End of year musings

It's that time again - and, as always, I find myself in reflective mode, thinking about the year gone by; what I've achieved, what I've messed up, and pondering what next year will bring.

I don't do New Year's resolutions any more - too much pressure.  I always start off with the usual good intentions - lose weight, get fit, eat healthy, cut down on the alcohol - until about the second week in January, when you realise what a rubbish month it is, and you need something (usually in the form of unhealthy food or alcohol) to cheer yourself up.

I know, on a general level, that 2016 has not been a vintage year - political upheaval, and a seemingly unprecedented high level of celebrity deaths being amongst the contributory factors - but on a personal level, 2016 feels somewhat like the year when I began to pick myself up.  After a tough few years which had seen me witness my mother's deterioration and subsequent death from cancer, followed by my father's death six months later, and some extra 'goodies' such as illness, redundancy, severe depression, and strained family relationships thrown in for good measure, I felt as though maybe things were starting to pick up for me in 2016.

From the outside, nothing much had changed, but my attitude and outlook became more receptive to change and possibilities.  Top of the list was finding the passion to create again.  For so long, I hadn't wanted to create anything - I didn't see the point and I just felt dead inside.  So when the desire to create re-surfaced, it was significant for me on so many levels.  In addition, re-opening my Etsy shop and making some sales, AND getting some wonderful, heartfelt feedback was EVERYTHING, and made me realise that my work did have a point after all.  Coupled with this, I realised what a wonderful set of friends and immediate family I have, and how grateful I am for their support.  So I end the year feeling blessed, daring to be hopeful for the future, and trying to forget about the bad things in the past - a sentiment echoed in this quote:

"Sometimes you have to forget what's gone, appreciate what remains, and look forward to what's coming next."

To everyone, best wishes for 2017 - Enjoy! x

Abstract-style bindings

My latest collection of mini notebooks features bright colours, bold abstract shapes, and a touch of gold tooling.  Having long been inspired by the work of many designer bookbinders, I began experimenting with inlays and gold tooling, using not leather but skivertex - a book covering material which has the appearance of leather, but is much finer, and is available in some amazing colours and finishes.

The notebooks are smaller than usual, the bookblocks sewn using French stitching with brightly coloured endpapers and skivertex covers.  Each design features random shapes which have been cut out in greyboard, and imprinted onto the book's covers in order to create a recess.  Into these recesses have been glued coloured pieces of skivertex.  Other books have been created by overlaying a handmade stencil over the cover in order to let the background colours show through.

In addition I've added some gold tooling (well, copper tooling actually), just to give them a bit of bling.  I've enjoyed making these books - I love the bright colours, abstract shapes, and I've been happy with the way the whole effect has come together.

The Designer Bookbinders website has some fabulous examples of abstract-style bindings, and I have included a few of my favourites here.  I would love to be able to produce work to this standard one day...

Binding by Jeanette Koch

Binding by Lester Capon

 Binding by Derek Hood

There are also a few gems out there on Etsy which I discovered whilst researching this post:

This coptic bound notebook by TheGiftShed was inspired by a greetings card.  The bright colours and shapes were a key feature, and resulted in this beautiful book.

This notebook by TheMojaveRose features another wonderful abstract design using bold shapes and colours.  The design has been finished with an acrylic medium which gives it extra flexibility and protection.

Hope you've enjoyed this post.  Until next time, have fun!

The notepad clutch

Having long been inspired by vintage fashion and design, I wanted to create a product which would pay homage to the various vintage styles, and which would exude the effortless elegance of previous eras.  My latest creations took their inspiration from vintage clutch bags, particularly those of the 1950s and 60s, and I wanted to inject a little glamour into the office or the boardroom, with these notepad holders.

Basing my designs on the different styles associated with Hollywood stars, each product has been given its own name in an attempt to inject a little character into each design.

Firstly, the 'Audrey' notepad holder takes its inspiration from its namesake Audrey Hepburn.

 

Audrey style - classic, sophisticated

 
Covered in black, mock crocodile-effect fabric, the vibe is classic and sophisticated.  Features of the design include a notepad insert (to hold a 8 x 5 inch notepad), a business card holder, and two silver buckles to keep the notepad closed.  My favourite feature has to be the small vanity mirror, discretely hidden by a small flap - perfect for touching up your lippy before heading into the meeting.

 


Other products in this range follow a similar pattern, although the features of each item differ ever so slightly.

The 'Grace' notepad holder attempts to emulate the cool, classic elegance of Grace Kelly, and has a gold casing,with the front cover wrapped in black lace, and a black silk ribbon and diamante slider closure.

There are other designs in the pipeline, including a 1920s flapper-inspired design, complete with gold fringing - a nod to the growing trend of Gatsby-inspired products available right now.

My Etsy selections this week are taken from the vast range of vintage sellers.  There were so many wonderful items to choose from, but I've narrowed my favourites down, using the themes of 'mock croc' and lace.

I love these two imitation crocodile skin handbags from ItsVintageIndeed and EclecticShop.  They're such classic designs, timeless and elegant.

Going with the lace theme, here's two of my personal favourites:

I love this1950s black and beige handbag in black lace from EmbraceLace and, this item from TrulyVintageUK.  Although not strictly lace, I love the design and the intricate beaded pattern.

Until next time, have fun!

Stocking fillers

It's that time of year again.  Christmas is fast approaching, and I've been frantically trying to add stock to my Etsy shop.  My latest additions are these mini notebooks made from recycled wallpaper!

There are some amazing wallpaper designs to be found these days, and these are just a few examples of some designs that caught my eye.  The books are comprised of a single signature of around 10 folded pages which are then attached to the wallpaper samples which have been stiffened with gold or silver card.  The finishing touch is to round the corners, and then add a few beads to the spine in contrasting or toning colours.

I'm quite happy with the results.  I love the deep pink flowers against the black background on this one (above left), but I think my favourite is the 'lace-effect wallpaper' used on the notebook in the picture (above right).  I haven't seen this wallpaper before or since making this book, but I just love it.  Amazing things can be created from the most unlikely of objects.  Do you have any crafty recycling tips?  Do share them with me.

Until next time - happy making!

Wear your poppy with pride

Hello everyone on this beautiful Remembrance Sunday.  Only a short post this week - my theme is 'Wear your poppy with pride' - and I've selected some of my favourite wearable poppy-related items from Etsy, this time through an Etsy treasury (my very first attempt at curating one!).  Hope you like it.

My daughter took part in her first ever Remembrance Sunday parade with the Brownies today, and I'm heartbroken that I couldn't be there to see her, but I'm some 200 miles away, helping to care for my mum who has cancer.

Whatever you're doing this Remembrance Sunday, give a thought to the fallen, try to be grateful for what you have, and wear your poppy with pride... Enjoy!

Remember remember...

Hello everyone.  Well, Bonfire night is upon us again, but I have to admit that I'm feeling my age and am in real danger of turning into a grumpy old woman.  The fireworks just seem TOO LOUD!  Or is it just me?  My childhood memories of Bonfire Night consist mainly of watching Catherine wheels spinning round, before dangerously flying off  the garage wall, to which they were supposed to be firmly attached, of making patterns with sprinklers, held tightly in mitten-gloved hands, and of (rather tame) rocket fireworks being lit on our lawn, having spent the previous few weeks in the requisite tin box.

Nowadays, in the age of increased health and safety awareness, I suspect most firework demonstrations are of the professional, 'properly organised' variety.  (Images of my dad going back to check on an improperly lit firework, embedded in a pile of sand springs to my mind).  But with organised firework displays increasingly being the norm, the fireworks seem to be bigger and louder, and seem to go on well before AND after Bonfire Night (see - 'Grumpy old woman' status has definitely kicked in).

But, in spite of all this, Bonfire Night still makes me feel nostalgic, and makes me feel as though Winter (my favourite season) has truly begun.  It's the combination of the cold night air on your face, whilst being wrapped up in your warm winter clothes, and enjoying the spectacle of light against the night sky...if only it wasn't so noisy! 

So, embracing the spectacle and tradition which is Bonfire Night, here's my selection of fireworks and Guy Fawkes-themed goodies from Etsy.

Guy Fawkes Paper Sculpture Kit by MakeNLearn

I love this paper sculpture kit from MakeNLearn, depicting the man without whom none of us would be enjoying the 5th November.  Remarkably effective, quite eerie and educational too.  I think it's a great product.

Firework pendant by somethingtodobeads

                                                               

I love the colours and vibrant feel of this polymer clay        pendant by somethingtodobeads which really conveys the excitement of Bonfire Night.

Black firework arm warmers by SecrettSerendipity

Finally, I love these Black Firework Arm Warmers by SecrettSerendipity.

Beautiful fabric, and a truly novel way to get into the whole Bonfire Night vibe!

However you decide to enjoy Bonfire Night, stay safe and have fun!!
Until next time, have a great week!

Hallowe'en is nearly here!

It's that time of year again.  The nights are drawing in, the leaves are tumbling down, and there's a definite nip in the air.  Yes it's autumn, and with autumn comes...Hallowe'en!

I've always loved Halloween, the dressing up, the decorations, and the whole vibe, despite the huge commercial circus that it has turned into.  It's hard to believe that, at one time, it was virtually impossible to get hold of Halloween costumes, spooky decor and the like.  We had to be inventive and create our own outfits out of mum's cast-offs, whereas now, you can pick up every conceivable object with a Halloween theme, along with your weekly supermarket shop.

But in spite of this rampant commercialism, there is something about Halloween which brings out the inner kid in me, and I love nothing more that playing with every spooky gadget and rummaging through the fancy dress outfits with my daughter.  No, the commercialisation of Halloween is here to stay, so we may as well embrace it.  Besides, I'm always fascinated by every year's new range of products, which somehow seem to get more gory/bloodthirsty every time, but it is interesting to see just how creative the range of Halloween products can get.  In particular, I love those products which have a slightly different slant on the whole Halloween theme, daring to veer away from the predictable pumpkin/witch's hat/spiderweb/black and orange combinations.

Which brings me neatly to my Etsy selections for this week.  As always, I'm staggered by the huge array of wonderful products out there, and the boundless creativity of the Etsy sellers, especially when it comes to Halloween-inspired creations.  Amongst my favourites are:

Vampire Journal...by IstriaDesign

This Vampire journal by IstriaDesign is dedicated to the little-known Jure Grando, the first vampire mentioned in the written word.  I love the originality of this item, and the combination of goth and vintage elements.  Wonderful stuff!

Haunted London pop-up book by niapaper

 

I've always loved pop-up books, and the way they can convey a miniature world in book form, almost like a doll's house.  Perfect for Halloween is this Haunted London pop-up book by niapaper, uncovering tales of ghosts in the capital, including the Tower of London, Kensington Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral.  Enjoy!

Skull Bats book by Idle Workshop

My final selection is this highly original Skull Bats handmade book by Idle Workshop.  Perfectly capturing the Halloween feel, the book contains 70 pages of wizard parchment and magnificent carved bat-winged skulls on the cover.  Exquisite!

Whatever you're doing this Halloween, enjoy yourself, and if you're working on any Halloween-inspired items, I'd love to hear about them.

Until next time,  have a great week!

Steampunk adventures

The appeal of steampunk appears to show no signs of diminishing.  My latest notebook pays tribute to this genre, using these wonderful sprocket gears from Tim Holz, and patterned endpapers containing steampunk motifs.

Originating in the 1980s, the steampunk genre incorporates elements of science fiction, technology and the Victorian Age.  The 'steam' refers to the steam power of the nineteenth century, and 'punk' is a reference to the 'cyberpunk' style.

Steampunk's influence can be seen in elements of fashion, design and jewellery, and there are some stunning examples on Etsy - too many to mention really, but these are a few of my particular favourites.

Aranwen's Jewelry produces amazing examples of Victorian and steampunk jewellery, one of my favourites being this steampunk watch cuff in Brass and Silver.





Also of note is Le Boudoir Noir  - this pocket watch pendant is a gorgeous example of the steampunk style.








 
Steampunknation  produces some wonderful steampunk pieces.  I love this Steampunk Octopus necklace.







                                                         

Journals and notebooks can also be given the steampunk treatment.  This Steampunk steam engine coptic stitched blank pocket journal from Mamayo Journals is a lovely example.








Have a great week everyone!