Shelfie

Had a nice day out in a chilly Durham yesterday. Invested some me time in browsing the brilliant Oxfam bookshop. They have tons of books, old and modern and they aren't necessarily cheap, but you know your purchase gives more than just personal pleasure. I found a 1942 publication about British nature. It's fabulous, about all those things we no longer hear much about. Dormice, stoats and meadow flowers. I decided to make it the star of my shelfie.

Billy Duff bear is keeping care of it until I get round to reading it.
Then what does Barbara Gray go and do ...but bring out a new set, featuring...yes hares. We'll I just have to have them despite my promise not to buy any more stash until mid March. Mad as the proverbial hare I must be.

So back to the subject of crafting. I make a card when one of the team get employee of the month. I try to keep them A6 size  and keep them quite simple. I picked up this feather die from HOTP on one of the magazines and had a bit play.
I wish I could get better at taking the photos though. Photography is not one of my strong points but never mind.

Anyhow, Catcha later, nearly time to call the midwife
Katalytic

Hare today and hare tomorrow.

I am sad I know but my passion for the big bad bunnies just continues. From watching winter watch to having a hare Pinterest page, I just find them such an interesting animal. I bought some hare stamps from Clarity. I would stamp them everywhere like a graffiti artist, leaving a trace of artistry here and there if I could get away with it. So I have stamped them in my notebooks, journal,project life album and made this:

The floral stamps are also by Clarity and are so versatile. There are also some lovely fox silhouettes I might just have to have.
I haven't been to the NEC show so if I get myself motivated me n Joan are going to try and get there in March so I am trying not to buy too much crafty stuff between now and then. Anyone else been? Will it be worth the journey from County Durham. Will I spend too much on things I don't need.
A crafting dilemma.
It's been snowy here but not too much disruption. I don't mind it if I can stay at home, but getting to work in it is just an ordeal. Roll on springtime.

Catcha later
Katalytic

Wolf Hall and Washi tape.

Well the long awaited Wolf Hall started on Wednesday night. I had to watch it though I did feel a certain sense of defeat because.....it's taken me two years and I still haven't finished Wolf Hall and I have already bought bringing up the bodies, it's waiting on my kindle. I don't know what it is but I just can't read it, it's like wading through treacle. I've seen Hilary Mantel on TV and heard her on the radio and she was enthusiastic about art and this new TV series. I am so sorry but my brain just can't take the style. It's only the second book I've given up on. I just got to Liz's death on my kindle and we got to that bit in the TV in the first half hour. But I promise, yes I promise I'll watch the whole series. Thanks to sky plus.
On the crafting front, I am still liking the idea of fabric but I am no seamstress. I wish! But I bought some sticky fabric and made this card. Do crafts fabric plus washi tape, which is my staple craft diet at the mo.

Next job was a card and wrapping for my sisters impending birthday. I've sealed the card and I wrapped the present and put it in a plain brown bag and decorated it. I added a little badge from Waterstones and some luscious burlap and chalkboard embellishment. I am quite pleased with it. At least I have not yet succumbed to buying any cards, but it's still only January.

Catcha later
Katalytic

To boldly go.....

Lately, the cards I have made have been pastel, clean and simple. That might be out of my lack of motivation. But On Monday I bought 2 packs of textured cards in the sale in the Works. £8.00 for 160 cards. They are small but I think small presents interesting design challenges. So I made a few thank you cards, I use them at work to acknowledge peoples hardwork and team work. So here they are, with added toppers from the Range. The black doggie peel offs are from Little Claire and I dug into the old stash for the mini tools. Late resolution, make cards for folk instead of spending a fortune on arty cards from Waterstones. Next venture....Susy's birthday card.

Resolution started

Already half way through January and the first snowfall has appeared. Winter is here at last. I did quite bit of crafting for Xmas, partly because I chose to make tags and fancy wrapping instead of a production line of cards.
My resolutions are simple, be grateful and try a new craft.
I have had a bit of a hare fascination for a while and spotted some lovely, but expensive cushions on Not on the High Street. I sue sited to Emma, that given her sewing skills, she might make me one for Xmas. But best laid plans, she is in the early and sickliest stage of a pregnancy. However I did get a lovely NOTHS one instead. Still, it niggled, so armed with some material and buttons I got from Joan, I decided to give appliqué a go. I just started by doing the panel and buying a cheap Cush from BHS and I am so pleased with the results.  Even the blanket stitch looks ok. So, there's the finished result. I reckon it cost under £10.00 so job done. Hope you like. Finished item plus initial preparation.

New year, new kattitude

OK, so it's not easy going into a new year and trying to change things, especially your approach. But when the going gets rough, breathe deeply, have pride in your resilience and get creative with your time.
I haven't been down, I have just let time run away with me and neglected my creative duties with the exception of the festive cards and labels. But this year I expanded the repertoire into some fancy wrapping.
In addition, the positive focus is on new life because we are expecting our first grandchild in 2015. So much shopping, so little time.
My hare and woodland fascination is carried into the new year with the addition of squirrel cushions and a lovely hare cushioned gift via not on the high street, and a larger Miho deer head.
So, creative efforts:

Introducing.my hare. Copied from a copyright free image and used as a stencil. I covered him with different Xmas papers and added him to a card. My resolution is to cut from fabric and add appliqué to a cheap bought cushion cover. Watch this space.
And the other is a journal come smash book from TK Maxx, which I have altered and promised to fill.
So here's to 2015. May it be peaceful and healthy.
Catcha later.

The last post

ItS been that time of year, Remembrance Day, anniversary of the Great War, the publicity surrounding the poppies at the tower. It made us think of sacrifice, bravery, violence, morality and loss.
I have been following a blog since March. Directed there by Barbara Gray of Clarity, it has become part of my daily routine to dip into this blog and take inspiration from it. The  blog author Jane, is a  fellow crafter and unfortunately a long term cancer sufferer. She started the blog at the point she became terminal and has shared her experiences with us sine. She is now however approaching the end of her journey and appears to have posted the last post. I shall miss my e friend truly but back to remembrance. It's a healer.
Mother Nature often has a a way of reminding you about the positive. Feeling tearful, I went to prepare tonight's dinner and look what I found.

There's always love in difficult times and I send loads to Jane in her final hours and to her family.
And so to crafting. I did this card with some decoupage from House of Zandra. It was too clean and snow where I come from, doesn't stay white for long. So I sprayed it with mucky snow.
Hope you like. Need my Beechams all in one now
Catcha later