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...

Crazy Stitching

I spent a lovely day today with my very talented Mum. She made a crazy patchwork square and taught me how to embellish the square with stitches. I used to do a lot of cross stitch when I was a lot younger and enjoyed it. Now it's great to pick up a needle and embroidery floss to try some different stitches.

Advent Calendar

I completed my Advent Calendar in November, so it was ready for December 1st.  The children were excited to open the little drawers and eat the lollies or chocolates inside.  I've also placed the occasional special eraser inside random drawers as well. 

The Advent Calendar is made using a Kaiser Craft kit for the box frame and Kaiser Craft papers and wooden shapes (tree, reindeer and sleigh).  The numbers are made out of cardboard which I have stamped with a colour ink pad and then used Glossy Accents to get the nice glossy look.

Introducing...

Hello, and welcome to my blog.  This blog is partly a little self-indulgent - a place to store my creative inspiration and thoughts; a place to post photos of my latest creative project. Having a blog also makes entering scrapbook and art competitions and challenges a little easier because I can post a direct link to a photograph of my work.

Through this blog I also hope to connect with other creative people and learn about what creative projects you are working on, and where you get your creative inspiration.  There are so many creative people out there and I find that I learn a lot through viewing other people's work and reading what they have to say about what motivates and inspires them.

I hope that through this blog I can document my own creative journey, enhance my own creative process, and develop my techniques and skills.