Monday 28 December 2009

Ready for another year

Well I've survived part one of the silly season, but despite 4 days off work I've not got around to doing anything crafty, so I figured I'd better start.

The Cubby Hole is closed until next week, but we have a new project - "A year in the life of..." The idea is to keep a record of our lives in 2010, using whatever format we like. There's no rules; it can be monthly, weekly (yeah, right) or just random entries when something happens. I haven't decided what I'll do with mine, other than use an 8x8 journal, I'll probably just make it up as I go along and what better to start with than the front page? I have to admit that now it's finished I'm not too sure about the lettering. I think it was better without it, but it's too late now.

Happy new year.

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Still here

Well, Midwinter's gone, Christmas is all sorted (or as much as it's going to be) so it's back to normal crafting now.

This is for my future daughter in law's birthday.

Wednesday 16 December 2009

The last festive card


At long last the card making frenzy has drawn to a close (until I realise I've forgotten somebody). Most of the cards are made in batches; cut, stick, sign, repeat - but a few have been one-off's for family. Unfortunately I forgot to get pictures of them before sending, but managed to remember this time. This is for a friend who's had a rough few weeks and needs a bit of cheering up.

Tuesday 15 December 2009

Angelic

Well, the Midwinter & Christmas cards are nearly finished, just a couple more production line ones to finish, and a last 'one-off'. Most are already winging their way to the recipients, and the rest will be gone by Friday. I haven't blogged any as I forgot to take pictures before sealing them - oops!
Saturday was the day to receive our Circle Journals back after nearly a year. Unfortunately mine was one of two that hadn't been handed in so I'm still waiting, but if the others are anything to go by it will be worth the extra few days wait.
Whilst I was at the Cubby Hole on Saturday I spotted a stamp with a quote about angels and instantly thought of a couple of people who would like the sentiment so bought it. I managed to find an angel image to go with it and after playing with photo paper, ink and water came up with these tags/bookmarks.

P.S. For those who are concerned that this is a bit 'cute'; please don't adjust your blogs, normal service will be resumed shortly.

Sunday 6 December 2009

Is it crafting?

or is it art?

I've been making Midwinter & Christmas cards this weekend. You know the drill; find an image, print it, mount it, fold a card, fix it in place, repeat until bored. Well, after making a few today I got bored and decided to have a play.
I dug out the journal I started last week at the Cubby Hole, turned to a blank page and started playing with distress inks and sticky fingers, finishing up with a greeny-blue swirly background surrounded by a black border. A quick rummage through my stash and I came up with some stamps and bits of envelope. They are salvages from ebay, from crafty stuff I've been sent and from friends, which brought to mind the saying "it's a small world" and the lightbulb went on - greeny blue surrounded by black? ....of course! Some sticking and staining, and a bit of lettering (still a scary process) and hey presto - a journal page.
Which brings me back to the title of this post. Is is craft, or is it art?
Like many of the people who's blogs I follow I consider myself a crafter. When I cut up a piece of wood and re-assemble it as a trinket box it's crafting (even when I decorate it), the same when I string beads together to make a necklace, or when I sit and assemble a Christmas or birthday card.
But this is different. In the same way that I stick bits together to make a card, I stuck bits together to make this, but it doesn't feel like crafting. Boxes and jewellery are functional. The card has a purpose, to convey a wish or a greeting. Even my scrapbook pages have a purpose, to capture memories in substance. This was made just for the sake of making it, for enjoyment. So it must be art. Or is it?
Answers on a postcard to "Confused of Crewe"