Squatchin'

The last couple of weeks have been a blur of activity. Besides the Christmas/New Year hub-bub, I've been working madly on design team projects and things for other people. If I'm honest, I'm tired and feeling a bit worn down. I need a few quiet demand-less days to rejuvenate my head and heart.

BUT I do have a project to share from the holidays. My handmade gift to my kidlet... a needlefelted Sasquatch.

I was lazing on the couch watching the telly when I saw him scurry across the sunshiny window sill. At first I thought I was seeing things but when the dog started whimpering in his sleep, he stood still for just a moment and looked on curiously.

When the dog finished making his sleepy noises, the creature turned his head to me and gave a grunt, as if to say "What are you looking at?" Then quick as a flash he climbed up into our Christmas tree!

Over the next few days I tried to coax him out with treats of peanut butter and apple slices... but he refused to pose so I could only capture a few blurry images.

Now that the tree is down he's a bit easier to shoot. He sulks around my studio looking for a hidey hole to make his home and Christmas cookie crumbs to eat. 

I've told him I'll make him a spot inside the pantry and he can have his fill of nibbles but he likes being difficult. I can tell you with certainty that "Harry and the Henderson's" is not an accurate depiction of a Bigfoot. Our pygmy squatch is a difficult little diva and a smidge rude too!

One Little Thing - Era

I strongly believe that creativity breeds itself. The more you do and make, the more ideas and inspiration will follow. And so, every Sunday I'll be posting a creative prompt, a challenge for you to spend just a few moments being creative over the following week.

You DON'T have to make something big or elaborate. This challenge is about removing the excuse "I don't have time" and dedicating few minutes to being creative. It's also about giving value to, and recognizing, creativity and inspiration in all it's forms. A poem, photograph, idea list, ATC, doodle, inchie, sketch, card, painting, inspiration board, altered something-or-other... ANYTHING you create from scratch with the theme in mind is a success. 

This week's prompt is "Era"

You're challenge this week is to explore a favourite time period. The roaring 20's, groovy 70's, Victorian, Roman, wild west... the future. It's all fair game.

You may want to think about what appeals to you about certain eras. What are the colours, themes, textures, images, vocabulary, and events that shape that period?

Remember, there is no wrong interpretation... the only thing that matters is that you spend a few moments focused on, and exploring, creatively.

Good luck! and have fun :)

Good bye 2014!

Well, it's been a weird year.

I've had some successes (yay!). I've never been more unwell in my life (boo!). And, time has flown by (as it always does).

Speaking of time...

I'll be introducing a couple of new bloggy items in 2015, including a weekly 'One Little Thing' challenge. Every Sunday I'll post a creative prompt, and challenge you to create one little thing. Totally low pressure and absolutely good for you. The idea is to spend at least a few minutes every week thinking creatively. If you can only manage a quick doodle or a brainstorming list, that's okay! Creativity breeds itself and even a few moments of scribbling while stirring a pot of stew can be seeds of greatness :) For anyone who wishes they could spend more time creatively, this is a great starting point.

Finally, here are a few of my favourite projects from this past year.

In Praise of Odd Birds - Altered book and poem

221B Baker Street Tin

Man in the Moon

Godefroy's Book Shop

By the light of the moon

Leon's Window

I've created loads of work this past year, but these are the projects closest to my heart :)

Here's hoping that 2015 will be bright, shining and filled with magic... for everyone.

Much love,
Nichola

Oneda the Imperfect , A fairy

"I don't make fairies."

For the past 4 years that is what I have said when asked the inevitable question 'Where are the fairies?' I haven't felt compelled to make them.

But this Christmas I asked for (and received) an instructional viddy by Wendy Froud. After a marathon viewing (during which I completely ignored my guests) I immediately set to work. Days and loads of swearing later, I'd like to introduce Oneda.

She's big. Over 13" tall. And why not, she's waited an awfully long time to be made.

I have her hanging with a little help from a pin on her back... but, although she cannot stand on her own, she is poseable and would be happy as a clam in a doll stand.

I've learned so much making her and she has loads of imperfections (her skin isn't flawless, her hands are too large) and loads of things that I'll improve upon when the next winged things get's made... but her stockinged feet are lovely and she seems quite pleased with herself so who am I to complain?

Oneda is available HERE in the etsy shop.

Stamped Embellishments with Graphic 45

I am not a stamper. When challenged to create a project or share tips using stamping techniques I was seriously scratching my head. Then I realized I do stamp… just not on paper! I’ve made a stash of stamped paperclay embellishments with Botanical Tea cling stamps. 

Paperclay is great fun to work with and one of my very favourite materials, but I’m sure you could do the same with polymer clay. 

In the future I’m sure these will find their way into some of my mixed media pieces, but one of my little friends had a dolly in urgent need of a paper crown and I am always willing to lend a hand in a doll emergency.

And here's the Snapguide Tutorial to make your own embellishments!

Supply List

Embellishment
Botanical Tea Cling Stamps
Creative Paperclay

Crown
Botanical Tea: Spring DuetCore’dinations Graphic 45 Lights - Pearl Blush
A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die
White plastic pearl strand
White glitter

A little butcher shop

The 'big day' has passed and Santa was very kind to all of us with loads of socks and undies (which we love BTW), books and other goodies. We also have a tradition of exchanging handmade gifts. 

This year I made my husband a little butcher and charuterie shop window in a shadowbox frame. Before his life as a winemaker, Mr. Pixie was a butcher and he continues to smoke and dry his own meats and make his own sausage.

I made all of the meat from polymer clay. The window is a transparancy sheet. The 'shelving' is narrow strips cut from an old hardcover.

The outside measurement of the frame is around 7.5" x 5.8" and the inside depth is around .75"... it's pretty tight!

Considering that 'realism' in my miniature work isn't usually a priority, I was fairly thrilled with how this turned out and I think he liked it too :)

Quirky Naughty/Nice Ornaments and a Christmas Message

This is a fun and funky little project. I’ve just made some tiny boxes, about the size of a matchbox, with various Twas the Night Before Christmas papers, tucked in a vintage portrait, embellished with glittery pipecleaner and labeled them as naughty or nice. 

Don’t let the vintage pictures hold you back, these would be so much fun with family pictures! You could even use them as place holders for your holiday feast with photos of your naughty/nice guests.

Most of my guests are naughty, by the way.

Finally, a Christmas Eve message. Relax. Christmas is coming no matter if those 16 dozen cookies get baked, if the icing is wonky, or if the floor is a disgrace. And it'll be ok. You'll survive it! My first guest showed up early yesterday... while I was still in pajamas... while picking up dog poop from the lawn. 

I survived :)

Supply List

Twas the Night Before Christmas 8x8 PadTwas the Night Before Christmas StickersPetaloo Fancy Trims
Glittery wired pipecleaner
Vintage images

Wishing you and yours the very merriest Christmas, happiest of holidays and good cheer all around.

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