Well I was planning to have a creative day today - whether it be writing, drawing, painting or sewing that was the plan.
As always though I seemed intent on putting off the things I should be doing and instead busied my day with tidying, sorting and organising my new studio. Not necessarily a bad thing and may be seen as structured procrastination in the way that I actually got something done which needed to be done at some point. More about this can be found here -> http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/.
Anyway part of this included putting photos in frames and sorting out pencils - priorities no doubt you'll agree ...
x
31 Jan 2010
25 Jan 2010
Back to college
Well my first watercolor class went reasonably well - even if I was late. I couldn't find the college (!) apparently I had followed an old sign and it has moved!
Anyway, i have decided to share my efforts each week - hopefully we'll see some progression :).
This week was still life fruit night and my best painting was my apple - not bad for a first attempt.
Apologies for it being the wrong way round I'm uploading from my phone and can't work out how to turn it!
x
Anyway, i have decided to share my efforts each week - hopefully we'll see some progression :).
This week was still life fruit night and my best painting was my apple - not bad for a first attempt.
Apologies for it being the wrong way round I'm uploading from my phone and can't work out how to turn it!
x
24 Jan 2010
Watercolours
So tomorrow evening I start a watercolour course at the local college. I am really looking forward to it as I have never tried watercolour but think it may be a challenge.
My A Level Art at school consisted of painting with just acrylics so I find the 'free-ness' of watercolour slightly daunting. To give me some inspiration before tomorrow I have been searching Folksy and Etsy for 'watercolour'. Below are two of my favourite finds.
Mimilove's postcards on Etsy feature prints of her original, hand painted, watercolour paintings on stretched canvas. Mimilove's work features watercolour and embroidery (another of my interests). My favourite is of a chicken in vibrant zingy shades of oranges, reds and yellows with contrasting tones of purple and blues.
My second find of the evening is from Atherton Lin over at Folksy who make stationery that tells a story. They are influenced by British children's books, cinema and pop music. It's a calendar for 2010, bit late I know (!) but that does mean it is reduced! The calendar starts with a New Year's resolution — to stand up straight (which I do actually need to do!) and it follows six nameless characters through 12 months of letter writing, music mixes, childhood fears, old stereo equipment and perhaps a parallel universe. Four of the months can be seen below:
Now I don't intend to be able to paint like either of those by the end of Monday night but it is good to have something to aspire too!
x
My A Level Art at school consisted of painting with just acrylics so I find the 'free-ness' of watercolour slightly daunting. To give me some inspiration before tomorrow I have been searching Folksy and Etsy for 'watercolour'. Below are two of my favourite finds.
Mimilove's postcards on Etsy feature prints of her original, hand painted, watercolour paintings on stretched canvas. Mimilove's work features watercolour and embroidery (another of my interests). My favourite is of a chicken in vibrant zingy shades of oranges, reds and yellows with contrasting tones of purple and blues.
My second find of the evening is from Atherton Lin over at Folksy who make stationery that tells a story. They are influenced by British children's books, cinema and pop music. It's a calendar for 2010, bit late I know (!) but that does mean it is reduced! The calendar starts with a New Year's resolution — to stand up straight (which I do actually need to do!) and it follows six nameless characters through 12 months of letter writing, music mixes, childhood fears, old stereo equipment and perhaps a parallel universe. Four of the months can be seen below:
Now I don't intend to be able to paint like either of those by the end of Monday night but it is good to have something to aspire too!
x
21 Jan 2010
Crochet...
...is one of the crafts I have always fancied but never tried.
I think I have been scared off as I am not really a natural with the wool - one of my many secrets is that I never have mastered knitting!
Well, after browsing Folksy I have found something that might just tempt me to try.
This gorgeous tea cosy by Andrea Lesley is the perfect balance of twee, quirky and retro. I especially love the colour combination - it would certainly look pretty good in my kitchen.
Actually I might not learn and just treat myself instead - it's a bargain at £17.
Perfect for some nice tea and cake.
x
17 Jan 2010
We have colour!
Well at least more than we had!
It has only taken me all night to design a banner for the top of my blog but I am quite happy with it - well it is better than nothing and quite neutral.
For colour inspiration I used Adobe's Kuler. If you have never come across it before it's a great website that includes lots of beautiful colour palettes (well they call them 'themes') that have been donated by the Kuler community. You can tweak them using the lovely interface to get something perfect for your needs.
I was tempted by themes called 'Procrastination' (very fitting for me!), 'Tibetan Love Song', 'Ice Cream Colours' and 'Highway nostalgic' but finally went for 'Nicoletta revival'.
Well it's getting late and I have another busy 9-5 week ahead of me so best be off.
x
It has only taken me all night to design a banner for the top of my blog but I am quite happy with it - well it is better than nothing and quite neutral.
For colour inspiration I used Adobe's Kuler. If you have never come across it before it's a great website that includes lots of beautiful colour palettes (well they call them 'themes') that have been donated by the Kuler community. You can tweak them using the lovely interface to get something perfect for your needs.
I was tempted by themes called 'Procrastination' (very fitting for me!), 'Tibetan Love Song', 'Ice Cream Colours' and 'Highway nostalgic' but finally went for 'Nicoletta revival'.
Well it's getting late and I have another busy 9-5 week ahead of me so best be off.
x
13 Jan 2010
Journeys
I'm reading a book at the minute and there are sections that are ringing true so i'm going to include them here to remind me:
"the inborn calling to make progress in our life is overwhelmingly strong... We want to feel ourselves moving forward in some way. When we come to the end of one journey, we very quickly hunger for another."
Umm, anyone that knows me will know this could be written about me!
x
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
"the inborn calling to make progress in our life is overwhelmingly strong... We want to feel ourselves moving forward in some way. When we come to the end of one journey, we very quickly hunger for another."
Umm, anyone that knows me will know this could be written about me!
x
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
10 Jan 2010
What we need is some colour
After expecting yet more snow today I planned to stay in and work on the 'project'. However, I have spent the majority of the afternoon just exploring the internet and design/handmade world. There are some lovely blogs and sites out there (and some not so lovely!) but it still amazes me that the majority of qualty, inspiring sites are still from the US. This, even despite the speed that the UK craft market has moved in the past few years - more work to be done people!
Anyway, one thing is for sure is that this one needs some colour.
It is too late in the day for me to be feeling creative today but maybe that is the task for next week. A new image for the top of the blog.
It might even stop me whiling away the hours just reading other peoples sites.
Anyway, one thing is for sure is that this one needs some colour.
It is too late in the day for me to be feeling creative today but maybe that is the task for next week. A new image for the top of the blog.
It might even stop me whiling away the hours just reading other peoples sites.
7 Jan 2010
So what is this all about?
I have been wanting to (and have tried a few times) to have a blog to share my thoughts - although be it mainly with myself. However, I have never quite found the time to keep it up or have anything interesting enough to say. So, 2010 (start of a new decade and getting scarily close to my 30's) I have decided this is the year - and if it isn't then at least I have tried.
I want to create a place for me and some time for me to look at and be inspired by the things I enjoy.
I was heavily into the UK craft 'scene' back in 2005/06 and joined Sally/Scally B now of Northampton Fish Market fame to run Craftermath.
To be honest I couldn't remember when it was then and had to check by looking back at the old forum - I was gone for a while reading the old posts. Sally had been inspired by the US scene and mainly Craftster (which I used to frequent daily) to set up a UK version. At the time there was nothing out there for UK crafters that didn't do the 1990's style craft fair stuff. It's a strange thought now when looking around the internet - things change a lot in 5 years - Facebook, Twitter, social networking - and a wealth of UK craft.
So, I guess we never really took Craftermath and the opportunity to be at the forefront of the UK craft scene to its potential and that is sad to be honest.
Anyway, rather than dwell on it all there is time to do something about it.
I am going to use this site to post/share/remember not only craft and handmade items but anything that inspires me. Since my 'craft days' a lot has happened, I own a house (well about 10% of a house!), am a wife and have widened my creative interests to include photography, design and writing so there is likely to be a mixture.
That is probably more than enough rambling for one night then and the bets can start now as to how long I can keep this one going... Feb, July, next week..? We'll see.
x
I want to create a place for me and some time for me to look at and be inspired by the things I enjoy.
I was heavily into the UK craft 'scene' back in 2005/06 and joined Sally/Scally B now of Northampton Fish Market fame to run Craftermath.
To be honest I couldn't remember when it was then and had to check by looking back at the old forum - I was gone for a while reading the old posts. Sally had been inspired by the US scene and mainly Craftster (which I used to frequent daily) to set up a UK version. At the time there was nothing out there for UK crafters that didn't do the 1990's style craft fair stuff. It's a strange thought now when looking around the internet - things change a lot in 5 years - Facebook, Twitter, social networking - and a wealth of UK craft.
So, I guess we never really took Craftermath and the opportunity to be at the forefront of the UK craft scene to its potential and that is sad to be honest.
Anyway, rather than dwell on it all there is time to do something about it.
I am going to use this site to post/share/remember not only craft and handmade items but anything that inspires me. Since my 'craft days' a lot has happened, I own a house (well about 10% of a house!), am a wife and have widened my creative interests to include photography, design and writing so there is likely to be a mixture.
That is probably more than enough rambling for one night then and the bets can start now as to how long I can keep this one going... Feb, July, next week..? We'll see.
x
