A Long Weekend Craft Bonanza - The Workshop - Day 1 part 3

The Workshop

Run  by Make, do and Mend, our instructor Joe was fabulous with just enough information to inform and inspire but not so much that you would feel lectured, even the safety bit was handled with humour.

What I liked most was the really solid fast paced introduction to Lino Printing.

I definitely plan to try and join the longer worker when it next runs in February 2012.

A long Weekend Craft Bonanza - Day 2 Part 2

As it's the season, we visited the Frost Fair at Hatfield House, Hatfield.

You enter the fair through a little wooden trellis arch, where a foam machine above drops/blows faux snow onto you. An attempt I'm sure to get you into the festive spirit. So from the foam machine you find yourself in a marquee portico, through that we emerged into the first marquee proper. The shopping temptress appeared instantly in the form of Linden Lady and their handmade English chocolates, fudges and other things naughty but nice's. Another highlight hidden  amongst the silverware, toys, books, furniture and much, much more to purchase was a Sarsaparilla stall, Yes! Sarsaparilla!! complete with vendor dressed like he was about the serve Calamity Jane in one of those white aprons that buttoned to his waistcoat and a bowler hat atop his head.

Just so you know sarsaparilla is tasty hot or cold, I prefer it hot personally. Apparently it's a natural source of iron, an anti-inflammatory and cleansing. The Taste of Yesterday, I wish I had bought more than just those glasses to drink as I wondered the fair and more for over the Christmas period.

A Long Weekend Craft Bonanza - Day 1 Part 1

Today was the first day of my craft weekend bonanza and with my craft comrade Carole, we wondered the beautiful city of Cambridge.

We had an extremely early start, arriving by train at 9:30 in the morning and after a short soup stop, we made our way to the Christmas Made-It Market held in Cambridge Guildhall. this is a relatively new and growing designer/crafter-maker market. That said this market had over 50 stalls to browse, 19 workshops to try throughout the day. as they say in their welcome leaflet, " relax, feel free to browse .... and take home inspiration if nothing else."

Our first port-of-call was to make our way to the workshops desk to book Lino Printing, at only £15 per person it was an absolute bargain.With that locked in motion, there was just over an hour free to browse the rest of the Made-It Market.

The browsing hour soon turned into a shopping spree and with the quality and variety of goods available was truely impressive, from bespoke traditionally made rocking horses to woven sterling silver jewellery, to toys, doorstops and brooches.

Screenprinting - what a rush

I have just completed my 5th week of my silk screen-printing course at the Morely, and I am loving it.

Although the process is very structured, at the same time the experience feels so organic.

Have a look at what I have done so far.

As this is only a 6 week course I only have one week left, which I will definately be making the most of and as for next term, I have all ready signed up.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

So after months of thought and planning I am devising a reshuffle of my bedroom and crafting space. Something all together more organised and tidy. Along with this I will be repainting all the walls and ceiling in Natural Twine, Sugar Sweet and Nutmeg Spice. I think it will look fab-u-las! Will post photos as soon as I'm finished.

Only as Strong as the Weakest Link

This evening I did my first commissioned repair work. It was actually a very simple fix, but it does make it feel so much more self-succient. As my craft skills develop I am trying to explore my ideas and any new techniques that I'm learning.I am proud that I will be returning something that is as good as new.

When Cleaning Is Not Cleaning

This weekend I discovered Doktor Power, a few of my friends had mentioned to me how amazing this oven cleaning product was but I just could not quite believe it. Who would believe that putting your well used oven shelves into a bag and pouring a bottle of pink liquid in and sealing the bag for about 10 hours would result in dazzlingly clean oven shevles that only needed rinsing in hot soapy water. Where was it when I over filled a pirex dish with a creamy fish pie. I was scrubbing for ages, actually I think Doktor Power may have removed the stuff left in all the nocks and crannies that I could not get to.

All hail Doktor Power!!

I think my green aspirations are in serious danger.

You can never really leave your school days behind

I am now enrolled on two courses that I am extremely excited to be studying/taking next term. They are hand knitting and silk screen printing. Although my gran and mother had taught me to knit in the past, so I can cast on, knit, purl etc my attempts at cable knitting have not been successful. I joined Stitch London - I felt like too much of a begginer to really enjoy myself, everyone was really nice and helpful but I still felt ... away. I do miss the fun I had proudly knitting in public.The second of the two courses is silk screen printing - I have a vague memory of doing it during Art.

Thank you Miss Miranda, I loved going to her classes!

I really want to print some unique cushion covers and wall hangings.

I will keep you posted with my progress.

Project: Reborn 2 - Black & Grey Ribbon Beaded Necklace

Last night, I felt inspired to revamp a Black bead necklace and Grey bead necklace (both beads of the super chucky over-sized variety) into one fabulous black and grey necklace on black wide ribbon. Apologies as I forgot to take photos of the pieces individually before I started but when inspiration strikes... what's a crafter to do?

What happens when you drop something and don't pick it up

This mornining I had to do some emergency gardening - my tomatoe plants have not been receiving all the care and attention they need from me. I kew that propping their stems against the bamboo trainers wouldn't suffice forever and today was the day that my lasy attitude came home to roost.

Picture it - still in my fanel dressing gown fantically tying stems to their trainers, all in all I was extremely luckly only a few brocken leaf stems and one with a tomatoe sacrificed. Out of six plants that was very lucky! Did I mention that almost as soon as I started it started to rain - thank goodess for my hooded fanel dressing gown.

All flushed with my success, I didn't really pay attention to what the dogs where doing. This is what happens when you dont pick it after yourself.

You cannot mention one without the other

So I told you about my subscription to "Making" but not about "Molly Makes" currently only upto its thrid issue but again it's insightful, fun and light-hearted, very female focused but I generally think that is true of the whole industry.

Although I'm always om the look out for more inspiration, I am loving the craft offerings so far from these two subcriptions.

Never won any thing like this before

On Friday I recieved a royal mail-could not be delivered card on my door mat when I returned home from work. I honestly had no idea what it was, so was very curious.
Well... you might ask!

I had won a magazine giveaway competition - I have never won anything before not even a raffle. I am now the proud owner of a £10 voucher for Simple Way, the leatherkit people. I feel a new project brewing. Woh Hoh Hoh!(menacing laugh)

Making magazine, which I feel is definitely one of the best UK craft mags currently on the market (and not just because I won something). Although relatively new to the market it sets a new standard for multi-disciplary craft mags.

Project: Reborn

If this is the start of my challenge to craft/sew for one hour per day, than I think that I should atleast be documenting it. No?!
Reborn is what I'm calling this project.
This is a bag that I think I was given as a present, cant really remember, I love it's colourful and cute which is defineatley me. But I have never used it - why because it's just not really my style. Which is why it's being upcycled into a pair of earrings, necklace and clutch bag.

These are the earrings which I wore today and yesterday, and in this hot weather they are just what to doctor ordered as they are so light, it hardly feels like your wearing anything.
They were made using a couple of the felt beads, with some penny beads, some earing findings and some other beading bits that are part of my crafty stash.

I am currently redoing making the necklace as my chocker idea, didn't look right on me and the necklace is some thing I plan to wear.
The sac part of the bag is slowly morphing into a clutch which will be fun to use this summer. I hope to finish it all by the weekend. so I can move on to new ideas.
TTNF, MagpieSpirit

12 Sew

For 12 months, 12 days a month, I will sew, craft or generally be creative for 1 hour that's the pledge and I have chickpea sewing studio to thank. Yes I realise that I'm not sticking to original plegde but ... my aims are alittle different.

Chiyogami Paper Lavender Envelopes - Tutorial

This is my first tutorial and my full thanks go to Martha Stewart for the idea and direction.

1. I would suggest you make your own pattern, for two reasons. First, it's just more personal and second there is nothing worse than the pattern not looking like you want it to.

2. Paper choice - Chiyogami paper is excellent for crafting and is generally available in craft and art shops, but I'm bias because I love the stuff. On a more even note patterned paper can also be used and should work just fine.

3. Draw or trace your template pattern onto your selected paper.

4. Carefully!! Cut out your envelope - I'm a stickler for sharp folded edges, so if you're like me I would suggest that you fold and gently press along internal seams.

5. With a glue stick, seal the seams.

6. Fill the envelope with Lavender or as Martha suggests ... blends of scented ingredients, like the following combinations: cedar tips, cedar shavings, and lavender; orange tea and dried roses; and lemon verbena, chamomile and dried lemon peel. (Vary the amount depending on the envelope size; we used 1 tablespoon in the gift-card envelope.)

7. With a glue stick, seal the envelope.

8. With a thick pin, punch holes through the envelope until there are enough to release the scent, I followed the design on the envelop to mask the holes.

9. Poke whimsical designs in your paper envelopes and then add your choice of aromatic blends.

Shower for Baby G

Yesterday was the shower for Baby G - the commission that I have been working on for the last few weeks. It was a commission close to my heart as it was for one of my closet friends.

The entire shower theme was based on Giraffes and the associated colours of orange, yellow and brown, the giant paper poms poms and giraffe shaped cake to the giraffe toys we gave away as mementos of the day.

Chiyogami Paper Lavender Envelopes

Today, I opened one of my chest of draws and pulled out a black vest, instant problem. A giant moth hole just below my left ribs and along the collar, to my horror two other tops and a pair of leggings have a similar affliction. My current protection must have worn off, but this is the new me - a crafting goddess!
While in Japan, I bought some beautiful Chiyogami paper (Japanese folding paper) which I had never used. I needed something that had a repeating pattern and this stuff fit the bill perfectly.

To cut a long story short, my drawers now have some moth protection.

I will be making the tutorial available shortly, it's a simple project that even a beginner can manage.

Before the baby comes

Just so you know that I'm not the one currently expecting.

Today, we (me and my friend E)hosted a handmade babyshower for one of my bestfriends - the showers theme was Giraffes (which turned out to be one of the mum-to-be's favourite animals), the colour palette oranges, yellows and browns.

As shower favors for the guests I made soft fabric Giraffe toys. E was the creative genius behind the entire event, and between us we made all and everything from the toys, giant pompoms to the nappy cake and quiz cards.

I can tell you one thing, after tasting baby food as part of the party games, I now understand why babies spit up so much. Aarrgghhh! My favourite activity was DIY designer babygrows, just another chance to be creative.

All in all, it was a great day.

TTFN,
MagpieSpirit

Commissions Work has been taking up my time

Apologies for the long absense, but I have been doing a large piece of commission work for a baby shower and it has taken up alot of my spare time reccently. I will be able to post photos of much of it in the next few weeks and as well as designs for my upcoming christmas collection.

Yes!

I did mention christmas in May, but it takes alot of time designing and making for christmas as it can be one of the most busy times in the calendar. Look out for fresh and funky advent calendars, cards and more.

If you are looking to commission something special for yourself, loved one or friend I am able available for consultations so feel free to email me.

TTFN!

Laura's Handmade Life - my first book review

So it's a strange story but I was randomly asked to read and review a book by someone at one of the craft groups that I try to attend. So I thought that I should atleast share the experience and my insights with you who read this blog. This is what I sent to the publisher.

Laura's Handmade Life by Amanda Addison
Due out for release 23rd June 2011.

I absolutly loved this book, it is relevent to the times we all find ourselves in, ie trying to find the time to do things we love, and as a Craft-Design-Maker it felt almost like I was reading about myself trying to find my way to creative freedom. I found that I learnt aliitle more about my craft with each new chapter with the different stitch descriptions that introduce each chapter. The phrase coined "inside Architecture" is an extremely apt way to describe how we construct our homes. Laura's life challenges and successes are genuine and extremely funny and I will be be heading to the bookshop to find some of Amanda Addison's other creations. And speaking of other creations I will be trying out some of Laura's Projects at the back of the book and doing them laura's way.

I will definitely be using the "inside architecture" concept as I continue my journey.

Fascinating new skill

Make your own Fascinator - is the two hour evening course offered at Craft London that I took this Monday. Although it wasn't a traditionally structured course, I enjoyedd the way it was presented, Katherine the instructor started by showing us examples of looks and some of the creative possibilities available to us. She then quickly went through what fabrics, beads, and other stuff then let us loose. She and her helpers made themselves available throughout the time. I really enjoyed the freedom of be creative. I think I will be wearing my new handmade fascinator out this weekend.

Soap Making

I have just finished my introduction to soap making at the Make Lounge and wow, I loved it. The course has completely opened my eyes to the skill, science, passion and craft that is making soap. I will upload my photos of my soap once they have finished curing.

This photo was added 2nd March 2011

New year, New Resolutions

Today is the 1st of January 2011 and I feel a change in the air, rather than making another resolution to join the gym (5 years and counting). I am taking the step towards my life goal of owning my own designer-crafter-maker business and trying to gain some skills.

I have found two venues that are running the kind of courses I'm interested in the Make Lounge and Craft London and best bonus they are in the local area.