March meet the maker - my favourite things to make - wee mice

I've been away from my blog for so long I don't know where to start! I've had a long wintery hibernation and much needed days of rest. Before Christmas, a pesky virus really knocked me for six and instead of resting I fought against it tooth and nail, so my body decided to take charge and went into shut down and its really taken time to get going again. But I'm beginning to feel a wakening in my soul.

Knowing I needed to change my days and find a new rhythm or connect with one long forgotten, I've taken time away from social media, tv, radio, just trying to go with the flow of quiet time and listening to my heart instead of my head. Not so easy after years of oughts and shoulds. But it has been wonderful!

I'm tentatively poking my nose outside the door and breathing in the fresh air of new beginnings and exciting things!

Over of Instagram I have been taking part in the #MarchMeetthemaker by Joanne Hawker again this year. It's a lovely way to learn more about the artists and makers of Instagram. I'm loving reading all about other artists and makers so I thought I would share my posts here too!

Day 1 - Favourite to make and it was such a hard one to decide, but I'm going with my wee animal sculptures for they are great fun to create, and I love sewing their wee clothes too.

Back tomorrow with day 2!

Lavender's blue, . . .. . .

Did I tell you I love sewing things, re-cycling, making & mending!  I have so many bits dotted about my studio; tubs of old buttons, some collected by my Grandma.  (Happy memories from childhood of playing with Grandmas old button box and marvelling at the jewels it held.)

I have piles of collected fabrics waiting for the perfect project, old pillowcases, lace tablecloths, remnants, ribbons & embroidery threads

A few days ago I decided to cut some wee fabric squares from one of the old cotton pillowcases. I sewed 3 sides together,  hemmed along the top.

I stitched a collection of bright buttons on the front and a ribbon tie at the top.

Filled them with the scented lavender collected from the garden last Summer

Hey presto, my wee lavender bags. I shall tuck one under my pillow and place some amongst the bedding in the old blanket chest.

Lavender Lore

* The Romans first bought lavender to our shores, it is said they named it from "lavare"  because of its use in washing, others believe it comes from “livendula” (meaning bluish.)

*  A lavender cross was often hung on the door to ward off evil spirits.

*  In the 16th Century, English women and men had lavender flowers quilted into their hats to "comfort the braines".

*  On St Luke's day in the 14 and 1500's young maidens would sip on a lavender tea and say.

"St Luke, St Luke, be kind to me, In my dreams, let me my true love see."

Beach combing, bonfires & driftwood creations . . .

 The unexpected sunshine of the last few days was the perfect excuse to pack up a picnic and head for the beach to hunt for treasure. Beach combing has to be one of my favourite things to do.  I always go home with pockets full of jewel like sea glass, shiny pebbles & sea shells. 

 The limpet shells  (top right & bottom left) remind me of the Cornish legend of  Jan Tregeagle who was set the gloomy task of trying to empty a lake on Bodmin Moor (believed at the time to be bottomless), with a limpet shell with a hole in it. We have a much better use for the limpet shells with holes in them,  we string them into garlands for the garden!

I love driftwood and pieces find their way into some creation or another, my favourite of the moment is wee "Cloth Ears" the pup who lives in our garden!

On my beach hunt I discovered these wonderful trees clinging to the rocks, their roots curling & stretching to find a hold.  They look like there ought to be magical creatures  living in there!

There was lots of wood on the beach too, cast up during all that stormy weather earlier in the year most probably, it inspired my boy to build a beach sculpture.

 Later in the evening, once the stars were out, the driftwood sculpture became a roaring bonfire sending tiny sparks flying into a deep blue night sky.

 A glowing sunset  made a perfect end to a beautiful day, everywhere looked so magical bathed all in gold and it reminded me how lucky I am to be able to call this beautiful place, Dumfries & Galloway, home,  such a magical wee corner of Scotland!

There has been a flurry of activity here with garlands, wee boats & wind chimes being made.  I love making my wind chimes, which can be made to order and cost £14 each plus p&p.  Each chime is embellished with ribbon & shells, as the breeze catches the chime you can hear the delicate song of the shells, a peaceful sound with echoes of the seashore lingering, and as the mobile moves in the breeze it's pieces shift and change about forming beautiful sculptural shapes.

For now I am away back into the studio to work on some new driftwood creations ready for an exciting new happenig that I shall reveal very soon.

An exhibition at the Tolbooth & Faerie creations . . .

For the past while there has been a bit of a whirlwind a-happening in my wee studio.

These last few months have seen me scribbling & sketching, making & painting. 

 I have been carried along on a flow of creativity, desperate each day to get back to  my desk and

not enough hours in the day for all i want to do for the exhibition that is fast approaching!

 

Many moons ago  i learnt to pattern cut & sew and designed & made clothes for a living! Above, some of my designs from way back. My threads, fabrics & ribbons have long been gathering dust so I decided it was time to bring out my collected treasures & start again.  It has been such a long while since i did any sewing so you can imagine how excited I was when ideas began appearing in my sketchbook of faerie creatures & tiny costumes, bedecked with feathers & bells & shining things!

 I have had such fun making tiny heads & feet & hands, learning to make little dolly wigs. Stitching ribbon & beads, feathers & shells onto faerie costumes. Watching these wee creatures taking shape.

Now at last I am very happy to announce my latest creations ~ my "Galloway Faeries".

 Still in the final stages of finishing & adding & tweaking.

If they can be persuaded (for they are rather shy creatures) they will make an appearance at the upcoming Kirkcudbright Art & Crafts Trail 2013, now in its 10th year.

I am really rather excited about this event as my dear Mom & I are to be exhibiting here at the beautiful old 17thC Tolbooth art Centre, in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway during the art trail. We are venue 27, upstairs on the top floor, in what was formerly the debtors prison!

Kirkcudbrigth Art & Craft trail website here

Dowloadable brochure here 

I made it into the brochure this year ~ thats my hand shown below painting "The Travellers".

As well as my faeries,  my paintings, sculptures, driftwood creations will be on show, and prints & cards. So do drop in to venue 27 upstairs at Tolbooth to say hello if your about.

formerly the debtor’s prison is now used as a gallery - See more at: http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/member/tolbooth-art-centre#sthash.LKHV5Ved.dpuf

a wee hoose on wheels project . .

I've ever loved the idea of a life trundling along on the open road,

 pulling up in the gloaming in a quiet spot to sit and eat supper whilst listening to hooting owls.

So with such excitement may I present our new wee project . . .

 

A wee hoose on wheels (top pics).

Our little caravan was a steal at £75, big thank u's to Mr B for that find! 

It was neglected and sad, but im going to turn it into a sumptuous bohemian get away 

(bottom pics = inspiration)

My aim to do it on the smallest budget possible, so its a make & mend & find project.

Perfect cause I do love a challenge, such exciting stuff!

Wintry crafts & traditions

Wintry days are upon us, with a chill in the air & frost sprinkled ground.

This is the time we worked towards through the days of Autumn, 

cutting fallen trees in the wood and humphing then into the log shed

I love these cosy nights in, snuggled by the fire, with a book & a cup of tea

I love trying different crafts and have been busy making

candles to burn on those darkest of nights

 and driftwood Christmas trees to decorate with stars.

 Also newly in stock my card " While angels sing", in my shop here

along with my other Christmas card designs too.

My Blessing tree prints are now available in poster/A3+ size prints, 

and folk have been buying them as Christmas presents, yay.

If you are in Dumfries you can now find my work at the lovely

 Art Room within "The old School " a veritable Aladdin's cave of goodies.

 I also just happen to love family traditions

and on the 2nd weekend in December we have one tradition

that always brings the excitement of the beginning of the season for  us.

We all gather at the forestry Kirroughtree visitor centre Christmas tree day,

 where we pick our own trees, eat mince pies & drink hot chocolate.

 and afterwards we all troop back to Mom & Dads for homemade soup & chatter.

I do so love traditions, do you have a special Christmas tradition to share?

* * *

I have also set up a new tradition of my own over on my Facebook page

as i love making & crafting so very much, every Friday I now share a

 "Project for the weekend", different crafts & how to's that I come across

as well as lots of other news & happenings both mine & others.

Do hop over and take a peep here and like my page.

Lantern making workshops . . .

When word came that a lantern making workshop was being held in the local town hall, I couldn’t resist! I love nothing more than creating & making things and I had never tried lanterns before.

The workshop was open to anyone interested in making simple paper lanterns,

using cane, masking tape, tissue paper & plenty of glue. No experience necessary.

The day was organised by Colin & Pauline Saul & guided along by others

We willing volunteers soon became engrossed in our creations.

 So much fun & enthusiasm and so many wonderful ideas.

By the end of the day we were surrounded by crowns, fish. birds!

I think I can safely say a wonderful creative day was had by all.

All this lantern making experience is now being put to good use

as we all head out into the community to share our learnings with others.

The aim of this venture is to create over 500 paper lanterns

for the evening of 4^th June, when Kirkcudbright is holding, what will surely be,

a spectacular  fireworks display & lantern parade to celebrate the Queens Jubilee.

If you are anywhere near Kirkcudbright on that date do come by to take part,

there will be lanterns for sale on the evening, or perhaps you like the idea of

trying your hand . . . .well, it just so happens that on

 Saturday 5th May ~ 10 - 5 ~ in Kirkcudbright upper town hall

there is going to be another open to all "lantern making workshop" event !

I can't wait, I have a swan to finish, can u spot him above? Will we see you there? 

 I do hope so, it is such fun & turned out to be extremely theraputic too!

 If you cant' possibly make it, but love the look of lantern making,

you can find some excellent instructions on how to make the lanters here.

the red den studio at last . . .

for hours & days & weeks

my fingers have been a making

picking flowers to dry to make my faerie cards

moulding clay to bring to life figures in my paintings

collecting driftwood to sculpt mobiles & tiny boats

and why have my fingers been so busy. . .

for this our red-den family project,

that got put on hold for a wee while when

fate stepped in & took me off on different paths.

but at last (oh so exciting) this weekend it finally happened

our "Red den Studio" had its opening

* * *

for lots more to see do take a wander over here

or drop by, have a cup of tea & say hello,

it would be lovely to meet you!

* * *

very soon my creations will also be sitting in my wee etsy shop

i shall tell of it here as soon as they are

x x x

inside . . .

with all our tootling about & moving & such

i haven't painted for oh so long

my fingers have been itching!

but i was busy making . . .bathroom curtains & beady tiebacks
( made using some old christmas baubles)

to happily hang

bringing back to life old neglected chairs

above one for my own wee studio (rescued from the skip)

and several (6) for our family room

(how my hands ached after all the sanding & painting!)

and sewing stripey cushions and table cloth

to finish off the table we rescued too
I painted the table legs white to match the chairs.

i love making & bringing things back to life

but now its time. . .

i have new windows to peep out of

and a work space waiting for me to ...work!

have a wonderful weekend all x x

bits & pieces . . .

5 things i have been doing . . . designing thistles for wedding invitations

making a clay mock up of a tiny figure i hope to make

designing images for the cover for my sister-in-laws book

making a photo birthday book /card for my niece

writing in my journal

My wedding decorations . . .

i am so pleased i just had to share

my wedding table design that i did for our wedding

has been featured on sew mama sew

a wonderful site to explore for creative folk

with sewing tutorials, patterns, project ideas & shop

* * *

sorry for my absense

i will post "properly" very soon

to let you know what has been happening

x x x

sculpting & sewing & sketching

a butterfly finally finished

collecting shells from the shore

carving wee heads in clay (very 1st try!!)

recycling a mr o shirt into my studio apron

learning to let go & doodle

saying big thank you's to julie

for a mention on her blog!!