Kiwi Traveller - day 260

 Still playing around with my digital art.
This is a little kiwi traveller who is holding an nz home sweet home sign.
Maybe a bit over the top? But he's kinda cute.

I'm now thinking about seeing if my printer can do fabric. I know it has to be pigment ink, but not sure if mine is. Guess I should just just hunt instead of talking to myself (which is what it kinda feels like writing this blog at times!)
Still using my manga studio and learning more and more, but feeling sad as this version a demo, so will soon need to relearn it all on gimp (or sell some things around the house and buy the full version!!)

Monster balloon ipod cover - Day 259

a quick present for a friend of my daughter. 

I like this little alien, he has turned up on a couple of projects now.

A number of times with a top hat, but this one is enjoying his balloon instead. 

 Because its felt its soft and cosy. Great for sneaking the ipod touch into school!

Fishy Cross stitch - Day 258

Quick pattern I'm trying to get right for a certain pressie. 
So far this is the plan, now just need to plan colours.

Last dora top - Day 257

Had this fabric in the scrap bag. 
Due to how yesterdays turned out, I decided to just add elastic for the sleeves. 

Out of the three this is my favourite. This is one I could add a pattern on here for.

Dora dress/coat - Day 256

This is a pattern I found on MollyChicken for another doll (Ruby)

I tried to size it right, but I don’t have the doll so am not sure if its right. 
The sleeves may be a tad too small! 
Turned out well though and I like that it can be a coat, and it is reversible!

Crochet Dora Dress - Day 255

This is the first one, a blue crochet dress. 

The pattern is a mix of 2 patterns from Crochet pattern Central
It ended up being a mix of 2 because I couldn’t decifer the skirt instructions for the size 11' easter dress. And unfortunately this is the only 11' size one. 


The pattern called for a shell pattern but the placement of posts confused me and after pulling it apart 3 times, found the cheerleader skirt worked ok.

Xmas Pressie One - Day 253-254

The big push for present making is now on! 
These are two presents I am making up, but will need to be slightly secret squirrel about what they are. 

The pictures probably give some good hints though. 
The fabrics were a great find from a friend, her mum got a bag of fabric scraps from somewhere, lots of strips and random sized bits. This project was PERFECT for them! 

Guess I will need to return back after xmas to add the full shot!!

Skull Hairclips - Day 252

Quick post. Just a small little extra for stocking fillers. 

Some cheeky looking skulls in felt attached to a hairclip.

Folded Christmas tree - Day 251

There are a lot of these type of things on the internet, so I thought I'd give it a go. 
Its kind of quirky and by the time you get to the last quarter, the folding gets a bit tricky.

 Just 3 folds per page though and then clip the front and back together. 
I'm thinking this could be spraypainted.  I think mine took a bit longer then i should of because I caught myself rereading parts!

Tiger sentinal - Day 250

This is part of days 248-249. I am still trying to get the feel of the wind and sky and haven't quite got it right. So I decided to try something new and have added a tiger.
Why a tiger? This is where a blurb about the significance and symbolism of the tiger on guard next to the girl in strong wind represents the  underlying message of protection, power and energy.........
but in reality, I just thought "oh, tiger, I like tigers".
Though on reflectional, this seems like they are Sentinals of some sort.

Windy Day PC - Day 248-249

I sketched out a design for a new painting, a girl caught in the wind with clothes and hair blowing and leaves twisting around.
About the same time, I was lent a couple of Imagine FX magazines to see if I could get the sample disc to work. I have always greatly, super megally, admired the people who use those great programs like photoshop and illustrator, but my first feeble attempt to learn such skills failed when i tried to learn the basics on GIMP (the free version of these). The concept of layers bewildered me and I just couldnt seem to get the program to do what I wanted with my scanned picture. Maybe the stars were in a strange alignment!!
Anyway, with the magazines in hand, I tested to see if the discs would work, and downloaded the free demo of Manga Studio just to check it out. Silly, silly thing to do!!
My artistic mode went into OCD as I "played" around to see what could be done. This lead to a number of hours, dishes piling up and a sleep deprived night, with brief stops to check online tutorials and a lot of frustrating "what the...?" moments.
Here is the start... I sketched straight onto the computer (since I tried the scanner thing last time and got lost), and dilligently watched tutorials and learnt about layers. All went fine untill the grass.. Grass is tricky!!! Some time on this part alone - ok, LOTS of time!!
Now to tackle the sky, leaves and feel of wind.!!!

Alien Ornaments finished - day 247

Finally finished this set, distracted from other projects.
All stitched together with some stuffing to give a bit of thickness. I definitely need to make some more!!
Am looking forward to putting up the tree already.

Its nice to try a different Christmas theme other then the traditional Santa. Here in Nz, traditional Santa would roast in that suit being summer and all. No worries for these little guys, they are in their "birthday suit", all ready for the beach!

Tangram Set - Day 246

On the road too Christmas, present making begins. Decided to try a Tangram set in felt. 

  They are nice bright colours front and back. Its destined as an extra Christmas stocking gift. Just need too print and laminate the pattern cards. I will put them in a small drawstring bag as well.

Monster Christmas tags - Day 245

I have been playing around with my new little monsters from last week.
I decided they can also work in the Monster Guardian division, as special guards to Christmas presents!! (and yes, it is time to be thinking about that time of year, especially if most people on your list are getting handmade!!)

CLICK HERE - Monster Tags PDF

The file is a PDF, A4. Ideally should be printed on thicker paper or card. Then punch a hole, tie a ribbon (or just add double sided tape too stick down)  and add to present.
Have tried a batch with christmas paper glued on the back. Adds a little bit extra.

Name Fairy Painting - Day 244

Fairies and dragons, can't go wrong really! 

The gold paint for the dragons sparkle a bit and add a bit of shine.

Alien Ho-ho-ho - Day 243

A new ornament using one of my little monsters. Aliens and monsters like Christmas too!!
Won't be a mass production one though as they take a bit of time to sew. 
This one still needs the final stitching and ribbon attached.

This is my favourite little character at the moment.

Heart weave ornament - Day 242

This heart is just 2 simple shapes woven together. Sounds easy huh! 
But it was actually very tricky to start with and took a bit of brain-training type thinking to work it out (and some bad words for good measure!) 
This was another possibility for the Jr's fair making, but has been quickly ruled out. Though, I do really like the 2 that came out and am thinking a couple more on the tree with chocolate santas in them would be good! 

The pattern is from pompomemporium

Circle ornament - day 241

A friend of mine is going into mass production of ornaments for her daughters school fair coming up. This was a possible pattern we had to try! 
This is from zakkalife and the instructions are really clear. 
I dont think my circles were quite right though. Instead of being a fabulous sphere, mines more egg shapped. Maybe second time lucky!!

Sitting Angel and apology - Day 238-240

This is an angel, a well needed one to bless my PC. 

I have been crafting daily regardless, as per the plan 239 days ago. BUT, the PC gods had other ideas and swiftly blew my PC!!  so despite my ongoing crafting goodness, I haven't blogged. 

This has caused a fair bit of stress, no working internet at home!! 

How can a human of this day and age possibly cope!! Well, the break actually was nice. 
But I cant say enough how happy I am to have it all fixed!! (took a bit of saving to do!)

It is now a matter of catching up online with my paper tracked 365.  Hence this angel!! This has been days 238-240. This is all paper mache. A cardboard cone, then thick tissue paper mache to shape the angel legs and body, then painted and glittered. The glitter/glue ratio wasn't quite right so the wings are patchy. Will need to fill the gaps. Was really pleased with how this turned out. Its quite solid too.

Green Monster Xmas - Day 236

A follow up from the Red Monsters.
Used paint to change my red to green, sounds simple. Turns out, not! When I filled it, there were spots and lines that were still red! I think its something to do with the brush when I did touchups.
Not sure, but means I cant wait to get a program a little bit more clever then the simple paint!

Red xmas monsters - day 235

Playing around with some new monsters. I just used paint to draw them up and then added the xmas extras.
The reindeer ones are my favourite!!

Secret Sauce - Day 234

Pictures do not do this justice! (mainly because my desire to eat it overrode my desire for a good shot!!)

 

I am slightly ante McD's, but for some strange reason, about once a year I crave a big mac. 

After searching ages ago I found a few variations of the secret sauce, but the main ingrediants were american and not common here (especially the french dressing, there seems to be a creamy coloured one, but in NZ its just a clear herb infusion). 

So this is the NZ version of the others. This is a good burger!! One reason I like it is the thin beef patties, quick to cook and layers well.

SAUCE: 

1/2 c mayonnaise (Best foods brand good)

3 TBL tomato relish

2 TBL French dressing

1 tsp white vinegar

1 1/2 TBL minced onion

Pinch salt

1 tsp sugar

*Just mix all together really well and fridge. 

BURGER:

450-500g mince with salt and black pepper - divide into 8 parts, roll into balls.

Roll each ball between baking paper squares so it is thin and size of bun, shape with hands as needed to get shape. keep separated with the baking paper and chill (makes it easier to cook, slightly frozen ok)

Cook 3-5 min each side.

PUT TOGETHER:

Buns sliced into 3 (more even then my picture above)

lettuce in thin strips, slices of cheese and pickle if you want it.

*Toast buns lightly.

Top bottom bun with sauce, lettuce, cheese and pattie. Add next bun with sauce, lettuce and pickle if desired, then pattie and top bun. 

Enjoy!!

Chalk Play - Day 233

One quick snap of the chalk afternoon with jnrs. 

What better way to spend a nice afternoon.

Taco seasoning - Day 232

Experimenting with homemade taco seasonings. 
There are several recipes on the net, but I'm not sure which ones are actually good. I have picked 3 recipes and have decided to try them all, well, will delagate 2 others to help trial. Will be interesting to see what works.

1. Annies Eats Taco seasoning
2.All Recipes
3. Cheapskate living

Paper Flowers - Day 231

A quick mini paper folding craft today.

This is from Folding Trees,  and if you make heaps of these, you can form a ball. Today, I don’t have the patience for that. I like the idea, but would rather someone else made it for me!!