe as a starting point and experiment with other combinations of biscuits, fruits and nuts.Ginger biscuits or amaretti work well for a more"grown up" version.

I found this recipe on the BBC Website.http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/chocolatebiscuitcake_4982.shtml

My friends loved it.

This recipe was foundand tested by our

From ‘In the Garden’

Slimathon 2010

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, there was a sad, fat old Misian sat at her computercontemplating the lack of sales coming up to Christmas, and she sighed deeply. As she chatted on theforums it seemed nearly everyone was in the same boat. Why, she thought, is my jewellery really so awful,seven long months without a sale, and she sighed deeply again.

What can I do to generate those sales she mused?Putting these musings to the forum, whilst much sympathy and encouragement was forthcoming as is onlyto be expected from the lovely group of people we call Misians, still no sales.

In desperation she wrote, “If I get a sale before Christmas I will give up chocolate”And what do you know the God of good fortune was listening, actually it was Karenfrom JKJ, and within a few minutes a sale was made.

Karen very kindly said she would not hold me to my post as she was going to buythem anyway, but a promise is a promise, and the not so sad now, fat old Misianagreed to give up chocolate as long as she could start after Christmas and make it aproper diet after the festive excesses.

The fat, happier old Misian asked if anyone wanted to join her and up popped Jean fromTalking Beads and Joy from Joyknit and we agreed between us that instead of paying aslimming club to be publically humiliated each week, we could do something for a charityinstead, by donating £1 for every pound we lost each week and £2 for every pound gainedfor a total of three months. We asked for charity suggestions and it was decided by themajority that it was to be the wonderful people that comprise MacMillan Nurses and so theMisi Slimathon 2010 was born.

People e-mailed praising the wonderful work MacMillan do, several having first hand experiences.The funding of nurses and specialist health care professionals, the building of cancer care centres, supportfor careers, families and communities.Financial help, benefits advice, grants for anything from heating to travel costs, quite apart from the basicrequirements of nursing care.There cannot be a more worthy cause to support.

By losing weight and eating healthily ourselves, we are also lesseningour own risk of developing contributory factors related to variouscancers and the obvious benefits of reducing the strain on our heartsand joints.

We are 2 weeks on and between the 20 participants we have lost threeand a half stone between us. It is all done on trust as we are all divorcedby miles from each other. We check in each Saturday or thereabouts, wehave an on- going blog as well as a continuous running post on Misi, andI try and keep a running total. Although thisis not a sponsored fundraising event I have some people who have expressed a desire to contribute to ourfinal total, which is fantastic.Oh, and by the way, I did get more sales before Christmas!

MISImake it sell it

MISImake it sell it

If you would like more information about any aspect of the above or to set up your own Slimathon,contact details are listed below.www.macmillan.org.ukwww.misi.co.uk Click onto Community, Forum, Chit Chatter, Slimathon 2010.www.mornieg.misi.co.uk and leave me a message.Thank you for reading this; your support would be very much appreciated.

By MornieG Jewellerywww.mornineg.misi.co.uk

5 spray low-fat cooking spray1 large onion(s), chopped1 portion butternut squash, peeled, de seeded and chopped into

chunks1 medium Pepper, red, de seeded and chopped2 portion stock cube, vegetable stock, dissolved in 1.2 litres(2 pints) hot water

100g low-fat soft cheese150ml skimmed milk, (1/4 pint)1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped1 pinch salt1/4 teaspoon pepper, Freshly ground1 small pot very low-fat plain yogurt, (4 tablespoons)1 teaspoon fresh chives, to garnish

InstructionsSpray a large saucepan with low fat cooking spray. Add the onion and cook gently for about 3 minutes,until softened, but not browned.

Add the butternut squash, red pepper and vegetable stock. Heat until simmering, then cook gently forabout 25 minutes, partially covered, until the vegetables are tender.

Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and add the soft cheese.Blend for about 15 - 20 seconds, until smooth. Return to the saucepan. Add the milk and chopped chives.Reheat and season to taste.

Ladle into warmed bowls. Serve each portion with 1 tbsp yogurt, a few fresh chives and freshly groundblack pepper.

NotesCook's tip: Cool, cover and refrigerate any soup that you don’t use, and eat within three days, or freeze thesoup to use another time.

Butternut Squash, Red Pepperand Soft Cheese Soup

Recipe taken from the MISI Slimathon Blog

By Hennie’s NimbleNeedleswww.hennies.misi.co.uk

Slimathon 2010MISImake it sell it

Step 1.Fold the Red card in half tomake a 15cm square card blank,with the fold at the top.

Step 2.Ink the edges of the patternedpaper and adhere to the centreof the card blank.

Step 3.Draw 2 hearts onto the scrap cardand cut out. Draw a dashed linearound the edge of the hearts andstick to the bottom right of thecard, as shown.

Step 4.Draw another dashed linearound the edge of the patternedpaper square and add the rub onsentiment to the top left as shown.

Step 5.Tie the ribbon around thecard, with the bow over thered hearts and insert the pinthrough the bow.

http://www.loobycrafts.misi.co.uk

Looby Crafts creates a varietyof handcrafted greetings cards,

stationery, home decor, hairaccessories and much more!

Create a Handmade Valentines Card

You will need:Red card measuring 15x30cm (plus small scrap of same)Patterned paper measuring 14x14cmWhite ribbonHeart pinRub-on sentimentBlack inkpadBlack fine penScissorsAdhesive

Looby Crafts GuestMaker

Valentines Heart

You will need:Double knitting yarn 4mmor US size 5 needlesStuffing

Pattern -

Cast on 20 sts using 4mm (US 5) needlesRow 1 - knit to last stitch knit in front and back of last stitchRow 2 - knitRow 3 - knit to last stitch knit in front and back of last stitchRow 4 - knitRow 5 - knit to last stitch knit in front and back of last stitchRows 6 - 8 knitRow 9 - knit to last stitch knit in front and back of last stitchRows 10 - 16 knitRow 17 - knit to last 2sts, k2togRow 18 - knitRows 19 - 22 repeat rows 17 and 18 twice moreRow 23 - knit to last 2 sts, k2togRow 24 - k2tog, knit to endRow 25 - knit to last 2 sts, k2togRow 26 - cast off 4 sts, knit to end of rowRows 27 - 33 knitRow 34 - k2tog, knit to end of rowRows 35 - 38 k2tog, knit to end of rowRow 39 - k2tog, k5, k2togRow 40 - k2tog, k3, k2togRow 41 - k2tog, k1, k2togcast off

This heart is made in two parts so you need tomake two of these and then sew them togetherleaving a gap for stuffing, which can includelavender or anything of your choice and youcan put what embellishments you want on ittoo, the list is endless!

A great way to start learning the increasing and decreasing and casting off that is covered thismonth in Peggy's Knits guide to knitting.

By Peggy’s Knits

in the Garden

Hi I’m Tina,Well this is great, they asked me to visitwith you again and I am really pleased.

Now did you have a good Christmas andNew Year? I imagine you made all theseresolutions which are so hard to keep. Ijust made one, to try to take a little timeeach day to be still and really look at thebeautiful world of nature around us, butthen that is easy for me as I have‘The Garden’.

I see that all my old friends are alreadysitting comfortably, now come on newreaders, take a little time to make that cupof tea, coffee or whatever you choose. Oh!You have those lovely chocolate biscuits, I love those, but remember we must not overindulge.

Since our last visit we have had some

serious weather, first all the rain. Well yes,

I know that it is a pain, when you have

to do the shopping, get the kids to school

and of course when Rover comes in from

the garden with wet muddy footprints on

your kitchen floor, particularly when you

have just washed it. But to the garden it

is life, well to us as well really, you can

almost hear the plants and trees drinking

and the soil absorbing the water ready for

spring. The stream was singing along and

the waterfall really beautiful.

As the garden is sleeping at the moment

my better half and I have taken the

opportunity to visit some good friends in

Florida, and that is where I am now.

Charlie my mascot was a little miffed to be

left. I could tell by the drupe in his spines.

Yes, I know it is all in my imagination, he

is in the conservatory and being looked

after, together with the garden by a good

friend who loves the garden as much as we

do. So I am afraid there is no picture of

Charlie this time. If you wish to see him

new readers just look at the last issue,

there was some great stuff in there just as

there is in this one.

So I would like to share with you some ofthe things I have enjoyed on this trip.When we first arrived we went on a cruise,it was great. We went ashore on thisprivate island in the Bahamas, it waswonderful all white sand and blue sea, theplants were beautiful as you can see, thebougainvillea and hibiscus which we allknow from the Mediterranean, so manydifferent colours. The other plant is the seagrape which grows in the sand right on theedge of the beach. It has white flowersfollowed by the fruit, the leaves as they getolder turn a beautiful dark red. Boy!Would Mr. Blackbird love these berries, butthey do have very large seeds, so perhapsnot.

Then we returned to Florida, and youwould not believe it, so cold, well forFlorida, but I will not complain hearing ofall the snow and ice which you have allbeen enduring. It has been the coldestweather known here for a long time.

The temperature of the sea dropped somuch the turtles were suffering and manywere rescued and kept warm until thewater goes back to normal. Also there werereports on the TV of iguanas falling fromthe trees as they went into hibernation,when it warms up again they said theyshould be OK, I hope so.I have a picture for you from the newspapershowing the oranges, they also had to spraythe strawberries with water at night tocover them with ice to protect them fromthe frost. The other picture is of a tree fullof berries, not just in England has natureprepared for the birds this winter, but theydo need water so do keep the ice from thebirdbaths etc.

Well now that I have made you all feel cold,

but I hope not depressed, good news! it isgetting much warmer, the sun is shiningand the temperature is climbing fast.From what I hear your weather ischanging for the better also.

It is beautiful here with the palm trees and

vegetation which is so different to inEngland and the very different birds, thepelicans for instance, the jumbo jets of thebird world, they are my favourites and wehave had such a wonderful time visitingour good friends.

I hope you enjoyed your trip with me to

Florida, sorry that we did not visit the

Theme Parks, but then you know me by now

I just cannot stay away from plants, birds

etc. Maybe we will see Mickey Mouse next

time.

In the next issue I will of course be back in‘The Garden’ and should have somepictures of Spring. The bulbs which aresuch a blessing after the winter, they alwaysamaze me with their beauty and strengthto have survived the bitter weather. Also, Imay have done the pruning required onsome of the shrubs so that we get the bestfrom them in the summer.

So much in The Garden depends on theweather, but part of the excitement is everyyear it is different, you can just neverpredict the exact time the buds will appearor the flowers open, but we know that it willhappen, and I can hardly wait.My better half has lots of plans forconstruction, which depends a great dealon the weather, so I will give you updateson these as they happen.Well we will soon be going home, notlooking forward to the plane but will notcomplain as long as it takes us back homesafely as we are looking forward to seeingour family and of course ‘The Garden’.

Looking forward to visiting with you againin the next issue.Best Wishes,Tina

Valentine Heart Soy Melts£3.50 Sweet Scented Soy

www.sweetscentedsoy.misi.co.uk

Felt valentine hearts party bag£3.00

Pink Stars and Fairy Cakeswww.pinkstarsfairycakes.misi.co.uk

Mother Necklace£7.00 Indie Meadow

www.indiemeadow.misi.co.uk

Vintage Teacup Candle£10.00 Clara Bows

www.clarabows.misi.co.uk

misi.co.uk

coriandr.com

folksy.com

Silver swirl heart necklace£28.00 JoJo Jewellerywww.coriandr.com/shop/jojojewellery

Valentine hot water bottle cover£15.00 Nicky Nacky Noowww.coriandr.com/shop/nickynackynoo

Hummingbirds & ModernTree Branch Sticker

£36.00 Dabble Down Juniorwww.coriandr.com/shop/dabbledownjunior

Hexagons cushion£28.00 Three Red Apples

www.coriandr.com/shop/threeredapples

Valentine Brooch£8.50 Midsummer Stitcheswww.folksy.com/shops/midsummerstitches

Deep red heart necklace£30.00

Black Forest Jewellerywww.folksy.com/shops/BlueForestJewellery

Peg Bag£25.00 Little Moth

www.folksy.com/shops/littlemoth

Rose Soap£2.20 All Natural UKwww.folksy.com/shops/allnaturaluk

Online StreetFavourite finds from around the crafting community

Four of my favourite finds picked from everyones favourite online craft communitywebsites. This months focus is on Valentines Day, and Mothers Day in the UK.

Click on the shop URL to take you to their store!

Best PicksPromoting the handmade creations of the season events!

Four of my favourite finds picked from every ones favourite online craft community websites.This months focus is on Valentines Day, and Mothers Day in the UK.

Click on the shop URL to take you to their store!

Set of 5 cute critter cards£6.20 Deb Cards, etcwww.artfire.com/users/debcardsetc

Heart of Inara Serenity Necklace£24.80 Thyme 2 Dreamwww.artfire.com/users/Thyme2dream

Embroidered Photo Frame£3.75 Sew Lucky Embroidered

www.artfire.com/users/sewluckyembroidery

Pink Fluffy MarshmallowSoy Melts

£3.10 Sweet Annies Scentwww.artfire.com/users/SweetAnniesScent

artfire.com

dawanda.com

etsy.com

Valentine Wreath AngelKitten Love Messenger

$17.50 Red Fenyxhttp://en.dawanda.com/shop/redfenyx

Be my Date Chocolates$5.50 Craftabulous

http://en.dawanda.com/shop/craftabulous

Make-up Bag -deers and mushrooms

$21.80 Bäumighttp://en.dawanda.com/shop/baeumig

Room Spray$10.35 Ten Digit Creations

http://en.dawanda.com/shop/TenDigitCreations

Valentine Sparkle Kiss MiniMr. Toastee Plush Keychain

$5.50Yummy Pancake

www.etsy.com/shop/yummypancake

Queen of Hearts ValentinesDay collar$25.00

Help For Haiti - crazyforcollarswww.etsy.com/shop/HeartsforHaiti

www.crazyforcollars.etsy.com

Poppy, black and creamwoven scarf

$44.00 Toy Breakerwww.etsy.com/shop/toybreaker

Printemps Floral Vase$18.00 Bittersweet Design

www.etsy.com/shop/bittersweetdesign

Increasing, Decreasing and Casting off.This month we will be looking at how to increase and decrease inyour knitting and the most important how to cast off once your

project is complete.Increasing and decreasing are the keys to shaping knitted garments.

Increasing

The most basic way to increase is knitting in the front and back ofthe stitch. First knit in the front of the stitch that needs to beincreased, like you normally would. But instead of taking thestitch off the left-hand needle, you tilt the right-hand needleso you can work a knit stitch in the back. You can slide the twonew stitches off the left-hand needle and proceed with the pattern.

DecreasingThe most basic way to decrease in knitting is to knit two stitchestogether.You can knit two together or purl two together to create a slant effectin your garment.

Casting off

Casting off or binding off is to make sure when you havefinished your piece of knitting that it doesn’t unravel. Youneed to knit two stitches, insert the needle onto the first stitchonto the right needle. Pull your left needle up and to the leftso that the first stitch is pulled over the second and off the tipof the needle. One stitch will remain and one stitch will becast off. Continue this until all of your stitches are cast off.

If you gain these skills there will be so many patterns thatyou can follow and so many more projects you can tackle

the list is endless.

Guide tostarting Knitting

Part 3

Knitting is the in thing at the moment and even celebrities such asMadonna and Sarah Jessica Parker,

Winona Ryder, Uma Thurman and Julia Robertsare just a few that have also caught the knitting bug.

Julia Roberts with a bag she apparentlyknitted herself and felted

Madonna on the front cover ofVOGUE knitting

In the next issue I will be looking at embellishmentsin your knitting and the basics on reading a pattern.

http://www.peggysknits.misi.co.uk

Issue 4 - out 1st April 2010

Guide tostarting Knitting

Part 3

Champagne Truffle Gift Box

£8.00

Mothers are very special people.Are you treating yours this year?

‘Mums Garden’ Signs

£6.99

Rose-Mallow Pendant

£12.00

Purple Blackberry Tea Cosy

£12.99

http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/34017/Large_Red_Beeswax_candle.html

Large RedBeeswax Candle

£3.25

Recipe Book/Diary

£7.00

http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/21308/Recipe_book/diary.html

Black Denim Backpack

£67

Quilted Patchwork Wall Hanging

£25.00

Mango & Honey Body Mask

£24.99

Waterfall Bubinga Americana Twist Pen

£39.95

Handwoven Scarf

£40.00

By The Crystal Ladyhttp://www.mysticearth.co.ukhttp://www.radiancecrystals.co.uk

There are 1000’s of beautiful handcrafted gifts out there. Why don’tyou find your mum something to make her day extra special? Craftersmake their pieces with love, what gift could be better.

Step 1.Ink the edges of the pink card,and the card blank and adhere thepink card centrally to the front ofthe card blank.

Step 2.Put the brads through the centresof the 2 lilac flowers, then stick all3 flowers to the front of the cardas shown.

Step 3.Cut 3 lengths of ric rac and stick tothe card as shown, tucking thetops under the flowers to make thestalks.

Step 4.Stamp the Worlds Best Mumstamp onto the scrap pink cardand cut out, then stick in thecentre of the Ivory flower.

http://www.loobycrafts.misi.co.uk

Looby Crafts creates a varietyof handcrafted greetings cards,

stationery, home decor, hairaccessories and much more!

Create a Handmade Mother’s Day Card

You will need:Lilac dotted swiss card, measuring 10x7 in. folded

to make a 5x7 in. card blankPink card measuring 10.5x15.5cm (+ small scrap piece)2 small velvet flowers in lilac1 large velvet flower in ivoryPurple velvet ric rac2 pink pearl brads Worldsbest mum stamp ScissorsAdhesive

Worlds Best Mum Card

Mother’s Day14th March

Looby Crafts GuestMaker

Visit our new magazine website!!!

Read our latest issue.

Browse our site for articles and extra information.

Enjoy our previous issues.

Shop handmade in our boutiques.

••••

By Peggy’s KnitsMother’s Day FlowerLove my Mum -Flower and Vase

A perfect little treat for your Mum and something she willtreasure forever.

Something great to do with the children.

You will needCardPensScissors

Step 1.Draw a circle and six petals on thecard, writing in the middle of thecircle ‘I love my Mum because’ Cutout the petals.

Step 2.On each of the six petals, draw or write a reason why you loveyour Mum, so in total you will have six reasons.Glue the petals to the back of the circle and leave it to dry.

Step 3.You can now glue your flower to acard for a lovely Mother’s day card, ortape a drinking straw to the back andmake a homemade vase out of somerolled up card, and ribbon to tie, topop it in!

Mother’s Day14th March

This Months...This month’s Blog of the month award goes toa fairly new blogger, Lilly Whites. She has abeautiful bright, colourful blog, and a stunninglittle shop in West Sussex.Such an inspirational blog to read.

http://lily-whites.blogspot.com

This month’s shop of the month goes to non otherthan the Etsy store ‘Hearts for Haiti’.“This is an Etsy collective of donated items fromhundreds of Etsy shops to raise money to rebuildHaiti. 100% of the proceeds from this shop will goto http://doctorswithoutborders.orgNeed I say more?www.etsy.com/shop/HeartsforHaiti

This months man of themonth is Vin Diesel.Contributed by Diane!

This months star by is thisgorgeous hand appliquédbutton heart cushion fromVelvet Paws

www.velvetpaws.misi.co.uk- as seen in Budget & Luxury!

Issue no. 1Autumn 2009

Happy Halloween

Knitting ~ Sewing ~ Beading ~ Baking ~ Crochet ~ Recycling

Whatever your craft, join us and learn, create, discover.

Make new friends and have a good time.

The next Issue of

Will be available to view from1st April 2010

thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com

We offer very reasonably pricedadvertising both in the magazine and on the website.

If you would like to promote your business to our large readercirculation please contact:

thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com

Our 2nd Issue had over 23,000 viewsIn its first month!

Remember - they are permanently on view unlike printed adverts

If you would like to submit an article or have an idea that youthink our readers will enjoy,

please contact us at:

sprinks@creative-crafting.com

By Crafters for Crafters

Issue 3

Valentines/Mothers D

ay 2010

Handcrafted

Wedding

Special

Valentine &

Mothers Day

Projects

Have you

been

featured?