The prettiest cake I ever did make

And by make, I mean decorate.

My Mum made the cake and I decorated it.

That's how we roll when it comes to birthday cakes.

That's right; today is my birthday and this is my birthday cake!

For my birthday last year my housemates got me a giant cupcake silicon mould and I've finally got around to using it.

Lots of people online have said that they had to do a few trial cakes with this mould, as the instructions aren't very helpful when it comes to cake batter quantities. But my Mum got it right first time. She's a baking pro.

Although, we haven't eaten it yet, but I trust my Mum's cooking skillz.

I went for super cute when decorating this cake so there's a pink ribbon, fondant buttons, and pink and white sugar balls and hearts.

To see my previous birthday cakes click here, here and here.

And I highly recommend that you do, cos I have had some pretty awesome cakes in the past.

CSI cake, pick-up truck cake, guitar cake and so many more.

I'm also on twitter now so hit me up @lisaharrold

Button up

Sad £2 top from Primark...

Sew on buttons!

I wanted a project that I could do in front of the tv that wouldn't take much thinking. After my dissertation my brain neeedd a rest!

So I decided to sew various grey/black buttons randomly on to this plain t-shirt.

I also made this small brooch that I can add if I feel like it.

I kind of want to sew buttons on to everything now.

Homemade Rubber stamps

Making stamps out of a rubber/eraser is so easy.

I first did it on my foundation course during the textiles rotation and we used proper lino cut tools but this time I just used a craft knife which worked just as well.

I made buttons...

...a heart and star...

...and a feather.

Then I printed them onto these brown tags.

I don't have many ink pads so I just used acrylic paint which I applied directly to the stamp with a small sponge.

I love the homemade feel of them and the way I can create loads of different patterns with just a few stamps.

New hairband

Amidst all the artness I have been keeping crafty; by sewing buttons onto felt.

And then sewing on two pieces of string and calling it a hairband.

I love me some buttons.

I have to take my exhibition down today.

Sad face.

Lisa Kokin

I love buttons and I'm pretty fond of portraiture too, so imagine my delight when I came across the work of Californian artist Lisa Kokin who uses buttons and other found objects to create portraits. Awesome. 

Passage
Buttons and mixed media, imitation sinew, waxed linen, chicken wire
41 X 29-1/2, 2004

Leotard
Buttons, thread, rug canvas, 33 x 13, 2003

Detail of Nineteen Sixty
Buttons and mixed media, thread, imitation sinew, 81 x 50, 2005

She also creates work by sewing together found photographs which I am very much down with.

Trophy
Sewn found photographs, found text, 9 x 9 x 4-1/2, 2000

Check out the rest of her inspiring work on her website www.lisakokin.com/

Birthday goodies

When my friends asked me what I wanted for my birthday I just answered "crafty things" and they definitely delivered!

I got a packet of felt, feathers, pipe cleaners, shells, mirror bits, sequins, lots of beads and 2 tub o' buttons.

So then I got to thinking about what I could make with it all.

How about this button covered wine glass from Creative Jewish Mom.

Or I could use the shells to decorate pots like Martha Stewart.

And I could use the pipe cleaners to make fun finger puppets like Sparkplugging.

The possibilities are endless.