Champagne!

It's been a while, my promise of blogging every week is just not going to happen, basically because at the moment, whilst I am crafting every week , so much of it is gifts and as such I can't really share with you.  I've spent hours of course making Christmas Cards too, but I don't really want to put pics of them on until they've gone out to everyone......This week then was about finishing a wreath which has been about a year and a bit in the making.  It is a gift for someone, they know who they are, on the other hand it's not a gift as they have supplied more than half of the corks.......Quite pleased with it, what do you think?  If it had been for just Christmas time, I may have added some holly or even nuts between the corks, but I think I like it just the way it is....

Have a great week, don't work too hard

Mhairi
xx

A few weeks work.... Oops!

Hi again All

Firstly, my apologies for not keeping up to date with my blogging over the last few weeks.  I could use many excuses, but I wont, I've just been a bit crap again at keeping on top of all elements of my life and work!  For  a start I've got this going on at home, although I have to say I am impressed with the work of  Wither and Greenhill , Stranraer!  Just can't wait to see what it is like finished.  I'm taking the photos so that I can scrapbook the transformation.......

Hoping these projects will make it up to you all.

Cards

I've made a couple of cards recently for work colleagues.  Below are I believe the best of them, again patterns from SVG Cuts.
I always struggle to come up with ideas for making cards for boys or men.  however this one is most definitely a fit for most young men I know!    Beer!   As you can see I even made the envelope.  

The second is for a Chocolate Addict, still I also wanted it to be feminine and not just a lump of chocolate.......so I adapted the file and inserted a sentiment from the silhouette store.

3D Models

Okay so as you will have gathered by now, I have a bit of a love for making 3 dimensional paper models and shapes, usually patterns and ideas come from SVG cuts and Silhouette store, how I decide when to make them though are a bit hit and miss, sometimes influenced by events in my life, sometimes just because I am lacking in inspo!  One thing is for sure though, I never have  problem being inspired to either buy or make my favourite things:  shoes or handbags.

Shoes:  so here's some shoes, okay they are not a pair, but how nice would they be anyway sitting on your vanity table...

Lastly today I am going to show you something else I made when thinking about what to make for our beloved males in our families.    How many ours of their misspent youths did yours loose playing?  Again as this is an SVG cuts file it is multi-functional, not just a model, but also a box.  

POOL:

Anyway, that's it for this week.  End of year Uni assignment due on Thursday, so I will be back with some designs soon as I can.

Have a great week (or couple of weeks , just in case I lapse again ;-) )

Don't work too hard

Mhairi

Life in Balance again.

I've had a really successful week, my Uni essay result came in and I passed (75%), so relieved.  Next  end of year essay due at the end of September, so I am trying to do everything in moderation and balance.   This week, I have reviewed Block 1 and 2 notes , written up my Learning Journal (so that's 3 Uni things) and I have completed 3 craft projects.  Feeling very pleased with myself.

So here they are in order of being made.

Sewing Reel Box.  

I really enjoyed making this one, lots of sections to glue together and bend into shape.  Then I selected some fibres I've had in my crafty stash for about 3 years and used them with a hat pin to embellish the reel.  This is ideal for stashing actual sewing craft products in.  It measures 5 inches tall, so it is quite big. 

  Hi-Top Trainer

With all the talk of Uni and the kids going back to School, I was delighted when SVG cuts produced this in their Back to School design kit.  I love my own red 'trainers' so couldn't resist making this with some Bazzil Basics dotty card.  It is really robust and would be great on any teens desk (or your own)  with your specs (showing my age), pens etc stored in it.  Some lovely white ribbon instead of shoe laces, just finished this project off.

Call Me!

 I think this project speaks for itself.  I have completed it using really quite girly pink papers,   but my next plan is to do one a little more vintage style and stick to light browns etc.  Again, it forms a box.  It could even be used as a charging station for your mobile etc.  Keeping everything tidy and tucked away.   Cool eh?  I think this is my most favorite project so far - and that's saying a lot, from the number I have made.  You might then wonder what my next favourite has been.

 Well it's below, I made this in 2008.

Christmas Wreath 2008

  I read about how to make them the second day of my holidays in Cuba and was itching to make one upon my return.  Had it all planned, colours and everything.  I've made a few since then.  I love wreaths in general, this one just seemed to have a massive visual impact.    Unfortunately it mysteriously disappeared off of my office door in a North London Hospital and was never seen again!  At least I know my work was appreciated.  

Off to a wedding next Saturday and it's my wedding anniversary; 16 years, so blog might not be up until Monday the 2nd. Enjoy your week.

Don't work to hard

Mhairi
x

I've been on holiday

Hi,

Firstly, I must apologise.  I've been on holiday from work, I wasn't really on holiday though, as I was writing a uni assignment (just hoping it passes now).  Seems my claim two weeks ago that I was getting good at work life balance wasn't actually that true!  Re wrote this assignment twice!  Anyway with it submitted I turned my attention to my other priorities in life.  Visiting relatives and crafting.  

I completed two projects that I have been meaning to get to for some time.  A picture for my front hall - keeping to gold,  beige and brown so that it fits in with my decor.  I used my silhouette cameo to create a vinyl stencil, laying this over the first coat of gold paint on a canvas.  Then I applied a coat of brown and then cream.  I waited for it to dry , good for me, as normally I am in too much of a rush to undertake the next step of peel and reveal! Below is how it turned out.  

While I was waiting to do the peel and reveal I turned my attention to decopatch.  I bought a plywood , flat packed reindeer head and tartan decopatch papers last December in Berlin.    I didn't get round to getting it done for last Christmas, but with 120 days to go to Christmas 2013, finally it is done.  

Lastly, I wanted to have a go at creating a Santa Boot, based upon the SVG cuts cowboy boot which Thienly worked on.  I added some bells, sentiment and Glitter!  I LOVE Glitter, if only to annoy my husband.  He regularly moans about being covered in the stuff, he's convinced I spread it round the house just to annoy him.... His name's Edward, so at least in one way, he sparkles like a certain Vampire of the same name.  If only............

Anyway, back to work tomorrow, off for my Sunday night bath now, just like the rest of the kids here in Stranraer, first day of School tomorrow after their summer holidays.  Many a sigh of relief from the Mums I work with.  

You might think I haven't made much in my time off, but believe me I have used my time well.  I have 'cut' another 6 projects all ready to glue together.  This includes;  more topiary trees and a piano (wedding style), a telephone box,  a threat bobbin box and a high top trainer- all SVG cuts designs.  You'll just have to check back regularly to see them in all their paper glory.

Have a great week, don't work too hard!

Mhairi
x  

This one doesn't need a Mortgage!

Christmas House

I've had a pattern( from SVG cuts) for cutting and building this house  for the last three weeks, as my mum used to say about me and my pocket money, I've just been itching to use it!  This is hopefully just going to be the first of a few and I think I'll probably add to this one and make it even more 'Christmassy', add a few trees , baubles etc.  The good thing about this house is that it could be made for any occasion - it even has two areas for storing a gift inside - even though it's a gift in itself.  I hope you like it....... 

PRAM and Card

I've been asked to make a pram too for someone to give as a gift.  I decided to add in a box, as it gives the pram something to sit on and of course it then made sense to make a little card to go in the box.    This is a good practice run for me as I have just heard too that I am going to be a Great Aunt again, the third time.  I'm really excited for the happy couple - Great news Robbie and Angie - you deserve every happiness.  More news of that in February 2014 though.........  

GIFT BAGS

 The last thing I want to show you this week is a couple of photos of the gift I mentioned in my last blog update.  This bag was requested to be made in 50's style for a couple who take part in education sessions about living in the 1950's.  They look like an amazing couple - have a look at this website for more info; http://murielandjasper.co.uk/ 

I hope you like this weeks makes.  Remember  you can follow this blog or you can also like me on Facebook for regular updates.  

 Have a great week, don't work too hard!  

Mhairi x

All White?

Sunday night again, sigh.  But another great weekend of crafting, sun worshiping and even doing some of my uni assignment.  Must be getting better at this whole 'life balance' thing!.  So what have I made this weekend?  A few things actually.  Last weeks Ice Town, got me thinking how much I like 'white'.  So ,with summer in mind this time, I decided to have a go at Ashbee Designs Shadow Box.  The Butterflies, were embossed with my Cuttlebug and the script embossing folder before assembling - a bit fiddly, but my good, tacky glue helped get it stuck together.

Here is the finished box, all ready with a hook on the back for  wall hanging.  Now who do I know that likes Butterflies?!

  

The Eiffel Tower.

Someone asked me this week if I can make an Eiffel tower, I think he was joking.  The answer was yes, I made one of these for someone last year.  But, like I do, I made another today, just to prove I can.  It's the Eiffel tower, so the embellishments just have to be 'love' related.

There you go Keith!

 Piano Times

The last thing I want to show you all this week is my Piano Box.  I played a bit as a child, could probably just about manage to knock out Chopsticks if I tried now, but I wonder if I would have practiced more if I had had one of these to play!  This is on my desk at work just now, filled with some sweets that a very kind colleague sent me a couple of weeks ago.  Yes, I did say a couple of weeks ago and Yes, there are some left - trying to be good, but they are there when the need arises.

I have made more than this over the weekend, but as the rest are surprises for people,  I can't post them.  Once they have been given and the 'gifter's give me permission to share I will.   Something to look forward to.

Have a great week, see you next Sunday.

Mhairi
x

Shared!

Okay it's not quite the weekend, but I am excited!  My little new blog has received a share on a Designers Blog!  How cool is that?  Huge Thanks to Marji Roy at Ahbee Designs for appreciating my work and sharing it on her Blog.  You can see Marji's Blog here:   
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvnbmF17EGI86B-p9RgLNgrHWgINCSWiG21W0KPEBajnxL-Wyy1IS2xe6pzaf7Vzuwo3d3_0d_I2VItoVGzSJvY0pfQx9qlNQAdhteqv75aMBVoel1LQXSGtuMF_4Pd3w1tnDjn4kZlE_/s1600/ice+town+1+Mhairi+Hastings.jpg
It seems this Ice Village has been 'liked' quite a bit and my little blog is looking like it might hit 500 page views over the next week.  Thanks to you all.

Happy Friday tomorrow - Then it's the WEEKEND- Woo Woo!

Mhairi  x

Winter in July

It's been a scorcher today, BUT, I have been thinking about Winter.  The whole reason for this is that I bought a new parasol and base - now, I know that sounds weird, but it was the packaging of the parasol base that caught my eye.  A well structured polystyrene box, all ready to cut  a round whole in the middle, which meant it also fitted the Silhouette Challenge this week.  Obviously it was white and it made me think of snow and for some reason an ice rink.  Next thing I know I am making a little town to sit on it.  Having sat outside and glued all this together, cut some glass to make the ice rink and made some children playing in the snow I am now slightly red myself, but feeling quite cool about the finished result.  Here it is in all its glory.  Let me know what you think and any ideas of what to do with it now would be gratefully received.

And Finally, Just because it is ACTUALLY summer - here's a wee Ice Cream!  The lid comes off to leave you with a box, ideal for keeping your chocolate flakes in!

Have a great week, here's hoping the weather lasts

Mhairi

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Luxury Handbag Giftbags- Lulu Guinness Style

Well, today I decided to take up a challenge posed by SVG Cuts, using their designer handbag files to create a gift bag.   Because I do have a bit of a love for handbags, this was the ideal challenge for me AND because I adore Lulu Guinness's quirky style I decided to use her for inspiration.  Lets face it these will be the only version of Lulu's bags I can probably afford!  I hope you like.

  I wanted something quick today to give me my craft fix, because there was a certain Scotsman playing and winning Wimbledon that I just had to watch on TV!  

My second project today (and a bit of yesterday) also relates to time, it started off with a thought of Hickory Dickory Dock, but then somehow turned into a Grandmother clock with a sewing theme.  This clock really works as I managed to dismantle a cheap clock and add the mechanism to this one.

 Remember , everything you see on this Blog is made of paper and card.

Have a great week, don't work too hard!

Galloway Beltie
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