Folksy Friday

This week's folksy friday draws its inspiration from an important upcoming date - 22nd February.  This day each year marks World Thinking Day, one day where every Girl Guide and Girl Scout across the world celebrates being a part of the movement and reflect on global issues that affect us and members in other countries.  It is also a day of unity where the whole global movement joins together to celebrate regardless of nationality, religion etc.  It occurs on the 22nd February as this is the joint birthday of Robert and Olave Baden-Powell, the founders of the Scout and Guide movement.  (The Scouts also mark this day and refer to it as 'Founders Day')

Shops Featured:

The Reworked Workshop
Hand Over Your Fairy Cakes

Elle and Pea

Cobbled Together by Brenna

Tie the Knot

Kitty Linnington Art

thanks for reading

Laura

Folksy Friday

This week's folksy friday has been inspired by collection of original 1980's 13" plush carebear collection - shown here:

While looking through the valentinos listings the other day, I discovered a carebear necklace which led me to search for other carebear items on folksy and I found a range of items.

To look at an item - just click the picture!

Shops featured:

Kerrys Crafts

Little Red Star

Girl of the 80's

Cosmic Eden

Jo Bangles, Jingles and Jangles

Photography by Gail Griggs

Lauras Jewellery

Thanks for reading

Laura

Folksy Friday

Valentines

Due to missing last Friday's 'Folksy Friday' I have decided to put together 2 collections in my valentines series.

First up is Red and Racey

Sweet and Sentimental

Shops featured:

Poppyfields Designs    Bedecked Beads

Luvlii    Free-Wishes

Leopard Print Bee   Cootielugs

Tait Gallery   Happy Body boutique

Thanks for reading

Laura

Crafty Feature Series

Acrylic Painting 2


I started the painting by mixing up some dark green as all advice I researched stated to start with the dark colours first and finish with the light colours.  I wasn't sure how much paint I would need but didn't want to have too little as thought it would be more tricky to match colours if needed to mix more.  I then used the photo and painted on the areas I wanted to be darkest.

After this, I had lots of paint left so I decided to add some white and lighten it for the next level of colour.  disaster struck though as the white paint was out of control and a huge blob squirted out making it much lighter than planned.  I broke away from advice at this point as the colour created was perfect for the lighter mountain in the background so I used it to paint that bit.

So far the painting looks like this,

I am having great fun creating this picture and am pleased with the level of depth that it is emerging.

Thanks for reading

Laura

Folksy Friday

For my first few Folksy Fridays, I am planning to have a Valentines theme.  Decide to do something a bit different and have focused on different aspects of love.  Todays items are based around

Cute & Cuddly.

'Sundae' 10 Inch Cuddly Seahorse by The Stitched Menagerie
Hearts Candle Holder by Pink Chihuahua Kisses
Love Cat - Sock Cat by Oddsox
No.149 Teddy Bears Picnic by Silver Cloud Jewellery
Set 6 Colourful Wine Charms Teddy Bears by Ravenwolf Design
Somebunny Loves You - Pink Heart by Aunty Joan's Crafts
3 Bears I Love You by Nithria Cards



Crafty Feature Series

Acrylic Painting

Inspired by all the wonderful aceo's and artists on Folksy I decided to pick up a paintbrush and have a go.  I haven't really painted anything properly since school and even then in art I often avoided painting as it wasn't my strongest method and I was concerned about grades.  I started by googling 'how to paint' and read through some articles and blogs to acquire some basic tips to get me started.  I also got myself some brushes (already had paint from other projects) and a canvas board.

Next came the trickiest part - having an idea.  Lacking inspiration I looked at other artworks on the internet.  Remembered I was hopeless at portrait so didn't consider this - was interested in something completely abstract or landscape.  Ruled out abstract later, as could not think of a good theme/idea to paint :(

Still with no idea, I looked at photos of places where I grew up and some of my favourite places.  Looking through my old holiday photos, I found the perfect scene that I wanted to transform into art,

Sognefjord, Norway

Armed with inspiration, I did a couple of rough drawings to right the right composistion and then drew these on to my canvas,

I was then ready to start painting. 

Keep following - in next installment will blog about what came next :)

Thanks for reading

Laura

Love of all things crafty

As this is a crafty blog, I thought I would write a few ramblings about my passion and enthusiasm for the topic.

I have always enjoyed making things and being creative - growing up I had a vivid imagination and would spend lots of time drawing, thinking up stories and devising new games to play with my younger sisters.  At school I loved art and carried it on up to GCSE level.  Wasn't my best subject but it was the only subject I put any effort into or devoted vast amounts of spare time to. My first exploration with crafts started at primary school where I joined the lace club - this involved spending one morning a week out of lessons learning how to create bobbin lace.  I enjoyed the peace of this and even had some of my work exhibited in the local library - while I haven't made any lace for years, I still have my pillow and framed lion which was my first proper piece.

My main exploration came through my involvement with Girl Guides.  I completed my craft badge at all levels and found numerous things to have a go at.  I first discovered jewellery making at 15 at a ranger meeting and loved it so bought lots of beads and expanded my skills mainly through trial and error lol. 

Years on, I still love trying new things and experimenting - I also have my own Guide unit who I have introduced to crafts and we often try new things together.

Laura