Monday 30 September 2013

#CraftBlogClub: The Big 'Notebook Challenge'

Well, Tuesday is here, which can mean only one thing...it's time to unveil our #CraftBlogClub Challenge notebooks!

What I really enjoyed about this challenge, was the amount of variation I've seen, so far, in the results; I think it's fantastic that everyone has ventured out and tried new things! Please please please link your notebook posts up below - I think this challenge is something we should all be really proud of - fantastic work and a huge thank you to everyone who took part!  If you have time too, have a stop by a few blogs and show them a bit of #CraftBlogClub love for their wonderful efforts in the challenge!

The Overlord's Challenge Unveil...
So, for my notebook challenge, I decided to try a bit more applique, as I enjoyed doing my anniversary picture so much.  I wanted to spend as little as possible and work with fabrics and scraps that I had lying around.  Here is the result...



I bought a plain page, hardcover notebook from Wilkos for £3 and started by measuring out some navy and white striped fabric (I'm Breton-mad), and some fusible fleecing to add extra cushioning to my cover.



I ironed the fleecing and fabric to fuse together.  To make my applique poppy,
I freehand cut a green felt stalk and red poppy shape and, in keeping with a 'shabby' theme, I stitched the felt to the striped fabric using black thread.  I love how the black contrast creates a sweet outline of the poppy.

I found an old black button, with gold edging, in my extensive collection of long-lost buttons, so decided to sew this on as the poppy's middle.  The result was simple but effective - I toyed with the idea of doing several poppies, but I decided that one looked much nicer, for this project.

To attach the fabric to the notebook, I simply folded the edges in and attached using strong bonding glue.  As the fabric edges weren't tidy, I covered with a peach-coloured piece of paper for a clean finish.

I was really pleased with my notebook - I've had so many ideas for more applique and notebook-covering projects.  I think this has been a great challenge, to prettify and personalise something as plain as a notebook!  I hope you've all enjoyed it as much as I have - and I can't wait to launch October's challenge!

October Challenge
Well, without further ago, I shall unveil our challenge for October!!  It didn't take too long to decide that I wanted to launch something with a Halloween theme!  And with the success of last month's notebook covering, I thought something quite malleable will work for us all!  So here it is..

This October - the #CraftBlogClub Challenge is to create a Halloween decoration, using a crafting form YOU HAVE NOT TRIED BEFORE!

Get your thinking caps on - this is a great opportunity to try a new craft, if you have any questions or need any help - give us a shout on Twitter!  The same rules apply - I will put up a linky for us all to post our results!  The deadline is Tuesday 29th October for this challenge!  

Stay Crafty and get linking up now....

E x 


play along with us

8 comments:

Icy Sedgwick said...

What if it's a craft you haven't used in aaaaaages?

Unknown said...

Hmmm I guess that probably is fine - I think it's just about taking yourself a little out of your comfort zone, but if you've not done it for ages, then that will sort of be the same thing! x

Caroline said...

Oh, cannot wait to try this one:) I have no halloween decorations to speak of so looking forward to getting my thinking cap on........

Unknown said...

I am absolutely in love with your notebook Emma. X

Deb Urb said...

I love this idea Em! I don't think I will make the October challenge but look forward to joining in one very soon :) xx

Anthea said...

Loving ALL the different notebooks! Not sure what I will do for next challenge - there aren't many crafts I don't potter with... hmmm.... paper maybe?

Amanda White said...

Well, that new challenge was indeedy a challenge for me. I never 'do' Halloween! It's been playing at the back of mind since you set the challenge, and then ,last night.....it came to me!
So, I've done mine, actually didn't take long and I actually quite like it!!!

Katie Hall said...

YOur notebook is beautiful Emma! I didnt have time to take part in this challenge but I really want to give it a go now. Hope to get crafty with the halloween challenge soon :)