QUOTE

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way-things I had no words for." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe


Saturday, December 20, 2008

Before I go....

Thought I would show something before I go. This is a painting from a little friend of mine. One day I saw a lovely sculpture by him at his aunts. It was just so artistically done and I told him so and said he should continue making art. He is only 9 yrs old and so talented. He must have taken it to heart as two days back I got a parcel and this is what he had sent me. Isn't it so beautiful! I am really touched that he thought to send this to me. Just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! Thank you for being such good blogging friends and for all your support through the year. See you all in the New Year.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

This and That

Firstly thanks to Chris for sending me these wonderful goodies which I won in her blog. Chris especially went into the trouble of choosing things so that I could use them in my doll making. Thank you so much Chris you are too kind. Sorry I have been bit of a bad blogger lately. It is due to all the renovations taking place in the house that I have just not been able to settle down into anything. Looks like it is all going to take quite a while to do that. At the moment I am going around with a duster in one hand and a vaccum cleaner in the other like a demented woman lol! I somehow got my beads out yesterday and made these which I will be giving away to my nieces. The middle one I have decided to keep for myself but will most probably take it apart as it is a bit too big for me. These bracelets don't take that long to make so that is why I love to do them. One just needs to layout the beads the way you want and string them. They can be done in 10 mins. I am off to Royal Albert Hall today to listen to the King's College Choir. I know it will be lovely. I have always wanted to listen to them live so today is the day

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Cards

Today I have just been making a few cards to send to friends. I am sure they won't mind my feeble attempts at card making because the wishes go out from my heart.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Christmas Traditions

India wrote in her post about the traditions she had in her family during Christmas and wanted to know what everyone else did for Christmas. Since she asked I decided it would be better for me to write it down in my blog as it will be quite long. So here is what we did for Christmas when I was a kid

1.The main celebrations for us started on Christmas Eve. We would attend the Carol Service in the evening which was a combined affair with the Catholic Church and Protestant Churches since the town we lived in had a very small group of Christians. The choir consisted of nuns some ladies from the congregation and men's voices from the School of music of which my dad was in charge. Invariably the choir had people singing from all faiths. I always thought that was so nice that even people from different faiths joined us to celebrate Christmas the Carol Service also used to be attended by all faiths.

2. Then we would come home have a quick dinner before we went to the midnight mass.

3. After coming from attending the mass mum would cut the Christmas cake and we would have some coffee or tea with it. I used to be so impatient to open the gift after that lol! Which I did.

4.On Christmas day we used to attend the morning service which is quite early in India so we would be back home by 10 in the morning.

5. On Christmas day it always was a day spent with many friends for us. Since being one of the few Christian families all our non Christian friends would come to visit and wish us on Christmas day. So there would be a constant stream of visitors throughout the day.

6. It is a tradition to make lots of sweets and savouries for festivals in India so mum would make plenty in anticipation of visits from our friends.

7. It is also a tradition in India to send sweets and savouries to your neighbours and it is something everyone does for their festivals so we would go and give this to our neighbours.

8. After the last visitor had gone in the evening. We would then sit and have a very simple dinner as a family and sometimes dad would play some carols on the piano and we would accompany singing.But if we were very tired we would go to bed.

9. We would always have a coal fire on for Christmas.

10. On Boxing Day we spend the evening with some close friends. Each family would bring a dish and we would share and eat. Usually this was like a feast.

. 11. After I got married and moved to a hot place Christmas is more of a family affair 12. Christmas Eve is more of a normal day.

13. Christmas day we go for the early morning service come back and have a sumptuous breakfast with the family.

14. We then give gifts to each other. To make it more of a fun we ask someone to dress up like a Santa Clause so that the kids have fun.

15. Then we go and give sweets and savouries to an orphanage close by.I love that the best as to see each child's face light up when they see the sweets is a joy.

16 Rest of the day is then spent waiting to devour the lovely smells wafting from the kitchen.

17 Lunch is Briyani a traditional Indian rice dish cooked with spices and meat or Chicken you will find a brief description here

18. Then rest of the day is spent relaxing with the family.

My favourite carol is 'It came upon the midnight clear'. I don't like Christmas cake but I do love Panettone. I bought some today and it is yum.....

Monday, December 08, 2008

Christmas tree but no dolls

This year looks like I am not going to be able to put all my dolls under the tree. Infact I don't think I can put any decorations even as there is so much of renovation going on and so dusty. I thought I should at least have my tree otherwise it just does not feel Christmasy. My dolls are all under cover and I just don't have the time or the inclination at the moment to put them all out. I will be going away as well so they will have to hibernate and have their own Christmas party under the covers. I still have to do my shopping where on earth does the time go....

Friday, December 05, 2008

Thank you

First of all thank you to all of you for giving me tips on how to wash my antique laces and ideas on how to spruce up my lovely box. Most of all for visiting and supporting me with your lovely comments in my blog. Chris very kindly gave me an award. She is so generous that she even gave me a choice of 3 awards to choose from so I chose this one. Thank you so much Chris . Marilyn had tagged me sometime ago but it took me so long to write this up as I really don't know any interesting or funny or weird facts about myself. I am just an ordinary person. However I have written something that might or might not interest you about myself so here goes.....
Here are the rules....
1) Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog 2) Share 7 facts about yourself, some random, some weird 3) Tag 7 more people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs 4) Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs

1. I am very petite only 4ft and 11" tall. I even got called a midget once lol!

2. If hubby is away on his business trips I like to switch on all the lights in the house and have the music on loud.

3. I get most of my creative ideas either when I am just dropping off to sleep or as soon as I wake up.

4. Quite a few times I find that my creative ideas someone else has already thought of and just done it lol! Thats ok by me as I know we creative people think on the same wave length many a time.

5. However I definitely do not like when people steal ideas from others and pass it on as their own.

6. When I go to restuarants I like to try different types of dishes.

7. In a group I am more of a listener than a talker but I love to correspond via emails and like to chat with my doll group friends online a lot.

Whew! I did it!

Now I would love to tag many of you but since it is a busy time of the year I would just say this that please take this as me tagging all of you and write a little bit about yourself in your blogs.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Picking your brains

You must think I am strange. You know if I like something I just keep it in view to doing something with it at a later stage. I got this box as a gift well not the box but what was in it, but I fell in love with the box. I think it is beautiful so I kept it long after the biscuits were gone. Now I want to pick your brains on this one a bit cause I know many of you can turn an ugly looking box into a work of art with the snap of your fingers. I am no good with that sort of art so I have to ask you all. I will use this box for something doll related but firstly I would like to know what sort of edging to the box corners would you suggest. The reason is that the box had a sort of black tape to the 4 edges. Unfortunately that black tape was something like an insulation tape which started peeling off and left a horrible sticky rubbery glue residue which I am having trouble taking off. I took all the tape off it but want to replace it with something else. What would you suggest. Should I edge it with some sort of lace or should I use some paper perhaps and colour it. I am in 2 minds really also I don't think I will alter the whole box as I really like the images on it as is. Any suggestions?

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Snowy days

I have not been doing much except spend money Lol! A friend posted this link in one of my groups, just thought I would pass this link along for you to play around with it as well cause I just did lol! Hey, I made you a snowflake! Check it out at HERE Post a reply to let me know what you think!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Cookbook RR and Thank you.

In one of my groups we did a Cookbook RR sometime ago. I too joined the RR but unfortunately due to other commitments I had to drop out. Ladies in the group however decided to go on with my book which was so very kind of them. I did a small folder do that the pages would be small and easy to manage and post. When I finally got my Cookbook I was so astounded by the recipe pages that I got back. Not only do the recipes look delicious but each page is a work of art. So I take this opportunity to thank you all for doing this for me thank you from the bottom of my heart. I shall cherish these pages.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Just painting

While the aweful events have been unfolding today I have been trying not to watch too much of the news. It just makes me feel very sad. So instead I took up my brush and did this. Not a great effort but at least it soothes me. If only people would pick up a brush or a pen and use their God given gifts to make other people happy it would be a different world. But like many of my friends I guess I am a dreamer......

Monday, November 24, 2008

Just for fun

I was begining to get withdrawal symptoms since I have not been able get into my craft room for a few weeks lol!. So I decided to do something about it. I brought my sewing machine to the room that is the warmest and did an easy craft pattern. I also thought it would make a fun gift for my nieces since I just don't know what to give them for Christmas. It can grace their flat with its bright colours. They could have it on their bed or in the sitting room it will look cheerful. I do hope they will like it. I am making another one in different colours. While I was making it I suddenly thought it would also make a lovely pincushion if I reduced it in size. It is a free pattern which I got from here. I think I should have increased the body size a bit more even though the pattern says it will fit I find the body size is a bit small. But since it is a fun pattern I think it will be ok.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Recycled angel

A long time ago about 20years back, I bought a tree top angel. I do not know why I bought her as there was nothing special about her. She had a silvery cardstock cone shaped body with silvery wings. Perhaps her face was so cute that I bought her. Anyway she never sat on my tree top and she was rather lopsided as well. One day I just tore her body off and kept her head. After years of her head popping up now and again I bought a polystyrene cone and perched her head on it with the idea of making a new angel of her. Years passed by and she still sat there with her polystyrene body so patiently. Yesterday I took her down and started giving her a new look. It was because I cannot at the moment go and create in my room peacefully. So this was an ideal project to start as I can move around with her. This is how she turned out. I have uploaded the picture of napkin so that if you are from UK you can go and get it from Sainsbury's , that is if they stock it in your branch. I am one of those who collects very odd things and if a pack of napkins that I like catches my eyes I just have to buy it. The good thing about it is I can keep a few napkins and use the rest. I decoupaged the angel body as you can see with the above paper. Stuck a little bit of bling. For the wings I used some left over silk organza fabric. I stuck the piece of fabric on the wire. I used Gripp glue which I have some bottles still left over. It is good to use a strong glue to stick the fabric on metal. I then coated the back of the whole fabric with mode podge I guess pva glue would work too. Then decoupaged some more napkin paper on the back of the wings. Once the glue was dry I cut the wing shap and made sure I cut the excess fabric at the top very close to the wire. Then I gave it highlights with gold paint. I also removed her rather garish looking halo and put a cloth one. Rolled the cloth into shape with Mode Podge stuck it on the head and painted it with gold. I gave her hair some highlights with gold as well.I think I am quite please with her.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Vintage lace

I got these vintage lace from a charity shop. Isn't it a wonderful find. When I went looking for these lace in antique shops I was quoted some ridiculous price that I came away without buying. But then I found these for next to nothing price. Can someone tell me whether I can wash them ( handwash) them or not? Tomorrow I might show you something else which I am trying to make without the workmen getting under my foot. At least I can carry it with me while I try to find space to create.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Angel paper doll

I haven't done much with my online class doll for the past 2 days. You know sometimes you get that feeling when you want to create what builds up inside you. Usually it happens suddenly and you just want to get it all out. Well I just felt like doing a paper doll today so this is what I made. I made her look quite traditional. First I gessoed the doll body then I painted her with Golden Interference gold paint. Added little bit of Delta Ceramcoat 14k gold paint as high lights. Added lace and gold microbeads as embellishments. I did her wings the same way but covered the whole wing with lace and brushed it with the gold paint and Decoart Starlite top coat which gave it a delicate glitter. If you don't have the Deco art top coat you could just mix up some glitter with any craft glue that dries clear and brush it on lightly. For the wreath I cut some yarn and stuck it on the paper circle with some beads and again brushed it lightly with the Starlite topcoat. I looked for some wreaths in the shops but couldn't find the right ones. Finally for her face I used a ready made mould to make the face with paperclay and painted it and stuck it on the head. For hair I used some yarn again. After making her up and because I had so much fun doing her I thought I would offer the pattern to you for you to make her up as you want. You can enlarge her if you want and embellish her as you want. If you don't have the mould to make her face not to worry you can draw your own and make her up that way. Click the link below to get the pattern. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/3028986931_6b12d729cc_b.jpg

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Working on the doll

I have been working on my doll from Marilyn's on line class. I had a little mishap with her. I knocked her head accidentally and broke her ear. I have stuck it back again and luckily it doesn't show. I also stuck plenty of mirror tiles on her instead of the coloured tiles that we were supposed to use. The reason being the mirror tiles were all cut small and ready to use as for the other ones I would have had to cut them. I know I would never have succeeded in cutting those tiles and also it meant I would have had to invest on a tile cutter for small tiles and I am not sure if I am going to cut tiles again. Another problem was space to cut these tiles. It is too cold to go out and cut them and nowhere inside either. So I decided to do it this way. I just did a design so that I didn't have to use the bronze tiles a lot. Now I am in the process of sticking the fabric on the body. Shall post pictures soon so stay tuned.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Very remiss of me!

I would like to thank all of you for wishing me for my birthday. I should have done this post earlier so sorry.

Undignified heap lol!

This morning when I walked into my sitting room I saw my dolls and nearly laughed. They were dumped by me in a very undignified heap last night. I don't think they have ever been treated like this by me before. I bet I ruffled quite a few feathers there he..he.. This is not a very good picture as my mobile camera battery was low but it gives you an idea how beautiful autumn is. I was driving on my way to do some grocery shopping and I had to stop and take a picture much to the annoyance of a bus driver lol! Oh by the way it was a perfectly legal place to park with no signs of no parking or any kind of yellow line.
About last night's incident some of you thought it was the builder's fault but to be fair to him I do not think that he or anyone else could have thought that the cap would get severed by the pressure of the water. Perhaps the cap was a faulty one but it is one of those freak things which happen. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.

Early morning rant!

We are having our bathroom renovated at the moment and for the past 3 weeks life has been chaotic in the house with either not having water in the toilets or not having hot water at times etc etc. Day before yesterday there was no water at all so we spent the night in a hotel. Of course the builder warned us ahead so that was not a problem. Yesterday he installed the boiler and we got water plus hot water for a shower in our second toilet so that was fine. He said he would get the heating connected today. So last night as we were settling done for a comfy night at home with the hope of heating being connected... when suddenly we heard a big gurgling noise and a hiss from the next door bathroom upstairs which is being renovated. Hubby and I shot out of bed and looked at each other in horror when we heard water. Rushed into the bathroom to see a jet of hot water was pouring out of the pipe which only a few minutes ago had a cap over it! Oh my God I was panicking. Finally hubby sussed out which pipe to close outside. So once again I have water dripping through the ceiling in my craft room. Hubby said the ceiling might collapse so in the middle of the night I was moving my dolls, sewing machine, project I am working on etc etc. Today we have no water no heating and here I am sitting and ranting not able to even brush my teeth as there is no water. There I got it out of my chest LOL! It is 8 O'clock in the morning and I have to wait for the builder to come. Lets hope he will get some water going. After all this I am thinking how used to we are to having drinking water, hot water, heating and all these small luxuries that we don't pay attention to them but when something does go wrong we start ranting and raving about it. At least I have a roof over my head and it is not that cold and I do have a heater and I can put on my woollies if I still feel cold. I can go and buy drinking water. So life is not all that bad just a bit inconvenient that is all.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Creating after celebrating

After a weekend of being cossetted, pampered and fed delicious food until I couldn't take it anymore by my nieces, nephew and hubby lol! It did put me in a creative mood after my big day. So this is what I am doing for the base of my doll. It is just a close up to show you the texture of the base

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Lovely Weekend!!

Flowers, Gifts and cards,
Sumptuous breakfast
and delicious cake
and basking in the love of loved ones what a wonderful way to spend the weekend.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Dream of Arabian Nights!

Last time when I was away in India just before coming back my SIL dropped a packet on my lap saying I might like to have this. When I opened the packet I found these beautiful shoes. They just spell magic and I was amazed to find out that she picked them up from a pavement shop when she went on holiday. Aren't they gorgeous. The first thing that came to my mind was Arabian Nights and beautiful princesses.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Once again

I bet you are getting fed up with my flowers lol! But you know what they say try try try again. Well that is exactly what I have been doing. This orchid looks slightly better than the previous one. The colours are not exact as I don't have that particular magenta that the beautiful orchid was. A bit of an improvement I think. On hind sight I think I could have added a bit of blue to it for more interest.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Trying hard

Today I have been trying hard to do these flowers. The first 2 are lilies and I know what is wrong with them now when I look at the pictures. The yellow lily, I seemed to have ended up giving all the petals the same colour whereas in the real flower the outer petals were much lighter in shade. Also the petals are not long enough the same it the case with the second lily too. Also I seemed to have over worked on the lily. The last one is supposed to be an orchid which doesn't look like one lol! I think sometimes it is a good thing to take a picture of your art work and look at it in the computer as we can spot where we are going wrong looking at it from the outside.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Today

When the builders are in the house what can one do? No place to lock myself and hide away in my world so I had to do this in my little conservatory. Our homework for the Friday class is to paint a flower in big proportions. I am not good in painting big but I decided I would give it a go and chose my favourite flower the Fushia. I think I will paint something else tomorrow and see which one looks better lol!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Here are the hands

Well I forgot to show you her hands. Oh by the way it is a she not a he. Can't remember Pandora being a man LOL! Hands were the most difficult part of her and I just couldn't get them as elegant as Marilyn's and Judi you might as well comment on this one in French as well LOL!!. My previous doll for which I wanted suggestions of names, well I got a beautiful one from my little friend Dénia. She suggested Cerise and I think it is lovely so Cerise she shall be.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Marilyn Radzat's class doll

I have now painted the face of the doll. Oh it has been so much fun sculpting the face. I am enjoying this class so much.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Happy Birthday!

Wishing dear Dénia a very Happy Birthday. Hope you are having a lovely day! Gros bisous...

Saturday, October 11, 2008

My class with Marily Radzat

This is homework from my water colour class. We were asked to paint wet on wet and build the picture up. That is the hardest technique in water colours I think. As you can see I was not very successful with it. Now the sculpting with Marilyn Radzat was bit more of a success. This is how far I have got. I know one of the ears is going off at a tangent but I have remedied that after taking the picture. I am really enjoying this process of sculpting with clay. I have never done it before so it is new to me. How am I doing? Marilyn is a fantastic teacher and I am having so much fun.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

New doll

A little while ago Judi wondered where my other doll body had disappeared when I made my class doll. Well now finally it has made an appearance. It was just collecting arms, legs, face and embellishments to transform itself into this doll. I have no idea what to name her so your help would be appreciated. I thought I'd better paint this before I ate it lol!

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

THE WINNERS ARE........

Wooo hooo... the winners of my blog give away are...

Karol..... The fabric

Hermione.... The bracelet

Joanne Cranston..... The pendant

Sesga....... Sesga wins the surprise give away which is this ornament doll.

Congratulations to all of you. Could I please ask you to write to me with your snail mail address so that I can get these goodies off to you.

Once again thanks to all of you for your support. Have fun

Friday, October 03, 2008

Doll making class

Some pictures of my doll making class in Chennai. Again I had some very enthusiastic and talented ladies. They were so fired up that some decided to make another doll soon after the class. I am hoping they will send me a picture soon of their second doll so that I can show you. Well done ladies!