Monday 7 May 2012

Outside, Inside...

You may have noticed that this blog has been a bit on the quiet side...or perhaps not.

I wanted to start the fresh chat with some of the most gorgeous pictures, which will lift your spirits just seeing them. I met photographer Lucinda Withinshaw at a craft fair and was blown away by her work. 

Who knew rusty nails and peeling paint were so beautiful?
Lucinda's photos are so beautiful, crisp and bright, they really make you want to go outside and see things with fresh eyes. 

http://lucindawithinshaw.co.uk/

I will be at the Gardening Scotland fair in Ingliston, as will Lucinda, from June 1st for three days, hope to see you there....

Friday 15 July 2011

Crayon Creative

Carved Crayons


Pootleing about on facebook, I came accross these amazing crayon creations by Pete Goldlust.  I wanted to share them as I think they are amazing.  Take some time to admire the details...

More info featured in this blog:http://babyology.com.au/

Thursday 30 June 2011

Cradle to Cradle Design

My Studio!
Recently, Blockart have been trying to address it's environmental policy.  This is what we have come up with:

Blockart started business using MDF blocks to mount our art work on.  However we have sourced a new and environmentally friendy wood fibre board.  The wood is sourced from forest waste, residue from timber mills and recycled pine. The production site has zero carbon emissions. During manufacture, organic dyes are added.  The fibre board is classified E1 (very low formaldehyde) and has been approved by the British Standards Association for the safe use in the manufacture of children's toys.

Blockart packs all it's products in recycled brown gift boxes and these are wrapped in recycled brown paper.  All the blocks are packed in recycled crinkley paper to keep the block safe through the post.

In our studio, Blockart recycles all paper, plastic, tin and glass.  We even compost our tea bags and fruit peelings and cores!

We still have some areas to make improvement to, and are always looking for the most environmentally sound alternative for our processes.

Recently we were introduced to the concept of Cradle-to-Cradle design, which essentially asks how the product 'becomes' and then how the product 'ends', and can we reduce the waste produced by the product at any point.

This is a lengthy process and we will be updating this blog with more information on our Cradle to Cradle initiatives.

If you have any ideas about how we can become more 'green', please let us know!

Thanks to Dotty hearts community for their guidance.

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Get rid of the fluff - navel art is here!


A navel contour jigsaw


Digital pictures

As you know, I love to find local crafters and artists to mention on this blog.  Here I am in complete awe of artist Julie Read, who graduated from Fine Art and who's works have been displayed in group and solo exhibitions around the world, and public and corporate bodies; such as the National Library of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, International Portrait Gallery in Tuzia, Bosnia, and Karelian State Museum Permanent Collection, Russia.   Julie has now decided to turn her attention to portraits, but unusual ones! 
How to get the images!

Using casting methods to capture the gradients of your tummy button, Julie then creates digital images, and also 3D jigsaws.

I love the final images and the fact that the pictures are very personal but can be displayed anywhere.  A lovely gift for your mum or from children.  Definately on my wish list.

Find Julie here:
http://www.diddle-iddle-iddle.com/

https://www.facebook.com/diddleiddleiddle

Monday 20 June 2011

Frightened Rabbit

Grant and Scott
Frightened Rabbit.  Weird name, brilliant band, amazing sound, stupendous live.  And also my cousins.  Which kind of makes me cool...

Monday 13 June 2011

Are you green with envy yet?

When you finish reading this you will be green with envy.  Fir tree green!  I have bought my advent caleder - but not just any old calender.  This is an heirloom, a tradition in the making, mornings by the fire, fights at breakfast over who gets to look in the pocket...
Hand made to last a lifetime

These advent calenders are hand sewn by Sasha McMillan who designs and makes felt and fabric decorations, bunting, garlands and patchwork quilts.  Infact, Sasha recently won a prize for her quilting, which you can see on her blog, Cold Comfort Crafts.
Incredibly detailed decorations


Mine has the red numbers

Last years

Excited!  Yes I am!
 Each pocket houses a decoration and every day you pick one from the appropriate pocket and the tree becomes more and more decorated!  Sasha also mentions that the pockets are large enough to accomodate a sweetie too, so it will suit everyone in my house!
What detail....

I know Christmas is far away, but if you take a look at Sasha's great blog, then you will notice that she does all kinds of amazing quilts, personalised ones for new babies, groovy toddler ones - and of course, if you are suffering from Advent Calender Envy (and I know you are!) then get your order in quick!!!

You can contact Sasha through her brilliant blog:  http://coldcomfortcrafts.wordpress.com/

Sunday 5 June 2011

Competition Winner


Random photo of two ragamuffins

And the winner is.......Northern Mum!

"Daddy I cant believe my brain."

with love from Monkey Molly age 5

I wimped out from choosing the winner as they were all so cute/funny/and just plain bizarro!  So, picked at random out of a sock...

For those of you who entered the competition, thank you so much, it was a privilege to read your lovely quotes and comments.

If you do want a block made with your quote I will give all entrants a whopping 25% off  and free postage, (spend £15 instead of £22.49)....I know, I will never win the apprentice, but I wanted to make you all a block!! Just drop me a mail.