Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!!

Goodbye 2011Hello 2012!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Last thrift of 2011

The op-shops have opened for a brief few days before the new year sets in. I was able to make one last trip for 2011, and boy did I score!!

My favourite find, this cute little pewter owl for $1.A handmade hand appliqued wall hanging with buttons and ribbon embroidery, only $2!This pair of cufflinks were $1 and pretty nifty if you ask me.A plastic deer, a little beaten up but now much loved, all for a mere 30 cents (cup of tea handmade and porcelain pot found at markets).A few vintage brooches from 50 cents up to $3 each.Some tiny little pictures in frames for 20 cents each, so sweet!And this gorgeous Australian Folk Art sign for $3 to welcome visitors and summon in the New Year.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Art Journal #8

I haven't had much time for my art journal lately, what with Christmas and all, but I have managed to get a couple of pages filled. Enjoy!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

To all my blogging friends in Australia and around the world, I hope you have a very Happy Christmas filled with friends, family, and laughter!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

12 Days of Aussie Christmas

On the last day of Christmas my true love gave to me -

12 parrots prattling, 11 numbats nagging, 10 lizards leaping, 9 wombats working8 possums playing, 7 koalas climbing, 6 platypuses, 5 kangaroos4 kookaburras, 3 jabirus, 2 pink galahsand an emu up a gum tree!

All made with felt and a permanent marker, I've been trying to make these for years but could never find the time. This year, I was determined!

Also, our decorated bottle tree out the front, shimmering with water droplets after a thunderstorm.Simple beading on clear plastic thread, so easy even the kids would enjoy doing it, and it looks wonderful!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Holiday Inspirations

The Last Friday before Christmas! Can you believe it?! I have one more Christmas craft to show off, but that'll have to wait until tomorrow...Christmas Eve!!Cute Felt Owl decorations!These felt decorations are easy to make and effective. I love pink, purple and orange together!These are easy and could be used any time of year. Old light bulbs painted with nail polish and strung with beads on fishing line!Someone give me a pattern, I wanna make this cute nativity!Why can't you buy these in Target or Kmart?These too.And this one!If I had the time and money... How amazing it would look!I adore this dear deer wreath!What a nut-cracking-ly good collection!I did a more Chrismassy version of this and hung them in a tree out front...ok then, maybe I'll have to share two Christmas crafts tomorrow.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Little Houses on the Hillside

I have finally finished my little cardboard houses! Aren't they cute?
I made two.One redand one Blue!The little candy canes and snowman are made from clay, but the snowman's arms are real twigs.I had to wait for the bottle trees to arrive from the UK. I can't find them for sale anywhere in Australia.The ric rac sets off the blue house wonderfully!Displayed inside, the glitter twinkles like Christmas lights.I might make a few more next year and start building a village!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Little Felt Deer Pattern

I drew a pattern for a little deer awhile ago, and have managed to make them just in time for Christmas!I think they've turned out quite cute, really. They're easy enough to make, each deer took me about 2 hours to finish (in between watching TV).Here's the pattern, I hope it's easy enough to understand.I chose not to add antlers as I wanted Bambi type deer, but they're included in the pattern.
You can embellish them however you want. I've used buttons for eyes, thread for the nose and a ribbon with a bow around the neck. Hang them on your tree as ornaments! Their little legs are pose-able too.If you get stuck with the pattern, let me know in the comments with a way to contact you and I'll try and help.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Snow Ball Ornament Tutorial

Gather your supplies -
  1. Wool, preferably white or cream
  2. Cardboard or pom pom maker
  3. Glue
  4. Glitter
  5. 2 matching buttons
  6. small amount of thread
  7. pink blush makeup
Make a pom pom the traditional way using circles of cardboard, or a pom pom maker you can buy in any craft shop.Lightly paint glue onto the pom pom using a paintbrush, then sprinkle glitter onto glue. Tap off excess glitter and allow to dry overnight.Add a piece of wool for hanging.
Glue the button eyes and thread mouth into position.Lastly, gently brush some pink blush onto wool where cheeks should be. Blow off excess makeup and you're done!

A cute little snow ball that will never melt!