Art in Worship: Acrylic Crosses

Recently, I was donated now unused COVID screens from an office. They are 5mm clear acrylic sheets and are pretty much unscathed from a couple of year’s of use. I returned the favour by making the company a lot of custom engraved acrylic coasters, and started looking round for more things to do with the acrylic. Working with an inspiration pic sent to me, I came up with this project for four different ‘stained glass’ acrylic crosses:

Four 'stained glass' acrylic crosses
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Christmas Card 2023 – a ‘stained glass’ tag

Scrolling through my photos on my phone, I came across some I’d taken of the cards I made for Christmas (now last year). As they’ve all been sent, received and recycled, I can share them here. Featuring a ‘stained glass’ design, the tag is removable and designed to be kept and used year-to-year. Making notes follow…

Removable handcrafted 'stained glass' tag Christmas card
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Trimcraft Maker: Spiin yarn blanket

I’ve been away from the Studio for a few days. Not far away, in front of the TV in fact so that I can listen to daytime telly drivel while I have been beavering away. I’ve been making a baby blanket ready for a new arrival later this year. 

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Trimcraft Maker: Spiin Yarn

My second goodie box from Trimcraft is a box of double knit Spiin yarn. Twenty 100g balls of it! The rainbow colours are impressive and with it being 100% acrylic, project will be washable. The 8ply construction means the yarn is relatively soft and in use resists splitting more than other yarns I have used. There is a downloadable project pattern book, which I will get to after I have finished my first project, a baby blanket.

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That’s Crafty! Showpieces (March)

Apologies – I intended to post my show samples for my March shows somewhat sooner than this. But, as they say, better late than never! Keep reading for more details on each project.

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That’s Crafty! Show Samples: ATCs

I was on your viewing screens last Friday (you can still catch up at hochanda.com until 16th Oct, 8am & 11am) showcasing the latest releases from That’s Crafty! Part of the mega-pack was a bumper pack of greyboard ATCs, and also available were acrylic and MDF ATCs. Combining these with multi surface paints, shimmer paints, Sparklers and Lynne’s new affirmations clear stamp sets, here are the samples I made, some of which I demonstrated on air.

GIVEAWAY:
If you’d like a chance to win all of the ATC samples I made, comment on the blog post, and at the end of the month I will pick someone at random to receive them. UPDATE: Congratulations to Doreen, who won the draw.

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Commission: These Boots

Building on my recent commissions, I’ve had another commission to do a further painting. This one is to distract from the side of a cupboard installed in a boot (utility) room. The picture will be face-on as you enter the room from the kitchen area.

So when it came to subject matter, it seemed obvious to use the boot as a theme. Wellingtons aren’t particularly in keeping with the area, but being on the edge of Snowdonia, walking/hiking boots seemed very apt. I’m fond of the recent trend toward including typography in images, and a classic lyric popped into my head…

commission: these boots

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Commissions: Castles and sail boats in situ

I thought it would be interesting for you to see the final forever homes for my recent commissions for paintings of Welsh castles. I’ve also made two quilted wall hangings for the same room. Both installations are designed to help soften the acoustics of what was/is quite an echoey space. So, here are the castles and sail boats in situ:

commissions - castles in situ

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Commission: Castle Series, no. 6 – Beaumaris

Here’s the last of my six castle paintings – the half-finished Beaumaris Castle. That’s the castle, not the painting that’s half finished… And, of course, the last was the trickiest! There is something to be said for having a good artist’s sketchbook, having the time and patience to use it and then apply what has been learnt onto the canvas. I don’t ‘do art’ quite like that…

Previous paintings in the series:
CaernarfonRaglanCriccieth – Dolwyddelan – Conwy

Beaumaris Castle painting

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Commission: Castle Series, no. 5 – Conwy

With the same immenseness as Caernarfon Castle, Conwy is going to be a good balance in the room. With the suspension bridge, modern meets historical – and was most tricky to paint! 

Previous paintings in the series:
Caernarfon CastleRaglan CastleCriccieth Castle – Dolwyddelan

Conwy Castle painting

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