Crafting for Ickle Pickle

Been crafting for ickle pickle!

It's cheating really, because I used a K & Co kit. But Ickle Pickle doesn't mind!

Hugs and the Beginnings of Delight

My folks just got back from a few days away in Dorset, and bought me back a present! A hugging salt and pepper pot - how cool?! Perfect for my new flat (and so much more attractive than my old ones - don't ask!)

Salt and Pepper Pots - Hugs

Have also finally decided on my theme for Diane's Delight, an ATC booky wooky round robin running on Goody Bag Girls. My theme is...

*drum roll* ...

"Quotes or Characters from Shakespeare"

I have this lovely scrapperdashery paper that I have been hoarding for almost a year... I have finally come to terms with the fact that it must be cut up and used for a project. I have used Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice and Othello. As my book travels round each of the Goody Bag Girlies, they will make an ATC to go in one of the pockets. But I am getting ahead of myself because all I have to show right now is the front cover (not finished!) but it will eventually be an accordian style book with pockets on each page.

Front of Shakespeare ATC Book (needs finishing!)

I have covered a frame in one of the papers, and inset an ATC I created which has a quote from Shakespeare around the edge (look closely!)

"To me, fair friend, you never can be old,
For as you were when first your eye I eyed,

Such seems your beauty still. "

New Addition to the Penthouse!

Finally got around to bringing over a little super something special to my new flat (it has been staying back at my parents' temporarily until I was more organised this end!)

It is, well, a kind of wire/dressmaker's dummy/dress stand thingy - I have temporarily popped my Diddl plush in there, but the plan is to alter it in some way... how I am not quite sure yet, but I saw it and couldn't resist and immediately saw an altered art project in it! All those little loops/hooks at the bottom... perfect for danglies, beaded thingys, altered tags... the body looks like it wants something weaved through, hmm...

Any ideas on how to alter this?

New Treats!

Wow, went halves with my FDF on some "Wafugami" speciality papers at a bargainous price! $19.99 (that's around a tenner!) and we got 16 packs of different colour combo/designs of these gorgeous delicate papers. Each pack contained at least 12 sheets... just look at my half of the stash... all laid out... they are all double sided, and some have the most gorgeous metallic or pearlescent sheen to them... mwah!

"Beautiful exotic paper in handy 6"x6" size pieces. Great for collage, rubber stamping, scrapbooking, iris folding, cardmaking, altered arts and more! "

To top it all off, the packs each had the most fantasticly sumptuous names!

• Lime Gingham Combo
• Light Pink Gingham Combo
• Red Gingham Combo
• Light Blue Gingham combo
• Bubblegum
• Gold Metallic/Solid Combo
• Metallic Shades of Greens
• Metallic Shades of Red/Pink
• Horizon Wave Art Combo
• Summer Daze

Yummy! These papers are, for want of a better word, lusherly! But will they get used, or become part of my "look don't touch" craft stash museum? Will have to wait and see!

An Unexpected Critique... and a Friend What is Famous!

I had an unexpected letter following an altered canvas I created for someone several months ago. I am not one to blow my own trumpet; I have added this comment to my blog so I can read it on the days when I feel like my creativity has been sucked out of me, and in the hope the one day, I will read it and believe it.

"On a personal note, I would like to thank you once again for the wonderful art work that you created for me. I have shown it to a number of people who have given very positive feedback about your work, and I wanted to feed that back to you. One person in particular referred to the collage as "fantastic art" and raved about how talented you are. I, as you know, agree, and really do encourage you to continue developing your style."

Moving swiftly on, my Bandy Wandy Friendie (the one who got me the loverly pussycat frame for housewarming giftie) has been telling me the ad she was involved in filming for Tesco (as a member of the Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford - starring Paul Daniels!) has been showing on TV! I *still* haven't seen it, but she sent me a link to watch it online, as someone has recorded it and uploaded it!

http://www.visit4info.com/advert/TescoComparecom-Paul-Daniels-Magic-Tesco-Compare-Car-Insurance/62073

Check out the band's website here for more info:

http://www.royalbritishlegionbandromford.co.uk/index.html

Not much happening on the arty farty crafty wafty front today. Hmph. Hopefully a more productive day tomorrow - I have swaps to do!