New Job

It's been all quiet on the blogging and website front lately, I've had a busy couple of months and have been all over the place. I quit the day job and got another one so have been away training for the new role and am pleased to report that it is all going well so far. My brain has been scrambled with all the new information to take in but I know it will all come together soon enough. I have spent all day today at work re-merchandising the shop floor and eyeing up lots of lovely clothes and chunky knits so I can pretty much spend all of my first pay cheque on them! The perks of working in a clothes shop :)

Holiday and Hen

Last week, well just over a week ago now I worked my last day in the day job (ever), and set off to the Highlands for a weeks worth of R&R with Danny but first was the madness of my sister's hen weekend. I have been trying to organise this alongside her other Bridesmaid Karen for what seems like ages now but we did a great job even if I do say so myself!

We booked the most amazing house in Nethy Bridge called Mountain Bear Lodge, a huge log cabin originating from Canada before being dismantled and then re-built in Speyside. If you click the link above you can see all the photos of the lodge and just how amazing it looks. I made lots and lots of goodies for the occasion but didn't really remember to take many photos but i will post some of the ones i have shortly.

The lodge can sleep up to 16 people, has a 10 person hot tub in the garden overlooking the Cairngorms, a sauna, jacuzzi, log fire and a Grillkota (BBQ hut) in the garden. Danny and I were SO lucky and SO spoilt to be able to spend the rest of the week here alone - bliss. I wish I was back there relaxing but it was off to start a new day job today I'm afraid.

Stitching

I tried my hand at a spot of embroidery last week. I really don't have much of a clue when it comes to doing this properly or any official stitches but I don't think that matters too much - it's more fun just to wing-it! I started this thinking I would do some kind of love heart design and hey it managed to become a tree, a pretty pastel coloured tree but it is a finished design nonetheless.
I find it quite relaxing to sit in the evening with a nice cuppa, some TV and to do a spot of sewing so who knows i may do some more in the future, unless I decide to move my fickle self off to try out something else new - which lets face it is probably more likely to happen!

Beautiful

This is such a beautiful photograph, all credit to Yang Tee Mon on Flickr - amazing! I know it is a total blog cop out to just share other's work but wanted to keep it on here to look back on as it makes me smile.

More Gocco

Another picture for you from my frenzied day of Gocco printing a week or two ago. It is a drawing a did a while ago in a pen suitable for burning carbon images onto Gocco Screens. I have printed this illustration before in gold ink and really didn't know if you could re-use the screens or not...... but you can! I made these with the intention of using them for backing cards for some button brooches I have recently made and think they will look quite nice. I am so glad the screens can be used again and again, I'm sure I can come up with lots of uses for the images again in the future. Photos will follow of the brooches once I get them all pinned through the backing cards, hoping it makes them look a little bit more special.

Randomly Generated

Check out these peg people by Randomly Generated on Etsy. If you have read my blog for a while you may remember I got Jen to custom make a bride and groom for my sister as an engagement gift. I haven't been to her shop for a while but wanted to share these with you after I visited. Perfect for your inner geek. You should really check out the shop, there are so many great characters (how could you resist Marty McFly and Doc Brown from Back to the Future!).

I plan to make some little peg people of my own, a little personal crafty challenge if I find the time/when I find the time should I say. I plan to use some fabric scraps as little outfits so they will no doubt look a lot more girly than these guys. If I ever get round to it I will of course take some photos and post them to the blog......... hopefully by actually saying it, I will do it now!

Classic Album Covers-ish!

These made me laugh so much that i just had to share them with you! Old Red Jalopy has re-created some classic album covers using Harry Potter characters for the nextmovie.com blog, perfect for a nut like me who loves Harry Potter and who also spent many years working in a record shop. How could Ron Weasley on the Aladdin Sane cover not make you burst out laughing :) There are a few more on the blog and you can see them here.

Weasley does Bowie - hilarious!

Snape or the King

Dobby in Queen?

Voldemort's Army as the Ramones

Voldemort does Michael Jackson

All images credited to www.nextmovie.com/blog and Old Red Jalopy

Shrink Plastic - Shrunken

As promised a few photographs of the little characters I drew the other night. I had a go at printing them onto the shrink plastic using my printer (a long battle to get the thing up and running but I eventually managed to get them scanned then printed). As you can see from the photograph in the centre they really do shrink quite significantly and thicken up too. I punched a hole in the forehead using your run of the mill hole punch and once baked in the oven the hole is still of a big enough size to put a ribbon or jump ring through. I'm thinking they might make cute little key rings, I think all I will need is a coat of varnish to seal the design. It's also giving me lots of ideas for Christmas decorations, greeting cards...... the list is endless.
The actual plastic seems to have gained quite a grainy texture since shrinking, I'm not sure if I've gone wrong somewhere or maybe not baked long enough, any tips would be appreciated.

Oh How I Love My Gocco

Oh my how I love my Gocco. I had a great day of mixing inks, making a right old mess and trying hard not to get too much on the carpet, then shifting the rug slightly to cover up one or two little mishaps! I had to take a quick snap of the ink - I love the way even that looks and it makes me feel like a proper print maker again. I printed quite a few bits and pieces with various uses but thought I'd begin with showing you these envelopes, they've got a wee guys standing holding a lollipop in one hand and a little  love heart floats next to him. I printed these in a mixture of a nice golden shimmery ink with a touch of pink added in, it gives a nice pearlescent effect. I couldn't resist printing a further little love heart in the top corner too, just because I wanted to keep printing - well I think that's a good enough excuse. I printed quite a few more things but still need to take some snaps - another time perhaps.

Shrink Plastic Doodles

A few nights ago whilst watching something or other on TV (probably a heap of nonsense), I sat doodling away and came up with these little guys. Tonight I have scanned them in and printed them onto ink jet shrink plastic, I will hopefully get them baked in the oven pretty soon and see what happens. All going according to plan I might make some more doodles to bake and shrink but best not get too ahead of myself. I will let you know how it goes and if they shrink down according to plan!