Shell box completed

Well this little box is completed.

I am quite pleased with the way it turned out.

The insides and the base are lined with  needlefelted fabric I made some months ago.

From the garden to the beach

 Today I managed to spend several hours in my work space.


I just don't know how to be tidy and creative at the same time.

It is a good time of year to be creative: gifts to make and craft markets to do.






 
I spend some time and money at one of my favourite shops last week - here

Although most of what I am doing at present comes from my stash, I did need to replenish glues and some paper flowers.

This little hair clip features a paper rose and hand dyed cotton lace.

This is the top of a little box.  The beaded area is something I did years ago and I have added some tiny shells around the edge.

I first painted the box with gesso and then pale gold metallic paint. I added some texture paste to the top and the beaded piece and the shells are set into the paste. 

Tomorrow I shall finish this off.  I have a fairly clear idea of how it will look which is unusual.  Making things up as I go along is my usual way of working.

I trust those who are experiencing stormy weather are snug and safe. x

rock lights and cobwebs

One of my great passions is my garden: it is a source of delight,  comfort, inspiration and always has something to offer.

We have lots of lights in our garden: bright bollards along the driveway, coloured solar lights in along the front fence, lots of different lights in the back garden and in the garden outside our bedroom window we have 3 "rock" lights.  These resin rock lights sit in amongst the plants and at the moment they need a bit of cleaning up.  The weather has been wet and the lights have attracted some cobwebs and bugs as I discovered when I went outside to take some pictures this evening.

As you can see the lights provided some interesting pictures.

hair clips

I have three markets coming up - the first is this coming weekend.  It is Melbourne cup long weekend so it is a 4 day event.

It is one of the activities included in the Peninsula Arts Society Spring Art Show.

Last year our textiles group was given the opportunity to show some of our work and this year we are allowed to offer our pieces for sale.

It is always so hard to know how much to do and how to price things.

Melbourne cup and Jean Shrimpton.

I have made these just for fun.









 

I love these colours - pinks and purples look so luxurious.

We are in the midst of our spring (horse) racing festival and although I am not interested in the horses the fashions are always interesting.

Some people might remember when Jean Shrimpton came to Melbourne and shocked everyone when she wore a mini dress and bare legs.

Have a look here. 

Painted by mother nature

Melbourne is notorious for its weather: it is very changeable.

The last few days have been a great example.  Saturday was hot - 30 degrees and since then each day has been wet, windy, hailing, cold.

The garden is enjoying the water - although I am constantly having to deal with snails.

I picked these leaves up from under the orange tree.  They look amazing and I couldn't resist sharing them here.

The garden is a constant source of inspiration.

Elephant box update

 I have been working on this box again this evening.  There is more paint and some bling and tassels.

The inside is lined with padded  hand dyed silk.

 

Another wet and windy Tuesday in Melbourne.

more vintage look roses and lace

Canadian Bay Beach on Saturday Evening

Elephants

 Today I have made a start on another little trinket box.


The papier mache box just needed a couple of coats of paint.  I used one with a metallic look.

The braid is gorgeous - elephants.

The inside of the lid is lined with felt and there is a bit of needle felting in the corner.

I am not sure how to decorate the top so I have been looking through old jewelry which I have collected during my op shopping trips.  I am going for a very opulent look.

vintage lace rose broach

 Tonight I made this vintage style broach using what I had in the stash.

A fabric rose to which  added a tiny fabric rose and then gathered hand dyed lace to attach to the back.  

So quick and easy and so pretty.