How to make a notice board

I used to think funky foam was really pointless but it's actually as versatile as felt with many  crafty uses if you keep an open mind. I made this project recently for a craft session at the Geffrye Museum for ages 5-9 years but I think it can be pretty much enjoyed by anyone, especially as you can theme it how you like and it can be used immediately. It's inspired by a similar project designed by Crafty Chica many years ago in one of her early books (more on that to come in a future blog post!):
What you need:

• A4 sheets of funky foam/neoprene (I got a pack of 10 for £1 in Poundland)
• Double-sided tape
• Pencil
• PVA glue and applicator
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Ribbon
• Something circular to drawn around
• 

 1. Start with three pieces. Tape the front piece to the middle section using strips of double- sided tape ensuring all the edges match up neatly.

2. Before you attach the back piece, staple one piece of ribbon across it to create the hanger and then close the three pieces with tape or staple for extra security. Three layers gives you enough thickness so pins don't go through, you can use a 4th if you really want to but I've found that's not necessary. 

 3. For this floral design I drew round a circular coaster lots of time in different colours. 

 4.  I then freehand drew flower shaped using the parameters of the circle and then some smaller flowers and circle shaped for the centres. These were all glued around the edge of the  board to create a decorative boarder. You can cut the foam to whatever shape you like.
Leave it to dry. It's ready to stick some drawing pins in and hang on your wall. 


A super quick useful craft project that everyone can make use of!


Top tips:

• Neoprene is available in bigger sheets so you can make larger boards
• Make one for a housewarming gift for a friend
• Make in colours that suit your home
• Glue on sparkles or add stickers, feathers....whatever you fancy to personalise it to your taste

Crafty Elders

This week I started teaching two new classes, both for adults. On Wednesday mornings I am running sessions at The Geffrye Museum for the over 50s Asians Women's group - they are all amazing crafters already, in fact they could be teaching me rather than vice versa! One of the ladies has just become a grandma and she brought in an ultra sweet cardigan and booties that she had knitted, her best friend also knitted the same as a gift for the new arrival......and the most amazing part was that they didn't use patterns but the sizes are perfect. I can only dream that one day, my knitting will be just as good.

The course I am running is connected to the brilliant 'Eco Homes' exhibition currently on at the museum. If you think you've seen in all when it comes to recycling, you haven't! It's a really inspiring collection of recycled objects and information. There is a great section where they have jars of materials and I was amazed to discover the uses that coconut shells and fish scales have! Check it out if you don't believe me, the exhibition is free to get into.

My second class with a younger women's group on Thursday mornings and this week we did some hand embroidery. The night before I crammed lots of stitches - it was a bit like revision, I had mainly forgotten them so had a quick recap of the usual suspects. Luckily for me, most the participants have better memories than me and as soon as their fabric was in a hoop they were of! Results to be shown here soon if I can get my camera to work : (

If you're an older person (i.e. over 50) or know someone who is who fancies getting crafty on Saturday, tell them to come along this Saturday 30th January to a fabulous craft day being held in Northwood, (i've never been there but it's on the London Underground Met Line!), that's my brooches on the right. All info on flier, should be a terrific day : )