NZ again

Went to Cambridge NZ and caught up with some of my cultural background in Highland Dance.

I was at the local Market and captured the pic. of the local Pipe Band.

Cambridge is a small village near my Mother's place.

It is a national treasure and a gem of British influences with old Oak trees, quaint streets and houses and a goodly number of country pubs.

First Picture is the band playing for the Sunday market days.

Second picture are two little dolls I found in the market. They are wearing the Buchanan tartan, which is the one my kilts were made from when I danced many years ago.

A new article by yours truly.

Very nice article in the new issue of Haute Handbags.

I have 4 purses inspired by Morocco in the issue.

They printed my tags too, I took the pictures I used for them.

The photography is really good, colors absolutely true.

I know that is not easy.

100 Posts.

I have only been blogging for a couple of months and have notice that I just passed my 100th post.

So to celebrate I will give away a page of vintage stickers and a surprise too.

The receiver of this little gifty only needs to make a comment about how they would use the stickers.

By the weekend I will choose the winner.

Vintage swap

Finally here are pictures of the vintage swap I received.

Heather Kowalski of pretty petals boutique was the organiser and my partner was Louise Dancause of Cape Cod Cupboard.

I was very excited to open the metal tin and browse the contents. Lots of vintage ephemera, lace wrapped around shells and fabrics and collages. Everything had a nice vintage look and the old buckles were smashing.

I do love sepia photos and there were several of those for me to incorporate into my art.

Big thanks to Heather and to Louise for making my day!

Still in a catch up mode so more soon.

Aloha

Captured in my Mum's garden

Mum loves flowers and this caught my eye growing along her wall.

I do not know the name of it, very unusual. The petals are so exotic in shape and I love pink.

From a vintage market in NZ

I always time my visits to NZ with country fairs.

Here are two items I found that appealed to me.

Love the romantic floral paintings on 1930s vases, found a small but pretty one.

I like dolls very much.

Picked this one up intending to make new clothes for her at a later date.

NZ visit

Guess what I love to do first in NZ?

No it is not going shopping or even sight seeing.

Eating is the right answer.

NZ has the best natural products so everything tastes wonderful.

I head for the nearest tea rooms for Devonshire tea. Getting a bit hard to find now, but I have special radar.

Have you seen this yet?

Copy of Altered Couture here when I arrived home.

My article for the Thrift shop challenge is there if you would like a preview .

Here is a page, nice photo.

Look in the back of the issue for a sneak peak at another challenge I did coming soon.

Kia Ora and aloha

Morning to you friends. Home now and happy to be in the sunshine again.

I will add some pics when I get them printed, keep checking back.

I did miss all of you, so a big aloha.

I was lucky in Auckland to see there was an exhibit in a gallery, of a local lace maker's work.

Lace makers in NZ? Must be a mistake but off I went on the Link bus to view it.

I was totally amazed at the delicate laces in glass cases and in awe of the work involved.

Here are some samples of Alwynne Crowsen's delightful Lace.

Aloha Oe

Going home to see my NZ family.

Back soon

Another treasure I made, Tambourine half doll.

More from Provence

Can you tell I see lace everywhere?

Here in a window in South of France.

Lace in sea foam in Hawaii

Gypsy pouch

Very popular class I taught in NZ and in Hawaii.

Will sell kits for them soon.

I often exchange ATCs

Here is one in my collection,

it is layered with organza and sewn over paper.

Sadie and Martha

Small hand painted dolls I made.

To make them I drew a face on some fabric.

Stamped it randomly, then painted it with acylic paint.

The body is just a tube sewn around with the bottom left open to stuff firmly.

The costume is made of draped fabrics, ribbons and lace, maybe some beads too.I pin the clothing to figure out the look I want. Then hand sew.

To create a stand I cut an oval from cardboard. Cover it with more fabric and slip stitch in place after closing the bottom with a running stitch.

Having a 'lacey' day

Two postcards, one I embroidered the other from the Victoria and Albert museum, London.

The gown is gorgeous.

The chinese building is on the historical trail in Lahaina.

The facade looks like lace too.

See how I mix up my influences. Oh well!