Win 1 of 5 Pairs of Tickets to Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch, Plus 2 More Shows!!

Whether you're an addict or a novice, there's bound to be something to get you excited at this years Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch show. Held at the NEC in Birmingham on 24-27 March it's sure to be a fabulous day out. There will be everything from catwalk shows, demonstrations, textile art to corset & quilts. If none of that quite ticks your box (how can it not?) then there is also the HobbyCrafts show and Sewing For Pleasure being held in the same venue at the same time.

Now comes the exciting bit, the organiser ICHF has given us 5 pairs of tickets to giveaway to our readers. These tickets will get you into all 3 shows, so you don't have to choose.

How To Enter

As usual it's ridiculously easy to enter our comp (open to UK readers this time, unless you happen to be visiting at the time of the shows.):

1. Follow this blog publicly (using either Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin on the right) and leave a comment mentioning you are following the blog (current followers need only comment). Remember to leave your email or twitter so I can contact you if you win.

Extra entries - for each extra entry leave a comment to let me know:

1. Tweet about the comp for an extra entry
2. Like our page on Facebook (link to the left)

The competition will end at midnight 4th March 2011.

We've Been Nominated! Plus Necklace Tutorial

Hello dear readers,

I'm in a very good mood today after finding out yesterday that our little blog has been nominated for an award! If you love us as much as we love you please vote by clicking here

So to celebrate I've decided to share a Button Necklace Tutorial with you all, if you've ever met us at a fair you might recognise these from one of our small kits. So if you like buttons old and new and have always wondered what else you can do with them have a go with these instructions which were penned by the other half of Angel Eden 'Anne'.

Button Necklace

You will need

Two lengths of waxed cotton about 90 cms long, (looks good if they are two different colours), small enough to go through the holes of your buttons.

About 19 buttons, can be 2 or 4 hole, except the button for the fastening which needs to be four hole.

All Purpose strong clear glue.

Instructions

1. Hold the two strands of waxed cotton at one end and fold them over and knot to make a loop. This loop will be the fastener going over the end button of the necklace, so its important to make sure it is the right size for your button to go through. Once you are happy with the size pull as tightly as you can.

    2. The buttons are now going to be strung individually on each strand, divide them in half and decide on the colour order. One button will be used to make the end button to fasten the necklace.

    3. Start threading buttons onto one of the strands of waxed cotton by passing the thread from behind through one of the holes of the first button and then pass back through the opposite hole. Now leave a space of about 5 centimetres before placing the next button in the same way. Continue until you have achieved the length you want or half the buttons are used.

    4. With the second strand put the buttons on in the same way but place the first one so that it lays half way between the first two buttons on the first strand. Continue until all buttons are placed making sure each button on the second strand sits between two on the first.

    5. With the last button use both threads to go through it from the back and cross threads diagonally to form a cross and pass thread back through the other two holes. Tie the two threads in a reef knot behind the button. This means to pass the right thread over the left and then pass under it, then pass the left thread over the right and pass under. Pull this knot as tight as you can.

    6. The ends can now be cut and some appropriate clear glue put on the knots at each end of the necklace to make it extra secure.

This necklace can be made with a variety of buttons, they do not need to all be the same size. The two strands could also be two different lengths to make a different design. It really does look attractive when worn but is more difficult to do justice to in a photograph. Depending on the colour and size of buttons used, it can make a very individual present for both adults and children.

I've also joined in with the Welcome Wednesday bloghop hosted by take it from me, take a look here

A Venetian Paper Dream

I've just come back from a short break in Venice, I've been before and the draw of the beautiful artwork, amazing architecture and to die for paper called me back. This time I stayed in a small town called Treviso, it has it's own city walls and canals, and even though it is not technically in Venice, it's beautiful in it's own right.



Once again I couldn't resist the many paper creations. In an earlier post I showed you how I used this to renovate some pine furniture. My favourite shop was hidden down one of the smaller canals, where the window is full with all manner of items made with this stunning paper.



I had to remind myself to rein in the spending though, as prices in Venice seem to have leapt since I last visited and this paper was now 9 Euros a sheet!



My latest project involving this indulgence was turning an old box file into a wall cupboard. It was an ebay purchase and thankfully made of wood. After sanding and treating the front and sides much like I had previous projects I glued on an old wooden ruler, two old keys, a paint brush and some buttons. It sounds a bit odd but I love the finished product and it is now proudly hung upon the wall.





Finally inspired by the key I hung on the cupboard I thought I would hunt you all out some of my favourite key inspired jewellery.

The first necklace is called The Bus Ride by Counting Stiches and can be bought on Etsy.


Next is called Peep Show and is sold by Secret Jewellz also on Etsy.



Finally a couple of our own creations which embrace our love of keys