Journal Cover

It was filthy hot today and I have a disgusting cold (is there anything worse than a head cold on a hot summer day?) So gave myself permission to sit down on the job and work on my journal cover from an online class with Jean Bernard. I didn't have time to cut the boards and paper so used a 7Gypsies book that I sell in the shop. For the face I used a porcelain doll face that I bought at the Mittagong Doll and Bear Show. Love using Apoxie Sculpt and the Lumiere paints. It was really quick to do - and I love the result.

Pixie Felt

Got some Corriedale wool and decided to do some needlefelting - made this little character using Birgitte Krag-Hansen's Pixie Felt book as a guide. He turned out pretty well considering he's only made out of 4 colours. I've got him and a couple of other pixies in the shop window - lots of people ask if they are for sale. Might be something in it! I'll be getting the wool in from Ashfords and will have it for sale in the shop - needlefelting may well take over the world! I noticed they had a little felted character in the last Dolls, Bears and Collectible and Sandie O'Neill has a little golly coming up in the next one. Cool.

Bag with Leftovers

Made a little bag from the leftovers from the Picket Fence quilt I made (see below). I gave it to Claire my youngest daughter as she was coveting the quilt. It's a bright cheerful range and has drawn lots of comment in the shop. I forgot to post that the quilt has been accepted for Australian Patchwork and Stitching as a project - woo hoo! I'm going to be published!

Stockings Part 2

I finished the three stockings on the Christmas stocking panel that I had - lots of fun and easy to embellish. Here's a pic of them in the shop window.

Picket Fence Quilt

Here is the quilt I made last week from the Picket Fence range from FreeSpirit fabrics. It's super colourful - really apple green and candy pink - very fresh.

Just checking in

Should be in bed as I am driving to Mittagong tommorrow to do the Mittagong Doll and Bear Show - am wondering if I actually know where I am going? Mum is coming with me - we spent the afternoon packing half the shop into the boot of her car. The trick of course will be to get it all back in the same place when it's time to come home.

Have been busy making a quilt for the shop. I am going to submit it to a couple of the magazines to see if they would like to take it as a project however I realise that as a quilter I make a damn fine dollmaker! Hopefully they will photograph it with a soft focus lense. Will post a pic of it when I get motivated enough to link the camera to the computer.

I am also beading a face from Jill Oxton's magazine - gee I hate square stitch! I'm getting use to it now but I think peyote stitch is soooooo much easier - I don't seem to get my Nymo in a knot half as much.

Have also put myself down for the Stitches and Craft show in February for a booth. Am giving a seminar (dollmaking) and a hands on workshop! Who do I think I am? A crazy woman - that's who! The hands on workshop will be making an ipoddess (see last post). Wonder if anyone will want to come make one?

My ipoddess

My husband gave me an Ipod for my birthday.

I loaded on a bunch of songs and music - I have a very visceral response to music - so having a compilation of your all time favourites is really a little piece of your soul.

Anyway - he wandered out the other night grinning like a Cheshire Cat with my ipod stuck in his ears. I really didn't like it - it was an invasion of privacy! So I thought I needed to make a place to keep my Ipod safe. Hence - the "ipoddess" - my musical muse.

She's like an amulet bag made out of a square of Colourstreams hand-dyed velvet with Artgirlz face, hands and feet charms and beaded with seed beads. The cord is Colourstreams thread plaited and stitched to the bag. I think she turned out well and was lots of fun to make.

Christmas Stockings

Some new Christmas panels came into the shop - they are for Christmas Stockings from Nancy Halvorsen's Peppermint and Hollyberries range. I have made up a set for the shop - here's the first one I made (I've subsequently added beads for a bit of Christmas bling). They are quick to make up which is kind of nice!

Fairy Doors

One of the groups I am in has just completed a fairy door challenge - I didn't have a chance to go in it but love the fairy door idea - I want to add one to my shop at some stage! I love this website http://www.urban-fairies.com/ it showcases the fairy doors of Ann Arbor.

I also love this site http://www.fairyhouses.com/ they have a book called Fairy Houses Everywhere which my friend's daughter, Annabelle, just loves to look at every time she's in the shop. I also love these escutcheon's that are made by 7Gypsies - have a look at the photo at left. Isn't it great?

Beginners Quilt Class

So many people have come into the shop to ask about quilting classes - most are beginners. It's hard to find good teachers as they are already booked up. However I have found a lovely lady called Carol who is a prodigious quilter and has put together a log-cabin quilt that we can get done in a day - fantastic! Here's a pic - the fabrics are from Nancy Halvorsen's new range Peppermint and Hollyberries.

Needlefelting

Had some fun yesterday doing some needlefelting. Used Birgitte Krag-Hansen's new book Pixie Felt as a memory jogger (having had the pleasure of an actual class with her).

The little girl has a fully sculpted mouth whereas the little fellas are pretty quick and simple - but fun in a small group as it looks like they are talking to each other.

If you'd like to see the "real thing" check out Birgitte's website and take a good long look - it's amazing. http://www.feltmaking.com/ I also have both her books for sale at www.idyllpleasures.com under feltmaking and spinning supplies.

Blogging away

Just started this blog - too easy! I was cruising www.artgirlz.com and saw there blog and followed my nose from there. I loved their blog - nice and clean design - lots of lovely pics of garden things. I love the charms they sell - I sell them in my little shop. Should leave a note on their blog to say hi (from the other side of the world).

Here are a few people's blogs I enjoy having the odd stickybeak at

- elinor peace bailey http://epbdolls.typepad.com/

- Patti Medaris Culea http://patticulea.typepad.com/

- Dale Rollerson from The Thread Studio (even if she does back the All Blacks in the Rugby)http://downunderdale.blogspot.com/

- Patricia (Pokey) Bolton (who edits Quilting Arts and Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazines (love 'em both)) http://www.quiltingartsblog.com/quilting_arts_blog/

- Judi Wellnitz (a dollmaker who lives in North Pole Alaska) another creative woman with a great blog. http://www.artdolls.info/