Carp the Day

Here I go again! Yes 2012 seems to be off at an amazing pace with Valentine's Day just around the corner. This year has all the makings of a very exciting year;

One, it's a leap year and although it is just one extra day I feel that I have been internally woo hooing at the thought,
Two, the Queen's Jubilee which is a fabulous excuse for a ladies day with pretty sandwiches,
Three, the Olympics, and although I do not have tickets for any stadium events but that is what street events are for.

So another reason why I'm feeling the time pressure is due to the fact that I am finally taking the leap and putting some of my creations on sale via Etsy. It's actually quite an exciting time and a little scary. Oh well! Carp the Day and all that!! Keep an eye on Etsy for unique and handmade sewn, knitted or screen printed creations.

As I continue to work on my first collection and new website, I will continue to blog regularly. In fact, blogging at least once a week is one of my New Year's resolutions. You will be hearing a lot more from me.

TTFN,

MagpieSpirit

Is it me or is 2012 off to a flying start?

It's already mid-January and I feel like I have hardly taken a breath since New Year's (which I spent in Cape Town, SA).

So with my new tan lines I'm going to dive feet first into creative life, keep an eye out over the next few weeks as I launch my first etsy shop.

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.