Rocks, Flowers and Googly eyes.

The kids had a very good use for googly eyes.  The above was the first, and then they created a family.

Koala and Eucalyptus buds, arrangement, Reindeer Running

Saw this cutie today., very glad she turned her head a bit as she was quite interested in her branch. Just yesterday I was scooping up some Eucalyptus caps and buds to play with for myself.

Strawberry Blonde (?) Felt Femme Fatale

Started felting some local wool and the hair swirl and sweep appeared.  Decided to doll it up comically kind of as a femme fatale....though her allure may grow if she develops a body.  

Spanish Tortilla and some more

Hmmm....is that browned or bur___? I tried twice...the flipping is not the hard part.  It is the sticking that is the problem...the recipe called for 4 cups of olive oil, which I refuse to use. I looked for guidance online at most used a lot less, so I tried. I don't know that is "my" less oil that is the issue...I think it is too many potatoes...I need more egg in ratio. That right ratio of eggs, potatoes and onions.

                   L

Looking like Jabba the Hutt, Herb Tree, and Santa Babies.

Reviving Creepy Crawler Bug Maker

Played with Susan's brother Creepy Crawler maker when I was a kid.  On Major Art TV show, after winning the bean bag toss, my sister went to the Treasure Chest to pick her prize, and later related that while she really wanted the Creepy Crawler set, it wasn't what girl was supposed to pick, so she picked a Skipper doll instead.  Anyhow, many many years later, I gave her a Creepy Crawler set for her adult birthday. Now, many years after that, the kids are using....kind of the pre-cursor to the 3D printing going on. 

Mini Cake Christmas Trees

 Tree making...took off the net somewhere...they used chopped pistachios for covering, which looked more charming than what I had on hand.  My tree bottoms wobbly, and I could have trimmed but didn't...real trees really do grow more straight, so I wasn't really going for reality, unless a Seuss-like one.

Cut circle in parchment paper, sliced radius cut,
formed cone, paper clip together, with a few also grabbing the glass. Regular cake batter here,
About 30 minutes in the oven. Presto--pines.

Jumbo Gingers...2013

Was  thinking we might see more changes in the decorating approaches over the years, but it still seems that mounting on the candy becomes a priority near completion.  Ages 4 and 7...will see at ages 14 and 17....I should be so lucky to have them still doing it with me then!

I see more soul in the beginnings here pictured below...I guess it is how the eyes stand out. Perhaps a lesson....some can add so much goop, and things get a bit lost with it all. 

Snow Angel

When you are lying there looking up at the blue sky and pine tree tops, no wonder an angel appears! 

Pencil and Paper on Paper

Took leftover paper from Mom's paper cutting, used Dad's much loved drawing pencils that I have waited for years (and years) to use (one that is finely stubby and another that is well chiseled)...and then played with a concept. More playing to do, plus the need to photograph in natural light.  Is cold and stormy outside....so for now, inside shall have to do. See some lines to connect some of this...kind of like a flow chart, but not quite. Yes, yes, the flow from Mom and Dad to child, but it didn't start that way in concept....but, I guess I didn't really either! :)

Hazelnut Cookies...no flour

MMM.. Hazelnuts are my favorite nut, and one that makes me smile when I see it translated in a variety of languages in a various countries...kind of like the comfort of home, but adventurous enough to go all over.

Certainly by Hand....

First batch. Hand written, addressed, stamped.

Holiday Card-- Felt and Tinsel

Cut shape on paper/cardboard template, lay on sticky backed felt, cut.   Place amount of tinsel desired on card...stick felt shape on top. Voila.

Art Installation

Take a pom pom, put it on a slab of granite. What do you have? 

Pomegranate. 

Yarn Pom Poms

Using two cardboard circles (I used leftover matte board)....circumference as you like, center hole (like bagel), with slit to pass yarn through....wrap yarn around the two circles.....snip on edge, passing your scissors under the wrapped yarn and between the two pieces of cardboard.  Pull a strand of yarn in between the two pieces of yardboard and knot tightly a few times around the middle of the cut yarn strands. Four minute Pom Pom.   I used inexpensive yarn here to see how it worked through...have the more plush wool yarn to go now....will try brushing it with wire brush for fluffy pom pom.  Wonder how felting would work....might just get smooshy organic shape...but may try. 

Yarn Balls on Canvas

My current "fascination" with pom pom type yarn balls had me recall something I made many years ago. Had yarn sample card, and pulled off my most favorite yarns. Of course, one could just pull together any thing they like.  Glued it framed canvas in arrangement that I liked. Hung it up!   In the picture in situ, see my Chinese New Year money envelopes in similar treatment....there I used tacks....on purpose because I wanted them free enough to move.  

Wool Bracelet with Stitching

Liking fabric bracelets.  a) easy to wear, light.  b) you don't need to take them off at airport security. c) I like fabric in general! d) easy to make.


Ok, this could be finished more finely, but was super quick:

1. Cut stripe of black wool.
2. Wrap around wrist and mark measurement.
3. Stitch on machine or hand random pattern...used silver thread made for machine use.
4. Made wide "buttonhole" where it will wrap bottom of wrist....put one end through the buttonhole, tie together.

Be sure to make the ends long enough to tie with the help of your "free" hand.  Of course, could make it velcro or other join fastener, but I like the extra flair of tie...matches the "messy" approach of shiny and casual that I was after here.  Like I don't care, but I care.

Pipe Cleaner Ornaments -- Star and Candy Cane

6 sparkly pipe cleaners twisted at top, bowed, and "conjoined" at center. 

Take a red/white or red/white/green pipe cleaner, bend it in half.  Hold at the fold, and twist gently so it doesn't get "bent" on straight part.  Then, fold over for "u."  String together with fishing line to hang down windows, or just hang on tree limbs. 

Multi Colored Leaves

On a finally rainy day, a nice discovery on a walk. Spring, Fall, Winter....maybe some Summer in there too. Non-native no doubt, but exotic has its charms.

Fleece and Lace Dress

Simple shapes are my friend in terms of sewing. See plenty of fleece tops with jewels and adornment -- not Santa sweater thing, but current runway. Decided to play a bit with black fleece and lace, turned out a little tame, but the fleece is cozy on these cooler days. Lay down a  beach cover up, with a few modifications, but very simple sew and shape. The fleece seems to hold it's edge without hemming, so will hope continues because I like how it ends raw and hem, sleeve, and neck. 

Some Spider...Web

Quite a web a spider had going. The holes are likely were various meals were found. Spider made this in seemingly ideal spot for catching things....high enough for wind, off roof  of  side yard storage where other more-than-two-legged creatures may be hanging out.

Jumbo Jewels Necklace

Playing with the idea of statement jewelry.  Started with plexi glass and jewels earlier this week.  Yesterday on my way to quiet place for conference call before a wonderful celebration of a dear person,  I spied this concept in a shop window.  So, darn, it is not my original idea.  Not exactly sure how it was made...the shop was closed, but this is what I did:

a. Color copy of a gem setting...play with scale on computer.

b. Laminate color copy. (FedEx office).

c. Cut out jewel shape...the lamination seems firm so far, not fraying. 

d. Sharpie outline on plexi glass that has been layered with masking tape.  Masking tape does a few good things...helps clean the blade, and gives some stability. Make sure to allow a space for the drill hole...you may have to add a top notch. I used a ring for one of these, so part of the band serves as the "hole" space. 

e. Clamp down plexi to work table.

f. Using jewelers saw (very fine blade), cut out the outline.

g. Drill hole for string or chain with jump ring.

h. Epoxy laminated jewel on plexi shape.