Rainbows for the lockdown

I might blog a bit more. A blog seems like such a thoughtful place to be right now. We I live gently inside a family bubble and find myself not only free to home education once again, but legally required. 

So we have joined the worlds children in posting love on our windows, even tho we live in a cul-de-sac with no other children in it. 

Enjoy your daily walk and have fun counting rainbows. I’m doing a lot of cooking but aiming to keep crafting too. I hope you are well. 

Feeling like a sloth, on a rainy day in July?

So the fuzzies went on a walking with bio-father, and mummy was left with all the baby sitting. Mary left instructions for specific toys, Matty texted to ask if hers were ok, and when I looked at Daisy's collection of favourites I saw that her newest toy had a note for me and Mike ...

I love him so much I desided to ask daisy if we could collaborate on a little project. She thought that was a fabulous idea so on a wet Saturday I had my paints out. Some of the paints pre date all my children. 

Eventually, layering paint and chalk, tracing and collating and embellishing just a little, a new sloth was born.

I'm going to varnish him tomorrow when the PVA is really dry and then I'll hang him up. I can't wait for daisy to see him! But then, I shouldn't try to hurry things. After all, a sloth knows how to chill...

Creative children ...

This charming, tiny bear was seen by Matty, aged 9 and two days! She worked on it while I was in hospital for a few hours on Friday, and showed me when I it home. While I may miss home educatio. I'm happy that my children will still use time off school to be productive. This bear was inspired by a sewing boom design, and inteprpreted - not copied. Well done Matty!

done-up dolls house - time to play!

The dolls house that came from a friends loft was cleaned and white-washed, then collaged creatively with all kinds of embossed and coloured papers ... then sealed with my favourite ronseal water based varnish....

Some of the colours are really strong, but these look great with the plain wooden things that I managed to pick up locally for Christmas!

My girls had fun choosing how to set up the house, and I think they did a great job ...

So does this lucky resident! I love making my home nice too, do you?

Refresh 2012 ... Out and About!

Playing in the sand at church on the beach!

Catching up with Friends, old and new ...

Being inspired ... Andrew Palau

Hanging out in the girly tent...

rocking the beach, after dark!

a touch of clown chique!

Taking advantage of the free Wifi...

Watching others play very silly beach games!

Special ...

I shared this drawing on the Facebook Raggy Rat page, and no one knew what it was! It's a very simple looking object, that can be music to your ears, and I have drawn it for the illustrated book I am working on at the moment ...

Here it is in use ...

Peter and Jane?

No, this is my work - a snippet of one of the drawings for my children's book!

Two of a good friends children made wonderful models for this picture about having fun! http://www.herewearetogether.com/2012/07/19/drawings/

Our Sofa ....

I have been using my camera today to take some photographs I can work from, for my children's book ... well maybe not this one!

I think my vintage sofa (left at my request from the previous owner) is a great setting for many of our family adventures, especially those involving books or just talking together ... Come on Mum, sit down!

and I have also been working in something for the sofa - so take a good look at these 'before' pics! And take a peak at the sewing project, below -

Because you are mine!

The children's book im working on is carried about with me in portable form, only very recently it was accidently given an oil bath (dont ask!) and has become hard to read! Although i will keep it as it has memories and some charming additions from Daisy, it is time for a new copy to carry about with me ...

WIP children's book - the first picture ...

added a duck and some broken bread ....

And there's space for text too ...

but bread is rather hard to draw ...

Monkey Business!

We got this lovely book, with monkeys to make and a funny rhyme to read, and I saved it for an after-dinner chill activity ...

There are bits and bobs to make three monkeys, with the book, and some things for them too ...

The instructions were easy to follow and our new friends began to take on their cheeky characters!

Bending the shaped pipe-cleaners creates the knees, elbows and little hands and feet!

Daisy chose this amazing orange monkey, and only needed a little bit of help ...

This is the best bit because we are nearly ready to play!

With pop out ties, the monkeys can dress up as in the fun rhyme too!

Or fly around with super-hero capes on!

Make some yourself, find out more here!

WIP Illustrating again ...

Adding depth ....

I am so excited with this project, I have wanted to work on the children's book for years! xxx

WIP pastels, and pottery!

Yesterday i did not post because i was far too busy having a fun birthday, but today i took a wonderful picture of a friend of mine and her daughter, and my box of pastels out ... This needs a lot more work of course! I have not used my pastels for a long time.

And as the sun went down and the chickens went to roost, I make myself a hot chocolate in one of my birthday presents, see beaker folk to get your own lovely mug!

Faces ....

So first I get out my camera to share my baby owls with you!



And then my real life babies ask me if they can be in the shot too!



And then Mary pipes up, 'Do me Mummy!' so there you have them all!

Happy Mother's Day!

My girls make me cards and presents at Rainbow guides! Hope you have a lovely day xxx

Sushi platters!

We made sushi platters at pottery, and this is Matty's - the Potter's name is on it too!



Mary had great fun making hers, and adding all the different glazes, using a brush...



Daisy incorporated the edge design demonstrated by the potter!


And as for me, my platter needs to be fired! But why not head over to The Raggy Rat Facebook Page, where i will be hosting a 'Pay It Forward' give-away tomorrow!

Cold day!

It was a cold day today, with frozen bird-baths and chicken drinkers ...



but some of us still went outside to do fun things on our bikes that it says not to, in the instructions!



And some of us stayed inside, where it was much warmer ...



there were curved seems and there were ... even wibblier ones!



And then there was a rat named Agent, to go with toffee!