A Dream Within a Dream
I received my atc over the weekend from the brilliant Joolz . She had remembered a photo of her’s I’d loved ages ago, and used it in her dreams atc to me! I have some wonderful internet friends!
And that quote too, from such a wonderful poem (A Dream within a Dream by Edgar Allen Poe), so beautifully sad;
‘All that we see or seem
is but a dream within a dream’.
But I think that line read alone with that almost etheral scene behind it is beautiful.
A perfect ‘dreams’ atc, thanks Joolz x
June ATC
Dreams.
I thought this would be easy, ethereal, floaty, pretty even. But when I started to think about my dreams pretty doesn’t come into it! Shopping lists, wool, patterns, hairy legs, journeys, walking, lots of colour, death (though not through some morbid thoughts, I’ve been hooked to the first series of Six Feet Under – brilliant!), confusion and a multitude of scenario’s that I won’t bore you with or indeed scare you!
So with confusion and randomness being a reoccuring theme I went with that.
There are no straight lines as I don’t dream logically, though who does? It is pretty actually because a lot of my dreams are full of lush, deep colours, a bit of randomness and a bit of continuity. Lots going on and finished off with a crocheted butterfly (there had to be crochet!) representing my inability in dreams and life of fluid thought.
Hope Stacey-Ann of the brilliant creativesque likes it, i’m looking forward to seeing her’s, some of her watercolour cards are gorgeous!
ATC, round robin and other stuff
I’ve been a bit amiss from my posts, I have a craft fair this Saturday at Cowbridge so I’ve been madly trying to make some summer type things, as I’ve only previously had stalls in the winter and as much as I’m proud of my scarves and gloves and despite the cold, I don’t think they will go down too well! So to make this post not too picture heavy I’ll show my new ideas for cards/bags/childrens bits/jewellery later.
But some exciting news, I’ve been sent my latest ATC from the wonderful Kella who actually set this great project up
Its based on ‘Golden’ by Jill Scott. Kella has such lovely reasons for using this and sent me the lyrics too, beautifully written and if you pop over to her blog she has a link to it being sung.
I do love this atc, as all the best things are it is uncomplicated, though as we all know to achieve that can be extremely complicated! It conveys the message perfectly and goes great in my growing collection!
The round robin comes to me for the conclusion. Dun dun DUN! I don’t feel any pressure at all not to ruin them, no, I don’t, I really don’t…um…honestly…
I have an inkling of an idea but I’m not going to rush it (sorry Kella and Victoria) as I really want to finish them off with the care in which they have imbued on them already, however mine is finished! As I started it, Kella added to it and Victoria finished it. Isn’t it glorious!
If you check out Kellas and Victorias blogs you can see which bits they added. This was such a great idea, I’d never have spent so much time making myself something for a start, and I would never have thought of adding the sections that have been. I really like the inclusion of the yarn from Kella and that handmade wooden bead that Victoria made is fantastic. And you know what, I got a couple of little extras too, a lovely pair of earrings off Victoria that match my new necklace and a fab pendant off Kella make from a cornflower air dry recipe – no – me neither, I’m going to have to find out too! No piccies of this yet as I’m going to make it into another necklace for me.
I’ll leave you with a little idea of what I’ve been working on
Jane
x
New ATC
I know I’m my worst enemy, but there are so many things I want to do. Usually I’m fairly restrained, but I think it was the excitment of selling a few things over the last couple of weeks that has allowed me to spend some money, thanks to the craft neutral 2010 challange and I’m starting to get that panicy feeling in my tummy that I’m not going to achieve much in the next few weeks. Or if I’m honest, the last couple!
I’d like to say this is me at Barry Island, however, I can have the top for the summer, a free pattern from lionbrand, well, I like to have something simple on the go for the boys swimming lessons, trips to the park!
I’ve bought a skirt pattern, which is a little scary but it does say VERY EASY and I’m feeling confident! The main reason is because I was reading Gone to Earths blog the other day, then spent way too long drooling over all the lush fabrics in her shop. I only need a metre so I’m thinking of the Amy Butler Daisy Chain Mosaic in green, with some red bias binding on the bottom edge of the skirt – I’ll keep you posted!
I’ve started 5 more clutch bags which I’m loving making, I really do like combining different techniques and being true to the craft neutral challange I’m also using up lots of my fabric bits as well as buttons and crochet cottons! Pictures soon.
I have actually finished something though and can post a picture as lesley received it today and loves it luckily! The theme this month was songs and as I’m loving Corinne Bailey Rae’s new album it had to be my inspiration!
I used golden silks and velvets as that’s what her voice demands, but with gentle curves like waves, but not smooth clear edges, they had to be burn’t to get that sadness. But images of peacocks always float in my mind with the music too, hense that wire crocheted beaded shape in the centre and that strong curve on the edge. Thats what I get anyway and I’m pleased with it so if you get different animals and colours I’m sorry but its my ATC!
Finally, a little teaser – can you tell what it is yet?!
Speak soon
Jane x
Crafting
There has been lots of crafting going on now my little cherubs are back at school, I’m trying to get some spring scarves in my folksy shop – as always I have lots of ideas, but the scarves grow at a slow rate! Particularly as the eagle eyed among you will notice, the Sunshine scarf I’m working on. The ball of cotton is hand wound as when I first finished it and was merrily blocking it, I saw a STUPID mistake right near the beginning, so this is mark 2, someone better bloomin like it…
The other one I’m working on is in a gorgeous kid merino, so soft to work with it is an absolute delight in my hands.
Do you remember those gorgeous balls of varigated sock yarn Rachel sent me in the pincushion swap? Well I’ve bought 3 balls of 3 ply cotton in dreamy shades of aubergine, heather and a sea green and am planning a wavy scarf with them.
Finally I need to get on with my latest Art Trading Card, Aprils theme is songs which is very inspiring, I’m thinking of doing something influenced by Corinne Bailey Rae’s new album which I’m loving at the minute.
Along with the ATC group I’ve also joined the Round Robin one over at UKHandmade. We are making a necklace, well, 3 in fact. We all start a section, then send it on, the next person completes a bit more and sends it on to someone else. Its very exciting as I have no idea what mine is going to turn out like, I didn’t put too many requirements on mine, I’d like to see what the others come up with. I’ve done a pendant and will keep you updated with what they do to it, and I’ll also post pictures of who sends me what to work on and what I do to enhance/ruin them!
ATC cards received
I received my partners atc cards today from the swap over on ukhandmade, from Georgina of binkyandbilly, and how gorgeous are they (yes they, I got 2!)? Just look
I love the way she has finished the edging off, and what beautiful fabrics.
And they both have such lovely sentiments on too, how can you not look at these and smile and feel the warmth of a spring day reflect on you!
The backs are as lovely as the front!
So thanks Georgina, you’ve really made me smile!
Edit
One of my fellow ‘crafteroo’ peeps, Joe has written the most fantastic post on genius occupations, this is absolute brilliance, click here and be amazed!
ATC cards and other swaps!
I know I’m taking part in the Craft Neutral Challange, but surely charity shop thrifting doesn’t count?! Too late anyway, look what I found (and yes, bought)
Isn’t it a gorgeous colour, and I got 7, yes 7 hanks, each 100g! I have the perfect project in mind too when I get a sec, which seeing as I’m not sleeping at the minute (I’m writing this at 04.59 am) shouldn’t be a problem, last night I finished 2 necklaces off between 3 and 5.30am! However despite my bursts of energy in the middle of the night,they are not re-occuring during the day, so I better take this opportunity to say sorry for my increasing bouts of ‘crabbyness’ to, well everyone!
But the sun still rises (yes, even here in Barry) and life goes on.
I do like a swap as you get to meet and chat to fellow crafters and I’ve signed up for another one, a pin cushion swap organised by Claire. My partner is Rachel of contented so I am a lucky girl, her use of fabrics and colours are beautiful. I have in mind what I’m going to do so at least I’ll have something to do at 3am tomorrow!
Have you ever heard of ATC cards? No, me either, but they are FAB! Art Trading Cards, a great idea where you create a card 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches, business card size, and swap it with someone else. There is more consise information on wikipidia (obviously) and if you type atc in flickr there are some wonderful examples. Over on ukhandmade creative wishes has started a group, we are going to do it monthly and work to a theme, the first one being trees and plants. So what do you think?
The first one is the one I sent, the second my ‘back up’ and the third a picture of the back where you put your details. I really didn’t know what I was doing or how to construct it, but it was fun to do something completely different. I should be receiving mine soon – can’t wait!
