Hello Kitty Cookies

I was bought a Hello Kitty cookie set for Christmas. Yay for me. Boo for everyone else as now every biscuit and cookie I make will be Hello Kitty shaped!! (Unless they like Hello Kitty as much as me!)

I made these using a recipe from this book and even if I say so myself, they tasted delicious! But I also think they looked pretty darn good. Needless to say I was pretty proud of this effort!

Button Pins

I got this kit from the Southbank Shop.

I made these with it:

Made with Cath Kidston scrap fabric.

Made from old Pillowcases and Scrap fabric.

More scrap fabric.

Sweetie Jewellery!

So I've been adding stuff to my Folksy. And there's a bit of a theme going on.....

(Click picture to enlarge)

Yup it's official I only make sweet themed jewellery these days! 

Hey Dollface!

So I made this doll.....

It was meant to be super simple.... but basically I'm lazy and get distracted really easily so the four I'd initially planned to make aint gonna happen.

I thought it was ok but then the next day I got this in the post and realised I know nothing about making dolls.

How bloomin' cute is that? She's Kiki from the Ghibli film 'Kiki's delivery Service'.

She was crocheted by the very talented and lovely Heather who also has this wicked cute Etsy shop which you should all look at! 

Not only is she gorgeous but not wanting to be a bit odd..... she even has mini crocheted undies! Look!!!

I sent her some stuff too... but it's not arrived yet... the snow is playing such havoc with all the parcels I've sent recently... :/

The doll I made was called Molly but I pretty much hate her and love Kiki now. So Molly's taking a trip to the charity shop soon.

Make the most of it Molls... your days are numbered! 

The Bead Party

November already! That means I am way overdue in writing about 'The Bead Party' So without further ado...

 Back in September Wib's mum had a birthday, a 'special' birthday, but I won't say how old she was because that would be mean but it was one of those big deal birthdays.

Anyway she decided that as it was a milestone birthday she would like to have a beady party so when she asked for my help I was totally cool and not obsessed about it for weeks...

Only that's a lie because I was completely taken over by all things beaded. Couldn't stop buying, organising, sorting, separating beads for weeks. Lived and breathed beads (not literally of course because that would have killed me) It was kinda really sad O.C.D behaviour now I look back on it.

I've just realised that I haven't explained what a bead party is. I think it's something that kinda got made up by those planning 'The Bead Party' but basically it was a party that involved beads. Lots of beads. And the attendees were invited to decide what they wanted to make and what beads that they wanted to use, sit and have wine and make pretty jewellery.

We hired a village hall, filled it with beads and invited people.

The bead supply area bit.

The table where everyone sat and made pretty things.

Busy Busy Busy!

As the title suggests I have been really busy this week. I haven't had a chance to really get up to many crafty or creative things! BUT I did have a spare moment to make this:

(Click to enlarge)

It's a backdrop for a Wib's band called Rhythm.(Duh!)...Anyway my friend and I Jonny Garrill (who also designed the album artwork for Rhythm and is the synth player) came up with it. It's made of a dust sheet, orange netting, black fabric paint and one of my old sarongs.  It was all in aid of Rhythm's first live performance that took place in Wib's house.. 

But as well as helping to organise an after-show house party and designing a backdrop with Jonny I also found time to make these:

Cupcake shaped cookies ftw! 

And on a side note.... the blog is totally playing up at the moment. I keep editing it and making it different because I'm so indecisive on how it should actually look..... BUT hopefully I'll figure out the HTML soon and it won't be so wonky looking! hmmm :-/

Pacman Resin Bangle- Waka waka waka

I love PACMAN! I made this for a little swap I was taking part in on Cut out and Keep. I can post it now as my partner has recieved it and hopefully she likes it as much as I liked making it!

I also made this little sloth tote for our swap. He's just hanging there on a branch that has heart shaped leaves. 

You can check out her blog here. I think she was happy with what I sent.  :)

Also the contest to win a sweet Halloween craft book is still open! BUT you now have less than 6 days to enter. So be quick! 

What does everyone think of the new ribbon design? Were the mad flowers better?

Kiki- Japanese Chin Pendant

Are you bored of the Jewllery posts yet? I was thinking I should perhaps rename the blog to 'Minnie Burton Jewllery!' Just because I haven't really done any other craft recently aprart from making earrings and necklaces and being obsessed with beads.
In my defence since I had a little accident and my eye got a little bit injured I've only been able to manage with large beads and chunky cords.. but I'm feeling so much better now so normal sewing type craft will resume soon.

In the mean time take a look at this little pendant I made. This was one I techincally "broke" my eye on but miracuously it came out ok.

I can't take credit for the pretty picture as this was drawn by a friend of mine. It was an originally a Christmas card that she sent out last year and in all honesty I was toying with the idea of just chucking it, but then I thought 'Nah! Kiki looks way to cute! I'll embed her!' Not literally of course but you  know what I mean.

I'm assuming this was the photo inspiration:

One tiny dog in a whole load of snow!

**CLOSED**Giveaway! Free Craft Book! Witch Craft!

This give-away is now closed but check back for more freebies... coming soon!

What's this? A free book?
Yes my friends for the first time on this blog there is going to be a giveaway!
I am really pleased to be able to partner with PGUK and Quirk Books to be able to giveaway a fantastic copy of Witch Craft.

Initially if I'm honest I was a little dubious about hosting a giveaway as it's not something I really want my blog to be about...but this book is so fantastic I couldn't resist and I just had to share!

The book is all kinds of awesome with 25 spooky themed crafts to be made just in time for Halloween!

My particular favourite are the Ruby Slippers and the creepy Cross Stitch Button Earrings!

Click here to read my review on Witch Craft.

For your chance to win!

*YOU MUST BE A SUBSCRIBER TO MINNIE BURTON CRAFT*

1)Read my review of Witch Craft by clicking here!

2)Then leave a comment on this post or the review to let me know why you think you should be the winner!

*If you aren't already a subscriber don't panic! Go to the Subscribe tab and take one of the options, it's quick and painless! I promise!

The contest if open from today (Monday 11th of October) and will close on Saturday the 23rd of October 23:59 (GMT)

Good Luck!

*YOU CAN ENTER MORE THAN ONCE!...

*If you also feel like promoting this contest via your own blog, facebook, twitter or other means, you can enter more than once! Yay! Just send me a message with your link of promotion and feel free to leave another comment!

Any comments left by non subscribers will not be entered into the contest.

Second commens left without any promotion will be removed.
I reserve the right to remove any comment I feel inappropriate to this blog, book and giveaway.
The winner will be sent the book by PGUK or Quirk books depending on location. Minnie Burton Craft is not responsible for it's delivery.

Book Review- Witch Craft Magaret (McGuire and Alicia Kachmar)

The kind people at Quirk books and PGUK have sent me a copy of Witch Craft to review. What with Halloween just round the corner I felt it was fairly apt to have a look and see what kind of craft ideas were on offer.

Witch Craft- Wicked Accessories, Creepy-Cute Toys, Magical Treats, and More! Compiled by Margaret McGuire and Alicia Kachmar

This book is a cute little manual for all things spookily sweet. It has a range of crafts from crocheting to cookery and with over 25 different projects there is sure to be something for everyone.

I was a little dubious that the book would continue to have a good standing after the Halloween festivities had passed, but a lot of the projects (though Halloween themed) are transferable to other holidays or can be made into more gerneral crafts. For example the sparkly mary janes and the gorgeous recipe for posion Ivy lip balm could be made at any time of the year and still make a wonderful gift of project.

Whatever level of craft you are at, the book will have something it can offer you... But I must warn that some of the projects involving crocheting or knitting can only really be completed with some prior knowlege of these techniques. The book seems to assume that most of it's readers will have basic knitting or crocheting experience so a little learning as you go along may be required.

Some of the projects are also suitable for more littler ones, such as the graveyard cupcakes and the spooky crystal balls. As well as some fantastic gift ideas it also offers decoration tips which is great if you thinking of planning a Haloween themed bash!

Overall it is a great little book, especially with Halloween just around the corner. You can currently buy it from Amazon for the bargain price of only £6.99 or for even more of a bargain you can enter my giveaway and win a copy for FREE!

8/10

 

Button Resin Pendants

Some more resin pendants that I've been busy making... but this time with tiny buttons!

You might say that they're as cute as a button...God I'm sad! 

Anyway they have now been drilled and sanded and one has become a phone charm but the other two are reserved for necklaces. 

Pictures to follow shortly!

Cath Kidston and Vintage Scrap Fabric Resin Necklace Pendants

The resin jewellery making is going OK! I've actually had pieces that I'm really pleased with! But then on the other hand I have had a serious accident due to the resin making fun! Ah well swings and roundabouts?

The above picture are made from a tear-drop mould and are a mix of Cath Kidston scrap fabric and vintage fabric. I especially like the second from left one. So 70s! 

Here is one of the necklaces after it had been sanded, glossed and drilled.

Not sure if I like it hanging from a ribbon but am unsure  as to what else I can use. Suggestions?

Make Do And Mend Resin Bangle

So when I bought that resin sewing bit and bobs bangle, it got me thinking if I could produce the same sort of thing myself. It's just a natural reaction I seem to have to anything I buy, 'Could I have made that myself?' 

So I got Google-ling and realise that I probably could have made it myself. I then purchased myself some jewellery resin making supplies and have been messing about experimenting since. 

This one of the things I came up with. Inspired by the bracelet I already purchased because quite frankly you can never have too much sewing inspired jewellery.

I still need to file and gloss this one but I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

I got these little sewing decorations from my 99p store which are actually card decorations but they worked so well embedded in my bangle.

I added my own gold decorative paint to the sewing machine...not really sure if I like that part so much!

Ah well more of my pieces to come soon!

Button Necklace

A small selection of the buttons!

I got lots and lots of buttons from eBay. They were pretty and colourful and I decided to make some of them into a necklace. It was a massive pack and I now  have 133 buttons to use in another projects/ projects! 


It was lovely and simple to make and I'm now thinking that I may make some in shades as well! A greeny one, a bluey one, a pinky purplely one? 

I was wearing a black outfit today and the multi coloured one seemed to work really well!

Hope you like it!

Union Jack French Memo Board- How To

I've made a lot of French memo boards for friends and family over the years but I realised I'd never put one of my creations on the internet! So here is the latest one I made which was inspired by the Union Jack flag but I couldn't resist making it pink, floral and girly!

(That Forest ticket is from 2006! Oldskool!)

I used pink gingham ribbons, blue chintz fabric and stuck a big pink heart to the front (cos the middle pin was slightly wonky!).

If you'd like to learn how to make one of these for yourself click below to read more! A sweet little tutorial and more photos of the board follow! The best thing about this project is that it requires no sewing skills!

Vintage Inspired Alice In Wonderland Birthday Card

I can reveal this now as it has been sent!

I made this little Alice in Wonderland card for my friend who is a massive fan of the original cartoon version. Super easy to do and did't break the bank! Yay!

Here she is about to eat some cake! Then.....

Oh no! She has grown into a big Alice!

Vintage Silk Scarf Cushion

I love scarves and I have lot and lots of them! I collect them and they sit in a drawer and unless they're woolly and warm I just forget to wear them. I just never think, 'I know this outfit needs a scarf!'
So as a result I had a little clean up of my scarf collection and amongst the cashmere, wool, silk, chiffon and pashmina scarves  I set aside some that I could use in sewing and crafting projects.

I loved the particular silk scarf I used, it was made in Japan and the colours made me feel so summery! But I find square shaped scarves really hard to wear and the colours of this was perfect for sprucing up my living room!

So I turned it into a cushion cover. I think it worked pretty well. The back fabric was also recycled material (I bet you can't guess what it used to be!? Yup a pillowcase!)

I'm back baby! (And I made a tie!)

Hello! Remember me? Sorry for lack of posting but now I finally feel a bit settled and ready to re-start this neglected blog! I've been busy busy busy!

But now I'm back and let me show you some of the things that have kept me from blogging:

So I recently went to a wedding it was lovely! I made cakes for the wedding which I will post about when I get my photos back. I was also in charge of decorating which I will also post about at some point in the near future!

For said wedding Will couldn't decide what tie to wear, but he knew he wanted it to match his purple shirt. So after trying in vain to find one he'd like we decided it would be best if I made him one. I luckily had the excellent craft book S.E.W by Diana Rupp which I reviewed a while back!)It was nice and simple and I even made it with polka dot lining. It was made from my favourite recyclable item- a pillowcase!

Once it was a pillowcase.

(Click 'Read More') To see more pictures.