Watercolour Stamped Mousey Card

I have started to accept that in life there is always another card to make, and as long as I have inspiration, I'm ok with that! This mousey stamp (Funstamps Daisy Mouse) is another from the stash I inherited last year, along with the spring coloured tartan card, the ivory hammer card and the gold Liquid Pearls, which I have used in the centre of the flower to add interest. I used my wonderful water brush and my trusty watercolour paints, and I love the combination of the cute factor and cheery summer colours!

Fluffy Cowl and Mittens

I was in Wilkos before Christmas, and found this amazingly soft, fluffy and brightly coloured wool by Yarnfair. I fell in love and a ball fell into my basket!

I began by making myself a cowl, based on this pattern by Delia Creates. Based on, because I adjusted the number of stitches in my foundation chain and the number of rows to suit my personal taste. Also, I began the cowl with half double foundation crochet, rather than working into a chain. And I got slightly distracted and realised afterwards the cowl isn't actually in hdc, because I managed to add an extra yo and pull through in the middle of every stitch, which is why the "knit look" is less effective - at least I made my mistake consistently!

I loved this wool so much that when I finished the cowl I immediately started on a pair of fingerless gloves too. I used the same pattern, just a smaller starting chain, and left a gap for a thumb hole. I ran out of wool partly through the second one, so I had to buy more (such a shame!)

I received a black leather jacket with bulky silver zips for Christmas, and I have enjoyed the contrast of wearing that jacket with these soft, bright feminine accessories. I also discovered a brooch I had previously made matched the colour scheme perfectly, and I love that it is an extra accessory for either the mitts or the cowl :)

(Belated) Mother's Day Cards!

So, I made these back in February for Mother's Day! I knew I wanted simple felt flower based cards, but I was a bit stumped beyond that. I had this flower shape in my folder of templates I've made previously, and I dived into my felt and button collections for complementing colours.

I really didn't know what to do for the background, but with some playing around I came up with this super simple impression of a flower stalk using pearl paper cut outs. It's definitely a technique I intend to use again!

A Fairy for Spring

I made this card for my two beautiful nieces who haven't been very well lately. The fairy design came from a book I had when I was younger, of stained glass style fairies to colour in... The shapes were pretty but simple enough to easily turn into a beautiful card, with layers of depth and colour :)

Doodles

Just some drawings I've been working on from images in my mind. Pencil sketches --> pen drawings --> a touch of Photoshop. A little bit of fun :)

Tried and Tested Tip Number 23 [Rolled Paper Flowers]

I've been going through a bit of a papercraft and origami phase recently... Have you noticed?!

In December, I wanted some simple paper flowers that I could bring together quickly to decorate boxes, envelopes and gift tags. After looking at several different designs and tutorials, I settled on this Pretty Paper Flower Tutorial by Bump Smitten.

They came together really quickly - I simply cut a spiral from a piece of paper/card (no need to draw it), and rolled it up from the outside! It is really easy to vary different sizes depending on the size of paper you cut, and how 3D the flowers are depending on the thickness of your spiral.

I held the flowers together, and attached them to my surfaces, with a glue gun - I think these would be difficult with anything else! The quick drying and stability of it really helps.

They also make really lovely displays, glue-gunned on to sticks and arranged nicely! (I'm also loving using pages from books at the moment - can you tell?!)

These flowers also offer so much variation - with different papers and cards, but also by adding gem embellishments, sponging the edges with paint, or adding some glitter. I am also looking to try this with fabric and felt... Watch this space!

So if you're looking for a quick and simple flower embellishment, I really recommend using this technique :) Super pretty, and effective.

Origami Flower Card

I love this card.

I recently came across this fabric flower tutorial over on Homemade Gifts Made Easy and immediately knew it could work with paper.

I adapted the tutorial slightly as paper responds differently to fabric. I creased each fold using a folding bone, to ensure the petals lay flat. Because of the thickness of this paper, I cut the
"petal shapes" out in the "heart shape" rather than the "ice cream cone shape". To ensure I cut the petals evenly, I cut a small circle shape (for this 6cm flower, I used a 2cm circle shape) to use as a guide. I held the flower together with PVA glue, and applied this on the right side of each heart as well as on the base, to ensure it would all stay together! Each heart also has a folded edge and a more open edge, and I made sure the latter was tucked under, to give a cleaner finish.

I think I'll be making more of these :)

Linocut: Extra

I thought you might like to see some of the other prints that emerged when printing My First Linocut the other week... 

I love seeing the texture of the paper come through the print.

One of the earlier prints. We had to build up the padding behind it slowly, so as to apply the right amount of pressure and get a decent print.

 I like how the texture of the lino still shows through, as there isn't quite enough padding behind the linocut yet.

This one's quite clever - it's the same way round as the original linocut! After inking up the linocut, we printed it on to the roller, before carefully inserting 2 sheets of paper to be printed - one printed straight from the linocut, and one from the copy on the roller!

You can check out my final image on the original post :)

My First Linocut

You may have to excuse my sheer level of excitement when it comes to this... When I was printing with my Dad the other month, he lent me the equipment to try lino cutting. And the other day? I eventually got round to trying it!

My inspiration was this sketch of a yellow poppy that I did last year:

I found the tools somewhat easy to use with the lino, although there are a few cuts which aren't quite meant to be there!

Because I've never tried this before, I did a test run with some acrylic paint I had out, to see if I had cut the lines deep and wide enough to show up...

It's obviously not great, but it showed what I needed to know - that it could work!

So I took it to my Dad's press (I think it's the proofing press we used) and we got this amazing print!

I can't wait to go back and experiment more, I'm hoping to do a whole run of greetings cards :)

The lino cut itself also looks quite pretty!

I'm really not sure what my next design will be, but one thing I do know: I love this process!

Insight

Toffee.

Curiously Cinnamon Cupcake based on this recipe, and Curiously Cinnamon Buttercream very loosely based on this recipe.

Gift from my husband.

Psychadelic Birthday Card

I was scratching my brains the other day to think up an idea for my niece's first Birthday card... I didn't want to go down the obvious girly pink route, I wanted something a bit more funky.

Then this saucer caught my eye... It's one of several I bought at a car boot sale last month to stand plants on, because I love the pattern!

Inspiration!

The flower on the card is loosely based on the design and colour scheme of the flower on the saucer.

I sketched out the design and shapes, and cut them out of yellow, orange, blue and purple papers. I used a circle punch to make the smaller shapes - so much easier!

I was a bit concerned it would be too vibrant, but I think it works just perfectly :)

Shop: Felt Flowers - Round the Garden

The Round the Garden badges are probably the most unique design within my Felt Flower range, providing a slightly quirkier look.

Felt Flower Badge - Round the Garden Blue
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!

 Felt Flower Badge - Round the Garden Lilac
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!

As always, don't let your dreams be limited by what you see - would you like your own twist on one of my designs, or a specific colour scheme? Just let me know :)

Shop: Felt Flowers - Simply Glitter

Hello! I have quite a few different designs (and so many colour options!) within my Felt Flower Badge range. These, Simply Glitter, are perfect for bringing an extra bit of sparkle to your day!

Felt Flower Badge - Simply Glitter Baby Pink
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!

Felt Flower Badge - Simply Glitter Pale Green
£5 (+ P&P 99p)
"A beautiful flower badge for you to wear! Handmade from felt, and individually decorated, this colourful badge is bound to brighten up your day. With a versatile safety pin back you can pin it on your coat, your bag, your hat, or anywhere you like!"
Also available in any colour scheme you would like - just leave a comment or drop me an email!


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