For me? Thank you ! And many WIPS.....

I received a Christmas surprise in the post, but I've not been able to take a picture until today as the light has been so dreadful. Today we saw the sun - at long last. It's not brilliant for pictures so I apologise for the poor quality, but it is a big improvement.

Isn't this ornament pretty and really charming?

Soooo pretty!

It was made by my dear friend Michelle May's (over at the Raspberry Rabbits) clever husband David, and sent to me along with a beautiful handmade card and some of her signature raspberry dark chocolate yummy treats (Yes, ok, I admit it, I ate them, immediately - and scrumptious they were too.)

The lace is captured inside the glass, I have no idea how - and I don't care, I just like to admire it! It's much too nice to keep just for Christmas and my niece had bought me the cute jewellery tree, which has instead become a place to hang my favourite handmade trinkets. Thank you so much Shell,( and David of course) for this great surprise.


I had a crafting frenzy two days before Christmas and made lingerie bags, sock bags, pincushions, paperweights and two sets of patchwork table mats and coasters for the family. Phew! Dunno what came over me! Oh yes I do, panic. I felt very fulfilled though.

I also had a day getting on with Li Mei, the doll I began in Patti Culea's workshop in October. I am determined to finish her in the next couple of weeks. Remember I said that please. I actually silk painted the crepe de chine for the jacket twice as I was not happy with what I did on the course, and that took a while. I shall show you in the finished pic.

'Well at least she had the decency to put the dress on before she took my picture, I've been freezing for 3 months. '

I have made her clothes but have all the embellishing to do, most of which has to be done by hand. Trying to sew and iron the silk charmeuse dress is not something I feel I can ever repeat! Here she is waiting for her obi to be put on (and her hair!) We used Markal paintsticks to do the face, which were great fun and a new departure for me. She is supposed to be a sort of Tibetan Chinese girl, hence the slight slant to her eyes.

Do you remember this little doll with the eyes too big for her head? Well, I realised the tiny, fairy, paperclay head I had, for some bizarre reason, begun to sculpt, was exactly the right size, so it was 'off with her head' and work out a way to get the clay one on!

'What are you doing with those scissors? Aaaaargghhhh! Help! Noooooooo..........................'


I put the cotton reel in the photo for scale, the face is just over half an inch (about 2cm). I think it's going to work a lot better than the cloth idea, but I still have to paint it - hmm yes, well....

'Ello, I'm Fairy 'Ardknutt... where's me steel toecapped boots gorn?....'

And this odd looking creature is something I have been working on, using up some old jewellery wire and foil under papier mache. I know what it will be, but not exactly how I will get it there, as it is growing in a very, shall we say, organic way!

Not a lot you can say about this really?

I have so many ideas buzzing around at the moment for new dolls and figurative items, but today I have spent the day drawing, using some of the great art books I received for my birthday and Christmas, as I am determined to improve my skills. I must re start my OCA course before March too!

The cardigan is progressing well. Just need to complete the right front, and then the sleeves and it will be done! Thanks for all the knitting support from those who do and those who don't! I must say I am hooked now, and excited at the prospect of having a garment where the sleeves are not too long, because I said so!

Finally, I would just like to tell you this bit of impressive news, and in the spirit of blogging do a bit of promotion for Rachel Cotterill (who is a human dynamo, with such a varied and interesting blog; and she is so young!) Rachel has written and self published her first novel (a historical fantasy adventure) and it's getting great reviews on Amazon.

I love this type of book and am enjoying reading it very much, so if any of you, or friends and family like this genre, do check out Rachel's blog here.

Happy creating.x