Treasury from Etsy

Another treasury from Ben and Randi from "Raise Giant Frogs". Happy to see they have included one of my prints.

Porcupine

On my drawing board today. I must admit I haven't ever really taken a close look at a porcupine until I decided to draw one. It is rather a fascinating creature, bigger than I imagined, weighing in at about 14 kgs and 80cm in length!

Thanks to Ben and Randi for including me in their treasury.....A bird egg collection.

Tactile Toys

A friend asked me to make some 'tactile' toys for her baby (and extras for gifts.) There are different types of ribbon...satin, velvet, shiny, smooth,ridged,  narrow and wide, worked onto a crochet base. You can put a bell inside the cushion to make it even more interesting. A felt nose and embroidered mouth and eyes all makes for rather a nice homemade toy.

New Necklace Design

A new necklace design...Pointed Oval Links Necklace...is the name of the pattern.I used white seed beads for the 'leaves' with charcoal beads for the border. I made this as a gift for a friend and put it in a bag made from old sheet music. I also used the sheet music for the card.It really was very simple to make and always nicer than a bought card.

Gifts

A gift for a friend. Handmade paper, string, and leaves for decoration and a card. I always collect leaves on my walks and never really know what to do with them. Now I have found a way to put them to good use.

Mysterious Whales of our World

I recently received this exquisite book, as a gift, from a very talented friend of mine.She is an artist and papermaker and both these skills come together in the form of this beautifully handcrafted book. 

 



The book is entitled "Mysterious Whales of our World" which is particularly pertinent to my home town of Hermanus.

 Hermanus is fondly known as the watching whale capital of the world! The whales are visible from the cliff paths that surround the town and in some places, come within 5m of the coastline.

I love the subtle effect of the embossing on the handmade paper.



One of the pages in the book in has fish 'embedded' in the paper (not sure how she does it...artists secret!)



A close of the incredible detail of the pen & ink drawing.

      

The intricate spine and handmade paper...reflecting the calming colours of the sand and the ocean.



Feathers and Beads

Inspiration for my latest necklace. Shades of turqouise,blue and lime with a bit of silver to make it shine!

This is a cellini spiral with a few pearls to add to the texture and shape of the necklace. I will be listing it my shop soooon. I don't know why, but I am really struggling to take good photos for my shop listings. My photographs seem to get worse instead of better. Suppose I will have to keep trying.

Valentines Day

                                               Happy Valentine's Day!

   

Book Art

I know there is nothing new about folding books....I have just never tried it before!

 It is so theraputic, the feel of the paper as you fold it, the different textures and thickness of paper. Some fold beautifully and some resist everyfold, almost as if they are fighting to keep their shape. I also noticed that I can speed read while I am folding! 

 Inspiration, and patterns, taken from Freshly Found and a whimsy willow.



Mandela

Thank you for showing us the power of forgiveness.....go well Madeba!

Map bags

 

 I love maps in any shape or form....... prints, globes, paper art, fabric and especially bags.This one is made in South Africa by Rowdy Backpacks. You can find them at www.rowdy.co.za/‎

This one I found on e-bay. I like the leather trim and vintage map. Both of these were a bit too expensive so I improvised and made my own.

I bought this rucksack in Seoul many years ago and it became my favourite bag. It had a leopard print (forgot to take a 'before' pic) so I stopped using it but couldn't bring myself to throw it away. I found a small piece of fabric with a map printed on it and some matching striped canvas for the back. After a few hours of measuring, cutting, sewing by hand, raw fingertips, this was the result! New life for an old favourite.

Summer Beading

Although it was the end of summer when I was in Spain, the colours were still vibrant in the bright sunshine. Perfect inspiration for a beaded spring necklace!

Mundane Metal

What could be more ordinary than a drain cover, but still beautifully decorated!
The symbol of the shell, hidden beneath the sand or on a pathway, always noticed because it shows you the way of the Camino.

Metal Magic

I love the attention to detail in everything. Functional objects become works of art.

Open the door....

Doors to new and exciting places. It is wonderful to imagine how many people have passed through these doors over the centuries. Living in South Africa, which is a relatively 'young' country in terms of architechture, I find it amazing to see buildings that have stood,unchanged, for hundreds of years.There is such beautiful attention to detail, in the knockers,handles and hinges.The workmanship on the cathedrals (the one in the photo is at Astorga) is unbelievable and timeless in its design.This in great contrast to the simple rustic doorway in the photo above it.

Camino de Santiago continued

The essence of the Camino walk is to rid yourself of all unnecessary earthly posessions. I carried a backpack weighing only 7kg (including the pack and a sleeping bag) and by the end of the journey I felt as though I could have managed with even less 'stuff'. All along the way pilgrims leave things they feel they no longer need and place them on the 'scarecrows' alongside the path.