Hand printed wrapping paper

This is one of the items on my to-do list and has been for way too long. Now I know that I could screen print these and have had the opportunity to do so in the past but I want to print them in a different way. Either by hand with small size stamps, carved from either lino or the softer block option (so much easier to cut!) or by creating a repeat pattern from a drawing scanned to computer using photoshop. 

So my question to you is have you done this? and if so to what success?

My other question on this subject is where to get the right size paper from. I know that on average I'm looking at paper sized around 50x70cm. So where would I be able to purchase such sized paper? and where, if I wanted to get a design printed, would do this/print such a size?

Your help on this question would be much appreciated. I have thought that I could get an A3 size printer at home to do limited runs, as I don't want to print reams and reams of the same design(!) but A3 paper falls quite a long way short size-wise at 29.7x42cm and I'm guessing I'd need to stock up on inks as well!

Inspiration: mosaic

I think that you can always be inspired by these, whether it's the shapes, the colour, the pattern or just the sheer skill that can go into making/constructing a mosaic. In some cases the attention to detail and the placing of all those tiny pieces of colour to create something bigger is amazing.

Three totally different mosaics and all eye catching in their own ways. It inspires me to use blocks/tiles of pattern/colour in paper and fabric; one for the 'to do' list! x

Paper garlands

I love garlands and enjoy making them as well. Way back when I was at art college I used to have a small washing line with inspiration pieces pegged to it, so to me a garland is almost an extension of that. Having something decorative strung about your space.

I've seen a lot of different people make simple paper circle garlands, so thought I would whip up a few myself.

old music paper + self patterned waxy paper + thread = pretty musical garlands. I think they work best when there are a few strings draped about together.
Have you made any?

6 sleeps til...

Keeping a clear head (lemonade and lime no less!) whilst filling the spare room with little decorative details for my parents coming to stay over Christmas :) x

Inspiration: Christmas decorations

Well the count down is now truly on until the big festive day! So what are you making in advance or creating to celebrate this day and season?

I'm definitely inspired by a lot of handmade goodness that I've seen happening online, here's a few decorative bits

Image courtesy of All Things Paper

Image courtesy of All Things Paper

Image courtesy of Welke

Simple or extravagant, enjoy it in your own way. The run up and preparation is all part of the fun after all!

Robins...

Just a peek at some of the scented bits I've been stitching up for the last few fairs I'll be attending this year as Weft A Bit. (I have new plans and ideas for 2012, so lots of creative time to look forward to).

The robins are filled with bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves for a fix of festive scent. Pleasing round little birds! (although in reality I know they are fiercely territorial in the wild). What have you been creating for the festive season?

What Katie did next

I wanted to introduce you (if you haven't already stumbled across her website) to the lovely Katie of What Katie did next. She is also a very good friend of the amazing Sue (Sewsister). I have met Katie before but hadn't seen her work so it was nice last month when visiting Farnham Maltings to see her work in all it's splendor!

Gorgeous lavender sachets. Image courtesy of What Katie did next.

Bespoke family trees. Image courtesy of What Katie did next.

Cute Christmas badges. Image courtesy of What Katie did next.

Her stand was bursting full of scrumptious textile goodies which as always is good to see for real. Her website is sooo pretty as well and full of lovely textile goodies for gifts and secret treats to yourself. Be sue to drop by and take a peek!

The 52MMMC Week 11

Well long time no see, I've been busy with the 'day' job, my own work, life in general and of course Christmas gift shopping - like a lot of people I'm sure.

Anyhow I've posted this 'make' although it is something I have made to sell, as it was the first time I had attempted them and so I felt I was able to include them in my 'makes'!

So what do you do with these
(which I'd made and had hanging around for a while not doing anything)


and these which I bought at a flea market in France


You make these of course - wreathes!!!!!
(reverse side of wreath as it was hanging on my stall this weekend)


one pictured hung with wee fairy lights on, all aglow


and finally my third one hanging again on my stall this weekend (reverse side through my garlands streamed across my stall, making sure it was all 'decked' out for festive selling!)


Well I hope that they add some cheer to your day.
I have to say that I have two more still to make
as I made these trial three to see if they would get any interest.
Well I had my stall Saturday with all three and went home with.......................none!!!!!!
So smiles all round from customers giving homes to my handmade circles of happiness.
And smiles from me for knowing they were going home with some lovely people who will appreciate them adorning their abodes and adding splashes of colour and handmade cheer to their walls or doors.

The 52MMMC Week 2

Well tis week 2 of the 52 Marvellous Makes Madness Challenge or '52MMMC' for short!
I thought it was time to make this week - something with fabric of course being a textile bod. And as one of these creatures you will know and understand that with making items there are always a lot of left overs, lots of wee snippets of fabric kicking around that you just aren't able to part with but are perhaps not big enough to make an item with. What a to do!
Well for ages now I've had an idea of using up all my little scraps to make something to adorn and decorate so this week has prompted me to sit down, gather all my snippets and get stitching




these snippets have all been stitched together in long shabby boho colourful streamers of colour



to create garlands to decorate and adorn, I think they would look great indoors or out, especially if you are having a fabulous summer party and you have gorgeous trees to hang wee lanterns from and swing garlands through the boughs *sigh*

with this thought in mind I hope you like the 'effects' on these photos of my garlands

dreamy, whispery, faded, muted


and for me a vintage grandeur


well what fun I am having! it's going to be interesting to keep pushing myself to make something different each week, a good challenge for me as it is easy to get stuck in a rut at times. As I have many ideas running around in my head for items of handmade goodness be it food, drink, textiles, paint, etc this will be a great way of making the time to create them and 'test' them out on you!
enjoy ;0

Seasonal colours........

Well I think it is fair to say that we are definitely well in to the autumn, but perhaps not just yet winter season. Winter for me should be much colder and crisper, with white frosts and brittle sharp days. Not all this rubbishy rain!

So taking inspiration from the colours in our autumnal surroundings I've been collecting bits and bobs, sketching 'things' and creating some more accessories recently for a couple of orders.
Crossing fingers each time items are posted, I hope that the stockists like them when they get there!

I really love the gorgeous rich red tones that are apparent at this time of year in the leaves and flowers........



My parents gorgeous acer palmatum or japanese maple tree below, love how the leaves have a two tone colour and crinkle up at the edges, it is glorious in its large fat pot



I just love seed heads of any and all kinds(!)



a pelargonium or as we all know them geraniums, these have always been a favourite of mine, such vibrant flowers that look great in simple terracotta pots or old tins, a splash of colour to put a smile on your face!



And so........ some new petite purses in rich autumn tones



details of fabric fragments, buttons, print and stitch





And a peek at print samples I've been trialling at my print class, more to come soon....



And yes festiveness!!!!! in the way of skinny long stocking decorations



and shaker style santa decorations which are in the making, waiting for a few finishing touches which are off to locations up north soon



Not much writing in this post, you know how I love a pic! will be posting soon about my workshop to show what was created! hope you're surviving what has been a very gray weekend here, but 'tis ok as I have may daylight lightbulb on(!) to work by and am cheering myself along with the radio and some creativity in various bright colourways!!