Handmade Monday 91

Welcome to another Handmade Monday.  Click the link to find out more.

Lots of things are still on my to-do list...but nothing seems to be getting completed!

I made a start on the lampshade for Craftseller magazine

making a pattern or making a mess?

but probably was more successful in making a mess than making a lampshade!  Still, I think I've got the basics of the pattern sorted.

On this one, I'm restricted by quite a specific brief, which in some ways is really good because it makes you think along lines you might never have considered.  I quite like that, once you've solved all the problems surrounding it!

it's a woodland theme

One of the problems is that I'm using paper for the lampshade (the papers they'll be giving away free in the magazine) so fire safety was a real issue that needed discussing and researching pretty thoroughly.  The fire safety issue will be addressed in the feature.

Another problem is that the papers are all just A4 size, so need some fairly creative joining!  I'm going for tree shapes stitched over the joins.

Also - and I've not fully worked this one out yet - I need to make some cut-out shapes in the shade.  I'm thinking falling leaves (the obvious choice for this time of year and no need to look far for inspiration!) but we'll see.  The cuts need to go through the adhesive safety backing too (my fingers are scared for their safety already!).

autumn leaves

I still haven't worked out a trim for the top and bottom of the shade.  That's rapidly becoming urgent and I doubt if I have anything in my stash.

Meanwhile, the owl is patiently awaiting being brought to life for Sewing World magazine ...

the fabrics and fastenings are from Guthrie and Ghani

Then there's a couple more commissions: an old picture frame to transform into a chalkboard to begin with, then some tatty old placemats need a creative transformation!

It all needs doing in the next week or two (with patterns and instructions written up too!).  This would all be ok - leisurely, even - if I didn't have anything else to do, but ... (you know what's coming, don't you?)  it's obvious over here that Christmas is on its way and people are making preparations!  It's making it difficult to fit in all the things I need to do - because all the gifts on my website are painted to order - and I know it will only get busier.

Anyway, it's time right now to enjoy a little break in the form of Handmade Monday - leave your link and enjoy seeing what everyone else is sharing too.  Don't forget to leave a few comments behind, especially where you've enjoyed someone's blog post - blog comments are always appreciated and often reciprocated.  Now where did I put my cup of tea?

Oh! I nearly forgot!  You still have time to enter my giveaway - click here to check it out - you could win pretty much whatever craft supplies you like!