Is two better than one?

There is nothing more inspiring than going for a lovely long bracing walk on the beach. Ideally when the tide is full out and the sand appears to stretch right out. The wind , the huge space, clouds which seem to be far away and  open to the elements. At this time of year the experience is invigorating and livens one up! The sea brings to us so many goodies to use for art - such as driftwood, pebbles, shells, washed up fishing line etc. I find it hard not to collect items every time I'm on the beach .

BEXHILL ON SEA BEACH

So onto my previous blog. I felt it was a little too 'magaziney' . Unsure if that is a bad thing or a good thing. Maybe it's neither or both!  I'm learning and developing as I go along. So for this blog I'm going to try a different layout and see how this works out. Feedback appreciated! 

FOXES!

I am lucky enough to often see red foxes where we live and in one particular place a family of foxes frequent the area. They appear so gentle, fragile , slightly aloof and slightly curious. They are gorgeous. These mammals are luckily adaptable to many habitats. There is something quite serene and exciting at the same time about seeing a fox.

So of course I have to paint some! Above are sleepy watercolour foxes. Wildlife is a particular favourite of mine and I'm hoping to add some stunning foxes to my collection of hares and hedgehogs. I dabbled with painting foxes a few months ago and am now going to re-visit them.  

These will soon be in production to make cards and small prints with. 

*******BUTTON ART*******

 What is it about searching through buttons and sorting them out that is so calming & therapeutic?      One of my favourite ways of using them (apart from popping them on clothing such as  cardies or gloves to liven them up) is making art with them. Obviously my first choice would be to make a picture of flowers however I was tempted with a tree as well. There are other subjects than can be done - a popular one is making someone's initials out of buttons. But as in the name -  Bark & Brushstrokes - this is a nature inspired crafty blog it just has to be flowers!

Firstly make sure you have all your equipment - one of the fun parts is matching up the buttons to use. You can go for a colour theme - for example shades of blue or shades of pink like I have - or just used different colours. Whatever is your style.

The type of canvas you use it up to you - I prefer a box canvas - it feels more.......solid & sturdy!  Some people may find it easier to do a small sketch of your idea first. This is up to you. 

As you can see I have messed about with different designs actually on the canvas.

So - when you have placed your buttons in the place you want them to be pop a small pencilled dot on the canvas.

Then paint a stem and leaf / leaves on and leave to dry. (You could of course use thread - such as a fine nylon or cotton if you wanted for the stems - however I prefer the painted look.)

Next and final stage is to pop the buttons onto the top with glue.

(Avoid buttons with brand names on - some which have come off clothes have names on them. )

I think these are really cute and quick makes which can add a personal touch of nature in your home.


If you are a felt tip enthusiast then maybe this is something that would interest you? I think also this could be a fun project for kids to do. Doesn't take much money and brings out their creativity. Win win!

LADIES WHO LINO CUT

The old year is ending and new one just around the corner. January blues may set in but not when you have art & craft in your life!!

Get together with a couple of friends , pop on the kettle – or open a bottle of wine – ask the baker in your group to bring cakes or biscuits ( home made & preferably chocolate!).... and enjoy a CRAFTERNOON.  

It appears to be a word that has just recently started catching on. It does what it says on the tin. 
Some clever charities are catching onto this and organising them locally to raise vital funds – which in my mind is such a good idea. I think that last year comic relief did one.

So – have you in mind some lovely crafty friends? Do you have a venue? Often one of said friends houses or a local coffee shop is good. Have a think beforehand of what type of project or craft you are going to be doing. Will you be attempting something new to you all? Will one of you be teaching the others, or will it be a more informal general chat about what you are currently doing? Take some craft books – such as Cath Kidston sew or a cute little animally crochet book - for inspiration – guaranteed for lots of ahhhhs and oooohs as you flick through the pages together! 

        

My creative friends and I are soon to be embarking on a linocutting journey! We will name ourselves – Ladies who Linocut.     For a couple of us – including myself – this is a whole new area of craft. I have never lino cutted in my life and am very much looking forward to it.
 My original thought was to do some delightful botanic prints, but then ideas of colourful patterns came to mind - similar to my drawing here........however we shall see what happens.... 

We will learn from the experienced lino cutters and see what develops. I will include our experiences in my blog. 

Hope you have enjoyed my second blog - and thank you for reading. 

Vicky :-)

You can't use up creativity - the more you use , the more you have.