Tuesday 30 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.274)

I started with a patchwork plan this morning but has turned into something a bit more random. It is a useful pocket pouch for glasses perhaps, I'm sure I'll find something to live in there.

Monday 29 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.273)

If left alone my garden explodes into a chaotic wilderness at this time of year, so today I've been out there with the lawn mower and the secateurs. To uncover the bricks around the firepit and flower beds, and find the wild strawberries among the dandelions. In honour of those lovely but intrusive plants I made a Dandelion boat.

Sunday 28 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.272)

Another thing I feel I want to improve is my typography, I have a naturally artistic scrawl but I struggle to write larger or more flamboyant for signs. Today I played with sketching different fonts, I particularly like the second and the last ones. My sketches have been modified in Gimp to give it the chalkboard look, though I do enjoy the pencil. The quote is a fisherman's prayer which has a lovely feel to it.

Saturday 27 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.271)

I had so much fun with the watercolours yesterday I decided to have another go. They lend themselves so well to creating water that I focused on the reflection of a boat.

Friday 26 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.270)

Happy Friday. After my big tidy up in the studio I found even more things I hadn't used before. So today I delved into a lovely wooden box with tubes of watercolour paints and a blending solution. My painting today is a little abstract but has quite a lot of character. I built up layers of colour before blending them for a subtle background, then added a touch of detail to the top later.

Thursday 25 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.269)

Four bags of fabric, a suitcase of magazines and plenty of rubbish all gone from my home and my life. :) It's almost safe to say my house is tidy, but not quite... As its spring we have started getting a veg box again and today's arrived with a yummy pineapple, with the addition of a melon and some plums the Fruit Cocktail boat was born.

Wednesday 24 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.268)

It's been such a long day today, I had the urge last night to gut the studio and reorganize the chaos. So that's what I did, I got rid of the oversized, ridiculously heavy desk (which got adopted from the front garden in less than an hour.) Swapped it for a much more manageable trestle table and then played my favourite game! Studio Tetris, which begins with furniture and ends with buttons and beads.
I threw in an Art Attack boat for good measure too, made from some of the random stuff that doesn't have a home just yet.

Tuesday 23 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.267)

I set myself a challenge this morning to make myself a boat inspired dress using a plain black tee-shirt and a badly-fitted dress with holes in.

Actually I am pretty amazed at what I achieved in 4 hours, I thought about it long and hard and managed to pretty much recreate my musings. Most of the detail went into the back which has been woven into a sort of rigging effect, the front has been  french-braided to look a bit like sails and backed with some soft white material. It's oh so subtle in the amount of Boatiness but the inspiration is there. 



Monday 22 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.266)

Taz let me play with her face today, and her 120 colour eye-shadow palette which was pretty fun. I'm getting very inspired by avant garde fashions, incorporating my boats into wearable art.





Sunday 21 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.265)

100 days! 

I can't believe I've got this far, it's been a rollercoaster of a ride but I've learnt so much about my craft and myself. I've learnt that my creativity is boundless, new ideas spring up all over the place, my inspiration comes from sounds and movements aswell as textures and colours. I've come to realize that I have the ability to set myself a task and complete it within a small time frame and that there is always time for creativity!

Today's boat is a statement ring, I found my inspiration for this listening to a singer called Delilah I watched a live performance and she was wearing some spectacular jewellery. So this was made with her in mind.

Saturday 20 April 2013

A Boat A Day (no.264)

There are 28 layers of photographs in todays composition, I had a play with drawing in water, which is pretty hard as it last for seconds.

Friday 19 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.263)


Seen as I have only 102 days left I thought it was about time I start taking step to improve some of my finishes, namely my photography. After the fun I had with the Photobooth props yesterday I decided to make myself a mask.

I have used just about everything on this boat, from eyelets and zips, to chiffon, bamboo skewers and string. It's wild and wacky but I love it :)



Thursday 18 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.262)

Today I have been making photobooth props for the wedding as I think they are a necessary part of the fun! We have used mounting board as it's stronger than card but we don't have the facilities to make wooden ones. It's moustaches, hats and glasses all over the place here. Now that I've got them I wonder how I've gone so long without props, I'm going to be appearing at parties and markets with "Luna and Taz's bag of Props!"

I managed to find a bit of time to make a "Boat Tash" in the same way, (it's upside down if you can't see the boat.) I painted it black and added a stick then got everyone to pose for me.

There are endless photo opportunities with making your own props. We are going for a standard theme of bowler hats and handlebars, with a bit of the odd Game of Thrones inspired props. We're thinking of knight's helmets and crowns, perhaps a raven for the shoulder. You could make viking hats and animal ears, giant glasses and whatever your imagination throws out there. 

Wednesday 17 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.261)

I have been making Dreamcatchers for as long as I can remember, I remember winning one at the fair in Gloucester which came with a little scroll with the origin and meaning behind dreamcatchers. I can also remember making them with my mum's friend with willow and strips of leather soaked in water, which is a traditional method. Since then I've loved challenging myself with different sizes and shapes. 

My latest wedding decoration is mini dreamcatchers (which will be featured in a blog on DIYweddingdiary shortly.)
I have used the basic method to create today's boat, which is very dinky and delicate. I think I'll attach some feathers and hang it in the window. 

Dreamcatchers are a native American tradition, a charm or talisman for protection and good dreams. It is a loose web adorned with sacred beads and feathers, the dreams are caught in the web, the bad trapped until morning while the good ones are allowed through to slide down the feathers and onto the sleeper. 

Tuesday 16 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.260)

Number 260! wow, in 5 days time I will be just 100 days away from the end of my year, and what a year it has been!
Yesterday I prepped a canvas with strips of fabric, lace and string, I created a boat and sea in vague relief which was the foundation of todays boat. It has loads of layers and textures built up with oil paints, coarse texture gel and iridescent medium, the beauty of working with oils is the continual blending and building up of tones. Of course it takes about a week to dry so I'll be finding somewhere safe to put it so the cat doesn't walk all over it.
I had a lot of fun with this project, it's not usually something I do but Taz was playing around with a canvas and I can't resist getting messy!

Monday 15 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.259)

Today's boat is a two-parter. I have prepared a canvas with strips of fabric, lace and tiny threads and mushed it all down with gesso, tomorrow I'll be painting and adding more texture but I quite like the blank shabby look.

Sunday 14 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.258)

It's been one of those antsy days, I always have trouble with Sundays because I work right in the middle of the day. So this morning after floating around for an hour or so I randomly decided to strip the curtains and sofa cushions in my living room and wash them all! Now my house is tidy I am ready to go crazy with some sewing and crafting this week. For today's boat I've just done a simple cut-out of gold card, it's nice to make something with just two items, card and scissors, instead of my usual bomb of creative mess.

Saturday 13 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.257)

It's been a nice calm evening of origami star folding and listening to music, (and lots of tea.) I am making lots of stars for a wedding decoration idea I will be trying out on Monday, but it's late now so the boat isn't quite as full as it could be.
I discovered the Great British Sewing Bee this morning and am suitably inspired to do some sewing, we'll see if it last the weekend but perhaps there will be some more textiles boats on the horizon. :)

Friday 12 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.256)

I've had a little break from making things today, I just used my boat as a chance to test out a simple wedding bell, (an Irish tradition to send off the married couple instead of confetti.) I am going to be drying petals for confetti but I thought this would be nice too, and they look pretty. This one has a ridiculous bead boat on the top which of course wont be on the others. I might make some fimo initials for the top instead as I think there should be something there. It still jingles prettily and sits happily in my plant pot.

Thursday 11 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.255)

So as you might have heard me mention a couple of times this week I have been requested to make the decorations and favours for my sister's summer wedding. It is to be hosted in a beautiful renovated barn just outside my hometown, and she's going for a sort of fantasy fae/natural theme. Which of course puts me right in my element as far as inspiration goes. However, this has got to be the most I've ever thought about a wedding, let alone researching ideas and taking more than a cursory interest in all things girly.
Having said that, I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge. I am considering setting up a new page dedicated to my DIY wedding, as I'm sure there are hundreds of people out there who are looking to do similar things, and of course, it will be a great resource for when I, someday take the dive too! 

Anyway so today I had a go at making a jewellery bouquet, (I will share how I did this and the end result in my new wedding diary.) I decided to repeat the process into some sort of Boat, which isn't too disimilar from my crazy bling boat from last week but never mind :) I'm a little bit glue-gun happy at the moment. 

Wednesday 10 April 2013

A boat a Day (no.254)

Another day of butterfly making today, cut a few paper roses too though they still need to be assembled. Today's boat is made from scrap cardboard and decoupaged with scrap paper.

Tuesday 9 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.253)

Paper butterflies for wedding decorations. 
Today I've been making votive jars and decorations for my sisters wedding. It's been a lot of fun working on things bit by bit without any pressure, and even more fun making simply elegant things out of household junk.
These butterflies are made from recycled magazines, old plastic beads and some wire from my jewellery stash. I recreated the process for todays boat, it's a bit random but I like different.
Recycled Magazine boats.

Monday 8 April 2013

Boat a Day (no.252)

I've been trying to make a rollercoaster boat today, but my computer doesn't seem to like it all that much so the result is a little wanting. You will probably want to turn your sound off! I had fun making it despite multiple attempts.

Sunday 7 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.251)

Another ink boat today, I think I need a new quill but I do love playing with ink. It's slowly getting warmer here so it will be time for some outdoor adventures again soon, maybe I will take my inks with me. :)

Saturday 6 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.250)

Been a late night tonight so my Boat is a little on the side of tomorrow, but I haven't slept yet so it doesn't count :P
I drew todays boat in ink inside a little tiny notebook I made and gave to my friend for his birthday, just a little thing today.
Anyway it is late so goodnight!

Friday 5 April 2013

A Boat A Day (no.249)

A Boat a Day no.249
Finally I found time to make a t-shirt! This isn't dry yet so tomorrow I will iron it to affix the design and make it into something a bit more exciting than an oversized tee. This is made with a combination of fabric pastels, fabric paint and dimension fabric paint so the end result will be interesting. I wish I could remember to check the affixing method before I do it as typically they require different techniques. But I'm sure it'll be fine :)
The little black smudge at the bottom is from the infamously helpful Tormund Giantsbane who didn't even have the decency to leave a whole paw print behind after stepping in the wet paint! Perhaps I'll make it into a very long anchor or something tomorrow.

Thursday 4 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.248)

Sage, Oregano and Thyme have gone into today's boat (and my tummy) I'm not sure if herbs = spring or spring = herbs, but either way I love fresh herbs and it feels spring/summery despite the grey day.

Wednesday 3 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.247)

For today's boat I took the a few minutes to glance around my studio and find some inspiration. I found a glue gun, lots of bling and an old tobacco tin... my magpie mind took over and after not very long I had created this intense jumble of shiny, glitzy, glittery madness. The most girliest thing I have ever seen let alone made, and not something I would ordinarily do, but then that is the point.

Tuesday 2 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.246)

Things are slowly settling into their normal positions now and I can start thinking about being creative again. I have had my toughest challenge yet juggling my Boat a Day and the Easter Artisan market, but I made it through. Now I'm getting to the last stretch of the year and I've used up most of my simple ideas and definitely most of my 'lazy day' boats so things are going to have to become a bit more creative and a probably a bit more demanding on my time. The next thing I am working towards is the Easter Arts Trail, which will serve as a 365 exhibition, (it happens two weeks before I finish so should be a fairly good point to showcase my boats!) I am planning on turning my house into a boat as much as possible!

Today's boat is a little chalk drawing on the street outside, I think I'll do this again on the Arts Trail to let people know they are in the right place.

Monday 1 April 2013

A Boat a Day (no.245)

For weeks I have been seeing this shadow play on my wall, it looks like a kracken rearing up over a ship at port. I have played with the contrast to exaggerate the silhouette but that is all.