Comb In

Finishing this door hanger challenged me. The background worked and I did not want to cover too much and yet 'keep-it-simple' is not my usual motto. The background is layers and washes of Golden's Pthalo Blue, Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold and Black. I also dry brushed JoSonja Titan Buff over the layers and swiped the background with a Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink pad.
I have set my (long suffering) Dad off to look under shearing sheds for more rusty combs, along with the washers, valves, copper pipe and other treasures he regularly collects and donates to my art stash.

Look Who is Sitting on My Bed

Sweet Harvey was very social yesterday, he ventured out in view of my friend Kelly and relaxed enough to smooch with Archer in front of both of us. Late last night I was sitting on the bed, lap top perched in front of me, Phantom and Archer asleep beside me; Harvey wandered through.

He stood on his hind legs and peeped over the side of the bed, then jumped onto the stool by the window - provided just so furry people can look out - and checked out the stars. Silly fellow tried walking my very narrow window ledge and fell off twice. I don't think they had curtains at the shelter so perhaps they are a new experience and he expected them to be solid, holding him in place.

Soon Harvey gave up his circus tryouts and jumped onto the bed, where he was greeted enthusiastically by Archer and had a good face wash provided as he kneaded the covers. I think he jumped on and off the bed about 6 or 7 times, staying a little longer each time, exploring each corner and the bedside cabinets in some detail. Today he is cautious again; staying away from my room, avoiding eye contact. He seems to take one trusting step at a time and then be worried that he has trusted too much, so pulls back for a little while. I can't begin to tell you how choked up I was, and what happy tears I had when Harvey was winding under my arm and along my back nuzzling my hand and smooching while purring like crazy atop the covers of this 'family' bed.

A little bit of rust...

...because I love it. The door hanger is core board covered in number die-cuts and layer after layer of paint. Followed by some of my buckles - I love these! Did I tell you I bought 10kg in a sale a while back? The centre of the giant washer is a vintage typewriter key and I have added some of the 7 Gypsies rub-ons I like so very much.

Another cat food tin lid necklace, this one a posy of used horseshoe nails and a butterfly. What a contrast between the life of horses used for racing and the freedom of nature.

The house is clean, the shopping done and I am organised to go out tonight. Harvey is asleep on the floor and Archer beside me on the bed, I think I will join them for a Saturday afternoon snooze. How was your day?

Sunday Sun and Fun with Friends

"Don't make me pose Mum, I want to run and run and run some more..."
"Mum why does Archer like the beach, it is dirty here, my toes are gritty?"

"Perhaps if I stand on the weed..."

"Walking a straight line is a bit tricky just here."

OWOH Winners

What fun this OWOH give-away has been. I have so enjoyed visiting blogs, signing up for give-aways and the thrill of 'meeting' so many new people through comments left on my blog. Thank you so much to Lisa for organising this truelly global event.

I asked three children in my class their favourite numbers today and the reponses were used to pick the winners in this order.

First (the Gold Junk Pin) goes to Julie at fabulous finds studio
Second (the little Copper Junk Pin) to Sammy at sammystuff
Third (the Pearl and Sterling Silver Earrings) to Kathy at kathys quilts

I have left all these ladies comments on their blogs.
Thank you so very much to everyone who stopped by.

Colour Change

I recently purchased a fabulous painting from the very talented Leighanna
and will post a picture of it soon. Leighanna included some extra treasures including the old wallpaper I have used for this journal. What a lot of fun I had playing outside of my usual sepia and rust tones.

I filled the inside with different papers, glassine envelopes, card, joss papers, dictionary pages and more. If pink and grey are your colours you will find this one on Etsy.

This Week's Creations

House Journal - on Etsy
Cat Notepad - Winging its way home soon.

Despite being back at work full time my nights are still fairly free - no marking yet! I have had a wonderful time playing and meeting a New Years Resolution; to use up some of my stash and to make some of the many kits I have been given. The books used some of my chipboard and other bits and pieces.

This little green pincushion was to be an apple in it's original kit form and had one orange segment. I decided I wanted a more traditional look and went all green with cute little patches and buttons. The pincushion is just for me - for some reason I have never had one.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

My Lover, in the Laundry

By popular request I am providing an update on Harvey (and I so appreciate everyone who asks afer my new boy); my lover in the laundry. I sent these paragraphs to a dear friend on Saturday as part of a longer happy Harvey mail.
I have a lover in my laundry. Oh he plays hard to get, skitters away when I dash in for the loo, a doggy treat, or cleaning equipment . He has even been known to hiss. But the moment I say, 'Hi Harvey' his eyes soften and he moves his body slightly toward me.

I know he wants me.

I go and pat his little head, rub his chest, back and tail. I have even cleaned his ears with a fresh cotton hankie, He pushes into my hand and lets me use two hands to massage him, he eats from my fingertips. He arches his body towards me as my hands move - first his head, and then his bottom, his tail curling through my fingers. He purrs, a wild rumbly purr that trips over itself to let more purrs out.

And when I leave, up to 40 minutes later, his body sags, his eyes say, 'I thought you loved me.'

What happened that this dear little cat who has so much love to give? When did he stop trusting? Why do our love fests take place in the laundry trough? I know, I know, I know that one day he will be on this bed with the rest of the furries, if only I could get him to willingly leave the laundry.

Tonight I sat on the floor with Archer and Harvey, watched my two boys smooch, one purring wildly the other tail wagging madly, both clambering over my legs and pressing against me. They are so comfortable together, Harvey squeezes under Archer, Archer pokes his tongue in Harvey's face and they rub noses continuously. Harvey is learning his name, and this past few days has started to take a few steps towards me as I call him. If I have Archer or Phantom with me he will come right up to us for his scratch and pat fix.

We seem, the three of us. to end each day this way, precious, and a few more steps on the journey.

One World One Heart Give Away

The lovely Lisa - Oceandreamer has organised this blogwide event for the second year running. Everyone who participates will be giving something away on their blog. To participate, all you need to do is leave a comment on THIS post. If you have a blog and want to give away something, or if you just want to meet the other participants and have a look at their giveaways click here. Have fun blog browsing and meeting new people.

There will be lots of fabulous, creative items being given away. You never know, you might just win something!!!

What IS ONE World-ONE Heart?This is a world wide blog giveaway event.Lisa's original idea was to bring bloggers from around the world together - people who might ordinarly never get the chance to meet!Not only may you win a prize, but it will help us to interact and discover new friends.

I love working with metal so have decided to give away a little copper, gold and silver. I made the earrings especially and the pins are some I have pulled from my ETSY.

Good Luck.