Translation: “Quick! Before Santa sees us!”

Translation: “I hope there’s cheese in here…”

Translation: “…yes, I don’t want another pair of socks!”

Here’s a fun way to set the scene on Christmas morning – imagine the kids creeping into the living room and seeing their presents being carted off by some mischievous mice!

They’re also great for birthdays, or any other present giving occasion, so bookmark this one for later if you don’t have time over the festive season.

I’ve tried to make them as easy as possible to make, there’s printable artwork for the mice and a template for the ‘tricky’ stand, but if that’s still too much effort, go for the ‘easy peasy’ stand made from a squashed toilet roll! You’ll find the download button underneath the instructions.

An even quicker cheat courtesy of Julie: simply prop the present on a small block of wood, and stick the mice around the side of the present – perfect if you don’t want to reuse the mice and you can’t see under the present.

Download project files›

Includes:
1) Colour version of mice – just print and cut out.
2) Black and white mice – have fun colouring them in first.
3) Template for stand – print it out and trace around it.
4) Collectable instructions – stick them on the fridge!
268 downloads so far, thanks everyone!

Eek eek!
Translation: “Happy Christmas everyone!”

Mummy: “Hey! Watch where you put those!”

Frankenstein: “Hey, that’s my best jacket!”

I wanted to create a seasonally spooky project to end my short sabbatical from blogging (think Indiana Jones crossed with Scooby Doo) – I just hope these knife-block cutouts are not too spooky! Anyway, just to makes sure, I chose two well-known fictional characters, Frankenstein and the Mummy, both of whom it could be argued are not really alive anyway!

It’s a fairly easy project to make, but if you’d like to use my artwork you can download it below – also, the illustrations are intact (there’s no knife holes!) so feel free to use them for other spooky projects as well.

Download project files›

Includes:
1) Colour versions of the Mummy and Frankenstein artwork
211 downloads so far, thanks everyone!

The ‘craft’ blogging community is a very generous one. A lot of people work very hard preparing projects to share (for free) and I for one would like to show my support by being a little more active in highlighting some of my favourites.

So, with that in mind I’d like to give Mini-eco a big shout out, and to tell you to visit Kate’s wonderful blog, and then to buy her wonderful book, highlighted below.

1) 19 projects, 10 fineliners and 5 marker pads later…

I recently celebrated a year of blogging by exhibiting a print called Everything I made in a year at the Art Sells exhibition in London. Organised by two girls who work in a well known London advertising agency, it was open to any ‘frustrated creative’ working within the wider creative industry. I wouldn’t say I was frustrated but I liked the concept, and submitted two pieces, one being accepted. It was the first time I had exhibited any of my work, which was quite a thrill, and hopefully I can have another crack at it next year.

I’d love to know a little more about the type of craft project you’d like to see more off. And to make it easier to get your feedback I’m running my first poll! If you have time please have a go.