10

A History Essay Competition.

Back in March, I entered the Vellacott History Prize, with the title 'History is not an Art, it is a Science. Discuss'. I didn't win anything, but was congratulated on the high standard of my writing. Other people had higher standards, so mine was probably middling. But I feel proud having entered it, and having at least one of the Cambridge professors read my work.

The title also connected with me personally, as for my AS subjects,I study both Art and Physics, as well as with my History, so I felt that this essay and research was ideal to help me 'join-the dots'. I am proud of what I've done.

Here is an extract  of my Art section, as I think it will be more appreciated than me waffling about statistical nonsense.

"History, as with art, will also potentially be judged on its merits by the accepted values and beliefs of the time in which it is appreciated, and will go through cyclic fluctuations as to whether it is valued or, alternatively, disliked. History is unlike science in that it has always existed, and events of the past will not change, making it similar to art. Pieces exist and will be respected, much as with historical events, but that does not necessarily mean that they will be liked. It could then be argued that the main aim of the basic study of History is the appreciation of the past, and not necessarily the dissection nor the understanding of the causation. By appreciating the subject at its foundations, the subject entails the curiosity towards the past and to enjoy its discovery. Also, History is far easier to simplify in order to be understood by the general masses - such as with the television series Horrible Histories, which is targeted at younger audiences; than science is, and History can be made increasingly complex for those who wish. The same occurs with the understanding of art. At a basic level it can be valued for its aesthetics, but can be intricately uncovered into a far more complex work. Science is either intricately complex, or does not contain all of the facts. It is limited where History is not."

50 Things 

Two posts in one day.... What is this tomfoolery?!

I know, I know... I haven't been seen for nearly a month and then.... poof! I'm here and I have ideas and stuff and much to do! And exams are nearly over! I have one more on Tuesday! YAY! Then I can come back and make stuff. Hoorah!

I found a gorgeous blog today. Now. We all know how much I love Christmas. So... I found the Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog and I was in heaven. They post a different challenge every week and you make something Christmassy and link it up!

This week's challenge is 'Spots and Stripes'.

Here is my interpretation:

I love the little Gingerbread man! I used a spotty patterned paper, and a striped border which I shaped for the scarf. I added two stripes of green to tie the two together.

I got a rounded corner punch. It fills me with glee.

Now some may say it's too early for Christmas, but in my opinion,the earlier you start the more you can make - and, as there are no new supplies around this year, the more of your stash you can use up! Which,of course,just means that you go and buy more stuff when they appear on the shelves, but still!

9

Something from an Alternate fandom

Aah, Doctor Who, how I do love thee....

 

 

This is a sleep mask that I made, which I embroidered with the phrase 'Don't Blink',  I really hope that there aren't any Weeping Angels around though, they're terrifying!

 

I also thought I'd do a few progress shots, as I haven't made anything in a while, and I wanted to make the most of it!

 

First I drew around one of my existing eye masks, and cut the template out of paper. I seem to be rather unlucky with the masks I use - the elastic always breaks, so perhaps if I can make them, it would be cheaper all around!

 

I then cut out, using the above template, 2 patterned cotton pieces for the front and back, and a fleecey one for the middle, so it doesn't let light in.

 

I then embroidered the front...

 

And promptly started sewing it all together. So much so that I forgot to take a picture of attaching the elastic. Basically, i measured the elastic around my ears, cut it and then attached it my sewing it into the seem as I sandwiched the fleece in the middle.

Turn it all out, hand stitch it closed, and tada!

But Matt Smith is leaving! *tears*

Night Night!

50 Things to Make

25th: Christmas Card 5

Yes, it's May. Shhh!

 

Equipment:

White Card

Patterned paper

Christmas Topper

Coloured string

Foam Pads

Tape

 

1) Fold the White card into an A5 Blank and turn horizontally.

2) Around the front flap, wrap the string around repeatedly, in different directions, making sure to overlap the strands. Secure with tape on the back of the card.

3) On a separate piece of White Card, attach the topper centrally, and cut a square around it.

4) Trim Patterned paper to a larger square than the topper card,and attach topper card with foam pads centrally onto it.

5) Attach topper to the right of the card using foam pads, allowing the string to splay out either side.

 

Aaaaaand, Tada!

I very much like this string technique, and the layout is simple enough that you could dress it to the nines if you wanted. It's pretty.

8

A Birthday Card

 

 

I love Winnie the Pooh. Always have, and probably, always will. I made this for my friend's birthday and when asked by my mother 'Are you sure she likes Winnie the Pooh', I answered pointedly, 'if she doesn't, she should have latched on by now that I do.'

 

Plus... HOW CUTE IS IT?!?!

 

Equipment:

A stamp ( I've had this one for years, and am seriously in love with it)

White Card

Coloured card scrap

Brown ink pad

Colouring Pencils

Foam Pads

Gingham Ribbon

Glue

 

1) Ink up the stamp and print a clear image onto a sheet of white card. Trim the image and round the corners.

2) Highlight areas with colouring pencils, such as Pooh, or Piglet, or Christopher Robin's shirt.

3) Cut a rectangle slightly larger than the image and round corners also.

4) Layer the two pieces of card using foam pads, slightly off centre

5) Fold an A5 white card blank, and hold horizontally. Glue the gingham ribbon a third in from the right hand side

6) Attach the stamped image and smile.

 

All together now 'awwwwwww!'

Why don't people send me nice birthday cards like this? I usually get ones with shoes and handbags on them. I am not impressed.

50 Things to Make

May the Fourth be with You!

Yes, it's bad Star Wars pun time!

 

I spent most of the day feeling exhausted, but I managed to dig up my favourite Star Wars inspired crafts for the occasion! Click on the link below to take you to the ingenious people who created them!

 

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I always loved the ewoks. So cute and cuddly, I wanted to claw one out of the screen and claim it as my own. Also, one of them grew up to be Professor Flitwick.

 



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I love the pattern given in this tutorial, and I can think of other applications for it as well - Cushions, bags, applique, bunting.... The list goes on!

 

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And of course, little gorgeous Yoda! Although, he would probably slice me in half with his lightsaber if he heard me say that.... This pattern makes me wish that I knew how to crochet....However, I am unfortunate and every time I try, I end up trying to knit with the aid of my finger.... Not good.

Plus, Yoda in the Vodaphone adverts?! I nearly asked Mum to switch my phone provider just so I could be a part of YODAPHONE. But that would be taking it too far.

 

Also what I'm loving are THESE four star wars patterns bu Fandom in Stitches (section second from bottom). This is a craft I wish very much to learn this year, although maybe I shall start with something simpler!

 

R2-D2

My contribution to this fine creative institute is my R2-D2, whose pattern I still haven't written up. I will get to it, I promise.

 

There is still a whole mine of inspiration that has been left untapped in this movie franchise, which I will have to explore further, and what with the new trilogy headed soon, I shall either prepare to hide and cry in a corner for the disaster it will be, or I shall prepare to show my true belief of the Force.

 

Either way, I wish you a Happy May, as I have exams and am likely to be around much less than usual, and I am very stressed. Perhaps I need Yoda to help me meditate.

 

May the force be with you.

7

Something Harry Potter

Thou eyes doth not deceive you: that is indeed a Knitted Snape Cushion.

Creepy, isn't it?! Ah well, 'twas knitted for my best friend's Birthday, so I hope she liked it. I finished it back in February and have been dying to share it ever since - I feel I do not do enough Potterness here any more, but oh well.

Pattern came from here, and was simplified down to only three colours by me. I don't think the work suffered much in doing so.

50 Things to make