Sunday 21 September 2014

Blogland Tour

I have been nominated by my daughter Clare to take part in the Blogland Tour.  A tour of some of the fun and creative blogs across the internet and what a wonderful way to start back after my break. She rather put me on the spot actually and gave me a kick up the proverbial backside!!!

If you haven't been over to Clare's blog yet you are definitely in for a treat.  Her work is stunning. Drawing, painting, doodles, crochet, stitching and most recently very intricate paper cuts like the one below.


She can turn her hand to anything and always produces an amazing result.  Of course I may be just a tinsy winsy bit biased!! So why not take a look for yourself and make up your own mind, you wont be disappointed.  I'll leave you with a coloured pencil drawing Clare did recently of Molly our cat, who is sadly no longer with us.


Ok! To take part in the Blogland Tour I have to answer four questions and then nominate a blog to take part, in order for the tour to continue,  So here goes with the questions first.

What am I working on?

At this moment in time I am creating Dorset Buttons.  From time to time I teach crochet and craft workshops and during October I have two coming up, one at a really gorgeous wool shop called Spin A Yarn in a nearby village.  Usually Dorset Buttons are created using fairly thin thread but this time I am using dk cotton on a larger ring to enable them to be used as brooches or shawl clips.  This is proving far trickier than I first thought!  Here are a few of the smaller ones I have created in the past. They measure about 1.5" diameter but the one I'm working on at the moment is nearer 2.5" and the ring is fatter.  Which I think is the cause of my problems!


Later this year I will post a tutorial on how to make Dorset Buttons and you should then be able to see the outcome of the larger ones.

I am also returning to my patchwork and quilting workshop this week (not teaching this one, just learning!) but here are a few of the blocks I worked on last time.



How does my work differ from others of my genre?

Hmmm? this is a difficult one!  I'm not very good at 'playing' with creations.  I like to learn a new skill and achieve a finished article all in one, so I produce something useful.  I think I'm more of a practical crafter than a creative crafter!

Why do I write/create what I do?

I love the challenge and how each piece presents its own dilema!

How does my writing/creative process work?

I think we are back to the challenge again here!  I see something I like and think "I could make that". Then I start working out how to achieve it. If I need to learn something new in the process, even better!  For instance, I used to make jewellery and fancied crocheting with wire.  I couldn't crochet so I learnt how to do it, now I'm hooked on crochet!

You can find out more about the little elephant in the picture by visiting a previous post Maisy the Elephant.

Moving on now to the blog I would like to nominate to take part in The Blogland Tour.

I have recently come across Itsamistry Design Studio.  I was browsing through the blogs on Handmade Monday when this cheerful picture of an elephant caught my eye.


I was instantly drawn to Itsamistry's use of colour and after having a wonderful nose around her blog realised this was a major part of her work.  Why don't you pop over and pay her a visit too - go on, you know you want to!

Well thank you all for reading my first post in a while! I hope you enjoy the blogs I have introduced you to.  It's lovely to be back and I'm really looking forward to taking part in Handmade Monday and catching up with what everyone has been up to.


28 comments:

  1. Such a lovely post, your so right it is so great to find out a little about the person behind the blog! You are obviously a very talented family. Your Dorset buttons are lovely. My mum learnt how to make them last year but ended up finding them far too fiddly, I shall suggest bigger rings to her! Xx

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    1. They are a little fiddly I must admit, but quite a good project to do in front of the TV or when on the move :)

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  2. This is a great idea! Never heard of Blogtour before. Great to have you back.

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  3. Wow! I think you have ever right to be biased; Clare's work is incredible! Such sensitivity in both pieces.
    You Dorset buttons are great, I'd never heard of Dorset buttons before.

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    1. Thank you, Clare's work is very intricate. I hadn't heard about Dorset buttons until recently. I am learning as I go along :)

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  4. Gosh, how wonderful is the cat drawing Clare is very clever. Your Dorset buttons are nice, must have a go at those! Being creative must run in your family!

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    1. I can't draw for toffee! Clare gets that from her dad Lol!

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  5. The drawing of the cat is amazing you can literally see each hair - in fact when I first saw it I thought it was a photograph. Gosh thank you for the introduction and the blogland tour connection, I'll try my best to answer all the questions. Have a lovely week. Anita

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    1. It is a very detailed drawing. Clare has so much patience. Enjoy your Blogland Tour :)

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  6. It is smashing to see you back in Blogland. I am trying to get back into the swing of things too. Your daughters 'work' and her Blog are amazing. How clever are you to have such talented offspring? Now Dorset buttons? I could easily get sidetracked by those! And chicken patchwork! You are spoiling me now. xx

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    1. Lovely to hear from you too :) It is good to be back. Glad I've been able to inspire you :)

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  7. It's wonderful to see your back. I have been wondering where you had got to. I hope your well on the road to recovery now. Your daughter's work is beautiful. Her paper cutting is so intricate, she must be so patient. You've obviously passed on your crafty talents, the buttons are lovely and the quilt designs looks fab. I hope you have a great time at your class.
    Ali xx

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    1. Thank you so much for your good wishes and lovely comments, Clare will be so pleased but she has far exceeded my creative talents now!!! I'll let you know how the quilting class goes in the weeks to come :)

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  8. Lovely to see what you have been up to. Those little Dorset buttons are beautiful, I have a vague recollection of my Nan making something a bit like them. I'll be interested to see if you make them in the same way when you share the tutorial.

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    1. Thank you, Dorset Buttons can be a little addictive :)

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  9. Very interesting to see so many different craft styles. This always sends me off in a new direction. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. I never knew Clare was your daughter, what a talented family! Her work is beautiful, i always enjoy visiting her posts :)

    Aww its so nice to see Maisy the elephant again, you are so good at crochet, i'm glad you found it, or it found you! Its lovely to see you on HM again too :) x

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    1. It's lovely to be back and wonderful to see so many familiar faces. Clare's drawing skills come from her dad, drawing is not my strong point I'm afraid lol! :)

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  11. Those Dorset buttons are amazing, I shall look forward to your tutorial later in the year.

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  12. Good to see you back, well done xxx

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  13. Wow, what gorgeous creations! I especially love the bunny button and adorable hen blocks x

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  14. The illustration of your beautiful cat is amazing, what a talented daughter. Our last cat went to Rainbow Bridge earlier this year, they leave such a big hole in your heart. I bought a Dorset button kit at Yarndale last year, confess I haven't made them yet! Thank you for visiting and kind comment on my blog. Yes, Helmsley Walled Garden is an amazing place.
    Carol xx

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    1. Your welcome :) I have put Yarndale in my diary for next year. It looks like it is an amazing event.

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I really appreciate all the lovely comments you leave so thank you for taking precious time to do this.