Cute and cuter...

WOW! what a productive week I'm having...
can't believe that the more
stress and work i have seems
to be when i make the most amazing "girls"...
I thought i would get a bit arty with the photos
i really need to organize a decent backdrop...

will be spending a bit of time this week
getting ready for the quilt show in October
I'm going to take the "girls" there and
hopefully they will find lovely homes
to go to...and lots of hugs...

this time of year is always busy.

the warm weather means more people out and about...
more meals to cook more drinks to serve...
hoping the sun stays around for a bit longer
and yes i think i don't need any more stress
i think if i tried really hard i can manage
to make a few more dolls without it...
honest...

Wedding Cake Anyone...

I you are after a more than imaginative wedding cake/party cake

your in luck...

our sister is now back in Australia
and baking her heart out.
with already a successful market stall and many
wedding expos organized
she is on a roll...
you can find her blog here "sugarrushconfections"
you may remember her from the turtle cake we blogged about before...
i still think it looked like she went
to the local zoo and nicked one...it's amazing.

This Month

I'm following a bit of a theme here and

thought i would include three things i
LOVE this monthabove is a pic from lino forest
i love all the wonderful creations Betty Jo makes
and the reason i wanted to post this mosaic
was the beautiful set of "flying ducks"
i so love them and this is on my Christmas list...
its amazing how she transforms this material into
pieces of art that are decorative and even
wearable like her brooches
check out her great blog here "lino forest"

above and below are my blackapple
prints that i now own
the "waiting room" print i was lucky enough
to buy on Emily's sale and cost me next to nothing
i have my eye on the next one i want
and then the wall will be complete...
Emily sells her prints here "theblackapple etsy"

Belinda has two as well
and i think we are both a bit obsessed.
and number three is SPRING
its about time it arrivednow I've noticed that everyone lawn needs a mow...

Vintage Material...

today i decided i have been
getting of the beaten track a bit.
and thought i should sit down and at least
paint a couple of faces...
well of course once the face is done
i can't leave it for another day,
just waiting patiently for me.
no, it says, finish me...
so after looking at my very low material pile.
i spotted this fabric...
now of course i have know it was always there but...
this material was my grandmothers and is very "special"
and after a bit of convincing my self that the wee girls
don't use up much, i carefully arranged
the pattern as to not use to much.
it is after all original 50's fabric...
and feels so soft.
her legs are made out of felt!
i really like the way it worked..
this "royal sister" will not be for sale as you can imagine
but i thought i would share her with you.

Little drawing.

I'm slightly obsessed with these little drawings
at the moment.
As you may have noticed by the new header.
My material stash is dangerously low and in need
of re-stocking.
My closest "big" material shop is 2 hours
away and work and kids and well
everything
don't allow a shopping trip in the equation.
So at the moment i have to be content!

Also for trivia sake. Three thing about me.
1. If i eat chocolate before i go to bed i have nightmares.
2.I eat about 1/2 a bag of raw mushrooms a day.
3.And for the amount of coca-cola i drink per day i should own the company by now.
yes, yes i know you all really wanted to know that.
see yah soon...

Three Ducks

This poem is about my nanna
these flying ducks were hers
and now they are mine.
i think that sometimes i feel like her
now "the oldest and dearest"
has flown the nest.
but yet in nearly every way we are nothing alike
(not something i will go into)
she had three sons
and i think the poem
is getting back to that whole feeling...
Well read into it what you will
but hopefully you will feel something...

Three Ducks

The tellies on
but talks to itself.
She says to herself and stares.

The lino’s become
old and worn,
She scrubs it still
thou no-one’s home.
The washings hung,
in neat little rows.
Mend the holes, scrub the toes.
She says to herself and stares.

The Dahlia’s are pretty
this time of year.
Thorns and prickles
in her hands.
Grass as high as her knee.
It’s going to be hot
this summer she says.
She says to herself and stares.

Dinners cooked
and going cold.
Remembering things, apron strings.
The kids will be home,
maybe next week.
A cup of tea,
and a biscuit for me.
She smiles and stares.

By Michelle…

op shop bargains

went to the op shop today
and scored big time
got a Colorado skirt and a
blouse with a little ruffle front which
i think is a Myer brand.
and a very cute jumper that is a yarra trail
i can't believe it only cost $5 to fill a bag
(there on the right day of course) so to add i got
a nice grey waist length jacket.
i know a darling shot
but the best i could do with the timer on,
and putting it on the tank stand to get a pic.

over the range...

I had to venture "over the range"
today which was quiet funny when
I found this fabric in a very small (back in time)
craft shop.
they were having 50% off so that's why I bought it.
I have no idea what I would use something
this intense for, but it had the kitsch value.
giddy up cowboy...

Kate and Samuel.

Voyage Told.

Kate loves Samuel,
Samuel loves Kate.
They sailed across the ocean,
to escape their mistakes.
Kate stole some bread,
Samuel stole a cow.
While living by the crown,
was hard to be around.

They both made their trade,
in a life now paid.
By the tears that were spilled,
their life simple yet fulfilled.
Children played, music serenade.
Hand in hand now they lay,
side by side each day.
They are now as one in dust,
Looking over their legacy we entrust.

Many renditions are told,
by generations that hold,
this couple as a keepsake of the past.
When you struggle through,
Love is always true.
An unassuming tale of the heart.

By Michelle…

this poem came about as little miss named my latest
doll "kiss me Kate" because she said the cross
on the mouth was a kiss...
it made me think about my ancestors "Kate and Samuel"
who came out together on the 3rd fleet.
and next minute i knew i was putting
this poem together in my head.
now I'm by no means a poetry buff.
I'm sure that anyone with any writing background
might cringe but i like coming up with these little poems,
and it keeps me happy.
so that's just how it is...

through necessity.

Yes I've been at it again
another bag...only through necessity thou
really..?
mum spotted my last bag today and as a result
she wanted one just like it.
of course when i got home i realized that i didn't
have any burgundy paisley print left.
so to the material stash i went..
boy i seems to have a mess there.
and after much sorting i found this combo.
much to my surprise i quiet like it and i somehow made the strap
a bit longer which suits me fine..
so I'm very much hoping that mum still really likes
the last one and i get to keep this one instead...
but of course i couldn't stop there
i have drawn a few pics of another doll
and last night i managed to sit down and try
and make one up that resemble my drawings.
yes she is faceless at the moment
as I'm trying to decide what to do.
and I'm really undecided which way to go.
as per usual the picture doesn't do her justice,
there are some nice double seams around her head
and around her coat that look every classy and
the colour is a lot softer in real life
but you get the idea anyway.

oh well knowing me she could be totally different by next time
or maybe the same?
edit....thought i would add a last minute sketch
that i had of the doll .i don't scan well (if you know what i mean)
but you can get the general idea.
sometimes i really wish i got past year 8 art..
i think i missed so much.
one day I'll have time and go to some classes and work out
how to make sometimg out of my ideas...