Sketchbook Challenge- Pathways

Its the last day of the month...almost forgot this challenge. most pathways lead somewhere.....sometimes with twists & turns & obstacles in the way. the destination isnt always what we imagine it to be, or it may be very surprising. (raylee).

Brrr...its been cold

I have an apology to make to all those lovely people who wear scarves....

I have quietly wondered what's the good of wearing a bit of fluff around the neck.....

not when a nice woollen jumper worn with a bit of length to cover the kidneys or whatever gets cold down the back will do a good job....

alot of people I see dont seem to need the layers like me....but they wear a scarf!!!....

Well...I had pinched one of Mum's lovely wooly scarves out of the bag for Japan...

because I liked the colours and softness of the wool...

will use it for something one day...I thought...

and then the cold hit a week or so ago....

and I was looking for a bit of something else to put on when I found the scarf and tried it on....

it's lovely...keeps the chill off the neck and chest...

and added something...a bit of frilly...

and I liked it....so I'm sorry for all my negative thoughts....

although I do have to get used to the dangly thing hanging down my front when I'm doing the washing up....nearly disaster...but all good...

not the greatest photo....excuse the wrinkly neck...but you get the idea
Mum was also very impressed to see it on..."did I do that? very nice"...she said

Vintage Little Black Dress

As i am still decluttering & reorganising my collected bits & pieces, i found my "little black dress". my sister bought it for me from an op shop in Canberra in the eighties, it was old then......so i think by now it earns the title of "vintage". it is starting to show its age now...a few moth holes & a tear. i just love it, the simplicity of style, beaded bodice & the floaty length of chiffon gathered onto the right shoulder that hangs down at the back. the label says ; Styled by "Tenen Fashions" of Melbourne - rayon. (raylee).

Georgina - Girl Pirate Doll

Ahoy!.... Girls can be pirates too! (raylee).

Passionfruit Flowers

I found a quote today......"to get what you want ......want what you have", i dont know who wrote it.I felt the need for a change of curtains today, so instead of making or buying different ones, i swapped what i had from one room to another......amazing what a small change makes to a room. (raylee).

White Buttons

Recently i was given some white buttons.....so wanting to make some napkin rings that wouldnt take long to make.....i threaded the white buttons onto white bricklayers string, it is white & silky, tied the ends & ready to slip onto the folded napkins. the table cloth & napkins were op-shop finds. sometimes simple is best.

My attempt at making butterfly cakes ...... i think some of them had an accident , or maybe they flew through a storm or something......they say the proof is in the pudding ........they were yummy! some i made with strawberry jam & cream, & some i replaced the jam with thick chocolate custard.(raylee).

More art from the past

The canvas i used for this painting was one that i had started to paint a male portrait on that just did not work.........so i scrubbed it off & painted a muddy brown over the whole canvas, & put it away.......i thought i should use the canvas for this painting , as i wanted a dark background , also i dont like to waste things....... about one third of the way in.....i had a freak out......it felt like i was painting someone else that looks a lot like the subject, (not the original male i was trying to paint) or the subject looks a lot like the other person.......anyway i had to stop for a while & then go back to it , as i kept going the real subject emerged..... & it does look like her.
So i have learnt to persevere even if it doesnt look right in the beginning.......but i have also learnt not to bang my head against the wall......if it gets to the stage where everything i try doesnt feel right , i let it go. .....no sense wasting time on something that i will not be happy with.....start something new & try again.

****** I would like to congratulate "everything cupcakes" for being nominated for a "style award" at the handmade markets in canberra last weekend 11/6/2011. check them out at - canberrahandmademarket.blogspot.com***** (raylee).

Pink Again

Its always good to get home & see what has been happening while you have been away. simonnes play panels are coming together now, trees with hearts, shiny pink stars.... what an imagination she has!! Another bag with pink shoes, i had a few requests for this design after i made one for our birthday giveaway.
Sad to see that "claire - slightly noodles" has ended her blog, she is such a ray of sunshine......her comments always made me smile. i wish her the best for the future, i wont say goodbye....as i hope she will return occasionally. (raylee).

More panels for play

well its been a while....sorry I have been a bit out of sorts and hiding under a blanket on the lounge....I was reasonably industrious as you see...but not in the mood to move or do much other than feel sorry for myself....

 seems to me that there may be a house hiding in amongst the trees....

but what do I know??...

then there may be a day at the beach.....

followed by plane spotting....

the challenge will be to get them all put together in some sort of order...

too many different shapes...

Velvet Jacket

Found this green velvet jacket at the op shop.....in good condition, just missing a button..... ....stitched on a new one (op shop buttons)......

......pinned on a crochet flower with a clip on ear ring.....

......can be worn with a cuff, or tuck them up.....add a scarf & good to go! (raylee).

Table Runner

Still on the theme of table settings.....i have completed the table runner i began around the end of may, posted on the 30th. i think. i tried to get a photo longways but it didnt look very good, so this was my best effort. all the materials used were from the op shop except the thread for the machine stitched bits, & the paint i used for the printing. the wavy bowl was an op shop find too. (raylee).

Napkin Rings

A simple quick & easy project that doesnt cost much . if you use table napkins you might like to try these. i cut mine from a toothpaste box.....so they arent really rings at all......you could use a cardboard cylinder if its rings you want. Then spray some glue adhesive to the cardboard, stick on a piece of braid, that has been previously measured & cut to fit around the cardboard.......let it dry.....

......clip on an old ear ring. i found the napkins, braid & ear rings at op shops. this works well if there are only two table settings , if you wanted a larger number , & all the rings to match buttons could be the answer. i like mix & match , different ones would suit me..... what am i saying? when do i ever get so fancy? (raylee).

Child's Play

This is what i have been doing in my "spare time"......usually at the end of the day in front of the television..... ...i like the side with all the joined seams showing. i decided to put this lot together to make a square, then did six rows of treble around it.......

..... i will continue making the squares this size & join them until it gets too boring. hopefully it will reach a reasonable size. if projects look too big to begin with i sometimes wont start them.

Had a little visitor today .....just the right size for a child's game. (raylee).