DIY Christmas Handstamped Tea Towel

So. I confess. I am not the World's most craftiest person.

I do love craft. I appreciate craft and Pinterest? 

Pinterest is like a godsent for people like me.

But I do love the occasional challenge.

And I would love to thank Tamsyn for inviting me to join in her Handmade Christmas Gift Roundup.

1.DIY Felt Slippers from Wills Casa

2. Personalised Hand-Stamped Tea Towels from Chibi Run

3. Personalised Tile Coasters from Made 2 Style

4. Sock Monsters from Ava Pot Pie

5. Homemade Basil Pesto from KukuCouture Invitations

6. Lace Boot Cuffs from S{Thomp}ing Ground

7. Aromatherapy Eye Pillow from Markham Street Design

8. DIY Paint by Numbers Canvas from Sophie at Home

9. Personalised Memory Matching Game from Max & Me

I went to the local shopping centre last night and it was CRAZY.

Everyone was doing their christmas shopping.

The queues at all the shops were massive.

And I had a massive headache.

I love Christmas!

But I don't love the elbow loving and the bag bumping at the shops.

I am not really fond of buying something off the shelves just because I couldn't find anything else.

So. To cut to the point.

I spruced up some plain tea towels I had with the aim of giving it to a friend.

If I can do it, so can you!

And the idea is really to do ANY design you want to.

What You Need:

- A plain tea towel (linen, cotton...anything you fancy.)

- Fabric paint (found at any good art and craft store, in any colour you like!)

- Paintbrush

- Sponges (to cut into your desired stamp shape)

or

- Used wine bottle cork

- Stamps (I chose a reindeer one!)

- Stamp Ink Pad

 In the end, I didn't use the sponges because my little girls ran off with them and I thought a simple cork and reindeer stamp design might still do the trick.

I recommend using a paintbrush to paint the fabric paint onto the cork to stamp.

Would you have a go at making one too?

Do a colourful polka dot one!

Or do a chevron one!

OR if you've got lovely alphabet stamps or stencils... personalise it with a name or message!

{Christmas Guest Feature} An Amazing Tour of the Creative Space of OSONiA Designs!

So it is the 3rd day of December.
Proud moment for me: I have actually started on my Christmas cards! 
I've gotten the ones to be posted overseas ready... and for once in a long while, I feel pretty darn organised.

I love all things paper. Especially cards. Just simply because when you receive a great card from a friend or loved one, it speaks volumes. It's more than nice to know that that card was picked out specially and thoughtfully.

I have a few select favourite handmade card designers and Sonia from OSONiA Designs is amazing. The first time I laid eyes on her cards, I loved them all. She does all. this. magic. with her tools, her cardstock and creates so many pretty cards, all different from one another.

It takes a special someone to create such prettiness and honestly, I reckon cardmaking/scrapbooking is completely underrated. More than often, you end up with a room full of supplies and they need to be carefully stored! Now, I'm not the neatest person around but I do like being organised and I'm sure lots of you out there are the same!

This morning, Sonia has welcomed us all to have a sneak peek into her own creative space. The room where everything gets made. How she does it all. I'm pretty excited! I love seeing other people's spaces.
She's answered a few questions of mine just to give us a better insight into her space.

Sonia

Well here I am sharing a little of me & my studio.  

I would like to preface my little chat with you Germaine by thanking you for the opportunity to share a little of me & OSONiA Designs with you and your readers.  I felt truly humbled when you asked me & I thank you.

Can you tell us a little bit about the products you create and how the space is designed for creating your very special products? I design & create an extensive range of handcrafted product, specialising in quality personalised and handmade greeting cards, tags, guestbooks and decorator frames.  When at first designing my home studio, 2 things were critical!  It had to look great & it needed to be functional because I was aware the amount of time I would be working (approximately 30-40 hours per week).

(Look! A special Teeny-Tiny Doll by Cook You Some Noodles to hand you the buttons you need!) 

If you had to be selective, what three things do you love most about the space? The generous size (8 metres x 5 metres), the natural light & the views (from my 2 large windows) are so peaceful & serene.

How has your home studio space evolved since you first designed it?
(Or how was it like when you first started it?)
 It hasn’t really changed much.  I did put a lot of thought into the initial layout & furniture I would need (lots of measuring & sketching down of ideas).  I do however add lots of pretty things all the time – frames, jars & vintage vases and of course new craft supplies.

I’m drawn to all of the various cardmaking tools materials that you have. How do these tools and materials play a role in creating and what goes into the way you choose them?  Like most handmade crafters would agree – I have “too many tools of the trade”!  I do however find (just like with fashion) I like to keep up with new papers, stamps, ribbons and trends.  It really is amazing how often new products are being released, with most of the larger companies it is monthly.

I love your simple ideas for carving out a beautiful and accessible studio space. Can you give us some ideas about how we can organize and store completed projects?
Utilise as much wall space as possible – add shelving & peg boards, it is amazing how many of your supplies you can actually store that way.  If possible put drawers or tubs under your table/desk area as they are also very handy & usually at arm’s reach.

If you were only restricted by your imagination, what would your ideal creative workspace include?
 I would love to have floor to ceiling built in paper racks and an area with a couple of armchairs that I could just sit & “ponder” from time to time…….now, that is really dreaming!

Thank you for being here with us today; I always get so much inspiration from you and the feeling is mutual!

Sonia has a special offer for all friends of Chibi Run this month (I've already taken advantage of this great offer!)

"All orders of 10 cards or more for the month of December will be free postage & include a packet of 5 tags as a thank you from me – please mention this blog post!”

Please do visit Sonia over here or say a lovely hello to her on facebook (where she always shows us what she's up to everyday!)