I've been stitching .....

It seems ages since I've picked up needle and thread, and I've missed it! I needed to finish this Monet/Klimt doll and a little owl for a swap with an online friend (they are currently winging their way to Germany). Its very therapeutic stitching..... I have a couple more Klimt dolls and another owl to make in the next few weeks for a couple of other friends too...lucky I am in a stitching mood. This is the little owl below, I really enjoyed stitching this quirky little fellow. I used one of my favourite Kaffe Fassett fabrics.... millefiore . They are only tiny, but lots of stitching.

I also made the ATC below for our swap.... my friend wanted one of my ATC's (I was a bit daunted by this request) ....I havent made one for ages, so I played around on the weekend and came up with this little fellow. Hope she likes it, she loves the birdies too!

As promised, my face painting from DJ's class. What fun to do a class with DJ Pettit, she is one of the most beautiful and generous souls. Thoroughly enjoyed the class and loved learning her techniques.... must practice, practice, practice. DJ was so patient and caring with each of her students, made one on one time for all of us to help with the techniques. We all started with the same face, but once we'd painted them they all took on personalities of their own. Sorry I dont have a close up photo (personally, I think mine looks better from a distance).

And today this gorgeous little felt fairy arrived in the mail from my dear friend Shirl in Western Australia. After the retreat Shirl and I spent a couple of days shopping in Melbourne (and boy are we power shoppers!!!!!). Soooo cute, thank you Shirl. Sorry the picture is a bit over exposed.

Hope you are all having a wonderful week.... look forward to visiting your blogs.

Jacky xox

Home again.....

The Creative Soul Art Retreat was just wonderful !!!!! I did two classes with the wonderful Stephanie Lee, some of the results below. Thoroughly enjoyed my experience with soldering, butane torches, etching, casting. I was a bit daunted at the thought of taking this class as I have little (really..... no) experience in this area. What a blast! I looove that little butane torch!
The picture above is of the pendant I made in the first day of class and the journal we made on the last day. Both were made using a copper base and solder flooding technique. I have soldered part of an antique indian silver bracelet to the front cover of the journal.

The journal measures 6" x 3" and has gorgeous plaster pages..... not sure what I will put on these yet. To finish it off I will be making a binding using fabric and either beads or pearls (will post pics of that later). This is a close up of my pendant and also the plaster pages. Really enjoyed making these pages, getting all messy and smushy. If you ever get the chance to do one of Stephanies classes... jump at it. Such fun and you come away with some wonderful creations and so much knowledge and confidence.

And for you button enthusiasts..... my friend Jo and I (in our travels before the retreat) found this fabulous Button Shop in Glenferrie Road, Armadale. A real treasure trove... we were in there for an hour before we took a breath! The buttons, lace and wools were amazing.

Well the retreat is over and I had the best time. I had a couple of days with my art buddy from Queensland, Jo Wholohan before the retreat and a few days after the retreat with my art friend from Western Australia, Shirl. We found lots of wonderful shops and art goodies before and after the retreat.

I have to thank my gorgeous sister for Lee for making my friends and myself so welcome into her home over the retreat and helping up find our way around Melbourne. She spoilt us all rotten...talk about the hostess with the mostest! Thank you !

The retreat itself was such FUN. Lots of concentration in our classes but lots of fun out of the classes. Bevlea and her Creative Soul team did a fantastic job!!! They had everything covered so we were able just relax and make art. Lots of wonderful trade stands too!

Got to catch up with a lot of my online friends and it was so lovely to meet some of the girls whose blogs I visit too. Hopefully will catch up with some of them again next year as Bevlea already has next years retreat planned and ready for action.

Next post I will share my face painting from my class with DJ Pettitt with you all.

Take care.

Jacky xox

Been quiet ......

I recently finished these fabric pages for my friend Dot's Round Robin book. We have been working in these books for the past year and Dot's was my last in the Round Robin...quite sad that its finished as I loved working in these books. Dot kindly sent me these photos (as I forgot to take some before I sent her book off). Loved working on Dots pages as she loves bright and vibrant colours, stitching and embellishing...so I used her favourite Kaffe Fassett fabric for her from page.

This is the back of the page - again using some of her favourite KF fabrics. I have been making a lot of little owls recently so couldnt resist putting a little owlet in the pocket of the heart.

I've been a bit quiet lately.... with the fires and family visiting there hasnt been much time for my artistic pursuits. BUT, thats about to change as I am off to the Creative Soul Art Retreat at the end of next week...Yaayyyyyy. So looking forward to catching up with lots of friends and learning lots of new techniques/art forms. Will keep you posted.

Take care all and will be back again soon.

Jacky xox