Hot and Spicy

That was the ATC challenge... 


We drew the names of OPI nail-polishes out of a hat, and gave ourselves freedom to interpret that name into whichever idea we so desired. There were some good choices; Metallic Skies, Strawberry Fields, Greenwich Village.... and I managed to pull out 'Hot and Spicy'. Those of you who know me may well laugh. Because that is not in my wildest dreams how I would describe anything about me, what I like, what I create, what I could even IMAGINE! And now I had to try and imagine just that..... I had to go and have a nap. And a shower. My! But it was a great chance to just push yourself a bit...


I decided early on that I didn't want to go down the 'obvious and safe' route; and to be honest, I am sick to death of kitschy little crafts covered in decoupaged chilli peppers.... (apologies if that's your thing. I just eat them.)


But lets face it. Hot and Spicy sort of says 'sexy', doesn't it? And that is something I'm just not very... well, let's just say I am generally a private sort of person. Not prude (hello - mum of four!), but with my generous covering of very fair skin it is just not fair to inflict some pictures on an unsuspecting public. So I don't. ;) 


And I prefer a 'classy' sort of sexy. Librarians in pearls and twin-sets with horn rimmed glasses and a cheeky look....? Anything with Audrey Hepburn in it is a good place to start...  So I got to thinking of the old style 'pin-up' girls. After doing a bit of googling, I found some lovely ones. Even ones that are painting or knitting! But they are all so thin.... and most creative people I know just don't have the time to be that, well, thin ;)  Some have good genes, others are mind-bogglingly disciplined (though not many!) but the rest of us (well, certainly me!) value our creative sanity and pursue it, to the detriment of a smaller dress size. It is what it is. 


If you can't imagine how excited I was to find Hilda, then stick around... Check out the link for more about Duane Bryers and his work. Suffice to say, Hilda is a gorgeous, real pin-up woman. She is comfortable in her skin, and - something I was particularly pleased to discover, a red-head :) I love the way her 'sexy' underwear are long-johns (I am a lover of winter pjs myself. Must the the English/Scottish heritage), and that she is usually in everyday situations - I hope most of us wash our long-johns from time to time ;) If you take the time to check out the link above or google her pictures, she is often found in a range of refreshingly human situations. Just love her! I also added the film strip tape/ribbon (ah, Tim Holtz, why do I have a limited income and you keep bring new stuff out?) to give it a very slight touch of risqué. Candid photography? (Please, if you are a Python fan, make yourself known!!)


So, to make a really long story short: I used a 12x12 card-stock sheet; gesso, crackle medium, glitter, ink, stamps, floral ribbon, brads, Hilda images (covered and cracked with glossy accents, which, btw, curls in the humidity!) and some divine Tim Holtz film-strip ribbon. Et viola... or something.


I hope you like them. I'd like to have as much fun as Hilda looks like she is having.

Does my big butt make my big butt look big?

Hold your breath and you might weigh less? It worked for Horton, right?

My daughter wants to know why she collects firewood sans clothes.... I  said it was probably a hot day.... cause we all need to lite the fire on a hot day....!

LOVE the strip!

Next month, we are choosing a country of our choice. Seriously? Was that singular?

Better Start Clapping, ('cause I don't really believe in fairies...)

That's right, Peter Pan. I prefer Terry Jones and Brian Froud's fairies...

Any -hoo, I have completed my first project for 2012! Yay me! If you knew me, you would understand that this is a big deal; generally, I put the 'pro' in 'procrastinate'. THIS year, I am going to try and use up more of my stash (the stuff you've been buying and hoarding, can't bare to use and so on - I am looking at you crafters out there....) and CREATE more. My theory is this: if I don't start, I won't end up anywhere. I need to use the time I have while the kids are little and I have the (relative) freedom of being at home, to create. Who knows where it will lead to, but at least I won't be in the same place in 5 years time. By which time my youngest will be at school and hopefully I will start to feel a bit more human.... That's the way it works, doesn't it??

And I saw this picture. It encouraged me, so I am sharing it. (Swiped off Pinterest. Loooove Pinterest. My happy place.)

And so I started. Another Kaisercraft off the page-er. When I saw them put out this set of drawers, I couldn't help but think of my daughter. It's so made for little girls. And of course, it would bring pleasure to us both if I got to make it and she got to play with it ;)  

I used Graphic 45 paper, which is another LOVE of mine, inks, acrylic paints, copic markers, kindy glitz, flowers, ribbons, sequins and rhinestones (why not eh?).

I was pleased with the way it came out - I usually like things more 'my-style', but I had to make it appeal to a seven year old who would actually use it, so it couldn't be too OTT. Que sera.

Count Your Blessings

Name them one - by - one!

My friend just had her third little princess to add to their collection of children. And to add to her babushka collection, I made her a shadow box frame. I love babushkas.....

Clearly I wasn't paying attention to having it lined up. Hmm.

These three little babushkinas are hand made, stitched and stuffed, and glued mercilessly to the kit-set frame, which was also mercilessly dealt with... glue, distress paints, inks. I believe if one does not end the day covered in ink or paint, it probably hasn't been a very good day. 

Shadow Boxes

This was the first shadow box I made. I designed and taught it at a scrapbook shop.

The idea was a 'lady' (which we all are.... hmmm) is invited to another engagement, life is rough. And her biggest problem - as with many of us, I am sure! is what to wear. So we enter... her dressing room.

(And historical purists - sorry to upset you, but I don't really care if the clothes and furniture etc are from different periods! If it's pretty - it goes!)

Sheets of acetate create 'windows', like a display at a museum, as we look into a dressing room of the past.

I wanted to show her 'dilemma' in an almost Alison in Wonderland form - she clearly has enough blouses, and they spin around her, adding to her distress.

And on the back, she is serene, collected and calm, ready to leave. Well, that's the idea.

Precious Gifts

I mean babies! But I did make this box as a gift for a dear friend when her little girl was born. She was truly a miracle!

It is made out of a shadow box, using papers, ribbons, buttons etc with acrylic paint, modge podge etc.

I really enjoyed making this one.

Birth Album

Another Kaiser Craft album - so easy to use, and the size meant it was quick to make. Well, quick for me - I usually take aaaaaaages. I am working on that too... So many areas with room for improvement ;)

This was made for my niece's birth.

Our Little Mermaid.... Wannabe

I have as many requests for Thomas Cakes as I do for anything with Ariel on it - every year she is planning her next cake...! This was for her fifth birthday, a few years back now....

I made this one - easiest version I could do at the time, with ready to roll fondant icing. My rule of thumb - the time spent creating cakes should always be REASONABLY proportional to the amount time that will be spent consuming them. Three weeks on a kids birthday cake for the 'perfect' Ariel is just ridiculous. Unless you are a genius with sugar paste and it is your passion. Mine, it is not!

Unless   So she could have done with some rhinoplasty , but I was a bit over her by the end! I really should have started with a plan... we live and learn? Well, I haven't much YET, but I do live in HOPE. Maybe next year?