New Year Surprise

This beautiful patchwork postcard arrived in the post this morning from Ati in Norway it was a complete surprise and just at a time when I needed a bit of cheer, thank you so much Ati!!

I'd also like to wish you all a Happy and Peaceful 2009

A Quiet Time and A finished Piece !

Well we got thro' the two festive days quietly, only OH and myself plus my Aunt, the visit to Mum on Christmas day wasn't good as it was one of her really bad days. I had lots of lovely gifts, good food and a really exciting moment when I pulled a cracker and out popped a little pack of mini dominoes all ready for altering(how sad is that). Roy and I have treated ourselves to a Nintendo DS, my idea for brain training for Roy??, and also for his beloved Suduko, I just happened to buy a scrabble game to use with it and I'm hooked as it's so long since I had anyone to play scrabble with and I find that there are 'mini people' in the game that play with you - it's wonderful!Perhaps by the time Roy has used up all his saved suduko from the papers and the book I bought him , I will be ready to share with him.

At last I have finished my 'Church ' piece that was inspired by the work of Beryl Taylor and that was started in the summer,The picture was transferred to fabric using Bondaweb then attached to a layer of green then gold fabric and creased calico, it was then embellished with small pieces of stamped card, dictionary papers and watersoluble paper and finished off with beads and sequins, a metal heart and a cross. The surrounding gold fabric was covered in seed stitch.It is my first try at this sort of work and I'm pleased with it , I just have to decide on its framing.

Happy Christmas

Wishing all my blogging friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

It Pays to Listen

When they gave out brains,
I thought they said 'trains'
I missed mine.

When they gave out looks, I thought they said 'books'
I didn't want one.

When they gave out noses,
I thought they said 'roses'
I asked for a red one.

When they gave out chins,
I thought they said 'gins'
I asked for a double.

When they gave out heads,
I thought they said 'beds'
I asked for a soft one

IT PAYS TO LISTEN !

I found this sorting thro' Mum's things
so thought I would share it with you all,
altho' some of you have probably read it before.

Just Words today.

For the last few days we have been packing up my Mum's bungalow, an awful job which has made me very sad but unfortunately it has to be done,there is still a few days work left in there before we clear it altogether. My Mum hasn't asked about it at all and I hate to mention it to her for fear of upsetting her, perhaps we are waiting for each other to say something. I am storing all her ornaments and bits and pieces at our home as I can't bring myself to get rid of them so we are pretty full up in the garage and loft - really must get rid of all our unused and unecessary stuff - perhaps a good new years resolution - lots of trips to the charity shop and local tip. Anyway no pics to post today as i haven't felt like crafting when I get back home.

Dans ma maison il ya....Painter

This challenge has given me the chance to use the pallette rubber stamp for the first time, I have had it for many years lying unused in a drawer but every stamp has its day! I used gesso to tone down the background a little then added the other collage pics, perhaps the easel doesn't show up to much but i know it's there.

Lucky Bag

I was lucky enough to win the pictured bag on Sue's giveaway, she had made the bag in a workshop then added more embellishments at home, thank you Sue for my first ever giveaway win.

Art Creation Friday

We had to make a piece using the image of this lady for this challenge, here is my atc 'Music in the Air'

Beading.

Up to about three years ago I was Beading on a regular basis, I have stopped this in favour of mixed media work but I thought I would share this photo of a Christmas Angel Bauble that I made around four years ago, it is made up of six panels of Peyote stitch, I have to admit to being very proud of this piece and have it out on show at christmas , I keep it in my craft room during the year as there is too much work in it to be hidden away.Not the easiest of things to photograph, I may have to try again.

Short Break

OH and I just had a short break away, Monday we went up to Shrewsbury, pottered around the shops and stayed overnight at a local Travelodge then Tuesaday we drove to Stourbridge to visit Connie, it was a lovely visit with lots of chatter and swapping of gifts, she had made us a delicious lunch with a very sinful sweet!, I'm afraid my photo of us both is a bit blurry, must have been the glass of wine Roy had at lunchtime! - unfortunately we got back home in time to go with my Mum into hospital and finally get home again at 1.45am, luckily she was only there overnight and is back in the nursing home today, she is really not having a happy time at the moment.