My Love of Cushions

Why do I love cushions?  Because they are so easy to make and they're like a 3 dimensional textured blank canvas.  I never really thought about it before but I guess that's a pretty impressive reason for liking/loving something.

London Calling Cushion Collection

My latest cushion collection is being created around my 'London Calling' design.  I took my embroidery design and used my ink jet printer to create a load of panels.  I've added some to blank cushions I already had and am in the throws (as in throw cushion) of creating a number of bright ones like the pink one shown, all using more embroidery and my extensive collection of ribbons.

I really enjoyed seeing my design come together in embroidery, with metallics giving my London Eye an extra dimension.  And seeing the variations that could be made by printing different parts of the piece in colour and black and white added even more fun, adding just as highlight of embroidery thread to some of the panels really brought out the versatility of just one print.

So, intend to spend the rest of the week getting the rest of my cushion collection together.  And putting together a video piece telling the London Calling story.

And my love of cushions - well the poem below sums up just how great cushions are - there's a lot to be said for contentment.

source unknown - content priceless

 

 Wishing cushy little numbers for all.

Catherine at The MacsX

From When to Now and Picmonkey Magic

Twittering about regular blog subjects on Sunday at #cbuk I did say that I try to do a Tuesday Treasury. I also said that this week I would try to focus on where my crafting has been and where I hope it's going. And so with the magic of PicMonkey found with the help of some fellow bloggers,  CraftyPainter and House Of Pinheiro I have produced my own little collage for this post.

From When to Now - variations in creativity

I've had quite a few creative endeavours.  There was my Interior Designs for Kids phase where I made soft furnishings for kid's rooms (1),(8),(11) and (13). I did give dressmaking a go working with a pattern (10) and with my own creation (4) for an 'Oscar's Celebration'.  My embroidered gift cushions were popular (2) and (12).  And I do enjoy creating with paint and brushes (5),(9) and (14).  My Etsy shop was launched with my jewellery made with ribbons, I do love different textures (6), (7) and (15).  And most recently I've gotten the embroidery and fabric bug again, taking part in the House Of Pinheiro Pincushion swap (3) and winning the Coats Best of British Cushion Competition with my London's Calling Cushion (16).  It's been quite a journey.

I really enjoyed creating the cushion and have been working with the design to create quite a few scatter cushions for my couch incorporating my love of texture and London - an ideal combination  for me.

Coats Best of British Cushion winner

Along the way I've come to realise how much I love drawing the designs for my creations and combining colours and textures.  I believe that I have finally happened upon my ideal crafting business.  Something that combines all the things I love, has many different facets, yet grows from a solid foundation and is just me.

In August I will be launching my new line and am super excited and so looking forward to it.

In the meantime don't forget my Christmas in July sale continues over at Etsy - drop by and pick up an extra special gift for someone.

Till next time

Catherine at The MacsX

The Usual Sunday BS

I feel like I haven't written here in forever - the last couple of weeks have been a bit of an emotional roller coaster - suffice to say what has now become known as my 'funeral outfit' had what seems to be it's annual outing and I was knocked off kilter for a while.

At times like this you don't have the energy to create a heartfelt card - perhaps I should create a stash of 'Thinking of You' cards for when the occasion comes to pass.  But then I try to use my crafting as a creative escape most of the time and so not really my first choice.  As serendipity does I found a gorgeous poem by bentlily,'the little things I left behind', and will definitely keep it in my back catalogue.

Anyways, morose aside, what's been happening?

Christmas in July - the idea has grown on me and I thoroughly enjoyed creating my seasonal shop banner at Etsy.  I have placed a 20% discount on all my shop stock and am offering free P&P - generous or what?  When I get into the festive spirit there's no stopping me...

Not been doing any creating but a lot of thinking and am really looking forward to launching my
 new product lines in August/September buoyed on by my winning cushion and a gorgeous card I bought at Creative Connections - much more will be revealed in the weeks to come.

I have decided to no longer use my macsx.com website and do everything from here, building on the premise that you really do not have to spend a lot of money to create a successful business.

Concentration has been lacking of late and so my reading has suffered a little.  Right now I'm going for the relaxing read of 'Women of a Dangerous Age' by Fanny Blake I seem to have created a library of fiction that somehow still relates to craft.  So my reading list for this week is sticking to this fiction and google reader for news from the blogosphere.

As far as achieving anything on my to-do list goes of late that would be a big fat 'carry forward'.  Top of my list for today will be checking out the Craftblog UK article on getting on the front page of google ahead of the #cbuk chat this evening at 9pm(GMT) about blog content.

I'm hoping to resume normal blogging this week and so am off to update the old google editorial calendar.

Happy crafting

Catherine at The MacsX

What the Buck

Over at Jamie Ridler Studios it's time to celebrate the next full moon - the full Buck Moon.  The question behind the Buck Moon is “What are your most powerful dreams? Who are you when you are powerful?”  With this in mind Jamie then inspires you to create your dream board and post it's link with her.

For some reason I'm finding it difficult to put a picture to my most powerful dream.  Not so much because I don't know what it is but more because I'm realising the need for leaving a little something to fate.  So I'm imploring the New Buck Moon to Let it Be.

Catherine at The MacsX

The Usual Sunday BS

Sunday’s almost over it’s been busy and I’m just winding down for the #CBUK tweet chat.  I definitely need some help with my time management as I’m running close to the line.

This week has been eventful in the launch of The First NoRules Creative Runway.  Fashion week for the Craft World (September 18^th to 23^rd).  It promises to be a whole lot of fun for all participants.   There will be lots more about this in weeks to come.

I came back to some lovely news yesterday – I won the CoatsBest of British Competition with my London’s calling embroidered cushion (apologies for the photo quality – like I said I’m in a rush).

I’ve brought everything together here with google.  I’m hoping life is going to be so much smoother with everything in one place.

After the #CBUK tweet chat last week I had a look at Timely by Demand Force and will be working on sceduling some of my tweets in the future.

I’m working on my digital portfolio and will soon be adding that to my pinterest boards.

All that and I have my fingers crossed for winning the Connecting Design to Stitch gorgeous book at Ct Publishing.

Anyways, with 7 minutes to add links and get this published etc that was the week that was and lots more to come.

Catherine at The MacsX

Limited Spaces - No Rules Creative Runway

As you know the spaces for the Creative Runway are limited.  
Sorry if you weren't lucky this time.

I am planning on running a Christmas extravaganza in November.

The next planned Creative Runway will be in March 2013.

If you're interested in taking part in either of these events please leave your details in the comments below.

Catherine @ The MacsX