I got my painting head on today and made a tentative start on some mixed media pieces. I blended some acrylic paints on to the canvas board, then added another layer of paint through some masks.
I have a plan on what I wish the finished pieces to look like, but this is just the beginning. The masks were great to use, and surprisingly the one I thought that I’d like least is my favourite (the wiggly lines).
Here’s a couple of closer views:
I bought this ‘cuckoo clock’ by Kaisercraft a while ago. It was a blank MDF kit which I decorated using some pretty Basic Grey papers and stickers which have been in my stash for ages!!
First of all I painted the blanks with two coats of sand coloured acrylic paint. MDF sucks the paint up quite a lot, but two coats was enough as most of the pieces were going to have papers on them anyway. Once the paint was completely dry I used PVA glue to apply the papers to the various parts, trimming carefully with a craft knife.
I then added some extra details with the coordinating stickers (usually I hate stickers, but they worked quite well in this project).
I still thought it looked a bit ‘flat’ at this point so used distress inks around the edge of the main pieces, and stamped some clock faces onto the ‘pinecones’.
All that was left to do was to attach the ‘pinecones’ with some copper chain, and hang the finished clock on my bedroom wall.
I finally managed to finish my appliqued cushion cover today……yay, another job off the ‘to-do’ list! It is rather beautiful (if I say so myself!)
I love the little buttons that I used, they add some extra dimension and colour.
I still have a couple more cushions planned….as well as my ongoing quilt to work on. But that’s it for today…..time to sit down with a cup of coffee and admire my handiwork!
I promised you some pictures of the cushion cover I started last week, so here they are:
I have cut felt tree and leaf shapes, then pinned them in place, before sewing them on with embroidery silks. I know it isn’t finished yet, but it shouldn’t take too long to complete.
Once I have finished the applique, I plan to add some little buttons to the trees to add a bit more texture and detail.
I have been a long-term fan of Steampunk style, and have slowly been collecting various bits and bobs in order to make a unique accessory for myself. Last week I found myself inspired to make a watch, so I sorted through my stash to see what I could use.
First of all, I pryed the hideous pink plastic ‘gem’ and metal bracket off the brass bangle and cut two lengths from the leather offcut. I lined the bangle with one piece of leather (because I have ridiculously skinny wrists!) Then I embossed a design on the other piece using an embossing folder and my Big Shot machine, before applying this to the outside of the bangle. I used a good strong jewellery glue to stick the leather on to the metal.
I fixed the watch face to a winged embellishment with wire, then attached this to a brass filigree disc which I curved slightly with pliers.
I used split rings to fix some fancy T-bar components to the disc before adding some brass chain and a clasp. The watch assembly is glued to the bangle with jewellery glue. The chain is not only decorative but acts as a safety chain so that the bangle can’t slip off.
I love this piece, although I don’t know how often I’ll wear it!
I think I’ll make a nice stand for it so that it can be displayed in the house. It’s too pretty to be put in a drawer.
The weather has taken a turn for the worse so my intended photos of the garden are still ‘untaken’. On the crafting front, I have been busy making red, white and blue bunting for work as well as some much prettier decorative bunting banners. The quilt has been put on the back burner and I made a good start on one of my planned cushions……however a nasty accident involving nearly ripping off my fingernail has stopped me from sewing for a few days! I promise to take some pretty pictures soon…honest!!
Well, no crafting for me this week!!
I have divided my time between work (covering staff holidays) and giving the garden a thorough spring clean. The lawns needed cutting, the flowerbeds needed weeding, and a host of new plants needed borders digging to give them a home. Then after I had done all that, we got a new shed and spent yesterday afternoon building it! Needless to say, the garden is starting to take shape nicely (although I still have a long list of things to do out there….and I still have two lavender bushes to plant!)
I have enjoyed all the hard work though, and the weather has been perfect.
It’s birthday time again! I made this spaceship card for someone special, using these fantastic retro space papers and stickers.
The card is a concertina type which gave me plenty of room to layer on loads of images.
Happy Birthday Keiron xxx
Well last Friday turned into a gardening day rather than a crafting day, so I had nothing to report (other than weed-free flower beds and a tidy lawn!) But the crafting bug got to me last night, so I decided to make a bracelet with some cute candy coloured skull beads that I’d bought a couple of weeks ago.
It was really simple to make, using some cotton cord and a ‘square knot’ technique.
There are plenty of macrame instructions and videos on the internet so just use google if you don’t know how to do the knots!
That’s all for today – short and sweet!
Well, I have been a busy bee – I promise! The trouble is….by the time I’ve finished crafting for the day, the light is too poor for a pretty photograph!! However, the quilt is coming on in leaps and bounds, and I have a cute birthday card ready to go. Hopefully I can get my act together and start snapping some photos soon…..roll on Daylight Savings Time 