Long time no blog...

Well, I've been rather busy, but I must admit that I am starting to wonder if having a blog is any better than just keeping myself to facebook. Anyhoo, regardless of my bloggerly lack of motivation, here's my most recent completed project.



I've worked on a number of necklaces and bags this last few weeks, but I've not really been satisfied enough with them to post them here. I've done experiments with bib necklaces in various forms, started work on a few bags - some from scratch, and some created from existing garments. I've also been making brooches, and doing some personal crafting which has to stay top secret for a while yet.

Craft Itch

When I was a kid I broke my leg and had to wear a cast. Not uncommon I know, but work with me here...

I suddenly developed an unbearable itch on my shin which was to stay with me for the next 8 weeks. So my mum gave me a knitting needle, and I used to carry it everywhere with me. It seems that once again I have an itch that only a needle can scratch.

These days, when you see me, I will probably have a needle in my hand too. Don't be scared; I'm just scratching my craft itch ;)


This week I've finished knitting two scarves, and I'd like to liven them up a little. So, this week, you'll mostly find me knitting and sewing little embellishments for my scarves. I'm also going to be making some brooches to attach to my upcoming range of handbags (yes, I'm very much going with the handbag idea at the moment).

One of the scarves I finished is made out of this furry looking wool (eyelash yarn I think). As I casted off, I realised that the finished product reminded me of mink, so I made this little mock mink brooch too. It looks a little like a bird's nest, but I like it.


These were created during a rather uninspired moment - I was fabric doodling :D (Alex isn't finished yet, and probably won't be until I run out of ideas again)

...Handbaggy Maker

Remember that skirt I bought yesterday? Well, I only used two-thirds of it to make this bag. One day of hard labour later... here's my new bag! I'm definitely going to make more, but maybe next time with the aid of a sewing machine ;)

...Baker...

So, I would have failed my cake decorating exam, but I don't care because I have cake and you do not, so meh *blows raspberries*

Butcher...

Things I have bought to butcher today...


I am trying to resist the temptation to turn this little brown skirt into a handbag, because I want to get the most out of the fabric :((

Order From Chaos

I've been writing down lots of ideas over the last 24 hours and, apart from the odd experiment here and there, not much else. So, when I did a little doodle on my notepad, I decided to turn it into a real design sketch on GiMP. I've cut out the pieces on this necklace, and I will put it together at a less inspired time.

Today I have also had a go at making a little tiny aubergine, which I'm not 100% happy with yet, and I cut out a design for a Cthulhu brooch after being inspired by seeing the word 'kraken' on a facebook application.

I really need to narrow down all the ideas I've been having, but I'm going to do that once I stop having the ideas too.

Worn Out Artist Seeks...

...inspiration. Likes days and nights in counting buttons, dislikes burnout (caused by too many hours sat in counting buttons)


An old photo album I decided to customise. I'm going to print pictures of things that inspire me and put them in here. Might also put in bits of fabric, pieces of writing, etc.

New Button Stash

Button stash, after over 3 hours of sorting...

I love sorting buttons, but not for over 3 hours LOL. Still I can now sit here imagining what I will create with them. Yay!

F**k Off Out of My Craft Room!

He's really quite vile up close, isn't he?

Title Stress; No Title = Argh!

Can't think of a title ._.

Anyhoo, colour scheme and possibly even swirls to be used in my next necklace. The colours on my new scarf may also be similar to this, but I haven't decided...

I Love the Sea

Work in progress necklace I've been thinking about and started making various versions of a couple of months ago. I have a few more started, but this is at a stage where it can be photographed LOL

So Much Time and so Little to Do! Strike That, Reverse it!

I am working on so many things at the moment! Argh! That (combined with Mum pecking my head, learning new things, trying to make time to talk to my friends, looking for work, and more Mum related things) means that I don't have much time for words this week. I will, however, be posting photos of things I have been working on whenever I can.

See you later on in the day when I post my work so far...

Randomness

A few things to show you from the last week... Hmm, OK, some may be older, but I haven't done enough stuff to blog this week (at least not craftwise LOL)


Yet another new idea - hair clips! This one isn't terribly good, but I was using the crappiest glue in the world LOL

My new knitting. It was going to be a scarf, but I changed my mind, and now I don't know what it will be when it is done!

Also I was taking a few photos last week, just generally messing around, and I realised that Tairrie B is trying to look like me LOL


That's all until I finish some stuff. Laters.

Swirly Goodness :D

I swear I haven't been neglecting you guys. I've been working on a secret project for a week, and it was the only thing I could think about. Pretty soon the secret will be revealed, but in the meantime, I thought I'd show you what I have been playing with for the last day or so...

Art Class at Caroecca's

I've been having a break from crafting/creating today, in favour of sleep. When I woke up, it was time for art class at Caroecca's. For whatever reason, we started talking about art and it became a full on critique session.

I love art, but I have never really looked at it academically before. Maybe this class will be a good thing; I hope it doesn't make me too picky, Becca ;)

Anyhoo, I've not been up to much else, so I took a webcam shot and messed with it by way of a nod to our art class :D

Apparently, I like these colours a lot LOL

My Little Koala ;)

So Christie, I told a little white lie...it's not just a koala, it's my koala.

I had a dip in inspiration the other day, and it always makes me fed up when I have nothing to create. I'd been talking to Christie that evening and I remembered something.

I remembered that during what was possibly my lowest ebb, this lovely lady from the other side of the world helped to perk me up. I'd met her playing games, only a couple of weeks earlier, and she really went out of her way for me. She even made me a lovely little drawing that changed my perspective on things.

Now we speak most days, and she is always so full of enthusiasm, even when the fit hits the shan.

My little ray of sunshine...awwww XD


Thumbnail is a little distorted for some reason, so take a closer look ;)

Digital scrapbooking elements courtesy of http://vicki20.blogspot.com/

Something From the Weekend...

This weekend I have not been able to put my needle and thread down. I think I'm developing an addiction. Eep! Now I will have to go shopping for more lace, felt and buttons, but I've really enjoyed it. I've had the house to myself so it's been a little easier to concentrate. Anyway, I'm not one with the words this weekend, so have a look...

Busy Busy Busy...

Well, this weekend I have been far too busy crafting to blog, or anything else for that matter. I did remember to eat a couple of times, which was nice. I have lots of projects almost finished, and need to go shopping for the last few bits before I can photograph them to show to you. So, when the shops reopen on Monday (I checked :p) I will be nipping out for my bits and showing you what I have been up to all weekend. Ooh I can't wait XD

More Pincushion People Needed

I am going to work on a series of samples to show off my new Prick? Me? range. Going to spend the day looking for suitable models...

'Prick? Me?' range COMING SOON!

I'd like to start by asking a very important question. Would you like to stick pins in your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend's face? Well, of course the answer is YES!

I've been doing quite a bit of sewing this week, and not having a pincushion has really gotten me down, but no longer...with Prick? Me? (TM)!

Seriously I felt so good using this product, I am thinking of going into business with it. So who wants one? XD

Ahhhhh

Joining the Job Queue in Style

Finally I have this project finished!

I don't work at the moment, and so I have one of those jobcentre card thingies. It takes up a huge amount of space in my handbag, but I like to carry it with me, as I have notes and ID in there. I absolutely hate opening my handbag to let every shop owner in town know I'm not working, so I decided to make a funky little pouch to put my job thingies in. I know it won't be to everyone's taste, but I love kitsch stuff myself. Here's the finished item...



There were times that I wanted to cry whilst making this as I don't have a lot of patience and I'm not very good at sewing, but I think it's been well worth it!

The Blog is Up to Date, Only the Look is Retro

So, I haven't been very productive so far today. I was inspired to do new make up after I messed with my hair a little though - that's progress enough for me XD

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button? - Monday, March 30, 2009

So, phase one of my button buying venture is complete. Here is my updated button box. Try not to soil yourself thank you please!

I Need to Steal... - Thursday, March 26, 2009

...from someone with better taste. I raided my mum's button box a little, but heh she has thousands LOL. Ordered some new ones to fill my own tub, was waiting on the delivery, and just needed to have some buttons like NOOOWWWWW!

'The Spoils'

I also made an octopus (part of the future necklace) out of 3D fabric paint on felt. I love him. I think I'll call him S[qu]id!

The Humble Beginnings.... - Tuesday, March 24, 2009

...of my still not finished necklace! Yes this is greaseproof paper - the necklace will not be. You know, sometimes a girl is just too darn busy crafting to wash her hair...

Becca, I Bought You a Cookie - Friday, March 20, 2009

....but I eated it! XD

Curious Caroline - Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Well, I was long overdue for a day out. I had been avoiding people for long enough. I had been in so much pain that if someone had said 'hello' to me, I would probably have cried (although this was quite a bonus at the kebab shop - the owner gave me free chicken because I cried - woot!)

My friend Becca had recently injured herself during a light dancing accident, and was sentenced to a long time in bed. So, I thought not only can I cheer myself up with a much needed day out, but I could text my bedridden chum of the day's happenings, so that she could live vicariously (^^) through me!

I got on a bus, went craft shopping, had a very long walk, had a coffee, took in the sights and sounds, and reported my findings to her as they were happening.

It was an emotional day for me, a breakthrough. So imagine how I felt when I read this. She made me cry my own tears! But they were tears of happiness, so I allowed it LOL.

I hadn't slept the night before so I was very tired when I got home, but I had found wonderful things on my travels, and had a perfect end to a wonderful day.

'Tired me'

My wonderful findings XD. This included the most fabulous shoes and skirt in the world. Including a day out, good coffee and a magical bus ticket I spent £60. Wooot! Especially since I'm not normally a spender!

New Haircut, New Smile - Wednesday, February 25, 2009

My first 'smiley eye' day. I don't know what did it. May have been the haircut, may have been a fantabulous friend. Whatever it was, it worked XD

Looking Up? Friday, February 13, 2009

Looking up? Well trying to...

The Start of Something New - Thursday, February 12, 2009

Forcing a smile through a very difficult time...

This was where it started.

Another Day, Another Photo

One of my friends has been trying to get me to set up a blog for a very long time. Now, I don't like anyone telling me what to do, so true to form I rebelled against her.

My laptop has a webcam built in, and I use it to take little snapshots of what is happening at the time. Whether I'm crafting, trying new make-up, have been shopping, or even when the dog just does something cool, I take little snapshots to show my friend.

Yesterday I was clearing out my photos folder, and looking at each of the pictures reminded me how I felt at the time, and how far I have come in the last couple of months. So, I wanted to share my webcam journal with you (whoever 'you' are lol).

I will be uploading some of my past photos in coming blog posts, and trying my best to take a photo every day to show you.

Welcome to my little world...