Creative Challenge

Creative Challenge Linky #10 – The last one for a while

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Welcome to week #10 of the Creative Challenge Linky, and yes I think this is going to be the last one for a while.

Thank you so much to everyone who has linked up over the past 10 weeks! I have really loved reading each and every post, and seeing all of the creative ideas you have come up with. I really appreciate all of you supporting my linky too, it really means a lot!

The truth is, Linky’s involve more work than I realised and with being really tired with this pregnancy I have struggled to keep up. I’m not sure I even got round to commenting and tweeting all of last week’s posts so for those of you I missed, I am sorry, I will try and get there belatedly!

It doesn’t mean the Creative Challenge is dead and buried, hopefully I will reprise it one of these days, when I am feeling like less of a zombie!

So, on to this week! My favourites last week (of those I have managed to read so far) were the seriously cute simple easter cards by Clarina’s Contemplations and all of the many ways to play with water beads by Let Kids be Kids.

I’d love it if you could join in, you can link up anything remotely creative. Decorating, baking, sewing, even being creative in what you wear. This linky is about challenging ourselves to be a bit more creative – in whatever way best suits you!

Getting crafty with the kiddies

Being creative in the kitchen

Experimenting with a new hobby

This week ‘s post was all about me challenging myself with my birthday cake, and having lots of fun (and some stress when things went wrong) along the way!

Right, now it’s your turn to link up your posts, and tell me all about your Creative Challenge!

Creative Challenge


Here’s how this works.


    

  1. Write a new post (or link an old one if it fits the theme) all about your Creative Challenge.
    2. 

  2. Grab the Creative Challenge badge (by copying the code above) and pop it at the bottom of your post (in the ‘text’ version).
    3. 

  3. Link your post  by clicking on the ‘Add your link’ button and filling in the form.
    4. 

  4. Remember: Linkys only work when we take the time to read each others posts and leave comments so please let’s support each other and read and comment on as many posts as you are able to.
    5. 



The linky opens at 6.30am on Wednesday and will close at 11.00pm on Sunday so there is plenty of time to join in.







			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
Daddy’s Creative Challenge


				

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Hi everybody, Daddy here, aka Hubby.


It’s Mummy’s birthday today, and because I’ve been off with the Monkey and Mummy over Easter, and have a couple of extra days off as well, I thought it was time I put my creative juices to the test, and make Mummy a birthday card, with Monkey’s help of course.


Now, my day job is very much office-based.  There’s more management in my day than there used to be, but essentially I am a keyboard warrior, and pretty much always have been.


I do love doing crafty things, and love gardening and making things, and cooking, but I really have never been that creative, so the Creative Challenge really is for me!


I always have an idea in my head of what I want things to look like, but it’s normally quite vague at the same time, and translating it into something actually in front of me is where I really struggle.


I can look at something and say whether its good or bad, the problem is that I rarely look at anything I have made and think it looks good!


So, onto the card making.  Mummy and Monkey have been doing a lot of card making recently, and I decided to go with the “Monkey Random Painting Generator” technique.

WP_20140422_13_35_35_ProAs you bloggers and blog-readers have probably already seen, Monkey loves to paint, and he loves to mix the colours – a LOT.


WP_20140422_13_41_44_ProHe just can’t let those paints sit all nice and neat together.


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It starts like above, and then very quickly gets to this (check out the Monkey-Eye-View below).


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But it does make for some really interesting patterns which can be great for card making.


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Check out those colour combos!


So Monkey has made all the ingredients for the card, it’s now up to me to make it.  I’ve decided to make this a card from Monkey to Mummy, and the only thing I have had in my head is to try and make something with a birthday cake on it.


Throughout the day, as I have been waiting for the paintings to dry, I wondered if I could make a shape that looked enough like a cake, and tried to think about how to do some candles for it.


Note that at this point I have no idea what else is going to go on the card – I think I’ll wing it!  For such a serious planner, there are times where I just “do it on the night”.  Looks like this is one of those times.


Ok here’s what I have to work with.


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Lots to choose from so as you can see I have cut out the shape for the cake, and also had what I hope will be a great idea for the candles, by taking that fiery looking bit to use the yellow for the the flames.


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WP_20140422_19_43_18_ProThey don’t look bad!


Here’s the cake all stuck down.


WP_20140422_19_50_02_ProOne candle left, oh well.


Here’s where the wheels fall off the wagon.


Mummy likes hearts and stars, so I try to cut some out, and, well, they are rubbish.


After several attempts at hearts, I finally get something that does look half decent, and decide to cut out an “I heart U” style motif.  Stupidly though, I write the message on the front of the card without thinking about where everything is going to go, so I have a choice of where to put the other bits.


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So I haven’t cut out the star yet, and still aren’t sure which of the above designs to go with, but I’m pretty happy with both really.  It will all come down to the star I cut out.


I thought the heart was difficult…


I started by reminding myself of the classic freehand, single-stroke star.


WP_20140422_20_02_41_ProI then started cutting with scissors, and kept looking back at this star for guidance, thinking I should surely be able to do something that looks a bit like it (not that my drawing is very good).


But then, I have no idea how, but as soon as I have finished cutting it out, I realise that despite spending ages cutting carefully and looking back at the star above, I have randomly cut out a Star of David instead! WTF?


WP_20140422_20_05_03_ProI mean how on earth do you accidentally cut out a 6 point star instead of a 5 point star? Hello?


Anyway, after several other tries later and a few swear words, I have something I’m happy enough with to go on the card.


So here it is.  The finished card.  Now, I know it’s not good, but I am just hoping Mummy can see that it was made with love, and see that it really took some effort (despite how random and slapdash it actually looks!).


WP_20140422_20_18_46_ProI hope you enjoyed the first Daddy Post.  I promise not to come back too often – Mummy clearly has more skills on the blogging and Creative Challenge front than me – but this has been great fun to write and to share my little attempt at creativity!


Mini Creations

			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
Creative Challenge Linky #9


				

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Welcome to week #9 of the Creative Challenge Linky!


Thank you so much to everyone who linked up last week, I couldn’t believe how many lovely bloggers linked up! I really very much appreciate it, and have loved reading all of your creative posts, there are some creative mamas out there!


The Creative Challenge isn’t just about arts and crafts – but it is all about being creative. It is getting increasingly difficult to choose favourites as there were lots of really fab posts. But I loved reading about Ruth’s sewing challenges and really admire anyone who has the guts and drive (let alone skill) to turn a hobby into a business! I also loved the genius Cardboard bus from Tarana at Sand in My Toes, as Monkey loves buses we are going to have to attempt this one day!


I’d love it if you could join in, you can link up anything remotely creative. Decorating, baking, sewing, even being creative in what you wear. This linky is about challenging ourselves to be a bit more creative – in whatever way best suits you!


Getting crafty with the kiddies


Being creative in the kitchen


Experimenting with a new hobby


This week I was all creativity’d out over Easter, and also today is my Birthday! So *gasp* I am handing over to daddy for a guest post about him getting all creative with Monkey to make me a birthday card! Yay! I haven’t seen/read anything yet either so I’m dead excited to see it!


Right, now it’s your turn to link up your posts, and tell me all about your Creative Challenge!


Creative Challenge






Here’s how this works.


    

  1. Write a new post (or link an old one if it fits the theme) all about your Creative Challenge.
    2. 

  2. Grab the Creative Challenge badge (by copying the code above) and pop it at the bottom of your post (in the ‘text’ version).
    3. 

  3. Link your post  by clicking on the ‘Add your link’ button and filling in the form.
    4. 

  4. Remember: Linkys only work when we take the time to read each others posts and leave comments so please let’s support each other and read and comment on as many posts as you are able to.
    5. 



The linky opens at 6.30am on Wednesday and will close at 11.00pm on Sunday so there is plenty of time to join in.







			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
Creative Challenge Linky #8


				

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Welcome to week #8 of the Creative Challenge Linky!


Thank you so much to everyone who linked up last week, I really very much appreciate it, and have loved reading all of our creative posts, there are some creative mamas out there!


The Creative Challenge isn’t just about arts and crafts – but it is all about being creative. Last week I loved the gorgeous baby blanket made by Caroline at Tea is the Answer and of course the award winning Easter Bonnet by Brummy Mummy of 2 deserves a special mention!


I’d love it if you could join in, you can link up anything remotely creative. Decorating, baking, sewing, even being creative in what you wear. This linky is about challenging ourselves to be a bit more creative – in whatever way best suits you!


Getting crafty with the kiddies


Being creative in the kitchen


Experimenting with a new hobby


This week from me has to be my post about decorating Cakes with Buddy Valastro – how much more creative can you get? In my case, probably very much more, but hey I had fun 🙂


Right, now it’s your turn to link up your posts, and tell me all about your Creative Challenge!


Creative Challenge






Here’s how this works.


    

  1. Write a new post (or link an old one if it fits the theme) all about your Creative Challenge.
    2. 

  2. Grab the Creative Challenge badge (by copying the code above) and pop it at the bottom of your post (in the ‘text’ version).
    3. 

  3. Link your post  by clicking on the ‘Add your link’ button and filling in the form.
    4. 

  4. Remember: Linkys only work when we take the time to read each others posts and leave comments so please let’s support each other and read and comment on as many posts as you are able to.
    5. 



The linky opens at 6.30am on Wednesday and will close at 11.00pm on Sunday so there is plenty of time to join in.







			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
Making Granny’s Birthday Card


				

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It was Granny’s 60th Birthday on Saturday! I had been hunting for a lovely card but honestly really struggled to like one that was special enough. A lot of the ones I saw in the shops were a bit naff really. I saw a couple of lovely handmade ones online but honestly they were so expensive and actually inspired me to make my own!


I do enjoy being a bit creative, I made all of our wedding invites and thank you cards etc. so it’s not the first time I have made a card, BUT I thought I would get Monkey’s help. After the disaster that was the Valentine’s cards we tried to make, I thought I would keep his role a little simpler and in the realms of something I know he loves to do… paint! 🙂


It’s also worth mentioning at this point that my decision to create this card comes in no small part from being so inspired by so many of my fellow creative challengers! In particular Lorna from A little bit of our life and all of her various crafty offerings, and Michelle at Twice a Mummy Double the Fun with her finger painted easter activities!


S0 we started off with some finger painting! Ages ago I’d bought some paint pots that were in some nice pinky colours (Granny loves her pretty girly colours) so we used those. They are such a mash of colours now as monkey likes dipping from one to another! Squeezy bottles of paint squirted onto paper plates is definitely a better method of toddler painting!!


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It went well though and he had a lot of fun.


Then I cut a 6 and 0 from his artwork to pop onto the card.


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I’d also bought some lovely sparkly stickers to make it a bit more special!


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An with a bit of fancy ish writing (I know I am no calligrapher!) it was finished!


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I’d also bought some lovely special birthday teddy stickers and Monkey made a lovely picture for Granny with those too 🙂


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Which he was dead proud of! He showed Daddy and I many times hehe


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Granny was very pleased with her card and special picture, and she was very spoilt – as you should be on your birthday – especially a big one like your 60th!


How creative have you and/or your little ones been this week?


Creative Challenge


Mini Creations






			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
Creative Challenge Linky #7


				

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Welcome to week #7 of the Creative Challenge Linky!


Thank you so much to everyone who linked up last week, I really very much appreciate it, and have loved reading all of our creative posts,we have some creative mamas out there!


The Creative Challenge isn’t just about arts and crafts – but it is all about being creative. Last week I loved the egg blowing over at Let Kids be Kids – fantastic Easter activity and the shapes puzzle from Tarana at Sand in My Toes. But it’s getting so hard to choose from all of the fantastic posts!


I’d love it if you could join in, you can link up anything remotely creative. Decorating, baking, sewing, even being creative in what you wear. This linky is about challenging ourselves to be a bit more creative – in whatever way best suits you!


Getting crafty with the kiddies


Being creative in the kitchen


Experimenting with a new hobby


This week was all for me it was all about some creative fun for Granny (hubby’s mum)’s 60th Birthday and the fun we had with that 🙂 


Right, now it’s your turn to link up your posts, and tell me all about your Creative Challenge!


Creative Challenge






Here’s how this works.


    

  1. Write a new post (or link an old one if it fits the theme) all about your Creative Challenge.
    2. 

  2. Grab the Creative Challenge badge (by copying the code above) and pop it at the bottom of your post (in the ‘text’ version).
    3. 

  3. Link your post  by clicking on the ‘Add your link’ button and filling in the form.
    4. 

  4. Remember: Linkys only work when we take the time to read each others posts and leave comments so please let’s support each other and read and comment on as many posts as you are able to.
    5. 



The linky opens at 6.30am on Wednesday and will close at 11.00pm on Sunday so there is plenty of time to join in.







			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
My Crochet Cushion finally completed!


				

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I haven’t blogged about anything crochet related for a while now. Mainly because I have been working on a big-ish project, a lovely rainbow cushion! I got the pattern from my mother-in-law ages ago but it took me a while to get round to it, as I was busy with my Granny Square Blanket and then I did some cute Christmas Crochet Creatures. Come January though it was time to get cracking.


Rather than buy the colours listed in the patterns I decided to use up what wool I could from my bag as I have lots of part used balls leftover. I am a bit OCD about colours and like them to be in spectrum order – I don’t know why particularly but we have some colourful mugs and they HAVE to be on the mug rack in spectrum order. Weird I know!


So these are the colours I got cracking with.


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It started off well enough as it was quite small, I made a big mistake somewhere on the first side of the cushion but thought I had rectified it enough (turns out I hadn’t but i will come back to that later!). In the pattern the reverse of the cushion doesn’t have frilly edges like the front, but hubby and I had a chat and decided we’d quite like the cushion to be the same on both sides.


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As I mentioned, it starts off quite easily but as it gets bigger, and the rounds get longer, it starts to take a lot longer to finish a row, and, well get s a bit repetitive and dull. I have now well and truly decided that I am better off with smaller projects. I just don’t have the patience to work on big things. Much as i love the way they look, I get so bored and then can’t be bothered to crochet in the evenings and it takes months for me to finish it as a result. It’s a hobby I have really been enjoying but I really don’t enjoy the big projects quite as much. Which is a shame, as I think the blankets and cushions look so lovely when they are finished.


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Anyway, it has taken me a while but I got to a point where both sides of the cushion were progressing nicely… then I compared them and realised that the side which I made a mistake on earlier was actually quite a bit smaller than the second side. boooo. It’s not the end of the world, it’s only about a round smaller, but that was a little demoralising and led to the cushion being put to one side again for a couple of weeks…. honestly I can be such an ostrich, I totally bury my head in the sand and ignore problems sometimes! Which isn’t the best idea!


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I eventually picked it up again, determined to actually get it finished and knew I just needed an extra row of trebles on the smaller side. I would have dine it in the same dark purple as the final rows… except for the fact that I ran out, I literally only just had enough to actually complete the final row of frills as it was (And that was doing a stitch less in some of the petals on that row) oops! So I had to use lilac for the joining row.


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But you know what, I am proud that I have finally finished it and it doesn’t look toooo bad!


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So that’s my creative challenge for this week (which has taken me months!) what’s yours?


Creative Challenge

			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
Creative Challenge Linky #6


				

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Welcome to week #6 of the Creative Challenge Linky!


Thank you so much to everyone who linked up last week, I really very much appreciate it, and have loved reading all of our creative posts. All of the posts were fab, we have some creative mamas out there!


The Creative Challenge isn’t just about arts and crafts – but it is all about being creative. Lorna from A little bit of our life had some AMAZING crafty gift ideas, do have a look if you haven’t already, so inspiring! Michelle over as Twice a Mummy Double the Fun, also shared some lovely homemade thank you cards.


I’d love it if you could join in, you can link up anything remotely creative. Decorating, baking, sewing, even being creative in what you wear. This linky is about challenging ourselves to be a bit more creative – in whatever way best suits you!


Trying out a new playtime idea


Being creative in the kitchen


Trying out a new hobby


I have finally finished my crochet cushion! Hurrah!  It REALLy was a challenge. These things always seem to take me forever! I will it up below for you to have a read.


Right, now it’s your turn to link up your posts, and tell me all about your Creative Challenge!


Creative Challenge






Here’s how this works.


    

  1. Write a new post (or link an old one if it fits the theme) all about your Creative Challenge.
    2. 

  2. Grab the Creative Challenge badge (by copying the code above) and pop it at the bottom of your post (in the ‘text’ version).
    3. 

  3. Link your post  by clicking on the ‘Add your link’ button and filling in the form.
    4. 

  4. Remember: Linkys only work when we take the time to read each others posts and leave comments so please let’s support each other and read and comment on as many posts as you are able to.
    5. 



The linky opens at 6.30am on Wednesday and will close at 11.00pm on Sunday so there is plenty of time to join in.







			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
Creative Challenge Linky 5


				

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Welcome to week #5 of the Creative Challenge Linky!


Thank you so much to everyone who linked up last week, I really very much appreciate it, and have loved reading all of our creative posts. All of the posts were fab, we have some creative mamas out there!


The Creative Challenge isn’t just about arts and crafts – but it is all about being creative. I loved Ellie Bear Babi’s fab DIY Bouquet, and the fantastic Mother’s day gift idea from Let Kids be Kids.


I’d love it if you could join in, you can link up anything remotely creative. Decorating, baking, sewing, even being creative in what you wear. This linky is about challenging ourselves to be a bit more creative – in whatever way best suits you!


Trying out a new playtime idea


Being creative in the kitchen


Trying out a new hobby


I initially had a crochet post planned for the creative challenge this week, but, well it’s proving a real challenge tog et myself motivated to finish it at the moment! Luckily I tried out a new play idea with Monkey, so will be linking that up, – it wasn’t a complete disaster but it wasn’t exactly a huge success either! But hey, that’s a big part of what this linky is all about, successes and failures… and anything in between!


Right, now it’s your turn to link up your posts, and tell me all about your Creative Challenge!


Creative Challenge






Here’s how this works.


    

  1. Write a new post (or link an old one if it fits the theme) all about your Creative Challenge.
    2. 

  2. Grab the Creative Challenge badge (by copying the code above) and pop it at the bottom of your post (in the ‘text’ version).
    3. 

  3. Link your post  by clicking on the ‘Add your link’ button and filling in the form.
    4. 

  4. Remember: Linkys only work when we take the time to read each others posts and leave comments so please let’s support each other and read and comment on as many posts as you are able to.
    5. 



The linky opens at 6.30am on Wednesday and will close at 11.00pm on Sunday so there is plenty of time to join in.







			

	
		
	


				
					


		

		
Creative Challenge Linky #4


				

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Welcome to week #4 of the Creative Challenge Linky!


Thank you so much to everyone who linked up last week, I really very much appreciate it, and have loved reading all of our creative posts. All of the posts were fab, we have some creative mamas out there!


The Creative Challenge isn’t just about arts and crafts – but it is all about being creative. I loved the Time Travelling from Adventures in Home Schooling, sharing their trip to ancient Sumer. Princess Liya‘s creative way of learning to tell the time was also brilliant!


I’d love it if you could join in, you can link up anything remotely creative. Decorating, baking, sewing, even being creative in what you wear. This linky is about challenging ourselves to be a bit more creative – in whatever way best suits you!


Trying out a new playtime idea


Being creative in the kitchen


Trying out a new hobby


Our creative challenge this week was quite fun (apart from Monkey being distracted by trees and branches) and I’m proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone to do it!


Right, now it’s your turn to link up your posts, and tell me all about your Creative Challenge!


Creative Challenge






Here’s how this works.


    

  1. Write a new post (or link an old one if it fits the theme) all about your Creative Challenge.
    2. 

  2. Grab the Creative Challenge badge (by copying the code above) and pop it at the bottom of your post (in the ‘text’ version).
    3. 

  3. Link your post  by clicking on the ‘Add your link’ button and filling in the form.
    4. 

  4. Remember: Linkys only work when we take the time to read each others posts and leave comments so please let’s support each other and read and comment on as many posts as you are able to.
    5. 



The linky opens at 6.30am on Wednesday and will close at 11.00pm on Sunday so there is plenty of time to join in.