Surface Pattern Design

So I am now at the end of week 2 of the Surface Pattern Design course so I thought I would just share a few of my photos and one of my designs.

It's been really interesting so far, getting back into drawing has been scary but brilliant, inspiration is everywhere if you look for it ......

My first "stab" at a design

New Stuff

I'm rather obsessed with pattern and colour, I guess that's what drives most crafters huh?

When I first started card making I loved all the scrapbook supplies, the patterned and coloured paper, and although I don't make cards any longer, I am still very much drawn to the same things but in fabric form.

A while ago I read about a new surface pattern design  course run by two very inspirational ladies Beth Nicholls  and  Rachel Taylor. I've read and re-read all the blurb and testimonials about this course and ummed and aaahed about taking the plunge but today I had my "life's too short" head on and I have registered for the first module, which starts on Monday.

I'm rather terrified and excited at the same time,

As you can see, I am currently using a generic blog header which is a teeny bit embarrassing given the fact I am waxing lyrical about my obsession with pattern eh? Hopefully I will be able to put my soon to be learned skills in place very soon.

Have a great weekend!

Oodles of Gorgeousness

Now, I am a bit of a magazine nut, love 'em, have piles of 'em and also from time to time, when the teetering pile gets too big, I pass them on or eBay them.

I had resolved to seriously stop buying sooooooo many magazines, my love of papercrafting is at an all time low, sometimes creativity comes in cycles, my love of fabric and wool, which has been languishing on the back burner has elbowed it's way good and proper to the front of my brain. Now I am utterly smitten by crochet, tapestry and fabric again, it's a new love affair.

So, the timing could not be better for the launch of a brand new magazine called Mollie Makes, which launched in April I can't believe this flew under my radar, I pootled over to Ravelry and it was a hot topic of discussion and I simply HAD to get me a copy!!!

OMG, this magazine is utterly gorgeous, hip, trendy and full of stuff you see on gorgeous blogs and Etsy, this is the REAL deal people. I didn't manage to get my hands on a real paper copy, it sold out EVERYWHERE, so I opted for a digital download from Zinio, onto my iPad. Thankfully I did find issue 2 and I am now a subscriber. Issue 4 is due out in early August, love it, love it, love it!

Changes

After a long absence, I'm back, with a new name and all!

Having pretty much left my cardmaking behind, I am now into crochet, when I find the time.

Looking forward to posting more updates very soon, I hope you will join me :)

I've been making stuff

Well after such a long absence I thought I might try to redeem myself by showing some pics of my latest creations, just to prove I have been doing doing "something". My cardmaking continues of course and I am lucky to have my designs on the front cover of the May issue of Crafts Beautiful (currently in stock in all good newsagents tee - hee)

I've also started to crochet, I've been wanting to learn for ages, but I'm left handed and most of the books are of course geared to help right handers. I managed to find a book which teaches both ways and I dug out my wool and got cracking. So far I have managed to make these "granny squares" and how addictive is it??? I was recommended a great blog by the lovely Anita Mundt. It's written by an uber talented lady called Lucy and it's called Attic 24 so I downloaded her step by step instructions and now I am picking up my crochet hook whenever I can.

I've also been sewing. I've been sewing on an off for years, but sewing is back "on-trend" at the moment so I thought I would find a pattern or two and blow the dust off the sewing machine. I made a bag , a skirt and a couple of tops last Summer and now I have made a couple of dresses to wear over leggings. The first is using New Look Pattern (6890) and the most swoonsome Amy Butler fabric. I wasn't sure whether the fabric was a bit OTT at first but I just HAD to have it. I was in John Lewis in Edinburgh and I spied it on a trolley before it had been put out for display. The assistants hemmed and hawed about letting me buy some as they couldn't find it on the "system" but I waited and they sorted it for me. Since the weather has been a wee bit chilly I wear it with black leggings, with a thin long sleeved black top underneath and I have to admit I love it. The fabric is of course from Amy Butler.

More Amy Butler fabric for this one, using a "Sew Liberated" pattern called School House Tunic, I got it from Fabric Rehab. When I'd finished, it was MASSIVE so I had to take it in on the sides, I've not made the best job of taking it in, but I'll know to make it smaller next time.

I've also bought a couple of shelving units for my craft room from IKEA (where else?) I've now got my inkpads all to hand, and I bought a mini filing cabinet to store more of my "inky things"
So all in all I've still been creating xx

I'm Baaaack

Gosh is that the longest break from blogging ever?? So all I can say is

Happy Christmas

Happy New Year

Happy Valentines

annnnnd it's almost Easter.

I am still here, obviously, since I am typing this durr!!! I've been busy with work and some magazine stuff which is good. I've also re-arranged my craft room a wee bit and I promise I will post some photos this week.

So it's a fairly boring post, no big TA-DAAAA moment but I do intend to be back in full business soon xxxx

Retro Christmas Cards

Just made some last minute card for my neighbours, loving the retro paper and stickers from K&Co, very simple to make, and I printed out the Merry Christmas greetings onto white card - as that meerkat on TV says - "simples".