Creative Craft - My former life!

I'm not one to obsess about my blogs stats, in fact I forget to check them most of the time, and to be honest don't really understand what they mean. I see one stat for followers, another for subscribers, another for pages views and yet another for clicks, and it's all double dutch. But I did notice that my most popular post of all time, by a country mile, is a candle craft project I posted when I first started this blog. I thought that was really strange, given I mostly post about interiors and decorating and our house. So it amazed me that this would have had the most attention. I don't know if the stats are wrong or skewed for some reason, but I thought maybe I should do some more posts about craft and went in search of some of my past work. I hunted through boxes of CDs and files, and finally found some pics, although most of my best work was done on polaroid before digital photography was the only way to go. And the best is still in storage. 

So here's a sample of some of the work I did for Australian Better Homes and Gardens. I approached them about a wedding concept I had for the show, where I could be the wedding planner and they could run a competition and give away a wedding designed by me. They agreed and the project went ahead. We advertised for a couple, and they chose the winner (which I actually disagreed with, but that's another story). It was about three months of planning and filming and a lot of hard work, but I loved it and the results were amazing. 

The content in the magazine stretched about three issues and about 100 pages of editorial copy, and wedding craft. This accompanied the BH&G TV show which filmed the whole process including the wedding. I'm still searching for the photos of the wedding reception which were stunning and guess what, a blue and white theme. I think they're in storage, so will have to get back to you some time with those.

Here's what I came up with for some of the craft projects, which I made and styled.....in case you can't tell I was heavily influenced by my craft idol, Martha. The quality isn't great because they are scanned polaroids, but you get the idea.

Beaded table number

Ring pillow, actually made by my mum

Chair decoration

Seating plan - shot on my bedroom wall

Soap wedding favors

Cake inspired by MSW and styled by moi

Guest seating place

Table setting

Placecard

Bouquet

Table setting

Table setting

Wedding cupcakes

Wedding favor

Gorgeous butterfly bouquet

Table number

Guest message stand

Guest seating wreath

Table number

Pretty pinwheels

Wedding favor

Disposable cameras

Ring pouches, more from mum

Ring pillow, again made by mum

Fabric boutonniere, made by me and pinned on my Dad!

First attempt ever at beading - not bad huh?

Boutonniere pinned on me and made by me

Stamped favor boxes

My Dad's lapel and my beadwork!

Me, wearing the bridemaid's dress from my friend's wedding

Me, well, my cleavage

Me...looking like a reflective bride - we saved a lot of money on models!

Photo set up of beautiful hydrangea wreath in my parent's guest cottage

Photos by Chris L. Jones. Styling by Melinda Hartwright. For Better Homes & Gardens

So there you are. That's some of what I did in my former life - well, before kids and husband. Boy do I miss the creative outlet. But I'll get back to it soon.