Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I finally finished sewing the names on the stockings, adding sequins and jingle bells, and they have been hung up ready for Father Christmas to stop by.

I had great fun sewing these, especially to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers last week, where I successfully introduced the film to the next generation. It made my day.

I hope that you have a truly wonderful Christmas and that 2012 will be a great year for you all.

Thanks to everyone who has read my blog, commented and to those I have made friends with - you are all an inspiring bunch of people.

Next year will be amazing - I just know it. Merry Christmas

A page from my sketchbook

The other day I was working at my computer and we had a power surge which resulted in a 40 minute delay to get it up and running again. It also happened that at that time I was feeling a bit creative so it didn't take long for me to find some scrap paper and start doodling.

I started doodling a cat in a real simplistic form and then took inspiration from my moggy who sadly is no longer with me - I still miss her and I still miss the smell she had round her neck (strange I know but when I cuddled up to her and nuzzled her neck, she had the most wonderful smell).

So in honour of my moggy I have a little characature of her which I will share with you tomorrow. Here are the doodles I created in order to get to the final version, which I have since glued into my sketchbook with good old PVA. As she aged, she became somewhat portly (don't we all) and a little bit chubby. I recall one time I took her to the vets as I was worried about these 'flaps' appearing on each side of her and the vet kindly referred to them as love handles. Don't you just love it that cats can get those.

Anyway, as she was somewhat rounded you can see from my doodles where I got my inspiraton from. And here's a picture of Pippa - my lovely, beautiful cat.

Sorry for the bad photo's of my doodles, the light wasn't too great!

This is also my entry for Sunday Sketches this week - please head over to Sophia's blog to check out the other wonderful entries. And this time next week it will be Christmas Day - yay!

Agnes Cecile

You tube is great for finding inspiration and seeing artists at work. I recently found the work of Agnes Cecile and her work is amazing.

I love the drips, the emotions you feel from her work and the colours. I tip my hat to her (if I wore one).

I hope you enjoy watching this as much as I did and admire her talent!

This time next week it'll be a few days until Christmas......think I need to get a move on and get everything sorted out. Thankfully I have cut the spending down quite a bit this year which makes life so much easier. I know I keep on saying this but it really is about being with those you love - that is the gift.

A trip down memory lane

Last week I posted about my needle case that I had made when I was ten years old and still use. Well would you believe I have another item that is much older than the needle case that I came across on Friday.

Jim's eldest daughter wasn't feeling well so I offered her up my hot water bottle. When I got it out of the drawer I smiled as it's in an old nightdress case I had when I was a kid. Growing up in the seventies, there wasn't such luxurious things as hot water bottles with fluffy covers, you really just had a blue hot water bottle that you covered in a towel to stop yourself from burning if you happened to put water that was too hot in there. So my mum used an nightie case I had as a gift and placed the hot water bottle in it as it was a perfect size. Here it is, well worn and loved.


When I left home it came with me (I have no idea why but I'm glad it did!)

My Dad's cousin Jackie made this for me with a matching nightdress and I think I must've been 6 when I had it. Except mum thought it was a dress and sent me to a talent contest wearing it. Here I am wearing it at The Savoy Holiday Camp in the Isle of Wight! Gotta love the 70's. After Jackie saw the photo she told mum it was a nightdress so I was saved further embarrassment!

I am sure I inherited alot of my artistic ability but I also watched lots too. Jackie and her cousins Pamela and Jan were always making things and I remember them coming over on a Sunday for the family roast dinner, then knitting or crocheting afterwards. So inspiring. I really looked up to Jackie and spent lots of time with her and was a bridesmaid at her wedding - I can't believe I am doing this but here's a picture of me as a bridesmaid at her wedding back in 1984 when I was a mere 13 (I'm on the right). Don't you just love the pink taffeta and the flick (you can tell I was a Wham fan as that hairdo is very George Michael-ish!!) Such an 80's picture and come to think of it, this dress was made by Pamela's mum.

Anyway, through life you meet lots of inspirational people and sometimes you get to hold on to things they have made with love. Even though I know there are fluffy covered hot water bottle covers out there, no one has this little creature and that's why I love handmade stuff. Just so unique.

A craft store trip

It's been a lovely weekend and the only thing missing really was seeing my mum. I normally visit on a Saturday, but I just had too much to get sorted out ready for Christmas, so I am looking forward to seeing her next week.

On Saturday I managed to finally visit the new Hobbycraft that had opened up in Staines. Since moving this is now my nearest one. I know they are a bit overpriced but I went in determined not to spend any more than I needed. The thing with Hobbycraft is that it pretty much covers most hobbies which means there's tonnes to look at, touch and sigh over. But I was good and only bought what was on my list.

I wanted to make some felt decorations for the kiddies presents (ours and my friends) so I picked up some felt and thread. I will use them to decorate the present with and hopefully if they are good enough they can be used as tree decorations. Least that's the plan. I bought 10 sheets of felt but does anyone know where you can buy this any cheaper in larger sizes? They weren't really expensive but I just feel I could get a better deal (I'm asking as I really want to make more things with felt).

I also wanted to make stockings this year for us all, but my sewing machine is buried in stuff at the house which I am still doing up, so I thought I would buy these and personalise them. They are not brilliant stockings, but I didn't want to spend a fortune as I really want to spend time making lovely, long lasting ones. I guess that will have to be next year now. Still, I plan on making these look nice by giving them an individual look so I will use some of the felt I bought to add names etc to these.

I desperately needed some pinking shears and debated whether to buy Fiskars ones as my dressmaking shears are by them and really good quality. I mulled it over and ended up buying the Hobbycraft ones at half the price. I just hope they are not half the quality either. I also bought a pen to mark out my design on the felt and apparently the ink vanishes by air after 24 hours. Has anyone else used this? I hope it works.

At then Hobbycraft got me at the till. As I queued up they had chocolate bells in a big tub and I gave in and purchased them....still that was the only thing that wasn't on the list so I patted myself on the back!!

I put these on the tree when the kids were in bed and within 30 minutes of Ollie waking up he walked around the tree, stood on tiptoe, held one in his hands and said 'that is locklat'. It's amazing how at 3 and a half children can sniff out chocolate.

I don't know if it's to do with Christmas or not, but I really feel like making and learning lots and lots of crafts. It may have to do with Kirstie's Handmade Britain or all of the lovely Facebook pages I have found recently, but I really want to paint, take photo's, sew, bake and just totally lose myself in crafty things.

Hope you all had a great weekend and that your week is wonderful.

Helen

Sunday Sketches

Well I have made it for another Sunday Sketches - at least I am consistent with my inconsistency!

I haven't been sketching as much as I would like but I have been sketching some Christmas ideas and doodles, some for cards, some just so that I can let it flow and see what happens. Below are a couple that I did with a Christmas theme (strangely enough!).

Yesterday morning I was recovering from helping my lovely Jim out on an event he was working at. It was a long evening and I didn't get home until 3,30am but we did have lots of fun. From a mere people watching point of view, I loved seeing all the women in their different outfits and the variety of styles. And as for the shoes....wow......I think it was a contest to see who could wear the highest. But it was great and some of the men made a real effort too!

However, children don't understand a 3,30am late night and needless to say it required a lot of energy to keep going throughout the day. So I treated myself to a trip to Hobbycraft where I purchased a few goodies to make some things with.

This morning Jim has another photoshoot with a family which should be fun and then I think he wants to take a few pictures of the kids for the various relatives to send with cards - so a photography and creative filled weekend - perfect!

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and please head over to Sophia's blog to see the other Sunday Sketches pictures.

Helen

Oh Happy Day!

This morning on the way in to work I was a bit tired as I stayed up late last night being creative. It was flowing and the time passed so quickly. I didn't want to stop and could easily have painted and sketched and thought up new ideas for at least 2 or 3 more hours. Don't you hate it when that happens. And although I went to bed, I couldn't sleep for a while as my brain was still thinking creatively, even though I was telling it to sleep.

So as I got off the train this morning and walked towards the ticket barriers that lead me into the station, I was tired. But I also heard some singing. And as I walked through the barriers to head to a shop, the singing got louder and louder. It was a Gospel choir and they were singing 'Oh Happy Day'. I couldn't quite see them as there were shops in the way, but it sounded like a dozen or more singers. When I turned the corner and saw them, there were four ladies, in red gowns singing their heart out. They were amazing. They sang with such passion, such glee and with such vigor, like their life depended on it, that it sounded like there should have been more of them. People were smiling and I am sure the commuters felt as uplifted as I did. These four women made such an impact on me and even though I was tired and doing the dreaded commute each day, I felt a sense of gratitude that I could be here to see and listen to them.

I had to nip into a shop and when I came out they were gone. But they did what they were there to do, and that was to bring joy and music to the commuters. Thank you Gospel singers, you made my day.

If only I was there

As much as being creative is my passion, I absolutely love music. And I really wish I was there at this concert. Everyone looked like they were totally enjoying themselves and every time I watch this I smile and it makes the hair stand on the back of my neck. That's when you know you are listening to good music.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

A lovely weekend

I hope you all had a nice weekend. It just goes too fast!

Mine was lovely, busy and spent with the family. On Saturday we spent it with my mum and had a lovely day, then Saturday night Jim and I went on a rare date. Off we went to Nando's before heading to the cinema to see Hugo in 3D. It was a really lovely film and there was something quite gentle about it at times. I will say my favourite character was the Station Inspector played by Sacha Baron Cohen - I swear he based his charcter on Inspector Clouseau - he was brilliant!

Then yesterday we put the Christmas tree up so now things are getting quite festive.

Hope you all have a good week - think I need to do some Christmas shopping soon!

Sentimental journey

Last night I had to sew buttons back on jumpers and cardigans, so I got down my trusty sewing box to look for a needle and thread. And I had a real sense of nostalgia as my needles are still stored in a needle case I made when I was at juniors school.

I know it was juniors school as I can remember clearly the classroom I was in as I sat and made this little case. It would have been my last year (so aged 10-11) before moving up to the high school. I have no idea what year it would be classed now not being with it and all.

Anyway, I sat and admired the handiwork….how carefully I had cut it out and stitched around the edges and realised that I had made this almost 30 years ago. Wow. I’d not mislaid it in all those years, but had kept it like it was something precious. I guess now it is….well least to me.

And this needle case is stored in my Nan’s sewing box which was passed to my mum upon my Nan’s death and then given to me some time ago by mum. That and a little pill box are my treasured possessions that were my dear Nan’s.

As I took a picture of this for my blog I realised that I had placed it on a quilt my mum made last year and had given to me. So right there in front of me were 3 generations of craft stuff…..all of which are handmade, either by my family or another crafter.

It’s wonderful that the UK is starting to embrace handmade items again and encouraging us to take up a craft or work at the ones we may already know.

I love it and I hope that in years to come this sewing box, quilt and needle case are enjoyed by the generation below me.

What a lovely thought.

Happy Happy Friday

No matter what you are doing and who you are with, I hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Helen xx

A painting from the archives

The other day I posted a photograph from my archives - one that I used to sell a lot of. So today I thought I would share one of my life drawing paintings. This was done using pastels and I remember my tutor, Fran, pushing me to use the colours of the sarong on her skin, as almost a reflection. I tended to do a lot of my nudes in charcoal and this was the first one I did in pastels. I had THE most amazing time. I felt like I was just touching the surface of what I could achieve. Shortly after this session the classes stopped for a while and then I couldn't make the new term

I really did enjoy creating this study and I hope to join another life class in the not too distant future.

Hope you had a nice evening last night and are looking forward to the weekend. I missed Kirstie's Handmade Britain as for some reason our telly as decided to remove quite a few channels from it's selection....Channel 4 being one of them. Thanks heavens for catch up tv.

Have a great day!

Helen xx