Blogholiday

Taking a blogholiday....... need some quiet time to focus on my health and listening to and looking at all of the cool photos of what people are making just results in me feeling frustrated that I can't spend more time making.

An interesting thought

I came across an interesting thought that I would like to share. I found it on Jessie Baylin's tumblr page. I just adore her!

"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said, “It’s not where you take things from - it’s where you take them to."


Jim Jarmusch

What do you think? Do you agree? I'm not sure. I'm still thinking about it.

check out Jessie's amazing voice

Jealousy

This evening I sat down at my sewing machine and I tried to sew some charm squares together to make a cushion cover. Lucy first tried to stop me by standing over the pedal so I couldn't put my foot on it. And after she gave up that tactic she took to pacing restlessly around the room. Now this I was able to ignore until I heard a rustling noise. Lucy had found a small poster that I was planning to put up on my wall, somehow dragged it out onto the floor and began to chew on it. When I noticed that I gave an exasperated "Lucy!" but then instantly forgave her because really I should have put it out of her reach. But she wasn't finished because I was still sewing.

She dragged out some fabric from goodness knows where and threatened to chew on it. I tried to reason that I only had a couple of charm squares to go but she made that face .... you know, that face!

So I turned off my machine and gave in to my neurotic but dearly beloved canine companion. I went to the couch and got out some knitting that I need to finish (if I am ever going to finally learn how to knit). Lucy calmed down instantly and came to sit beside me. Looks like I'm going to have to stick to projects that I can do whilst sitting on the couch.

Hooray!

I got some crafting done! I'm coming down with a cold but I managed a little project. It seems I really am just catching moments here and there, in between the day-to-day things that must be done to get by. The moments may be small but they are rewarding.

From a little sketch...

... to a handmade card for a friend ...

Its simple, but sweet.

And I'll end tonight's post with a funny story. I felt so dizzy and vague when I took my shower today... I turned the shower off twice and then remembered I hadn't washed out my conditioner. Twice! But I got it on the 3rd attempt. Hahahaha............. I have to laugh at myself.

I'm dreaming of ...

beautiful, tidy, clutter-free, organised work spaces. Now... how to make that a reality in the Make Believe Studio??

more spare moments

Crafting has been quiet here in the Make Believe Studio. Travels around the countryside last week left me tired and fighting off a cold.

But I have been snatching spare moments here and there....



sketching in the margins of my notebook, in between writing down important points during a meeting...



and making a necklace for a good friend....

Yes those are Swarovski pearls!! As luck would have it, they are my friend's favourite colour.

Sadly life will be quiet on the crafting front for a little while longer. I have wee little mice who have decided to make an unwanted visit to my house. The upside is that I have to tidy my craft room so that I can vacuum it thoroughly.

Playing around

Today I took my little sketches and had a play around with my brand new printer/scanner.

I scanned in some designs so now I can print them off and use them as a pattern.



And then I went a little further with the help of some simple picture manipulation. But they're not quite ready. Stay tuned...



Cute!

Uh-oh!! I have stumbled across a new temptation. A very cute online store named..... well.... cute tape! Hahahaha....... seriously though, they have some really cute stuff.

I'm thinking of breaking my no spend rule and getting one of these

or perhaps this one



It would be nice to be able put a little stamp on something I make to signify that it has been handmade with good will and kind thoughts, by my own two hands.

Unfortunately I can't yet find a justification for these...





I just like them. And this is just from their stamp range. They also have cute stickers, pencils, tape and other stationary items. Go and have a look for yourself. Or don't... if you have no spare $$ and need to avoid temptation!

Spare moments

Even amidst the hectic work day, sometimes there are spare moments for a little burst of creativity.



However it is usually when I am day dreaming when I really should be listening to something.... woops!

Superfoods!!

I am currently seeing a naturopath at a local clinic called Natremed. It has been really interesting so far. One of the big things I need to work on is my nutrition. So when my lovely naturopath Melissa suggested I come along to one of her 'Superfoods' cooking classes I jumped at the chance.



Last night I went to my second Superfoods cooking class. It was so much fun! The theme of the night was herbs and spices. Something I know very little about. But I learnt so much. We started with going out into the garden and looking at the herbs that were growing. Then we made our own herbal tea, choosing the herb that we felt we had an affinity with at the time. This was followed by cooking demonstrations and much discussion of the herbs and spices. And at the end we all got to sit down and enjoy a delicious meal.

My favourite was the Sweet potato soup with ginger and coriander. I will definitely be making some of this when the weather is cooler. It was simple and so yummy. 

I have already mastered growing chives, mint and peppermint in my own garden. I have recently made my own peppermint tea and on the hot days made myself a nice peppermint iced tea. I am now looking forward to growing some more herbs in my garden. I think I'll try some rosemary and sage. And also some traditional English lavender. Oh the fun!! I can't wait to be able to do some more gardening now that I am inspired.