First Ever Artist Trading Card

Over at UK Handmade, Kella of Creative Wishes has set up an ATC Swap group. The 1st swap is now underway and the theme is Trees. Here's what I've come up with. I'm pretty satisfied with it for a first attempt and I hugely enjoyed the process of thinking up what to make. I am looking forward to it as an opportunity to learn lots of new techniques and to experiment within the limits of the form. If you want to get involved then pop over to UK Handmade and sign up to the ATC swap group - swaps are going to be taking place every month.

A Large To Do List..

I don't expect anyone to read this post really. It's mostly just a reminder to myself of the stuff that I've signed up for/volunteered for over the next few weeks... First, and of most interest to you, dear reader, is the Great Big Etsy Midlanders Giveaway Competition. I can't tell you just how Big and how Great this giveaway is going to be. Put Sunday in your diary and get ready to sign up for the 1st round of prizes. Over at UKHandmade I'm taking part in their 1st ever Artist Trading Card swap. I had no idea what ATCs were (learning all the time!) but as soon as I had a look at some of the ATC groups on Flickr I had to sign up. Just take a look at some of the brilliant work in the Fabric and Textile ATC group. Our 1st theme is Trees - and my 1st ever ATC is just about complete - I'm looking forward to seeing what other people have made, especially as some of my favourite crafters have also signed up. I've also signed up for Claire's Pin Cushion swap. As I've really got an enthusiasm for pin cushions at the moment (a brilliant opportunity to mix crochet and fabric), this hopefully isn't going to be too stressful. Just to make this a less tedious list of stuff I have to do - here's a pic of one of my recent pin repositories. Finally I've just this minute decided to take part in Kitschy Coo's Design-It-Yourself Clothes Sew-Along. The group is using Cal Patch's book, Design-It Yourself Clothes, which is an introduction to making your own patterns. I bought it last week but definitely need some motivation at having a go - so here's the kick up the arse that I need. My dream is to own a pair of trousers that fit... But we are starting simple with the skirt. As I appear to only have 10 days, I better get ON....

UK Handmade Winter 2009

I'm rushing around trying to get everything ready before I go off on a bit of pre-Christmas partying in London tomorrow, so I haven't had much time for posting. But I'd really like to point people in the direction of new winter edition of the fantastic online magazine for UK Handmade. The editors' mission statement begins:

"UK Handmade is a design led online magazine committed to showcasing and promoting the best creative talent the UK has to offer. Artists and designers from across all of the art disciplines have a place here including photography, feltmaking, jewellery, fashion and art."

A really worthwhile aim!

I'm lucky enough to have a tutorial in it for these cute little elves' hats (page 86), and there are loads more brilliant seasonal craft ideas and articles. There's a wonderful sounding recipe for Christmas cupcakes, and article about all the goings on at Rothley Craft Farm, instructions on how to make a beautiful Christmas flower arrangement, some reviews of Christmas craft and baking books, an article on the Bloomsbury group, and more.... It really is a fantastic read. UK crafters are a talented lot - take a look at the inspiring UK Handmade Flickr group if you need any evidence! It's a great place to look if you are short of a few Christmas presents.