ABOUT TIME...

It's certainly been a long time since I last visited my own blog. Ive had a bumpy start to 08 with removal of my wisdom's which left me with paresthesia from nerve damage ,NUMBNESS of my teeth,gums, lips and chin on my left side of my dial. Fingers crossed it heals but for now am thankful my speech is back to near normal, so time will tell, fingers crossed.

Got a shiny new toy, A SEWING MACHINE after Christmas, which has kept me entertained with a huge learning curve ahead ,as those close to me know, I'm fabric challenged !

Fantastic timing to be asked to join in with some wonderful gals to do a fabric book swap and these are my covers for my book. Who would have thought I would be take part in a group called FABRIC GIRLZ. See dreams can come TRUE !

Included some mini icicles brooches inside the book for the gals to keep. How else did I keep my mind occupied while sitting bedside at hospital while my middle gal had knee surgery. Cut bones held by screws and thigh to ankle plaster had a three day stay.A long recovery but gotta say she is a wonderful patient. Bet she never imagined mummy would be bathing her at her age !

The icicle doll's made from Belinda's pattern has kept me VERY entertained. I did her three for three swap and have so enjoyed this little pattern so much Ive been churning them out. I just make them out of calico, gel medium transfer an image or fabrico a stamped image and H2O or suncolour the body and decorate to my hearts content.

Been playing and learning photoshop CS3, which is GRAND ! So much better than FireFox, but that was a great starting block. I can spend hours tweaking this and that and thrilled there are so many free tutorials out there, not to mention the free fonts and brushes.

So I haven't been wasting time doing housework at all you'll be pleased to know. I do have more to share but must away to play counter strike with miss 15. It aids the healing so she tells me

New year gifts...

Did a little rusting a few weeks ago that were supposed to be christmas gifts but will now be happy new year gifts for some gals that keep my art fire burning .Beauty little canvas's that are about 5x8 and smaller.Just the cutest, so thought I would share a couple that are nearly finished.

This is a work in progress ( ok its been about 2 months but I blame RANGER for making too many too many new toys to play with) This has a special gals name on it and I hope you get it before 2009.Just kidding as I intend to get quite a few things finished and posted in the new year.

I promise,pinky swear !

Had some fun with some gesso and the distress inks that with a lighter application of gesso would of been better.Still I quite like these and will use them for something Im sure.

OH and ICICLE dolls still have a firm grip on my attention with beading and decorating (JH thinks my sewing face a little fierce,but her sewing tips were mighty helpful) I think the sewing machine is calling out for another batch.

OH DAWNIE, BEHAVE !

*** CHRISTMAS CHEER ***

Feeling the Christmas cheer and made a few Christmas card's and little decorations.Gotta love the free Dover clip art and super Ranger distress inks sprayed with a little moon shadow mist.Relaxed and enjoyed the weekend while ignoring the housework, the washing( it will all be there for me tomorrow, I'm sure of it ).Lucky my hubby is an enabler cause he cooked for all the family leaving me to really enjoy myself.

BLISS !

Potato Chip Patina and Icicle Dolls

So, what have I been doing ? Well potato chip Patina from a recipe shared from Metal Craft Discover Workshop by Linda and Opie O'Brian.A wonderful book filled with some super ideas. I love this patina as its chemical free and gives a super finish.Even the odd bit of chippie gives a wonderful texture.Sand the metal lightly for tooth, brush on salty water, lay crushed salt and vinegar chips, spray lightly with water. Cover and wait till desired finish.Must be sealed with spray.The top left pic is copper foil that was eaten right through overnight.Way too thin so have opted to use copper tape.My ATC is for the technique swap with KY.I just love the GORGONS head. A memento from the Roman Bath House on our trip last year.

Now arn't Belinda Schneiders ICICLE DOLLS jut so ADDICTIVE ! I am sooooooooo NOT a sewer but have found these delightful to play with. This is my first batch on Saturday (yes Dotee we were both playing Icicle dolls at the same time).Sunday saw me doing image transfers onto fabric and then doing more vintage icicle dolls.A really great pattern for a beginner like me, but so fun.Now to decorate with beads and charms.I think I might join up for the Icicle doll swap.Yeah sounds like a grand plan cause I know Dotee and Jacky are playing too.WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO

Thanks for looking

PRAWNIE

UPDATE: Boys Book Club

Well quite a few boys have finished the covers for their books and Ive gotta say they are pretty COOL.

Checkout their efforts...

We dyed paper,measured,cut, stamped, embossed, eyeleted. Used air dry clay, sand, metal tape, leather, paint,metalic rub-ons, alcohol inks, shim, texture paste, Split pins, string and brown paper.Pretty specky effort for 10 year olds to come up with these designs and Ive so enjoyed working with these lads.Its been the lift I so needed to fuel the creative fire.

Its made me dabble with a few mini books.The dark brown one is a tag book cover covered with shellac, a medium inspired by Julie H, which is just awsome and gives a glorious golden hue.The other two are tag books,the pages are tags turned into pockets that hold the tags poking out the top. Such fun

Been dabbling just a little and will share very soon.Thanks so much for having a peek and please leave a comment as its greatly appreciated.

Happy December !

cheers

PRAWNIE