Doggy Friends on Holiday

Three dear friends, Miss Dog, Miss Poo (Stellar) and The Blonde Bimbo (Daisy) always love their holidays together. Miss Dog is super good on the long car trip to the farm. She gets so excited to see Daisy, and of course when Stellar arrives life is just perfect. This year Flynn came to visit too. He is a Kelpie Lab cross (I think?) and is a bouncing ball of energy. They all loved playing in the creek.
By the way, Stellar is wearing a delightful blonde wig. Isn't she delightful!

Lucky Girl!

I was so lucky. I got lots of lovely Christmas presents. I would like to insert them one by one and write under each one, but having messed around for quite some time trying to do that, I am giving up and letting the pictures all go at the top as usual. I've managed to make 2 drafts disappear, and can't seem to retrieve them. Anyway, from the top we have my new bag in fabulous, lavish velvet. Lots of fun. Then my gorgeous wee cupboard. It is about 30cm high and perfect for my new house. And yay! I got 3 new books. The Vintage Fabrics and the Quilt ones seem to be made to go together, despite coming from two very different sources. I am dying to have a go at a project. Must finish 2 others first. I love books so much. The necklace is a masterpiece in beadwork, which makes me want to learn how to put beads together in new creative ways. Not another hobby, Mr B would say. I also got the Asian inspired tea seat. I love the aquamarine colour inside the cups. I need a geisha outfit, complete with wooden jandals and toesocks. I am thrilled with the pretty heart. It had to come out into the garden to pose for me, as it is so sweet. Perfect for the new house too. I haven't taken a decent picture of my two potted orchids, which are to grace my new lounge. They refused to take an elegant photo, so remain unblogged. No, they are not real, but Mr B thought they were, so are very good fakes. I got some other goodies too. Thank you to everyone who gave me a treasure. XXX
Ps. As usual, my photos haven't gone the way I wanted them. I'm sure you will figure it out!

Twelve Crafty Months

The challenge is on. Sister Black and I are challenging each other to a year of crafty creations. Each month during 2008 we have to create a specific item. January's challenge is based on some very cute cuffs found in a shop in Nelson which were smothered in buttons. We confidently announced to each other that we too could create something of equal greatness. So the first crafty creations will be cuffs. The rules are:
Be as creative as possible.
Any media may be used.
The item must be able to be seen in public.
It must be shared at the end of the month on this blog.

I am excited! Plans were being hatched in the night for something with a watery theme. Embroidery will feature. Ruby Two Shoes, I hope you were kept awake by similar creative thoughts! Of course, if anyone else wants to join the challenge, they may. Go forth and create! 

Home again, home again, jig-a-jig-jig!

The travellers return! Not exactly victorious, as I wanted to stay forever, but managed not to cry as we drove away from the family farm. We had a fantastic time, saw lots of the relatives, received lovely presents (must take some photos for you) and had yummy food. My dear Miss Dog had a fantastic holiday with her friends Miss Poo and the Blonde Bimbo. Merlin had fun in his big run, and Monty basically relaxed in his usual fashion. Mr Black donned his movie making hat and tackled another particularly grotesque production with a variety of family members starring. I, myself, featured in the most hideous outfit and wig with a pair of spectacular painted on brown eyebrows. I gave it all for my death scene, ending up lying in the mud with my head in the creek, tomato pulp and fake blood dribbling over my denim pinafore (two sizes too small).

For my first holiday entry I have selected some photos from Sister Black's house (aka Ruby Two Shoes - blog under construction). She painted the very cool picture with the goat. I love her pink Olga Berg handbag, pictured against the wall of the blue room, which is so pretty. She also has an interesting Katie Gold vase which was a gift. Katie Gold lives in Upper Moutere near Nelson. She has a fantastic cottage garden. Her work sells for lots of money. I also spotted the gorgeous gollywog (no, I'm not going to be all P.C. - we grew up with hoards of gollywogs, thanks to Sister Black's obsession with them). I got this particular man as a surprise for my lovely sister when we were exploring in one of Nelson's antique shops last time we stayed with her. And most importantly, I have caught the delicious, velvet coated Miss Poo curled up on the couch. She is an absolute delight. No wonder my sister wants to take her ears to work with her so she can take them out of her purse to kiss whenever she needs a pick-me-up.

Home tomorrow

Back home tomorrow from our holiday jaunt. Much fun has been had, so will update as soon as I can! Happy New Year everyone. I will fill you in on 12 months of creativity too. XXX

Monday Adventures

Today we took the class to the Cathedral to see the Christmas tree. I have to say, the one outside was very uninspiring. I couldn't get it all into my shot, so you can't see the full effect, but it is rather tragic. The poor thing has unruly branches sprouting everywhere, and the decorations look like they got dragged from an old cardboard box stored under a crypt. The inside one is prettier. I think the Cathedral needs to have a creative decoration drive and invite craftspeople from around the city to contribute an oversized creation. The tree really is massive, so needs some over-the-top decorations. We were all impressed with the size of the pile of presents for needy children. I was most impressed with the stunning stained glass window that was above the tree. Sorry, couldn't get a good shot. Mr. B has replaced the zoom lens that I dropped with a prime lens. I'm learning how to use it, so you will have to excuse any dud photos.

I was a lucky girl today. My brilliant sister (the best in the world) sent me a new charm and such a cute card. I you can tell in the photo, the charm is a four leaf clover, which is kind of my trademark. I have been collecting them since I was little. I've got a whole lot in a Harry Potter book pressing at the moment. I've got several sources, once of which is a goldmine. I had some ideas about setting them in resin. I put the clover charm on a silver chain, and then decided it needs some friends. So I've got my animal charm bracelet, and now a charm necklace to fill.

I am feeling pretty good today. My doctor didn't growl, but she did say "Now you know" and I surely do. Have to admit, loading up on my medication has made me a bit silly. When I had to write the reason for our visit to the Cathedral, instead of writing something terribly sensible about social skills, I wrote "visiting God". I wonder if one of the PC brigade are going to hunt me down for a grilling. I'll have to get them to tell me why else I would be visiting a church.

Hope your week is going well so far. We have our market day at school tomorrow. Plus prizegiving. I am so proud of my students getting certificates for their ASDAN work. ASDAN is an internationally recognised programme for students with special educational needs. I hope the weather is good.
Bye for now. XXXX

More Photos from the house of Canterbury Tales