Friday 27 June 2008

Oodles and Perchik


I thought I'd introduce you to two old buddies of mine,
Oodles and Perchik.
Enjoy!

Thursday 26 June 2008

Time flies

I thought I'd let you see another of my birdy brooches.
This one's already sold. I think I'll need to make some more soon.

Friday 20 June 2008

Friday Already!


I've still been busy packaging my rose earrings.
I just love these little aluminium tins I got a hold of.
So, Friday already, and as usual I haven't done half the things
I'd hoped. Still, my challah bread is baking in the oven
with the promise of a restful day ahead.

Here is my easy bread machine Challah recipe
Sorry it's in metric, and is not particularly accurate,
but that's what I use here! It's my own recipe I have adapted
from a variety of recipes. I always look for the easy options!

2 eggs
a splash of milk
enough lukewarm water to make the eggs and milk up to 300ml
520g of strong white bread flour
I sachet of easy yeast - suitable for bread machines
A half teaspoon of sea salt
and two tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of honey
(a pinch of saffron if I have any)

I bung the lot in the machine - liquids first -with the saffron,
then the dry ingredients. Then I use the dough setting.
I always like to check once it has started mixing to make sure
the dough looks moist enough. If it doesn't, I just start the machine
off again and add another splash of milk. Once it has risen, I knead
again and, if I am feeling patient, I divide into four bits, roll them
into sausage shapes,and plait them together. Other times I just
stick it in a round tin.Sometimes I glaze with an egg
and add poppy seeds, and sometimes I don't.
Either way, it tastes delicious!
I bake for 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degrees celsius.
I believe the same dough is good for cinnamon rolls.


Thursday 19 June 2008

I'd been wondering how to package this little birdy brooch for a while,
then I realised that I could adapt my new earring cards perfectly.
He looks quite happy perching here don't you think?

Tuesday 17 June 2008

Looking Rosey

This morning, I glued the backs onto the polymer clay earrings
I made while Gabriella napped yesterday. Now all I need to do
is wait for the epoxy resin
to harden properly, and then package them nicely.
I'm quite pleased with how they turned out.
It's been a long while since I did a batch of rose earrings -
about 18 years to be precise!
I used to sell these to a shop in Edinburgh.
This time I am going to put them in my Etsy shop.
I guess I better get started on the
pillow boxes while the little one naps today.

Monday 16 June 2008

Polymer Clay Day

To be honest, I'd much rather go out and pull up weeds today,
but the back is feeling a bit iffy, so while Gabsy goes for her nap,
I shall get out the polymer clay and make some earrings.
Above is a brooch I made for a friend who has recently
become a great grandmother. The three birds and the egg
are to represent the four generations of women.
I used gold coloured primo, and pearlex powders.
It looks better in real life, the camera flash loses some detail.

Sunday 15 June 2008

Owl brooch

This is snowy, the little owl pin.
I really like the way his expression turned out.
I've put him for sale in my Etsy shop.
Here's a little pin I made a while ago.

I used scraps of felt, seed beads and embroidery floss.

He's already sold and flown the Atlantic.

I hope he and his little mouse friend are happy !

Saturday 14 June 2008

Looking for inspiration



I just love to draw chickens.
These are a some of my dear friend Annie's chooks.
They are adorable.


Here is a watercolour I did a while ago from a photo.

To get this blog going, I shall continue
to post some past creative efforts.
So, watch this space !

Friday 13 June 2008

Bubble Trouble !


Before I even get started on posting,
this is my excuse for not getting much done.
Here is my adorable little girl Gabriella -
as photographed by her older sister Naomi (15)