Blog Posts

Creative ways to recycle wrapping paper

So, Christmas is over and the January birthdays are rolling in fast. It's easy to get buried under a giant pile of wrapping paper at this time of year, but don't throw it away! Here at Spotlight we’ve put our heads together and come up with some great ideas to ...

Scrapbook paper - the basics

Most scrapbook paper or cardstock is available in 12” x 12” (30cm x 30cm) sheets. Some smaller formats 8”× 8” and 6”× 6” are also available. Scrapbook papers and cardstock come in a wide range of colours, patterns and textures and are available in single sheets, packs or tear- off ...

Misty Mawn

“Art for me comes naturally, just as walking does, and if I didn’t have art as a form of expression I would feel just as paralysed as I would if I could no longer walk.” This statement, like no other, probably represents the unique spirit and sensibility of USA mixed ...

Inside the studios of creative women

In the late 1920s the famous English author, Virginia Woolf, delivered some essays that came to be published under the title, ‘A Room of One’s Own’. In the years since, these writings have become famous for one of the key messages they presented; that “a woman must have money and ...

Indie craft report

Changes are afoot in the craft scene and major players in the industry are finally sensing the shift. Carrying the moniker, ‘indie craft’, this new trend sees 18 to 35-year-old crafters taking to needle, thread, the computer, the recycle bin, you name it, and coming up with beautiful, cheeky and ...

Memory Art - Where life is your muse

Memory art is a term that has been used in recent terms to describe a new wave of creative work being produced by people whose original scrapbooking forays have evolved, now, into works of creative wonder. Three leading women in the field - Carol Wingert, Helen Bradley and Nic Howard ...

Projects

Collage card

There's a textural beauty & artistry to collage works that make them beautiful to look at & addictive to make.

Travel canvas

The holiday is never over when you get into the habit of creating memory filled collages of your favourite trips.

Collage in profile

This wonderful, decorative piece would look great on your desk or in your workroom.

Bicycle bon voyage

Learn how to turn beading/craft wire into a fun card accent.

Totally textile

Experiment with off-cuts to create a one-of-a-kind creation.

Angelic art

Balance the moody beauty of black & white photography with fashionable citrus colours.

Rotary cutter pouch

The 'get creative' magazine Creative Coordinator received one of these bags as a gift and asked the maker if we could feature it as a project.

Totally tabbed

Play with papers & colours to create a brightly coloured journal.

Collage belt

Add a little rock’n’roll chic to your wardrobe & make use of your beading skills as well!

8 frame paper collage

The combination of designer papers & favourite photos creates a great new decorator idea.

Calendar

Make this as a gift or use it on your own desk at home.

Creating background papers

Inspired by Misty Mawn... we’ve tried our hand at creating background papers.

Mixed Media Collage

Experimenting with collage can lead to the creation of truly impressive art works.

Get the basics - Paper cutters & trimmers

Full details regarding the basic tools you'll need.

How to - Apply gold leaf

Step by step lesson - for teachers or learners.

Couture clipboard

A Helen Bradley exclusive design - Use 35mm slide preserver sheets & a small office clipboard to make this marvellous display piece.

How to - Use Fiskars Xpress shape cutter

We revisit different foundation techniques to refresh your skills.

Holiday treasure tin

Apply your papercraft skills to the storage of holiday memorabilia - for photos, shells, postcards, theme park & movie tickets... you name it.

Your Inspiration Room