M.A.D

An Ode to Pop

2011-06-06T05:59:00.003+01:00

Hello! I have drawn a Poppy. That's not the end of the post, but nearly. I have drawn a Poppy because one of my best friends, at age 19, found out her ovaries don't work - HOW SHITTY IS THE WORLD? SUPER DUPER SHITE! But through all of that - she has still been my beautiful shining beacon of red and the rock to me I hope she always will be - I know, I'm a selfish cow....

Mural-ity

2011-01-17T22:22:00.004Z

My friend and I MIGHT be painting a mural in my spare room, It hinges on permission from my (rather straight laced) partner, aaaand being able to get an image projector from somewhere. I am extreeeeeemly excited about the prospect of this, so excited in fact that I rather want to go and start splatting paint around in there now. Who needs shitty wall decos 'ey? nope, not me...I am an arteeeEEEst!

Belated Christmas Post and my love of Glastonbury Village

2011-01-15T17:08:00.012Z

Okay so this post is about a little make and do related christmas present I recieved... Check out these kits my sister's boyfriend got me from a shop in Glastonbury.

There are two reasons why these were a good present for me, the first is that I absolutely love Glastonbury and they even had that faint incensy (totally just made up a word) smell that glastonbury shops all seem to have. It made me go all weak at the knees with longing for a trawl around all the little shops, have nice vegetarian food in rainbows end cafe and a good stomp up the Tor! Just talking about it is making me want to go there now, I cant explain the feeling that place gives me but I know theres something very special about it. The second reason is obviously because I love a good crafty kit or just really any excuse to make something.

They are so simple and probably cost him about 50p each but yet were probably one of my favourite presents as I really had fun with them, it just shows that it really is the thought that counts. I love the idea of making simple little kits similar to this to sell. (the proceeds went to charity.) Fun, fun, fun!

Let me know if you got at all crafty over christmas.

Marylin Pompkoe

2010-11-07T16:03:00.001Z

Okay so I'm a bit late to show you my Halloween creation but hey, better late than never!

The girl with the Ginger hair

2010-10-08T21:24:00.005+01:00

me and my good friend Adele

I was really very proud of this painting, and I haven't really been able to truly say that for anything I've created since school. It was another birthday gift for my friend Adele (remember last years?) I always try to make her gifts as I know she really appreciates them and would prefer that to anything I could buy her in a shop. As you can see...she's ginger...The painting was based on a Roy Lichtenstein called 'girl with the hair ribbon' I just love his vibrant and glamorous , pop art style. I used acrylic on canvas and changed the hair colour to make it more suitable!

2010-09-30T19:51:00.006+01:00

Get in touch via email with the address you want it sent to! Congratulations! And here's the proof

Phew...that was fun...

* First MAD Giveaway! *

2010-09-23T20:29:00.005+01:00

Get excited guys, this is my first EVER giveaway! remember this necklace? If you want it, it could be yours! Okay so I was supposed to post this on my blogs birthday, but, as per usual, I am woefully unorganised and I TOTALLY missed that one! Anyway, the old google analytics page has been in the red a bit lately so of course I will be shamelessly using this as a chance to spread the word about my blog, which means:

for one entry - comment on this post

for two entrys - tweet about the post and comment leaving your twitter details

for THREE entrys - post about the giveaway on your own blog and comment a link to it

Yes, I am that desperate...oh yeah, the winner will be anounced this time next week and family members are not able to enter! Good Luck!

Stained glass window card, cookies and apple crumble fail

2010-09-12T09:23:00.009+01:00

Recently (well, if you call bank holiday weekend recent) I went on another restorative trip to sheepy ceredigion. I always manage to get something crafty done whilst I'm there. Here however, I have an entire craft ROOM which just gets filled with CRAP and I never touch it! This time I painted my Aunts thankyou card using stained glass window paints and acetate.

I also finally met the children that live down the road (my mum is always talking about them) and I did some cooking with them, we picked apples from the trees around the house to make an apple crumble - which wasn't really that great as we didn't put any liquid in with the apples, used buckwheat flour and accidentely cooked it using the grill for half an hour! but I still pulled my Betty Crocker pose in spite of that. It's a pity I didn't have my apron with me to wear!

The next day I had a more sucessful culinary venture with these cookies, can I just say wow to sophie who created the recipe. I made two giant ones and letter labelled them for the kids (I don't actually have any pictures of this but the effect was created by dusting icing sugar through large block letter shapes cut out of paper - kind of like the coffee bean that starbucks dust on top of a cappuccino!)

Once again though I almost cried when it was time to go home at the end of the weekend - I swear it gets harder to leave every time...We have rescue horses there now too; Blaze and Ellie and Blaze is my baby - he's nearly ready to let me ride him!

Inner Child

2010-08-14T09:25:00.009+01:00

A couple of weekends ago we went to the Bristol Harbour festival, it was great fun. In fact I think I reverted to a child as I bought a bubble gun, had my face painted and made little animals out of clay in the tent that was most probably meant for children... It was a make and do extravaganza!

There was an amazing market too and most of the things sold were handmade. This is where my beautiful flower hair garland came from - I have actually been thinking about crafting some kind of permanant daisies to make into a daisy chain head band. Ever since John made me a real one and I thought it suited me in a hippy, flower-child sort of way. So far though, I have only gotten as far as to buy some green silk embroidery thread, so this one should do me for now. Talking of festivals, I'm actually going to V-fest next weekend, and after the lady with the rainbow hair and funky eyes painted onto her eyelids has inspired me, I'm seriously tempted to bring my face paints.

Anyway, I'm off to a work soft-play outing to release my inner child again...

Home is where the heart is...or should be

2010-08-06T20:40:00.005+01:00

Whilst staying with my parent's in Wales a couple of months ago, we went to the beach (it's kind of half pebble beach and half sandy beach.) We played a game just looking at the smooth flat pebbles that came in all sorts of size/shape variations and, kind of like that looking in the clouds game tried to find shapes that reminded us of things. We found a bunny rabbit shape which also could have been an axe, a gun...orrrr a penis! (what is this crazy connection between rabbits and phallic symbols?...very disturbing) and a perfect kidney bean shape which my dad painted a smile onto.
I also picked four smooth, similiar sized, circular or oval stones to make lettered stepping stones from, my inspiration being this delightfully shabby chic Laura Ashley sign.

I have now made a little windowsill display comprising of these, my giraffe statue and an oil burner! random, but I like it, and it's these little personal touches that make a house feel like home. Funnily enough though this house doesn't feel nearly as much like home as the house in that beautiful corner of the welsh coast where my parents are - and I've never even lived there! but hey ho! you can't win 'em all and I'm definately working on it.

Cute as a button

2010-07-08T19:40:00.005+01:00

I have had this jacket since I was about seventeen, so that's seven years its been button-less in my wardrobe - I don't even remember what the buttons looked like! anyway check out my pastel-buttoned-new-lease-of-life jacket!

The sewing is possibly not up to much as I'm not the greatest seamstress in the world but as long as they stay put I'm happy. Here's hoping the weather stays this gorgeous though and I wont even have the need to wear it! My beady little eyes will be looking out in the charity shops for other little beauties to make use of my button box, I'm envisioning a little button pinafore dress...

Down at craft corner

2010-07-04T17:58:00.006+01:00

Way back in August, I decided to start this blog. As I'm sure I've mentioned once or twice, I was heavily influenced by the only blog I read at the time; Mrs Priss, who after posting about her crafty area inspired me to create my own craft corner, be more true to my creative side and blog about the results.

So there it is, my craft area, it's been almost a year in the making but I've finally gotten round to revealing it to you

Decorative letters, bunting and my 'wall of frame'

and some under the desk storage. Usually I end up doing crafty things all spread out over the floor in front of this desk rather than on it, and I have yet to get hold of the perfect chair but the intention is there.

A REAL charity shop

2010-06-28T22:25:00.004+01:00

I must admit I a bit of a charity shop addict, but recentely they have been letting me down left right and centre. I just don't really think the average old biddy knows what the, shall we say 'street value' of a lot of items are - but let's not get started on a great big rant because I do try to avoid that on here (one of the many reasons for my spasmodic posting!)

Aaaaaanyhoo... the little spot of paradise where my parents live seems to me to have, what I call REAL charity shops, in its vicinity;

this lot, cost me £2.98, that's right - and those suitcases were 99 english pence each! - but it's really not just about the price, because obviously I realise it's all for a good cause. It's just the sheer volume of quality items that they seem to have in comparison to my local treasure troves, basically, you don't have to work quite so hard to find a real gem item (which in all honesty, simply appeals to my lazy side)

Anyway, my plan for those suitcases is for crafty storage and the jar is going to be for either sugar or pasta I haven't decided yet....also, I have decided, my NEXT post WILL include a picture of the infamous craft corner, no more beating around the bush.

Baby Love

2010-06-13T16:52:00.007+01:00

So Friday was my boss' youngest daughter's first birthday. She's also recently moved into my room (I work in a nursery), I thought I'd get my crafty head on to make her present.

Using a slight adaptation of Mrs Priss' floral creations - the difference being that I cut flower shapes instead of circles and used a more cotton-like fabric (which I actually recycled from an old pair of trousers!) I also kept it pretty much flat when sewing them together instead of doing the whole pinchy ruche effect I went for here. The outcome was a large, corsage style, baby pink flower which I then sewed three large pearls onto the centre of, again recyled from jewellery I've bought specifically for the purpose of destroying (this is a top tip by the way as beads work out so much cheaper this way).

After scouring pretty much every shop that sells baby clothes (including charity shops) I went into Shaws - a bedding and curtain shop for those of you who don't know, they also sell MASSIVE granny pants aaaand plain vests for varying ages from 2 to 11, at, wait for it... NINETY FIVE PENCE EACH! okay so it still isn't 1-year old size but I have decided plain tops for one year olds don't actually exist! My only regret was only buying one as I'm pretty sure I could churn out these cute little baby tops in the millions, for mass profit in the creation of my empire! move over Lord Alan Sugar...Only joking, kinda...
I also got my arty head on and cracked out my massive set of coloured pencils to make what I hope is a rather pretty first birthday card.
Big Love (I'll try not to leave it so long next time...)

My Other Mummy...

2010-05-08T12:48:00.006+01:00

Perceptions and experiences of same sex parents' offspring - a two family case study

I am so pleased that effing thing is GONE, all nine thousand, five hundred and thirty five words of it! Let us just hope it comes back to me with news of a first (Yeah right) and that I don't fail anything else and have to repeat...I handed it in on Thursday and we had a champers reception (I am still not drinking since Sweden) but, amongst the politics and future career discussion there was also chocolate and vanilla marble cake, so that lack of champagne wasn't so bad.

I thought I would feel utterly elated at the fact that I am almost completely DONE with uni (I still have early Years professional status to do :-S) but although I was of course in a pretty good mood, I also felt quite empty, like, what now? and totally didn't know what to do with myself on my first evening of freedom - apart from vote. I guess it has just so totally sapped ALL of my energy reserves that it probably will take a while for me to get back on top form.

Bizarrely and slightly worryingly, winning $15 dollars to spend at Little Lovelies etsy shop yesterday (thanks to the lovely Crystal) made me much happier than finishing my dissertation did...but seriously;

...wow!

Nanny M.A.D

2010-04-14T17:36:00.004+01:00

As promised I am taking a much needed break from my dissertation to introduce you to my wonderful, and of course, M.A.D... grandmother!

who made me this stunning apron;

and, reluctantly, the one semi-decent photo of me wearing it out of the roughly one hundred taken (I wish I was kidding)

Things I adore about it are as follows;

♥ The heart shaped pockets

♥ The fact that I ACTUALLY feel like Alice in wonderland when I wear it

♥ The beautiful laura ashley fabric, pink lining and lacy trim

♥ The fact that, although by definition an apron is technically supposed to protect your clothes during home makerish type tasks such as cooking, I don't wear it for any of these because I'd much rather get stains on my clothes...

♥ And of course it's deliciously massive amount of girliness!

Thanks Nanny!

Childhood in Crisis?

2010-04-08T22:36:00.006+01:00

the cover of my scrap book entitled "Childhood in Crisis" for the module "Concepts of Childhood."

Really this is just to prove to you that I have not disappeared, am working hard and have merely turned my creative MADness to my academic work instead. I assure when it's all over I'll be putting my heart and soul into M.A.D, finally getting up the piccys of the elusive craft area I've become so fond of bragging about (but has actually just turned into a dumping ground) AND, maybe even start an etsy shop.....?
I love you all for checking me every day even when I'm not posting (god bless google analytics). Also look out next week as I'll try to post another Make and Do family member in the form of my gorgeous grandmother who has made me the most AMAZING apron, remember MAD Mummy?

Mmmmwah!

Flopbag

2010-03-23T19:45:00.007Z

.....flop, floppy and flop bag, these are my new favourite words at the moment as I am all three. I don't want to do the whole excuses thing but you know it, the same ole song, work work work no time for play -sing along if you know the words! I even forgot one of my best friends birthdays and to send my wonderful nannies and grandmas thankyou cards for my birthday which was OVER a month ago!

til now when I have let myself have an evening off - I put these floppy excuses for thankyou (actually, "post") cards together, oh and wrote this floppy blog post...oh and finally plucked my eyebrows.

BRING ON THE DISSERTATION SO I CAN FLOP THAT TOO!

My Birthday... which was like, 12 days ago now!

2010-02-27T19:22:00.013Z

I finally got round to celebrating my birthday Saturday, at flying saucers - which by the way is, "like totally the coolest place ever!" I haven't got any pictures as yet because they're all on my sisters camera but I do have a photo of what I made the last time I went;

and an article I wrote about it once on a website called Dooyoo;

"At a loose end of what to do on a Saturday afternoon, my boyfriend and I (well I did anyway) thought it would be fun to try this place, it's a bit different and I really enjoy doing creative activities. So I dragged him along and we both had a really enjoyable afternoon.

Flying saucer's are a pottery cafe - as the name implies, however there was no actual pottery to be done, rather a collection of ready casted 'pieces' for you to choose and then paint, at a table while you sip on a coffee and nibble a muffin.

Flying saucers really stress the point that there really is no creative ability required and it is for all ages from 0-100 so it really is for anyone. Babies can do prints of their hands or feet for a lovely keepsake and the pieces make excellent gifts.

How it works ~

As you walk in you are greeted by the friendly staff of which there was only one or two but it's a small place so thats all they really needed. We were asked 'Are you here to paint?', after answering that yes we were she ran through that there was a standard 'studio fee' of £5, or £4 for children on all items which covered the glazing and firing charges for your finished piece, she then directed us to a large shelving unit for us to choose a ready-to-paint cast, the choice was very good here are some of the things included.

Models of dinosaurs, fairies sitting on toadstools and other various animals (great for kids)
Money boxes and piggy banks
plant pots
plates, mugs and bowls
Vases
Many other household items such as handheld mirror and hairbrushes and even a pasta dish!

All the items were individually priced but the mugs started at £9 and other items went up to about £30 depending on intricacy and size. The average price though for medium sized items was about between about £10-15.

So anyway, back to our experience - I chose a mirror (the mirror piece gets stuck in after firing) and my boyfriend (who was at this point decidedly uninspired) chose a basic shaped and sized mug.

The woman then came back at sat us down at a table and gave us what can only be described as a 'roulette' of ceramic paints (all with a coin of ceramic glued to the top showing you what the finished fired and glazed colour will look like, half the coin with a single coat, the other half with several coats to show you the difference in colour.) In the middle of this roulette were various sizes of brushes of seemingly decent quality from pinpoint thin to spread-on-the-paint thick. She also gave us a testing plate and told us that we could rough out our design in pencil first as this would burn away during firing. She then pointed out that at the front desk were more tools such as stamps, versions of the paint for writing with and an array of pottery design books to give inspiration.

Food ~ Do have lunch or breakfast before you go as what's on offer are really only refreshment such as muffins, hot chocolate, tea and coffee and you will lose track of time as you immerse yourself in your creation before suddenly realising you're starving!

The finished pieces ~ So anyway, we got down to painting the things and were in there for at least two hours but it felt like half an hour. His mug was all different pinks spelling out the name 'BARBARA' as a present for his mum. Mine was a weird patterned fantasy land mirror with my name swirling across the top and funny designs such as ribbons and an eye (don't ask me why.) We had two cups of tea and were very proud of our results.

The end ~
Tired from our hard afternoons work and with stiff necks from looking down at our pieces in deep concentration. We told the lady we'd finished and were then asked to paint our initials on the pieces so they could be quickly identified when we picked up (I didn't need to as my mirror had my name painted across the top of it.) We paid and were told we could collect any time after leaving 48 hours for glazing and firing (although you can arrange for them to post it out to you if for example you are visiting the city and are really unable to pick it up). Well anyway we went back a week later on the following Saturday with our receipt to pick up our masterpieces. I was given the mirror insert for my mirror but had to glue it in myself when I got home and that was that. A great time had by all.

What else do they offer?~

According to their website they also have a branch at certain centre parcs. The shop is also available for children's parties (although this could work out quite expensive and I'm not sure if they offer discounts or not) and even office team-building events or business meetings with a difference! Flying saucers offers a special deal on a tuesday where children can paint 10% off and the accompanying adult gets a free coffee.

Opening times ~

The Bristol branch is open every day from 11 and shuts at 6 except on Sundays when it shuts an hour early - although from my experience if you're already in there finishing up a painting when it shuts they won't kick you out for the sake of an extra 10-15 minutes finishing up time.

All in all I was really happy with the finished piece I got out of the experience which is precious to me and I hope will last for a really long time. I am also really happy with the experience itself as I really enjoyed myself and so did my boyfriend- I think this would be a great thing to do as a first date! "

And on Suuuuuuuuuuuuunday, my amazing friend Adele gave me my birthday present which she'd made herself out of old charity shop plates and candle sticks and I lovelovelove the home-made and recycled nature of it. It's SOOO shabby chic and gorgeous - I cant stop looking at it!

It is technically a cake stand but I'm going to use it for jewellery!

And yes, as you may have spotted in the background... that is one of the beautiful mirrors I was raving about by Fiona Harron, John obviously picked up on my, not-so-subtle hints!

Sweden a card and a rather hard bump to the head...

2010-02-25T19:53:00.007Z

So, I had a good time in Sweden. I went with my university so we were looking at lots of childcare settings - very interesting indeed. Unfortunately I had a little bit too much to drink on the last night and gave myself concussion! Arggggh, well I got to experience the swedish healthcare system at least...This is the first time I've really properly got to the computer since it happened as I've just been in bed reading, watching DVD's and making this for my wonderful tutor who had to stay with me;

If you don't think the card is lame enough you should of seen all the cheese I wrote inside! I meant every word though as she really was amazing.

Over and out.

Make a Mosiac

2010-02-13T21:35:00.012Z

I have had lots of fun creating this little mosaic using flickr. It was actually kind of a game I found out about on one of the blogs I read, the rules can be found here.

Here's the photo information (the fact that there are two by the same person/featuring the same girl, was a pure accident, I just liked the pictures and honestly didn't even realise until I'd finished the mosiac...how weird is that? and as I result I read a few of of her ramblings, took a liking to her, and discovered her blog!)

1. Cotton & Alice, 2. 064.365 ~ "I know, I know...It's simply awful like this. I know, I know...Noone EVER listens to the fish.", 3. I bought a ticket to the world (processed with free ACR / LR presets), 4. Call me! ♥, 5. Ripples at Sunrise, 6. Soap, 7. Dreamstone, 8. Day 196 - Copycat, 9. 146.365 ~ .she's electric.

Now I want to go smash up some tiles and plates and make a real mosaic! Eeeeeeeeee!

I ♥ lino

2010-02-12T13:12:00.007Z

Can you ACTUALLY believe it's nearly Valentines day already? It doesn't seem like Christmas was more than a week or two ago! My how time flies, it is also my birthday on the 17th and I will be in Sweden (not to celebrate my birthday but on a uni field trip.) So I am vair excited right now!

Well, I thought as it's Valentines day I'd share with you my recent experimentation with lino cuts; I bought the lino tile and lino knife just from an ordinary art shop, warmed it using a hairdryer before using a stanley knife to cut the section I wanted and then began to dig! I had great fun and I remember doing one in art at school - it was an african style giraffe picture. I may be able to find this somewhere in the recesses of my attic to show you at a later date.

I do realise this is a very simple design but I think it makes a great appliqué for a valentines card. I do still have some lino left so watch this space. I'm thinking of carving out some more elaborate, circus style lettering for my next batch of business cards.

Have a great Valentines day whatever you do!

Recycled Hairband

2010-02-07T17:18:00.006Z

Remember that Elemis bow I saved from christmas, well as I could not think of a more perfect way to not let it go to waste, I made it into a hairband! You can buy plain fabric hairbands in Hobby Craft for about one pound fifty and I literally just hot glued the ribbon on...Voila! If however you don't have a ready made bow fit for the job, and lets face it, you probably don't! You can make a very similar bow hairband from scratch as Mrs Priss has shown here, or make one of my fabric bows to stick on, I just love the fact that I've recycled!

Rows of Bows

2010-02-02T21:25:00.004Z

Hey crafty followers! Look, I've been playing with fimo again. I made some pretty bows which were so simple. I made them with pretty much the same concept as the fabric ones I showed you before. These are even easier though as they don't need so much folding and the clay doesn't have such a tendency to unfold itself! Instead, it very helpfully, stays exactly where it's put! I used a needle to prick tiny holes so they can be made into necklaces....

Like so;

What do you think?

A LOT of buttons and a quick dolly necklace (please ignore the hair...)

2010-01-21T18:26:00.007Z

Okay, any ideas of what to do with a ***** load of buttons - I keep collecting because they're just so pretty - and obviously, if you have a tin which says "buttons" on it...well, it's just necessary isn't it?

That out of the way, I wanted to share with you a necklace I made from some dolls house crockery - SO easy, I literally just hot glued on the teapot lid and strung on the necklace fitting (from good old Hobby Craft - Where else?) through the teapot handle.

....and here, if you can ignore for a second the desperately in need of a root job/cut/general brush, crazed barnet and also my pallid complexion and just look to the necklace - I give you, a photo of me modelling it!

I bought a whole pack of Dolly crockery, again from Hobby Craft... so expect more Doll's house jewellery themed M.A.D'S!

Strike a pose...

2010-01-17T11:36:00.008Z

Hello my little Mashuga nuts,

I have been vair busy with the old university working, but, have managed to fit in one guest post, over at Make and Takes - which I think you'll agree is an absolute gold mine for us crafty types. I also managed to fit in a little bit of framing of some magazine bits I've collected towards the 'wall of frame' - yes my elusive craft corner. It is nearly there but I can't show to you until it's perfect and I still have two more frames to fill - one of which is MASSIVE so I'm abit stuck as to how to fill it...By the way I totally understand why framers charge so much - NOT an easy job my friends, mounting and measuring and arrrrggghh! Anyway - when I think back to those hideous frames I picked up in good old Wot Not, I think I deserve some kind of prize for the new lease of life I've given them.

Vogue cover - This was the front cover of a special edition pull-out inside December's copy of Vogue - don't get me wrong I don't but Vogue every month - I actually think it's a little too heavy on the adverts. So really I just wanted that retro vogue pull out!

Jean Louis David - This is a French hairdressering chain, I have had the priveledge of a JLD haircut and have been besotted ever since, this is the cover of a promo mag my sister brought me back from Milan.

Prada - Okay I'm aware I'm starting to appear quite the label whore, I promise you I'm not. This was another promo mag but it has a faux leather effect cover (who could resist?) I spotted it in a store whilst busy pretending I could afford Prada in Vegas

Love to link

2010-01-09T10:46:00.004Z

image thanks to fiona Harron

The weekend is here and for many of us that means back to work...I am anyway! So take a tiny break and cheer yourselves up with these little tidbits on me;

Piddix is a great resource for all you scrapbookers out there!

This illustration challenge game looks like fun! Also, have a go at making your own handwriting into a font!

Also I ABSOLUTELY love these beautiful etched vintage mirrors - now there is a good artist - it was on my crimbo list but never mind, theres still my birthday...

And finally, ever tried to make a tower of cards only to breathe too hard and it all falls down? this man puts us all to shame!

Emily 'My Muse' Mews

2009-12-31T13:27:00.005Z

I have been compeletely and utterly inspired to draw this portrait of the gorgeous Emily Harper over at Emily Mews, I am just so inamoured by her 12 blog girls project for her dissertation that I just had to act on it. This is my portrait of Emily - in the style of, well, Emily. It was originally supposed to be my own style but it just kind of came out as an unintentional tribute. I guess I was just TOO inspired. I need to remember that commandment I think, the one about not having idols...

The Running Man, The Fish and the Paintpot

2009-12-28T11:50:00.015Z

Sounds like a good name for a pub!

Whilst I'm in Wales nestled cosily in the bosom of my family home. Ha!

I have spotted here and there, a few little things I've made over the years, I did hope to see some of my childhood salt dough creations adorning the christmas tree, but alas! they are no more. Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my past M.A.D's and the story behind them.

The running man

A school art project to convey movement and speed based on the Unique Forms of Continuity in Space sculpture by Umberto Boccioni. I rather think instead of conveying speed, he looks more like he's trudging through a snowstorm in slow motion but there ya go! Underneath all that plaster of paris and black and gold paint is a power ranger bought in a charity shop! Somewhere there are photos of the whole process but their wherabouts eludes me entirely.

The fish

A slightly more traditional creation, made from clay, colour-glazed then fired, I still remember making each individual scale! He's lost a fin or two and been repaired over the years, If you look closely you can see that big crack in his little fishy tail. Here he is a fish out of water beside Mydr (the stream running through my parents garden).

The paintpot

A little boredom project I remember doing; a glass jar decorated with stained glass window effect paints intended as a paintbrush holder, the idea was not to use the same colours next to each other which is why, despite my efforts to mix new shades, there are quite a lot of blank spaces! I think it adds to the overall effect though...

I'll let you know if I come across any more of my past M.A.D's dotted around my parents home!

Pretty paper, pretty ribbons...of blue (well all different colours really)

2009-12-27T12:52:00.003Z

Hello Magnolias!

Here are the bits I collected from mine (and a certain amount from other peoples...) christmas wrappings, watch out for them in future make and dos - that purple bow (from a box of Elemis goodies) is just crying out to be made into a sweet little hairband dontcha think?

I also managed to salvage some christmas cracker remnants and golden hats, love that glittery paisley pattern.

Any bits you managed to salvage from under your tree? Any you've already used in card-making or scrap-booking? Send it this way I love reading your feedback emails!

M.A.D Christmas

2009-12-24T12:39:00.007Z

Okay so I didn't make my own cards this year, mainly because I'm rubbish. Last year though, I did a very simple design; black card, folded, with a square of red or navy foam which I stuck a little green with white polka dots christmas tree to. There were simple but cute.

Even though I didn't make my own I did receive a few very cool M.A.D christmas cards, a few of my favourites were; one from my friend Adele, which was handmade with a photo of us on the front (a photo of us with balloons sellotaped to our heads being idiots no less)! if you're reading Adele - Love You! I also received a card from Alice Melvin which I was quite impressed by - it was a plain tree to decorate with little Alice Melvin stickers! and last but not least, a polar bear outline beautifully decorated with the scribbles of a little boy from my nursery! I'm sorry I don't have pictures of these but I'm currently iced in in the depths of West Wales far far away from my own house and christmas card collection.

Meanwhile I thank all my loyal followers for sticking with me in the process of setting up this blog. Wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, and remember, christmas is a great time to add to your card and general crafty resources collection - my 'mother in law to be' was kind enough to save for me a few glittery beaded leaves that came off her swanky set of crackers. Also high on the list are; chocolate tins, pretty napkins (I'll show you a M.A.D for these in the new year!) and of course reams of pretty ribbons, bows and wrapping paper from your copious amounts of prezzies!

Any hoo, any handmade cards or other crimbo make and do's - share share!

Merry Christmas!

Sweet tooth

2009-11-25T22:20:00.003Z

Okay so I went a little crazy, but it was SO worth it....

break up all the sweets and cookies into small chunks and spread them into a tin lined with grease-proof paper.

Melt the chocolate in a bowl over boiling water and pour over your 'chunks', refridgerate until you get....doorstop slabs of scrummy rocky road! (don't tell my dentist.)

Turn your chocolate craving into a make and do, and no, you don't need an excuse!

Children's face painting

2009-11-12T17:24:00.004Z

As some of you may remember, I did mention a week or so back about doing more children related crafts, anyway, more recentely than that my old friend and her daughter visited me, cue box of face paints. Here are the results, she asked for a butterfly;

This, my friends, is what I had to contend with...three colours! although for what they lacked in colour choice they most definately made up for in the addition of glitter gel!

Luckily, I was blessed with a subject who was beautifully patient and sat still for nearly forty minutes...you may not be so lucky.
I definately think my butterfly attempt beats the one on the box at least?

Magazine Coaster

2009-11-09T22:45:00.006Z

Hi Hi, and a Happy Monday to you! I thought I'd share something I made to go on my desk to stop me making mug rings all over my naaice uni books! Yeah, right; more like a procrastination technique to stop me having to do any actual uni WORK.

I know we all love scrap-crafts, so dig out an old magazine and flick through til you find a page which catches your eye.

I used an existing coaster as a template, but of course you can just measure it to the size and shape you want. Pick another piece of paper from your magazine and cut it slightly larger so it acts as a border or mounting paper if you like. Then mount the whole thing again on plain coloured card (I used black.)And then of course, my favourite bit; LAMINATE! Hey Presto! Your own scrap magazine coaster. Now to get back to WORK, safe in the knowledge that I'm not making rings all over it!

M.A.D cards

2009-11-06T20:01:00.006Z

As you can see, I've been having fun this evening making propaganda for this humble slice of the web. Check out my CUTE stamp set too, it's by a designer called Alice Melvin. She has drawn bunting, so I'm obviously already in love!

I can't wait to play with this set more. I am tempted by Christmas cards but I'm really can't do that to myself again. I made forty last year, yes forty. Which, by the way, is the number that makes cutting out little felt Christmas tree's hell!

Anyway, what do you think?

Love to Link

2009-11-04T20:52:00.006Z

Image thanks to Darwin Bell

Here goes guys, my first ever crafty links post!

Ever thought of using something a bit different as your artists medium? this guy has used pomegranate juice as ink with rather sucessful results. Tea bags are good too, I seem to remember using them to give paper that old effect.

Also I've been scouring the charity shops for the perfect old man shirt to try this out on for waaay too long now...

Not Martha has the brains behind making your own bath bombs, perfect if you're a fan of the shop Lush like me!

Also I've mentioned it before, but CraftFail is a seriously funny site. you'll never feel bad about trying and failing again, at the moment it has a good few halloween horrors and crying children to offer - oh dear...

And finally, does anyone remember this programme? I LOVED it as a child, where are they now I wonder?

Any thoughts? Links to share?

Have fun!

Folder Holder and 'How to make a bow'

2009-10-25T12:33:00.024Z

I made this to go on my desk to hold some of my uni bits, because, organisation is the answer, and I'm not good at organisation...so I find injecting a bit of pretty into something you're not good at always helps!

Heres how I did it;

Mark a line along the edge of a washing powder or cereal box. Then from this line up to each opposite top corner.

Before cutting using a craft knife.

Then paint the whole thing with a nice thick acrylic - obviously I felt bad painting over Snap, Crackle and Pop's excited little faces, but I quickly got over it.

Cut out a short length and a long length of material, I used the very scientific method of placing the edge I wanted to cover against the material and drawing round it! Always iron it first and stick on using good old craft mount.

Now for the bow attachment;

Take a piece of the same material, I didn't measure it but it was probably about 30cm by 40cm for those that need specifics - this doesn't really matter though as it can be any size you like. Iron it out.

fold inwards, like doors. Lengthways first...and iron again.

Then fold the short ends in. Iron.

Turn the fabric over and fold like this; make sure it goes so that there's an up fold at the centre and down folds at the top and bottom of the bow, I used a kirby grip to hold these folds in place.

Wind some white cotton round and knot before removing the kirby.

To make the centre strut just take a small strip of the same fabric and fold in lengthways and (yes, you've guessed it.) Iron...I'm sure this is this most ironing I've done in years!Wrap it round and make a few stitches before cutting away the excess and sewing round the exposed edge (don't worry you won't see this bit.)
Et voila...

To attach it to your folder holder use a hot glue gun or some strong glue. You could also use these bows to attach to hair clips or Alice bands if you want to use them to jazz up something a bit dull or give it a new lease of life.

But who is this creature with terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws?

2009-10-11T20:14:00.006+01:00

image thanks to mossgreenchildrensbooks.co.uk

I'd like to start doing more children related crafts, face-painting, egg box beauties and the like. So, on that note, I give you;

My Gruffalo!

I made him originally to take to interviews as a kind of "look what I can do" type of thing. Then, when I got my job in my current Nursery, he was up on the wall for a while, until he kept falling down and I took him home. Whilst he was up though - the kids loved him and constantly wanted to read the story.

The Butterfly effect

2009-10-10T20:01:00.011+01:00

Just a little one. I made this cute little butterfly picture. It's to add to my craft corner area - which I think may be ready to unveil within the next month! I finally got my desk! it's a second hand mahogany, but, I can't bring myself to spray it silver - its too beautiful.

Went a little crazy on frames (these I did spray silver) as I want the craft corner to have a 'wall of frame'...stay with me, it will work...I hope.

The one I used is bottom right, one up. Check out the dodgy egyptian papyrus'!. Only one of these frames has been filled so far, but isn't it just darling? I love an excuse to buy pretty coloured card! Once again though I can't take full credit, see the Prisster for the real inspiration

Love canvas

2009-10-08T21:21:00.015+01:00

It was mine and John's anniversary on September the 16th, and he bought me, a canvas. When I say canvas I mean a blank one, the artist shop kind, sealed in its packet, on it's own. Last of the true romantics...as you can imagine I was a little confused, perhaps it was some kind of profound statement? "Our love is a blank canvas...?" "Yes that's it! that's what I meant!" John hastily agreed.

"So our love is a blank canvas? which I alone need to inject all the colour and life and passion into?"

"Oh actually no...", he says, I didn't mean that"

Basically, he forgot, and his workplace is situated conveniently close to a Gardiner Haskins, which he ran into after work, the night before, and followed this exact thought process;

'Something she'd like.....

Not too expensive....

Tools?....no......

quick,quick.

DIY....no....

Kitchenware....no.

Art!

Oh this'll do, time to go.'

But I had to forgive him in the end, as he did have a BEAUTIFUL big bunch of flowers delivered to my workplace, and I also got champagne (well sparkling wine...) and a lovely meal out.

My flowers:
My 'love' canvas:

I used texture paste to build up the initial heart border (it takes a while to dry).
I then used pearlescent liquid acrylic as an all over wash, using various orange coloured standard acrylics and gold ink to highlight on top.

Because I can't say it with words...I give you, a card

2009-10-02T20:26:00.010+01:00

Cards can say so many things; Thank-you, Congratulations, Happy birthday - and of course, I love you. They are important things too, most people would be quite upset if they didn't recieve a Birthday card from a close friend or relative. So why is it that I ALWAYS either forget, or, leave it til the last minute?

Well it's lucky that, despite this (somewhat scatty) tendency, I have an absolutely humungous collection of crafty paraphanalia in order to make one with!

Oh and of course it's nicer to recieve a made card, with real love in it (as opposed to simply words of love). I know I would appreciate it more, as would, I think, most of the people I know.

Anyway, get to the point I hear you cry, well I made this card for the same friend who received the necklace as a present. It was so easy, and so beautiful in its own simplicity, that I thought I'd share it with you.
I used that natural fibre paper which you may have seen me use before, some decorative butterfly clips and some flower decorations. So simple I barely need to explain, but I will anyway.

I folded out a rectangle of the natural fibre paper and scored it with my nail to make the folds really tightly creased.

I then used these lines to rip along, creating a relatively straight line but with those fluffy torn off edges rather than neat straight lines from using scissors.

finally, I arranged the flowers on top of the natural fibre paper to create the look I wanted and then pushed a butterfly clip through the centre of each flower and secured on the other side. These clips now act as both decoration and a means of securing it.

By any other name, would smell as sweet?

2009-09-28T21:27:00.015+01:00

Remember those flowers I made? well I FINALLY managed to get round to putting them onto a necklace. et voila;

Here's how I did it
Have you ever seen those chain cutting stations in B and Q? Well the chain is from one of them - which by the way is a lot of fun to use (not that i'm advocating playing with it of course!) and only a couple of quid a metre depending on your choice of chain.

First I clipped six strands of chain of equal length and grouped them into two piles of three.

Unclip the last link on one strand and use it to connect the other two on before bending the link back together. Repeat this for the second pile except for adding a jewellery clip aswell as the other two strands.

I then cut a long ribbon of fabric from the leftovers of the shirt I made the flowers from and wound this in and out of the middle strand of chain securing it at either end with a knot.

The other end of each set of three strands can now be stitched onto the end of the flower decoration, do this either side linking the three strands together using your stitches.

I made two of these, one for myself (naturellement) and one I gave as a gift for a friends birthday.

Be inspired

Alice

Half Finished projects Heaven

2009-09-24T19:33:00.004+01:00

image thanks to CosmoPolitician

Well, I am aware that it has been over a week since my last post. I am sorry, please don't stop reading, there is definately more to come. In fact I'm practically drowning in half finished projects over here - so please keep checking! I've also done plenty I could submit to Craftfail if I were that way inclined but I'm just too proud.

Dutty Rock - I promise It's got nothing to do with Sean Paul

2009-09-13T22:48:00.008+01:00

Just wanted to share, I found the coolest little shop the other day. It's called Dutty, they had some really funky clothes and accessories all designed by local designers. The way it works is basically on a sell or return basis. If you're in the Bristol area (it's in Stokes Croft opposite Jesters comedy club) it's a really worthwhile thing to do - if you're creatively minded and can turn your hand to a craft or two! I'm seriously considering it myself. Obviously you have to be good and show an example of your work - so that's if they accept me! Then, if they like your stuff they ask to start with an initial ten pieces as a trial. I love how they emphasize on reuse and recycle, so I'm off down to CLIC for more ugly granny shirt fabric!

Anyway, on to my finds! I bought some sweet little hair clips with buttons on and a really gorgeous floral shirt-dress which I was informed was designed by one of their youngest designers.

Even if you don't fancy making anything for them - it's very reasonably priced and you can almost certainly pick up a unique one-off item of clothing or jewellery to make you stand out on the high street.

Oh yeah, and of course, they're on facebook - check it out!

Alice

x

M.A.D Mummy

2009-09-12T13:40:00.014+01:00

My mum makes quilts, very beautiful quilts. I'm not trying to sell them for her or anything because a) she makes them VERY slowly, and b) She makes them primarily for friends and family. I just wanted to share because I'm proud. Here is one she made for me;

The fabric is not Cath Kidston but I think it has that kind of vintage feel, I chose some of the fabrics myself but mostly they were leftovers from an almost twin quilt which she made for my younger sister.

It is full bed size which is great, but I don't really use it on my bed as it doesn't (yet) go with my colour scheme. I say yet because I have some paisley green Cath Kidston wallpaper just waiting to adorn my bedroom and compliment this quilt perfectly.

When I asked her permission to post this, she wasn't too happy at being referred to as mad, therefore I will just remind you all, as I did her, that its not mad, it is M.A.D (Make and Do).

Alice

I'll bring you flowers...

2009-09-09T07:24:00.008+01:00

Once again I have been inspired by the almighty Mrs Priss! Check out these beautiful flowers I made from recycled jewelerey and a very ugly shirt from cancer research (sorry if you are the previous owner.) In the words of Kate Nash "...you can grow flowers from where dirt used to be."

I wouldn't call them easy to make but they are very simple, and I really had so much fun with them, I am going to put them on a necklace when I can find some suitable chains for the purpose. Go here for Mrs Priss' wonderful tutorial on how to make them.

I may even make my corsages and bouquet for my wedding now!

I was inspired

Alice

Festival Fimo

2009-09-06T01:22:00.004+01:00

Can you spot my Fimo creation (see Fun with Fimo) on a Fun, Funky, Festival-goers, Forearm (how much alliteration can we squeeze out of one statement?)

Alice

It's all coming together...

2009-09-02T19:10:00.006+01:00

Image thanks to Living with Lindsay

If anyone has been reading since the beginning then you may remember me mentioning about my craft corner. Well it is beginning to take shape, and I'm very excited about it - not least by my Cath Kidston, Laura Ashley and Liberty fabric BUNTING yes, that's what I said, Bunting! that I bought at the weekend.

I'm still missing that antique desk to spray silver though...I need to find it soon because the suspense of my half finished craft corner is killing me!

Other than the bunting, one other thing that is to be a feature of this infamous craft corner is my decorative lettering, I bought some cardboard letters for 99p each in creativity and jazzed them up a bit.

The 'A' and 'L' are both done in sticky back plastic from B and Q (blue peter eat your heart out) Then the 'I' is from an old clinique promo wash bag which I totally massacred and used a seam down the middle and some of the lining to create a fringed edge. The 'C' is literally just sprayed silver and the 'E' is Cath Kidston print cut out of one of their catalogues. Can you tell I love Cath Kidston yet?

Be Inspired

Alice

Oooooh Love to Laminate baby

2009-08-25T20:41:00.010+01:00

Okay, I totally admit it, I'm ADDICTED to laminating. I work in childcare, so yes its a useful addiction to have but an addiction all the same. I bought my laminator quite cheaply about 6 months ago and its been really useful, I have actually used it A LOT.

So anyway, my point, if you're forgetful and unorganised as I am (and I believe all you artistic minded people are) why not make yourself a wipe-clean message board! I literally just cut out lettering from my junk mail and rubbish (only felt a teeny bit like a stalker) stuck it onto plain A4 and laminated it. Hey presto!

I made one for my room at work ;

Loved it so much I made one for home too!

Seriously they're great - and I'm not just trying to find stuff to laminate...and did you know, you have to be over 17 to buy a laminator? Yes I got ID'ed - oh the shame.

Be inspired,

Alice

A Present for Mutti

2009-08-15T15:29:00.012+01:00

I was looking through archives of frugality on one of my favourite blogs; Mrs Priss and came across a beautiful little pressie box she's made for her mum, I thought I'd give it a go;

I used a commercial box and covered it;

Downloadable labels from creature comforts which I decorated with the help of sticky silver glue and sakura pens these pens are rather expensive but very cool - I especially like the souffle and gelly roll range;

And to go inside...I made my own little gift certificate (a promise to treat her to a spa day) I do hope she appreciates the personal touch;

I was inspired,

Alice

x

Fun with Fimo

2009-08-12T22:06:00.004+01:00

Fimo, or as I tend to term it, to those who ask me what it is; ‘adult’s plasticine’, I remember using it when I was really quite young though. My dad used to make all sorts of amazing little knick knacks which I would of course attempt to imitate (I have always been in awe of his artistic talents).

Anyway, six months ago, when I got promoted to room leader at my nursery, I made a few changes to the way things were done (I’ll spare you the gory details) but basically this involved us having a clipboard each.

Now whenever I need to buy something out of necessity, regardless of what it may be, I want it to be unique and niche (therefore usually expensive) and very pretty. I find internet shopping a great tool to achieve this and so set to work to find the prettiest clipboards out there – only I didn’t really have much luck with this apart from coming across a few scrapbook clipboards people had made.

So that’s where Fimo comes in, it just suddenly popped into my head when I imagined what a clipboard with a decorative plaque on it would look like.

Fimo is so easy to use, sometimes you have to work it with your hands for a while to make it suitably malleable but they’ve brought out a ‘soft’ version since my childhood days of modelling with my dad so there’s really not that much effort involved – only pure artistic flair!

When you’ve finished your masterpiece just pop it in the oven for around half an hour at just over 100 ◦C .

After my plaques were complete I used the power of araldite to adhere them to plain plastic clipboards (I also found it helped to rough up the surface a little first using sandpaper, or if you don’t have any, a nail file!)

The clipboards went down a storm and I have since made more for new members of staff, and staff who have left take them with them when they go.

There are many beautiful (and complex) beads to be created using fimo. However, you can make really cool marble effect beads quickly and easily by simply squishing two colours together – and using a knitting needle to create the thread hole.

Let me know if you try any Fimo creations, I’d love to see pictures!

Be inspired,

Alice
x

The beginning of M.A.D

2009-08-12T17:32:00.001+01:00

Welcome to M.A.D, my name is Alice.

Well here goes,
the beginning of my very own craft blog, among my first posts will be; the joys of FIMO and, if I ever get it together, obtaining a very sexy desk to spray silver is paramount! - my craft corner! I hope I can also bring to life many creative projects for you to try.

Tata for now

Alice
x

M.A.D

An Ode to Pop

Mural-ity

Belated Christmas Post and my love of Glastonbury Village

Marylin Pompkoe

The girl with the Ginger hair

*** First MAD Giveaway! ***

Stained glass window card, cookies and apple crumble fail

Inner Child

Home is where the heart is...or should be

Cute as a button

Down at craft corner

A REAL charity shop

Baby Love

My Other Mummy...

Nanny M.A.D

Childhood in Crisis?

Flopbag

My Birthday... which was like, 12 days ago now!

Sweden a card and a rather hard bump to the head...

Make a Mosiac

I ♥ lino

Recycled Hairband

Rows of Bows

A LOT of buttons and a quick dolly necklace (please ignore the hair...)

Strike a pose...

Love to link

Emily 'My Muse' Mews

The Running Man, The Fish and the Paintpot

Pretty paper, pretty ribbons...of blue (well all different colours really)

M.A.D Christmas

Sweet tooth

Children's face painting

Magazine Coaster

M.A.D cards

Love to Link

Folder Holder and 'How to make a bow'

But who is this creature with terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws?

The Butterfly effect

Love canvas

Because I can't say it with words...I give you, a card

By any other name, would smell as sweet?

Half Finished projects Heaven

Dutty Rock - I promise It's got nothing to do with Sean Paul

M.A.D Mummy

I'll bring you flowers...

Festival Fimo

It's all coming together...

Oooooh Love to Laminate baby

A Present for Mutti

Fun with Fimo

The beginning of M.A.D

* First MAD Giveaway! *