Happy Easter

Shamefully there has not been much Easter crafting going on here lately, (a dodgy paper mache egg and the chicks pictured above being the extent of it).

I managed a quick non Easter related sewing project this week, using THIS tutorial.

Certainly an improvement on the beat up plastic tub I had been using for art class.

I don't have a finished pieces from this weeks class to show you because I have made a start to one of the pieces for the June exhibition. Hopefully I will fit in some painting this weekend whilst also tending to a small boy with a rotten cold, rolling and eating Easter Eggs and being forced to watch more cartoons than any adult should have to endure.
I hope you all have a great bank holiday and if you are one of the lucky ones, maybe the sun will even shine for you (its snowing here again today).

Valerie
xxx

Little Boy Blue

Drawing

Being Drawn

Valerie
xxx

LOVING

It is probably evident that I am enjoying painting again and I only hope that the promise of exhibiting 2 pieces in a show in June will keep me motivated. It is not the only thing I am loving around here right now though, I am also loving

Imagination and role play at work

Simple but tasty dinners

Learning a new skill (unbelievable, but I just managed to learn the basics after years of trying)

A beautiful new book to help with the aforementioned new skill.

I would really encourage you to buy a copy of this amazing book written by my lovely friend KAT Amazon link HERE

A new camera to play with

My 1st DSLR

Reading at bedtime instead of watching TV

Late to the party as usual I have heard great things about this series. The only thing I am not liking about this book is teeny tiny text at bedtime.

Valerie
xxx

This Weeks Art Class

Self Portrait - Watercolour on Watercolour paper.

My desire to paint is picking up momentum and it is fantastic, I hope to get a portrait of Oscar started this weekend, which is really exciting (for me at least lol).
Have A Lovely Weekend Everyone
Valerie
xxx

Oh Spring

Wherefore Art Thou

We are completely bored waiting on your arrival

Valerie
xxx

Just Passing The Time

Each day I wake up hoping that spring will have arrived. Oscar and I throw back the curtains optimistically, to inevitably sag at the wet and grey mornings. This morning we were met with another blanket of snow, and it is still snowing now. Last year I complained on Oscar's behalf that we did not really have a proper snow fall (for his first sledge to be christened), so I guess the moral of this tale is, be careful what you wish for.

So, while we wait for spring we have been passing the time by

Taking Part In Red Nose Day

Waiting In The Que At Teddy's Baker Shop

Wearing All Of His Sisters Jewelry

Swinging Regardless Of The Weather

Making Ice Sculptures

And, Bouncing On His Mama's Bed In his Bare Bottom Whilst Wearing A Fur Hat

Obviously I edited out his bare bottom half, but had to include the tomato soup all over his face.

How have you guys been passing the time?
Valerie
xxx

Soulmate

Sorry if it is dull, but here is another 2 hour watercolour painting, of my husband.

"Soulmate"

Watercolour On Watercolour Paper

Have A lovely Weekend, I intend to slack on the housework and do some painting instead.
Valerie
xxx

This Weeks Art Class

Portrait

Watercolour & Ink on Watercolour Paper

Inspired by Agnes Cecile
Valerie
xxx

A Mixed Bag

Mother's Day seems to be a notoriously emotional day for me. Last year I was pregnant, but bleeding, and desperately hoping to keep hold of my baby, which was sadly not to be. This year was no where nearly as traumatic, but there were several accidents to contend with (a split gum, a tumble down the stairs, another tumble down the outside steps and a hand slammed in a car door).
We didn't stay home this year (we usually do), and opted instead to go into the city to a vintage fair Gin In Teacups. I behaved very out of character and did not buy much, but I have to say, I was fairly impressed with the pricing, because as soon as you put the words 'vintage' 'craft' and 'fair' together you normally see the cost of things shoot up, and this definitely wasn't the case.

Oscar, still being the little Goth Baby of old, spotted a girl on a stall with purple hair, face piercings and a cat ears headband, and I think it was love at first sight (or at the very least, envy at first sight). Her design business is called Zombie Pussy, and  we all loved her work. The only thing suitable for Oscar was a badge, which I cant show you because he is off at nursery with it proudly displayed on his coat, but I bought a T-shirt for my daughter and a shopping bag for myself, which I can show you.

Zombie Pussy £12

Zombie Pussy £10

You can find out more about Zombie Pussy from their Facebook page HERE

And talking about a mixed bag, I then went in to New Look and managed to pick up a lovely dress for £10 in the sale.

New Look Inspire £10 in the sale

I have been looking at polka dot dresses on Ebay for quite a while, so when I spotted (no pun intended) this one on the sale rail, in my size I snatched it up before anyone else could get it. I also picked up some cute lip balm for £1 which seemed for some reason to go with the dress (which is odd).

Primark £1

If I had been planning to wear my new dress today though, I would have been in for a disappointment, because after a week of relatively spring like weather, we got this ..........

While it is true that Oscar's little eyes were wide and twinkling when he saw the snowfall over night, I am kind of done with winter now, and would like some warm spring days please. Thanks

Valerie
xxx

Done

Put pencil to paper in a room full of strangers while they all watch - 

DONE

Valerie
xxx

Stop Start

I haven't been very well lately, neither physically or emotionally. I have not made a secret of it, but at the same time I have not been overly specific either. My reasons for this are fairly obvious in that I dont know how helpful it would be to blurb things out to the world at large, or how interesting it would be to others. I also don't want to upset or hurt my family in any way.

Lately I feel that things are being stalled at every turn, for example, I talked myself into starting a new art class. I was worried about going because my confidence is very low, but I also know how engrossing and therapeutic art is for me. I sorted out childcare and forced myself along, clutching my empty sketchbook, only to be told there were no places (they said 'oops, sorry the website should have been updated'). So I had to leave again (embarrassing much ?). I also tried to talk to one of the GPs at my new Practice about things, only to be given some very generic and actually quite patronising advice. I have also had some hold ups with personal finances that just cant seem to get past red tape, which A. is driving me nuts, and B. I could do with the cash. I expect we all have periods of time like this, but on top of illness it can seem like the world itself is against you.

Looking on the bright side, I have found another  tutored art class (tutored by a Russian lady artist I believe), and so I will be clutching my empty sketch book again and forcing myself along. Oscar is doing incredibly well at nursery, and after a pretty fractious few weeks on the coat tails of him being ill, he seems to be getting back to his giggly self (he is doing a sponsored Wellie Walk with nursery which we think is SO cute). And Duncan and I always seem to pull through problems tighter and tighter each time. I would say I am so lucky to have him, but that is rather self effacing, so I will say, we are lucky to have each other.

And for therapy? This is a secret so don't tell. I have been working on a painting of my Dad to give to my Mum for Mothers Day (talk about opening yourself up for criticism).

Based loosely on this photo (because, you know, its a painting impression not another photo), taken of him 3 months before he passed away.

It is making us all smile whenever we pass the painting, I hope it will do the same for my Mum.

Valerie
xxx

FREE KNITTING PATTERN - Vintage Skaters Hat

I will try and put this into a pdf format soon, but for now, here is my pattern for a Vintage Style Skaters Hat.

Vintage Style Skaters Hat

Free Knitting Pattern

Materials

Chunky Yarn in your choice of colour 
7mm Straight Needles And 5mm Double Pointed Needles

Pattern : Seed Stitch

Seed stitch is , Knit, Purl, Knit, Purl (cont across row), on row 1, and on row 2 you Purl the Knit stitches and Knit the Purl Stitches
(instructions and image here - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-knit-the-seed-stitch.html )

Using 5mm DP Needles
Cast On 3 Stitches
Make an i-cord aproximatley 18cm long (instructions for i-cord are at the end)
Change to 7mm Needles
Next Row [RS] : Knit 1, Knit Front and Back and Front again of next stitch, Knit 1 = 5 stitches
Next Row [WS]: Slip 1, Knit 1, Knit 1, Knit 2
Next Row [WS]: Slip 1, Knit Front and Back of next stitch, Knit 1, Knit Front And Back of next stitch, Knit 1 = 7 stitches
*Next Row [WS]: Slip 1, Knit 1, Purl the Knit Stitches and Knit the Purl stitches, until you reach the last 2 stitches, Knit 2 (all increase Wrong Side rows will be knitted like this)
Next Row [RS]: Slip 1, Knit 1, Knit Front and Back of next stitch, Knit the Purl stitches and Purl the Knit stitches until you reach the last 3 stitches , Knit Front And Back of next stitch, Knit 2 = 9 stitches* (all increase Right Side rows will be knitted like this)

You will have a 2 stitch Knit border, an increase stitch, Seed stitch in the middle, and increase stitch, then a 2 stitch Knit border at the other edge.

Repeat The [WS] and [RS] increase rows until you have 15 (for a medium sized head) or 17 (for a larger sized head) stitches in total, ending with a [WS] row.

You will now continue in Seed Stitch without increases
[RS] and [WS] Rows, Slip 1 Knit 1, Knit the Purl stitches and Purl the Knit stitches until you reach the last 2 stitches, Knit 2 stitches.
Continue until work measures 20cm from the start of the increases (end of the i-cord).

You now need to Decrease

[RS] and [WS] : Slip 1, Knit 1, Knit 2 together, Knit the Purl stitches and Purl the Knit stitches until you reach the last 4 stitches, Knit 2 together, Knit 2 stitches.
Once you have 7 stitches you will knit together the 1st and 2nd stitch and then the 6th and 7th stitch will be knit together, = 5 stitches, on the next [RS] row knit together 1st and 2nd stitch and then the 4th and 5th stitch will be knit together, 

Once you have 3 stitches, switch to 5mm DP Needles, you now need to make an i-cord the same length as the one on the other side, approximately 18cm.
Cast Off 3 stitches and sew in ends.

i-cord instructions are Here

** I am not a professional knitter so if there are any errors or if the instructions are not explained plainly enough, please let me know **

Valerie
xxx

Sunday Photo Share

Walking to nursery in the morning

Bubbly Baths

Fairy Cakes And A Butterfly Cake

Saturday Lunch In The Cafe

Playing With Star Wars Figures

Helping Daddy Out At Work

Being A Leader In Fashion For The Under 5's ;)

Valerie

xxx

Instead Of The Phone Dump

I really didn't have 15 photo's on my phone this week, to do a Friday Phone Dump (see last Friday), so instead I thought I would show you the things I picked up in the charity shop today. There are 6 charity shops on my way to and from nursery and I do pop in to them fairly regularly. I also moan quite a lot about the pricing in 4 of the 6 shops because I feel they are far too over priced. The Salvation Army shop seems to be the best for bargains and that's where today's purchases are from.

Striped tablecloth - £1.99
I know it is spoiling the look by plonking a big monitor on top of this, but the room is also a functional room and  this is what we do in here (download things, watch TV, and tucked underneath is a PS2 and a PS3).

Clock £1.99
Would you call this a starburst clock? I guess it is sort of. Anyway, it suits the room very well, and so far seems to keep good time.

Glasses / Egg Cups - £1 for the set
These London Monument glasses were so cute I couldnt leave them behind at £1. When I was very young, I was given a lemonade in a tall gold rimmed glass and cordial undiluted in a glass just like these, every New Year. It was the children equivalent of  'a pint and a nip'. I may have to reinstate it for Oscar next New Year.

And finally since I don't much like putting photo's of myself up, I will slip this in at the end, a vintage style 'Skating Hat' I knitted for myself in a couple of hours (I can see myself knitting up many colours of these for next winter).

If anyone wants the pattern, let me know and I will write it up.

Have a lovely weekend
Valerie