Coffee Cosy {with Eclectica³ Darcy Stamps by Designer DarcyUK}

Hi everyone, Darcy here. Tonight I have a cosy project for you that uses up all those pretty painty babywipes that you have been hoarding. If you aren't hoarding them, then why not?

Looks at these, aren't they yummy. They are covered with splodges and splatters and mop ups of Fresco paint and Fibralo pens. 

I cut them roughly to just over 3 inches wide. I needed the length to be around 11inches. Each baby wipe is not long enough, so cut extra pieces so they can overlap. 

I started layering them up, using lots of matte gel to hold them together, especially where there is an overlap/join. Make sure you 'step' the joins, so they aren't in the same place on each layer. 

Here I have 5 layers, all well glued. I added glue to the two outer sides aswell, and then hung it up to dry overnight.

I created one long piece, and 3 smaller pieces, each has 4-5 layers. 

Once dry I trimmed the raggy edges off, you can see that is has created a really thick felt-like fabric. 

I used the heart flower stamp and both the leaves from EDY10 to stamp onto the smaller fabric pieces. I used black Stazon ink. 

EDY10

I also stamped some of the lollipop flowers and the heart from  EDY06, again using black stazon. 

EDY06,

Once the ink was dry I cut out all my pieces. I love how they are all so varigated in colours. I trimmed the larger piece in a gentle arc shape. 

Next I took this fabulous criss-cross stamp from  EEV05, and using black stazon, I covered my larger piece. This provides a little interest to the background without being overpowering. 

EEV05,

I cut 2 short pieces of elastic and knotted them into loops. I hand stitched these to one end of my fabric. 

I covered the knotted ends with my cut out flowers and hearts, then continued to add flowers and leaves over the whole piece. I didn't have any fabric glue, so I tried PVA, and also matte gel.. neither was very successful. This is because I needed the piece to curve, and each time I tried to bend the fabric the flowers popped back off. So out came my sewing machine, and I stitched around each piece. 

I added 2 small flower buttons at the opposite end to the loops. 

As you can see I now have stitching showing on the back. 

This is easily remedied bu glueing more coloured baby wipe to the back. Once it was dry I trimmed it close. 

Finally I added some dots of dimensional paint, you could use glitter glue if wanted the extra sparkle. 

and there you have it all done... what do you mean what is it? can't you tell? 

ok, let me introduce you to my friend decaf cappuccino.{other brands of coffee are available} These take out cups are always too hot to hold, not anymore. My cup now has a snazzy cozy, sleeve. I can keep this in my handbag and whip it out when needed. Not only does it look cute but my fingers will no longer feel like they are melting off. 

Because the closure is elastic, you can use this on various sizes of take-out cup, the elastic will just stretch to accommodate. 

It also works on the colder drinks, I like the slushie/coolers, but they are too cold to hold. Now I just have to figure out how to stop giving myself brain freeze. 

Hope this has inspired you to use up some painty babywipes. 

Darcy x

We would love you to join in with our monthly challenge. If you are inspired by any of this month's guests who have blogged between Oct 1st 2014 and Oct 31^st 2014 then join in and link up your creativity HERE. You will go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. You need to add your link by 19:00 (London time) Oct 31st 2014