Monday 29 June 2015

Infections and crafting.

A throat infection has knocked me off my feet. The pain causing so many issues, a long with the fact Saturday i had to see the emergency out of hours doctor due to the pain and infection getting much worse. That will have to be sorted with a phonecall to my gp's today. I'm still in a lot of pain, but the infection is slowly getting better.

But with the need to rest, comes an excuse to little amounts of crafting, and of course, reading craft magazines. Vintage images from Printableheaven and Thegraphicsfairy have come into play, along with printing various backgrounds on to A5 sized card to be used at a later date. 3x3 inch squares have been printed with floral designs for use with watercolour pencils to be used as toppers, and vintage ladies will become toppers with the right amount of embellishments making the final pieces of the puzzle.

Along with each topper an idea will form, something small to be worked around to make the final design, and hopefully bring a smile to someone's face when they finally receive their card. At the same time, i'm enjoying the making of something small, and i'm beginning to see the appeal of ATC (Artist Trading Cards) sized works of art. When working smaller designs it's almost like the challenge of showing how much you can create in a smaller area, your ideas contained in someways, but the chance to test out new ideas and maybe push boundaries of how much you can fit in the that small space. This something i will certainly exploring.

The card i'm showing here was a topper experiment, the detailed scissors adding something extra, along with a small bow hiding behind the single flower. But the focal point remains the lady sat in her chair, the words mother gracefully written above.

So today i will explore crafting, whilst i rest between washing loads. Happy Crafting, when ever you get the chance.

Monday 8 June 2015

Creating

It's been a little while since i last posted. Life has gotten in the way of things, with my depression taking the joy out of many things, including my beloved crafting. My son and the cat have become even more important, and phonecalls also have become more of a godsend. In speaking to both friends, and the crisis team i'm still soldiering on, like a tough ol' bird should.

As i type today, i'm moments from tears, if the flood gates fail, but i'm also near the computer, meant to be hunting for that allusive recipe that is currently on my mind. Rocket and potato soup is something i really fancy trying, i even have all the ingredients, but is there a version done in a slow-cooker? A 1.5 litre slow-cooker to be precise. As yet i haven't found one, but i figure, if i can't find one, well just maybe, i will create my own. My first go using the slow cooker went well, so who knows, maybe i'll figure this all out. I'll let you know.

I have also been busy using off cuts of printed patterned card, bits that the printer faded on colour half way through, not perfect to use as a background, but with a flower punch, some sticky fixers and some Candi, small flowers have been made. Of course, some would say, if the printing failed, why keep it. Sometimes accidents lead on to other ideas, and patterned flowers seemed like a better idea, than throwing the card into the recycling bin. Each one is unique but still pretty and though i can't show you the patterns close up, i think they have worked really well.

These flowers are pink and white check, but placed on layers scalloped circles, an idea is forming, and finding the image for the centre circle will be taken with care. Oh and the added sentiment of course, whatever this will be used to create.

The original patterns are from CraftsUPrint. Various backgrounds from various talent people, and used in a manner i don't expect they thought of. Check flowers indeed! No amount of scientists or experimenting is going to create a real one, any day soon!

But in a way that is the whole idea of crafting, to create something different, expressing your ideas, your thoughts, and hopefully brightening someone's day. Which brings me back to that allusive slow-cooker recipe. Guess creating will be happening soon, in our kitchen.

Happy Crafting, whatever you create.

Monday 1 June 2015

Experiment with my new toy.

A Breville 1.5l slow-cooker. It is currently sitting in the kitchen with a pork casserole mix, but no pork. I've decided to use soya chunks instead. Carrots, onions and some green pepper added to the mix, and i've left it on auto. In theory that means in 7-8 hours time, it should be all nicely cooked and dinner will have been sorted. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan.

So with that on, i have some time to craft with my son, then i have to quickly hoover to make sure no small crafty bits become part of the carpet, and then some stitching whilst my son's buddy from Wessex Autism is here. My son has decided Big Hero 6 will be the film to watch, whilst playing whatever board games he decides. He enjoys his Monday's because of the buddy scheme and it gives me a little break. And seeing as last week i'd had to cancel due to my son's high temperature and viral infection, so today will be extra special. I'm sure he has plenty to talk about.

I'll also be thinking of a friend today. She's doing an exam which is going to take 5 hours to complete. Certainly a task and a half, and i wish her well with it.

Anyway, sorry it's a short post today, but my son is eager to craft.

Happy Crafting!