Ways to get creative.

The sweetest cow in the world.

At this time of the year, as the nights are getting lighter, there is a renewed spring in my step.  Okay, basically I needed a little inspiration.  The only way to find this inspiration is to go walking.  Yes, I know. Can be hardwork, muddy, wet, cold and tiring.  But on a day like today it's amazing what you can see, hear and touch.

Spot the pheasant

For those of you who don't know me, my husband and I are 'Geocachers'.  Type that into Google and see what come up.  Basically, it is treasure hunting for adults.  Children also have great fun seeking out small boxes, film canisters and animal tags.  With the aid of a GPS (Global positioning system) gadget you seek out this treasure and then write your name in a log book.  The box may or may not contain treasure; small toys, special coins, dog tags attached to objects.  These things can be swapped by yourselves. This morning, after a very hard frost, we set out to Northamptonshire to complete a caching quest that has taken us nearly two years to complete.   Over 26 caches some of which are made up of 5 or 6 parts.  This final part of the series took us to a lovely little village where they have fields full of reeds. The reeds are the hidey holes for pheasant.    It was a fabulous walk and we did manage to achieve our final quest.  We've now completed 1216 cache finds.

Candy floss pink and baby blue.

Anyway, back to the story.  When your out your mind tends to wander and WHAM! an idea suddenly pops into the brain box.   Always carry a note book with you.  By the time I get home I've usually forgotten the brilliance of my idea.  I was once told that if you're ever stuck for a colour scheme or an idea in terms of shape and texture look to nature.  I've done the walk, come home with ideas and now I'm off to get creative.  You'll have to wait and see with what though.  

In, round, through and off...

It occurs to me that I haven't actually given you any background information about me.  Well, not so much about me but where my love of everything crafty came from.  Here is part 1.
In the beginning was Granny Dand was always knitting on thin needles creating the most beautiful knitted  lace items.  And my mum unravelling old jumpers, making them up into skeins, washing them and then reknitting them into larger sized cardigans for us.  And we think recycling is a modern invention.
I think my earliest memory is my mum trying to teach me to knit during an episode of Coronation Street, with those tiny plastic knitting needles that came in all sorts of odd colours; green, pink, and blue.  I don't every remember it being difficult.  Mind you, in those days most girls learnt needlework at school.  I think I was about nine when started knitting a grey school scarf.  Don't ever remember finishing it though.
Then there was Mrs Foulds, bless her.  The best needlework teacher ever, who was so impressed by my red needlecord dress with brass buttons that I was sent to show the headmaster.  I still have the buttons.
Every girls should keep the first real item they have ever created and been really proud of.  Well, I needed a new outfit to start work.  And so appeared this wonderful tan orange skirt, bolero and matching belt with fab tortoise shell buckle.  To top it all off a brown, wide ribbed polo neck jumper.  And yes, I still have that too.

And now the fourth generation of knitters is with us.   Helen knits by the book.  Tension is perfect and her determination to tackle some of the most difficult patterns is admirable.  So too is her patience.

Being the magpie I am this brilliant Patons pattern book is in my safe keeping.  I'm sure I can arrange a loan.
Why not try a new skill.  Pick up those needles and start clicking.

How gorgeous is my new studio?

Sorry folks, but I just have to tell you have lovely my new studio is.  Okay, so the blind isn't yet up and the mirror wardrobe doors aren't yet back in place and, oh yes, my desk, formally known as my large dressing table, hasn't been moved into the newly decorated studio.  But I am so happy with the results.
Do you remember those days when you were little and you wanted everything just so; pretty and sparkling well take a look.  I have always loved the Laura Ashley papers and in fact most of the house is out of the Laura Ashley catalogue dating back thousands of years.  So I went for a feature wall of the cerise toile paper.  The one with pretty pastoral pictures on with nymphs and shepherds, cherubs and windmills.  Every picture tells a tale.  Well this paper certainly does but it just such fun.
To add to my indulgences I went for a beautiful three tiered, small, crystal shade.  It sparkles, it glitters, it throws out random  shafts of light onto the ceiling.  Basically, it is beautiful.  And with the sale at Laura Ashley was reduced by 40%.  Wow.
The blind was probably the most expensive item.  Well, this is a 1960's house and has ridiculously large windows.  You can never buy off the self as they are just a few centimetres too big.  Infact  this window was to large for a roman blind, my first choice hence the roller blind but that's find.  I may even get some crystals to shimmer on the bottom of the blind.  Just for effect of course.
The wicker chair was a bargain in the local Age Concern shop and cost me just £15.  It looks 1950's ish and by the time I have given it a  brush of white paint and sewn a new cushion it will be fabulous.
I also have an old chipboard table which I may try out some decoupage on but that is a long way down the list.

Now, I have to discipline myself to actually getting down to business and producing something for the forth coming craft fairs and on my shops.  Then there are the craft parties for children and adults.  And checking out all the other superb artisans out there.  But that for another day.    Let me know what you think.  I can take criticism, honest.

Another mini-adventure.

I don't know whether I'm scared or just plain excited.  Here is my first of many blogs for Blossom Button.  I've pressed buttons and changed things around.  And now for the important thing.  FOLLOWERS!

I've come across some brilliant blogs and I will endeavour to learn from example.  For now, get ready to find out more about me and my business venture.  Come with me on this new journey.

Target: 50 followers by the end of 2011.