Cross media crafting

Well, it had to happen, didn't it?  You knew it would eventually. I said I wouldn't get into card making, but gradually I have been drawn into it in a small way. (In my defence, I have always enjoyed paper crafting.) I am not going to make that many cards (famous last words), and those I do make will be simple, but hopefully elegant. I think I am one of those people who likes to collect crafting equipment, as I certainly have quite a lot of it now, for my various crafts.

(image from http://www.scrapbook.com/articles/creative-quotes)

I have got lots of stamps, inks, embossing powders, a small and a large die cutting machine, and I have been experimenting with what I can make.

 A 'Delilah Doily' die cut.

 Embossing folders - which give a raised texture to the paper.  I really liked this bubbly one.

 Chris liked the retro feeling of this pattern.

I couldn't resist the animals and birds on this embossing folder.
However, whilst investigating online and watching tutorials and craft channels, I have been discovering that many of the media I have will work with other crafts that I enjoy.  For example, I have Blockwallah woodblocks which can be used on fabric, card and polymer clay, depending what paint or ink you use with them. I am thinking that I need to make some decorations.
I have a heat gun which can be used for embossing powders but I have also found out it can be used on Kato liquid polyclay (this is the only liquid clay which can be heated using a heat gun) to create ceramic effect polymer clay, or enamel effect polymer.

Picture and tutorial from: http://www.polymerclayweb.com/tutorials/fauxeffects/fauxceramicpendant.aspx

Picture and tutorial from: http://craftygoat.com/2013/11/how_to_make_autumn_leaf_pendan.html

I am going to try both of these effects once my liquid clay arrives.

I also have some ultralight clay which can be put through a die cutting machine once it is dry.  It can also be sculpted and remains flexible once dry, unlike polymer clay.  I haven't tried it out yet, but I need to.  

My jewellery making stash can be used to make jewellery, of course, but I can also use it in felt projects or on decorations with my polymer clay.  

I am feeling very excited about all these possibilities and will share my makes as and when ... roll on my next day at  home!

Home and Antiques Fair

 We took Chris' mum out yesterday as it was her birthday on Saturday, and went to a Home and Antiques Fair at the local showground.  It was the last day and visitor numbers were definitely down, but that meant we could wander about and get to the stalls very easily.  We saw these lovely old French doors and shutters and I really liked the ironwork patterns.

 If only we had somewhere for them and the money to repair them!

 We found the most amazing crafting sundries stall.  There were knitting needles, crochet hooks, and all the paraphernalia associated - all used but obviously loved too.  On the other part of the stall was the button area.  I have never seen so many buttons in one place! (We did ask the stall holder's permission to take photos.)

 They were all beautifully sorted by type (wood, toggle, mother of pearl...)

...or by colour, and made a beautiful display.

 There was a whole box devoted to those still on their original cards.

 Some of the collection.

 I was particularly drawn to this drawer of cottons - probably from a haberdashery department originally.  It was the way the colours were arranged that really appealed to me, I think.  (And the fact that they were in their own little chest of drawers).  I was relatively restrained and just took cash with me (so that I wouldn't be tempted to make any mad purchases) but came away with a little stash of what I think are lovely things, which I will show you in my next post.