An ATC from Egypt

Now this just goes to show how far reaching craft and art truly is.

This is my swap ATC for WOYWW from the very talented Roudi all the way from Egypt!

I really recommend popping over to her blog here

There are some wonderful makes on her page, especially her fimo work (check out her baby fairy made of fimo....SO cute).

Happy Crafting

Kyla

 

365 Challenge

Six months into the 365 Challenge. Its been a terrible six months so far (more root canals than I am sure I have teeth, Rheumatoid Arthritis flares becoming more regular, pay the bills job stressing me more each day, then my Dad dying-father day yesterday was NOT a good day I can tell you).  However, the great thing about taking part in this challenge is that it only takes a minute each day and when you flick back though the previous months you realise that there were little snippits of sunshine, albeit short, but they were there.

So, to TRY and be positive I stamped a sunrise style stamp around the edges of my flaming June pages and added some beach huts and a bike with a wicker basket full of flowers....nice and summery I thought!

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

WOYWW

Hello everyone, happy Whats on Your Workdesk Wednesday.

No desk today (or Man Bites Dog cards), sorry but I was on holiday all last week (hence the scheduled post last week) with no internet  which meant that I didn't really get round to many desks and this week are long shifts at work so only a quick post!

Part of the reason for being on holiday last week (SO lucky with the weather, the first time in 4 years we have had sunny weather all week on our UK holiday!!) was to attend the Devon Guild of Craftsmen Contemporary Craft fair.  3 days of the most beautiful craft and art.  Everything from gold and silver work, stone masonry, paintings, felt etc. Meeting the makers and buying direct is such a lovely way to purchase new art (some pieces were only £1.50....others were THOUSANDS!!).

After the WOYWW crop the other week, Donna kindly gave me a spare lino cutting handle (as mine has broken) and I promised to use it and experiment.

So, true to my word....I enrolled on a one off lino cutting session!

My first piece was a mark making experiment and I decided to cut ploughed fields with a fence.  My second piece was a seed head (I am a big Angie Lewin fan!). I must admit I am a bit hooked now!!

Also in the photo is a painting pad head from poundland!  At the crop Shaz' top tip was to use it as a stamp cleaner (a little like the considerably more expensive Stampin' Up one!) so I took myself off and bought one!  I have not tried it yet (too busy to craft since I got back off holiday) but I will let you know how I get on.

Right....off to finish unpacking from the holiday!!

Happy crafting

kyla

 

WOYWW photo heavy Crop update

Happy WOYWW one and all!

Welcome to a fabulous sunny week here in the UK (its been rare to see it here for more than a day in the past 3 years so I am celebrating!).

This week, my desk is a bit of a cheat, its actually my deskspace at Saturdays WOYWW crop...did you come? It was a lovely day (sorry if you couldn't make it...you missed a corker!!).
The day was a packed one, we all met, chatted, ate cake, chatted some more...then Julia started banging die cutting plates together in a desperate attempt to get herself heard (it didn't work...we all kept chatting!), finally we noticed she was stood in the middle of the room so we decided to pipe down and listen....we then got told off for not crafting!!! It was true, some of us had been there for over an hour and were still gossiping with friends old and new!

These are the lovely lino cuts that Donna was making (see the action shot below), and thanks to Donna I tried my hand for the first time at using Oil printers medium (I forgot to take a photo of my first ever print from Donna's fabulous hand carving).

Several of us also helped Morti make a 'stem' for her wedding bouquet....with some fabulous black, purple and sparkly buttons, such a lovely idea.

As you can see Sam (Hettie) and Fergus were busy with Lacemaking, so fine and delicate a true work of art.

Shaz had the brilliant idea of bringing a die cutter and LOTS of dies and a cutting station was set up in the middle of the room

Finally an action shot of Julia actually crafting!!!!

So, this is my desk......proof that I DID get some crafting done (and check out my "Man Bites Dog" cards!).

It was a fabulous day, shattering, but fabulous. A huge thanks to Julia for organising, Jan for a wonderful lunch, Shaz for the die cutting, Donna for helping me with my lino cutting (BIG thanks for the new handle and printers medium) and for listening. To Janet for the totally moreish cake, Helen for letting me have a proper look through her wonderful journals (though i don't think I even asked!!) and for Sam and Zoe for catching up and making me laugh. There are people I have forgotten as I am rubbish at names, but you were all marvellous!

One final photo...here are the ATC's I swapped on the day and the lovely goody bag (minus the chocolate...that didnt make it home!).

Ladies....it was a blast!
Kyla