It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas..

Here are a few little lino prints i've been working on, seeing as christmas is quickly approaching! 

Vintage Apple Crate Storage Seat Workshop

My boyfriend and I have just moved to Tunbridge Wells in Kent, and we happened to walk past a sign in the window advertising a craft morning to make one of these lovely traditional apple crate storage seats. All that was required was to bring your own material and a pair of sharp scissors.

It was such an enjoyable course! We added a stencil to the crate itself, assembled the foam topper and even created our own buttons to add to the seat - probably the most satisfying part of the morning!

There was around 7 people in the class and it was so interesting to see the different materials and text that was written on their boxes. You can view everyones and follow Kay's Facebook page here..

Saatchi Gallery - Federico Herrero

Colour therapy at the Saatchi Gallery in Sloane Square! Love these paintings by Federico Herrero, up close you can see all of the layers of colour on the canvas.

 

Saatchi Gallery - Federico Herrero

 

 

 

Leaves

I heart Anthropologie patterns

I saved all of these images and tried to narrow them down, but I couldn't - I adore them all.

 

Anthropologie has such a unique palette towards colour and pattern and are renowned for their individual quirky style.

 

Visit their website here.. http://www.anthropologie.eu/anthro/index.jsp

 

 

 

 

       

Envelopes & Leaves

Over the weekend I made this intricate lino print. It's actually going to used on the front of a notebook but I wanted to test it and see how the pattern came out, so I tried it on these tiny envelopes. I love how they have turned out!

 

 

Happy Valentines!

Happy valentines everyone, here are a few cards I posted out this year, mainly so I could create pretty envelopes...

 

Do you know, In Finland valentines day is friendship day. ♥

DIY New Home Money Box

 

Happy Sunday! Here is a great craft afternoon idea and made from items around the house! I was looking around for a money box everywhere and planning to paint one, and then it occurred to me that I could just make one from scratch.  

 

As we're saving for a new home (I've now decided this money box is actually for a treat in our new home..) a house shape was apt, but if you are saving for anything else, you can always get creative and think of a new shape. If you are travelling the world, make one in the shape of a country you can’t wait to visit, if you are just generally saving, simply make one in the shape of a pound or dollar sign. But the best part is this idea is so CHEAP! It’s also very secure so it can't be pried open easily.

 

If you are interested in creating one yourself, below are a few step by step photos, showing the different stages.

 

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You will need 

Cardboard – I used the backing from a A3 notepad, you can also use a cereal or cardboard box

Tape – any tape will do as it is going to be covered

Scissors & Scalpel/cutting mat

Flour

Water

Newspaper

Bowl & Spoon

Stage One -

Draw and cut out your first shape for the front of the house money box, then use this as a template for the back of the box. Secondly to make the sides, use the scraps of card remaining and cut long strips to the width you would like – the money box can be as wide or shallow as you like, the walls on mine were about 45mm.

I then placed the long strips of card next to the front panel, and cut the walls to the same length of both the roof and the side of the house. I must confess that when I make something it is all by eye, but you are welcome to measure and match the sides perfectly!

Remember to add the slot for the money to go in, once your shape is taking place it’s easier to see where to add the slot. I added mine to the top of the roof – I somehow forgot to do this in the first stage and had to go back and add it in! Oops.

 

 

 

Stage Two -

Now that you have all of the shapes for house, we need to stick everything together. Try and secure the house as best you can, there can never be too much tape, inside or out, as this will all be covered by paper mache.

Firstly, lay all of the shapes flat and tape the edges to each other. It’s best to leave a gap the thickness of the card, around 4mm, so when the time comes move the card to a 90 degree angle it doesn’t break or come away. One by one, hold up each wall and fix this to the inside of the box, the walls should now stand on their own, as they will be secured on both sides.

Lastly, fix the back of the box to the walls; make it as secure as possible. And most importantly, add the base to the box. This should be done in exactly the same way as the other walls. Make sure it is very secure as the weight of the money will eventually add up!

Stage Three -

Now the best part! Your box should be standing on its own, quite stable and ready to be covered.

At school we were taught that paper mache consisted of glue and water, but it can also be made of plain flour and water. This is by far a cheaper alternative, and can usually be found in a cupboard. Add the plain flour to a bowl and slowly add small amounts of water, mixing as you go along. The mixture is one part flour to two parts water, with no lumps.

Tear a mixture of long and short strips of paper and have these ready. When you are submerging the paper in the flour and water mixture, its best to dunk the whole piece of newspaper and then wipe the excess on the side of the bowl. This ensures that all of the paper is covered and therefore it will be stronger when it dries.

Beware, this is quite a messy process and your hands get absolutely plastered..!

Stage Four -

Voila! You have a finished paper mache box ready to be painted. I painted all of mine white with an acrylic paint, and then added the new home within the wreath and some small dotted details to the roof.

Enjoy making yours! ♥

Personalised wedding print

I am so happy to finally add this print to my Etsy shop! I loved drawing all the special little details and how subtle everything seemed to look. John & Kayleigh love horse riding, so what better to add than two little horses facing each other hidden at the bottom of the print.

You can visit this listing on Etsy here.

 

♥