Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Baby baby

I've been a very lazy blogger over the past 3 months but I have a good excuse...I've been making something very special but that little something has unfortunately made me very tired and unmotivated to do any of my crafty projects.

Yes, I've been growing a baby!
I'm beginning my 2nd trimester and I'm just starting to feel normal again so will aim to get back to being a crafty blogger ASAP...but don't be surprised if my future blogs are some what baby related!!

Folksy Friday - Doggy style

For this weeks 'Folksy Friday' I have chosen the theme of dogs.  There are a lot of stylish doggy finds on Folksy and below are a few of my favourites.  

 

Above:- Widge the Wire Socks Terrier - Sock Dog By 'SockyDoos'

 

Above:- Pale Blue Spotty Dog Tee By 'Cheeky Charlie Clothing'

 

Above:- Lovely little felt dog brooch By 'dottydoesdaisies'

 

Above:-Dog Applique Key Fob By '23 Beech Hill'

Make Do and Mend

Most of my bits and bobs that I make are made using old bits of materials that I've either discovered in my mum's loft or found at car boot sales or made from pieces of clothing from Charity shops.

So with this is mind I decided to create a little bit of 'Art' around this slogan.  I got a nice bright piece of felt and hand stitched the words 'Make Do and Mend' and a border.  I added a few white buttons and then left a needle in the top left corner.  I then framed it in a white box frame.

I think it's a nice subtle reminder to think twice before chucking something out and to think how it could be re used.  And if you can't re use it yourself then make sure you take it to a charity shop and let someone else (like me) discover it and give it a new lease of life!

New 'Cherry Blossom' & 'Jellytot' cards from Paperclip Cards!!

Yesterday I saw for the first time my new card designs for the ranges 'Jellytot' and 'Cherry Blossom' since they came back from being printed.  I designed 8 new cards for both ranges.
I'm really pleased with them.  I did the orignal artwork for them a year ago so it's great to see them after waiting so long.  It's always so nice to see the final product with all the lovely finishes, foils and sparkly bits.  

Here is my favourite design from 'Jellytot', inspired by a trip to the 'Country Living' Spring Fair last year.   Jellytot  has a round front page with glitter, emboss, a pad on and gems.

Here is my favourite new design from 'Cherry Blossom' inspired by my cake making sister Jenny aka 'The Cheltenham Cake Fairy' . ' Cherry Blossom' is embossed, has pearl varnish and gold foil with a die cut text box and rounded corner and finished with sparkly gems.

These cards are all published by 'Paperclip Cards ' and hopefully will be in a shop near you soon!!!

Folksy Friday - Rainbows

Every friday Folksy holds 'Folksy Friday' which is your chance to feature some items that are currently for sale by other makers on Folksy that have caught your eye.  I have chosen the theme 'Rainbows', inspired by Dolly Parton's quote "...If you want to see the rainbow you've got to put up with the rain..."

I hope that for all the folksy sellers there is a pot of gold at the end of your rainbow.

Pocket Rainbow by 'Handmade by clara Luna'

  

Mini felt pinwheel Bunting by 'See the Wood Designs'

                                                                       

  

Rainbow Monkey by 'Squiggly Monkeys'

Rainbow stars and stripes charm bracelet by 'Hand over your fairy cakes'

Click on the images above to link to the individual shops.

Folksy shop

Over the Easter break I set up a Folksy shop to sell a few of the bits and bobs that I've been making.  This blog has definitely worked its magic with motivating me to get on with arts and crafts in my spare time.  Here are a few of the things that I'm selling.

If you haven't looked on 'Folksy' before you should really treat yourself to a visit, it is full of gorgeous, original handmade products, perfect for gifts for people or treats for yourself.

Tweet tweet

About 8 months ago I created a flock of hand sewn patterned birds with the intention of creating a mobile or piece of art as shown on 'Spool' .  Unfortunately my birds never flew the nest and ended up in a basket waiting for me to free them.  

Well now with the power of my blog I have finally given my birds a place to perch!!!  Using branches from the tree in our garden and invisible fishing wire I attached the birds and hung them against a freshly painted wall in our newly decorated conservatory, and they look great..even if I do say so myself.

Car Boot sale season is here!!!

I went to my first car boot sale of 2010 this morning but I was left feeling very dissapointed.  There were only 2 rows of cars selling so there really wasn't much to search through.  I did find these very cute tins for 25p each and a box frame which I will spruce up and use for something but compared to my usual car boot experiences this really was not a good one.  I am a complete car boot fan and in the past 5 years I have found some real treasures and bargains.  I thought I would share some of the bigger pieces I have found and put to good use in my house.

Above Left : Bedside table- only £1, Jug - 50p 

 Above Right : Ottaman - £3.50 (Re-covered) , Rose quilt - free (given to me by Jim's mum), Mirror - £1

The above mirror was a bit worse for wear when I bought it from a car boot sale last summer for £2.50.  It was a horrible purple colour but I could see potential in the lovely carved rose pattern and the practical 3 mirrored design.  I sanded it down, cleaned it and then re painted it in an off white paint.  It looks great in my bedroom on top of my drawers.  I've hung a selection of necklaces on it too to make it feel more vintage.

Fingers crossed for the next car boot I visit, the ones over easter weekend are usually very good so I hope to pick up some more treasures then!!

Happy Birthday Rocket

It was Rocket's 1st Birthday yesterday and along with the treats, the dog beer and the extra cuddles he got I made him (or maybe it was more for me) a 'Rocket' name sign for "his area".  I'd collected letters over the past year and have only recently got around to covering them with bits of wallpaper.  The letters themselves were very cheap, priced between 49p and £1.00 each and the wallpaper was completely free as I collected lots of sample bits from B&Q and Homebase.  I'm really pleased with the result and it really defines his space.  The board where the letters are positioned is a rather handy hook board so I have hung his leads underneath.  I also made a quick heart lavender bag to hang underneath too, not only to look pretty, but to make his space smell a little less doggy!!  The sign that I found from PDSA charity shop really fits in well...I think it's fair to say he really is one very spoilt dog!

Happy Birthday Rocket!! x

Russian Doll Lavender Bags

It took me a while but here are almost all of my finished Russian Doll Lavender bags.  I've got two more to do but I wanted to post these asap.  

They are made using a mixture of vintage, recycled and new fabrics and they are stuffed with beautiful fragrant french lavender.  Each is hand stitched with a felt and button flower attachment.  Each doll is approximately 15cm tall.  If you are interested in buying one they are £8 each, please contact me.

New sewing project!

I'm feeling very pleased with myself for coming up with this little idea and designing them all by myself :o)  You might not be able to tell what they are yet as they are still only at a cut out stage.  I'll sew them together hopefully in the evenings this coming week.  They are going to be little Russian Doll lavender bags.  Watch this space for the finished article..........

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Love is in the air!!!  A few images for Valentine's Day....Some heart decorations that I've made out of scraps of material and buttons, a close up of my gift for Jim and my beautiful red tulips (my favourite flower) from Jim this morning.

I made my valentine a special gift this year.  Using old music sheets that I picked up from a car boot sale last summer I selected love themed songs and sentiments and cut out the shapes of hearts.  I then framed them in a antique cream box frame.  I'm not sure if this really was a gift for Jim (he did like it very much though) or for myself as it will be filling a gap on our bedroom wall so I'm going to get to enjoy it too.  I'm really pleased with the final result....who needs to spend a fortune on Valentine's day hey!!!??!

A day at the Beach

I had lots of plans for creative projects this weekend but sometimes I think it's more important to get out and enjoy the fresh air.  Today I was lucky enough to enjoy a gorgeous sunny day with Jim and Rocket on the South Devonshire Coast in Exmouth.  We took a long walk along the beach, Rocket met lots of new doggy friends including this 7 month pup (yes he's only 7 months!!), Jim took lots of photos and I enjoyed the sun on my face...and we also enjoyed a bowl of chips and a pint in a beer garden.  Can't quite believe we were sitting in a beer garden at the beginning of February!!! I love the coast and after having a relaxing saturday I feel ready for a creative sunday!!!

Flutter by Butterfly

I felt very inspired this weekend by an exhibition that is currently being held at the 'Rostra' gallery in Bath.  Entitled 'Papercuts' it features the work of 5 talented ladies who all create their artworks out of paper.  I've been a fan of Helen Ward's aka 'Birdface' work for a while and have wanted to have a go at creating my very own butterfly art since seeing her beautiful pieces on her blog.   I'm really pleased with my finished result and I have the perfect spot for it in 'The Green room'...all I have to do now is sand and paint the frame!!

Art Auction

My Collegue and friend Rebecca McCulloch is organising an Art exhibition to raise money for Freshford Pre-school.  Here is my contribution to a very good cause (Poppies 12x12 inch Acrylic on canvas).    Find out more information on Beccy's Blog  or visit  Freshford preschool's website where you can bid on a variety of beautiful artwork.

 

Twit!!

This is 'Twit', my first sewing attempt of 2010....I think he's quite cute in a retro kind of way.  I definitely need lots of practice, my sewing skills are really very basic.  Here's hoping that practice does make perfect, otherwise I'll be surrounded by lots of little misfit Owls....watch this space for 'Twit Two' ;o)

Tape measure...check, Scissors..check, Material....check

I like to think I am a sewing genious waiting to happen.  I am completely ready for it to happen.  My house is filled with craft supplies....buttons, pins and needles, ribbon, stuffing, bits of material, threads, sequins, more material!!  

A few of my supplies!

I was given a fabulous Cath Kidston sewing tin for Christmas filled with wonderful vintage sewing equipment.  So it seems it's not just me who thinks I have this potential.

This is my sewing box.  I bought it from a reclamation centre in Honiton for £2.50.  I could see it's potential straight away.  With a few coats of paint and a recovered cushion (material from a car boot sale) I reinvented the sad little box in to a sewing box that I believe I'll be using for years to come.  

The clever people around me!

I live with my partner Jim Farrant and my puppy Rocket.

Jim is a very talented artist.  He produces beautiful oil paintings which he sells through galleries in Beer and London.

 One of Jim's masterpieces featuring Rocket!!

Check out his other works at

http://www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk/catalog/artist.php?artistid=163&galleryid=17

Rocket is our very cheeky Cocker Spaniel.  He enjoys eating and chewing anything and everything and we recently discovered he can stand on his back legs for a considerable length of time when encouraged by a spoon with gravy on (this makes him worthy of featuring on my blog) He is also my biggest distraction from my crafty projects!

I also have to mention my clever sister Jenny aka 'The Cheltenham Cake Fairy'.  She makes the most scrumptious and amazing cakes for every occasion.  Art can take on many forms and Jenny's cakes are a perfect example of this.

www.thecheltenhamcakefairy.co.uk

A little bit about ME!

My name is Susie. I work as an In house Artist at 'Paperclip Cards', a greetings card publishers with a lovely bright studio in Bath, South West England.  I have worked here for almost 4 years.

Here of two of my designs from the ranges 'Perfect Elegance' and 'Cherry Blossom'.

I studied General Illustration in Swansea and graduated with a First class BA hons in 2003.  During my course I developed a real interest and passion for Children's picture books.  Since graduating I have had two books published.

The 'Illustrate' part of this blog is mainly going to be children's picture books.  I am currently working on a story I wrote called 'Fly Away Flamingo'.  It's taken over a year of the odd evening and weekend but I am almost at the stage of having a finished dummy book.

Once again this blog will work its magical powers and help motivate me to finish this book...watch this space!!

A sneaky peek at a page from my dummy book for 'Fly Away Flamingo'.

New Year, New Blog!

I've been developing blog jealousy for quite some time now and it's finally got to the point where I thought it was about time I had a go, so here it is, my first post!

I'm a creative Gemini and I definitely live up to the traits of my star sign.  I tend to start lots of little projects but never quite get around to completing them.

This blog is going to be my motivator to get me to finish all those projects so I can show off (yes, this is all about showing off!) my results to whoever might stumble across 'Make, Create & Illustrate'

So, Happy New Year....here is where I turn over my new creative leaf!