Another Belles Meeting.......

Another lovely day spent with the Southern Belles, a lot of work going on making a little leather writing case for a fashion doll, sadly I didn't manage to get a picture  of the finished item but there was lots to 'show and tell'

 Two beautiful Victorian music boxes (Manivelles)

 Christmas box, definitely a workshop waiting to happen

 Finished projects.....finally!

 Everyone working.....and chatting!

And I was able to introduce the workshop later in the year, this is my Steiff inspired Roly Poly doll prototype no.2, still some refinements to go but getting there

Trip to the Big City........

I had a lovely couple of days visiting London this week. We visited the natural history Museum to see the wildlife photographer of the year exhibition,

Then saw Wicked at the Apollo Theatre and the next day I went to the Doll club of GB monthly meeting to hear a talk  'Around the world in 18 dolls' a very informative talk about costume dolls. There was a lovely selection to view brought by the members.

A lovely day with The Southern Belles......

'Twas a lovely day with the Southern Belles group today.It was a day of finishing 'unfinished' projects, so a lot of industry going on........

Elaine brought her little Kestner to show and tell

The usual raffle table

And Colin's wonderfully restored Victorian music box

Southern Belles AGM

It was lovely to go to the Southern Belles monthly Doll Club today, as usual there was way too much chatter but then we do have a lot to catch up on and we had to agree the programme for this year.

And, that programme is looking very exciting.........

A Papier Mache doll, lead by Carole who made this lovely little doll which now sits proudly in my collection, decoupage boxes, pattern drafting and cutting, machine embroidery and we have proposed a boost to all those unfinished projects.

I have a few challenges in mind and my contribution to workshops is a reproduction of the Steiff Roly Poly dolls.

 I have partly managed to sort out the head pattern for this, now for the body and arms.........so watch this space!

Better get on with some work then!!

Southern Belles AGM

Looking forward to our monthly doll club meeting tomorrow. AGM and secret project, I'll show you after the event! There will be the usual chatter and show and Tell to enjoy.
see more about the club here.........

Last Years project Doll 'Lucy' lead by me

Plenty to chat about.......

Need more time.....

Having gone back to the day job this week, I'm finding that there is very little time in the day as there is so much I want to be getting on with and work sure gets in the way!! I will content myself with a bit of crochet this evening and do a few more rows on this knee blanket, easy and relaxing.

Moving on...

I'm beginning to feel a little more in control, I have made commitments but so far am keeping to them. I began my workbook today on pressed felt dolls, a bit of work to do but I feel quite good about this project.

I hope I will be able to show you how you can make these lovely felt dolls soon.

New Year, New Beginnings........

I contemplated deleting this blog, but on reflection I thought not. I may have been inactive for the past 18 months but I have made some commitments to myself this year and by sharing them with my friends I hope will gather the momentum I need to meet my own expectations.

So what are the short and long term plans?

1. Get the junk out of my work room and begin the grand 'Chuck out'- this applies to everything in this house!

2. re-establish the routines that I was once quite good at...It takes 28 consecutive days to get into a habit.....we're on day 3!

3.Begin the grand plan - the time is right for me to quit my job and move on, this is very scary but I don't want to regret not carrying out my well thought out decision through fear.....Watch this space!

And wishing all my friends and Family 

A Happy and Healthy New Year!

It's about time......

I have decided that enough is enough!
It has been a very tough year emotionally and the only person that can really do anything about it is ME! So this is my attempt at a new start to nurturing my creativity which when I am in the flow really does help my inner peace the important thing that has been missing in the past 12  months.
So....... to a very belated 2013 it can only get better from here on in!

It's been a while..........Sorry!

I have been very remiss in keeping up to date, but I have had some bad news to deal with too. In February I was diagnosed with the disease chronic lymphocytic leaukaemia, so as you can imagine I have been bouncing off the walls for a bit trying to get my head around it all. Glad to say I am feeling a lot calmer and beginning to come to terms with having something for which there is no cure and has to get a whole lot worse before there is any treatment to put it into remission. So........ focus on creating, sewing and enjoying my favourite things.......

And my latest thing is trying to recreate the Lenci type pressed felt dolls, this is my first attempt, the next one is looking better, I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Introducing.........

My first attempt at making my own raggedy doll, just in time for Valentines day! there are a lot of things I will change for the next one but she cheers me up!

I am blessed with a very fit and active daughter but it does mean travelling to all the various events and much time spent 'hanging' around. Not that I mind all of that. I did think this was quite a nice photo of her at her last trampolining event.

And it's my dear old Dad's Birthday today, Happy Birthday Dad hope its a good one!

I started at a pace.........

We seam to have started this year running and still running........
I'm still trying to clear out my work room so that I can really get on with my projects that are all wanting attention but there is too much clutter!

I haven't found my little bit of peace yet, it might be something to do with living with a 14 year old who has school exams right now and a little stressy to say the least, or a usually very good and loveable dog suddenly deciding that he won't come when he's called or major changes in the day job that are worrying everyone.....who knows but I'm sure I will find it soon, I wonder if this is the flavour of the year?

This was a very hurried bit of bunting for a friend in need.