More ART......................

It's a crappy, rainy day here today (nothing like the devastation in other parts of Oz, so I'm not complaining, just saying) so after my buddy Jode giving me a hard time on fb last night about my swanky new day book covers I set about creating a set for her too. Don't think she knows about my blog, but just in case no photos until Tuesday!! 

But just to wind her up, I posted this on fb a few minutes ago hehehehe

 It maybe crappy outside, but sure has been smelling delicious inside as this little baby has been baking. Banana and raspberry bread. Sure looking forward to afternoon tea!!!

Hoping to resume normal programming and cook a couple of dolls this afternoon

 

Hugs...............................Leanne

Been busy..................

making a mess, whoops I mean ART!!!

Last year I thought it would be nice to make some covers for my teachers day book ~ it was a good idea, but didn't happen. 

Fast forward to this morning.

I pulled out a bunch of patterned papers, inks, paints, stamps, Glimmermist and started getting messy:

1.

 Rip up some paper and start gluing

2.

 Add some stamping with paint

3.

 Add more stamping with ink and spray with Glimmermist

4.

Add the girls

5.

Add the sentiment

And there you go, gorgeous covers for my day book. They look pretty and are inspirational as well!!

One very, happy and creatively satisfied camper here tonight

Hugs...........................Leanne

Australia Day................

Is it sad that I can totally associate with the following

 or am I just a ridgy didge, true blue Aussie????

 

Hugs............................Leanne

Upcycling...........

after hours of addiction to Pinterest and pinning numerous"to do" projects, I finally did one!!

I turned this:

 into this:

All that was required was an unused glasses case, small quantities of fabric, Modge Podge and a couple of hours:

 Fabric adhered to outside of the case with Modge Podge

 The aligning of the pattern was good luck, not good management :-) !!

 the internal lining prepared

 lining adhered in place

The finished product. Pretty and practical and perfect for the handbag.

Hugs.....................Leanne

Bruschetta anyone????

Beautiful produce fresh from my garden ~ cherry tomatoes and basil:

Friday night is easy dinner night in our house, so Bruschetta it will be.....................

Hugs..........................Leanne

First job.................

before I continue to work on my doll is to clean up this mess:

My workspace is cluttered and so is my mind, too many ideas, but I can't focus. 

A good tidy up first thing tomorrow morning should free up the creative thoughts.

Well, it's worth a try..................

Hugs........................Leanne

WiP.....................

The last couple weeks post Xmas have been very relaxing, not alot going on, carefree days doing not very much, just what was needed after a rather hectic year on the work front.
Thankfully the motivation to create again has returned and I have a work in progress.
She is a cloth and clay (polymer) doll and her costume will feature a piece of handmade felt:

 Pre-baked head

Baked and painted, costuming underway

Limbs added. Felt made

Skirt completed.

Now for some hair, further embellishment of the costume and hat.....................

Hugs....................................Leanne

Xmas gifts.............

Each year the girls in my Faculty exchange Xmas gifts. The girls I work with are all Xmas mad and love to decorate for the season so last year I decided to make my gifts and created a sculpted Santa head for each of them. These little critters were such a hit that I decided to make gifts again in 2012. This year they each received a snow angel:

These heads of these girls, all 8 of them, were sculpted from paperclay, covered with fabric, primed, sanded, painted with acrylics and sealed. The body and limbs are from cotton quilt batting and they are filled with polyester and plastic beads for weight.

Really enjoyed creating these for the girls and have started pinning ideas for this year!!

Hugs..............................Leanne

2013

Hugs..................................Leanne

2012 ~ The Roundup.............

The highlights:

My gorgeous boy..................

He became more awesome each and every day. 2012 signalled the end of his primary school education and High School awaits.

Charlie Brown moved in.......................

totally adorable and the biggest time waster ever.

China was unbelievable.........................

~ climbing the great wall, visiting the terracotta warriors, cruising on the Shanghai River and the list goes on and on and on.

Working with this crazy bunch (dressed to kill at our staff Xmas function...................

 I am so lucky to spend my working days with this amazingly funny and supportive group.

These girls coming into my life..............

and getting me through the tough times and laughing hysterically the rest of the time!! Work has never been so much fun.

Felting............................

a new skill learnt.

A special friendship......................

love ya Jode, you are truly amazing and I am so privileged to work with you and so blessed to call you friend.

On the down side.....................
My grandmother went to a better place. A sad time, however the weight of the world created by a dysfunctional extended family was lifted from our shoulders
The tragic loss of a wonderful cousin, way too young, RIP Joshy, you are in my thoughts daily
My beautiful Millie went to a better place, aged 13 years. I miss you my girl xoxo

So, goodbye 2012, it's been a hell of a ride..........................................

Roll on 2013!!

Hugs.................................Leanne