Ladies Under Wraps

I often see the book 'Taking Flight', by Kelly Rae Roberts, mentioned on blogs I find. In the end curiosity overcame me and I ordered the book myself. I have read about half of it and know some of the contributing artists, again from blogs I read. It is an inspiring book and I have enjoyed finding out about even more mixed media techniques. (There are so many!)
These three pictures are the beginning of a journal which Kelly makes and gives instructions for. I might not make them into a journal though as I like them as pictures-they have been leaning around the place in different places, not realising that soon they will be competing with all the other lovely items currently residing in boxes in the box room due to kitchen refitment! The background is collaged, the face bases painted with oil paint, the outside shading done with oil paint and the face details with sharpie pen and watercolour pencil. I have not used oil paint for years (but had some anyway-like Andy and his rice!) and probably would not have if it were not for the book. It is delicious-soft and silky and just lovely! I had to be patient and wait for it to dry but I coped. I blended the outside part with my finger. My face was quite smudgy at the end!

I used a really thick sharpie pen for the hair which is the part I enjoyed the most I think. I added the crinkly effect by accident when I was scanning them. I didn't want oil paint on my scanner so I wrapped them in cling film (saran wrap-I love these exotic foreign names!) and hey presto! crinkles!

Sorting

I spent a surprisingly pleasant hour or two putting back our food into the new kitchen cupboards. My Dad has spent the last week or so installing the kitchen and has done a lovely job. As I was putting the food away I was amazed at how many diferent types of rice Andy has stock piled-risotto, paella, sushi, long grain, pudding and a few more I can't remember. Andy obviously treats food supplies like I do art supplies-covering any eventuality.

Then I came to the tinned fish. The tins are so pretty. The ones you can buy in France are even prettier.

I liked this noodle packet. It looks very cartoony. We have about eight of these.

Then I came across some of the things I wish he would throw away-I honestly think we are never going to eat this little jar of cockles. Or this-it is a tin of razor shells that Andy bought in Madrid seven years ago. Seven years! I can't imagine what the contents are like. He is watching me type-Andy-throw them away!

I have put the spices in alphabetical order. I even wrote their names on top with permanent marker. Now they need never be messy again. Next I must deal with the huge pile of other kitchen stuff in the back room. We have managed without it for ages so what is it for? I am going to be ruthless and give lots to the charity shop.

If you ever come round I promise I won't offer you Navajas or cockles. Maybe rice though...

Remembering

This has been a sad week. On Sunday 15th February Andy's Dad, Ian, died. We went up to Edinburgh for his funeral which took place yesterday in St Giles' Cathedral. It is hard to know what to write apart from that I loved him, as I love all of Andy's family, and I feel lucky to have known him. There are many things I have been remembering about Ian this week but I am not going to make a big list. Just a few things. He was an amazing gardener and always inspired me to have a go myself. In the garden in Edinburgh there are lots of snowdrops and aconites appearing. This little group are in our garden in London.

Andy's parents have always had cats and all of the cats absolutely worship Ian. Here is George being transported around one Christmas some years ago.

Ever since I have known them I have always been really touched and impressed by the strength of Jean and Ian's marriage.

Ian and Andy on a Scottish country walk. Ian always looked smart and stylish whatever the occasion.

This is Ian and Dougal, his nephew, who spoke yesterday at the funeral.

Another plant in my garden-a hellebore-I discovered these in Ian's garden.

As I said it has been a very sad week. I feel very sad for Andy and his family and for myself too. I will miss you Ian.

Sarah xxxx

Mix and Match

This is the doll I am making at the moment-a green lady from the ancient forests that used to cover this country. She is staring at the future where there may not be enough trees for her to hide amongst. On Wednesday it was my brother Antony's birthday. I sent him a birthday email as he is travelling somewhere-possibly Kuala Lumpur. He has an amazing little sketch book that he has taken on his travels with him, and this is one of the pictures he did when in India. Uploaded on its side! Happy Birthday Antony! This is a recent doll who took a long time to emerge. I found some lovely seaside fabric which spurred me on to finish her. I made a sculpey life ring for her in case she falls into the briney. Her hat is supposed to be like one of those great flowery swimming hats from the 70s. I actually wanted one of those!

This next picture, a knitting pattern picked up for 20p in the Cats' Protection League shop was bought specifically as a cheering up aid. Designed to work a bit like the picture of Philip the Kitten in 'The Mighty Boosh' except for sadness not anger. Please feel free to copy it and use as necessary.

Last of all in this mix and match post is the next installment from my Forest School training. On Friday morning I went to observe a session run by our trainer Lucy. It was great-I loved the way the children are able to explore and choose what to do without too much adult intervention. We are there to ensure safety but other than that it is up to them to lead.

In this picture a group of boys make the most of a muddy puddle.These two are making it rain by shaking the fir trees.

Happy Valentines day too.

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!

Collate Journal from Sweet Jessie

Today I was cheered by finding a little package in the hallway when I got home. Jessie finished collating and binding all of the papers sent to her from around the world and I received my lovely collated journal today! Thanks Jessie-it's lovely-far too lovely to use I fear-but you never know! It was fun looking through to see the variety of papers used. I like the way that Jessie has put them together-there are some lovely contrasts and links. I also love the professional way the journal is bound and the printed covers, the back one listing all of the participants in the project.

Free pencil included!

The paper on the right is beautiful-stencilled and sparkly.

And meshy spotty on the back.

Love this page! It gets better and better.

No, run little boy, run!

Such a good pairing of pages.

Blogger is doing the sideways picture thing again-it leads to variety I suppose.

A see through page!

I would love to see the rest of this book.

A little man and his great big glove.

Thanks again Jessie, I will treasure it!

Colourful Rearranging

I have put lots of things away into boxes until after the kitchen is done to save them from dust. This left me with some actual space-a luxury! I had these three lamps spread around the sitting room. I really like them all together.

Greenwich market had some lovely things today that I could not resist. I was looking for pink and I found yellow. The green rose is wax and is from Belgium.

The china spiral is more than just beautiful-it is a milk bottle cover. I bought this from the bottle shop in the market. I found out today that part of the market is going to be permanently closed in March to make room for student accomodation. This is the best part of the market-the part where you can rummage around and find little pieces of history, beautiful art and all sorts of lovely things. It is one of the reasons people come to Greenwich. It's such a shame.

My Fairy Feller doll is sad at the prospect.

Last of all-some pink I found. I have stuck some in my colour book and will do something on it-not sure what yet-am waiting for inspiration to strike.