No Spoolin and Foolin with Markers

Yesterday we sat and watched the Hunger Games.  I have to say it was not what I expected at all, I kind of knew a little of what it was about but I didn't realise it was so literally a game.  I did enjoy it and a friend has lent me the book so it will be interesting to see how they align.  I can also fill in the little bits I missed whilst checking on the dinner cooking.

I have been practicing using the Promarkers that I was sent by a friend.  I actually really enjoy colouring images and for some time now have yearned for Copics but they are so darned expensive to buy here (Ciao's $9). I have found an Art store that sells Promarkers but only in sets and each one comes with a blender and not really the colours I want and again a little costly.  I know Kaisercraft are about to launch a marker, they will retail around the $6-7 mark, cheaper than copics but about the same price point as Promarkers and Specturm. Thats still $60 for only 10 pens.  So I decided to do some surfing and discovered Shinhan Touch Three Markers.  I have never heard of these before but the reviews are very positve they seem to come up well as a Copic Alternative and wait for it......60 pens for $75 with free delivery, choose your own colours.  Worth a try right...yep I think so....I will let you know the verdict.  

Over on Southern Girls Challenge the theme for this fortnight is nothing on a spool.  So no ribbon, no twine, no trim, no anyhing that comes on a spool.  Not so easy as it sounds as ribbon, twine and lace are those go to items that you always use, well I do anyway. My card for this challenge uses an image from Sherri Baldy Designs. She is coloured in Promarkers except for the skin which is Copics (the only ones I have) and her hair in pencil (haha no brown markers....yet).

Colour or Color......

I don't know if you have noticed that the English way to spell colour is "Colour" and the American way is "Color".  I always have this urge to correct it when I see it as color and even spell check on word wants to change it for me to color.  Seems it is the same with honour, harbour, neighbour and labour.  One of those funny little idiosyncrasies of the english language.

Anyway talking of colour heres a little card I have made using the colours as chosen for the Color Throwdown Challenge.  They are not the exact colours but pretty close.  I was inspired by the idea of beach balls. I haven't participated in a challenge for quite a while and this is the first time at the Color Throwdown and it just so happens that it is their 5th Anniversary Celebration. http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.co.nz/

Revamp Complete

I came to take a look at my little blog this morning and thought hmmmmmm...not great.  It was dull and boring and desparately lacking.  Is it any wonder I find it difficult to visit myself let alone anyone else.  So here it is in its new form, bright and cheerful and lovely to visit.  I have removed some things and added a pinterest key so you can follow me over there and see what inspires me.  That and all the "other" stuff is now at the bottom of the blog.  Its taken several hours I have to say but I am pleased with the result.

Anyway I found this whilst I was taking a break from blog revamping and thought I would share it.

You know the plastic animals all kids love to play with, well this is a fantastic use for them when they have outgrown them.  (I currently have a supermarket bag full sitting in my garage).  You simply cut them in half spray them with paint and mount them to a frame.  I think this is very clever and very effective.

Looking for a reason

Its been a little while, actually longer than I realised before I popped into blog land and made a post.  I think I need a reason to post more regularly.  Its not that I don't have things to share or a point of view on many subjects, just not a specific reason to blog about them.  I may have to try and change that and come up with a reason to share more often.

I am looking out my window as the day comes to an end the leaves are yellow and hang limply on the trees.  The watery winter sun is nearly gone for the day and the air is very chill yet also very still.  We could be in for a frost in the morning, it just has that feel about it.

These are a couple of recent little projects I have made.  The first is a card with a tea theme I made for a swap I actually used an empty tea bag wrapper on this.  I like the bold colours and the simplicity of this one.  If you lift the lid you can pop a tea bag inside.

I have also been playing around with altering things that are just laying around the house looking for a use. This is a frame that I distressed and decorated. A great way to turn an old frame into something more useable and to make something old new again.

 

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The Humble Paperclip

Actually not true...the paperclip is not so humble after all and is a very useful peice of stationery that I suspect most of us have a wee stash of.

Here is some useless information you can share at your next dinner party....The first patent for a bent wire paperclip was awarded to a certain American gentleman by the name of Mr Samual B. Fay in 1867.  Originally intended to attach tickets to fabric,  it was also recognised that the paperclip could be used to attach sheets of paper together.

These are slightly bigger than your bog standard paperclip about 2 inches at a guess. Really fun to make and still functional.



A Red theme going on here, the wooden bird is embossed and the others are made from paper.





A spring theme in this set, a fabrc yo-yo flower, the butterfly is covered in paper and then
a coat of dimensional magic applied, my favourite is the sheep made using a variety
 of pieces from a couple of punches.

 I wonder what Mr Samuel B. Fay would make of these paper clips, bet they would still attach a ticket to some fabric though.


Bye for now.

The fear of responsibility

Well on Friday both children came home with invitations to try out to become School Councillors, not sure what you call them elsewhere but in other words student leaders.  By Sunday the thrill has worn off and the fear of responsibility has set in.

The doubt of not knowing what is expected, how much time will be spent out of class, having to speak at assembly in front of their peers. Do they in fact even want this honor.  As a parent of course I am thrilled and yes of course they should be councillors, how good is that for the future.  I often say be a leader not a follower, but I have to also admire the foresight of not wanting to spend time away from learning in the class.  Both want to earn places in the advanced classes at College which means a head down bumb up year this year.  They also don't want to let the Principal down by saying no.

 I am so very proud of the grown up way they are approaching this dilemma, how they are reflecting on the situation and trying to come up with a solution. Today being Monday they are going to talk to their teacher and ask him just how much time they will spend out of class and what the expectations will be.  Researching to make an informed decision.

This is such a great test for their young minds and a sign of their character. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out, but either way lessons are being learnt and I am very proud.

                                              

Back to School

Well its Monday and as promised another post, I have had major Internet issues so missed last week but given I posted twice the week before I think that makes me even.

Well as I said its Monday and the summer holidays are over and we are back to school.  I never thought I would be in my 30's oh ok 40's and still saying "I don"t want to go to school" but the necessary evil of money dictates that one must work.  I know once I get there and have had my first 50 hugs I will forget I didn't want to be there and enjoy being with the kids again.  Nick and Abbey went off at 10 past 8 for their first day of the year both with new school bags on their backs full of the years stationery.  Oh and because it is the first day of school ...of course....it's raining!!!

So today I have a little something I have been playing with, dominos, just for something different.  These little wooden pieces are lots of fun and you can do lots with them.  Also seen all the tiles that are popular at the moment well I have made my own from scrabble pieces. I still need to perfect my technique but they are fun and easy and cheaper.  Dominos I had some here and found some at the $2 store.



This is a mini album with a Domino fromt and back and an accordian fold album inbetween.
 Cute huh! and only measures 1 1/4 x2 1/2 inches




This is it opened up.




These are smaller dominos I turned into tiles, fun I can assure you but I think the scrabble tiles are cuter.
 These would make nice necklaces, but I need to work on my drilling as my holes leave a little bit to be desired.

Well must go as the bell will be ringing soon.  Till next Monday.

Bye
Karen