June 30, 2006

SO Annoying

I have just tried to set up a shop on Etsy with my Noodles name and also one other potential name and there is a bug in the system which doesn't send a confirmation email and so means you can't verify and complete registration. This is totally and unbelievably annoying, especially as now I can't use either of the names I 'half' registered with because I have already entered them into the system, so apparently the accounts exist but I can't use them! AAAAAHHHHHh.

I had finally got my act together to set up a shop too. Now I am at a total loss and I don't know what I am going to do. I will let you know if I ever hear from technical support or from the forum, where this has happened to lots of other people.

Just not my day. Something is trying to stop me from making any kind of money! Boo hoo!

Posted by Maxine at 02:21 PM | Comments (5)

Arty Thursday

Susan has now joined me for a weekly art and craft evening. Last night I went over to her house and painted until very late. Here you can see the start of our painting evening. I have had a painting block for years so it was really good to finally be addressing the problem and giving it a go again. I am still novice, especially with acrylics, but I have to start somewhere, so I was trying not to be too precious.

I wanted to try out some different techniques to see what effects I could get. I tried a couple of different textures, using sand and wallpaper to give some of the leaves a raised effect and I then used masking fluid to enable me to add a little detail.

Susan also had a night of experimenting. Here she is finishing off her seed pod. I am really pleased with my end result and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a lot more practicing and experimenting to do but I have started at last!

My final canvas.

Posted by Maxine at 02:10 PM | Comments (2)

June 27, 2006

The Postman is My Friend

Yet again the post man delivers more lovely goodies. Honestly, when Mr Posty comes with a parcel it is like he is delivering sunshine to my door. I am such a kid I get so excited at opening my surprise packages and so does Emily too!

This parcel of wonderfulness is from Ali. She was admiring my bunnypops a while ago so I sent her some with a couple of other things and this is what she sent in return. Thank you so much Ali, it is just such a wonderful package. The mini-moopy is just amazing and Emily grabbed her straight away! It has totally inspired me to try my moopy again and confirmed that I made mine too small and fiddley. The book is fantastic and I have read it many times already and it is sure to become a favourite, I would thoroughly recommend it - it has little duck that hides on each page which really made me laugh and which Emily loves to find! The mag was also a treat! Its really funny that I have just received two magazines in the post recently and I have signed up to Magswap.

Also look at the hilarious paper mask Ali sent us (or should I say sent Emily!). Suffice to say we all had lots of fun with this. Thanks again for all the treats Ali!

Posted by Maxine at 09:23 PM | Comments (6)

June 23, 2006

A Couple More Prints

Here are a couple more of my prints. These are drypoints. A drypoint for those none printmaking people out there is where you use a sharp needle, which looks a bit like a small metal knitting needle. This is used to inscribe an illustration reverse side up onto a clear piece of plastic.

These are very early prints that I did and were just doodles. The one on the left is called 'Whirlwind' and the one on the right is called 'Sweet Dreams' and they are about 3" square. I didn't do editions as such, I just did a variety of them in different colours. They have been quite popular and I have sold most of them, I think I might have one left. The plate is still in good order so hopefully one day I will print some more of them.

Posted by Maxine at 01:13 PM | Comments (5)

Wonderful Cards

I am so chuffed to have been sent these wonderful cards from Mav at Port2Port. My poor photographs don't really do them justice at all, but to be honest I think these are something you need to hold in your hand to truly appreciate them. They are all printed on Mav's letterpress and she prints a limited edition image monthly (this months is the trees above). You can also buy them from her Etsy shop so go and take a look.

These were a lovely surprise and something totally unexpected. I just contacted her for her address so that I could send this card, which is by Anne Anderson. Anne was one of my printmaking tutors. I came across these cards of her Linoprints a few weeks ago and I thought it might be something Mav would like so I got a few extra and sent her one.

Thanks again for my lovely letterpress surprise Mav!

Posted by Maxine at 12:48 PM | Comments (4)

June 22, 2006

My Two Lovely Plants!

Look at these! Karen gave me two little baby plants that she had started growing from seeds ages ago. I didn't post about them because usually I kill everything in my garden. I would love to be green fingered but I am a bit lazy with the feeding and watering.

So you can imagine how chuffed I am that these are loving life in my garden (by the way the ground is just an example of what the whole of my back is like - hope to have this changed in the not too distant future!). The one on the left is a pumpkin and the one on the right is a sunflower. I can't wait to see what they produce. Aren't you proud of me Karen?! I am wondering if the pumpkin is ok in that pot though, I can't imagine where the actual produce will go when it starts growing.

Posted by Maxine at 08:11 PM | Comments (2)

June 20, 2006

One Eyed Moopy

I finally got around to making a mini-moopy courtesy of Moopy & Me. The pattern was so clear and easy to use but I'm afraid I have decided that I am not much of a softie maker, as much as I would really love to be. I am sure it is a case of practice makes perfect and I should keep on trying but I am afraid I am one of those people who gets easily put off things. This is an aspect of my personality that needs a lot of work but that is a conversation for another day.

It was all going really well and I was really pleased with my choice of fabric, but the mistakes started early on. Whilst trimming the excess from around the eye I accidently snipped a hole into the body. Instead of abandoning it and starting again (I hate unpicking things!) I decided to give moopy a patch over her eye to disguise the hole and stop the stuffing from coming out! Then after sewing it together and turning it right way round (boy that was hard, is it just me?!) I realised I had sewn a little too close to the edges in some areas and I ended up having to repair holes on the ears and leg where the joins had come apart.

I had such grand ideas to make these for as presents for a few people but now I not so sure. I have another one cut out and ready to go but yep I am scared of failure. Maybe I should just do it and not worry. Also I was wondering if I'm not cut out for small things and if I made it a bit bigger maybe I would have more sewing success.

I also made 'Patch' on the same night, which I actually quite like. Although again the pattern needs some working out as I didn't leave myself enough room on the curves for the fabric to flow neatly. This was loosely based on 'Bebi' (below watching TV with Emily) which I made a couple of years ago now. I made a mini version too, which I sent as a gift to my friend Sal at the time. Maybe this is the way to go for softies with me! I am such a perfectionist it is no wonder I never get anything done.

Posted by Maxine at 01:41 PM | Comments (6)

Lovely Pillowcases

I picked up these lovely pair of vintage flannel pillowcases on an impromptu thrift the other day. They were even still unopened in their packet, which was even better. Flannel is such a lovely cosy fabric I wish I had more of it. I will have to think of something cosy and cute to make with it!

Posted by Maxine at 01:38 PM | Comments (1)

Welcome at Last!

I just wanted to say a big welcome to my lovely friend Susan who has just started her adventure in the blogging world, with a great blog called Paper Pod. Susan is one of the few people here who I share a lot of interests and we really think alike in a lot of ways. In fact we always ended up buying the same things and if we go thrifting together we have be totally separated otherwise there will be trouble when we go for the same thing!

I have known Susan for a good few years now, we met working at this really awful place and realised we had a lot in common (although I think i must've complained continuously when we first met!). We are constantly thinking up creative ventures (we have yet to make something of them) and she was my mural partner. I am constantly inspired by what she does, her enthusiasm, ideas and she never lets anything hold her back. You should see her lovely handmade paper vessels (get some pictures on your blog Susan!) they are just lovely.

By the way the pic is from Susan's 30th birthday, which was a fifties murder mystery party. This is just to prove she really doesn't have a beard and a hairy chest! Check out the photo on her blog!!

So a big welcome and hope you have fun here.

Posted by Maxine at 12:48 PM | Comments (1)

June 16, 2006

Things I Like to Do

After a conversation with Mav at port2port today it dawned on me how much I don't include on my blog. I know its impossible to cover everything but some things most definitely should be making an appearance, like my love of printmaking.

Its been well over a year since I went to the workshop and did any kind of printing and I just don't have the facility at home to do it. A lot of my prints I have given away as presents or sold or they have been framed (like those above) which makes it difficult for me to photograph decently. But I thought I would give it a go and every now and then I am going to post about my prints, even if they are old and maybe it will spur me on to do more. It will also start giving you a wider picture of who I am and what inspires me. There are other things that I am interested in too, but for now I will leave it with the good old printing.

The above image is two separate screenprints. They are both angels. The one on the left is called 'Fallen' and the one on the right is called 'Guardian'. I printed an edition of 6 of each of these and I only have a couple left now. Apologies for poor quality of the image, these are both framed so there is a lot of reflection and the illustrated text is a bit blurry. I need to work out a formula for photographing them.

My prints always cover subjects that mean a lot to me or something that has inspired me in some way. This makes them very personal to me.

Posted by Maxine at 06:51 PM | Comments (5)

Simple Girly Tote

I realised that a it was a friend of ours, daughters birthday this weekend (they live a long way away and in fact I have never even met her!). As I am on a budget buying a gift was really not practical, so I thought I would make her a little bag. I have been meaning to use this Holly Hobbie fabric I thrifted for ages, but its something that needed the right project really - like a girly bag! I hope she likes it, I think she is 6 this year (or maybe 7!) so its a perfect age for girlyness.

I also got a bit carried away and made another two while I was at it! So considering I hadn't been feeling well I had a really productive crafty night last night. One thing I know is that I could really do with some more buttons and trim. My supplies are very short. I will have to keep a look out! Hopefully I will be able to build up enough things to finally get around to opening an Etsy shop, plus I will have more stock for swaps - I just love those swaps!

Posted by Maxine at 11:05 AM | Comments (6)

My 55p Shopping Spree

There wasn't much at the car boot sale on Wednesday. But when I saw this little tiny leather satchel I couldn't resist buying it for Emily. She will be a real mini-me! I couldn't believe they were asking 5p for it! 5p! They might as well of just give it to me!! I thought about giving them more but then I thought, nope thats what they want and I am on a tight budget so 5p is what is.

The beads are lovely too. It is a choker really and I would've preferred it a bit longer but it looks kinda cute on so I'm going to leave it intact and not take it apart.

Posted by Maxine at 11:01 AM | Comments (1)

My Litttle Princess

Just a quick photo of Emily modeling the t-shirt I appliqued. I really love it now I can see it on her! Will have to do more...!

Posted by Maxine at 10:58 AM | Comments (6)

June 13, 2006

Strawberry House

Look what I made with the scummy fabric I received from Donna. Its a teeny weeny strawberry house t-shirt for Emily. I have to tell you that this is by no way perfect, it was much trickier than I imagined. Trying to wind the t-shirt round the sewing machine whilst trying to make sure everything was in the right place and most importantly not sewing together the front and back of the shirt!

Despite its wonkiness I am happy as it is just such a jolly shirt. It was only a cheapy t-shirt so I can always get more to experiment on - maybe just one shape next time though!

Posted by Maxine at 09:40 PM | Comments (4)

More Swap Goodies

Look at the wonderful package I got in the post today! Thank you so much Laura. This was an absolute delight. The fabric squares are just lovely and folded so neatly into the little Kansas bread flour bag. It is great to get some colourful pieces. I will be thinking very carefully of what to do with them.

She also sent this great magazine and some extremely yummy chocolate sunflower seeds (which I am getting addicted to by the minute!). The mag is full of wonderful stories, advice and ideas for all aspects of the family. It is much better than any mag I have read here thats for sure. This and the great craft magazine that LiLi sent me a while ago has spurred me on to take part in the Mag swap over at Cotton Strudel (I just hope I got in on time).

Posted by Maxine at 08:21 PM | Comments (3)

Cute

This is just a couple of plates I got at the car boot sale last week for 20p each! I thought they were so cute I just couldn't resist. Emily has already picked out one for her and one for baby.

Posted by Maxine at 08:16 PM | Comments (1)

June 10, 2006

Lots of Sunshine but None for Me!

Yes this is a post full of grumpiness. Last week was possibly the loveliest and warmest week we have had here so far. So just my luck that I get sick and don't get to enjoy any of it. I was feeling a bit rotten at the beginning of the week but I thought it was just pregnancy, coupled with over doing it. But by mid week I was feeling like I had swallowed razor blades and I wasn't well at all. A visit to the doctors confirmed it was tonsillitis. I am really prone to getting this, but luckily not as often as I used to.

So I have been feeling really sorry for myself. Unable to enjoy the sun, take Emily out or even play with her in the house (tv had to step in, which I hate when the weather is so nice). So the house is a complete mess and there certainly have been zero craft activities.

On a brighter note I am feeling a lot better today so hopefully normal activities will resume next week. I took Emily to the park today and we fed the ducks and it felt good just to be outside. I think if you are pregnant you should get a free pass from any other type of sickness!

So Donna and Ali I had your parcels all ready to go but didn't make it to the post office! Hopefully Monday should see them on their way.

Posted by Maxine at 07:37 PM | Comments (6)

June 04, 2006

Sunday Afternoon Barbie

It has been such a glorious weekend here in Belfast - at last! I thought we were never going to see any summer. Today we went round to Karen & Richard's house for a barbecue and some family afternoon fun. It's just so lovely to hang out, chat and eat (I can't eat enough right now!).

Emily and Noah splashed about in the paddling pool and chased each other around the garden. Its great to see kids messing about and getting all mucky, thats what life should be about as a toddler. Maybe if we adults did a bit more of this we would be happier and less stressed! Maybe one day we should put this theory to the test...!

We had scrumptious lamb burgers in pitta and of course good old sausages. I made some pork and chilli burgers which were a bit heavy on the chilli and a Moroccan salad - by the way I still have recipes to put up from our Moroccan Supper Club night, I will have to do this very soon.

Posted by Maxine at 09:27 PM | Comments (2)

Goodies in the Post!

Look at the lovely goodies I received in the mail yesterday. Donna from Crafty Old Thing agreed to swap some of my orange and brown flowery fabric and suggested we swap a few other bits as well, as she had only recently suggested fabric swaps herself too. It is such a great idea and a great way to get a few different bits and pieces.

Thank you so much for your lovely parcel Donna and also for the lovely little treats for Emily, plus the gorgeous little shell buttons for me (have to save these for something). Emily took a real liking to the strawberry polka dot and insisted on wearing it as a hair band! So I guess I will be making something for Emily with this!

Posted by Maxine at 09:18 PM | Comments (4)

June 01, 2006

Crafty Thursday

The other day I decided that the only way I was ever going to be productive was if I scheduled specific time to make things. So Thursday is my day to be creative, hands on, making, painting, creating and experimenting.

Tonight I thought I would make a drawstring bag. Sorry about the poor lighting in the photos but I really am in a 'get things done now' mood and so I couldn't wait for the morning! This is a modified bag of my first attempt done tonight, which I didn't photograph - but believe me it was the most GIANT tote I have ever seen in my life and was actually quite funny. I really don't know what came over me to make it so big!

In the end I decided to shorten it considerably and ended up with a more rectangular shape which I actually quite like. It needs a bit of work to get it ship shape but I think I will try more of these. The straps are for giants too and are really wide so they scrunch up a bit when you hold it but I'm not going to worry too much. I used a brown polka dot ribbon for my 'string' which is actually another fine brown ribbon threaded through.

This is a peek at another project I started tonight. I thrifted a wool blanket the other day with the sole purpose of felting it. I have been wanting to do this for a long time. The blanket is not the prettiest but I thought it was worth an experiment, I may even dye some of it to make it more interesting.

The question is - will my sewing machine be able to handle sewing something so thick? I am really quite unsure about this and a little nervous. This is my second machine and I don't want to end up breaking it. But at the same time I would like to sew this up! If anyone has any words of wisdom I would love to know before I put my machine through its paces.

Posted by Maxine at 11:50 PM | Comments (8)

Finished at Last

Finally we went last night to check over the mural, tidy up and pick up our materials. I can't believe it is finished at last. It really has been an epic and we have been working on it for nearly a year (in the evenings when we could). I am really pleased with the end result and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. Its weird though because despite working on this I still have my painters block and find it hard to pick up one of the many blank canvases I have lying around the house. I will definitely have to work on this.

Posted by Maxine at 08:03 PM | Comments (5)

Updated Blogroll

Just to say I have rearranged my blogroll slightly and also added a few links. I love coming across new sites and a lot of the time it is through people commenting on here, so thank you all!

A big welcome to:

Ace Jet 170
- friend and hubby to Karen of Little Pink Toes. Keep this one bookmarked as I am sure there will be lots of treats for all you folk into design, print, packaging, typography and other groovy stuff. Welcome to blogland Richard!

Other new to me:

Domestic Ali
No Appropriate Behaviour
Weird Bunny
Crafty Old Thing

Posted by Maxine at 05:48 PM | Comments (2)

Car Boot Season

I just love car boot season. Its much better than going thrifting, partly because I think the weather must be nice, you are outdoors and there is more of a market feel to it, my perfect place. Last night I went to an evening boot sale and look what I got for £1.50!

This reminds me of my favourite toy when I was a child, its not exactly the same but it certainly is in the same vain, tree house, furniture, family car etc. If you are reading this Karen, yes, although I am very happy with this find I am still silently weeping at the fact that you have THE treehouse complete and still in mint condition - boo hoo! But at least Emily can have a similar experience with this one as I had with my one.

I also got this jug for 10p! How can you not get something when it is 10p? I thought it would look nice on my windowsill with some pretty flowers in it.

Posted by Maxine at 03:00 PM | Comments (5)