Inspiration: hyacinth

As much as I think we could still do with a serious cold spell to get rid of all the nasty bugs and germs that still seem to be ailing people(!), I do love the new growth that starts to appear with spring and fresh greens on the horizon. Be inspired by new beginnings and fresh starts!

glittery stars hiding in the moss

blooms

buds

scented loveliness

brightening up my room

I know that the scent of hyacinths isn't to everyone's taste but these ones in particular are so lovely and fresh, quite a light scent even for hyacinths. They are brightening up the spare room where I create. Thanks to my Mum for these lovelies x

Inspiration: flowers

Being a country girl I have always been surrounded by trees, woods and fields. When I was small you could always find me with my head amongst the hedgerows, crawling amongst grass tunnels or see my feet dangling from a tree I had scaled (much to my mum's delight! sorry mum x). I love nature, the habitat around us, peering, looking, learning, being inspired by its colours, shapes, textures, smells. I love the beauty that each season brings.

This spring I captured some gorgeous frothy blossom with my camera

I find these blooms so inspiring in many ways. Their pale delicate colours and layers of petals as well as their full frothiness. I am not the only person inspired by blossoms and blooms and wanted to share a link with you from Kinfolk of a 'Blossom Party', how perfect is that?! Make sure you visit and watch the video, it's captivating.
I think if I was having a 'Blossom Party' it would definitely have to involve some of these paper pompoms below

Image from Snowy Bliss just how fab are these?!! Paper blossom if I ever I saw any

Oh for a party with blossoming pompoms hey?!! I bet they would look fabulous for the coming festive season in rich deep reds, golds, silvers, forest greens and a bit of sparkle.....

The 52MMMC Week 9

Well hello! long time no see so to speak, I am back again with another make for your viewing.

Quite some time back now I took part in a P I F (pay it forward) Giveaway and part of the rules of taking part was that I would go on to host my own P I F Giveaway and send a wee something handmade on to three more people.
As I have now made and sent off these PIF gifts I thought that I would include them in my 'makes' challenge and let you see what flew off in the post recently......

After much doodling, stitching and creating with fabric and thread it was time to put all the pieces together, the easy part really and the part where everything comes together...

zip being put in


sides being stitched



turning


finishing off


and hey presto a wee zip purse!


well two wee zip purses..


make that three wee zip purses for three lovely ladies!


I hope they are loved and well used! ;0 x

Inspiration: flora

Just some images to tease your optical senses.
Be inspired in your work and creative processes by the flora around you.....
the beautiful natural colours, the sweeping lines and marks, the shapes but again mostly for me the amazing
COLOURS!

Now I did think about putting all the flowers 'proper' names having once upon a time passed my general certificate in horticulture (don't you know!) but I just want you to revel on the fabulous colours!
All these gorgeous flowers are adorning my lovely mum and dads garden, heaven in my camera lense caught just for you, I hope you enjoy them.















And one little odd ball veg starting to grow in the garden! quirky shape to make you smile.

enjoy ;) x

Autumnal fair............

Ahhhhh the change of seasons............... I know opinions differ but I for one enjoy the change of the seasons, I love the different feels to them, the different elements that they bring, the changing light in the sky, and especially the textures and colours!

A few weekends ago I went home to visit my lovely parents, (always a pleasure never a chore! ;0) And I snapped some pics in their garden and the field next them of what I'm terming 'Autumnal fair', floral and fauna and 'bits' in between that pertain to the change in the season, the feel in the air and inspiration for a new idea.....................

delicate little flower surviving in the sliver of space between the paving stones, love the rich hue to this



the deep notes of the heavy bunches of elderberries



the rich hues of the scrambling blackberries



the delicate shrooms hiding in the undergrowth........shhhhhhhhhhh perhaps the pixies and fairies are out..................



life on a tiny scale



the washed out lavender and lilac hues of the seashells nestled at the base of plants in pots in the garden



Looking back at these photos I felt there was a common (ish!) colour theme occurring, one of lilacs/lavenders/purples with a touch of earthy brown................... hmmmmmmmmmm said I, a good combination of colours to try out on my 'new' accessory sample...

And so I set too, with fabric, needle, thread, printed 'doodles' and a will to make a new accessory to add to my collection of textile creations.....

The starting stages, with fabric, print and plenty of snippets to stitch on



a close up of some stitched snippets using machine and hand stitch



a combination of pattern, colour and texture



all washed and out the other side, still in one piece - very happy about that!



And ta dah! the finished article, a fabric scarf made from recycled remnants and vintage pieces of fabric; with printed areas of my 'doodle berries'; and textural sections containing snippets of glorious fabric with machine and hand stitching adding more detailing to the piece. Perhaps this could be a start to a new range of fabric scarves to come, hmmmmmmmm.........;0



After all it is the season to start wearing them even more, and I for one LOVE wearing scarves!! ;0

Work bound for Scotland.....

I've been working on some new sketches and monoprints this week, using them as the basis for these petite purses. 

They are bound for Scotland as part of an order of stock for The Vessel.

A sweet little gallery/shop in Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, full of gorgeous individually crafted goodness. It's run by Claire Maxtone who is a very talented lady herself and produces some exquisite jewellery. Click on her name for a link to see her work. She also has a shop on etsy which is where/how she first found and contacted me, technology hey?!

dried seed heads/flowers

abstract 'lollipop' type flowers

monoprinted flowers

more abstract 'lollipop' type flowers

I am really enjoying this new creativity and style I've found since moving to the seaside! Such great light here, it seems to fuel that gray matter in to life! 

My work is getting where I've wanted it to be for some time now, it still has a way to go and it's good to be experimenting and sampling to continue to improve and push it further, different media, different ideas, I just need to mange the time side now! 

Well Easter is nearly here and although there is obviously a more serious side to it, it's lovely to have time for chocolate egg indulgence and a hot cross bun or two!

;0

small break.......

Well hello, a sneaky little post from me! I took a little breather today from working on finishing my work for the textiles fair. Well you know what they say, all work and no play makes jack (or jill!) a dull boy (girl!).

I took the time to make muffins with the lovely man (he works shifts so he was off) and watch him feel especially pleased with himself at the loaf of bread that he made. You can't beat a bit of baking for a feel good factor! And what aromas in the flat, Mmmmmmmm...........

Above, was me getting close up and smelling the great aroma of fresh baking! I can only eat the bread and sadly not the muffins, as although I'm not religious I decided to give up sweets (of the sweet shop kind), cakes, biscuits, chocolate and crisps for lent. I have a bit of a sweet tooth at times and I feel it's always good to give something up and see if you have the will power to survive! roll on Easter for a big fat bite of something chocolatey!!! hehe

And I had to include some pictures of my lovely tete a tete, from bud to flower, so my Mum can see it! Just a small little daffodil to make you smile, such a gorgeous sunny yellow. 

Have a good week, I better get back to that grindstone! x ;)