Monthly Creative Challenge:- May

It's May and it's Monday so it's the monthly creative challenge day! Last month we only got a few entries, but each one was oh so yummy. I'm getting ahead of myself. I'll show you each one after I've set this months topic.

The Creative Challenge is open to all to enter. This is an invitation to you all to join in and create something that reflects that topic. You can knit, sew, crochet, weave, photograph, paint, video, compose, interpretive dance, write... pretty much anything creative within that topic. All we are trying to do is encourage people that don't get much chance to be creative to get into making things and for those that are already very creative to try something different, or utilise the crafts they already use in a different way.

Once you have created your piece, you can photograph or video it and you can add it to
the challenge Flickr group. There is a link to this group at the top of the blog so you can easily access it to keep up with what has been made. Remember to put "May Challenge" somewhere in the title when you load it to the group. If you are not a member of Flickr and would like to load your entry somewhere else you can link to it from the feedback on this blog post. There will be regular updates of what people have made throughout the month here on the blog, so keep checking back and show the creators some love.

I will start a new thread in the Flickr group for people to comment on the items they like and chat about how they made their piece and give each other hints and tips on the craft they used. Even if you don't have time to create anything it would be lovely if you could give the people that have some feedback.

May's Topic = Children

The topic is to reflect the fact that the May 5th is the Children's Day in Japan, Korea and China. May is said to be named after the Greek Goddess Maia who is often said to be a goddess of fertility, and we all know what fertility brings... Babies!

April Round up


These are the entries from blottedcopybook and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't drooling right now. I wonder if they would let me move into their house. Their kitchen seems to be full of scrummy cakes!

The family VonBob created this yummy Malteser cake and as you can see it was so tasty most of it got eaten before they could even get the camera out. Isn't that the sign of a great cake?!

Chibi Girl is eating her way through the cookie jar and looks to me like she my have bit her tongue. Meekiyu thinks there is something missing from her picture, but I think it's very cute.

GravelRoadJewelry's piece is called Muscadine- wild berry wine and is inspired by the deep red/purple colour of the Muscadine wine grapes. What better to go with some yummy cakes and cookies than a nice glass of wine.

Thank you all for joining in. I'm looking forward to May's entries very much.

Written by Lynne of the PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Hard times? Versatility is key!

As we are all aware, times are getting harder and we are all needing to make our money go a little bit further when we spend it. Well I have an idea to make those pennies go that extra mile when buying clothing and accessories. Buy goods that are versatile and wearable in more than one way. Things with versatile uses are so much more value for money.

As it is wedding season and wedding dresses cost so much I thought I'd start with one of Isadora's beautiful wedding dress that can be worn in so many ways that you will be able to wear more than that one special day and have it look like a totally different dress. Simple, sleek and gorgeous!

Sew is your face created this funky fun reversible hood, which allows you to wear it with more of your clothes. Swap which side you have showing and change the look. Also the long scarf tie allows you to change the look even more.

Mohop is a genius! These shoes can be worn in so many ways and the look be changed over and over just by adding a different strap/ribbon. You can perfectly match up your shoe straps to your outfit each time you wear them. Hundreds of pairs of shoes all in one fabulous design.

Barefoot Creations obviously understands small children and babies. This pretty pinafore dress is totally reversible, so if you are out and about and your child manages to get one side covered in tomato pasta sauce you can whip it off turn it inside out and slip it back on. Hey presto! Clean looking child. Magic!

Pinky Pig has given you 2 bags in one. This stylish tote is totally reversible so you can choose which side to have on the outside to suit your mood or outfit for the day. It doubles it's use. I'm guessing you could ask to have one made with day time fabric on one side and a more swanky evening out style fabric on the other. Then you would have a bag to take you through from day to an evening out on one of those busy days when you have to go to an event straight from work.

Investing in clothes and accessories that can be worn in many ways are a great way to save yourself some cash in the long run. There are lots of people out there handmaking versatile goods. Take a look around and see what you can find.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Folksy, the new kid on the block.

Folksy is a new on-line venue to sell your handmade good. So far it is limited to UK sellers but once they have ironed out the teething problems that all new sites have, I believe it will allow sellers from around the world to join and sell. I've signed up and opened my Pirate Pixie Crew shop to try out the site and see how it grows. I'm hoping that it will end up a long and fruitful arrangement for both me and Folksy. There are already a number of sellers signed up and filling their shops full of gorgeous handmade goodies, so I thought I'd share some with you.

This beautiful sterling silver, citrine and carnelian ring had been made by Ali Bali Jewellery. Her shop is chock full of so many pretty items it was hard to choose which to feature. If you are base in Edinburgh you can see this ladies work in person at many craft fairs in the coming weeks. Check her profile to see where.

Cloud Hopping's shop is very stylish. Working mainly in fabric and yarn, Lin has created a variety of goods that have perfect shapes, textures and colour combinations. This brooch caught my eye because of it's simplicity and perfect combination of textures. Lin obviously has a passion for fibre!

This little cutie super model has a smile that makes your heart melt and she is wearing a pretty top made by Kitschy Coo with grinning skulls that also made me smile. This shop stock is made up of handmade high quality young children's clothing and booties. There are so many colourful items in this shop it's well worth a look!

Linen and Roses is a shop filled with homewares and gifts. These pretty hearts are advertised Christmas decorations but I think they would look lovely hanging all year around on a country kitchen cupboard door handle. All the goods are made by Fiona and she has a very distinctive rustic look to her high quality work. Perfect items to dot around you house to make it feel more homely.

Annica Jewellery made this stunning piece. As this close up shot shows this bracelet is made of Turquoise and sterling silver beads. Turquoise is such a beautiful stone. The celebrity, Libbi Gorr has worn Annica's creations. Annica has also worked with The National Gallery of Australian to create a range of jewellery to compliment one of their exhibitions. Take a look and see her work.

Go along and check out these sellers and the rest of the Folksy site. You're sure to find something you'd love to own and you will be able to buy knowing that each piece you do will be lovingly hand made.