30 Days Of Creativity - Project 18 - Outside

Sadly today is officially the last day of the #30DoC. As you can see I haven't completed a few remaining challenges as I had hoped but life happens as it did this last week with two of my children getting sick, no sooner was one well then the next got sick. To top all that, I'm a migraine sufferer and was hit with a nasty one the last five days. Kudos to me though for pushing through with my Saturdays swimming lessons - all six of them. Trust me, it was not easy but I couldn't let my kiddies down much less my parents.

As for the 30 day challenge, the thought of going near a laptop screen in my condition was not going to happen so under the circumstances I have decided to finish the challenge with a weeks grace. And so we continue :)

For this theme - Outside, we had so many ideas and plenty super simple. As I have much to catch up, we decided on a bird feeder using the empty Coke bottle from our pizza night the previous dinner. For this craft you will need the following:

1x 2l Coke bottle
2x kebab sticks
Floral wire
Punch
Wild bird seed

Cut off the bottom of the bottle. I used scissors once I pierced a hole to start.
Punch 4 holes in each quarter
Push the kebab sticks through criss-cross - forming a perch for the birds.
Thread and loop the floral wire through 2 opposite punched holes.
Fill with wild bird seeds and hang in the quiet tree at the bottom of the garden.

I love bird watching thanks to a dear friend who introduced me to it when I was 20. I find myself teaching my sons about our local birds all the time. Driving to school, picnics in the park or lazy arvies lazing on the trampoline. The Sasol Birds Of South Africa was one of the best coffee table books my mum ever bought.

Other than the cutting for safety, this craft was fun, quick and so simple that you can leave the kiddies to do it themselves.
A quick 5 minutes too.

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Happy Crafting
SunshineMac
#30DoC

30 Days Of Creativity - Project 13 - Recycled

Recycling should be a way of life for all who inhabit Mother Earth. Seven billion people leave much waste daily and our carbon footprints are affecting our present and future. There are plenty ways to recycle and once it becomes habit, you won't even realise it becoming a way of life.

In South Africa our government has failed, even with ample warning decades ago, that our nuclear substation is overloaded. We needed to build a new one back then which would take about 10 years to build. 2013 - nothing. As a consequence the citizens of this nation pay the price with 'load shedding'. What is load shedding? - well, load shedding is when suburbs go without power for a certain time period, each suburb gets their turn. A few years back, load shedding plunged our city into utter chaos. When traffic lights don't work during peak hours, the consequences are huge. I recall sitting in traffic for 2 hours to drive 3kms with a hungry, tired, child and screaming baby. I almost resorted to drastic measures. I'm convinced walking would have gotten me further faster. Let's not forget our summer months hitting temps of 35• and higher!

When load shedding came our way, we used our gas skottle to cook on, boil water and even use as a lovely bright light, provided we had the right accessories to attach to our gas cylindar. I loved our cool breeze patio dinners. They are so romantic when using candles.

South Africa is well know for our wines which our nation is proud of. Winning plenty awards for various brands internationally, my brother in the UK says he misses a decent bottle of delicious 'plonk'. SA wines there are very pricy but life is short and there are no guarantees for tomorrow so make every occasion a red wine day :)

For this theme, recycled - I used the empty bottle of a much enjoyed red wine, Shiraz (my favourite, favourite) You can remove the label by soaking it in a little warn soapy water but I like the character it gives the bottle. Using a standard tall candle, I transform it into a unique candle holder on the patio. This is especially nice as you can burn a few around the garden. It's somewhat hypnotic watching the wax trickle down. Romantic too. In this picture, I have started a new bottle, over time, using different colour candles - the wax builds up and looks so pretty. A lovely recycled centre piece on your patio table during summer nights.

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Repurposed and reused.

Happy Crafting
SunshineMac
#30DoC

30 Days Of Creativity - Project 20 - Bear

I enjoy all things origami and there is practically anything you can make from one folded and folded piece of paper. It's an art and beautiful talent. Remember, it isn't origami if you use glue or cut in any way. YouTube has countless videos of how to make an origami bear. Some very simple and others rather detailed and time consuming, not to mention confusing at times.

For this theme - Bear, I got chatting to a local Zimbabwean man whom we support in buying his handcrafted goods.
He is very talented and can make anything you request from his basic materials of beads and wire.
Although I myself did not craft this particular craft, I felt it appropriate to share this space with him.
He does not have the added luxury of internet or modern technology to market and sell his goods. He sets up his tables daily outside a restaurant in the hopes of a few sales to make ends meet. Can you believe he pays 'rent' for his table space!

This beaded bear is about 30cm high and 20cm wide. Made to order so colours and size vary. I think it's creative and talented to have made such items freehand from pure savvy.

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Support our locals.

Happy Crafting
SunshineMac
#30DoC

30 Days Of Creativity - Project 12 - Lantern

Of all the lanterns, I love most the skylantern and the mason/glass jar recycled lantern. A close follow on is the mason/glass jar solar garden lantern handmade. The china town here sells the paper lanterns in a mix of beautiful colours perfect for so many occasions like weddings, Halloween, parties, valentines, Christmas and so much more. They are super cheap too. I have been told the sky lantern has been banned in SA for the obvious dangers they possess not only to our wildlife but to suburbia too. However, I have seen them used, and used them myself with great caution and responsibility. The line here is blurred at the moment.

For this theme - lantern, I went with a craft that was simple, quick to make and really so pretty on conclusion.
You will need the following:
You can use any glass jar. I hang onto my baby purity jars and removed the labels,
Tiny pebbles for effect
Tea candles
Floral wire as it is so soft and easy to use.

I used the wire to create a handle around the neck of the jar. For an added hook, I attached a paperclip to the wire handle.
Tiny pebbles in, tea candle on top and .... light.

I hang them around the garden, which gave the night such a lovely ambiance with a touch of magic.
I can't wait for summer to arrive with warm evenings to enjoy this craft more often.

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A little history on the sky lantern

A sky lantern, also known as Kongming lantern or Chinese lantern, is a small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended. In Asia and elsewhere, sky lanterns have been traditionally made for centuries, to be launched for play or as part of festivities. In recent years there has been growing concern about their potential to cause crop or building fires and harm animals that may eat their remains. Several countries have banned them for that reason.
Sky lanterns are a possible explanation for some UFO sightings.
2]The name "sky lantern" is a translation of the Chinese name tiān dēng (天燈, 天灯). Sky lanterns have also been referred to as sky candles or fire balloons, however the latter term is also used to refer to balloon munitions used during World War II.

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Because of their dangers, several countries have banned sky lanterns in recent years.The city of Sanya in China has banned sky lanterns due to hazard to aircraft. It is illegal to launch a sky lantern in most parts of Germany, and in the remaining areas where use is technically legal, such as Herford, it is still necessary to obtain advance permission from local authorities. In Austria, it is illegal to produce, sell, import, or to distribute them in any other way. In Argentina, Chile, Colombia it is illegal to launch lanterns in the whole territory. In Brazil, since 1998 it is classified as an environmental crime and may be punished with up to 3 years in jail. A permanent ban on sky lanterns sold by Australian retailers, that "rely on an open flame to heat the air inside the lantern" was made in Australia on 1 February 2011. Possession and use of those purchased from overseas remains legal.

Happy Crafting
SunshineMac
#30DoC

30 Days Of Creativity - Project 8 - Clutter

A little OCD here and there has never hurt a person, I did say, and I repeat - a little.
Generally I run a house with great organisation skills that I can tell you exactly where anything is in my house.
Can't say the same for the garage run and managed by my man and our teen mechanic who are always fiddling with cars and motorbikes. It doesn't phase me as that space is theirs. I respect that - nuff said.

For this theme - Clutter, the only thing, next to my filing chore, is my craft ribbon box that is a serious mess. An organised mess on some level.
I have plenty ideas to sort it out, thanks to Pinterest , I just haven't taking the task very seriously. A clear indication that this particular box of clutter really works for me. Out of character I know, but it is what it is.

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Happy Crafting
SunshineMac
#30DoC

30 Days Of Creativity - Project 7 - Laughter

I really had such a laugh at a few things sent to me over the years from friends and family.
Laughter is such a strong medicine for ones soul it's worth the energy spent and sore stomach muscles.

My family are witty and share a wicked sense of humour.
When we are together, there is no mercy.

For this theme I came across an old video link my sister sent me.
As wicked as it is - I crack up laughing every time I've watched it. I can tell you though - that anything funny in a joke, is so, as there is an element of truth to it.
So in this clip, as my sister put it 'you'll find it so funny 'cause it's so something you would do'
Although I can't say I have ever done this, I laugh at the thought that such action be ever so humiliating and embarrassing.

I guess this didn't quiet qualify as a craft but the end result is there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJSqT1Rfyh8&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Have a sense of humour and enjoy the laugh.

SunshineMac

30 Days Of Creativity - Project 15 - A Little Big Thing.

A little big thing I could say are my three children although children are not exactly things now are they!
The smallest person in our house happens to also be the 'biggest'. The biggest noise maker, the busiest, the most messy one of the lot. When he leaves a room, any room - you sure know he has left his trail of evidence behind. But we love him something crazy.

For this theme I used a little abstract in my picture. This little big thing, is little but means something big to me.

Can you guess what it is?

That would be my ring. Not just any ring but my sapphire.
This sapphire is a little big thing as it is the birth stone for the month of April which is when my son was born. It's refered to as a 'mothers ring' .

It's what this stone represents to me, that makes it my Little Big Thing.

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Happy Crafting
SunshineMac

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