Cassiopeia Craft!

Open publication - Free publishing - More craft

Did you know that as well as writing the Lucky Ladybird craft blog I also write for and edit a creative arts magazine called Cassiopeia Magazine? If not check it out. Last night we released issue 3, and the theme is 'fake'. There are articles on fake designer goods, fake meat products and photoshopped images, short stories, photography and artwork inspired by 'fake', reviews of remakes and rewrites, recipes and even a knitting pattern for making your own knitted roses. These beautiful flowers were created by my good friend Whitney. She's used this pattern to knit all the flowers for her wedding which is taking place this weekend. She's bound to end up the toast of Offbeat Bride and I know it's going to be a beautiful day full of craft and love.

To read the tutorial visit expand the issue above and click through to page 37. You can also follow Cassiopeia on Facebook (facebook.com/CassiopeiaMag) or on twitter (@CassiopeiaMag) to receive updates about new issues. I'm always on the look out for interesting contributions, so if you think you'd like to submit something (crafty or otherwise) take a look at the submissions page or email me at submit@cassiopeiamagazine.co.uk for more information.

Love and luck, LL x x x

But is it recycling?

I've been making sushi roll bags for many years, but I'm probably most known for my recycling crafts (especially my ever popular plastic bag basket weaving tutorial) so what's the connection?

From the outside my bags look like a finished product, most of the time the finished piece doesn't give much away about where it came from. In fact all my sushi bags start out as ordinary bags, sourced from local thrift and charity shops. I chose them based on shape and size and then customise them to bring out the inner 'sushi-ness'. I don't tend to take 'before' photos because when I first buy the bags they don't tend to inspire me much. I decided to make an exception to this to show all my readers that my sushi bags really are made from reclaimed materials, and how much love really goes into bringing them back to life.

First the 'before' picture. All the bags in this photo were bought on the same day when I went on a bit of a spending spree!

From left: a barrel handbag, a square handbag, a big cat handbag,

a cosmetic bag and a wallet.

 

 

It's not an inspiring collection unless you look at the shapes. Three suggested nigiri sushi to me, and two round sushi rolls. All were in a good condition with working zips and sturdy handles. I just hated the picture of the cats, but I could see the potential!

 

And now the 'after' picture.

 

From left: a fishstick and salmon roe maki roll, inari nigiri,

giant tuna and avocado roll, asparagus nigiri, sweet omelette nigiri.

 

One of the things I love about making sushi rolls is that I'm forced to be very creative with what I have. All bags are different and I try to think of new recipes and new techniques each time. The result is that each bag is unique and, as a crafter, I'm never stuck working a production line. By using pre-existing bags I also avoid the need to make use of sewing machines. The bags already have zips installed and linings reinforced leaving me to embroider, embellish and applique to my hearts content.

 

All the bags shown on this post are now for sale on my Etsy shop along with many more. If you have any recipes you'd like to see me try please let me know.

 

Have fun, stay lucky! LL xx

Sickness halts progress

I'm sorry to say this week it hasn't been possible to create any new bags. First my husband dislocated his jaw. We don't know how he did it but he was in agony all weekend and we spent a lot of time trying to find foods he could eat. We were thrilled when, after a few days, it finally seemed to 'click' back into place and we were able to enjoy the Tastes of Herefordshire food festival with all its delicious dishes and ciders. Unfortunately it seems that one of these delicious dishes wasn't what he needed, on Monday he came down with food poisoning. After twenty-four hours it seemed he was on the mend, but about this time I was starting to feel run-down and have since developed a terrible cold. I think it's inevitable that my husband is going to catch this cold too, which is awful because this week was half term, a holiday we'd been looking forward to for a long time!

All in all the situation hasn't been conducive to crafting, but I'm hoping next week I'll be able to get back into the swing. I've also had a chance to start planning some Christmas present ideas which I'll definitely need to get working on this month. For now we're off to a firework display for Bonfire Night at Blists Hill museum (which you may remember from my post Vintage Crafting). It's a great place to get some handmade inspiration and a great place to enjoy a starry autumn night.

Wish us luck! LL xxx