Venetian memories....

We holidayed in Venice a little while ago on the beautiful, tranquil island of Murano.

Murano....Murano glass.....beauty and talent!

I was fortunate enough to see firsthand a few venetian artists at work. A jewellery maker in particular fascinated and inspired me. Lucky me. I now own a beautiful, handcrafted necklace, each bead made by his talented hands!

Recently I purchased a few venetian glass beads too and here are the results so far. More beauties to come soon, I promise!

Fruit from my garden...

Well here they are.....the first fruits from my dear and tenderly loved pomegranite tree which I have carefully been growing by the front gate.
The fruit is gorgeously red and sweet and juicy! Just as pomegranites should be right?

A little note about this fruit saga.This tree has previously produced four other pomegranites.Mysteriosly, and somewhat frustratingly, each time I was about to pick the ripened fruit,someone (curious passer by??)would come along and actually CUT the fruit off for themselves! So you see, these 'twins' were really cherished and I'm so glad to have them all to myself!

Lightweight knitting

As well as busily knitting 'warmer' type garments for our coming winter, I have managed to knit this breezy sarong in a fabulous yarn.
If a sarong is not required, this versatile little number can be worn as a wrap or shawl on a mild summer's evening.
I'll be listing this item in my other etsy shop, www.lainenbois.com

Easter

I've been quite busy leading up to and during the Easter break. A very special time of the year I believe,with many opportunities to grow as a person, especially spiritually.

Every two years my local Parish involves iteslf with the re-enactment of the Easter Story, enabling every local primary school aged child to be part of this story and to 'experience' the real meaning of Easter. Volunteers act out the story,do readings,physically create the required settings like caves,fields, tomb etc, and provide a little nourishment for the children.
My little part involved making the Easter cookies for the children:



Cooking aside, I've also just listed my latest creation with fabric: fabric brooches.
I've thoroughly enjoyed designing and making these and plan to make more in different colour themes. Here is my first in the Noir and gris series:



More to come!

Wooden creations....

Trev and I have set up a second etsy shop in which handturned wooden creations made entirely by Trev and handknitted goodies made by moi can be found, admired and hopefully bought and treasured /worn.
Today I was pleasantly informed that our Blue Pathways pine clock,handturned by Trev and painted by me, was included in a delightful blog by author Amanda Fuller, called Calico and Co. This is an Australian and Indie handmade blog and the link is here:

http://calicoandco.blogspot.com/2010/02/etsy-expose-wood.html


In my jewellery store, I recently listed this Lady of the Night necklace. I love the rich tapestry of purple shades in this gorgeous glass opal feature.

Fleur and Petite Fleur earrings....

I love the mosaic- like effects of glass opals. Recently, I was able to get hold of very pretty amethyst and pink glass opals and these earrings just begged to be created!

Please meet Fleur:













And Petite Fleur:

I'm back from the COLD!!

After spending Christmas and the last four weeks in England and Ireland, I'm back home and trying to cope with the extreme difference in weather conditions!

Extremes like living and travelling in icy coldness and exquisite snowy magic, -7C to 4C then returning to bright sunny days with temperatures in the high 30'sC and 41C forecast for tomorrow!

Life's never dull that's for sure!

Here's a gorgeous piece of magic I saw looking out and across the valley in the Cotswold Mill I stayed in for four wonderful days.....

This pair of earrings I recently made remind me of cold icicles, dripping quietly on a cold winter's morn.....