You Can Folk It!

You may remember from my last post I briefly spoke about my new found love of the company Folk It! And the art of folk painting.

Well, Folk It! Are a British company that have devised many kits, using simple techniques, to create beautiful pieces of work.

Painting is often a hobby that people shy away from. I was the same, I thought it would be too difficult, that it couldn't be as easy as it looked, that I wasn't that great at drawing, so I wouldn't be able to do it. How wrong was I?

Each kit comes with an instruction booklet, with great, clear written instructions and pictures. But as well as the booklet, each kit has a DVD, and it's excellent.

I started with the Starter kit (a good place to start!) this kit uses dots to make different patterns. Before starting I had a good look through the box to see what goodies were inside. I set my laptop up on the craft table and watched the DVD. I watched it all the way through once first, so I had a bit of an understanding of what I was going to do and, hopefully, achieve. Next I got all the kit out of the box and collected the few other household items I needed. I was ready! 

I started the DVD again and followed along. 

Like I said this particular kit teaches you to use a dotting tool to create patterns. I used my practice paper to complete one of each design. I was pretty impressed with my results for a first time!

The DVD also teaches you how to prepare the project you are going to work on, in this case an MDF heart. Again I joined along with the DVD.

I was feeling confident after my practice pieces, so I started straight away. I decided upon the rose design for this little hanging heart decoration. This time I used the instruction booklet, just for reference, it's such a simple system I remembered it quite easily. Here is the finished decoration.

After this I chose a different design for the square of mount board that also comes in the kit. This time I chose the daisy design,

This little piece of art is now on display on a little wooden easel that I bought in one of the shops where everything costs a pound!

That was it, I had the bug, I was addicted! I started looking round the house for things that I could 'folk'. Then I spotted it. A little shelf unit of my mum's. It was looking a bit tired, already pretty vintage looking, ideal to be 'folked'.

Here it is before,

Now here it is after,

After this I decided to make some Christmas presents. Some little MDF drawer units.

In the new year I bought myself a new kit. This time the vintage daisy. This kit also had a DVD, so I did the same again. This time I was taugh the comma stroke, rather than the dots. Again I practiced several times. Don't be put off, this might be painting with an actual brush, but it's very simple.

This kit also comes with a hanging heart decoration. After my practices I once again felt confident enough to work straight onto my project.

I also used the daisy design to make my Mum's birthday card.

And I have plenty more ideas in mind! 

If you like the look of what I have achieved and would like to have a go, then check out the Folk It! Website by clicking here

Have fun xx

Goodbye January, Hello February!

Well can you believe it? The first month of 2016 had been and gone! It flew by didn't it?

So what have you all been up to? January has been a pretty busy one for me. Firstly I started this blogging adventure, so far I think it's been a success and I hope this will continue over the year too.
Not only has the blog been gaining interest so has my Instagram account. I've now reached over 1000 followers, which really does amaze me. I can't believe that that many people all over the world not only want to, but like to see what I get up to in my crafty life! Thanks so much!
I've also set up a Twitter account which is steadily gaining interest and my Facebook page continues to be supported! What a social butterfly I seem to be!
Remember if you want to follow any of my social media feeds you can find links to them all on the blog home page.

Well it's been a very crafty month!
 I've started a year long project with my Mood Hexagon Blanket. It's not a full months worth (because I started late!). I've made the motifs but still not quite decided on how to join them together?

What next? I crocheted my first piece of clothing, a Granny stripe jumper for my sister Cara's birthday. She was pretty pleased!

Oh, I discovered my Super Dooper Crochet Project Bible! It's keeping me super organised with all my crochet projects. Plus being a stationery geek I have so much fun using all my different pens and pencils to fill it in!

Then I received a very exciting delivery! My first Little Box of Crochet which introduced me to two new loves, Scheepjies Stone Wash yarn and the Bobble stitch.

There's also been plenty of amigurumi, including my beautiful mermaid,

three peas in a pod, the prize for my 1000 followers giveaway on Instagram,

and Sarah and Duck, well two ducks actually. These have to be a particular favourite of mine. I made these for my nephew Sebby, he LOVES Sarah and Duck! I also made an extra Duck after someone saw him on my Facebook page and commissioned one for her daughter.

I also had a little experiment at  my own amigurimi, this cute Kawaii pencil.

But it hasn't just been crochet, no, no, I've been enjoying some other crafts this month too.

Cara and I had our first attempt at needle felting, another of her birthday pressies. Not the most ambitious project, but not too bad for a first go (hopefully you'll agree?)

Adult Colouring books? You've heard of them right? If not, where have you been? I've been using the book Doodle Invasion, which I bought after seeing it all over Instagram.
I've been using Spectrum Noir pens and pencils to colour in a couple of pages.

Last off I've been developing my Folk It! painting skills. This month I have been learning the comma stroke and have been painting beautiful daisies.

If you like the look of these then keep an eye out. I'm hoping to write a post soon all about Folk It! in the meantime you can look them up here, http://www.folkit.co/

So, that was January, said it was a busy one didn't I? I hope your start to 2016 has been as much fun as mine.
Remember keep looking to find out what I'm up to next!

Thanks Everyone xx