Junk Modelling

Catfood box becomes deluxe Gnome chair, with the help of paint, double sided sticky tape and CD pen. Knitted blanket is extra but the gnome I have made this for has waited for quite a while, so I thought he deserved a bit of comfort. I promised Barney that I would make him a red chair, but it took me until now to do so. I think he is quite happy with himself, and will cheer me on as I work tomorrow. I am working at home as I have time off in lieu. I have two large folders of assessment awaiting which I am quite behind on. I will see how much I get done before giving in to the temptation of going out for a little drive!

The talented Paula, who made Barney, has an interesting series going on at her blog at the moment, where people are sewing things from children's books. It is really good! Lilly and Cassie being companiable earlier this evening.

William arrived safely at his destination a little while ago. He took ages and I was getting quite worried, but he made it! He is in today's post too in Dione's creative space.

New Arrivals, A Different View, and Bad Kitchen Management

Barney has arrived! (I was lucky enough to win Barney in OWOH last month) He was exhausted after his long trip from Oregon, but is settling in nicely with some of the other friendly residents. Isn't he handsome? Paula of On A Rainy Night is the clever person who made him. Thanks Paula! I don't think Barney is the type of gnome to sit around all day doing nothing though, so we may be hearing more from him in the future. But for now he just wants a rest! New and tiny little buds on one of the trees in Forest School. I am sorry to say I am not sure which tree this is though!

At one point in the afternoon yesterday, we laid down on the ground and looked at the blue sky and the branches of the tree. I was taking photos by holding the camera in the air. I got a couple of good ones of the kids laying down and this one up the hill into the sun.
It was such a peaceful moment, and unlike the other day's walk, was much quieter. Some noisy crows made a few appearances, and one of the girls, Maimuna, was doing a brilliant crow impression. The children also made see-saws, by putting long branches over the large climbing log. What fun!

The caramel I made the other day is now mainly in the freezer, awaiting inspiration-I thought maybe a sticky toffee pudding or something-though thanks Linda Sue for your idea. I did dip some nuts into it, though drew the line at making balls! I cheated and bought some shortbread biscuits, spread some (very spreadable consistency) caramel over it, then dribbled chocolate in patterns on top. Millionaire's Shortbread! Pretty tasty, if a little sickly. That was three days ago. The chocolate was still there when I got home tonight, and I was struck by how slovenly I am. I did wash up all the other stuff last night and the kitchen is fairly tidy, but somehow this defeated me! I do like the little spoon against the tiles though.

Is it wrong to buy oranges for their wrappers? I have saved them in my collage box. We had lovely ruby orange juice from two of these but the third one had gone off. Again, very bad management. To make up for it, I have just had some chocolate that needed eating up-no wastage there!

OWOH Winner!

While lots of bloggers have been rushing round on their magic carpets, wildly making new friends, William has been quietly thinking about life, travel and other Williams (This one, this one and this one-I told you he was bookish) But soon, it will be time to go because a winner has been chosen! William is already fading-can you see? More there than here now...
He has been won by a lady who lives in New Zealand. Such a long journey to head out on-I wish I could send him by magic carpet! Sew Funky -Dione- was number 41 in the comments, and 41 was the random number selected-so congratulations Sew Funky! As you may guess from the name of her web site, there are lots of sewn goodies to be found-so do visit for a look.

Thank you to Lisa for bringing so many people together in this great event-it has been fun!
Thanks also to all of my commenters-I loved every comment!
Until next year...

One World One Heart

Comments are now closed! I will do the drawing later today and post the winner of William tonight! Thanks for all the interest and lovely comments!
Hi!
Please come in and ride the magic carpet with me today. My name is Sarah, and Circles of Rain is my place for following the ever expanding circles of beauty and friendship in the wonderful world of blogging! Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian is our lovely host and the creator of One World One Heart. Visit her to see the ever expanding list of participants!

I would like you to meet William. He is joining us on the journey and in a couple of weeks will be going on a journey of his own to live somewhere new! He is aware that some people find dolls a little freaky but he is willing to forgive that, and try to persuade you otherwise, should he come to live with you! William is of a serious nature-he loves to read and sometimes feels he just has to listen, and books will talk to him. Here you can see him listening carefully. He has a vivid imagination and likes to think that sometimes he is a King of Words-hence the fancy gold crown. For more down to earth days he wears his little cap.

William is made from polymer clay, and fixed together with wire. (Don't tell him, he doesn't realise) His clothes are hand sewn and made from a variety of fabrics from my ever growing collection! On his shirt are the words 'Possible Play Thing'. This is of the imaginative variety of play rather than the very touchy feely, rough and tumble type. He is not safe for young children to play with as he has got wire parts-but they could tell him stories as he would love that and it might make him a little less serious!

Can I just mention too, that he comes with a ribbon wrapped wire stand so that he can, well, stand! I am not the world's expert on stand making but it seems to work. He stands approx. 20cm tall.

Aah! William has just found out about the magical journey he is about to embark on-look-a little bird told him!

William is on the carpet and ready to fly!

For a chance to give William a new home, please leave a comment on this post between now and midnight of 14th February GMT. William's winner will be announced on 15th February!

Thanks for visiting, see you at your place!

Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadowy doors in the bungalow... Seen from the perspective of a giant.
Shadows of things hanging from my winter branches. Visit HeyHarriet here for more shadows!
Back tomorrow for OWOH and on Wednesday for Christina's simple things. Have a lovely week!

One World One Heart Winners!

One World One Heart has come to an end. Lots of people have met lots of other people and some people have won a little something too! I am still visiting blogs-there are so many, and am looking forward to revisiting lots too. Thanks Lisa for hosting such a fun event. I look forward to next year! I decided to write my commenters on a list and cut it up to draw my winners.

I then folded the little pieces of paper and placed them into a fishy dishy.

It was too small however, so I placed them into a larger receptacle...

Here are the names I pulled out. I had so many lovely comments that I decided to send two more tiny dolls out into the big, wide world.

Feyi will go to live with Latharia in Illinois.

This slightly sad tiny doll will be cheered by going to live with Sandra in America.

Little red head girl is off to visit Vickie in Montana.

Illonka from Cologne, of Kreativgeschwafel will adopt Little Miss Pouty.

Finally this tiny doll with a big heart will go to live with Angie in Port Neches, Texas.

They are all so excited to be flying off around the world!

I hope everyone enjoys meeting their paper dolls and that the tiny doll owners find suitable names for them.

Before I go I also wanted to show you this lovely card that I received today from Nancy, one of the OWOH participants-as a thank you for taking part. It's a lovely card, thanks Nancy!

One World One Heart

2nd update!-I have no idea how to close comments-I have looked and cannot work it out. So-what I will do is look at this tomorrow lunchtime when I get home from work-thus extending the time a little. Anyone who has left a comment by then will be included in the drawing. So-new cut off is 12.2.09 12 noon GMT.
11th February update-I will close comments at midnight GMT 11th February so hurry! Thanks for everyone who left such sweet and encouraging comments. I have really enjoyed OWOH-thanks Lisa! I am taking part in One World One Heart. It is an event hosted by Lisa here. It sounds like a wonderful way of getting to know even more great bloggers out there. Click on the logo to find out more and to see the list of participants.

Who is elligible: Everyone
How do I enter: Please leave a comment on this post between now & midnight Wednesday, February 11th. Everyone that leaves a comment will be entered into a random drawing one time (not one time per comment).
Winners will be announced on Thursday, February 12th

Below are my little giveaways (one word or two?!) Here is the first, for my first name from the draw. She is a paper doll who likes to hang around your house looking pretty. She will be happy in most locations-desk, wall, tucked into a picture frame-anywhere really! She has a couple of wishes-to travel in time and to bi-locate. Or are they my wishes?! Bi-location, if safe, would certainly be great! Where would you go if you could travel in time? I love finding out the answer to that question! I would go to the court of Henry VIII. This doll's name is Feyi. This is one of my tiny paper dolls who also likes to be perched anywhere. As you can see she is having fun playing on the cotton reels. She needs to be named by whoever wins her! (Number two from the draw)This is her little friend, also in need of a name by her new owner. (Number three!)I am off to email my link to Lisa now. Then I am going visiting!