Painting progress - Day 46

Now the wings are in the mold setting, thought I had better try to finish the painting.


Had to do some test runs on the feet, and look at examples of other paintings/sketches, to try and get the shadows sitting just right.
I did consider a more flowy, short, petal type skirt, but decided on a more simple shape to balance out the wings.
Still have the bottom to go, I was thinking a rock/cliff, so she looks like shes about to go off it?!
Daughter suggested that could represent the moon, and I could do an earth in the background, maybe next time.
The background needs something though, contemplating ful moon but not won over yet.

Wings + book cover - Day 45

Wings still in development and the painting started, so pictures on the way.

the mold looks promising, though I realised a slight glitch in my thinking! The clear resin I use (think toxic evil) can be tricky to use and the open top of the mold the air touches, can stay tacky for quite some time. The issue with this, is that one of the wings will have this side as its top. Not un-fixable, just AHHHH! Grumble grumble

On brighter news...

A great new book is available as an ebook - "Coming of age" by J.E. Bonneau.

Why am I mentioning this? has this turned into some sales blog? Am I getting commission?  No!

Its just that I did the cover!!  

Though, if you like fantasy, adventure books and enjoy checking out new authors, it is worth a look.
He is also a new member of the 365 club with a blog called 365 days of murder. Its like reading a strange murder book, just a chapter a day. (Not for the faint hearted by the way!!)

(hmmm, maybe I should be getting commision!!)  :)

Silicone Rocks - Day 44

I can not express how much I enjoy silicone molds and resin. (despite the many frustrations it can cause).
If it didnt cost so much, It would be one of my main crafts.
I am going to see if I can make some wings using resin and the fantastic, shimmery pearlex powders I have.
Fingers crossed!!
If it doesnt work, I may need to weep slightly, as it used the last of my silicone :(
Here are some of my past pieces that have worked though (all molded by me!)...

Blue Bird cross-stitch - Day 43

The wings for the painting are still in development.
Todays extra quick craft is a little bluebird crossstitch. A friend came around and was telling me how a duck wondered into her kitchen uninvited this morning and I thought, Duck!
But... then I decided blue was calling me, so a sweet little bluebird instead. I played with Picnik's stamps for the leaf and musical notes. Even the free version of this site has some great features.

 "Be like the bird who, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she hath wings."
Victor Hugo

Fairy Sketch - Day 42

Another strange vision that needed creative release...
For someone lacking in people drawing skills, these type of ideas cause a touch of frustration! Thankfully I avoid the tricky face by not having one, but hands and feet are still nightmarish. the hair will be fixed up in the painting stage.
This is a base for a painting idea. If you look carefully, there is a hint of wings... just a hint for reference, because I'm designing wings that will come from her back and out of the painting. Who knows if it will work, but I please the creative gods by the mere attempt!

"Anxiety is the hand maiden of creativity."
Chuck Jones,Warner Bros. animator

Flight of the conchords - hurt feelings!

Just a quick feature of a talented "Animal" I know, Alannah. She is now 13 and super talented! PLUS - Flight of the Conchords is brilliant.
Made using Sims 2.

Alien Egg Warmer - Day 41

Couldnt resist playing wiith the pattern of the bunny from yesterday, so here is an alien/monster creature.

 His hair is a bit wild, maybe he needs more? But the twisty hair was fiddly, so made executive decision this would do!

Bunny Egg Cosy - Day 40

Are you're eggs complaining of being cold?
Are they fed up of not having a decent costume for parties?
or are they just desperate too express themselves?

Then... they deserve a bunny costume all too themselves!

Crochet Bunny Egg Cosy to keep eggs... well... cosy! A quick little project to do, but I'm not sure if people actually use these kinds of things. Still cute though! and I guess it would keep that 2nd boiled egg warm while you eat the first... now...time for some toast soldiers.
Pattern is from LionBrand

Completed Heart Popkle - Day 39

With other projects, Easter baking and hunts, I finally finished this Horns of Love Popkle from Day 31!
My biggest stumbling block was my desire for wings that, in the end, didnt seem to work for this Popkle.
So I mounted him like the others, with just a plain black background. I would like to make the background more interesting, but, like the wings, I haven't found something that calls to me yet. 

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
~William Shakespeare, Mid-Summer Night's Dream, 1595

Easter Hunt Cards - Day 38

Managed to use Gimp to cut my photo background off, then used Publisher to make these Easter Hunt Clue Cards.
I love Easter Hunts, I believe if your main source of food for the morning is chocolate, you may as well work for it! These Clue cards are a step up from the "quickly written up on post-its" clues from last year!

 Click Here for the printable set. (I know! too late for 2011, but nice and early for next year!)
The first page has cards number 1-4, and the second page has a blank set so you can print as many as you want.

Bunny Blog Background - Day 37

Attempted to learn some of the features of Gimp (the free image program similar to photoshop ones), I had in mind to make up some Easter Hunt cards using a photo of the bunnies I had made, but got carried away playing with the images and made a tileable image.
Still confused by the layers and how to cut and arrange certain parts of an image, and part of todays success was a fluke, but still feel proud!!

Have tiled this as my background, but it wont stay long as it's a bit much for me, and the labels and archive sections need a background colour. So I quess I'll need to learn the HTML code that can make that happen next.

Easter Treats - Day 36

Felt very out of sorts today, catching a bug maybe. Worked on my latest Popkle, but not much else. It must have been planetary alignment or something, because I had 3 teenagers all in sloth mode as well.

My creative push for today was more an inspirational journey of sorts. I went on the hunt for some special sweet treats to whip up for Easter... bad move! I swear I gained weight just by looking :)

Here are the top runners...

1. Homemade creme eggs! Oh My! by Confessions of a cookbook queen

2. Bunny cake pops by Bakerella

3. Already a fan of Susan's lion cookies, now some sweet chicks.

4. How to liven up a plain choc egg with fondant, from the Cookie Shop.

Bite Me! - Day 35

Thanks for the suggestions on yesterdays post for the bunny body. Misha got me thinking though, and I decided to try an eaten chocolate bunny.
The head I had done hadn't been noshed on yet, so I gave him a Bite me! sign to go with the eaten one. These just happened to be next to the alien, and it wasn't until I pulled it out of the hoop that I realised it can all fit together!
"Beam me up!" "Bite me!" munch munch....

Beam Me Up! - Day 34

I haven't done any cross stitching for years!
I started with the heads, but couldn't decide what to do for the bodies. So cheated and hid the body instead!
The rabbit still needs something (though my strange side considers it could be a head on a spike, with some dripping blood, as the aliens latest catch). 

      "Beam me up Scotty... there's no intelligent life down here"

White rabbit tutorial - Day 33

A little felt rabbit WITH added tutorial. The rabbit is a small quick project, but I decided to see if I could write it as a tutorial as well.

Its a good basic pattern that can be easily adapted.
One idea is that it could be decorated as an easter bunny for Easter (can add basket or eggs), and have a ribbon attached for hanging, or be given as a party favour.
Click here for Tutorial 
(tutorial a PDF file on Google Docs)

19 April - Update - Realised there is no materials list on the tutorial. Put its... felt (colours of choice), thread, needle, stuffing, google eyes or beads.

Animal Pancakes - Day 32

Today was a good day to play with food!

Pancakes in mouse/bear shapes.


Everyone has a basic pancake recipe they use and love.
I have tried different versions, but have found the simplist to be (about) one of everything. Has made teaching children easier as well, as they can easily convert for more people.
For 2 people (about 4 thick pancakes each)

1 cup milk
1 egg
1 tblsp Baking Powder
1 Cup flour
1 Tblsp Sugar
1 pinch salt
1 Tbl melted butter.
 - melt butter in pan then pour into everything else - mix till a batter and cook.

WARNING - if you every get the urge to make shapes in a pan, DO NOT use plastic cutters. Yes, in hindsight this is OBVIOUS, but with brain still half asleep and coffee deprived..... No more gingerbread man :(

Horns of love Popkle - Day 31

Not complete, but took a while to get the horns right - I wanted a twisty curl in the horns and they eventually decided to settle into hearts.

Rubber Ducky you're the one - Day 30

Today was a "soak in a hot bath" kind of day.
So my creative animalia for today is a photo shoot with our rubber ducky.
(And a bit of a play around on Picnik!)

 And I just had to track down this!! Oh the memories!! :)
Rubber Duckie, you're the one. You make bathtime lots of fun. Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of you (woh woh, bee doh!)

Rabbit's Balloon - Day 29

“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon”

quote from Winnie the Pooh

A white bunny holding a red balloon. Every rabbit deserves a bit of fun and brightness!

Painted in acrylic paints.

Photo Issues

Am struggling with my photos. My last submissions were rejected by craftgawker for being dull/unsharp.

I must need to check the prescription on my glasses, because I thought these were ok. I only have a budget digital, which doesnt help. I have tried to compensate with this and try to get lighting right etc, but I obviously still have a way to go!
Will need to go and read some hints and tips... :(

Etsys mass of ideas- so much info! Where to begin?

Craftzine - this site has other treasures to find too

The Sometimes crafter - a few good ideas here

Princess Daisy Complete - Day 28

Today I completed the Princess picture.
I stitched a new dragon to 'fly' in the sky and painted the background with acrylics.
I am still not sure about the princess face, I have stitched over the drawn features and that definately looked better. So stitching is the key, I'm going to have to practice!

Flying Quote of the day... 

 

There is an art, or rather a knack to flying.  The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.   

~Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy