¡Hola!

It’s been longer than I hoped since my last post, but I do have an excuse.  Last weekend the hubster and I hit the sunny climes of Spain for a lovely long weekend, which just happened to coincide with my birthday.  It was really nice and relaxing (so relaxing in fact, that I have barely made a thing since I returned) – so much better than late February in Scotland!  On my birthday we went to a gorgeous restaurant called Oliva – the food was fantastic

I got some lovely goodies with my birthday money too:

A handmade leather bag from a wonderful shop called Manos – you can see the 2 leather work when you visit the shop.  The choker is also handmade and was from a boutique called (I think) Luisa Haan:

We’ve signed up for the next Tryst Craft Fair at the Dobbie Hall in Larbert, so I will definitely need to shake off my nonchalance and get making stuff.  I’ve also been aware that I haven’t done any beading for months; to be honest, I had sickened myself of it a bit, so the break has done me good.  I think it’s time to start again though.  I also want to get some polymer clay out and have a play with that…oh and my sewing stuff!!  I really love my job, but sometimes I wish I could take a year off and just spend all my time making things…well that will never happen, so I need to structure what time I do have a bit better, spend less time procrastinating (a.k.a. faffing) and more time making!

One thing I did do was make dinner on Saturday – spent over 10 hours cooking but it was well worth it.  I made lobster ravioli with lobster sauce, venison with cha-cha-cha sauce (my made up on the spot name for cherry, chilla and chocolate) on butternut squash puree, with fine beans and pancetta.  I really pleased with the sweet (mainly because I normally hate doing sweets).  I did this Pomegranate Meringue Rose Tart from Saveur, but made individual tarts, served with homemade pistachio ice cream, crystalised rose petals and pomegranate sauce.  The tarts looked exactly like the one in the picture, but I’m quite gutted I forgot to take photos – was too busy to think about it really!

Until next time…

You’ve got Mail

I finished the chain mail bracelet I was working on last week. I’m actually really pleased with the result, as I’ve only done one piece of mail before and that was a few years ago at a beginners class.

Although it looks complicated, the pattern was remarkably simple to follow and, compared to seed bead stuff, it made up quite quickly as well.  I used aluminium rings, as I was too chicken to spend the money on silver ones in case I struggled to get the pattern right.  would certainly like to redo it in a more substantial metal.

Almost finished the pearl and rivoli bracelet – a few rows and the clasp to add, although I will need to get my hands on a clasp, so might need to wait until next Bead & Banter if I’m not ordering anything online before then.

Already thinking about what my next project will be – one idea involves me drawing up my own pattern – something I’ve never done before – I usually either follow a pattern or make things up as I go along.  I have a feeling this will involve a lot of ripping back and tantrums to get it right, so will probably do something else at the same time that doesn’t need as much concentration.

Also want to do some polymer clay stuff, as apart from one pendant, it’s been a while since I’ve done anything in this media.  I’ve been looking at people’s work on  The Polyclay Forum – some great work there.

Only a few weeks to go until the Bead Retreat – I am really looking forward to it, but disappointed on of my beady buddies can’t make it any more.  A couple of weeks after that, I’m off to London for a couple of days, so it’s all systems go :D.

Lisa xoxo

Spring into a new week

Spring has finally sprung here in not so sunny Scotland.  Have been busy on a few things this week; I’m quite enjoying working on a few things at the same time – means I can do whatever I’m in the mood for.  All are works in progress with the exception of the card.

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, so I made this card for my gorgeous Mum.

I kept it simple, mainly because my family tend to like simple cards.  Papers are Invest, Season and  Steel from BasicGrey’s Infuse range.  Dies are Sizzix Designer Bookplates and Flower with Vine & Leaves.  Word is stamped on with clear letter stamps.  Edges inked with a Cat’s Eye Chalk Ink Pad in soft olive.

I’ve also been working on this bracelet to compliment the Vineyard necklace I have from Laura McCabe’s book, Creating Crystal Jewelery with Swaovski.

I’ve used Swarovski Crystallized Elements rivolis in  Siam, Swarovski pearls in almond, with Miyuki delicas and seed beads in gold, bronze and red.

Next up is an attempt at chain mail.

This is from Chained by Rebeca Mojica.  I used aluminium jump rings.  Would love to try this in silver, gold or some other nice metal, but aluminium’s cheap and I am very inexperienced when it comes to chain mail.  The only thing I’ve made before was a Byzantine bracelet.

Finally I have a polymer clay pod pendant.  I’m a bit disappointed in this one – it’s fatter than I intended and I’m not sure the surface effect has worked.  Also you can’t really see the under colour through the holes.  It’s the first time I’ve done a hollow bead though, so hopefully it wall all be part of the learning process.

I will be back with more soon.

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

Pieces of Polymer

When I was making a birthday card and wrapping a present earlier, I came across these polymer clay beads I made  and threw in a bag.  Might make it a mission to actually do something with them – any suggestions much appreciated (even if it’s just chucking em in the bin!).

Firstly I have this set of drum beads in muted browns and blues and lilacs:

And some shiny rounds in blended “anodised” colours from turquoise to pink:

some red, green and gold rounds:

Finally, some “turquoise” nuggets:

Thanks for looking (and for your ideas).   Will be back soon with some more piccies to show.

Lisa xoxo

 

 

Beading Beaded Beads

I made this bangle, called Eden for a friend’s birthday.   It’s based on a photo in the gallery section of Marcia DeCoster’s Beaded Opulence book.  The original piece was made by Stacy Creamer and is a necklace in a variety of primary colours.

I used size 11 and size 15 seed beeds in a variety of colours to bead around wooden beads.  For the large and medium cubes, I made base beads from polymer clay then beaded around them.  The stitch used is right angle weave and the “bubble” effect on one of the beads is done by stitching Miyuki drop beads over the beaded bead.

I really enjoyed making this piece and was very pleased with the end result.  Would definitely like to do something like this for myself at some stage.

Also on the topic of beads, I was lucky enough to be quick off the mark yesterday and claim a set of orphan beads from the wonderfully talented Emma Ralph at EJR Beads for a fantastic price.  Can’t wait for them to arrive so I can drool all over them.  Sorry I don’t have a pic,  but will post one when they arrive.

I can’t believe how much I’m looking forward to 2011, I’ve even been finding it difficult to sleep because my head is swimming with so many things I want to make.  I’m lucky enough to have an extra day off tomorrow, and looking forward to sitting down with some books sprawled around me, whilst I decide on my next project.

Talking of books, I’m currently reading The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, who just happened to write The Shadow of the Wind, one of my favourite books of all time.  I’m always open to book recommendations, crafty and non-crafty, so feel free to leave your recommendations in a comment.

Talk soon.

Lisa xoxo

 

Foray into Fimo

Firstly, apologies for the large gaps between posts – I do always intend to be a better blogger, but don’t always quite manage it.

This week I had my first foray into Fimo for almost a year.  I made this focal bead:

I made a Skinner blend using a dark wine colour with a pale champagne colour.  I then added some raised dots in the dark wine colour brushed with Perfect Pearls in Blue Patina and cut using a Makins tiny cutter.

I also made this pendant:

For this I made a dark blue and grey jelly roll cane, which I then made into a tile cane.  I then made a grey strip using my Makins extruder and and decorated it using a Sculpey tool.  I added some tiny blue dots to the grey circles and gave the grey clay a heavy dusting with Perfect Pearls in Perfect Pewter.  I then dusted it lightly over the rest of the pendant.

I haven’t yet made these into something (to be honest they may never be made into anything, as I’m not 100% happy with the quality of them) but I had fun making them.

Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

In the Bag

My regular readers may remember me getting the book Sew by Cath Kidston.  It came with the pieces to make the bag on the front cover.  I decided it was time to overcome my sewing machine fear, so made this (it only took a couple of hours one evening and another couple on Saturday afternoon).  The little button hoop was a bit faffy as the fabric was quite heavy to turn inside out, so I gave up and used a bit of blue microfibre suede-stuff.

It’s by no means perfect, but I don’t think the errors are too noticeable.  Really pleased with it anyway :D

I also ordered these books which came today:

Making Vintage Bags by Emma Brennan

Mexican Food Made Simple – Thomasina Miers

The Art of Polymer Clay – Creative Surface Effects – Donna Kato (I don’t think this one looks as good as the Millefiori Techniques one)

Looking forward to seeing / hearing what everyone else has been up to lately.

Thanks for looking xoxo

New Addition

Finally, after what seems an eternity, I actually have some finished items to show!

My best friend had a little girl on 01 April, so I knitted this cardi and beret:

It’s from the Sirdar Ooh la la! booklet and uses Snuggly yarn.  I learned to knit when I was 6 or 7 and used to knit quite intricate baby clothes for my dollies, but haven’t done anything other than scarves for years.  Really enjoyed knitting baby stuff though, as it is quite quick to do and is small enough that it doesn’t get boring.

I also made this card for her:

The paper is Sassafrass Lass “In Stiches” collection, which I’ve had for ages.  The big tag and tag tab are Sizzix, button, small tag and font (Girls are Weird) are Sizzlets. Teddy and Flower are Fimo.

Thanks for looking.

Stylish Sundays – Button up

I’ve decided to try something a little different on Sundays and post some stylish themed eye-candy.  For my first foray into this, I have decided on BUTTONS.

I absolutely love buttons – nothing transforms a cheap jacket or blouse like swapping the buttons for nice ones.  There are so many cute button things around at the moment and these are some of my current favourites.

Fantastic button shortbread biscuits from forty-sixth at grace

Oodles of stunning button flowers &  felt ones with button centres at Princess Lasertron

These clear stamps, which I want to buy from EJR Beads

And, in case covered buttons are feeling a little bit left out, this little beauty by Alex Costa (sorry I can’t find a website  for her)

This is Prym Easy Cover Button Maker is definitely next on my list when I’m buying from a haberdashery site.  Remarkably cheap and looks very easy to use, this allows your to cover a blank button with a fabric of your choice.

I’m off to cut some buttons from old clothes.  Hope these have inspired you too.

Thanks for reading xoxo