Handmade Monday

So is it just me or has everything gone heart shaped?

Heart in the road

Even going to work the other day I noticed a heart shaped oil stain. I think this is getting beyond a joke now ;)

So it's Handmade Monday again, and yes I've already started my blog hopping at http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog/

Unfortunately I haven't had time to do much in the way of crafting this last week, so I thought instead I would share a couple of photos of customer orders I completed. Whether it's because it's the year of the rabbit, or people just have a sudden fascination with rabbits, these little felties have gone like hot cakes over the past couple of weeks. 

 

And this I made just because I was bored, and I had a load of heart templates knocking about!

I hope everyone has a lovely day. I'm off to try and read a manual on how to use my new camera. Both excited and truly confused. But nothing new there. I wouldn't mind but the booklet is really thick... and is all in English. Why is nothing ever easy?

*Sigh* Delivery idiocy

Okay, I need everyone to give a huge cheer. It's Friday people. At long last.

Just need to get through today and then off for two days. Finish some wedding invites, get some more felties together - ones that aren't Valentines influenced.

So this week all in all, not a bad week. I finished my orders yesterday afternoon, so was happy about that. Ordered my camera the other day, so happy about that. Survived another week at work, if only just, so happy about that too. Over all... you have one happy Kat!

Happy Kat

Not so happy at my idiocy and Royal Mail idiocy.

I ordered my camera after days of deliberating. I got a really good deal on a body, lens kit, memory card and case. Wasn't my first option, but after everything I was bouncing around when I clicked the 'checkout' button. I was so happy with my buy I asked for express 1-2 day delivery. I never do that. I don't see why I should spend yet more of postage and packaging than I have to. But hey... camera... c'mon! I'm allowed right? Well I got up early thinking I heard the door bell go. Sprang out of bed, stood on my hair brush (yes that did hurt), rushed to the front door... and... nothing. No one there. My own bloody imagination. Best thing is I was as red as a cherry even though there was no one there to witness my stupidity. Just checked my email... to realise I sent the camera to my boyfriends parents house. No major issue, I can get it tonight... but how stupid do I feel now?

Then to make it all better, I had a parcel delivered of felt and some other bits when I was out on the 4th. I went to the post office to pick it up yesterday. They couldn't find it. Phoned up today, they still can't find it. I have to go back on Monday and put a claim in. So I now don't have what I need to continue with certain projects. I need to replace the order and start all over again. So not happy with Royal Mail now!

Having just gone to the door they have just made me laugh though. I ordered some sheets of acetate with designs on. The person sent these in an envelope that says "Please do not bend". So guess what? Yep, they bent it. Grrrrrrr....

However, I shall not let this get me down...I will keep my chin up and quietly plan my revenge on both myself and the Royal Mail. And possibly spiders... just because I don't like them! And maybe people that stand in the middle of aisles in supermarkets talking to their next door neighbour, just because that's really annoying!

Randomlings: Part 1

Randomlings: otherwise known as Random Ramblings.

Part 1: because no doubt there will be a follow up or two on this. Randomlings occur often.

Follow up: when all I have going round my head is Randomlings.

Today's Randomling is about why handmade is best (it will take me some time to get there! ;) It's a Random Rambling afterall).

I am, I must confess, a complete and utter Christmas freak. Love it. No better time of year. I have already started my Christmas shopping, my decorations go up in the first week of November, my food shopping is completed two weeks prior to and from around mid August I run around like a kid on the original blue Smarties, going on about how many days and hours are left. No, I am being serious! And I know I am not alone out there. Anyway, I was online, going through the usual suspects, picking up some bargain DVD's and music ready for the end of the year, when I started to wonder what I was actually going to get my mother and sister. Now, my mum is one of those people who is close to retiring and has everything. My sister is modest and never knows what she wants, so no forth-coming ideas. As a result I was drawn the blogs and websites of those who craft for a living.

Whilst you will never, ever pull my purse away from the likes of Forbidden Planet, Play or Amazon, the decision is finally made. Unless they ask me for a microwave with the ability to make tea and coffee, or a washing machine that will hoover, they are both going to get hand crafted goods. Now this might not seem like such a big thing, however, here was my train of thought whilst looking at a lovely hand-blown wine glass set seen in the Jubilee Market in Covent Garden.

"I should buy her a jacket? No, she has 7 already. I should get her a new set of kitchen plates? No, she loves what she has already. I should buy her these wine glasses? She doesn't drink wine though. But they are lovely glasses. Reasonably priced too. She does drink gin. Could you drink gin from a wine glass? I could drink gin from any glass, but mummy dearest wouldn't. Maybe she could display them. Maybe I could ask for a custom design and then display them. Why would you display custom wine glasses? Because they are custom! Better than going to a department store and buying something that was made in a sweat shop in India and is owned by half of Blighty. But if I don't buy sweat shop made glasses those people that make them are out of a job. But if I buy them I am supporting sweat shops - stupid cow. Why would I support slave labourers. You already work for one!... These look really well made. I drink a lot of wine. Not buying for myself though. Buy these and you will be supporting a craft artist. He lovingly made these and he could make you some lovingly made custom ones... could make YOU some lovingly made custom ones... Supporting local talent. Show off their art and get friends and family to buy from the same guy... A worth while cause. Plus I drink wine, and mum has shelves..."

By the way, I need to point out, I am not an alcoholic! Just love wine... and beer... and spirits hehehe
AnyHooooooo....
Needless to say I purchased some wine glasses. However, these wine glasses are a lovely black with red and silver trim. And he only made 8 in that colour range. I own 4. Someone else now has 4. I guess that means we rock, because who else right now, has those glasses :)

If I had gone to that department store I would be no better than the next person without a clue. After all, where is the harm in supporting true talent and paying good money to own something that so few people have even seen!

Going off to raid your sites now... want me some Christmas prezzies!!!

It's Monday

Well after one horrendous week, we start another. Only I am hoping that this week will be start of good things to come. I spent last week making and catching up with orders for those that forgot what the 14th heralds. I have a funny feeling that things aren't going to change that much this week. Between writing action plans and getting my interview head on I have a number of projects to complete by Friday. I can see a number of late nights just waiting outside of my front door, patiently waiting to be let in.

And thanks to Wendy, it's Handmade Monday again. Check out what people have been up to by clinking the link and start blog hopping: 1st Unique Gifts

So in the hectic race that was last week I managed to make head way with one of those boxes at the very least. Some touch up work needed on the inside, and a layer of varnish. Over all I am reasonably happy with the effect, and I think it will look just fine on the book shelf, home to all my needles and loose threads. The box was given to me when someone couldn't do much with it. It had been painted heavily in emulsion and needed stripping down and the hinges needed to be replaced. All that considered I am surprised it turned out the way it did.

I guess when I get a minute or two I should look at finishing the other, though I am not holding my breath for a spare minute just yet ;)

Okay, now to tackle the list of gifts sitting on my coffee table *sigh*. I hate Valentines :) Wouldn't mind so much if they were all for me, hehehe.

Lights, Camera... er, no? It's a buyers market.

Whilst so many of us are running around doing the typical last minute job of trying to find the right Valentines gift, I now have to consider the inevitable. First and foremost, I don't do Valentines. Never have, so it is unlikely I ever will. Having been with the other half eleven years in May you would have thought by now one of us would have done something a little more romantic than a quick kiss on the cheek before running out the door for work. I think in all those years only four times have we considered and followed through with any plans. However, going to the local for a quick drink or opening a mass produced card is my worst nightmare.

Secondly there is that little factor of money. I won't be buying him that new PS3 game he is so trying to convince out of my pocket. That money will be spent on me, myself and I! I guess for so long I have tried to get away with what I have at hand. But no longer can I deal with one simple fact...

...My mobile phone takes better photos than the only remaining working camera in the house.

And when your phone is only dealing with 3 mega pixels, you know you have a problem.

I know, it's a crime against all photos. It's that age old scenario - something breaks, you have a spare, though not as good and think, 'Why spend the money? This will do'. Right?

Wrong! Perhaps on some level I am a photo snob. But without a kick ass photo of your item, even if you don't want to sell it, how is anyone ever going to see the true crafting behind it? All that hard work and your point and click Fuji, Cannon or Olympus will just miss the finer detail. No, regardless of a number of articles I have read in the past, for me the point and clicks of the world just don't do it. Sure, you want to wander the streets looking for inspiration? There, they cannot be beaten. Fit in your pocket and no one is any the wiser (apart from the pick pocket standing a couple of feet from you). But nothing can rival a picture taken by a true camera. Not even a professional. A semi-pro will do me fine. A semi-pro SLR and we are away.

So whilst for the next couple of days you run around (or maybe just scroll away), trying to find that perfect gift, I will be searching for that perfect camera, at that perfect price. After all, this recession may be bad for our businesses, but it has at least created a buyers market!

Now if only I can get a great camera with a lens in the deal. After all, who said the lens should cost more than the machine itself? Evil is afoot here ;)

Doodle days

Trying to steer clear of the paints at the moment. Every time I try something I end up getting covered in one colour or another. Besides, even in the eighties where anything went, that splatter look was never a good one.

Nope, instead I have taken to picking up the pencils again. So much less mess than anything else.  

A couple of samples from my sketch pad:

Thanks to Monday - you made it less grey!

Well yesterday on the whole was horrific. I couldn't get in the mind to do anything. The sun didn't come out until I was on my way to work, which meant I couldn't take any good photos. I had to return to work after a week off. And then when I got to work I have one of those conversations. You know the ones. You get dragged into an office, your boss sits in front of you all casual like. Then it begins. 45 minutes of sitting there bobbing your head 'yes' like one those annoying car dog thingys. The round about conversation where you are told you aren't that good at your job and you need to start thinking about your future. Am I working the right hours? Managing the right department? Tying my shoe laces correctly? You get the idea right?

So by the time I left work and got on the bus to come home I felt about 2 inches tall and totally miserable.

Normally straight to bed. But nope, I thought I would be rebellious and turn on the computer and spend a bit of time surfing the virtual tide of blogs. I remembered the Handmade Monday event set up by the lovely Wendy and thought I would meander a look at my own blog. I was so surprised to have found new people following and having people interested in what my trinket boxes will look like when finished. So what I am trying to say in a round about way: 1st, thanks to Wendy for such a fantastic idea! 2nd, thanks to everyone who has decided to follow my blog! 3rd, thank you for all the lovely comments. You made yesterday seem a little less grey! Thank you so much. I have returned the favour to each and every one of you.

Lets hope today will reveal the silver lining.

But at least this morning I had time to do some more work on my trinket boxes. Just need my motifs to come now *bounce*. Can't wait!

Until next Monday (or maybe tomorrow when I get bored of cleaning and the computer starts is daily calling).