Almost finished

This is a combination of 2 idea's. I originally started some time ago with the idea of the advent ring from hobbycraft so brought the little boxes and made a ring shape which have been sitting in a to do box for a while. Last year I spotted that Yankee candle had an advent candle hexagon box and I had a lightbulb moment make a advent candle wreath. I'd always been stuck in knowing what an earth I could squeeze into the little round boxes. All I need is some scented t lights and a clear votive to sit in the middle. Some little pinecones maybe to. Feeling accomplished.

Next project started

This has been waiting for a number of years and has changed from the original plan. Still a bit of work to go!

A special Christmas gift finished

Last Christmas I had an unexpected gift from my sister's and Mum. It was a sad piece of fabric screwed up in a box. It had come from the top of an old ottoman and was the last remaining from dresses our Mum had us 3 girls for uncle Rod and aunty Rose's wedding back in 1974/5  over the years there had been many a joke, I told everyone(being the youngest) that I wore it for years. But the best was the fact it looked like curtain fabric

Sisters 50th birthday pressie

Made this for my Sister who was 50 yesterday. She's away at the mo so just need to parcel. Frame kit from Candyboxcrafts.

Experimental

My practice of different ways to create a crackle effect.  PVA glue, crackle accents and rock candy failed.

That was quick

I hadn't intended to finish them so quickly but I'm not complaining. So nice to sew for a change. Just need to decide what I do with them next.

Gingerbread men

Another project started at last.

Thought these were fab

https://youtu.be/occy4Cc-V1I

Da tah!

My first sewing for me in quite a while. Not perfect but a good exercise.

Expensive cotton!

Had a unexpected Saturday off before the start of my hols. Got Tom to take me Coleman's for cotton and paint, that's all I need for now. Shame when I came out with them to find he wasn't in the car! Oh well best not hang around in the wet might as well go back in and just look!! It was an expensive look as I spotted this bargain. Will do it to put in the shepherds hut.

Homemade weight's

Brought a dress pattern in March and some fabric. When I was reading the instructions it suggested using weights rather than pinning and buckling the fabric. When I searched for where to buy weights I came across a DIY idea using washer's and ribbon. I got to try them out today and finally cut out my fabric.

The Owl plaque

He's been waiting to be decorated for a few months and I am getting there. Covered the main body with some old patterned paper and then embossed with a clear powder going over with gilding wax. His belly is again covered with paper and then grunge paste using a stencil. Painted with vanilla from paperartsy. Painted the branch, eyes and feet. Just need to decorate branch. Running out of steam.

Whoops here's the photo

Re purpose sunflower frame's!

These frames once housed a silk sunflower each and where a bright yellow. Frames covered in tissue and then decoupage paper from the pound stall. Used more scrabble tiles and basically experimented with all kind of bits and bobs. Like both but for different reasons.

not sure what happened

First Scrapbook LO

A quick LO of the Sherbet's, the first in a long time. Frame from wilko ages ago painted with stone paperartsy paint.

An ongoing project

I started making little granny squares 2 years ago, making sure I kept my hand in as a newly acquired skill ( of sort). It's surprising how many you need to make anything to a decent size. So 9 balls of wool all gone and lost count of how many black balls for the joining used but decided this time to keep to 2 blankets. A learning curve!

And another

And again

Inside again

Inside

Nan's quotes

Braybrooke nan kept scrapbooks with all sorts of clippings from newspapers,magazines and the local village pamphlets. How lucky I am to have gone through them managed to scan and print to create this book. It's originally from a Ukscrappers cybercrop class. Although the project is not quite finished still needs finishing touches.

Secret Garden

Finally got there lost count how long it's taken me but here it is.  Thanks to Leandra at Paperartsy in helping me resurrect the grunge paste, used on the background and also over the tissue tree trunk hiding under all foliage and flowers. Even tried for the first time mixing paint with water and spraying over the large rose. Shame my photo is a bit wonky. Frame and door purchased at the last two shows from the button it stand. The water feature kindly sourced from jeyes chemist Dolls House at Earls Barton.

A quickie make

Not a bad effort. A combination of pound bargains and kindness by way of the home sweet home plaque and bird and birdcage given to me by my friend Jenny. Thank you.

A grunge paste dilemma

The photo isn't brilliant as it's on the hudl but as you can see I've been having a grunge paste crisis.  So had the idea to email Leandra at paperartsy for advice, I'm a slow crafter and being opened for a long time means it has basically gone off but she suggested I used the satin glaze and also give it a good old stir to see if it can be rescued. Its not perfect but definitely better.

The top of the picture shows how dry and yucky it was, next bit shows what a good stir and dollop of satin glaze can achieve. A good tip to know.

Girl's day out

Yesterday Jenny and I went to the first show of the year. Went on a Thursday for a change but just as busy and the roads too.  I didn't buy too much as trying to get other projects done, however it didn't stop me, I ended up buying 2 patterns and fabrics!

It was a lovely day and very happy with my purchase's. Although not looking forward to having to measure myself to cut out the pattern! 

The next project for Tom

So we now have the base on which to build our shepherd hut. But before we can make a start there's a few jobs that need to be done. The fence is back up and the surface is being prepared for the pots of trees to go back. Then we can look to take down the gazebo lay a base and somehow move this over then we can start!

A surprise

My neighbour returned a Cricut cartridge this week along with a wonderful gift. So thoughtful and unexpected.

Just because....

it's a half decent photo and a rare moment of the 2 sherberts together.

Butterfly wall hanging

My MDF butterfly completed, a simply project. Covered in paper distressed and inked round the edges. Picked up a bargain from Coleman's a packet of Tim holtz chains which also holds my little dome of sewing bits. 

A completed project

Okay so it's a kids kit but purchased and completed in less than a week. It's good to start small quick and easy.

The first post of 2015

And its some old news!

Tom built this fabulous folly in our little garden all materials reclaimed from local reclaimation yards and good old Ebay.

What I orginally asked for was a secret door in the garden so here it is inside the folly.  Tom handmade it from oak beams and yes it also opens. He really enjoyed this project and who knows what he does in the garden this year?