Meet the Maker - Louise Firchau and Paper Panda

It's no surprise that Paper Panda has over 80 000 fans on Facebook and that, as a result, designer Louise Firchau has been able to quit her day job and make her hobby for making typographical lyrical papercuts from recycled paper a full time job.

I'm not going to say too much about her work as it speaks for itself but there are a few at the bottom in Louise's own words for those who want to know more.  

It is no surprise to me that this piece is causing a bidding frenzy on e-bay - it's just adorable.

One lucky competition winner had an original design created just for them and you can see the work that goes into producing one of Louise's pieces.

And because I'm always on the look out for projects you can have a go at yourself, you should know she has a beginner's kit, more details further down the blog too

  

 and you can get a template, just perfect for Mother's Day.

I promised to let Louise explain more about Paper Panda so here she sums it up in her own words:  "PP has three very distinct styles available in a multitude of merchandise.  I hand draw and hand cut The Bird & Bunny and folk series of papercuts that are inspired by Quarwood, where the Panda family live in a little cottage in the Cotswolds surrounded by animals and woodland life.

The Storybook series (and other gothic darkness) is a cute collaboration between Mr & Mrs Panda. I tell Ryan what to draw with a waggy, pointy finger over his shoulder and only when he gets it perfectly right will I cut it out of paper. It's a good bit of teamwork.
The typographical pieces are created using digital software. I studied typography at university and it became an obsession. There is nothing more satisfying than creating a piece of graphic art using amazing fonts and hand cutting it so perfectly that no matter what the size it looks like it's been printed."
As promised too, here's the information about the trainee kit: what's included and reassurance that you will be able to do it!

In each kit there will be:
1 x A4 self heal cutting mat
1 x soft grip blade handle with 5 x blades in a rubber encased blade holder (some may differ slightly)
1 x 'how to Panda stylee' instuction sheet
1 x Practice sheet showing you what to do
1 x Baby Panda Design 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'
1 x Baby Panda Design 'Home Sweet Home'
1 x Small Panda design 'I love you'
1 x Large Panda Design A4 (Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's learning to dance in the rain)
1 x sheet of speciality paper
1 x Panda badge (essential)

I guess today's tenuous link would have to be our own 'learn how to knit' tutorial which you can find on our website by clicking here.   Personally, I'm off to order my own kit from Paper Panda and hopefully surprise my mum with a truly personal gift this year!

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Meet the Maker - Cardboard Collective

 

If you fancy yourself as a whizz with the old fancy dress, I think I've found something to challenge your skill levels, especially when you discover they're all made from cardboard.

These creative masterpieces are all the handiwork of Amber who hails from the US originally but, having travelled all over the world for the past 10 years with her husband, has finally settled in Japan where she started her family. 

She started her blog in October 2011 and tries to post once a week. Here you’ll find inspiration for projects, cardboard links, information about tools and techniques, and also a bit about sustainable building, crafting and living.

Each year she runs a challenge and this year's no different. You can find out more here. The standard varies but looks pretty high!

   

   

And they also offer some awesome tutorials with great instructions and easy to follow photos.   This one will allow you to create your own unicorn costume.  Check it out here.

If you do have a go, please let us know. Post your photos. We'd love to see them.  We must find someone who can make something like this for our photographers.  Check out our stunning images in our professional gallery here.

www.cobwebkbnits.co.uk

Surf's Up - The Sweetest Occasion

Is it possible to fall in love with a website?  I have.  The Sweetest Occasion is great for all of you looking for inspiration with parties, handmade gifts or fashion.

This eyecatching blog is the brainchild of Cyd Converse who founded The Sweetest Occasion in 2008, bringing her lifelong passion for design, entertaining, fashion and photography to life. 

By day, Cyd can be found blogging, day dreaming, keeping company with her lovable old black lab, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and planning weekend trips to the farmer’s market. She holds an undergraduate degree in architecture and a Master of Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University. Cyd resides in Syracuse, New York where she also writes for Babble, a wildly popular parenting and lifestyle website.

I'm not surprised that she has a devoted following of readers who visit her blog  for trendsetting DIY tutorials, party inspiration, fashion finds, entertaining tips and ideas, home decor, design ideas and tasty cocktail recipes. 

You'll need to visit her website for the full DIY-tutorials, but here's a taster of what she offers ....

Valentine Day ideas

 

Easter bunny pouches
  

There are stunning images of themed and other celebratory parties that are sure to inspire ...

  

and she also provides downloads for lovely printables, perfect for Valentines, Xmas, Halloween and other special occasions.

It's no wonder that she's been featured by publications such as Better Homes & Gardens, Every Day with Rachael Ray, The Today Show, People, Country Living, BRIDES, The Huffington Post and DailyCandy, Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for entertaining and design ideas.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - Winter Olympics and the Ravellenic Games 2014

Don't know about you, but although I've tried my hand at skiing and skating, that's about it when it comes to Winter Sports.  But I will be watching the Olympics and enjoying the spectacle that comes with it.

If, like me, you're more of a spectator fan and a knitter you can combine your pastimes by entering the Ravellenic Games.  Run by the website Ravelry, it challenges knitters to start and finish a project during the Winter Olympics, using a new technique, attempting a massive project, something delicate or anything else that will expand your knitting or crocheting horizons.

There will be a mass cast-on during the opening ceremonies and you past the finish line dependent on which event you have chosen to follow. 

There are even medals you can post on your blog or ravelry profile. 

You can find out more from their website and the following links.  Events 2014   And if you've got any questions about the events, you can check out their FAQ!

Personally, I'll probably be busy with my own projects - making up stripy hats for my niece and nephew to take with them skiing.  If you want to stay warm this winter, why not invest in one of our stripy hats too.  Check them out here 

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Meet the maker - Helen Round, Printmaker

In my never ending search for new projects to try, I was lucky to happen upon this website about printmaker Helen Round. With passion for print and a life time love of beautiful fabrics, not only does she design and create beautiful prints but she also offers workshops so that others can have a go themselves.

She uses traditional screen printing methods and prints her unique, hand drawn designs onto the highest quality linen, combining state of the art digital printing with traditional hand printing techniques such as monoprint and screen print.. 

Everything in her work is carefully considered and all designs begin life as beautiful hand drawings inspired by the Cornish countryside, where she lives and from where she takes much of her inspiration. Living close to the sea she says, 'Her work is a celebration of all that is Cornwall.'

As she says herself 'Everyone Needs a Creative Day' and you can join Helen in her studio for an opportunity to experiment, learn a new skill and feed your creativity. 

Workshops held in her studio and are limited to six people ensuring plenty of 1:1 support. They are very reasonably priced and full day workshops include a delicious home cooked lunch and 'plenty of tea and cake'. 

Here students are printing their own designs and making books. But there are other courses available too and if you find yourself in Cornwall, I urge you to book yourself in and have a go. But if you can't, then do see if you can find something similar nearer to home.

You can buy mugs, bags, coasters, cushions and aprons from her website and don't forget we sell aprons too. You could even get one personalised with 'printmaker' once you've tried it out for yourself.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk