Appliqued greetings cards

Sending a homemade card always feels that bit more special than sending a shop-bought one. These cards can be personalised to suit anyone or any occasion, and take hardly any time to make!

All you need is:
Card
Fabric
Scissors
Paper to make a template from
Needle, pins and thread
Any buttons or extra decorations you want to sew on

1. Firstly draw and cut out your design of choice onto a piece of paper. You could trace a picture printed off the internet, or draw round a cookie cutter. These bunny and bird cards are perfect for Easter cards or sending any time in Spring.
2. Pin the template onto your chosen fabric and cut around it. Make sure you sew any buttons/details on (for eyes, wings etc) before you sew the main body onto the actual card.
3. Fold your card in half and pin the fabric shape onto the front.

 

4. Using a basic running stitch, sew the shape onto the card all the way round the edge of the fabric.

And tada! A very simple yet lovely greetings card.

NB Write messages on the front of the card in pencil to look more subtle than pen :)

Making the most of jars...

I'm a bit of a hoarder when it comes to jars. Once they're empty and washed they make perfect storage for anything from nuts and seeds, to sugar, baking ingredients and cake decorations, and from ribbons to buttons and safety pins.

To liven up kitchen cupboards I like to add circular fabric covers to the lids of jars, which is super easy. All you need is some fabric cut into circles about 2cm bigger than the circumference of the jar lid by drawing round a template (I used a CD) and a small elastic band to secure the fabric onto the lid:

Another idea to spruce up some empty jars is to attach some buttons or beads threaded onto a piece of wire round the rim of the jar. Thread the buttons onto the wire evenly, leaving a little space between each so they lay flat, and fasten the wire securely:

These are perfect for storing robbons, more buttons, knick knacks, pens, paintbrushes - you name it! Alternatively, they can be used a dainty candle holders at a party, either resting on a table, or hooked up with wire, indoors or out, for a subtle, magical, flowery glow.....sorry, got a bit carried away with airy fairy descriptions there!
Enjoy!