Still alive

It's been ages since I wrote on my blog. Not that I wanted to neglect this spot but somehow I did. Since I'm back on Facebook I find myself posting more stuff there then here.
I feel bad for neglecting my blog but I will try to take care of it better in future.

As I wrote in my last post, I still find it hard to work in my studio. I can't concentrate on stuff long enough to really get anything done and it's really frustrating. I have a head full of ideas that want to come out but I don't seem to have enough time to make it happen. And while business on Etsy is really slow, I didn't have to think twice when more work hours were available at my current job.
I apllied for them knowing that it would give me less studio time but also less stress and frustration since I don't get anything done and have time nor energy to promote and sell my work on line.

It's a bit of a turning point for me. What once made me happy and changed my life completely is now giving lots of stress. I don't find it easy to cope with the pressure of having to make, create and promote my work anymore. Since Julie came into our lives, lots has changed. Positive changes.
It's hard work raising a child but it is also very rewarding and fun. And we sure do have fun.

I just want to spend as much time as I can with her while she is still little.
I want to giggle, read books, craft, jump in puddles and have teaparties with my little, sweet girl. She is the best that ever happened to me and I don't want to miss this precious time in her life while everything is still new and wonderful. When I look through her eyes, I learn a lot again of what I lost while growing up. It's making me happy and content to spend time with her.
So that's what I do now. Anything else can wait because it's not important for me now.
My studio won't run away and my clay is not going anywhere either. Time will come again that I will get my hands dirty and my ideas into 3D.



Today we got our hands dirty, although that wasn't the plan. But hey, it's more exciting to change plans than to stick to them. I made potato stamps and wanted to make some simple cards but that seemed a bit too hard because Julie liked to stamp all over the card. She just rubbed the potato over the entire card and made a huge mess of them.

Then I changed the plan and drew a large penguin and made her color it.
 First with paintbrushes but that didn't last long: she just decided that fingerpainting is more fun. She's right: making mess is fun!

Flickr Favorites

1. peeling, 2. ooOoOOo, 3. It is not down in any map; true places never are, 4. .

Thought I'd share a mosaic with the color I've been painting with the past few days. This is combined with a lily white. I'm loving it. After I did the bedroom, I had lots of paint left and decided to paint the bathroom too. But of course I didn't realise it needed two coats so lots of extra work but it's looking really fresh and lovely.

I've been enjoying my blog break although I do miss hanging out here with you guys. Things here in the house that I have neglected for too long finally get done at last so it's giving me a good feeling. And occasionally I've caught myself doing absolutely nothing. Can you believe that? It's true & awesome. :)

How to make your own packaging?

I'll be attending the craftparking fair in Maastricht (Netherlands) on the 16th of August. Since this is my first craft fair ever, I just want to be fully prepared. I made some personalised packaging & had fun making it.
It's so easy & cheap and it looks supercool I think.
Here is what you need:
Tempera paint, cardboard plate to mix paint, paintbrush, empty paper bags (you can buy them at papersupply shops or places where they sell packaging materials), a kitchen sponge, a sharpie marker, a template of your logo or avatar, a sharp knife.Cut out the logo or avatar. If you don't have that, you can certainly find some nice easy drawings on the internet. Don't take something too complicated as this is not suited for very detailed logo's.
Trace the outline of the logo onto the sponge.
Cut out the inside part of the logo.
Trace it onto the sponge.
Then take the sharp knife and cut into the traced lines. Make it about 5mm or 0,20inches deep.
Then with the tip of the knife, take away the bits of sponge.
For the outside part, you can cut away the excess sponge.
It should like this when you are finished. It doesn't matter that it's not looking extremely nice, it's the result that counts.
Then mix some paint in your liking. I of course need lime green. :)
Apply some paint to the sponge with the painbrush.
Then sponge it onto the paper bag.
I have a little stamp with my Etsy store and I stamp it below the logo. It's perhaps a bit small but I think the logo is still recognisable.
So they dry & they are done! :)
Hope this inspired you to make your own packaging. Give it a try, it's fun! :)

And if you haven't seen my new postcards yet, hop over here and leave a comment, you might win some! ;)

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