Bird House X stitch

This birdhouse kit was a little awkward. The reason being the pattern is too big for the frame. It is supposed to have a bird sitting on the roof. Put the bird on the roof and the whole thing looks silly as the bird is far too large.
So I made an alteration so it would fit the frame provided in the kit. I omitted the bird and added more flowers on the right hand side so they go around the bird house.
This is not the first time this has happened and I am very careful about counting the stitches to make sure I am getting it right. I have written to the makers and will see what they say about it. The last time I did not bother but as it has happened again and from the same supplier I will have a little moan about it.
The end result looks pretty though but that is not the point the pattern is wrong and should have been spotted or a larger frame provided.

Fushia Key Fob

This is a small cross stitch project that I did for a friend who is going to celebrate her 10th Wedding Anniversary. She loves flowers and I thought this would be something a little different.
Cross stitch is something that I had not tried until a year ago and decided to give it a go. I started off with a small kit that I found for 50pence. I found I liked it and got more and began making things for friends as gifts. I usually make something small as I like being able to complete something in a couple of days.
This was a kit, you get everything you need and all you have to do is follow the instructions. It is a nice way of giving something personal and something that you have made. Cross stitching is easy to do and the effects are pretty as well.
I want to get some magazines with patterns so I can make some things for cards as well. I can sit and do that whilst recovering from my operation in August.

Box and Bracelets

I made this box and bracelets to give to someone as a RAK on ATC's for All

The box is an old tub that I had it once held some cream, I kept the tub as I thought it would be useful. I used some painted thin acryilic sheet as the top and covered it with some bonding material. The iron made the acrylic crinkle and gave it a nice texture. I used peach coloured lace around the edge and placed a peach rose and pink ribbon to give it a soft feminine look.

Inside I covered the base with some felt so the box can be used as a small trinket box. Iused some felt on the bottom of the tub as well so it will sit nicely on any surface.

The bracelets are made from beads that I had and threaded them onto some elastic, I added a catch so they can be opened if needed.

The all blue bracelet is a little different as I used two pieces of elastic and threaded beads onto each piece then used a larger bead to hold them in place over both pieces of elastic. It gives the apperance of a twist and looks effective when it is on your wrist.

I don't make jewelery as a rule but these were fun to make and something a little different for me.

Lots to do

Time has flown by and I seem to have been busy making all sorts of things. I made the altered art tin in the picture and the jars as well.

The jars were part of a Challenge on Quirky Crafts. I painted the glass free hand and the tin as well. Not the greatest art work in the world but they look effective. One jar is for incense sticks the other for candles. I used acrylic paint on both jars.

The tin:

I used a slimfast tin and painted it with about three layers of gesso allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. I used some stamping ink pads to add colour ( pink and blue), I then started on the tree and used acrylic paint along with Sharpie pens. The grass and flowers were last to be painted. The lid can be used either on the bottom of the tin or as a lid. I use it to store some of my arty bits in it looks nicer than a plain slimfast tin.

I have also been making some cross stitch items as gifts for people so not a lot of time for making cards. When I have posted the items off I will add pics of what I have made, that way no one see anything before I want them to.