Damper

Mark burnt a couple of pallets down at the back yard fire place we have (It is made from some old 4x4 wheel rims and works a treat). I know my daughter in-law will be a little unsettled by that as she has been hinting at pallet furniture for her front deck for ages and Mark has yet to come up with the goods. However, he had a rip roaring fire out there over the weekend and decided to try his hand at damper making again, using a caste iron camp oven he found and cleaned up. Above is the damper on the ashes slowly cooking. He has a new recipe and I think it is a bit better than the one he has been using. Unfortunately he is still burning the base of the damper and has yet to perfect the art of damper cooking. I must admit though this has been his best damper yet, very tasty with cheese mixed through and a lovely golden crust on the top, it was a little more golden brown than what we would like on the base but delicious none the less.

Wedding Portrait - Finished

Finished portrait and reasonably happy with the end result need a little more practice with water colour and starting to think I may start doing a small painting a day to get my head around water colour. Rachael is over the moon with the end results and really that is all that matters.

Wedding Portrait - On the Home Stretch

Have almost finished the painting just need to do the background and finishing touches not sure which way to go so ended up consulting with Rachael so it won't be a surprise. So watch this space to see what the end product will be........

Beginings of Wedding Portrait

I have now transferred the drawing to watercolour paper and started to paint. I am not very familiar with watercolour and find it a challenge after oil and acrylic. I do like a challenge though, and again I am amazed how much I enjoy painting, the time just flies and I am always a little put out when I need to put my brushes down as the light is going and I have to start thinking about dinner. Oh life does get in the way sometimes.

Sketches for a Portrait

Starting a new portrait of my daughter Rachael and her husband Patrick as a sample for my new venture of custom wedding invitations and portraits. Will let you know how it is progressing and will link up to the web site when it becomes live so watch this space......

Finished Bambi and Olive Portrait

Finished the painting of Bambi talking to her pet rabbit Olive. This will be the picture for her invitation to her second birthday. Of course her party is fairy themed as all little girls love frills and flounces and fairy wings. There will be fairy cake and wand making I'm sure there will be much fun had by all.  
I will also frame it and send it down to her so it can be hung in her new room. Of to scan it and type out info then print and send the whole lot of. Very pleased with the results so far.

Starting to Paint Again

Starting on Bambis' invitation. It has been some time since I have painted and never really with watercolours, I am really enjoying it and had forgotten how immersed I become when I paint. I am enjoying painting with watercolours though not sure I am using them properly.   Also the don't lend themselves to mistakes as acrylic paints do so a new experience for me and one I am finding a bit of a challenge at times. However, there is no growth without it......

The Beginning of The Invitations for Bambi

The beginnings of the painting for my youngest granddaughter, Bambi, second birthday invitations. She will be having a fairy party of course as all little girls dream of. I have her talking to her pet bunny Olive, everyone knows Olive he roams the street and Bambi is often dressing him up and tucking him into her dolls pram.

Old Tool Box

What a Find

My husband was about to through this out and was horrified I wanted to keep it as he made it when he was an apprentice carpenter back in the UK.  It has traveled with him ever since and he just wanted to get rid of it as it served no purpose.  However, with a bit of a clean up and a few changes here and there it is the perfect transport case for the jewelry my daughter makes and would look great doubling as a display case for it at the markets.  He is not impressed and I am very pleased thank you very much.

The Newest Addition

Vincent Johnii

This is the newest addition to my ever expanding family, sixth grandchild forth grandson.  He is such a dear sweet tiny little thing I could just eat him up I did not want to put him down and come home.  But came home I did to finish preparing to go down to Sydney to help my daughter with the markets as she has three on and to see the feed back on the clothing I am making. So madly making until the last minute into bed in the wee hours of Thursday morning to be waken by the loudest thunderstorm I have ever heard then the alarm went of at 4am. Hang on did I sleep at all?  Off down to Sydney again another late night early morning busy market didn't sell a thing though the jewelry of my daughter's did very well indeed so not a complete loss though a little disheartening.

On the positive side I did get to spend some wonderful time with my two daughters and their beautiful children so lots of cuddles and giggles shared.

One of my granddaughter's taking the dog for a walk.

Newest Addition to the Family

Vincent

The newest addition to my ever expanding family another grandson and just such a scrumptious little bundle of gorgeousness. Now what can I make this handsome young man......

Who Would Think Washing Could Look So Pretty

Some of my Daily Washing

This is what my clothes line is looking like most days at the moment.  Washing soaking and ironing doilies for my next batch of creative clothing ideas.  Some of which turn out beautifully others are a little more questionable, however, all good fun.  I do need to put my nose to the grindstone to make enough stock to take to the markets.  There are only a couple more months till Xmas. I can't believe this year has flown by so quickly time seems to go faster and faster with each year. Well must away to create in my now clean and tidy studio, though I am not sure how long that will last......

It's Been a While

My very first sewing machine.

I must have been given when I was 7 or 8 for Xmas and I loved it and sewed many a dolls outfit on it.  Now I am on to grown up outfits I now work out of my studio from home full time making and creating. Exciting though scary.  I have been sampling fabric and designs for the last two weeks so keep your eyes on this space for my creations. This weekend I am doing a major clean up as it is driving me crazy as I can't find a thing.  On this major clean up below are just a few of the things I have come across in my sorting and discarding.

A Pair of Very Old Chinese Slippers

I remember these from when I was a little girl sitting on the bookcase.  Unfortunately they are very fragile now and starting to perish.  It's amazing the things that have been done to the female body over the centuries by all cultures in the name of beauty? Or is it to keep us powerless?

Our Beloved Neighbour

I know I have been away ignoring my blog for a week or so, unfortunately Evelyn the old dear next door, has been ill and has since passed. Both Mark and I will miss popping in and seeing her everyday to have a chat, it is strange to look out the window and not see her light on we will miss her and so will our neighbourhood.