Measure Twice, Cut Once then Cover Up!

Remember the poorly constructed frame (Make It So)?  I'm sure there are many ideas I could've had to disguise the shoddy workmanship but for some reason I decided on a pot stand.  Not much I can say, really.  Another charity shop plate smashed to pieces (still find it therapeutic!).  I still have a lot to learn about making mosaics but this is a start.  A part of me feels that this would be better off as a picture frame, but I'll see.

Zooty Labels



Old, damaged and unwanted crockery really comes into its own here.  Before painting the wooden labels, I decided to add another dimension to the sticks in the form of mini mosaics.  I could never bring myself to shatter any of our crockery for the sake of a project, but I found a few cheap saucers at a local charity shop.  I had no problem bringing a hammer down on them and knocking them to smithereens.  It's incredibly therapeutic and I'm sure could solve some of the World's problems were it to be included as an alternative to hitting one's head against a wall... 

I've only made a few of them so far but it's set to be a long and miserable Winter, so I fear I'll have plenty of time to make more.  (It probably goes without saying that it's always a good idea to wear suitable protective clothing such as goggles and gloves for making mosaics.)

Pulling the Seed Beads Together

Part 1

Having sat with a brown paper bag full of beads for nearly two years, Gerian's surprise package several weeks ago provided the inspiration I've been needing.  Sourcing the correctly gauged wire has been challenging and, in the end, I've had to use what's available.  This has meant slightly chunkier decorative swirls but I'm not too upset because it has its own special feel.   

Dear Artist-who-made-the-original,
You'll probably never read this, and we'll never meet, but your work is an inspiration.  I know my version leaves a lot to be desired.  Please don't sue me.

Part 2
I've been thinking of how to make use of the three ornate hearts.  I wanted to incorporate the seed beads, somehow.  In the end, I decided to keep it simple and go with a heart-in-heart. I still have two more to make before the set is complete but I couldn't resist including a picture now.

These could hang around the house all year long, be used as Christmas decorations or even go out to the one you love on Valentine's Day... 

Don't forget to keep an eye on my Make It So page... you'll be lost without it!



Creative Explosion

Good news!  I've been experiencing a prolonged period of creative brainstorming which has meant a whole lot of making.  (My blog has, as a result, been a little neglected but as it's all about being creative... who am I to complain – it'll all even out in the end!)

Yip, I've had several projects on the go, some of them spur-of-the-moment, others are ones I've been mulling over for a while.  They fall into three categories: 1) Completed 2) Still on the go and 3)... still thinking them through (this can really hurt the brain!!).  I'm still updating my Make It So page but just to prove that I've not been lying around watching clouds float across the big blue sky...

A couple of years ago I selvaged an old slate roof tile from a local antique shop (and that's not a euphemism for "I was walking past a shop, saw an attractive tile on the roof and decided to help myself to it when no-one was looking" – it really had been left on the garbage pile).  Anyway, said tile has been in the shed ever since.  The other day I decided to do a bit of herb garden relocation work and in the process, conjured up a new home for the tile.  Okay, it's a bit cheesy and the writing washes off every time it rains (it's chalk) but it's just a bit of fun.  That, and the romantic in me likes to think that perhaps one day and without any prompting or hinting on my part, the-one-I-love will leave me a spontaneous message... and not one asking me to make him a cup of tea...

It's difficult to know what to buy a couple when their first child has just 'ventured' into the world.  Don't get me wrong, now that I can walk into baby shops without hyperventilating much, shopping around for baby gifts isn't that bad.  But it's also nice to be able to give something that hasn't been mass produced.  I've never really tried quilting before but I wasn't dissatisfied with my efforts here after finding inspiration in one of Cath Kidston's books.

Dear Jessica,
If this falls apart during the first wash, just remember that it was made with good intentions!

Dear Parents of Jessica,
If this falls apart during the first wash, it shouldn't damage the washing machine... much.

Love Those Buns

I chickened out and decided to go with something I've tried before:  Love Buns.  Had I given myself a little more time, I would have made the cupcakes the night before and dealt with the icing on the day of the party.  But I didn't.  Nevertheless, these are out of this world amazing!  The marshmallow icing can be layered up and swirled around like soft serve ice cream.  A word of warning - children adore these cupcakes and will not only manage to smear the icing all over their faces, hands, clothes and anyone standing in the vacinity, but it is also likely that one Love Bun will not suffice.  Introduce kids to these at your peril and do so in the great outdoors!

Overall, this is an easy recipe.  Whose is it?  Nigella Lawson's from her book Feast.