And now for something completely different. This is something I have been fascinated by since the first time I came across it. I really don't have room for a full encaustic hotplate — and it would be quite an investment on a whim — so I settled for getting a starter kit with an iron… Continue reading Encaustic landscape
Almost the middle of July (how?), so that means it's time to get the thinking cap on and come up with an idea for a birthday card for my other half. Three out of the last four years I have made something with a Mystery Science Theater 3000 theme — the silhouette, an interocitor, and… Continue reading Cake n’ Shake
I was sorting through my box of backgrounds — more to remind myself what I had than to get rid of anything — and I came across this A6 piece of watercolour paper covered in smooshed ink and, unfortunately, some failed stamping. I put it to one side, thinking that it would probably end up… Continue reading Flowers from ink
I'd been thinking about doing a couple of blog posts with some of the amigurumi I crocheted before I started making cards — after all, I did set this blog up as a way to record the things I create so why not include some throwback crafts into the mix. When I realised that I… Continue reading Amigurumi: throwback
Another stamp rescued from the unused pile and another play with the Peerless watercolours. I am loving the colours and also the convenience of the Peerless — which reminds me, I really ought to do a quick blog post about how I organised them. This has to be the simplest design I've done recently. I… Continue reading Flutterbye trio
I am loving using ATC-sized paper, card and even MDF to experiment on. It's not that it's easier than making a card — other than not having to think in terms of creating something you would give someone for an occasion — it's just this condensed format that forces you to really focus on what… Continue reading Golden dragon
The things we do for our art. Specifically, emptying, washing and drying used teabags. Ever since I came across Ruby Silvious and her tea bag art, I've wanted to have a play. Now, you can buy unused tea bag paper, but it's hard to find in non-industrial quantities. I did find one art place that… Continue reading Tea bag art cards
That panic when you realise that it is the last Thursday in June and you need a pair of cards for twins whose birthday is on Monday and the cards have to be posted... I normally try and do something clever for their cards — link them in some way — but I was short… Continue reading Lacy flowers
A couple of weeks ago it was suggested, in another place, that people might like to put together a blog post introducing themselves or their art. Well, my creations are all on this blog, so I'd better tell you something about me. The fact that I am writing this on the last day of the… Continue reading Introducing…
I wanted to make something, but I didn't want to have to think about it too hard. I didn't want to have to contemplate colour blends or even basic palettes. So I reached for a handmade background from my stash — a nice mottled blue-green piece — and a flower stencil. Roses are red: grab… Continue reading Stencilled roses
Another art journal page — I could get used to making these! It's nice to have a single starting point, a few ideas, and no finished image in mind and then just see where the page takes you. This one started with a bit of spare gesso left over from prepping another experiment: I didn't… Continue reading Inspire
Another art journal page. This one was inspired by the June challenge over at That's Crafty; this month's theme is "a summer's day" and so I got out the bright tropical colours and butterflies. The base layer for this page was made from torn pieces of patterned paper. That was followed by some stencilling: lines… Continue reading Bright
I've been thinking about alternative uses for my colouring – I enjoy making cards but I do have rather a large stash and if I'm not careful it will spill over into a second box. So I've been thinking about making things to be framed instead. My main concern with doing this is that Copic… Continue reading Rainbow fish
My other half took one look at this and named it "floralarm" — "because it's a floral alarm clock thingy"... The project was driven by a desire to try altering something other than a jar and to use more than a couple of the flowers I've apparently been hoarding from my Craft Box subscription. Tim… Continue reading Floralarm
This is a coming together of many different experiments, all in lovely lovely purple (and gold). People often say that you don't get good at anything by just watching other people do it and, obviously, you do have to stop and actually try it yourself at some point. But I have absorbed so many tips… Continue reading Make a wish in purple
Crafty Rat 