Alice and Camilla

February pages

2012-02-01T20:34:00.001+01:00

I managed to complete my January pages and am really pleased with the results,

I tried to write things that will jog my already failing memeory in years to come!

My February background started off pink but with a bit of layering,

paint and stamping I've ended up with a mix that I really like.

I cut out some teeny tiny figures from a set of stickers to decorate a few of my squares

The Valentine's couple are ready and waiting...

If you'd like to see some more pages pop over to the Kathryn Wheel and check out Mr Linky

January ATC

2012-01-31T23:02:00.001+01:00

Penny over at The Linen Shelf is running an ATC challenge this year, there are no rules,

just make an ATC of your own choice each month to share on your blog.

I plan to do a set of 12 Asian themed cards

and make a Remains of the Day style journal to keep them in

Postcard from China

2012-01-27T11:47:00.001+01:00

This week Gloria is enjoying a meal at the Pagoda Restaurant with her friends.

Unfortunately, they seem to have arrived in a real tourist trap and find the place full of German diners, even Gloria's fortune cookie is in German!

Figuring that Jayne is best placed in Austria to translate (yes she could've asked the tourists but she's a bit of an after the event gal) she glues her fortune to the front of her card. She's convinced her destiny will shortly become clear, only time will tell...

Gloria's card reads:

Hi Jayne, I can't believe you're still in the snow!

Great meal at the Pagoda last night but crowded with German tourists,

even my fortune cookie was in German!

can you please translate for me,

I just KNOW there's wisdom within

I cut my 'bowl' out of an old cookie box, I sanded and inked the edges. The card is made from a folded sheet of text, you can find the tutorial here if you'd like to have a go!

Waiting for Winter

2012-01-24T14:24:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd make a Winter Wonderland journal in readiness for the snow, they keep promising it but there's not a flake to be had down here in the lowlands. I chopped up a fabric napkin for my cover and added a tassely thing to hide the wonky seams, it always starts off looking straight...

love love love these colours

stamped vintage numbers ready for action

I ripped out a couple pages that would have shown me how to write better

I also cut up the pattern that would have shown me how to knit winter woollies, oh well

and to finish a Sprüngli chocolate shop ribbon on the spine

still waiting...

Postcard from Brazil - not!

2012-01-20T16:32:00.003+01:00

The lovely Jayne remains snowed in at The Abstaining Austrian instead of winging her way to Brazil as planned. Being the ever practical one she's made this week's card from a folded page of the local tour guide

It reads:

Gloria I'm still here!!

more snow this weekend

I should be in sunny Brazil, soon I hope Jx

Mr Macaw is squalking

where's Jayne?

AND the French men's ski team has just arrived in the hotel oooo la la...

which when combined with last week's 'chocolatey goodness' it can only mean trouble

oh deary me yes...

Postcard Challenge

2012-01-13T15:09:00.001+01:00

I'm running a little late but have finally made a start on Darcy's fab postcard challenge

the idea is to create two characters who will visit different countries each week for a year (prompted by Darcy) and send each other postcards of their adventures. I made myself a book to hold my card collection following the YouTube clip from Kerri that appears on Darcy's blog. I covered the book with an old plastic post bag and Washi Tape around the edges

My characters Gloria Able and Jayne Good have been best mates for a lifetime and would normally do everything together however, owing to circumstances beyond their control they've set off on this world tour on their own. All of the events take place before the age of internet and iphones and the gals will keep track of each other via their itineries.

Week 1- Austria: Jayne Good (19) is a fun-loving gal but rather more sensible and level-headed than Gloria.

She's just arrived for a wellness week at 'The Abstaining Austrian' only to find herself snowed in and trapped in the hotel.

With little else to do, she fashions a postcard for Gloria out of an old envelope and decorates it with a paper snowflake using the sewing kit in her room.

Quite when she's going to beable to leave is anyone's guess...

Week 2: Gloria (18) the slightly more 'wayward' of the two gals and has joined a Contiki bus tour in Spain. She has a tough partying schedule ahead of her but is confident she can go the distance,

this girl is ready to rock...

I plan to decorate the pages of my folder at some stage but I still haven't decided what to do yet.
Check out the Linkys on Darcy's Blog to catch up with all the players, this is a fun challenge to follow!

All in good time

2012-01-10T09:51:00.003+01:00

enter darling daughter: shriek! Mummy you've cut it, shriek! Mummy you've cut up your art! shriek! oh dear, was I not meant to do that? but... you know those projects you begin that go no further? well this was one of them. I started this map canvas ages ago with the intention of scattering the butterflies across a textured background, and then it all ground to a halt. I lost half the unstuck butterflies and it got buried under a pile of stuff!

I figured the canvas would make a nice cover for something or perhaps an ATC or two which is what I ended up doing with it. I cut them out long enough to fold and sew placing a couple of butterflies on the front and leaving the back plain.

I tucked a bit of muslin and frayed fabric under an offcut of my canvas and sewed around the edges. I think they've turned out ok and now they can be seen and enjoyed, as for the rest of it, well...

2012

2012-01-03T21:58:00.001+01:00

Happy New Year!

I hope you've all had a good break and are getting into the 2012 creative groove.

I've already made a start on a project I saw last year and always wished I'd joined

Kate's 2012 Calendar Challenge

I found myself a book, covered it with some old wrapping paper and set to work on my pages, I used a combination of tissue paper, fabric and acrylics as my background

I think I can just about manage to fill a small square every day

not too much writing is the trick for me I reckon

I'm not very good at journalling, I always seem to start with gusto and fizzle out shortly afterwards!

however that said, do you remember this? my ROD December journal, I actually did it, I filled it and finished it, I got a bit behind for a while there and it felt like trying to complete some kind of homework but I persevered and its done. I've realised I'm much better at this kind of project when I know it has an end! or at least journals that have a theme, like the Asian one I did in Carole's class last year.

some pages came out better than others and I learnt to be a bit more spontaneous and just stick stuff in. And I didn't use any paint, no sploshing, splattering or the like, quite a challenge for me!! (I've already made up for it in my January pages ha!)

filled to overflowing, hmmm...

I also realised just how many hideously expensive Starbucks coffees I get through in a month, see now this is the reason I'm always broke! Mum are you reading this...

all bundled up for the treasure box, I feel totally exhausted but happy!

happy holidays

2011-12-21T21:26:00.001+01:00

I thought for a moment there I was going to have to Photoshop

a bit of Swiss snow for you all, it just seemed like it was never going to happen

but finally yesterday was the day, brooding skies, snow flurries, and great light!

Thank you for your wonderful comments and continued enthusiasm throughout the year!

I wish you and yours all the best over the festive season

see you in 2012 Mx

and there's more...

2011-12-20T14:35:00.001+01:00

and a couple more litle surprises arrived in my mailbox last week

this beautiful 'joy' Christmas card from Jan

I love the colours and texture she's created on her card

and it's the biggest card I've ever received!!

Jan also sent me this gorgeous crackle heart ornine

oooo... I love post!!

Gini, my favourite 'shiny' gal sent me this beauitful magnet, totally fab!

and a cute little card

Thank you both so much, it's such a pleasure to have your artwork in my house Mx

Gifts from afar

2011-12-19T17:50:00.002+01:00

The QB5 gals have been at it again

we decided on a 'free for all whatever takes your fancy' Xmas swap this year

Nathalie sent me a lovely piece of appendage art

how cool is this little beauty!!

Linda made us each a glitter beehive

blue, white and silver for a lovely winter wonderland effect

Patty's darling little bird and nest are so pretty

this is a colour combo I plan to use next year

I love it!

Carole's snowy the snowman arrived all decked out in his winter wollies

just in time for our first snow

I also went for a red/green theme with this little matchbox

an idea I used from a swap with Jan last year

Thank you all for you fab ornies!

Glitter glitter everywhere

2011-12-16T10:18:00.001+01:00

A couple of years ago lovely Linda

sent the QB5 gals a little glitter house

and I've been meaning to have a go ever since

there are instructions for making these all over Blogland

but I found some here (Village houses scroll to page 33)

I ended up designing my own to fit the size of the box

gliter glitter everywhere

does that stuff stick or what?!!

My brother John

2011-12-09T10:03:00.001+01:00

a balloon ride you say??

time for an adventure...

up up and...

awaaaayyy heeeeyyy!!

you too can make your very own magical balloon

check out Amy Power's online mag Inspired Ideas, Nov 2010

artist Amy Hanna

I'm underway...

2011-12-05T21:25:00.001+01:00

well, I've begun but just quite how long this current burst of energy will last

is anyone's guess!

Day 2 was rather nice as the last of the QB5 ornament swap arrived

I used a postcard in lieu of a real pic as some of the gals are still waiting

I hung the ornies with last years swap, lots of silver, white and blue

I've made a mental note to make something in these shades next year!

already writing about stress on Day 2, deary me...

Day 3 and 4, I will fill them in, really I will

and now it's 21.30 Day 5 which is also looking a bit blank, oh my...

I got slightly distacted in the depths of my journal

I'd already prepped the page with a plastic pocket and 'trim the tree'

when Patty's envie arrived

the perfect place to hang her ornie stamps!

project pomegranate

2011-12-01T14:05:00.001+01:00

just thought I'd show you how to make an easy table decoration

out of a pomegranate, well why not?!

you'll need a roll of tape, white glue, spray paint, glitter

and a pomegranate willing to be glitzed up!

tape off your pomegrante in a checkerboard pattern

if there are marks you want to hide then leave them free

they will be covered with paint

make sure your tape is pressed down securely

this will give you a nice line

spray your little dumpling top to toe

when it's totally dry remove the tape

run a line of white glue around the edges and sprinkle with glitter

you can clean off any excess glitter with a small paintbrush

ta da, a glam pomegran ready for the table!

Prepped and RTG!

2011-11-29T09:55:00.001+01:00

wonders will never cease!

I've actually done it

prepped my journal

sewn the pages in

roll on December 1st!

I decided on an eyes shut photo of myself and Santa for my first page

I really do have soooo much paper stuff in my house

more than enough bits to use up

I like the idea of giving it all a new life

I actually found the background paper applique quite a challenge

I'm used to painting, sanding and generally making a mess

but I soon found my groove

this was such fun

I managed to make some clear pockets for photos

then of course sewed them in the wrong way up!!

think I'll be stapling the bottom shut

ah, the beauty of this project

anything goes!

sneak peek and a journal

2011-11-24T10:56:00.001+01:00

I'm just in time for the QB5 Xmas swap

just a sneak peek of a little something on it's way to the gals

more later...

during my 'getting better time' I treated myself to an online course

Remains of the Day from Mary Ann Moss at Dispatch from LA

and what treat it was!!

loads of inspiring vids in a truly watchable style

every year I say I'm going to do a December journal

well here it is!

inside cover

now the work really begins

I have to sew my scrap pages together

and get them stitched in

I'll finish the spine with a piece of vintage gold braid and a tassle

a great opportunity to use up all those bits lying around

the journal doesn't require a huge amount of writing

so I'll think I'll just about beable to manage it!

Bouncing back!

2011-11-14T10:50:00.003+01:00

The past couple of weeks were a bit of a blur...

I've been a little bit ill, deary me what an experience

anyway life is looking better now

I'm upright and planning to do all the things I thought about whilst lying down!

fab big shiny ball can be found in the Cité Science Museum in Paris

Honey honey hex

2011-10-25T09:19:00.009+02:00

The Queen Bee gals have been busy again

this time it was to alter an old photo of ourselves

on a honeycomb hex

what a challenge!

Linda in her swishing skirt!

Patty looking oh so cute with her honeybees

Nathalie standing splendid in her hat and chandelier creation

Carole sewed us a hex, complete with tiny yo yo's

Me wearing 'the jacket' which appears in many a family photo

and the flip side

Thank you QB5's for this self styled autograph book!

totally fab!

Boo!!

2011-10-13T21:35:00.013+02:00

bet that surprised you, I am here afterall!!

I recently took part in a matchbox swap with the lovely Jan

oh my! what a fab box of goodies to arrive on my doorstep

I can't tell you how much I LOVE her creation, filled to the brim with tiny treasures

and even more piled on top, superb!

a gorgeous autumn paper selection

this little beauty sits perfectly on my Halloween tray

I just love those pumpkins and brooms!

Jan's last of the autumn sun ATC

I had a bit of an 'after the event moment' with my box

having seen Jan's gift of inspiration I could then think of a million things to add to mine

but too late, it was already on it's way!

some very poor quality 'white light' pics, Jan took some much better ones here!

I wouldn't like to say my ATC reflects my current state of mind

however I do still have garden issues and a need to erm...express myself!

the children decided on the fork

I was all for tapping her on the head with a spoon

I mailed an additional little packet to Jan

with the buttons I'd forgotten the first time round

and this little inchie book

totally inspired by the rich purple, orange and black that burst out of her packet

I might just be making one of these for myself!

Thank you once again Jan for a fantabulous swap

you really do spoil me

what an absolute treat to decorate my house with your beautiful work!

Billowing butterflies

2011-09-30T09:17:00.008+02:00

Well it's finally happened!

my current butterfly obsession is verging on the unmanageable

at least 280 of them fluttering over some old pages

the idea was a coloured cloud

it needs a bit of fine tuning

but you get the gist of it?

mental note to self:

make a nice background BEFORE you place your butterflies

buy a new punch BEFORE embarking on such a big piece

consequences of not following above

excessive paint sploshing and inking to get a bit of colour down

live and learn

I know where I'm going with it, sort of...

and the winner is

2011-09-19T16:39:00.009+02:00

Congratulations!

ShabbyChicShaz

you're the winner of my giveaway!

and yes the paper is on fire!!

all in pursuit of the 'artistic 'shot

you know how it goes...

a big big thank you to all of you who entered the draw

I'm just sorry I can't give you all a prize!

a present for DH,

you're not getting any younger darling...

a wee bit of retaliation

his present to me earlier this year

a lavine shovel

we live downtown

I mean really...

hilarious

a total scream

Happy Birthday dear one!

Giveaway

2011-09-13T15:45:00.005+02:00

Just a little giveaway

because I feel the need to share

the brown bag butterfly experience

with you all!

this map canvas 19x25cm is the star prize

I often wonder who the people are in the photo cards I find

and what they did with their lives

just leave a comment and I'll get the birthday boy (DH)

to pick a name out of the hat on Monday 19/09 at midday.

Brown bag butterfly

2011-08-31T16:48:00.006+02:00

Just a little something inspired by the never ending chaos that is the building site at the end of my garden

it will stop soon, or so I'm told...

a quote that kind of fits the bill right now

'There can be no defence like elaborate courtesy'

Edward Verrell Lucas

brown bag butterflies, I think I'm slowly becoming addicted

I sploshed a bit of colour on an old cigar box, the effect is a bit like a denim wash

ripped fabric, muslin and a lovely strip of rusty fabric from Halle

complete the look

I think this is going to be one of my favs!

Butterfly heaven

2011-08-29T09:23:00.007+02:00

Punch/cut out artwork has been around for a while

I've seen everything from hearts and birds to trains and planes

but blueskybutterflystudio really caught my eye

as Kate said in her blog post

there's something rather mesmerising about this kind of repetitive work

all the same but somehow different

of course mine have ended up anything less than tidy

I used another of my map canvases

tea dyed ripped squares

my fav colours

fab!

Sorry, I should have said...

2011-08-18T11:50:00.005+02:00

A while ago I read a couple of tips for keeping a successful Blog

the first was to treat it like a plant, feed it regularly and you will reap the rewards

the second was if you're going away, tell your readers, they like to know...

so, here's the thing...

the kids summer holidays are just about over

all my good intentions to update regularly have turned out to be just that, intentions

and I've been away!

the kids go back on Monday

they'll get back into routine

their minds will be tired

they'll stop drifting around late into the night

and all will be well

(and I'm not just talking 'intent' here)

Asian inspiration

2011-07-29T21:08:00.017+02:00

I grew up with little touches of Asia all around our house, there was furniture, lamps, ornaments, art and special ginger jars that only appeared at Christmas time. My Grandparents (below) lived and worked throughout Asia and my father brought various treasures home with him.

Me in a Kimono thirty odd years ago!! (in front of very shiny 70's curtains!)

There were several Kimonos and they were kept in a carved camphor chest that 'wafted' a very special smell everytime the lid was lifted.

I still can't quite believe my mother actually let us wear these beautiful garments,

she still has them and they still smell just the same!

I'm slowly building up my collection of Asian themed arty bits and you can just imagine my delight at receiving this wonderful selection of papers from jenxo in Oz! We did a swap a while back and had been chatting about jounalling pens, or the lack of them in this country, so what else do you think was in the envelope??

pens!! just the bestest most fantabulous I'm going to put them under my pillow and sleep on top of them pens (other people do that right??) Oriental Blue and Beige Japanese Marvy pens, a ZIG calligraphy pen, oh swoon... Thank you, thank you Jen, you are a star!

and it doesn't end there!

I recently did a Swiss for Asian paper swap with Sandy in Singapore.

oh my, I've never seen such a glorious selection of embossed papers! these beauties are from from bestcreation, I almost couldn't cut into them they're so special!

Thank you soooo much Sandy, you really spolit me!

I used the first precious paper to cover an old book with a strip of Jen's fabric down the spine

I carved out the centre of the book

when it's finished I plan to fill it with mini Kimono dresses or ATC's

I couldn't resist making an ATC!

even though the book isn't quite done yet!

Thank you Jen and Sandy for your wonderful generosity!

The skelly and me

2011-07-21T22:09:00.008+02:00

I made a pile of canvases from an assortment of old maps, book pages and papers. I like this kind of surface as it's easy to make and if and when something worth hanging up materialises it can be easily attached to a frame.

a layer of Gesso and a round of sewing and they're ready to go

I decided I wanted to use a skeleton just because I have one and I've never used one before. It was only when I photographed my skeleton I realised it's actually a 'he'

I won't analyse the end result as I don't really know what it's all about myself, something to do with spontaneous art I think

I wanted to use the lyrics of a John Paul White song titled 'This Life' but I didn't get them with the download, remember the days when you actually went out and bought a CD and you got a little booklet with the words in it... erm sound like my Mum there, but anyway...

nope, not getting it, interpret it as you wish...

oh and theres a woman in the bottom right of the picture with 'keep walking' written around her head, now it all makes sense, right?? if you'd like to explain...

Goddies galore

2011-07-18T21:39:00.007+02:00

I recently did a goodie box swap with Dagmar from studio d

talk about being spoilt rotten!

so many lovely bits and bobs to unwrap!

a little felted purse, cotton handkerchiefs, lace, ribbon roses and paper flowers galore!

lace wrapped tags, buttons and bingo tokens

trims, buttons and a crocheted cuff, I LOVE these colours so much! perhaps a little bit of vintage seaside and candyfloss...

I love Canada too Dagmar! thank you so much for this wonderful goodie box, I can't wait to get started on a new project, the trims and buttons above are first on my list! superb!

Should've been sunset

2011-07-05T13:24:00.007+02:00

I did a couple more pages in my colour journal yesterday, as my post title reads, the theme should've been sunset, but it's not! I seem to have ended up with...

a rather depressed looking sun, poor fellow, perhaps it's the thought of leaving! and then of course...

two pyramids and a king, I mean really, how did this happen??

my next page resulted in much of the same non-themed work

not a lot of sunset going on here either, although I do have stars, at least it's a step in the right direction!

Fly with me

2011-06-30T14:50:00.006+02:00

Swissair memorabilia fetches good money here and every now and then I come across a stand selling off old bits and pieces. When I win the lottery I'll buy myself one of those metal cabin trollys but in the meantime I bought a bunch of old Internal Mail envelopes (the guy gave me extra as he couldn't believe anyone would want them!) I also picked up a hideously expensive plastic Crew tag, I had to have it! you understand, I know you do...

Put the two together and what do you get?? ta da! a notebook. The hole in the tag was just wide enough to bind the pages together, the red tag came off one of the kid's bags

I ripped the useable parts of the envelopes to make the pages, quite cool as each one is different and speaks of a whole other life, my shopping lists will never be the same!

I've actually made something!!

2011-06-27T20:49:00.009+02:00

Well, I've been on a bit of an unplanned blog break, my life of late has revolved around baking copious amounts of Tomato Pesto Tarts and assorted nibbly bits for the never ending stream of end of school parties. The summer holidays are nearly upon us and my time really seems to belong to everyone but myself, sigh... oh well never mind, I did manage to make myself a cuff after visiting a friend and seeing what she'd done with a large piece of elastic and her Grandmother's old buttons!

I've been meaning to make one of these for ages and it was quite therapeutic. I tried to photograph it on my wrist but it all looked a bit... hairy!! and I know you don't want to see that, really not, so I threaded it over an old cardboard tube!

I also saw these knotted fabric bracelets in a catalogue charging waaaay too much. Rip a strip of fabric about an inch wide, loop a few charms on some jump rings and get knotting! great fun and so easy!

I looped it around my wrist three times and added a clasp although you could easily make it without, it slips on quite easily. I also added some bells which actually now really annoy me as I'm not sure I'm the tinkling type, I prefer the element of surprise when sneaking up on my children!

If you don't wear it then it makes a great decoration! mine has ended up around the top of my button jar, complete with bunny stopper (lost the lid)

All dressed up

2011-06-06T13:25:00.008+02:00

I was sent a little tip to check out Amy's birthday issue of inspired ideas which is a rather fab Online mag packed full of arty projects! of course the one that immediately caught my eye was a dress assemblage by MessieJessie I drifted slightly(!) off track fiddling around with the dress and then decided I needed a wire gal to show off my designs!

if a gal's going to wear a floaty dress with flowers in her hair then where would she most like to be?? in the garden on a swing, of course!!

la la la...

oh watch out, here comes the competition

give a gal a bit of Cath Kidston and Grandma's old lace and she thinks she's Queen for a day! more , I need to make more of these...

BTW Oma loved the invites, not at all what she'd imagined!! that's good right??!! and yes Linda and Kate before you start nagging I will open my ETSY shop soon...

An invitation

2011-05-30T09:09:00.009+02:00

My MIL asked me to make some invitations for her birthday, it's a special number for her this year and she's planning a bit of a 'do' ! Fortunately Omama has a bit of a quirky side to her and I had free reign to create! She loves to play chess and I thought what better than a chess board invite!

Patty gave me an old chess set cover that belonged to her Mutti!, love the 'Lifetime' Chess Board

DH did a bit of compi wizardry and created the board (Omama's behind the Queen, she's a little shy!)

she can write the party details on the back of the chess piece, well she can if she keeps it teeny tiny...

I covered the card in a textured tissue to give it the texture of an old board. I've sent them off with DH in a recycled paper bag, which kind of fits, no idea what she'll make of it all?! I'll know around lunchtime...

I did a couple of pages in my journal, I skipped the sunset as I felt I needed a bit of earthiness in my life! this week it was yellowgreen and copper. This project justs seems to highlight the shortfall of certain colours in my collection (no, not a reason to go shopping!) I have one copper pen which is so seldom used that it blobbed itself all over the page! I quite like the effect especially as I wasn't even trying!

bit of a blended background on this one

I will get back to sunset, really I will...

inspiration

2011-05-23T11:04:00.011+02:00

One of the many lovely things Patty bought me was this stunning book called True Colors, A Palette of Collaborative Art Journals. Wow, what an amazing feast for the eyes!! The artists chose their own colours and the journals were circulated and worked on by all of the 14 participants. Feeling totally inspired, I've decided to make my own mini art journal, following the colours as they appear in the index, not all of them are combinations I would choose myself but what a great challenge!

White was up first

lots of texture on this one

Red 1, 2 and 3

woooo, hold on to your hat!!! Hot Pink and Orange came next, now you've probably figured this out yourself but this isn't a combo you'll see a lot of in my work, I felt quite jumpy by the end of it!!

a little tribute to Teesha Moore, the originator of this journal colour combo!

Sunset is next...

walk this way

2011-05-16T10:08:00.008+02:00

well, the holidays already seem like a distant memory and my creativity pretty much stopped with the wall painting, nevertheless it's done! But by far the most exciting thing to happen was the arrival of these lovelies in my part of the world, none other than my blogging buddy Patty and her Mr Magpie, I'm under strict instructions NOT to show the pics I took, they're a little camera shy...

we walked and walked and walked and I saw the city of Zürich with fresh eyes, how those two never fell over I just don't know, they were always looking every which way but forward! I saw beauty in things I take for granted and Mr Magpie lived up to his name by demonstrating his ability to spot treasures at fifty paces! We didn't have time to make any art (too busy walking and sampling cheesy delights...) but their wonderful visit inspired my journal page. Under all that paint are tickets, labels, receipts and my found stuff.

Swan lover Patty spotted them everywhere, who would have thought Zürich had so many?! More swans than any of us knew, in the lake, on buildings, swan shaped water fountains, statues, signs and more! I think she found every one and it was only the fact that she had to clear Customs that stopped her taking them all home with her!

Where would Patty be without her tea?! Watch out for her Tea Tuesday posts as the cup (safely covered with bubble wrap!) has seen some miles and sampled the very best of Switzerland!

What a pleasure to meet you both, yay!to Blogland and the lovely friendships it brings!

School's out

2011-04-27T09:51:00.004+02:00

Every year the kids' holidays seem to get longer, why is that?? perhaps it's my age! anyway they've been off since last week and have another couple to go.

I do however have plans, painting and more painting... the walls that is!! it's got to the point where I can't look at those blotches anymore!

So, I'm signing off while I do a spot of ladder climbing and I wish you loads of fun in the early summer sun. See you after May 16!

Gorgeous guy

2011-04-18T10:37:00.013+02:00

Another of the bingo boyz has found his way home, this time from Linda in Texas!

he dressed for the occasion, I'm surprised he got through Customs with that head gear!

a button wire

totally inspired bingo windows, love these soooo much!

Thank you for this fab mini masterpiece Linda!

The boyz are back in town

2011-04-05T09:20:00.013+02:00

The QB5 gals have been busy with our latest 'do you see what I see?' challenge. We sent each other a foundation piece and some bits and bobs that could be used or added to in our own style. I sent the pile below, with a bingo card as my base

and look who's come home! Nathalie and Patty's guys met along the way

Nathalie's Handsom Dan is wearing a Corder postmark crown and has managed to convince a couple of diamond gals to make the trip to Switzy with him!

will you just look at that spinning tie pin, this guy's a total catch!

the gals are looking their very best, but who's who??

the flip side, Corder rulz! love these postmarks! Thank you Nathalie!

Patty's guy is also wearing a crown!

fab rusty nail hanger courtesy of Patty's wonderful Mr M

what a star! he's sure to attract the gals with that bit of bling!

and the back of Patty's card, dressed to impress! Thank you Patty!

It's a guy thing

2011-04-01T13:04:00.007+02:00

MIL went shopping and came back with a pile of 'guy' cabinet cards, she had no idea of the treasure pile in her hands as I tried and failed to stop myself squealing with delight!!

guys and more guys...

Reg here had big ideas

(the altered matchbox came from the aptly named 'Goodman' restaurant in town!)

of course he did...

indeed...

a slow catch up

2011-03-31T08:46:00.009+02:00

I've been slowly catching up on some much needed posting. In February I was a lucky OWOH winner of two pieces from the very talented Sanja at ArTick. I've been an admirer of her work for quite a while, so it's a real treat to have these in my home!

A beautiful combination of paper, lace, fabric and feathers! superb! Thank you Sanja!

I was also in an ATC swap with Yuzz from Blossom Inch. This is my absolute favourite! stunning textured fabric swirls with pearl centers!

traditional fabric and lace made up the other two cards. Thank you for a great swap Yuzz!

A hint of Spring

2011-03-24T11:04:00.007+01:00

I recently took part in a Spring ATC swap organised by the lovely Penny of The Linen Shelf

I used a combination of seed packets netting and ribbon, sewn together and finished with a fabric flower.

I couldn't resist adding some butterflies to a few of them!

the flip side

and this loveliness arrived in return!

what a gorgeous combination of flowers, birds and Spring things!

thank you all so much!

Penny's gorgeous little bird and lace mix complete with it's own handmade packet

Sabrina also had birds on her mind with the 'privilege of song'

birds, buttons and Ric Rac from oogleblops

Annie's ATC is so delicate, beauitful colours and texture

Jo from Fiddlesnips with birdsong and tiny Dragonflies

My special thanks to Penny for hosting this delightful swap!

Piles of stuff and sneak peeks

2011-03-21T10:10:00.008+01:00

The latest QB5 project has been a challenge and a half! We sent each other a foundation piece of our choice and a pack of bits that could be used or added to as the maker wished. Nathalie's Asian themed envie was a dream to work with, not that I'm in anyway biased of course! love this kind of thing!

a sneak peek of the calm side of her coaster,

wait till she sees the reverse, tis a tad brighter (understatement...) ekkk!!

Patty dear Patty sent us a toasted flattened sardine tin to work on

I'm not quite finished but it's coming along nicely!

Carole our resident sewing Queen mailed us all an embroidery hoop and some fabric

I just knew that French dictionary would come in handy one day...

A cardboard house arrived from Linda and by special request I did a little Swiss twist

what is that man doing??

My pack to the gals contained a Bingo card as the base and I sent a selection of guy stuff. Until recently I had very few pictures of men but MIL went shopping I now have more men than I know what to do with!! now I just need to get on a make something with this little lot myself!

Building up

2011-03-08T14:17:00.008+01:00

I decided to make a Kiwi Carole snippet roll, something NZ to mark the events of the past few weeks

I started at the bottom with a 'stone' brick shaped button

kia kaha - forever strong

a Tiki on top of an 8 cent bus ticket from the Christchurch Transport Board, think I'm showing my age here... ( I have a cupboard full of this stuff...)

Paua shell pieces

I found a 1957 receipt from a shop along Columbo street, my grandfather had bought himself a new vacuum cleaner!

a Tui bottle cap from Kiwi Carole

and International flag ribbon

and a strip of Pohutukawa fabric and some woolly wool to complete the look

Many many thanks for all of your kind wishes, it'll be a long long time before things return to any kind of normal in Christchurch. The city continues to rock and roll and my mother went out and bought some fabulously named Seismic Putty, I kid you not, now she's stuck down all her ornies ' to stop the blimin' things sliding off all the time' down but not out...

Christchurch, New Zealand

2011-02-24T08:27:00.005+01:00

I can't begin to describe what it is to be sitting on the other side of the world watching the devastation unfolding in my hometown

I was born in Christchurch, I grew up there, I lived and worked in this beautiful city

the tears keep falling

the eyes of The World are on you guys, we're all behind you

hang in there, just hang in there..

Queen of doodads

2011-02-21T13:23:00.008+01:00

The children went back to school this morning, complaining all the way, I think it's going to take a few days to get back in the groove again! I decided to do a bit of catching up whilst listening to Adele, very loudly! lurve that song! A while ago my swap buddy Jan and I did a 'winged thing' swap and I received this little beauty from Jan

Jan is my Queen of doodads, she finds the smallest, coolest stuff a gal can imagine

I think I'm in winged heaven!

a super cool tag

and a winged ATC

I went for an Asian winged card, using a few of my stash items from Jenxo

and well... there goes the wax again, sometimes it works and sometimes it comes out a little different that I expected!

I did fill my box but I can't remember with what??!!

Thank you for a great swap Jan! I love your eye for detail! fab!

Rose dunkin!

2011-02-14T15:17:00.006+01:00

Happy Valentines Day!

Just quite why this day has to fall right in the middle of the kid's holidays when I have zero time to do anything artistic, I really don't know! But as luck would have it they've all been busy for the last nano second and I've taken a moment to have a go at an idea I saw at work a while ago, waxing old roses!

melt a pan of wax, I used a mixture of what was already in the pot, beeswax I think and some old candles, it needs to be deep enough to completely dunk your roses. The temperature is the key to success, if it's too hot the rose closes and the petals begin to sizzle! too cold and it goes all lumpy. Not unlike Goldilocks and the Three Bears it needs to be just right, I didn't measure the temperature as I can't find the thermometer (of course I can't!) but the wax was warm and the consistency of thick soup. Dunk your roses quickly in the pot allowing any excess to drip off before standing them to dry.

if the wax is quite warm the flowers will turn a vintage shabby chic yellow

you can leave them 'au naturel' or spray them with a little bit of shiny!

have fun! I'll see you next week after the kids go back to school!

On a roll!

2011-02-02T11:32:00.007+01:00

The QB5 gals recently did a swap and Carole sent us all a lovely 'snippet roll' After seeing her tutorial here I was inspired to have a go! I decided mine would be a 'story spool' based on TAP transfers, using only fabric and embellishments.

And embellish I did! totally went to town with the lace, buttons and ribbons!

I sewed a ribbon to the top and threaded it through the reel as a hanger

once you have completed the backing it would make a great 'stitchery on the go' project! you could also create a whole story on it! Valentines, Easter, Christmas and more!

I punched some holes in a little wooden heart

I dyed the reel using gesso and tea bags. This was a fun project, thank you Carole!

Capsule crazy

2011-01-31T20:23:00.007+01:00

I have to admit to being bit of a coffee drinker (understatement, cough ...) I love the stuff! nothing like a decent cup while Blog-hopping! I've been mulling over the used capsule and what if anything can be done with it other than binning it. I came up with a 'story stack' well, why not?!

I emptied, cleaned and flattened a pile of capsules to create a surface to work on

The pictures are coffee cream tops, these tend to have various themes, this set being Heidi. They're also the perfect size to cover the capsule. You could use anything, a series of photos or text cut to fit.

I added a bit of paint and finished with a 3D glaze

I think the idea has potential although the whole thing is too light, it kind of needs to have the sound and weight of a bunch of keys to complete the effect.

my next attempt? a portrait in black and white perhaps? we'll see...

Christmas catchup!

2011-01-28T11:16:00.002+01:00

Nathalie made me this lovely junkle in our latest QB5 swap, using an old lightbulb and some glitter, totally inspired !! The little hanger is made from buttons, beads and the top of a Xmas bauble! I love it all! Thank you Ms N!

Nathalie also included an inchie, glitter felt, lace, cards and blanks to get me started on a New Year's project, oh and the whole package was filled with snow! I'm still finding it, and it's the end of January!!

Carole made us each an anytime ornie, a 'snippet roll' out of fabric, lace, paper and bits and bobs from her stash.

I love the cotton reel hanger at the top and gorgeous detail she's added. I'm going to try one of these, such a great way to use up all those leftover treasures! Thank you Carole!

All about the birds

2011-01-26T08:32:00.002+01:00

I think I've got 'winged things' on my mind at the moment as it's the theme of a swap I'm involved in. Below is another page awaiting writing! (I did say by the end of the year right?)

okay, so this one is stamped!

and a couple of ATC's, Neocolour crayons and babywipe backgrounds, love this effect!

It's all in there...

2011-01-18T09:20:00.003+01:00

My practice journal is turning out to be a bit of a surprise! It's quite nice just to scribble and try out new techniques without being worried about making a hash of it!

The stronger colours are a bit of an adventure and I'm not sure they're really me but I love the contrast with the writing, and for once it's not my usual blues and greens!

I've also been trying a bit of texture with gesso and various pastes, I quite like effect it creates

Finding the right pen is a bit of trail and error. Of course nearly all the favs I've read about online aren't available here or if they are they're ridculously over priced. I was very disappointed with the first page below as the pen wouldn't write properly. I've now found myself a couple of Japanese pens which seem to be coping better with the painted surface.

Journal joy

2011-01-13T20:29:00.002+01:00

Hello! and Happy New Year! I think the less said about the half of January that's already passed me by the better!! anyway, I hope 2011 is treating you well! I've set myself a new challenge this year and that is to keep an art journal and not give up after two pages! I should say at this point that I don't like my handwriting but with help and plenty from lovely You Tube I will succeed (at least by the end of the year!) I don't want to write a lot, just the odd word here and there to compliment my art.

I didn't trust myself on this and stamped it! the rest will be written if and when...

another page and another writing challenge which I've so far managed to avoid!

Today I went out and bought a small sketch book to practice in! I'll lay down a bit of colour and get writing, EVERY DAY! no really, I will...

The two J's

2010-12-27T20:47:00.008+01:00

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas! as usual our celebrations were spread over two days with the Swiss festivities on Dec 24th and the English on Dec 25th. Every year I have good intentions to blog about the traditions I'm part of but once again my ability to keep up got lost somewhere in the run up to Christmas! next year, I'll do it next year...

I did however manage to do a Christmas ATC and matchbox swap with two of my favourite swap buddies Jan and Julia.

below is Jan's ATC, super super fabric transfer image! I love it!

Jan added a backing then stitched on beads, superb texture! just like a mini quilt

a matchbox using the same technique full of Christmas glittery gorgeousness!

and there was more! talk about being spoilt rotten!

Julia's ATC all the way from Russia, I love the paper she's used on both the ATC and the matchbox, it looks and feels like a piece of pink denim

teeny tiny treasures packed to overflowing!

and more goodies, threads, scraps and pins, but this has to be my favourite, an old salt shaker decorated and filled with vintage buttons!! oh swoon...

and last but not least, my little matchbox, a photo of me aged about 7 yrs on Santa's knee, no doubt wishing for the world!

Thank you Jan and Julia for this wonderful swap!

Dress Up and Bag challenge 2011

2010-12-22T21:07:00.009+01:00

If you'd like to continue with Dress Up in 2011 or perhaps play along for the first time then check out Angela's post here. She will be hosting the challenge next year, a dress a month inspired by your favourite artist! fab idea!

And if you feel you'd like to accessorize a little then Anna at Frosted Petunias may have just the project for you! She will be hosting The Artful Bag Challenge, the idea is to make a bag a month based on your own template! great fun!

Jingle junkles

2010-12-14T13:40:00.003+01:00

The QB5 gals have been busy again, well some of us have (can't include self here, gulp...) This time our swap was a recycled/junkle Christmas ornament. Patty sent me this gorgeous little bird, sitting in a glittery nest, with a tiny thimble bell below! superb!

and this glam ornament from Linda, made from a cake tin, filled with nesting and a QB5 button! my friends are so clever!! thank you so much!

and this is my effort! more of which should be on the other side of the world by now but instead they're still in snow covered Switzy being photographed hanging from the lavender bush in my garden! ho hum... I made my junkles from an old much loved metal bracelet that fell to pieces, the metal 'flower' is the top of a xmas bauble which the lovely Jenxo inspired me to use! Check out her blog, she has some fab Xmas ideas on the go!

Dress Up - December

2010-12-01T13:05:00.014+01:00

Welcome to Dress Up in December

I had quite a few ideas this month but finally settled on a symbolic 'present' dress for all of you! This one is dedicated to your continued enthusiasm and general fabulousness throughout the year! It's because of you that the Dress Up project has been so much fun and such a runway success!

the first and last, January and December

and the months in between, do I have a favourite?? not really, I love them all!

all complete and hanging in my wardrobe, a visual reminder of the events of 2010, of the things that inspired me and fueled my creativity

I made myself complete the backs and attach the hangers as I had a feeling if I didn't do it now it would never get done!

I dated each one and added a few comments here and there

I glued a little tailors dummy from dear Jen to one side of my box

and with a little hanger from Gini I've attached the Degas dress from Penny to the lid, a bit of a combined effort going on here! and now my project is complete!

Thank you once again for your participation in Dress Up over the past year. Whether it's been as a budding dress designer or an armchair admirer I've appreciated each and every one of your comments. To those bloggers interested in running the project, please let me know when you're ready to go and I'll post a link. I'll no doubt be back with another project at some stage, once you start it's difficult to stop!! but in the meantime I plan to just hang out and visit the many wonderful blogs I've discovered in the past few months. All the best to you and yours this festive season! Mx

Presents from Penny

2010-11-28T20:08:00.002+01:00

I received this wonderful surprise in my mail box last week from my blogging buddy Penny. She sent me one of her beautiful Degas' dresses she made last month, swoon and more swoon!! I love the simplicity and the colours of this little dress and I have just the perfect place for it! watch out for my Dec 1st post!

and it didn't stop there! Penny also sent me this fab Party Dress book packed full of glam ideas! There are instructions for all kinds of things, from cutting a pattern to making embellishments!

This has to be one of my favourite pages, how to make a fabric rose, ah things to do, things to do...

Thank you Penny for spoiling me rotten! you made my day! Mx

Nathalie

2010-11-23T13:32:00.006+01:00

My next swap was with my dear blogging buddy Nathalie and we went for an Asian theme. We swapped envelopes full of Asian styled papers and ATC's.

Even the back of Nathalies' ATC's are a work of art!

stamps and goodies galore!

Nathalie made me the most wonderful 'dog tag' book in exchange for an inchie book. I love this little book soooo much and am totally inspired to try making one of my own!

A couple of my favourite pages

Thank you Nathalie for a great swap!! I love your style! I'm totally inspired!

What I've been doing

2010-11-14T11:30:00.001+01:00

I've been busy making spoons for the Christmas weekend at the shop and I'm thrilled to say all of them flew out the door yesterday, super cool feeling to have them go to new homes!

I also made this basket, took me ages and ages, it's about half a meter wide and is made from dried seed pods glued together.

The florist built a tree in the middle of the shop out of some old logs! her ability to visualise these things never ceases to amaze me!

Dress Up - November

2010-11-01T17:07:00.010+01:00

Welcome to Dress Up in November!

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a pile of old paper '45' record sleeves, the colours are just fab and I decided to use one of them as the backing for my November dress.

I punched out some paper circles and made tiny button centers

I added a touch of black tule and glitter

poor Mozart seems to be suffering from the lesser known 'glitter' skin condition

As you can see in the background, I managed to make some progress with my cupboard and I'll post about it later in the week. Now I just need to find myself a little door handle and some kind of nameplate! Thank you all for your lovely comments last month, I'm so pleased Dress Up has brought a little bit of colour and inspiration to you, whether you've been reading or playing along with the project.

The Big Reveal!

2010-10-26T13:54:00.012+02:00

Finally, a bright sunny day to capture this latest piece of magic to arrive home after it's round the world trip visiting all my fab QB5 buddies! There seemed little point in photographing my feeble stitching attempt before my sampler left these fair shores in June! I thought I'd just be patient and wait for gals to come up trumps and they didn't disappoint!! what a beauty!

the first stop was Carole in New Zealand, she added a doily with little blue buttons

and a gorgeous flower centre!

next my stitchery crossed the world to begin it's American adventure! Patty added a beautiful TAP gal! I'm still amazed at the quality of this transfer technique, it really has all the detail of a real photo

and a beautiful (very old) button!

Nathalie decided it was time to play! and play she did!

a totally inspired use of an old T-shirt, a brilliant image! If all our mountains were this sparkly then I just know I'd learn to ski properly! really I would...

last stop Linda and her timepieces! I love these!

time to play, to dream, to create....

Thank you so much my dear friends for your stitching spirit, it's rather contagious and I will finish the corner you so kindly left me! it's a promise!

Penny

2010-10-12T21:18:00.003+02:00

Just thought I'd pop by and blow the dust off my Blog!! dearie me, talk about a go slow!! but I do have an excuse, well sort of, the kids are on holiday AGAIN! I'm sure I never had so much time off when I was their age (sooo sound like my mother...) Anyway, I recently did the most wonderful swap with Penny from The Linen Shelf. A whole 'tube' of fabbli paper goodies found it's way over here! A supplement from La Mode Du Petit Journal dated 1898! the copyshop guy is going to faint when he sees this!

A very stylish ATC from Penny, I'm totally inspired to make one of my own!

A selection of papers just perfect for my Dress Up wardrobe

and duck tape!!

Thank you for a great swap Penny!

Dress Up - October

2010-10-01T09:12:00.005+02:00

Welcome to Dress Up in October!

I know quite a few of you have been hanging out for the start of this month!! Autumn and her rich tones just seems to naturally inspire and make those ideas flow.

I found this lovely quote which sent me in the direction of pumpkins and all the possibilities!

I craved my pumpkin and glittered it, then added a touch of acrylic and beeswax

I've made big note to self, finish the cupboard!! how's yours coming along?? I said November right?!

I have also come to a decision this month and sadly that is not to continue hosting Dress Up next year. I've had an amazing year running this wonderful project, but owing to new commitments my time will be somewhat shorter. My files are brimming with bloggers who I rarely get to visit and I rather fancy myself as a bit of a lurker! I will of course continue to do my own work, take part in challenges, swaps and other bloggy business. As I don't hold any official Dress Up crown any one of you lovelies is more than welcome to run with this idea, feel free! Thank you again for all your enthusiasm and artistic spirit, you gals have really made this year for me. Mx

Metal Madness

2010-09-28T09:27:00.006+02:00

A while ago my blogging buddy Patty posted about altering some cutlery here. I decided to put in a bit of practice for our next QB5 junk swap and had a go! I wasn't entirely successful but nevertheless it was great fun! The first problem I encountered was with the hammer, I used one with a small head which effectively dented the spoon rather than flattening it, and once the dents were in they were quite difficult to remove.

I managed to hammer several letters upside down and I'd planned to write 'Respect the artist and her heart' and glue on some metal rusted hearts but ended up with 'Respect the artist and her soul' as by the time I'd hammered my way around the spoon I only had space left for a four letter word!

I wired a crown to the handle as I thought my gal needed a bit of fancy headgear and it covers up the letter 'T' which is both in the wrong place and upside down! As a hidden bonus it now makes a wonderful sound against the spoon! ah...the joy of mistakes!

Living the dream

2010-09-23T08:54:00.009+02:00

Every now and then I have a bit of an AliceandCamilla moment, and last night was one such time. I took myself off to bed, intending to stitch a little loveliness by lamplight in the calm of the evening, ah the romance of it all, or not, as the case may be... The first time I got out of bed was to get a piece of fabric having decided why settle for a bird on a nest when a heart would be something a bit different, my second reccie was for the button tin because of course I needed a choice of more than the couple I'd taken with me, and the third was to gather some thread as the colours I'd chosen for the bird were no longer right for the heart. By the time I got back into bed the fourth time, I realised I'd lost the needle having absentmindedly looped it through the duvet on my previous trip out...

and the moral of the story? well two actually, if you want to try living the dream then at least put your slippers on (got very cold feet) or alternatively (prefer this one) just be who you are and be happy! Enjoy your Thursday!

Oz post

2010-09-20T11:31:00.005+02:00

I recently did an ATC swap with Jen in Australia, we agreed to exchange a Swiss Miss for hint of Oz! I love Jen's first card, a fab collage of her homeland!

This little guy was a complete surprise when he jumped out of the envelope! superb image and the colours are wonderfully rich.

We also filled our evelopes with assorted papers and cards from our own country

Jen included this lovely piece of flocked card from an Australian company called Kaiser, superb!

Thanks so much for swapping with me Jen, I love all my goodies!

Bothersome box

2010-09-14T11:16:00.004+02:00

Last weekend was the annual 'Bring and Hol' day where you dump all your old stuff for free and pick up anything that takes your fancy. I've been on the look out for a 'Setzkasten' for a while, they're very popular here to hang and keep ornaments in. My luck was in (or so I thought) as I brought this one home.

I painted it, and painted it and painted it again and then I painted it and oh, did I mention? I painted it and painted it again! honestly the wood was such poor quality that I may as well have been painting the bathroom sponge! just a tad absorbent, even after assorted painterly products! Now I know why the guy at the Bring and Hol was telling his friend NOT to take the box! and here was me thinking you just have to know what to do with these things, nothing that a bit of TLC won't fix...

I gave up trying to paint the back of it and settled for covering it with sheet music which took on a nice tint when the wood came in contact with the Gel Medium! saved myself the expense of walnut ink, ha! the paper also covered up the splinters!

Anyway, now it's up on the wall I'm delighted! I was going to scrap the individual squares but I've decided to leave them plain and let the ATC's and matchboxes do the talking, just the perfect place for my tiny treasures!

Pearls for Patty

2010-09-07T20:31:00.001+02:00

As I think I've mentioned before hand stitching isn't a strong point of mine and as luck would have it the latest QB5 Round Robin is a stitchery! hmmm... oh dear... well never mind...

and if you happen to be thinking it doesn't look that bad then let me just say you haven't seen the masterpieces the rest of the group have created! they were born to stitch, all of them, and stitch they have! oh dear... (again) well never mind...(again)

Dress Up September, Part 2!

2010-09-02T21:29:00.002+02:00

As I said earlier I've had a few problems this month with posting, and I've just realised that even though Dress Up - September (below) published yesterday it doesn't actually appear on any blog lists. I was wondering why it was all so quiet! Anyway, please accept my apologies for the blip, I can't explain why as I don't know myself but please go ahead and add you links as usual then sit back and enjoy the fashion show!

Dress Up - September

2010-09-01T16:02:00.003+02:00

Welcome to Dress Up in September!

This month I had so many ideas although very few of them actually saw any action!

Since making my Asian journal in Carole's online class, I've been on the look out for variations on this theme and I eventually decided on a dress with a hint of the Far East.

I like the gentler colours and of course I went with my favourite blue/greens. I don't tend to use a lot of pink in my work but I love this combination.

I started by attaching a backing paper and added paint, netting and scraps. I couldn't resist a little beady eye for each fish!

I glued on a tree cut from a paper serviette then added some gathered ribbon flowers with a bead centre.

I was recently asked about the wardrobes and if we're going to feature them at any stage, so... my challenge is this, try to have your wardrobe or box completed in time to post a picture with your November dress (you have two months!) if we leave it any longer than that then they'll never get done! well, mine certainly won't! Once again a super special thank you to all of you still playing along, nine dresses and counting!! superb!

Swiss Miss

2010-08-31T22:51:00.002+02:00

If you happen to look at your sidebar and see Dress Up September then just pretend it's not there! until tomorrow that is, when it'll appear with Mr Linky at midday! You'd think after nine months of scheduling posts I'd get it right well, erm... weary sigh... In the meantime I'll show you the Swiss Miss ATC's I was inspired to make after my recent Giveaway.

I cut the gals out of gift paper which my DH later told me his mother used to cover his school books with! You can't imagine how much trouble I'd be in if I covered my sons books with anything less than Autobots or some other bionic wonder, my how times change!

ATC swap

2010-08-30T14:19:00.002+02:00

Dana from Sinderella Studio and I recently did an ATC swap,I love this 'Remembrance' card with it's tiny images

Dana kindly sent me two ATC's for my Asian journal from artist Carey Sniche who has her cards to trade here, they are so gorgeous and I'm not sure I'm ready to hide them away in my book just yet!

We also decided on a summertime card to swap, I love Dana's 'pink lemonade'! it totally captures all the fun in the sun!

Dana also added some of her own art greeting cards, her 'Lady in Red' is my absolute fave and she's already up on my wall!

I sent Dana a Swiss 'celebrate' ATC

a summertime beach belle

and the last one of my folded mini Dress Up ATC's, I don't actually have a picture of it, I really must stop forgetting to photograph my work! but it was a little blue spotty one!

Thank you for a great swap Dana!

Remember this?

2010-08-25T12:55:00.012+02:00

A while ago I made a few of these Rebecca Sower inspired book back canvases, I really enjoy this kind of work, loads of texture and interest on every square

after finding some covers I couldn't resist making a few more! I love the rich brown of this edition and was inspired to do a turquoise hanger. This particular one is truly international, with so many elements and ideas from far and wide!

the second cover has a hint of Autumn with pumpkin orange!

I also tried sewing and ruffling some bleached crepe paper, so very fragile but I really like the result, well worth the hassle!

Today I was privileged to meet Frau Buob of Rose du Village in Thalwil and she has agreed to offer some of my work for sale in her beautiful shop!! I'm absolutely over the moon at this wonderful opportunity to show my art locally!

Raving about rust

2010-08-22T11:20:00.001+02:00

In preparation for our next QB5 swap I received some rusty suspender clips from Nathalie. (we have plans, just wait...) She has a wonderful selection of these in her ETSY shop

I can't say I've really come across these clips here other than a few pristine ones I was given a while ago.

I decided to try rusting the ones I have.

I read somewhere they can be sanded, dunked in vinegar, then put in contact with an already rusty item and set out in the air to 'cook'

And it worked!! literally within hours!

I like the shape of the ones from Nathalie better but as far as the rusting process goes, I'm thrilled!

now I just need to make something to hang on them!

And the winners are...

2010-08-21T10:46:00.009+02:00

Congratulations to the winners of my Swiss Stuff draw!

Jill

and

MarjaS

Thank you to all of you who joined in the fun!

The suite I was describing is in a place called Madrisa Land and is part of an outdoor adventure park set in the mountains above Klosters. I think by the guesses a couple of you have also been there! did you stay?? unfortunately we didn't, but it hasn't stopped me dreaming about it!

Thank you again for all your wonderful guesses!
(Marja can you please contact me offline)

Bloggy blunder and Giveaway!

2010-08-16T20:44:00.002+02:00

my brain is addled, the noise agh... the dust agh... the holidays agh... anyway, there's a Giveaway on the post below to celebrate being blog happy! make sure you leave a comment! I tried to trick my compi with the date but it got the last laugh...

Heidi hole Giveaway

2010-08-13T14:53:00.014+02:00

Once upon a time there was a fairy who lived high in the mountains above Klosters. She was an active kind of a gal and after a hard day riding the rides...

she did a bit of balance work on the downhill slacklines

then feeling rather exhausted, she crossed the wooden bridge to her tree house suite

where she sat in the bath on her balcony, (under the no smoking sign)

totally at one with nature...

her personal chef prepared an Alpine feast

then full and happy she retired to her private abode

where she slept soundly until dawn.. ahh, collective sigh...

As you might have guessed the above story is (almost) a complete figment of my imagination, but the place does exist! (my daughter went down that slidy thing at least 30times!! not me, no Siree!) With all the yodelling comments, Heidi hassling and assorted support I've been getting from you lovelies I've decided it's time for a 'Surprise Swiss Stuff' giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment with a guess at the price (pick a number in Swiss Francs, aim high...) of one night in the above treehouse suite! There will be two prizes, I'll draw a name from all comments left on this post between now and midnight here, this friday 20/08. Everyone who guesses within 50 francs of the correct price will go into a second draw for another stuff from Switzerland packli! It doesn't matter if your guess is miles off, you just need to try, yodelleoooo...

An ATC and some Inchies

2010-08-12T15:24:00.004+02:00

As part of my swap with Jen I made an ATC using a paper serviette glued to some backing paper and card. I added a line of acrylic to the edges, a couple of stickers and a little piece of ripped silk.

I also had a go at making an inchie book for both of us, I so loved the one Julia sent me I just couldn't resist trying it out myself. I added scraps and beads to the card squares.

as an after thought I altered a matchbox to keep my set in!

Thank you Jen!

2010-08-11T16:14:00.001+02:00

I recently recieved this fab packli from Jen in Australia, full of goodies just right for the completion of my Asian journal! Totally gorgeous fabrics and papers (and no I'm not going to use the originals, really not!) soooo special!!

beautiful scraps, beads and a tiny coin

an ATC made by Jen, my favourite colours and such a wonderful combination of textures, I love the little piece of stitched fabric

velvety flowers, lace and a cut-out mannequin

Thank you so much for all of these goodies Jen, you made my day!

Bergs and a button

2010-08-10T15:32:00.002+02:00

We went to the mountains for a few days to escape the building site next door, it's all a bit dusty and grotty at the moment.

While I was away the only creative thing I managed was my addition to Nathalie's stitchery, just a little peek below! after a good mountain airing it's now winging its way to Carole in New Zealand.

Dress Up - August

2010-08-01T08:00:00.003+02:00

Welcome to Dress Up in August!

...and then there were eight! haven't we come a long way?! only four more and our wardrobes will be complete.

This month's dress happened rather easily as August 1st is the Swiss National Day.

I used an Edelweiss paper serviette, this flower is the unofficial national flower of Switzerland and can be found growing in The Alps. I added a little piece of paper doily around the neckline and some braid to the bodice.

I decorated some of the Edelweiss with beads and used a folded mini version of a Zürich newspaper as the skirt.

I'd like to say a special welcome to a few late entries who are doing a fab job of catching up! Dress Up just keeps on growing! Once again a super big thank you to all of you playing along, what an amazing piece of art we'll all have in December, a real treasure!

From Russia with love

2010-07-26T17:21:00.003+02:00

Sometimes I get mail that takes my breath away! will you just look at this beautiful matchbox from Julia in Russia.

packed with tiny treasures!

gorgeous cards, and pages in Russian, lace, and a rose wrapped key, oh swoon...

Julia and I also swapped ATC's, this is her Russian fairytale, just divine!

and this has to be my favourite, a set of three inchies decorated with beads and Russian illustrations, they are tiny but have such a wonderful feel and sound to them, like three little tiles, just superb!

as usual I haven't done a very good job of photographing the things I sent Julia! when will I learn?? however, if you pop over to her Blog you can see them! my ATC was inspired by Nathalie using an illustration from Ragamuffin Gal Thank you Julia for this fab swap, you made my day!

Time flies

2010-07-23T15:28:00.006+02:00

It seems like just yesterday that I was posting about our Spring break in New Zealand and the return of the kids to school. Well ta da! they're on holidays again, the summer is here! I've achieved very little in the past week owing to the heat and the distractions of child care, I mean really, why don't they sleep-in during the holidays, why not?? I drag them out of bed every school morning then they're up with the lark as soon as the hols begin, what's that all about??

The demolition of the building next door has been nicely timed to coincide with the start of the holidays and we've been entertaining ourselves with the apparent randomness of the knock down, if you take one window wouldn't you take the one next too it?? erm... clearly not

We've been playing would you rather be a) the man on the roof with the element of danger or b) the man operating the crane. Of course my children chose the latter as he gets to sit down all day and spends most of his time talking on his handy, and who says they take after me?!

There was supposed to be a large wall between us and the year long re-build but after much discussion a compromise (ha ha don't get me started ... ) was reached and a wire fence appeared with an attractive piece of netting attached. My favourite colour and 12m of potential plastic doilies right in front of my house, who would have thought, I really must get my ETSY shop up and running...

Finishing up

2010-07-13T17:14:00.012+02:00

I decided to finish my journal even though not all the pages are complete, better to do these things while the instructions are fresh in my mind, such is my apalling memory.

I sewed a contrasting fabric down the spine
I learnt a couple of new transfer techniques, I really like the quality of the print

The journal has quite a few sewn elements, on this page I used some old wrapping yarn to add a bit of texture

The bird has escaped (I know not where) but is set to return when I find it!

I have one set of Chinese stamps but I've got my eye on a couple more which of course I need to finish my project!

My children happily chomped their way through a bag of fortune cookies in the name of art!

Carole did a superb job of teaching this journal class, loads of info and great videos clips of the techniques, well worth joining in and she has a new class beginning soon.

about turn...

2010-07-06T22:31:00.005+02:00

If you recall the last time I posted about Carole's journal course I was planning to do a book about marriage, well, the thing is, I've changed my mind! The Mr and Mrs were just sending me to sleep so I've left them in the meantime. My theme is now Asian which is a bit of an out there colour choice for me, being the lover of blues and greens that I am. Patty you'll probably recognize most of the deco as a good half of it has come from your stash! Thank you!

It surprising what I found in the cupboard once I got started, a little kimono and some origami paper which I couldn't resist folding into a pocket!

I also have rather a lot of handmade paper, I think the majority of it probably comes from India, superb textures and subtle colours. I found various pieces of Asian themed fabric in my 'I used to be a quilter' stash. The theory really is true, keep these things long enough and they will come in handy! and no, my mother didn't type that, I did!

I have quite a collection of metal bits and pieces, some lovely coins and a couple of fans that I plan to add in somewhere. I'm having a ball with this journal and already have plans for the next one, although the theme is subject to change!

The winner

2010-07-02T16:17:00.002+02:00

CONGRATULATIONS

romantic

you are the winner of the June dress!

Thank you to all of you who played along last month

Dress Up- July

2010-07-01T07:00:00.003+02:00

Welcome to Dress Up in July!

with summer sun and fun in mind I'm afraid I've reverted to type this month! I just can't get enough of those blues and greens! I began my dress with a water colour crayon background to which I added paper scraps and acrylics.

I also used the paua shell again, I love the myriad of colours in these tiny pieces

my beach babe was meant to be looking at something but nothing I tried looked quite right (incuding a big fish!) so I'll leave it up to you to decide just what's on her mind...

I finished the whole dress with wax which gives it an added dimension and really brings out the colours. I still haven't quite mastered the technique as well as I'd like and I think it's going to be another one for me and my good friend You Tube!

Once again a super big thank you to all of you still playing along, I love visiting your Blogs every month and apart from the odd blip here and there I hope all my comments are getting through. I'll draw a name from the June entries for the NZ dress tomorrow evening and will post the winner on my Blog. Have fun dressing your best this month!

In my garden

2010-06-22T10:14:00.003+02:00

I was inspired to make a piece of 'Mail Art' by a project from Viv at Hens Teeth in an old issue of CPS ( Jan/Feb 2009). I didn't open my envelope out as there wasn't a lot happening on the back and just covered the address with paint and tissue. I always feel slightly nervous about other people's names and addresses and the potential for living relatives to come a knocking!

I punched out some butterflies and after watching a You Tube 'How To' I managed to stitch a few French Knotty flowers. I also added a piece of ripped muslin and an old button to the corner.

I drew around the woman pictured in the journal photocard from my previous post, her dress is such a great shape. I reduced it to teeny tiny and stitched around the line using an old paper bag as backing. Unfortunately she looks like a no-neck woman but I promise with practice I will improve!

Jump for journal joy!

2010-06-18T10:44:00.004+02:00

Not really being a journal keeper myself you might wonder why I'm in Carole's fab online journal workshop, well if not a keeper then why not a maker and a gift giver instead?! This week Carole's had us prepping our pages in readiness for embellishment. I've been splashing and sploshing with a mixture of inks, salt and coffee. I'm really pleased with the results and have learnt some great new techniques along the way.

I found an old book titled 'On Heros' to use as my journal cover. I only have the front part and I'm hoping Carole will help me cobble it together somehow!

I've also decided this is not going to be a journal to write in but rather a themed book filled with all that is love and marriage, inspired by the couple in the photo!! I plan to use the original card (you're not reading this, right Carole??!) I can't not, it's just too good! which probably doesn't make sense but there are some things a gal's just gotta do.

He will be her hero! well he will be by the time I've finished with him!

Mrs Beaton

2010-06-11T10:04:00.002+02:00

I felt the urge to do something a little bit blue and this is the result! Originally she was born to succeed but I couldn't fit it all in so she just had to settle for being good!

I found two of these little spoons when I was home, I probably shouldn't tell my mother I've wired one to an old cigar box as they were no doubt given to me for a special reason!

I just love these old photo cards, you can find them at the markets here, it's just a shame they're not dated. This one is a little more speckled than intended as I managed to drop stamp cleaning fluid on it! a happy mistake I think. Her little crown (she has big dreams...) is from my matchbox swap with Jan

About the book

2010-06-10T13:30:00.010+02:00

I've long been a big fan of Poppy Treffry and have had one of her wonderful bags hanging on the back of my craft chair for many years! so you can imagine my delight when I recently caught sight of her book Free & Easy stitch and style (make sure you click on 'look inside')

She gives instructions and patterns for everything from the houses and cupcakes, to boats, birds and flowers. The layout and presentation of this book is totally yummy and inspiring, hence my desire to master this skill!

And yes dear Carole, I bought the book from Minerva in Wellington!! a totally awesome shop packed with art books the likes of which I've only ever seen online, what a delight to actually flick through them! I battled to keep at least the bus fare home in my purse and came away with a tidy little stash! still happy?? yes indeedy...

There seems to be a bit of a machine stitching revival at the moment and there was a lovely little tutorial on Rebecca Sowers's blog recently, a really fun project!

Coffee and cake

2010-06-09T10:36:00.006+02:00

I dabbled my toes once again into the colourful waters of machine stitching and once again I packed everything away feeling rather disheartened. The thing is, it's all so fiddly diddly and it just takes me so long to even get my machine to sew properly (don't get me started on that one...) Anyway, I made myself a neighbourhood coffee house

because by the end of it all I felt this is where I needed to be...

eating cake...

and reading about what I was supposed to be doing...

Free & Easy stitch style by Poppy Treffry. Top read, just one of those books you have to have, even if you can't actually do any of it!

Mini Dress Up ATC

2010-06-07T14:30:00.004+02:00

If you're looking for another lovely challenge then pop over to Chriss and check out her monthly ATC swap. I've joined in the fun in June with these pocket Dress Up ATC's on offer.

The details of the swap are on Chriss's blog and the pocket tutorial is here. I hope you have as much fun with these as I did!

Dress Up - June

2010-06-01T07:00:00.016+02:00

Welcome to Dress Up in June!

It's hard to believe yet another month has gone by and we're nearly half way through our project. My still unfinished wardrobe is filling up quickly and DH's comment in January 'you'll never fit 12 of those in there' is starting to ring true!

After my recent travels I felt I had to go with a New Zealand theme this month. I took the inspiration for my dress from an ATC sent to me by my dear blogging buddy Nathalie. The backing paper is a woven basket print to which I've sewn a piece of plastic wrapping, making a bag to fill

Into my woven bag I've placed a Tiki a symbol of luck and fertility in Maori legend. I've also attached some little pieces of Paua and some frayed twine. I decorated the top with New Zealand Fern and added three old postage stamps.

I created a belt with two poi using beads wrapped in crepe paper and tied with string

To celebrate the half way point in 'Dress Up ' and your continued enthusiasm for the project I've decided to offer my June dress as a Giveaway! (I'll make myself another one!) Everyone who makes a dress and adds a June link will automatically go into the draw at the end of the month. A super big thank you to each and everyone of you!

back in the loop

2010-05-29T11:05:00.001+02:00

Finally I feel a bit of normality returning to my world, along the way I've managed to leave my bag at the dentist, covered the roast veg with bread crumbs and washed my credit card, all of which I'd like to attribute to jetlag but I've a sneaking suspiscion it's more to do with age than anything else! I also discovered I took 447 photos, most of which are either fuzzy, yellow or just plain unbloggable! I sat on the huge Airbus 380 twice for 12 hours and failed to take a single picture of the staircase up to the first floor, I mean really how often do I travel on a doubledecker plane?! I did however manage to catch a few of the 'blues' that I so love Downunder. Brighton Beach with it's forever horizon.

This is the view from the cabin we stayed in at Akaroa, rather nice to get an upgrade and not have to pay the extra, that NEVER happens to me! The hills were looking a bit browner than usual after a long hot summer.

Birdlings Flat Beach where the stones are perfect for skimming, it's a rather windswept place with a thriving artist community

Diamond Harbour, so named for the sunlight dancing on the water. This is where I spent my summers as a child and my mother still has the batch some 40 years later.

The flags in the previous post were at the Wellington Zoo and I thought they looked so cool blowing in the wind.

Belated birthday thanks

2010-05-25T10:50:00.003+02:00

While I was away I had my birthday, well actually owing to the delay caused by the ash cloud I was in the skies on the very day! My dear QB5ers celebrated in my absence and I came home to assorted goodies!

This adorable altered matchbox from Patty

a sparkly sewn 'shine' ATC from Nathalie filled with tiny stars and glittery paper!

a folded birthday book from Linda (note the reference to eating cake)

and an apron from Carole, with cupcakes!

are my friends trying to tell me something or what?!!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful wishes!

Filled to the max!

2010-05-24T10:19:00.005+02:00

I've spent the past week trying to catch up on what seems to be a never ending 'to do' list! One of the things I wanted to show you for ages is this wonderful little matchbox that arrived from Jan shortly before I left for NZ.

Jan and I did a spontaneous matchbox swap which we themed 'vintage'. Jan altered a jig-saw piece with Queen Elizabeth I and filled her box with treasures, I love every teeny tiny one!

bursting at the seams, superb!

We bent the rules ever so slightly by wrapping lace around our boxes! look at the tiny pearls, swoon! Jan's box was completed by the fab tag below. Thank you for the most wonderful swap Jan!

I forgot to take pics of my box for Jan! she's kindly blogged about it here!

Home again

2010-05-19T11:55:00.003+02:00

Hello once again from Switzerland!! It's lovely to be home after an adventure down to New Zealand to see my family and friends. I'm seriously jet lagged, but the kids seem to have bounced back quickly! something to do with age I think!

I've been in an internet free zone for the past month and boy have I missed it!! I think it's made me appreciate even more the wonderful spirit and colour Blogland brings to my world. Thank you all so much for your comments and Dress Up links, I'm going to make myself a large cup of coffee and re-enter cyberland, ah bliss...

Dress Up - May

2010-05-01T08:00:00.000+02:00

Welcome to Dress Up in May!

the sun is shining and the flowers are flowering, finally!!! I used a page from an old gardening dictionary as my background for this month.

I ripped up an old paper napkin and rearranged the flowers before gluing them down

I have some very old paper string which can be unravelled to make numerous things, from elaborate flowers and garlands to tiny leaves

It's amazing to think that next month we will already be halfway through the Dress Up project, and what fabulousness we've created so far! I'm planning a little surprise for you in June to celebrate our creativity! Thank you once again for playing along.