Lesley's Calico Review 2019

Happy New Year everyone! 

It’s my turn to pick my 3 favest makes of the year. 

My first one takes us back to January, The Four Sided Face where I got to use clay, one of my favest mediums to work with.

My second project was in February where I upcycled an old frame. I do love a bit of upcycling!

The final favourite piece was in the summer where I altered a stack of the artist trading cubes. My go to item when my mojo has upped and gone! 

Looking back at my favourite makes, I see a theme occurring......FACES! I’m sure they’ll be more of these to come! 

Thanks for reading.

L.x

Julie Ann's Calicco Review of 2019

Hello Everyone and Welcome to my last post of 2019. This year has flown by! I hope that your festivities were joyful and peaceful and that you are looking forward to a new year of hope and happiness. On the eve of 2020, I just wanted to share with you 3 of my favourite projects of 2019.

Back in March I tried working on a larger scale with a fantasy shrine that I named 'Who in the world am I' - a quote from 'Alice in Wonderland'!

While towards the end of February, I looked forward to long summer days and evoked Wonderland with the White Rabbit and Alice in the topsy-turvy land of a reversed canvas.

Finally, as January drew to a close I created a Clarice Cliff inspired doll with a tag body and a Christmas bauble for a head. The blue skies on her dress and the warm rays of the sun reminded me that spring was really just around the corner!

At this point, deep in the winter's cold and darkness, let's remember the bulbs we planted working away underground and pushing upward toward the light. I wish you a Happy New Year filled with creative joy and New Beginnings! 

Kerstin's creative review 2019

Welcome crafty friends!

 

An eventful year lies behind us and a certainly exciting year 2019 lies ahead.

The perfect time to reflect on the past year. 

Thank you so much for all your support and kind comments through 2019. 

I really appreciate it!!

 Springtime Tag with 3D shelf

The winter has just begun and yet one is already longing for spring. 

 

Frightful Night by the Sea 

I combined my two favs:
the themes SEA and HALLOWEEN and
an old drawer from a flea market.

Never give up 

Nobody can always be strong!

There are also times in life when you have to encourage yourself!!

 

 

I hope you've all had a great time and am looking forward

 to the next exciting year 2020! 

Creative Hugs from Kerstin  

Magda's Calico Review 2019

Hello creative friends!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas full of love and smiles. Usually it's a very busy time for everyone but hopefully you had a little bit of 'me' time and maybe a few creative minutes?

Today I would like to share with you my Top 3 from 2019. Not many projects this year because I've joined this amazing team not so long ago. Only 9 posts with my projects, on Calico Craft Parts blog, so far but very colourful ones.

I always have got a problem with choosing my favourite projects. I love most of them (I'm not very shy, aren't I? ;)). Art journal cover is a special one, that's why I've chosen it. I combined Calico Craft Parts with stencils designed by me. HERE is a blog post with more photos.

Another project which I really like is a little creature house. This is my first project for Calico Craft Parts. More photos HERE.

That one wasn't published on this blog, I only showed it on my Instagram (studiomagdapolakow). I made that little house for my friend, she loves dogs and seaside.

I wish you all the best in 2020!!!

Magda :)

Claudia's 2019 Calico Review

Hi, servus and thanks for taking the time for a short visit today!

I know we're all busy preparing for celebrating Christmas with our loved ones. Christmas is celebrated in the evening of the 24th in Austria (and it is Christkind over here who brings the presents) - so I will be quite busy myself while you are reading this and if you are reading this on its actual posting date (but thanks to the schedule function I can even share my Top 3 of my own Calico Craft Parts makes from 2019 with you while I am preparing for Xmas AND celebrating my own birthday - which is today...and celebrations always are being kept short because I don't have a lot of time to celebrate my own birthday either. But the older I get the less important it has become to celebrate my own birthday - I rather enjoy decorating the tree on this day, listening to Christmas carols and having a cup of glogg (or two) ;)


One of my 2019 favs was not posted on the Calico Craft Parts blog but on my own - as an extra so to say and as the kick off project for the summer special steampunk challenge over at my steampunk challenge blog - and I love it because I had so much fun doing this ATB (Artist Trading Block) and getting crazy with the wiring and with combining some of my most loved bits 'n bobs with the cool craft parts to create my own version of a

time machine

My second pick is this little 

bird box 

that reminds me a bit of ancient Egyptian style furniture pieces

found in Pharaohs' tombs 

though that wasn't intended when I created this piece

(guess it's because of the colours I chose, 

the ornamental patterns and the little spool feet)

and the third project I've chosen 

is this 

time traveller's journal

done with one of Eileen Hull's journal or book dies

which was the perfect format to properly display some of 

the most beautiful steampunk wood shapes from Calico Craft Parts' wide range

Seems I am a bit obsessed with time travels of all kinds ;)

But then who isn't? The concept of being able to travel through time, making things done in the past undone (or better), finding out about what lies before us...but maybe the latter isn't something I really would want to know...

I think I'd rather live my life instead of ticking off events and achievements on a list I already have. 

But before I get too philosophical let's get back to business and the projects. ;)
These are all close to my heart, the bird box sitting on my writing desk (in it some of my mixed media jewellery pieces I've made), the journal and the ATB being displayed in my "inspirational corner" in the living room. I think they are, because these were all that kind of projects where everything falls into place so naturally, where shapes, colours, patterns and right places find each other and the finished project has become so much more than just the sum of all the parts being used and put together. As if they have developed a life on their own - with a little piece of my heart and soul in them.

If you would like to find out about one of these projects in more detail, please, simply click on their titles and you will get taken to the posts with loads of images and full tutorials - and the lists and links of the Calico Craft Parts used of course.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas 

and a happy new year, dear crafty friends!

Claudia

xxx

Favourite Projects of 2018 : Jennie

Hello and a very happy New Year to you all.

It has been lovely over the last month viewing everyone's favourite projects from last year. I am a bit late doing this but it is now my turn to share my favourite four with you. How hard it was to choose just four!

I am a great lover of Calico Craft Parts alterable items and kits and matching these with lovely individual  pieces - both large and small.  My mind often goes down a different route and this was the case with the boat kit. I thought it would make a lovely Romantic Arbour and had great fun putting this project together back in April.

Some of the Mini Craft Sheets are just begging to be used in a project and I had so much fun creating this beach scene back in September - This Way to the Beach.  It is lovely to be able to add so much detail.

I managed to achieve a lovely whitewashed look and this piece sits alongside other beach finds in our bathroom.

I am a great admirer of the lovely shrines created by my fellow design team members and decided to try one myself. As it was late November the period of Advent came to mind - a time to reflect a little each day, getting away from the madness of being in the local panto and getting ready for Christmas. This Advent Peace Shrine really did help to create a little peaceful corner each day.

I probably create more ATCs than anything else through the year, not just with Calico Craft Parts but also for other challenges and just because I love making them. This was a collaborative ATC with my little grand-daughter (aged 4) who was visiting in July and had a wonderful time going through all the drawers and cupboards in the craft room. She particularly loved the Calico Craft Parts drawer and so I asked her to gather together some bits and pieces that I could make into a project. I love what she chose and the resulting "A Little Girl's Dream" ATC - she does too, it now sits on her bedside table.

As always thank you for joining me today and I'll be back in two weeks time with my first project of this year.

Jennie x

Live The Dream

My Year in Review by Lesley

Happy New Year!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and spent it with loved ones.

This post is all about my year with Calico Craft Parts...….and my three favourite makes of the past year. Starting with Norman Art Doll

Norman lives on my stairs, and is still talked about when we have visitors!

Next we have a canvas I did back in March.....

The little dudes are actually bats with the wings chopped off! 

And lastly, we have Fright Night at the Circus...…

I've loved looking through my past works for the year and of my fellow team-mates and I look for ward to returning in a couple of weeks with my first make of 2019.

Thanks so much for reading, I really do appreciate it!

L.xx

A Calico Review by Julie Ann

The eve of another new year and we wait for what 2019 will bring! Have you made a list of resolutions yet, or maybe chosen a theme for the year ahead? Whatever the year has in store, I hope it allows you some creative time. This is a time to look ahead, but also to reflect on the things we enjoyed about 2018 so I've selected my 3 favourite Calico projects from 2018 to share with you today.

Spring seems a long time ago now, but here's a reminder from March 2018 that daffodils will be peeking up again in not so many months from now! This was a tag art doll that was so much fun to create with Calico Craft Parts.

Then, still in the realm of the art dolls on tags, I created this little twig keeper! She is definitely my favourite make from 2018. She hangs in my studio, offering me twigs to use in my projects and generally brightening things up.

For my final choice, I move forward a little into the Summer of 2018 and a stack of storage boxes for all my bits and bobs. These were not only lots of fun to make, they have been really useful too.

 I'm going to include a link below to Calico Tags, House kits, Storage Boxes and Dolls because these, along with a multiplicity of exquisitely crafted and detailed decorative shapes, have proved a wonderful resource for me over the past year! Do take a look at the amazing range of shapes and kits stocked by Calico and the exciting opportunities they give for creative projects. I can't wait to see what new designs Helen has in store for us in 2019!

Thank You so much for the kind comments you have left over the past year. They have meant so much to me and Thank You to Calico Craft Parts for all the inspiration their products have given me and the opportunity to create and share here on their blog. I do hope that 2019 will bring you joy, creativity and good company. Happy New Year!

MDF Cube Storage Box Kits

MDF Tag Shape - Pointed Top

Block Style Tall House Kit

Standard jointed Art Doll Kit

A short review 2018 by Kerstin

Welcome crafty friends!

An eventful year lies behind us and a certainly exciting year 2019 lies ahead.

The right time for an short review. 

 Now I have been a design team member at Calico Craft Parts for 7 months, 

time flies by, luckily the ideas never went out and I am still with a lot of joy and energy.

 Door hanger -  Out of Order

Our summer was very hot and

the yearning for a cool and relaxing place was very big. Whenever I see this project, I think of fresh sea breezes, delicious ice cream and a wonderful beach life.

 

 

 Altered Frame - Balloon Time

I love the vintage style, everything is a bit dated, is not noticed by many and has so many stories to tell.
Old faded colors, torn structures and as a special eye-catcher, a balloon in 3D optics.

Shadow Box - Nemo's Memories

I'm sure you know the awesome stories from Jules Verne with Captain Nemo under the sea.  I will always be an avid fan of the marine world, fascination and adventure at the same time, and with all the wonderful wooden shapes to discover here, it's always an exciting adventure to put new ideas into projects.

 

If you do need any further inspiration, then look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members.

 Thank you for stopping by  and many thanks to everyone who took the time to leave me a comment on all past posts shared ... it means a lot for me!

 A special thanks goes to my friend Claudia for your translation help!

 English isn't my native language, so please don't be surprised today, perhaps a little bit weird mode of expression, I have prescribed Claudia vacation :-)

 

Hope you've all had a great time and looking forward

 to the next exciting year 2019! 

 Creative Hugs from Kerstin  

 

CFCCPPs 2018 - Claudia's Favourite Calico Craft Parts Projects 2018

lol...it's that time of year again and I never know how to title this special kind of post.

Around Christmas the design team are to pick their three favourites among their own Calico Craft Parts projects from this year and share these with you in a short post.

Over here in Austria we celebrate Christmas in the evening on 24th December. So this is a prepared and scheduled post obviously as on the 24th I am found at home, busily climbing up and down our step stool, decorating our Christmas tree (in Austria the tree is put up on the 24th) ...

...and then heading over to the kitchen to finish the last dishes for our Christmas buffet (which mainly consists of small rolls, French Mayonnaise Vegetable Salad (an old recipe of my aunt's), mini Wiener Schnitzels my son and husband make, a delicious pastry, Salmon rolls or other delicacies my sister makes, sometimes also Egg Mayonnaise Salad as well or pickled herring salad (if there is still time), - and my sisters' wonderful Christmas cookies of course!).
No need to mention that we do not need to cook for the next four days after that... ;)


Back to the favourite projects! I admit picking just three is really hard - but pick I must and pick I did. So here they come:




I still love using and really loved making this ATC stand! It sits on my studio desk and is wonderful for displaying my favourite ATCs - which always is a good source for new inspiration too.

For the post with more images, the link to the storage and display box kit and the tutorial click HERE.









The second project I picked has been presented not long ago actually - but it definitely is my most favourite for 2018 - so it had to be among my Top3. I love all the beautiful Calico Craft Parts wood shapes I used on it, I love the forest theme (one of my favourite themes in general) and I am so happy and proud about how the finished pieces turned out!

For the post with more images, the list of craft parts used and the tutorial click HERE.







And last but not least I have picked this underwater shadow box I made for my son (who loves fishes and will maybe one day become a marine biologist). It was inspired by a pond in the Danube Wetlands National Park nearby where they have built an underwater observatory you can simply walk right in and see the pond through large windows from below the surface. We used to go there when he was a young kid and we just loved the spooky atmosphere and watching large carps and other fish pass us by.

For the post with more images, the list of Calico Craft Parts used and a full tutorial click HERE.



If you expected to find something Christmas themed and haven't already checked out my last project(s) from two weeks ago, simply click HERE and get a good dose of vintage Christmas decoration. And of course my wonderful teamies have created and posted some amazing Christmas projects too during the last weeks! So why not browse the latest blog posts on here... ;)

Wishing you all a

Merry Christmas 

and a

Happy New Year!

Enjoy the holidays!

Claudia

xxx

2017 with Calico Craft Parts - by Julie Ann

Happy New Year! I do hope that 2018 will be a creative year for you, full of fun and inspiration! January is a time for looking forward to a year of exciting new projects, but that can be daunting: that's when I reflect on my favourite 'makes' from the past year. I find that it really helps me to recall what I've created in the past, there is often an aspect I'd like to develop, or some technique I've almost forgotten and that I'd like to revisit. Projects have memories too, helping us to re-live our dreams and hopes. Here are 3 of my favourite projects from 2017.

Early in 2017 I embarked on some family research. I not only discovered the little house in Mile End where my father was born, but also a cousin I never knew I had! This Calico Victorian Box Kit - with the addition of some tiny doors and windows became 'The Street where he Lived' with his parents, Annie and Judah.

As the short winter days gave way to birdsong and light evenings, I went in search of a springtime muse to inspire me. This classic shrine lives in my studio and supplies me with twine for parcels and projects as well as inspiration. Calico Craft Parts have such a wealth of tiny details that can be added to bring projects to life too. Do browse the Flora and Fauna; Birds and Winged Things and Animal Wood Shapes for abundant ideas!

To celebrate Autumn - possibly my favourite season - I created this little diorama using  a  Printer's Tray without the inserts, adding one of the Calico mini houses which I love. Again, the details provided by Calico were invaluable. Their leaf designs are so adaptable to any season and so realistic, and I just love the owls!
Thank You so much for dropping by today and reminiscing with me. I do hope your 2018 will be a happy and fulfilling year and I wish you success and joy in all your adventures!

My Favest Makes of 2017 by Lesley

Hey everyone, Lesley here with my most favest makes of this year.

I loved scrolling back through the blog and looking at everyones work!

My first piece goes back to February and was entitled Broken. It was a very personal piece for me, but something I look at now and can smile at rather than feel sad. It uses one of the Calico cubes....a top ten fave of mine from the website!

Next, I revisited May and another dolls head make called Perched on her Throne. She was a fun piece to create and she still sits on my shelf in the room of trash today!

Finally, we go back to August with a piece called Flying Skull People. No dolls heads in this one, but we do have skulls instead! ha ha!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Am looking forward to returning in the new year with more slightly weird makes!

See you all next year!
L.xx

Julie Ann's Favourites of 2016

Hello and Welcome! I can't believe that 2017 is here! I hope you all had a great Holiday and that 2017 will be a creative and happy year for you! Thank you so much for the support you have given me on Calico over the last year and for stopping by the Calico Craft Parts Blog today. 

2016 was such an exciting year for me. It was a dream come true to be invited to join this lovely and talented design team - I've enjoyed myself so much! What a privilege it's been to be allowed to play with all these beautiful art parts, boxes and 3D kits! I'm so grateful to Helen at Calico Craft Parts for giving me this opportunity to create with her gorgeous products and to ZuZu, our wonderful coordinator, as well as my colleagues: Lesley, Claudia and Jennie who are so inspiring to work with.

When I joined the Team back in June, I started off by using a combination of Calico birds and beasts to create this homage to Frida Kahlo, My Reality, a little reversed box canvas.

One of my favourite things about Calico Craft Parts is that they are the perfect inspiration for story-telling. Gather together some beautifully detailed pieces, mix and match and then add a sprinkling of imagination and there's a brand new story to be told.

With Delightful Discoveries, my blog post for 18th July, I decided to bring one of the charming Calico House Kits to life by giving it tiny clay sneakers! I wonder where my little house lady is travelling to and what discoveries she might make on her journey? If she gets tired she can always use those wings to carry her over the fields and the forests to her destination! 

Finally, everyone needs a helping hand sometimes. This Domestic Goddess, created from a combination of a Calico Art Doll and Shrine Kit with a heart plaque for a face, was at the ready with the twine for gift wrapping from October 24th throughout the Christmas Period. 

Thank You for re-visiting my 2016 Calico Makes with me today! I hope that 2017 will be a truly creative year for you and that you will be able to share some of your own projects on your blogs and in challenges during 2017. Please join me back here in a fortnight's time to see my first Calico make for the New Year.

Claudia's Best of 2016

Servus, hi and salut!

I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and are looking forward to some relaxed and peaceful holidays!

I joined this fab DT this year in May after guesting in March (which I enjoyed so much) and I have been enjoying to be on such a talented and relaxed team, to work with the wonderfully inspiring Calico Craft Parts, to have lovely Louise as our DT coordinator (taking great care of us all) and to have a wonderful boss like Helen ever since!

So my first pick for my personal Top 3 among my DT makes for 2016 may come as no surprise - it's the "Forest Love - Part Two" make I did as guest designer - and which made me realize how much the Calico Craft Parts spark my imagination and inspire me to create.

My second pick is the project I had the most fun doing - "Pigs in Space!". Being a great fan of the Muppets Show and especially their "Pigs in Space" series with First Mate Miss Piggy and Captain Hogthrob facing many perils in outer space I enjoyed creating this particular project very much!

And my last and third pick is the "Looking Inside the Box is Looking Outside?" deep sea tunnel box. My son and I are both great lovers of all seep sea life and watch every documentary there is (especially the fab BBC ones) - so making this box was a must - especially as the Calico Craft Parts used with it are utterly fab! And maybe one day my son will be the little diver you can spot to the left....who knows? 

Thank you very much for stopping by today and revisiting these makes with me! I wish you all a happy and creative 2017 and we will meet each other here again in two weeks with the new year already in full swing! ;)

Hugs and happy crafting!

Claudia

xxx