I received the most wonderful gift from Nik yesterday and it's for the NNC Favourite Colour Exchange. This exchange us all about sending your partner a handmade gift, a card and 3 stash items. Here's my brand new stash tote bag, the most beautiful handmade card I've ever received and a stash of embellishments from Nik. Thanks Nik!
Nik's own label AZNIQUE. What a glamourous brand name! Looks like you're set for an Etsy venture!!After attending the stitching bee two weeks ago, it's crochet fever at our Group. Look what the bug made me do...
Crocheted blooms for fun. They're very addictive and this is only the beginning...LOL!
Don't they look like candy pieces?
I only bought 1 can of colour (RED RUBY) and the store owner advised me to get the thinner as well. I used it to liquify the thick solution. No instructions came with the bottle and all I have is some notion of how it should be done. 
Shaping the floral wire to the desired shape. Mental note 1 - Don't make the motif too big to be dipped into the can of resin.
I didn't have any polystyrene at hand to poke the wires for it to air dry. So the tissue paper box looks like the next best thing. I started with some smaller motifs. See the thick liquid gathering at the tip? Well, I thinned the solution after with the thinner. Sorry, no picture of the dipping, but do go to the site I've recommended, there are tutorials there too. This is just my process. With the quick drying solution at hand, I couldn't possibly take any photos while dipping.
The bigger pieces of the victorian motif. I had to improvise since too big a piece the bubble film seems to just not attach to the wire and bursts. Mental note 2 - think bubble wand. The bigger it is, the easier it will burst before the film dries. I figured if you need to do mass production of the same motif, you'll need to pin the printed motif to a styrofoam block, lots of pins in strategic curves and bends and do the wire-curving more consistently.
The last piece set to dry. I bundled up the pieces as I wait for the other pieces to dry.
The completed motif. A dramatic piece, isn't it? I'm now thinking about a masquerade - phantom of the opera mask to make. There is a strengthener you need to buy to coat the films if you want to spray some glitter onto the pieces when drying. I can imagine a lot of cool projects with this classic craft.
And here's Nigel with his first cartoon doodle. We got this really cute sketch pad with easy ideas to doodling. It comes complete with markers and googly eyes too.
Velvet orchids with beaded petals.
I love how the crystals look right in the middle of this 
A bridal piece. I have them beaded in three separate pieces and in variating sizes. To be pinned on a chignon or an elegant updo.
Similar to the ones I made for Gracie's wedding. These are softer in blush pink and embellished with chinese buttons.
Perhaps for a masquerade party. We even have matching masks with feathers and gems.
A white wedding hair piece. Antique lace and beading work. Lace works wonders on hair dresses. You can actually form the lace to the shape of your hair style. I thought they looked good as earrings as well.
A playful lavender piece. I love how the tendrils flow down to the ears.
Blue is always a favourite colour to wear. Flirtatious little hairpiece with a dangling bead at the end.
Spanish themed. This bloom will looks wonderful tucked under flowing curly hair on one side. A good profile if you're thinking about photoshoots.
Sparkly fireworks and in three separate varying sizes. Perfect for the black cocktail dress!
Another azure creation. Simple beading with the centre of attention- a thread wrapped bead for a rustic look.
This is my favourite. Shiny sea shells with a single crystal. The colours of the ocean, perfect for a sea-themed dinner.
Me and my lace pieces. I have been storing these pieces of lace and I love how the lace tucks in like soft petals in between. For a romantic dinner for two?
Moulin rouge styled headpiece. This is suitable for short hair bobs. A dramatic piece for theatre premiers, perhaps?!
Find the inspiration to create here. It's my blog about designers, ideas, design, decor, patterns and every other creative findings I like to share with you. Hugs....Yoonie!
Try nibbling at your pencil now!
The exchange must also include a favourite recipe as well. Instead of a slice of cake, which I've done before for Nik in the past I decided to make a whole entire cake!
Making the basic round base with felt and stuffings. Ignore the mess at the back. I love my mess!
I cut a treacle of icing on the sides freehand out of a row of white felt. One round piece for the top.
Blanket stitch the white icing together to the base.
My favourite technique of combining crochet into my crafts lately!
Threading a row of ribbons into lace for the border. I just tied it around the base and finish off with a bow.
Assembling the cake with all the rest of the felt goodies.
For the strawberries I used a circle of felt cut into halves. Sew the edges to form a cone and stuff with fibre.
Sew the edges together.
Cut stars from green felt for the leaves and UHU glue to finish off. I made some chocolate rolls for fun. Just roll brown felt into tubes and use some embroidery thread for the swirls.
I downloaded the recipe from Martha Stewart's website and have it relayout and laminated just for Nik. A ring holds a corner so the individual steps will fan out for easy reference.
Tied a few ribbons and tada! A miniature recipe card.
Nik ordered a couple of these cream puffs and I just included it into the exchange. These are fun to do, although I still owe her some yellow ones. (I just could'nt find any pastel yellow yarn!!)
I topped the cake with a felt lavendar flower, some strawberries and felt chocolate rolls. Yummilicious!