Decorate a Keepsake Box For Valentines Day

If you are a crafty type of person, and enjoy small projects you may like to make your own keepsake box for Valentine's day. It makes a lovely gift, or a handy box to keep small trinkets in.
This is my finished box, it took a few hours to make and was quite cheap to put together.

First you need to buy a small cardboard two piece heart shaped box. These are easy to find in most art and craft shops.

The size is down to you, my box is 5 cm in length.






Next you need to cut out 2 heart shapes from red felt, slightly larger than the box lid. I was lucky enough to have some ready cut shapes of the correct size. I sewed the edges of the hearts together, and then padded the heart with a little cotton wool.

I had some stick on red "gems" in my craft box which I glued on the padded heart.

This added some sparkle and interest.

I thought the heart need something to edge it with and thought black lace would make a good contrast. I found some in my hat making supplies and sewed it around the edge.

This is the heart from the underneath.

I tidied up the lace and the heart was ready.

I had some black ribbon, which I glued around the edge of the lid

before gluing the finished heart on top.

I then had to think of an easy way to to decorate the sides of the box and found some two tone black and red ribbon which I glued to the outside. If you have time you may prefer to paint the box inside and out either red or black.

I added the decorated lid, and decided to add a few more "gems".

There are many more ways you could decorate the box, for example by painting it, decoupage, covering it in dried flowers, all you need is some imagination.

                       
                           


Happy Crafting!

Mini Hats For February

I have come up with a few ideas for February, a red and wicked mini Valentine's hat, and a Mardi gras, carnival mini top hat. They are in my eBay shop hatsbyjoanna.

Valentines Mini Top Hat

Mardi Gras Mini Top Hat

Latest Zazzle Designs

My artwork has been taken to a new level with an iPad Pro and an Apple pencil.  I am one lucky lady to have been given these as a Christmas Present. They have given my creative juices a new lease of life and inspired me to design a Valentine's Day Card, and some products especially for Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras Mask and Fleur de Lis Design Shirts by cantaloupearts
Shop for custom t-shirts online at Zazzle

Men's Valentines Card by cantaloupearts
Browse more Men's valentine's Cards

Here are some more ideas for Valentine's Day gifts

How to Make A Poncho From Knitted Squares

My elderly mother rediscovered knitting a few weeks ago. She used to love to knit but has suffered from poor eyesight and short term memory problems in the last few years, so she is now restricted to knitting squares, or rectangles as she can no longer follow a pattern. 

These can turn out very random in size and consistency. I have been buying her multi dyed wool to make it more interesting for her and was amazed when I found that she had knitted hundred of "squares" in the space of a few weeks.

They looked so amazing that I wanted to find a good use for them and after looking online I found an idea for a poncho, which was basically 2 rectangles sewn together. I thought that from the assortment of shapes and sizes it might be possible to make one.
We were taking my mother away for a two week vacation, and I included packing the squares, matching balls of wool, knitting and sewing needles into the car. In the space of a few days we jointly put together this poncho, it was a real team effort and it was lovely to be able to make something between us.

The result was better than I imagined, to read how to make your own poncho click on this link Poncho Instructions

An Automatic Way to Water Your House Plants When on Holiday

I love plants both indoor and out, and have a penchant for the more unusual and exotic types. I have a giant Agave grown from seed which is thriving in a South facing position, together with Oleanders and Prickly Pear.  In my conservatory is a Coffee Plant, and my prized Patchouli plant. These are just a few plants in my indoor collection.

I was due to go away for a few weeks in the summer, and couldn't find anyone to water my plants, then I stumbled upon this easy and FREE way by accident. As it was so successful last time I decided to try it again this winter.

I have just returned from a 3 week break during very hot weather and have found all my plants thriving. The system I use allows each plant to take up just the amount of water they need. In the ones that require a small amount of water, the reservoirs are nearly full, in the other more water dependant plants, the reservoirs are almost empty. Magic!




Here is a photo of my plants on my return, perfectly healthy, to my relief.










To view instructions click this link An Automatic way to Water Your Plants Instructions

Introduction.

Well let me introduce myself..... I have many creative hobbies, I love to paint, write, have a keen  interest in natural science. I always have some type of project on the go, over the years I've tackled silk painting, glass painting, watercolour, acrylic and oil painting, jewellery making, including making my own beads, the list is endless.

At the moment I create and sell hats! I'm self taught and my  range includes formal Wedding and Race day hats, down to miniature novelty hats. I offer a bespoke service too, which can be quite a challenge.

When I am not making hats I create artwork for my Zazzle shop.

View more gifts at Zazzle.