My Creative Space . . . ideas in progress

My creative space this week is this very compact little pile of craftiness, which is exactly how I tidied it away the other day. Having finally admitted that I really don't have a craft-area, apart from a small corner to store all my crafty goodies, this is how my work has to progress and I quite like it as it disciplines me into working on small, individual projects.

I've been thinking about mixed media ideas recently, and for some reason using vintage keys, alongside my tweed, to create some handmade cards. An idea in progress, but it's nice to have something 'boiling' in the background. I'm in no hurry to finish this project - it would be nice to make a series of cards using a selection of fabrics, textiles (I'm using some hessian in the background here), and some other odds 'n sods - the plot thickens!

. . . also in the photo is a cut and sewn pink 'tweedie' teddy for a work colleague who has recently become a Granny - and I really must stuff and finish this today, so skates on for that one!

. . . some embroidery thread to embroider the little finished ted's face, my (quite messy) pincushion, and in the background a lovely book of textile art which I purchased last summer. It features some of Mariana's beautiful work, which gave me the impetus to buy it - it's a lovely book to dip into for inspiration and just pure relaxation.

That reminds me, it's time to go and have a coffee before I embark on any of my projects! Kirsty is hosting 'My Creative Space', so you'll find a wealth of crafty goodness over there :)

Half Term Hols

Sorry, I did say I'd see you later in the week but I'd forgotten all about our half term holidays - from last Thursday to yesterday (Monday). I was so caught up in trying to keep my youngest entertained, that my poor blog was completely abandoned. Anyhow, we survived the weekend and were fortunate enough to have some lovely weather which enabled us to get out on our bikes and take a picnic to the beach amongst other things. In between 'Little S' had a spurt of creativity and was busy drawing, making fake 'aged' maps, and practicing being an archeologist with a cheap little dinosaur fossil kit bought in the local shop - pheeeew, it's hard work keeping a 9 year old entertained, but he did pretty well himself!!

I was very impressed with his belated Valentine's gift - marshmallows topped with gummy sweets, and drowned in melted chocolate, hehe!

Needless to say, very little crafting was done but then I didn't expect to and it was a nice break. Looking forward to a little creativity myself though now that they're back in school :)

Cheerio an Drasda!

Sweet Inspiration

A chance visit to out local Art Gallery (An Lanntair) last week involved the purchase of this catalogue of an exhibition which the Gallery hosted over the festive season. I wasn't blogging much at the time so it went undocumented! Looking through the catalogue over the weekend however, brought the whole experience back and through reading the accompanying text about the talented people behind these creations, I found it really inspiring. Much of the scrap metal used in this particular exhibition was taken from old Singer sewing machines - you'd really have to see it to understand it though!

If you Google 'Sharmanka' you will find out all about the wonderful artist (Eduard Bersudsky) and the other talented members of the group - I would love to visit their Gallery/Workshop in Glasgow, perhaps on my next visit :)

After such lofty, creative thoughts, I'd better go and do my Monday chores - boo hoo!

Back later in the week :)

my creative space . . . or another cracking day in the Hebrides!

Sorry, overly long title - but the weather here today is so totally gorgeous, I just had to mention it! I'm not being very 'creative' today as I have to photograph and list a custom order for my Etsy shop - however, I've been having a little peek at my package which arrived from Japan the other day. Super quick delivery, I was delighted with it. Seems a shame to hide this fabric inside a 'tweedie' purse or clutch but it's a really fun print and I'm looking forward to cutting into it.

Oh, and here's the weather forecast - sunny and dry, with clear blue skies, just perfect!

Cheerio an Drasda :) Pop over to Kirsty's for more creative spaces, in other beautiful places!

Lights Out!

Our gale force winds last night, resulted in a power-cut/black-out/electricity failure, or whatever else it is referred to - this was entertaining for about an hour, and then the novelty wore off, for me anyway! 'Little S' was allowed to light some candles, under highly supervised conditions of course!! They were soon missing their Playstations, TV, laptops etc. though - how dependent we've grown on our gadgets, wherever we live :)

All back to normal now though thankfully!

my creative space . . . just looking!

My creative space is dormant so far this morning, but I do have a little zipper pouch cut out and ironed, ready to sew up later today. But that hasn't happened yet!, so in 'real-time' here's a little shot of the fun fabrics I've been using to line my 'tweedie' pouches - these are such fun to work with. I was a bit naughty at the weekend and ordered a little bit more fabric from one of my favourite Etsy Japanese fabric shops - deep joy! It is ultra cute fabric - I can't wait to get it in the post :) Very exciting to get a little package all the way from Japan - it makes the world seem like a very small place!

Here's the interior of an emerald green tweedie pouch I made earlier this week - I lined it with this fab and quirky Japanese fabric, featuring London imagery, very funny and the text on it is all in higgledy piggledy English, completely non-sensical, I love it, hehe! A bit indulgent as a lining but I find that the interior of the pouches are just as important as the exterior - the fabrics complement each other so well. I've had more fun with yo-yos this week too, and embellished the front of a red 'Valentine' tweedie pouch with this heart fabric yoyo - these are lovely to work with and the ruched effect adds a nice bit of texture too - very satisfying on the creative front :)

I'm off to pick up 'Little S' now as seemingly we have a big storm heading towards us in the Outer Hebrides, and the schools are shutting early - batten down the hatches, yikes!

More (industrious, perhaps?) creative spaces over at Kirsty's - Cheerio an Drasda :)