Thursday 30 June 2011

Being a Bumpkin - And I Love It!!!!

Ok so today has been a hectic day. I went to town this morning for a mooch around the shops and one of my thrifty buys was this funky apron.


This afternoon between the school run I made this bag. Its slightly bigger than normal as I like larger ones to carry the heavier items and the extra wide strap provides extra support.


I've also had what is supposed to be elderflower cordial brewing for a few days and today was bottling time. I have not tasted it yet I figured that it must be tested in a relaxing sun lounger with a drink in one hand and crafty magazine in the other (sew eco if you are wondering what magazine).


I then dragged my not so 'countrified' other half out to help clean the coop. The chickens have been turned a lovely lavender colour courtesy of their delousing treatment. They were ever so camera shy and slightly irate with me hence the lack of cute purple chicken images. And finally after I concluded that my tatties were not going to be the mother of all potatoes I cut my losses and pulled them... Small but perfectly formed I think!

Saturday 25 June 2011

Button Swap

As some of you will know I signed up to a Button Swap hosted by the lovely Kitty Ballistic over at Crafteroo and I was originally partnered with Pennydog. However Kitty was left without a partner and as I had recently sent Pennydog a Secret Santa gift we agreed to do a three way swap.

Here is what was sent to me and yes the chocolates from her new business Truffle Piglet really are to die for!


 The handmade sketchbook which was so well made has already been sketched in and its just the right size to slot in my bag.



How cute is the button decoration!


Below is what I sent Kitty hopefully she got the reference from the film Full Metal Jacket, it was on the other day and inspired my embroidery.




This is the back, i've never finished an embroidery before so just used card, pretty paper and wedged into place.




I also sent some Chocolate Buttons as she doesn't get them over in The Netherlands. I know she has received them so I can post what I sent. This is up there with my favourite swaps me thinks!

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Vintage Napkins Remake

I bought these lovely napkins from the carboot sale and decided to turn them into lavender bags. These ones are slightly larger so they are perfect for putting on you pillow before bed or throwing on the sofa.

Saturday 18 June 2011

Self Portrait

As part of the drawing challenge (which I am woefully behind on again) it involved drawing a self portrait. I wasn't very impressed at that prospect as I 'don't do' photos. Anyway I was pretty impressed with my attempt and it did capture the essence of me (I wont be posting a real life photo btw). I decided to stitch the same image to see how it would turn out and how my face would change. Apart from looking like a boy it looks OK. I'm pleased with the stitching in places and as ever there is room for improvement, especially the shading/beard on the neck lol

Close up of eye....


... and yes my hair is that crazy!

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Dandelions

I used embroidery and fabric to create these dandelions. It has to be the best way to learn the french knot!





Monday 13 June 2011

New Project

I'm thinking the 30 day drawing challenge will have to wait a couple of days. Since I unusually have energy I really need to crack on making stuff for the craft fairs. I will finish it though, i'm useless for not seeing things through and I dont want to let myself down.

Today I made this cute brooch with a nautical theme. The fabric was originally from a mens shirt and I used an anchor button to finish it.


Also a week in the H&H house wouldn't be the same if a bird did not feature somewhere and here she is. Once again i'm unsure of whether she looks good or not, I need to work on subtler ways on using the fabric and I need to sort her feet out.

She started off as a newspaper base and was covered in kitchen roll and PVA. I then covered her in scraps of fabric (I can not chuck even the smallest remnants away) Her legs are wire covered in thread and her wonky eyes glass beads.

I think I need to try again although I may paint the next one if the whim takes me.... which isn't really stocking my craft stall is it???



Sunday 12 June 2011

Sold Today

Im chuffed to bit that this lickle cutie found a new home today. I also sold some lovely hair bobbles so today has been a good day!



In other news I have two local craft fairs to make for and I am seriously behind schedule. I may have to de-list my stock so I have a chance of filling a stall... eeek

Saturday 11 June 2011

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 10 & 11

I see a pattern of laziness and disorganization appearing here! Yes i'm behind once again but thankfully these two days were pretty simple in terms of deciding what to draw.

Day 10 - Your fav candy

It just has to be, no arguments...


Day 11 - Turning Point in Your Life

I did think about putting the birth of my first child but I really didn't see it as a turning point more as a natural progression of my life. I think the turning point that not only affected me but my family too was when we brought our first home. To be fair its falling apart at the seams but its opened up so many new things in our life. For a starters it got us off a rough council estate with 100's of houses crammed into to small area.  We moved to open space surrounded by fields, a huge back garden to grow and rear and a safe place for our kids to play. I feel calmer, happier and safer and the kids have picked up on that, this makes crafting so much more productive too. I find myself reading Poultry Magazine and Country Living instead of the latest edition of Heat!

I'm certainly no snob but I do like telling people I own my own home, I feel that although my career has failed and has no signs of recovery I can say I have one success my ex repo, 1950s pile of rubble!


Thursday 9 June 2011

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 8 + 9

Day 8 - Your fav animated character - Ariel from the Little Mermaid.

Its rather ironic though that although she is my fav character I actually hate water. Dont panic I do wash its mainly swimming pools and the sea that scares me.



Day 9 - Fav TV Show

I decided to give myself a break from it today as when I thought of fav programmmes a) I couldnt think of a stand out one and b) I couldnt think of anything to draw. Im probably giving up to easy on this one but tbh I dont watch that much TV anymore. I tend to fill my evenings crafting and catching up on chores... oh and the dreaded Facebook. So here is a quick sketch of an idea I had years ago to turn an old tv into a fish tank lol



Wednesday 8 June 2011

Decoupage Bangles

I made these lovelies using thrifty, cosmetically damaged bangles and decided to cover them in paper. I really like the shell like texture that's developed. They will be available in my folksy store soon...

http://www.folksy.com/shops/HandmadeHeritage

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 7

Still a day late but what the hey!

Day 7 - Favourite film

It defo has to be Lost Boys everything from the music, costume, scenery to the oh so sexy vampires. It was probably when I realised my mind is not quite all there when I concluded that I would be nothing in life if I wasnt a vampire lol

Soz Kieffer for the terrible piccy eeek!

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Flea Market Thrifting...

You just cant beat it! Although I have to admit this is just the tip of the iceberg. I am finding bits for my wedding so have plates, cups and serving platters stuffed in every corner!


I just love the teddy mould and i'm totally clueless on what to use the fabric for, it feels like soft baby bed sheets so something snuggly maybe???



30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 6

A day late again. My excuse this time blimmin wedding invitations!


I kept arguing with myself with which book... To Kill a Mockingbird, Labyrinth, Any Karin Slaughter... so I choose my fav mag instead lol

Sunday 5 June 2011

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 5

Your best friend...

It will always be my daughter. The image comes from a photograph taken the day after we got chickens it was a good day.

I dont know what ive done to her but she nothing like that and about 10yrs younger than the picture.I was hoping this challenge would help my drawing skills but im getting worse not better lol Still I will persevere!

Saturday 4 June 2011

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 4

Your fav place... Olney in Buckinghamshire



Ok I cheated and drew a map. I love Olney its beautiful and full of gorgeous independent shops and food outlets. There is a pick your own farm near by and the rather well to do folk are very kind in their donating to the fab charidee shops... its the closest I could ever get to shopping there lol

George

George is a pheasant that visits my parents garden everyday. Now we are not quite sure if George is the same one that comes everyday but they like to think so. George likes nothing more than to raid the bird feeders and generally potter about the garden.

I decided to create George on fabric, I love pheasant feathers and have always used them in my millinery projects. I used mixed media to make him which includes sequins, beads and glitter thread. I am happy overall with it but I would like to improve some areas. He's been well received so far so I hope you like him too.




Wednesday 1 June 2011

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 1

Self Portrait by Handmade and Heritage
Self Portrait, a photo by Handmade and Heritage on Flickr.

A picture of yourself...... yes im scary lol

30 Day Drawing Challenge

This is such a cool idea and one that hopeufully might spark my love of art and drawing again...


I saw this posted on crafter...oo today if you want more details and to see whos joining the challenge.