While you're online, check out women's lifestyle site, allaboutyou.com

It has some lovely ideas for crafting – especially how to recycle everyday items into lovely-looking handmade treats.

Ooh, we just had another idea for a card!

If you've got some bits and pieces left from issue 11, and a birthday round the corner, have a go at this magnificent bloom!

Fold a red card blank so that the white is on the outside. Cover the front with light blue paper. Cut a panel of patterned paper slightly taller than the card. Back the panel with red paper and trim the right edge with scallop-edged scissors before sticking to your card. Cut three strips of spotty paper with scallop-edged scissors and layer to create a looped flower. Draw around the large flower embellishment to cut out the red flower. Use the template to cut six blue petals from a blue card. Layer the pieces together with plenty of sticky pads and top with the small flower embellishment. Use the template to cut out the stem and leaves and stick to your card. Add the 3D flower and finish with a few button details.

To use the template, just right click on it and save it to your desktop, then you can open the image in a different window and print it out.

We love the way Christine in Nottingham has made our issue 10 cover card, mixing her kit from that issue with gems from issue 2. Do you use up all your kit items? And do you like to mix elements from one kit with another, or keep them separate? Let us know!

Well done to Pearletta Wilson for getting these card designs from issue 11 spot on! They look fab Pearletta.

She says, "I made both these cards in one day and I had so much fun. Great designs. Just stopping long enough to post these to you and then I am off to make some more! Thanks for a wonderful magazine!"

Our pleasure, keep us up to date with what you're making!

We're so glad you liked the sunflower cards in issue 11 – weren't they the friendliest cards? So cheerful too. If we can't get the sunshine in real life, let's at least get it into our crafting! Here's how reader Pat Betts interpreted the designs – isn't it gorgeous?

Pat says, "I adapted the template and made cards using some of your paper and other card/paper I had. I try to always use something recycled – the petals are made from old card A4 folders and art paper. I am now retired and enjoy making cards for family and friends and art exhibitions."

Thanks for sharing your design with us Pat.

Many thanks to Marie Webb in Southampton who sent us this picture of her gorgeous cupcake-inspired cards. Marie says, "I thought I would send you a picture of a card and bag I made for my friend's birthday this month. I used two different issues; the cake card came from no7 and the cake bag from no5. I also stitched a cupcake biscorno to continue the theme! With some bath treats from Lush thrown in, I'm hoping she will like it... Looking forward to all the Christmas designs. Thanks for a wonderful magazine :)"

I'm sure she will like it Marie – it's cupcake-tastic (and who doesn't like cake?).

If you fancy brushing up on your beading skills, and you're in the Nottingham area, try the Bead and Biscuit drop in sessions at The Bead Shop, 7 Market Street.

They're held on Wednesday afternoons, 2pm-5pm, and selected Saturdays. Check the dates on the diary page by clicking here

Drop in for a chat with your latest project or take in something you're stuck on for tips and advice. There's a £1 donation towards Fairtrade refreshments. The Bead Shop have also started a beading group on Wednesday evenings from 6pm-8pm for beaders to come along and meet like-minded people for a beady-chat. Make some friends while you bead! Give them a call on 01159 588899.

BTW, if you're wondering why we've gone a bit bead-crazy, you'll have to see our October issue, out now!

Due to the success of its jewellery making classes, The Brighton Bead Shop aka Beads Unlimited are hosting new workshops. From November 12th it'll be running groups with a Christmas theme so you’ll be able to get crafting for your family and friends!

All classes are £25 each and a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. Hurry – places are limited to six per class and can get booked quickly! You Can Craft readers get a special offer too – quote code YCC0808MS when you book and you'll get a 10% discount off one session.

For more information or to enquire about booking please contact:

The Brighton Bead Shop, 21 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EN. mailbox@beadsunlimited.co.uk Tel: 01273 675077.

Yes folks it’s true, Christmas really is coming! In my preparations I’ve found time to even add up that we’ve got 97 crafting days left before the big day. So, thanks to all the stunning ideas in this month’s You Can Craft, I know you’ll be well on the way to having all your Christmas card and gift ideas sorted. “Get planning now then make a start,” is what I am telling myself…

I am determined to make sure I’m not crafting at the last minute. And with this month’s gorgeous festive kit we’ve got for you, there’s no excuse not to get cracking. Get stuck in, with our exclusive, fully-coordinating pack including glitter, gingham ribbons, snowflake sequins and die cuts! Our selection of card projects is amazing… I’ll begin with pastel chic, then try more classic ideas for family who prefer that look. I’m totally excited about making the mouth-watering necklaces we've featured – great for a beginner and no need to buy loads of tools! I’ll be rustling these up in all colours for my pals this year. We’ve made sure there’s something for everyone!

Don’t forget too there’s also the fab idea of giving You Can Craft as a subscription gift. Or get dropping those hints so that someone special will buy it for you!

Happy crafting, til next time (more festiveness on sale 20th October!),

It's official, the nation's getting craftier!

According to a new report from Grove Fresh, 80% of British consumers are getting creative in light of the credit crunch, stretching their cash through arts, crafts and DIY.

16% of people say they make cards and gifts instead of buying them and a tenth are dusting off sewing kits to save money on clothing and soft furnishings.

What do you think? Does crafting save you money? I have to confess I probably spend nearly as much on rubber stamps as I do on my mortgage.

You Can Craft issue 12 is out tomorrow! Those of you who subscribe and get an advance copy will want to know where we got all the gorgeous beads on pages 20 and 21 from. For the rest of you, it's always fun to get a sneaky peek at what's coming up...

Seed and bugle beads

Matsuno metallic fuchsia size 11/0, ref 564, £1.81 for 20g. Miyuki Delicas opaque orange AB, ref DB161, £4.36 for 10g. Matsuno transparent FAB turquoise blue size 8/0, ref 015F, £1.37 for 20g, all from Jules Gems.

Shiny bugle beads – claret, £1.60 for 30g and Toho light topaz transparent size 6/0, £1 for 10g, both Jilly Beads.

Matsuno matt dark lavender ref 214m, £1 for 10g, Beadsisters.

Crystal beads

Swarovski 22mm crystal copper cubist pendant, ref 6650, £5.20. 10mm peridot bicone bead, ref 5301, 65p. 20mm crystal AB pear shaped pendant, ref 6106, £4.70. 20mm Bermuda blue cosmic ring, ref 4139, £8.50. 18mm fuchsia butterfly pendant, ref 6754, £2.25, all Shiney Company.

Swarovski emerald bicones, ref 5301-205-06, £2.84 for a pack of 18. Black pendant, ref 6012-280-15, £1.42. Both Jules Gems.

Swarovski bicone mix 4mm Siam, £1.20 for 20, Jilly Beads.

Gemstones

Rose quartz carved rose pendant, £5, Spoilt Rotten Beads.

A range of semi precious beads, from £1.19 for a 36” strand, Beads Direct.

Glass beads

A range of Pyramid, Rice and Crown beads from Gutermann, available nationwide.

15mm Puffed Discs – Scarlet Red, £1.50 for a bag of 10, Beads by Lili.

Czech 5/0 fancy silver-lined ruby, £1.90 for 30g. ‘Daggers’ in many colours, long 7p, short 6p. Millefiori in many colours, star 26p, square 23p, round 18p, and disc 23p. Glass cubes in many colours, 9mm 12p, and 5mm 5p, all Jilly Beads.

Chinese floating flower ref GLAH, 50p each or £2.50 for 10. Indian lampwork beads ref GLAP, 25p each £2.50 for 20, both Beads Unlimited.

Japanese Square beads 4mm – red, ref BJP-3844, £1.49, Handy Hippo.

Beaded bead and large lampwork pendant available from RICO stockists.

Cats eye round 8mm – light grey ref BG301, £1.99 for a 16” strand, Beads Direct.

Recycled Glass Ribbed Tube 25-35mm bead – Green, 99p, The Bead Store.

A selection of Czech fire-polished beads, Beadsisters.

Beads & Perles pastille ronde 25mm – blue, ref KPS122/15, Hobbycraft.

Murano rectangular pendant ref 1332, £3.20. Rich bronze Czech mix ref 1053, £4.95 for a 45g pack. Millefiori hearts ref 953, £3.95 for five, Square beads ref 90, £3.95 for 20. All from EP beads.

Natural beads

Painted wooden bead, from 35p each. Bag of 10 – £3. Genuine pearls – Kiwa, £19.99 for a string of 52. Both from The Bead Store.

Rainbow Shell Chips, 99p for a bag of 20g, Beads by Lili.

Coin pearls, £8 per strand, Spoilt Rotten Beads.

A selection of The Craft Factory Natural World Horn beads and wooden beads, from Groves and Banks stockists. Tel. 01189 735196 to find your nearest.

Fabric beads

Felt beads from a set ref 21 166 01, Efco stockists.

Cord beads and Ribbon beads available from RICO stockists.

Plastic beads

Lucite cube beads, 15p each. Photo beads, £1.80. Both from Spoilt Rotten Beads.

Funky Retro Acrylic Squares – Multi-Mix, £1.25, Beads by Lili.

Metal beads

Silverplate core beads, 95p. A selection of simple metal beads. Both from The Bead Store.

Bali beads, 15p-£1.80 each, Spoilt Rotten Beads.

Spacer beads in silver also available in golden and matt metal, 1p-55p, Jilly Beads.

Tools

0.5mm wire mixed colours, £1.29 for 15 metres, and silver-plated copper wire, from £1.25 for 25 metres, Scientific Wire Company.

Micro fibre suede – rose pink, 35p per metre. Beading silk ref 4, £1.20 for two metres with a needle. Pepperell Crafts Stretch magic 0.7mm thick, £1.70 for five metres. Impex Rectangular storage box clear ref org09, £2.95. All from Jilly Beads.

Coloured cord 99p for 5m, Beads by Lili.

A selection of Natural World leather thonging from Groves and Banks stockists. Tel. 01189 735196 to find your nearest.

Wow! Check out this amazing scrapbook page that You Can Craft reader Sue made using the carousel template from issue 11. We adore the glitzy lettering and the great colour scheme.

How many of you scrapbook? I've just got into it and find it much trickier than cardmaking but just as fun! Knowing when to stop is my biggest problem...

Never tiring in our search of gorgeous craftiness on the web, we have another fab blog for you to feast your eyes on: www.buttoncompany.blogspot.com

If you've ever seen the Button Company at a craft show or been into one of its stockist's shops, you'll know that it's very difficult to walk away without purchasing one of its coordinating packs – with names like 'Aqua Splash', 'Emerald City' and 'Lemon Fizz' it practically designs your next card or scrapbook page for you.

There's some great ideas for using buttons, fabric and stitching on cards. And you can link back to the Button Company website and buy your supplies...

I bought a cardi I didn't need the other day just because I liked the buttons on it. Anyone else love buttons as much as me?