Day 3 - Expand your horizon
So for this, I thought about different viewpoints - what would you see on the horizon from a variety of places. Some high - mountains or space, some low - underground, underwater. Unsurprisingly a lighthouse, beach huts and train tracks found their way in 🤣
@faye_bridgwater #novembersquares
Day 2 - Weather or not…
Today’s prompt made me think about viewing skies through different weather lenses. The effects of sun, wind, rain and fog change colour and form - watercolours felt the best fit for exploring.
@faye_bridgwater #novembersquares #artforall #watercolour #weatherornot
New month, new challenge! Today was day 1 of November Squares - filling a 15 square grid with a different stimulus every day, set by the fantastic artist Faye Bridgwater.
I’m looking forward to trying some new techniques and having a play with colours and textures.
‘Keep it simple’ was the task today so I restricted myself to three colours and only straight lines. These Ohuhu pens have a lovely bright tone, I particularly like when they mix. Pleased with how it went, roll on tomorrow!
@faye_bridgwater #novembersquares #ohuhupens #keepitsimple
Day 29 - spiral paracord keyring
We needed another keyring so I remembered I had a few strands left of some paracord from my Beaver Scout days. Add in a split ring and time to get tying.
The knots for so many of these are very easy, it’s just a case of remembering the order - there are some excellent YouTube tutorials (and also some that are frankly bizarre…)
This starts with two pieces of cord tied to the ring using the lark head knot, shorter lengths on the inside. Then loop the left over the others, feed the right through the back and pull. Keep repeating the knot, always working left first and as it builds it will twist.
Once you’ve reached the length you want, knot the two inner strands, trim then seal with a lighter. I found a new knot for the longer two to finish it off. Very pleased with how it turned out, might try some macrame in the future…
#amakeaday #maketober #knots #paracordkeyring
Day 28 - simple cornflower frame
With some beautiful flowers ready in my presses, I thought it was time for a bit of an audit today to get everything in place for framing.
I’d completely forgotten about these delicate little cornflowers and also unearthed this lovely glass frame. While I’ve plenty of foliage and other wildflowers I thought they deserved to shine on their own. This paper from The Natural Paper Company was just the right tone for the background.
The deckle edge ruler gives the paper a rustic finish - it wouldn’t have looked right with straight lines. Once the placing is sorted, a decent layer of glue - Mod Podge in this case as it dries matte - then it’s ready to pop in the frame. To secure it, I’ll put some superglue on the catch. I might swap the jute for ribbon and will probably make a couple more with other wildflowers from this Summer.
#amakeaday #maketober #pressedflowers #cornflowers #simplepleasures #nature
Day 27 - Scooby Doo top
The party’s tonight so last bit of the costume coming up.
T had checked out beforehand where he could find a brown top and trackpants - thanks Primark! I bought a black t-shirt too and found some iron-on adhesive in an amazing Wycombe fabric shop - A&M Textiles.
So after researching endless Scooby pics for his markings, I dissected the black t-shirt then ironed it. With T’s approval, I drew the shapes needed then lightly ironed the paper side of the adhesive to set the glue. I cut them out, peeled off the paper layer then one at a time placed and ironed them onto his top with a tea towel to protect the fabric. Quick press and it was all ready to go.
T was a very happy chap!
#amakeaday #maketober #halloweencostumes #scoobydoo
Day 26 - carrot cake with orange tahini frosting
Haven’t baked in a while so wanted to try something new. Reading some of the many articles about keeping a healthy gut biome, I saw Tim Spector from the Zoe app has a new cookbook and this recipe looked interesting. Carrot cake is such a comfort food, making a virtuous one seemed a win-win.
Although some of the ingredients aren’t traditional for this bake, it genuinely works and tbh, I think I actually prefer this version. It’s not a cheap make so one for a treat.
It’s so simple to put together - I’ll link the recipe at the end. Mix the wet ingredients - extra virgin olive oil, eggs, kefir, honey and add the sugar. Next add the dry - ground almonds and cinnamon then chopped walnuts and pumpkin seeds. Finally fold through the grated carrot.
Once in a greased and lined springform tin, bake at 160 fan/180 for 50 mins or until a skewer comes out clean. Mine needed an extra 5 mins. Allow to cool completely in the tin.
For the frosting, mix greek yogurt, tahini, honey, vanilla extract and orange zest. Adjust the sweetness as necessary - my tahini’s quite strong so I upped the orange zest and honey. Spread on top of the cake then sprinkle some more pumpkin seeds and add some berries.
I was genuinely surprised how at good it tasted - it’s very light and you wouldn’t know there’s no flour. The topping is lovely and tangy, again much lighter than the usual cream cheese. I’ll certainly be making this one again!
/recipes/carrot-cake-with-tahini-orange-frosting/
#amakeaday #maketober #healthyeating #cakerules #carrotcake
Day 25 - floral pendant
Felt rather Scooby Doo-ed out, so it was time to go back to flowers this evening.
I noticed rainbow gypsophilia in the supermarkets a few weeks ago - it’s dyed but looks lovely and delicate when pressed. I’ve a few of these bezels so thought they’d look perfect together.
Started with a layer of white uv resin, after a 60 sec cure it was time for some blue then a few little sprigs. Another blast of uv then a couple of layers of clear to create a dome effect on top. Some green ribbon and all done.
I’m really happy with the colours, think I’ll be making a few more of these.
#amakeaday #maketober #pressedflowers #floraljewellery #uvresin #resinjewellery
Day 24 - Scooby ears
Next bit of the costume today, some Rooby Roo ears. On a Wycombe trip this morning, we found a super cheap hairband to take apart and stocked up on felt. With another chunk of Amazon packaging to hand, it was time to get to work.
Projects like this are a bit of trial and error- I didn’t have a fixed plan to follow so made it up as I went along. A glue gun was key, this little one from Hobbycraft gives a thin stream that allows finer detailing.
So drew the ears with some tabs to attach later, covered them with felt, added some pink ribbon, part covered the headband, inserted and stuck the tabs then finished sticking it all down.
I’m not 100% happy with them - I’d have liked the finishing to be neater - but T is very pleased and that’s the main thing.
#amakeaday #maketober #homemadecostumes #scoobydoo #glueguncrafts
Day 23 - Scooby Doo tag
As T is assembling his own Scooby Doo costume for a party at the weekend, I offered to help by constructing an essential bit of his Rooby Roo get-up - his collar tag.
Cutting out the different layers from cardboard gives it a nice 3D feel - a convenient Amazon package had the right thickness. Colour the individual pieces with a gold Posca; I was going to colour the blue but found the perfect shade in my paper stash. I used some 3D pads to space the layers to make the keychain easier to place, covered the gaps with tape then coloured that with the Posca again.
Stick it all together and it’s done. Now to find a dog collar - don’t think Willow will relinquish hers somehow…
#amakeday #maketober #scoobydoo #homemadecostumes
Day 22 - ratatouille tray bake
This is a really easy and healthy one, inspired by a recipe from Michael Mosley’s Fast 800. By roasting the veg you keep more of their texture and individual flavour than in a traditional ratatouille. You don’t need to add the extra bits but they make it much more substantial and balanced.
Cut a selection of Mediterranean veg into bite-sized pieces and place in an oven dish. Add olive oil and herbes de Provence then mix before popping in the oven for 25-30 mins until lightly roasted and soft.
Mix in chick peas and chopped tomatoes, if you’re feeling brave add a good dollop of harissa - Phare de Cap Bon is the best by far. Give it another 15-20 mins in the oven - if you want to add halloumi, do it about 5 mins before the end. Other options are to crumble feta over the top or add chicken pieces when you put in the harissa.
#amakeaday #maketober #homecooking #easyrecipes #vegetarianrecipes
