silent sunday

 

 

christmas 2013

Christmas has come and gone in a flash. I love this time of year, even the craziness in the build up to the big day. An endless round of carol concerts, plays, school Christmas fairs. Not to mention the house tidying, present buying and maybe a spot of making to be squeezed in.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much time for making this year; just a few bits to add to the decorations for the house.

I was lucky enough to receive a new camera lens. As you can see from my photos I have been having a play.

I've been having great fun fiddling about with it and I'm pleased with the results so far.

I've got to get back into the habit of using my DSLR more. I've got so lazy using the iPhone all the time (the Camera+ app is fantastic for photos) but now it is time to go back to basics.

 



How do you take your photos? Camera phone? Compact camera? DSLR? Manual setting or programme mode? Any tips for a beginner?

christmas craft tutorials

There are some wonderful tutorials on blogs lately so I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite Christmassy tutorials and printables.

I love bottle brush trees and I have a few of the little beauties in my possession now. I have never tried to make my own yet though and Cathe at Just Something I Made recently posted a tutorial on how to make your own - who knew you could do that?!

 

Something else I've been obsessing over for the last few years are Putz houses. These glittery cardboard houses look so sweet. I made a church and a few houses last year but unfortunately I didn't store them correctly and they got all squished in the loft.

I'm definitely going to make them again and these templates from Little Glitter Houses make the job a lot easier.

There are some beautiful free printables out there in blogland. These woodland chalkboard style gift tags from Lia Griffith are great. The fonts that Lia has used are so sweet.

I often drool over the tutorials on Tatertots and Jello, the things that Jen can make are awesome. She recently took part in a series called Knocktoberfest and this Pottery Barn mirror knock off is definitely on my long, long list of things to make. I'll need to do some research on some of the items used to distress the mirror. I have never heard of muriatic acid before! Unfortunately I don't yet have a Silhouette Cameo so I'd have to cut the vinyl by hand but I guess that would add to the handmade charm.

I hope you enjoyed my little round up of fab tutorials!

my week on instagram

Just a quick round up of my Instagram photos from this last week. It has been about tiny bits of sunshine, organising, daft dogs and fab new craft supplies in Wilkinson's.  Did you know they now sell washi tape and baker's twine?

You can find me here on Instagram.

chalkboard art

source: Little Baby Garvin

 

Lately I've been obsessed with chalkboard art. I've spent many hours on Pinterest looking up beautiful creations. It all started with the Little Baby Garvin blog. Every week Jessica would chart the progress of her pregnancy with these marvellous chalkboards. She draws (chalks?) all her artwork freehand. She has a tutorial on her blog, just click either of the links above and you'll find it from there.

source

It wasn't long before I came across the work of artist Dana Tanamachi.  Her work is truly beautiful.

source

This piece which she created for a wedding is fab. How fun would it be to try this? I mean, all you need is a mahoosive piece of hardboard,a tin of chalkboard paint and Bob's your uncle, lol! Although I suspect that if I tried I would create something similar to a child's chalkboard drawing!

source: LilyandVal on Etsy

I've got to have a go. I have a great chalkboard which I made from an old framed print. I painted the gold coloured frame white, removed the print and glass, and then painted the backing board in aqua chalkboard paint. I'll post the results after I've had a practice (or two!).

Have you tried chalkboard art? Any tips for a total beginner??