Paper dolls

Inspired by the amazing exhibiton of maquettes on Clive Hicks-Jenkins blog and Chloe Redfern's horses on her blog I found a pattern on the internet for a jointed paper doll. (The pattern I used was from here. I printed it onto some sturdy watercolour paper.)  On the weekend the granddaughters and I had a lovely time colouring the dolls and giving them some hair. They did the colouring, I did the cutting out and they managed the little brass split pins after I made the holes with a big needle. We had a lot of fun! I think we'll try these again, perhaps with paints next time to get darker colours, and some paper clothes.

I have added more letters to my alphabet over on ALaW blog. There are some amazing artworks being made. Do go and have a look. I have really enjoyed making these little stitched pieces. Now I have to work out how to put them all together!

Time

Too many ideas and not enough time! I think most of us have that problem. I was reading Karen's blog about her little hexagons and starting yet another project. Quite by coincidence I was piecing some little hexagons on the weekend too! (I need another project like a hole in the head but I just had an urge to try some!) I then decided I don't really like hexagons that much and started making some little triangles. I have no idea where these are going but wanted another little paper piecing project to carry around with me. And I've always had the same idea as Karen that not all these projects have to be finished. It's the doing, the planning and playing with the fabrics that is so much fun! 

My last paper piecing project, silk triangles, is now joined together in one piece and waiting for some border fabric. There are 1,792 one and half inch triangles in this piece for anyone who's interested in the statistics! Total madness I know, but I have just been quietly plodding along with it since 2005!  The papers are still in place until I put some borders on. I bought a lot of my silk scraps from Wafu Works in Tasmania.

Seagulls

Another block on my Travelers Blanket. I found the seagull fabric recently and replaced one of the fabric squares I mucked up!  I've just used simple straight stitches on the background and let the fabric tell the story.

We visited Kangaroo Island last weekend (our daughter teaches there) and had lunch at a new winery with stunning views. After lunch we hit golf balls into the valley next door. Great entertainment when you've had a few wines! (Photo shows father giving daughter some tips on her golf swing with the amazing view over to the mainland in the background.)

And a beautiful sunset on the way home .....

Home Is Where The Heart (Bum) Is!

'Home' was the theme for the latest 12" by 9" challenge. When the theme was set I was babysitting my granddaughters' hermit crabs. These little creatures change homes quite often as they grow so they came with extra shells as well as the obligatory food and water. They are fascinating little creatures. I have quilted hearts in the background, some upside down so they look like little 'bottoms'.  So 'home is where the heart is' or in the case of the hermit crab 'home is where the bum is'!  (Do hermit crabs have hearts?)

A rainbow, a rat and some mice!

A rainbow greeted us on the beach this morning. Beautiful!

We had a visitor on the lawn the other day after I threw some scraps of bread out for the magpies! Not sure if it's a bush rat or a 'real' rat. Hopefully the former! He dashed backwards and forwards into the bushes carrying some of the crusts. Very cute!

I also have a family of mice!  I have a teaching engagement once a year and like to make the participants a small gift. This year it is a mouse pincushion. Fiddly but fun to make. They each ended up with their own personality!

There has been a bit more progress on my Travelers Blanket with another block stitched. Straight stitches and colonial knots. This one reminds me of all the different seaweed we see on the beach.

Full moon

Beautiful on the beach early this morning.
The sun rising in the east and the full moon setting in the west.
(Need to get those horizons a bit straighter!!)

Busy stitching

I've finished my Silly Drawing class and had lots of fun, although it took up more time than I thought it would!

I've done another short course and made a beautiful Hari-kuyo Needlebook with Susan at plays-with-needles. What a lovely teacher and an interesting project to work on. Do go and visit her beautiful blog.

 

Now it's back to my Travellers Blanket!!