Spunart

Lutradur artwork at the RBSA Summer Show!

We are delighted to announce that two beautiful works of art, created by Lesley Brankin, have been selected for display at the Royal Birmingham Society of Art's 2024 Summer Show. They can be viewed from Thursday 13th until Friday 21st June at the RSBA Gallery, 4 Brook Street, Birmingham B3 1SA.

Lesley Brankin is a multi-award winning textile and mixed media artist who loves to experiment with new ideas and share her enthusiam with others. It therefore gives us great pleasure to hear of her recent success and to know she utilitised Lutradur in creating these pieces.

Both images, 'The Oak' and 'The Gate' are on natural felt and have been created using a combination of lightweight Lutradur and Zeelon Light in conjunction with gel print litho, felting and stitch. They each measure 34 x 14cms (13.5" x 5.5") and are presented in white wooden frames.

Again, many congratulations to Lesley on having her work selected for display. What an achievement!

If you would like to see more of Lesley's work, please visit her website www.lesleybrankin.com

An Easter Hat made from Lutradur XL and Evolon

A couple of years ago, our local nursery ran an 'Easter Bonnet' competition, so we decided to make a simple top hat for our little chap's entry.

We chose Lutradur XL as the base for our hat, as it is strong enough to support itself, without any stiffening. After measuring our model's head (52cms in circumference) we cut a rectangular piece 18cms high x 59cms wide. The extra length provided a good overlap as well as extra support.

We then cut an oval shape for the brim, also out of Lutradur XL.
Using transfer paint, we lightly coloured both pieces to give a colour wash of blue for the sky and a light lime green for the grass. The two pieces were then stapled together, as shown in the photograph. A piece of hessian wrapped around the base of the crown made a decorative hat band.

We then cut out cute images of sheep and rabbits, from Evolon. (Evolon is ideal as it colours easily and does not fray). The faces of the sheep were coloured using black transfer paint and a black biro was used to drawn the detail for the eyes and legs.

Little bunnies were made by dipping the Evolon in hot water infused with a teabag to give them a lovely fawn colour. We then stuck all the pieces together using craft glue and in no time at all our hat was ready to wear.

We continued to decorate the hat with yellow chicks and small colourful eggs. It was difficult to know when to stop!

Romantic Rose Decorations for Valentine's Day made from Evolon

Evolon is ideal for crafting as it colours well, does not tear or fray and holds its shape beautifully.

Our photographs show how these Evolon roses can be used to create a centre piece, a symbolic single stem, or to decorate a card.

How to Make the Roses . . .

1. Simply colour some Evolon (or Evolon Soft) with red transfer paint or acrylic paint and then cut out a series of ‘balloon’ shapes to make the petals (i.e. a softly curved top edge, narrowing to a point at the base). We used 5 or 7 petals in gradually decreasing sizes to make one rose.
2. Start by rolling the smallest petal into a tight curl and sew through the base to hold it in position, then add the next largest petal, pinching it at the bottom to form a natural looking fold and sewing it to the previous petal and so on, until the largest petal is secured to the flower.
3. Once the roses are complete the petals can be arranged, tweaked and folded back to make them appear even more realistic.
4. If you wish, you can add sepals and leaves by colouring some Evolon with green paint and also add green garden sticks or wire for stems.
Best of all, these roses will last a lot longer than the fresh variety!

Lutradur Leaves, Flowers, Brooch & Bowl!

These photographs have been sent in to us by Elizabeth and Lynn from Kidderminster, who attended a 'Fun with Lutradur' session at their local Craft Club.
The Group used Lutradur 70gsm and 100gsm to make a selection of leaves and flowers. (The leaves were made from Lutradur 70gsm and the flowers from 100gsm).
First, they prepared the Lutradur with colour (Inktense pencils and paints), before stencilling their chosen design on to the fabric.
They then used free machine embroidery to define the outline of their images and also to create veins and texture. (As Lutradur is a strong fabric that does not fray, it was possible to cut out the shapes leaving the minimum of margins).
For added interest, the leaves and flowers were then distressed using a heatgun, which melted the Lutradur away, leaving a framework of machine stitching.
Lynn made a charming rustic bowl and Elizabeth made a gorgeous brooch to wear on her denim jacket!

Lutradur as a Teaching Aid

An experienced Reflexologist has recently told us she has found Lutradur to be an invaluable tool for creating teaching aids to help her students.

She was able to make several templates of feet, cut them up and colour code the sections with acrylic paints. This enabled her to identify the various areas, pressure points, muscles, etc. to her pupils.

She chose Lutradur 100gsm, which is one of the heavier, denser weights of Lutradur and although quite flexible to handle, it is stiff enough to keep its shape and remain flat.

The durable nature of Lutradur also means she has been able to use the same aids time and time again, making more illustrations as needed.

If you would like to receive some free samples of Lutradur (or any of our other fabrics), please contact us via [email protected] or give us a call on 01332 554610 - we would love to hear from you!

Bee inspired with Lutradur!
Just look at these lovely photos sent into us by Jo Stevens, a local lady with a passion for crafting.
Although this was Jo’s first time working with Lutradur, she was able to create these gorgeous bees, using thin self adhesive felt for the body and incorporating Lutradur (which is semi transparent) for the wings.
The first photograph shows one of the larger bees forming part of a display at the Village Hall, in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III.
So eye-catching!

LUTRADUR CROWNS & CORONETS TO CELEBRATE THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III

The coronation is only a few weeks away and, if you’re planning any sort of get together or street party, you may like to get into the spirit of the occasion with some suitable headgear!

We used Lutradur 130gsm to make these crowns – it is much stronger than paper or card, yet wonderfully flexible.
Transfer paints were used to colour the Lutradur (although acrylic paints would have worked equally well). We chose Golden Yellow for the basic crown and Scarlet and Vivid Blue for the large decorative spots.

Using the same basic template, we made a second crown, but this time used Wine Red transfer paint and added some little diamond shapes of white and purple.
For the third crown we added a mix of spots and diamonds as decorations, plus an extra purple band around the base.
For our fourth and final crown, we chose a different design . . . A simple ring of Lutradur 130gsm, but with 3 narrow strips long enough to cross over the top and be fastened to the rim.
A large circle of Evolon Soft (coloured with Scarlet transfer paint) was secured to the inside to represent a velvet lining and, to give the crown a more regal appearance, we added a couple of extra bands to the base.

It was a little more tricky to make than the other three crowns, but well worth it. A large red button secured the bands and provided the finishing touch!

Evolon & Lutradur Carrot Bunting for Easter

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT IDEA – MADE WITH EVOLON & LOVE
(Love maybe in the air this February, but no-one likes a draught!)

With so many of us trying to keep warm this winter, why not make your home extra cosy with a colourful draught excluder?
We used a piece of Evolon (which had previously been dyed a gorgeous shade of dark blue) to make the basic sausage shape, but a remnant could work well, or even the leg from an old pair of trousers! The letters and hearts were also cut from a piece of Evolon which, as it doesn’t fray or require any hemming, is ideal for this type of project.

We made templates for the lettering by printing the words ‘Home’ and ‘Heart’ using a font called Marker Felt (size 200pt) but reduced the size to 125pt for the rest of the text. After carefully cutting out the paper templates, we traced the letters on to the Evolon, before colouring them using transfer paints.

Of course, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching the lettering could represent the names of a happy couple or saying of your choice for that ‘personal touch’.

An ideal gift to keep someone you love warm and toastie this winter! To order Evolon, please visit our online shop.

Evolon for Christmas Cards - by Lyn Kirkland

These delightful images were sent into us by Lyn Kirkland - a Painter, Tutor, Encaustic Wax and Mixed Media Artist.

Lyn contacted us a few weeks ago to order a roll of Evolon. As a new customer and accomplished artist, our curiosity got the better of us and we just had to ask how she was going to use the Evolon. We weren't disappointed!

She found the Evolon really great for printing, using wax collograph plates and said it was her intention to embed some prints in a wax surface. However, for now, she's just happy making some Christmas cards, with a mini 3D printer etching press and Akua inks.

Lyn sent us these photos of her initial experiments with Evolon. We love the design and her choice of colours!

Please take a look at Lyn's website https://lynkirklandart.artweb.com/ for more information on her work with Fine Art Encaustic Wax - a fascinating technique, which was new to us.

If you would like to receive samples of Evolon or any of our other fabrics, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Witches made from Lutradur 70 Black

Lutradur 70 Black is a superb fabric for Halloween projects, as its dark appearance lends itself to all things spooky! It is very easy to cut and holds its shape beautifully.

Here's a quick and easy example of how it can be magically turned into a witch . . .

1. Take one A4 pack of Lutradur 70gsm Black.
2. Cut a large semicircle, roll into a cone shape and secure with a staple.
3. Cut a doughnut shape for the brim of the hat. (We used Evolon to make the face and hair, although coloured paper, card or felt would also work).
4. Cut a circle for the cape and insert a strip of material to represent the arms and hands.
5. Form the cape by folding the circle in half, leaving the hands exposed. Staple to the back of the witch to hold in position.
6. Use ribbon, scraps of material or paper to form the belt and buttons.
7. A few dabs of glue and the witch is ready to cast her spells!

We used small pieces of Evolon for the witch's face, hair, arms, belt, etc, which we had previously coloured, but paper, card, felt or ribbon would also work well.

If you would like more information on Lutradur, or receive samples of any of our materials, please get in touch!

Evolon Ghosts for Halloween

We made this decorative mobile using a couple of wire coathangers, some invisible thread and half a dozen cheeky little ghosts made from Evolon.

(Evolon is a white non woven fabric, with a fine suede like texture. It is easy to cut and does not tear or fray - samples available on request).

After making a cardboard template, we drew and cut two pieces of Evolon per ghost and machine stitched them together, leaving the bottom section open. A small amount of wadding was then pushed inside to give each ghost a lovely padded, three-dimensional shape.

We thought it would be fun if the ghosts glowed in the dark, so we painted them with luminous paint, before adding some googley eyes and drawing on eyebrows, mouths and fingers with a black biro.

If you would like to know more about this, or any of our other projects, please do not hesitate to get in tough with us - we'd love to hear from you!

LEAVES BY KAREN LANE – FELTMAKER & TEXTILE ARTIST

Now that the trees are starting to display their lovely autumn colours, we are delighted to share these images of leaves, created by Karen Lane using Lutradur 100gsm.

They are so exquisitely made, it's hard to believe they're not real!

Karen says "I've become addicted to making these Lutradur leaves. They are fun to make and have been added to art quilts, hats, wall hangings and pictures."

In her own words, Karen describes how they are made –

“I begin by drawing the shape of the leaf directly on to the Lutradur 100gsm fabric. If you are not too confident with drawing, simply use a real leaf as a template. The veins are machine stitched using a free motion foot and heat resistant thread i.e. Rayon, Viscose or 100% Cotton. The leaves are then cut out using an 18w fine tip soldering iron and coloured with Derwent Inktense blocks. They can be further distressed with a heat gun to curl the edges or to create a beautiful lacy skeletal leaf.”

If you would like to see more wonderful examples of Karen’s work, please visit her website lincsinstitches.com

Lutradur in a Variety of Weights

Just recently, we've noticed there seems to be some confusion as to how many different weights of Lutradur are available to buy. Some sources say only one or two, whereas we are happy to confirm we stock and supply 5 (yes 5!) different weights, namely 30gsm, 70gsm (white or black), 100gsm, 130gsm and have done for a number of years.

As one of the most versatile and easy to use fabrics on the market, Lutradur is a wonderful non-woven material suitable for all manner of projects - just take a look at the examples on our website -https://www.spunart.co.uk/lutradur-projects/

All weights are available to order by the metre, in 10lm rolls or in A4 packs from https://www.spunart.co.uk/shop/

If you are new to Lutradur and would like to receive samples, please give us a call on 01332 554610 or email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Lutradur Crowns & Coronets to make for the Jubilee Celebrations!

We used Lutradur 130gsm to make these crowns - a white non-woven fabric, which is much stronger than paper or card, yet wonderfully flexible.

Transfer paints were used to colour the Lutradur (although acrylic paints would have worked equally well).

We used the same template for three of the crowns, but for our fourth and final crown we used a different design - a simple ring of Lutradur 130gsm, with additional strips, long enough to cross over the top and be fastened to the rim. A large circle of Evolon Soft (coloured with Scarlet transfer paint) was secured to the inside to represent a velvet lining.

To give this crown a more regal appearance, we also added a couple of extra bands to the base. It was a little more tricky to make than the other three crowns, but well worth it!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to know more about this, or any of our other projects.

Tel: 01332 554610 or email [email protected]

ZEELON RIBBONS FOR UKRAINE BY VIVIENNE CHALLANS

One of our loyal customers and contributors to our blog, Vivienne Challans, has sent us this image of ribbons she's made in support of the people of Ukraine.

Vivienne used Zeelon Heavy which she coloured with blue and yellow acrylic paint. The two strips were then folded and sewn together to form a simple bow.

(Zeelon was an ideal choice for this project as it is easy to colour and sew. It also holds its shape and does not fray, so can be cut without hemming).

Let's hope and pray peace is restored in the very near future

Evolon Roses for Valentines Day

Why not add a touch of romance to your Valentine's Day by making these lovely Evolon roses.

Evolon is a white non woven material which is ideal for crafting as it colours well, does not tear or fray and holds its shape beautifully.

Our photographs show how the roses can be used, from a single symbolic stem, to a simple centre piece or to decorate a card.

How to Make the Rose Petals -

Colour some Evolon (or Evolon Soft) with either acrylic or red transfer paint and then cut out a series of 'balloon' shapes to make the petals (i.e. a softly curved top edge, narrowing to a point at the base). We used 5 or 7 petals in gradually decreasing sizes to make one rose.

Start by rolling the smallest petal into a tight curl and sew through the base to hold it in position, then add the next largest petal, pinching it at the bottom to form a natural looking fold and sewing it to the previous petal and so on, until the largest petal is secured to the flower. Once the roses are complete the petals can be arranged, tweaked and folded back to make them appear even more realistic.

You can, of course, add sepals and leaves to each rose by colouring some Evolon with green transfer paint and thin garden wire can be used to make stems.

These roses will last a lot longer than the fresh variety!

If you are new to Evolon, why not contact us for some free samples or try it for yourself by visiting our online shop. Tel: 01332 554610

Child's Christmas Star Costume in Lutradur

If you need to make an outfit for a fancy dress party or play this festive season, our fabrics are an excellent choice as they are easy to cut, easy to colour and, best of all, they do not fray!

A couple of years ago, we made a costume for our very own Christmas Star, who was making his acting debut in the school nativity play.

We chose Lutradur 100gsm to make the tabard and matching hat, as it is beautifully lightweight, yet strong enough to hold and keep its shape.

After deciding on the size, we cut two identical pieces and coloured the outer layer with bright yellow transfer paint, before machine stitching them together. The hat was simply formed from a semi circle of Lutradur, which we also coloured with transfer paint.

For added sparkle, a length of gold tinsel was hand sewn along all five points of the star.

Finally, some thin elastic fastened on to the hat and either side of the star, helped to hold the finished outfit in place.

If you would like to know any more about this, or any of our other projects, please do not hesitate to give us a call, we would love to hear from you!

Butterflies using Lutradur

We made these colourful butterflies by following an origami pattern and using Lutradur 30gsm (the finest Lutradur we supply).

Although Lutradur is very strong, it has a lovely translucent quality, making it ideal for projects requiring a delicate appearance.

We used transfer paints to colour the Lutradur and, of course, all sorts of additional decoration could be applied, such as free-style machine stitching, sequins, etc.

1. First, colour a square of Lutradur 30gsm with transfer paint or other medium.
2. Then fold the square in half vertically, then horizontally and lightly press each fold with a warm (not hot) none steam iron to make a crease.
3. Turn the Lutradur over and fold diagonally in both directions, continuing to press each fold, then open out.
4. Bring the sides to the centre, so they meet each other. Then flatten to form a triangle.
5. Fold the lower corners up to the top point of your triangle and press.
6. Turn over and then raise the central point upwards so that it protrudes about 5mm above the top edge and fold over the tip.
7. To secure the folds and form a body, wrap a pipe cleaner around the middle section.
8. Fold in half along the body, bringing both sides together to add volume to the wings.
9. To add legs, we used paper clips, which we cut to size and pushed through the pipe-cleaner under the body.
10. We soon had a small gathering of brightly coloured butterflies!

'Shoreline' by Sylvia Stead (using Lutradur)

Sylvia created this lovely representation of the sea shore, by incorporating two weights of Lutradur.

The pale green 'foam' was made from Lutradur 100, coloured with acrylic paint and perforated with holes using a soldering iron. Whereas, she used Lutradur 30 (a much lighter weight) to provide additional texture.
The piece is complemented with real seashells covered in a variety of coloured silk threads.
You can see more beautiful images of Sylvia's work by visiting - https://www.instagram.com/sewinstead/

'Forest Floor' using Lutradur by Karen Lane, Mixed Media Textile Artist

Karen made this intricate and beautifully detailed piece of work as a sample for her Forest Floor Workshop - a fun two-day event using Lutradur and other materials. Techniques include painting, use of heat guns, soldering irons, plus hand and machine stitching.

Karen says she used painted, heat-distressed and stitched Lutradur 70gsm to create the leaves with various yarns and hand embroidery for the mossy forest floor.

The fallen tree bark is painted and heat distressed Tyvek, again hand embroidered and the whole thing has been sewn on to Calico, before mounting on a canvas. Size 32cms x 28cms.

If you would like to see other examples and learn more about Karen's work, please visit her website -www.lincsinstitches.co

Abstract Artwork using Lutradur by Karen Lane

We're delighted to showcase two more pieces of work sent into us by Mixed Media Textile Artist, Karen Lane.

The first is a beautiful composition using Lutradur 30, painted with acrylics which has been cut into long thin strips with a soldering iron. This was then layered randomly with organza (also cut with a soldering iron), textured paper and dyed scrim on a backing of Lutradur 70. It measures 45cms x 80cms and can be hung either portrait or landscape!

Karen says -
'When I'm creating abstract work, I don't work from sketches, I simply arrange and rearrange the pieces until they look balanced and they tell me that that's where they are going to stay! When I reach that stage I use free motion stitch to hold everything in place and to add another dimension to the work.'

For the second piece, Karen says she wanted to create the feeling of a sunset, using a combination of various wet felted fibres with organza, sequinned Nuno Felted fabric, painted Lutradur and scrim.
Everything is held in place with free motion stitch which extends to the edges of the canvas. The background is Lutradur 70gsm covered with a very thin layer of acrylic paint.

Karen commented that Lutradur is the ideal background for mixed media work, as it remains perfectly stable no matter what is attached to it!

Two close ups of 'Sunset' illustrate the variety of textures and colours.

If you would like to see more examples and learn more about Karen's work, please visit her website -www.lincsinstitches.com

LUTRADUR TULIPS

There's nothing like a few flowers for heralding the start of Spring and these should last a very long time! They are easy to make and would add a splash of colour to any room.

We made the petals from Lutradur 30gsm (the lightest weight we supply) and coloured them using Orange, Lemon, Wine Red and Vivid Violet transfer paints.

The leaves were cut from Lutradur 70gsm (a medium weight Lutradur) and coloured using Lime Green and Emerald Green transfer paints. (However, we could have used a double thickness of Lutradur 30gsm to achieve a similar result).

1. First, we coloured ordinary copier paper with transfer paint.
2. After cutting the A4 Lutradur into 4 equal sections, we used a hot (not steam) iron to transfer the colour from our painted paper.
3. Each piece of Lutradur was then cut into two narrow strips, twisted in the middle and then folded over on to itself.
4. We soon had a colourful array of pieces, ready to be turned into petals.
5. Folding in the lower corners, gave each petal the desired spoon shape.
6. We attached the petals to a length of plastic coated wire with a few simple stitches.
7. Some leaves cut from Lutradur 70 helped to complete our bouquet.
8. By mixing up the colours we soon had a colourful display!

Please scroll through the photos to see the final result . . .

If you would like to know more about this, or any of our other projects, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Happy Easter everyone!

Bull's Head in Lutradur & Evolon

Inspired by the Chinese New Year of the Ox, we decided to make a collage of a bull's head using a mixture of Lutradur and Evolon.

Scroll through the photos to see the finished result!

1. A double layer of Lutradur 70 Black creates a striking silhouette against a background of white Evolon
2. A central panel of Evolon (cut slightly smaller) reveals the Lutradur beneath to provide a black outline
3. Inner ears cut from Lutradur 30, coloured with black transfer paint
4. Overlay of Lutradur 70 coloured with dark brown transfer paint. (The random fibres of the Lutradur give the impression of coarse fur)
5. Nose and eye sockets made from Lutradur 70 Black
6. Mouth and eye sections cut from Evolon, lightly coloured with brown transfer paint
7. Nostrils made from Lutradur 70. Inner eye sections cut from Lutradur 30, coloured with black transfer paint
8. To soften the nose area, a layer of Lutradur 30, coloured with black transfer paint was placed over the nostrils and chin
9. Pupils and inner nostrils cut from Evolon, coloured with a black biro
10. Horns highlighted with Lutradur 70

All we need to do now, is paste of sew it all together!

LUTRADUR ARTWORK BY SHEILA DALGLEISH

Sheila is an accomplished Textile Artist, who has kindly contributed to our website and social media pages on several occasions and we are delighted to bring you three more examples of her work -

Sheila tells us that Beinn na Moine is a rocky hillside on the island of Barra. To create this piece of work, she applied a fusible to the Lutradur and then drew the areas she wanted to cut out, before using a sharp pair of scissors to remove the unwanted material. She then fused the Lutradur on to the background fabric, carefully choosing where and how the cut out sections were positioned. A bit of stitching, plus an injection of some small pieces of bright colour helped to complete the scene.

For the Rock Pool Forest, Sheila painted the Lutradur with a thinly diluted solution of acrylic paint, cut it into the shapes of the seaweed and then fused them to the background before completing the work with plenty of machine stitching.

To create Waves, Sheila enlarged a photograph and traced the shapes of the waves, cutting them out of the Lutradur, before fusing them to the background. By using two different weights of Lutradur, cutting back various sections and also applying net to the picture, she was able to create this lovely artwork. Lots of machine stitching helped to complete the picture.

We think they are beautiful!

Daffodils for St David's Day (in Evolon)

St David - or Dewi Sant in Welsh - was born on the south-west coast of Wales, near to where the city of St David's is today. Each year, Welsh people mark the anniversary of his death (1st March) by wearing one or both of Wales' national emblems - a daffodil and a leek.

To make our daffodils, we coloured some pieces of Evolon with transfer paints in pale lemon, golden yellow and orange and then drew round fluted pastry cutters of various sizes to create the basic flower shape. We then cut towards the centre of each circle to create six individual petals (as shown in the photo) and by placing a smaller circle of petals within a larger set, we were able to achieve a lovely double bloom effect.

A semi-circle of coloured Evolon, rolled into a conical shape formed the trumpet section of each daffodil.

We joined our flowers together by cutting a small hole through the centre of the circle of petals and pushing the trumpet piece through until it fitted snugly. A few green garden sticks provided the stems and a dab of glue and a some thread ensured everything stayed in place!

We made each daffodil in a different colour combination, to achieve several individual designs . . .

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus (dee-the goil De-wi ha-peece) - Happy St David's Day!

Poppies by Vivienne Challans (using Zeelon)

Vivienne decided to make these beautiful poppies in support of Remembrance Day. She chose Zeelon (a lovely lightweight sheer fabric) for the petals, which she coloured using heat transfer dye.

Zeelon gives exceptionally good results when coloured using this method, as can be seen by the rich vibrant red of the poppies.

By holding the petals with a pair of silicone tongs, Vivienne then gently softened the edges using the heat from a candle (being careful to be in a well ventilated room).

After putting a little fold in the petals and arranging them into a natural shape, she then completed each one by sewing a black button in the centre and attaching a fabric stiffened leaf and brooch pin on the back.

Vivienne is making these poppies to raise money for the British Legion. We are sure they will be very popular and wish her every success with her fund raising.

Lutradur ‘Poppy’ by Sandy Williams

We have just received this image of a piece of artwork created by student, Sandy Williams.

Sandy used a soldering iron to cut out the shape from a piece of painted Lutradur. The cut out is a 'negative' and both pieces were stitched on to a denim backcloth.

We felt it was appropriate to feature a poppy as we are so close to Armistice Day and commemorating the end of the war.

Ghostly goings on (in Evolon)

A couple of years ago we made a mobile for Halloween and decorated it with six little Evolon ghosts (about 4 to 5 inches high).

The crescent moon was also made from Evolon, but coloured using yellow transfer paint. Finally, to complete our night time scene, we added a smattering of golden stars (made from transfer painted Lutradur).

After making a cardboard template, we cut out two pieces of Evolon per ghost and machine stitched them together, leaving the bottom section open. A small amount of wadding was then placed inside to give each ghost a lovely padded three-dimensional shape.

We thought it would be fun if the ghosts glowed in the dark, so we painted them with luminous paint, before using a black biro to draw on their eyebrows, mouths and fingers.

With the help of some invisible thread and a couple of old wire coathangers our mobile was soon complete and ready to hang!