'Moonlight' by Kat Hazelton

Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 'Cats' was based on the book of poems by T. S Eliot called 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats'. Written in the 1930's the book of poems centres around the personalities of different cats such as Mr. Mistoffelees, who is a small black cat who can walk on the narrowest rail and do magic. Macavity the Mystery Cat who is a master criminal and referred to as the Napoleon of Crime. A possible reference to Sherlock Holmes calling Moriarty as "the Napoleon of Crime" in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the Final Problem!
In the stage play the main plot centres on the tribe of cats, called Jellicles, coming together for the annual Jellicles Ball to decide which cat will ascend to Heavebside to be reborn. Heavebside being cat heaven. During the stage play an ostracised older cat called Grizabella, famously played by Elaine Paige, sings a beautiful song called 'Memories'. This song was also adapted from T. S Eliot's work a poem called "Rhapsody on a Windy Night". The melancholic poem walks the reader through the spooky dark streets of a town or city lit only by the moon and lamplight.
To make this T. S Eliot's Cats inspired mixed media picture you will need.

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/chilled-out-cat-mdf-wood-shape-style-29.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/dancing-cat-with-banjo-mdf-wood-shape-style-37.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/cat-scrap-mdf-wood-shape-style-38.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/circus-dog-mdf-wood-shape.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/triple-convex-picket-fence-panel-mdf-wood-shape.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/sheet-of-mini-mdf-street-lamps.html

Canvas or MDF sheet for background. 

Acrylic paints, paintbrushes. 

Gloss varnish. 

Silver metallic flakes and flake glue

Silver glitters including stars. 

Card and scissors. 

PVA glue. 

Using acrylic paints I created a moody midnight backdrop.

To create the big silvery moon I cut a circle from card. I then covered the moon in glue and silver metallic flakes. Once dry I gently rubbed the flakes into a smoother surface. I then glued the moon onto my nighttime backdrop adding additional glitter and silver stars. 

I then painted all my MDF shapes. Firstly with a white base, then with black paint. To finished them off I then painted them all with a layer of gloss varnish and silver metallic highlights. And yes one of the cats is in fact a dog! But when in shadow I thought he bore a resemblance to Rum Tum Tugger! Probably my favourite cat! 

Then I positioned and glued my MDF shapes into place to create my Catty scene. 

Well I hope you enjoyed another 'Kat make'. I hope they inspire you to have a go at creating your own.
If you have any questions please get in touch I am always happy to help if I can. 
Another 'Kat make' coming soon.
Until then happy making, 
Kat 😊

Easter Decor by Kerstin

 

Welcome creative friends!

 

In these gloomy times it's really not easy to sit down happily and relaxed 

at the hobby table, but at some point you have to switch off.

 

I'm back to share with you my new Easter Home decoration.

I used a simply wooden bunny from an Euro Shop as base.

 

When I start a project like this I have never a plan, 

I like to go with my intuition.

 

 

I choose three spring typical shapes and 

was in love with the daffodils and chickens. 

 For the background I used water diluted chalk paint, 

MDF shapes were painted with acrylics.

Branches on the ears are twigs from a picked tree.

some close up's

 

used MDF shapes from Calico Craft Parts

 

Daffodil Flower

 Songbirds in Spring Branches

 Hen & Cockrell Side by Side 

 Skeleton Tree MDF Wood Shape - Style 3

 

I hope you find inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by...until next time!

Kerstin

 

Doctor Watson's memoirs, mixed media book by Kat Hazelton

The first 'Sherlock Holmes' novel 'A Study in Scarlet' was published in July 1888 by Ward, Lock & Co. In this novel we get a highly detailed introduction into the world of Sherlock Holmes from the view point of Doctor Watson. In it he describes about himself, his first meeting with Sherlock Holmes and his first visit to 221B Baker Street in London. He describes 221B as an apartment that consisted of two comfortable bedrooms and a single large airy sitting room. Watson states that's its cheerfully furnished and illuminated by two broad windows. Doctor John Watson is presented in the first novel and throughout the series of Doyle's books as the biographer of Sherlocks cases writing down all of their adventures in his memoirs. Sherlock mentions Doctor Watson's memoirs on many occasions, sometimes scoffing Dr Watson interpretations! In 'The Adventures of Silver Blaze' Sherlock confesses to making a blunder quoting that it was a more common occurrence than anyone would think. Basically hinting that Watson memoirs rarely mentioned Sherlock's mistakes! 

Even though Sherlock Holmes is the main character but it's through the clever writing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that Doctor Watson's character becomes an essential partner to Holmes. Watson is the one that asks the questions on behalf of the reader. It's through Dr Watson's questions that we get to understand the unfolding of the stories and Holmes's clever methods of deductions. 

To make your own Doctor Watson 'memoirs' book you will need:

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/door-mdf-wood-shape-style-4.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/decorative-post-fence-panel-mdf-wood-shape-style-9.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/sheet-of-mini-mdf-street-lamps.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/window-mdf-wood-shape-style-5.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/christmas-carol-singers-group-1-mdf-wood-shape.html

https://www.calicocraftparts.co.uk/sheet-of-mini-mdf-steampunk-motifs-style-4.html

A book to decorate. I used a sketch book so I can use the book for scrapbook and journaling. You could create your own book using MDF mixed media boards, available from Calico Craft Parts, and scrap paper. 

Assorted paper for backgrounds. 

A mixture of paper dolls, cut out shapes, Victorian Ephemera. 

Bits and Bobs. I used beads and jewellery findings in my creation. 

Acrylic paints, gloss varnish and inks. 

Old Paintbrushes to stipple paint. 

Assorted glitters. 

White highlighter pen. 

To start off my project I painted my MDF shapes and paper die cuts with black acrylic paints. Once dry I added extra details such as windows above the door. I used gloss varnish to give it a glass look. 

I then started decorating the front cover of my 'Adventure' book. Gluing down a mixture of printed and brick embossed papers. To glue down the paper I used PVA glue. I also positioned and glued the front door this time using superglue. 

To make my portrait of a Victorian lady I used a paper doll, brooch finding and glossy varnish which went clear when dry. You could use resin or a clear acrylic sheet. 

I added some gold paint to bring out the details on the frame and also added colour to my bricks. 

The real fun bit! Adding all my bits and bobs. I positioned and glued down the railings, my Victorian people, including a paper doll which I thought made a perfect Doctor Watson! 

Grunging! 

To make my book feel more like a foggy cold Victorian London I used a mixture of white and brown acrylic paint which I dorbed with an old paint brush to dirty down the bricks, people and adornments. I also added assorted various glitters to add a touch of frost. I added a little watered down brown ink to dirty this down. I also added some coloured glitter and gloss to the lamps to give the appearance they are lit. 

 

Using a white highlighter pen I added little extra details on the characters and around the lamp. 

To give Watson one last finishing touch I added a walking stick. This was made from a cocktail stick painted with brown ink and gold metallic paint. 

Adventure Awaits! 

My Doctor Watson's Memoirs book is now finished and ready to journal my future adventures! 

I hope you enjoyed another 'Kat Make'. 
If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I will be happy to help if I can. 
I shall be back again soon with another make. 
Until then 'enjoy crafting' 
Kat 😊 

Giant cog - mini robot: by Louise Crosbie (Zuzu)

Hi there folks.

I’m sharing this assemblage that I learned in a class given by Nuneka Box. She used lots of resin pieces and metal embellishments but I decided to try my version using calico craft parts. 

I do love Nuneka’s style and her classes are very inspiring whilst being great fun. This one was part of her patreon membership.

I have used a few bits of resin cast in Finnabair moulds but it’s probably 90%  calico craft parts.

Parts used: 

Giant cog: 

Sheet of MDF cogs: 3

Sheet of MDF cogs: 4

Edison bulbs and chains

Mechanical clockwork motif 24

Cogs and clock hands

Mechanical clockworks motif number 16

Mechanical clockworks motif number 27

Sheet of mini hardware