My Creative Space - Crochet Yellow Rug

It's autumn so of course another crochet rug has been started, but with a difference.  Using fabric in the center of a traditional granny square and I'm using yellow.  Not a big fan using bright colours, not sure why.

Each square is taking me 40 minutes to an hour to complete. So perfect to do, while watching my favourite TV shows.

To see more creative spaces fly over to here

Put Your Stamp On It - Book Review

It's been a long time since I've done a blog post. So lets try and get back into the swing of it, by starting with a book review. 

Since entering the world of stamping, I came across this lovely and recent book all about stamping, written by Meagan Lewis, at our local library.

Put Your Stamp On It: Cards, interiors, textiles and stationery

Meagan Lewis

2013 Sally Milner Publishing

ISBN 978-1-86351-444-6

The introductory chapter explains what the basic carving tools and materials are needed, to start your journey.  The reader is given a short explanation about the tools and materials.  This is excellent and informative.

Continuing on then with the subject of cleaning and storing your stamps is covered.  Did you know it’s best to store your ink up-side-down?  It helps keep the sponge moist with the ink.

Then of course we come to the fun part of the book, carving and the projects. Carving is explained well and thoroughly, even to the point of explaining how to carve if you are left-handed. There are around 20 projects for the reader to attempt, ranging from an easy level to a more complicated level of skill.  Projects cover stamping fabric, paper and even magnets.  Each project is illustrated well and helpful hints are also included.

I liked this book; it’s clear, modern and encouraging.  One feels they would be able to attempt their first carving of a stamp. 

A map table to show us the way

On Pinterest I saw this very cute side table that had a map glued to the top of it. The Pin guided me over to Primitive & Proper's blog post tutorial. Seeing I still had many maps left over, I thought I would give it ago. 

So the key ingredients needed were

1 Table

Mod Podge ($20.00 - Riot & Art)

Brushes of some kind

1 Map

Scissors

Cloth to wipe table

After cleaning the table, I brushed Mod Podge all over the table, then placed the map on top of the table. Smoothed it out as much as I could.  

Next I cut around the table, but left 2 cm of map hanging over the edge. Then proceeded to cut the paper so it would be easy to glue, fold and tuck under the table. 

Next step was to paste another layer of Mod Podge on the map to give it some protection.  It took less than 15 minutes to dry seeing I was doing project outside. Then some more layers of the Mod Podge for extract protection. 

All done! An old table made lovely and interesting again.  

Stamp Kit - Yellow Owl Workshop

I must confess I've been a fan / admirer of Christine Schmidt from Yellow Owl Workshop for a long time now. I've watched her business grown from it's humble beginnings to now an international business.  I'm just loving her new carve-a-stamp kits.

Carve-A-Stamp from Yellow Owl Workshop on Vimeo.


Carve-A-Stamp from Yellow Owl Workshop on Vimeo.

I have many of her stamps, hoping these will venture to Brunswick Street, Fitzroy like all her other products.

Sonic the Hedgehog Costume - My Creative Space

It's been forever since I last took part in Kootoyoo's Creative Space. So here goes.

For those who don't know, I'm deeply immersed into the subject of science fiction in all it's shapes and forms.  Our son has also taken up the interest and of course computer games.  He asked if we could make a Sonic the Hedgehog costume for some up-and-coming science fiction conventions.  I'm not a costumer, my knowledge on sewing is basic, but I thought, why not.  It would be a great challenge.

My son found this amazing tutorial on Youtube .  So basically we are using this as a guide.




Well so far, so good.  Our progress so far.

We purchased wire from Bunnings, made the frame, paper mached it and
placed a bike helmet inside. Fur is purchased from Spotlight and foam from Clark Rubber.

Our next step was making the 6 spikes that appear on the head.

Well it's getting there.  Will keep you posted.

To see more Creative Spaces, fly over to here. 

Stamping away....

A couple of weeks ago, I and a few other lasses had our first craft day for 2013.  I thought, should I get back into my crochet, no, far too hot. And the thought of having a crochet rug over my lap was not appealing.  So I thought it was time to learn how to carve my own stamps.

Setting up my lovely collection of carving tools and carving blocks, fellow crafter Trudi, also decided to do some carving. She is far more experienced than I, so I was very grateful that Trudi shared her skills and wisdom into the world of carving. I must say, it's harder than it looks!  But very therapeutic at the same time.

Well that first time carving was a few weeks ago.  So I thought I would tackle it again.

In the above picture you can see a heart and a handbag at the top left.  They were my stamps from the craft day.  This time I carved a traditional comic speaking bubble and a dress.  A little better this time.

I'm still trying to get the technique right to make sharp lines.  I guess as they say, 'practice makes perfect'.

Stamp Creating - Get the Supplies

Eraser  (Cheap and good to practice on) - Any Office Supplies 

Lino Wood Tools Set - Eckersley 

Silk Cut Lino - Eckersley 

Stampin Up Pad Ink - Stampin Up Demonstrator -Karen

Autumn Owl Greeting Card on Made It

What a lovely surprise to wake up to.  My Autumn Owl Greeting Card is on the front of the Made It web site.  Autumn is the theme for today.   Thanks Made It.

Check out Made it here

Check out my Owl Greeting Card here. 

My Made It Store

I have new and old favourite products in my Made It online store.  So take a peak and have a browse.  You can use PayPal or bank transfer to buy a product.

Click here.

Pivotal Xpressions on Made It.