January

Such a harsh month in Britain, fluctuating temperatures and all types of weather. I do so wish January was as sweet as the picture above.
(illustration by Flora White).

Onto another 'make'. These purses have had such a good response, thank you all so much.

A little bird illustration added to this particular purse.

Reverse of purse, we have a lovely little dog to cheer you.

He looks a little crossed eyes. Oh, that takes me back...does anyone remember watching Daktari with Clarence the cross-eyed Lion?

I adore this fabric.

Just in time for Valentine's day, two romantic papier mache brooches.

Experimenting with designs for greetings cards, quite pleased with this one...it's simple and pretty.

Then onto another of the sketchbook/journal books.

It was suggested to me today, that these journals would make good wedding keepsake books and new born baby keepsake books. I wondered if you had any suggestions for this? I don't know whether a book such as this, which has blank pages, but a decorated front cover would be appropriate. Maybe for a wedding, but saying that, I think folks like to fill in printed pages for keepsake books? Mmmmm, I don't know, what do you think? I thinking out loud here guys, can you tell?

I am going to start a little weekly slot on my blog, grandly named 'Find of the Week'. At some point during most weeks I manage to pick up a bit more 'tat', as my lovely daughters refer to 'my collections'. Maybe some weeks it might not be 'tat' but just something beautiful found on a country walk or along the seaside.

Anyway, I wanted to share this wonderful find with you. I honestly could not believe my luck when I pounced on this little gem. It is a little lined notebook crammed with a collection of cut out matchbox covers dating from the 1940's. The graphics are so beautiful with bright and vibrant colours from all over the world, some of which I will be using (probably copies) in my collage.

It's extraordinary to think that some person in the 1940's collected all of these various matchboxes, with a connection with someone who travelled, put together this little book for me to find and thoroughly treasure all these years later. This kind of talk seems to be a theme of mine, forgive me!

Well I've launched from one thing to another for long enough here, thank you very much for all your ongoing kindness and support and thanks for stopping by.x

Fight the fatigue

I don't know if it is just me, but I have been so tired this weekend. Is it because I was so rested when I went back to work and then hit the ground running? Everyone at work was complaining of feeling really tired and there have been a few folks turning up with real frog eyes, all swollen and puffy, me included. I have been fighting a real feeling of fatigue and even had an hour's kip Saturday afternoon. Maybe it's the time of year too, January is'nt my fav month of the year.
Anyway, I have managed to make a couple of items, aswell as have a good clean up of my studio. My goodness what a pit that was, but now all is tidy and calm and I am all serene in my lovely work space.
As mentioned, here are two pieces, made and all ready for Etsy. Boy these purses take some time to make. There are so many stages to them. But when the whole thing comes together and the frame goes on, it's very satisfying. It's great making something with a function! SOLD
A letter is the base dating March 5th 1882 to London from Coblenz.

Back is made from very old white embroidered pillow case.

New Liberty Lawn lining.

Little bit of this and that.

Onto another needlecase.

An old table cloth forms the lining.

~0~

I wanted to show you my 2008 visual diary. I'm not very good at keeping a diary, so I tend to make it a little more visual than just written entries.

This was a printed journal made by www.seesographics.net with a mixed media journally theme running through it. Such a lovely size too, the shape and size of these things makes such a difference, as to whether you can work in it or not.

I've added snippets of stuff I came across during that day.

These are some carved erasers I made to do little prints.

I tried to keep a tally of egg production around here.

Inside paper from my wage slip.

I have found a new journal for this year. It's this lovely jillbliss journal. So I am looking forward to detailing a wonderful new year ahead.

I also keep a little scrap book of imagery that floats my boat or has a special meaning that I come across from day to day.

The pic below has John Noakes of Blue Peter fame (children's TV programme which has been on air for ever). This image is special because I grew up watching Blue Peter, rarely missing a show and I did appear on it once, along with 20 other folks but that's another story.

The other pages I have in this scrap book seem to consist entirely of Julie Arkell's work! Huh, can't think why!

Thanks for stopping by.x

An ode

An ode to the owner of the birdy footprints in the snow (yesterday's post)! It makes my skin go goose bumpy everytime I hear it.

Brrrrrrrrr

I hear so many folks complaining of the cold weather. I say.....Oh for goodness sake .... it's seasonal.......it's winter, what do you expect, a tropical heatwave in January! Better than grey, miserable rain. I would much rather have seasonal weather than unseasonal. Our fav pastime ehh, talking about the weather. Mind you it has been minus 8 when I leave for work in the morning, which is very unusual.
I am looking forward to that pretty blossom and daffodils and lighter evenings. Oh dear, sorry I'm off on one again. Change the subject Viv................

I may have been quiet over the last few days but I have not slackened off on my mission to keep the creativity going and not get bogged down with fatigue and then get the miseries!
I have really enjoyed working this textile collage. All fabric and old snippets of all things textile including a page from a 'Dean's Indestructable' Rag Book, which some of us of a certain age may remember from our very early days. So lots of hand applique, embroidery and buttons!!!!

Onto the second piece. This is based on a envelope dated 29th June 1833 can you believe. What does that make it ....176 years old, is that right???? I find it hard to imagine the journey this envelope has been on, so many many years of sitting in various drawers, boxes or maybe attics? And after all that time, it has ended up being used as the basis for a collage and embroidery by a very strange woman, who likes to fill her life with what has gone before!

It even has the old wax seal.

Bit of Liberty thrown into the mix.

We do love our buttons, don't we?

Last but not least, I extracted myself from the car when I returned home today, looked down to see birdy footprints in the snow. I think the pattern the prints have made are wonderful and look like birds flying in the sky. Just lovely!

Thanks for stopping by.x

Thank you

Well goodness me, what a wonderful response I have received since my last post! Thank you all so much for your warm, kind comments. It just does'nt get any better. I have received emails from all over the world sending congratulations, I am so lucky to have such great friends....thank you.

My family have'nt seen much of me just lately. I am making the most of my time away from work...work. Mind you I suffer from a nagging little condition, you know. It's called 'Blogger Readius Distractus'. It takes the form of not being able to concentrate on what one SHOULD be doing and spending inordinate amounts of time reading blogs......does this sound familiar????? Well, lets face it, we all suffer from that one and with a million and one fabulous blogs to read, who can blame us. I wonder if there wil ever be a cure for me or do I just need some sort of therapy?

Any road up, I have actually managed to make a few things.......

The original paper cheque that I have used here, is simply beautiful. Dated June 9th 1914. The National Bank Ltd, Cardiff, UK. The illustration and text are divine and it was a simple, pure pleasure to work. It is the beauty of the way each piece of text sits with itself, if you understand me. It all just fits together sweetly and I hope that my embellishment has added something and not detracted?

I made another purse and I'm very pleased to say that it has sold too. So more of these babies to come.Oh and look what we have here, two more needlecases. My goodness you must be sick of the sight of these by now.....but I have to show you how busy I've been ;-)

I did manage to drag myself away earlier today to take the dogs a quick walk. -4 degrees and the same kind of spikey, sharp frost that looks like snow but today we have had a smattering of sunshine! As if barbed wire is'nt barbed enough.

Thanks for stopping by.x