Retro sewing.

Okay, I admit it, I'm an unusual mix. I can pour concrete, forge metal, and mix vats of clay with the best of them, and hold my own. But there's another side of me that loves the girly things in life. Nice fragrances, painted toe nails peeking out of summer sandals, and sewing pretty dresses. I've been inspired by a few "tea dresses"that I've seen on Indie design sites. I have a few different dresses already cut out and ready to begin sewing tomorrow. I LOVE this wrap pattern dress because the design is so very clever and requires no zip. Although my waist is a thing of the past, I still think it'll look cute with the flouncy circle skirt. Dreaming of Audrey Hepburn....

My Apologises...

I had hoped to post more frequently, but I'm suffering from technical difficulties....my Kodak UBS cable has inadvertently travelled down the coast with my daughter.( I keep forgetting to remind her to bring it home with her when she visits.)

the black cardigan....

Ravelry "Hey Teach"pattern, knit with Paton's washed haze cotton.

As always, knitting, crochet and sewing are my steady background companions. While the daytime may be spent in the studio drawing, doing metal work or whatever, I wind down in the evenings with my beloved textile work. I usually have several projects on the go at once and more often than not, I forget to photograph these creations. Here is a photo of a Black cardigan I've just completed.

Just a few more drawings....

60 x 90cm, pastel.

"Real isn't how you are made,"said the Skin Horse. It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with but REALLY loves you, then you become real"

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

It doesn't happen all at once,"said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who are carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

--from THE VELVETEEN RABBIT by Margery Williams

Kirry's tonsils

My poor niece in the USA has been having quite a few health problems in the past year. Seems like the doctor felt that taking out her tonsils might alleviate some of those problems. So as not to be without, I have sent her another pair. Wishing you love Kiersten!!!xoxox

Flower fairy

We currently have two members of our family in hospital. My daughter and my Mother-in-law. My Mother-in-law, June is the most amazing giving woman, and I have learned so much from her. I've just crocheted her this little flower fairy to bring a little joy into her hospital room. Love you very much June and wishing you a speedy recovery!