Wednesday 25 September 2013

My Life In A Dinghy...

...you would not know how hard it has been for me to keep my trap shut about this thing that I have been involved in!!!  I have been fit to burst both with excitement and honour too!  And why?  Well, the wonder woman Lisa Pace messaged me a few weeks ago and asked if I would like to take part in a feature she is running on her blog.  Basically, the remit is to make a dinghy... out of the insidey bit of a loo roll!  Instantly I was "yes! PLEASE!!"  And during the next few weeks Lisa is showing the dinghy's made by the jaw droppingly amazing artists who are involved in her feature. *tbh, I am SO glad I didn't know who else was taking part, I would have been so overwhelmed!*  To see Lisa's blog, CLICK HERE and my little dinghy will whizz you across the Pond to see her and them...



So.  Lisa emailed a template through and a few instructions.  And then said "it is your dinghy, make it how you want it to be"   Firstly, I did the whole template thing and my dinghy kept coming up too small.  Aha!  I sussed it out.  The loo rolls in the UK are smaller than the ones in the USA.  Ha! The ones we have are those new ones that have tiddly little middles... well, not to be beaten, I grabbed the inny bit of a kitchen roll and cut that down to size instead.



Then I set about the decorations.  Well, I say that... what I actually mean is I glued it all together and then realised... DOH!  How hard it was to be decorated it whilst it is assembled.  So, I went and grabbed another kitchen roll inny and set about making my dinghy... again ;o))  I gave it a coat of Mushroom paint inside and out and added on an extra bit so the back of the dinghy is a bit flatter than the front (ok, I shall show my knowledge of boating now... the stern is flatter than the bow!  *bet you never knew that I know boaty things right?*)   I then got some Melange Tissue Wrap and tore it up into bits and used Glue & Seal to stick it all down.  I wanted music score as I love music and life in my dinghy would not be right unless there is music.  Once this had dried, I popped a wash of Salty Ocean (well, it had to be didn't it?) Distress Paint onto the surface and once this was dried, I added smidges of Walnut Stain DI to age the vessel.



I decided that I needed a sail.  So I sat and thought, and thought, and thought... and then my eye happened to glance into the desk-tidy-of-doom which is full of junk... and I spied a kebab stick.  AHA!  Eureka and all that malarkey.  So, armed with Tim's scissors (not his actual ones cos I don't think he would appreciate me nicking his scissors lol) and some Cosmic Glue I cut the kebab stick to be a sail shape.  I glued the bits together and then painted them black (and yes, Cosmic Glue stuck it strong!)  I then needed something to anchor the mast to the dinghy so I stuck two little cotton reels together and painted those black too and then bunged the mast into the reels.... result!  So, the sail.  Now, you all know how rubbish I am with a needle and thread. But you all also know that I am a stubborn old bat and I wanted to do a proper sail, so I persevered... and after sussing out if I put a tulle cover on the mast I then had something to stitch the cotton sails to.  Hurrah! It worked!  I used Walnut Stain to age up my sail too... and then added little pompom trims to either side.  A few flowers and some netting to decorate and there you have it.  Actually, that is the bit I am most chuffed with!



Lisa asked us to describe what life is like in the dinghy.  My dinghy smells delicious as it is chock full of everlasting flowers!  There are resident butterflies to make the voyages in the dinghy peaceful and serene and there are piles of pearls so they catch the light and remind me of nature's beauty.  The pearls sit at the bottom of the dinghy and they provide footly massages which are rather gorgeous.  At the bow of the dinghy there lives a very magic tree.  A tree that is so sought after, there is only one living in the world... and there it is, on my dinghy.  Now this tree has a very special and powerful elixir that can only be extracted by squeezing the berries on the tree... and any old Tom, Dick or Hels can't just go and squeeze the the berries, oh no, it has to be done by a Unicorn - and it just so happens that one also lives in the dinghy with me.  The elixir from this tree has many properties, giving the receiver a health beyond all, free of pain.  One shellfull of Elixir and you feel like you will never lose your Mojo again, like the whole world is coloured by Distress Inks and also, although I have yet to encounter this, it also gives the imbiber the most vivid imagination known to man!  Do  you like my Unicorn? He is rather handsome isn't he? His name is Ubelazith, he is a rather shy old chap though and only reveals himself to those who really believe in Unicorns... so if you can't see him, don't be disappointed, you just need to concentrate a little harder ;o))    

And there you have it!  Something pretty from the inny from a loo roll!  Who'd have thought it eh?




Please do pop over to see Lisa's blog and check out the amazing creations from the other artists involved in this fabby feature!  Thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

37 comments:

Trish Latimer said...

LOVE this Hels, gorgeous! (and please can I have a pint of whatever you had before writing that description...sounds fabulous!)
Oh and yes, I can see the unicorn....;) xx

Aquarius said...

Who would have thought that a loo roll inny could look so gorgeous. I just love your story of how a voyage would be in said boat.

Mary Elizabeth said...

This is absolutely fabulous!!!!!!! Love the papers and butterflies and the gorgeous sail. Just wonderful1!! -- Mary Elizabeth

nannapat said...

Such a clever piece of artwork Hels. Your description of the dinghy is just so poetic we all want a ride in it now! Pat x

Tracy Heaton said...

Fabulous - love the colours.

rachel said...

wonderful work Hels - how do they get to have bigger loo roll innies in the US? Very strange one to ponder! Your dinghy is amazing - love it to bits xx

Andrea said...

just perfection Hels and I to love your write up, you always deliver a brilliant write up, I will let you into a little secret, they have larger butts in America hence the bigger loo roll LOL not really Hels American friends, I am just jesting with you all xx

Almo said...

Hi Hels I can see him I can see him and he is giving me a wave the Unicorn that is:)). Love your dinghy and the wonderful story to go with it, I can smell those pretty flowers from here. Hugs Mox

Shazza said...

wow, wow, wow Hels this is fabulous x

craftypam60 said...

That is amazing Hels - so beautiful! Love your story of your life aboard, soundsutter bliss. Well done!! xx

craftypam60 said...

That is amazing Hels - so beautiful! Love your story of your life aboard, soundsutter bliss. Well done!! xx

LoraineC said...

Have you ever thought of writing a book, I was in that boat!! Hoping the template will be coming up soon, what a beautiful project x

Redanne said...

Hi Hels, this is absolutely stunning, love your use of the tissue wrap, the mast was a genius idea and the butterflies are so, so beautiful. In your words - totes amazeballs! Please can I have some Elixir too, would love to get rid of the pain and get Mr Mojo back at the same time.... Hugs, Anne x

Congrats on being asked to contribute too - adore your dinghy and also the unicorn.....

Mrs A. said...

Your little boat sounds and looks magical. Can't wait to see all the rest of the boats(have been over to Lisa's blog already) and for the template to make my very own little boat to sail away in! Hugs Mrs a.

Inkypinkycraft said...

Hels , I believe your posts should be bottled in some way as they never fail to cheer me up and make me smile! Ilove your make complete with the magical unicorn and wow you can write a, huge hugs and thanks for making me smile today! Hugs x

SamsHomeCookedDesigns.com said...

This is just gorgeous Hels I love it. And that Unicorn is a handsome devil! I would love to nip over for a Rum Punch on your Dinghy!! Sam

Mrs Beez said...

This is fantastic love all the flowers and butterflies. If I were still a teacher your creative writing would have definitely got a "Mrs Baker says terrific" stamp.

whyducks said...

Very pretty indeedy!

Julia Dunnit said...

It's absolutely gorgeous. but I can't get over the thought of you unwinding kitchen rolls to get to the innny....did you fold and tidy or just heap and chuck it?!!

Sheelagh Tomsett said...

Gorgeous work Hels
Sheelagh T.

Helen said...

The dinghy is just gorgeous, I'd like to come sailing in it with you if there is room along with the unicorn and all those flowers... d'you think I'm getting as nutty as you are?!!

Carol Q said...

that's so pretty Hels.

Joanne said...

You have created a dream something that you can look at and create a different dream of wish every time - just like me when I go to Poole and see the Sunseekers.
So beautiful and full of mystery
Xx

Linda Simpson said...

This is fantastic Hels! You are just so inspirational and loving all the great details.

Hugs
Linda xxx

Scrapthat said...

LOL My reader just had me at Lisa's blog and now your post was right after hers!
Beautiful job Hels!! TFS :D

carol edwards said...

Hi Hels this so fabulous. The dingy is beautiful, everything I love is there, butterfly's being my most favourite,I adore them. Your story is truly inspirational, you certainly caught the moment. Thank you x

Helen said...

WOW !!! This is BRILLIANT !!! Love the story of 'The Dinghy' . Helen

jane gray said...

Fabulous & so different. Love it, just love it.

Take care
Janex

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Hels, Wow !! I would never have guessed that this dinghy started life as a kitchen roll inner. It is stunning, especially the little pom-poms. I would love to join you on your voyage, especially looking forward to meeting the unicorn, what a magical and powerful chap. Absolutely lovely.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Vee Cassidy said...

Simply beautiful art and the story of life on your dinghy is wonderful. I would love some of that elixir! Vee xx

Glenharon said...

Good morning Hels,
I think it is wonderful the imagination that goes into creating a dingy from a inner cardboard tube. Your dinghy is beautiful with its magical tree and you are so lucky to have such handsome companion on your travels.
You didn't grow up knowing what a needle and thread could do, did you Hels. Hee!Hee!Hee!
It's amazing the fantasy stories that accompany the dinghys, showing it's not just the imagination to make one out of a toilet tube, but the adventures that follow the dinghys on there travels.
Beautiful Hels,
Love and crafty hugs
Norah

Linda Page said...

oh what a fabulous journey you have taken us on xx its a lovely boat x

Cardgenie said...

Hels, absolutely love your dinghy. I adore the fact that it reflects you and your lurves. Pearls under your toes,,,eh!!!! Sounds perfect. Fab project. Jean

nancyd said...

Hi8 Hels, absolutely fabulous it
really is I don't know where you get all
your inspiration from but glad you
pass it on to us.
Nancyd xx

Nan G said...

Mar-vul-lus dinghy! So much to keep one's self entertained on the voyage. And the best thing - unicorns don't make a mess!! chuckle snort giggle :)

Carole Z said...

This is gorgeous Hels...love it! Carole Z xx

Maggie said...

Truly fabulous Hels loving your Dinghy I'm sailing off to join the others on their journey can't wait to see the template from Lisa 'cause I want one!! lol
MaggieH

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