30 Days of Change - Day 2

Alright then, starting a challenge and making changes in your life is not always easy, and you have to remain flexible, that being said it was great to make a start towards change.

Starting as I mean to go on with the smoothie from day 1

I was able to do most of the things planned, didn't quite get to drink a litre of water for some reason, and ended up eating dinner past 10 pm, because I was trying to do too many things at once!  A bit of sabotaging going on there I think...

Here is the smoothie for today

I have managed to drink the water and will be doing some exercises shortly, which will involve spending time in the garden:).  I have yet to upload the vlog for each day, but I will be keeping it simple, and will be sharing on the vlog and just letting you have the smoothie for the day on the blog.  

Your welcome to join, you don't have to do 30 days, you could do 3, 5, or 7 what ever will kick start you to change.  You might just want to change one thing, why not start today, and share how you are getting on!

30 Days of Change - Healthier Lifestyle

I have committed myself to make a change in my lifestyle to hopefully impact on my health, starting today.  The changes include:

• Exercise - minimum half and hour
• Drinking Water - Minimum 1 litre
• Having a Smoothie - Once a day
• Pampering session - for encouragement - once a week
• Cut down on sugar
• Eat more fruit and vegetables
• Not eating after 8pm

There is no time like the present to make that change, however small you want to make it, do it for you.  I wanted to use it as a way to kick start my healthy routine, loose some weight and get into a couple of really lovely dresses in my wardrobe!  A small change each day can add up to something worthwhile.

I will be having a smoothie every day to make sure I get all those vital nutrients, here is what I had today, I mixed mine with oat milk but you can use water if you wish!

Here is the smoothie for day 1

I will be doing a vlog of the journey - (keeping it simple) and posting the smoothie recipes here.  Hope you come along for the ride, start where you are and make a commitment to your own health and well-being!

If you are going to join, do share what change/s you will be making, and let me know how you get on so I can come and cheer in your corner!

Material Mondays - who shall have a fishy on the little dishy

What do you do with your fabric scraps?  I had been seeing how you can use different products on fabric using paints, stencils etc and in my post on painted fabric I showed you how you can use old clothes and create some interesting effects.

I found that my sons old school uniform trousers and white shirt were good at holding the paint, and worked really well when making fabric journals.

Painted fabric used to make inside of journal that was previously a bag 

There is always some bits left over and there are several things you can do with them.  Here I decided to make some little inspiration fish.  These are little stuffed fish that you can put an encouraging word or phrase.

They are really easy to make and you can sew them by hand or use a machine, add some ribbon to decorate and some frayed bits at the end for the tail.

Put some encouraging words on the side, either stitched or stamped

They were then stuffed and the end sewn up.  The eyes were attached and you can also add words either stamped or you can stitch it on prior to sewing together.

 You can also add bits of string if you want to create a mobile of fishes, you can attach them to card, add them to your journal, or add some bling and give them as gifts.  This is a really great project you can do with the kids, give it a go and let me know how you get on!

Fish are having a siesta!

If you are interested in learning how to sew or make a range of projects you can check out Craftsy who run online classes and at the moment have a selection of free online classes for you enjoy.

Recycled Projects - Tissue Paper

Recycled Projects - Tissue Paper

What do you do with the tissue paper that comes either with a gift or wrapped around an item of clothing - throw it out? reuse it to wrap something else? or use it in your creative projects? 

Well I thought I would show you a couple of great uses for them that involve a bit of creative thought and a mind to play, and are always going to produce really great results!

Firstly, the tissue paper can be used to create texture in your creations.  You apply glue to the surface and then add the tissue paper, once it is dry you can paint it in your color of choice, adding additional layers to your work.

Secondly you can use the tissue paper to clean your gelli plate once you have got all the prints off.  You can build up a number of layers of paint, then use the tissue paper in your work in that way to create a background.

What I have been finding really useful is using either shop brought stamps or making your own Handmade stamps and applying to the tissue paper you can create transparent layers to use within your art work.

selection of tissue paper that has been stamped

Here is one of the stamps that I created 

Here are some of the handmade stamps, check the link above to see how to make some of your own.  They are easy to make and you can get your own unique designs.

Once you have decided which design you want to use you cut it out and apply it to your art.

Here are a selection of stamped tissue paper that I used within some of my art journals.

Handmade stamp flower design

From the brought stamps I used quite a few bird designs

As well as butterfly wings

Once applied I painted them to the color of choice.

Wings and the word inspire was stamped onto the tissue paper

Armed with a few ideas, I am sure that you will look at tissue paper in a different way.  Try it for yourself and see what you can come up with.  You can reuse and recycle it, and create so many things, let me know what you decide to do, and share your images!