Steampunk goggles finished!

These charity-shop biker goggles came up really well. When I saw them I knew they would be perfect for wearing in my hair instead of flowers....

I have added one flower and I had fun with acrylic and glass paint. 

I need these for a special event next month!

A little more drawing ...

One lovely Labrador ...

Two sweet cavies ...

How I love to draw!

Owl together now ....

How about this awesome octogenarian gent, a superb felt and wool owl owned by an 86 year old neighbour of mine!

He wins 'most inspiring owl' this week and I'm honoured to have met him and taken his picture. 

Have you got a very old handmade toy you will never part with? 

Lining a basket ...

I found a small but sturdy basket to help me bring logs from the garage to the house. The only problem was, that the bits of wood and bark, came through the weave and went all over the floor!

So I determined to line it with fabric, on the same day that Topsy determined to stay in it, no matter what I did, because it was really her best bed!

Eventually and only when the lining was fully sewn, I forcefully removed the cat and tied in the pretty fabric. 

Now I'm all ready for when the wind-swept, early autumn feeling shifts towards the nip-in-the oar that has me reaching for a wooly cardy!

Have you caught the loom band bug?

Look at this fantastic rainbow crochet. All made out of those coloured loom bands which I keep hoovering up these days. 

Have you had a go at creating with these marvellous rubbery things? Not only did i not make this piece but I haven't even made a fish tail bracelet. In fact no one else with nimble fingers has made me one either, although a certain 8 year old has promised to make me one soon. 

Here is Louise with her almost complete creation ....

Loom band shorts - did you guess? 

Lousie might have the most colourful bottom in Christchurch right now, but it's also probably the most dimpled, as this rubbery knitting is rather textured too!

Perfect summer wear and also rather good worn over a pair of purple leggings for winter fun. What do you think?

Have you made anything ambitious with loom bands? You are sure to amaze me if you have. Fiddly little rubber rings are beyond me, but Louise is very much a girl after my own heart! 

Food - left over mashed potato!

For a quick and easy, and very cheesy potato rissoles how about these? I always put left over mashed potato in the fridge but this time I only had a small quantity. 

Mixing in a generous amount of grated cheese I forned the mixture into 4 burger shapes and coated them all in polenta before placing them carefully in a dry non stick frying pan. 

Place over the heat and listen. The cheese bubbling comes through the polenta and makes a nice tasty outside. I can only imagine adding oil might stop the crisping, but you could use oil if you prefer!

Turn them over once when a little browned and throw them on the plates praying they stay together as you go! Really tasty :-)

Sweet scrap fish ...

Next month sees my house transformed, and in part, open to the public as part of this years Arwey Art Trail ...

There are lots of new things to see, like a fancy pair of woollen fish that were born today while I sat with a poorly 6 year old ...

And my house of course, which has been very looked after following the winter damage. 

Will you come and see me?