Pencil Sketches

My hubby (Chris Elliman) has been doing kind of quirky sketches recently, so I thought I would have them made into greetings cards and I am really pleased at how they have turned out.
He has used quality artists pencils and cartridge paper and the drawings really have a lovely depth and smoothness to them.






Hubby is quite impressed to see his artwork in the form of a greeting card and has allowed me to put them for sale in my Etsy shop http://chaoticfusions.etsy.com/ WHOOP!


The cards are blank inside, so are suitable for most occasions and would be great for any animal lover young or old.

Hot Dog!

Poor Woody is not enjoying this hot weather, plus he is poorly and on anti-biotics.

He was having his usual walk, run, go crazy in the field bit of fun, when he decided to be nosey down a rabbit hole, I don't think that rabbit was very happy and must have shoved something up Woody's nose! He keeps having very bad sneezing fits which are making his nose bleed.

The vet said it could be a seed or even rabbit poo!

Anyway, he now has a bad build up of mucus and isn't allowed out for a run, just a slow stroll.

Slowly does it then Woody for a whole week! You poor thing!

Anyway, here he is with his head under the table, stands there for ages like that, silly doggy!

Woody

Here is my dog "Woody", caught on the arm chair having a sneaky comfy five minutes, naughty boy!

Don't give me that sad eyed look either, it won't work! Well......not all the time :0)

Woody

Well, Woody is settling in really well, he seems right at home and it feels like we have had him for years.

He is a great dog, very loving and playful, but.........................he has terrible wind! pooh!

And they are not silent but deadly, but very loud and deadly!

He likes to watch us through the kitchen door, as he stands there, he sticks his face against the glass and slides his nose upwards revealing his teeth, it's very funny!

If you have a good tip on "doggy wind", please leave me details. I have been told to give him a spoonful of natural yogurt everyday, so that is something I will try. We feed him complete dog food and don't spoil him with leftovers!

He's gaining the name "farting ninky nonk"!

Our new dog!

It was a great day today, we picked up our rescue dog from the RSPCA, he is a dalmatian/Harlequin great dane cross they think? eeeeek! how big will he get?



He is a bit ignorant and runs around like a loonatic, but he is very loving and we are very optimistic that we will get on, forever.....awwww, bless him!
Well, today is a fortnight since we got Woody, and he is a lovely friendly, big soppy dog who has settled in with us so well.
The only thing he has done is ripped a load of plastic bags to pieces that he managed to get hold of, silly boy!
Oh yeah... he is scared stiff of a whoopy cushion, so much that he hid behind the armchair and peeped out, looking so worried.
He had to be coaxed out with a treat, I didn't mean to scare him, I promise! (was hilarious though, poor doggy)

Completed wet/dry felt bag

Hurray!!!! My bag is finally finished, all lined and buttoned.

Can't believe it actually looks like a bag as well, my first attempt hasn't turned out too bad has it? Even though I did it back to front! lol

Finishing my bag

I am getting closer to finishing my felt bag,
Right now, I am in the middle of doing the lining with some gorgeous purple fabric that I bought from
http://www.gonetoearth.co.uk/

They do loads of beautiful fabrics (you will be spoilt for choice), linings and buttons too!
Delivery was prompt and the items well packaged.
Julia was really helpful to me and gave loads off advice on how to finish my bag.
Thanks julia!


I know I did it all the wrong way round, bag first! lining last! but I am impatient and despite this back to frontness of mine, the bag is coming along ok.










I am also enjoying my new sewing machine, as you can see it has come in very handy with my bag making, I just need to learn about the stitches and get a bit straighter! lol

The bag will be mine, so don't worry about it being put on Etsy!!!!

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have finished it, will upload piccies later, when there is day light, its too dull at the mo and I should really be getting ready for work lol!!

Wet felted bag!

Quite awhile ago I made a wet felted panel and decorated it with beads and large diamante's, I said I would probably turn it into a bag????????

Well.......guess what?? I did!!!!!

Here it is.

I ironed a fabric stabilzer onto the back of the felt first and then I hand sewed the edges, doing everything by eye and guess work rather than measuring and marking.

I used plastic canvas as a base to help give shape.

Then I sewed some huge black buttons on my folded corners and sewed abit further up the edges.

I know all you bag makers are probably splitting your sides with laughter, but this has kept me free from boredom, so I am sure you will let me off!!!!

When I was happy with the sides, I then hand sewed the handles into place, checking every so often that they where going to line up. I nipped and tucked and have ended up with a bag!!!

I removed the big black buttons as I didn't like them and replaced them with some gorgeous vintage sparkly diamante metal buttons that I bought from an auction site. I think they compliment the bag quite nicely.

What do you think????

I am so proud of my DH!

Last year (Dec 07) my OH was offered the chance to do "Challenge Africa", he would help build a school in Tanzania and spend time with the Masai tribe, then he would get the chance to climb Mount Meru.
We thought it would be July this year and started to prepare him with all the jabs and tablets, kitting out with clothes, hot summer clothes and wintery mountain clothes. We spent lots of money and saved hard for all the dollars he would need as well as organising his sponsor forms, raffles and collecting from shops. He needed to raise several thousand as the target set for him and his BT colleages was £40,000.

Just before Christmas he got his e-mail telling him that the trip was to take place in March 08!!! We had barely anytime to prepare and worst of all our Silver Wedding Anniversary was at the beginning of March?????

He was gutted that we would be the furthest apart we had ever been on such a special day, I supported him fully as he had to go, he may never be offered this type of adventure again.

Anyway, to cut a very long story short, He did the challenge and I am extremely proud, he saw stuff that was a real eye opener to him and he found the whole experience a roller coaster of emotions, he didn't quite conquer Meru but he came pretty damn close.

He has over 600 photo's and a lovely DVD that really captures the team effort that was put in by everyone, they all supported each other through all their emotions and he came home with more friends than ever, he has so much to tell and he learnt so much, AND....they all raised £50,000!!

Now in June 09 he is doing the "Three peeks"(England), this only lasts a weekend but all money he raises will go towards buying an Air Ambulance. So its more trekking clothes and fund raising, and I am proud once again!

Watch this space ;0)