Handemade paper

 Another beautifully made card from my friend Lidia

 Closeup of the illustration and paper.



Beading

This is the latest  necklace I have just listed in my shop. I like the colour combination of red, pink and orange.It looks so cheerful and different for me...I always seem to move towards the neutral colours. These are Guterman beads and have a real luminous or iridescent quality about them. One is always tempted to use cheaper beads but in the long run the more expensive ones really do look better. They are mare uniform in size which I like, although sometimes it id nice to have the texture created by the variation in size. I suppose it depends on what mood I'm in!



Talking of birds.........

Talking of birds.....I love birds because they have so many patterns and textures which make for easy design.This is a work in progress and will most likely end up as a card for a special Birthday.

A 'bird' quote ....

"Use the talents you possess...

The world would be silent

If no birds sang there, except

those that sang the best!"

Handmade paper

 I have a very talented friend who made me these beautiful cards.

 She uses a special technique to make designs on the paper. These are also shaped into birds, which I love.

 Not only does she make the paper but also does stunning illustrations. I can't bring myself to give these cards away, they are worthy of a frame I think!

The talented Lidia has also written and illustrated a book, which I will post as soon as it is published.

Purple Cellini Spiral

My latest cellini spiral. I'm trying to improve my tension so that the finished necklace is more flexible and not so tight. It is quite difficult because the tighter the tension the more even it looks but it doesn't curve around the neck or wrist so nicely. I love this colour combo with the lime and the purple.

I have progressed a bit further and added in some larger beads for the front of the necklace. Still not sure about how this looks and may revert to the same beads all the way around.

Walking the cliff path

Walking the cliff path in Hermanus, where I live,is an amazing experience. I suppose living in such a beautiful place you stop noticing the magnificent surroundings! This was about an 18km walk along the seafront, most of it on the path through the 'fynbos' (natural vegetation) and occasionally back onto the road. We walked at a leisurely pace and took about 5 hours, stopping for breakfast on the way. What a wonderfull way to spend a Saturday morning.

Cell Phone Cover

I'm having a love/ hate relationship with my new cell phone at the moment. It has a touch screen which I am finding EXTREMELY difficult to control. I thought if I made a nice, soft, felt cover for it, it would stop sending random blank messages to random people! The good think about it is that when I master the camera it should make blogging photos much easier. It is rather tedious carrying a camera around all the time, ever though it does take far better pics!