New Papercut - Family Tree

A few weeks ago I was asked to create a family tree papercut, so I jumped at the chance.  I've been itching to share it with everyone since last week, but as it was a gift, I was unable to.  Now the gift has been received, I can share it!

Tree, all drawn (with back to front names) and ready to go.

I find cutting really addictive.  Once I've picked up my scalpel, I'm reluctant to put it down.  I spent hours stooped aver my desk, my shoulders, hand and fingers really hurt after.  There's always a phrase my dad always uses that pops into my head at times like that 'no pain, no gain'.  I'm not convinced by it, but it always pops into my head none the less.

Finished!

The pain was definitely worth it, I'm reaaly please with it and I'm going to miss looking at it sat on my desk!

I find that finishing a papercut is a bit like finishing a good book.  I can't just jump straight into something else and spend a little while feeling a little lost!

I am happy to do some of these on commission, and you can find details here.

Playing around with fabric design

I have always had an interest in fabric design and printing, but unfortunately missed my opportunity to follow this path earlier in my life.  I would love to go back to school to study, but instead I have been doing a little playing around with images for pleasure.  

A few years ago I discovered a company based in America called Spoonflower, that provide a service to enable you to create fabric, with your own designs without having too commit yourself to spending large amount of money.  I loved this idea, and it has been at the back of my mind since.

But, where do you start?  I have many sketches of images I think I might like to use at some point, but wasn't sure how to create a design from them, and then I came across this book.

by Laurie Wisbrun

Oh how I love it.  Not only does it gives detailed and step by step tutorials, showing you how to design patterns both by hand and digitally, it gives an insight into different printing methods, has fabulous images, interviews with designers and feels lovely to the touch!

So, with my book by my side, I started exploring Photoshop and Illustrator (both of which I only have limited knowledge, and would have been totally lost without help from Google!!), and had a little play around.  This was the outcome:

I cleaned up the sketch that I had done  for the template for my Foxy Loxy cushion (a Christmas present I made for myself, upcycling two pairs of trousers my sister had given me!), which I later used on my Foxy Loxy Journals. 

I learnt how to create a straight block repeat pattern, and after having a play around with some colours, this is what I ended up with.

After I had done that I thought I'd have a go at a half-drop repeat, and found a pen drawing I'd done years ago, that I had used on a card design while I was making cards (as Foxy-S Designs!).

I'm really please with the outcome and I'm looking forward to creating something from them, although I haven't fully decided what yet.  I may have to make another Foxy Loxy cushion so the the original Foxy Loxy cushion doesn't get lonely!

What do you think?  Washbags?  Cushions?

I have a new stockist.

Not only can you buy my lovely products in Manchester at the Craft Shop at The Royal Exchange Theatre and in Hampstead, London from Oak Studio, but you can also now buy a selection of my products in Headingly, Leeds from The Bowery.

A trip out with the Fairy!

Today I took the opportunity to spend a few hours with my daughter... just the two of us... a rare occasion unfortunately!

I decided that I would take her into Preston to visit the Harris Museum and Gallery.  She loves visiting museums and is really interested in history (unfortunately the history exhibition isn't open until the summer!).

We had a lovely time wandering around looking at trinkets, teapots... 

... teacups...

... and fabulous tiles.

Unfortunately I couldn't take any photos in the Gallery which is a shame as there were some lovely pieces of work.  If you live in the area do pop along.  It a lovely way to spend an hour or so, and there are quite a few activities for children to do to help them interact with the pieces in the museum,but also it's really important that we support our local galleries and museums... once they are gone, they're gone!!

After our meanderings around the museum we headed off to Bruccianis.  A cafe that was created in the early 1930's, and hasn't changed too much since.  They don't appear to have a website, but there are some better images than the ones I managed to take here.  They are well worth a look, and if you grew up near to Preston and visted as a child, it is likely that you visited here and had ice-cream soda or milkshake floats... they used their own, very delicious ice-cream, which they have unfortunately stopped making.  It was funny going in the first time as an adult, and actually being able to have a good look around.  As a child you couldn't see from one end of the cafe to the other as there was always a thick smog from the smoke!  Although it's not the best food, or cup of coffee, you have to go for the experience!

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What have you done today?

Snip, snip, snip

This week has been a pretty busy week, I've had lots of orders, lots to make, and a poorly little Tinker to look after!  This evening after the children had eaten their tea, I was sat at the table cutting out some recipe card gingerbread men (I know, I know, I really should use gingerbread people, but it is so conditioned that it just doesn't roll off my tongue, I have to correct myself!!!!) for my Gingerbread Sets and my Budding Chef Cooking Sets...

... and both of the children joined me with their scissors.  

We had a lovely time, it was very relaxed, and lovely to see both of the children snipping away and drawing without any direction.  This is what they did.

The Tinker (aged 3) created lots of bits, and drew 'circles' on some of them.

The Fairy (aged 7) created a story.  this is how it went...

A boat sinks at sea (I think the curve that I had cut reminded her of a wave which must have been how the story began), what you see in the water is a man, a lady, a child, a suitcase and a straw doll (I'm not sure where she got straw doll from, but that is what she said it was!).  The man and the suitcase and doll go under the water and don't come back up again!

They see a life belt in the water...

... but can the life belt (er... it sort of turned into a rubber ring by this point!) save them from the sharks?  The lady swims as fast as she can to the child...

... but they both get gobbled up!

I love it.  I'll have to do that more often and see what they come up with!

Happy weekend, hope you get to do some making :-)

Back to normality!

It's funny, although I do like the idea of not living with routines, I'm not actually very good at it!  I like the thought of not having to dash to have breakfast, get washed and dressed and get out to school/nursery, but sitting around in the morning waiting (usually for the children to decide they are ready for breakfast) actually frustrates me if it happens more than 2 days on a trot!  I become demotivated, and it seems like a struggle then to do anything!  Hooray for routine, I know where I stand with it!

Time for a quick catch up on what I have been up to over the past week or so... our skiing trip seems to have been such a long time ago!

After spending a week away from my sewing machine, scissors and scalpel, I was desperate to start creating.  I had taken a patchwork away with me, but in all honesty I didn't get much of it done!

Luckily for me it was valentines day, and I hadn't made a card for my hubby, so out came the paper and my scalpel!

And once I'd done that, I'd got the bug, and started another. 

This will be available to buy in my shop from next week.  If you are interested in buying it, let me know.  You can find details about it on facebook.  This is the link to the information.

As I had spent so much time indulging myself I was determined to get myself into gear and get some work done, and some stock made ready for the opening of a new shop, going to be stocking Loula Belle At Home products, Ellie Magpie (due to open next month).  More about Ellie Magpie soon!

Both my new cosmetic bags are available to buy from my online shop along with lots of other lovelies!

Also, a quick reminder that I am still offering 20% discount in my shop until the end of February.  Just enter CELEBRATION2012 at the checkout.   Don't forget, it's Mother's Day soon!

Enjoy the rest of your week x

Winter Sun

Each year our family get together in France to enjoy a week in the snow with each other.  As the years increase, so does the family!  This year we had 6 adults and 6 children (7 and under)... pretty hectic!  Fortunately for us there was lots of snow at the chalet (last year was pretty miserable, and the younger children didn't enjoy the snow as much as we would have liked) and so the children spent lots of time wrapped up throwing themselves around...

... climbing...

...making an igloo... 

... sledging...

 

... and learning to balance on ski's!

We also enjoyed the beautiful scenery, although there aren't too many shots... it was very very cold, and time up the mountain was spent skiing as it was so limited (we took skiing and looking after the children in shifts!)

One of the things I love about France are their patesseries and chocolatiers.  Fabulous cakes, breads and chocolates, and the most beautiful displays.  This one is in Samoen.

These are yummy, they are a bit like a doughnut pastry with
myrtille berries (a bit like blackcurrents but not as sharp). 

And look at this for a sweet shop!!!

This was the front...

... and this the rear.  A gorgeous balloon display.  I love it!

Fabulous France!

N.B.  Just a reminder, I am celebrating, and so have...

...one of these...

... ans two of these up for grabs...

... if you want one just let me know by leaving me a message on here, on Facebook or on Twitter

I am also offering 20% of in my shop until the end of Feb.  Just enter CELEBRATION2012 at the checkout.

Spread the word :-)