Friday 11 January 2013

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...

Sunday 6 January 2013

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.

Tuesday 1 January 2013

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...