It's a Jungle in There

Being slightly obsessed with miniature environments, I had a go at making terrariums recently. Here are all the bits laid out and ready to go. In the glass jar are a layer of small stones, then a layer of damp sphagnum moss.

 Some of the mosses I collected from dark and mysterious regions of the garden. These go in after the potting mix, along with...

 ...some small ferns and...

 ...nice rocks!

 A fun trip to the model shop with my son Spencer yielded some tiny figures intended for model railway scenes, perfect for my 'jurassic park'!

 Don't you just love the suspense and impending disembowellment?

 Still, if I was going to be eaten by a dinosaur, I know I would like to spend my final moments snogging my husband!!

Cheerio!

Caution - Loud Shirt Zone - Ear protection Required

My Awesome Husband sent me an email from work. 'Loud Shirt Day', it said, to raise money for deaf children. It featured a lovely photo of a VERY LOUD SHIRT. "Darling," said the Husband, "can you make me one like this?" 

No.

I can make one EVEN BETTER!

Needless to say, we won the Loudest Shirt prize, a nice bottle of wine!

I rock.

xx

Mermaids

I have been making mermaid costumes for the school play.

They look a little sad without the actual mermaid inside them, almost as if the mermaid shed her skin and left it lying around on the beach...

Here's Cleo test-driving one, even though she will be a completely different character in the play. Unfortunately, since the mermaids are unable to swim, slither, or generally waft onto the stage; the feet have to stick out the bottom. However, they will eventually sit, play guitars, and look decorative.

They do look kind of cute from the back, although somewhat more see-through than anticipated. I will advise the wearing of togs underneath rather than knickers.
Do mermaids even wear knickers? The mind boggles...
Happy Thursday to all xxxx

Channelling my Inner Rabbit

A recent return to oil painting for a local exhibition brought about some expressions of my inner rabbit. This one is called 'I Have a Gun'. I don't really.

'Sightseeing'. As we blunder along looking around at the world, is it looking back at us?

And '4 Disguises', in descending order of effective concealment.
Note to self: remember to take medication for mental disorder.
Hmmm.

Big Wool

 I've become addicted to big wool since I bought this wonderful pattern book. I'm a slow knitter generally, so this stuff grows satisfyingly fast! 

I just love this jumper. Wonder if mine will make me look this pretty and whimsical.

Unlikely.

I want to knit them all!!
Happy Monday xxx

Snippets

I discovered this yummy sparkly wool recently and decided to try crocheted jewellery. I'm amazed at the number of enthusiastic comments I've been getting whenever I wear a fluffy necklace!

Last time I posted (and yes it was weeks ago!) I was busy making things for Diva's senior ball. Here she is with her lovely bloke Ben. Tie and hairband made by moi! They had a fun night and brought all their friends back to our place to carry on dancing until 4 in the morning!! Oh to have that much energy....

I have been doing a bit of painting too, with three going into a local exhibition. Here's a glimpse of some bunnies going over a waterfall.....as they do.

Lots to come xxxxxxxxxxx

Dominique

Kitties and Knitties

Happy birthday to me!!! This is my awesome present from my friend Kate, to celebrate reaching 43 of your earth years.

May was full of making and doing, sprinkled with family dramas, broken limbs and cats!

Here's the abridged version...

Two new kittens arrived from the SPCA, after our beloved Piglet went to the Big Catnip Patch in the sky. That's Luna on the left, and Charlie getting a cuddle from Angus.

Luna was a very sick kitty; malnourished, dehydrated and infected; but she has recovered now. She is still very small though, and instead of meowing she squeaks. 

Here is Dangermouse herself, who spent May in a full leg cast after busting her knee. I reckon the Emergency Room should give us frequent flyer points. Cleo did enjoy being fussed over at school and not having to do cross country. The cast is now off and she's limping around, although still no running or excessive bending for another month.

 Here are some yummy socks I made for my Dad's birthday. I liked them so much....

....that I made some teeny tiny ones for my 2 year old nephew's birthday, to go with his Converse All Stars!!

I might even have enough wool left over to make some for me!

My whole family are addicted to these things, we've all got a couple of pairs.

Cleo's vest is nearly finished, I just have to rib the armholes. She has actually worn it as is and it looks SO cute. It's nice wool too, soft and not itchy. Kids hate itchy don't they?

Here are some Happy Pills I made, perfectly legal with no adverse side effects.

A little too large to swallow whole though!

More birthday presents (no not the child, I've had her for a while). She's modelling a hat I crocheted for her friend Hannah's birthday.

The yarn is from Spotlight, and self-stripes in a most satisfying manner.

Finally, I've been collecting yummy fabrics for ages to make into a nice warm quilt for me and Himself, and got it all cut out, laid out and pinned. I spent a very happy 3 hours shifting little squares around until I was happy with the layout.

I did toy with the idea of having some kind of ordered pattern, but that's not really me, so I went with my usual ordered chaos!! I can't wait to get it finished.

Upcoming excitement involves Diva's school ball. I have to knit her boyfriend a tie, make her a floral hair thing and crochet a lacy shrug to wear over her dress (a divine pale turquoise floaty thing that makes her look like an ethereal creature), as well as cleaning out and decorating our huge garage so they can have their after-ball party in it!

At the same time I will be churning out 8 oil paintings for a local exhibition.

Phew.

Must remember to keep breathing in and out!

xxxxxx