Some upcycling and a bit of a quill.

Good morning to you all, Hope the sun is shining where you are, it keeps coming and going but at least it is dry, such a welcome change!

Well what a weekend, I have managed a little crafty shop, some crafting and a session of ice skating (I know a totally random selection!)  I was so relieved to have survived the skate in on piece as well as not falling once! My daughter however was so excited at the prospect of me falling over, I almost felt guilty for not damaging myself!  What a mean mummy I am for not falling over and breaking down in spontaneous floods of tears!  Fortunately (or not depending on your point of view) there is no photographic evidence of my ice skating skills!

I will have to settle for posting pics of my latest makes.
This first one is a notebook cover I made for one of my closest friends, hopefully she won't see this before I get a chance to give it to her!

This cover has been made from upcycled fabrics so ultra eco friendly!  As you can see in the top picture the notebook stays together with a button (or two! I like layering my buttons)  there is enough give for her to stuff all sorts of extra bits of paper in.  The bottom pic shows the inside, the cover can be slipped on and off so when her notebook is full she can just whip it out and pop another one inside! she could also use it to put a reading book inside as long as the dimensions are the same!!

Project number 2 this week was a decorative quilled letter F, I had seen many images on Pinterest of similar letters and thought I would give it a try, I used to quill so much when I was younger and my first business was selling quilled cards when I was 10!  I haven't picked up a quilling tool for years so was a learning experience all over again!

I didn't use a pattern but I do love the effect!  The hardest part and strangely enough the thing that took hours to sort was the initial shape of the letter.  Filling in with coils and pegs wasn't too time consuming, only a couple of hours!  I am hoping to work my way through the alphabet eventually.

New Images

Well here they are! A selection of my latest photographs.  It has been quite a journey but I am really pleased with these results.  Trouble is I have sussed the bracelets but what of my bags and bunting, not to mention the necklaces!!  I think it is back to the researching for more ideas.

Only Question I have now however is how many times should you use the same prop??

xx

Taking better photographs

Photographs

Oh my have these given me a headeache!! Taking decent photos is such a must to showcase your work, I know this, but how on earth are you meant to achieve this??

My original attempts involved laying each piece in an IKEA wooden bowl, such an inexpensive item, but I loved the effect.  Here is one of my first pictures ~

  

I still like it to be honest as it feels more natural, more in keeping with the recycling theme. That said however, the image doesn't show the bracelet to it's full potential, the flowers are lying  flat on the surface where as they wouldn't do this on your wrist.  I was also advised to photograph my pieces on white.

My next attempt was to use a white surface.  I wandered around the house with my white scrapbook page, bracelet and camera in search of some decent light.  The best room for light in undoubtedly the conservatory , although with the snow fall the roof was so dark that it didn't work too well.  Here is my next attempt (actually there were several before this one but silly me deleted them, so I can't show you how awful they were!)

This just looks so bland and too dark.

So my next attempt involved lots of research, I found some fab blogs, these were  great help not just by the articles but also demonstrating well taken images of their products.

Knit N Run 4 Sanity

Handmade Harbour

I decided I needed to get a white vase, this would help give a little dimension, I also felt I needed a much larger piece of paper so that it will cover the surface area better and provide a vertical back drop aswell in one continuous piece.

I set up a small area in the conservatory, fixing a large length of paper to the windows so it draped down onto the table and covered the workspace.  I then put my new little vase in the centre and experimented with positioning.  Here is the results!

I like this, but the light was still a little dark.  I don't own any exciting photoediting software so wasn't sure what to do, I could alter the brightness and contrast but that was about the most I could do.

Until ......

I was browsing and saw a post by All She Crafts, she had recently discovered an online photo editing software called Pic Monkey.  What a program, I just inserted my pic, played around with some of the settings and produced this!!! 

It is cropped as well as the colours brightened and saturation changed. 

Here are the two images side by side so you can see the difference!

What do you think?? I am really pleased with the results.  Next task is to find a vase big enough to showcase my earrings better!

Crafty Snowday!

Good afternoon ~ Hope you are all wrapped up warm out of the cold, I just can't believe how chilly it is out there, I think snow would be much more fun if a little more heat were involved and a lot less ice!  

It does make me laugh at how panicky people get when they think there is a chance they won't be able to get to the shops for a couple of days   Thursday night, on a quest for buy a few essentials, I stumbled into Tesco. I admit I had totally forgotten it was due to snow that eve, and although I had heard rumours I didn't really believe it would happen!  As I wandered the aisles I noticed how busy it was, there were far more staff out, filling the avenues of shelves with produce.  It took a while for the penny to drop as to why it was so busy, the SNOW!  Oh my word, the shop was heaving, people rushing around filling their trollies with necessities such as toilet rolls and beans.  The thing that made me laugh however amongst all the madness was that of all the things for people to feel essential to buy in such a situation were custard tarts! I mean honestly, have you ever been stuck in the house for a whole day and thought you were going to slit your wrists if you could't get your hands on a custard tart? Well??  I confess that I have never felt this worried, I have never felt the need  to sink my teeth into the custardy tart, in fact I have never really liked them.  A strange thing over came me all of a sudden, the immediate need to own a custard tart!  I must be missing out,  All those shoppers must know something I don't, Maybe they have healing or calming powers, maybe they de-ice your garden?  I will put it on my list the next time snow is forecast  Toilet rolls, beans and custard tarts!

We did get out and enjoy the snow, (without any custard tarts)  We even managed a walk through our local forest, it was so beautiful, and barely touched out there.  It was tremendously inspiring aswell!  

I managed a little crafting in between snowy adventures.  Here is a SnowBob!  He is so friendly and an awful lot warmer than a real snowman!!

I have also been busy creating AlphaBobs! They are learning to spell right now, here is a small band of Bobs who have managed to arrange themselves correctly without loosing their letters!

Believe me it took a long time to organise them!!!

If you would like to follow any Bob related news their facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bobs/411736175550743

My latest creative achievement however is this fab bag! I love it!  It is made from upcycling my daughters old jeans.  She grew out of them years ago and i saved them as I loved the decoration so much, so glad I did.  All the pockets are useable and it even has a large one inside.  The strap is extendable and even the buckles are recycled!

xx 

Red Flower bag commission

Well nearly the end of yet another week and a week closer to my due date! arghhhhh!  Still managed to get a little crafting done this week!  Here is my latest bag, a commission for a very good friend.  

 This two tone flap over bag is so great! I am just so pleased!  The bag is all padded with adjustable straps and as always recycled from reusing fabric!  Even the buckles and buttons are recycled.





This is the inside, showing the pocket detail and the two tone effect with the fabric!

This is my second go at a flap over bag and I have been so pleased with the results.  The only thing I really need to combat now is the fastening, It really needs to be adjustable so it can fasten no matter how much is in the bag! That will have to be my mission for the day!

My main intention for this lovely Thursday is to relax and play with my new birthday present! a Sizzix! something I have had my eye on for years! I am so excited! I def need a slow day so a quite crafty one will be ideal!  I am sure I will post some more creations soon!

Latest Upcycled bag!

Well what a creative morning! Short of nearly destroying my old sewing machine I managed to create this bag! I am really pleased with how well it turned out.

The dimensions are approx 30x20x12cm and has an internal pocket and security clip.  Everything except the thread and wadding are upcycled so a mega eco bag!!

The design was partly an existing design I had made up earlier this year, an addition of production from another pattern I had acquired and then further adapted to make the handle adjustable and the flap over the front! Really wasn't sure how it would turn out but thrilled with the result!

Now all I need to do is make a note of what I did so I can make another one! lol

Another recent make I keep meaning to share was a commission I did last week, I couldn't blog about it until the birthday girl had received it but as she has now here goes!

A pink bottle flower necklace with matching earrings.  The necklace has a little extra something however and there are little dancer charms around it! Especially for a dancer!  Sorry the pictures aren't great, I finished it late at night and had to post first thing so no time for good light! still hopefully you can get the general idea.  Here are the dancer charms close ups.

New ReJenisis bags

Well I realise I have been totally terrible in keeping my blog up to date! thought I would post a couple of new pics. I have been busy experimenting with new bag designs and here are two of my latest creations!

Both these bags are made from upcycling unloved fabrics! the top bag has such a lovely soft lining with inside pocket and safety clip to attach your keys or phone (or child if you so wish!)

the bottom bag I have adopted as my work bag! I love it!  Whenever i make something new I try to use a sample to make sure the design is right and comfortable.  This bag has been great but I have learnt that the handles need to be a little longer, I like to get a bag over my shoulder sometimes and these are a little small!  The top bag has longer handles and is much more comfortable.

Top bag is currently for sale.  I will set up a new ReJenisis page soon so include everything available for sale and prices!

Just a couple more items for ReJenisis.

ReJenisis

Sorry I haven't blogged in such a long while! creativity left me for a while but is now back with attitude (hopefully for good, LOL)
I have been inspired by my original recycling challenge and been creating more items, all using upcycled materials.  I have a new name for my upcycled range ...ReJenisis.  Hope you like!

All these bags are made using clean upcycled fabrics and upcycled buttons.  Most bags have an inside pocket and a security clip to attach your keys or inner bag too.

All these lovely designs are created from upcycling water bottles!  Recycling doesn't have to mean ugly results!!