Friday 31 July 2009

granny's (MIL's) birthday again ... tomorrow ...





i really love these pictures myself though ... i had two large ones printed for the girls to give to her ...

Thursday 30 July 2009

monkeh gets a ride in the trike ...


monkeh gets a ride in the trike ...
Originally uploaded by RaggyRat

a new friend and child minder has arrived at our house, and caused mary to learn how to shout , 'monkeh, monkeh!'

he is hand knitted by my sister lisa ... have i said i can't knit? i cant do even rows never mind the sort of knitting that gives our simian friend his great face !

thanks lisa ....

Wednesday 29 July 2009

my sewing machine is in the hospital ... sewing machine man is waiting for new parts ...


so i will just have to knuckle down and sew all these body parts together ...
these will become jointed raggyrats and some colourful rabbits ...

i miss my sewing machine - once i even borrowed one while mine was inthe shop !

Saturday 25 July 2009

another plush team challenge - 40 years since woodstock 69





"Among the countless iconic images to come out of Woodstock, one that stands out is that of a colorful micro-bus painted with all the symbols of the peace-and-love generation that has become known as "Light."

Light was a group that included a singer by the name of Robert Grimm, who would later become one of the Four Seasons. It was Grimm who commissioned Dr. Bob Hieronimus to turn the band's drab tour bus into something more ... say, magical."

Thursday 23 July 2009

a rat bag who lives in toronto ....


Mouse at Little Shop of Allergy Horrors 001
Originally uploaded by peromyscus

...let me see a pic of himself ... click through to flickr to see what he's up to there !

Saturday 18 July 2009

Artwey - launched at pilgrim house, Spirit of the Sea Maritime Festival ...

i spoke to ruth meech about Artwey and she agreed it would make good reading and we will eventually be featured in the dorset echo magazine ... she put an article for us in the echo newspaper, and featured my Shimmery Fish plus a picture of andrea from the files.


remeeber when i started blogging? i was working on three big marine-themed projects, two puppets and a lobster costume. all came back to me to help promote artwey, and my work too.


the tompot blenny's top-knots have drooped a bit in the last two years! Thanks to Coastlink for the loan of puppets and costume.


and here is some of my work at Pilgrim House.
i shall have to show you my new goat sign properly, and the story behind it ...


nopt the plush team cards and the new Artwey postcards ...

Thursday 16 July 2009

mixed media painting, more WIP pics ...



i have added more muted colours to these canvases.
the 'death of marat' painting is next to one from two years ago, with much brighter colours!

Wednesday 15 July 2009

6 foot mouse settling in, at home in canada ...


Moxxey Fursuit 002
Originally uploaded by peromyscus

i am looking forward to more pictures of the mouse suit, but here is one to show how happy he is in his new canadian home!

Otherwise known as the Moxxey Fursuit ....

Sunday 12 July 2009

charlie the chef


charlie the chef
Originally uploaded by RaggyRat

a puppet i made way back before the twins came along ...

i made quite a few 2-foot rats for a childrens show ...

will meet up with my tompot blenny, and cuttle fish again today and share more pics of those soon ...

last night's concert for 'dorset for singing' went well, but im pretty tired !

Saturday 11 July 2009

snippings ....

i recently managed to slip myself into the dorset echo magazine - i thought that a 6 foot mouse made in a weymouth home would be a good story!



i like this picture tho, that didnt make it into the magazine, they seem to go for the super-uber-wide angle pictures in their layouts ... Ruch Meech makes a lovely mouse doesn't she?



and here's a peep at the second issue of rat and mouse magazine, where i show you how to make a finger puppet mouse step by step ... i took all the photos while making at the same time :-)



here i am with Dorset For Singing, on the front row making mental notes for choir-blogging and generally giving cheek to Ed ...



and the choir performing at Preston Garden Party, i am inthe middle with my mouth open ... no comments please!



now, who is coming to hear us tonight? i am going to do two solos and have given my father-in-law permission to bring his camcorder ... usually i tell him to put it away!

Monday 6 July 2009

Something for the weekend ....

This weekend, i will be invloved in two projects, which are part of the Spirit Of The Sea, Weymouth & Portland Maritime Festival



"ARTWEY is an expanding group of artists from Weymouth and Portland who have come together to run an open studios event throughout the borough every weekend in September plus a group show at Brewers Quay daily.

"We will be launching ARTWEY at the annual Spirit of the Sea Festival on 11-12th July, holding a mixed exhibition in Hope Square and on the harbourside. In addition we have created a website and will be producting an art trail map giving details of all participating artists and a film of our artists in action or at local inspirational landmarks.

"This is a great opportunity for local people and visitors to discover our thriving but sometimes hidden art community and enjoy an exciting and we hope annual event. Any artists, sponsors or members of the public wanting more information about ARTWEY can find details on our website or pop into
Jezebels Jewels, 55 St Mary St, Weymouth, telephone 01305 839702."

I am looking forward to meeting my puppets, the tompot blenny and cuttle-fish again, as they come along to help promote Artwey ... and amuse visitors, of course!

and on saturday evening i will be singing again ... :-)

Thursday 2 July 2009

bugged ....


funny how much the family element of my blog seems to be about insects ... hope they dont scare you away if you like coming to read about sewing and painting!
this beatle seen climbing the house wall just begged to be help by matty and daisy and is very impressive to boot!