Tried and Tested Tip Number 12 [Cleaning Up]

OK, I admit it. This isn't the most exciting tip I've featured. But, bear with me, because it is practical!

In Tried and Tested Tip Number 10, I shared with you a cheap but effective option for a paint palette... And today I'm going to show you the best way to clean it after use!

You wouldn't think it would be necessary, but over the years I have seen people try to clean paint off with allsorts... including brushes!! It is time consuming, messy, and above all will damage your brushes.

So... what do you need?

An old nail brush.

That's all.

A quick scrub over, even thick dried on paint, and your paint palette is as good as new.

(But you might not want to still use the brush to clean your nails!)

(Belated) Father's Day!

Father's Day might have come and gone for another year, but I got a bit carried away with posts last weekend and this one slipped the net!

My husband and me celebrate Mother's and Father's Day (in a small way!) because of the relationship we have with our beautiful bunnies. My husband finds the Dentastix advert hilarious when it is shown on TV, and so I couldn't resist taking the concept for Flopsy and Toffee!

So... Creepy or cute?!

A Baby Sparrow

This beautiful baby sparrow landed in our garden last week as it learnt to fly the nest. We spent most of the day trying to keep the neighbours cats away (the rain helped!), but the baby's parents did keep visiting to feed it :) We haven't seen it since, so hopefully it learnt to fly away <3

Crocheted Teddy Bear

Earlier this year, my husband gifted me a lovely book, Crocheted Bears by Val Pierce (it's actually part of the series "Twenty to Make", which I'm really enjoying!)

I created this bear on the basic shape (although I had to edit the pattern for the head, don't know what went wrong when I first tried!)

The skirt is from "Belinda Butterfly Bear", and then I just added a little bow to finish her off :)

I would like to think she's a beautiful little bear, and I can see myself making more!

Lotus Flower Canvas

I have had so much fun working on this commission for a friend!

The inspiration was a lotus flower, India, bright reds, pinks and golds, and a bit of sparkle!

I know it's hard to see, but the petals have pearly highlights, and the background is scattered with gold and red glitter... A lovely sparkle in the sun :)

[Acrylics on canvas.]

Tried and Tested Tip Number 11 [Photoshop Actions]

I've got to be completely honest, Photoshop Actions are quite new to me. I am also quite a purist with photography, so I will often prefer to not edit an image so heavily. However, there are some wonderful Photoshop actions, and I am going to share some I like with you as I discover them!

These first three come from Noise-Less's Variety Pack .3 on deviantArt...

Noise-Less's Variety Pack .3 0.3-1

Noise-Less's Variety Pack .3 0.3-3 plus extra editing.

Noise-Less's Variety Pack .3 0.3-5 plus curves.

And this last one is Photoshop Action 15 by Miss-Etikate on deviantArt.

Miss-Etikate's Photoshop Action 15 plus extra editing.

I found these actions in this article, 100 Free Photoshop Actions, well worth a look! And if you're unsure how to install a Photoshop Action and make it work, I found this tutorial helpful :)

An Array of Cards

The other month I had an epic card making session - about 24 in total?! It's that time of year haha. Anyway, I thought I'd share the designs I came up with :)

Simple punches, layers of card and machine stitching - all you need!

Summer Showers

Printers Rags [and Birthday Card]

Hello :) So things have been a bit quiet with projects for a couple of weeks. Food poisoning really knocked me back, and I'm just getting back on my feet again!

Anyway, it's my wonderful Dad's Birthday this week, and since he spends most of his time in the workshop with his printing presses, I thought he might appreciate some rags for that purpose alone!

I picked up a set of tea towels and began by cutting them in half and rehemming them.

I then added designs to each rag to create a unique series.

"ink" and "print", stitched using my sewing machine, and a range of coloured threads.

"print" and "ink" stencilled using Tulip Gellies black and a sponge.

"type" one and two, again using my sewing machine and layering fabric.

Aaaaaand... The complete set!

This concept would work great to make towels for anyone or any occasion!

I also made my Dad's Birthday card using leftover fabric...