merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas and Best wishes for the New Year from Carol and Marcus. xx

Waiting for Christmas

Wrapped the presents, posted the cards and getting the christmas feeling.

Thought I would share the cards I am giving to the grandchildren.

There are 10 items missing on the card below!

mice and tree

Caught on camera whilst walking to mums. The tree with a face and the mice out for a walk in between the showers.

porthminster beach

Experimented with the lutradur fabric this week. I have used inks, pastel, gouache and acrylics, all take well. Have a go at stitching next .
This work reminds of the quote by
Yves Tanguy the artist, he said
If I planned a picture before me, it never surprised me, and surprises are my pleasure in painting.

I am not sure what is going to happen next so lets hope it surprises me!
Forgot to say I nibbled bits away with the soldering iron as well.

Porthminster Beach

 Porthminster beach where the stream meets the sea.

These images have given ideas for using 'Lutradur', a fabric I have never used. I have seen it's versatility at exhibitions and would like to hear from anybody who may have used it. 

Christmas Pudding

November 22nd is traditionally the day to make your Christmas pudding.
My christmas pud recipe is as follows:-
Ingredients:-
Beads,charms, cherrys, mixed peel,currants, sultanas,raisins, felt and mixed fruit fabric.
Soldering iron,sewing machine and a very kind person to pick up the beads when you fling them across the floor.

To Make:-
Layer the chrismas pud fabrics . Get a wiggle on the machine stitching to stir all the fabrics together. (best done to jingle bells or some such song to get the rhythm.
Zap with the soldering iron.
Make a template of the pud with arms and legs. Cut the shapes leaving seam allowances.
Put the beads and charms on were ever you fancy or until you get bored.
Stitch the seam allowance over and back with felt to neaten. Attach arms and legs and there you go a christmas pudding you would not want to eat.      Cheers

pears in a spotty basket.

Just had a painting frenzy!
I think it is finished and past away a afternoon of gales and lots of rain.
The cosy wood burner is on downstairs and lifes good as I hope it is for anyone reading this.
Bye and love from Carol.

watching the fireworks nov. 2009

Watching the fireworks, Ted was mesmerized!
and yes Angela this bear is for you.

witch- and- boots October 2009

Carol does not know I am writing this. I have hijacked her blog site while she is asleep.

I want every mortal to see and admire my wonderfull boots, they are just great for broom riding.
Cackle Cackle.........

halloween witch. oct 2009

Had to make a witch for Halloween, always do but this one looked evil until I made her boots. She looked at them, smiled and preened. Amazing what posh green boots can do because she turned into a friendly witch.

Meanwhile the bears were just trying on their outfits to go trick and treat when she cackles past the window showing off her boots.

All that trouble I went to to get the bears dressed up and they are to frightened to go out...all because of the green boots. That witch has a lot of explaining to do before Halloween.

Sheffield park

A perfect day at the National Trust gardens at Sheffield Park. Sussex.

sheffield park

The Green Man found his spot and wanted to stay there. Perfect place to watch the goings on among the trees.

Sheffield Park

Sunshine on a Autumn day at the National Trust Gardens, Sheffield Park, Sussex. Apart from a lovely relaxing walk we took some friends for a photo shoot among the trees.

Miss Sycamore poses with the wonderful colours of this sycamore tree.

silk painting

'Silk painting in Action'

Enjoyable workshop with Angela Diggle, very friendly, helpful and informative.

It made me appreciate the skills needed to make the beautiful scarfs the ladies sell in the Sloop market St. Ives

A few days ago I

went to the allotment to sketch the hollyhocks and photograph a new doll.

She jumped out the basket and scrambled to the top of this hollyhock, needless to say she has been named Hollyhock.

It was lovely and warm with a feeling of Autumn days and tidying the allotment for the winter.

This little painting suits the mood I am in. Feeling summer is over and no more knitting on the beach. Ready to get the sewing machine oiled and winter projects out. Lots of ideas and can't make up my mind which one to start first.

Esther the mermaid, named by my granddaughter Molly. Who is keeping her granny busy playing games.
She was my first attempt at fingers and hands which look a bit big but maybe they are better for swimming with.
Her hair is wire coil and acrylic paint on her body.

Daisy chain posing for her photograph at the allotments.

She was adapted from a pattern designed by Madeline Sara Maddocks .

These are small pieces to pick up and do between summer visitors and my spaces are being cleared for grandchildren to paint and play!

I transferred my paintings onto felt using T-shirt transfer paper and embroidered they can be used as cards. Going to get the grandchildren to do them and teach them to knit....or maybe send them to Jo.... or hope the sunshines and they are on the beach.

Experimenting with Jones Tones Foils using fusible web, paint and stitch.

July 2009 and daisy chain is nearly finished must start something else so I do not have to tidy the room.

Nearly finished a mermaid, I love my messy room.

Morva was found in the long grass. Jo did try to teach her to knit but she just gazed at her at her in amazement,''Why do I want to knit'', she said.

I like painting in different styles, this one is in Oils from a sketch I did from the allotments at Ludgvan Penzance.......on a perfect day in June 2009.

Meet Leafy my autumn elf.

The Hippies.

I think they live in Steeple woods and are left over from the 60's. They turn up every now and then and hang about for a while then disappear.

charlie and winifred

I think Charlie and Winifred love each other because how ever much I try to sit them up straight they always hold hands and lean towards each other. So I give up and will never split them up.

frazzle on the beach

Frazzle enjoying the heatwave.

Welcome to my blog, and I hope I do not make it confusing because I am not at all sure what I am doing. All a bit of a challenge. Think I will aim to put a picture of of my latest needlefelting then go and finish my oil painting in Xnanado, (my outside studio and all mine). This little guy is called Ferinand.

Thankyou for reading this and Bye.....carol