2013 the creative process

So it feels like 2012 flew by in a whirlwind of activity. It's been a slow start as the holiday season was pretty non stop I feel like I've earned a little break. Still even as I lie in bed I get an idea for a card, I know pen and paper by the bed, write it down. (Of course theres no pad of paper ,im not that organized.) In order to be able to stay tucked up and warm, yes folks even in Southern California it occasionally gets cold and unlike London there's no central heating so it's all about the layers and hot water bottle and if I'm really lucky Sanford earns his weight in gold by being a heat source. So this idea I don't know where it came from but in my head I'm like "that's funny it could work" but I don't want to get up so if its memorable I'll remember it in the morning. I then can't stop my brain from thinking about other puns, should have bitten the bullet and written them down... A few hours later I'm up and I can still remember the idea, I run it past my pun panel and it gets the thumbs up.

The drawing is done same day et voila. Le brontosaurus is born. Sometimes things happen pretty fast, other times they get mulled over and months later surface.

Ugghh new year also means time to hit the accounting ! What you mean you thought I did it every week, entering all those receipts I wish I have a small Mount Etna of receipts to input into Quickbooks which cheers you on with this almost applause like sound every time you enter one in.... In other news I made the resolution to try new things, so with that in mind I bought a ceramic pen. I have dabbled in Ceramics and while I wish I could make magic using a wheel I'm much better coiling but the part I like the most is embellishing and decorating. So why not skip the clay part and go directly to fun. This is going to be a new line I think. The beauty of having a shop is that you can test your product out next day pretty much, I'm very excited about the potential.

So I have a confession, all the xmas craziness has left me sewn out, I need a break from sewing to recharge the batteries. I don't want to ever feel that what I'm doing is a chore so I've been making little pouches and gathering more wool to get inspired all over again but mostly it's back to the drawing board literally with lots and lots of bad puns/some good and ideas on a page. There are some exciting developments an Artwalk on February 1st at Green Bliss Cafe, note to self get sewing!

No sooner is Xmas over than Valentines is creeping up.

November's Blog Update

Blimey, there are just not enough hours in the day anymore for all the crafting that needs to be done. In case you were thinking I was sitting back and resting up, oh I can dream... January will be my vacation time.

Xmas at Crafted

Mega Owl the biggest Owl I've ever made.

Custom mobile

So, I was commissioned to create a baby mobile a while back and I was so happy when it was finally finished. The logistics of creating the structure itself and balancing the components took a really long time and tested my problem solving abilities to the max. I was really happy with the end result and despite it taking a lot longer than I had initially thought, am excited to perhaps make this a future store offering. I'm already working on a Forest type theme. It's good to have things that push you but it was a big relief to finish and be satisfied with the end result.

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Ok, so since the bats I finished my Christmas Card collections, after a hiccup at the printers they are finally ready. Here's a few, all themed around Peas, I had to have a pun and this one came to me in September or October and I've been excited ever since.

A Christmas Pea of course

More Peas

Penguin

Bird

Stop by and say hello Dec 3rd to 11th

There's a new exciting place that's just opened www.creativeoutletstudios.com and I will be teaching some workshops this month including upcycled stocking, wooly bird and printing workshop and there are lots more fun things too. The owners are lovely and just so much fun stuff to learn. Oh and lastly I'll be doing a pop up shop at the OC Mart Mix with It's me Mary Taking over one whole shop ! Back to sewing there's only one week to go eek.

It was 7am and about 100 degrees and unbeknownst to me I was supposed to bring wintery clothing hence the slightly odd outfit.

And lastly, see this is what happens when I blog once a month it turns into a very long round up. Got some nice press !

I'm drawing Birds !

Well little did I know that there would come a time when I could actually report on all my drawing activities on the imustdraw blog but that time is here. I like to think that I make the best out of bad situations which in my case has been a bad shoulder/arm which is aggravated by 1) surfing 2)typing and using a mouse and lastly 3) using scissors all of which are pretty standard parts of my day/week. So in an effort to minimize my pain/ give the shoulder a break (I suspect its RSI)  I started doodling. What started as a thank you card became about 12 filled pages of sketchbook and out of that the beginning of a new card collection which I shall call Moshi, no particular reason other than I like the sound of the word and I call all my dogs moshi sometimes. I don't know whether it means anything or whether it's the result of watching kung-fu movies. Speaking of which Ip Man is one I highly recommend, which is the story of Bruce Lee's Kung Fu Master,  there's a sequel but I haven't seen it yet.I digress as per usual, here are a few examples of my labors. I have more and one in particular that I like a lot which I'll save for another blog. Enjoy !

Birdy page

Here's One I made Earlier

Filing Card tin and Cards.
Materials: Spray paint, screenprint decals and old filing tin, index cards, stickers, cardboard box, primer.
Method: Super easy this, rummage around a thrift store and find a metal filing tin. Go outdoors, use a cardboard box to create a spray booth of sorts. Prime and leave to dry, you'll only be able to do a bit at a time or you'll get finger prints from moving it. Repeat with nice coloured spray paint. Carefully place your screenprint decal (I got mine at Urban Outfitters but they have them at Scrapbooking places) Follow instructions basically rubbing and peel backing off carefully. If you want to be super thorough coat with clear varnish.
For the cards, take ordinary index cards and a bunch of computer printable stickers. Type out your letters and print out 2 of each. Stick one onto a piece of card making sure you have a bit left over, stick onto index card and stick the second letter onto the back. The card makes them sturdier. Also very important make sure they are not too tall or they won't fit in your box.

I didn't make him earlier but seeing as his paws are in most of the shots. He likes to help, bless him I thought I'd include a whole picture.