Nini's ATC swap- June

When June arrived Nini from Made by Nini provided us with yet another topic for her ATC swap. This time it was: INSPIRED BY... It may sound incredibly easy, but I found it quite challenging.It took me a while to think of the design...

 I finally came up with the idea. I opted for making two sheets: one shows a door and the other the actual inspiration ;) I wanted this to be like an entrance to a magical place, a place of inspiration and wonders. I sued water colours for the drawings and brush pens for the words. I then used scotch to put them together so that the door actually 'opens' ;)

watercolours- the {100 artists} project

I once signed up for a project called {100 artists}, but never got any far. I seem to be getting into too many projects, but then have no time to carry them out. The problem is they all sounds sooo interesting and inspiring ... If only the day had more hours.... oh well...

When I signed up for the project I opted for watercolours and landscapes, but recently flowers have been drawing my attention. I love their vivid colours, their amazing shapes and, of course, their marvellous smell. 

The other day after finishing my ATC for yet another swap I'm in ;) I decided to carry on painting as I was having a whale of time working on the ATC. I chose flowers, of course ;)

   

crochet projects

I have been crocheting a lot recently. I'm still diligently working on my 100 days  project and have been making other goodies in the meantime :)







BUTTERFLIES

I made these butterflies for my swap partner in the * Perfect Strangers Project* organised by OhComely Magazine. I've already made this type of butterflies, but in red. Since this time I used a different type of yarn they were very soft and couldn't 'stand't on their own. I opted for making a little pendant deco thingy.








CUPCAKE PINCUSHION

A penfriend from the USA sent me a lovely package with my favourite tea that can't be bought in Europe. She also added some American goodies to it. As a 'thank you' gift I decided to make something for her. Since she sews quite a lot I thought that a pincushion would be perfect. I foud the pattern on Ravelry and decided to make it. It took me a few hours and taahh daahh ;)

decoupage basket bag

Recently I was told that an acquintance of mine runs diverse crafty workshops. Since it's the end of the school year and I seem to have a bit more free time, I decided to take part. I have already used decoupage technique so it was nothing new to me, but I wanted to meet other crafty people and have some fun.  I was  secretely hoping to find a crafty soul mate there. I was over- optimistic (sigh) as it turned out that the people who participated were not necessarily crafty and not very much into all this, but hey... I had fun! And, the good thing is that I went home with a beautiful basket bag. 

so... I made a bag :)

I had been looking for a summer bag for quite some time, but couldn't find one that would suit me. I saw bags that were kind'a the type I would like, but not *the one*. So... I decided to make one for myself :)

Quite some time ago I bought beautiful cloth that was meant to be transformed into *something*, but at that time I had not idea what. The only thing I knew was that I really liked this cloth. And the big day arrived :)





I used a regular totebag as a pattern and cut the lining and the bag. Then I sewed them together. I didn't have a proper pattern so I just made decisions as I was moving on.









When the lining and the bag were ready, I chose the length of the handles. I used a ribbon for the finishes on the handles and also made little folded ribbons on the sides.

I opted for a small inside pocket for documents.

I'm so proud of my first ever *big sewing project* that have already made a list of other stuff to make ;) hopefully soon...

crochet pincushion

A very special friend of mine is celebrating her birthday this month and I thought I would make something special for her. Since she's an artist: a marvellous drawer, ilustrator, designer and a very skilled creator, but doesn't seem to crochet much I thought that a crochet pincushion would be something she would appreciate. She sews too, of course ;) Otherwise my idea of a pincushion would be pointless ;)

I found a splendid pattern on Hollypip's blog  and got down to work.

I bought some yarn in the local shop. Unfortunately the colours are not as vivid as those in the original pattern, but no other were available. Still, I'm happy with the outcome.

 I made the circles as indicated. Very easy and pretty fast.

 Then, I made the petals. Just becasue the yarn is different they are not stiff as in the pattern.

 Finally, I sewed them together, added the bee on top and the 'handmade' label at the bottom. And Voilà!

Hope she likes it!

Nini's ATC swap May

I participated in Nini's ATC swap again. This time the topic of the swap was COLLAGE. I'm no good in these things. I'm a bit more straightforward and simple and prefer using just one technique and media instead of a mix of bits and pieces, but accepted the challenge and made this:

I used watercolours as the base, pieces of newspapers and magazines, ribbons and pen.

I did my best and hope my swap partner will like it. 

the 100 day project- how I am getting on

I'm really enjoying the 100 day project. As I've already mentioned, I'm working on a granny squares blanket.




I haven't been able to do it on daily bases as previously planned just because life tends to get busy and there's no time or no strength or simply no motivation for a moment of crochet. There's good news, though: I have so far completed 26 days and have 59 circles. 

I'm very happy and proud as I'm working on something that brings me joy and that gives me this fabulous feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction.

Here's what's been going on here:

 crochet by the sea with splendid views

 crochet on the beach

 crochet on the sofa on my vintage lap table recently bought at a second hand market

12 pages in 2015 - April

So here I am again with the 12 pages in 2015 project. Delayed, but better late than never some say ;)

In April the theme was: PETS & COLOUR. When I read this hint the first thing that came to my mind was the parakeets that I had as a child. I still remember the day I got them :) They were not babies any more as they were given to me by a family who couldn't keep them and they really made me happy. I had them for quite a few years and was very sad when they passed away. This page made me happy as great memories are back :)

This time I used a technique I'm completely unfamiliar with: BRUSH PENS that I recently bought in my favourite Artist Supplies Shop. It was interesting to use them and pretty challenging at the same time. A lot to learn still ;)