I’ve been featured!
Just a quicky today, a little brag and a nice piccie!
I’ve been featured over on Popular Crafts website, Its a great site, full of tips and tutorials covering almost all aspects of craft. They’ve choosen one of my necklaces for their ’Popular Crafts - buys vintage style’. Its among some gorgeous items so I’m really chuffed to be included!
My Christmas cactus has decided to flower, not over Christmas but nevermind, the Spring seems to have given it a wakeup call! But it was worth the wait, isn’t it gorgeous?
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
Egg Hunting!
Not much crafting going on this past week as the monsters cherubs have been off for Easter but we finally had a bit of sun today (and snow!) so all trundled down to an egg hunt at Cwmcarn, a favourite for exploring.
The boys loved it (as did we!) and hunted down the various signs and animals
though the youngest was certain he’d seen an ant eater when it was a badger – to many ‘wild’ wildlife progammes and not enough British ones I think!
Cwmcarn really is a fantastic place, mountainous but with several carparks dotted about so you can go hiking with the kids and not have to carry them home…
Gorgeous lines
and beautifully muted colours
And space, lots of lovely space!
Have a chocolatastic Easter xx
Irish Crochet
My next post on sharing some of my inspiration and I’m talking about the proper stuff, not some poor substitute that I’ve knocked up. I love Irish crochet, not only for the absolute skill required but the fact that the most stunning examples were produced not by leisured Victorian ladies, but poverty stricken women who farmed, cleaned, raised children, so they could supplement their income with a few extra pennies. I love the fact they created their own motifs from their surroundings, that you don’t have to follow a set pattern and that its not flat, it can be any shape; its not restrictive. Just look at this:
If only I had the skill!
I love the website for the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles in California (not Ireland!) I can spend ages just flicking through the past exhibitions, I strongly advise you to make a cup of tea, get comfy and let the beautiful images inspire, you’ll be there a while!
A Light Box!
Look what my wonderful dad made me, after my incessant complaining about taking photographs in a dark Victorian house
Isn’t it magnificent! But this isn’t any light box, oh no, its a cardboard box with a large window cut out of the top and sides with white tissue paper stuck on and a sheet of white card proped up in the back! Fantastic and best of all, it does make a difference AND it only cost me 2 bars of chocolate, love you dad!
And if that wasn’t enough to make me into the next David Bailey, this brilliant tutorial was linked to the ukhandmade blog. It is so useful, simply written with great tips and there is a competition for the best photo which I may well enter now – so what do you think of the results of yesterdays photography session:
You may recognise the last one, It wasn’t quite right before, but I think its better now. So this is what I’ve been working on for the last few days. I’m really enjoying combining several techniques and working with patterns and bright colours. As always this has led to more ideas – I’m thinking sort of sculptural.
That requires more thought though, and I need to post these on my Folksy shop and get on with my Art Trading Card’s, more about that later!
Presents!
Not for me mind!
Do you know, I love being a mum, It really is the best feeling in the world – to say it is all encompassing doesn’t seem to be enough. Nothing at all can beat the feelings of pride, joy and love, nothing. But with every ying there has to be a yang, and boy, has this been a week of yangs!
However, I’ve deleted this post several times now and will not inflict on you my rantings, musings and then platitudes that we all fall back on, what I will do is show you a picture of a few little pressies I’ve made the lovely women folk in my life. Its a rubbish photo, I’m showing it more as a reminder for me, but Aunty Irene, Aunty Marg, Nan and Mum – love you lots!
Look what I won!
There is a brilliant blog I read that is loaded with advice for craft folk trying to get into business called artists in business. Jo Whitehead, who writes the posts is an absolute mine of information and so helpful AND makes the most wonderful glass, she has a gorgeous shop on folksy called Glassprimitif. As if that isn’t enough there is also a monthly giveaway to subscribers so if your not already WHY, and REGISTER NOW!
look what I got last month
Isn’t it beautiful!
Playing with rings
So I’ve been writing my latest tutorial for Beads and Beyond and basically Its how to cover curtain rings and what you can do with them. I did this a while ago and have had a few bits of jewellery in my folksy shop and some buttons in Claires Buttons in Cardiff.
I’d forgotton how versatile this technique is, and I’ve been using different things to cover like bracelets.
My first experiments:
What do you think?
4th November 09
If any of you do your own craft fairs and make jewellery, you must visit Boo’s blog. Not only does she have gorgeous jewellery, but also lots of free tutorials. I’ve just made the necklace stand from her template and it really is amazing! Now I can display my necklaces properly as opposed to lying flat on the table. I am so envious of people who can think laterally (?) or is the word just clearly (!), i’m not sure, but she is one clever lady.
I’ve also been really remise in not mentioning the Crafteroo Children in Need shop we have set up again on Foksy. We have all donated items, and all the money goes to the charity, last year we raised over £600 for Comic Relief! So if you fancy doing your bit, while having fun at the same time, check us out here.
Finally, i’m buzzing this week, i’ve been featured on two, yes two fabulous blogs, one of my bracelets on Found on Folksy and one of my bags on UKHandmade. Talk about glowing!
An new flower pattern
02 November 09
I’ve mentioned Crafteroo a few times, for me, its been a life saver. Now, I’m not one for dramatic pronouncements, but it really has helped me. I had been toying with the idea of selling my wares, but never had the confidence or know how to. But after finding this craft forum I discovered lots of new friends who, though we have never met, have helped me more than anyone. Just being able to talk to people who share your interests alone is enough, in fact that really is everything. But aside from that wonderful fact I’ve had help, advice and support in the bucket load. I cannot say enough how wonderful the internet is!
Anyway, enough of that, I got slightly side tracked there, (but, getting side tracked again, I do think we are quick enough to moan if things aren’t right, but often not quick enough to praise if things are good) Ali, has a great blog, as does her other half actually (wonderful pictures of flowers) and has created a new crochet flower pattern and asked people to test it for her. Who doesn’t love a new pattern, so, with the boys packed off to Cardiff Citys match against Nottingham, I had a free Sunday afternoon! So, black and white film on telly, glass of wine in one hand and a hook in the other – absolute bliss!
What do you think?
I used a wool that I have been dying to use for ages, a beautiful Kid merino from crystal palace yarns and a 3.5mm hook. I love it, easy to follow pattern and a gorgeously delicate flower. I can picture loads, on mass, making a beautiful cushion cover…
So, if you fancy a fab new flower pattern, pop over to Ali’s blog, craft matters!
