Then I was flipping through an old magazine for more inspiration and there was the same colour scheme as the one from Mandi. The confirmation that I got was that this colour combination was on par and very much in fashion, and that is how I came to design a double page layout inspired by a magazine and a designer.

My secret to making old things look new is combining old with something new – it really does make a difference. So a single sheet of new paper combined with old products and paper will make the world of difference.

Products used

I am always looking for great ways to organize my scrapbooking stash. Now as a crafter and scrapbooker things need to be accessible, easy to reach, functional and still beautiful. So came the problem of my ever increasing "die" collection. First i had them in plastic tubs in their packaging, then i removed them from their packaging which removed the bulk and gave me more space but having them stacked on top of each other just wasn't the perfect solution. But then it dawned on me. With some of the companies supplying dies with a magnetic sheet this was a great solution. But posed another issue - I had to go out and buy lots of empty CD storage cases to put dies into on a magnetic sheet, then the CD cases would take up too much space and it wasn't pretty. In came my next solution...

I found these A4 magnetic sheets at Chiswick. Then i was looking for something to put it in and found these amazingly beautiful files at Typo that matched my colour scheme. So I placed my dies on the magnetic sheets according to designs, labelled the folders and had the perfect solution

They are compact and gorgeous. I am absoloutely in love with these A4 magnetic sheets - they are functional and versatile and the perfect solution to many of my storage problems. These files take up very little space and can slot into a book case or even be filed in filing cabinet which will give me even more space. Can you see where i am going with this one...now to empty the filing cabinet!

I hope you are inspired by looking for alternative storage ideas for your crafting supplies. Remember that Chiswick has huge range of products available and these A4 sheets is just one way my life was made so much easier

Compact and gorgeous, and for now at least a solution to my storage problems!

To find the closest store to you contact Denise 031 – 569 6116 or visit www.chiswick.co.za
and see all the wonderful products available.

It happens to all of us - when hours and hours of staring into space wanting to be creative and nothing happens. When everything you touch turns to a big old mess and you end up destroying more projects than what you actually create. Sound familiar? Yes it does – and I am honest enough to admit it happens to me too. Here’s some of my top tis of how to overcome my creative block without any fancy trips to the mall or spending loads of money on stuff I will never use or create with. Re-organize and clean The first thing I do is clean my work space and organize all those bits and pieces that have been accumulating over the last couple of weeks. A clean work space enables me to start something new anytime I am ready, while a big mess clutters my mind and creative vision. I also often discover things I have been looking and rediscover product I have forgotten about. I also like to change some of my décor items and even re-decorate my work space at times. I keep this minimal and only use things I already have on hand or paint that is in the store room already

Purge when you buy I have set this new rule into motion in my life both personally and creatively. When I buy something new I have to give something else away – this avoids clutter and also cleans my mind and workspace at the same time. If I buy something I really want I have to give something to someone else that either needs it or can utilize it better than what I can. I have been wanting some storage trays and what lucky enough to be given some by a friend, and in exchange I could offer her something that she needed and wanted to organize her work space. This all happened through conversation and without spending money.

Rest and re-store Creative block happens when you are tired and worn out – it’s as simple as that. Knowing that you will be creative again is sometimes not enough and we try and force the issue. Just walk away…for now. Take a well-deserved break and watch a movie, vegetate on the couch, go for a walk, flip through magazines or take cat naps. Trust me your body tells you what you need and if you obey your creativity will be back in no time at all. You need time away from it all and it doesn’t have to cost money – sitting outside and just enjoying God’s creation will do wonders. 

Do something different When I get into a creative slump I usually need to paint something, anything! I always have paint at hand be it for furniture or canvas – but I can always throw paint at something and just let it be. The beauty is that even if I fail at the outcome I can always go back and paint over it again or try something else – nothing ventured nothing gained. Just get out of your comfort zone and try something else for a change – it sparks other ideas and creativity with little effort – it just happens.

These are simple things, but it is the things we tend to forget. I hope that in the coming weeks you will take it slow, focus on the little things because in the end they really are the big things! May your art really wash away the dust from the everyday stuff we collect along the way – may art and creativity triumph over all things negative in your life.

One of my favourite stamp sets from Chiswick is the Butterfly set – it’s one of those classic sets with beautiful images that can work for any craft and any theme. I have used it on scrapbooking layouts, on cards, in mini-albums and altered projects and still i don’t tire of it! For this card I chose embossing to create colour and texture on my focal image. The colours are soft and feminine and I love the look.

The stamp is so versatile and can be used in so many different ways. For this card i embossed the butterfly using 3 colours of embossing powders on the same image for a unique look.

For my background I used the same 3 colours of inks to create a multicolored effect. Once the ink was dry I used the Intricate background stamp and stamped the large background in black on my coloured cardstock. To lighten the colours I added a layer of vellum and sewed it with my sewing machine instead of using an adhesive to adhere it. I also love how the sewing adds some texture.

Above and below my middle section of the card where the focal point is I added two stamped swirls. I used the same stamp and just stamped the one upside down. This creates a pattern and lets your eyes focus on what is happening in the middle.

For this project I used these wonderful products from Chiswick

Visit the Chiswick website to view all the products, or contact Denise  031 – 569 6116 to find your nearest craft store -
Happy embossing until next time!

I remember in art class having to make our own paper mache- had it not been mandatory i would never have even attempted. it's just one big mess! but Chiswick has a wonderful product that makes paper mache work a breeze - yes you guessed it! Ready mixed paper mache. This means that you can simply pick the project you want to make and start. So for this little project i called my inner child closer. Remember those bowls and post you used to make at school for your mom? well i do - so i decided to make her a little "imperfect" bowl filled with flowers just because. Now let me start by saying it is not perfect - and that is what i love about it. it's real and fun and that's important to me. I had a blast as i dug into the pot of paper mache and got my hands dirty - transporting me back to those fun and carefree dyas of when i was just a kid.

i used a glass bowl from the kitchen as a mould to make mine.

i used some grey chalk paint to paint the outside of the paper mache to give it a french look. I think my next project will be a bowl covered in silver leaf for a luxurious look and feel.

i love how the paper mache is not perfectly white, but has a cream tint to it making it soft and fluffy.

Here's how i did it
step 1 - I used a spoon to scoop some paper mache out of the tub. You only need a little bit at a time.

step 2 - Grease your mould with some spray and cook (for class and plastic) before applying the paper mache to it. I worked on small sections at a time until my bowl was completely covered. I left the top edges rough and unfinished.

step 3 - leave the paper mache to dry until it is fully cured. The bowl will simply pop off of the mould you used. Then decorate your bowl with paint, silver leaf, paper, serviettes or whatever your heart desired.

Now that i have tried it out i am sending my niece a pot of paper mache so she and my nephwe can create some great art for grandma. I love how easy this is to use and can't wait for my next mask or model creation so i can use this wonderful product. paper Mache is available from Chiswick at your local craft store. You can phone Denise or visit their website for info and details.
I used a class bowl from the kitchen and sprayed it with spray and cook to give it a coating that will release my bowl easily when dry
You can use craft glue to adhere things to your paper mache project
It comes in different sized tubs making it perfect for any project

I hope you will make some time for you and the kids to try out this amazing product - they will have loads of fun!