tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86209575781685841222024-02-20T18:42:32.844+00:00Crafting with Suzanne (& Jessica)Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.comBlogger528125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-33456814728096192732022-09-18T14:44:00.001+01:002023-04-07T20:39:37.934+01:00Inspired by "All That Glitters"<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"> My name is Jessica and this is my first post on Mum's blog.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;">We have been watching "All That Glitters" on the BBC iPlayer. We were inspired to make our own jewellery. I settled on making necklaces out of wire and thread for me and my friends. This is how I did it:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;">1. Put pegs in a board to wrap the wire around to make a design.</span></div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2427" data-original-width="2864" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLMp_6fJ-fb_ExGlpqjgUROe76NMpE8wUfp4IFmeRxcEBMAq_dkgH6PvZCb7NIqmXq6eVLuxVx7eGly3QZNTRCZ-9yS-Zj9-jGE4TUCfSEkT8Zg5813RazyjZR4n7jb0o2XjjpqlKT3gbcKab-PKzZPhpLHzSvukhxGSi-yCEknkZJG5QYUwFHJlG/s320/IMG_20220918_135337.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;">2. Make coils of wire by wrapping it around something round!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszRRGju5wxnPHhOpa1muI4Q303RyrAR2N4RDiFHIG_ip2DeLF3-OE_l9JMKcxNoHo5q9RMYH8mZ59gbGQeDePbBTPNECZJ88kNOJ93RwiMzPhrDX_5QjGfZvBoh_NhnYB6EfL7Z-SOt-8RFvyJuBHxZVTp2BBmDjiNEE2XtlAm0ICjWAI1BS0_Z5G/s2971/IMG_20220918_140433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="2971" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszRRGju5wxnPHhOpa1muI4Q303RyrAR2N4RDiFHIG_ip2DeLF3-OE_l9JMKcxNoHo5q9RMYH8mZ59gbGQeDePbBTPNECZJ88kNOJ93RwiMzPhrDX_5QjGfZvBoh_NhnYB6EfL7Z-SOt-8RFvyJuBHxZVTp2BBmDjiNEE2XtlAm0ICjWAI1BS0_Z5G/s320/IMG_20220918_140433.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;">3. Decide how long you want the necklace to be and measure your thread so that it is twice as long.</span></div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZZfCC_Isatp1vV2jZ_PXtnMHJFOzdM7Xg35uKJ-AgNGcZsm5A2HTQTnNVT16qAIl-q2kQ9ZdCMOLkNQjgg7OUmBMKnh0e7_1EUQsSeAWHA5p3qk80AcnChKypuKOdVFUNm34I5rRy5rIjJ0RX5VVjTFX3FNJp2uMeOUUXSxth60k5fOyCTfD__t3/s2113/IMG_20220918_140750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1694" data-original-width="2113" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZZfCC_Isatp1vV2jZ_PXtnMHJFOzdM7Xg35uKJ-AgNGcZsm5A2HTQTnNVT16qAIl-q2kQ9ZdCMOLkNQjgg7OUmBMKnh0e7_1EUQsSeAWHA5p3qk80AcnChKypuKOdVFUNm34I5rRy5rIjJ0RX5VVjTFX3FNJp2uMeOUUXSxth60k5fOyCTfD__t3/s320/IMG_20220918_140750.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;">4. Thread it all together using the coils to keep the doubled thread together. Tie a knot at the top.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoWvXsFPHDxQ7oJPMZNauSajKCkeWP5VlQoyBaMvXQ_m47YFQPWcUrU5jXfirsU6PhMJJFqHmQzq_wTp-ive4oy6QB3sinBLqAV7TPlg4o_iqg38wxwWPD5Hrm9pjbwbB5luXOQf1OmlY9TAb_EF5SnKtQXeD5_j5_kD9-hxOLvTacTRmM3h3wbDI/s3832/IMG_20220918_141642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3832" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoWvXsFPHDxQ7oJPMZNauSajKCkeWP5VlQoyBaMvXQ_m47YFQPWcUrU5jXfirsU6PhMJJFqHmQzq_wTp-ive4oy6QB3sinBLqAV7TPlg4o_iqg38wxwWPD5Hrm9pjbwbB5luXOQf1OmlY9TAb_EF5SnKtQXeD5_j5_kD9-hxOLvTacTRmM3h3wbDI/s320/IMG_20220918_141642.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;">5. Share them with your friends and see them smile!</span></div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLMp_6fJ-fb_ExGlpqjgUROe76NMpE8wUfp4IFmeRxcEBMAq_dkgH6PvZCb7NIqmXq6eVLuxVx7eGly3QZNTRCZ-9yS-Zj9-jGE4TUCfSEkT8Zg5813RazyjZR4n7jb0o2XjjpqlKT3gbcKab-PKzZPhpLHzSvukhxGSi-yCEknkZJG5QYUwFHJlG/s2864/IMG_20220918_135337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><br /><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-11004540951037255182021-03-07T14:00:00.080+00:002021-03-07T22:55:41.540+00:00Bookmarks from Clay!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have been desperate to have a play with <a href="https://www.staedtler.com/uk/en/discover/general-tips-for-working-with-fimo-leather-effect/" target="_blank">Fimo Leather Effect</a> since seeing it featured on Kirstie's Handmade Christmas so I chose this for our most recent Crafterzoom session. The concept of a clay that tranforms into a leather-like material that can be sewn and cut after hardening was inticing and the stuff has not disappointed. We've only been playing with it so far but Jessica and I have enjoyed our initial experiements which culminated in these bookmarks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWa2gXXcFv4yN83noYmMbzyaBeWfrtHKORGeno2C0ZkzRvi8LTBI3HtPRo6EIBmtal6Yt_UR5QqMcfYkzD7nRnpXNV2vOOi9Mi-0d7w4F3hJDS8TTpqVOV2Xulu6LvkpNmwFMfU3gdw8/s2816/IMG-20210228-WA0002.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="1584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWa2gXXcFv4yN83noYmMbzyaBeWfrtHKORGeno2C0ZkzRvi8LTBI3HtPRo6EIBmtal6Yt_UR5QqMcfYkzD7nRnpXNV2vOOi9Mi-0d7w4F3hJDS8TTpqVOV2Xulu6LvkpNmwFMfU3gdw8/w225-h400/IMG-20210228-WA0002.jpeg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2VCj6l4bFCln9mwlEIASq2QXnqN-bAi7IAqC1JO39ooU7INBnucxJwc3CQS94OFDe60OnuXBH4J5EwWV8980XlwWqMOhgXmkKCuhKL39jw7H8_SGkc1kGocUbB1fAQ_GzFjzJ4DK-Ik/s2816/IMG-20210304-WA0002.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="1584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2VCj6l4bFCln9mwlEIASq2QXnqN-bAi7IAqC1JO39ooU7INBnucxJwc3CQS94OFDe60OnuXBH4J5EwWV8980XlwWqMOhgXmkKCuhKL39jw7H8_SGkc1kGocUbB1fAQ_GzFjzJ4DK-Ik/w225-h400/IMG-20210304-WA0002.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The clay can be used in the same way as other polymer clays before hardening; we experimented with marbling and dotting before rolling out our clay as thin as we could and stretching it gently by hand to add additional texture. We also stamped messages into the clay using small rubber letter stamps ahead of hardening in the oven. It takes 30 minutes at <span style="text-align: left;">130</span><sup style="text-align: left;">o</sup><span style="text-align: left;">C to harden and fix into this strange rubbery material. Once this is done, it can be cut and sewn just as you would leather. I used punches to create holes and fringed a rectangle of the fixed Fimo before rolling and gluing into a tassle whilst Jessica used a paper punch to cut out a heart that she stitiched onto hers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are loads of ideas and tutorials online but this one, from Hobbycraft, gives you a good sense of what can be done with Fimo Leather-effect: <a href="https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/decor-hobbies/how-to-make-a-fimo-leather-effect-luggage-tag" target="_blank">Luggage Tag</a>.</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-44094488634866745592021-03-06T20:49:00.000+00:002021-03-06T20:49:13.001+00:00Tatting - crafting in minature!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our Crafterzoom sessions contnued with a Tatting kit from <a href="https://harlequinlace.com/products?keywords=tatting" target="_blank">Harlequin Lace</a>. This one required concentration and a significant amount of practice after the first attempt. It is another craft involving knotting thread and reminded me of making friendship bracelets. The big difference is that you need the knots to stay flat and so the manipulation of the threads and shuttle (think bobbin if you sew) is really important and was the element that made this craft challenging to grasp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As with crochet, you can work either in a line or in a ring. You work everything in double stitches, which act against each other to stop the whole thing twisting around itself. Once I was happy that I'd mastered the basic stitches I had a go at following a pattern and making a butterfly. I have not mastered this craft yet; I'm finding it hard to get the rings equal in size at the moment. However, I intend to keep picking it up occasionally to improve my skills and confidence. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik11Gx_5NA5zvRA5-GrChOatsREB2X9M8wPkzDDEnXQsvF4QO0KoPFarbQBW3FR0Pq7y7CeJaYP009Z40Y_SOxM1tD8cwIYu52Ks7syEvZu88ALGCzdexniqYbCkXJMlTm8ewYqg54IgQ/s2816/IMG-20210222-WA0007.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik11Gx_5NA5zvRA5-GrChOatsREB2X9M8wPkzDDEnXQsvF4QO0KoPFarbQBW3FR0Pq7y7CeJaYP009Z40Y_SOxM1tD8cwIYu52Ks7syEvZu88ALGCzdexniqYbCkXJMlTm8ewYqg54IgQ/s320/IMG-20210222-WA0007.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubNtatwnA-2aUGujd6Chc70Xk1UFxtkJHpsTgziJfM6lpUAGAaqZudxCopoA7LiayBBS7hCRj9OMF8tyfPkT8VYp0SlxK2Vft-au99hw1G1-_Fea4e00Kv7tHp1r3jk0kukjjAnWKm1E/s2816/IMG-20210222-WA0009.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="1584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubNtatwnA-2aUGujd6Chc70Xk1UFxtkJHpsTgziJfM6lpUAGAaqZudxCopoA7LiayBBS7hCRj9OMF8tyfPkT8VYp0SlxK2Vft-au99hw1G1-_Fea4e00Kv7tHp1r3jk0kukjjAnWKm1E/s320/IMG-20210222-WA0009.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoWGoRItUUZxRwaLzqZ1CbAEaQofwSC-cWqi-vXoURLz8Qc6xjnRWpO84WVUFlYpxawUqvdxR6nVvvEsMHMIOKwonK3IdH5g83PlSf6OhoUfioUCINWwUkh7Va_iZPsbF9ZC8a4PioAQ/s2816/IMG-20210222-WA0014.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="2816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoWGoRItUUZxRwaLzqZ1CbAEaQofwSC-cWqi-vXoURLz8Qc6xjnRWpO84WVUFlYpxawUqvdxR6nVvvEsMHMIOKwonK3IdH5g83PlSf6OhoUfioUCINWwUkh7Va_iZPsbF9ZC8a4PioAQ/s320/IMG-20210222-WA0014.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_sRfgzJO4Lt_uvhLE5ae1Mw3y1kOdbMX6_SzZFi6VSSmwXTzNxJQi1vNvK8M6r42oWEd7keufmn07bg0xGmriOufAR-JaINJ2676DllkWUafw3StuCVZdxFozI7v7o54nWAVa8uO4Zg/s3011/IMG_20210223_213817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3011" data-original-width="2676" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_sRfgzJO4Lt_uvhLE5ae1Mw3y1kOdbMX6_SzZFi6VSSmwXTzNxJQi1vNvK8M6r42oWEd7keufmn07bg0xGmriOufAR-JaINJ2676DllkWUafw3StuCVZdxFozI7v7o54nWAVa8uO4Zg/s320/IMG_20210223_213817.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-23178999867650170612021-02-27T09:00:00.061+00:002021-02-27T09:00:07.123+00:00Diamond Painting<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">We've completed two diamond paintings between us now and have well and truly got the bug. I've found it to be a great mindful activity through these difficult times and have already ordered another two for us to do. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiiU57K67zeSrPMHIk2G0C-vIeEEkqyZvN_JiHtqFSCpXIZby1o_vgt8q3t32A2xAB0wcPJWLIiSHKkG0hEZYKXDsd5l2zjXp42XPaW9HOfU5a8nFOkUq0dB3kQJ5pGkKyivLQsmJDGk/s3033/IMG_20210220_163538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">This one used almost 16,000 "diamonds" and the resulting picture looks fabulous up on Jessica's bedroom wall. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiiU57K67zeSrPMHIk2G0C-vIeEEkqyZvN_JiHtqFSCpXIZby1o_vgt8q3t32A2xAB0wcPJWLIiSHKkG0hEZYKXDsd5l2zjXp42XPaW9HOfU5a8nFOkUq0dB3kQJ5pGkKyivLQsmJDGk/s3033/IMG_20210220_163538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiiU57K67zeSrPMHIk2G0C-vIeEEkqyZvN_JiHtqFSCpXIZby1o_vgt8q3t32A2xAB0wcPJWLIiSHKkG0hEZYKXDsd5l2zjXp42XPaW9HOfU5a8nFOkUq0dB3kQJ5pGkKyivLQsmJDGk/s3033/IMG_20210220_163538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2Z6OuWY2b76RaK0lP4gdGWD7IQCAW1OjgeQqJK3Ffq07b3FCjvqLR9UK03uxtawjdlbsjSJ6NZvSqAGpZIcnbylst4rVlQK5UYQApiJn6l7FVCm2cBv0gev3crBC7l8OsgxLtJbSB1c/w300-h400/IMG_20210221_112224.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">We've tried both round and square drills with these kits. The square drills were much more time consuming and fit so tightly that they were a bit of a fiddle. I ended up using tweezers rather than the pen for attaching them. On top of that, there were a couple of different cuts of drill with the surfaces looking very different and I couldn't decide whether that bothered me or not! The circular drills are uniform and much more forgiving in the application so we could make much faster progress. Not surpisingly, the new kits are both circular drills!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">Having completed the kits, we've now got millions of them left over and I can't bring myself to get rid of them so I have to think of creative ways to use them up. Cue more card making and tiny mosaics... :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiiU57K67zeSrPMHIk2G0C-vIeEEkqyZvN_JiHtqFSCpXIZby1o_vgt8q3t32A2xAB0wcPJWLIiSHKkG0hEZYKXDsd5l2zjXp42XPaW9HOfU5a8nFOkUq0dB3kQJ5pGkKyivLQsmJDGk/s3033/IMG_20210220_163538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiiU57K67zeSrPMHIk2G0C-vIeEEkqyZvN_JiHtqFSCpXIZby1o_vgt8q3t32A2xAB0wcPJWLIiSHKkG0hEZYKXDsd5l2zjXp42XPaW9HOfU5a8nFOkUq0dB3kQJ5pGkKyivLQsmJDGk/s3033/IMG_20210220_163538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3033" data-original-width="2984" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiiU57K67zeSrPMHIk2G0C-vIeEEkqyZvN_JiHtqFSCpXIZby1o_vgt8q3t32A2xAB0wcPJWLIiSHKkG0hEZYKXDsd5l2zjXp42XPaW9HOfU5a8nFOkUq0dB3kQJ5pGkKyivLQsmJDGk/s320/IMG_20210220_163538.jpg" /></a></span></div><br /><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-5688638182354283632021-02-26T15:50:00.001+00:002021-02-26T15:50:14.648+00:00Foil and Fingerprint Cards<p style="text-align: justify;">We had cause to make birthday cards for twins a couple of weeks ago and wanted to make them matching but not identical. With left over foil from her <a href="https://www.galttoys.com/products/fab-foil-art" target="_blank">Galt Foil Art set</a> rubbed onto double-sided adhesive, Jessica created a cake and some balloons. We then added fingerprint flames and more balloons before stamping the birthday message.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Super simple but Jessica was realy pleased with the results...</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2ypepUlKG1CH1z9J3AsXiIhdsSwAu9FxOzNOF8qnyFNcFccTU1y5qGfzICycRbBXnxUm053Q8zlvAxf9NDpLLladkXe8fAMD-EMsS2E8ZMKFyQDte2jykToAleElAJNUf4Y_7SJG79Q/s4000/IMG_20210213_135519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2ypepUlKG1CH1z9J3AsXiIhdsSwAu9FxOzNOF8qnyFNcFccTU1y5qGfzICycRbBXnxUm053Q8zlvAxf9NDpLLladkXe8fAMD-EMsS2E8ZMKFyQDte2jykToAleElAJNUf4Y_7SJG79Q/w640-h480/IMG_20210213_135519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-72204048194891850302021-02-22T21:45:00.077+00:002021-02-22T21:45:09.273+00:00An Old Favourite of Mine<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our second Crafterzoom craft was my choice; I decided to return to a spot of quilling with a beautiful kit from <a href="https://www.pasttimesquilling.co.uk/" target="_blank">Past Times</a>. This was comprehensive and easy to follow but this was a much longer project. We met a couple of times online and both completed the project in our own time after that. Worth every minute though. I just love the intricate detail you get in a quilled card and this was a delightful pattern to work with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaJCkH1kZRA1GtIjFUlMVTJbD9GTFd-2HKBhrFJ508VdF8h6_XFRdIP-7-xy_K6UavHRPUUtIC319NANuiWTJH5qKUFL9tiGyDituBE-zMK1u6ZNCom1erb5mT36cRelR5GqI0DzUJE0/s3191/IMG_20210203_223040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3191" data-original-width="2303" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaJCkH1kZRA1GtIjFUlMVTJbD9GTFd-2HKBhrFJ508VdF8h6_XFRdIP-7-xy_K6UavHRPUUtIC319NANuiWTJH5qKUFL9tiGyDituBE-zMK1u6ZNCom1erb5mT36cRelR5GqI0DzUJE0/w289-h400/IMG_20210203_223040.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Having rekindled my enthusiasm for this craft, I was also keen to revisit the production of paper roses using quilling techniques so I went on to create an anniversary card for my long-suffering husband.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn0dExELnA_Jsdj9k_nx2QBa9q5UPapwnHUHRr888Vu48BS-NangcDuNt9lcSSTKyI1gSD-KuD-uSPjtAdMOPKskH_xGOaWTV6-wtK9KwW8Se7N2H_Yzot_h3fmVGL2XpAu8XedkxTRs/s4000/IMG_20210206_183302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn0dExELnA_Jsdj9k_nx2QBa9q5UPapwnHUHRr888Vu48BS-NangcDuNt9lcSSTKyI1gSD-KuD-uSPjtAdMOPKskH_xGOaWTV6-wtK9KwW8Se7N2H_Yzot_h3fmVGL2XpAu8XedkxTRs/w400-h300/IMG_20210206_183302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuOPJEzBj3VFjHfa5RDMsR_dy8_MO2Ap58hQEVV2cJdEFVrTIEgsuMmng3CJNdL6-bAULBNJ0bu99SlzulmOciMKkMAyTmZpwDU_2JKg4b0n5RNbuAKmcTg2emQmUf1RFcdpf7-QWLOU/s2500/IMG_20210206_202238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2184" data-original-width="2500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuOPJEzBj3VFjHfa5RDMsR_dy8_MO2Ap58hQEVV2cJdEFVrTIEgsuMmng3CJNdL6-bAULBNJ0bu99SlzulmOciMKkMAyTmZpwDU_2JKg4b0n5RNbuAKmcTg2emQmUf1RFcdpf7-QWLOU/s320/IMG_20210206_202238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I had only ever made roses one way before but this time I tried three different techniques for making them. The folded roses are my favourite but the different styles added a bit of interest and Jessica insisted that I also include some fringed flowers. It was my first attempt at making fringed leaves, which were incredibly satisfying and the results were very effective.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMfEIvkXh63q8mc4aIC0fq7P0gC6KTCHxTO4_9AUyEQjdw_TodDAy3d7xht1vrsVczIygvs_dEikfOkEyuXzyoZjdnXR6v8OQpMsaWbk23UB25hUatPmAr_rwldnItm5xCvf9Smnuu9c/s2907/IMG_20210206_202327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2907" data-original-width="2524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMfEIvkXh63q8mc4aIC0fq7P0gC6KTCHxTO4_9AUyEQjdw_TodDAy3d7xht1vrsVczIygvs_dEikfOkEyuXzyoZjdnXR6v8OQpMsaWbk23UB25hUatPmAr_rwldnItm5xCvf9Smnuu9c/s320/IMG_20210206_202327.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiD-DJ7Lz7yRx4slOK7NhTr_IOLFmrZVECTqKqh9SDLcT_aqLxyPREThMZ2dPE0_3rAQGDsabocYgpy8-TSox6GRoZpxF0axPGyIXsTs8g5CjzjkBYRJMggBkEJ44B8hE3Ft-xR1Yruzo/s2307/IMG_20210206_202301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="2015" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiD-DJ7Lz7yRx4slOK7NhTr_IOLFmrZVECTqKqh9SDLcT_aqLxyPREThMZ2dPE0_3rAQGDsabocYgpy8-TSox6GRoZpxF0axPGyIXsTs8g5CjzjkBYRJMggBkEJ44B8hE3Ft-xR1Yruzo/s320/IMG_20210206_202301.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-68306794181593389852021-02-21T21:28:00.037+00:002021-02-21T21:28:01.491+00:00Another Year Older<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">How to Train Your Dragon continues to fire Jessica's imagination. At some stage, she requested a "Night-light" cake, at which point I stopped listening to all the other requests that came because I quite fancied the challenge of modelling one of the offsprings of Toothless and the Lightfury. She was thrilled with the result; I thoroughly enjoyed making the dragon and having a go at marbling fondant icing. If you fancy giving it a go, this is the tutorial I used for the marbling: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0XAgvPJYqk&ab_channel=Wilton" target="_blank">Wilton Tutorial</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGm5qMd41aT6dxuvyMfKBxN-alx_okx4SmNZsxkYwxrrhZZ0WEY822plcD6DsWVeJrT_ilyzWYAXyQ27_2JuelKrNCDwkTH79fd7SrqLT_jrErsu_Y_IqWOLz56YA12OYhXooevF_v3o/s2877/IMG_20210113_204849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="2877" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGm5qMd41aT6dxuvyMfKBxN-alx_okx4SmNZsxkYwxrrhZZ0WEY822plcD6DsWVeJrT_ilyzWYAXyQ27_2JuelKrNCDwkTH79fd7SrqLT_jrErsu_Y_IqWOLz56YA12OYhXooevF_v3o/w400-h323/IMG_20210113_204849.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa5m_lVEie1JqP23N4XUgfpE6ZGmwMM0iFK1mCLrS_mvP-U2_T-gK5HtQ5CmbfibBAPt73kyGNCnKi4fJQoyH2h8W31Y4oJPjthmS5lv3ju5lo29BlJnF1fKbpVPM2kba-XWeMMB_GSU/s4000/IMG_20210113_204753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa5m_lVEie1JqP23N4XUgfpE6ZGmwMM0iFK1mCLrS_mvP-U2_T-gK5HtQ5CmbfibBAPt73kyGNCnKi4fJQoyH2h8W31Y4oJPjthmS5lv3ju5lo29BlJnF1fKbpVPM2kba-XWeMMB_GSU/w400-h300/IMG_20210113_204753.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RB1Yw8CMwDbSIpGMGwh-B7INAnGmzWFuxRwe8O4unAVP9hzMODc3gmdMd9JiPRnDhV37nTZUnbmiXJ7HYEoTV0hay17Vla-aQ_C05KMYW8norx0H3RNqj1J993QDmdKCvORqUdObihg/s4000/IMG_20210114_080403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RB1Yw8CMwDbSIpGMGwh-B7INAnGmzWFuxRwe8O4unAVP9hzMODc3gmdMd9JiPRnDhV37nTZUnbmiXJ7HYEoTV0hay17Vla-aQ_C05KMYW8norx0H3RNqj1J993QDmdKCvORqUdObihg/w400-h300/IMG_20210114_080403.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-2324013469672308142021-02-20T21:24:00.001+00:002021-02-20T21:26:46.103+00:00Mindful Crafts - Macramé kit<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's time to catch up again! Other things have got in the way of sharing my crafts since my home was invaded, once again, by work and schooling but, mercifully, I have managed to squeeze in the time to <i><b>do</b> </i>some more crafting at the start of 2021. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br />The first exploit of the year took the form of a <span style="line-height: 107%;">macramé </span>wall hanging kit from <a href="https://www.mindfulcrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mindful Crafts</a>. A lovely, well thought out kit with clear and simple instructions, this was the perfect kit for our first Crafterzoom session (massive thank you to Hannah for initiating this - it's doing me the world of good). Jessica and I had dabbled with <span style="line-height: 107%;">macramé </span>during the first lockdown but I am most certainly still a beginner and this kit was pitched just right. It took us the evening to complete and we were both pleased with the results, I think?!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh321XDWcVeAG0a1vKlJtyTd57JBomzf91wobFEw8MhQhKfvbZ3h8S_p6wnVLMmy4jaBFS3HLpxobWCYqKoH1nOKr0MZ1p9rFHHIULq-06-I4AISh2-RJSSJM0IjJF6v7hKAGlslI5YVVI/s1402/IMG-20210109-WA0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1402" data-original-width="847" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh321XDWcVeAG0a1vKlJtyTd57JBomzf91wobFEw8MhQhKfvbZ3h8S_p6wnVLMmy4jaBFS3HLpxobWCYqKoH1nOKr0MZ1p9rFHHIULq-06-I4AISh2-RJSSJM0IjJF6v7hKAGlslI5YVVI/s320/IMG-20210109-WA0004.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BaIkqeGee8xSnegGEbTfIynycZOBTBfC3K5w6fh7UzyKlkFw-660hqzc38V0C82Xl7S81cvMpmvPW3UsAf0-v_Eo7ANQj5k05Jh5EsIFrHfvpWdrW6PDCmzcFUuvQcS4hERdWUPT90E/s934/IMG-20210109-WA0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="934" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BaIkqeGee8xSnegGEbTfIynycZOBTBfC3K5w6fh7UzyKlkFw-660hqzc38V0C82Xl7S81cvMpmvPW3UsAf0-v_Eo7ANQj5k05Jh5EsIFrHfvpWdrW6PDCmzcFUuvQcS4hERdWUPT90E/s320/IMG-20210109-WA0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">As is customary in this household, when Jessica saw my effort she wanted to have a go herself. So, out came the dowel and chunky wool and we went through the instructions again. These now hang side by side in our lounge turning slowly in the convection currents from the radiator below them. A first <span style="line-height: 107%;">macramé </span>project but definitely not our last.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcDkdClvsM8EcE3B5TiTuARsmEwHeyCHr7KexkCWMTBoK61hoLXD74FVOavpjbAQBe9-8TS5lWwEcCNT7w79YmYvZJjmuSctMV7lUNLzbUemNQF2HsA5F0SHqpHI5ToG71ThBWNCWNQg/s3927/IMG_20210110_143720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3927" data-original-width="1766" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcDkdClvsM8EcE3B5TiTuARsmEwHeyCHr7KexkCWMTBoK61hoLXD74FVOavpjbAQBe9-8TS5lWwEcCNT7w79YmYvZJjmuSctMV7lUNLzbUemNQF2HsA5F0SHqpHI5ToG71ThBWNCWNQg/s320/IMG_20210110_143720.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Vbg3p54OtlrkBtrGdQbx8e1t9rHP-6b_fATAKJx85dEr8y4UpMvfe3oI-8BJk1WdyR6YmxA7nY9BpnzyGdo7t6axKp9v-6wLeSTPAiGEdy3aVOU-MnAvrdo7l-7J8D1veVZqUxUT2HQ/s4000/IMG_20210110_143808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Vbg3p54OtlrkBtrGdQbx8e1t9rHP-6b_fATAKJx85dEr8y4UpMvfe3oI-8BJk1WdyR6YmxA7nY9BpnzyGdo7t6axKp9v-6wLeSTPAiGEdy3aVOU-MnAvrdo7l-7J8D1veVZqUxUT2HQ/s320/IMG_20210110_143808.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-45072014974263637732020-12-24T21:13:00.000+00:002020-12-24T21:13:03.555+00:002020 calls for DOUBLE stockings!<p class="MsoNormal">Hanging hopefully on Jessica's wardrobe this evening are a pair of
stockings that tell one of the many tales of 2020. This is a story of plans
made, excitement built and then everything changing at the eleventh hour. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Jessica and I were supposed to be in Wales with Dad for Christmas this year and so
we had prepared for a double Christmas – one with Grandad and then another with
Daddy. Two Christmas mornings surely must mean two stockings, right?! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I had made Jessica’s crocheted stocking for her first
Christmas. I’m proud of it and I could never replace it but I do wish I’d
chosen my wool to be Christmassy and that I’d actually thought about how I
wanted it to look. So, one idle evening (yes, I do occasionally get one) I
thought I’d break out the Christmas fabric and make a new patchwork stocking
especially for this year at Grandad’s. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Fast forward to Christmas movement being restricted and
Wales going back into lockdown and we’re back to a single Christmas at home but
we’ve still got two stockings! We were also let loose with pompom makers this
evening, so each stocking is now fully accessorised and ready for anything that
the Christmas of 2020 can stuff inside!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #274e13;">Merry Christmas everyone!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF2ha6CsMNZXMYFdjCCxiZZ2Xq4BZLo4TdSUufvtmuXqMn0h1qmQ3qVPQWQ-meUNq-QPnBwp9jxRWO-GOwn62g9jeaWjrkmw8kr0xWl-zXSaugkBdiTvSjl_osm4AKkQxdwqeM0V4Dc4/s4000/IMG_20201224_190209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF2ha6CsMNZXMYFdjCCxiZZ2Xq4BZLo4TdSUufvtmuXqMn0h1qmQ3qVPQWQ-meUNq-QPnBwp9jxRWO-GOwn62g9jeaWjrkmw8kr0xWl-zXSaugkBdiTvSjl_osm4AKkQxdwqeM0V4Dc4/w480-h640/IMG_20201224_190209.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-7344278194805463422020-12-23T16:48:00.003+00:002020-12-23T16:48:47.008+00:00Painting Bauble Fillers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Yesterday was a painting day. After finally finishing painting the kitchen walls (I started in August!) I got out my finest brushes and turned my sights on painting and touching up bauble fillers from Hobbycraft. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The small <a href="https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/wooden-cottage-bauble-filler-45cm/650099-1000">wooden cottage</a> and pine cones took a while to paint but I'm so happy with the results. I created a little scene in this unusual fillable bauble with snow and a tiny log pile. Here is it hanging proudly from our tree...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBnueLTQ_pRT3nYo6_o9vZxuCZ_fBdNgrEeWB6ZJ98MiqXgGYrwi43jXBqGs7vPjw5WHusKG3cWUtd3i2Kgea7LaAVi_qVuW5JGp_-mjfonFK6AchrnQbGwkMKGEu0UQzJf_sAKzS9pY/s3385/IMG_20201223_092904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3385" data-original-width="2851" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBnueLTQ_pRT3nYo6_o9vZxuCZ_fBdNgrEeWB6ZJ98MiqXgGYrwi43jXBqGs7vPjw5WHusKG3cWUtd3i2Kgea7LaAVi_qVuW5JGp_-mjfonFK6AchrnQbGwkMKGEu0UQzJf_sAKzS9pY/w338-h400/IMG_20201223_092904.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jessica had chosen a small resin cat to use in a bauble a few weeks ago. We decided to use cotton wool as a snowy base with a few glittery snowballs scattered around. We then glued some snowflake confetti shapes to the inside of the bauble and painted some snow dots on the bauble along with some snow detail on the top and around the edges of the opening but they are difficult to see on the photo below. The cat benefitted from a little touch up with acrylics and I added some snow on the ear and tail tip just because I could!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu9ZetMSSOTqZxZpZz2BygkrEGKQ2ahv_WkkDtaR1LV6Seey9ROK2gcuKKxzeNaxtuNyoK9p2Y4NINMpPdo6kTbeMbfVR1vhnGahw0qUVIXaLLbLUL4OtuH4GM4LqZMsy2Lfts1HrNe8/s3037/IMG_20201223_114936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3037" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu9ZetMSSOTqZxZpZz2BygkrEGKQ2ahv_WkkDtaR1LV6Seey9ROK2gcuKKxzeNaxtuNyoK9p2Y4NINMpPdo6kTbeMbfVR1vhnGahw0qUVIXaLLbLUL4OtuH4GM4LqZMsy2Lfts1HrNe8/w400-h395/IMG_20201223_114936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We've got several other resin figures in my Christmas supplies but I think I'll save them for next year now. It doesn't do to add too many new decorations each year!</div><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-65125439242351207412020-12-21T20:43:00.002+00:002020-12-21T20:43:09.409+00:00All About Crackers!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I've made my own crackers for years and years. It was something Mum and I started together. She would buy some lovely little gifts for us and I would make the crackers to put them in. I'll never forget the year that we put a beautiful silk scarf in Nan's cracker - it was not very well received but her response was priceless! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Anyway, we used to buy cracker making kits that included everything else you needed - precut templates, snaps, jokes and crowns. In the last few years I've just used snaps bought from <a href="https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hobbycraft</a> and have used cardboard tubes wrapped to form the cracker but I had a bit more time on my hands this year so I decided to try making them properly. I used a template from <a href="https://mrprintables.com/cracker-templates.html" target="_blank">Mr Printables</a>, which worked really well. I printed one copy, which I have laminated to keep. I then used this template to make a dozen crackers and will keep it to use for years to come. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">All that remains is to see if they actually snap properly on the day itself! Fingers crossed...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcm118Utty_ijtk6NzQfNtoVvCsmH8wZgmSyzKiKH-V3YqSrlVUDsOzXDq4oL_3bzn95qC91ScteMeTzYzqbOi9Qr3A7_1IG9raRDGbnIXSL_aCwqMuIWChwcHsxAbSr4Eb5dLORgcnw/s3762/IMG_20201219_135231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2652" data-original-width="3762" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcm118Utty_ijtk6NzQfNtoVvCsmH8wZgmSyzKiKH-V3YqSrlVUDsOzXDq4oL_3bzn95qC91ScteMeTzYzqbOi9Qr3A7_1IG9raRDGbnIXSL_aCwqMuIWChwcHsxAbSr4Eb5dLORgcnw/w640-h452/IMG_20201219_135231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-66801877234496525622020-12-14T17:16:00.004+00:002020-12-14T17:16:43.912+00:00Encaustic Baubles<p style="text-align: justify;">We got adventurous over the weekend and tried a new technique for decorating <a href="https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/advancedsearchresults.aspx?query=ceramic+baubles" target="_blank">Hobbycraft's ceramic baubles</a> - hot wax painting (encaustic art). We used our encaustic stylus to melt and apply the wax, which seems to have adhered really well to the ceramic surface. Although time-consuming it was very satisfying and we were both pleased with the results. My photos don't really do them justice but here are our chunky wax painted decorations...</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBRak4p1YAQz-SmIjOWvFmlPKfaatxn63tNa_1nYvNg9exUjiNXTDFybTtHiRsM6vaH4-IPQdlHW4iKR_4s1bQTrOgltdWmiBBgmMZz5tcmRJR_BIVBYHMfSexolXbYf0G-ja_iwPZrQ/s2726/IMG_20201212_164215.jpg" style="margin-centre: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="2595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBRak4p1YAQz-SmIjOWvFmlPKfaatxn63tNa_1nYvNg9exUjiNXTDFybTtHiRsM6vaH4-IPQdlHW4iKR_4s1bQTrOgltdWmiBBgmMZz5tcmRJR_BIVBYHMfSexolXbYf0G-ja_iwPZrQ/s320/IMG_20201212_164215.jpg" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXIm4kQdyHQC-rSEF_zNspo1PDAFKZMNVGcb6qcW-EzApLKanH9qFTLHKeMr5JLeQZluBtfVg7q9_4kPjhGxLu3C_UMM3rTfWWc9Z-yV6GNaoXMFumFt0dQBrfwETgcuO1UeKAiUl5L0/s4000/IMG_20201212_153022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXIm4kQdyHQC-rSEF_zNspo1PDAFKZMNVGcb6qcW-EzApLKanH9qFTLHKeMr5JLeQZluBtfVg7q9_4kPjhGxLu3C_UMM3rTfWWc9Z-yV6GNaoXMFumFt0dQBrfwETgcuO1UeKAiUl5L0/s320/IMG_20201212_153022.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGw_3pkQFOuP6q6PU6CsZEfTe_MrWrcUTRElR5Zv6BNYgg9KgCDoLub6N2i_enhzJf-6xlT9eMcYzm-Vf5ZBdu97qIpy9xc1u1_ZHlyCZ0m2tzk_DDx0XHlalMkFToiSiRAEd38BgAPZI/s4000/IMG_20201212_154828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGw_3pkQFOuP6q6PU6CsZEfTe_MrWrcUTRElR5Zv6BNYgg9KgCDoLub6N2i_enhzJf-6xlT9eMcYzm-Vf5ZBdu97qIpy9xc1u1_ZHlyCZ0m2tzk_DDx0XHlalMkFToiSiRAEd38BgAPZI/s320/IMG_20201212_154828.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-89733562860895864602020-12-10T20:05:00.003+00:002020-12-10T20:05:38.202+00:00Miniature Modelling<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There are times when Jessica takes advantage of my keeness to craft and I start to question my sanity. Last weekend I found myself modelling all sorts of things from polymer clay and hot glue for her Sylvanian families. It was therapeutic and Jessica was delighted but surely there were better things I could have been doing with my time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It all began with making bowls of cream for the cats...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VbI3XYJ4PuYWQc9N4bOAxx6Ev_WgI-HI0D2VxWqUTZwDUPYeYhd7sHbbusWGqqI-EZ9R6P9VrDP9YQwIlPNf2b8oVWjwiECPhiYefkKQXIr6f_gySr0NZgCThJZBsyKUnOxaneGaEys/s3196/IMG_20201204_195713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3196" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VbI3XYJ4PuYWQc9N4bOAxx6Ev_WgI-HI0D2VxWqUTZwDUPYeYhd7sHbbusWGqqI-EZ9R6P9VrDP9YQwIlPNf2b8oVWjwiECPhiYefkKQXIr6f_gySr0NZgCThJZBsyKUnOxaneGaEys/w400-h375/IMG_20201204_195713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These were moulded around small marbles, baked and then filled with hot glue "cream". Jessica then decided that they needed remote controls for their television and a ladder to reach their top bunk in the caravan. Naturally, they also needed a new set of tiaras as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNgNNqQ0FK-CSk7MQAUdZhWs8lfhmwJFlvg5N2PC2sR8fUvUwgkVEcdK169gW5phrM-CYwpfKgjtOM-wfxLZZV7YPyi3pt3QtvICLbgIsBEq9vSqRny8IMlpnf6SirMCAkAGwUA4svWU/s2846/IMG_20201206_142349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2846" data-original-width="2570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNgNNqQ0FK-CSk7MQAUdZhWs8lfhmwJFlvg5N2PC2sR8fUvUwgkVEcdK169gW5phrM-CYwpfKgjtOM-wfxLZZV7YPyi3pt3QtvICLbgIsBEq9vSqRny8IMlpnf6SirMCAkAGwUA4svWU/w289-h320/IMG_20201206_142349.jpg" width="289" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ4KzclN8XQByjB6E0hdGzEHwuebNupN9JJ3oUmKy5-25UmXbetuyeCCo444-ARr_-Zeg25L1R4e0F3Br19o65Iwepn0r-CqRLCVq0nhs9WHMSz9TI3ITyH7O7sLWpum4wDo2Qx3Obu8/s4000/IMG_20201206_141815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ4KzclN8XQByjB6E0hdGzEHwuebNupN9JJ3oUmKy5-25UmXbetuyeCCo444-ARr_-Zeg25L1R4e0F3Br19o65Iwepn0r-CqRLCVq0nhs9WHMSz9TI3ITyH7O7sLWpum4wDo2Qx3Obu8/w240-h320/IMG_20201206_141815.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Perhaps this weekend Christmas will arrive in the Sylvanian town and I'll find myself making tiny rrees, lights and tinsel!!! I will not be giving these ideas to Jessica; we're going to be far too busy finishing Christmas gifts.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-22971673971804932382020-12-07T09:00:00.096+00:002020-12-07T09:00:05.465+00:00A Very Merry Christmas Craft Weekend<p style="text-align: justify;">We may be out of lockdown but it's December so Jessica and I spent the weekend crafting at home. Some of our crafting was for Christmas gifting so I won't share those bits yet but here's what we've been up to for ourselves...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmDn9EEQMTFEjb1BTRcMUe_7gFD6CahyphenhyphenOLPzB0QyK6LmoAKgImK_O0nmiYfPFJMSoeSoOW1AKJUVz_JjBSf77d0tQhI4_uJMVuJ7B-YmMaYkxUXmHF242qvVLlPNcFR5JVww63EfFoaY/s4000/IMG_20201206_134404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmDn9EEQMTFEjb1BTRcMUe_7gFD6CahyphenhyphenOLPzB0QyK6LmoAKgImK_O0nmiYfPFJMSoeSoOW1AKJUVz_JjBSf77d0tQhI4_uJMVuJ7B-YmMaYkxUXmHF242qvVLlPNcFR5JVww63EfFoaY/w400-h300/IMG_20201206_134404.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Our little snowman is made from cork, wire, acrylic paint and embroidery silks. Super simple, aside from the fiddly nose, and so cute - he looks great hanging on the tree.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcTu4qg7BRBwabaDxDv_i929KPdmYz98EAQcShVblAB8Rk8VDAAjfBAXIsKWGVA-eR7DUw_SzAUwSB0Jsw867GqYLm3Td7Z_ai2PAhhh7K1t9qcIA2HTg1ln_X71Tsgf51hDLgehJjzk/s3218/IMG_20201204_222520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3218" data-original-width="2248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcTu4qg7BRBwabaDxDv_i929KPdmYz98EAQcShVblAB8Rk8VDAAjfBAXIsKWGVA-eR7DUw_SzAUwSB0Jsw867GqYLm3Td7Z_ai2PAhhh7K1t9qcIA2HTg1ln_X71Tsgf51hDLgehJjzk/s320/IMG_20201204_222520.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUCnPO36TPh0HmxRQMhM-diBf_2D4RWQElP4MMHK3LAOCVhuHqma7eXAXpLyl_4-S9Qoeehn2CEau811dkgkiqqhaYZTJ3yFSy5qbxCark34QFra6exHepgKGHNQar03qVwr-Lrj2h58/s3149/IMG_20201206_143308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUCnPO36TPh0HmxRQMhM-diBf_2D4RWQElP4MMHK3LAOCVhuHqma7eXAXpLyl_4-S9Qoeehn2CEau811dkgkiqqhaYZTJ3yFSy5qbxCark34QFra6exHepgKGHNQar03qVwr-Lrj2h58/s320/IMG_20201206_143308.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I did some needle felting on Friday evening whilst catching up on "Kirstie's Handmade Christmas". I had a polystyrene base to felt onto but it was quite thin so this was a bit more challenging than usual and I had to be extra careful of my fingers. I also squeezed in a bit of time to make my own little wreath. I opted for a "less is more" approach and kept it simple. I opted to use wire rather than hot glue to attach everything so I can easily make adjustments in future years. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2UwWBR1D-JyWgmC6ns0pgdvTdlyL38AOlm1jwkcQihesEct9Lsb5o8ASuqgJpGK96tYgjfGT_LRFJ72-kHab2KJfhovliIMyJLQxDcFh_A2MGMAdJZZ809RmX2a8h3eiI5Il2YFn0F0/s4000/IMG_20201205_133332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2UwWBR1D-JyWgmC6ns0pgdvTdlyL38AOlm1jwkcQihesEct9Lsb5o8ASuqgJpGK96tYgjfGT_LRFJ72-kHab2KJfhovliIMyJLQxDcFh_A2MGMAdJZZ809RmX2a8h3eiI5Il2YFn0F0/s320/IMG_20201205_133332.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, Jessica and I have been pottery painitng AGAIN! I can't share her efforts but I was really pleased with my little gnome / nordic santa. I'm now praying to the kiln gods that he comes out how I'd like him to!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-1005399253591127492020-12-06T10:00:00.001+00:002020-12-06T10:00:05.247+00:00Pine Cone Rudolph Decoration<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This little fellow is a make from a few years ago that I seem never to have shared although I love him. This under five minute make has felt ears, googly eyes, a ruby red pom-pom nose, twig antlers and the ability to make you smile year after year when he comes out of storage!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycObZow-HvEG20w87R24UWQaaP3EY5mgX8W45qia7Ik5hUewwmRQfj47x4VqhAf4zKK51597s2tyHtpo1FGTfdkGu0BfRNUk1dM90519T9DXFBzHTy3-5qGjeH0mMzisTB7lXVpO2uic/s4000/IMG_20201204_193555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycObZow-HvEG20w87R24UWQaaP3EY5mgX8W45qia7Ik5hUewwmRQfj47x4VqhAf4zKK51597s2tyHtpo1FGTfdkGu0BfRNUk1dM90519T9DXFBzHTy3-5qGjeH0mMzisTB7lXVpO2uic/w300-h400/IMG_20201204_193555.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-55450296370074394112020-12-05T20:07:00.000+00:002020-12-05T20:07:10.031+00:00Jessica's Christmas Wreath<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">It's certainly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas this week. I can't remember the last time we saw snow so early in the season and just a short walk around the neighbourhood yielded 65 houses with Christmas lights up last Sunday. Our tree went up on Thursday and out came all of our window ornaments, Christmas pictures and this wreath that Jessica made last year. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoi-u7jQFD9-dIchvmvudsX3XksBUnE6yXqNdCGGphn5H-Let1ZqZgP5fLy69Tz9EqGobdyqWqqq19YTseyFLrC-Nbb0QxB6Q9YFEVsmwNy7fL9x6BN0dMYZikxNdzxxx49nIarCpqZU/s3086/IMG_20201204_192747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3086" data-original-width="2893" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoi-u7jQFD9-dIchvmvudsX3XksBUnE6yXqNdCGGphn5H-Let1ZqZgP5fLy69Tz9EqGobdyqWqqq19YTseyFLrC-Nbb0QxB6Q9YFEVsmwNy7fL9x6BN0dMYZikxNdzxxx49nIarCpqZU/w375-h400/IMG_20201204_192747.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">She made candy canes, stars and bells from polymer clay and riffled through my suppliers to find ribbon, skeleton-leaves, ribbon flowers, bells, wire flowers, pine cones and pom-poms. She used a blank rattan wreath from Hobbycraft and carefully designed it before giving me the instructions with the hot glue gun! It would appear to have survived a year in storage and is now hanging in pride of place in the conservatory again for a few weeks. </div><br /><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-65253760056314169922020-11-22T10:00:00.095+00:002020-11-22T10:00:02.563+00:00Inspired by Linda Lang - Part 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Whilst we waited for David to return home with shaving foam yesterday I thought I'd reacquaint myself and introduce Jessica to encaustic art. This is a craft I haven't picked up for decades but the friend I used to enjoy doing it with, who now lives in New Zealand, gifted me her childhood supplies the last time I saw her and I'm delighted to be putting them to use now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The general idea is that you create pieces of art from beeswax mixed with pigment. The wax blocks are melted using a low heat and applied to special paper. We learned to use the iron first, applying the wax directly to the iron and then wiping it across the paper. Then we discovered the joy of making patterns in the wax by applying the iron and lifting it from the paper as if hinged to the table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbm0eFSBi5mxG8K1U1V3QUdZXyq8E9h89ONcsZszQOW9ttT95Z28vvAc8PW8iw9ohkSK4M_1duEavUKpbhZLMTR7mQNyR6dVXdh3vxqbqvXzp0wDeyU9ViGNlU2VhLPHQz8uJRcr_2PY/s4000/IMG_20201121_142102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbm0eFSBi5mxG8K1U1V3QUdZXyq8E9h89ONcsZszQOW9ttT95Z28vvAc8PW8iw9ohkSK4M_1duEavUKpbhZLMTR7mQNyR6dVXdh3vxqbqvXzp0wDeyU9ViGNlU2VhLPHQz8uJRcr_2PY/w321-h242/IMG_20201121_142102.jpg" width="321" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf40HKGbUnfkSQV8sC5ZoluCEAuBcxjXirVCqZxt-rcVwg1qZb1VGor8vX0bZdFf_KszoLQ5dRJjMEtNfWxVYk2Hh5Xo28jTtecaKxSeF9sXpSKgEyOB5tXweO79Erwuxws8b0erKUKng/s3000/IMG_20201121_183513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2657" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf40HKGbUnfkSQV8sC5ZoluCEAuBcxjXirVCqZxt-rcVwg1qZb1VGor8vX0bZdFf_KszoLQ5dRJjMEtNfWxVYk2Hh5Xo28jTtecaKxSeF9sXpSKgEyOB5tXweO79Erwuxws8b0erKUKng/w266-h301/IMG_20201121_183513.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Once these basics had been understood we turned out attention to the stylus with it's two knibs and one metal brush attachment. You put the knib into the wax, which melts and is drawn up into the cavity of the knib where it is stored as liquid colour and released onto the paper as you write or draw as you would with a normal pen. It's brilliant! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXFYPvoxjvbLkHI4oElKRdw4xi3crfYquVd8TPknzQR7ySaWuqGpqRKVAfziyXCokkjEBe0EtsmUM8-vVUYX62USv6rlPghccU9qp1iMrrgEsUpI9wPuDkrqwL-FE-rJAfYQzlQWsARk/s4000/IMG_20201121_145210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXFYPvoxjvbLkHI4oElKRdw4xi3crfYquVd8TPknzQR7ySaWuqGpqRKVAfziyXCokkjEBe0EtsmUM8-vVUYX62USv6rlPghccU9qp1iMrrgEsUpI9wPuDkrqwL-FE-rJAfYQzlQWsARk/s320/IMG_20201121_145210.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt3x4bGs1lnaeGBKaBFnPzx78V4NrKlH8E8S7cIjlJbLHCGVuk9m6LJYmMEuqMpmYskwC2HprcsG7jLG-tJ2zttR5g31rBlwMIMUQJzKhjwScflv11QBDYlkythGM1X4YIxyaWw7CaDg/s4000/IMG_20201121_143740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt3x4bGs1lnaeGBKaBFnPzx78V4NrKlH8E8S7cIjlJbLHCGVuk9m6LJYmMEuqMpmYskwC2HprcsG7jLG-tJ2zttR5g31rBlwMIMUQJzKhjwScflv11QBDYlkythGM1X4YIxyaWw7CaDg/s320/IMG_20201121_143740.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I was so impressed with the way Jessica handled the tools. She thoroughly enjoyed her afternoon working with melted wax and even managed to create tiny wax penguins on her homework piece, again in the bottom right hand corner...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO057SQdR5Ggqm7V1w19_IpfK5-iTNTSw2lqq5pGukrmkMYwGw28uUFoEAWfqK9onzgoSpi3SqeS1cTYWGQnreguuB-mxF2tu4i5m7CrnK_GmFFGm6U-d0v8w1GvlrEs7jgLUeANVb2qQ/s3763/IMG_20201121_183313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2607" data-original-width="3763" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO057SQdR5Ggqm7V1w19_IpfK5-iTNTSw2lqq5pGukrmkMYwGw28uUFoEAWfqK9onzgoSpi3SqeS1cTYWGQnreguuB-mxF2tu4i5m7CrnK_GmFFGm6U-d0v8w1GvlrEs7jgLUeANVb2qQ/w640-h444/IMG_20201121_183313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I also wanted to share the paper she had for getting used to the wax and tools and practising the techniques. I think it's rather beautiful...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqVHSp7uoy6tIl9QhFGyEaHC4kunvttUbyMfqIpH6T4ImEe7nRhU-QM1Rgh0QGRzV05xAH7Eu7oz1-oz2u3wVC_zfMgEJ60rZzbUuTU_pOZgdwctJCO8gFvQshjw8XEh8rAnc8mP47Mc/s3602/IMG_20201121_182628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="3602" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqVHSp7uoy6tIl9QhFGyEaHC4kunvttUbyMfqIpH6T4ImEe7nRhU-QM1Rgh0QGRzV05xAH7Eu7oz1-oz2u3wVC_zfMgEJ60rZzbUuTU_pOZgdwctJCO8gFvQshjw8XEh8rAnc8mP47Mc/w640-h446/IMG_20201121_182628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We had such a lovely afternoon that I've put some new encaustic waxes and papers on my Christmas list ;-)</div><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-75534523374041739412020-11-21T20:24:00.001+00:002020-11-21T20:24:17.207+00:00Inspired by Linda Lang - Part 1<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">One of Jessica's homework tasks this week is to recreate a painting by the artist Linda Lang, whose work they have been studying in school as part of their current topic "Ice". Invited to use a medium of their choice, Jessica opted to depict </span><a href="https://www.lindalang.ca/images/watching-the-iceberg-calve-antarctica-2013#PhotoSwipe1605987670950" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Watching the Iceberg Calve</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> in two ways - shaving foam marbling and encaustic wax art. She spent hours on these this afternoon and they are worthy of separate posts so I'm going to just look at the marbling for the moment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCU5-1vrvT1iy5YwG4srAI47KnUkbRxur5zK2kX8WLG8dw2n4jSUKxpi4pJ9KLDCamajm1Jb2aef5w_krbgkczl8IUa-s-aiRwmtPkbst1hU1DueQRUlgcwJjhMGw70FKLPI58Py97tM/s2048/IMG_20201121_175004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCU5-1vrvT1iy5YwG4srAI47KnUkbRxur5zK2kX8WLG8dw2n4jSUKxpi4pJ9KLDCamajm1Jb2aef5w_krbgkczl8IUa-s-aiRwmtPkbst1hU1DueQRUlgcwJjhMGw70FKLPI58Py97tM/w400-h300/IMG_20201121_175004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We hadn't had a huge amount of success with shaving foam marbling before but the swirls of ice and sea on the painting were screaming out to be marbled so we gave it another go. This time we got it right and it was a lot of fun so I thought I'd share our simple steps...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">1. Squirt shaving foam into a shallow tray (an old baking sheet is ideal), lather it up and spread it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtikkF2lV7HjMZyy12cEOjw6ZBud4sEcshiL8YyYd2Jv_Gdhp2939rtKN9YwLcGLjx854VL-UAZTtZyCR55NUg8JDBuhmqsG-b_mafBO3VOHdXa-44QZKllKX7VszSaKlFfA9hlTq5suw/s1735/IMG_20201121_173813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtikkF2lV7HjMZyy12cEOjw6ZBud4sEcshiL8YyYd2Jv_Gdhp2939rtKN9YwLcGLjx854VL-UAZTtZyCR55NUg8JDBuhmqsG-b_mafBO3VOHdXa-44QZKllKX7VszSaKlFfA9hlTq5suw/s320/IMG_20201121_173813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">2. Slacken down some acrylic paint with a little water and drip onto the shaving foam. I have also read that liquid watercolours and food colouring work well.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsNx-T9WdYo5luaocPfwvQynuXXOm1J2Km4KP_o1K9MIR2lUyvJPUmi3yhgmraGfSjv9yWWTSbwkfv6flVa6lm7lwd0DZ0AAaAPf4gmLlURBpjF8OaP6OoNsI-wBcuF57zxEQsMGF2M8/s2048/IMG_20201121_174205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsNx-T9WdYo5luaocPfwvQynuXXOm1J2Km4KP_o1K9MIR2lUyvJPUmi3yhgmraGfSjv9yWWTSbwkfv6flVa6lm7lwd0DZ0AAaAPf4gmLlURBpjF8OaP6OoNsI-wBcuF57zxEQsMGF2M8/s320/IMG_20201121_174205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">3. Use a skewer, cocktail stick or similar to swirl the paint around in the foam. You can do this one colour at a time or add all of your colour in one go and swirl altogether.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJKRa4gRy8_f3hfonzShM35kTneEOHD5aUIPn59btcKk5qsh3ZkyMlmeCVAcqoik6mOlmj5xp-xJAdtTg3lCky7BMJa_oOS6YGatspc-5CVjvuPnA-Ud7X9KyVrx2l7eLd6Dgbe3KWQo/s2048/IMG_20201121_174434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJKRa4gRy8_f3hfonzShM35kTneEOHD5aUIPn59btcKk5qsh3ZkyMlmeCVAcqoik6mOlmj5xp-xJAdtTg3lCky7BMJa_oOS6YGatspc-5CVjvuPnA-Ud7X9KyVrx2l7eLd6Dgbe3KWQo/s320/IMG_20201121_174434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">4. Place your card or paper on top of the foam. You will need to gently but firmly smooth the paper down all over to ensure contact and transfer.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt4E0TV1OBefAgCQsSk-kRwF5U5jZ6bMPheIZ0N5PeVoe3UBzdW1ckZ91ryv4wJW8SZ41xqkk50paVw2Fga-AberNVy2VeHnbucDgMULlFslmgJIYUujXgAyd5nCfed6ce5-SYqRtFV4/s2048/IMG_20201121_175103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1623" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt4E0TV1OBefAgCQsSk-kRwF5U5jZ6bMPheIZ0N5PeVoe3UBzdW1ckZ91ryv4wJW8SZ41xqkk50paVw2Fga-AberNVy2VeHnbucDgMULlFslmgJIYUujXgAyd5nCfed6ce5-SYqRtFV4/s320/IMG_20201121_175103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">5. Lift the paper off and scrape the foam off, holding the paper down and scraping from one side of the paper to the other. An old credit card is ideal for this but anything rigid with a flat edge would do. Make sure you have something to put the removed foam into so that you can clean the scraper between strips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Gt41WKZrTfFQfPdxLUQmXNmePIYqa6pN2zGAibHGr7jBS9UIG20j6mGmMJbtCuCXs5PCg1zPD3-ql2AJj-x4Pvw_pXNa9YUsUVU2Oe2duKn4Ju93qaBP59etcQqUmfN3YuXcMY0wjXs/s2048/IMG_20201121_175235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Gt41WKZrTfFQfPdxLUQmXNmePIYqa6pN2zGAibHGr7jBS9UIG20j6mGmMJbtCuCXs5PCg1zPD3-ql2AJj-x4Pvw_pXNa9YUsUVU2Oe2duKn4Ju93qaBP59etcQqUmfN3YuXcMY0wjXs/s320/IMG_20201121_175235.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">6. Allow to dry off and use to make greetings cards or just enjoy the pretty patterns. Jessica added the finishing touch of three penguins in the bottom right hand corner to complete her Linda Lang inspired painting. Can you spot them?!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYx1R2N3lcY1IgNU5CxP6Eizm4-MqWPhZ3ymrUZONiXk_fVUyiyJpt3YalnPRdDFZ4LOQg5jxA_jATSeUQQ-pnvFDdk4NOd5VMLy_mcAFhBceDAjMC3j-I775R4T5Gk5YiLY7XTGut28/s2048/IMG_20201121_183143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYx1R2N3lcY1IgNU5CxP6Eizm4-MqWPhZ3ymrUZONiXk_fVUyiyJpt3YalnPRdDFZ4LOQg5jxA_jATSeUQQ-pnvFDdk4NOd5VMLy_mcAFhBceDAjMC3j-I775R4T5Gk5YiLY7XTGut28/w640-h462/IMG_20201121_183143.jpg" width="640" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-68531205470051608352020-11-18T21:02:00.006+00:002020-11-18T22:42:47.848+00:00Pottery Painting Party<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">2020 has not allowed for many children's parties has it?! However, we were lucky enough to be invited to celebrate a special friend's birthday in October via a Zoom Pottery Painting Party, which we joined from Wales. Using kits from <a href="https://www.blue-owl.co.uk/" target="_blank">Blue Owl</a> we enjoyed a fabulous morning of painting and games. Jessica kept diving off to go and check on the subject that she was painting, Dad's cat Monty, and I created a <a href="http://www.robbiddulph.com/draw-with-rob" target="_blank">#DrawWithRob</a> inspired coaster. We collected them post-firing this weekend. So pleased with them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcLk9SV5n0KJqCoS1gSNXH2ASBF_vHxZiyVix36pu52vFihLo4_OlWrCxkDNc0wR9zCgMApuMvZTONJLyKneIRwLhrCop9xeXxdm9pNn5CG4b7Hrkq71DZ_X1RWgyIj91DRIfMiCQFDA/s3291/IMG_20201114_112119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3291" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcLk9SV5n0KJqCoS1gSNXH2ASBF_vHxZiyVix36pu52vFihLo4_OlWrCxkDNc0wR9zCgMApuMvZTONJLyKneIRwLhrCop9xeXxdm9pNn5CG4b7Hrkq71DZ_X1RWgyIj91DRIfMiCQFDA/w365-h400/IMG_20201114_112119.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjch_nAFOYIXoCyYiFU3j9L-JUq3oswr5Yli4Zw6nX1twICdcOu2FeQMURu7Kk4Ea27ldGfrGHNskiUAQsAE0CJT2BA6FNhLEscm8G5IIRZhSUKdKTHLmYv_oiHIHT0uzPvkjqHTCQZTM/s2889/IMG_20201114_121601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2889" data-original-width="2389" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjch_nAFOYIXoCyYiFU3j9L-JUq3oswr5Yli4Zw6nX1twICdcOu2FeQMURu7Kk4Ea27ldGfrGHNskiUAQsAE0CJT2BA6FNhLEscm8G5IIRZhSUKdKTHLmYv_oiHIHT0uzPvkjqHTCQZTM/w331-h400/IMG_20201114_121601.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx5LilOAgfAHNjNCO3jwtZTzWDJpqM2vgUrGcIKbmvHCgXfBEFC2OCX4j9sU_Hkskn4YgwZHF5VEikqPBgdkzwgE0iHvtB0GWdXbK58LCgpHrV2auugbnl-mB3u9oCmQ2yaRC5e-4oYg/s2745/IMG_20201114_121255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2745" data-original-width="2533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx5LilOAgfAHNjNCO3jwtZTzWDJpqM2vgUrGcIKbmvHCgXfBEFC2OCX4j9sU_Hkskn4YgwZHF5VEikqPBgdkzwgE0iHvtB0GWdXbK58LCgpHrV2auugbnl-mB3u9oCmQ2yaRC5e-4oYg/s320/IMG_20201114_121255.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These paint at home kits have been one of the positives of lockdown and 2020. I have loved getting the blank pottery and paints to bring home. It has meant I could spend hours designing and painting pieces in multiple sittings. It's been excellent therapy and we've now got quite a selection of unique pieces in our home as well as a few gifts ready for our Christmas giving.</div><br /><br /> <p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-69457502235555626402020-11-09T20:57:00.002+00:002020-11-09T21:05:45.086+00:00Photo Pearls Tiger by Goliath<p style="text-align: justify;">When Jessica was shopping with Christmas money back in January, she spotted a craft kit in <a href="https://www.homebargains.co.uk/" target="_blank">Homebargains</a> that was right up her street. A Tiger made from 3600 picture beads at a brilliant price - it was a no-brainer; we had to have this one! In the kit we found beads, 4 square peg boards that nterlock, double-sided adhesive squares to fit the pegboards and very clear, large patterns to follow. The beads are just like Hama beads but you don't iron your finished piece; the adhesive sheets can be used to mount your tiger on card, board or something similar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mXtEqg5lc39VjdlKpI8m7GXbnTZm-QWIiZHvIolhTUlTfC03AzBPWej26izRaDCRIOeOdjGTMrxtk84DNOusqH0rAcnDvyn_ZQC7h74Uh6584ASBu_Za7fxxD5p0eujTfmHEaQKnY_o/s2662/IMG_20200502_151423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="2662" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mXtEqg5lc39VjdlKpI8m7GXbnTZm-QWIiZHvIolhTUlTfC03AzBPWej26izRaDCRIOeOdjGTMrxtk84DNOusqH0rAcnDvyn_ZQC7h74Uh6584ASBu_Za7fxxD5p0eujTfmHEaQKnY_o/w400-h284/IMG_20200502_151423.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;">It was a really enjoyable make for us both and we love the end product but it was not without it's </span><span style="text-align: justify;">issues. Firstly, the kit comes with the beads mixed into just 2 bags and it was a significant struggle to seperate the colours (which are incredibly similar) and determine which shade matched each description from the instructions. Once we had completed this challenge it was plain sailing until we were close to the end when more than one shade actually ran out, leaving us with gaps at the bottom and a problem to solve. This image below shows the extent of the issue...</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLG2InGQMDJCsNYePQE1wcndH5ErQtGuJV_03LnIAUu1GKGphVOMQLngT3RvD51TFrE9OupCYWAvXJrykgtr-akhXg_i-hRDN6Ee1At41T8b7zL3f3G2t02EGt1ykezP3KrggK6p2-zE/s4000/IMG_20200502_143714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLG2InGQMDJCsNYePQE1wcndH5ErQtGuJV_03LnIAUu1GKGphVOMQLngT3RvD51TFrE9OupCYWAvXJrykgtr-akhXg_i-hRDN6Ee1At41T8b7zL3f3G2t02EGt1ykezP3KrggK6p2-zE/s320/IMG_20200502_143714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In the end we did the best we could to fill the spaces with spare beads from the kit along with our Hama and Hobbycraft picture beads. We managed this well enough that I don't think you'd know we'd had a problem but it was frustrating after so many hours working on the project together. For the pennies that they must cost to produce I really feel the manufacturers should ensure that there are a few spares of everything - there really shouldn't be any risk of people being unable to complete their picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0muhb2FG9b6_n-YLljc1QWW1p0iX4UrFwGLxLcxU27_gMp7GBEte39YB5dsTVzRlzAWnJ_2Jb8dye-zZsVjdgi-U975vfwPVnCc2GvZ9FQOuiYsl1YRGAoDOLmA3HTy8E1hjA-5qGEQ/s4000/IMG_20200502_151233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0muhb2FG9b6_n-YLljc1QWW1p0iX4UrFwGLxLcxU27_gMp7GBEte39YB5dsTVzRlzAWnJ_2Jb8dye-zZsVjdgi-U975vfwPVnCc2GvZ9FQOuiYsl1YRGAoDOLmA3HTy8E1hjA-5qGEQ/w300-h400/IMG_20200502_151233.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So, I'm undecided whether to recommend these or not. We paid about £7 for it and I'd happily pay that again and do another one myself but I'd do it expecting to have problems. On the other hand, I couldn't give this as a gift knowing that it didn't quite work properly for us. If you do decide to give them a try I'd love to know if you have the same experience as us - perhaps we were just unlucky...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-11930128034896156332020-11-08T20:38:00.004+00:002020-11-08T22:23:56.069+00:00The Christmas Craft Cupboard is Open!<p style="text-align: justify;">That's right - we're beyond October half term, so it must be time to crack on with some Christmas crafting, surely!! As a result of returning to teaching and struggling to adjust to a new work-life balance we didn't do much for Christmas 2019 but I have built up a huge supply of blanks and bits in the sales over the past two years so we've certainly got enough to get us through this lockdown comfortably! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Today we kicked off with polymer clay modelling. Jessica wanted to do a Christmas tree and snowman (again) but I think we might be ready to try something like a penguin next time! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1w7v64O_D1myIPbBP8gdRR6WgsJ4wdcqJFMQ0O8sqy_oWlfqZ-Ntovowx1hdzToed_gj2CmXt8dn5RIQkeSz5n8IHc1XavSqmazIGBsj1cl4lrMEBAvtZ45NeVmEhNqweCObphi6tJk/s3128/IMG_20201108_161521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1w7v64O_D1myIPbBP8gdRR6WgsJ4wdcqJFMQ0O8sqy_oWlfqZ-Ntovowx1hdzToed_gj2CmXt8dn5RIQkeSz5n8IHc1XavSqmazIGBsj1cl4lrMEBAvtZ45NeVmEhNqweCObphi6tJk/s320/IMG_20201108_161521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These lovely little creations are destined to hang on our tree in fillable baubles looking like little snow globes. We've got a few different options for the shapes and sizes of baubles and for the accompanying filling matter currently in my stores from places like <a href="https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hobbycraft</a> and <a href="https://www.poundland.co.uk/stationery-and-crafts/" target="_blank">Poundland</a> and haven't decided exactly what form they will take yet but here's the general idea...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10qX8IxWf88wGIidXV2CdM73X7rWqakiiTBl7myVmG5VeEvd8XzPTGyjHT-S3RWqJnWzfRqY5Gg7qDkwB-XwDfZCyB3gMHwnFPF5muXkng-eASmqnU7u_ICqCTiKlzJ1CPTziPnJvpHw/s4000/IMG_20201108_145957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10qX8IxWf88wGIidXV2CdM73X7rWqakiiTBl7myVmG5VeEvd8XzPTGyjHT-S3RWqJnWzfRqY5Gg7qDkwB-XwDfZCyB3gMHwnFPF5muXkng-eASmqnU7u_ICqCTiKlzJ1CPTziPnJvpHw/s320/IMG_20201108_145957.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">With the remaining warmed up clay, Jessica decided to also make some little marbled pendants in unusual shapes. I love how simple rolling and folding creates such beautiful effects.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7uFBhWB8zmXHsXgrUATgFKxjrvXj563bS8T47al47wvvmiE81HM2OAPKD3i7KLm6Lf_BWKw9sq_gCMIM5wgnbB0MNEGlj5AXsWXBT-lRBVy88ZiNXASDli_ZbcD5fZwwuaBEikR-X_U/s1906/IMG_20201108_151354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7uFBhWB8zmXHsXgrUATgFKxjrvXj563bS8T47al47wvvmiE81HM2OAPKD3i7KLm6Lf_BWKw9sq_gCMIM5wgnbB0MNEGlj5AXsWXBT-lRBVy88ZiNXASDli_ZbcD5fZwwuaBEikR-X_U/s320/IMG_20201108_151354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br />We use <a href="https://www.staedtler.com/uk/en/products/fimo-modelling-clay-accessories/fimo-soft/" target="_blank">Fimo Soft</a>, which is smooth and easy to blend. The colour does bleed onto hands and surfaces so you have to be slightly careful and be prepared to clean your workspace between colours if you need to keep crisp colours and brilliant white. It's a lovely activity for everyone and I'm always surprised how far a little block will go.<p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-30941609820489707442020-11-04T20:52:00.001+00:002020-11-04T20:52:16.079+00:00Centenary Banner<p style="text-align: justify;">Last summer was Woodford County High School's centenary. Despite it being a few years since I had last set foot in the place I was absolutely delighted to be called upon to add to the fabric of the school once more! The school ran a competition to select a design team of about a dozen students who designed the banner that I ultimately created. It was a lovely experience to work with the students in this way. It's so different trying to make the visions of other people happen. They had the vision and the ideas whilst my role was to guide them in what could be crafted on a fabric banner and then ultimately make it happen. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">They wanted the golden ribbon to flow from the old, traditions into the modern 21st century school that they are proud to attend. The new Maths and Science building along with the observatory where key features whilst they wanted to incorporate the House colours and the green surroundings of the school which remain incredibly important. They wanted their community to be represented by a circle of hands and mark the school being named "London State Secondary School of the Year". Finally, they wanted to include an element of recycling, requesting that I use an old school shirt as part of the top band.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e2nH3xI3a0yGuyc52qhyphenhyphennSZ3-bgPP-43vJ49oaLs3Ua1Zrwjr1Fzm0Amw5wCuBAF_uPg9MCsPbAw-6hmJ8Tljd4UOvGW0Me247zqdtficl8hrBpGbBn-2CNSqNeWkycnyx6SyExgw6M/s2048/IMG_20190719_211009658%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1750" data-original-width="2048" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e2nH3xI3a0yGuyc52qhyphenhyphennSZ3-bgPP-43vJ49oaLs3Ua1Zrwjr1Fzm0Amw5wCuBAF_uPg9MCsPbAw-6hmJ8Tljd4UOvGW0Me247zqdtficl8hrBpGbBn-2CNSqNeWkycnyx6SyExgw6M/w449-h383/IMG_20190719_211009658%257E2.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here's a closer look at some of the individual elements...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9UxZ2rCpLlKVELgw5gVJjvuvpNFGxSC4X8IOnCh8xsYmxQgXTnI-UJ7MnpzqnEUDqkGmTNVVtK5GFmM5ZVWnseYyv6o4VmzLBGuy68yzozz_yOfwhsg4b7sL079aI9mYAqpudTuee2Y/s2048/IMG_20190711_205633627%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9UxZ2rCpLlKVELgw5gVJjvuvpNFGxSC4X8IOnCh8xsYmxQgXTnI-UJ7MnpzqnEUDqkGmTNVVtK5GFmM5ZVWnseYyv6o4VmzLBGuy68yzozz_yOfwhsg4b7sL079aI9mYAqpudTuee2Y/s320/IMG_20190711_205633627%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrnU7c42MD7gs7PtELMY-S0GXecvsL9m3mbui13eezC2lU0AO3ky9tXY3O1nA-Q8Fh-0jCXcvMgRJ7Cg3BiAiQgL1PDQ4flflURaGi0NfAYTDLDH2sevU2fo1JYV20J-jdc_BASfpUZM/s2048/IMG_20190712_121750864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrnU7c42MD7gs7PtELMY-S0GXecvsL9m3mbui13eezC2lU0AO3ky9tXY3O1nA-Q8Fh-0jCXcvMgRJ7Cg3BiAiQgL1PDQ4flflURaGi0NfAYTDLDH2sevU2fo1JYV20J-jdc_BASfpUZM/s320/IMG_20190712_121750864.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XpNRIr2dQC0Yeuuyx57j9-Z9fSKJ6ZMMZKsTVYuN4gntBPPubHdIKFjzNNX9kakK3e6t2M-E4vPDVjBkEbxKKuraoqX-pMdoxYQGhBOJFnjMwqN1IF2QXfvIWdpJ4mzKd5JutalTFtA/s2048/IMG_20190711_203543179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XpNRIr2dQC0Yeuuyx57j9-Z9fSKJ6ZMMZKsTVYuN4gntBPPubHdIKFjzNNX9kakK3e6t2M-E4vPDVjBkEbxKKuraoqX-pMdoxYQGhBOJFnjMwqN1IF2QXfvIWdpJ4mzKd5JutalTFtA/s320/IMG_20190711_203543179.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVy2UkJNHssUgU9t5NH6GdLuJytyXOZukb502cD_ReKCMYE6v_B7OjAPORxnqUjviHa4Ir9EGffB6jL5AXnUaYSDimsLAasCHD57vIHm9tVQQWuLS_YWFAKUXVfy_NBoTnszT3baMAOk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="2877" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVy2UkJNHssUgU9t5NH6GdLuJytyXOZukb502cD_ReKCMYE6v_B7OjAPORxnqUjviHa4Ir9EGffB6jL5AXnUaYSDimsLAasCHD57vIHm9tVQQWuLS_YWFAKUXVfy_NBoTnszT3baMAOk/w455-h174/IMG_20190711_205320817_2.jpg" width="455" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was a complete pleasure to create and an honour to be asked to do it. Countless hours, two banners and three window seats - WCHS I think that's probably your lot!</div><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-1108406687354313552020-11-02T21:56:00.001+00:002020-11-02T22:15:17.802+00:00I'm back!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWJGIS02bKx2k82wXRfLNpr9tyu1M1nVMf5Yxp8FTpwvauZK3UKbbUT8KxZotpKP7Cyzn2GWngOobGIO-mIxRDmAL7rTJVVEOPhne9zUcZAgIGyh_iuaFK283trpvmnBbtlZBoapM8P8/s1600/IMG-20200614-WA0011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWJGIS02bKx2k82wXRfLNpr9tyu1M1nVMf5Yxp8FTpwvauZK3UKbbUT8KxZotpKP7Cyzn2GWngOobGIO-mIxRDmAL7rTJVVEOPhne9zUcZAgIGyh_iuaFK283trpvmnBbtlZBoapM8P8/s320/IMG-20200614-WA0011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It has been such a long time. Things have changed; let's face it, the world has changed. It's a challenge to fit anything in for myself around work, being Mum and other commitments but crafting remains incredibly important in my life. Fortunately, Jessica continues to share my passion so whilst I struggle to complete my own projects I get my fix sharing moments with her as she starts her creative journey through life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In these crazy times, with long, dark evenings ahead it feels like the right time to start sharing on here again. Like so many others, I have struggled to maintain a healthy work-life balance in 2020 and I'm desperately hoping that this additional focus will help address it. It's almost time to crack out the Christmas crafts so there will be no shortage of material to share!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For now though, here's a little glimpse at the kind of thing we've been up to recently (aside from all the mask making) ... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We absolutely love our local pottery cafe, <a href="https://www.blue-owl.co.uk/" target="_blank">Blue Owl</a>. Before starting school we used to go to a Storytime session but these days we love a Paint-at-home kit. I love being able to spend hours designing and painting my pieces. I lost count of the number of hours this pasta bowl took!<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzaGgaK90zcflAZppy5UgEydIvd9SCdXqt6ypRozuuPlsx2B7bZiWGzSpC4XZCD4VDlNyjMuHBDXh1CpUG5bG5iIfksmihCznF4nD8bvQ-nhnUCtqFDbtyFz3lmcRt7ClwMNEXOxt2l0/s2048/IMG_20200706_155648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1779" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzaGgaK90zcflAZppy5UgEydIvd9SCdXqt6ypRozuuPlsx2B7bZiWGzSpC4XZCD4VDlNyjMuHBDXh1CpUG5bG5iIfksmihCznF4nD8bvQ-nhnUCtqFDbtyFz3lmcRt7ClwMNEXOxt2l0/s320/IMG_20200706_155648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jessica was incredibly proud of the cushion she created for her teacher as a thank you present back in July. She enjoys using my sewing machine, making clothes for herself and blankets for her toys. Needless to say, she's a huge fan of The Great British Sewing Bee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6LHIPbKrZ3PzXO3YxDSd56GSZCU9BN5C7WsMd2Z4fO3PHMc1YxGk2VIWBGgLFcs6ThExUachf6LIiX3S76miEmNJv59GoegDTykhZp6InYNbujIapcKEzmxU8BovY2hLsYGfdt9G1_M/s1802/IMG_20200719_100450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1705" data-original-width="1802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6LHIPbKrZ3PzXO3YxDSd56GSZCU9BN5C7WsMd2Z4fO3PHMc1YxGk2VIWBGgLFcs6ThExUachf6LIiX3S76miEmNJv59GoegDTykhZp6InYNbujIapcKEzmxU8BovY2hLsYGfdt9G1_M/s320/IMG_20200719_100450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Crafting for her toys and imaginative play motivates Jessica to try new things and create some beautiful things. This hot glue waterfall was a quick, simple but incredibly rewarding little project earlier in the year. It is currently used in play with her Schleich animal collection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEMSD8anY9oXEKT2k72Pa45JWU-Osz1RHo1ArKJNwPUWdWP88iNjRYHv5LRAC9bXoBFf4pV5ku7jHNXOAv1mxYzP7iWEM5B_-L6G6MHKFdkAphBP5yPEJuH1pmyC85DzWhHnlYJYOs0Q/s2048/IMG_20200620_145630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEMSD8anY9oXEKT2k72Pa45JWU-Osz1RHo1ArKJNwPUWdWP88iNjRYHv5LRAC9bXoBFf4pV5ku7jHNXOAv1mxYzP7iWEM5B_-L6G6MHKFdkAphBP5yPEJuH1pmyC85DzWhHnlYJYOs0Q/s320/IMG_20200620_145630.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm afraid she has also developed my habit of having multiple projects all on the go at the same time. We've both got cross-stitches, latch-hook cushions and diamond paintings on the go on top of patchwork, figurine painting and paint-by-number kits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5OyMHBDniW5tcax3P1C4Gl05YRNRXTSO7yxHZiGRHzBdZHa1ta15qRDMcwXdEYqMCja2Kufas7UzpFPh6ktmLupHrRIoplqYpogTq_s9krYZ9pcL9UEebA7ljOkvCvXETzkgVIHdcEM/s2048/IMG_20200810_225818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2036" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5OyMHBDniW5tcax3P1C4Gl05YRNRXTSO7yxHZiGRHzBdZHa1ta15qRDMcwXdEYqMCja2Kufas7UzpFPh6ktmLupHrRIoplqYpogTq_s9krYZ9pcL9UEebA7ljOkvCvXETzkgVIHdcEM/s320/IMG_20200810_225818.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There are a few big projects that I have completed but not shared yet and I have been seeking mindfulness in drawing so there are plenty more posts in the pipeline so please, don't be a stranger. Come back and see what else we've got to show you!</div></div><br /><p></p>Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-78469750119895317562019-02-08T12:03:00.000+00:002019-02-08T12:03:38.131+00:00Latch-hook Fox Cushion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlp35kHOxMX2qGb52IKxvtvTuXQVK3YTo1z8bJLouq3eqndw5MC3YXuGa3eT8NiJ-LqemRLPN3s9UScDGmIGlcla0F8OMfURpBjqmlIqFqq2ZiUXIQ1XQBBn4R1tDhDvFoNjWw40f6Gc/s1600/IMG_20190206_194305540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="1600" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlp35kHOxMX2qGb52IKxvtvTuXQVK3YTo1z8bJLouq3eqndw5MC3YXuGa3eT8NiJ-LqemRLPN3s9UScDGmIGlcla0F8OMfURpBjqmlIqFqq2ZiUXIQ1XQBBn4R1tDhDvFoNjWw40f6Gc/s400/IMG_20190206_194305540.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I loved making this latch-hook kit from <a href="https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/fox-latch-hook-kit/610354-1000?glCountry=GB&gclid=CjwKCAiAy-_iBRAaEiwAYhSlA-wfCsNWzuVj_eDjmWssKxD5mrc4rn4Yoq6Z8_Jt5MSrQySB3ejifhoCmp8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Hobbycraft</a>. It's been five years since I completed my last latch-hook project but it's a craft that I will keep coming back to. It's relaxing, simple and satisfying. I have to be honest though, I was not keen on the printed canvas for this project. It was not accurate and could be distracting when following the pattern. In addition, I ran out of wool in one colour before I'd completed the project and so had to adjust the design slightly. Still, it was well worth the money I paid for it (on offer at half price) and Jessica is thrilled with her new cushion so I'd definitely consider doing more of them in the future.</div>
Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8620957578168584122.post-67896800890474083312019-02-07T12:02:00.000+00:002019-02-07T12:02:38.825+00:00Coffee Stencil Thank You Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8LuarhiZWT8XmJYaYrK2LmKVgx2QJTO0HvLaF30C2UbHo7EfDwQ3M7FV7fUM0PMd_sciYusYU8_Hxy9hDjE9eHHHEV-2rlqkkJ7Y654XfxHNV_eZcvvEZYRQpkgTFbxshy9jCA03mKw/s1600/IMG_20190116_153915174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8LuarhiZWT8XmJYaYrK2LmKVgx2QJTO0HvLaF30C2UbHo7EfDwQ3M7FV7fUM0PMd_sciYusYU8_Hxy9hDjE9eHHHEV-2rlqkkJ7Y654XfxHNV_eZcvvEZYRQpkgTFbxshy9jCA03mKw/s400/IMG_20190116_153915174.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the many disadvantages to having a birthday close to Christmas is the huge number of thank you cards you have to make and write in a short space of time. It will get easier as Jessica gets older and more confident with her writing but this year it seemed to go one forever!</div>
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I had cards printed for Christmas but we made the cards for thanking people for birthday presents. We tried out something new and were pleased with the results. We used coffee stencils on the cards, filled them with PVA glue and then sprinkled with copious amounts of glitter. They were simple and effective and I suspect we will be using this technique again.</div>
<br />Suzanne Bradnumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12691139224052068559noreply@blogger.com0