Beth Mac Designs: January 2012

, by Beth

Exactly a week ago I went for a taster session at the college I wish to attend next year to do my Art and Design Foundation Diploma. Despite arriving just the tiniest bit late I didn't give a bad first impression as I'd already met the two women doing the workshop beforehand. All the art rooms at the college completely amaze me: they are just so big and there is so much equipment, it's like one of my personal heavens.

For our workshop we were doing heat transfers, oh the excitement! For those who have never heard of this, we were transferring images we had painted onto paper with ink on to fabric, it worked just like magic. When I finally go to this college, I swear I will be spending a fair amount of my time using the heat press, which by the end of that year may mean I look like the hulk; you need some serious muscle to push down the handle, the facial expressions people make are to say the least, fairly amusing. The heat press went over 200 degrees C, very very hot, so to protect the paper and material we had to put a layer of grease proof paper over it, even when removing it by the edges left you with a little hotter than toasty fingers.

The first two images are my designs on paper, as you can see the ink transfers into much brighter colours, so don't be deceived by the original designs. After finishing this piece I completely feel in love with my poppy design, it is now one of my ambitions to create a dress covered in that poppy design, it shall become one of my signature dresses!

Here's a lovely closer look at the design. I have also discovered that I love painting flowers in a very sketchy manner, like the poppy; I love the contrast of bright colours and how not all of it is painted.

For the second design I did I used the silhouettes of ballerinas the design was painted with completely black ink, however, when I tried to repeat the pattern the strength of the ink faded and the black came out a little more red, but practice makes perfect so I didn't mind so much. So with a little more practice it can only get better.

This is something I really love doing, being creative is amazing even if at times it can drive you a little bit crazy. Make sure you always do something you love, because if you don't it's just not worth it.

So remember, each day, live a little, laugh a little and love a little. ♥

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, by Beth

Cooking

Mini Trees: Broccoli

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Art

Twisted and Intertwined ♥

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, by Beth

Cakes

Afternoon Baking

On Wednesday afternoon I was in serious of need of an excuse not to do revision, I just could not face it. So while browsing the internet (one of my distractions) I came across something fascinating on Pinterest. This amazing phenomenon; Doughnut Muffins! This idea captivated me, so I searched the internet for a recipe that wasn't using American measurements, So I gave up. This was the recipe I used:

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

However I guessed with most of the measurements and I couldn't find any Nutmeg, so used Cinnamon. It

also didn't specify what kind of flour, so used whatever was in the cupboard, which happened to be self-raising.

Here is the method:

Lay out cake cases in a muffin tray. (We have plastic reusable ones; they're fantastic.)

In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg until light in colour. Add vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla to sugar mixute and mix.

In a seperate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg (or cinnamon). Then pour into liquid mixture and stir to combine.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 full, and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.

There is also a coating that you can add which is made with:

2 tablespoons butter, melted (optional)

1/2 cup superfine sugar (can pulse regular sugar in food processor to make), or powdered sugar.

I was rather proud of my doughnut muffins and they tasted rather yummy if I do say so myself. Everyone else obviously thought so as they were all gone when I returned home that evening.

See the expression, cooking is some seriously business, I did have fun though to be fair. (Although I felt a little fat eating the left over batter, but that's life.) I also got a lovely compliment about my shirt at college, my friend mistaking it for something that would be sold at Urban Outfitters, but no, I inherited from my Granddad's waradrobe , so a piece of clothing I shall always cherish.

So remember, each day, live a little, laugh a little and love a little. ♥

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, by Beth

Art

Under-Appreciated Beauty

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Life

Florence Fridays!

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DIY

Fluffy Tablet Computer Case {DIY}

Two of my lucky younger siblings received mini tablet computer things for Christmas. So I was commanded by my Father to make them something to keep them in, we all know how messy little kids can be. I was struck by inspiration when I remembered the material my Mum had given me to make cushion covers with, (which I just never got around to) a lovely fluffy material used before as my little sister's costume for her role in the Christmas Nativity as a Shepard. Because who doesn't love something fluffy.

(Besides your material you will also need; thread, a needle and/or sewing machine, a button, a pen and scissors.)

1. Place your tablet on your material, cut a long strip, making sure that the tablet can double over and there is still some extra material at the top.

2. Draw a rectangle around your tablet on the wrong-side of the material, making sure there is a gap of at least half a CM between the tablet and the line. Also make sure there is excess material on the outside of your line. Fold your material in half, ensuring you have you extra material at the top (for the flap), and sew down your two longest lines to create a pocket.

3. Pull your material through, so its the fluffy material on the outside, and place your tablet inside, fold over the flap and place a button on the pocket, where there will be enough of the flap to button it up, and sew on.

4. Cut a small slit where the button meets the material on the flap. I then sewed around the edges of the slit, just to make sure the material didn't fray. At first it may be difficult to button-up and unbutton the case, but it will ease a bit with perseverance.

5. Slip in your tablet computer and VOILA! A nice fluffy case.

The two satisfied customers looking very cheeky. They do love to cuddle them. Quote from Abs "It's very very very very good in real." 'In real' apparently means in real-life in the world of a 6 year old, I think the world should be worried when 6 year olds are making up slang. Hope you like my first DIY.

So remember, each day, live a little, laugh a little and love a little. ♥