The Artistic Sloth Design Team member baby!

 Hi guys!, 

I am aware it has been an age since I posted anything on my Blog, but I was falling short on things to post...

Not any more!

 This post came about after I became friends with a lovely lady on Facebook. Her name is Trudie. She has a long line of crafty bragging rights, including Papercrafter of the Year 2017.

This very talented lady has branched out into designing her own digi-stamps. Trudie reached out to her friends and followers on Facebook to establish a design team, to work with her amazing images, and help her promote her new Etsy store. I applied for the chance but was unsuccessful. I still joined her fan page, and enjoyed looking through all the samples that her new team had been putting together. Another friend of mine did make the design team, and I knew from seeing that, that the bar had been set high. My friend is uber talented when it comes to crafting and colouring with alcohol markers. I was pleased for her, but a little disappointed that I didn't make it onto the team.

You see one of my dreams in life is to make it onto a design team. Now that might sound sad to some, but I live a simple life really, I have brought up my two daughters, and been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia...Besides the odd course here and there, I've not really achieved anything else in life, and the whole deal for me wanting to make it onto a design team is so that I can finally feel like I'm good at something other than being a mum-which I love with all my heart.

 I have lived in the shadow of fellow family members; often being put down and told I wasn't good enough. All these things build up in us, and begin to obliterate any kind of confidence and self-esteem that we ever had. 

Anyway...

My friend shared a status, saying that she was giving up crafting and selling all her stash. This also meant she was leaving any and all design teams.

The following day I received a PM from Trudie, asking if I was still interested in being on her design team.

I read the message, then clicked onto something else, all the while convincing myself that I had read the message wrong, and thought I'd give myself a good few minutes before going back to read the message again. 

When the invite finally sunk in, I messaged Trudie back, saying that I would be delighted and honored to be a member on her team. She was pleased and asked me for my email details so that she could add me to the relevant admin groups and send me my watermark. While all this occurred, I finally let it sink in and turned into a giddy teenager, trapped in a middle-aged woman's body!

I hooked up the printer and printed out Zombielocks

I then looked at her and panicked!

I had NEVER made a card or project for a DT and I then started to get anxious that my work would not be good enough, I started questioning myself...but I made a start regardless.

I was convinced that the Boss lady would take one look at my card and give me the 'Thanks but no thanks' spiel. 

Before I could talk myself out of it, I uploaded the card to our private group and wrote a small note saying not to alarm anyone, but this card was my first ever design team piece.

                                                           this was my finished card...My very first (ever) DT piece.

I printed her onto Neenah Classic Crest cardstock and coloured her with my new, complete collection, of Spectrum Noir alcohol markers (an anniversary present from my husband)

I created the background using stamps, distress techniques and mixed in some die-cuts; inking it all up to look grungy with Memento Tuxedo Black. 

I created the sentiment freehand style and coloured to match Zombielock's top. I also added a black and white gingham strip of ribbon, that I finished with a bow.

it turned out all my fears were unfounded, and my work was met with lovely appraisal. 

Go check out The Artistic Sloth's store on Etsy

to see Zombielocks, and many other amazing designs by Trudie.

Thanks for stopping by

XOXO

It Only Takes A Miniature...To Fall In Love

Ok, I sense a new direction for my blog...

 

In my last post, I told of the tale where I got my first Dolls House. I regaled about how it was the one that I had wanted, and that I have well and truly fallen in love with it.

 

What no-one told me was how addictive this all is...This wondrous world of tiny things!

 

Nor did anyone tell me that these houses seam to multiply when you're not looking!

 

LOL

 

I went from having my one -what I considered to be- large 3 storey Victorian shop, to having said Victorian shop, a four floor Edwardian townhouse AND an Edwardian Mansion!

 

ALL IN THE SPACE OF 3 WEEKS!

 

 

These should keep me busy for a while.

 

 

I asked my daughters if they would like to decorate a room each and they both jumped at the chance...So three houses became four!

 

I bought them a smaller house so they'd have more to do.

My oldest daughter has really surprised me, as she doesn't usually join in with craft stuff but she has also found a love for making small things, which warms my heart, as we now sit and do things together.

 

So this post is just to let you know where I am with this Blog, and the direction I want to take it.

 

There will be posts about my progress in restoring them, as well as video tutorials via YouTube, on making miniatures 

 

XOXO

 

 

Wait a Miniature Take Two

Wait a Miniature, Take Two

Hey guys, I got a new laptop and video editing software, so I'm hoping to be able to get more tutorial done, one various mediums.

I'm currently revisiting and adding to my Wait a Miniature post from a few months ago.

the reason why? this baby!

I've wanted a dolls house for ages! But I've never been able to afford to buy a really decent one.

I've asked to be considered for a few on free-cycle, but was never a lucky recipient.

I had given up on being able to get one if I'm honest.

So I haven't made anything in miniature for a good few months, up until Monday just gone.

I had woken up on that morning, and received a phone call from my Mum.

it kind a went like this:

me: Eyup, what's wrong?

(this is my usual greeting for her, it's said with love)

Mum: Are you still wanting a dolls house to do up?

Me: ermm...YEAH!

Mum: Well get your arse up here to Bernaodo's...it will need some work as it's in a bad way

Me: give me five minutes!

I have never got dressed so fast in my life!

As we pulled up outside of the store I saw it and got even more ecstatic, as it was same as one I had fallen in love with on Ebay..

within the first 24 hours of owning it I restored it to this point

(see picture below)

 

I still have a way to go, but I don't think I've made too shabby a start.

If you want to follow my progress throughout this restoration, then please feel free to add me to your favourites.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Summer Surprises

 

hi guys, I thought I'd drop in to say...

 

MY CARD IS GOING IN A CRAFT MAGAZINE!

 

AND NOT JUST ONE, BUT TWO!

 

I recently made a few cards, and shared them on various social media platforms. I one was to share a summer themed card, over on

 

Quick Cards Made Easy 

 

I recently got a set of Chameleon Pens, free when I subscribed to another magazine, and used them along with Dovecraft 6x6 paper essentials, the Twirlies Stamp set that my sister designed (see my older post for more details, and the story of how they came to be) using the stamp based on my late Nannan Hilda, sat sunning herself in a deckchair.

 

I layered various colours of the paper essentials, to create a beach scene, using the tearing of paper away from you, to create a white, ragged edge, known as a white river edge. I used my Chameleons to colour in my Nan, and to add detail to the sand, sea and sky; I also created a palm tree by cutting out the shape of a palm tree, and cutting the frons of the leaves by repeatedly cutting into the leaves, to make them frilly.

I'm pretty sure it will be featured in issue no. 166

 

I also drew out a rough looking sand castle and a somewhat questionable little crab!

 

I posted this card on Quick Cards' Facebook page on a tread where they had asked it's readers to share their summer themed cards and I thought why not?

 

I didn't really think much of it from there, but was surprised when I logged on to a message from them, saying the had picked out my card, along with a select few others, that they wanted to feature in their Readers Feature.

 

Now I know this isn't a big deal to most of you out there, but to me it really is!

 

So imagine both my surprise and Delight when I came home last week to another magazine messaging me, asking if they could use some pictures I had sent into them via messenger, in the readers letter page!

 

So this one came about after I sent A couple of pictures in of cards that I had made using a set of free stamps and embossing folder, that came with Aprils issue of

Papercraft Essentials magazine.

 

I have recently re-discovered my love of stamping and colouring, and after seeing their very cute Safari themed free gift, I decided I NEEDED them.

 

So long story short, I made a few cards using them, and sent in the pictures, to show how I'd used them, and how I had been buzzing with ideas of how to use them.

 

 

 

 

These two will be featured in Papercraft Essentials issue no.147

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Love Lindsi

 

xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chama-Chama-Chama-Chama-Chama-Chameleon...on a budget

Hi guys,

 

it's been a while again, I am working on trying to get my head in the game

today I have a tutorial on how to have a bash at making your own chameleon pens.

I do have some proper chameleons on order, that came as a free gift for subscribing to Making Cards magazine...yep, you read that right! the set of 22 pens.

 

here's the link if you're interested in taking up this offer yourself

 

https://www.hobbies-and-crafts.co.uk/card-making

 

This is a really good offer, and a really good, cost effective way of getting our hands on them. Plus you also get the bonus of all the magazines delivered to your door, with any of that months free gifts on the front.

 

I cannot wait for mine to arrive.

 

I'm not sponsored or been paid to say this...just so you know

 

Anyway...

 

I decided to try this, as I had subscribed, but was worried I wouldn't get on with the system.

 

I now have promakers, spectrum noirs, and touch five alcohol markers, and I tried this technique with all three sorts, with successful results across the board.

 

 

 

 

the tutorial show you exactly how I coloured this image

 

 

 

                                       and this was the finished card I made using:

 

Image:

Bently Bear and friends; puppy

 

                                                               Promarkers:

                                                                   caramel 

fushia pink

herb green

blender pen

 

papers:

craft sensations pastels paper pad

 

Rose ribbon: The Works

 

Paula Pascal greetings stamp

 

Pink diamanté stickers:

poundland

 

thanks for stopping by.

 

XOXO



 

 

Wait a Miniature

 Hey guys, I know it has been a while again, and I'm hoping to resolve this.

I have always been fascinated by anything miniature.

Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved all things small.

I used to love Barbie's, as most young girls did, and would sit making doll sized food for mine, mainly from a similar substance as play dough.

As I grew up, the joy I found in a tiny world got lost for a while, as real life held most of my attention.

Back in July this year, I under went a total hysterectomy, and found myself bored during my recovery. So as usual, I turned to my good friend YouTube to fill in the dull hours.

I cannot tell you what I was watching on there, but it was something to do with polymer clay.

I soon became obsessed with the likes of Sugar Charm Shop, Akameru Kawaii, The Nerdy Crafter and Maive Ferrando.

 

Watching them create these tiny food items, and other fantastic creations, left me in Awe. Their creations could only be classed as tiny pieces of art.

 

As the weeks of my recovery passed, I decided to have a go myself, and purchased a few items via ebay to get me started.

 

My first creations were very basic, and my food item skills need 'polishing' but I'm hoping to improve as time passes.

 

These four ladies awoke the memories from my childhood, and instilled a new fired up passion for anything miniature.

 

I'm now three months post op, recovered well, and now happy to call myself a miniaturist-is that even a word or term?-

 

 

 

 

 

 

So this all leads me to this post...To introduce you all to my new love of life, and hopefully maybe even convert a few people into the wonderful mini life.

 

These were my first attempts at polymer clay miniature food. I would like to think I've improved somewhat.

 (French baguette, Christmas cake and various doughnuts.)


 
 





Mince Pies and Pizza










making these few pieces only increased my appetite, and I started building up my collection of clay tools. I even fashioned my oven small clay oven.
 




I couldn't stop making things, and I loved every minute of it

 

 

 

 

Then I started thinking bigger!

I bought lollypop (popsickle) sticks, in Jumbo, regular and skinny varieties.

I started making my own miniature furniture.  





My first attempt was my attempt at making a full, miniature, Christmas dinner.


There really was no hope for me then, I was hooked, and started wanting to make little scenes.

I knew straight away that I wanted to do some kind of wizard scene, but that seemed too big of a task to start with.

So I decided on a little Autumnal scene, you know, a pumpkin, apples, a nice picnic blanket in shades of red, green and gold.

 I pictured it in my head, with a stack of books...

I also wanted to incorporate a chair I started to make...but the scene didn't work.

One odd chair at a picnic?

It wouldn't do, so then I started thinking of a little corner of a room, and I ran with it.


I was so pleased with the results of my efforts.












My mum took one look at it, and fell in love, so it now resides in her house, along with the whole bakery items, that also, inevitably, became it's own kind of scene.

 

After finishing the autumn scene, I decided to take the plunge, and start my wizard'y world.



I am exceptionally proud of this piece.


I spent about 20 hours working on all the little bits and pieces, as well as the whole structure.

 

So, this is where I'm at. I have a new passion, that will last me a lifetime,

 

thanks for stopping by, and please check out the links to the four fabulous youtuber's. You won't be disappointed.

 

I'm also going to be doing tutorials of the things I make, so don't forget to stop by, and give my channel a like, and subscribe.

 

XOXO

 

Inky Fingers

 

Hey all, been a while again...I know...I SUCK! lol.

 

Ok, so todays post is based on making your own ink pad storage.

 

 

I decided to make this today, following a really good sort out of the cove, which was seriously over due...Not even pigs would want to wallow around on my desk, as it was this morning!

 

 

I will refrain from showing you the before and after pictures...I do not want that evidence, of my messy nature out there, for all and sundry to see.

 

 

Ok, so let me get started in showing you how I made my ink pad storage.

 

 

Things you'll need:

A narrow, strong, carboard box, that is slightly wider than your ink pads.

Extra, strong, clean cardboard for shelves

A good, strong glue; I used both acrylic, and hot glue.

Some lovely background papers of your choice, or you can just paint your unit.

 

 

 

I've had the box from one of those 'satnav' holders, from Poundworld, stuck on a shelf for a while now, as I have an aversion to throwing good cardboard away, when I know I can make something useful with it. So I decided to make use of it, seeing as it was kind of the perfect size for my, somewhat small, collection of ink pads.

 

 

 

I started off by sticking down any and all tabs that were on the box

 

 

I used Dovecraft Clear Acrylic Glue for this step, but you could use your own preference of glue.

 

 

 

Once they had dried and stuck well, I took one of my larger craft/Stanley knives and carefully cut away the front side of the box

 

 

I may have carried on a little bit too much and nicked my finger...OUCH...please don't do that!

 

Once I had removed the front, I cut about an extra 1cm from the depth of the box, making it the perfect size for my ink pads.

 

 

Once This was done, I then chose some papers to cover it with.

 

 

 

 

 

Once the box was covered, I started making the internal shelves. This was done by taking the front piece, that had been discarded, and cutting it to the depth of the storage part. This was then used as a template for the shelves.

 

 

For the shelves, I took some, un-creased, clean cardboard, and drew around my template, adding 3cm at either side, to allow for the shelf depth, making sure I was working with the lines within the cardboard. This adds stability to the finished product.

 

 

 

 

 

Once done, you should have something that looks like this...

 

 

Carefully score the line with the craft knife, being careful not to go all the way though it.

 

 

Check that your shelf fits, with the two flappy parts facing downwards. See below.

 

 

Also check that your ink pad fits, trim the shelve if needed to fit.

 

Once you are happy with the fit, cut out more shelves in the same way, to fill your storage space.

 

 

Apply hot glue to the sides of your main unit, and stick your shelves in place, lining up the flaps of each shelve, to allow you the correct depth for your ink pads to sit.

 

 

When all this is done, you should wind up with a usable storage unit like the one below.

 

 

As I left the top flap on my unit, it meant I could pierce a new hole through the top, allowing me to hang my unit up, to help save space.

 

 

This was the unit hanging from one of my shelf fronts.

 

 

Of course you don't have to hang it, it should be completely free standing as displayed below.

 

 

And that's it...Easy, right? You can adapt this unit to house a multitude of lovely crafty stash.

 

 

Well, I will TRY and not leave it so long before I post again.

 

I hope you enjoyed this little DIY post, and that you will give this, or something similar a go yourself.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

XOXO