Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Not Being Creative!
Hello! I know I said I wouldn't be posting until after my holiday but it is just a quick Being Creative update (or not!) As you may or may not know I am taking part in Julia Crosslands Being Creative project. Each month there is a new theme to create something on. This months was Home. I do have something to share, something I have already shared on a previous post, but it isn't what I really wanted to create as I had something else in mind. Life got in the way I'm afraid (as it so often does)! So here is a re-post of my journal page created on Kate Cranes workshop at Art from the Heart!
This is definitley the last post before I go away! I will be posting crafty updates on what I am making and any fab finds whilst I'm away on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/gingerbreadbunny) so click like to keep up-to-date!
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Bank Holiday Craftiness
I hope you are all having a good Bank Holiday weekend! For those of you not in the UK, this weekend is 3 days long as we have a lovely extra holiday on Monday! Whoop! As I am off on my holiday next weekend, I am spending my extra long weekend being crafty and making lists and other such holiday preparations!
I have already organised my travel craft projects into a bag (rather difficult as I wanted to take everything). This consists of a mini travel art journal which I have already painted the pages in, some pens, pastels, glue and pics amongst other things. After much deliberation I managed to cut it down to 1 pencil case and 1 A4 wallet! I also have my Scottish Adventure Journal ready to add pics and mementos from the week in as well. There are 2 books in there (just incase I finish one), including The Yarn Harlot book by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. As yet I haven't chosen the crochet projects I am going to take. All of my travel craft projects must fit into 1 smallish bag - this is what I have told myself - but I'm sure I can squeeze a magzine and some crochet into my handbag to (my husband will never know!)
Last week I found yet another new craft magazine called Craftseller. It is aimed at people who want to make to sell and it is looking like it is going to be a good one. There are articles from established sellers, particularly Etsy and the web, as well as projects you can make to sell. I have been using up some old felt making some of the really cute Babushka Felties in the magazine and have adapted it to make them into little bellydancers! So cute and very easy to do!
I have added brooch backs to mine so they can be pinned to bags or clothing but I'm also thinking they would be great as key rings too!
As I am going to be away, this will be my last blog post for a couple of weeks. When I return I will have plenty to share with you I am sure! I will be posting quick updates and photos on my holiday crafting and any exciting shops and products and general craftiness I encounter when away on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/gingerbreadbunny) so hop along and like the page to keep up-to-date with my crafty exploits!
Take care and see you all soon x
I have already organised my travel craft projects into a bag (rather difficult as I wanted to take everything). This consists of a mini travel art journal which I have already painted the pages in, some pens, pastels, glue and pics amongst other things. After much deliberation I managed to cut it down to 1 pencil case and 1 A4 wallet! I also have my Scottish Adventure Journal ready to add pics and mementos from the week in as well. There are 2 books in there (just incase I finish one), including The Yarn Harlot book by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. As yet I haven't chosen the crochet projects I am going to take. All of my travel craft projects must fit into 1 smallish bag - this is what I have told myself - but I'm sure I can squeeze a magzine and some crochet into my handbag to (my husband will never know!)
Last week I found yet another new craft magazine called Craftseller. It is aimed at people who want to make to sell and it is looking like it is going to be a good one. There are articles from established sellers, particularly Etsy and the web, as well as projects you can make to sell. I have been using up some old felt making some of the really cute Babushka Felties in the magazine and have adapted it to make them into little bellydancers! So cute and very easy to do!
I have added brooch backs to mine so they can be pinned to bags or clothing but I'm also thinking they would be great as key rings too!
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| She now lives on my recycled jeans bag! |
Take care and see you all soon x
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Beautiful Backgrounds
A good few weeks ago now, I attended a journaling backgrounds workshop, with my Mum, at the fabulous Art from the Heart in Harrogate. The workshop was taught by Kate Crane, who has been featured in Art Journaling Magazine, and was fantastic! She taught us 2 techniques for creating backgrounds for journaling.
The first technique involved lots of layering up acrylics using a card to apply them. We then added spray inks, stamps and shapes to build it all up to create a gorgeous background. Finally, we journaled on top. I added some cut out stamps of houses on text taken from old books, putting them on top of some ripped sheet music to ground them.
The second technique Kate showed us involved finger painting! Very messy but lots of fun and it created an amazing background! Again, we layered it up with spray inks, stencils and stamps and then journaled on top. I picked the lady above, stuck on with tape, and a giant bug which made me think of Doctor Who!
During the workshop, I had the opportunity to use pastels, which I've never worked with in my journals before, to highlight areas. Very effective.
Of course, when I got home I had to have a go at these techniques, to make sure I hadn't forgotten how to do them, and I experimented with using fewer colours, different stamps and adding other layers.
We really enjoyed the workshop, took some great ideas away with us and had the chance to do a bit of shopping (I took cash and no cards!) And of course, we had a lovely dinner in the cafe downstairs, bagel with cream cheese and a giant piece of coffee and walnut cake, mmm!
(If you go to Kate's blog, there are some photo's from the workshop and you can just see the top of my head, I look very busy!)
The first technique involved lots of layering up acrylics using a card to apply them. We then added spray inks, stamps and shapes to build it all up to create a gorgeous background. Finally, we journaled on top. I added some cut out stamps of houses on text taken from old books, putting them on top of some ripped sheet music to ground them.
The second technique Kate showed us involved finger painting! Very messy but lots of fun and it created an amazing background! Again, we layered it up with spray inks, stencils and stamps and then journaled on top. I picked the lady above, stuck on with tape, and a giant bug which made me think of Doctor Who!
During the workshop, I had the opportunity to use pastels, which I've never worked with in my journals before, to highlight areas. Very effective.
Of course, when I got home I had to have a go at these techniques, to make sure I hadn't forgotten how to do them, and I experimented with using fewer colours, different stamps and adding other layers.
We really enjoyed the workshop, took some great ideas away with us and had the chance to do a bit of shopping (I took cash and no cards!) And of course, we had a lovely dinner in the cafe downstairs, bagel with cream cheese and a giant piece of coffee and walnut cake, mmm!
(If you go to Kate's blog, there are some photo's from the workshop and you can just see the top of my head, I look very busy!)
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Inspiration, inspiration, inspiriation!
As a Folksy seller, I am also a follower of their Facebook page and fantastic blog. This week they have asked us fellow bloggers to write a post about our crafty inspiration, Collective Inspiration - an invitation for crafty bloggers. Inspired by this invitation, today's post is all about my crafty inspiration. Enjoy!
This week has been a busy one and as a result, time for craftiness has been at a minimum! Among the projects I have managed to work on are a birthday present for my mother-in-law and an afghan type blanket using left over bits of DK weight wool I have. The blanket is definitley an ongoing project and is made up of lots of little squares of crochet that are then stitched together. This project has been inspired by the sock yarn blanket Martine from iMake is currently working on. What I love about her project is that she receives left over yarn from followers of her blog and so she is creating something really special. Fabulous! It was iMake that really inspired me to start my blog in the first place. The way she shares her crafty exploits with the World is brilliant and I loved the way her blog allowed people from all over the globe to interact and share their love of the craft.
My first crafting experiences began as a very small child. There are photos of me, at a very young age, naked and covered in paint from an afternoon of messy fun. I remember making teddy bears out of gloves with my mum (and I'm pretty sure she still has it) and being taught how to knit, which I have forgotten now, by my mum. My mum was definitley my first inspiration for crafting!
My Dad and Grandma inspired my love of cooking and baking. Sunday's where spent at my Grans helping her to cook the tea and usually baking something scrummy for afters. I remember her making some of of our birthday cakes as well that always looked and tasted fab.
I am also extremley inspired by the work of other crafters out there whose work I can access and enjoy through the internet. Tracy inspired my love of Art Journaling during last years trip to America and I love reading the blogs of others and listening to excellent podcasts such as iMake, Electric Sheep, Craft Life and The Knitmore Girls.
Folksy asked for your number one inspiration, and this is pretty hard. As a multi crafter my love of different crafts has been inspired by so many people. However, if I had to pick one it would definitley be my Mum and Dad (they are married so can be treated as one!) They encouraged the crafty creativeness as a child, they bought me my supplies, they helped with the building of various models and encouraged me when I was ready to give up. Thank you Mum and Dad for making me the creative, crafty being I am today!
This week has been a busy one and as a result, time for craftiness has been at a minimum! Among the projects I have managed to work on are a birthday present for my mother-in-law and an afghan type blanket using left over bits of DK weight wool I have. The blanket is definitley an ongoing project and is made up of lots of little squares of crochet that are then stitched together. This project has been inspired by the sock yarn blanket Martine from iMake is currently working on. What I love about her project is that she receives left over yarn from followers of her blog and so she is creating something really special. Fabulous! It was iMake that really inspired me to start my blog in the first place. The way she shares her crafty exploits with the World is brilliant and I loved the way her blog allowed people from all over the globe to interact and share their love of the craft.
My first crafting experiences began as a very small child. There are photos of me, at a very young age, naked and covered in paint from an afternoon of messy fun. I remember making teddy bears out of gloves with my mum (and I'm pretty sure she still has it) and being taught how to knit, which I have forgotten now, by my mum. My mum was definitley my first inspiration for crafting!
My Dad and Grandma inspired my love of cooking and baking. Sunday's where spent at my Grans helping her to cook the tea and usually baking something scrummy for afters. I remember her making some of of our birthday cakes as well that always looked and tasted fab.
I am also extremley inspired by the work of other crafters out there whose work I can access and enjoy through the internet. Tracy inspired my love of Art Journaling during last years trip to America and I love reading the blogs of others and listening to excellent podcasts such as iMake, Electric Sheep, Craft Life and The Knitmore Girls.
Folksy asked for your number one inspiration, and this is pretty hard. As a multi crafter my love of different crafts has been inspired by so many people. However, if I had to pick one it would definitley be my Mum and Dad (they are married so can be treated as one!) They encouraged the crafty creativeness as a child, they bought me my supplies, they helped with the building of various models and encouraged me when I was ready to give up. Thank you Mum and Dad for making me the creative, crafty being I am today!
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
And the winner is ....
So we have a winner! One lucky person has won either a funky teal and black feather hair clip or a gorgeous red journal pouch!
I put all of the names into a table and allocated you all a number (you will notice Cayte is not in here, as my mum she requested not to be entered!) and then used a random number generator to choose the number of the winner.
Name | Number |
Dreamthief6641 | 1 |
Tracy Carlton | 2 |
Maudiemaudie | 3 |
Tracy Coxey | 4 |
iMake | 5 |
Ali | 6 |
Kims Colourway | 7 |
Amy Carmichael | 8 |
Raven Jan | 9 |
Tania Hudson | 10 |
Catherine Lawton | 11 |
Jo Taylor | 12 |
And the number the random number generator chose is ....
6
Congratulations to Ali! I wonder what you will choose!
Keep checking back for the next giveaway!
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Amigurumi Crazy (and Giveaway update!)
I have gone amigurumi crazy! My good friend, Jo, has lent me an amigurumi book that is just full of the cutest patterns that are so easy and quick to make.
For those of you new to amigurumi, it originates from Japan and is the art of knitting and crocheting little small creatures or objects as stuffed toys. There are hundreds of books out there talking you through how to make mini animals and some more obscure objects (including a hamburger and some crochet tombstones!).
The book I have been lent (see above) is defintley one of the more sensible ones, with patterns for a ballerina bunny, snail, monkey, aeroplane and a whole host of other gorgeous animals. The only problem I had was which one to start with!
So far I have made the ballerina bunny for me, a cupcake bear and a snail for Mr Gingerbread Bunny. I started with the cupcake bear as it was a very simple pattern and very quick. It is adorable and I am going to use it as a pin cushion.
Ballerina Bunny was my second project from the book and took a little longer as she has more bits to her. But she is just so cute. She gave me lots of practise at working in several colours at the same time and joining all the parts together.
The snail was quick and easy to make. You make the shell in 2 pieces and my 2 pieces where different sizes (oops! Well it was about 8pm when I started him!) With some stretching whilst stitching it worked out.
Finishing off the animals requires a bit of embroidery skill for noses and mouths and I purchased some 6mm safety eyes from eBay for a very reasonable price (if you are planning on giving these to small children then safety eyes are a must).
The patterns are predominantley worked in the round, which is easy, but you definitley need to use stitch markers at the start of each round, a tip not given in the book, or you just cannot work out where the round begins and ends.
For those of you not lucky enough to have a friend with a book, there are plenty of free patterns available online on Ravelry, Lion Brand Yarns and by searching for amigurumi patterns.
Happy Crocheting!
GIVEAWAY UPDATE!
There is still plenty of time to enter my giveaway from my last post! All you need to do is leave a comment on my last post, Pretty Presentation and Great Giveaway, or one the link to this blog post on The Gingerbread Bunny Facebook page, before 12pm GMT Wednesday for a chance to win a funky feather clip or a beautiful book pouch!
As you may have noticed, I am now taking comments on the Facebook page as a few fans of the Bunny weren't able to comment on the blog. Please feel free to pass on the details of this giveaway to your friends.
For those of you new to amigurumi, it originates from Japan and is the art of knitting and crocheting little small creatures or objects as stuffed toys. There are hundreds of books out there talking you through how to make mini animals and some more obscure objects (including a hamburger and some crochet tombstones!).
So far I have made the ballerina bunny for me, a cupcake bear and a snail for Mr Gingerbread Bunny. I started with the cupcake bear as it was a very simple pattern and very quick. It is adorable and I am going to use it as a pin cushion.
The snail was quick and easy to make. You make the shell in 2 pieces and my 2 pieces where different sizes (oops! Well it was about 8pm when I started him!) With some stretching whilst stitching it worked out.
Finishing off the animals requires a bit of embroidery skill for noses and mouths and I purchased some 6mm safety eyes from eBay for a very reasonable price (if you are planning on giving these to small children then safety eyes are a must).
The patterns are predominantley worked in the round, which is easy, but you definitley need to use stitch markers at the start of each round, a tip not given in the book, or you just cannot work out where the round begins and ends.
For those of you not lucky enough to have a friend with a book, there are plenty of free patterns available online on Ravelry, Lion Brand Yarns and by searching for amigurumi patterns.
Happy Crocheting!
GIVEAWAY UPDATE!
There is still plenty of time to enter my giveaway from my last post! All you need to do is leave a comment on my last post, Pretty Presentation and Great Giveaway, or one the link to this blog post on The Gingerbread Bunny Facebook page, before 12pm GMT Wednesday for a chance to win a funky feather clip or a beautiful book pouch!
As you may have noticed, I am now taking comments on the Facebook page as a few fans of the Bunny weren't able to comment on the blog. Please feel free to pass on the details of this giveaway to your friends.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Pretty Presentation and a Great Giveaway!
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| All wrapped up! |
I chose to start my blog as a way to share my crafting with my friends and, well, the World. And so the Gingerbread Bunny was born. At first my blog background came from the general templates, which were OK but not what I really wanted. It didn't look pretty enough. I bought a book, Blogging for Bliss by Tara Frey, which led me to a website called Smitten Blog Designs (check their site out if you have a blog you would like to revamp!) who offer lots of really funky backgrounds for blogs, and that is where my current design came from. Much prettier I think.
From my blog, my Folksy store grew and I wanted to make sure that when I launched the business side of The Gingerbread Bunny it looked professional. For me, this is very important and as a consumer, I notice this! I paid a small price for the lovely Aleximo Croissant on Folksy to design my logo, lettering, business postcards, letterhead and stickers - everything I needed to get going. I have to say it was well worth it and I feel it just makes the whole business look that little bit more professional.
Finally, my packaging! I knew that when I posted items out to their new owners, the packaging needed to be a little bit special. It makes such a difference when your parcel arrives looking pretty! I wrap all my items in tissue paper, tied with cord or ribbon with a postcard attached as the invoice. I found an eBay shop that sells purple mailing bags (as this matches my colour scheme) and seal the bags with a sticker.
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| My parcel ready to go! |
GIVEAWAY!
It's time for my giveaway! Squeal! I have to say I am very excited about my first ever blog giveaway andI hope many of you will enter.
The winner will be able to choose between 2 prizes; a black and teal mini feather hairclip or a red fabric A5 journal/diary/book pouch.
To win one of these amazing prizes, handmade by The Bunny, all you need to do is leave a comment under this post before 12pm (GMT) on Wednesday 11th May! After this time, I will use a random number generator to select the winner who will be announced in my post on Wednesday evening!
So, what are you waiting for? Get commenting!
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| Gorgeous teal and black mini feather hairclip! |
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| Beautiful red book pouch! |
(Please note, entries are limited to one comment per person)
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Being Creative with dessert!
April has come to an end which means that it is time to share with you last month's Being Creative project! For those of you new to my blog, Being Creative is the project organised by Julia Crosslands at her blog.
April's theme was dessert! Mmmmm! I have plenty to share on this amazing topic from baking, cards and art journaling.
I love to bake and have taken this as an opportunity to bake a little more. In the latest issue of Simply Homemade, there where a couple of recipes I wanted to try out - Caramel Shortbread (or Millionaires as I call them) and Brownies!
I made the Millionaires as a present fro my Mum for Mother's Day as she loves them and the brownies to take when visiting Babybee!
For our last Stitch 'n' Bitch I baked some gorgeous biscuits! For Christmas Shinybees gave me a fab present, a large glass jar layered with the dry ingredients to make these. I loved them so much I have made them again. Everyone enjoyed them!
I also made a cupcake themed card and found this page in my art journal. The page was all about my favourite food and I had recently had a Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding (with very thick cream) and cut this off the cardboard cover! I adore this pudding and if you have never tried it you really need to!
My mouth is now watering following all that discussion about desserts!
In my next blog post, which will be later on this week, I am going to announce my first giveaway! The prize is very pretty and feathery and everyone, no matter where you live, is invited to enter! Keep an eye out for that post for your chance to win a Gingerbread Bunny design!
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| Millionaires baked by me |
April's theme was dessert! Mmmmm! I have plenty to share on this amazing topic from baking, cards and art journaling.
I love to bake and have taken this as an opportunity to bake a little more. In the latest issue of Simply Homemade, there where a couple of recipes I wanted to try out - Caramel Shortbread (or Millionaires as I call them) and Brownies!
I made the Millionaires as a present fro my Mum for Mother's Day as she loves them and the brownies to take when visiting Babybee!
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| Brownies |
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| Scrumptious biscuits |
My mouth is now watering following all that discussion about desserts!
In my next blog post, which will be later on this week, I am going to announce my first giveaway! The prize is very pretty and feathery and everyone, no matter where you live, is invited to enter! Keep an eye out for that post for your chance to win a Gingerbread Bunny design!
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