These little gold desk dishes are fab and tie in so well with our blog on covering lever arch files in marble effect sticky back plastic. Why have a boring, uninteresting desk when, for very little effort and money, you can have a glamorous and inspiring desk that actually gives pleasure, plus it’s so satisfying to have done it yourself. I love to transform something that is essentially a utilitarian object into a thing of beauty to be admired instead of hidden away.

Do take a look at Amy’s blog and be inspired to have a go yourself. Amy makes it sound easy, and it actually is, as long as you follow her instructions. Before you know it your desk will be feeling the gold and marble love!

Jacqui x

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Images from Homey Oh My!

You will need:

Lever arch file

Sticky backed plastic available from ebay

Gold spray paint

Ruler, pen and scissors or rotary mat, scalpel and safety ruler.

Soft cloth

Here’s the instructions for covering a whole folder in sticky back plastic:

1. Lay the sticky backed plastic reverse side up and place the file opened out on it and position in line with the grid already marked for you. Cut the plastic to size, but  allowing enough excess to turn over the edges.

2. Mark a line on the plastic at each corner of the file, 45 degrees to the file edge.

3. Cut along the lines you just marked on each of the four corners.

4. Mark and cut 2 small notches from top and 2 small notches from the bottom of file where the file folds.

5. Peel away one edge of the protective backing, but don’t start sticking yet, just mark where the edge of the folder should sit, so that when you are ready to start, you know where to line it up correctly.

6. Lay the file out flat on the reverse of the plastic and starting at one end carefully peel away the protective backing from the plastic folding the inside flap in.

7. Make sure it is positioned correctly and then smooth over with the cloth to get rid of air bubbles. Continue in this way a small section at a time over the front of the file, smoothing out air bubbles and making sure the plastic adheres to the file.

8. Turn the file over and lay flat so that you can carefully fold the flaps in and smooth them down.

The instructions for the folder with marble front and back, and gold spine are very similar:

1. Spray the spine of the file gold (preferably outside and making sure you have a good sized sheet or cardboard laid down first) with several light coats of spray paint so it doesn’t run or clog. Allow time between each coat for the paint to dry.

2.Lay the file down on the reverse side of the plastic so you can mark the shape. Cut along the edge that will butt up to the spin and again cut the corners at right angles for tuning in.

3. Start at the edge of the spine and remove the backing making sure you have it positioned in a straight line along the spin and smooth over with the cloth to remove air bubbles.   Carefully remove all the backing whilst smoothing out the plastic and then turn in the flaps and smooth them down.

4. Repeat for the other side of the file.

And for the gold version of the lever arch file just spray all over in even thin coats allowing the paint to dry in between until you are happy with the coverage. The jam jar has been sprayed in the same way and then a strip of marble sticky backed plastic cut to fit the centre of the jar. Choose a jar that has straight side so that the plastic doesn’t have to be shaped to fit.

What a glamorous collection of lever arch files and who would have thought it would be so simple or so cheap to do?   Combined with the gold and marble pen pot they make even the simplest office shelf or desk into a thing of beauty.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui & Amelia Brooks

These cute plastic toys came in an assorted bag full from Amazon for the princely sum of £8.99.

5 minutes outside with a tin of gold spray paint and we now have a gold creature each for our desks. Can you guess who was allocated which creature? Amelia made the decision for us – crab for Hollie (snap, snap) lobster for Amelia (no suntan possible, just a delightful shade of red) and I get the turtle because apparently I’m placid. Well I’ve always likened myself to Henry Kissinger. Being the mother of five hones those peace keeping skills!

I’ve saved the dolphin, seal and whale for my impeding grandson’s bath time as I thought a small gold seal would look a bit odd on the desk and they didn’t have the same meaning for us.  Now, despite this being rather quick to do, you might not have the time or the inclination to do it yourself (Hollie certainly wouldn’t!), so we’ve sourced our very own gold grasshopper and gold ants for the less crafty among us.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Amelia and Jacqui Brooks

‘The Easiest and Cheapest Home Accessory, EVER….?!’ written by Jacqui Brooks

A knowledgeable book that takes you through the seasons based on what you can grow yourself, or forage for, and ideas on how to create displays with your gatherings. Ideal for the novice gardener as it takes you through the stages of growing plants but also for the experienced gardener with ideas of what to grow for different crafting activities. The ideas range from a woodland display to terrariums to making an alpine theatre. In fact so many lovely ideas from the simple, that are ideal for children, to more complicated projects.

I love this driftwood planter filled with succulents (I do have a soft spot for succulents) and it’s so easy to make, and again, knowledgeable information on growing succulents.

The section on winter crafts almost makes me feel it is a season to be jolly, with ideas for berries, twigs and seed heads and there is a good section on forcing bulbs for winter flowers which always bring cheer on dark, dismal days.

My particular favourite has to be these vases, made from gourds and filled with dahlias, so gourds will definitely be on my ‘to grow’ list for next year so will be following Louise’s advice on how to grow them. I’ve always fancied having a selection in bowls but never thought to make vases from them.

None of the projects are too difficult or time consuming but all have a beauty and authenticity about them that will appeal to even the most novice crafter and great projects to introduce children to the joys of growing plants and nature. On a timely note this blog post by dovegreyreader discusses the health benefits of crafting and creating (akin to meditation, apparently) and how it clears the mind of worries as you concentrate on the task in hand. There is also much research being done on how grounding and therapeutic nature and gardening are in our digital age. Definitely a book to appeal to a broad range of ages and skills, and with a timeless appeal.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Amelia and Jacqui Brooks

‘The Crafted Garden- Book Review’ written by Jacqui Brooks

I can never resist having a browse round charity shops when I am in my local town– there are so many of them on high streets now it’s quite a temptation. The trick is not to come home with too much naff stuff just because it’s cheap, but occasionally I will spot a piece of vintage china I like the shape of but it’s very dated looking.  Updating (or upcycling) vintage china is so easy to do and completely changes the object from something tired and outdated to a vibrant and on trend piece.

1. These two pieces belong to the girls and are the result of one such raid but they badly needed an update. Very granny’s attic aren’t they?

2. Seeing as black and gold are such big trends at the moment I thought I would give them both a similar look. I sprayed both of them with matt black Rust-oleum in several light coats, so they didn’t run, and left them for 24 hours to harden off the paint. I always spray paint outside on a big piece of card on my garden table but it does need to be a dry, still day otherwise everything will be covered in paint, you included!

3. They look stunning just painted black and so different from the originals.

4. Next comes the tricky bit of masking the coffee pot and leaving just the handle exposed to be sprayed gold. I covered the coffee pot with a plastic carrier bag and masked around the edges of the handle with Frogtape masking tape for delicate surfaces to ensure the masking tape didn’t pull the black paint off.

5. I sprayed the handle only with Rust-oleum bright gold, again spray several light coats.

6. Amelia decided she wanted her doves to be a richer, warmer gold so I hand painted the tail feathers and one small dove with Craig and Rose Precious Metals paint in rich gold and gave it several coats for depth of colour. I didn’t use masking tape on this one but you could do if you feel it necessary.

Two new and striking pieces just for the price of a can of paint and a bit of time. And, of course, they can always be painted a different colour should you tire of them and want to mix things up a bit. The permutations are endless – white with a neon pink handle anyone?

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui and Amelia Brooks

‘How to Update Vintage China’ written by Jacqui Brooks

Kimberly from Swoon Worthy has excelled herself with this one, well there are 3 posts actually and they are all fabulous. Scented room spray, scented soap and scented candles, all made from essential oils, and the icing on the cake is that Kimberly has designed gorgeous labels for these home made products that are free to download from her blog. They make such fabulous presents and look so professional with Kimberly’s labels.

Image credit: Swoon Worthy

If you are looking for a more unusual floral decoration for your Christmas table then Si from the French By Design blog has a guest post by floral artist Kiana Underwood who gives a step by step tutorial for creating a sumptuous floral extravaganza using soft hues that that can be tailored to suit your colour scheme. I like the idea of using softer colours but you can use anything that takes your fancy.

 Image credit: Cindy Loughridge for French By Design

I’m not generally a great fan of poinsettias but after seeing the ideas on MyGardenSchool blog I’m a convert. I love the small poinsettia inside a glass bell jar, simple but very pretty. There are lots of ideas from Andy McIndoe on how to make Christmas wreaths and table decorations and ideas for filling pots with seasonal pot plants that would make great presents.

Image credit: MyGardenSchool

Jacqui x

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]]> https://blogs.audenza.com/blog/3-ideas-for-a-crafty-christmas/feed/ 2 https://blogs.audenza.com/blog/gift-wrapping-ideas-jane-means/ https://blogs.audenza.com/blog/gift-wrapping-ideas-jane-means/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2014 18:12:53 +0000 http://www.miafleur.com/blog/?p=3099 A lovely new book plopped through the letter box the other day, Jane Means’ new book, ‘Giftwrapped’. Hollie met Jane at a blogging event a while ago and was impressed with the gift wrapping ideas on Jane’s blog. The publishers, Jacqui Small got in touch and asked if we’d like to review the book and offer a discount code to our readers. Now, Hollie may love the ideas but there is no way she would put any of them into practice (she has the patience of a gnat and her cutting and sticking skills leave a little to be desired) so passed the book onto me as my chief role in life seems to be to act as Hollie’s PA. Though of course, I was only too happy to delve into this book.

The instructions for gift wrapping are clear and show you not only how to wrap awkward gifts but how to make a neat job of it so no more sellotape on view! I was particularly impressed with the instructions for gift bags and gift envelopes – so simple but not something I had thought of making before.   It’s also a very inspiring book if you want to get creative and certainly makes you think about the presentation of gifts more and if, like me, you have boxes and tins full of ribbons, beads, feathers and other such fripperies it is a guilt relieving way to use them up, and bring joy to the recipient.

This black gift wrapping is an oddment of wallpaper and it’s so easy to add a bit of lace and ribbon on top to make it prettier (not something I had thought of doing) and the icing on the cake has to be the flower made from pleated paper that has been printed with the person’s name –what a good idea – and I am sure my eldest boy’s lovely girlfriend is going to be suitably impressed with this beautifully wrapped gift with her name printed on the flower.

I really liked the idea of pleating the paper but I think I chose rather a busy paper so it’s not so effective. Next time I will use a plain paper for the pleated wrapping as I think it’s a really simple and effective way of wrapping that doesn’t need to be embellished, making it perfect for a man. Of course I couldn’t resist adding to mine with more frou-frou.

Round objects are so difficult and I usually end up with scrunched up paper that looks messy on both ends but Jane’s tip of pleating the paper makes for a really neat package. I had fun making the feather rosette and then topped it off with a silk flower for a really lavish looking gift. Very chic.

I loved the ideas in this book and would be thrilled to receive a present that had been so lovingly gift wrapped.   It’s a wonderful way to play about with all the odds and ends I’ve collected and has inspired me to be more creative with my gift wrapping. The instructions are clear with plenty of photos showing how it’s done. Definitely the way forward for birthday presents but with five children I don’t think I will be wrapping Christmas presents like this – it’s more a case of wrapping against the clock on Christmas Eve for me!

Not only is this a great book for your own gift wrapping, but it makes a lovely Christmas gift as well.

Giftwrapped officially launches on November 20^th and retails for £20, but we have special discount code for you, which means that you can get the book for £16 which includes P&P to the UK. If you would like to purchase this book with discount, you can telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG252.

Jacqui x

Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Amelia and Jacqui Brooks

Gift Wrapping Ideas by Jane Means by Jacqui Brooks

I gave the chair a light sanding just to key the surface and then several coats of paint. Autentico paint dries really quickly which helps speed up the process.

1. Choose your fabric or paper and cut a few pieces out and play around with the placing until you are pleased with the effect. By using a fabric with a black background which matches the chair colour it makes the cutting out of the fabric much easier as the edges blend into the paintwork.

2. Brush PVA glue onto the back of the fabric making sure you cover the entire surface, including the edges. Place the fabric onto the chair and pat it into place gently.

3. Use a piece of sponge to smooth out the fabric making sure there are no air bubbles.

4. Leave the chair to dry for a couple of hours and then paint chair and fabric with varnish to protect it. I used Polyvine decorator’s varnish which has a matt finish and dries quickly.

Decoupage is a great way to give your home the individual look and let your creative side loose.

Jacqui x

Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui and Amelia Brooks

‘How to Decoupage a Chair’ written by Jacqui Brooks

I’ve used a pretty teacup and saucer but a jug would work just as well, as shown in Junk Genius.

1. Cut a scrap of fabric such as lining fabric to roughly the size of a hanky and then fill with sand and tie it together in a bundle. Before tying it up tightly make sure it is the right size for your container then tie it really securely.
2. Cut off the excess fabric and then put a piece of decorative fabric over your sand bundle – using pins to hold it in place while you eliminate folds.
3. When you are happy with the effect tie it together with ribbon and place it in the teacup.

I have made mine stand quite proud of the teacup because I wanted a nice fat pincushion but that is up to you. The instructions said to glue it in place but I felt it didn’t need glueing as it sat quite firm.

Such a pretty addition to your sewing table and so quick and easy to make. It would make a great present for the sewer in your life.

Jacqui x

How to make a Pincushion by Jacqui Brooks