Quick Firework Art

I got myself in a bit of a pickle yesterday. It was my dad's birthday, family were gathering for a meal and I was so busy making a special key lime pie, keeping Beatrix out from under people's feet and joining in the celebrations that I completely forgot it was my brother and his girlfriend's anniversary today. There they were in the room with me and I hadn't got a card to give them before they left.

It's times like these, friends, that I stand by my claim that you can never have too many arts and craft supplies. I hot footed it upstairs during a quiet moment, pulled out a random selection of materials, and desperately tried to come up with an idea for a quick card. 

Their anniversary is on Bonfire Night, and I had black card, so the idea of a firework card developed. Then I remembered how much I had loved playing with pastels in art class at school, and after a quick practise...

And a lot of smudging, followed by some speedy work with ink stamps...

...I had a card! Phew! 

If you don't have art sealant spray hairspray works just as well, which was fortunate for me! 

I hate being disorganised, but it's true that sometimes forced creativity can produce some interesting ideas.

Wishing you an explosive (and safe) Bonfire Night!

Cross Stitching My Way to Cool

...To adapt a quote from Matt Smith's Dr Who there.

Eleven year olds are tricky beings. Especially girls who are no longer into toys but are not yet into make up and clothes (thank goodness). Add in the fact that my niece is a sporty tomboy with a penchant for pink and suddenly birthday gifts start to cause a few problems. Luckily Georgia does quite definitely like two things: Super Mario and making things. So I thought I'd combine the two, make her a Yoshi card, then give her a hamper of art supplies to get stuck into for her gift. I actually give her art supplies every year, but this time they're getting a little more sophisticated, to the point where I was buying double of everything so I can play too!

This is the first cross stitch I have done... well, since... ever. As you know I've been doing a lot of embroidery lately but cross stitch kept reminding me of cottage scenes, simpering kittens and poppies. Not true, I know, but I needed to get past my own associations. So I decided that cross stitch is cool, hopped on http://www.deviantart.com and got to work. It was really satisfying watching the design come together over an evening.

Next, continuing the theme of the gift I got out my new alphabet ink stamps (she's getting a set too!) to add my own stamp (ahem) to the envelope and the inside of the card. Together with some fun washi tape and embellishments recycled from my own birthday cards I was pretty pleased with the results.

It's not about the objects themselves. Nothing says 'I love you' more than the gift of time and care; something any crafter knows only too well. And I may be able to keep the title of 'cool aunt' for just a little bit longer...

Happy Friday,