Issue Two

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Great craft projects, ideas and inspiration

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Welcome to Inspiration‌.

Firstly, we have to say a HUGE thank you to all the retailers who gave out a copy of the first issue of Inspiration Magazine to their customers, and a massive shout out to everyone who read the magazine, tried the projects and interacted with us on social media and email to show us what they’d made and to enter our competitions!

Well done to the competition Winners, full details are on page 31 So will you be trying your hand at our cover picture craft this month? We had lots of people try Teddy Towel last month so we very much look forward to seeing some picture of Fairy Doors nestled in your trees on our social media very soon.

Enjoy this months magazine!

Page 10

Page 6

Page 28

Page 18

Where to find us online Our Facebook Page is @inspirationcraftandchat Find us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram by searching @free_craft_mag

More details on our YouTube Channel on3 each project page

Inspired by: fundraising We have chosen to work with “ForGeorgie” for 2018/19 to help promote the amazing and difficult challenges that are being undertaken by two incredibly determined men, and to raise awareness for Dravet Syndrome.

This is Georgie.

Georgie had Dravet Syndrome. In November 2017, at three years old, the family lost Georgie to SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in EPilepsy)

This is Geoff, Georgie’s Dad. Geoff, and good friend Tim, are embarking on some incredible challenges this year to try to raise £15,000 in 2018 in Georgie’s memory to be split between three organisations that played a huge part in her short life.

Even the smallest donation can help reach the £15,000 goal by the end of the year.

So far they have scaled mountains, run 100 miles in a month, 5K and 10k runs, marathon length walks, The Great North Run and have so much more planned for the rest of 2018 and beyond..

To read Georgie’s Story and find out more about Dravet Syndrome

www.forgeorgie.org.uk

Inspired by: Your Challenge

Each month we will be setting you a challenge. From the five and only the five pieces of craft equipment shown below, we want to see what you can make. Inspire us all to try something new. For example, just because there might be a needle and thread included one month, doesn't mean you actually have to sew with it! Try thinking outside the box and making some truly inspiring pieces.

This months challenge requires you to use: A) Buttons B) A piece of fabric C) Glue D) Ribbon E) Pipe Cleaners

So there you have it. Send pictures of your creations to us by email at hello@inspiration-magazine.co.uk or use #beinspiredby on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and the best ones will be featured 5 next month, there may even be a prize for the one we think is best!

Inspired by: Kids Craft

the friendly pompom spider With a little bit of adult supervision, this gorgeous spider can be made within about an hour and a full tutorial video is now on our website www.inspiration-magazine.co.uk Why not try making a family of spiders in fantastic colours and sizes ?

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Inspired by: Kids Craft You will need: Pom Pom maker Black chunky yarn

Black card 2 googly eyes Black ribbon Silver Pen Scissors Glue

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Using the black card, trace the legs shape above and out two shapes

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Draw round a 2p coin and cut out the circle in black card also

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Using the pompom maker and black chunky yarn, follow the manufacturers instructions to make the pompom

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Find the centre of the pompom where the yarn has been used to tie and carefully stick Stanleys legs in place, one on each side

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Stick the googly eyes onto the black circle at the top and use the silver pen to draw a smiley mouth underneath.

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Stick the circle to the front of Stanley as shown.

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Use the excess yarn used to tie the pompom together to hang Stanley from anywhere around the home that you think he might want to hang around!

Visit www.inspiration-magazine.co.uk for a video tutorial of how to make Stanley

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Message From The Editor Hello and welcome to the second issue of Inspiration Magazine. We all hope that you enjoyed the first issue and, judging by the response we had to our projects and competitions on social media and email, it seems like you did!

Remember, Inspiration Magazine is here for you so please interact with us in any way you would like, enter our competitions, try your hand at our projects and post pictures on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #beinspiredby Email us and let us know if there is a project you would like us to feature or a craft you’re looking to learn but haven't a clue where to start.

This was our very first Instagram tag sent from @lespauljames who tried his hand at making Teddy Towel, our front cover project last month. You can find out more about this and see this fabulous Teddy on a location shot on page 31. Thank you once again for brightening up our day!

I have to once again personally thank our amazingly talented photographer for the stunning front cover shot this month and the many inside page pictures of our fairy doors. It’s a wonderful project to try alone or with the children and the time taken in the woods with these little doors was something quite magical, we even caught a glimpse of the odd fairy or two!

Our fundraising partner for the year 2018/2019 is the team behind For Georgie, who you can find at www.forgeorgie.org.uk Please visit the website and read more about Georgie, help spread the word and raise valuable funds.

In this issue you will find more things that have inspired us, such as our favourite author and he latest book, food and some great craft ideas such as the Galactic Plastic project featured on page 40. We hope you find these inspirational too.

Enjoy Issue 2 of Inspiration Magazine and see you again in Issue 3!!

Toni

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Inspired by: Winning!

From our friends at Trimcraft, you can win one of TEN bundles of their new Dovecraft Folkland collection worth ÂŁ19.96. Bundle consists of

Dovecraft Premium Folkland 8 x 8 FSC Paper Pad, Dovecraft Premium Folkland Stamp and Die Set, Dovecraft Premium Folkland Glitter Enamel Dots

Dovecraft Premium Folkland Washi Tapes.

To be in with a chance of winning this prize, simply answer the following question:

What did our friend @lespauljames name is own version of Teddy Towel?

Send your answer (which can be found in this magazine and on Instagram) to us by email to win@inspiration-magazine.co.uk or tag @free_craft_mag on Twitter or Instagram Closing date is 14th September 2018 and winners will be chosen at random and notified after this date. Full competition Terms and Conditions on our website www.inspiration-magazine.co.uk

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Inspired by: Quilling

Above picture supplied by @bethquillis follow on Instagram to see some more amazing creations from this very talented lady 10

Inspired by: Quilling Quilling or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. The paper is rolled, looped, curled, twisted and otherwise manipulated to create shapes.

Here you will find a tutorial to make some basic quilling shapes and use those shapes to make a simple but effective greetings card design. Watch this space in future months to find the “quilling shapes of the month� to help you build up your expertise and to enable you to create a stunning piece of artwork like on the picture opposite from @bethquills (Instagram)

To make a start with this craft you will need a few simple supplies, some quilling paper, quilling tool and glue.

Select one strip of paper and wrap the end tightly round the end of the quilling tool or through the end of the slotted tool

Twist the quilling tool to wind the paper round until you have used 11 the whole strip

Inspired by: Quilling To create a leaf and petal shape:

Slide the quilling tool out from the centre of the circle. At this stage, if you would like a slightly looser, tighter circle, loosen your grip on the circle and let it unwind JUST A LITTLE. Glue the end of the strip and hold in place until dry

Repeat Steps 1—4 above to make a simple circle shape

Circle Shape

Use your fingers to pinch both sides of the paper for a moment to create the leaf Leaf Shape

Petal Shape

Use your fingers to pinch one12 sides of the paper for a moment to create the petal

Inspired by: Quilling

Thinking of You To create the card above, simple make three small circles (centre of the flower) and eighteen petals and six leaf shapes.

Apply glue to the underside of the circles and petals and glue to the front of your card. Add the leaf shapes in the same way as shown.

Cut out and stick one of the sentiments below (or you can use one of your own) to your card using foam pads for a raised effect.

Happy Birthday I’m Sorry

Thinking of You Just To Say 13

Inspired by: Knitting

Taken from the book Knitted Hats by Monica Russel and published by Search Press in their Twenty to knit range

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Welcomeby: Inspired to Inspiration….

Knitting As the nights are now drawing in, be inspired by this beautiful knitted hat that will keep you busy in the evenings and will be ready in time to wear just as the weather gets a little cooler. Why not experiment with different colours to compliment your wardrobe, there’s no reason to only make on you know!

You will need: 2 balls of 4-ply (fingering) merino in gooseberry (A); 50g/125m/137yd Small amount of 4-ply (fingering) merino in grey (B) 1 button for the centre of the flower Needles: 1 set 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) DPN 1 pair of 3mm (UK 11, US 2½) needles 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) circular needle, 40cm (16in) long 3mm (UK 11, US 2½) circular needle, 40cm (16in) long

Tension: Tension over st st: 23 sts x 36 rows using 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) circular needles Instructions: Using 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) DPN and yarn A, cast on 8 sts. Divide the sts over the 4 needles. place a stitch marker to denote start of each round. Join the round, being careful not to twist any stitches. Slip marker as you pass it.

Round 1: kfb into each st to end [16 sts].

Round 2 and every even-numbered round: Knit.

Round 3: *k2, yo, rep from * to end [24 sts].

Round 5: *k3, yo, rep from * to end [32 sts].

Round 7: *k4, yo, rep from * to end [40 sts].

Round 9: *k5, yo, rep from * to end [48 sts].

Continue to increase every other round (increasing 8 sts per inc round) until there are 120 sts on needles 15 [30 sts per needle].

Welcomeby: Inspired to Inspiration….

Knitting Transfer sts to 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) circular needle maintaining beginning of round marker placement and place 1 locking stitch marker on this row to use for height measurement.

Work in st st (knitting every row) until work measures 8cm (3¼in) from marker.

Change to 3mm (UK 11, US 2½) circular needle.

Commence 1 x 1 moss st as follows: Round 1: *k1, p1, rep from * to end.

Repeat round 1 until moss st section measures 3cm (1¼in].

Brim Change back to 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) circular needle.

Work 2 rounds in garter st (knit 1 round, purl 1 round].

Round 3: *p15, m1, rep from * to end [128 sts].

Round 4: Purl.

Round 5: *p16, m1, rep from * to end [136 sts].

Round 6: Purl.

Round 7: p102, turn leaving rem 34 sts unworked.

Round 8: p68, turn, leaving rem 34 sts unworked.

Ear flap Round 1: p64, turn.

Round 2: p60, turn.

Continue as above, working 4 fewer sts across each row until you have 36 sts ending on a WS row.

Next row: p19, turn.

Next row: p2, turn.

Next row: p4, turn.

Next row: p6, turn.

Continue as above, working 2 more sts per row until the row p32 turn has been worked.

Next row: p35, turn.

Knit to original marker and then knit 3 rounds more.

Cast off loosely.

Flower Using 3mm (UK 11, US 2½) straight needles cast on 8 sts with yarn B. Row 1: knit each st through back loop.

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Welcomeby: Inspired to Inspiration….

Knitting Row 2: Knit.

Row 3: kfb, k to end [9 sts].

Row 4: Knit.

Row 5: kfb, k to end [10 sts].

Row 6: Knit.

Row 7: kfb, k to end [11 sts].

Row 8: Knit.

Row 9: k2tog, k to end [10 sts].

Row 10: Knit.

Row 11: k2tog, k to end [9 sts].

Row 12: Knit.

Row 13: k2tog, k to end [8 sts].

Row 14: Knit.

Row 15: cast off 5, knit to end [3 sts].

Row 16: knit 3, cast on 5 [8 sts].

Rep rows 1–16 three more times and then rows 1–14 once.

Cast off sts and cut yarn.

Flower centre Using yarn A, cast on 6 sts.

Row 1: cast off 5 sts.

Row 2: cast on 5 sts.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 seven more times.

Cast off sts.

Making up

Join the two ends of the large flower by stitching the bottom of the end petals together. Using a running stitch run your thread along the bottom edges of the petals. Draw the stitches together to gather them up. Stitch the flower centre into the middle of the flower. Place your button in the centre of the flower and sew the complete flower onto the ear flap.

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Inspired by: Baking

What could be better than a yummy toad in the hole, veggies and a bit of gravy now that the evenings are starting to draw in?

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Inspired by: Baking You will need: 175 g (6oz) plain flour, sifted 3 medium eggs, lightly beaten 225 ml (8fl oz) milk 2 tbsp vegetable oil 8 sausages (meat or non meat) A few fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Method: Preheat the oven to 220C / Gas 7.

Put the vegetable oil in a roasting tin and put in the oven to get hot.

Carefully put the sausages in the oil and back in the oven to cook for around 10—15 mins until golden.

Meanwhile, put the flour into a bowl, make a well in the centre and pour the milk in.

Pour the eggs over the milk and whisk it all together until there are no lumps and the mixture is silky and smooth.

Season well with salt and pepper and whisk a little more.

When the sausages are cooked, pour the batter carefully over the sausages and bake for a further 25—30 minutes until the batter is golden.

Scatter the thyme sprigs over the sausages if using.

Serve with salad or vegetables and gravy.

Did you make this recipe?

Send us your pictures to hello@inspiration-magazine.co.uk

or tag us @free_craft_mag on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram

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Inspired by: Felt Cutting and working with felt can be a tricky thing, we all know how much the fabric loves to move around and cause our circles to be ovals and our more intricate pattern pieces to be, well, less intricate!

Here are two simple steps we use to ensure a perfect cut in felt every time

Step One: Always use sharp scissors. It’s very easy to assume that if your scissors are cutting paper and thinner fabric without a problem that they are nice and sharp and would be ok to cut felt, this may not be the case. If you intend to cut a lot of felt it may be worth investing in a separate pair of scissors kept especially for it and a scissor tuner too.

Step Two: Pinning your pattern to your felt may seem like the logical thing to do but try this instead, invest in some tape. Try to find the non shiny sticky tape as your scissors will cut through this better and will make the felt firmer to handle.

For larger pattern pieces, try tracing the design on to masking tape and sticking this to the felt, we find it works every time! One extra word of advice though, once the design is cut, CAREFULLY remove the tape from your piece so as not to distort or rip the fabric.

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Inspired by: Jewellery Make this colourful double link jumpring chain, perfect for necklace or bracelet length. Kindly reproduced from Hillary Wray at Craftic8.

You can find out more about Craftiv8 on their website www.craftiv8.com or Instagram @craftiv8 You Will Need: 3-6 colours of jump-rings. Around 10 pieces per colour.

1 Lobster Claw closure.

Optional leather cord

Tools: 1 pair of tweezers 1 pair of bent nose pliers or straight nose ones.

Lanyard with Lobster Claw See Tutorial on page 25 on how to work with jump rings Starting the Chain:

Take 2 rings in one colour and close them. Put them on the lanyard and then put the lanyard on, this will help if you drop your project as your work After it is on the lanyard add two more jump rings in a different colour on to the jump-rings on the lanyard. You will keep doing this till you run through your colour pattern Then you will repeat it in reverse Keep repeating these steps till you have a length of chain for your bracelet.

To finish the Chain: Attach a single jump ring to the last two and add the lobster claw clasp to it. On the side attached to the lanyard attach a single jump ring. If you want it to be adjustable add a few more jump-rings.

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Inspired by: Quick Craft

There’s no substitute for a wonderful slice of delicious Victoria sponge cake with a cup of tea but sometimes when you just need a quick fix and don’t have time to bake a whole cake, this little mug cake will do the trick!

You will need: ¼ cup plain flower 2 tbsp granulated sugar

¼ tsp baking powder ¼ cup milk 2 tbsp butter

1tsp vanilla extract Microwaveable mug Fork

Place all ingredients in a mug and whisk with a fork until combined and non lumpy.

Microwave for 2 minutes Serve on its own or with a little cream or ice cream on top

Alternatives: Why not make it a chocolate cake by adding 2 tsp of cocoa powder?

Try substituting the milk for coconut or almond milk instead for a yummy flavour Use almond milk and non dairy butter to make this suitable for a Vegan diet.

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Inspired by: Sweet Treats Instagram: @imageonfood Creators and bakers of delicious gingerbread biscuits, hand iced by a team of talented artists! Delivery nationwide to trade & consumers

Inspired by: Laughter Twitter: @dadjokeman If you enjoy laughing, need your day brightened or just like witty banter than you need to follow this very funny man.

Inspired by: Fundraising Web: www.forgeorgie.org.uk

Read Georgie’s Story and Be Inspired by her Dad Geoff as he takes on some incredible challenges in her memory to raise funds for those who made a difference to her short life.

Inspired by: Craft Facebook: @Inspirationcraftandchat If you’re a Facebook Fanatic, you can join us on there and chat with likeminded crafters about all your latest projects.

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Inspired by: Jewellery

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Inspired by: Jewellery This beautiful Two Tone Persian Open Weave Jump-ring Chain Bracelet tutorial has been carefully reproduced from a project by Craftiv8. You can find out more about Craftiv8 on their website www.craftiv8.com or Instagram @craftiv8 With easy to follow instructions and pictures to guide you, even the most novice crafter can make themselves this beautiful bracelet.

Materials:

2 colours of jump-rings. Around 100 pieces per colour.

1 Lobster Claw closure.

Tools: 1 pair of tweezers 1 pair of bent nose pliers or straight nose ones.

Lanyard with Lobster Claw

To Start: How to open a Jump Ring.

Open a jump ring by moving the ends away from each other in a side to side motion. This will help preserve the shape of the jump-ring.

Starting the Chain:

Start with opening all your jump rings as it will save time going back and forth when you are working on the chain 25

Inspired by: Jewellery

Next take 2 rings in one colour and 4 in the alternate colour. Close the 2 jumprings in the first colour and then attach the 4 in the other colour and close those jump-rings. After that pair them off. Then attach 2 of the 4 jump-rings on to the lanyard that will make it easier to work with. Put the lanyard on so if you drop your project it is attached to you and easy to find the working end.

Link Process

After it is on the lanyard take the top two jump rings and separate them to opposite sides. (the top is the side furthest away from the lanyard)

Once you have the space in the middle take a jump ring in the first colour & thread it through, so it grabs the jumprings in the alternate colour in the middle Close the jump-ring with your pliers.

Next use your tweezers and open out the middle 2 jump-rings they are the ones in the first colour.

Repeat this so you have 2 jump -ring threaded through the middle in the same colour.

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Inspired by: Jewellery

Next add two jump-rings in the other colour to the top of the ones you threaded though. This will start the link process over. Repeat the process till you have the desired length chain.

You will always alternate colours to create the two tone effect.

To finish the Chain:

Attach a single jump ring to the last two and add the lobster claw clasp to it.

On the side attached to the lanyard attach a single jump ring. If you want it to be adjustable add a few more jump-rings.

Did you make this gorgeous bracelet? Please tell us all about it and upload your pictures to your social media using the hashtag #beinspiredby and we may feature you in our next issue!

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Inspired by: Craft

Step One

Place seven lolly sticks next to each other and glue one stick top and bottom as shown.

Step Two

Turn over and place cup or glass on the sticks. Draw round to create the arch shape. 28

Inspired by: Craft Step Three

Using scissors or a craft knife, carefully cut the excess lolly sticks away

Step Five

Paint the door the colour of your choice, if using glitter, sprinkle on the wet paint and shake off the excess

Step Four

Glue another lolly stick diagonally down the door as shown.

Cut the excess away

Step Six

Glue the door to the square of balsa wood using the two lolly sticks at the back and allow to dry before cutting the 29 balsa wood approx. 1cm larger than the shape of the door all round.

Inspired by: Craft Step Seven

Attach the twigs and sticks around the door with glue. At this stage you can leave them in their natural state or paint them white and sprinkle with glitter

Step Eight

Finally glue the bead into place as the door handle and the hinges to the side of the door as shown.

Step Nine Once the paint and all the glue is dry, we recommend painting over a thick layer of PVA glue and leaving to dry completely to make the fairy door a little bit more resilient to the weather.

When the glue is dry simply head outside, find the perfect tree and place your door(s) where the fairies can find them!

Don’t forget to photograph them for us to see @free_craft_mag

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Inspired by: Last Month!

Last Month, in the very first issue of Inspiration Magazine we had two fantastic competitions, were you a winner? All entries were printed on paper, and one winner was drawn at random for each competition. The draw was filmed and is available to watch on our website www.inspiration-magazine.co.uk.

Competition One was to win a beautiful hamper.

The correct answer was that Geoff was the name of Georgie’s Dad when being “inspired by fundraising” Our winner of this competition is below and the hamper is on it’s way:

Helen McDonald from Sheffield Competition Two was to win a £25 voucher to spend at your local craft store. The correct answer was that there were 14 pictures of the completed Teddy Towel in the magazine! The £25 voucher is now winging its way to our winner:

Mrs J Owens from West Sussex

Did you have a go at making our Teddy Towel project?

Meet “George” he is the creation of @lespauljames on Instagram. He says ” he is called George and is

made from the finest wilko duster in a moment of boredom. When not sleeping he likes to dust”

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Don’t know about you but we think George is Inspirational!!

Inspired by: Craft

A box frame is a deep frame that allows space for all kinds of 3d effect designs to be made and displayed inside. Here are three of our favourite styles of design at the moment, all can be used for personal decoration in the home or even made and given away as gifts for others.

If you’ve made these or any other kind of box frame design, please share a photograph of them with us using the hashtag #beinspiredby on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and you may well see yours featured in next months issue of Inspiration Magazine!

Have you seen our tutorial on how to make this month’s cover project - Fairy Doors!

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Inspired by: Craft

You will need: Box Frame * Coloured Card * Wooden Letter Pieces * String * Craft Pegs Button * Glue * Scissors * Photograph

How To Make:  Cut a piece of card the same size as the back wall of the frame

 Using wooden lettered pieces, glue the words NEW BABY in an arch shape

about one third of the way down.  Using thread/string of your choice, glue in position to create a slight “u”

shape. Here you could attach beads the colour of your choice to cover where the glue holds the thread  Attach two small craft pegs to the line and use to attach a small picture of 33 the new baby

 Finally attach a heart shape or button to the bottom right hand corner

Inspired by: Craft

You will need: Box Frame * Coloured Card * Wooden Letter Pieces * Ribbon Roses Glue * Scissors

How To Make:  This frame works well with a plain white or silver glittered background  Using wooden lettered pieces, stick the word “FAMILY” in an oval shape

across the middle of the page  Take multi coloured rosebuds and stick across the top of the letters  Stick a picture of your family underneath and when framing, pop in a couple 34 of

loose rosebuds to sit at the bottom of the frame.

Inspired by: Craft

You will need: Box Frame * Coloured Card * Buttons * Glue * Scissors

How To Make:  Cut two pieces of card the size of the back wall of the frame  On one piece of card, write and cut out the shape of the letter you want to

make in the centre of the card  Place the cut out card on top of the plain card and use this as a template

through which to stick buttons onto the bottom card.  Use different sized buttons to create and fill in any gaps.  Remove the top piece of card.

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Inspired by: Food

What?: Little Choc Pots from The Coconut Collaborative (@coconutcollab)

Available: Sainsbury’s for just £2.50 per pack (4 pots) When you pull the lid off the Little Choc Pot you will be forgiven for wondering how they can be just 100 calories per pot, the chocolate is incredibly thick, gorgeously creamy and irresistibly delicious. It’s made from coconut cream but only has a light coconut flavour to it which makes it perfect to use with other flavours such as the strawberries the office girls did here!

A fantastic alternative to dairy chocolate ganache, it’s no wonder these little beauties won a Great TASTE award in 2017! To help South East Asian Farmers, the company also plants coconut trees too.

Suitable for those following a vegan diet

Our Verdict:

10 / 10

We hope you have been inspired to try these Little Choc Pots for yourself. Post your own pictures or review on social media using the hashtag #beinspiredby and your 36 comments could be used in our follow up in the next issue of Inspiration Magazine

In Next Months Issue:

Hamburger style mini Victoria sponge cakes recipe

Three funky chalkboard / memo boards from old picture frames

Air Drying Clay: Making ghost tealight holders for Halloween Kids Craft Project: Toilet Roll Racing Cars Quick Project: Pipe Cleaner People

Packed full of inspiration and ideas, don’t forget to pick

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up a copy from your local craft shop from 20th September

Inspired by: Crochet

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Inspired by: Crochet There are endless possibilities of things to crate using this very beautiful pattern. Simply join the hexagons together to make a blanket, bags, throws, cushions and so much more. Kindly reproduced from the book Twenty to Crochet - Crocheted Granny Squared by Val Pierce and published by Search Press Materials and equipment: Crochet hook size 3.00mm (US D, UK 10) DMC Petra 3 crochet cotton – small amounts in each of 4 colours: A, B, C and D. Alternatively, 1 x 50g ball in each colour will make several hexagons.

Motif size: 3½in (9cm) diameter Instructions: Using A, make 6 ch, join into a ring with a sl st.

Round 1: work 1 ch, 12 sc (UKdc) into ring, join.

Round 2: work 1 ch, 2 sc (UKdc) into each sc (UKdc) to end. Break A. Round 3: using B, work 3 ch, 3 dc (UKtr) into same ch as join, *4 ch, miss 3 sc (UKdc), 4 dc (UKtr) into next sc (UKdc)*, rep from * to * all round, ending with 4 ch, join to top of 3 ch at beg of round [6 x 4 dc (UKtr) groups]. Break B. Round 4: using C, work 3 ch, 1 dc (UKtr) into each of next 3 dc (UKtr), but leaving last loop of each st on hook, yrh, draw loop through all loops on hook, *5 ch, 1 sc (UKdc) into 4 ch loop, 5 ch**, 1 dc (UKtr) into each of next 4 dc (UKtr), leaving last loop of each dc (UKtr) on hook, yrh, draw loop through all loops on hook*. Rep from * to * all round but ending last rep at **. Join with a sl st to top of 4 dc (UKtr) group at beg of round. Break C. Round 5: using D, in same place as sl st make 3 ch, work a sl st into 4th ch from hook (picot made), *4 sc (UKdc) into next 5 ch loop, 1 sc (UKdc) into next sc (UKdc), 4 sc (UKdc) into next 5 ch loop**, 1 sc (UKdc) into top of group, 3 ch, sl st into 3rd ch from hook (picot made)*, rep from * to * all round, ending last rep at **, 39 sl st to top of first group, fasten off. Work in all the ends neatly.

Inspired by: Galactic Plastic

Galactic Plastic Sun Burst Planet Pendant See advert on back page for more information about Galactic Plastic

Materials:

3-4 colours of Galactic Plastic 1 Open Frame Pendant

1 pair of tweezers 1 pair of scissors 1 Galactic plastic warming plate 1 Galactic Plastic Heat mat

To Start: Turn on your warming plate to heat up.

(The light at the front should be on) To make a galactic marble cut up 2-4 colours of your GP into small triangles. Cut enough to fill the palm of your hand for the planet size pendant. You are looking to have more than the inside of the pendent and enough thickness.

Next move the Galactic Plastic pieces on to the heat matt. You want them in a heap in the centre of the matt. Move them on to the warming plate.

It is heated when they are shiny and melted together with no hard edges.

Bring the matt off the heat plate and use the tweezers to drag though the GP to create galactic patterns. Make sure to press down with the tweezer to get a nice strong marble. It will start to cool so put it back on to the warming plate. If you want to add more marble marks you can just repeat this step.

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Inspired by: Galactic Plastic Once you are happy with the marble and it’s back on the warm plate, use the open pendant frame to look though it to find the area you want to crop out for the pendant.

After you know the area you are going to crop take it off the warming plate and drop the finding into the plastic. Then press with the back of your tweezers onto the pendant to push it though the plastic, like a cookie cutter. Make sure to push it down as far as you can. Then let it cool.

Once cool peel off the back of the matt. If you can see the bottom of your pendent then you have pushed it though enough. If not heat it again and repeat the previous step.

Pull off the excess plastic to use on another project.

Put it back on the heat matt for one last time and on to the heater. Leave it on the heater for 5 minutes or until its glossy and it has run into all the edges of the pendant. This is important to help lock it in. After this let it cool and don’t touch the metals as it’s a lot hotter than the plastic.

You now have a new unique pendant.

Galactic Plastic is Craftiv8's first product line and is a unique and completely new crafting material that is flexible and skin safe. This colourful low melt crafting plastic has no smell and is so easy to work with low power heat tools. It is bendable at 60c and you can marble and change the colour at 90c. It can also be used with moulds and stamps.

From making jewellery items to fashion accessories or bags. The plastic bonds well to fabrics, paper and card with no glue. It can be cut with scissors, a mixed media die and easily sewn through and sculpted. It is a material that can go into lots of different crafts and complements other crafting mediums and tools.

It is also waste free, as it can be recycled repeatedly so there is no waste in our manufacturing or in your crafting. Just keep using your scraps!

The material started out life being used to develop a new range of medical devices to help adults and children suffering with lower limb conditions such as Hip Dysplasia and Cerebral Palsy.

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It became "Galactic" when one of their researchers added in some interesting pigmentation and "voila".... it became a mini Galaxy and the rest is history.

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Inspired by: Reading This Could Change Everything - by Jill Mansell There are not many authors that I could say their books have changed my life but Jill Mansell is one of them.

Three Amazing Things About You made me sign up as an organ donor should anything ever happen to me, something I’d never really thought about before but after reading the book, I realised what an important and life changing thing it is.

This Could Change Everything shouted out to me in so many ways too. The story revolves around Essie and the letter she wrote that no one except her best friend was supposed to see. Instead it got emailed to her whole address book, including her boyfriends mum, to whom the far too honest letter was about but the story that follows, with its many twists and turns, ups and downs and heart wrenching moments (honestly I was moved to tears more than once) takes Essie through the humiliation and pain of the break up with her boyfriend, into a life that would never have happened without it.

The book and story itself is fantastic, inspiring, its an unputdownable but gentle paced read that leaves you with a warm fuzzy glow and the hope that no matter what happens in life, you have to take a chance, do things outside of your comfort zone and face whatever happens to you with good grace and a smile as it might just be the best thing that ever happened to you.

The author is incredible. I’ve heard Jill Mansell referred to as “that chick lit author” but she is so much more than that. Yes her books are generally about a female lead who finds love the most wonderful of ways, but the story’s are so well written, obviously thoroughly researched and genuinely make you think about your own life. If you only read one more book this year, make it this one, I pretty much guarantee you’ll be buying another Jill Mansell before you’ve finished it!

At Inspiration Magazine we are looking at ways you can be inspired and we felt that this book and author was so Inspiring that we had to share it with you. Do you have a favourite book or author who’s words have touched your life and inspired you to make a change or take a chance? Tell us about it and we may be publishing your 43 review in the next issue!

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