Wednesday 27 November 2013

Fine Lines.

 
 
It was one of my best friend's birthdays on 18th November, and (as an awful friend) I have only just finished making her present. It is compiled of quotes I know she loves, and ones I feel suit her perfectly.
 
 
They are taken from a variety of places; Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Roald Dahl, Shakespeare and some from the wonderful Pinterest. I love the difference in fonts; some fine and elegant, some bold and abrasive. I'd forgotten how much fun writing and drawing in fineliner was - might have to do this more often!
 
 
 
...Miss Jones...

Monday 18 November 2013

'Get Off of My Cloud'

 
 
I have had this project half finished for rather a long time... So I am happy to report that it is finally finished! It is a happy cloud - quite appropriate considering I am writing this on a dull, drizzly day!
 
 
It is made from pretty scraps of fabric, which were really too small for anything, but far too nice to throw away! The intricate lace of the cloud perfectly represents the many droplets of water which hang suspended in the sky.
 
 
 
 
 
...Miss Jones...
 
p.s. 'Get Off of My Cloud' by The Rolling Stones, of course.

Monday 11 November 2013

Handmade Wreath


I know I promised to blog everyday, but once every couple of days is just as good, right? It's certainly better than my previous track record!
 
With Christmas fast approaching, once again I started to make another wreath a couple of days ago. But a combination of things - waiting for glue to dry and going away for a couple of days - meant that I have only just finished it! I decided I would challenge myself to make it entirely from scratch - here are some instructions in case you are ever tempted to make one yourself!


Step One
Cut a ring out of cardboard - I found it easiest to use a cereal packet - and use two different sized plates to draw the circle.
 
Step Two
Coat the ring in papier mâché (newspaper and glue) to make it stronger. I repeated this several times, letting it dry thoroughly in between. If it still doesn't seem very strong you can, like me, always add a ring of wire. I simply cut a length of wire to fit inside the circle and then used masking tape to attach it to the card; before adding another layer of papier mâché.
 
 
Step Three
Choose a book - I used the remaining pages of Oliver Twist. Cut out three different sized leaf templates - you need one large, one small and one narrow and long. With the large leaf cut out 30/32 leaves from the pages of your chosen book (I only did 28 because that's when the pages ran out).
 
Step Four
Stick these large leaves to the wreath (which is now hopefully dry!) You need to place one under the wreath and one on top of it so you make a kind of wreath sandwich. I left a gap of about 1cm between each leaf.
 
Step Five
While that dries cut out 15 of your small leaf template and 15 of your narrow, long leaf template.
 
Step Six
Stick a short leaf underneath the wreath in the gap you have left between each of the larger leaves. Make an arch with the longer leaf over the top, so you stick just the two tips of the leaves to each other. Leave to dry.

 
Step Seven
Find some gorgeous ribbon and thread it around the wreath, or alternatively tie it in a beautiful bow.

Voila! Your very own handmade wreath!
 
 
 
 
...Miss Jones...

Thursday 7 November 2013

Passion.


Very much inspired by this quote today:

'If you can't figure out your purpose, figure out your passion.
For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.' T.D.Jakes

I have many passions - I guess I'll wait and see which one leads me into my purpose!





...Miss Jones...

Monday 4 November 2013

Fine Feathers



As I am now, officially, 'unemployed' I decided to start my first day as I mean to go on - by blogging!

Today has not been the most creative of days; but I have succeeded in getting my hair cut and making some paper feathers. I had seen some similar feathers on Pinterest, and after admiring them for some time I figured it should be easy enough to accomplish (if I was careful and patient!)



I began by carefully drawing and cutting out some templates; which I then traced onto some pretty wrapping paper from Paperchase (it has some of the nicest patterns, doesn't it?) before, once again, carefully cutting them out.

I haven't quite decided what to do with them yet - perhaps mounted on a piece of crisp white card and elegantly framed?







...Miss Jones...



Sunday 3 November 2013

Memories.

Many weeks ago I set about creating a memory holder made from a vintage book. I had only vague ideas of what it was to eventually look like, but with a little bit of effort I quickly finished it.
 
Unfortunately I was so busy in the weeks leading up to the Frome Vintage Fair that I completely forgot to take a picture of my masterpiece. I sold it to my friend over at Vintage Jane, who was so enamoured by my 'book' that she decided to blog about it too! You can find a link to it here.
I therefore decided to create another one...
 
 
I've matched the plain beige cover to a subtly patterned fabric; leaving more of it showing this time to provide a bit more colour. I carefully wrote out a quote from Alice in Wonderland - 'Curiouser and Curiouser' - quite apt don't you think?


 
 
The memories included are a newspaper cutting from 'The Nursing Mirror' circa 1921 and a poem entitled 'The Sweet-Brier Rose'.
 
 
...Miss Jones...