Createablog

promoting british wool and the farmers who produce it

2011-03-18T06:42:00.001Z

the organisers are delighted to invite you to take part in a brand new show being hosted in:

hall 2 at the yorkshire event centre
on the great yorkshire showground in harrogate

on sat 3rd and sun 4th of september 2011
(set up day will be on fri 2nd sep)

for details of stand prices and other information please contact
june onigbanjo promotions
box 3,
19 rooley lane,
sowerby,
west yorkshire,
hx6 1jg.
tel: 07790 391142
email: info@britishwool.net
web: www.britishwool.net

the aim for this exciting new venture is to raise the profile of british wool and the many related products produced from british sheep.

we know there are lots of talented and creative people hand crafting beautiful objects from british wool, which haven’t travelled half way round the world to get here!

if you are a craft worker who uses british wool to spin, weave, knit, crochet, cross stitch, embroider, hand dye, make felt or any other textile process, or if you are involved in the making of lanolin soap, ewe’s milk cheese or ice cream the organisers would love to hear from you.

artist talk in edinburgh tonight

2011-03-03T11:28:00.002Z

the danish cultural institute, (3 doune terrace, edinburgh, eh3 6dy, 0131 225 7189) is hosting an artist talk tonight at 5.30pm, admission free.

glasgow textile artist joanna kinnersly-taylor (www.joannakinnerslytaylor.com) will talk about her own work and danish textile artists, margrethe agger and anet brusgaard, will talk about ‘artapestry’, european tapestry forum (www.tapestry.dk) a juried international exhibition of contemporary tapestries.

the exhibition ’textile, silver, wood’ runs from 21st feb to 15th april, and the opening hours are 10am - 4pm, mon to thurs.

thing-a-day 2011

2011-01-20T08:22:00.001Z

View the blog post here.

International Crochet Day – September 12th, 2010

2010-09-09T08:31:00.001+01:00

As many of you will be aware it’s International Crochet Day on Sunday, so I was wondering what everyone was doing to celebrate or promote crochet.

I will no doubt be eating, sleeping and breathing crochet. I will be blogging, pattern writing, and even crocheting. Why not pop along to the International Freeform Crochet group and have a look at this years exhibition.

Click here to view the online exhibition.

I will probably be making and hanging more ribbons on The Crochet Clootie Tree.

To learn more about this project click here.

Anyway I would love to know what you all are doing are you busy crafting for Christmas yet? Leave a comment and let us know what your working on. If you are a fellow blogger then please do blog about International Crochet Day 2010 and spread the word.

Inside Crochet Magazine

2010-08-16T10:17:00.001+01:00

Inside Crochet magazine goes monthly so if like me you have an annual subscription it’s not going to last a year. To renew your subscription click here.

You can also get a digital subscription here.

Inside Crochet Magazine now has a flickr photo group for readers to add photo of their crochet here.

I am in the process of writing an article for Inside Crochet on freeform crochet which will be in print soon. I will give you details about this once it’s been issued.

Ravelry in Scotland – Edinburgh & Glasgow Meetup with Jess & Casey.

2010-08-04T19:32:00.001+01:00

Saturday 14th August, 2010 @ 2pmThe Meadows, Melville Drive, Edinburgh

We’ll meet near Middle Meadow Walk, if you head down past Peter’s Yard and cross the junction we’ll meet on the grass to the right of there, maybe a picture is more helpful!

Bring your knitting and any treats you like :)

Sunday 15th August, 2010 @ Time to be confirmed.

Botanic Gardens, near or in the Kibble Palace greenhouse.

730 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0UE

I’m hoping that lots and lots of you Ravelers will be able to attend one of the above meetings it will be a great event weather permitting. I’m hoping to be able to attend both Edinburgh & Glasgow and look forward to seeing you there.

If you need further info please refer to the ravelry announcements here.

To get directions please use multimap here.

Alternatively just ask and I will try to help.

The Knitter – Knitted Hat Competition.

2010-07-29T13:25:00.001+01:00

The Knitter

The UK’s first quality, collectable knitting magazine.

The Knitter caters for skilled knitters with more than 10 challenging patterns in each issue. The Knitter has beautiful, original patterns and inspiration from world-class designers. Our patterns aren’t just fabulous to look at, they’re enjoyable to make, with a few unusual techniques and intriguing ways with yarns for you to try.

Digital Subscription here.

Knitting competition

As part of their celebrity hat campaign, the magazine are asking readers to design a hat for their favourite celebrity.

Goodies you can win

The winner and two runners-up will receive goody bags crammed with knitting prizes.
The winning hat designs will feature in a future issue of The Knitter.

The closing date is 31 August, so please make sure your entry reaches us by then. Please post your hat and pattern to:

The Knitter/ Mencap competition
Future Publishing
30 Monmouth Street
Bath
BA1 2BW

Remember to include your name, full address, email address and a contact number.

WE MAKE London’s Summer Fair 2010

2010-06-03T08:32:00.001+01:00

WE MAKE offers designers the opportunity to sell directly to buyers and offers buyers something unique and timeless in today’s fast-paced, throwaway world of mass production.
The next event will be in London on the 26th June, 2010. So please come along for some handmade shopping.

when: SATURDAY 26th June 2010 11.00am- 5pm
where: Chelsea Town Hall,
Kings Road, London, SW3 5EE

About WE MAKE

We Make London was formed by a group of like-minded designer makers with a can do attitude, united by the lack of affordable places to sell their products. A year and half and five successful events later, We Make is now the showcase for the talents and crafts of the most exciting UK designers.

Quietly brewing for the last few years, on and offline through knitting clubs, blogs, forums and small, independent shops, the underground craft scene has exploded onto the public arena. Encouraged to discover this handmade world through India Knights’ latest bestseller “The Thrift Book” and inspired by Kirstie Allsopp’s hit television series “Kirstie’s Homemade Home,” consumer awareness is now rife with the notion of buying gifts that are meaningful, unique and made with passion.

WE MAKE Prize Draw here.

Somewhere in My World 2010 International Freefrom Fiberarts Guild Show

2010-05-30T07:43:00.001+01:00

Click here to see the exhibition.

BUY THE BOOK!!

100% of the profits from this book will be donated evenly to
Kiva.org
Mercy Corp for Haitian Relief

Click here to buy the book.

Made NOT Manufactured

2010-05-29T14:58:00.001+01:00

BUSINESS: The Handmade Revolution Gathers Pace: Louis Vuitton ads banned

You may have read in this morning's papers that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a series of Louis Vuitton print ads ruling that they suggest that Louis Vuitton products are handmade when they aren't.

Delft by Memake

Like me, your initial reaction may have been to throw your hands in the air in dismay, that a mega-brand such as Louis Vuitton, with all its money and clout, is trying to muscle in on the hard-earned turf of independent artists, designers and makers who really DO make their products by hand. But, there is a silver lining to this story, the very fact that a company like Louis Vuitton wants to get a piece of the handmade revolution shows just how much times have changed!

To read more visit UKhandmade

Clootie Tree Update & New Ribbons

2010-05-12T19:24:00.001+01:00

A massive thank you to Anjie at PomPomEmporium for sending fabulous 3 dimensional ribbons for The Clootie Tree. These are great and will add a new dimension to the tree. I had an email this week from a lovely lady in North Carolina USA this week and she and her daughter are going to crochet more ribbons making the Clootie tree truly communal and diverse.

If you feel you can contribute please email me at the sunroomuk@googlemail.com

Anjie was also very generous and sent me one of her sublime organza flower brooches. Check it out below.

Thank you Anjie :-)

This is a new pattern I was working on today which I will publish in the next few days photographed on top of a new ‘Bag for Life’ string bag I’ve just completed.

Clootie tree looking good.

Weaving the Woven - WIP

2010-05-08T08:21:00.001+01:00

I have been busy working on a hand woven wall hanging using purely recycled fabrics hence the name weaving the woven. This is a home made frame loom which is really easy and quick to make. I will post more photographs as soon as the hanging is complete.

Happy Earth Day 2010

2010-04-22T08:30:00.001+01:00

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.

Take action today click here to learn more and take action.

The Butterfly Project

2010-04-03T12:30:00.001+01:00

Hello Everyone,
I hope you are all well today. I’m somewhat tired on account of staying up way past my usual bedtime last night in order to make another butterfly and to write a pattern to share with everyone.
In an earlier post I did say I would let you have more details about The Butterfly Project sometime this week. well here are the details.

In an effort to remember them, Holocaust Museum Houston is collecting
1.5 million handmade butterflies.
The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition, currently scheduled for Spring 2012, for all to remember.
As of Summer 2008, we have already collected an estimated 400,000 butterflies.
You can find the full details at http://www.hmh.org/minisite/butterfly/
You can handcraft you butterflies from a variety of media but the organisation states the following.

Butterflies should be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches.
Butterflies may be of any medium the artist chooses, but two-dimensional submissions are preferred.
Glitter should not be used.
Food products (cereal, macaroni, candy, marshmallows or other perishables) also should not be used.

I think this is a great project to get involved in and I hope that all of you will too. I have created a Flickr group for everyone to post their butterflies on here http://www.flickr.com/groups/1194157@N20/

I have also written the following crochet pattern for a butterfly which I hope will be useful to fellow crochet chums everywhere. Of course you don’t need to stick to crochet any craft will suffice. This is a tremendous project for children to participate in and express themselves.
The Butterfly
The last, the very last, So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow. Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing against a white stone....
Such, such a yellow Is carried lightly ’way up high. It went away I’m sure because it wished to kiss the world good-bye. For seven weeks I’ve lived in here, Penned up inside this ghetto. But I have found what I love here. The dandelions call to me And the white chestnut branches in the court. Only I never saw another butterfly.
That butterfly was the last one. Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.
Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942
Born in Prague on January 7, 1921. Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942. Died in Aushchwitz on September 29, 1944.
I have posted the crochet pattern on a separate page so that people can link directly to it. http://www.goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/2009/09/holocaust-butterfly-pattern-crochet.html

West Fife Villages Exhibition of Art, Photography & Crafts 2010

2010-03-31T14:43:00.001+01:00

The 2010 West Fife Villages Exhibition of Art, Photography & Crafts

An art and photography exhibition will again be held in Saline in May 2010. This will be the fifth consecutive year that an exhibition has been organised and hosted by the village of Saline. This event has proved to be extremely popular, attracting over 400 visitors last year.

The main art and photographic exhibition will be held in the Saline Community Centre whilst the the nearby church hall will exhibit specialist photographic collections from Blairhall’s Andy Young and Saline’s Bill Wilson. The exhibition is planned for Saturday and Sunday, the 8^th and 9^th May and will be open from 10 am till 4.30 pm on each day. Exceptionally the church hall will not open until 12 noon on the Sunday.

A special attraction this year will be craft demonstrations by local Fife organisation, “Daft for Crafts”. These demonstrations will take place in the Church Hall during the Saturday and Sunday afternoons and will include interesting activities such as stained glass copper and lead work.

The number of exhibits at the previous exhibition exceeded 600. This included 300 paintings from nine of the West Fife village primary schools. These exhibits from the pupils proved to be an extremely popular feature of the exhibition. We will again be contacting all head teachers, inviting their participation.

The exhibition, for work produced by artists and photographers from West Fife, is largely managed by the artists themselves under the authority of the Saline and District Horticultural and Handcraft Society and the Saline and Steelend Community Council. The local Church Guild and the WRI are also fully involved and provide the catering. Additionally, there is active support from the West Fife Villages Community Forum and the West Fife Villages Community Planning Group.

A good number of the exhibitors at our previous exhibitions were artists and photographers who belonged to art clubs and photographic societies. There were, however, a surprising number of exhibitors who were not members of any art clubs or societies. The exhibition had therefore provided a rare opportunity for these artists to display, and in some cases, to sell their work. Clearly, the success of the previous shows reflect a requirement to provide local artists and photographers with the facilities to exhibit and to give the community the opportunity to view locally produced works of art.

Gareth Turner, the President of the Saline Horticultural and Handcraft Society said, “Every year I am amazed at the high quality of the exhibits that have emanated from the West Fife villages. Jim Hensman, the chair of the Saline and Steelend Community Council, added “This event brings together a host of community organisations and is undoubtedly beneficial to the self-esteem of the West Fife villages generally.

The entry of exhibits is free and artists may offer their work for sale if they wish. All artists who would like to exhibit should contact John Crane, tele. 01383 852698, e-mail johnrobertcrane@ic24.net

More Ribbons For The Clootie Tree

2010-03-30T09:56:00.001+01:00

I recently received some gorgeous crocheted ribbons for my Clootie tree fro Pauline, Thank You so much Pauline. I will get more photos of the tree once the sun decides to come out again. Yes it’s nearly April but we are again covered in snow.

If you would like to see some of Pauline Fitzpatrick’s Crochet Art & creations the please click here - Pauline Fitzpatrick.

I really love the crochet woven ribbon – really interesting texture.

Lovely spirals here.

If you would like to crochet some ribbons and contribute to this project then please email me at thesunroomuk@googlemail.com

If you would like to learn more about what a clootie tree is then click here.

would you like to make a pennant for a 2012 olympic athlete?

2010-03-24T15:08:00.002Z

12,000 pennants (a3 size / 12" x 16") are required for this national olympic textile project which is being organised by quilts4london, a non-profit making project.

pennants can be any shape and any design, they will be 'strung' together for some amazing exhibitions in the time leading up to the 2012 games.

all regions of the british isles are invited to get involved! quilters, felt makers, embroiderers, cross stitchers, in fact anyone who sews now has an opportunity to express their support, through the medium of fabric, fibre and stitch, to become part of the whole olympic event in london 2012.

pennants can be as simple or elaborate as you want, made by anyone regardless of their level of ability or age (children welcome) and using any textile media. the aim is to present a pennant to each olympic athlete, a personal gift from you to them.

on the website you’ll find 'how to make one' guidelines as well as youtube demonstrations on how to make a pennant.

the project's supporters include:
lynne edwards, gail lawther, the batik guild, the cross stitch guild, the international felt makers association, coats crafts, the quilter's guild of the british isles and uk hand knitting.

also, the scottish co-ordinator has asked for a little extra help promoting the project in scotland. she is based in the southern part of scotland so any help covering other parts of scotland would be welcomed.

further details can be found on the website: www.quilts4london.org.uk/

The Big Tent Festival 2010

2010-03-17T08:05:00.001Z

Set against the backdrop of the East Lomond Hill and next to the House of Falkland, the Big Tent offers what has been called 'one of the most stunning festival locations in the UK'.

The Big Tent serves up great music and great food in a thoughtful and family-friendly atmosphere. Come and party, come and be inspired and restored. Come and camp under the stars, come and walk in the woods.

In challenging times of ecological and financial crisis, it's more important than ever that we come together to celebrate the ways we can create a movement for change.

Want to join us at The Big Tent in 2010? Then here is the place to do it. Whether wanting to trade or exhibit at the event, you will find all the information here. Simply download the appropriate form below, fill it in and return it to us! Please note that food trading stands are by invitation only.

To take part click here.

The Big Tent Festival 2010

craft festival scotland

2010-03-16T17:58:00.001Z

very exciting news from the craft scotland website!!!

"The first national festival celebrating Scottish craft is preparing to launch next month with a series of trailblazer events which will set the ambitious tone for the festival itself which opens in May.

craftscotland is delighted to have been awarded the marketing and pr contract for the festival. We will be working with Craft Festival Scotland's team to challenge the perceptions of craft currently held and to champion the diversity of Scottish craft intternationally.

Craft Festival Scotland is the result of a five year research project, Past, Present & Future Craft Practice (PPFCP), based at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at University of Dundee. The project explores new directions, practices and perspectives in contemporary craft with an ultimate goal of defining a new relevance for craft in the 21st century. Dundee is renowned within the academic sector as the leading city in Scotland for craft research. The festival will now showcase the outcomes of this research to the world at large with a programme of creative and informative events to be held across the country.

The Future Craft exhibition (26 March – 24 April 2010) opens in the Matthew Gallery at the Matthew Building at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and showcases contemporary and innovative craft by practitioners who took part in Past, Present & Future Craft Practice research. Each practitioner takes a creative journey as they explore craft as a process, product, experience and service. The exhibition includes new work by silversmith Drummond Masterton, interactive jeweller Hazel White, weaver Tim Parry-Williams, product artist Geoffrey Mann.

The second trailblazer takes place in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Quilts 1700 - 2010 explores over 300 years of British quilting history. Over 70 beautifully crafted quilts, mostly from the V & A's collections, will be on show. Bed-hangings from the 18th century will be displayed alongside creative reinventions of the quilt by contemporary artists including Tracey Emin. As part of the PPFCP research project, a quilt by Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design third year textile student Kirsty Fenton, will be shown in the exhibition.

The full programme of events will be available shortly. If you are organising an event, or know of something happening in your area, and would like to be included in Craft Festival Scotland's extensive programme please send the details to laura@craftscotland.org."

I’ve got the Zentangle bug . . . . .

2010-03-15T10:03:00.001Z

Zentangle 1.

Zentangle 2.

Zentangle 3.

WARNING: This is a truly addictive pastime don’t start if you aren’t ready for a new obsession.

hat competition anyone?

2010-03-11T15:27:00.001Z

i've just found about this competition but unfortunately i'm not going to have time to make anything by the deadline, so just in case anyone else is interested ...

to honour hatworks celebrating its 10th anniversary the museum is inviting folk to take part in a miniature hat competition. the theme is to capture the essence of a marketplace such as stockport, home of the museum.

hatworks is the uk's only museum dedicated solely to the hatting industry, hats and headwear.

entries need to be submitted by 5pm on tuesday 23rd march and full details can be found on the hat works website.

good luck to everyone who is entering!

Clootie Tree Update 8th March, 2010

2010-03-08T09:49:00.001Z

I recently received some crocheted ribbons from Perry in MA, USA. Thank you Perry. Here are some updated photos of the tree.

fatcat felt is giving a workshop!

2010-03-06T09:53:00.000Z

and i'm very excited about it :)

i'll be giving an introduction to felt making workshop between 1pm and 2.30pm as part of the international women's day celebrations in perth.

international women's day is celebrated on 8th march this year and the perth voluntary group, be yourself, has organised a day of celebrations for saturday 6th, to be held at perth grammar school (gowans terrace, muirton, perth, ph1 5az).

there is a wide range of activities and workshops to choose from in the morning and afternoon, there will be stalls, children's activities, a creche and a fundraising raffle.

workshops are wide ranging, including: gift wrapping; scottish dancing; computers; creative writing; encaustic; food and mood; jewellery; nutritional medicine; scrap booking; yoga; art; digital photography; introduction to felting; 'hearts and tarts'; holiday spanish; modern jive; singing; tai chi; weaving; world of women; crystal foundation; shiatsu; aromatherapy; reiki; indian head massage; poetry scrolls; simple massage; goal setting and achieving.

so, looks like there really is something for everyone!

international women's day connects women across the world as a day of celebration and recognition of women's achievements and struggles. it has been celebrated across the world for decades, and is a national holiday in 14 countries.

be yourself hopes that women from different cultures, backgrounds and of different ages will join in the celebration.

for more information, or to book a workshop, please email perthbeyourself 'at' hotmail 'dot' com or call 01738 860430.

i look forward to seeing you there!

Call for Entries – The DHM Digital Gallery.

2010-03-05T12:50:00.001Z

Call for entries

The Art of Applied Design is open to all applied artists age 18 or above, working in the U.S. and abroad. There is no limit on the number of objects that may be entered. Entries must be original one-of-a-kind works of the submitter, completed within the preceding three years (2007 to 2010), and be represented by high quality digital images. Evaluation will be based upon the creative uniqueness and originality of the work, evidence of excellence in craftsmanship, and quality of the photographic images. Exhibition of accepted work will include notation of the artist’s name, country of residence, and e-mail address to facilitate the independent sales of exhibited work. One entry in each material category will be selected for recognition as Best of Show for that category.

Click here for full information.

World Book Day – A Few Picks

2010-03-04T13:14:00.001Z

As it is world book day I thought I would post a few of my favourite books.

Absolutely my favourite Alice Sebold book.

I have bought this but haven’t read it yet!

What makes someone creative? How does someone face the empty page, the empty stage and making something where nothing existed before? Not just a dilemma for the artist, it is something everyone faces everyday. What will I cook that isn't boring? How can I make that memo persuasive? What sales pitch will increase the order, get me the job, lock in that bonus? These too, are creative acts, and they all share a common need: proper preparation. For Twyla Tharp, creativity is no mystery; it's the product of hard work and preparation, of knowing one's aims and one's subject, of learning from approaches taken in the past. It's a process undertaken every day. It's a habit. The Creative Habit is not merely a look inside the mind of a remarkable woman with remarkable skills, but a programmatic, inspiring, encouraging guide to help each of us achieve our fullest creative potential.

Review

A world-changing book, an adventure in politics, religion and haberdashery --Alex Somerset An illuminating and funny testament to one man's attempt to survive economic meltdown, tackle climate change, and enter the kingdom of heaven by making his own clothes. John-Paul shows us that we can almost literally re-make our future and we can do it with a smile on our face. Tony Rollinson, Permaculture Magazine. It seems, and I'm grinding my jaws as I type this, that his time has come. --Harriet Green (the author's wife), The Observer
Combines the cheerful idealism of Tom Hodgkinson with the well-meaning cluelessness of Danny Wallace, and a commitment to the DIY ethic not seen since William Morris started stringing his first loom. --Mark Bailey

'His books have had a life-enhancing impact on millions of people.' TIMES 'One of the few to deserve the term Publishing Phenomenon.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 'Coelho's writing is beautifully poetic but his message is what counts! he gives me hope and puts a smile on my face.' DAILY EXPRESS 'I love The Alchemist.' OPRAH WINFREY 'The Alchemist is a beautiful book about magic, dreams and the treasures we seek elsewhere and then find on our doorstep.' MADONNA

Thing-a-day Final TAD

2010-03-01T10:17:00.001Z

Bunny from a Facecloth

2010-02-28T14:51:00.003Z

I'm working on a tutorial for an Easter project today. It will be 'How to make a Bunny from a Facecloth' not earth shattering, I know, but makes a change from a knitted chick!

Thing-a-day Day 27 ‘Nice N Sleazy’ - Glasgow Review

2010-02-28T12:01:00.001Z

Becky, Isaac, Aileen 27-10-2010

Food = 7 (me 2)

Atmosphere = hostile, bad music, seedy posters.

Would recommend = not really.Wait for the Corinthian to re-open.

Fabric Flower

2010-02-27T18:46:00.005Z

Tried making flowers from Suffolk puffs (yo-yo's), quite pleased with the results. A textile flower to file away for future reference.

Flea Market Finds

2010-02-26T20:15:00.007Z

This morning I went over to a local town to wonder around their flea market and charity shops. My TAD is to photographs some of the things I bought.
Three Hornsea Pottery cannisters from the 1970's, six skeins of cream wool, a stoneware jar to put pork dripping in (we will never see the likes of that again!) and four metal teethed zips (to make flowers from). Don't you just love the randomness of it?

Chinese Lanterns Made from Cupcake Cases

2010-02-25T19:26:00.002Z

I made a greeting card today.

Thing-a-day Day 25 - Hatastic

2010-02-25T17:39:00.001Z

Okay today’s thing-a-day began yesterday when I had a weird compulsion to make some hats, I think this was down to the snow. Today I made a couple more hats, had a play about with the images and made this mosaic.

Call for Contributors – Create a Blog Dialogue

2010-02-25T09:29:00.001Z

As many of you will know Anjie & I have been busy this month doing Thing-a-day. Now as we approach the end of February and the end of thing-a-day, We are inviting like minded crafty, artistic & creative people to join as a contributor to Create A Blog Dialogue.

This is a communal blog that I set up at the end of 2009 along with Anjie from Pompomemporium.com

We intended the blog to be a space to showcase current creative work as well a place to discuss, review and document the whole creative process in whatever medium. Hence ‘A Dialogue’ So we now cordially invite you to join us on our journey – you can comment, contribute and show case as often or as little as you want.

Please contact either myself via email at thesunroomuk@googlemail.com or contact Anjie via www.pompomemporium.com and we can add you as a contributor.

Process – The Initial Concept

Thing-a-day Day 24 – Snow AGAIN in my garden

2010-02-24T19:28:00.001Z

Very snowy again, a bit of a shock this morning so here’s my thing. Been ultra busy today and will have photographs tomorrow.

Blue Bird of Happiness Chick!

2010-02-24T16:34:00.002Z

I knitted a Blue Bird of Happiness Chick today. If you want to knit one of these for Easter, I have a free pattern for a knitted chick containing a creme egg on my website

Thing-a-day Day 23 – Crochet Poncho

2010-02-23T20:29:00.001Z

Here I have just knocked up a quick chained poncho. It was very easy and quick to make and I just wanted to try out the concept. I think it would look great as evening wear or on top of a plain coat for outerwear.

Free pattern can be found here.

Flowers made from Suffolk Puffs (yo-yo's)

2010-02-23T16:42:00.006Z

After making a brooch with a nautical flavour yesterday, today I thought I would play around with Suffolk puffs (yo-yo's) again. This time they look more like flowers, and the gold one compliment the bib necklace, I made a while ago.

Nautical but Nice!

2010-02-22T15:40:00.007Z

Get those stripy tops out, the nautical look is back (again!). My homage to this maritime fashion is to award my self a decoration. I made my brooch from a Suffolk puff (yo-yo's) sewed on a button, with a nautical flavour, and finally attached a red, white and blue ribbon. I completed my knitted necklace too.

Thing-a-day Day 22 - Tulip

2010-02-22T14:13:00.001Z

My Black Centre Tulip – hurry up spring!

Thing-a-day Day 21 – Crochet Cat

2010-02-21T14:41:00.001Z

I think he needs a tail and maybe some eyes but you get the drift.

Knitted Red Cotton Necklace

2010-02-21T14:31:00.006Z

I'm knitting a plain red necklace in cotton yarn, it's making my fingers hurt! I don't find cotton yarn as easy to knit with as wool, it doesn't have the same amount of 'give', especially when knitting fiddly items on DPNs. I am using larger needles, than I would normally, the cotton is quite thick, the beads are turning out to be quite substantial, good job I like a statement!

Bottling the Lemoncello

2010-02-20T21:35:00.007Z

It's the final stage in the making of my home made Limoncell, straining and bottling, fortunately we had an empty Limoncello bottle to decant it into. Well the waiting was worth it, it gets a thumbs up from my husband, he says it tastes authentic.

LIMONCELLO RECIPE

1/2 bottle (35cl) of Vodka
7 lemons, washed (use warm water and scrub if they are waxed) and dried.
2 cups (400g) sugar
2 cups (400ml) water
Remove the peel from the lemons with a sharp peeler/knife, carefully avoiding the bitter white pith. Please note that if ANY white pith remains on the back of a strip of peel, scrape it off. If you get any of the white part in the batch, the limoncello will be bitter and spoilt.

Put the lemon peel in a glass jar and add the vodka. Seal tightly.

Leave the lemons to steep in the jar in a cool, dark place, for 2-3 months.

I now have to wait another month before I attempt the next step.

The Syrup

Put the water and sugar in a saucepan, stir and slowly heat until it turns clear and all the sugar is dissolved completely. Let the syrup cool.

Put the cooled syrup in the jar with the lemons

Put the jar back in the cool, dark place for at least two weeks.

Bottling

Strain out the lemon peels through a coffee filter or cheesecloth and pour the limoncello into another container.

Put the liqueur in a clean bottle, seal tightly and leave for at least 1 week before using.

Thing-a-day Day 20 Raspberry Ripple Blanket

2010-02-20T19:52:00.001Z

A quick raspberry ripple blanket – the photograph in no way represents the actual colour.

Thing-a-day Day 19 – Vintage Sewing Chest Roses Decoupage

2010-02-19T18:13:00.001Z

A long time ago I acquired this wonderful vintage sewing and crafts treasure chest. It came complete with all contents lots of lovely vintage trinkets and boxes. A plethora of vintage buttons, zips, threads, needles etc and a full manicure set. Anyway long story short I think it looked hideous.

Thing-a-day gave me the impetus to make it somehow pretty and I hope that I’ve achieved that. I prepared the chest by washing it all down. Then I applied some ivory satinwood paint mixed with crimson water colour to give it a pink tinge. I then enlisted the mister to cut out many many roses from the english rose wrapping paper I had.

The chest required two coats of satinwoood. I then applied PVA glue and my roses, waited for it to dry and then varnished it with floor varnish voila job done. I think it is much prettier than it’s previous dark brown drab.

Forget-me-not Brooch

2010-02-19T13:45:00.006Z

Following on from the i-cord flower post of yesterday, I made a forget-me-not brooch today.
I knitted two stems from i-cord, one slightly longer than the other, then attached these to the back of the flowers. I knotted the stems and arranged the flowers. I can either attach the blooms directly to a garment or back the flowers with felt and sew on a pin.

Thing-a-day Day 18 Mother’s Day Gift Pouch

2010-02-18T17:55:00.001Z

Today I was trying to come up with ideas of ‘things’ I could make for Mother’s Day. This is attempt 1 a little bag/pouch which could be filled with various things lavender, pot pourri etc. Mother’s Day ‘it’s in the bag’

Knitted i-Cord Flowers

2010-02-18T16:19:00.011Z

Today I'm making flowers from i-cord (or you could use French knitting). I knitted a length of i-cord 25cm (10") long. From this I formed a five looped petal flower and attached a button for the centre. I then knitted a length of i-cord, long enough to cover a hair band. When I had slipped the tube of i-cord over the hair band I attached the knitted flowers to it.

Thing-a-day Day 17 – Playing with Trellis Pattern

2010-02-17T18:13:00.001Z

Today I just wanted to have a play about with multiple layers of trellis. I came up with this scarf and I do like the movement of it.

Although, as is often the case with me, I prefer the reverse of the made up pattern.

Reverse views.

Pastel Polka Dot Pots

2010-02-17T13:53:00.005Z

I painted some terracotta pots this morning. I used tester pots of emulsion paint, for kitchens, I chose pastel shades. I sponged the paint on to the clean pots, sponging gives a smooth finish, no paintbrush marks. I left the pots to dry. To make the polka dots I used a piece of doweling dipped in white emulsion paint. They make me think spring is round the corner. Wishful thinking?

High Visibility Flag

2010-02-16T19:01:00.005Z

Today, out of interest, I was trying different colour ways for the Union Jack flag. I tried one in pastel print fabrics, nice, but my favourite one was made from a deconstructed Hi-Vis, fluorescent, reflective safety vest, from Poundland. I liked this, I can see it could be used for safety, maybe on a child's bag or jacket. It would be interesting to try out other designs too, not just a flag. Children might find it funky forgetting it's helping to keep them safe.

How to Crochet an Egg Cosy

2010-02-16T18:24:00.001Z

Hello Everyone,
I have decided to create a ‘how to’ tutorial to crochet an egg cosy.

Materials: Any small amount of double knitting yarn. Here I used red cotton. A 4.5mm crochet hook and a darning needle.
Let us begin.

Ch 3 and join with a slip stitch

Rnd 1: ch 1, sc four times into the ring. Join with sl st. From this point forward just work in the round continually without any sl st.

Here I have placed stitch marker to know when each round begins. You can get my crochet stitch markers here or you can just use a safety pin.
Rnd 2: now sc twice into each st (10)

Rnd 3: * sc 1 st, dbsc next st,* ** rep to end (15)

Rnd 4: * sc 1 st, dbsc next st,* ** rep to end (21)
Rnd 5-13: Work single sc into each st. I finished after row 13 but you may wish to continue if you have particularly large eggs. Break off yarn and sew all ends in.

Passport Cover

2010-02-15T16:01:00.006Z

I made a passport cover today. I chose small floral print fabrics instead of the normal plain red, white and blue for the flag. I didn't neaten off the edges, of the applique, I wanted to leave them frayed to give a softer effect.

Thing-a-day Day 15 - The Clootie Tree – Crochet Gardening

2010-02-15T10:54:00.001Z

The Heart of Photography

2010-02-14T14:52:00.005Z

On this Valentine's day I set myself a task, try and find 'hearts' in the garden to photograph. Only found three, I thought I would find more.

Stupid Cupid – David Thelfall AKA Frank Gallagher BE MY VALENTINE !!!!!!

2010-02-14T14:32:00.001Z

David Thelfall is without a doubt one of the UK’s best actors. No matter what you feel about the character ‘Frank’ this boy is a sound actor and very convincing. The fact that he come’s from my neck of the woods has nothing to do with it. This is a man who has worked hard and consistently to arrive where he is today.

Bring it on, MAKE POVERTY HISTORY

Born October 12, 1953, in Manchester, England. Addresses: Agent: JamesSharkey Associates, Third Floor, 15 Golden Square, London SW1, England.

Nationality: British
Gender: Male
Occupation: Actor
Birth Details: October 12, 1953; Manchester, England

Famous Works

CREDITS
Stage Appearances
Blackie, The Sons of Light, Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), OtherPlace Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, England, 1977, then Warehouse Theatre, London, 1978
Philip, A Bed of Roses, Royal Court Theatre, London, then Bush Theatre, London, 1978
Fritz, Savage Amusement, RSC, Warehouse Theatre, 1978
Jake, A and R, RSC, Warehouse Theatre, 1978
Mike, Shout Across the River, RSC, Warehouse Theatre, 1978
Abraham Slender, The Merry Wives of Windsor, RSC, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 1979
Second lord attending Cloten, Cymbeline, RSC, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, 1979
Viktor Viktorovitch, The Suicide, RSC, Other Place Theatre, 1979
Mark Antony, Julius Caesar, RSC, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, 1979
Smike, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, RSC, PlymouthTheatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 1981
Mike, Not Quite Jerusalem, English Stage Company, Royal Court Theatre, 1982
Apoo, Topokana Martyrs' Day, Bush Theatre, 1983
Malcolm, Selling the Sizzle, Hampstead Theatre, London, 1986
Title role, Hamlet, Oxford Playhouse Company, Assembly Hall, Edinburgh and Elsinore Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1986
Title role, Riddley Walker, Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, England, 1986
Title role, The Traveller, Haymarket Theatre, Leicester, England,then Almeida Theatre, London, both 1987
Title role, Bussy D'Ambois, Old Vic Theatre, London, 1988
Title role, Macbeth, Royal Exchange Theatre, 1989
Over a Barrel, 1989
Gregers Werle, The Wild Duck, Phoenix Theatre, London, 1990
Mickey Robinson, Your Home in the West, Royal Exchange Theatre, 1991
Also appeared in Paper Flowers, Watermans; The War at Home,Hampstead; The Party; Oedipus: The King; Oedipus at Colonus; The Count ofMonte Cristo; and as Bollingbroke, Richard II, National.
Film Appearances
Jack Jenkins, When the Whales Came (also known as Why the Whales Came), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1989
Leward Wicklow, The Russia House, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists, 1990
Inspector Highland, Patriot Games, 1992
Television Appearances
Movies
Trevor, The Kiss of Death (also known as Play for Today: Kiss of Death), 1977
Archer, Scum, 1977
Vasily, Red Monarch, 1983
Edgar, King Lear, BBC, 1984
Alex, Murderers among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story (also known as The Simon Wiesenthal Story), HBO, 1989
Tom Rowse, A Casualty of War, USA, 1990
Stanley Rode, A Murder of Quality, 1990
Syl, Clothes in the Wardrobe (also known as The Summer House), 1992
Joseph of Nazareth, Mary, Mother of Jesus, NBC, 1999
Voice, 1000 AD, 1999
Also appeared in The Daughter-In-Law; The Gathering Seed; Jumping the Queue; The Brylcream Boys; Dog Ends; and Making Plays: Arena.
Series
Bell, Nightingales, NBC, 1990
Men of the World, 1994
Miniseries
Smike, Nicholas Nickelby (also known as The Life and Adventuresof Nicholas Nickelby), syndicated, 1983
Leslie Titmuss, Paradise Postponed, ITV, then Masterpiece Theatre, PBS, both 1986
Weaver, The Marksman, 1987
Leslie Titmuss, Titmuss Regained, 1991
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Diana: Her True Story, NBC, 1993
Norman, Sex, Chips and Rock 'n' Roll, 1999
Aaron, In the Beginning, NBC, 2000
Episodic
"Pratt Outta Hell," Lenny Henry Tonite, 1986
"He's Asking for Me," Screenplay on Sunday, BBC-2, 1990
Radovan Pradic, "High Speed," C15: The New Professionals, 1999
RECORDINGS
Taped Readings
The Secret Agent, Reed Publishing, 1997

Redwork Babushka

2010-02-13T19:02:00.004Z

Today I thought I would have a go at drawing and stylising a Russian doll, then translate the drawing into Redwork embroidery

Thing-a-day Day 13 – Prodded Wheatgrass

2010-02-13T13:22:00.002Z

Completed prodded rag rug thing – recycled wheatgrass sack. Not a clue what I’m going to do with it – suggestions on a postcard please.

More Organza Flowers

2010-02-12T13:38:00.007Z

My theme this week has been flowers, I think I'm looking forward to spring, wishing away these cold winter days. These flowers, made from organza, are so easy to make, a tutorial is on my website http://pompomemporium.com

Thing-a-day Day 12 – Wax Crayon and Paint Doodle

2010-02-12T13:14:00.002Z

Thing-a-day Day 11 – Anti-Valentine Consumerism – Painting

2010-02-11T18:43:00.002Z

I love love hearts and hearts as much as anyone. Today I’m bored with the total consumerism of the manufactured ritual of romance i.e. Valentines – Yuk!
Gouache on Canvas – 24” x 24”

Organza Flower

2010-02-11T16:26:00.001Z

Today I made a flower, experimenting with different coloured organza and beads. Also working on a tutorial, for the flowers, to post on http://wwpompomemporium at a later date

Knitted Flower

2010-02-10T19:16:00.001Z

Today I played around with my knitted bead necklace pattern and made a flower

Thing-a-day Day 10 - ‘Pretty in Pink’ - Crochet Shoulder Wrap

2010-02-10T17:55:00.002Z

This pattern is really quite simple and works up very fast.

I really got the urge to work with pink today and so as you can see I did.
This shawl is worked in a basic trellis pattern. Shaping is created through beginning each row with 7ch and 1 dc into 4th ch.
You can access the free pattern at The Sunroom

Thing-a-day Day 9 Recycled Rag Rug

2010-02-09T18:08:00.002Z

Ah ha now I’ve caught up. Here I have made a circular rag rug using recycled fabrics and incorporating some reclaimed yarn too.
You can find a tutorial on how to make a rag rug here.

Zip It!

2010-02-09T15:54:00.006Z

I bought a selection of long colourful zips, with metal teeth, from a variety of charity shops/thrift stores. I've seen jewellery made from zips and wanted to have a play! I'm pleased with how the flowers turned out, I think they make interesting blooms!

Thing-a-day Day 8 Lego Frog & Crochet

2010-02-09T14:11:00.001Z

I was feeling a tad pants yesterday hence my lateness in posting day 8. Anyway I thought it would be nice to make something fun and cheerful. I love frogs and Lego is such an iconic visual image, I merely crocheted a background that looks similar to a Lego board.

Ribbon Roses

2010-02-08T18:15:00.011Z

I bought some ribbon before Christmas, from the local market, wired edged ombre ribbon. Because the colours are graduated I thought they would make interesting flowers. I cut a length of ribbon 70cm long, removed the wire, by pulling it, from one edge, the base edge. At either end of the ribbon I folded over the ends, as shown in the photograph. With a needle and thread I sewed a running stitch along the length of the ribbon. I pulled the thread, to gather the ribbon, not too gathered or the flower would look like a rosette! I needed to form the rose naturalistically, so this stage was a bit of trial and error. Once the desired rose form was achieved, I stitch it securely together at the base. The wired edge allowed me to shape and form the ribbon, to give the appearance of petals. I think these roses have lots of possibilities, they could be used to decorate a hat, hair band, corsage, an evening bag and lots more

Thing-a-day Day 7 – Prodding in yarn Rag Rug

2010-02-07T17:37:00.001Z

Finishing of a Knitted Bead Necklace

2010-02-07T17:06:00.003Z

Today I'm finishing off a commission, a knitted bead necklace. The free pattern is my own and if you want to try it, it's on Ravelry under Anjie's knitted bead necklace and /www.pompomemporium.com

Redwork Book Cover

2010-02-06T19:31:00.005Z

I made my two pieces of Redwork embroidery into a removable book cover.
I realise a white cover isn't the most practical colour, but it is washable, and a few coffee stains might compliment the design!

Thing-a-day Day 6 – Painting Fabric

2010-02-06T16:57:00.001Z

Thing-a-day Day 5 – Freeform Crochet

2010-02-05T18:38:00.001Z

This is part of Thing-a-day 2010 project but will obviously take more than 30 mins to complete and so it remains a work in progress. It is my intention to work on it and complete it before the end of February, 2010 and I hope to produce a functional item.

Home Made Limoncello Liqueur

2010-02-05T16:00:00.003Z

This has been a work in progress since the 24th November 2009. It doesn't take a lot of effort, it takes a bit of patience. I am on the home straight now, making the syrup. After making the syrup I realised the jar I had used, initially, wasn't going to have enough capacity for both syrup and vodka/lemon peel. I had to find another receptacle, a glass cookie jar was the only container suitable I had to hand. I put in less of the syrup, than stated in the recipe, after a little tasting (it's tasting good!), I thought it was sweet enough. I'll now put it back in a cool dark place for another month, then I'll decant it into a bottle.
If you would like to try it, this is the recipe

LIMONCELLO RECIPE

1/2 bottle (35cl) of Vodka
7 lemons, washed (use warm water and scrub if they are waxed) and dried.
2 cups (400g) sugar
2 cups (400ml) water
Remove the peel from the lemons with a sharp peeler/knife, carefully avoiding the bitter white pith. Please note that if ANY white pith remains on the back of a strip of peel, scrape it off. If you get any of the white part in the batch, the limoncello will be bitter and spoilt.

Put the lemon peel in a glass jar and add the vodka. Seal tightly.

Leave the lemons to steep in the jar in a cool, dark place, for 2-3 months.

I now have to wait another month before I attempt the next step.

The Syrup

Put the water and sugar in a saucepan, stir and slowly heat until it turns clear and all the sugar is dissolved completely. Let the syrup cool.

Put the cooled syrup in the jar with the lemons

Put the jar back in the cool, dark place for at least two weeks.

Bottling

Strain out the lemon peels through a coffee filter or cheesecloth and pour the limoncello into another container.

Put the liqueur in a clean bottle, seal tightly and leave for at least 1 week before using.

Electric Kettle Executed in Redwork Embroidery

2010-02-04T20:06:00.007Z

Today I did a sketch of my electric kettle, turned it into a line drawing then embroidered it. Redwork is addictive, no household object is safe from the Redwork treatment, the more mundane the better! Find out more about Redwork, history and method here

Thing-a-day Day 4 – Crochet Sculpture

2010-02-04T13:45:00.002Z

Here I just crocheted 5 separate hyperbolic roses and then stacked them on top of each other.

Espresso Coffeepot Executed in Redwork

2010-02-03T18:00:00.003Z

Yesterday I drew an espresso coffeepot, today I have turned it into an embroidery. I wanted to try Redwork. You can find out more about Redwork, the history and method here I traced my line drawing, of the coffeepot, onto my fabric, I don't have a light box so used my window to do this. I traced the image using a red propelling pencil, this gave ma a fine line, the same colour as my thread. The stitch I used was backstitch, couldn't be easier. The basic principal of Redwork is you only use a single colour in your design, it doesn't have to be red it could be black, then it would be called black Redwork. I really like the clean graphic effect this form of embroidery gives me.

Thing–a-day Day 3 – Red Eye

2010-02-03T13:20:00.002Z

Gouache on canvas. 24” x 24”

Doodles in Garden Wire Crochet – Thing-a-day, Day 2

2010-02-02T18:10:00.002Z

AKA - Fighting with wire in crochet – for what reason I don’t know!
HEALTH & SAFETY WARNING:- Do not undertake this type of project (i.e. using heavy duty garden wire to crochet) unless you are prepared to have minimal hand strength for the foreseeable future. The fact that I am still able to type is a miracle and in no way attributed to my own stupidity!

Espresso Coffeepot Sketch

2010-02-02T15:13:00.006Z

I decided to do a sketch today. I haven't sketched for years, at home I am surrounded by more accomplished artists (husband, son and daughter) this is a bit of an inhibiter. But today I want to draw something that is personal to me. I collect espresso coffee pots so that's my first sketch. I then turned my sketch into a line drawing, the next stage will be to translate it into Redwork embroidery. You can find out more about Redwork here that's for tomorrow.

Freeform Crochet Scarf – Thing-a-day, Day 1.

2010-02-01T17:53:00.002Z

Doodling with yarn - Wendy Moiselle shade 750, crochet hooks 10mm & 5mm. Freeform crochet scarf.

How to Make a Removable Fabric Book Cover

2010-02-01T09:10:00.004Z

First make a pattern, to do this measure the height and around your book plus an amount for inside flaps. Add a seam allowance of 1cm (3/8th") all round plus an extra 0.5cm (3/16th") to the top and bottom of your pattern.

Cut out two pieces from the pattern.

Place the 2 pieces right sides together, and pin them.

Using a straight stitch, sew them together along the edges (seam allowance of 1cm (3/8th"). Leave a 5cm (2") gap, along one of the short edges, and use it to turn the cover right side out.

Trim the corners, so that there won't be any bulky fabric when you turn it right side out.

Turn right side out, Sew the gap closed and press.

Take your cover and wrap it around your book so that the flaps on the inside are even on the front and back, mark with pins.

Carefully remove your book and iron the flaps down so that you have a visible crease. Now sew the flaps down at the top and bottom edges of your book cover, as close to the edges as you can get it.

Slip your cover on to your book

For a photographic tutorial visit Pom Pom Emporium

Thing A Day 2010

2010-01-25T09:00:00.002Z

Thing-a-day is a yearly creative sprint where participants commit to creating one new thing a day and post it on a collective blog. 2010 is thing-a-day's fourth edition and the first to run on Posterous.
Click here for all the info.
Well I’m registered, and at this point, raring to go. Most of the project will be posted here on Create A Blog Dialogue.
Please feel free to follow, participate or encourage.

Process

2009-10-20T14:59:00.002+01:00

Okay what exactly are we hoping to achieve here? I guess I should be blogging about it, as we go, then you can all follow what’s happening and what we are trying to create and achieve.
I first came across Anjie’s site during the summer and found a lot of her ideas to be very inspiring. I find when you work with others or at least bounce ideas off one another and feed each other inspiration new possibilities emerge and new directions can occur. I also learned about ‘thing a day’ on Anjies site and this seemed like an excellent idea to me. I approached Anjie and asked if she would be interested in working on a blog format and dialoguing our creativity. The process is to undertake a creative activity every day for a month and thus instil the ‘habit’.
Now this may seem a bit strange as we both are regularly creative anyway. So to refine the concept even further another premise is to try new things that we wouldn’t normally try. Push the envelope, so to speak. Due to time commitments we have decided that January would be the best month to undertake the project. In the meantime we thought it would be good to blog about ideas, concepts, thoughts and plans.
I guess it’s like the stone in the pond, ripple effect. I may come up with a notion and blog it and Anjie may have a different take and inspire my creativity in a new direction. Rather than doing all our planning and debating offline (400 miles between us) or between private emails – we thought part of the process should be to blog from the start.
I/we also envisaged that we may just get other peoples creative habit going so they too could work on getting the habit. There is a school of thought in psychology that states that it only takes 6 weeks to establish or eradicate a learned behaviour. If that is the case or you but into that theory then perhaps it will only take a short while to develop the creative habit.
At this moment in time I’m imagining all the things that I could do throughout January. I’m playing with the possibilities of what media I can work with and what new skills I could learn. I’ve also come to realise that there will, by necessity, be some amount of preparation involved. I don’t imagine for one minute that I’m going to wake up on the 1st of January and think right let’s get cracking. I’m starting to think about collecting materials and equipment. At the same time this isn’t meant to be scripted in anyway.
I’m thinking about being eco friendly and recycling and up cycling. Perhaps Freecycle would be a good place to get materials. There is so much dying back in the garden and leaves falling everywhere perhaps some materials should be gathered from Nature.
Anyway if I remember correctly I think Anjie took part in thing a day in the past and maybe she will blog a little about that and her experience of that.
Anjie did they have a time restriction on the amount of time invested in being creative everyday?
Which also leads us towards needing a definition of what we mean by create and creativity. I will blog in depth about that in the coming days.
So in short – to recap. In January don’t think new exercise regime, don’t bother joining a gym and scrap any ideas of a diet. Feed your creativity and join us here.

One Thing Leads to Another

2009-10-18T13:17:00.003+01:00

With searching for inspiration on the internet one thing leads to another. I began looking at Halloween imagery, which lead me onto Mexican Day of the Dead skeletons, as well as the fantastic imagery surrounding that celebration. I particularly liked the papier mache figures painted in vibrant colours displayed in dioramas this lead me to this www.smartwentcrazy.com

"52 Weeks is the collaborative effort of artists Jason Andrew McHenry and Christopher J. Dyer. The project was a yearlong visual diary and journal presented in weekly increments. Each artist presented fifty-two boxes, for a total of one-hundred and four separate pieces.

The visual entries center around pre-existing, 4×6×2 inch shadow boxes. Found objects, ephemera, and original art were collected and manipulated over the week’s time to create distinct and personal assemblages.

Accompanying these visual entries are written journals specific to each artist. The written journals predominantly contain explicit documentation of the box contents, but also include writings and notations of a more introspective and creative nature.

The friendship between 52 Weeks creators spans nearly two decades, and their collaborative efforts have produced a large catalog of artistic work. They notably served as co-founders of the critically acclaimed Holy Mackerel Press which published limited edition art-bound volumes by poets such as Tom Peters and Dr. Martin McGovern. They have been including in numerous gallery showings in Saint Louis, Denver, Los Angeles and Seattle.

The 52 Weeks project went on a small gallery tour through the Pacific Northwest and was featured at Bumbershoot in Seattle where it garnered praise and was optioned by a local gallery. After the final opening every piece was sold and the artists both left town. [They have not seen one another since then.]"

This is an idea I like and think could be explored and tailored to your own circumstances, a memory box.

Beginnings. . . . .

2009-10-16T14:24:00.001+01:00

Where to Start?

Well this is the start of a blog – a dialogue between two creative people and for the world to browse on, add to and interject!

Join us, watch us, criticise us but add to the equation.

Create

Creativity is a mental and social process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. Creativity is fuelled by the process of either conscious or unconscious insight. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity

Blog - a journal or diary that is posted on the Internet

Blog
A blog is often a mixture of what is happening in a person's life and what is happening on the Web, a kind of hybrid diary/guide site, although there are as many unique types of blogs as there are people. People maintained blogs long before the term was coined, but the trend gained momentum with the introduction of automated published systems, most notably Blogger at blogger.com.

http://www.blog-connection.com/blog-definition.htm

3. http://nimblecare.wordpress.com/

I think it is a platform for me:

-To express myself
-To share the experience I have
-To share the knowledge I have
-To learn from other people

13. http://spanish-podcast.com/

If I had to define what a blog is now, in 2008, I’d say that blogs are an early 21st-century version of the public town square. Humans have always had a need for social contact and for information and blogs provide a platform for both.

Dialogue

Conversation, Interview, Discussion, Discourse, Talk, Exchange of Ideas, Information Flow.

Collaboration is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together in an intersection of common goals — for example, an intellectual endeavor.

Here we are collaborating in a creative process and at the same time challenging our own creativity.

Save the Day – 1^st January, 2010

http://www.toxel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/poweroutlets15.jpg