Change

Well I haven't written a blog post in quite some time!! It is safe to say my life has been turned upside down this past two months, and my once love of my life/husband has decided we've grown apart and needed to go our separate ways. *insert tears here* I've since moved with my two babies, 1 and 2 years old, back to my hometown of Forbes to be nearer family & friends for some much needed support. I'm very sad that chapter of my life has now closed, but looking onwards and upwards to a brighter future.

Whilst my life's possessions are packed in boxes for this past month awaiting a move to our new house, I'm missing the creative outlet. I'm really looking forward to getting into our new house and setting up home for the kids & I and getting some routine back into our lives. Also, I'm really, really, looking forward to unpacking all of my art, craft, jewellery making, sewing possessions to setup my new studio *squeals*. I haven't been creating anything lately and haven't had much exciting news to share - but I'm now back to the blogging world and looking forward to a brighter future & hopefully some cretaive pursuits to share :)

Thought I'd make this post to share a new business card I've just created and ordered today. I'm hoping to start selling some of the things I create this year - it's very daunting and nothing I've attempted before, but why not!? I'm obviously scared no one will like what I create and it could all be a flop, but I can't lose without trying (and the business cards were FREE via an email offer, thank you Vistaprint haha). I read a great quote somewhere on Facebook today, 'don't spend time prioritising your schedule, but instead schedule your priorities' I love creating as my outlet and would one day love to earn an income doing what I enjoy so much.

Anyway, that's enough rambling for now ;) take a look at the card I've created and tell me what you think!? Even better, tell me what I should sell? Do you prefer art, jewellery, sewn items, nappy wallet cases, or my personalised Instagram magnets/key rings? Open to suggestions :)






















Thanks for reading and wishing everyone the very best for a happy healthy new year ahead.

Love Mel x

Kate the Great

Woo finished Kate the Great!! Happy with how she has turned out. My first real mixed media artwork, keen to try more now!
Must keep my eyes peeled for some more good images.

Here's the final work:

Work in progress

We have had a great weekend.. Some quiet family time, swimming lessons with our babies, date night out, and and some creativity inbetween.

Yesterday I whipped up an apron for Will as he is always trying to wear mine, which is way too big. I've used some navy drill and a softie panel from the my material stash. We do not need more soft toys around this house so out the doggy panel is now an appliqué pocket on the from of apron for some decoration. I've also left the top of puppy's head open so Will can keep cooking utensils in (the kids love pockets and stashing things!) I've also made the tie around the waist with velcro, much easier for Will to get in and out of!

I'm happy with how it turned out, I should have made a pattern out if it. Might do that and make another for Hannah. Here's the final product:

 

 

I've also made a start in the layering of a green tree frog requested by my Aunty. My first request, how exciting :) this is still a work in progress, but thought I'd put a little preview so you can see the layers building.

Now it's Monday, back to the day job of Accounting. The joys ha!

Until next time,
Mel x

Babies sleeping

Thismorning has been a hard one, mainly because we're all tired after a restless nights sleep! Kids were playing up and I had little patience. After about 1000 of my beads were spilt on the ground by Master William, we all packed up and went for a shop and play at the park. Bliss :)

Now they are both tired out and down for a nap, so I'm starting a new painting for some relaxation!

Thought I'd post a few pics from yesterday & today.

All dressed up waiting for the trick or treaters

 

A picture of an artwork through the layers - (still in progress)

 

 

Horse watching ;)

 

Happy boy playing at the park!! love.

 

 

 

Just starting some underlayers for the next artwork. (going to be a green frog! lol)

 

 

After a quick blog post, I might go and put the next layer on the painting. I have a beautiful crochet piece I've found - so going to try painting it and stamping into painting for some pattern. Not sure how it will turn out yet. I'll post a photo if it works!!

 

Mel x

Button Creations

Seems as though I haven't been doing much painting lately, I thought I'd share some photos of button jewellery I've been making.

I have been using my scrap fabric and self-covering buttons. I've been making little button earrings, rings, hair clips, bobby pins, magnets and whatever else I can stick one too haha!! It's a lot of fun and very easy, I especially enjoy doing this as I can actually complete it within the afternoon sleep period for Will & Hannah!!

I was doing a lot of sewing for a while, but by the time I cut out my fabric, ironed & pinned the kids were awake again and I kept getting half finished projects. So this 'button craft' is what I've moved onto, quick, easy & fun. Oh & I can also wear a few of the things I create & gift to kids for presents :)

Lots of photos posted below of button creations, enjoy x

HAIR CLIPS

 Hair clips (bobby pins & snap clips)

 

 

 

 

EARRINGS

At the top are sets of earrings and bottom right is earring & bobby pin sets. 

 

 

 

RINGS

I have used a variety of things for the rings, self-covered buttons I've put together and even some glass domes and magazine cutouts and a metal button I've clipped the back off.

MAGNETS

 

 

 

 

NECKLACES

 

 

 

I think that's about it. Do you have any ideas of what else I could make with the buttons? Still plenty there ;)

Lastly, I think this would be one of my favourite sets -
I love the geo shapes and colour of the fabric. Fabric was given to me by a friend and it's become one of my faves for earrings!

Hope you're having a great Tuesday, until next time,

Mel xx

Kate the great transforming

Another fun night at art on Wednesday and 'Kate the great' is transforming.

Update of where she's up to now along with the abstract fish thingy.. I'm yet to decide where it will take me? I'm thinking along the lines of painting a fish over the top... Must find picture of a nice fish.. Maybe red or orange?

I've just had a hard couple of days work and looking forward to some R&R this weekend with my fam. We have swimming lessons in the morning and some beach time planned, nice and relaxing!

Not sure what crafty things I will get up to this weekend. Maybe a bit of drawing or sewing!? I have been meaning to sew William a bucket hat for a while, so wouldn't mind tackling that project (seems as though he loses a million hats lol).

Anyway, hope you have a fabulous weekend. I'm out for a rest. (or maybe downtime pinning! ha)

Mel x

Busy Weekend.

What a weekend! It's Sunday night now and we're all tired in this household. I've managed to fit so much in this weekend, lots of family time, kids swimming lessons, park trips & lots of art and creative time for me :)

Friday night involved watching some tv with Brent whilst I had a wine and painted some undercoat layers on some canvases. I think having a wine made me a bit more free with the painting... kind of along the lines of 'be brave, be bold' which my art tutor tells us :) It's not often I paint at home, apart from my 2.5 hours every Wednesday night, but I think since I have started this blog it's made me more aware to keep creating.. *go me* haha.

I was hating on one canvas I've recently started, so I pulled out some mod podge, some hot pink, magenta, gold & white paints and an old magazine. This is the old canvas I started with:

 

 

 Here's the final product with a bit of 'beautifying' from an iphone app. I shall call this print,

Kate the Great

 



 



Final two canvases primed and layered up ready for something to take over:

 

 

For lunch today, we went down to South Molly park for a picnic lunch with the kids and a play. Here's a shot from the park:

 

 

 

So we wore them out well and truly; both having a big two hour nap thisafternoon *Woo!* This gave me some time to be a little creative at my workbench doing some jewellery :) Here's a few items I came up with today whilst the kids had a sleep.

 

 

 

So I've definately added enough arm swag to keep me going :)

 

I was planning on this one for my mum, but she is a gold wearer, so might keep this one for myself and work on her present ;)

 

 

This is a 38 inch necklace, sits nice and long.

 

 

And that's about it for the weekend, very productive on the creative side and lots of fun with my family. I hope all of you had a great weekend too. For now, I'm off to bed, ready for another busy week ahead.

 

Night,

Melissa x