I hope you all had a lovely holiday season and weren't too affected by the awful weather that's been affecting the UK and elsewhere. Even living inland we've had flood warnings in place in several areas nearby but I can't imagine the dreadfulness of the major flooding that some coast dwellers have faced (and it's much the same for some of those who live near rivers).
The winds apparently reached 60 mph here, and I woke up one morning to find a tree uprooted in my garden. Shame it didn't happen pre-Christmas... the top of this tree could have been chopped off and festooned in lights! It's actually pretty fortunate that it fell into our garden and not on nearby neighbour's houses.
I've made a start on my first sewing project of 2014. This is going to be some wall pockets - with a purpose. My elderly parents both have Alzheimer's and one of the many problems this brings is getting them to remember to take their medication (well, getting Mum to remember it, because unfortunately Dad can't even remember that he has medication - or even that he has problems with his memory). I am hoping that hanging medication up on the wall in a prominent place in a pretty hanger and a reminder notice will go some way to helping with that. We'll see what happens! I'm using some lovely Gutermann fabric that was given to me via Craftseller magazine, and some transparent PVC for the pockets which originally came from Abakhan.
I've also made a start with learning a new way of doing things... although I could be some time on this one! I was bought a graphics tablet for Christmas...
and I've been playing with creating images digitally. I'm quite happy with my beginner's efforts, although I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be yet. I think it will be fun learning, though, and there is another bonus: learning new things at any age is supposed to help reduce the potential for Alzheimer's in later life. I think considering there is a genetic link, and both my parents have it, I need to start taking my brain health seriously!
This is one of my first-ever digital craft papers that I actually created digitally and I'll be uploading a few of these to the Handmade Harbour store soon. I'm experimenting with drawing digitally on the tablet, too, although I think I need a little more practice! I made a start though... this was all drawn and coloured digitally...
The learning curve is pretty massive for me, but it's quite exciting to have a challenge that is outside my comfort zone but also links to creativity. I must admit I would have been happier if the digital tutorial that was supposed to come with this model could actually be accessed. I thought it was just me, but apparently this is a known issue. I couldn't download the online version either, and despite their help desk sending me a friendly email with some basic information, that didn't help much either. YouTube is their last-resort suggestion and finding the right tutorial is proving a little frustrating. Still, I'm sure I'll get there!
Over to you! What's been going on in your world? Or what are you planning for 2014?
17 comments:
Hi Wendy
Happy New Year!
Looking forward to seeing all your new creations....and hopefully participating a bit more in Handmade Monday this year
Anna xxxx
Happy new year! Your digital work looks amazing so it will be truly wonderful with more practice x
Happy new year! The digital pad looks interesting - probably the way forward in the digital age so good for your business and your brain!
Happy New year Wendy, sounds an exciting start to 2014 for you. I think the hanging table strip is a great idea - not just for people with memory problems. good luck with the graphics tablet - look forward to reading how you get on with it. Hope you have a good week.
Wow! I've been interested in graphic tablets for a wee while, they sound amazing. I'll be interested to find out how you get on with yours. I love your first 2014 project - such a thoughtful idea. x
Awww i really hope your wall hangar helps your parents, i'm sure it will and i'm sure they will really appreciate the care that has gone into making it for them too.
How exciting about the new tablet! Your first efforts look amazing!! I can see this opening up lots of exciting new avenues for you in 2014, i really look forward to hearing about your new creative ventures :)
Happy New Year! x
Happy 2014 Wendy. I've signed up for a few creative challenges - don't think I'd better sign up for anymore. I've been looking into getting a tablet but haven't decided which one I want.
Looking forward to seeing the hangers you make from that pretty material!
Looks like you've mastered the graphics tablet already!
I hope you hangers work with your parents, must be a worry for you. The graphics are already looking very promising, here's to seeing how you develope and grow over the year.
I love the idea of your wall hangers, I suffer from fibromyalgia which often causes memory issues (I have alarms for various medicines) I might share your idea with a number of my fibro friends - we're always looking for things that help us remember!
Thank you for letting me use the Handmade Harbour digi-stamps too. Once I'm done colouring in all the ones I've currently got printed, I shall have a good look around the site.
Happy New Year! Good for you for tipping your toe in and going digital. I am still a pen and ink woman slash luddite but maybe 2014 will be the year I slay the techno dragon!
"online" Manuals drive me absolutely batty! Especially, when you have to figure out "what" They're naming a certain "problem". I soooo MISS the HARDCOPY manuals!! It was always much quicker to flip through pages and *spot* your "problem" right off!
BTW, eat lots of Fish and take Vitamin D!
Yes, hard copy manuals are so much easier to use, I think. Unless they are for flat-pack furniture (therein lies several stories).
I'm with you on the nutrients. I don't eat much fish but am packing away the fish oil supplements!
good luck with the digi stamps! wow about your tree- i live coastal and its been terrible!
x
Happy new year Wendy. I love your digital drawing, I didn't even know such a graphics tablet existed! I hope your wall pockets are as helpful as they sound :)
Love the digi paper! I am enjoying and admiring all your designs in Craftseller. Thank-you for hosting HM. Happy new year, Jo x
Happy New Year Wendy! I hope your tablet strip works, it's such a good idea. I have a quote written down "Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful." And try and apply it to things I make. I'd say your idea fits really well with that.
Good luck with the graphics gizmo, your designs are lovely.
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