Wednesday, 7 August 2013

Whispers


This short story, I hate to admit, is actually a fanfiction *cringe*. But I figure the emotions are real enough and could relate just as well to any character (also as probably no-one has ever heard of this fandom). Take a read, and tell me what you think.
 
She stood by the window, watching, waiting. Always waiting, now. Rain turned into sun, turned into night. The moonlight glowed across the cobbled streets. Once she would have deemed it beautiful. Now it was only a stark reminder of what had once been.

She turned away and looked inwards. She’d never realised how large a lonely house could feel. And it was. Forgotten memories played out across every surface. This place was no longer her home. It was her prison, and his memory her torture.

As she climbed the stairs to the room they had shared. She paused on the stair that creaked. A memory danced across her face. She looked back down and thought even now she regretted letting him leave for his duty. A mission he wouldn’t let her come to. He had stopped her on this stair.

 She continued to climb, the task almost laborious. She paused as her hand stroked the door handle, the metal cool against her palm. She turned it and entered.

This was one of the worst places. The warm walls and soft surroundings should have been a comfort, but they weren’t. She leaned against the closed door and shuddered an inhalation, her breath catching in her throat. She opened them again and padded across the room.

She stood before the mirror at the woman who was not her. She had barely eaten since he had gone, almost two months now; barely slept either. Her eyes were bloodshot and sunken into her sallow face. The smile that had once danced across her lips had faded to extinction. She felt so alone. Her clothes hung off her fragile frame, limp and dull. Her hair hung in front of her face in ragged strands. She couldn’t bare the image before her, and turned away.

She walked over to the drawers that had been his, ran her fingertips across the top, disturbing the dust blanket atop of it. She pulled one of the drawers open and was surrounded by his aroma. Tears formed in her eyes as she replaced her jumper with one of his, letting his feeling engulf her entirely. She let them stream down her face as she settled onto the bed.

She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. The times before he was gone flooded through her mind; every whispered word and secret touch. She extended her hand across to the side where he had slept, so cold now, when once there had been roaring life. She felt cold.

 She turned on her side, away from the light, curling her legs up to her chest. She blinked away the tears that were welling up in her eyes.

Then, there was a breeze. The window swung open, the curtains drifting in the night air. It was warm outside, for the time of year. She closed her eyes again, and it almost felt like a breath tickling her neck. The warmth spread to envelop her tiny form, curled up on its side. She thought she felt his hands, one curling around her waist, the other tousling her hair slightly. Another tear leaked from the corner of her eye. This is how all of her dreams were now, and she was dreading the moment she would wake and find it all to be a lie. But for now, she would let herself sleep. She took a deep breath and let sleep engulf her. In that misty haze, she thought she even heard him, but denied it to the trickery of the wind.
 “I’ve missed you.”

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

I'm going a-travelling...

Well, sort of. I'm going on Holiday to Crete with my family for a fortnight, but I want to make a travel journal while I'm out there - it'll give me something to do, and it'll keep all of my memories in one place, which I've never done before.

I'm taking with me a brown paged 8" square ring bound scrapbook, and a selection of papermania travel inspired papers (so that I can choose which ones to use where, unlike mister-stupid-SMASH-book) and this journaling pad, which seemed like a fun idea.

 
These posts and journals were the ones that inspired me to take on this feat:
 
 
I want to make pages like this, except not with a SMASH book, as I don't believe in big brands trying to control everything. If I want to journal on the road, who's to say that I need a SMASH book or not?
 

 
I'm writing this check list down as good ideas for page starters.
 
And this video by Jenniebellie gave me the idea of what I want to be able to achieve one day:
 
 
I hope to share my book with you when I get back!
 

Monday, 5 August 2013

My favourite 10: Bloggers


I figured I'd start a series in this month of all blogging - How does My favourite Mondays sound? After all, Mondays are a bit of a let down, so perhaps if I can just remind myself of all the things I like, it could be a good idea!
I'm going to start with my favourite 10 Bloggers today, but as I am unsure of how copyright stands, I'm not going to put any of their pictures up as it could be an infringement and I don't want to be in trouble, even by these lovely people.
Anyway, in no particular order:

Miss Beatrix
If you love the vintage, the literary and general cosiness, this is definitely a blog you want to check out! I particularly love Creatives Unite and her Creative Life series.


Lifesize Paperdoll
Someone to tell it as it is? Yup, this is her. I love her anecdotes of her college life, Maggie manages to highlight all of those little things that make you smile in a day.

claireabellemakes
Gorgeous Cambridge photography.... Well, just gorgeous photography of everything really. And her crafts are so sweet,and I'm in love with all of the bicycles!

The Cookie Button
I really like looking at the projects Sammy makes for College, as well as the general cuteness of her entire blog.

The Owl Club
This lovely lady actually inspired me for my 50 crafts in a year. Well, it was the push, as you see all of these '30 before 30' things, but I felt craft was a bit more accessible for little me. Her projects are gorgeous and I love Owls too!

Running with a Glue Gun
Katie's Let's Talk series is one I find really interesting, and her DIY's are do-able, and very appealing to us, the younger generation. Also, her dog is super cute.


Fandom in Stitches
Harry Potter Quilts? Need I say more? Oh wait, yes- Lord of the Rings, Hobbit, Star Wars, Doctor Who.... This is why I want to paper piece! But can't because I am a wonky sewer....

A Spoonful of Sugar
I think it's amazing that this is a mother and daughter blog. Also food? Yum! And the French twists you see through out are gorgeous.

Click Clack Clunk
Different parts of the world are inspiring, and Lauren's stories of Alaska are just that. I love her drawings and her photos, everything just feels so fresh over there...

Rae Gun Ramblings
If you're looking for an all manner of geekery, tada! Book reviews, Harry Potter Crafts ( I NEED to get some freezer paper) and a cool series called 'Sew our stash' - a good plan, considering the sheer volume that I got given


Dear Little Fawn was my first blog love, but she hasn't been around for a while, so I haven't counted her in my 10. Check out her archives though for her gorgeous drawings, and light-hearted manner.

I hope you love these ladies as much as I do!

Sunday, 4 August 2013

Christmas To-Do List: Gifts

 
These cute felt owls from Lily Sol
 
 
Acetate Bookmarks - ingenious! From here
 
fabric flower tutorial 
 
Gorgeous Flower tutorial from A Pumpkin & A Princess
 
 
Another quick gift idea from here
 
 
I know exactly the person for something like this
 
Copyrights belong to the respective blog owners, and I really hope that I am able to make some of these superb crafts,  and that I get to give them as gifts to my friends and family this year, as they're just so pretty. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Saturday, 3 August 2013

13

A Summer Card
 
 
Aren't they pretty!
 
I was looking for inspiration for a Birthday card, found these strawberry felt stickers and it just felt perfect! They're so cute and the embossed frame makes it even more tactile than just the felt on its own!
 
There's not really much to be said about a tutorial - I just arranged the stickers within a frame and added a sentiment, but I like the simplicity of it.
 


Friday, 2 August 2013

Camera Experiments: Blurred




 
I call this one: 'Wave the Camera around in front of the Bookcase and see what happens'
 
I quite like it.


Thursday, 1 August 2013

12

A Pin Board
 
 
Equipment:
An old corkboard
Fabric large enough to cover the corkboard
Ideally a staple gun, but if like me you are without, I found that drawing pins work well too
 
 
1) First, cut the fabric so that there is at least a 10cm border around each edge of the corkboard
2) Lay the fabric right side down, and the cork board on top. Fold the middles of each side flap in and pin in place.
3) Check that fabric is taught across the front

 
4) Fold the corners as you would if wrapping a present and pin in place also.
5) Check everything is pinned and the fabric won't move, and if you can, STAPLE!
 
And.... Voila!

Look! Neat Corners!

 
I wanted to make a pin board cover that would match my room more than an ugly brown ick thing. All you need to do now is stick pins with important things in (or lists. Lots of lists) and off you go!
 
Or you could just leave it plain if you are especially in love with the pattern of fabric that you used.