Dec 29, 2007

New School Year


Our new school year stars mid January. Its always a busy time for parents and children alike getting things ready, especially after the Christmas rush. Here are a few of my "mini books of notes" I have been working on for the first Farmers market fair of 2008 on 5th January, my theme is "Back to School". As well as these mini books, I have made pencil bags in various shapes, sizes and colours, pen and pencil toppers, fabric paper clips/bookmarkers and have a few other items in the pipeline.

Happy New Year


A new year is unfolding – like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.”

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest


Wishing all a great 2008! Peace, health and happiness.

Dec 14, 2007

Out of the Blue


Latest pincushion - "Out of the Blue". Its is a sort of play on words story behind this pincushion. A couple of years ago, I went on a felting seminar where we each had to give a workshop on felt and felting, I gave one on needle felting. Anyhow I learnt so much on other forms of felting, particularly wet felting and making felt. Well one of the things I made was a pair of blue baby's booties with a knitted top. After the seminar, I tucked these away as I really didn't know what to do with them, no babies at home and no grandchildren yet. Well today out of the blue, while clearing some boxes, I found these again and suddenly had the idea of turning them into pin cushions.

Dec 9, 2007

Bird nesting sequel

Spring/summer is such an exciting time in the garden, the birds are really busy.
The sequel to our robin story is the bulbuls nesting. Right outside our front door, we have two Australian myrtle topiaries and in the centre of one of these a pair of bulbuls decided to make their nest. Their nest is a very exposed one, unlike the robin's hidden deep inside the watering can, and we wondered how well it would stand up to the summer elements of strong wind and fierce storms.
Well we needn't have worried for soon there was "the chick", well fed and ready to take its first flight. The parents hung around all morning, issuing warning calls when our dogs walked too closely past the topiary. The little chick, flapped its wings and stretched while surveying its new world from the safety of the nest and then it was ready for its first flight. I didn't think something like this would give so much pleasure to watch, it is wonderful!
The parents came back and forth for a few days for more tasty cheese bits and then one day brought along the fledgling. It didn't take him/her long to catch on to where this tasty morsel came from and now as well as robins sitting on our window sill we have three bulbuls, mother, father and baby. Oh and never mind the many weavers that try to get a bite too.
Must just add the robins are very tame and virtually eat out of one's hand, the bulbuls are a little more hesitant and wait for us to withdraw to a safe distance, but all, robins, bulbuls and weavers respond to our special whistle.

Christmas Picks


Every year for the past ten years or so, I have made chenille stem critters. These are simple,cute and easy, the hardest part is thinking up new designs and characters.
This year for Christmas I made Santa, Snowmen and Gingerbread men picks but these can easily be changed into fridge magnets, name card holders for your Christmas table, serviette rings, added to your centre display, used in your card making and so many more uses, the ideas are endless.

Dec 2, 2007

My Etsy

Just added my first item for sale on Etsy.. I made a total of six of these Santas.As all are made without a pattern they are slightly different, mainly in the expressions of face.
Take a look if you have some time at my Santa Cone 2007.

Sorry, I have had to withdraw my Santa as I had a sale for it outside of Etzy!
many thanks for the interest.