Christmas Cards 2013

These are my cards for 2013, created with the Stampin Up hexagon punch, snowflake embossing folder and some lovely papers.

These ones are my 'cheat' cards, using a cut out star from my stash and adding some bling. Easy peasy... Merry Christmas!

All About Alice

Am busy preparing my contribution to the Challenge "All about Alice" at the upcoming exhibition of the Embroiderers Guild Victoria (Geelong Branch). The exhibition titled Alice in Threadland is sure to be inspiring and beautiful. It's on 25-27 October at Vines Road Community Centre, Hamlyn Heights. 

But for now, I need to get this little project finished. I've sought inspiration from a Little Golden Book. Sketched, used my waterproof marker to outline, then used watercolour pencils, Pan Pastels and even chalks to colour Alice in her garden. The next step is to stitch some plants, flowers into the scene.

More pics soon...

Remember Paris

Just a quick entry in my art journal. Background using embossing stamp pad and Pan Pastels. Other stamps were then used plus

serviette of the Eiffel Tower and Distress Ink. 

Little bit of stitching..

My mum shared a pattern with me to make little felt mice. Before I can assemble and stuff my mouse, I needed to embroider the back and ear pieces. I have used ribbon embroidery, bullion roses and chain stitch. I have finished it off with some seed beads for a tiny bit of bling (every mouse needs a bit of bling). I really enjoyed playing around with the stitches.

I will post the finished images soon...

Hat pin cushion

I needed a pin cushion. Can you believe i didn't already one??  The result is this cute pin cushion hat made using the pattern shown. The pattern has full size pieces and very clear instuctions. Seems a shame to stick pins into it...

Stampin Up crafting day and fundraiser

I had a wonderful day yesterday with the girls from K and K Crafts at a Stampin Up catalogue launch, crafty day. About 25 women made cards, ate a wonderful lunch, chatted and laughed. All money raised went to charity Anam Cara House in Geelong. Anam Cara provide hospice and end of life care in the Geelong area. They receive no government funding. Here is a picture of the cards we made. Three designs, and two cards in each.

What a fabulous day!

The Little Desert

Feeling crafty tonight. I am inspired by our Easter break camping rough in The Little Desert, in a spot only accessible by 4WD vehicles. So peaceful. I was in awe of the scrub bush land with such a variety of colours ranging from yellows, greens, to browns and deep reds. There was the occasional patch of gnarled red gum trees, but for the most part, there were more shrubs, small trees and grasses, rather than large trees.

I have tried to capture the colours of the Little Dessert using Pan Pastels, water colour pastels. Stamps and mists.

Art Therapy

I sat down to complete this mixed media page after a turbulent week with my son. His best friend told him the friendship was over, done. Just like that. Naturally my son was devastated. To add to the pain, his ex best-friend has proceeded to tell the other kids in his class not to be his friend... I have a son who is kind and fiercely loyal and protective of his friends, especially his bestie. To see him in distress and being treated in this way breaks my heart.

Creating this mixed media page helped me to vent my own disappointment and sadness for my son. I am glad that emotional pain can lead to a creative burst. At least something positive has come out of this week of turmoil.

Birthday Card

Finally, I have time to sit down and create a birthday for a special friend turning 70. This lovely lady is a friend to many, and loves her animals and the garden. I know she loves flowers and bling on a card, so this is what I came up with...

Blackwork

Had a lovely day at home today, stitching with Mum. I am working on a Blackwork project through the Embroiderers Guild. The object is to make a blackwork pincushion. The design is by Debi Marshall. As you can see, I am a long way from finishing, but am pleased with my efforts so far.

Re-purposing a Doona Cover

Today I got out my sewing machine and an old donna cover... We need covers for our self inflating camping mattresses.  They are extra wide, so the old covers no longer fit.  So, what better use for an old doona cover?  I simply laid the doona cover out flat then cut 1 metre in from each side, so that I have two pocket-like pieces already stitched along the top, side, and press-studs along the bottom.  Then all I did was to stitch and overlock along the side I had just cut. I tried the covers on our camping mattresses and they fit beautifully.  The only thing I will add is some velcro along the open side so that the covers stay in place when in use. 

These covers are great for summer camping, when it is too hot to sleep inside your sleeping bag.  Simply open out the sleeping bag and use it as a blanket over your mattress.  Much more comfortable when you have a nice cover on the mattress.   Just like being at home really...well, ahh...except for the mosquitoes and lack of ensuite...

Mixed Media Project

Well, I've finally done it! My first mixed media entry in my art book. I have been inspired by the work of Rach0013. You can see her videos on You Tube. For ages I had been wanting to work in this format, but couldn't understand quite how to get that deep, layered effect. Her video was very clear on the techniques and products used, and was very helpful.

I have used both clear and white gesso, Art Culture acrylic paints, Lumiere paint (halo blue gold), Fern Gully stamp, pages from an old book: Acts of the Victorian Parliament, and serviettes. The quote is from Henry Ford. It is a very meaningful quote for me about the power of positive thinking.

Lazy Start to 2013

It's that time of year... Lazy days in the sun, catching up with family, and of course making the inevitable New Years Resolutions. Two of mine involve creative pursuits. The first is to enter more creative challenges and competitions, and the second is to participate in Project 365.

Project 365 takes many forms, but basically it involves taking a photo and journaling about every day. Ambitious? Yes... But I think it will be fun, therapeutic and a really nice historical record of a year in my family's (or perhaps just my..) life. I will be taking diary notes and photos until I find the right divided page protectors for my diary layout. Then I will start putting it all together in a kind of scrapbook with traditional scrap booking and art journaling.

The other resolutions involve weight loss and fitness...
Now back to those creative pursuits...