A new mug for my cuppa

A few weeks ago fellow Coven member Julie celebrated her 50th Birthday by having a pottery painting party!  It was brilliant, there was snacks, chatting and copious amounts of bubbly!!!

So when I recently picked up the piece I painted I was pleasantly surprised that my dotty mug (I applied the glaze with poundshop nail art tools!!) was actually quite good!  The sparkling bubbles didn't seem to affect my ability to apply the glaze too much!

It was a great idea and we all have a unique piece to remember the day.

I would recommend it to anyone thinking about what to do-so much fun.

Happy crafting

Kyla

WOYWW

Welcome back to my desk and "What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday"....my desk is still clean (seriously those that know me will worry-it is NOT natural) and I have made some progress on the canvass boards I was making last week and whilst they dry (and I await my mojo to return) I thought I would make a start on some tag backgrounds ready to abandon (and then I need to start on some ATCs).

My "Man Bites Dog" cards this week are 'Movie Heiress Strikes Judge'-well, I will be watching the news and reading the papers with interest this week!

Happy crafting

Kyla

sketching hands

Now, I am the first to admit I am not a natural sketcher.  I have never been taught and at school I was never encouraged, but I am bloody minded and was brought up by my parents to be a strong independent individual so I never let the fact that I cannot do something hold me back (after all my favourite saying is "every day's a school day" because I love to learn new things, actually it is my 2nd favourite saying-but that's another story).

So, I took myself off to my local library (I LOVE a library, a place where books are free and DVD's are SO cheap for the latest films, please use your library and don't allow the Government or Council cut their services even more!) and picked up a Jake Spicer drawing book.

I do love Jake Spicer's books as I find them SO easy to follow so I was super excited to find this in the library.

I am slowly working my way through and since I struggle with hands (as well as feet, heads, bodies, hair etc....!) I thought I would try a page of hands.  Not fun to do I admit but I did feel that I had a better understanding of how to approach drawing them should the desire arise!

Have you any drawing tips?  If so I would love to hear them.

Kyla

WOYWW

So on my desk this week (which still looks clean!) are some canvas boards I am making up with the idea to abandon them at some up and coming festivals.

I will keep the blog post short and sweet.  My "Man Bites Dog" cards are 'Wall Street Attacks Bizarre Czar'-to be honest I dread to think what this could mean!  Each day when I wake up and listen to the news my first thought is usually "what now?".....strange times indeed!

Happy crafting

Kyla

A little bit of what you love does you good

Following on from my previous post  about crafting being my mental saviour there are a few things I make sure I try to keep up to date with, and they only take a few moments.

As I explained previously I love to abandon art, quite often just a quick sketch on a tag, but the act of making art for me is important.

Another thing I do is I keep a tin where I write down a small snippet, maybe something we did or a joke I heard.  Not every day but most weeks there will be a couple of things.  Then at new years my husband and I sit down and relive all the lovely moments that happened over the past year  (I blogged about it here)

The other crafting thing I like to make time for is my 365 Journal, started by Kate Crane over on her blog, they are a group that do a small journal entry each day.  I have been doing this nearly every day for 4 years and it is fantastic to flick back through and remember things that I have forgotten, still dealing with, or made me smile.

Some small but simple things that bring me pleasure and cost very little.

Happy crafting

Kyla

Abandoned Art

So the pay the bills job has been somewhat hectic the past few months meaning that there has been very little time for me, friends or crafting.  

Crafting for me (since I discovered it when I was about 7 years old) allows me some 'down time' mentally and physically and is crucial to my well being (it is as important to me as exercise and meditation).  This has meant I have had to learn how to snatch little pleasures where I can and art abandonment fits this perfectly.

I recently spent 10 mins during a break making a quick sketch on a tag that I used to mop up some paint from a previous project then abandon it for someone else to find.

This watercolour and ink was a quick sketch of some tulips and I abandoned it at the park in Sidmouth, Devon opposite the Sir John Betjemen plaque.

I always leave the details of the Art Abandonment group of Facebook but have never heard from anyone who has found one of my pieces (which is fine as the point is to set them free and not expect a response) but I do hope that they bring a smile to someones face.

Happy crafting

Kyla

Japanese woodblocks

I recently went to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM) in Exeter to see the "Hiroshige's Japan:Stations of the Tokaido Road" exhibition.  

No photography was allowed but I had my sketchbook with me and after some discussion they agreed I was allowed to make sketches!

The exhibitions consisted of a selection of 21 woodblock prints from the early 1800's on loan from the Ashmolean Museum. They were truly stunning and I was particularly taken with the way he recorded people and their movements.

This is an example of some of the work that was on display.  

If you are ever in the Exeter area I thoroughly recommend a trip to the RAAM.  

It is free to get in (some exhibitions have a charge, as this one did, but only £4) and there is such a wide variety of exhibitions to look at.  Also a great cafe and gardens and right in the centre of the city.

Happy crafting

Kyla

WOYWW

 Welcome to 'What's on your workdesk Wednesday' and yet again a tidy desk.  It is crazy busy at work still so very little time to craft (or blog).  However this is a rare event as I actually have some new stash to share (I cannot remember the last time I bought stash that wasn't replacing something that has run out like glue or tape)!

This little haul came as a kit from a charity shop.

I couldn't believe my luck especially since the stamps and die's appear to go together.

There was also this embossing folder and some sequins (I presume to add to the mermaids tail)....but all this just for £2!  You can see why I had to buy it?

My "Man Bites Dog" cards this week are 'Fake Priest Sues Tourist'.....ooh I wonder what that will bring (quite pleased its not political as there is quite enough of that at the moment!).

Happy crafting

Kyla

World Earth Day

Saturday was World Earth Day and also March for Science. 

Events were planned all across the globe as a response to the recent events over the pond for non evidence based political decisions being made regarding subjects such as global warming, medical advancements, technology etc

So we decided to join the one in Bristol. There were speakers including Chris Packham, 

Dr Simon Singh, Anna Starkey, Prof. Bruce Hood and Dr Suzi Gage.  Millenium square was PACKED, there must have been at least 1000 people there, all ages and all walks of life-all united for one reason.

There was a competition for the best placard (I quite like the couple below) and we all marched round the city shouting "what do we want....science....how do we want it...fact based!"

It was fantastic and hubby was pleased to be able to meet Chris Packam (on the right!) especially as his speech included references to two of my husbands favourite punk bands (The Clash and Penetration).  It was a fantastic day out and great to take part in something that joined people across the globe.

Kyla

Speedy Recovery card

I needed to make a special card for some recently who had a nasty fall and broke her leg.

 

These embossed cards are quite large and I bought them from the charity table a couple of crops ago at the WOYWW meet up.  I have been mainly using them for weddings etc but I thought they would make a good base for this card.

 

I die cut some TH butterflies from board and coated them in some indigo blu flitter glue (love this tacky glue) and covered them with gilding flakes.

I stamped a sentiment and matted and layered it on silver card.

 

A feminine get well soon card and one perfect for the recipient.

 

Happy crafting

Kyla