Fantastic Weekend (eventually)

Well, where shall I start !

Friday, the boiler stopped working, and we had no hot water or heating,

unless this has happened to you, you just don't realise how much you depend on running hot water, when you need it. Washing dishes, yourself, hair, cleaning etc....

The plumber ordered parts and had fixed it by sunday afternoon, Hooray!

Friday eve went to an art discussion by artist Ashley \hanson,www.ashleyhanson.co.uk

at the castle Bude.

It was very interesting and met fellow artist friends attending.

Today I have been making cards,These are a select few........

I have also been rummaging through the Flotsam & Jetsum on the tides edge, for interesting finds for card making!

Have left these bits to dry out.  A fantastic Day!

I have also completed my Theme Thursday card which is themed 'blue' this week.  Hope you like it!

themethursday.wordpress.com

Arty Day

Well have had a very enjoyable peaceful day, all the boys went on a surf stomp which enabled me to get down to some serious painting (with no interuptions).

Totally lost myself and the track of time, but finished my latest painting, 

I have tried a different technique which has given a slightly chalky look to the overall painting. 

I hope you like it!

WINTER 'Theme Thursday

http://themethursday.wordpress.com/

Here is my ' winter' tag for Theme Thursday, enjoy!

Postcard exhibition update

  The postcard I sent Sophia Mossley has been accepted to exhibit in a group exhibition in november at a small gallery in london:

http://www.usurp.org.uk/about/

in addition she's applying to exhibit at:

http://www.showcase-london.com/

and:

http://www.beerslambert.com/opencall.htm

and would  love to include my postcard, in her exhibit. Will Keep you posted about this!

Art making frenzy

Have suddenly had an urge to make, make, make, must be the time of year.  Sitting in front of the woodburner on a chilly evening.

Have managed to make despite my on going migrane, thought it might sooth it away.  Have been making lots of tags!

Tags in progress, trying to be tidy!

It took ages cutting out the flowers but I think the end effect is worth it.

Hope you like it !

My Other project............

Have also finished my painting and put into the frame.  It's going to be part of a series, 'on-going wave'.  Just need to find some more time from somewhere!!!!!!!!!!

Where has the week gone!

Well, what can I say ! the last few days has gone like a blur, I have new goodies to make with, and a new camera to take some decent blog pictures, yipee!!!!! Only problem is have a splitting Migrane hence the lack of pictures in this posting.

Look on the bright side, I can lie here dreaming of all the crafting projects I want to do with my new beads and buttons.  Hope to post some new camera Pics tomorrow if up to it.  Dying to use it, but need a sane mind to work how to use it.(not just aim and press like my old broken camera).

Hope to be back very soon! With pictures.

Thursday Challenge- PINK Theme Thursday

http://themethursday.wordpress.com

Here is this weeks Theme Thursday challenge:

Postcard Project Sofia Moseley

I received an email from Sophia Moseley which said:
"I'm working on a project exploring the postal system, surrounding mail, art and traditional means of communication". And if she sent me a blank card would I "Draw her a Picture". Sounds pretty good!

I received that postcard this week and yesterday I sat down in the garden and painted. It's now in the hands of the postal system.

I look forward to seeing what Sophia does next with all the postcards?.. Has anyone else participated in this project?

Here is my postcard!

Step by step soap making instructions

Well as promised here are the lavender soap, step by step instructions.


First I bought my ingredients which consisted of organic soap melt ( ready made soap melt mixture) essential oils and organic flower petals. (These items can be bought using adverts below right)
Set out all the items needed for your 1st batch, things you will need are a saucepan, wooden spoon and a plastic tray or cake tin for the soap to set in. Use any that will be the correct size of soap you need when sliced.

 Next place the soap melt base into the saucepan and place on the stove on a low heat.  Mix now and then until soap melts.

Add the essential oil of your choice, I have used lavender, remember to only add a couple of drops.

Next if you want flowers inside your soap you can sprinkle a few in the mix.  Add natural colourant of your choice today I tried using blackberry juice.

When all is mixed and melted together take off heat and pour into your tray.  I also added lavender petals on the top of the soap and pressed it down.

Cover the soap with a tea-towel whilst cooling to slow down the cooling process.  This will help prevent such a large amount of soap scum on the soaps surface.

When soap is cool press out of the tray, and cut into required chunks, you will have to trim a small amount of soap scum from the edge,  (you can keep this and use for yourself if you squash it all together into one piece) Then leave the soap to set for a few days before packaging.

As you may have noticed the Blackberries have given the soap a coffee colour, so in the future I will use them to make coffee soap, I might try dying with beetroot next week!

When I package my soaps I usually place them in piles in cello bags, these can be found on my advertising pages.  I also make labels listing all the ingredients used in soap, this always helps as so many people have allergies nowadays, even to organic products.

I will add photo of label later as I have yet to make it !  You may also want to write a do not eat sign for the soaps as previously a friend said " thanks for those I'll eat them later "

Organic soap making session

I have just made my first batch of lavender organic soap, have taken pictures which I will post when the soap has set and been cut. Hopefully later this eve!

Blackberries for organic dying of soaps

Just picked some blackberries some of which will be used to dye my handmade soap.  Am going to be totally organic, a slight challenge but it will be worth it.

Have also put an order in for dried lavender, rose, and marigold petals. Have dried some of my own from my garden but I didn't have enough !

Well have plenty to be getting on with, need to make a crumble with most of the berries.

If you know of any helpful natural dying tips I would be grateful, I am quite limited by reds and purples at the moment.

Pebble Hearts sent with love

I thought I'd post these pebble hearts that my son has given me, he's always on the look out for a heart to give me when back from surfing.

Best Friend Tags

Handmade Tags  

specially for best friends,

made with masses of love !

These tags will be shown in a  how to make as soon as step by step images have been taken.  

Personalise with your friends favourite colours,  Enjoy!

As you can probably tell I am new at this but persevere with me it will be worth it, Email me images of your own handmade gifts to be included in this blog.

Just Getting Started

Well here goes!
Just starting my daily blog on Flotsam & Jetsom, what can be made from it and all other bit's and bobs lying around.  All today I have been sorting out my boxes of stuff some may call this junk (my husband) to others like me it's treasure.
I don't have any photo's to upload yet.  Give me a chance.  Will also be making swaps for other artistic lovers of all things spice.
Tomorrow I will be making tags for my handmade Christmas Pressies.  Always a hit with my close Friends.