These wedding and engagement cards look to date from the 1960s and 1970s and feature gorgeous colours and interesting details. There's lots about them that I like and these are some of the details that will be inspiring some new designs from me.
Saturday, 28 June 2014
Inspirations from Vintage Greeting Cards
I love to make greeting cards using vintage papers from all kinds of sources. Sometimes an image is so beautiful I just cut it out of a book (a damaged or unwanted one) and use it in a card. Sometime I use book or music pages to make shapes and patterns to create designs. I also like to look at original vintage cards for inspiration...and here are some that I bought recently.
These wedding and engagement cards look to date from the 1960s and 1970s and feature gorgeous colours and interesting details. There's lots about them that I like and these are some of the details that will be inspiring some new designs from me.
These wedding and engagement cards look to date from the 1960s and 1970s and feature gorgeous colours and interesting details. There's lots about them that I like and these are some of the details that will be inspiring some new designs from me.
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Craft Supply Sale Preview
On the 10th, 11th and 12th July Bird's Yard in Sheffield is holding a special sale...and not just any sale - it's all about craft supplies! Their independent designers have been having a sort out and are setting up a special section full of bargains for customers to get crafty with.
As one of the sellers in the shop I'll be taking along some supplies, but I've also been having a little nosy through what others are selling too. I've just got to make sure I don't come home with more than I take...
There'll be supplies from lots of the shop's designers covering lots of crafts. Expect to see treats from: Galabeer and the Dog, Handpicked Books, Inkling, Life's Big Canvas, All Wrapped Up By Alice, Atelier Raniera, Talented, Shadowcrafts, Molly Rouge and lots more!
Here are a few sneak previews of what you might find (if you're quick enough!)...
Pink Flamingo (me!) ... lots of embellishments. Look out for fabric, scrapbooks, stamps, vintage papers, craft kits and beads too.
Galabeer and the Dog will have lots of vintage choices... this is just a little taster of what you'll find
Life's Big Canvas is bringing lots of origami inspirations... as well as buying packs to take home you can also learn how to do it yourself on Thursday the 10th July.
As one of the sellers in the shop I'll be taking along some supplies, but I've also been having a little nosy through what others are selling too. I've just got to make sure I don't come home with more than I take...
Here are a few sneak previews of what you might find (if you're quick enough!)...
Pink Flamingo (me!) ... lots of embellishments. Look out for fabric, scrapbooks, stamps, vintage papers, craft kits and beads too.
Galabeer and the Dog will have lots of vintage choices... this is just a little taster of what you'll find
Life's Big Canvas is bringing lots of origami inspirations... as well as buying packs to take home you can also learn how to do it yourself on Thursday the 10th July.
Monday, 23 June 2014
My Weekend...
I had a fun weekend with two different events where I was able to meet people, do some organising and a little shopping too!
Saturday
I helped to organise and run a 'competitive craft fair' at Bird's Yard in Sheffield where customers could vote for their favourite stall from independent designers. We also had live music and tarot card readings!
The winners were My Vintage Sister who make scented candles in vintage teacups and glasses as well as pretty paper creations. They'll be joining the shop in July for free!
Sunday
On Sunday I went to Nether Edge Farmer's Market as part of Sheffield Country Market where I had items for sale along with other local handmade craft and food treats. I also treated myself to lots of local food from the other stalls too including delicious marshmallow from Sociably Sweet, oat and apple bread from Forge Bakehouse, beetroot sour dough from Seven Hills Bakery and some lovely curd made with goat's milk (as well as chutney, ice cream, burgers, stuffed vine leaves, raspberry shortbread, mushroom flan, coconut and rice milk drinks...there's a lot of tempting stuff there!)
Saturday
I helped to organise and run a 'competitive craft fair' at Bird's Yard in Sheffield where customers could vote for their favourite stall from independent designers. We also had live music and tarot card readings!
The winners were My Vintage Sister who make scented candles in vintage teacups and glasses as well as pretty paper creations. They'll be joining the shop in July for free!
Sunday
On Sunday I went to Nether Edge Farmer's Market as part of Sheffield Country Market where I had items for sale along with other local handmade craft and food treats. I also treated myself to lots of local food from the other stalls too including delicious marshmallow from Sociably Sweet, oat and apple bread from Forge Bakehouse, beetroot sour dough from Seven Hills Bakery and some lovely curd made with goat's milk (as well as chutney, ice cream, burgers, stuffed vine leaves, raspberry shortbread, mushroom flan, coconut and rice milk drinks...there's a lot of tempting stuff there!)
Friday, 20 June 2014
Friday Finds...
...this week I've found fun upcycled gifts (for you or a loved one!) on Etsy.
1. Earrings upcycled from a belt and a briefcase by Insomniac Treasures
2. Rings whose images are made with upcycled papers by Heidi Kind Finds
3. Baby shoes made with reclaimed linen by Leila Badblood
4. Apron made with an upcycled towel by All Things Old Are New
5. Hedgehog paper holder made from an old book by Lauratoaccessories
6. An upcycled wristlet bag that comes with its own story card telling you its past life by Whimsical
Ever After
1. Earrings upcycled from a belt and a briefcase by Insomniac Treasures
2. Rings whose images are made with upcycled papers by Heidi Kind Finds
3. Baby shoes made with reclaimed linen by Leila Badblood
4. Apron made with an upcycled towel by All Things Old Are New
5. Hedgehog paper holder made from an old book by Lauratoaccessories
6. An upcycled wristlet bag that comes with its own story card telling you its past life by Whimsical
Ever After
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Let Me Introduce You To...some talented local designers
In my last post I wrote about the 'competitive craft fair' I'm helping to organise at Bird's Yard in Sheffield this coming Saturday (11-4 on Chapel Walk!); here are the 'competitors' who'll be displaying their work hoping the customers will pick them to be the shop's latest designer.
All the sellers are local, independent small business owners and make wonderful, unique pieces. Click on the titles to find out more...
Tommy and Zac
Cute and Quirky Girl
Apple Harvest
My Vintage Sister
Strangelord
Natalie Burton
Sillie Billie Designs
Maker's Meadow
All the sellers are local, independent small business owners and make wonderful, unique pieces. Click on the titles to find out more...
Tommy and Zac
Cute and Quirky Girl
Apple Harvest
My Vintage Sister
Strangelord
Natalie Burton
Sillie Billie Designs
Maker's Meadow
Sunday, 15 June 2014
A 'Craft Fair' with a Difference - Bird's Yard 21st June
Craft fairs are great places to find unique items, local interest products and good deals. I love shopping at them and selling my own creations at them too. But now I also have a new way of approaching them...helping to organise one.
I love organising. Any excuse to make a list and use colour coded folders makes me happy! So when Bird's Yard in Sheffield was looking to hold some events, I jumped at the chance to help out and get out my notepads and highlighters.
The event I came up with is a 'competitive craft fair' where potential new sellers for the shop get to hold a stall and tell customers about their work, as well as letting them buy it. The customers can then give their feedback and the stall with the most votes gets to be Bird's Yard's latest designer rent free in July! (And of course if our customers fall for other stalls too I'm sure they'll be space for them along with our other sellers).
As well as the craft stalls there'll also be live music to entertain us and the customers throughout the day, tarot and playing card reading and face painting too. Lots to keep you entertained on a Saturday afternoon!
To find out who's selling there visit the event page
or visit on the day!
Bird's Yard, Chapel Walk, Sheffield, S1 2PD
I love organising. Any excuse to make a list and use colour coded folders makes me happy! So when Bird's Yard in Sheffield was looking to hold some events, I jumped at the chance to help out and get out my notepads and highlighters.
The event I came up with is a 'competitive craft fair' where potential new sellers for the shop get to hold a stall and tell customers about their work, as well as letting them buy it. The customers can then give their feedback and the stall with the most votes gets to be Bird's Yard's latest designer rent free in July! (And of course if our customers fall for other stalls too I'm sure they'll be space for them along with our other sellers).
or visit on the day!
Bird's Yard, Chapel Walk, Sheffield, S1 2PD
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Made with Maps...a new collection from Pink Flamingo
I admit it. I have an addiction to maps. And it's spilled over into another Etsy shop for Pink Flamingo - introducing Made with Maps.
Following the success of my 'I Love This Place ...Sheffield' range which are made out of vintage maps of Sheffield, I've now made keyrings, bookmarks and cards made with maps from around the world.
And there's more to come too. Ready to be made and become available are magnets, gift tags and badges so watch this space.
So far a few items have been listed in my new shop, but there are plenty more to come - I was just too excited to wait before they're all there to spread the news! And if there's a place you'd like to see featured, custom orders are welcome too.
Following the success of my 'I Love This Place ...Sheffield' range which are made out of vintage maps of Sheffield, I've now made keyrings, bookmarks and cards made with maps from around the world.
And there's more to come too. Ready to be made and become available are magnets, gift tags and badges so watch this space.
So far a few items have been listed in my new shop, but there are plenty more to come - I was just too excited to wait before they're all there to spread the news! And if there's a place you'd like to see featured, custom orders are welcome too.
Visit Pink Flamingo's new shop Made with Maps here - www.madewithmaps.etsy.com
Thursday, 5 June 2014
Tips for Crafting with Paper Ephemera
A few weeks ago over on my ephemera page on Facebook I started a series of posts called 'Thursday Tips' where I share a little tip or trick that I've learn through my own crafting. I thought, now I've posted a few of them, that I'd collect them here to create a little article.
I also like to post projects I find, things I make, ephemera I have for sale and anything other vintagey and papery I find! If you'd like to discover a new tip every Thursday do head over to my page take a look.
Use a black (or other colour) fine liner pen to create a stitch effect border around paper embellishments for cards and scrapbooks to make them stand out and look defined.
To help add definition to pieces of paper you might be layering in a card making or scrapbooking project, gently run an ink pad around the edges. It gives a slightly muted soft edge to help it stand out.
When cutting out small details from paper use a small, sharp pair of scissors and keep them still. Turn and move the paper with your other hand. This makes for a cleaner and sharper cut.
Ephemera doesn't just have to be old paper (although that is my favourite type!). Technically it's any item that was produced to have a short, one off purpose and not meant to be kept and last a long time. I find it useful to keep a box to put all these kind of items in so I've always got plenty of ephemera ready to go when I'm feeling crafty!
If you're making paper beads using strips of vintage (or other) paper, use a quilling tool to make the process easier. Just slot the end of the paper between the gap in the middle of the tool and roll up! It's a lot quicker and neater than rolling paper around cocktails sticks like I used to do.
If you're doing some stamping over vintage book pages try stamping the pattern as normal (the darkest green in this picture) and then re-stamping without adding more ink going backwards to create a worn effect to match the vintage style.
If you're making something with vintage papers and there's a tear or mark on it, cover the blemished part with a postage stamp. (This is why my vintage map cards have stamps on!)
If you're decoupaging an object and are making paper strips to cover it, use a ruler to tear the paper rather than cut it with scissors. Tearing the paper instead of cutting it gives it a softer edge so it lays flatter to the object you're gluing it to and using a ruler means the torn paper will be straight!
I also like to post projects I find, things I make, ephemera I have for sale and anything other vintagey and papery I find! If you'd like to discover a new tip every Thursday do head over to my page take a look.
Thursday Tips
When you've finished cutting up old book pages use a circle punch to make small colourful circles with the scraps. I save them until I find a suitable projects for them. These 1/2 inch circles are left from a 1960s book I cut the pictures out of. Use a black (or other colour) fine liner pen to create a stitch effect border around paper embellishments for cards and scrapbooks to make them stand out and look defined.
To help add definition to pieces of paper you might be layering in a card making or scrapbooking project, gently run an ink pad around the edges. It gives a slightly muted soft edge to help it stand out.
When cutting out small details from paper use a small, sharp pair of scissors and keep them still. Turn and move the paper with your other hand. This makes for a cleaner and sharper cut.
Ephemera doesn't just have to be old paper (although that is my favourite type!). Technically it's any item that was produced to have a short, one off purpose and not meant to be kept and last a long time. I find it useful to keep a box to put all these kind of items in so I've always got plenty of ephemera ready to go when I'm feeling crafty!
If you're making paper beads using strips of vintage (or other) paper, use a quilling tool to make the process easier. Just slot the end of the paper between the gap in the middle of the tool and roll up! It's a lot quicker and neater than rolling paper around cocktails sticks like I used to do.
If you're doing some stamping over vintage book pages try stamping the pattern as normal (the darkest green in this picture) and then re-stamping without adding more ink going backwards to create a worn effect to match the vintage style.
If you're making something with vintage papers and there's a tear or mark on it, cover the blemished part with a postage stamp. (This is why my vintage map cards have stamps on!)
If you're decoupaging an object and are making paper strips to cover it, use a ruler to tear the paper rather than cut it with scissors. Tearing the paper instead of cutting it gives it a softer edge so it lays flatter to the object you're gluing it to and using a ruler means the torn paper will be straight!
Sunday, 1 June 2014
Pink Flamingo and Apple Harvest
Yesterday I tried something new for a craft fair - a shared stall. I'd been chatting with Sue from Apple Harvest about a new craft fair that was taking place in Sheffield and we thought we'd try it out together. So together we went along to Lou Lou's Artisan Market at Sheffield Town Hall...
Sharing a stall meant thinking of different ways to display my goods too. Not only was there less space so I had to get creative, but I also got to play with Sue's display items too! This basket proved useful for carrying items to the market and looked great on the floor in front of the table with my pictures and notebooks in it along with Sue's lavender hearts.
One of Sue's ebay buying sessions lead to her acquiring this handy little stand - perfect for my Sheffield keyrings! And she was generous enough to lend it to me for the day.
There were also a wider range of goods for customers to look at and we inspired each others' making sparking ideas for each other. I loved Sue's 'chopstick flowers' which have her hand felted flowers attached to chopsticks which are covered in green ribbon but still have Chinese writing visible on the bottom. I thought they also looked rather cute in their beer bottle vases!
And there was a box of vintage sewing supplies! Sue was sharing her cotton and sewing accessories for sale (even though she'd be happy keeping them for herself!) I loved the tags hanging from the box showing prices and saying what they were - an idea for me to use too.
We're planning other projects together in the future which I'm sure will be a lot of fun! Look out for us in September at Art in the Gardens, Botanical Gardens, Sheffield.
You can find out more about Apple Harvest here:
Apple Harvest's Etsy shop
Twitter
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| Pink Flamingo and Apple Harvest's shared stall |
Sharing a stall meant thinking of different ways to display my goods too. Not only was there less space so I had to get creative, but I also got to play with Sue's display items too! This basket proved useful for carrying items to the market and looked great on the floor in front of the table with my pictures and notebooks in it along with Sue's lavender hearts.
One of Sue's ebay buying sessions lead to her acquiring this handy little stand - perfect for my Sheffield keyrings! And she was generous enough to lend it to me for the day.
There were also a wider range of goods for customers to look at and we inspired each others' making sparking ideas for each other. I loved Sue's 'chopstick flowers' which have her hand felted flowers attached to chopsticks which are covered in green ribbon but still have Chinese writing visible on the bottom. I thought they also looked rather cute in their beer bottle vases!
 |
| A selection of goodies from Apple Harvest |
And there was a box of vintage sewing supplies! Sue was sharing her cotton and sewing accessories for sale (even though she'd be happy keeping them for herself!) I loved the tags hanging from the box showing prices and saying what they were - an idea for me to use too.
We're planning other projects together in the future which I'm sure will be a lot of fun! Look out for us in September at Art in the Gardens, Botanical Gardens, Sheffield.
You can find out more about Apple Harvest here:
Apple Harvest's Etsy shop
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