All Hallow's Eve........

Well I know people get excited about Halloween, but its not my thing and only celebrated in recent years in this country. My daughter is off to a Halloween party tonight all dolled up in her gothic finery! Actually we did have a bit of fun rummaging in a retro shop in Totnes when we were visiting the grandparents this week, we found a whole load of 70's punk gear...great for Halloween costumes! I bought her an up market black lace ra ra skirt, which I have to admit does look rather good, sad thing is I remember wearing the very same platform shoes the first time around!

But what I have enjoyed today is just looking around and seeing what a beautiful Autumn we are having this year, the colours are wonderful and my back garden is looking suitably wild, will think about clearing leaves another time!

Still collecting Apples from the old tree, but I think they are coming to and end now.

Another piece finished!!

I finally got round to finishing the second piece of crazy quilting that I have ever done.... I love doing this and have loads of ideas, the plea once again for a 48 hour day!

I decided that the piece that I did was just big enough to make a padded cover on an ordinary A5 size file...what d'ya think? I will use this file to keep a photographic record of all my crazy quilting stuff and pictures of other peoples work (with their permission of course) that has inspired me.

Not sure which should be the front or the back!

Some of the detail.... more on my flikr pages.

More Crazy quilting.....

I said I felt an addiction coming on! Well, I made a start on a second project idea, it is good to be able to pick up a piece of work and work in short little bursts particularly at the moment as it is half term and therefore Mum is on entertainment duty! I've found myself looking at different fabrics and threads and wondering what combination of stitches would look good. I really am enjoying this, trouble is I still have so many other things to be getting on with!

First layout, thinking pinks, white and all things pastel...

Including ribbon rose and lace trim

Embroidered flowers, plenty to work on here.....

Never ending, will show you the finished piece when I get there!

A new craze.........

I had a quiet day today. Despite the fact that there is an Izannah doll needing to be finished, several Bru costumes to be done, class plans to be made not to mention the shopping and the housework (which is getting a bit desperate!)and a few Halloween gifts to be finished I spent today trying out some crazy quilting! Its something I've always wanted to have a go at so as it was my day off today I sat in my workshop and had a go........









At least I have a Christmas decoration made!


And I did get my Izzy doll put together, she has at least got some drawers and and a petticoat until I get a dress and bonnet made for her.

First steps.......

I did manage to finish the painting on my very first Izannah Walker type doll. This is the first time I have used paper clay, which takes a bit of getting used to. I did enjoy painting with the acrylics but I will have to expand my range of colours for next time as I was a bit limited this time and of course impatient to get on so no going out and getting some more!!



Now to put her all together and dress her.......


It was a beautiful sunset here tonight, had to go out and take a picture......pity my photography isn't that great!

Contemplating Winter.......

As the evenings are drawing in I've been thinking about some simple fun things to do on a Winters evening, the sort when you want to just sit quietly in a warm room watching the telly and doodling with your fingers. These arrived from Amazon today, some fun little projects to make for gifts and a few inspirational thoughts.




The Izannah doll is coming along, I'll get some pictures up when there is some light, and I've got the fabrics sorted for the Bru costumes. Just wish this wasn't such a long week at work, too much to do at home (and that doesn't include the housework!!)


I get a daily picture on my google front page from the National Geographic. I thought this one was just so lovely .......

We're getting better....

We've had a quiet time and glad to say that Alice is so much better. Apart from many interruptions on the way I've been doodling........thought I'd make a start on some of those stocking fillers for Christmas for friends and family so I've been doing a bit of fun stitching.......still a bit more experimenting to do, but these are the beginnings of some scented sachets

We're still poorly........

Another day with a poorly girl around, although she is much better and I think with another good nights sleep she'll be fine to go to school tomorrow. So we've both been mooching around the house. I haven't been able to concentrate much but I have started to do a few things and its been quite fun doing a bit of this and a bit of that!

I've been thinking about a few handmade Christmas gifts, such as lavender bags, so i started to experiment with a few design ideas. lily of the valley have always been my favourite!

Hands for the Izannah walker type doll, gesso'ed and ready to paint and the first layer of paper clay, currently drying and hopefully I will have a bit of time to start the sculpting proper!