A new instruction video on my YouTube channel

Oops, I noticed I never published the 3rd part of the box making tutorial for the second level box on my YouTube Channel! This tutorial guides you through the proces of measuring and cutting the panels for the inside of a box likes these ones.

At my YouTube channel Hilde Hoogwaerts you can find different instruction videos of how to make boxes from scratch. 

What kind of board do I use

The basic ingredient for my boxes is grey board, aka cardboard or binder board. This kind of board is Ph neutral or acid free and is long-lasting without causing dis-colouring the material you will add on top.  You can find these kinds of material on the internet in the States under Davey Book Binders Board, Lineco Neutral Ph (or Acid Free) Binders Board or under bookbinding grey board. I normally buy sheets with a thickness of 2mm (0.07"), 2.5mm (0.098") and 3mm (0.118").

This is the video:

Subscribe to my channel

When you like my instruction video's why not subscribe to my channel! You will stay up to date with new video's I plan to publish! 

Can you do this with kids? Yes you can! They just need a little supervision when using the box cutter to cut the grey boards. I have had many kids to my box making workshops together with their moms and they always loved to make their own storage box for their pencils or scrunchies to name a few things.

Groetjes, Hilde

https://hildehoogwaerts.com

Geckoboxes instagram

For the love of African Fabrics

Still from my introduction to Box Making video

A few days ago I was interviewed by Miriam Galadima - Benson of Quilts Africa Fabrics in Nigeria. We talked about our passion for African Fabrics and I showed her a few of my quilts. Due to delayed internet connection the video is sometimes blurred and not always in sync. This created hilarious moments! ;)

The interview is now on my Youtube channel.

In the first part of this video is a short introduction video to box-making included. At 21 minutes the interview starts where I tell a little bit about my creative journey and show some of my African Quilts.

Introduction to Box Making video

If you would like to watch the introduction to Box Making video only (or have a better sight) click on the link here below! Maybe even better: subscribe to my channel!

Have fun watching!

Groetjes, Hilde

A Box Update!

As promised: a picture of the final result of the hatboxes with their clasps and handles! 

The blue coloured leather matches beautiful with the fabric.

And on to the next deadline for my handmade boxes! 

In about 2 weeks time I will be joining the 'Wintersalon' of the Maaskoe Gallery in Rotterdam. Together with other artists I will be showing my boxes and some of my quilts and wall art! The walls and tables will be full of art and all will be for sale!

However, since we have a Parson Russell Terrier puppy my time in my studio is much less than I thought it would be! He is very interested in the cardboard pieces of the boxes... ;)

Still I managed to make a nice selection of different boxes like tea caddies,

gift boxes and boxes for all kinds of little treasures.

If you are in the area and still need some handmade Christmas presents please hop by at the 

Maaskoe Gallery and maybe you will find the perfect gift for your loved ones! 

The exhibition is on from December 14th until 29th, Thursday through Sunday 12.00 - 17.00.

Groetjes, Hilde

Back to my studio in Ghana

Na een heerlijke en drukke tijd met familie en vrienden ben ik weer terug in Ghana. Het blijft lastig om afscheid te nemen en daar de deur weer achter mij dicht te trekken.

Gelukkig wachten hier leuke projecten om af te maken en op te starten met al die fantastische Afrikaanse stoffen die je hier kunt vinden.

I am back in Ghana and back to business! It's always hard to say goodbye to family and friends and to close the door of our small home-base. It is good to know there are unfinished and new projects with African fabrics waiting for me to get going.

En dit is alvast het eerste project dat voor mij klaarligt!

 And this is the first UFO that is waiting for me!

Pan African Quilt Challenge 2016

Ik schreef er al eerder over dat ik samen met een 'Twin Sister' uit Zuid Afrika een quiltje ging maken voor de Pan African Quilt Challenge 2016 van de Zuid Afrikaanse quiltersgilde.
En dit is het resultaat: een border vol Keltische knopen die prachtig contrasteert met mijn caleidoscoop in het midden. Ik ben er super blij mee. Nu moet ik het gaan afmaken en in september opsturen naar Kaapstad waar het dan zij aan zij met de quilt van mijn 'Twin Sister' op een tentoonstelling komt te hangen.

I told you before about the Pan African Quilt Challenge 2016 organised by the South African Quilters Guild. My 'Twin Sister" added a border full with Celtic knots to my kaleidoscope center piece. This border is beautifully made and a great contrast to what I've made.
Now it needs to be finished and send back to Capetown by September to be in time for the exhibition where it will be shown next to the quilt made by my Twin Sister.


Maar eerst ben ik een beetje gaan rommelen in mijn studio en de timmerman kwam langs om een nieuw gat te maken in mijn naaitafel. Tijdens mijn verlof heb ik een Janome (Ome Jan) gekocht waar een walking foot op kan. Geen computer gestuurde want als er iets kapot zou gaan ben ik daarmee in de aap gelogeerd hier in Afrika! ;)

But first I needed to settle down and clear things up. The carpenter came by to make a new hole in my sewing table for the Janome machine I had brought with me from Holland. This one has a walking foot but is without computer. When something breaks down in Ghana it should be simple to be fixed.

The carpenter made an adjustment to my sewing table for the new sewing machine

Terwijl mijn naaitafel 'under construction' was heb ik een paar dozen gemaakt...
While my sewing table was 'under construction' I just made a few boxes...

Box making with different fabrics in process

Never a dull moment!


Groetjes, Hilde