I haven’t done any crafting for ages but, recently I took a trip to a local garden centre and saw a sign for the garden that I really loved. It provided me with the inspiration to have a go at something similar for our own garden. Of course I didn’t make it the same, it was made from copper and besides it is always nice to be a little inventive and make something that has your own stamp on it. Andy very kindly supplied me with a scrap piece of sheet aluminium which can be cut with a pair of sturdy scissors. I used that to give strength to the form. I downloaded a colouring project for kids butterfly template I then cut up various bits of paper and stuck, stamped and embellished. Tim Holtz distress stamping pads were duly dragged out of the draw for the first time in a while. I used an old bracelet that was originally from a car boot for the chain and left the little charms on it because they looked so pretty.
Lots of odd beads from my stash were added via some necklace wire and ear-ring posts.
Anyway, this was the end result…..now all I need to do is find some kind of waterproof coating. It is presently hanging in the conservatory until I can find a cost-effective method.

Art wise, I have spent some time undertaking a person portrait for a change. They do take me a while, the accuracy has to be very great so consequently the initial drawing takes me longer and I tend to spend a while making tiny, tiny adjustments. This was one for a man we know, who has the nickname of Elvis ~ I wonder why?

As a consequence, I now have another request which is currently on the drawing board. She is female and blonde, so a direct in contrast. An obscure fact about my portraits is that I get though two 3 way sharpeners for every one I do! You all really wanted to know that didn’t you?
If anyone has any ideas for recycling, do let me know. It seems a shame that I throw so many away. They are fine for normal pencils afterwards but once they lose that initial edge, they are useless for pastels!

Otherwise, I have been busy working away in the garden painting out there too ~ sadly it was the garden decking and furniture with staining oil! But, it is beginning to look quite cared for out there now. If it ever stops raining, it will be nice to get out there and do some art.
We have been out and about among the downpours and Spring is definitely in the air, if a little on the chilly side. Although, in the south the insects have been early this year, the emergence of ours all seem later than the last couple of years.

Meanwhile, I was kept quite busy this week over on my photography blog ….but, that is a different story. If you have made it here from over there, my apologies if I haven’t got around to visiting you yet…I am working my way through steadily

So with thoughts of Spring (not mentioning mint sauce at all), have a great week everyone.