New Project - Mermaid Art Doll

This makes the third project I've made a start on this week. I recentl got a copy of Creative Cloth Doll Collection and have been inspired to make the mermaid doll I've been thinking about for years.

The basic torso is the first doll pattern but the tail is my own sketch design

I may end up doing her tail straight as that will be easier to stitch and stuff but her tail is going to be light green and decorated with beads, shells and organza.

I have been looking at the arm patterns in the book and I find them bit bulky so I may go all medieval and give her wings

India Flint Dyeing result - 2

This is my fabric dry and lightly ironed. I will be adding flowers pound designs and embroidery to make a finished piece, maybe turning it into a summer scarf

This is a beautiful bit.

India Flint Dyeing result - 1

I unwrapped my dye project today to find that it had produced some beautiful, subtle shades of greys and blues. You can make out the pattern of the butterfly bush and some of the sweet pea flowers.

Thisi s it straight from the dyepot, still wet and hanging to dry

I've come to a decision

Monday was not as loving as Sunday

A whole buch of random

Today I feel sort of mellow, relaxed, almost as if the sun has taken away my bones and turned them into butter. Apart from Tess getting a gas pocket in her hoof things seem to be falling into place. So, back on topic.Today I'm taking photographs, lots of photographs, I was told that yesterday there was a cloud shaped like dancing frog with light beams shooting from its front legs in the sky so I'm keeping a look out for something just as fantastic

First photographs are of our litttle cherub and dragon statue down by the gate.He's supposed to be a fountain but thats still at the planning stage.

Next is a brand new pair of earrings from Gilded Rose Designs, gold wire wrapped red coral with a mystery black stone - soon to be on Etsy. My mind goes straight to Pele, the volcano goddess when I see them but my muse and I may be outvoted

Next is a sight to cheer the world. Willow having a good scratch

Its not a dancing frog but it'll do for starters.

Also the most beautiful summer bouquet of queen of the night butterfly bush, poppies and sweet pea flowers there ever was.

and a prototype of a new pendant range, this one is a green fairy wing embroidered in linen

My mother said I never should / play with fairies in the wood - Etsy Treasury

New Etsy Treasury - My mother said I never should / play with fairies in the wood

Feels Like Autumn - treasury feature

Thank you to RotemZ for featuring my Sweetest of all Yarrow Art Cuff in her new Treasury - Feels Like Autumn

Treasury Feature -Pre Raphaelite Shadows of June

Thank you to JanellyArts for featuring my Girl in the Pre Raphaelite Hat in her new treasury
Pre Raphaelite Shadows of June

New Treasury - Frog Prince

Brand new treasury made before I go off to the land of nod
Frog Prince

Natural Dying - India Flint Inspired Bundles

I've been re reading the blog of the wonderful India Flint, a natural dyer who runs fantastic workshop and creates amazing pieces of fabric and clothes all dyed with natural dyes, flowers, bits of wood, rust and found objects. Seeing as I had dying written on my list today I've started out trying my own dye experment with a fabric dye bundle with a mix of flowers and leaves

I started out with a collection of flora

cherry leaves and butterfly bush

rose petals and marrow flowers

a partial strip ready to be folded

sweet pea flowers

folded bundle ready to be wrapped up

half tied up bundle

Finished Bundle, ready to be boiled

Rusty nails for a mordant

Everything in the pot, ready to boil

I've set it to boil and will then leave it for a couple of days in the water and will unwrap it to see what the result it