swap doll done

Today I went to the knitting and stitching show in Ally Pally( Alexandra Palace). As always I had a great time ooohing and aaahing over so many beautiful textile art exhibits and as usual ended up spending more than I should have. But I console myself saying oh well it is only once a year. I met up with Barbara, Betts , Patti and also met Sarah in their booth. I missed meeting up with Colleen which was a pity. Also in the rush I forgot to take my camera so I have no photos to show you all. I got my mermaid finished and delivered it to Patti. She is a swap doll. At the moment I don't know to whom it will go to but we are doing a swap with Patti's doll club members so I hope whoever gets her will like her. Next year the doll artists will be going to France for the show. So may be I will go there too it gives me an excuse to go there anyway and meet up with my french friends.

Something fishy

Today our teacher brought in some fish (Sardines) for us to paint. I think I am slowly begining to get the hang of water colours. I don't think this is an exact replica of the fish but that was not her intention in giving us to paint a fish. She wanted us to use colours to blend. She also wants us to paint to a large scale hence the fish is big and everything else we will paint will be large. Now don't ask me what that orange blob is and what it is doing there, I won't even go into it LOL! I didn't find anyone moving away from me in the train so I guess I didn't smell of fish either LOL!

Going for a ride!

This is what you show when you have nothing to show LOL! Since I am at a low ebb thought I would show what my dolls are up to. This one seems to be enjoying her ride . This one is taking its time to come together. Will I ever finish her ? I have to send her away next week!

Thank you

First of all let me thank you all for your lovely comments on the bracelet. I saw this pattern sometime ago as a free pattern in the net. I thought it was lovely so it stuck in my mind however I had not bothered to save the link as it is so easy to make. Since Kai has asked me if I sell this bracelet I went searching again for this pattern and found it at last so here is the link for it http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/pearlbracelets/ss/090906.htm The instructions are there all you need are the beads to make it. I think you could even substitute other beads in place of the ones shown and make it up with your own favourite beads and colours don't you think.

Another quick project

You know me, I love anything that is quick and easy and pretty to make so here is another bracelet I made last night. Have a lovely day all. Clip art courtesy of Aunt Molly's Bead Street

Something small

This was something small and easy that I made last night before going to bed. This is a lovely illustrated book of small fairies that I received today.

DIP I need to complete

I am not being very creative lately so I have not got much to show. I was not going to show her till I finished her but since I have not done much thought I would show her anyway.

For a long time I didn't know how to proceed with her but in the end I got inspiration from this Simple Frayed Flower Tutorial which I came across through Ulla's blog. I have still got a lot to do on her and I think I know what I going to do but first I need to make another doll for a swap with this fabric LOL!

First watercolour assignment

I have just joined a class for water colouring. These are my first ever attempt at water colouring still life. We were given assignments to paint orange, grapes and figs. Now if the above look even remotely anything like the fruits I will be happy. Do they?

Busy

Sorry for the sparse posting. I have been busy trying to get my challenge doll completed and get it off before the closing date. She is almost done now so I thought I would share a few pictures of my class in India with you. I couldn't take many as teaching and photographing don't go together especially when all the students are beginners. I had my youngest ever student. She was so interested in doll making and she is a very talented little girl and I can see her becoming a designer of cloths or something very creative. She was so good in her drawing and her instant sketches for costuming the dolls was amazing. Definitely a designer in making. I did take a better picture of her but don't want to post that one here but you can see her working away at her doll. The completed doll is her doll. Even though I helped her to complete the doll the face painting was done entirely by her with no help from me.

Back to the old routine

Well I am back at last. A bit tired but otherwise well. As I don't have much to show at present well actually I have but can't show at the moment I will just share a very easy recipe with you for a dip.

Tomato and Onion Chutney.
1 Large onion chopped
1 Large tomato chopped
1 pod of garlic chopped
1tbsp of oil
pinch of mustard seeds
3 to 4 curry leaves
pinch of salt
pinch of chilli powder (optional)

Method

Heat a tbsp of oil when hot put in a pinch of mustard seeds they should splutter then add currey leaves and the chopped onions, tomatoes and garlic and fry it well. Remove from fire and cool. Then put it in a blender and grind till it looks like a paste. Serve it in a dish garnished with mint leaves as a dip. Enjoy