a weight is lifted!

This is just a post to say thank you all who have been involved in my journey with Henry, Fred and Felicity so far.  It's with a little sadness but great relief that for now I will be saying goodbye.

A lot has happened this year and I cannot continue committing the time to HFF that I did before, without it being detrimental to my children.  I will still be crafting in and around the home so may post occasionally, but no promises.

Thank you to everyone again for your support.

Fay x

it's a Bug's Life!

I've been wanting to do this project for quite some time now, but orders and life in general have only allowed me to start this year!  My kids and I spend lots of very happy times at Creepy Crawlies (aka. The Web Adventure Park) in York and I thought it would be nice to give something back...

Using these fab bright paints from B&Q, I first painted the canvas (colours are Grasshopper & Foxy).  

I find no matter how careful I am with the masking tape I get some 'leaks' so I touch up by hand to give a perfect finish.

I gave the wooden letters several coats in Antique White (again from B&Q), sanding between coats.The letters were produced in Creepy Crawlies own 'font' which Infinite letters very kindly cut out for me (they are only too happy to bespoke orders if they can, so always worth asking if you don't see on their site!)

Then for the fun part of deciding what 'bugs' to use and where to position them...

Once I'd decided I placed all but one of the stickers on the canvas in place, double checked their positioning by placing the letters over the top.  When I was absolutely sure I sealed them in place with the ever fabulous Modge Podge.

Once dry, I could then attach the first letter which had to be in place to stick down the last 'bug'...

They get everywhere these bugs!  

Just love the 3D effect and can't wait to deliver to the guys at Creepy Crawlies, I know my boys are very excited!

Hope you all like, for more examples of my work just visit my website, Henry, Fred and Felicity,

Personalised, Bespoke, Unique...

Fay x

  

some Sunshine!

First bespoke order of the year and it's a really cute one...

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey.

You never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.

First off is to mark out...

Then to choose the paint colours. www.anniesloan.com www.diy.com www.docrafts.com 

Then to paint... 

First coat done, it's time to add a little something extra.

These gorgeous wooden shapes are approx. 40mm high and from https://www.facebook.com/lincslasercraftshapes beautifully detailed, well priced and fantastic customer service! 

Second coat done, shapes painted and glued into place. Hope you all like...

Apologies for quality of the photos, was attempting to do from phone to see how it turned out.  Will stick to computer next time! 

projects at home for 2014!

So this year I really want to get some projects at home done. Several of them are years overdue, some new but all have been pushed aside as the end of the 2013 was so busy (not complaining!); so my view is this year if I start early I might be in with a chance of getting them done...

Project One - MERRY CHRISTMAS

Might seem a little untimely,  but as I never managed to get them painted before Christmas I thought i'd paint before putting away again!

Not quite sure what I'm going to do, but will probably be fairly traditional colours with a little bling thrown in, keep an eye on my FB page for progress and I'll blog when finished.

Project Two - SAMUEL'S CANVAS

This is 2 years overdue now and as he's had this above his cot for that time, I think it's only fair I get it done this year!

Project Three - PLAYROOM WALL

Because it brings back many happy memories and because it just looks cool, I'm going to hand paint the London Underground map on the boys playroom wall.  Will add a bit of colour to the walls as well...

Project Four - DINING ROOM WALL

I wanted to do something a little different than either paint, wallpaper or paintings on the wall; I saw this idea last year on Channel 4 and thought it was very effective (couldn't find original link, but found one better, someone who has gone before me LOL).  I'll collect all different sized, shaped plates (especially ones with molded detail) and then paint them in matte finish.  Think i'll do the majority in one colour and possibly highlight colours here or there to match in with the Harlequin fabric of my curtains and blinds...

Project Five - HALL

No idea what I'm going to do, bit it will be a HUGE white canvas from the White Collection, ideas on a postcard!

Anyway that should be enough to keep me out of trouble...

Keep following to see my progress,

Fay x

finally getting over the festive period!

I can't believe it's 2014, and how little time I've had. Is it just me or does no-one else get the chance to sit down till about 9pm (even on days off) to finally get to do their 'hobby'?  I just don't where the hours go in the day...

So finally I can share some of my Christmas Orders, I hope you like.

I love this particular quote (and style of canvas).  It's a large canvas 50cm x 100cm and used to take me forever to paint as each letter is painted individually, before painting the canvas and then gluing each letter to the canvas.  Until I discovered Annie Sloan chalk paints this used to take about 7 coats, whereas now I'm looking at 2-3 with a much nicer finish as well!  It also means that time wise, it's a lot quicker and best of all cost wise, it's a lot more reasonable.

Next was another white collection canvas, a completely personalised quote to the customer which I thought was just fantastic.

I really enjoyed doing this, might not be to everyone's taste, but certainly made me chuckle!

Now for the original reason I bought the Annie Sloan paints - which I got from the fabulous The Vintage Corner in Pocklington, York - distressed canvases...

Again a large canvas 12" x 32", perfect for above a headboard! Was really pleased with how this turned out...

Having seen how well this worked I had two letter canvases to do and my lovely customer kindly let me use my artistic discretion and go with the same style.

Thank you to all my lovely customers, without whom this wouldn't be possible and I enjoy so much so long may it continue!

Would love to hear your thoughts and please follow my blog and facebook page to see some exciting projects I will be undertaking at home this year, along with my lovely customer orders.  

Here wishing everyone a fab 2014!

Fay x