tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351664362024-03-13T10:30:23.127+11:00Idyll Pleasures RuminationsUnapologetic ramblings about all the things that make up my life - family, friends, faith, fabric - ok ran out of things starting with "f" but you get the general idea!Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-13546002531242540382012-09-27T15:03:00.001+10:002012-09-27T15:07:30.122+10:00Felting follow up <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well the felting class with <a href="http://renatos-veltinis.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Renata </a>Kraus was terrific. Day 1 we made the bag to pre-felt stage with serious work on the handles. Day 2 was all about the picture making which is the fun part in my opinion. It was tiring (as felt making is a very physical activity) but loads of fun. Renata is a great teacher and everyone was complimentary about her sharing of techniques and small tricks to get it all looking just right (not every tutor does you know!) Here are a number of pictures of bags in process. A lot of us chose to do the poppies as they are so appealing and that was my choice too. Wonderful fun and great results all round.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-84936849046819236372012-06-27T21:13:00.002+10:002012-09-27T15:08:33.464+10:00Felting workshop with Renata Kraus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am very excited to say that I am doing a wet felting workshop this weekend with <a href="http://renatos-veltinis.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Renata Kraus </a>from Vilnius in Lithuania. I was aware of her work long before I knew about the workshop. My understanding is that she does not use prefelts or needlefelting and yet her image creation in the felt is amazing - like a painting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvTJ5B71gzDYy9wa-ZjsA7FxEQktY6w0irMzLoVe6-v8ydrhhJ1_pM6yByk0KFa6yY37Izi-FNkTBGrhuTAeBxx0spXdTaVfhujwnAV8u1n0NNZGHc0v476__-vGJxgUuxWoh/s1600/Poppy+Bag+Renata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvTJ5B71gzDYy9wa-ZjsA7FxEQktY6w0irMzLoVe6-v8ydrhhJ1_pM6yByk0KFa6yY37Izi-FNkTBGrhuTAeBxx0spXdTaVfhujwnAV8u1n0NNZGHc0v476__-vGJxgUuxWoh/s320/Poppy+Bag+Renata.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via Renata Kraus</td></tr>
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I was so lucky to find out about the workshop which is being held at <a href="http://www.virginiafarmwoolworks.com.au/" target="_blank">Virginia Farm </a>- where I go each week to learn spinning. Apparently Renata is visiting friends in Australia and is also doing a workshop at Virginia Farm as well as the NSW Spinners & Weavers Guild. I know the class at Virginia Farm is full - but the Guild may still have places - why not check <a href="http://www.nsweave.org.au/learn/workshop.html" target="_blank">here </a>if interested. </div>
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-82154386574026297072012-02-11T16:26:00.001+11:002012-02-11T16:26:15.774+11:00Red Dress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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During January I got busy making a red dress for Miss Emily to wear to a party. Although she's a young thing and this dress is sleeveless - it's amazing to me how difficult it is to find a dress that is not thigh high and sleeveless. So much poorly made crapola in the stores and fabric that just turns to dishrags as soon as it's been through the wash.<br />
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Anyway - she looked great and all her friends admired her dress. What more can you ask for? </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-68692222245640807162011-04-17T10:45:00.000+10:002011-04-17T10:45:57.763+10:00Needlefelting Class at Virginia Farm Woolworks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJyoIJECw5rzAU7HPhqLaLu_T24TGkhCFYcR-EbB2fpNgeX5PjeJggETEBTzgmTfKlvheoNWXdthcRjyNKnR7qMPoBxLlJPJ_gFcixCgr0Z-9Yz5WeJ_DpFE_DrKbim4YskCI/s1600/pixie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJyoIJECw5rzAU7HPhqLaLu_T24TGkhCFYcR-EbB2fpNgeX5PjeJggETEBTzgmTfKlvheoNWXdthcRjyNKnR7qMPoBxLlJPJ_gFcixCgr0Z-9Yz5WeJ_DpFE_DrKbim4YskCI/s400/pixie+2.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br />
Hello everyone - just popping in to say I will be teaching needlefelting at <a href="http://www.virginiafarmwoolworks.com.au/">Virginia Farm Woolworks</a> at Annangrove (NSW, Australia) on the 7th May. The choice will be to either make a teddy bear or a little pixie to pop out of odd places around the home. <a href="http://www.virginiafarmwoolworks.com.au/classes.html">Small class</a> of around 8 people so everyone gets individual attention - it'll be fun - come and play!<br />
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-18975505318980971972011-01-15T00:05:00.001+11:002011-01-15T00:07:31.207+11:00Mr Rosenblum's List, Constance Spry and Coronation Chicken<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aVHWXItzpTTrZPHetbXML3kfvzhw4SfFaBHjkKmxERtfs7sih7LP9fD8ZOAlgEszrvNkQhVZ1aQ1jYRiAwBX-04psw_SICNnj3MsLFt_ibGqhr5GU6KdN-hMdp2weudJyj8Z/s1600/Mr-Rosenblums-List-By-Natasha-Solomons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aVHWXItzpTTrZPHetbXML3kfvzhw4SfFaBHjkKmxERtfs7sih7LP9fD8ZOAlgEszrvNkQhVZ1aQ1jYRiAwBX-04psw_SICNnj3MsLFt_ibGqhr5GU6KdN-hMdp2weudJyj8Z/s320/Mr-Rosenblums-List-By-Natasha-Solomons.jpg" width="197" /></a>I picked up <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780340995662/Mr.-Rosenblums-List">Mr Rosenblum's List</a> by <a href="http://natashasolomons.com/">Natasha Solomons</a> at the local library on a whim and really enjoyed reading it. It's a charming book about a German Jewish man, Mr Rosenblum who, along with his wife and daughter, leave Nazi Germany and move to England prior to the implementation of Hitler's "Final Solution". </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Rosenblum is committed to becoming a proper Englishman and his ambitions take him on an interesting journey from inner city London, to successful carpet manufacturer, to "an enemy alien" internee and finally a country gentleman when he moves to Dorset to construct a golf course on fields that come with a tumbledown cottage. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mr Rosenblum's self belief and optimism are unquenchable and he throws himself into this new life as an Englishman. His long suffering wife Sadie, is haunted by the past and desperately tries to construct an inner world where she can hold onto the ghosts of her parents and brother Emil - all lost to her in the Holocaust. One of Mrs Rosenblum's connections is through her mother's cookbook. As she cooks the dishes contained in the cookbook the aromas trigger memories of happier times. One of the most poignant moments is when Sadie cooks a Baumtorte - or "tree cake" - each layer representing a memory. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8trrgxFLp-2Tgf5WXgGPZOBV9YA13q9M1Ykyep4LM9kPOfkZ6FDXAa82Bjd3PGvt6Odd_l4mGGw-8-tDybprCN9YRB5oWP7p4RedDunIza2zVlwY_FyUN7KKmS3TIuPlWRTI/s320/baumtorte-1024x684.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo source: Natasha Solomon </td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Baumtorte is based on a recipe in a cookbook Natasha inherited from her own grandmother - you can find the recipe <a href="http://natashasolomons.com/2010/04/08/baumtorte-memory-cake/">here</a>. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I can completely imagine this book as a film and apparently she and her husband are working on a screenplay. I do hope someone options it for a movie - it would be fantastic! I imagined Pete Postlethwaite as Mr Rosenblum's cider loving and partially pickled friend, Curtis. Such a shame he (i.e. Pete Postlethwaite) passed away last week. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The book also references the famous "Coronation Chicken" invented by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Spry">Constance Spry</a> and Rosemary Hume to serve to foreign dignatories during the coronation. In one of those nice serendipitous moments I had been reading one of Nigella's cookbooks and she gave her spin on "Coronation Chicken" and it finally clicked in my head that this was the same recipe my mother had received from her friend, the late June Bosanquet and known to us as "Creamed Curried Chicken". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BIhyphenhyphensXFhs1uoqirYH6NLLFU5ggJBhiP-_kORFUEJHAlxuzE7coG4pPEgIefvXpnxeMLRLLKkaR_oxdBDFkNyhjRlwHTjNX8C3GzABCcxQzAGd59loS4r8uwKD3bbxxX_aRrR/s1600/constance_spry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BIhyphenhyphensXFhs1uoqirYH6NLLFU5ggJBhiP-_kORFUEJHAlxuzE7coG4pPEgIefvXpnxeMLRLLKkaR_oxdBDFkNyhjRlwHTjNX8C3GzABCcxQzAGd59loS4r8uwKD3bbxxX_aRrR/s1600/constance_spry.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back to Constant Spry. As the link to Wikipedia shows - she was quite an interesting character and I think would be a wonderful subject for a movie also. There is a relatively new book out about her called<a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780230741812/The-Surprising-Life-of-Constance-Spry"> The Suprising Life of Constance Spry</a> by Sue Shephard. Might have to add it to the reading list! Of course - the other thing that was pinging away in the back of my brain was why I heard of Constance Spry. She was, of course, famous as a floral designer and had a fabulous David Austin rose named after her "Constance Spry". Bingo! Pinging 25th brain cell was satisfied. I love that rose!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't you love going down rabbit trails? </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-23578546414693254932010-11-11T18:21:00.000+11:002010-11-11T18:21:46.986+11:00Wicked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ46-ApMnGYuUbXtx0793L17btIkSu5tti68trH5-oagVjJeEr349efFThdhyPNroaynxHBGq7kjM0IxxdEaJ1uxzn0WrSLSsDQZfg1Q5PJQMpdcTGj3Fm2f8glr23cSXhwfzZ/s1600/240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ46-ApMnGYuUbXtx0793L17btIkSu5tti68trH5-oagVjJeEr349efFThdhyPNroaynxHBGq7kjM0IxxdEaJ1uxzn0WrSLSsDQZfg1Q5PJQMpdcTGj3Fm2f8glr23cSXhwfzZ/s320/240.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> One of the other lovely things we did as a Family was to go and see Wicked - The Musical in the last week before it left Sydney for Brisbane. We thoroughly enjoyed it (except for the bogan family behind us who talked, rustled lolly bags and popped open their cans of coke they'd brought from the supermarket). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA7ZmqsiyUnFL_dFEMKNq_j9THrEvy7H7F_0ShcIGlWiEhqzFC7N1VZh8hHzQkxzYPIWXIPZkBvLxEtLqNzWxu9V8VLrds6APDhx6Mg5yxtEzKIvAbflkKqC0SZJUpSjDNg6S/s1600/Wicked+costumes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA7ZmqsiyUnFL_dFEMKNq_j9THrEvy7H7F_0ShcIGlWiEhqzFC7N1VZh8hHzQkxzYPIWXIPZkBvLxEtLqNzWxu9V8VLrds6APDhx6Mg5yxtEzKIvAbflkKqC0SZJUpSjDNg6S/s320/Wicked+costumes.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Can't say that the songs were terribly memorable as the melodies were not straightforward - however the words were clever and I am full of admiration for the cast as they were difficult songs to sing. The costumes were absolutely spectacular - I was trying to absorb as much detail as possible. I particularly liked the green costumes for the citizens of Oz - they were full of inventiveness. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZan2BiRVLqci-kX0QqPtgDe0gmm5BheeA-gme0GgbYzTLQ2A49RoFHhf-RZghOvAfXqR2EmUKQ0GUqIgN7M1YPsqfJElNn8QvMq3gMy1K7dCptQToN4uGtD6UM3EBp7wSD7cN/s1600/wicked+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZan2BiRVLqci-kX0QqPtgDe0gmm5BheeA-gme0GgbYzTLQ2A49RoFHhf-RZghOvAfXqR2EmUKQ0GUqIgN7M1YPsqfJElNn8QvMq3gMy1K7dCptQToN4uGtD6UM3EBp7wSD7cN/s320/wicked+4.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSrmJfXGYhk1z-cAohiwAnmbJ6OSGUr78xanymZVHXY_SjhOndBFWaCCEY9jUxjGF3C9ZAgMZ0xxlyJKRv1wvntIOW2ab388K9tjgIbfrxn09kQiSZO5xYeccnBDWZgSXhYHl/s1600/wicked+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSrmJfXGYhk1z-cAohiwAnmbJ6OSGUr78xanymZVHXY_SjhOndBFWaCCEY9jUxjGF3C9ZAgMZ0xxlyJKRv1wvntIOW2ab388K9tjgIbfrxn09kQiSZO5xYeccnBDWZgSXhYHl/s320/wicked+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GjdWFrtXz53mTU8HmpfOSHKEEDT0Jb6oowqh_37npgn7EC85LdnZJ1lZz8oiWIQ8ecnLd7DHWarx_X6Tn75i-09vtDNU9L4pf06cItn-DLxMFHanbs3SnUfS3YXlbtXbMQ2w/s1600/wicked+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GjdWFrtXz53mTU8HmpfOSHKEEDT0Jb6oowqh_37npgn7EC85LdnZJ1lZz8oiWIQ8ecnLd7DHWarx_X6Tn75i-09vtDNU9L4pf06cItn-DLxMFHanbs3SnUfS3YXlbtXbMQ2w/s320/wicked+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>While looking for pics etc. of the costumes I came across this video on Threadbanger.com. It's an interview with <a href="http://www.susanhilferty.com/">Susan Hilferty</a>, the Broadway designer of the original costumes. Definitely worth a watch. You can also click on her name above to go to her website. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" height="290" id="player" width="448"><param value="http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/player" name="movie"/><param value="true" name="allowFullScreen"/><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"/><param value="video_file=http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/play/iST_20081009" name="flashvars"/><param value="opaque" name="wmode"/><embed src="http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/player" width="448" height="290" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" FlashVars="video_file=http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/play/iST_20081009" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There is also a shorter video on Susan's website where she talks about the thought process she went through at the conceptual stage </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="390" src="http://blip.tv/play/g_p9gYmPWgI%2Em4v" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Theatre costuming is always a great source of inspiration for doll designers - Wicked certainly contains some amazing eye-candy!</div></embed><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-37729898311110106232010-11-11T17:41:00.003+11:002010-11-11T17:43:33.328+11:00You poor sad neglected thing.....Here I sit 11 November and my poor little blog hasn't had an update in so long - it's quite tragic. So time to capture a few 2010 thoughts and moments before it's 2011 and my head explodes. <br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzEXpmOxPxIiupSZG7YPKMCXP1TbANPidhXINDVpgU_rATHF1Fe8na7y80n7MuxLyOGI29hD1q_XLOyhKAEsxKj_-_rUv2g0EKc31MqvTsiS9fC4C7cakonUGziP0FOVhbByI/s1600/Tara.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzEXpmOxPxIiupSZG7YPKMCXP1TbANPidhXINDVpgU_rATHF1Fe8na7y80n7MuxLyOGI29hD1q_XLOyhKAEsxKj_-_rUv2g0EKc31MqvTsiS9fC4C7cakonUGziP0FOVhbByI/s320/Tara.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Tara Bradford Paris Parfait</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This time last year (ahem) the lovely Tara Bradford had a giveaway competition on her blog Paris Parfait. I entered and one <a href="http://www.tarabradford.com/2009/11/paris-postcards.html">this lovely book</a> which Tara posted to me on her return from her amazing photo expedition to Jordan. It turned up early 2010 - so qualifies for my catch up post!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38L95lpnblcAMFAArKqPunCLUracxz-ZoJBc4E42i2sAWrJHPDaV-7qPQjhxmb61OZDuyRC7MIrD8zKiqwwBQiK5ZmmuNmPtNJWXul1Y6IvPd3JzQKq8rl50wyiaOf37Qdyrt/s1600/eiffel+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38L95lpnblcAMFAArKqPunCLUracxz-ZoJBc4E42i2sAWrJHPDaV-7qPQjhxmb61OZDuyRC7MIrD8zKiqwwBQiK5ZmmuNmPtNJWXul1Y6IvPd3JzQKq8rl50wyiaOf37Qdyrt/s320/eiffel+tower.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love all things Parisian - so was thrilled to find this little number on sale at Blue Illusion. I had seen it previously at retail of about $59.00 but thought that was a bit much for something to tidy up my mail - so when it was there for $19.00 - well - I had to snap it up! It's very handy for holding bills and bits of chat that end up on the kitchen bench otherwise. Hmm - note to self - better go and check it for unpaid bills!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have to say I also won another giveaway on a different blog. I was thrilled to win and left my home address as requested. Didn't hear anything back but as they had comment moderation I thought maybe something had gone wrong so left my address again. Still nothing. Eventually (as in some months later) I got an email saying sorry for the delay and it was going to be sent. Well - to this day - still nothing. Now - at the end of the day - the prize was not a big to do - but still - why would you run a giveaway and not come through with the prize? The more embarrassing thing is it's a blog run by one of the big fabric houses - a fabric house that I spent many thousands of dollars buying their fabrics for my shop. So stiffing me on a giveaway adds insult to injury. I just looked back - it was October last year - wow - that really is pathetic. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyhoo... moving on..... </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5zU3T-RmBtxLqgZMKPxnY7fH3HbvI-8oWE9eckHC_PqyeU79hIBKf0Va38G5hsd8FJcX9zzvxnSoVE-8BJx129umWxg41JCqLFcGkLfPiystdWBYupVjwSiFg_8a9uB9RIc6/s1600/259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5zU3T-RmBtxLqgZMKPxnY7fH3HbvI-8oWE9eckHC_PqyeU79hIBKf0Va38G5hsd8FJcX9zzvxnSoVE-8BJx129umWxg41JCqLFcGkLfPiystdWBYupVjwSiFg_8a9uB9RIc6/s320/259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We also had an interesting year with Chris finishing High School and doing his Higher School Certificate (HSC). Results won't be known until December - but - for better or worse it's all behind him now and all ahead of him too. Don't quite know how he made the quantum leap to adulthood so fast - but here we are!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Despite looking like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth - he managed to break a bone in my wrist by leaping out from behind a door to scare me - 7 weeks in a scaphoid cast doesn't do wonders for productivity. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fortunately before the broken bone I was lucky to do a class with Pam Grose again. Looking back on my blog it had been three years since Pam had stayed with us last - so it was wonderful to have her back again. Marilyn Halcomb contacted me and we quickly organised a two day class. It was wonderful! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are some of Pam's dolls that she brought - she sold all but one I think. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIo4iEANe2f98_D4g9OgdMsqU0sKRYh6NbjzBhCJE7SUARaYVpCeBCRscjpxsXG3gzBVbdRkHQGXjnUWXvseubPv7hEi913Kmhbn7veE5-eZyLoTwzeYYJgixkq7b10Ab6I5N/s1600/133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIo4iEANe2f98_D4g9OgdMsqU0sKRYh6NbjzBhCJE7SUARaYVpCeBCRscjpxsXG3gzBVbdRkHQGXjnUWXvseubPv7hEi913Kmhbn7veE5-eZyLoTwzeYYJgixkq7b10Ab6I5N/s320/133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ERNVBHrBQ9gRR3ykycevDjxX-5lwWfcAi9OBcleb4D6dDvcurwE8BXi6N9aKPQUrNqCRzeqRmTjHzgM3hp4hh03587hdwLHISLu8ZcuLL19_ODEeLv43vg0LaekCMT8qgeVl/s1600/134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ERNVBHrBQ9gRR3ykycevDjxX-5lwWfcAi9OBcleb4D6dDvcurwE8BXi6N9aKPQUrNqCRzeqRmTjHzgM3hp4hh03587hdwLHISLu8ZcuLL19_ODEeLv43vg0LaekCMT8qgeVl/s320/134.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZxldBz-U6cux328gqoZxxdgGCCzPURxBIKVS82KVK8KdqHkaa4CXf5JF5uyzSZq85KyGmlNAYJK48ukkRlAh-qdduUSmjfUr6B-Pkf4cFpWxvjApdRLUMmXZxSXFnXRHx20S/s1600/135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZxldBz-U6cux328gqoZxxdgGCCzPURxBIKVS82KVK8KdqHkaa4CXf5JF5uyzSZq85KyGmlNAYJK48ukkRlAh-qdduUSmjfUr6B-Pkf4cFpWxvjApdRLUMmXZxSXFnXRHx20S/s320/135.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuVUwWmu5SSrms2zdE_NXf9Js4Omrgi8L1YlKHeNQ23kxOvGf_-lOM3EEuG7yNQfA2qzQphsJ2NzHmh8-wJmma3Q8tMU53IbD-FZmj9DVKxfLeFqHgVr3-hfojSHXXeht1u0a/s1600/136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuVUwWmu5SSrms2zdE_NXf9Js4Omrgi8L1YlKHeNQ23kxOvGf_-lOM3EEuG7yNQfA2qzQphsJ2NzHmh8-wJmma3Q8tMU53IbD-FZmj9DVKxfLeFqHgVr3-hfojSHXXeht1u0a/s320/136.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGbvPW7xPZFOLQUNGCFtCsItcvPfQpbb8fYkuZ1hBhbOWeR4E7u4m-3n5r0E3MYKZ_ywLM7JMzlAdkNVA0Tyml8VmbSpM3beyHffMo_-3zBZGdVM-Hu3OPThihLz5OHF8NPro/s1600/137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGbvPW7xPZFOLQUNGCFtCsItcvPfQpbb8fYkuZ1hBhbOWeR4E7u4m-3n5r0E3MYKZ_ywLM7JMzlAdkNVA0Tyml8VmbSpM3beyHffMo_-3zBZGdVM-Hu3OPThihLz5OHF8NPro/s320/137.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>These dolls are made with a new technique that Pam has been refining. Basically she makes a wire armature and builds it up with aluminium foil and electrical tape. I made the cat lady so she is skinned with velour - only the fingers need sewing the rest is hand sewn on the doll - making it easy to do. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxGO1vovbG6VoWS4k1Gm_FzgySt2tZ0JhO6CKsQHBZ6P96szjMFzEvXWLQoGoX77Pgff2hDPFpA7y2LupdSRJrriGr4AJb4vX7MSebnk_4UJJTmntUAhLiGvzg46VYU_lO99c/s1600/138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxGO1vovbG6VoWS4k1Gm_FzgySt2tZ0JhO6CKsQHBZ6P96szjMFzEvXWLQoGoX77Pgff2hDPFpA7y2LupdSRJrriGr4AJb4vX7MSebnk_4UJJTmntUAhLiGvzg46VYU_lO99c/s320/138.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic Armature </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1Q0h6upmvJweZ6dnHeNKk8dflBClaYSNnN1B9SscF8hUZmbSx4jWz3RqcWreqadvbf_azwV0yFzxkHIzpF7IedUHXFBvKUkY9LgLR8JdhmfRJ7lVU4HIlDpJyGV-AQHRP8Cn/s1600/139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1Q0h6upmvJweZ6dnHeNKk8dflBClaYSNnN1B9SscF8hUZmbSx4jWz3RqcWreqadvbf_azwV0yFzxkHIzpF7IedUHXFBvKUkY9LgLR8JdhmfRJ7lVU4HIlDpJyGV-AQHRP8Cn/s320/139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Basic armature for the hands<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD_FKYZxxGdoX63WLTw3bqFHRbqJYWIl7P1myHoJlIcEV89IdgG_2stD4_otcwKKlyo8O6mywyNSpKLB1ApxoT6KJ4_OBR9sMkRpzIatTMwkcGv1Xu4zIiETzUjl-fGBD2AB-/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD_FKYZxxGdoX63WLTw3bqFHRbqJYWIl7P1myHoJlIcEV89IdgG_2stD4_otcwKKlyo8O6mywyNSpKLB1ApxoT6KJ4_OBR9sMkRpzIatTMwkcGv1Xu4zIiETzUjl-fGBD2AB-/s200/140.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic Armature for the Cat Lady feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyYd26Wh84Tnr9MOBCbTnsEmu6nlTsxr7-6iShd1QU157EusJeUxpjn_CNcQx2W_Yi7Be_qF8MvfFgAKqcOnfQP_AJqtVbQXwiO-aP2th28Frxs4rYM1D3Awo0hi7AxBPkFKi/s1600/141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyYd26Wh84Tnr9MOBCbTnsEmu6nlTsxr7-6iShd1QU157EusJeUxpjn_CNcQx2W_Yi7Be_qF8MvfFgAKqcOnfQP_AJqtVbQXwiO-aP2th28Frxs4rYM1D3Awo0hi7AxBPkFKi/s320/141.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basic armature - checking for balance</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOiFYOMPI5wCLQQxoEijTRk87CuSGn4t2FS0dY6_CRkqSx6V8RpHvS4X_LEwil-kJcyG1-zRffKK1d4IScvcUMbvnG7Gi21Z5uDYbBlr7njs-EgQWvfWlVX-hWMWLM_DLenDd/s1600/142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOiFYOMPI5wCLQQxoEijTRk87CuSGn4t2FS0dY6_CRkqSx6V8RpHvS4X_LEwil-kJcyG1-zRffKK1d4IScvcUMbvnG7Gi21Z5uDYbBlr7njs-EgQWvfWlVX-hWMWLM_DLenDd/s320/142.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building up the shape some more</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLP88rq1L1pE7qEb1pEF0aOJVwC1cTUzNvGTxW9yL44UdVDEjo5ZU4Tu4yQrfjd12178Qtl2QTMRHkHXWy_LRf9kwD7VbZ7QVZ61cajUGxMd5BPLuFLKJLUWxGEc1Qn1oE6Sc/s1600/146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLP88rq1L1pE7qEb1pEF0aOJVwC1cTUzNvGTxW9yL44UdVDEjo5ZU4Tu4yQrfjd12178Qtl2QTMRHkHXWy_LRf9kwD7VbZ7QVZ61cajUGxMd5BPLuFLKJLUWxGEc1Qn1oE6Sc/s320/146.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A body with shoes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOo7XQcC736bSq050cZrD4z0Sye6by-zJMKjQf3MmK-868wVSmMjXs3kQijd-ig8sV3jJvLQQrTv11870y7G5dMxlqJRgIhQIVzUBHN-tXhX_vX7Fs0Zvi2Wuu2Z6duelD4-p/s1600/147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOo7XQcC736bSq050cZrD4z0Sye6by-zJMKjQf3MmK-868wVSmMjXs3kQijd-ig8sV3jJvLQQrTv11870y7G5dMxlqJRgIhQIVzUBHN-tXhX_vX7Fs0Zvi2Wuu2Z6duelD4-p/s320/147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Skinning the face and doing set in eyes <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg5V7lr7qR4bSdgPqK158uEhkNee_9rrU9WL_hWA9c5jngZDx-Sbc_QjJ4WOL9hLW7BXCEj0mXhGFyOjQWg9fvRz9fm0QL41U5HFe-_uIklAN6KmZ3gRgvifBnKBhQ1YbEA5-/s1600/148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg5V7lr7qR4bSdgPqK158uEhkNee_9rrU9WL_hWA9c5jngZDx-Sbc_QjJ4WOL9hLW7BXCEj0mXhGFyOjQWg9fvRz9fm0QL41U5HFe-_uIklAN6KmZ3gRgvifBnKBhQ1YbEA5-/s320/148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Stitching the eyelids <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDye5c4F4KkLpUGR_BQE4CHMB-S9k5WsRRJniqYbCkrojxumovHDOYCs0evQtummgtwzChWxTHByStKGGNSXj5By82_R5WB4y89qqygUtgVlxoEl9gTs0qCrB6e4Qu9AVBuYx/s1600/149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDye5c4F4KkLpUGR_BQE4CHMB-S9k5WsRRJniqYbCkrojxumovHDOYCs0evQtummgtwzChWxTHByStKGGNSXj5By82_R5WB4y89qqygUtgVlxoEl9gTs0qCrB6e4Qu9AVBuYx/s320/149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The face stuffed and finished - ready for painting<br />
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</tbody></table>Claire is always one to get into the act - Pam had a spare toddler body so Claire made up this head - stuffed it and drew her own face on it, painted it and put together the body and sew the clothes on. She did quite a job of it! <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPUadmM4ngBK_3TiJkB6sQyJzkXiNq0ZA_VOv54E9IQOXmvelmqEKEsfUYLyQlzDYNmVkEL9d2mKbHdDZsSfdLoxyEwy7sERrXzhn7NtSCuFsJ4x4DGfH8Ixw5-zzSaDWi2u7/s1600/166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPUadmM4ngBK_3TiJkB6sQyJzkXiNq0ZA_VOv54E9IQOXmvelmqEKEsfUYLyQlzDYNmVkEL9d2mKbHdDZsSfdLoxyEwy7sERrXzhn7NtSCuFsJ4x4DGfH8Ixw5-zzSaDWi2u7/s320/166.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YAiZhO6JDXcP9R3UoVKZgELXVybn9nq4urUj1Zgn8Rl00_P3_fV88wSEgGjg9HJ77EkAv90hPlWTisKR9EMkKLQsNyt6KdHrA_573QZ2L5nmMHsbgsSxNgNAq5yQqjXGiqQo/s1600/170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YAiZhO6JDXcP9R3UoVKZgELXVybn9nq4urUj1Zgn8Rl00_P3_fV88wSEgGjg9HJ77EkAv90hPlWTisKR9EMkKLQsNyt6KdHrA_573QZ2L5nmMHsbgsSxNgNAq5yQqjXGiqQo/s320/170.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and she sewed on the hair....</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5amG9_KpA58K1yO0ayNPVb8aVcdY28Fk_uclctbqkdWbg2Ulqre_MdDX_DzEbt8MPjX_YjC4oVTXyuHDc5ijWNObc1zIl4LWFNAxqem27reaAMPJvkMqjA9g3WMpwytYGAsk5/s1600/162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5amG9_KpA58K1yO0ayNPVb8aVcdY28Fk_uclctbqkdWbg2Ulqre_MdDX_DzEbt8MPjX_YjC4oVTXyuHDc5ijWNObc1zIl4LWFNAxqem27reaAMPJvkMqjA9g3WMpwytYGAsk5/s320/162.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was going to have painted eyes rather than inset eyes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW4-nx0L6AT87M-_ymT6tEQJNCe2M3tit8PC2YNf9Q4JAHLq1Qsn_ijjKUyCOZ9hToZzSRya-OHiFwc6sKBzXCjtIH7seQCM2udkOkAdyf96SNNLcLl3gv-A-KKQLKSbkPQ9t/s1600/165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW4-nx0L6AT87M-_ymT6tEQJNCe2M3tit8PC2YNf9Q4JAHLq1Qsn_ijjKUyCOZ9hToZzSRya-OHiFwc6sKBzXCjtIH7seQCM2udkOkAdyf96SNNLcLl3gv-A-KKQLKSbkPQ9t/s320/165.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the painted faces <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHcn8WjnS0thJCWYHiwVbyJWEMO7Tz_5RdEQuolzbRlms4nfYmNm90M_ih9CSUr3MdNts50mfAqpjqvUIYjaBIjrnJ5ZWXXHQI62jiQlDAnBghqqqnhpMMrhZspUtm0cbOs2i/s1600/167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHcn8WjnS0thJCWYHiwVbyJWEMO7Tz_5RdEQuolzbRlms4nfYmNm90M_ih9CSUr3MdNts50mfAqpjqvUIYjaBIjrnJ5ZWXXHQI62jiQlDAnBghqqqnhpMMrhZspUtm0cbOs2i/s320/167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38Ya_uFdiCZqzTxrkNbfZJeky3sx9sa9ZrrNws04avPwLIg48H72-_aaLWeVqU-IIHcbVc49CMLdQ3E9R-NAVbIk_aDyKC3o63SVABwoq_WcFIGa07OdiUDZ5NE2I0OwPTKrz/s1600/168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38Ya_uFdiCZqzTxrkNbfZJeky3sx9sa9ZrrNws04avPwLIg48H72-_aaLWeVqU-IIHcbVc49CMLdQ3E9R-NAVbIk_aDyKC3o63SVABwoq_WcFIGa07OdiUDZ5NE2I0OwPTKrz/s320/168.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the white tipped fur - it makes a great wig!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-71514632188930504162010-06-24T15:23:00.000+10:002010-06-24T15:23:22.983+10:00Craft and Quilt Fair - Darling Harbour<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artd07_20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1580176739" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>I visited the Craft and Quilt Fair last week - I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the day and slept like a baby when I got home but I was tired in a good way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Uniquely-Felt-Christine-White/dp/1580176739?ie=UTF8&tag=artd07_20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Uniquely Felt" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1580176739&tag=artd07_20" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was wonderful to see all the textile stalls - lots of wool and felting stands as well as ATASDA, NSW Spinners and Weavers Guild and felting workshops and demonstrations (but I still miss The Thread Studio). I bought Uniquely Felt by Christine White a great techical book about Felting that covers all the major methods of felting as well as this DVD by Judit Pocs which shows many of her wonderful art pieces both in process and finally completed. Her Noah's Ark rug is just absolutely stunning!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBISa46TZHqrLBZhfjyMatz3PTBrvsP_iH2N22L-E6OttXaJnqlGMIDSuFwvZZqSVVXfCl8sCikseS0VPqWZeCHexCKSKgHQQZq2WosuYeXULzd7EF6lbrOM4XG5uD2_iaNycP/s1600/gentle-threads-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBISa46TZHqrLBZhfjyMatz3PTBrvsP_iH2N22L-E6OttXaJnqlGMIDSuFwvZZqSVVXfCl8sCikseS0VPqWZeCHexCKSKgHQQZq2WosuYeXULzd7EF6lbrOM4XG5uD2_iaNycP/s320/gentle-threads-cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I also bought some Free Trade Sari silk which is the waste silk from Sari production gathered and spun into a yarn. One of the traders had a knitted bag made out of a hank of silk - so I can home and made one - so proud of myself for actually finishing it! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYG0OI4eoE7a4HRsADk0Oc_DlvjCRt7oZSeC4ufM2tLWMm8t6rrQT2DfdP-oAxsq_Sfpg9ldPzYv1E-QsiKwu6XcYdJnz7Tw-SOKucU_I7_Hqv-TgzjwJBR8pOiaTZ_N2T7J8/s1600/pam+grose+ugly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYG0OI4eoE7a4HRsADk0Oc_DlvjCRt7oZSeC4ufM2tLWMm8t6rrQT2DfdP-oAxsq_Sfpg9ldPzYv1E-QsiKwu6XcYdJnz7Tw-SOKucU_I7_Hqv-TgzjwJBR8pOiaTZ_N2T7J8/s320/pam+grose+ugly.jpg" /></a>Exciting news also that Pam Grose is coming to Sydney to teach. She'll be staying with me - so high motivation to get my craft room tidied up! It's unbelievable but it's been <a href="http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/2007/05/pam-grose-workshop-part-3.html">three years since she was last here</a> - when we made her baby dragons - I am sure we will have great fun! I think I might make one of her little girls but I do like this sexy looking witch <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAPAQJhL4FP5_3HK3Dq4G_IrgbTO1h9EW8Zmry0oxJqN9e4K8OIPOI60o7ASsaZIcpXuxwxh3RxU1c_QBxYhk9jwPY6x0yzciso7URuQYKkQHtJJbhHEaJM0ab8s-t44b8L_F/s1600/Pam+Grose+sexy+witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAPAQJhL4FP5_3HK3Dq4G_IrgbTO1h9EW8Zmry0oxJqN9e4K8OIPOI60o7ASsaZIcpXuxwxh3RxU1c_QBxYhk9jwPY6x0yzciso7URuQYKkQHtJJbhHEaJM0ab8s-t44b8L_F/s320/Pam+Grose+sexy+witch.jpg" /></a>or maybe a young girl like this - kind of sassy and punk! Whatever we decide to do I'm sure it will be a fantastic time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oemtyZYpFKfNF0HQ5q0_cAqkZT6utDrdVHg-4GaqRV-1PWYupuP_cuHNz-k3TqIWdvzQ6_IeaCk_P7NFL5X5uuajPbdIJrtqiv3SjE36rWFjr9j-A5ZWF_ag9FRB9YrkLp5M/s1600/pam+grose+gal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oemtyZYpFKfNF0HQ5q0_cAqkZT6utDrdVHg-4GaqRV-1PWYupuP_cuHNz-k3TqIWdvzQ6_IeaCk_P7NFL5X5uuajPbdIJrtqiv3SjE36rWFjr9j-A5ZWF_ag9FRB9YrkLp5M/s320/pam+grose+gal.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-67717440134488550942010-05-18T09:43:00.000+10:002010-05-18T09:43:05.031+10:00Teesha Moore - Fabric Journals<a href="http://teeshascircus.blogspot.com/">Teesha Moore</a> has been at it again - this time making fabric journals. Here are her 4 videos - amazing colours and I love her no stress approach to putting stuff together. If you don't subscribe to her blog you should - she is so incredibly creative. Enjoy!<br />
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fabric journal 1 of 4 from teesha moore on Vimeo.<br />
<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11067370&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11067370&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/11067370">fabric journals 2 of 4</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/teeshamoore">teesha moore</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11070573&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11070573&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/11070573">fabric journal 3 of 4</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/teeshamoore">teesha moore</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11076756&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11076756&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/11076756">fabric journal 4 of 4</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/teeshamoore">teesha moore</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-692349532399858172010-04-05T21:45:00.001+10:002010-04-05T21:57:44.773+10:00Summer Holidays<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here it is Easter Monday and I'm posting about last January - oh well better late than never!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This Summer, I took a trip into Sydney to have a little break with Emily, <a href="http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/2009/01/menzies-monet-and-holidaying-in-your.html">just like I did last year with Claire</a>. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">$109 on lastminute.com got us a mystery hotel at Darling Harbour - which turned out to be The Four Seasons. It is located in a very convenient spot - City side of Darling Harbour and a short walk there as well as up to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB). </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0spunyVDM7o0H3XoNbiniG2j0wSSZ9Fw9RxZF60Dcb1-aQ6Z1_bey6fNmN6ipaZgXjCvT4zBBkGGGC7a9vZqdUqOAkQ-TNWVcD25aiimGH7FGj6bqaRdnkOYMABGf-hBUVqnC/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0spunyVDM7o0H3XoNbiniG2j0wSSZ9Fw9RxZF60Dcb1-aQ6Z1_bey6fNmN6ipaZgXjCvT4zBBkGGGC7a9vZqdUqOAkQ-TNWVcD25aiimGH7FGj6bqaRdnkOYMABGf-hBUVqnC/s320/IMG_0353.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here's our room - not bad for the price!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggY_T0VkAiUTS6kTkQEP-CL6PYR7qnBSg3WwL48tvXQFRNJB5-_IuIZGb0EhKTF9JwU2u_hc6nqNrRI3SQd_Xr4YAkr-kkvQdoV0K4slomwbiZriNlpGikH-Qmm6XD-G12hH-7/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggY_T0VkAiUTS6kTkQEP-CL6PYR7qnBSg3WwL48tvXQFRNJB5-_IuIZGb0EhKTF9JwU2u_hc6nqNrRI3SQd_Xr4YAkr-kkvQdoV0K4slomwbiZriNlpGikH-Qmm6XD-G12hH-7/s320/IMG_0354.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Emily took to hotel living like a duck to water. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh13eFMV4yO9ybKSYe7xtYm3Nk7mH5re8tI8r_tXRNYBLzU7dl2NK0YXfO3qy1J1lk3bknwFgJLJvGGUEKsW22ECJN3cXwBuz668kVPlCQg8Ytm5cKqPCSC4qrSzZMGb0lxB5J/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh13eFMV4yO9ybKSYe7xtYm3Nk7mH5re8tI8r_tXRNYBLzU7dl2NK0YXfO3qy1J1lk3bknwFgJLJvGGUEKsW22ECJN3cXwBuz668kVPlCQg8Ytm5cKqPCSC4qrSzZMGb0lxB5J/s320/IMG_0355.JPG" /></a></div>We dumped our bags in the room and headed up to the City. We went to <a href="http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/indexohb.cgi?AREA=06">Kinokunya </a>- an amazing bookshop located in The Galeries Victoria opposite the Queen Victoria Building on George Street. They have an incredible range of books in all sorts of different categories. Here's Emily waiting patiently while I investigated the craft book section. <br />
We wandered down to Darling Harbour for dinner. There are various options - some restaurants are expensive but there are lots of inexpensive options too. We decided to eat at Pontoon bar. Because it's a bar, they have a cheap food menu (due to the complexities of NSW licencing laws). Every dish is $10, cooked fresh on the outdoor grill - options include hamburgers, kebabs and fish and chips. It was yummy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFoVHeY9OHPv0xll0iU_a5sWXZcTvLgnpd3db-EkxFxgMJCl-TDuoG1Z7RjgsepdubkSbANDHVst5XKijRjSIZJwxxrra2hZAOv5p2Z3EygO5WcnGxmstwAbqE0Up8CAds26W/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFoVHeY9OHPv0xll0iU_a5sWXZcTvLgnpd3db-EkxFxgMJCl-TDuoG1Z7RjgsepdubkSbANDHVst5XKijRjSIZJwxxrra2hZAOv5p2Z3EygO5WcnGxmstwAbqE0Up8CAds26W/s320/IMG_0373.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now normally I wouldn't take my daughter to a bar (!) but this is a gorgeous outdoor setup with lounges and picnic style bench tables with a million dollar view!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHhGbVrLFhufwYL4lwxuutq-oZXakz0CLQc7KjG8broORGYIO5ESxk085OkuD_IlEhRkfhMpK6RNBPL-uojo39ESVx5_gC_nLUxktsPxZDsS9avwKD6Ijm7_Kro1qeQcr07jS/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHhGbVrLFhufwYL4lwxuutq-oZXakz0CLQc7KjG8broORGYIO5ESxk085OkuD_IlEhRkfhMpK6RNBPL-uojo39ESVx5_gC_nLUxktsPxZDsS9avwKD6Ijm7_Kro1qeQcr07jS/s320/IMG_0383.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We then strolled back towards the hotel, stopping for a gelato too. Back in the room we enjoyed the nice soft bathrobes and put our feet up and watched a bit of cable tv. Here's Em perfecting her bathrobe look!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next morning we checked out and walked back down to Darling Harbour where we caught the ferry round to Circular Quay. Let me tell you that's about the best thing you can do for about $5 anywhere! From Circular Quay we walked up to The Rocks and had breakfast at Pancakes on The Rocks - neither of us could finish our pancakes - and that's saying something. The Rocks is one of the oldest parts of Sydney with some interesting, free museums featuring the archeological findings from digs around various different sites and theNSW Archives Office at Nurses Walk. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeX5QBiYyUYbP6leuLPIDlaIMJ75czacBZYgvQS9lJaTqIicgQRNTppIKy5UJhUOQWFtP0_sF5UTFtkBz1xxmqARpFDIwKDFOtUtkaYIHyxCSQuj9r-41qbVephmrcuI0hNV4/s1600/IMG_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeX5QBiYyUYbP6leuLPIDlaIMJ75czacBZYgvQS9lJaTqIicgQRNTppIKy5UJhUOQWFtP0_sF5UTFtkBz1xxmqARpFDIwKDFOtUtkaYIHyxCSQuj9r-41qbVephmrcuI0hNV4/s320/IMG_0384.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Down near Nurses Walk is a gorgeous button shop right next door to Margo Richards Antiques. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We slowly headed back up George Street to <a href="http://www.strandarcade.com.au/">The Strand Arcade</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHeZYG6NkcwyGH0_hpuAt7KoIpGfOCwQ4pQn15fIzTFGSgqTHh7HtE68qQljinaIkq5KNg3huHKCohEy9yoRUeIaUuTGru7OivscKZg7IrZtYjHogIIlD5SeYiY7PbW-yfrQa/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHeZYG6NkcwyGH0_hpuAt7KoIpGfOCwQ4pQn15fIzTFGSgqTHh7HtE68qQljinaIkq5KNg3huHKCohEy9yoRUeIaUuTGru7OivscKZg7IrZtYjHogIIlD5SeYiY7PbW-yfrQa/s320/IMG_0389.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Emily was particularly taken by Sweet Art </div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignHcMXt9-KNoXEcTdNeCo6AXmbTPBDakM1ivj0IjIFyQ-EM2F0Py6N06MDHxB9EL_F7CNh9GkPD4ug-c2miRkJUQ-lrImjYTHxjvxmixlNzTOnUw_ZsLPVw41DZMEejC7iXtE/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignHcMXt9-KNoXEcTdNeCo6AXmbTPBDakM1ivj0IjIFyQ-EM2F0Py6N06MDHxB9EL_F7CNh9GkPD4ug-c2miRkJUQ-lrImjYTHxjvxmixlNzTOnUw_ZsLPVw41DZMEejC7iXtE/s320/IMG_0387.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">They have amazing cakes</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTBssw5oMxlABsqUZDlCbn0GSisf4vt4xh2ASbb1SJJOx5ywvbH5_ruwKqVh20eg2Ardu2QFX5Yh94PQkxmVBQTrydzDVageG6eqxABN3OGra6ZNKwf_jJjmJIv0_oXb88c6d/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTBssw5oMxlABsqUZDlCbn0GSisf4vt4xh2ASbb1SJJOx5ywvbH5_ruwKqVh20eg2Ardu2QFX5Yh94PQkxmVBQTrydzDVageG6eqxABN3OGra6ZNKwf_jJjmJIv0_oXb88c6d/s400/IMG_0386.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and these very cute pug dog candles. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_SJ9LVpaojULvKP3dd8Pg5iWsIOdLPQNftc61MV5ubvnvTP3e0rclz3L1LdRXVvSffFWwx428hh2-RynWgTP-gjcf44kWH-CZeSV5gneezuExqDAHBkyvWGk6rnWeZJk77ht/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_SJ9LVpaojULvKP3dd8Pg5iWsIOdLPQNftc61MV5ubvnvTP3e0rclz3L1LdRXVvSffFWwx428hh2-RynWgTP-gjcf44kWH-CZeSV5gneezuExqDAHBkyvWGk6rnWeZJk77ht/s320/IMG_0385.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I LOVED these chairs in the reception area - very chi chi!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVukY11CW9jCJ9syBJ6NXQoUUAtqhbwYOQMsfF_mSrily2OuFjRlVb6e8E5q89D5myIYx8NteMDZMZ2GKQRQqC-NqcXW1B5WnEcAcB3cCJ2bmqi3u-6i6BDWoiS125eW4NrYIr/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVukY11CW9jCJ9syBJ6NXQoUUAtqhbwYOQMsfF_mSrily2OuFjRlVb6e8E5q89D5myIYx8NteMDZMZ2GKQRQqC-NqcXW1B5WnEcAcB3cCJ2bmqi3u-6i6BDWoiS125eW4NrYIr/s320/IMG_0388.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh - and one more shot - how gorgeous is this bike in the window of the White Kikki-K shop? Unlike the usual Kikki-K shops this one only carries the stock in white. Getting fit would be easy on a gorgeous bike like this!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-32628318121129600262010-01-31T18:12:00.000+11:002010-01-31T18:12:16.037+11:00A new blogSummer has been long, hot and (now my least favourite part of the year) humid. On the plus side the kids are back at school (insert happy face) so it all evens out really! I have lots of posts to catch up but for the moment I wanted to let everyone who follows me here now that I have started a new blog - it doesn't replace this one but is very specifically about art dolls and art doll artists - it will be updated at least weekly (that's the plan) and will feature artist profiles, book reviews, information about conferences, tips and tricks and so on and so forth. <br />
I will still be blogging here about life and more general interests so the choice is yours - follow one or the other or both depending on your interests!!<br />
If you want to check out my new blog it is <a href="http://www.artdollartists.blogspot.com/">http://www.artdollartists.blogspot.com/</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-78396666414665701942009-12-07T17:34:00.006+11:002009-12-07T21:32:59.312+11:00Christmas Countdown<div><div>I am totally unprepared/do not have my head around/ etc the fact that Christmas is only 18 days away - holy smokes - just gave myself a fright writing that! The tree is not up, have not made the Christmas Cake, or anything - nor have I bought a single present. This is not unusual for me - I am always ready for Christmas in early January - <a href="http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/2008/01/ok-im-ready-for-christmas.html">see testimonial here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I thought in the spirit of all things globe-trotting I would post some Christmas window displays from around the world.......<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412379999495843490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAt59l8QEek3xuxevUIxOVssory_Sh36fW1AVdj76bBjlqbfoDS5kgvQ6fVWjc-ZgVjEw2g9gyhdFPKFREXpCKPIEEfvlLU4DzLXnnmANy73iJxgU5xQYlM9P8J9WO2wICI8x/s320/Printemps+2009.jpg" /></div><div></div><p>Printemps in Paris - a three wise men vibe going on via<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/essaitlr2712/"> Rolye on Flickr </a></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412380853378987586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinopJodqWZwFwwf8ZGUvI-uadFE5PchD3DuOp2Onn5Zylb132V0d0gRbA7i2J8aug5U18Ohdsi6AH1eO5DZwQg3kyEl-H4BUuMQRFs-GyqCJh7FktrmIvpWsrSA6RMcogKdG1p/s320/Macy's.jpg" /> Macy's via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pbo31/4149098833/">itornot on Flickr</a><br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://videos.nymag.com/embed/player/?content=DHX6DG1XSWPSMCML&widget_type_cid=svp&title_height=24" frameborder="0" width="416" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><p>This little snippet about Bergdorf Goodman's windows - love those staircases - very steampunk!</p><p></p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D3e2nPwsjYo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D3e2nPwsjYo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />and this handy youtube video with a bit of a walking around the Macy's display in NY.<br /><br />The kids finish school this Thursday - might have to go on an expedition into Sydney to look at the windows in David Jones and the big Christmas tree in Martin Place (on a cool day! ) better hurry up though - I am running out of time - argh!!!!</div><div> </div><div>UPDATE!</div><div>My lovely friend Kylie just told me that Harrods has a Wizard of Oz theme this year. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412437779292833362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjQIwJI2xj_xyav3xj7KNIQ4wuRlvlrmQIQjUR06c9caXvmuc0fybSgRudk3FAivJNlt_tbOnyJyw4Pt2sFOeVHSRpObnAEb5s3IRA-pWHy_Uo0o3BJ-hYt-kwPIiAmZBv0f5/s320/emerald+city.jpg" /></div><div>They have lit up the store in green lights to look like the Emerald City.</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412437786085625010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkzAtZ-6EYQEUCGVnfRPvvWdH7NfBFC4RORH2iSdyCGG2fwv2iZ_LpQokM-aqtJmfI6q1JmpMvIKRljFgun-lMPv-sTeGY3aCSOWdpedarj_5-pSC2-IaK4ud72pm4HVla78V/s320/WitchLegs+Harrods.jpg" /></div><div>The Knightsbridge store has apparently landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412437780826645394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2O9hQqSCEuHdmY_hiPXWaa_i8-yE1xXAuOD7qsBmt3kou2oTRU47AaWqmXT06KhVsDxPfoyN0SPpDVljEjrzPOLaO1YZx8tN2R7dLEoi0MaldpNLrX_MZ__RTqtSYYbAm_Qq7/s320/RubySlipper.jpg" /></div><div>AND they were selling these limited edition ruby slippers in store. Unsuprisingly - they sold out!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-42900832027554475312009-11-20T22:24:00.003+11:002009-11-20T22:33:19.065+11:00Look what I found<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406145947990113778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF031Ao_yVPRAeDfFnvSyOs4wVi5ufcJodTzFN8HwYLnaoMhpuPIIhnTbR2v5hOSJ1aQN-a37j0TToUJ76a2XfUGANBscPFuivTFolj2AeP4PFd-ynUkY0m0Mq6ASVNmi8DDx0/s320/felt+monster" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406145939999434818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DqSECnffxNCvK6xNrxXMBUJlyIYAWbJvoMZKtaWC5Lpq_RfJa8Z6BpK_g51tD9jeq1Z7NQZtFc7Mr2IoF-e-3dXu2vcidL2shJLxi0kydnJyFkXG2ie4ou0XMIkGD9lXZDNL/s320/pink+and+red+monsters" /> I found the pics I'd saved them down to my computer - but don't know where I got them from - if they are yours please let me know so I can add a link (or if you happen to know please tell me also). All I know was that the woman had needlefelted them as party favours for her daughter's party.</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406146718965336466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCVXQy608wZcYqlnTu35CArj-fHyaiaDFWTesEq5iciEnRmfqr0ECQfl99jIEcgMfLfyAwNLKbQCYH6xeV7HCVtUMLMRpqkhgPifn7IzuJ4xwJ5-hJXrp6AcPxhjKo9lxP3sR/s320/monster-stroller-2.jpg" /></div><div><div></div><div><div><div>While I was looking for the elusive needlefelted monsters - I came across this - how awesome - it is a converted toddler pusher. I love the inside lining made to look like the brains. You wouldn't want to have an ugly baby though, people might be cruel.</div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-71620231959121233042009-11-20T14:00:00.007+11:002009-11-20T21:50:08.574+11:00needle felting love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLAp5IpZ2YaP9OivAGcqFPbVqcCMnYJ_imRv7ZEYkulkG6l9niwud7QB8ATJFaxlK1xC5jF3nogrY8HY0CaiyRMI3RbHe6MquDO8jfcHQLfCgcMRfirFiOgfDOq5Yv83hA7Ds/s1600/needlefelted+nude+realistic.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 186px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406030030099089746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLAp5IpZ2YaP9OivAGcqFPbVqcCMnYJ_imRv7ZEYkulkG6l9niwud7QB8ATJFaxlK1xC5jF3nogrY8HY0CaiyRMI3RbHe6MquDO8jfcHQLfCgcMRfirFiOgfDOq5Yv83hA7Ds/s320/needlefelted+nude+realistic.jpg" /></a> <div><div><div>Found this incredible needlefelted "Venus" by <a href="http://www.stephaniemetz.com/">Stephanie Metz </a>who lives and works out of San Fransisco. She is a sculptor who works in needlefelted wool. Take a look at her site - she is an artist with a point of view which she communicates so well via her art. I particularly love the <a href="http://www.stephaniemetz.com/portfolioOverbredAnimals.html">"Overbred Animals"</a> series as a commentary on our relationship to the animals that we are bio-engineering for food production. Very thoughtful. Be sure to check out the entire <a href="http://www.stephaniemetz.com/portfoliocurrent.html">portfolio</a> - especially the figurative studies. </div><div></div><div>In other surfing - I also found this extremely cute (and highly more achievable) monster - <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406022515380142482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-gJC_Yevo3YJykji1eQi6uSs9yEgc-JvNYrjS4tykVj-M3zcDEw8L4g4CJlRBNICwlFcOCjXBlc4eJfyBphzZ3pDF64f8NvYL6bPWKrZ7j2ZwnQ7WFPdthKW1EpvEQfpd9sS/s320/november_thing.jpg" />firstly this one from <a href="http://oddfae.blogspot.com/">Dawn Schiller of Oddfae </a>(maker of those steampunk Chrono-Seidh that I am so completely in love with). There was another site with awesome one eyed monsters - but I've been looking for it all day - and it has disappeared. </div><div> </div><div>But there are also these bags from <a href="http://feltinginfibrespace.blogspot.com/">Beth Connors from Felting In Fibre-Space</a>.</div><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406025986765278578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjnRg7moo8OSGwzL_YGDE_DFV8X6nn_phoicVplx-1rlUS4SYBNdRf5gKUen9vm1NfxB9sBm0NqdJgPGi3Bv3culId2H22xWTaND0BvIvH3MUJedlZwyOI8VDSuqK0rWJ8v9b/s320/felted+face+bag+1" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406025996518333922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42gZIeN6rLF-9s6HrI7Kc3CywHmO61mTQHYCVrTv1yW2-0KpCtrUk2X6Ew5nL3X06NkmeRn5KS3FXRepRxRRQN4HpLWL6kLH2WZCeBaJQkKuxzaZnd1SE2OfD4UsnWn_LPxaS/s320/felted+face+bag2" /> </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-41139141656238238362009-11-06T15:45:00.005+11:002009-11-11T22:06:29.759+11:00JournallingI read many blogs - one of the artists whose work is consistently amazing is <a href="http://www.teeshascircus.blogspot.com/">Teesha Moore</a>. Her work has been featured in Somerset Studio and several other Stampington publications and she teaches at ArtFest in the US each year. Her work is original, quirky and colourful. She doesn't post on her blog very often but when she does - it's always a treat. Recently she posted several videos on Youtube showing how she makes her 16 page art journals - I learned so much from them and am hanging out for her to post the final part (which is the actual written journal part). <br />Her journals are made from a 22" x 30" Fabriano Artistico 140lb (300gsm) Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper. For those who actually occupy the same space in the universe that I do - I found it at the Art Supply shop at Hornsby!<br /><br />Here are part 1 & 2 of the actual journal construction: <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1z6qmXGRrsE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1z6qmXGRrsE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1vvSsJ39bc0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1vvSsJ39bc0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's how she paints the backgrounds:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VqrcB49uS9M&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VqrcB49uS9M&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's how she collages the pages: <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bx1z9Y3D7j8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bx1z9Y3D7j8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZXRfY_pjx_k&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZXRfY_pjx_k&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k-CmWSDCVJ4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k-CmWSDCVJ4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uEtI_kkIJ8k&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uEtI_kkIJ8k&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />And the pen work that she does over the top:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/07Aadcfmpwc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/07Aadcfmpwc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_E4sfC12dNc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_E4sfC12dNc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tapf_LxyWA8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tapf_LxyWA8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w-CXwKGOEAQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w-CXwKGOEAQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />And finally here's a "white journal" that wasn't painted <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eLHuN8uso44&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eLHuN8uso44&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />UPDATE!<br /><br />Here are the two additional videos from Teesha <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NUzyMqaoQ60&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NUzyMqaoQ60&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2EgAkofYXmc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2EgAkofYXmc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Aren't they great tutorials - so wonderful of her to post them on youtube for the rest of us. Be sure to check out her <a href="http://www.teeshamoore.com">website</a> and particularly her rubber stamps - the Zettiology range and my absolute favourite (as in I'd love to own every single one) The Tattered Circus.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-47120681516293311212009-09-23T15:20:00.002+10:002009-09-23T15:24:07.625+10:00Kaffe Fassett interview<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEFZpEpOul2VOzwIwNbhs9-VUCGKFc59CfjER9D2hEBoocXBHqShBxKFQIAsmoOo7NOr-8ITWZpX-CfSUVxnWkWytGS0XST7XknkOQ8ng_OzwGY6Zn20CG66zhub6yG6XELUD/s1600-h/GP-71Red.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEFZpEpOul2VOzwIwNbhs9-VUCGKFc59CfjER9D2hEBoocXBHqShBxKFQIAsmoOo7NOr-8ITWZpX-CfSUVxnWkWytGS0XST7XknkOQ8ng_OzwGY6Zn20CG66zhub6yG6XELUD/s320/GP-71Red.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384529354012768418" /></a><br />Everyone who reads my blog would know of my fondness for all things Kaffe. Here is an interview on Danish TV (but in English!) the link is <a href="http://media.xstream.dk/dk4_2006/kaffe_720.wmv">here</a>. It should open up in your Windows Media Player - that's what it did for me. Thanks to <a href="http://janeweston.blogspot.com/">Jane</a> for posting the link.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-500549661769651772009-08-07T17:07:00.002+10:002009-08-07T17:11:31.741+10:00Fabric ExplorationsHere' a great little snippet from Quarry Books featuring Patti Culea and a mini project from her latest book <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PQwDSa98tlo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PQwDSa98tlo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Isn't she adorable?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-67859383611839450142009-06-16T09:18:00.005+10:002009-06-16T12:57:04.065+10:00STOP! Where are you going with this?<p>I know I have a few followers on this blog - not a lot - just a few. Some of you may have landed here because of an interest in dolls, or home design or quilting or felting. One follower is my best friend from high school (hi Gail!) and I know she is not interested in anything remotely crafty or domestic. Case in point - when I got married I had a kitchen tea. Everyone was asked to bring their favourite receipe. She brought a list of favourite restaurants because she makes reservations for dinner. So she's here to keep track of me (and now you've got your licence back (ahem) you will have to drive up the M2 and visit me).<br />But amongst the thoughts on paint colours and crafty love - you will perhaps have noticed a slight bent towards social justice issues. It may seem incongrous to be talking about pretty things one minute and horrific injustices the next but that's the nature of the world we live in.<br />I follow a number of blogs - some present a world where life is a continuous Martha Stewart Living event, untouched and unruffled by the crueler considerations of life. But even Martha had a time when life went pear-shaped and she spent time in the clink for corporate indiscretions!<br />I much prefer blogs that are more balanced and more real. One of the best blogs that walks these two worlds is Tara Bradford's <a href="http://parisparfait.typepad.com/">Paris Parfait</a>. In between pictures of vitrines at Galleries Lafayette and Parisian brocantes, <a href="http://parisparfait.typepad.com/about/about.html">Tara </a>packs a punch with intelligent and incisive commentary on US, Middle Eastern and European politics. She calls people, political parties and whole countries out on their less than savoury policies and practices. She refuses to stand idly by and not speak up.<br />Which brings me to this -<br />About a year ago the issue of People Trafficking blipped on my radar. People trafficking is modern day slavery. Children, yes, CHILDREN are bought and sold as cheap labour and sex slaves and it happens EVERYWHERE.<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IOHpW6xDKlw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IOHpW6xDKlw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Roughly 2 to 4 million people are trafficked in and across borders each year.<br />Human trafficking is now a leading source of profits for organized crime, together with drugs and weapons, generating an estimated 9.5 billion dollars per year.<br />The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children.<br />The average victim is forced to have sex up to 20 times a day.<br />The CIA calculates that profits from one trafficked woman alone averages around $250,000 USD per year.<br />Traffickers acquire their victims in a number of ways. Sometimes they are kidnapped outright in one country and taken forcibly to another. Traffickers also entice victims to migrate voluntarily with false promises of well-paying jobs in foreign countries as au pairs, models, dancers, domestic workers, etc. When they arrive at their destination many are placed in physically confining conditions, their travel documents and passports are taken away and both they and their families are threatened if they do not cooperate. Women and girls are forced to work as prostitutes in heavily guarded brothels and strip clubs.<br />An estimated 1.8 million children are exploited by the commercial human trafficking industry. Children are abducted from rural areas and trafficked into a range of exploitive practices, which include bonded labor, sexual exploitation, marriage, illicit adoptions, and begging.<br />Young girls, some as young as 12 years old, are forced to work in brothels, massage parlors, prostitution rings, strip clubs, or used to produce pornographic materials.<br />Children are recruited and trafficked to earn money by begging or selling goods.<br />Child beggars are sometimes maimed by their captors to generate sympathy and generosity from potential buyers.<br />Victims are forced to live in confining and unsanitary conditions and are subject to many abuses such as malnutrition, sleep deprivation, emotional abuse, and beatings, lack of healthcare and forced abortions. Many contract STD's and hepatitis A & B and HIV/AIDs.<br />Children are deprived of basic education and any sort of parental upbringing, and are completely dependent on their captors for food and shelter.<br />Perhaps it doesn't come as a total shock to some that it happens in Africa and Asia but did you know it also happens in Europe?<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BFsiZYnjDuA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BFsiZYnjDuA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />And also the US?<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YGAaWjsAOCA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YGAaWjsAOCA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />So what can be done?<br />1) get educated - visit the <a href="http://www.thea21campaign.org/">A21 Campaign</a>, <a href="http://www.thegreyman.org/">the Greyman </a>, <a href="http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/">Not for Sale </a>or <a href="http://www.iom.int/jahia/jsp/index.jsp">IOM</a> to start to understand the insidious nature of human trafficking and how, when, where and why it happens<br />2) get political - write to your local, state and federal representatives to put political pressure and resources into policing and prosecuting as well as resourcing for rescue and rehabilitation<br />3) put your money where your mouth is - provide funding for the groups mentioned above and also buy free trade products that pay a fair days pay to workers and don't use child labour<br />4) think about prevention - many of the children are sold or lured in by the promise of a better life. Child sponsorship through <a href="http://www.compassion.com/">Compassion </a>or <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/">World Vision</a> helps provide children out of the trap of poverty and vulnerability that makes them vulnerable to exploitation.<br />5) Pray - pushing back the darkness of this world is a spiritual as well as physical activity. One does not replace the other but done in conjunction -it achieves much. </p><p>Just don't bury your head in the sand. It has to STOP *</p><p>*STOP - Stop Trafficking Of People </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-7936163433780134412009-06-12T09:11:00.008+10:002009-06-12T09:55:26.182+10:00Tents for the Homeless Pt 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOY9WSsmOzSYOCgcDdEJEaRQX6eFJEwqUzTYrvVIuG4guMYUIBObJ-XqOjzT1gCvfA50a2hd9xq1j8wKni8tY7mF7mPtcj7NsTnzKR_Y0QhpAToXFvSc23NJ3rZ2TOf-HRN3-5/s1600-h/homeless.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346211766096503154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOY9WSsmOzSYOCgcDdEJEaRQX6eFJEwqUzTYrvVIuG4guMYUIBObJ-XqOjzT1gCvfA50a2hd9xq1j8wKni8tY7mF7mPtcj7NsTnzKR_Y0QhpAToXFvSc23NJ3rZ2TOf-HRN3-5/s320/homeless.jpg" border="0" /></a> I am happy to say that my husband's little initiative to raise some money to buy tents and sleeping bags for the homeless in Sydney's Woolloomooloo area has really taken off. He's raised over $1000 USD through Chip In as well as gathering a boot load of tents and sleeping bags from friends who have donated "in kind". The money is still coming in as others find out about it - but he spent the $1000 last weekend buying 16 sets of tents and -5 degree sleeping bags. It has been really cold in Sydney this week due to a air pressure system coming up from the Antartic - so those extra warm sleeping bags are going to come in handy. This is what he was originally confronted with.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346219455695831346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nljtJrAW8LEDjzbkczoTMuc7cdbHQ0i5vvF5inEs10ShWZ7haD37hUUNwoTInUWEirhJbJQVDQxJOw_liy-ycet4zxnLM7fpOqH9mPfxiDSCVC1wUxRrS3VrMPCkyYVXk4yL/s320/sleeping+rough+6.bmp" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346218731867101122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYRyglbjkPtLiQ-dEK8gvHJM-bgsF13WGqvp5Ruq63lE64RJ-f6dnDTq0YfHt0LSCOuAuoLr8DwFVCAMkitos7WN6KtkW2yPBhZyGJ1o5CZlQ1TjqhXEw63aLeF5v23u-C8_Z/s320/sleeping+rough+1.bmp" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346218736518811090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRDcJ5YxZffVKDYkCS_9_IsKkAeEAacIf-0fJIgMLb_m6yURYDUE4p7-l0QQ506e4F-aC8EMspEFiHD0q7wqFzp_bamU2zYmnA2fXdZcnICj18vuWFQzV4cH-JowUkqLAqPLM/s320/sleeping+rough+2.bmp" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346218739141708194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BDjOh8OB7ir2smRF3-URB-IrdGCLIqj_OeLAanxgzTRgF0nhAjUMGGSxZ5P06wbaltigX0_anUfibzPgzFsu-SsCobJO_4IBJ_GtXl407Vv-OT3g_IXxl8CzehutjiyTLgql/s320/sleeping+rough+3.bmp" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346218742629954818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-xifYfdu6ICzYIXWAzVHBsM7tkexTW9JasEFMyZnSvS68oxDOq5x74kuxD8pCg6_F98PprLZmY7mzCtZW70qaZlgO-WxdAqb2iTu7sJYa4p-tWADK2en-_cvekSfzQm0Vgo_/s320/sleeping+rough+4.bmp" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346218743571433250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheepBnbP5YlwFVUc8JEmFaTJD1nMsjAk-3iheVvuOUuRE-eqJGUTV7MFZTuITjFg9NR4jNAmXDadO2uzd-WQGoxhd8ecAZubDd_spHM5J2HC35FVFcn4r0J41DehreNUT3xJDB/s320/sleeping+rough+5.bmp" border="0" /> You can see more pics and read about it some more <a href="http://www.slobs79.com/page9/page9.html">here</a>.<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1whtz8-oQ7U&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1whtz8-oQ7U&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />and this clip on YouTube shows the type of tents we bought - little two man jobs that can go up and be taken down quickly. The police turn a bit of a blind eye to the tents so long as they are down by early morning when the rest of the city turns up for work. So next time you see a homeless person - why not wordlessly buy them something to eat or a cup of coffee.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346214823851906626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVjAuXHNU1y4oHD-0Xhzvx09vQ3Jt3xuf9ULLCbvjVvDjUuxOd2GqyXZyzqKnJMT9uKZ9PIgp17uoznDe1BpXcn5-q4hGbefUosD80Nt_W3OOGhRRoyFBcRynmehUcRAOTLr4/s320/same-kind-of-different-200x300.jpg" border="0" /> In the meantime, I'd seen this book on someone else's blog - turns out my friend Dale had just finished reading it and has lent it to me. It's a great easy read and a powerful story. Highly recommended.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-60432632732224415242009-06-10T10:32:00.002+10:002009-06-10T10:33:57.893+10:00And the winner is ......Deb! Random Number generator came up with #2 - so Deb wins the prize. <br />Congratulations Deb - I hope you make lots of them!<br />Now I am off to check the new Sewn website which launched today!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-71019015714759578722009-06-05T08:40:00.001+10:002009-06-05T08:41:46.431+10:00Crude, Rude and VulgarBut this just made me pee my pants laughing!<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aRn5-LQCg2s&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aRn5-LQCg2s&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-38889369366624698342009-06-04T07:55:00.001+10:002009-06-04T07:56:58.082+10:00A Little OopsThanks to all those who have commented on the Sewn post for a chance to win - I've just made a small update because as I read the comment I realised I'd left off a very important word - PATTERN! You are entering to win a pattern - not the pincushions and needle cover itself.<br /><br />Sorry about that folks!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-17957258980534857552009-06-03T12:30:00.005+10:002009-06-04T07:55:30.576+10:00Sewn - free giveaway<a href="http://www.sewn.net.au/" target="_blank"><img alt="SEWN" src="http://www.sewn.net.au/Portals/5/sewn%20button.png" border="0" /></a><br />Sarah Fielke has a great blog called <a href="http://www.thelastpiece.net/">The Last Piece</a>. She previously co-owned Material Obsession at Hunters Hill here in Sydney but quit that at the end of last year. She is now the creative director of <a href="http://www.sewn.net.au/">Sewn</a> - a new website venture which is launching next Monday (June 8). There is a big virtual Launch Party with lots of different blogs joining in and offering giveaways. You can check out the different blogs and their respective giveaways <a href="http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/the_last_piece/2009/05/do-you-have-a-blog-and-want-to-join-in-the-party-click-the-mr-linky-widget-on-my-blog-below-and-add-your-blog-to-the-g.html">here</a>.<br />I've decided to join in the fun and lead all those quilters and other sewing chicks into the wonderful world of cloth dolls. You can join in too - just post a comment below before June 8 to go into the draw to win (drum roll please......)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342928411138408226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbg9Rq34uOOYqW9J3f35iZct9P1MzEXakQJuOrknZ6QtSmlz6F87KAZTmhVrYAeqEYacRKj1o3lhrwQxAG_eMFZLuwrptiDa09ZcrnasGimRVttwdHfViDMKCVmBclbYLTaOg/s320/pmc-lilstarpincushion.jpg" border="0" />Patti Culea's Little Star Pincushion and Needle cover pattern! To enter just leave a comment below by June 8th and I will draw a winner. Too easy!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-81065531360881234862009-06-02T10:56:00.003+10:002009-06-02T11:11:19.119+10:00Barbara Willis's new bookBarbara Willis is one of the premier cloth doll makers and also a very lovely person. I've not had the pleasure of doing a class with her but I have met her and chatted to her at length at different shows over the years and many of my friends have done classes with her and loved the whole experience. Barbara is in Australia at the moment on a teaching tour - I would so have loved to have joined in the fun. My problem would be deciding which class to do.... There's this one called The Collector<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342529257797522098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6devL5LQy57Z7I7MMCyZHOWKD8B2iHuvHP5l-iW1V3FvoHD3w4sSFyEWu-n-c3kz5saLyo_DU6RWundnMnf0LHO6rpki4kAyP5vOk0c2AlUeyMNhsyPpuRqxSWTnqbPozhN5S/s320/collector_lg.jpg" border="0" /> This one called Lillith<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342529262381651458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6Qyi2OuegorIJsoQujBgEspaMP2WUKeRO-9q4OxIkaRUvxlyMxEi6EvgPm-8uPUernDtP7n1dOe1wgLM7MoSFKzmLEEVxrUCSNdrD83E2TLflckT5MqWL5FFTcj08PNWC1FT/s320/Lillith.jpg" border="0" /> <p>This one called Box of Memories <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342529264610273650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAMmsfqtxwNjeLxPiEWMqb5m_Ivdq1riPZJfcAHjCvLALfbef-29XyJlg1tpVngaDBKHe6XmMmuwlEODl5fm2b8W7l9RAlM2amNvi3CW0e9PbHRHA4h9QBBHo1Oft7586dq95/s320/MemoryBox_open_6.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>And - oh my giddy aunt - this one which is a mermaid journal<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342529270500391842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVD7nM-9lQUvtqyrQZTnCz2hyQqc7u9oRTcwDB88NE3KrZJAEGxPZaKtFkZNQSkiKuj9HICWAEep0H7XstGyo3t5gczfMejc4_uOi5bLpGnye3jC9MqaEhBcoQlRv3eyZpw4N/s320/Mermaid_Journal.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>I have seen many of Barbara's dolls in real life and, let me tell you, as gorgeous as this eye-candy is - you have to see it in the flesh to get how rich and lush and layered and fantastabulous it all is. Barbara came to cloth dolls from the porcelain doll world and all of that experience informs her dolls from the daintiness of their poses to the use of silk and taffetta in dressing them along with exquisite accessories. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342531202851931602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBQvV0czBIry9X5r0MhV5qNWw3ZMlwvv6AMdxe9W9mPWC8G2hvCTadDbeqrA0YzyRtdkCqfEPL4GFtIJ0iK603a944nZy7raJr-GcY7emgVxsYA5IV0OKpqVOBJNPgKMrg3tw/s320/book_Cloth_Doll_Artistry.jpg" border="0" />I will be ordering her new book from Amazon. I think I will need to laminate every page though so I can wipe off the drool easily.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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</a></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995371891984293024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35166436.post-30130394787907841732009-06-02T08:21:00.005+10:002009-06-02T09:29:33.688+10:00Scarves for Bushfire Victims<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-peuaP7AR9p4W4_9Lsw1sfuRTv2lRhyphenhyphenWqx9ezN-A5tBEB9HLkmUMLfaeYsRuUSTPUnsd3RBp9PYVh2XiHmLfvK8cDSkIZ0m0vZVw62Wf7M3NTrfu_zaOD-VsOs_g46p0_oEy/s1600-h/IMG_0299.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342505101142776994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 147px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-peuaP7AR9p4W4_9Lsw1sfuRTv2lRhyphenhyphenWqx9ezN-A5tBEB9HLkmUMLfaeYsRuUSTPUnsd3RBp9PYVh2XiHmLfvK8cDSkIZ0m0vZVw62Wf7M3NTrfu_zaOD-VsOs_g46p0_oEy/s320/IMG_0299.JPG" border="0" /></a>I belong to many online groups (mostly through Yahoo). Jan Macfayden belongs to one such group. Jan was on Channel 9 last week because she is co-ordinating a large distribution of quilts to Victorian Bushfire victims. Many, many people have donated quilts, fabric, blocks, backing fabric and so on to the cause, a quilt being a nice warm cuddle for people who have lost everything or who are so traumatised by what they have seen and heard. So when Jan mentioned that a scarf or beanie would be appreciated as it's getting pretty cold down there, the backlash from some quarters was - well - suprising in a rather disappointing way. The worst comment was this, "'People in Kinglake can afford to buy a hat and a scarf, I believe more than half of the bushfire appeal money has been given out. Also I believe that everyone who has lost their home has been assigned a case manager to work with them to help them. They would surely be able to organise some funds or vouchers to enable them to buy items needed. Unfortunately there are people who don't want anything that isn't handed to them on a silver platter or free."<br /><div>Well Jan has <a href="http://sewmanyquiltstoolittletime.blogspot.com/2009/05/knitted-hat-pattern.html">posted a response </a>on her blog which basically outlines the reality of the situation - but is it really that difficult to imagine that people who have been through such a dreadful experience might be suffering from stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, a sense of hopelessness and despair, depression and so on and are struggling with all sorts of stuff?</div><div>The theoretical assignation of a case worker does not mean that you have an one-on-one, 24/7 personal assistant to help get your life back together. Anyone who has ever had to contend with our woefully inadequate and underfunded social security system on behalf of themselves or another person will know how slow moving and time consuming it can be. </div><div>Even typing this makes me cranky. I just hope the silly woman who wrote this never has to experience the total loss and devestation that those in Kinglake and other areas have. </div><div>I for one was excited to know that all that wool I bought in a end of winter, "gosh aren't they fabulous and wow so cheap!" frenzy will find a home around the neck of someone who needs a little bit of a cheering up present. </div><div>So here are some I prepared earlier - for such a time as this.......</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/sub/http://idyllpleasures.blogspot.com/">
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