Thursday, October 30, 2008

more bags

Another bag for a friend. I made this one quite small because, as you can see, it's for a very little girl! Unfortunately she lives overseas so I couldn't get a pic of her with the bag. Isn't she just adorable!The bag has a "hello Kitty" print on the back and is lined with a lovely pink check. Hope she enjoys it.

Friday, October 17, 2008

orange flip flops

These photos were taken at Arniston, which is almost the southern most tip of Africa, but not quite. The rock formations, caves and cliffs are like no other in the world, I'm sure. The rocks make interesting shapes to look at, and if you are a teenager, to sleep in!
The orange flip flops were bought in a little town along the way and seem to be in all the photos, in some form or another.I think it was the colour and funny texture that was so fascinating. You can see the soles have a seaweed type of texture, supposedly therapeutic for your feet. Not sure how comfortable they were to walk on. The colour picked up the orange of the star fish in the pool and we couldn't resist a pic!

The famous orange flip flops again, this time contrasting beautifully with the lime green moss! Needless to say they went off to boarding school and have never been seen again!











Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Paper birds



While browsing through etsy I came across Polka Dot Sunday's Shop with these beautiful paper birds. They are sculpted using old newspapers and tape. Their feet are made from wire and covered in patterned tissue paper and varnished with a gloss, waterproof seal. I love the patterns and the fact that they are so delicate and look as if they could really fly!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

crochet



Well, I'm so excited, my crochet cushions have found their way to Lincolnshire in the U.K. They now reside in the home of Deborah from this vintage life. I find it quite ironic that I have this fancy digital printer and my simple little hand made cushions are more appealing. I learnt to crochet when I was very young and have always loved that sense of 'creating'. For a long time though crochet has been completely out of fashion, as you can see from the pics on
Deborah's blog. Thank goodness it's back!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

marine inspiration

This is the drawing I used for my Fish bag. I must admit that with the computer my artwork is getting more and more basic. I find that you have to redo everything any way so its not much use spending hours and hours doing finished artwork. I use photoshop, which I know is a fantastic program but have to admit my computer skills are very basic and I am not getting the most out of it. I am waiting for my son (who is going to do an advertising degree at AAA next year) to give me some tips! I took inspiration from this piece of art/embroidery I did a long time ago. I painted on the handmade paper and then added some embroidery and beads, then didn't quite know what to do with it.
Continuing with the fish theme, these are some paintings I did when we first came to Hermanus and I tried working with acrylics instead of my usual gouache or watercolours.



Monday, September 29, 2008

New Dizzy bags in my shop! This is the doll that I have already shown you and I have added a fish design.
I am also offering the fabric for the doll in a length so that you can make bags, cushions, dolls etc. yourself.
When I have a moment to spare I would like to make up all the options and offer a few instructions in the pack but at the moment it is just simply the fabric!
It's school holidays and with two teenage boys it's just food, food and more food! Hopefully have more time next week.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Dizzy Doll

I have just made a bag for a friends daughter and I thought I would show you how it turned out. This is the original artwork and starting point for the print. Final print, with her name on the front of the dress. I only made the doll because I'm thinking of doing a sort of kit where you get the print in a couple of different sizes so you can make up whatever you want-bags, dolls,cushions etc. I intend to do all these options myself before I put it into my shop!

The bag has a draw-string which is very easy to make and works really well.

The bag is linned but at the moment no pockets or pouches, maybe later. Pull the cords, sling it over your back and off you go! I will photograph it on a child (not a chair!) before I list it in my shop. What do you think?
I am also working on a fish design but will show you that next week!