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

Easy peasy fabric printing

Why can't adults have 1/2 term, holidays? It makes so much sense to stop working every few weeks and rejuvenate. Last week was 1/2 term for many of the UK's school children. I remember my 1/2 term hols very clearly I would be bored for 4 days and then on the 5th day I would think of a huge to do list, most of it crafty and be sad I'd left it so late.

Here's a super easy project I tried out last week at a children's half term workshop, perfect for doing at home on a rainy day (and oh my, how it is raining at the minute!):

You will need:

• Cotton fabric (in this case an apron)
• Funky foam/neoprene
• Card (from a cereal box)
• PVA
• Paper
• Fabric paints

To make:

1. Create a template of the shape you want to print and cut it out of paper.

2. Draw around the paper shape on neoprene, cut out and glue to card.

3. Lay newspaper under your cotton to protect surface. Apply paint all over the neoprene shape careful not to get any on the card. Cover the whole foam otherwise you may get gaps.

4. Press it into position on the fabric, lift up and reveal your first print. Carry on printing until your composition is finished. You will need to apply fresh paint to the foam for each print you do.

5, Follow the instructions on the paint, when dry you normally iron the motifs to fix them so your fabric can be washed.

What a super easy method! Cheap, quick and easy...give it a go! Remember you can mix colours, print on top of shapes and go all out as wild as you wish!