catching up with projects

 Yesterday I had some treatment on my knee and while I was waiting for the surgery I did quite a lot of stitching.  My sewing room is cluttered with partly done work or sample pieces I have done in the past. 

I have a stall at a christmas market soon so I am trying to finish things off.  This little piece with french knots on silk will make a pretty  button or hair clip. 

This second piece is a needlebook.  Hand dyed cotton fabric with silk ribbon, beads, sequins and embroidery.

 I will line it with green felt to hold the needles.

There is batting between the fabric and the felt to give it a softer feel.  

 

The last item is silk ribbon on calico over a self covered button.

It just needs some metallic threads to finish it off.

I am always so happy to finish things that have sat around for a while.

Looking for Inspiration

I am going through one of those creative slumps at present: rthe bronchitis has almost gone which is just as well as I am booked in for an arthroscope on Friday.

 I am sure the endless coughing and of course difficulty breathing results in a different mindset.

Survival mode kicks in and there is no energy for anything else.

 I have spend some time this evening photographing some of our garden and the improvements we have made to the house over the past year or so.

The birds were starting to settle for the night and it is interesting to watch them vying for the best position.

It is quite noisy and busy and then it all goes quiet when the sun has gone.

Yesterday I bought these two little cabinets  to keep my current craft projects in.  This little space between the kitchen and lounge has been a bit bare lately and I think this is a great solution.  I could have bought one large cabinet but I like the fact that I can move these around whenever I want.  By next week I think there will be Christmas decorations on them.

This is my first hand made Christmas cracker.

It is made with lutrador, hessian, lace and paper flowers.  Quite pretty I think.

Now I have to make some more for the family feast.

Peninsula Arts Society Reef Display

 I thought I would share some pics of the display in the foyer of the Peninsula Arts Society.

The Friday Textile Art Group has the responsibility of creating the  Christmas display for the foyer.

It was decided that we should create a coral reef and most of the members crocheted all kinds of beautiful coral. There are mermaids and wreaths as well.

It really looks spectacular.

rainy days

 It has been raining constantly for several days and I am trying to recover from a severe bout of bronchitis so I am a bit low on energy.

Enjoy these pics from my waterlogged garden.

Natural textures for inspiration

 Life is so busy lately - the way I like it.

Today I spent time with my grand daughter and our cameras in the garden.

 I love to take pics of different colours and textures for future reference.

After the art show

Last weekend we had our Spring Show at the Peninsula Art Society: it is an annual event where our fine artists display their works for judging and sale.  The Text iles Group is allowed a small corner to show and sell some of our works too.

The show was a great success with lots of paintings sold and a high standard in a variety of techniques.  5 ladies from the Textiles Group offered some of our creations for sale and many people stopped by to see what it is we do on Friday afternoons and to chat to us as well as buy some items to give as gifts.

Anyway I am really tired after 4 days of activity so I will just show some pics of my garden (which is looking fabulous).